Though, if Zagan wanted her to interfere, not doing so was probably the correct choice.
“Let’s get you two into Martina’s office and away from all the gawkers,” he said with a wave towards two students who were standing just far enough away to not hear them talk.
Probably.
With Zagan leading the way, nothing really changed. They might have even gathered more stares than they had before. Whether on account of Zagan being an authority figure or Zagan being Zagan, Eva couldn’t say. The students who weren’t interested in Eva or Ylva made note of their professor walking around.
A few even greeted him by name. Zagan would return their greetings with a few words or a wave. Although he never mentioned names, he was polite. There was the barest hint of disdain in his voice, but it was well covered.
Ylva walked with her head straight forwards, apparently not taking notice of the peasants walking beneath her. That was just an appearance. She was noticing. She wouldn’t have mentioned their stares otherwise.
Zagan brought them through Brakket’s lobby and into the adjacent offices.
“Morning Catherine,” Zagan said to the lesser succubus sitting at the front desk. “We still on for tonight, yeah?”
Catherine’s eyes flicked over the group. They started with Eva, narrowing as she looked over Ylva and stopped at Zagan. There was a brief flash of red as her eyes reverted to a more demonic state. It passed as quickly as it came.
“In your dreams,” she said with a snarl before looking back to her makeup compact.
“I certainly hope so.” He flashed a bright smile before turning his golden eyes back to Eva and Ylva. “Well, best not to keep Martina waiting.”
He pushed open the door labeled with Martina’s nameplate.
The room was dark, lit by a single desk lamp and a standing lamp just behind Martina Turner. All the chairs had been moved to the far corner of the room, save for the one behind the desk. Paper stacks covered her desk, save for one corner that was occupied by a pair of boots.
Forcing her guests to stand? How rude.
Though Ylva standing might backfire somewhat.
Martina Tuner’s eyes widened as Ylva had to duck slightly to enter the room. If their meeting went on for any length of time, it would be Martina’s neck that would be in pain.
The dean set aside a manila folder she had had in her hands. She had to recline as far back as her chair would allow in order to keep Ylva in sight as they neared the desk. Zagan moved up to stand behind her. His polite smile turned somewhat sinister the moment he moved behind Martina.
If Eva had to guess, the chairs and Martina not getting up were his doing. He advised for this petty power play knowing exactly how it would turn out.
Martina realized at least part of that. Enough to slowly move her feet to the floor. She still did not stand.
Eva cleared her throat. If they wanted to play their little power games, they could do it without her. She had better things to. Namely, anything. “Ylva, this is Martina Turner. The dean of Brakket Magical Academy. Martina, this is Ylva. The daughter of Death’s goddess, Hel.”
“So you told me over the phone.” Martina’s eyes glanced over Ylva again. “And you’re wanting to assist in our little rogue demon problem?”
“We do as We will. This meeting is offered as a courtesy.”
Ylva’s tone was harsh. Angry even. A few steps away from the booming voice she occasionally used in her domain.
And Eva couldn’t blame her one bit. Martina had no idea how to handle meeting with powerful entities. Or trusted in Zagan’s advice far too much. Eva was betting on the latter. After all, she somehow wrangled Zagan into a contract.
That was scary enough on its own.
Zagan looked to be suppressing a laugh behind Martina. His eyes met Eva’s glare. A shrug of his shoulders was the only answer to her unasked question.
Martina looked unperturbed. “While here, you are to remain away from Brakket Campus. There will be other guards stationed around the school on Saturday. You are free to wander the town so long as you do not draw undue attention to yourself. Something I see you might have problems with.”
Eva took a casual step away from Ylva as the demon narrowed her eyes.
“You presume to order Ourself?” The wall shook as Ylva’s voice thundered out.
“If you cannot abide by my terms, Zagan will be force–”
Said demon cleared his throat. “It would be unwise to antagonize the hel, Martina.”
Martina’s calm expression shifted into a frown. “Explain.”
“As the little embryo said, her mother is dear old Hel. One-sixth of Death’s deities. Not the strongest of the bunch, but Hel has the others’ ears at the very least. I’m sure the Baron would be happy to wipe this town off the map for her.”
“And you can’t simply snap your fingers and turn them nonexistent?”
“I could try, but those six have been touched by Death Himself. They break several rules. They’re able to kill the unkillable, for instance.”
“And you’re afraid.” Despite being told that her current course of action would lead to ruin, Martina grew a wide smile with that statement.
“Nonsense. Nothing to be afraid of so long as I don’t do anything to anger them, yeah? Something that hurting one of Hel’s daughters would surely do.”
“I see.” Martina turned back to Ylva with a genuine smile. “Well, Ylva, I do apologize. Someone,” she said with a glance towards Zagan, “was under the impression that a firm hand would be required in dealing with you.”
Ylva simply stared, though some of the anger seemed to have fled. Her eyes returned to their base, unnarrowed state.
“I see now that I can’t order you around. Though I do ask that you attempt to keep a low profile. As a side note, I wonder if you wouldn’t consider a contract of mine when your task is complete.”
“We are unable to accept further contracts. Our current contract may continue for some time.”
“You are already contracted? I was under the impression that you weren’t.”
Eva blinked. So was I, she thought.
Devon? No. Not likely. He didn’t trust demons enough to do anything other than use them, and they didn’t get along very well in the first place. Perhaps Nel? Eva shook her head. Nel was property. If she was contracted, their relationship was far more complicated than Eva could work out in her mind.
Eva dismissed Zoe almost immediately. She hadn’t been as afraid of her since the whole demon attack thing, but not enough to want a contract. Juliana spent time around the demon, but she would have mentioned something as big as contracting with Ylva, right?
Someone else then. Yet another thing for Eva to add to her plate.
“Well,” Martina said after Ylva failed to respond, “when you complete your current contract, I may have use for you.”
“We shall keep your offer in mind.”
Ylva spoke in her usual commanding tone. There was something more to it–a certain flatness. Eva had never heard the demon do anything resembling sarcasm. At least not before now.
“That’s all I ask. I’d ask Zagan to see you out, but I find myself needing to have a few words with him.”
“She’s going to be with Zoe for the day before heading home with her,” Eva said. “I’ll show her where to go.”
“Is that wise? I mean, the students…”
“Ylva will be disguising herself. The cover is that Zoe will be caring for a friend’s daughter, Ylva being that friend. She came in today to clear it with you. Zoe asked me to show her around because she was too busy.”
A pillar of fog erupted in the office. It dispersed into tiny-Ylva.
“I see,” Martina said. She leaned over the top of her desk with a frown. “Is she going to be wearing that dress?”