They twitch when they notice, then shake their head and refocus.

Move it again, making a faint scraping noise.

They shut the book with a snap, and thrust both it and the knife under the bed.

Hmmm, what else is in this room for her to mess with...

(She'll let them stew while she identifies targets.)

The room's pretty bare; mages of this Circle aren't allowed much in the way of frills. Which perhaps explains why even the boring erotica is illegal.

Pity.

She leans a bit into their space, whispering, "What fascinating interests you have."

They let out a high-pitched eeping noise.

"How would you like to know more, little mage?"

"But- but- I didn't even do anything!"

The Keres stifle an amused snort.

"You could though. You could do so much."

"I, uh, show yourself, demon. I won't make a deal with anyone I can't see." Their attempt to sound commanding is almost cute.

"Do you expect to see Death as she comes?"

She does not show herself.

"Death?! No. No. I don't want death. I wanted a desire demon."

"And there is no one you desire the Death of, hm?"

"Well. Knight-Commander Meredith, I guess. And Ser Alrik. And Imerios. And Seffie. Wait, no. No death, demon. I absolutely forbid you from going on a killing spree."

She laughs.

"Oh, but you didn't do anything, did you?"

"...No?"

"So why do you think you can command me?"

"Um. Isn't that how demons work? That's what all the books said..."

"You're kind of adorably dumb, so I won't kill you, but I just can't let that sort of disrespect slide, you know. I'd be the laughing stock of the demon world."

"Um. Please don't hurt me?"

"Oh, this won't hurt you a bit."

And he can be trapped in a mild illusion of everyone she's seen here dying around him! It even won't knock him out for a month. See how nice she is?

He whimpers a little as he kind of flops backwards.

"Not very intelligent, this one." She bends to retrieve the book from under the bed.