The room was silent for a while. "I need to ask you something important", Val then said. "Please... do not tell anyone that I am a demon. You know, now... but no other human can know. It could cost my life".

Adrien was pulled out of his thoughts with a start. "Your life?", he gasped.

"We are immortal, but we can still be killed", Val whispered. "Adrien, this is another secret that I don't want known: as pleasure feeds us, hatred diminishes us. This is why we have to hide... Whether by ignorance or malice, humans see us as monsters... monsters to be reviled. Negative energy directed towards our essence is poison to us - it erodes our being - it's the only thing that can kill us. This is why we have to hide... Do you understand?".

Adrien swallowed. "Yes. Yes, I understand".

"So, please, please -- do not tell anyone. Not even by accident -- be careful if you speak about me. Please...".