Shandra is particularly startled by the tone of voice and expression on Sam: the half-sided smile didn't look like one of happiness, nor joy."What do you mean? What do you mean?" She asks, somewhat fearfully.Julian also seems intrigued by the books. He takes one of them from Sam's hands and looks carefully at the spelling on the cover. Then he looks at the girl, but does not smile. Instead he sighs through his nose."Have you read these books? I mean, have you read every page of each one?""No, although I have learned quite a bit from it." The two men widen their eyes. "But what's going on anyway? Why are they reacting this way?"They both go into a deep silence, thinking about the best way to start the subject. The dark-haired demon points with his finger to the black-covered book."That is a Grimoire of Dark Magics. You probably used some spell from here to summon me."Then he points to the other volume, the gray-covered one."That's a Grimoire of Arcane Magics."Julian completes:

Demons were fascinating creatures, or at least that's what humans used to say. Some ran away at the sight of them, others simply couldn't believe their eyes and chose to ignore them.And of course, there were those that the demons liked the most: those who purposely approached them.Contrary to popular belief, in no way did demons envy mortals. What was there for them that a fallen angel could not do? After all, apart from obvious characteristics such as superior strength and sharper instincts, the shadowy creatures were immortal in the strict sense of the name.However, this rumor had a certain foundation. Although they were naturally vulgar, monstrous, ghastly, and twisted into frightening shapes capable of provoking dread in anyone who laid eyes on them, all demons wore human skin, even among themselves.Some used the shells made by themselves, especially those of the elite. The lower class ones used the possessed bodies of their victims. It was comfortable to have so much power we

Shandra is sure that her voice is not being noticed by Sam. The two walk back at a comfortable pace as the girl sends a mental message to the redhead:"Julian? Is that you?"And who else, little witch?""But how can you do that? I thought only Sam could get into my mind like that.""Sam has many tricks. I have powers. That's our difference.""So all demons can communicate mentally?""Not all. Only the strongest and most... Empowered."The way he spoke of others of his race sounded a lot like when Sam belittled demons who possessed human bodies. It was clear that strength, status, power and glory were things taken extremely seriously in Hell.She squinted at the man next to her. He really couldn't even imagine the parallel conversation that was going on. But how?"Isn't the merger we did supposed to make him listen to me?" the girl asks Julian."Even though you share many things in common, luckily, that's one of the ones not affected by the spell. So, no, he can't hear me. And he can't

All Shandra can see in the very few seconds before the car comes barreling down on her is the cold, bloodthirsty stare of the driver, who makes no mention of even trying to brake hard when he sees the girl standing still and frightened in front of him.She uselessly puts both arms over her head. Then...Time seems to stop.No, not stop, but slow down completely. She can still see the car approaching, as well as the other cars on the avenue, but everything seems to be in slow motion.The only one who seems to be moving normally is Sam, who is standing right in front of her, with his hands in the pockets of his black pants. The social shirt of the same color has the first buttons open, and it is at his chest that Shandra looks first.Not because his beautiful chest is partially exposed, although that could be a perfectly convenient reason, but because of the imposing black medallion that rested under his fair skin.It was quite different from the Goddess' Medallion. It was triangular in

Shandra looked once more through the small crack in the old wooden wall. Everything seemed deadly quiet outside, just as it had been for the last fifteen minutes. Julian's voice, who is sitting on a bale of hay, is gloriously bored:"I told you, we're safe here.""You can't blame me for wanting to ensure our integrity." She fiddles with her hair. "Or rather, my integrity. You are immortal and have three hundred different powers."The redhead jumps to the floor and stretches his arms as he stretches."Don't overdo it. And you have powers too, little witches.""Powers I don't know how to use right.""Then how nice that we are here. I can teach you at least the basics."Interested, Shandra gets out of her strategic lookout position and goes over to him. They are both surrounded by hay and trinkets, but there is no sign of animals or people around. That shed had been abandoned for months, or so it seemed."Do you know how much magic exactly?""Enough to survive. But I'm a demon, not a wit