The demon's servant

Chapter 9: Off Time

Hariio stared at Lady Salene. Kashi had gotten off of Hariio's lap and now sitting in a chair next to him. Everyone had a plate with chicken and waffles. Kashi glanced at Hariio, then at Lady Salene, turned her head to her plate, and took a bite of syrupy chicken. Lady Salene paid no attention to anyone else and ate quietly.

After Lady Salene finished mopping up the rest of her syrup with her waffle, she sets down her fork on her plate and folds her hands into her lap. The wind outside howls through the open windows.

Lady Salene sighs then opens her mouth to speak.

"I'm in a dilemma here, Hariio. See, you finally learned your identity. Even though You did make a blood pact with me, that doesn't mean I have to trust your intentions. " She pauses. She Stands up from the table and takes a sip of orange juice. She then looks at Kashi.

"What do you need to do today, Kashi?"

Kashi looks up quickly. "I... I need to get groceries?

Lady Salene nods her head.

"'And Hariio, What do you need to do?"

Hariio looks at her calmly, " I'm done with everything other than putting away brunch."

Lady Salene again nods her head.

"I guess for today." She says to herself. "I guess

I can let you go get groceries, Kashi." As Kashi stands and starts to walk away, Lady Salene says more.

"And take Hariio with you." I look at Lady Salene surely.

"Are you sure, Lady?"

"Don't tempt me to revoke one of your only off days. Go."

Hariio stands up and walks to the front door.

A few minutes later, Kashi walks up to Hariio. Now she's in a heavy coat with leggings on instead of sweats. She slips on her casual shoes and gestures to the door. Hariio opens it for her, and she walks out. Hariio steps out into the chilly air. He sees Lady Salene staring at him from the living room before he closed the front door.

"Come on, Hariio!" Kashi looks at him, holding out her hand. Hariio looks at her. "Is it fine if I hold your hand?" Kashi smiles, "Sure."

Hariio takes her hand and they leave the mansion.

They left in a cab, ad they went to the local farmers' market. After walking some distance from where they were dropped off, they could see the crowd of people and colored tents. Many had baskets of fruits and veggies, but some had sweet treats and even food for the lunch rush.

Kashi pulled Hariio's hand over to one of the fruit stands. They had baskets with many various fruits. They had apples, bananas, peaches, and even pomegranates. Kashi told Hariio to go get some bags from a counter they had just walked by. As Hariio walked away, she examined the fruits for cuts or bruises. Hariio takes a few of the plastic bags and walks back over to Kashi. She immediately took the bags and began placing fresh fruits and veggies inside the bags.

Hariio had an uneasy dread about being here but waved it off due to being in the mansion for so long.

Kashi waves her hand in front of Hariio's face to get his attention. "Hey! Earth to Hariio!" Kashi jokes. Hariio looks into her yellow dandelion eyes.

"Did you zone out? Come on! Let's go to one of those stands with treats in them." She takes Hariio's hand and pulls him into a nearby booth. This one was actually covered by a tarp so you had to enter to see what was inside. And as soon as Kashi pulled the tarp open, Hariio could smell brownies and chocolate. He sees that there are little squares of chocolate behind a case that can only be opened on the other side. There was a variety of colors and flavors of chocolate.

A young lady on the other side with brown long hair looks at them.

"Do you two want the lovers' duet? It comes with two different flavors of chocolate and is wrapped in a heart box."

Kashi looks at Hariio. "Ooh. We should try that! What flavor do you want honey?" She jokes. Hariio looks into the spearmint's eyes. "Mint chocolate."

"That's a good one! How much is a lovers duet with milk and mint chocolate?"

The Lady smiles wide. "Only $18."

Kashi pulls out a few bills while the lady uses tongs to grab the two chocolates and put them in a heart box. The lady then wraps the box with a pink ribbon the hands it to Kashi. Kashi hands her the money.

"If you don't me asking, where did you two come from?" It seemed like a basic question, but Hariio felt uneasy. But, before he could say something, Kashi spoke. "Oh! we live in that big mansion about 14 miles away. Thanks for the chocolate!"

The lady's smile now becomes a dark smirk, "So you live with Lady Salene? You're demons, aren't you?"

The lady's eyes flicker just like when Lady Salene was chanting during the blood pact with Hariio. Hariio pulls Kashi to the ground right when a black dagger flies across his head. the lady then unravels black feathered wings and is now holding another black dagger. Hariio realized that the dagger is as black as her shadow on the ground. Kashi's eyes grow wide with panic.

"Who are you?!" Hariio yells.

The woman laughs, "I'm the archangel, Jinson, Now, let me put your soul in eternal peace, demons."