"Why is it that you look at me with such mistrust? Have you encountered demons before me with terrible intentions?" Ari stayed silent. "It is better to be cheated once than to mistrust everyone."

The room smelled of magnolias and sweet peas although it was well into the winter months. Ari liked the scent which distracted him from Nis' nonchalance. Ari surveyed the room some more, taking in the luxurious craftsmanship of the wooden tables and bookshelves. All along the walls were columns of bookshelves filled with toppled over books. He could not see many of them from the distance he was at, but he could tell that they were treated with such meticulous care.

Ari did not think of Nis as much of a reader. The more he looked the more he noticed the piles of books lain open and sprawled haphazardly across the floor. Books littered the bed and the tables and anywhere else that had free space. He never seen so many. The Khaeo only maybe had twenty or so. The books outside of their teachings were considered sins punishable by the severity of the offense. This made him curious. More than curious.

He turned his head back to Nis who only gave him a soft smile and kind eyes. "So I take it you like to read?"

"I... I cannot say I do," Ari mumbled.

"Do you know how to read?"

"These scripts are foreign to me."

"I can teach you."

Ari loomed closer. "You say not to mistrust, but why must I trust someone who puts me to sleep and asks for my name while knowing the meaning behind it if I do?"

Nis' smile grew. "Well, should I hide it from you then? Perhaps, you are not used to being around someone who is forward."

"No, I do not trust you is all... "

"Trust is earned not given, I understand." Nis wrapped his fingers around some of his long strands of red hair as if in deep thought. "The way I went about bringing you here was a bit... dramatic, but I meant well by it."

"Is that so? Would you think so if our roles were reversed?" Ari said as he bent down near his face. He had such long lashes and pink coated lips that reminded him of a pink camellia. His slender nose complimented his facial features. And those gray eyes. They were alluring and deep like the ocean. When Nis blinked Ari came out of his daze. Ari became flustered and he did not want it to show, so he hid it well with an air of nonchalance that Nis had down to near perfection.

"Roles were reversed? Heh, that would not happen. I would come quite willingly." Nis trailed a finger down his chin to his throat and smirked.

Ari grabbed his hand feeling his warmth and its softness. It reminded him of Auovin's. His heart squeezed and twisted at the thought. He could not let himself be distracted. He had a clear goal. He would not let anyone lead him astray.

Still, Ari could not help but notice the little things. The color of Nis' nails matched the color on his painted cheeks — a soft red. It was a pretty color that Ari liked. He did not realize how nice it would look on a person. All the Khaeo ever wore was black and the same went for Auovin and Cyrus. Maybe that was why his gaze would linger on Nis so often. He was something new to him and, whether he wanted to admit to it or not, he was quite gorgeous as well.

"Valy was concerned about you so much so he had no care for self and thought to leave. So I thought to do him a favor and look after you and lucky that I did. That baker is a demon hunter," Nis said.

"I know."

Nis laughed. "You are nothing but a thing filled with ignorance and little truth. Naïveté will get you nowhere in this town but to an early grave. That hunter knows just how to do it."

Ari cut his eyes away from his and sighed. How many times must he hear those words?

"You do not believe me? Him and his ilk, for generations, has killed us greater demons. Use our fangs as decorative ornaments."

"And so if he has?"

"Young one, you must be self-aware. Do not trust him. Do not get too close to him," Nis warned.

"He does not know what I am. I did not tell him."

"You do not have to. He can tell." Ari's eyes widened. "I am sure of it," Nis finished.

Ari sat across from him and did not raise his head. Was he really so ignorant? Did Sascha think to use him? But, no, he was kind to him and he knew of Freir and Rein. He would do him no harm. Ari bit his lip and sank his nails into his thighs. It did not matter. He would not be staying in the town long. Passing through was all. They would leave once Kaval was well rested, Ari reasoned. He had a goal. He was going home.

"Let us get you out of this room filled with stuffy books." Nis rose and outstretched his hand. "Shall I show you around town?"

Ari eyed him with suspicion but lowered his eyes after a couple seconds passed.

"Just until Valy is all rested up. You cannot be under him like a mother goose and its goslings. Take this chance to spread your wings. Figure out what you like, what you do not like... and what may lie in between."

Ari ignored his outstretched hand and rose on his own. He walked passed Nis and towards the door before saying, "Where to?"

"It is a surprise." Nis grinned. "Let me get changed before we go."

When Ari turned to look at him Nis was nearly undressed. A plethora of small markings coated his back. They did not look as fresh as his. They shared more of a similarity to the markings he had seen on Auovin. Sai once told him they told stories and that those markings came from their parents, so Ari could not help but become curious as to what Nis' told.

Nis let his robe slide a little further down causing Ari to look away abashed. Ari already had seen an eyeful of him, and did not want to see any more. Nis did not seem to care, however. Blood demons as old as he never seemed to.

"You could change elsewhere," Ari grumbled, growing more flustered by the second.

"Well, this is my room. Where else would I change if not here?" Nis said.

Clothes fluttered and ruffled. Soon it was followed by the sound of water splashing around in a bowl. What was taking him so long? Ari did not dare look. He chose instead to continue to stand in irritable silence as his curiosity ate away at him. Nis was tempting, as they all were, and he was hungry. His hunger only grew worse since waking up and being around him. What could he do but sate it? The little control he had of his needs was already unwinding itself.

The sound of more clothes sifting around drew Ari away from his thoughts. Without him realizing, Nis was already near enough to turn his head towards him.

"Shall we go now?" Nis opened the door beckoning Ari to go out.

With his painted face gone, Ari noticed more of his masculine appeal. His eyes appeared darker and his lashes longer. The fiery red hair of his was much longer than Ari anticipated it would be. It nearly came down to his bottom. Upon closer inspection, it was much redder and brighter than Ra's and Freir's. It curled and coiled the same as Ra's, though. Perhaps, a little looser. He always admired Ra's hair. It was pretty and soft. Ari wondered if Nis' would feel the same, but shook the thought away and stepped outside.

The sun was just about risen. How long had he slept for? Ari rubbed his eyes and beat away a yawn. He should be alert and more wary but it was if his body signaled that it was safe and let his guard down.

"I know you must be famished. Tell me, do you still play the role and eat human food? I can obtain that easily."

Ari cut his eyes to Nis who continued to look on ahead shooing away attendants when need be. Luxurious clothing suited him well, but a simple cotton shirt and trousers, when worn by him, made them look elegant and expensive. He was one to pay close attention to his appearance. It was not a bad thing. Just something Ari was not used to seeing.

"I play no role. And I do on occasion..." Ari answered.

"But you desire something else. Something much redder and thick." Ari's eyes lowered. "If you are like me, that may be a little harder to obtain... I am sure you have yet to come understand your preference."

Ari huffed and dismissed him. What good would it do to go along with his musings? Ari believed he knew quite a bit about him already and anything he would say would only confirm what he knew beforehand.

He turned his attention to their surrounding. Many trees of varying yellows, reds, and browns covered the path in which they walked. Their leaves rustled and crunched underneath their shoes. On the mountain, it was like winter but down here it was still Fall. His feel of time had slipped away from him since being on the mountain for awhile.

As he continued to look around, the buildings grew larger and more grandiose. Some reminded him of the old temples the Khaeo warned them to stay away from. They were in great disrepair. Perhaps, they would look like those if they were rebuilt.

"Over here." Nis opened the door to a building Ari had never seen quite like it before. His curiosity was amassing and he did not hesitate to step inside.

All along the walls were bookshelves filled with books. The shelves reached close to the ceiling. No matter how far he searched the room of books it went on and on. There were many levels and staircases with a bridge between one end to the other, in some cases. It was solely a building meant for books. It fascinated him and made him wary all at once. He did not want to get lost in such a place. There were no stars to guide him like outside.

"This is called a library," Nis said. "It is one my favorite places. Hopefully, it can become one of yours as well."

"These scripts are foreign to me."

"I will teach you."

Nis walked towards a bookshelf and picked out a book. He scanned the pages with some absentmindedness and said, "these are one of the humans' greatest creations. Passing on knowledge in this form so anyone can have access to it." He slammed the book shut and put it back.

"I have read every book here. Tell me what it is you want to read, and I will get it for you."

Ari licked his lips and furrowed his brows. He did not think that any book would have answers to his questions. Humans wrote them. Humans probably hundreds and hundreds of years dead. Still, it was worth trying. And he wanted to read something other than the texts given to them at the Khaeo. His world had been so limited, and he did not fully realize by how much until he came to this town.

"Something about the Old Gods. Clius, Ylana, and Oliya," Ari said.

Nis thumbed and his bottom lip and smiled. "Hm. Interesting choice. Are you wanting to learn about Harun specifically? Perhaps, a little of Oliya as well?"

"I believe I know all that I need to about... Oliya."

Nis laughed and signaled him to follow. "Are you certain of that? I suppose you cannot talk about one without talking about the other. The answer to your question lies somewhere in between there."

Ari made sure to stay close to him. Many candles were lit and covered aside from the top. Ari figures it was to help keep them from blowing out or causing a fire. There were thousands of books here. It would be terrible to see them all go up in flames.

"I make sure the bookshelves are dusted and kept well. The candles are lit every day and the old candlesticks replaced when too low. Do not worry about any darkness here."

Ari nodded as if he could see and smooshed into his back when he made an abrupt stop. Ari backed away and apologized. He was still unused to touching people or other people touching him, whether romantically or not.

"Here is a bookshelf full of stories of them. But this row here, in particular, tells of a demon with many faces who once was a god."

"There were only three."

Nis picked out a thick leather bound book and handed it to Ari. "I am not one to spoil a story, so I will let you read it yourself."

Ari did not realize they went up the many staircases that they did. They were many feet above the ground. To go back down now seemed like it would be time consuming.

"There are tables and candles at every floor. Come this way." Nis led him through a throng of bookcases. Soon rows of empty tables came into view.

"Have a seat, and I will teach you. You will be surprised how naturally you learn this."

Ari sat down and watched as Nis sat close to him.

This letter here is D. That one is A. E. V. Another A. And S. Ari tried to hide the surprise from his eyes. He did not if he hid it well or not. As foreign as they once seemed, Ari felt as if he seen those letters millions of times.

Nis rested his head against his balled up hand. "Go on and open it. I will take you through a couple sentences and the rest should come to you quickly."

Ari looked and him with furrowed brows.

"What is it?"

"Why are you willing to teach me this?"

"Why would I not? You do not want to believe my words, so I think it is best for you to learn yourself. As you said, whatever you may want to learn you want to learn on your own. I have no ulterior motives."

Ari wanted to believe him then. He did, but he did not want to fully believe him just yet.

Nis tapped a couple times on the book. "Focus. Here this sentence reads Daevas are false gods. To be rejected. Let this be known. They are demons masquerading around in human flesh, tempting us with our darkest desires in return for our souls. Beware those who wear beautiful faces and drip sweet honeyed words from their lips. I have come to know one. Beware the demon who wears a thousand faces."

Ari studied the words and listened well. His voice was nice sounding. Him being so close to his ear, Ari could imagine how it would sound if he whispered into them.

"Do not be distracted. You read it back on your own now."

Ari recited it back perfectly. He was used to the lectures and having to recite since he was a child. When he looked back at the words they became readable. It was if he always knew how to.

"It is a thick book and will take you some hours to get through, so tell me when you grow hungry or need a break. I will stay with you."

Ari was hungry now. He did not want to tell him that, though. It had only been a few hours since Ari met him and he was not comfortable with him just yet. Although the way his body reacted to him said something quite differently. Ari tucked in his bottom lip and continued to make his way through the first page.

A thousand faces, I say. He is an eater of demons and taker of souls. He haunts my dreams at night. I feel his eyes on me with every waking moment. He knows I know what he is, but the others do not. So I must write this lest I not survive this night.

Ari stopped there and swallowed. A thousand faces... Kaval said something like that before. Ari also felt eyes on him since he left from the dark place. He did not feel it on the mountain, but he felt it up until he reached the town. It was a frightening feeling.

I am the servant of the gods, but I served only one in his quarters and that was ... The words were intelligible. I always known him to be powerful and full of wisdom no human could possess. He was the greatest of the three. He was, but let me warn you now. He was one to be feared the most. It happened so quickly. I could not warn the others.

"What happened so quick?" Ari murmured. "And if he saw us this way, why warn the others? And which one is he referring to? I cannot read that word. The ink is blurred."

"Keep reading."

"What others is he referring to?" Ari searched his eyes for answers.

"Perhaps the other humans... Now continue."

The fall left them in ruins and it was ... who had done it. I followed him with the notion of being the one true god and the rest being defilers and liars of the faith. Had I wished I known what I know now.

"The Fall... that left them in ruins? Was that when they were cast down as demons?"

Nis shook his head yes.

"And Clius... he died?"

"Do you trust me to give you the answer to that question?"

"I do..."

"He did not die then. But a piece of him had. A big part that had tethered Oliya and him together."

"So... when did he die...?"

Nis adjusted his position. "Depends on one's perspective." Ari looked at him with confusion. "In Oliya's eyes, he died maybe two thousand or so years ago. To everyone else, I suppose.... seven or six hundred years ago. You were asleep for quite a bit."

Ari blinked at the sudden realization.

"You have his eyes... and lips... The color of his hair even."

"His eyes were blue..."

"Shape. It was no wonder Vinny could not help himself."

Ari shut the book and took a deep breath. He did not want to show how bothered he was by that statement. He would forever be living under his dead father's shadow. Maybe there really was no point in following after Auovin. If all he wanted to see and want was the image of his dead father. Ari shook his head. He could not think that way. No, he mustn't.

"You are much different from him. So curious and open. A little awkward at times. But the Khaeo is to blame for that."

"I am not awkward..."

"Say..." Nis leaned in close. "Since you will not give me your name, shall I give you one instead?"

Ari tried to hold his gaze but it was too intense for him to stare for much longer, so he dropped his gaze to the book.

"Sri... I shall call you that."

"Sri..." Ari mumbled.

"Do you like it?"

Ari nodded. It was close to his real name, and it was just a tidbit shorter. He had never been given another name either. With that, it was like beginning anew.

Nis put a thumb under Ari's chin and smiled. "It suits you well."

"Nis suits you as well."

Nis let go of a small laugh. "I am growing quite fond you, Sri. I have not laughed nearly as much as this in such a while. Stay away from that demon hunter until Valy is done resting. Do that for me, and I will give you the answers to your questions in the form of books."

"You are doing this for Kaval?"

"I thought that much was obvious from the beginning. But now I am also doing this for you. I do not want him to dislike me more, and I do not want some ill will to befall you."

"Dislike you? How so?"

Nis moved in his chair and rubbed his neck. "Another story for another time."

Ari grew more curious by the second. Kaval having a romantic relationship with Nis... did not seem like such a bad thing now that he was getting to know him a bit more. And Ari wanted Kaval to be happy. He needed to stop being possessive of him. However, he would not give his blessing to just anyone.

It was settled then. He would find out more about Nis along with Sascha. Somewhere along the way he would find the truth. Ari grasped the book tight in his hands. Something was amiss and growing in this town. He did not want to stay and find out what it was. Yet, there was an itching feeling gnawing at him that what he was searching for would be found here.

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