The Devils Gift

Chapter 17

We started down the hall. This time taking the somewhat hidden staircase we had used before. We moved down the hall together quietly. Door after door Sodo moved quickly. I only trailed a little behind him, still unsure of where we were going.

"Here we go." A mutter under his breath just loud enough for me to hear. A door was pushed open and I walked inside. A kitchen with a long table was inside. The first thing we entered into was the kitchen. A black and white tiled floor being one of the only pops of color. Black cabinets lined black walls. Black crowning added a bit of depth and something to look at other than the frosted large windows similar to those in Sodo's room. The stove, fridge, and some counter space sat on the left side against the wall poking out a little. The other side was just counter space with cabinets below. Dark almost marble looking countertops lined the tops of the cabinets on either side. The right side was more of a long island as it gave a view of the dining room.

Sodo led me into the dinning room where the smell of freshly made food was coming from. The first sight was a dark lace curtain that was held back by red lace. Large arched windows lined the walls letting in the morning sunlight, illuminating the room. The table was dark oak wood and antique looking with twelve chairs, two had either side of the table with five on each side. The table set with a few platters of food. One holding waffles and condiments and the other with fruits and drinks.

As we rounded the island the sound of talking and laughter hit my ears. Ghouls lined the seats as some ate and some just sat there talking. Two chairs sat at the end empty for Sodo and I.

Once we had made ourselves known the room was quiet. I sat down closer to the end with Sodo in between me and a ghoulette. Across from me was that same taller ghoul I had seen that morning I sunk out from Sodo's room.

"You brought your play thing." That familiar devil-like voice came from next to the tall ghoul. "Swiss, don't start." Sodo warned. My hands rested on my thighs as my eyes darted around the table. My finger nails gripping into my thigh as a small pinch of pain followed.

"I don't think we have officially met." The taller ghoul spoke up, breaking the awkward silence. I turned my head to him and waited. "I'm Mountain" A genuine smile spread across his face showing off his fangs. "You met me, I'm Sunshine." I looked down to see Sunshine sitting at the edge. "I'm Rain," The ghoul next to her spoke.

I recognized Rain's voice but seeing him I noticed his voice didn't quite match his voice. "Swiss," The man that had spoken up earlier said. His words coming out more slithery than normal "Phantom," A softer, kinder ghoul said. I looked next to Swiss to see him. He didn't seem to sure about even being there. "I'm Aether," A ghoul eating a banana gave me a small wave before returning to eating. "I'm Cumulus," "And I'm Cirrus." Two Ghoulettes said from the other side of the table.

"I'm Lana," I gave everyone a small smile. "Here," I was handed a plate with food. An assortment of everything that had been laid out. Setting it down, Sodo made a plate for himself and settled in his seat.

Everyone else went back to eating or talking in their private conversation. "So Lana," Swiss drug out my name, "Where are you from?" it sounded like he was trying to make conversation but he still held that drawn out almost lust filled voice.

"I'm originally from Visby Sweden but I moved here not too long ago." I took a bite of a strawberry. It was weirdly sweet and almost perfect tasting. Like it had just been picked from a garden that morning. "Oh why'd you move here." Sunshine made her presence known in the conversation. "I just, uh, it's really nice out here. Very peaceful." I scrambled to put together a fake reason. Stumbling over my words didn't make it sound plausible. "It is really nice out here." Sunshine gave a warm smile.

I could tell she knew it was fake. They way her eyes were glossed over with understanding. Her warm smile turned into a caring one. She felt more like a motherly figure than a friend. It was an unsettling feeling.

"Any plans for the blood moon?" Swiss inquired. He was trying to get at something. The room turned quiet and tense. I shifted uncomfortably in my chair as confusion washed over my face. I knew there was a blood moon but I wasn't sure if it was something people celebrated here.

"No, umm could I ask why?" Sodo's hand quickly went to my thigh and gave it a squeeze of warning. "Was I treading on something I shouldn't?" I thought. "Well you know, a blood moon me-" "Swiss enough!" A booming voice rang out.

I turned to the source to see Papa standing there. His robes I had met him in before no longer on him and he was in more simple but official attire. The same face paint on but it hadn't changed and I was guessing it could be almost part of him or something.

"Papa," Slightly growling Swiss stopped and turned away. "Sodo will tell her when he feels it's right." Papa returned to his composed voice and stood up straighter. "Hello my dear." he smiled towards me.

The way Papa could change from a demanding and commanding voice to that of a sweet simple person wasn't something I had seen. He held himself so high up showing his command over the ghouls.

"Hello," I almost bowed my head to him and turned back to my plate. The same uncomfortable tension still in the air. It was thick and caused all the ghouls to shift in their seats with nervousness and awkwardness. "I was just stopping in to say hello. I was unaware you were here." A silent scold to Sodo. The way his hand clenched my thigh proved it. "I'll leave you all to your chores." with a small wave and smile Papa left the kitchen.

After breakfast a few of the ghouls had stayed to begin to clean up. I had offered to help but was quickly shut down. The ghouls stated I was a guest and wasn't supposed to be doing anything. I took slight offense to it but didn't make a scene and accepted it.

"What's on your agenda?" I asked. Sodo and I walked down the hall to his room. "I have chores and such to do, this place doesn't keep clean on its own." His chuckled echoed in the long hallway. "I should probably get back to my apartment." It was disappointing not having a day with Sodo but I needed to get home and he had things to do.

"I hoped you would've stayed." A squeeze to my hand made my face slightly flush. "I don't have some essentials here." "Why don't you go home and make a bag. Then you can stay here without needing to go home."

It sounded like a good idea. This relationship had taken off quickly and seemed to be going well. I was more than happy to have a small place here, maybe a second home.

"Ok, I'll head home and be back in a couple hours." I was led to the front doors. Sodo kept his hand in mine as he faced me. "Ok promise you'll text me when you get home." He brought my hand up and kissed my knuckles. "I promise." My smile growing at the romantic gesture. "Good,"

Sodo pulled me in by my hand. My arms wrapping around his neck and his lips connected with mine. Sodo's fingers lightly traced my side before rubbing my waist and pulling back. "Goodbye darling." He whispered. "Goodbye Sodo." I gave him one more quick peck before the door was opened and I headed home.

The first thing I did when I got home was text Sodo. I then put my phone down and headed to the showers to clean myself up. In the shower, though, I began to wonder what Swiss meant by the blood moon. I sort of knew that ghouls could change their behavior based on moon cycles but I was curious as to what a blood moon would do.