Page 35 of Summoning Mr. Wrong
“According to precedent,” they announced, “when a demon and human form a genuine reciprocal emotional bond—colloquially termed ‘love’ by humans—this constitutes a special class of favor fulfillment. The demon has provided the human with a connection beyond normal human experience, thus fulfilling the abundance of connection implied in the original summoning.”
Hope surged through me. “So the contract is fulfilled?”
“Not precisely,” Kobaamoch said, and my hope dimmed. “The fulfillment is conditional on the bond’s authenticity and durability. Testing is required.”
Before either of us could ask what that meant, Kobaamoch made a sharp gesture with one too-long hand. The air split openbeside them, creating what looked like a tear in reality. Through it, I could see swirling colors and shapes that hurt my eyes to look at directly.
“Asmodeus,” Kobaamoch said formally. “You are hereby offered choice of resolution. Option one: return to The Between, contract marked as partially fulfilled, with standard penalties waived due to the unusual circumstances. The human will retain memories but with diminished emotional impact.”
Deus tensed beside me, his eyes fixed on the portal.
“Option two,” Kobaamoch continued, “remain in the human realm, contract marked as conditionally fulfilled pending review in one human year. During this period, you will retain most powers but be bound to within one hundred miles of the summoner. If the emotional bond dissolves before the review, maximum penalties will apply to both parties.”
I held my breath, hardly daring to believe what I was hearing. Deus could stay? For a year at least, possibly longer?
“I choose option two,” Deus said without hesitation. “I wish to remain.”
Kobaamoch turned those black eyes to me. “Human. You must also choose. Be aware that option two carries significant risk. If the bond proves false or temporary, the consequences will be severe for both you and Asmodeus.”
I didn’t need to think about it. “Option two,” I said firmly. “I want him to stay.”
“Very well.” Kobaamoch made another gesture, and the portal closed. They withdrew yet another object from their seemingly bottomless pockets—a small silver pin shaped like a figure-eight. “Asmodeus, your binding token. Keep it on your person at all times during the probationary period.”
Deus accepted the pin, attaching it to his shirt collar. The moment it touched him, it seemed to melt into his skin, becoming another tattoo among the many covering his body.
“The binding is set,” Kobaamoch announced. “Contract status updated to conditionally fulfilled. I will return in one human year for final evaluation.” They fixed those black eyes on us one last time. “Be advised: this arrangement is highly unusual. Many will be watching with interest.”
With that ominous statement, they simply… folded. There was no other way to describe it. Like paper being creased and folded smaller and smaller until they disappeared entirely, leaving no trace they had ever been there.
For a moment, Deus and I stood frozen, hardly daring to believe what had just happened. Then the lights flickered back on, the temperature returned to normal, and the spell was broken.
“Did that really just happen?” I asked, my voice sounding strange in the sudden quiet of the apartment. “You can stay?”
Deus looked as stunned as I felt. “It appears so,” he said, touching the new tattoo on his collar. “For a year at least. Possibly longer if…” He trailed off, looking at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.
“If we still love each other in a year,” I finished for him. “If this is real.”
“Is it?” he asked quietly. “Real, I mean. What you said—”
“I meant it,” I interrupted, stepping closer to him. “I love you. I didn’t realize it until I was faced with forgetting you, but it’s true. I love you, Deus.”
The vibration happened again, subtler this time but definitely there. Deus’s tattoos glowed briefly in response.
“That’s the contract magic,” he explained, wonder in his voice. “It responds to truth. To genuine emotion.” He took my hands in his, those amber eyes more intense than I’d ever seen them. “I love you too, Julian. I think I have almost since the beginning, though I didn’t want to admit it even tomyself. Demons aren’t supposed to fall in love with humans. It complicates everything.”
I laughed, the sound slightly hysterical with relief and lingering adrenaline. “I’d say things are already pretty complicated.”
“True.” His smile was brighter than I’d ever seen it. “But now we have a year to figure it out. Together.”
He pulled me into his arms, and I went willingly, fitting against him like I was made to be there. His kiss tasted like hope and promise and a future I hadn’t dared imagine.
When we finally broke apart, both breathless, a thought occurred to me. “Wait, Kobaamoch said you’d retain ‘most powers.’ What does that mean? What did you lose?”
Deus frowned slightly, concentrating. He waved a hand toward the kitchen, presumably attempting to telekinetically retrieve something. Nothing happened.
“Hmm,” he said, looking more amused than concerned. “Telekinesis is out. Let me try…”
He closed his eyes briefly, and his appearance shifted—the horns disappeared, his eyes changed to that normal hazel color he’d used around my parents. “Glamour still works, good.” He shifted back to his true appearance with a blink.
