“I’ve got questions.”

The ice cream had been devoured days ago. Well, Ryka’s had. Kyle didn’t have quite the same appetite for sweets, or the same astounding lack of self-control that had led the demon to consume the entirety of his supply in one sitting. The resulting stomachache now passed, Kyle thought it high time to address some of what had happened in his classroom.

It had taken most of the following weekend for him to work up the nerve, partly because he was convinced Ryka would thoroughly ridicule him for waiting so long to ask these things. Ryka’s response didn’t provide any comfort.

You’re sure? You didn’t like it so much last time I answered your questions.

He really wasn’t sure, but morbid curiosity was getting the better of him. And he had a right to know, didn’t he? What exactly he had signed up for. What Ryka was capable of.

“I am.”

If you say so.

It was still too much to deal with his feelings about letting Ryka handle his students, so he was choosing to focus instead on other aspects of that day. “Is there something I don’t know about your shadow?” Of course, he’d been aware of the shadow. The very first time he’d summoned Ryka, it had appeared to introduce itself, waving and offering what was likely supposed to be a charming smile. But what had in fact been a fiery grin that left scorch marks on the wall.

After that, Kyle had forced himself not to think about how he was actually hauling two demons around. He’d been informed that the shadow was a true parasite - it needed to be attached to an immortal host. Which meant it didn’t have much to do with Kyle. It never popped up when he was in charge, and very rarely when Ryka was. In fact, it had seemed perfectly content to remain an invisible passenger. Until a few days earlier, anyhow.

You mean like his fucking name?

“His what? He has a name?”

Wow, what an asshole. Of course he does. It’s - What followed was a string of unintelligible rumbles and growls. Something Kyle supposed he’d only be able to replicate if he was in the process of choking to death.

“Will he be offended if I just keep thinking of him as your shadow?”

Probably not. But still. Way to forget.

“You already told me that?”

I did.

“Was I possibly in shock because your shadow had just moved on its own?” Kyle wasn’t bad with names. He had to learn dozens of new ones every year. And even if it wasn’t something he could pronounce, he was sure he would have remembered the introduction. If his brain hadn’t been short-circuiting at the time.

Possibly.

“Well then. I apologize. But are you going to answer me? What’s he with you for?”

Besides intimidation? Kyle nodded. He certainly was an effective threat. His students had been adequately terrified. He’s a portal back to Hell.

Mouth hanging open, Kyle stared unblinking down at his hands. His eyelids seemed to have stopped functioning, as did most of his other muscles. There was a new shock every time he dared question Ryka, and this one was a doozy. Ryka’d had a way out this whole time? And chosen not to take it?

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

You’re wondering why I didn’t just fuck off back home already? Sometimes, he still forgot how easy it was for Ryka to know exactly what he was thinking. In this case, it was a good thing - he couldn’t get his mouth to work, so was saved the trouble of stammering through the inquiry.

Well, for one, I don’t think he’d let me; he’d spit me back out if I tried. I’m his host, but he’s not taking orders from me. There was no need to say who the shadow was ultimately obeying. The Devil had sent Ryka here, and he was the one who would be deciding when their time on Earth was up.

“I see.”

Even if I wanted to go - which I don’t - I’d probably get sent right back. And have to find a new host. Because that would be it for you, stud. Once this body goes - your soul with it - you’re done here. There’s not much I can’t save you from, but that’s one of those things. Going through would be suicide. A sobering thought.

“If not us, what exactly is he supposed to be sending to Hell, then?”

He’s meant to send souls where they rightfully belong. Right to Lord Satan. Which is what he’d do if we -

“I have no interest in investigating that, thanks.”

Good. Why Ryka suddenly needed this reassurance was beyond him, but he was happy to make it clear that he wasn’t eager to get his eternity in Hell underway anytime soon.

Though he wasn’t delighted to hear that the shadow had much the same goal as Ryka. Namely, freeing souls from their human shells. “Um … does he need them?” He couldn’t say the word, couldn’t make his fellow mortals sound like menu items.

He takes some energy from them, but he mostly feeds on fear, too. That’s why he was happy to play along and help me scare those little shits. We’re both going to take what we can get.

Back to this, Kyle thought. He didn’t need another reminder that he wasn’t pulling his weight as a host. Because although one meal in four years was too much for him, it wasn’t nearly enough for Ryka. He expected admonishment - it was obvious Ryka was irritated, at least judging by the way Kyle’s own heart rate ticked up.

But his pulse slowed, and Ryka ignored Kyle’s scattered thoughts. Kyle truly appreciated his effort to stay calm and see the conversation through. That can’t be all.

Happy for the chance to avoid a difficult subject, Kyle answered, “You could lock the doors and turn off the lights.”

Is that a question? Ryka teased, sounding very much like his host did when dealing with students.

With a sigh, Kyle tried again. “Is that normal?” Applying that word to any of this was a stretch, but Kyle wasn’t sure how else to ask.

Most immortals can control aspects of the mortal world. I should be able to do more, but I need practice, Ryka admitted.

“Please don’t break anything if you do.”

Are you saying it’s okay to try?

“You’ll do whatever you want, so ….”

Better to ask forgiveness than permission, right?

“You don’t do either of those things.”

That earned him a chuckle. A deep, throaty rumble he hadn’t heard much as of late. He really had been missing this easy-going banter. “You told me once that souls don’t stick around, so there’s no such thing as ghosts. Which must mean when people see things moving on their own, it’s angels or demons doing it. Right?”

You got it, stud. It helps us get what we want.

So fear, then, at least for the latter. Because somehow Ryka’s mere presence wasn’t enough.

I’m flattered. But anything else you want to talk about?

“I think that’s all I can handle for today.”

Are you sure? Was he fishing for something in particular? Kyle wondered. It almost sounded that way, but he couldn’t imagine what else Ryka was expecting him to ask about.

“I mean, nothing else is coming to mind. Am I forgetting something?”

Seriously? Already, his vision was taking on a scarlet tinge. Kyle thought the person who came up with the phrase “seeing red” had to have been a host. No one else would know the joy of experiencing a demon’s anger this way. Of seeing the world like it was drenched in blood.

Fully intending to apologize - solely for his apparent ignorance - Kyle started “Ryka, I -”

But Ryka had already given up. I’m going to sleep. Whether he actually did so or not was irrelevant, because no matter how much Kyle pleaded, there was no response. And now they were right back to where they had been, both frustrated. And Kyle couldn’t fathom why.