I Need To Exchange My Demon, Please

Chapter 4: A New Approach

"You're a fucking idiot," Nex said, shaking his head. Marcus growled at him but Nex ignored it.

"Let me make sure I understand this," Arda said, steepling her fingers and leaning forward. "She took off her clothes."

"Yes," Marcus nodded.

"And invited you into the shower," Arda continued.

"I don't know I'd say 'invited', exactly..."

"She invited you into the shower," Nex repeated.

Marcus sighed and nodded. "Sort of."

"And you just... You left," Arda said, nodding slowly. "Are you practicing celibacy now?"

"She caught me off-guard, who takes off their clothes around a paranormal being they don't even know??" Marcus asked. "That's demon behavior, not human behavior."

"I don't understand why you're here and not fucking this girl in her shower," Arda frowned. "Is she that unattractive?"

"No, he's just an idiot," Nex shrugged.

"You haven't even seen her," Marcus snapped.

"Is she unattractive?" Nex asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because I remember you stating the first day that an annoying but sexy woman summoned you to kill her."

"So she's attractive," Arda nodded.

"Yes, she's attractive," Marcus admitted, glaring at Nex.

"Then what the fuck are you sitting here with us for??" Nex said, throwing his arms up.

"I always thought Lucian was the shy one among you three," Arda frowned, glancing between Nex and Marcus. "I really didn't think you were, Marcus."

"I'm not," Marcus growled. "I just... I didn't know what the fuck to do. She's insane."

"Insane is a strong word to use on someone you barely know," Kat said, setting down a cup of cocoa in front of Arda.

"Thank you, Katherine," Arda beamed, cupping her hands around the cocoa.

"You can get that anywhere, I don't know why you always come here," Nex grumbled.

"No one makes it like Katherine does," Arda shrugged.

"Can we focus on my human pest problem?" Marcus sighed.

"The way I see it, you're making it needlessly complicated," Arda said, sipping on her cocoa. "Humans have a lot of hate in their heart. Go to her, spend some time around her, find out things that matter to her and I guarantee a loathing of someone will come up. Then just gently hint her in that direction, get her riled up talking about them and possibly drunk, she'll change her mind and send you after someone else."

"That's awfully manipulative," Kat frowned.

"We're demons, love, it's what we do," Arda shrugged. "Getting her drunk will help."

"It's true, humans make rash decisions when drunk," Nex agreed.

"Says a human," Arda said, giving Nex a side-glance.

Nex frowned, momentarily forgetting he was human. He crossed his arms and slunk back in his seat, glaring at Arda. "I meant humans who have never been anything else."

"Uh huh," Arda said doubtfully. "Honestly, Marcus, this isn't that complicated, it just takes a little bit of manipulation. Have you completely forgotten what it's like to be a real demon?"

"He never behaved like a real demon," Nex pointed out.

"He did in another life," Arda muttered.