I nearly choked.

  Nigel laughed. “Sorry! I’ve always wanted to say that. Brother uses it a lot on women when we travel.” His face filled with a hint of dismay. “And it always meant sharing a room with Garreth and Bydon afterward.” He shook his head. “Your face was priceless.”

  “I was terrified,” I said, etching fear into my voice.

  Nigel froze. “Wait! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it like that! Promise!”

  “Because I’m an ugly devil girl. I know…” I said. My voice trailed off intentionally. “Why would anyone ever think I was pretty?”

  “N-No! I, uh…” Nigel’s voice failed. His face flushed with embarrassment as he stared vacantly at the ground while searching his brain for any answer.

  Those words would have been more effective if Nigel were older. And talking to someone other than me. I could tell he’d be handsome in a few years, but he was just a brat right now. It was kind of adorable to tease him, though. Plus, he was very easy to read and manipulate. I kind of liked that.

  “I’m just messing with you. Sorry,” I admitted after a few more moments of watching him stew.

  Nigel pouted. “No, I messed up and made you uncomfortable. I’m sorry, too. You’re just covering for me.”

  Well, he was nice but not the smartest person in the world. If he ever formed a party, Nigel needed a mean, loyal person in it. Otherwise, he’d be tricked or killed.

  “Not at all,” I said truthfully. “Chin up! Be more confident in yourself. I’ve only known you for like five minutes, and I can already tell people walk all over you. Be assertive.”

  “Really? I guess you’re right. Jessie says that all the time.” Nigel scratched his head. His face blushed, and he looked at me. “Okay! Confidence!” He offered me his hand. “Let’s be friends!”

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  I balked. “Why?”

  “Why not?” he threw back. Uncomfortable laughter distorted his voice.

  “You want to be friends with a devil? We don’t even know each other. I could be aweful.”

  “Why not? There’s a sea devil in Port Prosper I’m friends with. His brother sometimes worked with my brother on jobs, so we played in the guild halls whenever they were gone. I liked him. Plus, there are two in Barcus’s party. Bydon’s a beast devil, and Tart’s a forest devil. They’ve both been with him for years and he trusts them and they’re nice. Well, Bydon’s nice. Why wouldn’t I like you just because you’re a devil?”

  Wow. What a surprising, mature response. I’m impressed.

  “Annnnd if you’re my friend, you can show me around town and tell me what’s fun to do here,” continued Nigel. “I am stuck here for a month.”

  “You went from hitting on me to asking me to be your friend to using friendship as an excuse for a date. Scary.”

  Nigel crinkled his nose. “How old are you?”

  “Ten.”

  “Why do you talk like you’re an old person?”

  I shrugged. “I like hunting and learning. Seeing things die and asking lots of questions ages you.”

  “O-Oh.” Nigel paused. “Then I’m probably too immature for you to want to be around.”

  “How old are you?”

  “Twelve. I-I already said that…”

  Well, at least he wasn’t young. It was concerning how na?ve he is given his age, but he doesn’t seem like a bad person.

  While I had friends, none sought me out to do things. While not outright judgmental, their parents were wary of me as a devil. There were also no family of devils living in Sandy Branch. It meant I spent a lot of time by myself. I was a little bored being by myself all the time.

  All I was gonna do today was swing a sword, eat, and sleep. I haven’t done anything with anyone besides my parents in a while. Why not? It’d be a boon to have at least one extra person in this world who somewhat likes me. I haven’t had someone try to talk to me like I’m normal since my ears got revealed. It’d be a nice change of pace. Plus, it’ll get mem out the house. And I think saying no to this kid would make him cry. As fun as that might be, it would draw too much attention. Oh well.

  “Fine!” I chimed. “You can be my friend!”

  “Really? Great!” Nigel’s eyes melted with happiness. They twitched after a moment, though. “Why did you phrase it like you were doing me a favor?”

  “Never mind. I take it back.” I lifted my sword and continued my practice. “Go away,” I ordered him as my cheeks tinged red with embarrassment.

  All I heard was laughter behind me as Nigel crossed over the fence to plan our day and chat.