Her nerves were also running high.
Ylva was supposedly a demon who served Death. Far scarier than the little intelligence she had summoned on her own. But Eva stood just to one side and Juliana doubted Eva would throw her in harm’s way. As such, it probably wasn’t some ‘eternal reward’ followed by mad cackling and a swift end.
Immunity from death would be interesting, if Ylva could grant such a thing. Their task was a minor one that was also completely unnecessary given that Eva already accomplished her task by the time Juliana actually saw her. Still, it was a possibility. Who knew how demons ascribed value to things.
Power of any kind was what Juliana was really hoping for. What power a demon of death could grant, she didn’t know. Something like Eva’s blood magic, hopefully.
“You performed a service to Us.” Ylva stopped just in front of the two. “Just as We do not allow slights against Ours and Ourself to go unpunished, We do not allow favors to Ours and Ourself to go unrewarded.”
Juliana blinked at the odd wording. She shook her head to focus on the happenings.
Ylva gestured towards her attendant. The robed girl stepped forwards, her flat-heeled, brown boots clomping against the marble as she did so. With practiced flourish, she held out the pillow towards Juliana and Zoe.
Sitting on top were two black rings. Each had a caricature of a skull embossed on the side facing Juliana. On the inside edge were their names. Their full names. Juliana Laura Rivas and Zoebell Baxter.
She never used her full name. It wasn’t that she disliked her middle name–her grandmother’s name–she simply didn’t use it. It was doubtful that Eva knew it. Zoe might, but she wouldn’t have told anyone.
And Zoebell. Juliana had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. She never knew there was more to the professor’s name than just Zoe Baxter.
Her mother would love to know. Fuel to tease Zoe with.
The ring felt heavy as Juliana picked up the one with her name. It was an odd sort of heavy. The ring took no effort to lift, but it felt like dropping it might break her toes.
Zoe shot Juliana a disapproving glare as she slipped the ring on her middle finger. Juliana didn’t care. She didn’t want to wait. In fact, it was dangerous to wait. Accidentally dropping the ring and having it roll off down the giant pit in the center of the room seemed like it might insult Ylva. Juliana didn’t want to risk any ‘slights’ against her.
The metal tightened around her finger, though not enough to cut off circulation. Juliana could feel a pulse in the metal every time her heart beat. An odd sort of feeling, but it went away after ten or so pulses. If she concentrated, she could feel it, but only just.
Despite her glare, Zoe plucked her ring off of the pillow.
Ylva’s attendant tucked the pillow in the crook of her arm and stepped backwards behind Ylva.
Juliana watched her professor’s face turn to one of surprise as she held the ring. Zoe tossed the ring in the air, catching it a few times. “Fascinating,” she said. “What is–” Zoe cut herself off as her eyes turned back to Ylva. She quickly cleared her throat and said, “sorry.”
“It is void metal,” Ylva said. “A type of metal only denizens of the void can fabricate.” Her eyes flicked over Juliana’s shoulder for a brief second. “Some denizens of the Void.”
“Hey,” Arachne called out, “I could–”
“Arachne,” said Eva in a quiet voice. “Not now.”
“The rings offer a modicum of protection,” Ylva said, pointedly ignoring Eva and Arachne. “A great number of beings will recognize the emblem and leave the bearers alone where they otherwise would not.”
Juliana let out the barest hint of a sigh. It wasn’t quite what she was hoping for.
Ylva apparently noticed. “Does Our gift displease you?”
“No, no. I was trying to guess what it might be. I didn’t even think of protection.” Juliana bowed to the towering woman. “I extend my thanks.” That sounded suitable for Ylva.
Zoe actually followed Juliana’s lead. She bowed and thanked the demon as well. The thanks that she gave came out more as a mumble than any kind of sincere thanks.
Ylva didn’t seem to mind. Her head slightly inclined in a sort of nod. “Until I require your assistance once more.” She turned on her bare heel and started walking back to her throne.
“Come along, Juliana,” Zoe said in a whisper. She started walking back to the door, examining her ring without even watching her surroundings.
After taking a step or two to follow after her, Juliana stopped. She turned back to the demon. “Mrs. um, Ylva.”
Everyone froze. Zoe spun back around as she hissed something under her breath that Juliana did not catch. Ylva and her attendant both stopped and looked back. Only two among them looked more or less calm. Eva and Arachne, though the latter sported a maniacal grin.
Ylva did not question Juliana. She merely stared. Her cold eyes seemed to pierce Juliana’s very being.
Licking her suddenly dry lips, Juliana said, “I was wondering if I might ask a question or two.”
“Juliana,” Zoe hissed, “we should be going now. I don’t think we should,” Zoe paused for a second as she glanced at Ylva, “take up any more of her time. I am sure it is very valuable.”
“We do not mind.”
A deep, almost disappointed sigh came from Zoe.
Juliana ignored it. “Alone,” Juliana said. She quickly added, “if possible.”
The sigh from Zoe turned into a sharp breath of air. Before she could protest, Eva said, “Juliana is a friend of mine. I’d ask that you do not make any sort of arrangements similar to what you made with Nel, Ylva.”
Ylva didn’t mull over the request for even a second. She turned to Eva and immediately said, “We possessed no such intentions. However, We request an unrelated, minor favor to be served at a later date.”
“Oh?”
“A minor issue regarding Nel’s needs. We do not believe you will find it problematic.”
“So long as I can veto this favor if I deem it unreasonable or beyond minor, I accept.”
“We acquiesce.”
“Zoe Baxter and I will wait back at my place. Come find us when you’re done.”
Eva had to drag Zoe out of the room. To be fair, Zoe wasn’t fighting too hard. Juliana got the feeling she was still scared of Ylva. The two were whispering to each other just quiet enough that Juliana couldn’t make out a word they were saying.
A resounding clang of metal echoed through the massive chamber as the door shut.
The attendant got on her tippy-toes yet only reached Ylva’s shoulder. She was only a head taller than Juliana, yet Ylva towered over the both of them. It took a lot of her willpower to keep from looking too cowed.
Ylva bent over slightly as the attendant began whispering.
“Acceptable,” Ylva said as she rose to her full height. “Nel will lead you to a side room where we may converse at length. Unless you had a scant few questions that are possible to discuss in a very short length of time.”
“I don’t know how long it is going to take nor how long you’re willing to entertain me.”
“You find Us entertaining?”
Juliana hoped that wasn’t offense leaking into her voice. “I’m sorry. It is a figure of speech.”
After a tense moment, Ylva nodded. “We understand. We will be with you shortly.”
With that, the demon turned and began walking back towards her throne.
The attendant, Nel, took Juliana by the hand and led her off through one of the archways around the ring.
“Come on,” she said, “it’s just over here. We have snacks and drinks if you’re interested.”
The tone of her voice made Juliana think the attendant was slightly too excited. While her eyes were still shadowed by her cowl, she sported a large smile.
“We don’t get many visitors apart from Eva and she never spends all that much time here. Technically I’m free to leave and wander–”