Beset by Demons by Kaje Harper

Author:Kaje Harper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kaje Harper
Published: 2022-02-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Darien rolled over in bed and reached out automatically for Silas. His hand closed on a slick, thin fabric, cool and Silas-free, and he sat up fast. Dim lighting in the small room revealed Pip curled at his feet, though his eyes were open. There was another pile of fabric beside him, but no sign of Silas or Grim.

Pip jumped to his feet, sliding around a little on the layered materials that created their makeshift bed. “You’re awake! This sheet is slippery, isn’t it? Soft though. But not as nice as our bed at home. Are you ready for today? I think I’m ready. But I hope there’s breakfast first.”

Darien couldn’t help but smile. “As ready as I’ll ever be. We’ll eat something, I’m sure.” Breakfast would be a repeat of dinner— some of the food they’d packed along that they’d dug into before crashing into desperately needed sleep. No one was sure if they could digest food found on Home, and this wasn’t the day to risk poisoning or even an upset stomach.

“A pity we didn’t bring bacon,” Pip said. “But all food is good.”

The curtain across the doorway slid to one side as Grim peered in. “Ah, good, you’re awake at last. Come along, we’re getting the planning session underway.” He swished back out.

“Be right there.” Darien rubbed at his sticky eyes. He felt a hundred times better than the night before, but still not quite grounded and definitely not as sharp as he wanted to be. “Food will help,” he muttered to himself.

“That’s what I said.” Pip pranced by the doorway. “But I need to go pee first.”

“Me too.” Darien thought he remembered which curtained doorway was the familiars’ version of a bathroom. The hole-in-the-floor construction was a bit odd, and took careful aim, and the flow of air below created an odd sensation. Could be worse. They might not poop or pee at all, and then we’d be stuck with chamber pots or going behind a tree outside.

When Darien was done, Pip lined up carefully to pee into the hole. “This is easier when I have three legs. Although I get to lift one, so I’m using three, so it should work. But I see why dogs on Earth don’t use toilets. Eek. Careful.”

Darien wiped a grin off his face. “Is it bad that I’m kind of happy you kept your dog form when we came here? I’m used to you this way, I guess.”

Pip did an odd shimmy to finish and trotted over to him. “I like it too.” His tail wagged fast. “Being a dog is fun, and I belong with you this way.”

Darien knelt and rubbed Pip’s ears.

“And that feels really good. Dogs feel things and taste things and smell things in fun ways.”

From behind the doorway curtain, someone cleared their throat, then Jasper’s diffident voice said, “Are you lot okay? I can show you where we’re meeting.”

“Just washing my hands.” Darien went and squatted at the niche in the wall to make it true.

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