I did not know what to say to that. What could I say other than yes. Sure, I could lie, but it would be any easily discovered one. And why was I so affected anyway? I knew. I knew from the very beginning that I couldn''t hide what I was forever. And with blabber mouth Zach finding out I guess it was a shock that it took three days for it to get out. But I was affected. I was afraid and felt sick. Why?


    I walked numbly ahead of the Commander. He still had a hand on my shoulder and guided me through the nearly empty church. I could feel eyes on me as I walked. Wells and the priest hurried behind us. Wells was nattering on about how much of a jerk Vincent was, while the priest grumbled about heretics or some such. I was not paying attention.


    We exited the church and stepped out onto the stairs. The street was empty and there was a cool breeze. The city was bathed in an orange glow, yet it seemed so lonely. I could hear children some place close, I could hear birds and I could even hear the market workers in the near distance shouting and talking to one another. But somehow, I felt alone. Worried.


    Rice continued to gently push me forward, his touch light and warm. It was as we passed through the marketplace that I realized that I was even letting a man touch me. When was the last time I aloud anyone touch me for a prolonged period. I really couldn''t remember.


    "There is the wretch!" Exclaimed a triumphant voice. It was this that brought me out of my stupor. We were in front of the guild hall, I saw. I wouldn''t say it was crowded by any means, but there was a fair sized group of people gathered. Mostly adventurers that I recognized in passing, a couple guards, and a handful of regular citizens. My eyes landed on the flushed and victorious looking face of the guardsmen, Vincent. "Come to face the music, have you?"


    Music? Exactly what was this guy''s problem. Was he such a weak willed person that his ego was still this bruised? Gods, what a pathetic man.


    "Shut it, Vincent!" Snapped Wells, "We have had enough of your lies." I saw him actually reach for the sword at his waist. The idiot. Was he seriously going to risk his job and possibly even his freedom for the honor of a woman he barely knew? Where Vincent was too big of a tool to be tolerated, Wells was the opposite. Too righteous. It could very well get him killed one of these days.


    "That is enough Wells." Sighed Commander Rice. "Vincent, you had best get yourself under control or I will have you flogged for insubordination and attempting to incite a mob."


    "He can''t be aloud to keep spreading these senseless rumors." Growled Wells.


    "Rumors!" Snarled Vincent, an almost manic look in his eyes. "Truths! I had my suspicions but now I know for sure. That -woman- is a demon!" He screeched, a wavering finger all but up my nose at this point. I thought about snapping it but figured it would only escalate matters.


    "Vincent, stop-"warned Rice, his hand tightening on my shoulder.


    "No! I will not be silenced! The people have a right to know!" Spittle was flying from his lips and people were starting to look at him like he may have lost his mind. But their eyes also flicked nervously to me. "She is a demon. I heard none other than Zachariah of the Red Ravens say it himself. He was in town a few hours ago with that witch Sandra and he was discussing how excited he was to get to question an actual demon! And that Sandra didn''t even rebuke him or call him a liar! She told him that he was supposed to keep quiet! Ha! So now the government is hiding demons among us too?"


    I saw the fear entering the peoples eyes. Saw those who were beginning to gather whisper and point. Suddenly I was as mad as I was cold inside. Like a battle of ice and fire in my veins. So, they feared me huh? Why? What had I done to any of them to earn that fear- that scorn- I saw forming in their gazes. I felt Rice squeeze my shoulder again, but I reached up and brushed his hand off. Enough.


    "What the hell kind of proof is that?!" Snarled Wells.


    "A government plot?" I spoke. My voice was low as I took a step away from the commander toward the crazed man. "What kind of stupidity are you spouting?"


    "I heard-" Shrieked Vincent, his hands raised and his eyes scanning the crowd. Like a preacher summoning his flock.


    "You heard? From what I understand, what you heard was a young man eager to discus things he was curious about. Then a woman chastising him for speaking about something that someone may not have wanted known."


    "You admit it then- "


    "Admit what? What have I done wrong that requires admittance? Not that you are anyone qualified to be judge and jury of anyone''s miss deeds."


    "You are a demon!"


    "Vincent this is the last time-"shouted Wells, also taking a step forward.


    "So what?" I said, still calm. But suddenly you could hear nothing but the crows over head. "I have not lied about that. You most definitely never asked. Not that I would be required to tell my personal information, Vincent of the city guard. What business is it of yours what race I am?"


    "She admits it." He breathed. I didn''t look back but I heard a breath rush out of Wells and Rice just sighed. "You hear that? She admits it!"


    "I am sorry, but I feal like you think I was holding in some deep dark secret. Some soul shattering fact that you somehow exposed."


    "You were hiding it!" He snapped; his eyes angry now. "You did not tell anyone. You hid your horns as best you could! And where are your tail and wings huh? Hidden!"


    "For convenience sake." I said simply and unwound my tail from around my waist. No point to keep it hidden now. I heard several people gasp and begin to whisper. I got irritated when many took a step back. "I may not have been here long, but I learned pretty quick that people knowing about me would cause difficulties."


    "That''s because you wer-"


    Again I cut the man off. He was so annoying. "I am not ashamed of what I am. Not even the slightest bit. Why should I be? This body I have is healthy and strong. I can make good honest money with it, I can live and grow and be a part of society. I can protect myself with it. I can protect others." I glared at the gaping man. "I see that you seem to think that I will be arrested. Maybe you thought that the people or the guards would rise up and attack me?"


    "You are a demon!"


    "Yes. Now show me where it says that that is a crime." I heard whispers and felt many hate filled glares. I hated it. I hated it. "Is it a law in this country that demons may not be abided? I was under the impression that a free demon had as much rights as any other race in this kingdom as well as the eight others. Was I wrong?"


    "You were not." Said the commander behind me. I dared not look from Vincent, who was the threat, but he sounded angry.


    "Good. Well if you are done with making a spectacle of my personal life, I have had a long day and plan on leaving now." With that I gave the group a sarcastic wave and walked off. I held my head high and looked at no one, just the empty space ahead that led to East street.


    "Sin..." Said a soft voice that I knew to be Wells. He sounded strange but I didn''t want to look. I didn''t wasn''t to see the face he was making.


    Suddenly there was a scuffle and I almost turned around, but then I heard Rice snap: "Don''t even try it boy!" And then a series of curses from Vincent.


    Let the commander handle the moron. I was not going to let any of them make me feel small or ashamed. I chose this life. I chose this body. Not many could say they got that chance and I damn well sure wasn''t going to be made to feel that I was less than. I was not.


    I returned to the Birch Tree. Clearly word had not reached here quite yet as no one was looking at me differently. Sally gave me a big hello, and I saw Fenny clearing tables... It wasn''t till I was halfway up the stairs to my room that I realized that I had wrapped my tail back around my waist at some point. A habit.


    Tears began to prickle my eyes and I cursed softly. I entered my room. I was dark without windows but I could see just fine. I shut the door and wobbled to the bed. I slid to the floor and I could feel a tightness in my chest and a weight in my gut.


    I had promised... A long time ago, I promised myself that I wouldn''t cry anymore. Crying did nothing but make you feel worse. It didn''t change the past, it didn''t put food in your belly, and it sure as hell didn''t make people see you any better. Crying was for the weak. Crying was for people who could afford to be weak.


    But apparently, I really was a shameless demon because clearly promises meant nothing to me. And I cried. Big fat tears, holding back sobs that shook my body. Claws piercing flesh where I clutched at my tight chest, the other hand pressed tight to my stomach. I ground my face into my knees, a punishing hurt for being so stupidly weak. For being a fool and caring.


    Drogin made a sad sound and crawled to the floor with a dull thump. He did not leave me. His cool little body pressed against my hip. And I cried.


    It was mid day when I woke up and got ready to leave. This time I did not leave anything in my room. I didn''t have much in the way of belongings anyway and the little I had fit into my magical satchel just fine. Drogin made a sad noise as he settled himself in his usual spot and I left the home I had for the last month. I had been a good one. The best, and longest, one I had had in an exceedingly long time.


    I was met with strained whispers when I reached the main floor of the inn. I knew my eyes were red and puffy. I did not paint a pretty picture. I am sure it was the tail that had them all hissing though, not my pink eyes and pale face. I didn''t want to but I found my eyes darting to the bar.


    Sally was there. Her eyes were wide, one hand clutching her ample chest and the other attempting to push a curios Fenny behind her skirts. I wasn''t surprised. But I would be lying to myself if I didn''t admit that it hurt. I tried not to lie to myself as best I could. I sighed.


    "Thanks for everything." I said simply and gave the woman a short bow. She had been kind. More than kind to a complete stranger. No doubt she was questioning that habit right now. I hope she didn''t change though. The world- every world- needed more people prone to random acts of kindness and good will. The Gods know that I wasn''t much in that regard.


    It was a beautiful day once again. It was disconcerting how many beautiful days there were here. Surly it had to rain at some point? The crops would be hurting if it did not rain soon. Then again, I suppose farmers could hire someone proficient in water magic to water the crops during drought... Also, I guessed it would just be far to cliché for it to rain on a day I was feeling like crap.


    Well, I wasn''t feeling that bad actually. To my surprise the crying had turned out to be quite cathartic. My face was tight, my eyes hurt, and I had a bit of a headache, but other wise I felt... okay. Lighter even.


    I let my tail brush against the dirt of the road and I felt rather free. So some-maybe even all- of the people I had begun to see as regulars in my life were going to look at me in fear or hate. That was fine. I was a woman of action. I was going to continue my life here as best as I could. Either the people here would come to accept me as I was, or they wouldn''t. It was not my responsibility to prove anything to them. I shouldn''t have to justify my existence to anyone. If it got too bad here than I would move on.


    I turned and headed for market street. Some heads turned and whispered but it wasn''t too bad at first. Then people noticed the tail. Some people glared, a few looked at me curiously, many out right turned tail and fled at speedy walks. A few mothers clutched their children close. Was there a rumor out there that said demons ate kids or something? I could very safely say that I had not once gotten the urge to eat a person, no matter the age. Why were people so stupid?


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    I decided I would go to the adventurer''s guild and just get a job. It maybe better to get out of town and get some work done for a couple days. People could just see for themselves that I was still just Sin, the adventurer who worked too much.


    However, when I reached the guild I stopped. It wasn''t that there was an angry mob there waiting for me, because there wasn''t. A few loitering groups stared and whispered but that was it. Yet, when I looked at the open doors there was an oppressive feeling. I realized that I didn''t want to go in there. It had become a sort of second home to me these last weeks and now it felt ruined. Tarnished some how. It had been a place where people said hello to me in the morning, asked if I was well or how my last job went. The receptionist was kind and polite. All things I did not have in my last life.


    And that was the issue, I realized. I felt my old life closing in on me, squeezing out the new. People weren''t going to look at me like they did Sin, the adventurer. People were going to look at me the same way they did Cindy the thief, Cindy the homeless person, Cindy the murderer...


    Like last night, my chest constricted. I refused to cry this time though. I got that out of my system last night and hoped to hold out for another ten years or so. But I could not go into that building and see those stares. I was no fool, or brave knight to face stupid people head on for the sake of honor or pride. Fuck honor and pride. I turned tail and fled. Or walked away anyway. Maybe I did have a little pride after all.


    I was surprised to find that where my feet took me was the cathedral. Maybe it was because it was where Kradiff was, metaphysically speaking at least. Sure he was a forgetful child god... but he clearly had never judged me. Never looked at me coldly, or hatefully. He had accepted and guided me. Oh shit... was I a church person now? I literally felt myself flinch and then chuckle. I ascended the stares, knowing full well that if I was going to get hateful stares anywhere it would be here, as a demon entering a church with a little monster on my shoulder. Talk about blasphemy. This time it didn''t bug me as much as facing the people at the Inn or the Guild did.


    The church was actually emptier than it had been last time I was here, the day before. I didn''t know why but I did amuse myself with the thought that it was because of me. I did not attempt to go to the sanctuary again. No doubt other people needed it and I had occupied the place for a good chunk of a day yesterday. Besides, the idea of crying to God like he was able to fix all my problems for me was pretty cringe. Instead I wandered over to one of the stained glass windows, pretending that I didn''t notice the eyes of a half dozen priests on me, and sat on a widow sill.


    I bet I made for an interesting sight: a dark lady, back against the wall, one leg up and bent at the knee, the other flat on the floor, red eyes gazing uselessly out a yellow pane of glass as sunlight washed multiple colors across myself and the stone floor my long black tail slithered against. ''A Demon in Church'' I imagined the painting would be called, and a breath of amusement left me.


    I don''t really know how long I was there, just contemplating where I was going in this new life, when I felt someone approach me. He stopped a good ten feet away and waited.


    "Something on your mind Commander?" I asked, not looking from the window. I would know his scent anywhere. I had most people in town I came across often enough memorized by now. Surprisingly, Rice and Rift actually did not smell too much alike. Maybe it was normal once people left the nest. The only real familiar connection I had to compare it to was Sally and her family, but they spent most of their time together.


    "A few things." He said softly. "May I approach?"


    "Did you think I would bite you if you didn''t ask first?" I turned to face him so he could see my smile and know I was joking. Weather I was demon or not Rice would have respected my space. He had been like that from the beginning. It was nice to see that at least somethings hadn''t changed.


    A small smile touched the mans lips and he walked nearer than sat on the other side of the window sill. I had to pull my foot back a little to make room but I didn''t mind. I liked Rice, I realized. I maybe I always knew... It was so rare for me to like anyone though. But I guess I had grown to like quite a few people around here. It was kind of why I was in this emotional predicament I was in I guessed.


    "You knew." I said, before Rice could speak. "That I was a demon I mean. Before you came to find me at the church. Did your brother tell you?" I asked. It was not accusatory. I couldn''t blame the captain for trusting his brother with a secret, especially one that wasn''t a secret at all. I intentionally hadn''t told anyone in the Red Ravens not to spill the beans. For one thing, Zach would never be able to keep his mouth shut, and for another... Well, it just felt wrong. I wasn''t ashamed of what I was. It was as I told Wells, I only kept it hidden for convenience sake. It honestly did not even occur to me that it may actually hurt people. The look on Sally''s face this morning... I never intended for that. For her to look so afraid and betrayed. I guess I underestimated the level of animosity the people here had toward demons.


    "No. Well, yes, he did. But only because he knew that I already knew." Said the commander. He was looking at me and not even pretending to look out the windows.


    "You did? And Wells? The whole guard?" How? Did I let something slip or were the eyes actually that much of a give away after all?


    "Ah, no, Wells did not know. I am afraid he got quite the shock yesterday. The other guardsmen did not know either. I did not tell anyone."


    Poor Wells. Should apologies to him as soon as I could. I was still in the firm belief that I had done nothing wrong. But that still did not mean that my silence hadn''t hurt some people. One day I would like to properly apologies to Sally too.


    "How long have you known?" I asked, confused.


    Rice laughed. "From the day we met." At my concerned look he smiled. "There are a few things I should explain. When I am done there are some questions I would like to ask you. You are free to refuse them of course. As you quite correctly pointed out yesterday, it is not a crime to be a demon. That fact is why I did not reveal to anyone what you were.


    Now, as for how I knew, that requires a little back story. I don''t know how long you have been out of the demon world but If I had to guess it was probably around the time you came to Bellana. So I don''t know if you know too much about the heroes. I don''t mean the current ones of course, I''d imagine that they are not known by many at the moment. But do you know of what becomes of heroes once they get here?"


    I did not correct Rice of his assumption that I was from the demon realm. Another lie by omission that could bite me in the ass later but I just could not unload that whole bag of mess right now. "I assume they go and fight the Demon King." I stated matter-of-factly.


    The commander nodded. "Yes, though that often can take months or more likely years before the confrontation between the heroes and the Demon King. In the meantime they train and they fight the ever more violent monsters and minions the Demon King sends out. This is a war not a single battle I am afraid. And so, the heroes get to know people of this world. Not only that, but they must come to terms with the fact that they can never return to their old lives back on their own world."


    "That makes sense."


    "It has to be a hard thing to have to deal with, being taken against your will and made to fight a monster. Then to find out that you can never return home." Rice shook his head sadly. It was my sentiments as well. "But they do what they must to keep us safe, most of the time anyway. They get stronger, gain powers and skills. But once the demon king is defeated what do you suppose they do then Sin?"


    "I''d imagine that they try and make the best of their lives in this world." I said. There wasn''t much else they could do after all.


    "Yes, most of them do that indeed. You get the odd handful over the millennia that have taken their own lives or even traveled out of Larasta''s borders in search of a way home. But most settle down here. They are seen as great heroes as they should be and as such they tend to live out their days as honored noblemen in fine estates. They take wives, have children. Or husbands I suppose..." He added with a chuckle.


    I was failing to see the point I assumed he was getting to. "Okay. But what has this got to do with my so called secret?"


    "Well, as I said before, the heroes tend to pick up skills. They get them from the gods, or from some grand quest. Who knows, there are many ways to accomplish such feats if you have the power. And if anyone has power, it would be the heroes. Anyway, these powers, or skills, are sometimes passed down through their family lines. I am- and Captain Rice as well of course- descended from one of these heroes."


    I blinked in surprise. I suppose if I had ever stopped to think about it I would have realized there would have to be people descended from heroes around. It only made sense after all. "Well, okay... I take it you are implying that you inherited some power form this hero ancestor of yours then?" Was it height? Cause this guy was massive.


    "I did. Both my brother an I did in fact. It is actually rare for it to happen, especially as the blood dilutes through the generations. But Rift and I both inherited this gift from our predecessor."


    "And what is that gift?"


    "It is known as the Decerning Eye." Said the commander, a little sad eyed. "It is a skill that costs quite a lot of mana to use, as well as puts a strain on the eyes. We have had people in our family go blind from over use of it so we have always been taught to use it sparingly."


    "And you both used this skill on me I take it. Was I really that suspicious!" I snapped, mildly offended. "What the hell, does this Decerning Eye do exactly?"


    Rice laughed. "Sorry, but yes you were very suspicious when we met. I assume my brother thought the same."


    I grumbled under my breath. I mean, I guess I really couldn''t blame them. I was a snarky shit when I first came across Rice and I had just taken out ten bandits and reviled I was a demon when I came across Rift...


    "The decerning eye, essentially, allows me to see a persons statistics, weather they know them their selves or not. And you seemed to be hiding something when we met, and had the air of a woman not unfamiliar with criminal activity if I must confess."


    I sighed, irritated. Damn cops, sticking their noses in where they don''t belong. "So you saw right away that I was a demon? Well, I guess I am grateful you didn''t spill the beans on me from the start. Especially if you found me suspicious."


    "Well, I did see you were a demon. However I did not see that you have any statuses or titles that labelled you as a criminal. Normally id see ''thief'' or ''murderer'' or some other such title. I saw none of those..."


    Oh. Oh, I saw where this was going now. Now I could see that we were about to get to the questioning part of this conversation. He saw all of my stats.


    "To say I was surprised by the shear numbers I saw there would be an understatement. I had investigated demons twice before you and neither came close to several of your numbers to be quite frank, even with the massive debuffs your kind receive to your magical powers upon entering our world. But it was your titles that truly shocked me. As you can probably surmise I have some questions."


    It was my turn to sigh. I couldn''t meet his eye because I knew I was probably not going to give him the answers he sought.


    "You can ask... But I can''t say I will answer. Or even that I can answer, as I have a few of my own about the whole thing that I am still trying to figure out..."


    "Very well. I said at the start that you had no obligation to answer me. I suppose the most pressing one I have is- Demon Queen?"


    I flinched. "I''m afraid you first one is one I can not answer. Not for stubborn reasons, but because I don''t know myself. When I went to the guild I was as shocked as I am sure you are. Not just from the name but the clear implications. All I can say with certainty is that I am, and have never been, in contact with the Demon King. Nor do I have any ties, or intentions to him. Before I came here I never even heard of the guy..."


    "Really?" Clearly that peeked his interest. I suppose it would. I cursed myself. Of course, it would be odd for someone who was a demon to never have heard of the freaking Demon King. Stupid big mouth.


    I shrugged. "Maybe I am the only ignorant demon. I don''t know. But the guy sounds like an ass and I may not know the people of this world- hell, I may not even be that good of a person- but I have no evil or ''world domination'' intentions toward this place. That I can promise you Commander. I really love this world..." And I meant that whole heartedly. Shit may look grim right now: for me personally, and for the world in general, but I did love it here.


    "Alright, I believe you." He laughed, clearly reading the surprise on my face. "I can tell people do not tell you that very often. I come across liars all the time. Ether you are speaking the truth, or you are a very good liar. I like to be the optimist."


    "That may get you in trouble one day." I grumbled, embarrassed and rather happy. I realized that no one had ever told me that they believed me before.


    "Perhaps. All right, my next question then. You have the title of ''One Blessed by the Gods'', why?" He gazed around the church for a moment before his eyes settled on me once again. "I would guess it is how you can enter this cathedral when it is supposed to be off limits to monsters and demons. I can assume that your little newt can get in here because he is your tame."


    "Dragon." I corrected, petting Drogin''s little red head. "This one... this one I could tell you, but I honestly do not want to." I admitted, sound like a petulant child. I blushed.


    But Rice only laughed. "Alright, I guess I will have to accept that for now at least. Though one day I would like to know the truth behind it. As you can imagine it is not a name that the gods bestow all to often. The heroes obtain such a title of course but there have been others. It was this title that stopped me from detaining you when I saw the Demon Queen... I decided to wait and watch. I am glad I did."


    "Me too. I would verry much like to not have to break out of a prison, thanks."


    Rice laughed. I had the feeling he actually thought I was trying to be funny, and not serious as I really was. Like hell I would be rotting away in some prison cell.


    "You are a good person Sin." He said, taking me off guard. "I know you do not believe that of yourself. I can''t say why you do not see it but you do not. But I thought you should know that, at least one person in Bellana has faith in your good heart. Demon Queen or not, I know that you love this city. You love the people in it, from the little urchin children I have seen you giving food or coins to, to the commoners you greet with respect no matter their race. Even the nobles, with a couple of exceptions for those like Vincent who had the poor sense to ridicule you first, you treat with respect."


    All I could do was blink. I didn''t think I was doing anything ''good''. I knew what it was like to be young, cold, and hungry, so I gave the kids something to eat. I had the spare money after all. And who doesn''t treat people like people? I mean, why wouldn''t you? You would need to be a complete tool like that Vincent to do other wise. How would any of that make me a good person? I was pretty sure it just made me a normal one at best.


    Rice stood, reached down and patted my head between the horns, and smiled. "You take all the time you need here. I''m going to leave you to it. Come tell me if anyone gets aggressive, yes? Please do not clobber rude citizens."


    I chuckled at his disappearing back. See, he knew I wasn''t that good of a person.