Page 25 of Midnight with the Devil

“I think it’s better to wait,” Lucien said.

Andras let out a long-suffering sigh.

“I’ve been away from hell too long. Leave her to her silly angel.” He opened the door that had seconds ago opened to Diana’s classroom. But rather than open up to the classroom, it led to a darkened staircase. Lucien stepped through, Andras behind him as they descended into hell.

“Who was that?”Jim asked Diana as they sat down at the coffee bar just one building away from their classroom.

“He’s…kind of a boyfriend?” How could she explain her situation with Lucifer to a nice, normal guy like Jim?

“How do you become akind ofboyfriend?” he asked, chuckling a little. The sound was sweet, nice, safe. She feltsafewith Jim.

“I only see him on the weekends. It’s a bit complicated.” She sipped her mocha latte and looked away from him.

“Complicated, huh? Is he married? Sounds like what a married man wants.”

Diana laughed. Lucien married? Yeah, no way. The devil didn’t marry. Could he even get married? “No, he’s not married.” She took another sip of her coffee.

“So how do you like the class?” Jim thankfully changed the subject.

“I love it. Belkin is a great professor.” She dug her notebook out to look at the homework assignment.

“So chapters four and five, then a series of questions…” She retrieved her textbook, and Jim did the same. For the next two hours, she and Jim worked on the questions.

“See you on Wednesday?” Jim asked as he took her empty coffee cup with him and threw it into the trash with his.

“Yeah, definitely.” She wasn’t sure why, but she suddenly had the urge to hug him. When she did, he wrapped his arms around her, and she sighed in contentment. He felt warm, not like Lucien had. He smelled nice too, like springtime. This was the kind of man a woman like her should want to be with.

“Sorry.” She blushed as she let go of him.

A soft smile tugged at his lips. “You can hug me anytime, Diana.Anytime.”

“Er…thanks.” She picked up her purse and laptop bag, still trying to ignore her red face. She really couldn’t just go around hugging random guys. They’d get the wrong impression. Still…Jim was somehow different. He felt safe. The very opposite of Lucien. At least she could ignore him the rest of the week. When he’d shown up outside her classroom she’d panicked, but he hadn’t been able to force her to do anything—at least he couldn’t until Friday.

I’m my own woman until then. She waved goodbye to Jim and headed home. When she got back to her apartment, she found another note. Shuddering, she picked up the letter off the floor and broke the red wax seal.

Diana,

I did not find this afternoon’s rebuff cute. You belong to me. Do not forget what is at stake. You are mine. Even when you are not with me during the week, the rule still applies. I do not share my toys. Ever. Stay clear of other men during our time together, or you will find an accident will befall those fools you give your favors to.

Lucien

“Give my favors to?” she growled. “It was just coffee and talking about homework!” She wasn’t sure why she shouted that in her apartment all alone, but she swore she heard a chuckle.

I’m going insane, really insane.

“The devil is a dick,” she muttered. Again, she heard an eerie bodiless chuckle all around her. Seth was perched on the coffee table, watching her talk to herself, his ears flattened, but he didn’t hiss. That was a relief. Seth had sort of a devil radar that she found comforting.

“It’s too bad I can’t take you with me on Friday. I bet Lucien isn’t a cat person. He is probably the kind of guy to own a snake.” She snickered. Making fun of the devil did make her feel a little better. Seth’s tail twitched, brushing the surface of the coffee table like a feather duster. When she flopped down on her couch, he leapt onto her and kneaded her stomach before settling down to purr.

“Save me, Seth, save me from the devil.” This time she and the devil laughed together. Hers was the laugh of someone in deep despair, and his was one of victory.

There was nothing that Seth could do to save her from the devil.

8

Taste this, and be henceforth among the Gods. - John Milton, Paradise Lost

The second Friday night

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