Free Curse of Shadows and Light by Penelope King Page A

transitory stop for messengers passing between our worlds, and it’s a very important link between humans and demonia .”
    “ So this place is sort of like the Grand Central Station of Demonworld portals?” I ask.
    Jade smiles. “I suppose one could look at it that way. And while we do have a great many passers through, especially these days, we also serve another important function. We’re an embassy of sorts. Among a great many other things, we help those demons who’ve been lost or cast out.”
    Kieron and I exchange glances again. “Like us.”
    Jade turns and motions to the room behind her. “You are welcome here. And you are safe. Violence and fighting is prohibited and punishable by instant death. The bar is always open, and we have everything you might possibly need. My sister Ruby is the best bartender in the game. She’ll take great care of you. Go get a couple of drinks and make yourselves at home. I’ll be back shortly.”
    She flashes us both a cute smile and gives Kieron’s shoulder a quick squeeze before heading off. An entirely unnecessary gesture.
    “ C’mon.” Kieron grins and brushes his hair from his face, and together we head towards the other side of the room. The long, clear glass bar looks like it’s made of ice, with an eerie, cool-blue tint. As soon as Kieron and I sit down, a carbon copy of Jade appears, only this one has flaming red tips on the ends of her bright-white hair that perfectly match her crimson eyes and lips. Despite the Hollywood stereotype, red eyes on demons are actually pretty rare, and on Ruby the effect is nothing short of stunning.
    “ Welcome,” she says with a wide smile as she taps her long scarlet nails against the bar. “I heard we had some new arrivals. I’m Ruby. It’s very nice to meet you both. I’ll be taking care of you.” She doesn’t hold out her hand for us to shake. Which is good, ‘cause we probably wouldn’t take it if she did.
    My mind flashes back to the last time I sat at Demon Bar and ordered drinks. It feels like a lifetime ago. Gyan had served me and insisted on going on the rescue mission to save Kieron. He’d betrayed us all, and it ultimately led to Bones’s death. So I’m not planning on becoming buddy-buddy with any demonic bartenders anytime soon.
    “ I’ll have a—”
    She holds up her hand. “No need to tell me. I can tell exactly what each patron needs just by looking.” She smiles at me, and for a split second her eyes flash bright red. I think I see a faint glimmer of surprise cross her face, but she doesn’t say anything. Then she looks at Kieron and again does the quick eye-flashy thing.
    “ Got it, coming right up!”
    Kieron and I exchange yet another silent glance, then turn to survey our surroundings. Despite the obvious difference in décor, in a weird way this place does sort of remind me of Demon Bar back home. Several small groups of demons and demions cluster around booths and tables talking amongst themselves while enjoying their drinks. Most look completely human, save for a few obvious vampires, and something that looks like a cross between a dog and a fat woman. The energy is contained, but powerful. As if we are all in tune with the same unseen and unspoken forces.
    “ Some place, huh?” Kieron asks and puts his hand on my knee.
    All of a sudden, I really miss Bones. I wish he was sitting here with me now. I wish he could see this place and all its over-the-top insanity. I wish I could hear his laugh and see his smile. I wish I could see that devilish twinkle he always got in his eyes when he was teasing me, or that serious look he got when he wasn’t…
    “ Here ya go, darlings. Cheers!” We turn back to see Ruby smiling at us again. I frown… My drink looks suspiciously like what Bones used to have. As a demon, he always took his Energy pure. But my human body needs it diluted with alcohol for it to metabolize properly. I can tell just from looking at the bright green drink that it is as