The Demon's Half

Chapter 15

The salty breeze brushed against my skin, carrying the scent of the sea. The sky was blue melting into hues of gold and blush as the sun dipped lower.

"You are so close."

"Mia!" I yelled.

I fell into the waking world, gasping.
Something moved... actually, scratch that.
Many things moved.
A slithering sensation ran over my face, my arms, my legs.
I turned down and—

Snakes.

Por todas pinches partes. Writhing, twisting, falling from the ceiling, hitting the bed, coiling over my limbs. A sound tore from me, part scream, part sheer terror as I launched myself out of bed, hands slapping at my body, desperate to get them off.
Get them off. GET THEM OFF.
Gods, I fucking hated reptiles. Cold-blooded, disgusting, horrifying creatures—why were they in my bed?! I jumped, shook, ran in circles like an absolute lunatic because I swore, I could still feel them slithering over me.

Laughter echoed.
Low. Rich. Amused.
I froze, heart still jackhammering, as the snakes vanished.

"¿Qué mierda te pasa?" I spun, searching for the source of that infuriating laughter. "Why would you fucking do that?!"

The laughter died, but the smirk remained as he materialized in my room. Black hair mussed, falling lazily across his face. Eyes heavy-lidded with boredom. Like he hadn't just ruined my entire day.

"It's my present to you, I know how much you love them," the demon smiled. "Let's go. And ditch the rosary, it's getting annoying."

I gripped the pendant tighter. "No, I have to go to work."

While debating whether to skip breakfast and sprint straight to the coffee shop, he appeared in front of me, leaning against my nightstand. The scent of him was all over me before he even touched me, like poison disguised as something beautiful.

"You work for me now. Remember?"

I froze mid-rummage in my closet, fingers tightening around the first piece of clothing I found.
Yesterday.
The intoxication. The way I'd somehow ended up home.

I spun to face him. "You tricked me."

"No, I didn't."

"You drugged me. Even if you didn't actually mess with my mind—" I stepped closer, ignoring the way my pulse screamed in alarm.

His expression didn't flicker as he met my gaze. "I said it yesterday, and I'll say it again," he took a step closer. "I didn't drug you. I provided the substance. You made the choice to indulge."

My fists clenched. "Your stupid mind games—"

"It would have been easier. But unfortunately, I am bound by certain limitations."

And for the first time since waking up, I realized I was still wearing yesterday's dress.

"You can summon snakes at will, yet you expect me to believe you can't trick me into a bargain?" I scoffed, putting some much-needed distance between us as I grabbed my clothes for the day. "Hard to believe."

"Ah, well, even the most powerful among us must respect the sanctity of a soul bargain."

"Are you the most powerful demon?" I snorted, shutting the bathroom door behind me with more force than necessary.
A small victory: my black pants finally fit me properly again. I wasn't swimming in them anymore. Thank the gods.

"I am," he growled from the other side of the door.

My fingers stiffened as I pulled on my white shirt.
He still needs you. He can't harm you.