Page 3 of Exorcise Me
Focus, Noah!
“Get out of my apartment,” I demanded, clutching my crucifix. “How did you even get in here?”
Lucien waved a hand dismissively. “Demon, remember? Locks are a human concept.” He turned back to my open refrigerator. “Your food situation is dire. Do you subsist entirelyon microwave burritos and energy drinks? Your body is a temple, Noah. Admittedly a very attractive temple, but still.”
I felt heat crawl up my neck at the compliment but pushed it aside. “I command you to leave this dwelling immediately!”
Lucien glanced over his shoulder, one eyebrow raised. “You know that only works during the actual exorcism ritual, right? Once that’s over, you’re just a man in wrinkled clothes shouting at me while I try to salvage your dinner options.”
I dropped my bag on the couch and rubbed my temples. This was not covered in any of the training manuals.
“Why are you here?” I finally asked. “What do you want?”
Lucien closed the refrigerator and leaned against my counter, crossing his arms. The position made his silk shirt pull tight across his chest, revealing the definition of muscles that had no business being that perfect.
“Would you believe I’m lonely?” he asked.
The question caught me off guard. “Demons don’t get lonely.”
“And humans don’t judge entire species based on propaganda, yet here we are.” He gestured around my apartment. “Nice place, by the way. Minimalist. Though I think that’s less aesthetic choice and more ‘I don’t know how to decorate,’ yes?”
He wasn’t wrong. My apartment was sparse—a couch, coffee table, small TV, and a bookshelf filled with religious texts and a few fantasy novels I felt guilty about enjoying. The walls were bare except for a single cross and a framed photo of my family.
“I’m not interested in interior design tips from a demon,” I said, sitting heavily on my couch. “I want you gone.”
“And I want decent Thai food, but we can’t always get what we want.” Lucien untied the apron and hung it neatly on its hook. “I’ve decided to stay for a while.”
I shot back to my feet. “You can’t just decide that!”
“I just did.” He smiled, and for a brief moment, I caught something almost vulnerable in his expression before the cocky mask returned. “Consider it a cultural exchange. You get to study a real demon up close—think of the research paper you could write—and I get to enjoy human company that isn’t screaming or throwing holy water at me.”
“I might still throw holy water at you,” I muttered.
“Kinky.” His grin widened. “I like you already, Noah Callahan.”
I ran a hand through my already disheveled hair. “Where would you even sleep? I have one bedroom.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Lucien’s eyes lit up with unholy delight.
“Is that an invitation to share your bed? Moving rather quickly, aren’t we? I mean, I’m flattered, but I usually prefer dinner first.”
“That is NOT what I meant!” I sputtered, feeling my face flame. “You’re not staying here at all, much less in my… my…”
“Bed?” he supplied helpfully. “The word isn’t cursed, Noah. Neither is what happens in beds, despite what your seminary professors might have told you.”
I took a steadying breath. “Look, Lucien… if that’s really your name—”
“It is.”
“Fine. Lucien. I’m an exorcist. My literal job is to banish beings like you. We can’t cohabitate. It’s… it’s unethical.”
He considered this, head tilted. “Is it unethical because I’m a demon, or because you find me attractive?”
I choked on air. “I do NOT find you attractive!”
“Your pulse says otherwise.” He tapped his ear. “Enhanced hearing. Your heartbeat picked up the moment you saw me in your kitchen, and it’s racing now.”
Because you terrify me,I told myself firmly.Not because of the way that shirt clings to your shoulders or how your voice seems to caress every word.
