Demon Possession Read Free Page B

coffee-colored hair was molded neatly, framing his face.
    Silently, Darius sipped his cup of steaming liquid while he,in turn,scrutinized Sebastian. Sebastian’s clothes were simple. His style was more wear-whatever-you-grab, and less preconceived, although today he put a little more thought into his dress. A pair of black pants—riddled with pockets, buckles, and secret places to hide his weapons—a pair of thick black boots, scuffed with overuse, and a dark coat, lined with a light-gray faux fur, over a simple white shirt. Around his neck he wore two heavy silver chains, which could double as weapons if needed. His short coal-colored hair was purposeful y messed, al owing his horns to peek out. He too knew how to put on a show. His appearance projected danger and reinforced the common knowledge that you don’t want to piss off a demon, especial y this one.
    Darius sat silently, giving off his usual air of superiority. Sebastian matched him with a quiet reserve, knowing what was about to come, as he had grown to expect it.
    Negotiation time.
    “I’l give you half the agreed price.” Darius final y declared, in a tone meant to end the conversation there. He put down his mug and picked up his pen, readying to draw up the new contract.
    Two items missing from the load and the bastard thinks he should get half off!Stifling his annoyance Sebastian replied, “That would not even cover my costs.” His voice was calm, a slight lift at the corners of his lips, his face a mask of arrogance. It was the only way to deal with the obdurate bastard.
    “A few of the items I requested are missing from the load. I cannot pay the ful amount we agreed upon. If I did that, every one of my merchants would bring me only half of my order and demand ful price.” Darius tsked.
    “There are only two items I was unable to acquire and those items are damn near impossible for anyone to get. I would have to risk my life or the lives of my crew, and you are not paying me enough for that.”
    “I disagree.” A knowing smile played across his lips. “A few short weeks ago, a competitor of yours, Kierok, I believe was his name, was able to bring me one of those items, and charged me less than you quoted.” A steely pause, “Perhaps I should do more business withhim.”
    Sebastian knew Kierok, a rival merchant and a heartless creature. He also knew that Darius was waiting for some kind of outburst at the prospect of losing him as a customer. He probably expected Sebastian to crumble at his words and beg for whatever pay he was wil ing to offer. But Sebastian could not care less if he and Darius did business. There was something abhorrent about the man. Sebastian sensed he needed to tread cautiously around him, always kept his guard up, as though he were a snake in the grass waiting for the perfect moment to strike.It takes one to know one.Sebastian himself was one to be wary of. When a snake strikes,youstrike back harder.
    “Kierok doesn’t give two shits about his own crew and cal ously risked their lives to procure your goods. I don’t work that way.”
    Darius studied him for a moment. Frown in place. “Kierok could provide me withal the same services as you,” He pushed.
    Sebastian only smiled, never taking his amber eyes from the man in front of him. “If that’s how you feel I wil have my men pack up the cargo and we’l be on our way.”
    Darius tried and failed to hide a sneer before saying, “Unfortunately I cannot wait for Kierok. But I wil not pay ful price for partial delivery.” He slammed his hand down on his desk to emphasize his point.
    Sebastian shrugged, unconcerned. “I wil offer to take three percent off the agreed price.”
    Darius, visibly agitated now, leaned back in his chair. “Make it thirty percent.”
    “Eight percent.”
    Through clenched teeth Darius replied. “I wil accept no less than twenty percent off.”
    Sebastian pretended to weigh his options. “Then I am sorry, I’l have to decline your