Page 22 of Death C*mes Inside Her
As I walk away with my signed deed to the property, exiting through the now-empty foyer and ignoring the distant wailing of police sirens, I envision how the next decade will play out for the bank manager. She will want for nothing, not because she has it all, but because I’ve taken her capacity for desire.
Those who want for nothing care about nothing.
Back at the property,I find Eve waiting for me with tears in her eyes. Those tears make me angry, and I swear to myself that I will work for the rest of my existence to ensure she never sheds any again.
She runs straight to my arms, and I catch her mid-sob, wrapping her close and holding her safe. “Where were you?”
“Keeping my end of our bargain,” I tell her, and pull the deed from my jacket pocket. I’m starting to enjoy human clothes, for their functions at least, if not for the way they cover my perfection. “Take this, and the house is yours.”
She reaches for it, then hesitates. “And you’ll stay?”
I open my mouth to reply, but as the words form a pressure builds in my throat and behind my eyes. Demons do not experience pain the way humans do, but Eve does.
Her scream cuts through the morning air, and I pull her close as darkness spreads across the sky. Not dark like night. No. This is different. This is a darkness rarely glimpsed in the world, and one that draws a snarl from my lips.
Swirling clouds gather, the air filling with ash as a form takes shape, and Eve finally starts to calm as He appears.
“Hurt her like that again,” I growl, “and I swear to—”
“To whom do you swear, Aios of Kharon’s Reach, if not to me, your lord and master? Am I not the one who made you as you are?”
Anger flares. He could end both of us in a heartbeat, but if He touches a hair on Eve’s head, I will find a way to take my revenge, even if I have to claw my way into the pits of His domain myself.
“I hear whispers, Aios,” He goes on, His voice echoing even in the open air. “Sub-demons talk to me, you know. Grubby little creatures, always looking to increase their favor, looking to rise up the ranks. Perhaps even become a full-fledged creature like yourself.”
He laughs, and I spot Varak peeking out from between his legs.
So that’s it. The little shit’s been telling tales. It hardly warrants a visit from the Big Man, surely?
The devil takes many forms, today he has taken the form of a human man, middle age, graying at the temples dressed in low slung jeans and a white shirt.
He would blend in anywhere he chose and likely, that is his aim but I know better than to associate his physical form with anything other than the pure evil that resides within.
Although, he has been known to have a wicked sense of humor as well.
I hold Eve close, wrapping her in my darkness. “And what has that worm told you?”
“That one of my demon lords was in the human realm, and hadn’t reaped a single soul. That he was turned into a rat, which I found quite amusing, actually. But in among the banalities, he mentioned that you had taken a woman, and not only did you not let him torture her, but you haven’t tortured her yourself.That you’d made deals, and not even demanded death in return. Is this her?”
“Eve is my mate. I love her,” I growl, the admission feels hot on my tongue. “And not even you will take her from me.”
“Ah, so that’s it.” He shakes His head with a low chuckle that ices my veins. “Unfortunate for you, since I’m now going to have to destroy you both.”
He raises His hand, and I step forward, pushing Eve behind me. I’m not even sure what I’m doing, except I won’t let it happen. I’ll gladly give my life, my entire existence, to save her, and somehow I intend to do it.
Power crackles and flickers between His fingers, and I see the pleasure dawn across his face. There is no greater joy for a damned thing than torturing one of their own. We get so little chance to do it. It won’t be quick, and it won’t be pretty.
I see Varak backing away as he realizes what is about to happen. The thought that he might get caught in the crossfire clearly terrifies him.
“Wait!” I hear Eve’s voice behind me, but I growl in response.
“Run, Eve. Live your life,” I tell her, steeling myself for what’s about to happen.
“No!” I feel her arm wrap around mine, and a part of me wants to force her away. But another part… Another part is glad that we’re together, here, at the end. “Wait,” she demands, and to my surprise, I see the Big Man hesitate.
“Speak, human,” He says. “It amuses me to hear your pleas for mercy.”
“Are you the Devil?” she asks, and He laughs.
