Jet and Jade | Black and White 1

Chapter 21: Jet

"So where we goin', Ms Reaper?" Irlene asked, bouncing on the soles of her feet.

"I'm looking for someone," I said, smiling a little.

Her enthusiasm was contagious.

"Oh! 'Ho're you lookin' for?" Irlene questioned.

"His name is Banvon Rydonl," I replied, watching her onyx face carefully for a reaction.

"'Kay!" Irlene just said, her expression cheery.

She doesn't know who he is, I realized.

My eyebrows rose.

This was unexpected.

Or did Banvon go by a different name here?

"D'you have anythin' of this person's?" Irlene inquired.

I thought for a moment. "No..." I slowly said.

"This'll be harder then." Irlene sighed. "'Ave you met 'im before?"

"Yes."

"Can I see your memories of 'im?"

"I can send you it."

"Sure!"

It would be a bad idea to let her into my mind. Seven-year-old or not.

"You can do that?" The curiousity in Irlene's black eyes was hard to miss.

"Yes," I replied.

"You must be a high tier, Ms Reaper!" Irlene guessed.

I swallowed. Her name for me only reminded me of the lie I was feeding Jade. "Not really," I lied.

Irlene nodded easily with a grin.

"I'll send you the memory," I said.

It wouldn't be good for her to know too much. Too dangerous.

At least the demons didn't recognize me.

"'Kay!" Irlene replied.

Air escaped me as the first time I saw Banvon came to the front of my mind.

Before I could get lost in my memories, I froze the image of Banvon in my mind and threw it into the young demon girl's.

Irlene's eyes widened a little as she saw Banvon's face.

Did she know who he was now?

"Got it!" she said cheerfully.

I nodded.

Was she planning on how to trick me now?

Should I not have gotten a tracker?

"Gimme a minute!" Irlene said.

I watched as Irlene looked around carefully.

Had she found out?

Did she recognize me?

I could always get into her mind, but I just didn't feel like doing it. I didn't want to invade her privacy, though I regularly did that with the Qwen.  She was innocent, which was so rare for a demon. Näive, perhaps too much. She would easily be beguiled by anyone who wanted to trick her. Banvon certainly would.

For some reason, I hated the thought of her joining Banvon.

Why did I care?

It was only one demon.

...she reminded me of Jade.

"Ms Reaper!" Irlene interrupted my thoughts.

"Yes?"

"I found 'im!" A look of childish excitement on her face, she grinned at me.

"That's good," I replied calmly.

"'E is in 'ere, in Hell, too! I'll tell you where 'e is, or d'you want me to take you to 'im?"

"I can go alone."

There was no need to put her in unnecessary danger.

Irlene's face fell, but only for a moment. She didn't insist on going and instead said, "'Kay... 'E is in the castle."

"Which one?" I asked.

"Reaper Castle, Ms Reaper," Irlene said. "I guess y'know 'ow to get there?"

"Yes, and thanks," I said. "How much do I pay?"

"Nothin', I ain't wantin' any money," she replied with a shrug.

"And your brother? Wouldn't he want it?"

"Nah. We ain't that poor." Irlene thought for a moment. "Well... there's this one thin'..."

"What?"

Irlene cocked her head to a side. "I wanna see a dragon..." Her voice was more quiet now, a faint blush on her black cheeks.

"Well that's not hard," I muttered.

Irlene looked at me hopefully, waiting for my next words.

"I know a dragon who might agree to meeting you, but I have to talk to her first," I said. "And for now, I have some important business to do, so I'll contact you when I can. Well, I would, but I have no way of doing that."

"Oh--!"

I gave the young demon girl a questioning look.

She smiled at me. "I 'ave this... thin'." She took a black-beaded bracelet from one of many, holding it out. "I can talk to every'un 'ho wears one."

I took it. "Alright. How do I do it?"

"I guess y'just... do?"

"Okay." I nodded. "Thanks. I'll see you then."

"Yeah! See you!"

"See you."

I turned and started to fly off in the direction of Reaper Castle.

When I looked back, Irlene was gone.