I considered it, but ultimately decided against. “It’s okay. I want to see him. I want there to be at least one person out here giving him the stink eye for being a perv.” I shrugged. “And besides, even if he picks me, he’ll change his mind once he sees my medical record, right? He must be here to find a willing hole to bang, and my holes—sorry for being gross, Auntie—are off-limits.”
She squirmed. “Well, maybe some of them might actually want companionship. You know, not just—”
“Do not start going full-blown brainwashed on me now.” I glared at her.
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not. I don’t think they’re gods, or special whatsoever, but they are just people. People who want love and companionship. Maybe… maybe if he’s here, he just really wants a human partner. For whatever reason.”
“Uh-huh.” I gave her a flat look, then patted her arm. “I’m gonna go hide at the back. Don’t get too worked up, okay?”
“Okay.” She fiddled with her tablet. “Beryl, if the high priest notices you, at least try to look… you know. Pious or whatever. If he realises…”
“I know.” I patted her arm again. “We’ve been playing the long con for decades, Auntie. I’m not going to fuck it up now.”
But that didn’t mean I was going to stand obediently in a line with all the other humans, like cattle at a meat market. I skulked to the back of the neatly organised crowd and leaned against the wall beside a potted apple tree, keeping my eyes on the big double doors ahead.
A few minutes later, they opened. Two of the high priest’s aides stepped out and held them open for the wizened old man to shuffle through, followed by the rest of his entourage.
And then the demiurgus appeared.
My whole body tightened with apprehension. I’d seen demiurgus before, obviously—though funnily enough, far less often since living in the cult dedicated to worshipping them—but they were still so fascinating, and kind of intimidating, to look at.
He had his human skin on, the form they could take to look more like us, but his skin was still jet black, with a faint green sheen like tiny emeralds were embedded deep in his pores. He was wearing a sharp three-piece suit in all black, and his long black hair was tied back into a knot.
Despite looking largely humanoid, he still looked nothing like a human. His yellow eyes were bright and piercing as he glanced around with a blank expression. His features were sharp and narrow, with a flat nose, high cheekbones and a thin mouth that revealed sharp teeth as he said something to the high priest.
Tiny emerald-green spikes, like thorns, jutted along his hairline. The feathered tips of his pointed ears almost looked like fronds—soft and delicate, but something told me they’d be needle-sharp.
Two thin, dark green lines appeared at the corners of his mouth when he spoke, curving up almost to his earlobes. I cocked my head. It almost looked like his cheeks had been sliced open, which was a little unsettling, to say the least.
My gaze trailed down to his body. He was tall, really tall, and lanky, but his shoulders were wide, and his arms looked toned under his suit. Deep green claws tipped his long, elegant fingers, and a pointed black tail swished behind his legs, reaching about mid-thigh.
Honestly, I was a little annoyed by how good-looking he was in an entirely inhuman way. I knew all the cult members would be frothing at the mouth, desperately praying that they would be the one who was picked by his apparent “mating instinct”.
Except he actually looked… kind of uncomfortable. Okay, he looked wildly uncomfortable, especially when the high priest fell to his knees and pleaded with him about something. The demiurgus shifted on his feet, shooting the rows of humans in front of me a dread-filled look, before his mouth moved stiffly in response.
His shoulders hunched up as he followed the high priest across the courtyard, eyes studiously averted as if he found the potted trees along the perimeter very interesting.
“Your loyal followers, my Greater,” the high priest said, making my lip curl. When he continued, I wanted to gag. “All willing and eager to submit to you and share your bed and your life. All well-versed in the ways of your kind. All unfailingly dedicated to providing you with the best human mate you could ever ask for.”
At least the demiurgus appeared even more uncomfortable than before. He actually looked a split second away from bolting. His eyes swept nervously over the rows of “willing and eager” humans, cringing at their expressions, before his gaze drifted to me.
And held.
I stared back, making sure he could see the disgust on my face. Keep looking, buddy. Ain’t no willing and eager bedmate for you here.
When he still didn’t look away, I gave him my best scowl, even as I felt my cheeks grow hot from his intense stare. His yellow eyes flared. My pulse leapt in my throat.
“That one.” His voice was deep and raspy. And he had one long, claw-tipped finger pointed directly at me. “I want that one.”
“You fucking what?” I got out, my voice strangled. Gasps rang out all around me.
The demiurgus had gone stiff as soon as he’d uttered it, his arm snapping back down to his side. He cringed again, looking as though he was already regretting the words.
“I mean…” He swallowed, looking around frantically. “No, I didn’t mean—”
“Oh, Greater.” The high priest was already weeping. “What a glorious day! What a blessing! This is—I can’t believe—”
“No,” the demiurgus grated, looking panicked now. “I don’t know why I… I didn’t mean it—”
“Come here, my dear.” The high priest’s voice wavered as he raised it, ushering me forward. “Savour every step. You are blessed. You are chosen.”
No fucking thank you. I stayed exactly where I was, eyes darting over to my aunt, who had frozen in place clutching her tablet.
When I didn’t move, the high priest’s already lined forehead drew into a frown. He peered at me more closely. “What is your name, my dear?”
“It’s Beryl,” someone answered from the dejected-looking crowd. “Violet’s niece.”
Shit. I glanced at my aunt again, who was staring back at me with wide eyes. If I made a scene, it wouldn’t just be me out on my ass. It might be her too.
And I could say no, right? That was what Violet had said. I could politely decline, although I imagined the high priest would ask why. I was supposed to be desperate for this to happen. I was supposed to be elated.
I began walking over, very slowly to give myself time to come up with a plan. All the cult members watched me with varying looks of bitter envy, breathless awe and well-meaning excitement for me. Honestly, I felt kind of bad for them. Any one of them would’ve been sobbing in thanks for being chosen. But I couldn’t think of anything worse.
How was it fucking possible that out of all the people here, all the humans desperate to become this dude’s mate, he’d picked me? Why me?
Maybe I shouldn’t have worn the pink trousers after all.
Chapter Five
Beryl