Page 33 of Cuddly Demon

As soon as I step through the creaky door, a strong gust of wind brushes past me, carrying with it the scent of old books and burning candles. The shop is enormous, far bigger than anything I could have imagined. Shelves line the walls, while towering stacks of books are scattered throughout the room.

Every inch of the space is covered in treasures, from colorful potions to sparkling crystal balls that emit an otherworldly glow under the dim light. The walls are adorned with hidden compartments that conceal secrets and riches within. A curved staircase leads up to a higher floor that's shrouded in darkness, piquing my curiosity. Even the walls themselves seem to pulsate, with colors and patterns that hypnotize me.

In one corner, a collection of wands of all shapes and sizes is displayed on a glass shelf. Each wooden wand seems to have its own story, and I can't help but wonder about the wizards and witches who wielded such powerful instruments. Demons have never used wands—we don't require them to perform our magic—but we've always had respect for witches who do.

"This is incredible." I run my fingers over the covers of ancient volumes, some with intricate symbols and designs. It's almost as if the pages themselves are whispering secrets to me, whispering tales of enchantments and mythical creatures that I had only ever imagined.

Saint grins. "This came highly recommended by the modern-day magic association's TikTok account. It's supposed to be the best shop on the East Coast."

I can see why. The air hums with a soft murmur, as if the very magic contained within the store is alive and pulsating with energy. I pause for a moment, simply taking it all in, allowing the incredible vibe of the store to wash over me like waves crashing on a shore.

This is a place of wonder and amazement, a testament to the power of magic and its ability to inspire and captivate those who seek it out.

"Hey, there." A burgundy-haired female associate with a raven perched on her shoulder approaches us. "How can I assist you?"

Saint steps forward. "I'm here with my demon, even though you can't see him right now. He needs his magic fix."

The associate turns to me. "Actually, I can see him."

My jaw drops. "You're kidding."

She smiles. "I hear him too. Most people can't, but when you've been around magic for as long as I have, you learn to listen to the whispers in the air. What kind of magic are you looking for?"

"I'm not sure," I admit, glancing around the store. "I guess I'm just here to browse and see what I can find. I want to see how magic has evolved since I roamed the Earth."

The associate nods. "We have plenty of books that can help you out. Feel free to take a look around. And if you have any questions, I'm here to answer them."

She leads us into the depths of the store, gesturing to the variety of items on offer. There are books about spells, potions, and charms, as well as ingredients for all kinds of magical concoctions.

I marvel at the power of it all, feeling a strange kind of kinship with the items.

Saint turns to me. "Do demons use spells?"

"It depends on the demon," I reply. "Most of us draw our power from within. We don't need to rely on spells or charms."

He nods. "Interesting."

A wide assortment of magical artifacts is on display in the back of the store. A set of silver chalices, a diamond-studded wand, and a glass mirror with a golden frame catch my eye.

"What are these?" I ask, picking up the mirror.

"That's a magic mirror," the associate says. "It can show you glimpses of the past, or the future, depending on how you use it. It's a powerful tool for divination."

My eyes widen. "That's incredible."

The associate smiles. "It's a powerful thing to behold. But it's not all that easy to use. You'll need to practice getting the hang of it."

I look at myself in the mirror. "This is amazing."

Saint wraps his arm around me. "You're the one who's amazing."

I laugh. "You're not so bad yourself."

"What do you see?"

"I see myself finally exacting payment from my last master's descendants. It's what I need to live free of pain."

Saint wraps his arms around me. "I'll help you do it. I'm not sure how we'll track them down, but I'm here for you."