Page 52 of Demon's Angel

“He’ll get his tat. Don’t worry.” Liz, seeming unbothered he’s just given his prez an instruction, gets to work. I’m fascinated watching him, taking in every step. He gets out both tracing and carbon paper, then looks at me. “You got any tats, Vi?”

“Nope, virgin skin.”

“Right, so this is what we’re going to do. Well, why don’t you do it, as it’s your design?”

“I thought you’d just copy it?” As he gets up from the seat, I take his place.

“Sometimes I do, if it’s something I’ve drawn; sometimes I do it this way, it makes sure I get exactly what the client wants.” He proceeds to talk me through the process, which sounds a little laborious, but I soon get sucked in. I use tracing paper to make a copy of my drawing, then, using the traced image as a guide taped down over carbon paper, repeat it again. Time ticks by as I steady my hand and concentrate. When I’ve finished, Lizard looks pleased.

Two cups of coffee have been made and drunk by the time I’m done.

Then he asks me to lie face down, raise my shirt and lower my shorts when Demon points out where he wants it to go.

“It’s a tramp stamp,” I object.

“Vi…”

“No. I thought high on my thigh where no one will see it, but there?” It seems seedy to me.

Demon pinches the skin between his eyes and exchanges a glance with Lizard. “I’ll make a bargain. If you place your tat where I want it to go, you can say where mine goes, too.”

“Over your heart,” I respond fast.

He rears back, “Vi…”

“Fair’s fair,” I challenge.

“Fuck!” He slams his hand against the wall, then rests his forehead against it. The clock on the wall loudly ticks over a few seconds before he comes to a decision. “Go ahead, Liz. I’ll have the fuckin’ tattoo over my heart.”

Liz grins widely, then tells me to lie down and relax. There’s a whirring sound, then he starts working. The only way to describe the sensation is that it feels as though I’m constantly being scratched, like… like Bitch’s claws.

“Sorry,” Lizard tells me when he’s working on the middle bit over my spine. “Over the bone is never nice.”

“You’re doing great, Vi.” Demon’s crouched down at my head, his hand brushing my hair back from my face. The constant sting of the needle indeed becomes hypnotic. When Liz has finished, it takes a moment for me to realise the tattoo gun has been switched off. I’m marked as Demon’s property.

I’m told not to move as he finishes up, then offers me a mirror. My lower back looks red and raw, yet the pattern can be seen clearly. It’s not overly large, about five inches by three, the wording needing someone to get close up to read it. When I’ve admired, if that’s the right word, the permanent evidence of Demon’s claim on me, Lizard covers my new tattoo.

When it’s Demon’s turn, I look on with interest, watching Lizard’s every move, admiring his steady hand and concentration. I ask questions, he answers. After he’s explained everything he’s doing, I’m surprised when he looks up and enquires, “You sound interested, doll. This something you think you’d like to do?”

Looking on eagerly, I nod.

“Prez, you know I was thinking of taking on more staff. How about an apprentice?”

“You talking Vi?” Demon’s eyes widen and he looks at me thoughtfully. When he sees my face brighten with interest, he shakes his head. “Vi, this isn’t for you. Can’t see Nathan liking…”

“Don’t you dare!” I hiss, ignoring our audience. “I’m not going to live my life with reference to my brother. Even had he lived, I wouldn’t have allowed him to influence me. I’m my own freaking person, D. You’d do well to remember that.”

Liz’s eyes are flicking from me to his prez. His eyes sharpen. “Why the fuck not? She’s a fuckin’ natural. I saw the promise in her designs. Want to do it, darlin’?”

“You don’t have to work, babe,” Demon reassures me fast. “I can support you.”

Why should I lean on him for everything?What I’ve seen here today has intrigued me. A chance to be an artist rather than use the business part of my degree? Hell, yes.

“I’d love to Lizard. If I can sort out childcare.”

“Vi, not so fast. Don’t forget the little problem of Angel.”

Lizard looks at me with sympathetic eyes. “We have time, hon. Got to get the new place set up first. Maybe by the time that’s in hand, we’ll have sorted out Angel for you.”

---