Not What It Seems
Chapter 11

This bird and bee’s topic intrigued me. It had become a nightly occurrence for Zeriah and I to go to Elaine and Erik’s tavern and spend the evening together. Especially with me performing for the crowd nightly. Tonight, however, was especially interesting because Zeriah’s friends found out that I didn’t know how non-demons procreate. The found out when I ask where they found their little girl.

Erik had some difficulty in explaining the topic, and so the task fell to his wife. While I listened, I couldn’t break eye contact. This way was drastically different from anything we demons did. After making sure I understood the process clearly, I was curious.

“Firefly!” I turned to Zeriah and walked over to her. “I want to try it.”

“Try what?” She asked while taking a drink from her mug.

“The birds and bees thing.”

The liquid sprayed out of her lips. Letting out sever coughs, I waited for her response.

“The what?” Her eye turned and met mine.

I nodded my head. “The birds and bees thing.”

“No!” Her response was quick.

I held my hands out in shock. “Why not?”

Her eyes showed disbelief. “I forget that you are still learning our customs. First of all, you hate affection, and that sort of activity usually is the pinnacle of affection. Secondly, that act should only be reserved for after marriage because it is a sacred practice to bring new life to the world given by Romos.”

Her words started to set in, and I began to understand.

“Thirdly,” she continued. “You know how Bella won’t leave you alone?”

“That’s what she wants from me?” I asked with a disgusted face. “Gross. Okay, I get it. I won’t pursue that.”

“Why would you even want to?” She asked. “Demons don’t like those sorts of feelings and I figured you won’t even want to try something non-demons do.”

“I was curious.” I explained. “As I learn more and more about human or elf or whatever isn’t a demon does in their life, I want to know more. Maybe experience them.”

Her head tilted to the side. “I understand, Vudu. But not everything you learn about us is actually the best thing for you to experience. Something like that could cause you to cease to exist, like you’ve explained.”

“But I like existing.” I stated while hugging myself.

“I figured.”

A chill went up my back as I heard a shrill voice. “Vudu!”

I let out a small groan as Bella’s arms wrapped around my form. I became stiff to her touch and didn’t move until she released me.

“Evening, Bella.” I greeted.

She looked up at me with her bright green eyes. “Did you miss me? I missed you.”

“My mind has been kept busy.” I said, but it seemed that she took it as me talking about her.

She pressed her chest against my arm, and she arched her back to emphasize the deep cut of her bodice, showing her cleavage. “Oh, honey, what do you say we leave this disgusting place and find somewhere private to go.”

“Hey, Bella.” Zeriah, called out to her, gaining an annoyed expression. “Do you know what hubris is?”

She was silent for a moment. “You’re just making stuff up.”

Zeriah’s eyes turned to me. “Vudu?”

“Yeah.” I responded. I knew what hubris was.

“I look forward to when you dish that out on her.” She said while leaning back.

I was lost for a moment, but quickly understood and nodded. “Right.”

“Vudu,” Bella pulled on my arm. “Come walk with me. I want to get to know you better.”

“Fine.” I stated. “I’ll meet you outside.”

She let out a little squeal and ran out the door. I rolled my eyes and looked over at Zeriah and Elaine. They looked at me with cocked eyebrows, wondering what I was planning on doing.

“Don’t worry.” I explained. “I’ll walk with her a bit to humor her, and then first moment I get, I’m coming straight back here. Lina said she wanted to show me something and I told her I’d be here.”

I noticed a small twitch from Zeriah’s lips. As if she tried to hide a smile. Before I left the tavern, there was one other thing I was curious about and wanted to test. And so, I walked closer to Zeriah, and barely brushed my lips against her cheek. Pulling back, I took a moment to think.

“I don’t get the appeal.” I stated as I turned and walked away.

As I left, I heard a snort from Elaine just before she let out robust laughter. Zeriah’s voice came out in tumbled and confused words. “You told him about kissing, didn’t you? What did you think was going to happen?”

I walked out of the door before I could hear anything else, and Bella was waiting for me with an eager, but seductive look in her eyes. I already wished I could go back into the tavern. We began our walk and I remained silent the whole time. Bella continued to try to converse with me, but mainly spoke about herself. I noticed at one point in time that she was mainly following whatever direction I took, and I began to form a plan.

“Vudu,” Bella’s voice called to me. “Don’t you think it’s time for us to go someplace private?”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t like this woman, and at the same time, I felt something change in the air. I hadn’t felt this presence in a long time. Not since I was trapped in the mirror. Could it really be what I thought it was?

We made our way down the street and turned to walk along the path of a canal that ran through the center of the town. I walked next to the water while Bella stayed on the other side. Snaking her arm around mine, she pressed herself against me, trying to have her body do the talking. I responded by pulling my arm away from her.

Slightly aggravated, she acted like she tripped on something and fell towards me. I took one step back to avoid her and she stumbled past me, losing her footing and falling into the canal. This was my chance to return to the tavern and Zeriah. I ignored her shrieks and cries as I walked back to the tavern. Though I didn’t often use the word, I hoped that this would send a message to Bella and she would leave me alone.

After the short walk back, I opened the door to the tavern and found that Zeriah and Elaine had not moved and were enjoying their own conversation. The tavern was mainly empty, and the only people left were finishing off drinks. Zeriah looked over to me and gave me a smile to greet me.

“Where’s Bella?” She asked.

I shrugged. “Something about swimming?”

She looked off to the distance with a furrowed brow. “But she hates water.”

“I know.” I stated with a smile.

It clicked in her mind. “You are terrible. Is she at least safe?”

I smirked as she held back laughter. “Yes, she is safe. She fell into the shallow part of the canal. Made a much bigger deal about it than what it actually was.”

That’s when Zeriah let out her laughter. “I wish I could have seen it. Do you think that will get her to back off?”

I shrugged again. “I don’t know, but I’m more worried about other things.”

Her laughter settled, and she stood up and walked over to me. “What’s wrong?”

My gaze went out the window towards the forest surrounding Laencaster. “I felt the presence of my brother.”

“Is he a danger to the town?” She asked, placing a hand on my arm.

I thought for a moment, crossing my arms, I continued to stare out to the dark. Was he a threat to the people here? Maybe. It depended on what he had planned while here. Maybe he somehow found out I was free and here and just wanted to see me, but I didn’t know. My relationship with my brother had always been rocky. And that was putting it lightly.

“I don’t know,” I answered. “Anyway, it’s a topic we should discuss at home, not here.”

Her eyes glanced behind her to her friends and their daughter. Giving me a small nod, we made our way to the door. Zeriah gave her friends a small wave goodbye as we exited. The walk home was quiet, as I was deep in thought. The feeling of my brother being near returned and I glanced around. I couldn’t see him, but I could tell he was watching me. He’d make his move soon and then I would find out what his plan was.

We made it back to Zeriah’s dwelling and I guided her in and locked the door behind us. Not that it made much of a difference, but I felt better knowing there was an additional measure of security. I was certain Zeriah had questions, and when I turned around, I saw her sitting down and waiting for me to explain. It was going to be a long night.

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