A Lovers War

Chapter 1

I always hated walking home alone at night, but this night seemed so different. It was unusually cold out for the month of June. I could practically see my breath as I exhaled. Goose bumps trickled down my arm and the hair on the back of my neck stood straight up on its ends. My gut was telling me to run but my head was telling me to not look like a dumbass in front of the few others walking near. Instead of running I turned my leisurely walk into a brisk one. I know I looked insane but I could swear something was there, I just knew it. My apartment was only a few blocks away. I thought if I hurried I could get there without anything happening, but of course I’m usually wrong.

A bit further up the sidewalk was a light illuminating out from one of the alleys. I know I shouldn’t investigate but then again my mother did always say I was too nosey. The alley was lit with a bright white light that seemed only to glow more the closer I got. The light was as bright as the heavens themselves.  Then there it was the source of the strange coldness that clung in the air. A rather scrawny tall man walked out of the light. He was wearing a black suite snake skin boots.

“Astrid Rose, I am assuming?” His voice beamed out as if I had been struck up against the head. He stood with a powerful presence and held his head high as if bred from royalty. He rubbed his hand over his shiny bald head and turned his hot gaze directly at me.

My stubborn or just plain stupid answer came out of my mouth before I had time to stop it. “And who the hell are you?” Yea, I know. I’m brilliant. This man looked as if he could crush me even though he was a bit on the undernourished side, but the power that resonated from within him was almost breathtaking. I could feel a power well up from within him and spill like water over his body; I don’t think he appreciated my answer to his question.

He sighed and exhaled. “Miss Rose, I don’t have time for your games. I know it is you simply because you came into this alley. No regular mortal would have ever found me. So stop playing games. I need your help.” He seemed to stand a little straighter, if that were possible. He bowed slightly and introduced himself, “ my name is Slade.”

“It’s nice to meet you Slade, but I don’t do what you’re asking for me to do anymore. It tends to get me into trouble and I am done with that. So you can go about on your merry business and ask someone else.” I had a feeling that he wasn’t going to take no for an answer though, but I am done with that part of my life. I am tired of hurting others but most importantly myself. I lose a little part of my soul more and more each time I helped a demon and in this life your only valuable asset is your soul.

The last demon I helped with my gift cost me my best friend, one who can never be replaced. It has killed me ever since to know that I was responsible. She had my back and I killed her. I will never forgive myself for that now or in any other lifetime. If I continue down this road other innocents will die, and for what?

Slade could tell I was not going to be easy to sway. He knew that he would have to pull out all the stops to make me agree to whatever it is he was asking. “Can we bargain? I have something that I know you want more than anything. I can help you with that Miss Rose. All you have to do is agree.” A smile creped across his ugly face. He knew he had me right where he wanted me. “I can get her back for you. What was her name? Oh, Miss Marie.”

My eyes widened as her name came out of his mouth. I shook my head in disbelief. “That’s not possible, they told me they couldn’t get her back. Don’t you dare lie to me!” Tears stung at my cheeks and they fell down in beaded strains. My throat burned as the fire welled up inside of me. Why would he lie, why would he hurt me like this? I hate demons.

“Astrid, I can bring her back. The way she was. I have more strength than the other demons that told you no, but I only ask for your help and she will be back with you as soon as your job has been done. I only speak truth to you.” His voice as smooth as silk.

“What do you want me to do?” My voice came out in staggered breaths. I had no choice but to agree to this. I wanted my friend Marie back so badly that I would go to the ends of the world for her, and if that meant into hell then so be it. A smile curved on the demons face.

“We will discuss that later, all I ask is that you prepare yourself. Its war and were bringing you into it. I will be in contact soon.” No sooner did those words come out of his mouth then he was gone. Left me in the alley dumbfounded. The tears had dried but the reason they were put there did not leave my mind. What in the hell did they planned? Why was I to be brought in? War? I had so many unanswered questions that I knew would be answered soon enough. 

What Astrid looks like-------------------------------------------------------------->