Devil's Desire {A BWLM Novella}

1

My story didn't begin with ominous music or the foreboding notes that signal, "Here comes the villain." Normal people in an ordinary world don't perceive threats, don't sense the impending doom that those who've danced with darkness learn to detect.

I used to believe that darkness couldn't touch beautiful young women with bright futures. Oh, how naïve I was.

At nineteen, I was bright-eyed and blissfully in love with my first boyfriend. Tyler was sweet, thoughtful, and treated me like a princess. We had the kind of wholesome relationship that people dream about—the kind that, in a perfect world, might have ended in marriage.

"Do you want to play the new Mortal Kombat 1 or watch Zootopia?" I asked, bouncing on the balls of my feet as I watched Tyler ponder how our night would go.

He pushed his glasses up higher on his nose, his expression distant as if he were considering a world of possibilities. "Hmm, I'm always up for some gaming, but how about a quiet evening instead?"

I grinned, pulling out my secret weapon—a bag of popcorn. "I've got us covered."

Tyler wasn't the slimmest guy or the cutest, but he was mine. He'd show up at my bakery job with food and kisses, his scent—always fresh and clean—wrapping around me like a warm blanket. I sighed and leaned into him, letting myself be lost in the comfort of his presence.

He chuckled, his laughter rumbling deep in his chest. "You like my new cologne?" He waggled his brows, playful as ever.

"I love it," I said, kissing his cheek, savoring the moment.

"So, my mom invited you to church this Sunday," he mentioned casually, trailing behind me with his hands deep in his pockets. The way he said it, you'd think it was no big deal.

I let out an exasperated breath. Pastor Gale Brown wasn't my biggest fan. She always gave me the evil eye or pretended I didn't exist when I was around. Maybe she thought I was taking her "baby boy" away from her.

"Tyler, I told you—your mom doesn't like me. At all." Gale inviting me anywhere felt like a setup.

"Athena, don't be ridiculous. My mom loves you."

I whirled around, glaring at him. "Remember when she called me a whoring Jezebel?"

Tyler winced. "She—well, I can't excuse that. It was disrespectful."

"Exactly." I turned back to the microwave, hitting the popcorn button with more force than necessary. Pastor Gale ran a large church, the kind that paid for Tyler's semi-luxury apartment. Tyler didn't need to work, but he volunteered at soup kitchens and gave to the homeless. I couldn't hate the woman too much; after all, she raised him. But still...

"I'll tell Mom you won't be attending Sunday service," Tyler offered, trying to ease the tension.

I drew back, feigning a petrified look. "So she can lecture you about us being unequally yoked? Heck no, I'm going." Even if she dragged me in front of the congregation to cast demons out of me, I'd go. It wasn't about proving anything to her; I just wanted to be perfect for Tyler.

He was my first love, the man I wanted to marry. We'd met online, and despite my skepticism about online dating, it had turned out to be a match made in heaven. For our first date, we shared coffee and a sweet passionate kiss.

A man like Tyler could dance any woman's heart into love. I never felt so safe, so secure, with any man other than my dad. My world was perfect.

Until it wasn't. Until the day my perfect world shattered, unveiling the darkness that had always been lurking in the shadows.