Paxton watched in fascination as Ashton fondled the golden rings and then brought it to his mouth, almost inhaling it. Paxton even saw the flicker of a tongue. Tongues always betrayed more than they should, the tactility of it. Licking something was a sign of fondness, of fascination. Licking something as solid and inedible as gold was...
Well, interesting.
"They listen to me," Paxton said as the spider crawled up his sleeve towards his shoulder and perched there. The demon inclined his head, letting the spider nuzzle him. Paxton grinned, knowing how most people thought this looked creepy. "They do my bidding. Most people think they're creepy, or scary, the spiders, the bugs, the rats and the snakes, but they can be very useful."
Paxton dismissed the spider with a flick of his hand, and it jumped off of him, skittering away between the bookcases. Paxton grinned, briefly hesitating. Did he dare disturb the dragon? Yes, yes, he did.