Paine's Guide to Hell

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

   "Your boredom?" Paine repeated quietly, the words nearly catching in his throat. The demon turned to fix her bright gaze on him, amused.

   "Correct," she smiled, sharp canines glinting menacingly. "There's not really much for us overseers to do around here, and I haven't had any fun in centuries."

   "So, um," he reached up to run a hand through his hair, eyebrows raised in confusion. "You came here because you thought we could help you with this?"

   "Yep."

   "...Why?"

   That caused her to pause, expression thoughtful as she chose how best to word her reply. This lapse in conversation gave Paine the opportunity to shoot a questioning glance over his shoulder at his blond companion. The other seemed to have relaxed marginally from when the girl had first arrived, but his hand had yet to release its hold on the hunting knife. The boy's expression was wary, but there were also traces of curiosity playing across his otherwise impassive features.

   "It was a split-second decision," the demon conceded at last, drawing Paine's attention back to the matter at hand. Her brow was furrowed pensively, eyes unfocused as she spoke. "I'm new at this, and your group was the first I found. That stunt you two just pulled seemed as interesting as anything else I saw, so I figured I'd come meet you and at least see what you were like."

   Her gaze roamed over the pair appraisingly, at last coming to rest on Paine's eyes with a hint of contempt.

   “So far, I can't say I'm that impressed.”

   The blond growled at the comment, muttering a few words under his breath that, even if he had been able to hear them clearly, Paine was fairly sure he wouldn't have been able to understand. The girl appeared to a catch a few, however, as the next moment she was moving to smirk at the boy.

   “Don't assume I can't understand you just because I've only been speaking in English, little boy,” she remarked dryly. “I was around long before your language even began to take form; you really think I haven't been able to pick up on some curse words since then?”

   His eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed indignantly at her condescending tone. “Had I known you understood, I assure you I would have chosen much harsher words.”

   Rather than being insulted by such a comment, the girl laughed brightly. “I'm sure you would have.”

   He glowered darkly, but Paine was almost sure he could see a small amount of respect behind all the hostility. The dark-haired teenager's smile widened as he turned to address both his companions.

   “Well, whatever you reasons might be, if we are going to seeing more of each other, I'd like to know both your names.”

   “Fair enough,” the girl agreed, eyes glittering. “Call me Angie.”

   “Nice to meet you,” he nodded. “I'm Paine Moore. And you are...” He shot the blond a pointed look.

   For a moment, the other was silent, expression guarded. Finally, he closed his eyes defeatedly, lowering his head to further avoid both of their stares. “Ilari Markovic.”

   “Wonderful!” Paine said, clasping his hands behind his head. “Now all we need to do is-”

   “I think I heard voices over there!”

   As one, Angie and Ilari whipped around to face the source of the shout, bodies tensing. Paine's expression remained carefully neutral, eyes stony as he too slowly turned towards the valley, which was mostly obscured by the dune in their path. As they stood, silently watching the crest of the mound, several more voices rose to join the first, as well as the sound of boots on loose sand. Ilari's knife was most of the way out of its sheath when Angie held up a hand, the other twirling the scythe idly, with a placating look.