Page 10 of A Beginner's Guide to Demonic Possessions
Ari abruptly let his chin go, and Paz sighed, muttering, “Yes, I’m still here.”
He must have shot Ari a dirty look, because the guy put both his hands up in a not-my-fault gesture.
“Dude, is that yourhost?” Ari asked, looking totally flabbergasted.
“What in hell is going on?” cart-holding guy demanded, looking between them and Ari.
Yes, what he said, Trent added, only this time he was only in his head and didn’t speak out loud. Huh. This whole thing was freaking weird.
“Ah, my sexy s’more. Introductions! How silly of me,” Ari boomed. “This is Mike, my sexy little mate,” Ari said, pulling cart-holding guy into his side so forcefully that Mike gave a bit of an oomph, but he also looked pleased. “And this is Pazuzu, a demon who specializes in possession. And apparently his host, who hasn’t checked out for the duration.”
How the hell was I actually talking before?Trent demanded. Introductions were fine, but he would rather have answers.
Paz sighed. “Nice to meet you Mike. Yes, Ari, that was my host. His name is Trent, and if you don’t mind, we’ll just get back to our shopping.” Paz tried to walk off yet again, but Ari grabbed his arm.
“Hold on, Paz. Who are these guys?” Trent demanded. Only he once again spoke out loud. “This is so weird… Wait a minute—it’s Ari touching me, isn’t it? Somehow it lets me speak. What are you?” Trent asked Ari. “You aren’t going to, like, exorcize Paz or anything, will you? Because he’s not going anywhere until after V-Day. That’s the deal.”
Ari chuckled, still holding onto Paz’s arm. Trent didn’t really feel his body, which should have clued him in that Paz was still there.
“Paz, can you talk too?” Trent asked.
“Yeah, if I want to sound like I’m having a really weird conversation with myself,” Paz responded.
Trent huffed out a laugh, because he was right. It did sound weird as hell for his voice to ask a question and then answer it.
Mike apparently thought the same. “Ok, yeah, that’s a bit creepy,” he stated.
“Dudes, that is so cool! You’re like body bunkmates! Two for the price of one! Although who gets top bunk and who gets bottom bunk?” Ari asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
Mike playfully slapped Ari’s arm, and Ari let go of Paz’s arm to rub his own.
“My sexy s’more!” Ari cried out.
Mike rolled his eyes. “Please, like I could injure those muscles.” He did give Ari’s arm a little rub, though, and the two looked at each other lovingly before leaning in and kissing. They were actually really cute together.
And they were still kissing.
Ok, I feel like we’re about to get some free jerk off material here. They are both pretty hot,Trent told Paz.
Paz chuckled, which had Ari and Mike both looking up. “Sorry, just laughing at the voice in my head,” Paz added.
“So, to answer Trent,” Mike began, “Ari is a demon, and I’m human. I’m assuming Ari knows Paz from hell, although I don’t know for sure. I’m also not sure why his touch enables you to speak if you can’t otherwise. However, if you need assistance, we are happy to provide it.” Mike then looked meaningfully at Ari, who looked back at him.
“Ari,” Mike added, gesturing toward them. Trent knew he meant for Ari to touch them so they could figure out if he needed assistance or whatever. Ari didn’t seem to catch on, though.
“Yes, my sexy little s’more? Oh! You want me to explain.” He looked over at them then. “Yeah, demon of chaos and all that. So of course letting hosts speak on occasion makes things more chaotic. I mean there was that one time—” he started, but Paz cut him off.
“Do. Not. Bring. That. Up.” Paz ground out.
Ari chuckled gleefully. “Aw, Pazuzu, have you still not forgiven me?”
Oh my god,Trent muttered.I know where I’ve heard the name Pazuzu before!
Paz groaned. “Fuck. Thanks Ari.”
“Did little host dude figure it out?” Ari laughed.
“What?” Mike asked suspiciously.
