Soul Guardian

Chapter 34: Double Bluff

Breakfast was becoming a regular tradition in the Sharoth household. Titan dropped this morning’s copy of the Forgotten Times next to Bael and curled up under the table to watch for any falling scraps of bacon. He quite liked bacon.

The Chef was getting more and more adept at cooking in his ghostly form now that he wasn't wasting energy on pointless window rattling. Maharet drank her coffee from a white ceramic mug decorated with multicolor pastel hearts, having decided that it wasn't worth the risk to return to the coffee shop. So far Bael hadn't asked for any and she wasn't about to offer.

Six was in her customary place next to Bael and the two of them were giggling about something or other. As the fire demon watched the two bonding over their waffles, eggs, and bacon she felt an unfamiliar twinge in her chest. Maharet rubbed her collarbone thoughtfully.

“We should probably do something about the succubus from the coffee shop. I don't like the idea of her spotting Six and telling everyone what we're up to.”

Six looked up at hearing her name mentioned then went back to her breakfast.

“That is a fair point but perhaps there may be an easier way. Something more subtle. We can't go around banishing every demon who spots her and gets curious.” Bael mussed Six’s hair as he spoke. “I was thinking about the problem last night and I may have found a solution.”

“Well we can't disguise her as a demon if that's what you're thinking. I can't imagine that would end well.”

“No, but we can enchant her to look human.”

Maharet's eyes narrowed. There was a lot going on with that statement. “Explain.”

“It’s probably easier if I show you. Six, do you mind if I cast a small spell to demonstrate my idea?”

“Knock yourself out.” She took a sip of orange juice then paused. “It won't hurt, will it? Or randomly suck me out into space?”

A guilty look crossed Bael’s face. “No, this is just a little seeming. It doesn't have any physical effects.”

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“Oh, right on then.” She turned to look at him.

Bael booped her in the nose with his finger and Six’s hair began to transition from blond to fiery red like Maharet's. The color crept from her roots to the tips of her pigtails like juice through a napkin.

“Oh!” Maharet looked at Six, beginning to understand what Bael was up to. “That's clever.”

“Yes, anyone who wonders why we're with a human will look closer and maybe even pierce the glamour, but be unable to tell the difference between her natural humanity and that which the spell projects.” He explained, pleased with himself and positively beaming from his wife's approval.

Six however was looking at her hair with an expression Bael couldn't quite decipher. She kept glancing at Maharet as if confused. Eventually she stood up and walked out of the kitchen.

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Wondering if he had somehow managed to screw up again, Bael went to pursue her, but Maharet cut him off. “Let me handle this one.”

***

The mirror at the end of the hall was six feet tall and a full four feet wide. The wooden frame was worn and darkened by age. Six stood, looking at the red haired girl it reflected. She seemed to be deeply puzzled, her lips pressing together into a tight line.

“It can take some getting used to.” Maharet said, standing behind Six. “It's hard being around people who don't look like you. I remember looking in a mirror like this one and trying to decide if I wanted to be more like them or hold onto some semblance of self.”

“What did you decide?”

“I found a middle ground, eventually.” She put her hand on Six’s shoulder. “Your mother had red hair, didn't she?”

Six nodded, her eyes not leaving the mirror. They looked like mother and daughter, standing there, framed by the dark wood border of the mirror. A portrait of what it could have been like to be a family, and a reminder of all she had lost. It hurt but she couldn't look away.

“Well, you look good as a redhead and it wouldn't be the worst idea to hide your natural hair color. Do you want to keep it for a while? You can see how you feel about it then decide.”

“Sure. Can you call Bael over? I’d like to see how we all look together.”

“Of course.” Maharet turned back towards the kitchen. “Bael! Your presence is required!”

“Coming! Coming!” He called out as he hurried down the hall. “I'm so sorry, I should have asked-”

“Shush.” Maharet cut him off. “No more speaking.”

Bael took a spot next to his wife and put a hand on Six's shoulder. “Oh!”

“Yes. We look rather good together, don't you think?”

“You know what, I would say we do. Don't we? Just a normal human-”

“Bael, don't ruin the moment.”

The three of them stood in front of the mirror, looking at what could be until finally Six spoke. “I think I like red after all.”

“Me too. I'm quite fond of red as well.” Bael agreed, with a glance at the fire demon he had become smitten with. “It truly is a lovely color.”

Maharet blushed then looked away. She had to admit that she and Bael made a cute couple. The goatee definitely had to go though. There was no way she was dating a demon, even a baron, with such ridiculous facial hair.

She reached up and scratched his chin. “We need to do something about this. You look like a movie villain.”

“We shall see.”

“Oh yeah. He looks like Ming the Merciless.” Six laughed, stopping when a similar black beard appeared on her face. “Oh hell no.” She said, trying to wipe away the illusion and failing.

“Look at us.” Bael said, conjuring a beard for Maharet as well. “One big happy family.”