[ It’s clear that Sebastian likes dancing, too. It’s not a new feeling that drifts across Communion, considering the stay at the Demon Bed & Breakfast, and it’s in fact very similar to the sort of tranquil, pleased calm that Sebastian seems to feel when cooking or doing housework or doting on his pets. It’s also when it’s easier to forget that he’s a demon at all, much less one that’s so conniving, since he seems perfectly content in his domesticity.

He does laugh a little, as it’s not quite what he’d meant. Demons have a much deeper love of contracts and payment than humans, honestly, but it’s not an important distinction. Especially not with where the conversation turns.

His steps stay just as elegant and easy, but the pleasure of it cools. There’s the spark of suspicion again, since it’s very obvious what Matt means. He’s tempted to be direct and cut through the indirect nature, but he decides to stick with it. There might be a reason that Matt isn’t being as direct as he could be. ]

Hm… It is possible, I suppose. Though that would be an earnest effort. I would worry more about someone intentionally tightening the knot, personally.

[ So the suspicion is hardly mysterious. It would be deeply foolish for someone to try, Sebastian thinks. It’s the assurance he has in answering at all, because while “Florence” had caught him by surprise by placing it in the first place, it would not happen a second time. He has much more confidence in being able to rip a Shard-Bearer in half if they tried. And so… ]

…But my perspective is rather different, I admit. Collaring my kind is exceptionally valuable.