JANE.

Chapter 3: Devil's Deal

MALAKAI WASN'T STUPID. He was stubborn and most of the time in denial, but he wasn't stupid. He actually loathed the word; how people threw it around towards others like it was nothing. Like you weren't objectifying another person's intelligence because you thought you were superior.

He was actually quite smart but sometimes his intelligence was weakened by desperation and fear.

He knew making a deal with the devil was stupid.

He knew that every decision he's made from the fall was stupid, but he rather be stupid and naive, than alone.

*

LUCIFER WAS THE father of lies so Malakai knew that making a legitimate deal with him would be tricky. For starters, no one could really speak to the devil directly—there's a legend that states looking him in the eyes could stop a human heart forever. Those who wanted to speak to him could only attempt through his servants— the daemonium. They were his most loyal, vile, evil creatures that fed off of caos, ruins and destruction. They could take human form on Earth, but underground is when you can see them in their true, burning form.

The screams were so loud and piercing, It was all Malakai could focus on. The whole idea of being there felt wrong but still, his fear of abandonment outweighed his inhibitions.

"What is your purpose?" The daemonium snarled, it's teeth shaped like shards of an iceberg and it's flesh blacked by the constant heat of fire.

"I have no purpose," Malakai stared at the ground. "I believe you can help with that."

There were pillars where the other ones stood, squated, wings flapping generously when one flew towards him, landing on its feet, sniffling, smelling him.

"An angel."

The others screeched and began to circle him.

"A fallen!" Another one exclaimed.

"I come in peace. To offer my services."

"Who asked you to speak?" The small one continued circling him, drawing closer.

The others laughed and placed their claws on his body, tracing every bone.

"No good to us as a human."

"No, not good at all," one snarled.

"A human?" Malakai looked at them, puzzled. "I am immortal."

"Not for long," one giggled and the sound alone sent chills through Malakai's body. "Nothing on Earth can last as an immortal."

"Yeah, you'll be bleeding blood real soon."

"Real soon," they laughed. "Bit by bit, you'll start to gain human emotion."

"Lust, anger..."

"Sadness..."

"How do I stop it?" The panic in his voice was evident. Human? The very thing he despised? His breathing quickened as he placed his hand on his chest.

"Well technically if you don't live on Earth, you'll remain immortal...."

"Can we just eat him already?"

They giggled as they watched him sweat. "Is it hot in here baby?"

"How do I stay here? How do I stay immortal!"

"We can't tell you so you can go blabbing to every sucky angel big G throws out of his castle..."

"We shouldn't even be talking to this boy!"