Instantly, Compulsion kicked in and Diana was forced to loosen her grip. She did not let go, however, and started walking again. Forcing Lita to stumble as she tried to keep up.

The demoness was in a foul mood. And she didn’t stop dragging Lita until they’d entered and left the Entrance Hall, using the stairs to go up another flight. There, where there were fewer eyes watching, the creature finally let go and turned to look at the girl. Eyes lit with anger.

“What did Taiken say?”

She listened silently to Lita’s report and nodded.

“Good. Now go down to the south wing, join whatever training is being done there.”

No. Not again! Lita gritted her teeth.

“Mistress, I’m not an enforcer.”

“Keep talking back and stepping out of line and I’ll keep you there until supper.”

Lita grimaced and shut up.

“And since you have so much time on your hands and are never where I need you,” the female demon went on sarcastically, “we’ll just make this a daily thing.”

Lita opened her mouth to protest and immediately snapped it shut when Diana glared.

“Yes, Mistress.”

“Good. When I dismiss you in the mornings, I expect to find you in the training hall.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

“Now, leave.”

The demoness didn’t wait for Lita to reply. She spun on her heel and climbed the last set of stairs, the ones that led to the network of rooms on the top floor.

Lita clenched and unclenched her fists. Glaring after the demoness. She had a few choice names and curses for the creature, which she muttered under her breath as she walked back down the stairs.

The activity hadn’t slowed at all down in Entrance Hall. No one had noticed the disappearance of Lita up the stairs. But someone noticed her return.

I should change, she thought. She looked down at her skirt. This might be the last time I wear you for a while.

Until the Mistress cooled off and lightened Lita’s sentence. Again.

Voided demons!

Why the voided training hall?!, she continued to fume, turning toward the servant hallway. It was a wide hallway that sloped down toward the floor below. It was big enough that if they’d wanted to take a cart and donkey down it they could’ve.

But it was also the busiest hall going off the Entrance with all the supplies being carted down it.

Maybe she should go down another hall, to a more private stair?

She was just turning around again when someone called out to her.

“Lita? That is you!”

She half turned in confusion and was immediately stunned by the sight of the most handsome man she knew.

“Dalius?”

He walked briskly across the room, a big grin lighting up his soft brown eyes. She felt instantly like a girl with a crush again, as though just the sight of that smile was enough to transport her back half a dozen years.

He grasped both of her hands.

“Wow! What are you doing here?” he gushed. “It’s been what, four years?”

“Ye-yes,” she squeaked. Ordering her thumping heart to quiet down as she smiled bashfully. “I work here.”

“Do you?” He raised both eyebrows and laughed. “I bet it’s different from the troupe. A lot fewer acrobats.” Then he paused and she saw him glance at a couple of enforcers directing the crowd. “Well, maybe not fewer acrobats.”

She laughed, finally shaking off her confusion and giddiness long enough to squeeze his hands back and let go.

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh. I work for the Magistrate in Kahnay. He’s been ill and couldn’t make the journey.” He waved a hand behind himself. She assumed toward whatever group he’d come with but she couldn’t pick them out in the bustle. “I was sent in his place.”

She gave him a sympathetic grimace.

“You’ll have to deal with the Brethren and the Council then. I’m so sorry. Why didn’t he just get a health trade?”

He waved that away with a grimace.

“Do we run to the demons every time we have a cold? Anyway, this gives me a chance to voice concerns and complaints,” he said. Then smiled wryly. “To an extent.”

To an extent, she agreed with another grimace.

“Anyway, there’s nothing scheduled until the rest of the delegates arrive. I thought I was going to be bored with nothing to do and knowing too few people. Would it be possible to take some of your time? As an old friend, of course?”

Friend? I wouldn’t have called us friends.

“I can’t.” Her shoulders drooped and she sighed dramatically to cover her illogical guilt with saying no. “I’m under orders to do something else.”

“That’s too bad. What do you have to do? Maybe after?”

“Punishment. And I have to serve my Mistress after. I think.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Punishment? Nothing’s changed then.”

She bristled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

The man leaned closer to her face, causing her stupid heart to speed up again.

“Don’t you remember? You were always in trouble for something or other back in the troupe.” He winked. Was he flirting? You don’t give smiles like that to ‘old friends’. “I always thought it was endearing.”

“My brother thought it was annoying,” she replied dryly.

Dalius threw back his head in a laugh. The laugh that caught people’s attention and then had them glancing back at him a few times as they took in his gorgeousness.

“He would! No offense for your brother, but Sheldon is a stiff ass.”

Lita choked on a cough, trying not to laugh. “Don’t say that too loud. You might turn me against you.”

“Then you don’t agree?”

“Oh, I agree. But only family is allowed that kind of insult.”

Dalius grinned and leaned in. “We both spent years in the troupe, where everyone is family. I don’t count anymore now that we’re both away from there?”

Lita’s face heated and she took a shy step back. “Of course we’re still family. It’s just, you know, I meant-”

Flustered, she looked around and Dalius laughed.

“I better return to my colleagues.” He stepped closer again and grasped her hand. “Are you sure there’ll be no chance for us to catch up?”

“I, well, I have a half-day in two days.”

“The meetings don’t start for three days, so consider your half-day claimed.” He kissed her hand. “Until then, sweet Lita. Be sure to say hello when you get the chance.”

“I, yes, of course.”

Dazed, Lita watched him swagger away with that confident stride that was so familiar. She noticed she wasn’t the only woman in the room watching him and she flushed. Get it together, Lita, she scolded herself as she spun around. Dalius has always been a flirt. It means exactly zero to him.

It was just, this was the first time he’d flirted with her.

Her stupid heart didn’t listen. She thought of him, conjuring memories as she went down the two flights to the catacomb that was the servants' rooms. The dark corridors and the narrow cubbies served as a reminder of how little demons cared about their human servants.

Most people opted to make the journey from the city every day rather than sleep in this tomb-like place.

She often wondered if she should as well.

Except she wouldn’t be able to move about as freely as she does now.

With a sigh, she entered her cramped little cubby and closed the curtain. With only a bit of light peeking around the curtain to guide her, she changed into trousers and left.

When she got to the training hall in the south wing, she looked around gloomily. Calculating how long she’d last before collapsing in exhaustion or walking away with injuries. If she could walk away.

If I have to find a demon willing to contract a trade for my injuries, I’ll sneak a dead mouse into Diana’s clothes, she threatened inwardly.

Empty threat but it felt nice anyway.