A Demon In Me ✔️

Prologue

Heaven–Angel in Training (AIT) Gil Newsome

"Why did you nudge the mistress to call his wife?"

"Because he wasn't repentant, sir."

"You didn't give him the chance to repent, AIT Gil."

"He had many chances to repent. Besides, he was also courting another woman. Three women, sir. That's just plain greedy."

Why can't Archangel Michael understand why I did what I did? I stand up straight in front of him, unrepentant. Kinda ironic, come to think about it. I've been on earth since my training started, and I know how these humans behave. Yes, we are angels, heavenly, glorious, holy, righteous, blah, blah, blah. BUT sometimes I just want to tweak a human ear or two. Case in point, the greedy Chase Johnston. Three women and one his unsuspecting poor wife. She had to know.

"I can hear your thoughts you know;" Archangel Michael looks at me, his blue-tinted wings dim a tad darker for a second.

Crap! When will I ever remember that he can read my thoughts? I bow my head, waiting for my punishment.

I am yet to see his wings in the glorious blue other angels rave about. It shines the brightest they say. But our meetings seem to bring out the dimness in his wings. I wonder why.

"He has decided to give you one more chance, though personally, I wouldn't. If He left it to me, I'll just demote you to an elder."

"An Elder? You can't do that! You want me to just wait around, singing, and praising all day? Boring!"

"DID YOU SAY SINGING AND PRAISING THE ONE WHO CREATED YOU IS BORING!" Archangel Michael thunders and all the angels around bow in reverence.

Don't say another word, not another word, Gil Newsome, I chide myself.

"Good advice. Now, your last chance," he narrows his gaze at me, "is to guide a soul that's on the verge."

"On the verge?"

"Yes, she will make a choice in the next few weeks and He wants you to guide her onto the right path."

"No problem," I say eager to return to earth.

"Your fascination with humans may be your downfall, Gil," Archangel Michael tells me. "Anyway, her name is Karen Lowry. Your assignment is to make sure she doesn't fall into demonic hands, understand?"

"Yes sir, you can count on me." I give him a sharp salute.

"That will be a first," he murmurs.

Seriously, aren't you supposed to encourage me? Sheesh!

"Now, I want weekly reports and the sooner you guide her on the right path, the sooner you can become a full-fledged angel."

"I thought I still had a millennium to go?" I ask, surprised.

"Well, Karen Lowry is a special case. He will grant the angel that acquires her soul, a high ranking. Only second to me," he whispers.

"SECOND TO YOU!" I scream in excitement.

"Indoor voice, please."

Is he kidding me? Indoor voice? This whole place is an open arena.

"I won't let you down, sir." 

"Good luck then. I'll see you in a week."

"Thank you, sir."

I spread my wings wide, my soft yellow tinge shining brightly, and make my way down to earth. Time to drag Karen Lowry kicking and screaming on the righteous path. No mistakes this time, Gil, I warn myself.

― ☾ ―

Hell–Demon in Training (DIT) Hank Portland.

"All you had to do was let him have another drink, just one more."

"He would've killed that family coming back from vacation, sir."

"So? You would've gained a bonafide soul for hell, DIT Hank."

It's always about the numbers with Lucifer. And it wouldn't hurt him to brush his teeth once in a decade for hell's sakes. I tune him out and step back a little. This is our weekly norm. He scolds me on my low numbers; I pretend to listen, and then he sends me back to earth to secure more souls for hell. Vicious circle, but a demon's got to do what a demon's got to do.

"---and this will be your last chance."

Whoa, did he just say last chance? Since when? Aren't all demons signed on for soul demolishing duty for eternity? Last chance? I perk up and finally tune him in.

"Last chance, your hellness?"

Lucifer is a proud and pompous fallen angel. He demands we address him as 'His hellness'.

"Yes, last chance. Finito, kaput, buck stops here, end of the road, do not pass go, ---"

There he goes again, rambling on. Usually, I'll tune him out again, but this last chance bit is worrisome.

"So, you need to gain the soul of one Karen Lowry."

"Why her? What so special about her?"

"Nothing for you to know, for now. Just know that if you acquire her soul, it will be your greatest accomplishment. I might even give you your own realm. Wouldn't you like that? To live here in hell forever, and no more pesky earthly visits?"

Oh, hell No! I scream in my head. I love earthly visits. Humans are fascinating. And my reward is permanence in hell? No way. This is a job I will screw up; I grin inwardly.

"And if you mess this up, you will live in my hole for eternity."

Oh, shit! I glance at the current resident of Lucifer's hole, and that sight changes my mind. I must gain this soul. I'll rather have my realm and no earthly visits than live in Lucifer's hole. The poor chap is smelly, dirty, haggard, and just downright horrid looking even for hell's resident.

"I won't let you down, your hellness," I bow.

"Good. I want weekly reports, understand?"

"Yes, your hellness."

"Leave."

I bow and make my way back to earth. Time to locate one Karen Lowry. Sorry girl, but you're my ticket to some independence from Lucifer. And I won't screw up this opportunity.