The sunlight beamed in through the window onto Mina's face. She pulled the covers over shielding herself from the rays.
“Oh, no you don't,” Asmodyr's voice rang out, low and teasing. “You've got to get up for work, honey.”
Mina sat up slowly and lethargically her eyes shifting sleepily around the room until they landed on Asmodyr, who was sitting next to her on the bed with a coffee in hand.
“Helping yourself to my coffee, are you?” Mina said, her sleepy eyes narrowing.
Asmodyr raised his hand in innocence, “Absolutely not, this is for you love.”
Asmodyr motioned the coffee towards her and Mina took it from his hands, carefully keeping an eye on him the whole time.
“Is this the part where you play the perfect boyfriend so you can get into my pants?”
He looked at her, his eyebrow raised and his mouth agape in mock disbelief. “You either watch way too much TV… Or have the saddest love life I can imagine.”
Mina winced like his words physically hit her.
“Even if it’s true, that doesn’t make it hurt any less.”
“You'll be okay baby, I'm here to make sure you're happy all the time,” Asmodyr said, his voice practically a purr. He leaned in close and kissed Mina on the forehead.
Her face flushed red, and she turned away avoiding his gaze, “Don't push your luck, I'm not into you yet.”
“Your mind can lie but your body can't,” Asmodyr cooed.
“What are you talking about?” Mina said still facing away from him.
“You're smiling.”
Mina hadn't noticed it but the side of her lip had perked up into a small smile, “Fine, you win this round. Now get out—I need to get changed.”
Asmodyr's face drooped mocking disappointment, “Aww, but I wanted to see you naked. I bet you're a real smoke show.”
Mina's face exploded red, “You're a pig you know that!”
He only responded with a laugh holding his stomach as if it pained him. Mina could only sit and stare, was this how all demons acted? And now she was stuck with one that would constantly torment her? Maybe it was penance for summoning one in the first place.
“Hey, Asmodyr,” Mina said, her voice low and serious, “you’re just joking when you say that stuff… right? You wouldn’t actually hurt me?”
The silence in the room thickened, pressing in like weight, asking such a bold question to a lust demon was just asking for trouble. His silence lasted too long. Her eyes stung with forming tears, already bracing for some cruel honest truth.
She heard a soft shuffle beside her. Asmodyr had moved closer, silently taking the coffee from her hands and setting it on the nightstand. He gently took her hand and spoke, his voice soft like beach sand.
“It was your heart that drew me in. The pain. The intention. I wouldn’t have agreed to this contract if I didn’t mean it—truly. You’ve been dealt a cruel hand, and your heart bleeds from it. I might tease you. Embarrass you. Have my fun. But when it comes to love—your safety, your healing—I’ll tilt the table. I’ll bend the rules.”
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Mina turned to him with a full smile on her face, “Thank you, Asmodyr. I’ve wanted to hear something like that… for a long time.”
He smiled, a real genuine smile that made Mina’s heart skip a beat. Was this it, some simple words and a well placed smile that made her fall? No. She couldn’t make it that easy and get hurt all over again, a mistake of that magnitude could not be made again not after what her ex had done. She shook the thought out of her head, it was time for greener pastures and brighter horizons. She looked towards Asmodyr her face serious again, “I really need you to leave though. The talk was nice but now I’ve got ten minutes to get to work and I’m going to be late.”
Asmodyr smiled slyly, “Not to worry. I’ve got a plan for everything.” He stood up from the bed and made his way to the door, glancing back to her one last time, “Get ready and I’ll show you a couple tricks I’ve got up my sleeve.” And with that he was gone, Mina sat in bed for a few more minutes to really make sure he was gone. A punk like him would stick his head back in to be a smartass. The thought made her giggle out loud at just how ridiculous it would be, his antics surely would grow on her and that was alright with her.
Mina climbed out of bed after a few more moments of deliberation with herself and made her way to the closet shifting through clothes until her work uniform turned up. She finally dug it out after what seemed like forever, the closet had a habit of becoming suddenly bottomless. A black crop top with her job’s coffee shop logo in the top right and black leggings. Mina Casual. After putting everything on she checked herself out in the mirror, pulling all the poses and angles.
Though it suddenly dawned on her how much the pants hugged her hips. Asmodyr would certainly have a field day with it, a problem she never anticipated cropping up. Mina made her way to the dresser mirror, laid out her makeup bag and began her ritual. Black everything. Lipstick, winglet eyes mixed with black mascara and black nails, with little skulls on her index nails. Lastly, her special ankh necklace and ring collection—skulls and crosses, obisidian and steel.
She stared into the mirror, admiring herself. Something she hadn’t done in a long time since her breakup that forced her into reclusing. It was an strange feeling, to be able to smile at her reflection, and as much as it made her cringe to hear Asmodyr’s sly comments it made her feel confident in her body again. She grimaced at his self-fulfilling prophecy of making her life better, a demon’s confidence in their abilities was truly no match, and Asmodyr was the poster child.
But now, it was time for the real show, Asmodyr and his bullshit. Mina sat up, dragging her feet toward the door. Each step slow, deliberate—like buying time might save her from whatever he had cooked up on the other side. She held the doorknob, the cold metal resonating with her reluctance. She twisted the handle slowly and stuck her head out, scanning the living room. Couches, chairs, tables, walls; way too many hiding spots and it unnerved her. Sinking thoughts crept up into her head. What if he could turn invisible? What if he already had and watched her change?
She shook her head, that’s a ridiculous thought but wasn’t quite out of the question. Mina made small steps into the middle of the living room like she was charting new territory. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears just waiting for him to pounce.
“Coast is clear, seems like,” She whispered to herself as if speaking aloud would trigger his hunt. However she spoke too soon, Asmodyr crept up behind her and slid his arms around her waist gently resting his fangs against her neck. A soft involuntary moan escaped her lips before she could stop it. Her hand flew up to block it and then elbowed him hard, catching him square in the ribs. His only response was diabolical laughter.
“You little fucker, that scared the shit out of me!” She shouted, her face beet red, however a short spout of her own laughter gave way.
“I knew I could get you good,” Asmodyr said, grinning like a devil, finger pointed at her in victory, “Now it’s time to get you to work.”
Mina checked the clock on the wall. Her eyes went wide.
“I’ve got a minute—I’m never going to make it.”
“Never fear, darling,” Asmodyr said, hamming up a Shakespearean flair.
With a dramatic sweep of his hand, a portal snapped open beside him. A rush of cold air spilled into the room. Through the swirling edges, she could see the alley behind her work building. Secluded, quiet, barely trafficked.
Mina could do nothing but gawk at the portal sitting in her living room, despite its very real form she couldn’t help but rub her eyes just to make sure, “At least you can make yourself useful after being such a dick.”
“Yes, yes. I’m plenty dick with enough to go around.”
“You’re a real piece of work, Asmodyr.”
“An artisan’s dream,” he said.
“You mean nightmare.” Mina smirked. “Now let’s go before my boss chews me out.”
Mina grabbed her bag off the table and stepped into the portal. He’d been trustworthy so far—no reason to doubt him now.
