Page 10 of Between Ghosts and Gods

Kasu could only nod while the demon turned and scanned his wall of masks.

“Ah-ha! There it is!” Another arm reached up and swapped out his current mask for that of a red-faced demon with thick, furrowed brows and a thunderous expression.

As soon as the new mask was in place, he leaned over her and bellowed:

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY ABODE, INTRUDER?”

Chapter Seven Kasu

“A–a gift! I brought a gift!” Kasu held up the jar of wine like a shield.

The Sage straightened. In an instant, he swapped out the angry mask for the smiling one he had been wearing before.

“Oh my, how kind of you!” He took Kasu’s gift with his bottom pair of arms.

Kasu’s hands were as stiff as ice, but she somehow managed to let go of the jar.

“M–my name is Kasu. I work at Camellia House, O Great and Honourable Sage of a Thousand F–f–aces,” she stammered as the Sage set the wine jar on the table next to the lamp. “I was hoping that you could give me one of the amazing masks you make?”

As quick as a flash, the demon grabbed another mask from the wall – one with furrowed eyebrows and lips set in a displeased line. It happened so swiftly, Kasu could not catch a glimpse of the demon’s real face beneath.

“A mask, you say? I make plenty of those. What kind of mask? And are you willing to pay the price for one of my splendid creations?”

“I need a mask that can hide one’s aura from others. O–of course I’ll pay.”

Again, the Sage changed masks. This new one, with eye-holes shaped like crescents, smiled warmly.

“Ah, a valuable mask, that one. I’ve sold most of my aura masks already. It’s not easy to create more. In fact, I only have one left. If you want it, it’ll cost you dearly.”

“Name your price.”

“How about your eyes? You have such pretty eyes.” The Sage stooped down, bringing his face just inches from her own. A waterfall of silky black hair tumbled past his shoulders and over Kasu’s head.

Kasu desperately wanted to step away, but she feared insulting the demon. Holding herself very still, she did her best to stay calm.

“I can pay you in gold instead.” She had the measly salary she made from working at Camellia House. It wasn’t a lot, but, apart from buying food and the occasional book, she hadn’t spent much of it.

The Sage reared back and donned another angry mask. This one was not as furious as the red one from before – less rage and more annoyance.

“Gold? Don’t insult me, child – I have no need for gold!” the demon spat. “What I want is parts to create new and better masks. See the ones over there?”

He gestured to a certain section on the wall. Unlike the crude wood and clay masks the Sage had worn so far, the ones hanging there looked like real human faces.

“Those were created from actual flesh! Wood and clay are fine materials, but it takes real skill to shape the features of bone and skin! Why, I was once summoned to the mortal realm by a human who had such an interesting job for me.

“Her husband had died, you see, and she was being courted by some young new admirer. Well, she had never got over her first husband, and every time she looked at this new suitor she felt like she was betraying the memory of her spouse. So, I made her a mask that looked just like her first husband, right down to the flecks of hazel in his eyes.

“I gave it to the woman and she made the lad wear it. Now she’s quite happy, and, as for her latest beau… Well, soon his face will be the husband’s face and the husband’s face will be his face and he’ll forget that he ever looked any different!”

During his tale, the Sage had switched his mask to one of rapturous delight. Kasu suppressed a shudder as she thought about the young man, his face merging with the flesh mask until his own appearance was lost for ever. The Sage was a master craftsman, but a demon was still a demon, and he went about his hobbies with the singular glee of a child ripping the wings off an insect.

Kasu wished Ruo were here to offer support. Come to think of it, where had the cat disappeared to?

“So, you see, I need materials if I am to continue my craft,” said the Sage. “If not your eyes, why not all of your skin? Or maybe your lips?”

“How about hair?”

The demon switched back to the irritated mask. “Hair? Hair is cheap! Besides, I’d need more than what you have on that tiny head of yours!”