The nightclub is as noisy as it was yesterday. Annoyingly enough, it's even more crowded. But I guess that's to be expected on a Friday night.
"By the way," James asks, nonchalantly sitting next to me as if we're friends, "something's been on my mind all day."
That irksome smile of his doesn't bode well, so I pretend I haven't heard a single word—let's blame the thundering music for my sudden deafness. The speakers are just above our heads, making it the perfect excuse.
Not like my uncooperativeness changes anything, and James still opens his mouth to spout some nonsense.
"Like, have you seen these two's true forms? I mean, Jordan is your husband after all."
James tilts his head toward the counter where Jordan and Eve are standing, ordering my drink and theirs. Today again, the geezers have insisted on doing it for me, even though I've got two good old legs and can walk to the counter on my own. Well, indulging them doesn't hurt, anyway.
"—Are they blobs of worms? Giant centipedes? Four-legged catfish? I'm so curious, I can't stop thinking about it!"
No, you're not curious, you're being a pain in the butt on purpose.
Noble demons are, most of the time, humanoid in appearance, with only a few extra features, like additional limbs or eyes, horns, wings, tails, scales, feathers, and so on. I'm fairly certain that, as the heir of the vampire clan, Mister here is well aware of this particularity. He's not a dunce like Miria, and he must know that comparing their true forms to those of lesser subspecies is pretty much an insult.
So, he's probing, and not very subtly at that.
"They're cute, pinkish slimes."
I lie with a smile.
"Oh?" James plays along. "Slimes can be so frigging adorable. That is, when they're not out trying to asphyxiate you in your sleep… Do you think if I ask nicely, they'll let me pet them?"
"Well, you can always ask."
And I've got a pretty strong hunch that the answer will be 'yes'. From what I've seen so far, I wouldn't be surprised if Eve and Jordan agreed to be petted, just to mess with the guy. 'Cause the day he learns who they are and thinks back on all the shit he's done and said…
I've got to say, I'd like to see the face he'd pull, too.
"What are you smirking for?"
"Nothing. The mental image is just that amazing."
"Uh-huh."
Sorry, pal, but I'm not dumb enough to give you cues on Eve and Jordan's species. Your little probing might have worked on Miria, but it won't on me. Not everyone is a dimwit, if you didn't know.
"Hm?"
Eve hums loud enough to cover the music and draw our attention to her. She's back with my drink, Jordan following in tow.
It's a Blue Lagoon today. Sweet.
"Don't tell me… Are you guys having fun without us?"
"No. not really." I shake my head before offering a sheepish smile. "James wants to pet you."
Let's say I don't notice the glare he's giving me and very naturally take my drink instead.
Maybe he's going to think twice before spouting nonsense next time. If he doesn't, well, I'll continue to tattle to my husband and his ex-bed partner, and he'll have to deal with the aftermath.
Like right now.
"Sure! Here!"
As expected, Eve giggles, lowering her head to allow James to pet her. His mouth twitches, but he still ruffles her long, curly hair with a forced chuckle.
—Yes, sir, keep digging your own grave; it's very entertaining to watch, thank you.
***
When we get home, I'm exhausted, but too stressed to go to bed. Again, we've got nothing. No lead whatsoever, and no progress either. There have been no victims yesterday, but who can say there won't be any tonight?
I hate that feeling of helplessness.
Going out and scouring the area is always better than doing nothing and staying home, but it's still like searching for the needle in a haystack. I know Jordan has delimited the area of our search by elimination and mapping where the victims' remains were found. The nightclub is at the epicentre, and it's a top-notch hunting ground, so it makes sense to start from there.
Even the alley in which they found Melissa's body is close by.
Still, I can't help but doubt. Are we really looking at the right place, or are we missing something? It's annoying to try to put a puzzle together without having all the pieces. Something always feels amiss, and I can't pinpoint what.
The lack of progress also seems to have gotten on James's nerves.
Our desire to catch the kobolds might not be due to the same reason, as I highly doubt the vampire cares about human life, but he's at least putting effort into cleaning up his territory. Credit is due where credit is due.
"Don't overthink and try to rest," Jordan says as he opens the door of our shared den. "James's men are still on the lookout tonight. If anything happens, they'll notice and intervene."
"Well, they've been patrolling the area since the first few victims, but lo and behold, more have been popping up regardless—"
The sarcasm dies in my throat as I notice Todd sitting on the Victorian couch, reading through reports. He looks even more dead tired than I. No, wait, that's not the important point. What is he doing here?
The demon lifts his eyes, meeting mine, and offers an apologetic smile.
Ah. He doesn't even need to tell me; the kids are sleeping in my bed, aren't they?
"I'm sorry, they refused to go to bed otherwise…"
"It's fine."
I wave Todd's apology away. What can he do, anyway? Once these little demons have decided on something, good luck changing their minds.
The kids have gotten a taste this morning, and there's no way in hell they will want to return to sleeping in their own beds. I can easily imagine what kind of tantrum they've thrown until Todd gave up. The poor lad has my sympathy, if anything.
I'm just surprised it took them so long before monopolizing my bed.
"They really like you, don't they?" Jordan laughs softly. "Well, good night—"
"Where are you going?"
"To my room…?"
"No way. If I can't escape it, you can't escape it either."
Again with the stunned face. Come on, dude, get over it already.
There are two kids sleeping between us, so no, I don't really care if Jordan sleeps in my bed anymore. He's been careful not to invade my personal space all morning, scurrying on the edge of the other side of the bed. I've barely noticed he was there at all, and I know it'll be the same tonight.
"Come on, get into your pajamas and come to my room. I'm starting to doze off."
That's a lie, though. The stress is still keeping me wide awake.
"…Alright."
With that agreed on, I turn on my heel and open the door of my bedroom, but not without glancing over my shoulder when I don't hear the demon move. Damn, he still hasn't gotten rid of that silly expression. Really, I don't mind sharing the bed with you now.
And, well, the children looked very happy this morning. Both Ellena and Elois were smiling more brightly than usual at breakfast, so… yeah. It's for the better.
The kids won't pounce on me in the morning if they sleep by my side, and my ribs are going to thank me, anyway.