The Devil's Mark (Book 1)

Prologue

December 4th, 1990

New York City

St. Jude's Hospital

Lucifer

On a cold winter's night, a light dusting of snow falls from the heavens blanketing the entire city. I sit in the driver's seat of my newly rented Porsche and stare out the windshield at the ambulance that just pulled up to the emergency room. A team of paramedics rush a healthy young woman on a stretcher inside as her husband follows, holding her hand.

A cigar rests between my index and middle finger as I bring it to my lips and inhale slowly. When I exhale, a dense cloud of smoke billows out turning into a name of my newest mark: JASON. I step out, drop the cigar, and crush it beneath the heel of my Italian loafer before going inside. The automatic doors open upon my entry as the once busy trauma center became utterly silent like a ghost town.

All eyes are upon me as I approach the counter. A seemingly beautiful female nurse with long blonde hair, green eyes, and a set of full lips that are swimming in red. My absolute favorite color. Drops her pen that dangles from her mouth once she sees me dressed to the nines in a suit with a top hat and cane.

"H-Hello." She stammers. "C-Can I help you?"

I lean forward slightly, turning up the heat behind my supernatural gaze. She fidgets in her seat. Tiny beads of sweat break out across her forehead as she wipes them away and fans herself. I enter her mind and see that she has a darkside to her. Her sexual fantasies come flooding to the surface. Some are more raunchy than others. I smirk as she blushes.

"I'm looking for the pregnant woman and husband that just came rushing through here."

She checks the computer. "They're in the delivery room at the moment. Are you a family member?"

"Something like that. May I have the room number please?"

"I'm sorry sir. I don't see one listed. The doctor will assign a room once the baby is delivered and the mother is in stable condition. Would you like to wait in the waiting room?"

"No."

I turn on my heel and head for the double doors leading further into the hospital's interior. I pass by doctors, nurses, family, friends all the while following the wispy blue trail that is my mate. When I arrive on the ninth floor via the elevator, the trail growls brighter. I'm getting closer. A large window to my left looks into a room filled with carts containing both boy and girl babies.

In the middle is boy born exactly a few minutes ago. The card above his head reads: Jason Hale. I press my hand against the glass and see his eyes open. My God. Enchanting, flawless, mesmerizing, those icy blues stop my undead heart from beating. I go to the door and wave my hand over the computerized system as it unlocks.

The door swings open with an eerie creak as I cross over the threshold and feel the temperature drop dramatically. An overhead air vent spins wildly, I can hear the screws holding the blades together becoming loose over time. I head straight for my little bundle of joy nestled like a bug in a rug wrapped in blue blanket. A door opens to my right as a nurse enters carrying a clipboard in her hand.

She walks over to a cabinet containing tiny empty vials and grabs a couple along with a syringe. She heads for my direction and applies the latex gloves to her hands before grabbing Jason's arm and pointing the tip of the syringe into his skin. I grab her wrist as she winces and stares at me. I stare deep into her hazel eyes and see the angel that surrounds her soul.

"What do you think you're doing?" I ask, my voice turning ice cold.

"We need the baby's blood for our records. It's standard procedure."

"Then when you're done. I would like a vial of this baby's blood. Is that understood?"

"Yes."

I release my vice grip and watch like a hawk as the needle pierces his creamy smooth skin. Good boy. Doesn't make a sound or cry. Afterwards, I collect my tiny sample and put it in the secret compartment inside my cane as I leave the room and head for the parents room. Mr. & Mrs. Hale smile and kiss at the thought of their first born child being brought into this world.

I clear my throat and instantly get their attention. "Good evening. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks on seeing your beautiful baby boy. He is a treasure."

"Who are you?" Mr. Hale asks. "What do you want?"

"Mr. Hale, I can assure you that I mean your family no harm. I only wish to off protection."

"What do you mean?" Mrs. Hale replies. "What kind of protection?"

"One that would protect yourselves and little Jason from certain death. My proposal is simple. I will allow Jason to have a long and happy life with you, but when he turns twenty-five he is to be mine. And in so doing, whatever kind of accidents happens, I will see to it that you walk away without so much as a scratch."

"Get out of here you psychopath!" Mr. Hale demands. "Or I will call security."

I smirk. "Mr. Hale I can assure you that won't be necessary. Besides, how else are you going to pay for the delivery, hospital tests and room? I know working a dead-end job doesn't pay much but I can fix that. All you have to do is sign on the dotted line."

I reach into my suit jacket and pull out a vanilla envelope containing the contract.

"Who are you?" Mrs. Hale whispers.

"I've been called many things in my time ma'am, but you may call me, Lucifer."

Both parents stare at me dumbfounded. I reach for a calligraphy pen and hand it to the couple along with the binding contract. They read word for word until they come to the last page and the double lines that show their full names and where they need to sign. The husband stares at me for a moment. I know about the growing debt he secretly hides from his loving wife. If only she knew the truth.

He signs the contract with a flourish before handing the pen to his partner. When it is done, I tap my cane into the floor as lightning strikes the night sky and the contract disappears into thin air. An evil chuckle rumbles within my chest as I tip my hat to them and exit the room without a backwards glance. I pay the costly hospital bill in the form of cash before looking in on Jason one last time.

I blow him a kiss and snap my fingers as I picture my signature mark appearing on the back of his neck. From this day forward, I will watch over him. Never staying too far away but always within an arm's reach should he ever need me. And when the time comes, I shall come to collect and make him my husband.