Chapter 6 Sagitta #2
Cygnet’s reply was a stiff nod. There was no need to elaborate because what I’d said was completely normal. All by the book.
After saying our curt goodbyes, Chase and I left the temple.
Two blocks out, he burst out laughing in a flamboyant voice that obviously did not belong to him.
“Oh that was hilarious.”
The hair on the back of my neck shot straight up.
Hearing Faust’s lilting voice from Chase’s body was jarring, to say the least. It didn’t suit him at all.
In truth, I was terrified of the demon. I had no clue what he was capable of. And now that we’d escaped scrutiny, I couldn’t believe I’d suggested this idiotic idea. Allowing Faust to take control of Chase’s body to lie to my brother’s face was ridiculous.
But Chase was an awful liar. Cygnet would’ve seen right through his bullshit. It didn’t matter that we were brothers. He’d take it up with Professor Fairfax, or Dr. Hartford, or anyone else with the authority to strike me down. Then I’d lose my chance to redeem myself forever.
Unfortunately, demons were excellent liars.
I felt guilty for pulling that stunt, but I had bigger problems to worry about. Like the fact that I had to live with Chase—and Faust—for an entire week.
“You can switch back now,” I said, trying not to sound too cold.
“Darling, you must be joking,” Faust purred, flashing Chase’s grin. Except it was all wrong. Too many sharp teeth, not lopsided enough, and no jockish charm. “I finally have control over the body, and you expect me to give it up so soon?”
Icy fear licked my spine. I tensed.
Chase assured me it’d be okay to let Faust take control, but what the hell did he know? He’d only been possessed by the thing for a single day. He and the demon barely knew each other.
But I knew better. Demons were evil, selfish creatures who only served their own whims.
I suddenly felt like a fool. A fool who’d purposely stepped in a steaming pile of shit.
Faust burst out laughing. He doubled over, slapping his knee. Then he wiped a tear from his eye.
“Oh, you should see the look on your face,” he cried, grinning ear to ear. “You’re terrified of the big, scary demon, aren’t you, handsome? Watch out. I might bite you!”
My adrenaline spiked as he lunged at me faster than I could react. I didn’t even have time to reach for my bow. But he came up short, playfully wriggling his fingers at me.
Watching Chase’s body say those words and act like that was bizarre. Just... wrong.
Faust drawled out a long sigh. “You’re no fun at all. Fine, I’ll give the body back, but on one condition. And I mean it this time.”
“I’m listening,” I said, careful not to agree without hearing his terms. One did not make deals with demons.
“We buy a dozen pack—no, a two-dozen pack of donuts from Dustin’s Donuts,” Faust said.
I gawked at him. He didn’t want eternal souls, or human sacrifices, or blood of the innocent? He wanted donuts?
“That’s... it?” I asked, certain I’d misheard somehow.
“Yes, dear. Do you need me to repeat myself?”
His reply made my skin crawl. Hearing a cute pet name from Chase’s mouth with the wrong voice rubbed me entirely the wrong way.
“No, I don’t,” I stammered. One of the most basic rules was to not make deals with demons, but... “I’ll buy you the donuts. I promise. Please, just return Chase’s body to him.”
Faust’s smarmy grin lingered for a beat longer before he released a dramatic sigh. “All right, if you insist.”
Chase’s eyes closed. As Faust relinquished control, Chase’s body shuddered and it looked like he might stumble. I rushed to catch him. Thanks to our height difference and his weightlifter’s physique, he was bigger and heavier than me, but I managed to keep him upright.
He came around with a low groan. Running a hand through his sandy hair, he mumbled, “That was so weird.” Then his eyes flashed with excitement. “But it worked, right?”
“Yes. It worked.”
I still couldn’t believe he’d willingly handed the reins over to a demon. And for what? Just to abide by my lie?
Did he do it for my sake? Because he knew this was important to me? I thought, astonished at the idea.
“Kinda surprised he handed it back over,” Chase remarked. He patted himself down, making sure he was really in charge. “I assumed he’d take my body out for a joy ride.”
Recalling Faust’s bargain, I snorted. “Well, you’re not completely wrong. I promised him two dozen donuts in exchange for returning control to you.”
Chase groaned. “Dude, why did you say yes? Two dozen? I can’t eat all that!”
I remembered the feel of his firm muscles beneath my fingers, how powerfully they rippled underneath his hoodie. He needed a lot of calories to maintain that physique. I swallowed past the sudden catch in my throat.
“I’m sure you can,” I replied. “And if you can’t, I’ll help you.”
Chase snorted, amusement twinkling in his blue eyes. “You’re gonna eat donuts with me?”
“Why do you think I won’t?”
He gave me a once over. “I dunno, you look like you only eat salad. And like, berries. Healthy stuff.”
I stared at him silently for a long beat so he understood how stupid that was. Then I turned and walked towards Dustin’s Donuts, muttering, “I cooked peanut curry for him and he thinks I subsist off leaves and berries...”
Behind me, I heard Chase choke.