See You in Hell

Desires of the Occult

It was going to rain, so the air was thick with mist as Christine walked from her car to the local oracle shop. The metaphysical store, called Witch's Brew Books, sold crystals, candles, sage, and books. Christine was on the hunt for a specific book about demons, and maybe some advice. After all, she was completely new to the occult. But she'd befriended a demon after summoning him, and she wasn't really sure how to react.

"Hi, welcome." the young shopkeeper said when Christine walked in. She looked nice enough, but she wasn't nearly who Christine was expecting. Maybe the owner was a elderly witch with some experience.

"Hi," Christine said, "Um, I've got a question."

"Yes, of course. Your aura reflects that."

"Oh," Christine said, "Um... Well, I wanted to know about demons. Like, I just inherited this old house from my grandfather and I think it's haunted. God, I sound crazy."

"You don't sound crazy." the shopkeeper, whose nametag read Leila, assured her. She took Christine's hand. "The spiritual world can be overwhelming. But, if you believe the home to be infested with a demon, it is imperative that you don't make contact unless you are ready for the consequences."

"Consequences?" Christine asked. "Oh, God, what's gonna happen?"

"Demons can appear friendly. They can manipulate us into loving them. It can feel good, but they always want something in return."

"Oh," Christine frowned, "What if I've accidentally already done something?"

"What have you done?" Leila asked, "Don't tell me. You accidentally summoned one."

"I-, yes."

"Oh, Christine." Leila frowned, and Christine didn't remember telling her what her name was. "I hope you're prepared to deal with the fallout. Is it a male or a female?"

"Um... in between."

"Ah," Leila nodded, "Well, I'd recommend a book. I believe the occult section to the left may be helpful."

"Thank you." Christine nodded.

She walked to the occult section and saw dusty tomes locked in a glass case, and some newer books on the shelf for browsing. Did they have anything along the lines of, So You've Summoned a Sexy Queer Demon, or How to Put That Hot Ghoul Back Where it Came From? Christine liked Ash, she did. He couldn't know that. Christine was frightened of her attraction to this... thing. Whatever it was, it wasn't human. But she didn't really want him gone. He was too pretty. It was conflicting. Christine would be lying if she said that, since meeting Ash, she hadn't thought about kissing his lips. But that just couldn't happen. He wasn't human, after all. Like Leila said, demons always wanted something in return. She looked at the bookshelf and found a book entitled Folk Black Magic: Demons and the Occult. Maybe that would be helpful. She flipped through the book and found a chapter called, "Summoning Demons: When and Why." Nah, she'd already done that.

The next book she found was entitled Demonology: Lore through Religion. Maybe that would help her find out who Ash was. She opened the book to the middle and on the page was a drawing of a demon called Asmodeus, a Prince of Hell, according to the book. She read on. Asmodeus, Prince of Hell, created as a sister to Kerik and mutilated in war.

Christine thought for a second. The drawing was of a grotesque creature with wings and horns, but his dark eyes looked familiar to her, and her stomach dropped. Asmodeus. Ash. What the fuck? Ash didn't mention he was a prince. She had a crush on the Devil's child? That was insane, even for her. She continued scanning the words on the page. Prophesized to return as heir to the throne of suffering and bind himself by blood to a princess of flesh.

Christine snapped the book shut. She didn't need to know all that. She actually felt bad for Ash; she was reading his secrets. But he wouldn't tell her anything beyond the basics. At the same time, Christine wanted to know nothing and everything about demons. Nothing, because she didn't want to pry on Ash's secrets. Everything, because she needed to prepare herself for what might come.

"Find anything?" Leila asked, when Christine walked back up to the counter with her books.

"Yeah, thanks." Christine nodded. Leila scanned the books.

"You can insert your card." Christine paid for the books and was about to leave, when Leila stopped her. "Here, take a free sticker."

Christine looked at the free stickers. They all had funny sayings on them, like "BE GAY, DO WITCHCRAFT" and "STRAIGHT FROM HELL." She laughed and took that one. It would look good on her journal, she figured.