Lita took her usual place as server, gathering grateful looks from her replacement. She’d missed the demoness again somehow. Not in her rooms, the training courtyard, or any of the other usual places before dinner.

Taking out the cart she was surprised by the level of noise in the dining hall tonight.

Shouts, cat calls, and boos echoed through the room. Once she’d pushed her way inside it took her only seconds to understand.

Tables had been moved closer to the walls, giving her just enough space to push her cart and little more. This left the center completely open and demons were facing each other in a sparring match.

Usually this sort of thing was reserved for the training courtyard.

In the next couple of days she was expecting Diana Veran to remember that she hadn’t had Lita join her in the training yard for a while. Lita was not looking forward to it.

Two teams of two were facing each other. Both of them hideously transformed into their other shapes.

Two snake-like creatures, one on each side, each with an odd number of legs and distorted features. One bear-like monster with one huge eye. And one creature which was an odd mix between a cow and a toad.

“And, go!”

She didn’t see the shouter but she saw the initial crash as the two teams launched themselves at each other.

Laughter, hoots, claps.

She finally made it to the head table, once again starting at Diana’s end with the food plates. The humans, she noted, had been moved to the table next door. So they could see the competition.

Dalius caught her eye and winked. She flushed and turned quickly away, placing a plate in front of Diana Veran.

“You were supposed to take the day off, stupid girl.”

Diana Veran murmured low but kept her eyes on the competition.

“Taiken’s message-”

“Can wait until after dinner. Now that you’re here, I want a bottle of the elderberry wine sent out.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

Lita hurried to finish serving the plates. Only glancing occasionally at the match. It lasted maybe a minute, blood splattering the sawdust strewn floor.

As the contestants lined up to bow to the head table their wounds visibly pulled together and began healing. The healing was sluggish compared to a Brethren’s ability but it was disheartening.

How could anyone beat such monsters?

When she returned with the wine, in a demon made glass bottle instead of an animal skin, she filled Diana’s glass.

“Offer some to the rest.”

Harv let her fill his cup. Thrusting it back behind him so she wouldn’t get in the way of his line of sight. Jersard waved her on. Aridon motioned toward his cup, making no attempt to bring it closer to her and forcing her to serve him like normal.

As she pulled the bottle back, ready to move to the last demon, Aridon abruptly grabbed her wrist.

He took the bottle from her hand and took a deep sniff at her palm. She held very still, unable to breath. If she’d looked behind her maybe she would have caught Diana’s single, anxious glance before determinedly fixing her attention on the next bout.

“What have you been playing in, human, to have such an awful smell? I smelled it this morning, too.”

“I’m sorry if I offend you, Lord Aridon.”

The words came out strangled and low, her heart thudding painfully with a burst of fear.

“Hmm.”

He let go of her wrist and thankfully returned his attention to the next combatants. She retreated hastily and was waved off by Planking, the last Brethren.

For the rest of the night she anxiously bounced on her toes behind the head table, drove a cart back and forth from the kitchen, or served course after course.

Meanwhile the demons demonstrated their skills. And powers of healing themselves over and over again.

She shuddered when suddenly one of the combatants' heads flew toward the head table. Rolling until it came to rest somewhere underneath. This resulted in a roar of laughter as the suddenly headless, rat-like thing stumbled around and tried to fight off its opponent. All while looking for its head.

Jersard was the one who kicked it out toward the center but it was already too late for the rat demon. It had been pinned down by its tiger-like opponent. Who then helped him up and reattach his head.

All while laughing.

Lita shuddered.

When the evening finally started to wind down, Lita filled her cart with the last of the dishes. The human guests left their table to make their bows goodnight.

Again, Dalius caught her eye where she stood behind the Brethren’s table.

That rogue, she thought, almost smiling as she ducked her head and reached for Diana’s cup.

“Have someone else take the dishes, Lita. I want you to accompany me to my room.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

While Diana stood and said her goodnights to the others, Lita quickly intercepted someone clearing another table. Then she followed after the demoness as she walked swiftly from the room.

For the entire walk through the Palace, Diana said nothing.

Didn’t even glance at Lita. Even when the brisk pace sent the human girl stumbling and hurrying to catch up more than once.

When they finally reached Diana’s rooms the demoness flung herself into a chair and sank back. Rubbing her forehead.

Why does she do that? She can’t get a headache.

“Tell me Taiken’s message, girl. Or did you bring it written? I could’ve read that at dinner.”

“He said he’d be there.”

“That’s it?”

Lita nodded, keeping her eyes respectfully on the floor.

The demoness laughed softly. “I knew if I sent you he’d be less likely to cause trouble.”

Confused, Lita looked up. But, Diana Veran had already turned away to look at her bookshelf.

“If that’s it...”

Her heart began to race again. It was now or never. “He-He mentioned that he’d need an escort.”

“I thought that was it.”

“It wasn’t a direct message, Mistress. He asked if I’d ask to escort him through the Palace. But, left it to me to do it or not.”

There was a long silence that stretched between them. In it Lita’s heartbeat picked up and her hands began to sweat. Breathe, Lita. Keep Breathing.

“Human, do you know why I keep you around?”

“Um-”

She had no idea.

Diana Veran stood up and Lita’s heart leapt as the demoness came to stand far, far too close. Lita didn’t dare move as the creature picked up Lita’s braid and pretended to examine it. Pursing her lips.

“More than one reason, really. But, the biggest one is that you’re so easy to read.”

Lita wrinkled her forehead and looked back down. Suddenly aware of herself staring wide-eyed at the intrusion on her space.

“Mistress?”

“Look at me.”

Biting her lip, Lita did as she was told and sweat broke out on her forehead as Diana Veran leaned closer. Trying to intimidate the human.

And succeeding.

“You should keep your nose out of demon business, Lita. I’d hate for you to be accused of spying.”

Lita’s heart leapt.

“I’m not spying!”

Diana Veran laughed and dropped Lita’s braid. “Of course you’re not. You may escort Taiken if you wish.” With a lighter tone Diana Veran turned away, walking toward her clothes chest. “Another thing you should do. Stay away from that Dalius man. He’s a rat pretending to be a fish.”

“Mistress-”

Diana pulled her nightshirt out of the chest. “I know he’s good looking. He has a reputation. And I’ve heard whispers that he might’ve even charmed a local demoness in his area, too.” She shot Lita a look. “He’d take you, I’m sure.”

Lita flushed. “I’m not looking for a husband or even a bedmate, Mistress.”

Why do you care?

“Of course not. Just know I’d have to replace you if you got pregnant. Now, help me dress. I want to go to bed.”

Pregnant? Ugh.

Lita helped the demoness change clothes. She doesn’t need help with this, thought Lita grumpily as she tied the laces on the back and stepped away.

“Now, shoo.”

With a curtsy, Lita left.

At least I got permission to escort Taiken.

With a smile she turned a couple corners. Aiming for the servants stairs that would lead down to the kitchens and then to the servants wing.

“Hello, Lita. I wanted to catch you before bed.”

At the last corner she’d had her head down. So she didn’t see someone waiting there. Startled, she looked up and instantly flushed as she smiled. Speaking of imps, she thought.

“Hello, Magistrate Dalius.”

The man grinned and pushed off the wall. “There’s no need to be formal, Lita. We’re old friends after all. May I walk you to the stairs?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Did you grill someone to find out which way I’d come?”

“Of course! You haven’t come to me this entire time. So I thought I’d surprise you.” He offered her an arm. Flushing deeper, she accepted and allowed him to lead the way. “Now that we have time to talk, how are you, my dear?”

“My dear? Isn’t that what old people call us youngsters when they’re being affectionate?”

“Well, I am older than you.”

She laughed. “So you are. You’ll need a cane soon and might lose half your teeth if you pick up some bad habits.”

“Ouch. Do I look that bad?”

“No. Worse.” Stupid, she thought. You know how good you look. I can see it in your grin.

They talked nonsense. Continuing to tease until they reached the stairway. She’d never been so disappointed with getting to her destination.

“Thank you, Dalius, for the escort.”

“My pleasure.” She flushed again as he took her hand and kissed it. “Can I see you again tomorrow?”

“Dalius.” She may not have liked Diana’s interference but she wasn’t stupid. “I have no intention of crawling into your bed. If that’s what you want there are plenty of other girls.”

He grinned. “I can’t just enjoy your company?”

“If that’s all you want-”

“Of course it is.”

She bit her lip “I might have a little time in the afternoon before dinner.” And after escorting Taiken. “Or after dinner if you have meetings.”

“That would be splendid. After dinner might be best. I never know how long those dratted meetings are going to go.” He made a face and lowered his voice. “I swear, those demon bastards make the meetings longer than necessary. Just to make us squirm.”

“I can’t see you squirming.”

“That’s because you only see my best side.” He winked and bowed, indicating the stairwell. “I bid you goodnight, miss Lita.”

She laughed and playfully curtsied before leaving.

Tired. Yet… she looked over her shoulder. Somehow, she was starting to feel better. Maybe she’d even sleep tonight.

***

It was too early to escort Taiken. By noon Lita was anxious. Wanting to get the whole thing over with.

Worse. She had nothing to do for most of the morning. When she’d seen the demoness earlier, Diana had been in a foul mood.

“I’ll be in the training courtyard.” Diana’s fangs had come out in her irritation as she brushed by Lita and out of her room. “Bring me the noon meal. There’s some idiots I don’t want to run into in the dining hall.”

Unable to follow the demoness around, Lita spent the morning mostly in her cubby.

There were plenty of idiots she didn’t want to run into, either.

The only productive thing she’d done all morning was to check her no-smell supply. The little bottle was almost full and still a month away from beginning to expire.

She’d have to make more soon.

Carefully she’d tucked it away and continued waiting.

The noon meal was usually served buffet style. Food was piled up on tables at the end of the dining hall and the demons came to eat whenever they felt like it.

Today Lita had to fill a plate and take it straight to the demoness. Through the entrance hall and into the large, south wing. The first room, with doors leading to the rest of the wing, was the training courtyard.