Chapter 57: I’m not a picky man. I see BL, I pick it up
They weren’t romance, that was for damn sure. These were books that were forbidden by the temple. They were books about demons.
A lot of books about demons.
Cass had no idea how he hadn’t realised it before. The way that had been organised had been chaotic if you didn’t realise that every last book in here was about something forbidden. The first half had been relatively calm, normal things. Like plant books, or how to make...anti-holy water. Whatever the hell that meant.
The section in front of him involved different types and classifications of demons, and something itched inside of Cass. That same feeling he’d been feeling all day, low in his gut.
Worried, Cass scanned the books in front of him. They were sorted alphabetically like the rest, and in a wide variety. There were a couple of spaces missing, meaning someone had probably bought those books, but Cass felt himself drawn towards the giant compendium. The thick ass book that had every type of demon available.
Cass chuckled quietly to himself as he realised it was version 3. So there had been other versions, and this must have been the most recently updated version. He never would have thought that a book like this, that wasn’t even supposed to exist, had two other versions.
Cass picked it up, astounded by the weight of the book, but couldn’t help but thumb through it as he used the actual shelf to help him hold the book up. The glossary inside was well laid out, the author hidden, and it appeared that the demons were sorted by common to less common.
Whatever the hell that meant.
It was actually quite fascinating. He wondered if there was a book like this that existed about the ’gods’ too. He’d love to read it, if only to figure out if the fuckers who did this to him had names. Then he could properly curse them.
Cass didn’t have the strength, nor the time to look through this book in its entirety right now, but he knew he wanted it.
Any information was good information, and this was an area he was severely lacking in. He also found a book about demon health that was...strange and interested him. Why would a demon need a book on their health? Wouldn’t they know their health the best?
Cass put down the compendium to pick up the significantly lighter book and found that he was wrong. It wasn’t written for a demon.
It was written for a contractor.
Oh.
That was...something he hadn’t even considered. He really hadn’t thought that someone would need a book to take care of a demon, but honestly, yeah, they must have a different diet and lifestyle to...regular mortals of this realm? He couldn’t exactly say humans since other beasties and creatures lived here.
He was sure a dragon or two must have made a contract with a demon at some point. And it wasn’t as if demons weren’t alive. They were like any other living being, just, they lived somewhere else.
They had a complicated foreign policy, you know? They needed to be invited over with an...incentive.
Cass chuckled to himself at his own joke, deciding to take this book as well as the compendium. He carried both books to the front desk where the smaller man was waiting for him. He was much taller now, and Cass realised that it was due to the steps he had behind the counter.
Even though Cass couldn’t see his face, he could tell that the smaller man was surprised by his selections.
"Does the Lord...wish to make a contract?" He asked carefully and Cass laughed, looking at the small metal tin that sat at the end of the counter. It looked exactly like the tin he had seen Sam pull out when testing Byron. That must hold the healing tonic powder.
"No, nothing of the sort. Just curious. I thought it would be an interesting read." Cass swallowed, glancing around. "Speaking of...this might sound a bit strange, but...are there any romance novels here?" Cass asked carefully and the man paused, before his whole form shook.
"I never would have taken you for a romantic, Lord Blackburn. Yes, there are some tucked away on the back wall. You almost made it to them." Cass felt his expression brighten, and he grinned.
"Perfect! I’ll be back!" Cass called, racing off in the direction he’d suggested. He found the section quickly, and couldn’t stop the stupid grin on his face.
Okay okay, what did they have here? Harem? No, he was tired of that. Enemies to lovers between a demon and a priest? Yes please. Two demons from warring houses falling in love? Sure, why not. A demon captured by a malicious human who eventually escapes and is rescued by a kind and caring fairy? Hell yeah.
...BL?
....Who was he to be picky?
Cass was having such a great time looking through the books that he almost forgot that he was supposed to be meeting the others outside. So he nearly jumped out of his skin when someone tapped on his shoulder gently.
"My Lord?" Cass nearly tossed the books in his arms everywhere, spinning to find Sam behind him, shocked at Cass’ response. Cass watched as his lips twitched, and Cass felt his face heat.
"S-Sam. You nearly gave me a heart attack." Cass replied, his heart racing in his chest. Sam bent, picking up one of the books he’d thrown. It unfortunately was the BL story between a demon and his contractor-a dragon. Sam snorted, but managed to keep it together.
Cass felt his face burning.
"Those look heavy, my Lord. Let me carry those to the counter. Have you gathered everything you wanted?" Sam asked, smiling at him and Cass glanced at the remainder of the bookshelf wistfully.
"For now." He replied, and Sam chuckled.
"Then I’ll take those. You shouldn’t be carrying all of those by yourself. You’re not quite well yet." Sam told him carefully and Cass chuckled. Always the worrywart, but he relented. Sam carried his huge stack of books to the counter, and the shoulders of the smaller man shook again.
"I feel like I will be a happy man today to see so many purchases." He commented and Cass flushed. He cleared his throat.
"I was just...interested." He muttered quietly and Sam’s shoulder shook next to him.
"My Lord has many interests. Were you here to pick up more medicine as well?" He asked and Cass nodded.
"I might as well. It can never hurt to have more, especially given my more recent past." Sam’s expression darkened as he nodded.
"Why? Has something befallen you, Lord Blackburn?" The smaller man asked and Sam flinched.
"No, nothing of the sort. Lord Blackburn has been...having an off month." Sam replied for him, and Cass was slightly confused as to why. Sam did on occasion speak up for him, but not like this. This felt...personal.
It appeared as if these two knew each other. Did Cass send Sam here on his own to fetch his medicine in the past? Maybe that was how they knew each other?
"Well that is good to hear. I would hate for the Lord to be plagued by misfortune." The smaller man seemed genuine about his well wishes, and Cass felt his stomach drop. Something felt...oddly serious about his words, and Cass felt himself frowning.
"Yes. It would be terrible if that was the case. Thankfully, that doesn’t appear to be the situation." Cass replied. "I just appear to be...dealing with the consequences of someone else’s actions." Cass said, sighing. "Hence, the waiting for the horses." Cass said, and the smaller man nodded, ringing them up. Sam handed over the money easily, and then quickly helped the other man wrap up the books so that Sam could carry them.
Covers not revealed, of course.
Cass wasn’t a fool. BL was illegal. This was a shop that sold illegal books. He’d rather the compendium of demons fall out than the BL. Especially given his family history.
They bid the smaller man goodbye, Sam carrying all of the books, tucking a few away into the basket he still carried and Cass was impressed by how strong he was. He didn’t say anything about it though. He felt Sam wouldn’t...like that for some reason. He wasn’t sure why, but it was just a little inkling he felt.
"Thank you for your help." Cass said after the door had closed behind them. Sam nearly stumbled when he heard those words from his lips.
"I-I am supposed to help you, my Lord. There is no need for thanks." Sam told him and Cass chuckled. He was in a much better mood now that he’d accomplished at least one thing on his list for the day. He’d just have to...make the real estate agent come to him, he guessed. And maybe...make the merchants do the same thing too.
Cass sighed, shaking his head as he noticed Sir Forsythe speaking to a few others who appeared to be in plain clothes, but looked to be in the same profession as him. Sir Forsythe was smiling, his face creasing as he did so.
Interesting.
Who were these people, he wondered?
"Sam, it’s alright, but do you see those people Sir Forsythe is talking to? Do you recognise them?" Cass asked and Sam narrowed his eyes, looking off into the distance.
"I can’t...see them in detail, my Lord. Are they...regular people?" He asked and Cass shook his head.
"No. One appears to have pointy ears, and the other...has a tail? It looks to be a fluffy one at that." Cass commented dismissively and Sam’s eyes widened.
"I fear I do not know my Lord. Shall we go question them?" He asked and Cass nodded.
"We can also drop off the basket and books at the same time. That does appear to be the carriage I just bought." Cass told him and Sam nodded.
"Off we go then, my Lord."