A de-- [ another glance back, surprise flickering in his eyes for a moment. ] A demon? No. It's just a manifestation of my powers. [ why would he think haru's shikigami is a demon? unless--

haru glances down to the slip of paper in his fingers, then back up to dorian again. is it the blood? there'd been someone else who'd been alarmed at the idea that haru uses his blood in his spells and seals sometimes, too, hadn't there..? she'd actually been horrified. is this person from a similar place?

he hesitates, then puts the paper seal away again, pale eyes lifting instead to his shikigami, ranging further out to keep anyone from sneaking up on them. ] I use my blood sometimes because I don't have a choice, or to help steady or strengthen my wards and seals. [ a beat, then: ] My blood. I'm a saniwa, I'm meant to protect people.