Damn, someone really didn't sleep well last night if he's so bothered by a simple smile.

He somehow manages to pull my lips into a flat line. His own lips twitch in response. He proudly nods to himself as he continues to stare at me with those intense eyes of his. There's something odd about the way he regards me, and in a weird twist of fate, I don't know whether to feel flustered or incensed at his behavior.

"I think we shouldn't start the day with a conflict," Thea intervenes, sneaking between us. His hands drop from my face, but his expression doesn't change. If anything, I catch a note of wistfulness, but I could be wrong. I don't think Ze has more than two basic emotions—annoyance and arrogance.

"We need to show a strong front. People are watching," she says as she inclines her head toward the audience gathered around us.

Ze mumbles something under his breath as he pushes his chin up in indignation, but not before he gives me one last scathing look.

Just what the hell is his deal today?

I roll my eyes, taking Thea's arm and continuing toward the courtyard. On our way, we have the opportunity to see more teams. Most of them are in pairs of four or a maximum of five, with very few in duos or trios. Some are humanoid-looking like the foxes from yesterday while some are less...normal-looking—at least my kind of normal. There's a wide variety of horns, tails, and other...appendages.

"In Christian lore, demons are the ones with horns generally," I mention quietly to Thea.

"Oh, those?" She points directly to one of the horned groups—who immediately take note of her interest. "They're some incubi species. Right, Cer?"

"Don't look at them, Thea. They'll take it as an invitation."

"Invitation?" I frown.

"They...feed on sex," Cer explains, doing his best to keep a straight face.

"Oh." My curiosity immediately plummets as I avert my gaze.

"Oh, indeed." Thea chuckles. "I guess they would be seen as demons in your world, but it's not what we'd technically call a demon. Humans tend to call any being with less than honorable intentions a demon."

Cer nods. "They're known to usually prey on humans since they are the easiest to control. They've been around for thousands of years in your world."

My lashes flutter in disbelief. First, there are demons that feed on human souls. Now there are other creatures that prey on humans? My God! A shudder goes down my back as I realize just how unsafe my world is. And here I thought that my past was the epitome of fucked up. But it seems it doesn't even begin to cover the reality.

"Does no one stop them from taking advantage of people?" I ask, horrified.