Page 50 of Oracles Always Win

Gagegently took my shaky hand in his warm one.

Theconnection felt good. lt grounded me when everything else had sent my thoughts spinning likeIwas on a merry-go-round, and not one of those new safe ones either.No, my mind saw one of those old ones that hurled kids out in every direction once it got going.

“Ijust got here, remember,”Gagesaid. “Someof these questions you’ll have to bring up withVanorHayden.”

“Theyare supernatural too?Shit.Iguess you said that already, didn’t you?Themechanic and theChiefofPolice…”

Gagenodded. “LikeIsaid, most of your patrons are.Vanis a hellhound andHaydenis a werewolf.”

“Sothey turn into crazed animals during the full moon or something?”Ivaguely remembered one of the other art students constantly drawing beasts under a moon in his sketch books.Hadthose been sketches based on real life?Inever would have guessed.

“No.Notquite.Likewith demons, human pop culture got a few things wrong.”Gagelaughed. “Mostsupes?—”

“Supes?”

“That’sjust a short name for supernatural beings,”Gageexplained. “Mostsupes have the ability to change their bodies in some way.WithHayden, as a werewolf, he can transition into a wolf-like creature.Hestill retains his thoughts and his ability to speak, but some of his senses become sharper and he is stronger.”

“Doyou have a different form?”IthoughtIalready knew the answer to this, just based on the paintingsI’ddone of him, butIwanted to know for sure.

“Yes.Myskin and eyes become red, my body grows both taller and bulkier, andIhave wings?—"

“Canyou fly?”

“Yes, butIhaven’t for many years.Itis too risky.Toomany humans might see.And, likeIsaid, once a human sees under the magical glamour we are born with, then they see everything.”

“That’dsuck.Tobe able to fly, but you can’t because humans are idiots,”Isaid. “So… that glamour thing you talked about… that hides your horns?”

Henodded.

“CanIsee you?Likedemon you?”Iwidened my eyes. “Imean, is that intrusive?Toopersonal?Ididn’t mean to pry.”

Gagejust grinned. “I’mglad you wish to see my shifted form, but perhaps not today.”

“Yeah.Okay,”Isaid. “Sowhat does a demon do?Besidesfly.Like, do you have other powers or something?”

“Yes,IsupposeIdo.Adrian’slittle almost-human has asked this same question many times.Heis a strange creature.”Gagepaused, as if unsure how to begin.

“Ifyou don’t want to say, that’s fine.”Ithought about asking aboutJeremybeing almost-human—because what did that mean?—butIwas more curious aboutGage.

“Askme your questions.”

“Idon’t even know where to begin.Mymother hated anything to do with magic…Huh.Shemust have known about all this, hey?”

“Iexpect so,”Gagesaid carefully.

“Idon’t know what to ask.Whatare some of the myths about demons?”

“Themost common one is that we try to steal people’s souls.”

“Anddo you?”

Gageshook his head. “Imake deals.It’sthe only way to use my powers to help others without depleting my own magic.Magicis all about balance.Everytime someone uses magic, there is a cost.It’slike when you have your visions.Rightnow you suffer because there is no balance.I’mhoping we can correct that.But, no,Idon’t collect souls.That’sjust a lie humans tell.”

Okaythen. “Andyour friends?Whatare they?”

“Adrianis a wolf shifter,Isaacis a centaur, andNelsonis a shadow jumper.”

“Centaur.That’sa creature who is part horse and part man, right?Isthat why his laugh sounds like a neigh?”