Infernal Passions

Chapter 3 - Reality

Terzo woke before Lili. He was an anomaly in the dark realm - an early bird. He leaned on his elbow watching her peacefully sleep. Last night had been magical, life changing even. This time yesterday he was another demon looking for his place in the underworld. Granted, he WAS the Pope, but he was always missing that "something". Then Lili showed up at his door like a dream come true. He had never believed in love at first sight until last night. He would move Heaven, Earth and the universe if she asked.

Lili began to stir. Her eyes fluttered open, at first confused, then realizing where she was.

"Hey, you're up early." She said sleepily.

"I don't sleep late. Never have to be honest. Did you sleep well?"

"I had the strangest dream that I was being ravaged by a sexy demon." She said playfully. "You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

"Me? Nooooo." He said, smiling down at her. "Are you hungry?"

"Starving. What do demons eat for breakfast? Bat heart omelets?"

"What? No! I like pancakes. With chocolate chips if you must know."

"Well, I don't know! You aren't mortal. I figured you ate dark worldly stuff." She laughed.

"Nope. I'm Italian. I love a good breakfast, lots of pasta and rare steak. And red wine. Gotta have that."

"I'm honestly curious about this, but do you have technology? I know you have electricity, but do you have Internet? An IPhone?"

"I have power, a fully equipped kitchen and we do have Internet. I have an Android though." He laughed. "Enough about me, I know absolutely nothing about you."

"Well," she said, rolling on to her back, "I'm 28 and live alone with my cat, Void."

"You have a cat named Void?"

"Yeah, he's solid black. He looks like one and he doesn't have much between his ears."

He laughed. "Continue"

"I've been working at a local paper as a copywriter for the last three years. I majored in English in college, so this is right up my alley."

"Do you any family? Siblings?"

"No. I was adopted by an older couple. I never knew who my biological parents were. They were never discussed growing up. They both passed a few years back. I have no siblings. So, yeah, it's me, my cat and a few good friends." She said quietly.

"Wow. You're a strong woman. I admire that."

"I have my days, but for the most part I do okay."

"Well, you've got me now. I have no intention of ever leaving you now that we've found each other. Come on, let me make you some breakfast." He smiled warmly at her.

He gave her one of his shirts to wear. He took her hand, guiding her down a different hallway than last night. They walked up a short set of stairs to a well lit, beautiful kitchen.

"Wow, color me impressed Papa. Your island is the size of my kitchen! Do you live alone?"

"No. I have my disciples. They live in the lower chambers. They aren't allowed in my living quarters." He said as he rifled through his refrigerator.

"Oh. Wow." She cringed inwardly, the thought of what was living below him giving her the heeby jeebies.

"What would you like Lili? I'm fully stocked."

"Chocolate chip pancakes sound wonderful. I'll never turn down chocolate anything!"

"Really? Oh good!" He said excitedly.

They talked effortlessly through breakfast. She helped him clean up afterwards.

"So now what?" He asked, hanging up the dish towel. "We have all day. What would you like to do?"

"I...don't have all day Papa. I need to go home." She said softly. She knew this was not going to over well.

"What do you mean?" He asked, perplexed.

"I mean, I have to feed my cat, write two articles for a 9 am deadline on Monday and touch base with my friends who thought I went to a party last night and never came home." She said.

He stood there unmoving trying to process that she, in fact, was not staying there forever with him.

"I'll see you again, right? I mean, you aren't going away forever?" He asked, wondering who this guy was that was talking.

"Of course you will. I'm super busy with my job, but we can text during the day." She said, trying to sound more optimistic than she was currently feeling.

"I just thought you'd want to stay here with me, that's all." He said forlornly.

"Oh Papa. Come here." She wrapped him in a tight hug. She pulled back, looking up at him. "I'm not going anywhere. But I'm an adult. I have responsibilities. That's all."

He pulled away, walking over to the window. He sighed deeply. "I just thought..."

"...you thought that after one night together I would just up and leave my entire life and move in with you? Real life doesn't work that way Terzo." She said a little too tersely.

He turned to her, his eyes glowing a menacing red. "I am the pope of Hades! I always get what I want! Nobody tells me no!"

"Going all Satan on me won't work Papa. Nice try. You don't scare me." She said with more confidence than she was feeling. This could backfire in the worst way.

His eyes glowed even brighter. "Do you have any idea who your toying with Woman?" He roared.

"Yes. You're Satan. Man of darkness. Lord of the underworld. I know." Now she was getting pissed. "Was it not you who said you would kill anyone who would hurt me? I realize you're omnipotent, but you plan on offing yourself?" She scoffed, her eyes also glowing a light red, throwing her hands up in frustration.

His eyes quickly dimmed back to his normal hazel. He blinked at her in wonder. Who was this woman who fearlessly stood up to him? Why did her eyes glow red Iike his did? Was she a demon like him? Wait...Lilith. NO. She couldn't be!

Lili turned and stormed off towards his room. She had to get out of there and now. She ran down the stairs trying not to cry. She had never felt such a rage towards anyone in her life, and that scared her. She quickly threw last night's clothes on and made for the exit. The only problem was she didn't know where the front door was. Fuck. So much for a dramatic exit.

Terzo stood at the top of the stairs, the sadness in his eyes evident. "Lili, I'm sorry. So sorry. I let my emotions get the best of me, and I was wrong. Please forgive me."

"I forgive you Papa. That scared me. I'm not one to open my heart so fast. That's why I got upset. Just give me some space and allow me to digest everything that happened with us. Can you respect that?" She looked up at him softly.

"Lili, there is something very, very special about you. I want you to stay with me, but I understand. You have your life and I respect that. But remember in the darkness of your dreams, you must only think of me. You have my number, you know where I am. Come back to me whenever you're ready and I will make you my queen. Lilith, I love you and I will wait however long it takes." He placed his hands on her face, kissing her tenderly. It took all of his power not to beg her to stay.

"I...love you too Terzo. I can't believe I'm saying that out loud. But I do. Give me some time, OK?" She said, touching his cheek..

"I will." He took her hand, leading her to the front door. He opened it to the bright afternoon sun. She gave him one last kiss and walked away, not looking back. She didn't want him to see her cry.

He closed the door softly. He stood in the foyer and let out a primal scream that shook the house. He had no idea what to do now.