Demon ∞ l.h.

∞ Chapter Fourteen ∞

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I sat back in the chair, quirking an eyebrow at his suggestion. "What do you mean 'within reason'?" I ask, quickly adding, "Purely just so I know what I can and can't ask, of course."

His eyes narrow at my mock formality, but the smile on his face shows that he isn't truly bothered by it. "Boundaries? Well, to begin with: no asking me how I became the King of Hell, that is for me to know and for you to never find out, also, no asking about any of my plans for you. That is a surprise. And don't mention anything that has to do with past relationships, that is so overdone." His mouth twitches, and I can see humor flashing in his eyes. Pushing my limits, I am surprised at the words that escape my mouth next.

"Past relationships? That's implying you had them. And I look forward to finding out about those 'surprises' eventually, then." I quip back, rather playfully.

"I'm glad you are, it makes it much more enjoyable for me to give them to you."

I shake my head at his odd way of speaking, and that gave me the idea for my first question. "Alright enough chit-chat. I have my first question: how old are you?"

Luke sits forward in his chair, his eyes the darkest blue I have ever seen. They were bordering on black, but this time I couldn't tell whether it was in anger or something else. "Older than humanity, older than this planet."

"Wow, so I am being held captive by an extremely old pedophile?" The words spurt out without thought, and I clamp my hands over my mouth like I could stop them. A frown creases into Luke's forehead, and I can see that he is disappointed by my reaction, I assume that he thought I would be impressed, not horrified.

"Do I look like a pedophile to you?" I stopped my assessment of his face to think about an answer. Looking up and down at the intimidating yet handsome and young figure in front of me. Simply by the description of young, Luke immediately didn't look like a pedophile- that doesn't mean he wasn't though.

"No, you don't. But that doesn't mean you're not. And how in the hell do you look so young if you're supposedly 'older than this planet'"

Luke's face suddenly twitches, and he leans back suddenly more relaxed. "How do I look so young, or how do I look so handsome?" He quipped playfully. I liked this laidback Luke; he was much...easier to be around. His expression suddenly went more serious; "It's called a vessel, a meat suit, if you will. This is simply a body to hold me whilst I'm not in heaven."

"You're possessing someone?" I practically screech. The chair screeches loudly a I stand up from my seated position at the table. I wasn't going to sit and talk with this bastard, whilst he spoke to me using another man's tongue. It was wrong, plain and utterly wrong.

"Damn it, Eve, this is why I didn't want to tell you anything!" Luke snaps, reaching over the table and grabbing my hand to stop me from leaving the dimly lit room.

"Well I understand why now!" I shout, "You're possessing some innocents man's body, probably without him wanting you to! Walking and talking with it whilst he's trapped inside, unable to escape! That's worse than death!"

Luke's voice was much quieter when he spoke again, calmer and much more controlled. "Eve, I'm not possessing someone without their consent, that's the deal breaker for me. Although you seem to forget it, I am actually an angel, an Archangel to be precise. In order to be the vessel of someone I have to have their consent; only then can I control their body."

"But someone is still inside-!" Luke cuts me off before I can protest further.

"The boy's body who I am possessing was dying of a terminal illness. His family didn't know what to do to save him. When he finally accepted me into his body, it was already too late. This body does not have anyone's soul stuck inside because the soul already left the body."

"So his soul is in Hell?"

"Not all soul's go to Hell, Eve. Most people do in fact go to Heaven, only the truly evil end up downstairs.."

I sit back in my chair, overwhelmed by the information overload. This was all too much to take in all in one hit, and I could feel myself getting light-headed. But I didn't know when I would get the opportunity to ask questions like this again. I controlled my expression until a neutral mask hid the swirling emotions I felt inside.

"And how is that evil defined?" I tried to keep my voice emotionless, like Luke did so well. I think that is the reason why he comes off so cold and abrupt- he doesn't give anyone the chance to see further than the physical scowl.

"It's not gay people, if that's what you're wondering." Luke chuckles, his dark humour coming out again. "The truly evil are the people that murder and rape without second thought, the people that pillage and steal from those who have the least to give."

"What about the people that make deals to, you know, sell their soul?" I ask awkwardly, slowly taking a seat once more. Luke nods in approval once I am seated again.

"Yes, the people who also make deals to sell their soul come to Hell." His answer comes out slow and careful. "Most people that make deals though are selfish, they only think of themselves and how they can benefit from it."

"What about the people that make deals who aren't selfish?"

"They still pay the same price as the rest." Luke's voice is harsh now, clearly not liking the fact that my questions were becoming more and more judgmental.

"How is that fair? Those people don't deserve an eternity of suffering for making the world a better place."

"Well, Eve, the universe isn't exactly a fair place. The sooner you learn that the better." And with that, Luke stands up and stalks from the room, leaving me more confused and hurt by his actions than ever.

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