He gulped. “Well… the spell ensures we only tell Breeders of the location. If she’s a Breeder, I will be able to tell her. Though… you should leave the room while we…”

Kain's raised eyebrows made Fred falter.

“Uh, but I suppose we can ignore that.” He fidgeted nervously. “She'll have to ask me directly.”

Selma glanced up at Kain, likely to ensure that he was once again safe to be around before she walked closer to the counter so the man could look at her without also getting an eyeful of the threatening demon.

“Where is the place that demons can't go?”

Fred exhaled, undoubtedly from relief. “Colorado, in the mountains. Here, let me show you on a map.”

While he bent to fish the map out from under the counter, Selma side-eyed her companion. “Yes, I see how much easier threatening people is. Why does anyone waste their time talking?”

Kain narrowed his eyes at her, but couldn’t quite suppress a flicker of amusement at her lip. “You should watch that smart mouth of yours.”

She didn’t retaliate, choosing instead to focus on Fred as his head reappeared and he slapped a map of Colorado in front of them.

“Here it is, just west of Routt National Forest off Route 40.” He pointed at the map. “But if you bring him, he won't be able to take you closer than three miles.”

“What's there?” She eyed the area that looked to be just a stretch of mountainous terrain. “Why can't demons enter?”

Fred's fingers twitched around the edge of the map. “I… I'm not sure.” He quickly glanced at Kain. “B-But it's a sanctuary. They take in Breeders who find their way there. The ones who can't accept their lot in life.”

Kain sighed. “Fred, don't make me do unpleasant things to you in front of the lady. She doesn't want to see that.”

The clerk swallowed nervously, his Adam's apple bobbing in the process. “Right, it's just… I really, really shouldn't, and… this will not make you any less pissed off, and I can't afford to have you trash my store, okay?”

Selma frowned. “So it isn't a sanctuary?”

“Yeah, yeah, it is.” Sweat shone on his temples, the glances he kept casting at Kain resembling a nervous twitch more and more.

“He won't harm you or your shop,” Selma said, casting a stern look at Kain. “I promise.”

Kain arched an eyebrow at her. How she thought it safe to presume he’d honor her promises, he didn’t know.

“It's protected by a goddess,” Fred whispered.

Kain’s snarl came unbidden from the depths of his chest. He fucking knew it! Some nosy bitch of a goddess was hiding away their precious Breeders, and here he was, prepared to voluntarily hand one over to an enemy!