Chapter Two

What a fragile human. I watched the woman named “Celia” from the safety of the Underrealm. The crystal pane before me distorted her and her surroundings slightly, but it was better than the alternative of hiding myself with magic.

I was stunned by Celia’s behavior toward me. The fear was understandable but her hospitality, and insistence upon freeing me, was not. Yet, her thoughts rang true. The thought of binding me to her service hadn’t even crossed her mind. Her strangely pure intentions made my heart clench with guilt.

At the very least, I could have been kinder to her. Instead, I had likely reaffirmed that “demons” were something for her to be terrified of.

“Oh, she’s a pretty one,” a feminine voice remarked. My sister rested her forearm on my shoulder and peered at the crystal. “Huh. She’s the one who summoned you? Where’s her magic?”

“I didn’t sense any from her while I was there, either.” I reached out to dismiss the image from the crystal but stopped when Celia’s vehicle rolled to a stop and she pulled out her phone. A look of hurt crossed her face before she shoved it away, got out of the car, and carried her box of food toward a house.

When the door to the house opened, the women who greeted Celia ushered her in as if they were ashamed for her to be seen. Although she was invited to the gathering, it was clear that she was an outcast. When she distributed her sandwiches, I frowned.

Each woman ate one…except for her. She insisted to them that she had already eaten, but I knew better. I clenched a fist. Celia had given me her share of the food?

“Have someone take food to her.” I turned to look at my sister.

“You must be joking.” She stared at me.

“I owe her a debt,” I stated, earning a groan from my sister. “Just do it.”

I returned my attention to the crystal. Celia’s gaze was downcast as she headed for the door. The party was in full swing, yet she was sneaking out. A friend of hers caught her and they exchanged brief words, her pregnant friend apologizing profusely. Celia took her leave after but merely sat in her car for a while, staring blankly out the windshield.

She sent a text message before driving off but didn’t wait to see if she would get a response. I soon realized it was because she wouldn’t get one.

When she returned home, she sprawled out on the couch and stared at the ceiling, not bothering to fetch food first or to check her phone when it vibrated.

When I maneuvered my magic to check her phone’s messages I felt disappointment, followed by anger.

From: Celia

We still on for our date, Andrew? I have something cute to wear!

From: Teddybear <3

no time tonight. going out with the guys. go find smthing else to do.

When Celia finally checked, she scoffed and tossed her phone aside. She seemed used to it. I felt pain for her. To be treated like that by someone you cared for…

After hesitating for a moment, I stopped watching the strange human woman and rose to my feet. It wasn’t much, but I knew a way to alleviate some of her loneliness.