Chapter Seven

Wishbone breathed a sigh of relief when he was under Sir's roof again. He presented himself to Sir in the drawing room and drank the offered glass of wine.

"Tell me about your visit with the Unnamed Gods," said Sir, as Wishbone knelt on the cushion by his chair.

Wishbone related the priest's name and the words of his sermon gathered by Wishbone's excellent memory.

"There was nothing said of shih-aan," he said, "but as I looked over the carvings, I had a thought. The demons have wings and cloven hooves, but they also have enormous teeth and claws. The priest spoke of demons and the temptations they offered. He said they are well dressed, wealthy and sophisticated, and that dealing with them tarnishes the soul even more than fornication does, and much more than strong drink. I remembered after the sermon that we always called shih-aan demons."

"What caused you to remember?"

"I took an old friend to supper. I told him what I was up to now, and I think that he despises me for giving myself to one man, and the more so to a shih-aan."

"You used to think me a demon."

"I didn't mean...."

"I know what you meant."

Sir leaned over and parted Wishbone's lips with a many-jointed finger. He worked it in and out of Wishbone's mouth. Wishbone licked and sucked hungrily at the length of the digit until Sir abruptly pulled it away.

One night apart from Sir felt so...