**LUKAS**
“Yes?” A deep voice says from behind me and I jump. I didn’t realise the demon was approaching. Clare insists that this particular demon has a soft spot for his human bartender, but I’m unconvinced. It just seems so… Unlikely. Besides, the demon doesn’t look friendly. If you ask me, he looks kind of pissed off. I suppose I can respect Rina for her bravery. It takes a special kind of person to just casually call a demon over like that. She is definitely a brave person… Or stupid. She could also be very stupid. Still, since she called the demon over, I suppose I should make the most of it.
“You’re Torin the demon?” I clarify. I’m hoping he can’t see how freaked out I am. I’m attempting to follow Rina’s example by just going for it. Ideally, I’ll find a chance to read the guy’s mind. It’s the only way I can really be confident that I’m getting accurate information. There aren’t all that many demons in town. So if I can rule him out as the demon working with the necromancer it would help significantly. I mean, realistically it would be more helpful if he IS the demon I’m looking for. Because obviously that would mean I’m on the right track. But for Clare’s sake I hope he isn’t. She smiled more at her cousin in the last five minutes than she has at me in the last two days. If she actually has a family member who loves her… I’d hate to find that she’s mixed up with the necromancer.
The demon nods, confirming he is Torin. Okay, time to take a risk.
“I’m Lukas.” I hold out my hand offering a handshake. Obviously I just want to read his mind. Hopefully he can’t tell how sweaty my hand is right now. I see a flick of pink as Clare spins on the spot and opens her mouth, I’m guessing to tell me I SHOULDN’T try to ready the potentially murderous demon’s mind. But my magic is basically useful for one thing, and that’s what I’m going to do. For a moment I think Clare is going to stop me, but before she can, Torin reaches out and accepts my handshake.
*I can’t believe he actually wants to shake my hand. I guess Rina’s plan to help people be less scared around me is working. Okay, I need to stay calm. Maybe she’s right and there are people who are willing to be friends with me. How long are handshakes meant to go for? Wait… What do I do AFTER the handshake. Shit.*
I relax. I seriously doubt that this demon is up to anything nefarious. He’s legitimately just hoping to make a friend. I release his hand and glance over at Clare. I guess maybe her theory that he’s in love with the human is right. She certainly seems stuck in his mind. Well, he wants to make a friend, and I want information. So maybe we can both get what we want. I smile.
“Nice to meet you.” I say, trying to sound as friendly as I can. Torin blinks at me, he seems confused. I guess I did change my attitude real fast. Damn, I should have tried to take my time in warming up to him. I’m acting suspiciously. I can feel Clare’s eyes boring into the side of my head. I’m pretty sure she’s annoyed with me, again… I’m also fairly sure she wants to know what I heard in his mind. We can talk about it later. In fact, I’m looking forward to it.
Getting information from Torin is about a thousand times easier than I expected it to be. I invite him to have a drink with me and he just… Goes along with it. I ask him about himself, demons in general, and even the other demon in town, Solem. He doesn't seem to think that there is anything strange about my questions, or if he does then he doesn’t comment. I don’t bother trying to read his mind again. That glimpse before was enough for me to get a decent idea of his character. I don’t think he’s lying to me, I think he’s just trying to be my friend. Obviously my priority here is to get information, but I’m not opposed to making a new friend too.
It doesn’t take me too long to get all my questions answered. I’m fairly sure the demon I’m searching for is this Solem guy. He sounds like everything I’ve been led to expect from a demon. He owns shady businesses, makes bargains and screws people over as much as possible. Clare seems like she’s having fun talking to her cousin, so I continue talking to Torin. I tell him a little about myself. He doesn’t really volunteer much information about himself, but if I ask him questions, he answers them readily enough. After a while though, I can tell he isn’t really paying attention to me anymore. He’s too busy watching Rina work. His expression is… Not what I expected. He seems kind of sad. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t resist. I make a show of moving my glass on the bar and ‘accidentally’ brush my hand against his.
*She’s going to leave, any time now, any day. There is nothing I can do about it. She treats me better than I deserve. I know that… I have no idea how I’m going to cope if she leaves. I don’t want to go back to how things used to be.*
I pull my hand away feeling guilty. I was expecting him to be casually thinking that his crush is pretty or something. But that was actually a lot. I shouldn’t have intruded. Particularly since I do actually kind of want to be friends with this guy.
Well, since Torin is distracted anyway, I think that probably means it’s time for us to leave. I briefly say goodbye to Torin, then go tap Clare on the shoulder to get her attention. I suppose I could have just called her name or something, but it’s so rare that someone actually lets me touch them, someone who knows about my mind reading that is, that I can’t seem to stop myself. Clare turns to me and I nod towards the exit, indicating we should head off. Clare sighs heavily, but she doesn’t argue. She just hugs her cousin goodbye. But before we leave, there’s one other thing I think I need to do. I approach the human bartender and clear my throat to get her attention.
“Heading off?” She asks. I nod, then sigh. I’ve decided to be friends with Torin, so I need to help him out a little.
“You should find a chance to talk to Torin.” I say bluntly. The guy is freaking out. They clearly are not on the same page relationship wise.
“Huh?” Rina stares, clearly confused. I sigh again. I really don’t want to admit I’m a mind reader.
“Look, I don’t like doing this and I don’t want to say too much. But for both of your sakes, pull him aside and have an actual discussion about your relationship before he completely sabotages the entire situation.” I tell her in a hurry. She stares and I don’t blame her. I give an uncomfortable shrug.
“He’s a decent guy. I wish you both well.” I say quickly, wanting the conversation to be over. Then I turn and head straight out of the bar before anyone can start asking me awkward questions.