Demon ∞ l.h.

∞ Chapter One ∞

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A human soul is a precious thing, I have learned, something not to be messed with. True, no one has yet found evidence to prove the existence of the human soul, but the few who truly know its worth are most likely dead. How do I know this? I sold mine to the devil. Not literally the 'devil' devil but pretty close to it. I made a deal at a crossroad, and the guy with the freaky eyes told me he'd come to collect his prize in ten years. My stupid sixteen-year-old self didn't know what he meant then, but I do now.

Because now I was standing in a circle of ashes, being told that my ten years was up, and that I was going to die. I didn't want to die. He was here to collect a soul that I wasn't willing to give up. He looked like he hadn't aged a day, and with everything going on I considered the fact that he probably hadn't in a very, very long time. His head was tilted to the side watching me with a wry smile, his eyes completely black and soulless. Oh, the irony.

"Please, please don't do this," I begged, clutching tightly at the small silver cross in my hands. It was my grandmother's, given to me when she died. I had never found use for it before this, and suddenly I wish I didn't have to use it at all. Poor old Gam would be turning in her grave right now, knowing I'm using her most precious possession as a means to stop a demon-man from taking my soul.

"Oh, but darling, you made a deal." He murmured, his voice smooth and soft. If it weren't for the fact he had pitch-black eyes and was about to steal my soul, I'd find the guy attractive. He had the whole, dark and mysterious vibe coming off of him, and not in the Edward Cullen kind of way. He was more the 'cross me and you'll wish you were dead' kind of mysterious.

"Please, I'll do anything! I don't want to die!" I wail, the tears beginning to flow heavily down my cheeks. I see his composure starting to waver- he was losing patience with me. Who knew how many of these hysterical breakdowns he had to go through a day?

"Stop your whining, you insignificant little tart. I kept up my end of the bargain; I gave you what you wanted and ten years more of life, so now it's your turn to pay up. Step out of the ring of ashes and allow my dear hellhound here to rip your soul out of your body." He slaps a hand down next to him, right near his waist. His hand doesn't hit anything that I can see, but there is no denying the guttural sounds that rip through the air.

I look around the small, stingy hotel room; waiting for a giant hound to appear out of nowhere and slaughter me, but it doesn't come. "Oh, you can't see it, sweetheart. Not until it's about to kill you." The man speaks, taking a small step towards me. He doesn't go to touch the ring that I stand in, it seems as though it repels him as well. I look back up at his eyes pleadingly. He lets out a small sigh at my expression. "God, I hate killing the pretty ones."

I close my eyes, and lift my foot, ready to step out of the ring of ashes. The simple ring was what had kept me safe this long, and all I had done was a simple Google search to find the protection. But there was no hope for me, my death was determined the moment I sealed the deal with a kiss. The invisible hellhound must've sensed that I had given up because the low muted rumblings suddenly turned into loud and aggressive growls and barks. I flinched at the sudden noises, and my foot hovered in mid-air.

Was I seriously ready to give up my life? I wasn't, but it wasn't like I was really being given a choice anymore...

"Whoa, Rover! Back off, you overly excited bastard. Someone would think you enjoyed killing people." A new voice rang out, cutting through the racket of the surrounding noise. My eyes snapped open, meeting a pair of steely blue ones. The barking cuts off instantly after the man's voice finishes speaking.

"My liege, what are you doing here?" The demon asks, surprise and fear dripping through his voice. Clearly, soul-sucker here wasn't expecting what I'm thinking is his boss to show up in the middle of his job.

"Do you not appreciate my intrusion, Calum?" The new man asks, his eyebrows furrowing in distaste. He hadn't noticed my presence yet, and I was hoping to keep it that way. Surely if this man could pop up out of nowhere and have a demon leaving brown stains in his pants would be able to do a lot worse to me than what a ravenous hellhound could? I honestly didn't want to know.

"No, no, not at all, my liege. I was simply about to finish a job, and you merely surprised me." The demon, Calum, quickly back-tracked. The other man nodded his head, appeased by Calum's answer. His mouth twitched in a smile and he turned his head to notice me standing there.

"Ah, this was the job you were to finish, I suppose?" He questions, pointing a finger at me. I narrowed my eyes, mildly annoyed that he wouldn't address me himself. Calum nods his head quickly. "Do you mind...?" The man trails off, nudging his head in my direction.

Calum's head tilts in confusion, but nods his head in respect. Bowing slightly, he steps back and out of the room, hopefully taking the hellhound with him. Once the door shuts with a small click, the tall man take a few steps forward and inspects me closely.

Like an art critic could examine an old painting, he walks around the ring of ashes staring at me. I dare not move for fear he would smite me down. "Loosen up, darling. You look like someone's trying to kill you." His voice drawls, once he stops in the front of me again.

"I don't know whether you noticed, darling," I say sarcastically, "But someone is actually trying to kill me." His vividly blue eyes widen, taken aback by the clear lack of respect in my voice. I had decided that since I was going to die, I my as well have what little fun I could before I did.

"Are you mocking me, darling?" His voice rumbles darkly like thunder. His face has gone from surprise to one of anger and, if I'm not mistaken, captivation. I simply shrug my shoulders, saying for him to take it, as he will. His mouth twitches up again, and he lifts his hand up near his head.

I flinch back, waiting for a hit across the face, but instead all he does his snap his fingers. His face looks at me questioningly, confuse at my sudden movement. "Well, darling, since you've clearly had fun making fun of me I find it only fair that I can have a little bit of fun with you."

He looks at me suggestively before pointing to the ground near my feet. I look down rapidly, and my eyes pop at what I see, or can't see. Whatever ashes had been placed in a circle around me had disappeared.

"How did-?" I start, but he raises a large hand cutting me off. Stepping forward he closes the distance between us until we are pressed almost chest-to-chest. His breath fans across my cheek as he leans down and whispers in my ear, causing me to shiver.

"Well, darling, when you're the king of hell there are bound to be a few benefits."

∞