There was no one more excited about the upcoming Winter Break than he was, Kyle was sure of it. A week and a half earlier - in the principal’s office this time - he’d once again summoned the demon that shared his body. It was only due to Ryka’s very real threats that Kyle still had his teaching job. No one was willing to hand him a pink slip for fear of retribution.

They should be scared. If you don’t work, you don’t get paid. If you don’t get paid, you can’t buy me beer. And if I don’t get to drink, I’ll send the fuckers that canned you to a very special place in Hell.

Turns out the lesson had stuck. “I’m sure you will,” Kyle answered without thinking. The students in the front row glanced up at him, but only briefly. Somehow, Ryka’s threatening the principal had made Kyle more popular with his first-period history class. That, and the fact that Ryka had nearly crippled Mackenzie’s father. Apparently, Kyle had been the only one who hadn’t known that her father was an abuser. Now, the whole class saw both Kyle and Ryka as heroes. Kyle didn’t think that was very healthy, but on the bright side, his students were no longer terrified of him.

With his feet propped up on his desk, Kyle watched the twenty tenth-graders before him happily chatting and laughing. For once, he didn’t care that they were completely disregarding the assignment written on the chalkboard. It was the last day before break, and he was even more eager than they were to get away from school for two weeks.

Although two weeks away wouldn’t be enough to erase all the tension, he hoped that by the time break was over, the principal and vice-principal wouldn’t practically faint every time he passed them in the halls. It’s not easy for them to separate me from you. You know we’re not the same, but they don’t really understand that.

“You’re right,” he said, again drawing the attention of the four boys playing cards in the front row. “No gambling, guys. School rule.”

They grumbled about it, but put the cards away and instead started talking about their plans for break, a conversation that soon involved the entire class. Somehow, Kyle got sucked into it as well. “Hey. Mr. S., what are you doing for break?” Tommy asked. Everyone quieted down to hear his answer.

“Relaxing,” he told the class. “What are you all doing for the holidays?”

There was laughter, and Nick said, “You don’t have to be so p.c., Mr. S. We’re not going to run and tell the principal if you say ‘Christmas.’”

“I can’t say it.”

Now the room was silent. “You can’t say Christmas? Like, literally?” Nick asked in disbelief. Kyle shook his head. “Why not?”

“Because the people upstairs don’t like it when humans willingly become hosts for demons. I forfeited the right to say their names when I said ‘yes’ to Ryka.”

“Does that mean you can’t touch crosses or go into churches either?” This was Mackenzie. It was the first time she’d directly addressed him since the incident in the principal’s office.

To this, Kyle just shrugged. “Those weren’t things I did even before this, so I don’t really know.”

About that …. Ryka started.

But Kyle forged on. “I’m sure it’s like saying those names – I could do it if I really tried, but it hurts.” They all stared at him, their mouths making small o’s. “So, I wouldn’t recommend taking in any stray demons. I could end world hunger and find a cure for cancer, but I’m still going to Hell regardless.”

No one seemed to know what to say. You must be a blast at parties. Way to kill the mood, stud.

Sighing, Kyle moved his feet off his desk. “Sorry. But anyway, no one told me what they’re doing for break. So let’s hear it.”

“Um, I’m going skiing in Canada with my parents,” one girl said.

“We’re visiting my aunt and uncle in Florida.”

And then Kyle couldn’t have gotten a word in edgewise, even if he’d wanted to. You better do more than just sit in the house. Seriously.

“We’ll find something to do.”

Whatever you say. But at least I have a back-up plan.

“Do tell.”

Get so drunk that my vision’s as bad as yours.

“Oh, joy. I can’t wait.”

***

Probably because he’d wanted time to fly by so he could get home and start relaxing, the day had passed with unnatural slowness. Every minute felt like an hour. Finally, though, the final bell had rung, and Kyle was sure he’d laid rubber leaving the parking lot.

We need beer. Shitloads of beer, to be precise.

Pulling into a spot at the liquor store, an “Amen” stuck in Kyle’s throat, held there by what felt like some kind of boiling liquid, and lots of it. Tears sprang to his eyes as he choked on the word. “Well, that sucked,” he gasped, once the pain had subsided and he could breathe again.

Watch it with those holy words. One of them doesn’t think you deserve to talk like that anymore, and the other finds it horribly offensive. I bet they’d be pissed if they knew they were both punishing you.

“I guess I can’t please anyone, huh?”

With a laugh, Ryka answered, I’d love for you to please me all night long, but that’s not going to be so easy while we’re still in the same body. Though I bet if we really worked at it ….

“You really need to stop that.” He couldn’t expect Ryka to have pure thoughts, he was a demon after all, but it still made him uncomfortable to hear Ryka say such things. Though he was grateful that Ryka hadn’t been able to provide him with any of those dreams he had suggested Kyle might enjoy. Every night, Kyle still relived his first meeting with the demon, and he was more than happy to keep it that way, given possible alternatives. It was safer that way, wasn’t it?

Why do you keep denying it? We both know what you really want.

Expecting a snarky reply, Kyle returned, “Beer. I want beer.” But there was only silence, and it lasted through his shopping trip and the ride home. He’d successfully gotten Ryka off the subject, but hadn’t expected to feel so sorry about it.

Pushing the thought aside, Kyle grabbed one of his recently purchased beers and settled himself on the couch. He was just getting comfortable when the phone started bleating at him. Wow, do you have friends I don’t know about? I can’t remember the last time I heard the phone ring.

Expertly ignoring Ryka’s comments, Kyle got up to take the call. He instantly recognized the number displayed on the Caller I.D. “Chris? How’s it going?”

“Hey! It’s good. How are you?” His cousin always sounded so upbeat. So unlike Kyle’s usual serious, sometimes somber tone. Friends had always been amazed they were related.

“I’ve been pretty good.”

Even while he talked, he could feel Ryka rummaging around in his memories, trying to re-educate himself. It’s been almost a year since you last talked. I like his voice - you should call him more.

“Um, hold on a second.” Kyle hit the mute button. Although he occasionally emailed or texted his cousin, he left the calling to Chris. This was part of the reason why. “Can you please be quiet? I can only focus on one conversation at a time.” Ryka shut up with no further commentary, much to Kyle’s relief. “Sorry. So, why the sudden call? It’s been awhile.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. Things have been so busy.”

Kyle hadn’t meant to guilt his cousin - it wasn’t like he had a lot of free time for socializing either. Even less when one factored in how much time Ryka spent in control of their body. It was starting to feel like one of those timeshare scams. “Me, too, so no worries.”

“Thanks. But I realized I haven’t been up that way in a while, and I figured it was time. I know you’ve got break, too, so I figured what the hell? Bought a plane ticket.”

“It’d be great to see you again. It’s been, what, five years?” It pained him how long it had been. Especially since they had once been so close. Growing up as neighbors, then rooming together in college. They’d been almost inseparable.

“That sounds about right. I’m flying up tomorrow, so we should go grab a few beers the day after. I’ll be around until New Year’s, so we’ll have plenty of time to catch up.”

“Sure. But hey, did you already book a hotel? Or do you need a place to stay? I have a spare room.” As soon as those words were out of his mouth, Kyle realized what a huge mistake he’d made. In his head, he could hear Ryka cackling. But he couldn’t take his offer back.

“Really? That would be great. Just like college, right?”

“Yeah, just like.”

This is going to be a fun break, don’t you think, stud?

***

It had taken more than a little convincing that it was in everyone’s best interest if Ryka let Kyle have full use of his body for the entirety of Chris’s visit. And even after Kyle had come up with a lengthy list of reasons why Chris should remain in the dark about the demon, Ryka had only grudgingly agreed.

“I promise,” Kyle assured him, “after Chris leaves, it’s all you. Use my body until it drops, just let me have a couple hours of sleep before school starts again.” That deal had seemed to satisfy Ryka, and by the time Chris showed up the following afternoon, Kyle was sure that he wouldn’t be hearing much from his other half for at least a few days.

Not that Ryka’s sudden appearance was his only concern. The demon’s influence would ensure he still had a lot of difficult questions to answer. And they started shortly after Chris arrived. Kyle had shown him to the spare room, and then they had grabbed a beer apiece and settled themselves in the living room.

“Man, you haven’t changed at all. I mean, you grew your hair out a lot, but you look just the same as you did five years ago. I’m jealous.”

“Good genes, I guess,” Kyle offered, nervously drumming his fingers on the bottle in his hand.

“Your mom doesn’t age either. But the school I work for is so strict; there’s literally a list of approved hairstyles. Everything else gets a write-up.”

“Damn. My school really doesn’t care about something like that, thankfully.” At this point, Kyle could have shown up half-naked and drunk with a needle hanging out of his arm and there still wouldn’t have been repercussions. The administration was too scared for their souls to do anything. It wasn’t necessarily an uplifting thought.

“Just no face tattoos, right?” Even that he could have gotten away with. Though Ryka had once informed him a tattoo would be a waste of his time and money – the next time he was summoned, the ink would bleed out.

“Exactly. But you’re teaching at some ritzy private school. I’m sure they have higher standards than a public school.”

“I am contractually obligated to be a good influence,” Chris informed him, rolling his eyes.

“That, and you’re in the B-” A now familiar burning sensation stopped the phrase “Bible Belt” in his throat. After taking a swig of his beer, and nearly choking on that, Kyle was finally able to finish, “-in the South. They’re a little more strict in Texas than in Massachusetts, I’m sure.”

“Like I said. But hey, they pay me more to be uptight.” There was a pause while Chris studied him over his rapidly emptying beer bottle. “You know, I remember you saying that guys with long hair all looked like idiots. And here you are.”

That earned him a quiet growl. “People change,” Kyle quickly explained.

Once they moved on to other topics, Kyle allowed himself to relax. He and Chris were cousins, but they had grown up together, and Kyle had always considered Chris more of a brother. Which is why he felt so bad hiding things from him - again - even though he knew it was for the best. He had already damned himself; he didn’t need to drag his family down with him.

***

For the first few days of Chris’s visit, Ryka stayed on his best behavior. Aside from the occasional lewd comment, he was silent. Unlike Kyle, Ryka could rest when he wasn’t in control of their body, and Kyle noticed he was spending most of his downtime asleep. At least until the third night after Chris’s arrival.

Kyle was just getting into bed when he felt Ryka wake up, that unnerving feeling that he wasn’t alone in his own head. At least it was only in these transitional moments he felt the difference. Master?

“What is it?”

I know I’m supposed to wait until your cousin’s gone, but I really, really, really need a cigarette.

“You told me you couldn’t get addicted. That only my feeble human body would be susceptible. But here you are, begging for a smoke. Interesting.”

Don’t fuck with me. Please? Besides, it’s more than just the nicotine. You know they’re supposed to kill you, and even though they can’t, there’s still that little bit of fear.

Kyle’s mouth watered - Ryka really was desperate. “I don’t know ….”

I’ll stay in your room. And I’ll only come out long enough for a beer and a smoke. Master, please?

Why was he so weak to Ryka’s demands? Forcing a sigh, he replied, “Fine. I’ll go get the beer, though, okay? And you’re not to leave this room, under any circumstances. Promise me.”

Yes, Master, I promise. Thank you.

Guilty about forcing Ryka to hide, Kyle thought the least he could do was let him out for a few minutes. Though it was hard to shake the feeling that he was making another mistake. Still, he grabbed an unopened twelve-pack of Budweiser from the fridge, dug Ryka’s cigarettes out of the junk drawer in the kitchen, and headed back to his room.

One thing he hadn’t considered in allowing Ryka to come out was that his room was far too small for the transformation. Ryka couldn’t stop his wings from opening to their full extent, thudding into the walls and knocking everything off the dresser. “Son of a bitch,” he hissed, gingerly folding them closed.

Forget it. I’ll pick it up later. Just hurry up. And be quiet, okay?

“Yeah, yeah.” Ryka cracked open a beer and drained it in three big gulps. “Oh, man. That was fantastic.” He flopped down on Kyle’s bed, and happened to look over at the dresser. “Hey, your mirror’s level with the bed.”

No, you don’t have time to play with yourself. Smoke, and do it quickly.

“You suck.” He didn’t argue, though. Any pleasure he would have gotten out of it would have been ruined by having to listen to Kyle complain the whole time. Sighing, he lit up a cigarette. He watched a small flame dance on his fingertip before blowing it out and again turning to look at the mirror.

Your horns grew, too, didn’t they?

“Two weeks later, he finally notices. Insensitive prick.”

Sorry. I’ve had a lot on my mind.

“Excuses, excuses. Just for that ….” He trailed off, using his free hand to do just what Kyle had told him not to. Who had he been kidding? It was fun, no matter how much his host complained. “You know, I can control your body a little even when you’re in charge. And I’m sure we can make it work the other way, too. Could be fun, don’t you think?”

I’m going to have to disagree.

“You forget that I already know about you. You can’t hide -”

Enough, Kyle demanded, more sternly than he intended to.

To that, Ryka said nothing. Unfazed, he continued to watch himself in the mirror, meaning Kyle was forced to do the same. Though Kyle thought that did little to explain the unusually mischievous smile the demon now wore. At least until he, too, heard footsteps in the hall.

“Hey, are you hoarding all the beer? I’m still thirsty.” Ryka draped a wing over himself just as Chris opened the door. Kyle thought that was something to be thankful for, especially since he was sure “modesty” wasn’t even in the demon’s vocabulary. “K-Kyle?”

“Sorry, he’s not in right now.”

“B-b-but ….”

“Okay, fine, it was his body first. But he was kind enough to share. Now, quit stuttering and pointing and get over here.”

Somehow, Chris managed to let go of the doorknob and take a few steps into the room. The creature that looked disturbingly like his cousin continued to smile at him from the bed. “What are you? What happened to Kyle?”

“I’m a demon. My Lord Satan made me and named me Ryka, put me to work for five hundred years, then kicked me the fuck out. And your cousin was nice enough to let me share his body with him until Satan lets me go back home. So, Master’s really still here, but this body’s mine tonight.”

“Master? You mean Kyle?”

“Yup.”

“I’m dreaming, right?”

Ryka rolled his eyes. “If I hadn’t already known you were related ….”

That seemed to snap Chris out of his stunned daze. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nevermind. Now, did you want a beer or not?”

Through Ryka’s eyes, Kyle could see how nervous Chris looked. And he was sure it didn’t help that it was quite obvious what Ryka was doing with his free hand, even though he was still covering himself with his wing. Still, Kyle thought he was just as uneasy as his cousin. This was the first time Ryka was really meeting another person, not just threatening one. He didn’t exactly have good people skills.

Ryka quickly realized all Kyle’s fears. “I suggest you grab a beer before I make you earn it. I could use a hand over here.” Chris’s eyes went wide, and he lunged forward, snatched a beer from the case, then took a few big steps backward. “Yeah, you’re just alike. What a drag.”

Don’t be a pain, Ryka.

“You shut up.”

“Me?”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“No, the stud. He said I shouldn’t pick on you. What the hell else do I have to do?”

What happened to one beer and one cigarette?

With a wicked laugh, Ryka answered, “Sorry, Master, I’m out for the night.” Returning his attention to Chris, who was slowly and quietly trying to make his exit, Ryka said, “And as for you. I promised I wouldn’t leave this room, so why don’t you be a good boy and come back in, oh, half an hour. Sound good?”

To Chris, there didn’t appear to be much of an option. Even though the demon had said it had promised to stay put, he had serious doubts about how good of a promise that really was. Besides, he was more than a little curious as to how his cousin had come to share his body with Ryka. “Um, sure. Bye, then.”

Why does he need to come back?

“Because I’m bored. I talk to you all the time. It’d be nice to talk to someone else for a change.”

Kyle really couldn’t argue with that. Ryka only had him, and because he feared letting people get too close, Kyle only had the demon for companionship. Try to keep the sexual harassment to a minimum, okay?

“His voice is so much sexier in person. But I’ll try,” Ryka told him. Though, from his tone, it didn’t sound like he planned to try too hard.

***

Ryka had only just finished pleasuring himself, and was lighting another cigarette, when Chris knocked on the bedroom door. “Come on in, handsome,” Ryka called.

As if he were intruding on a wild animal, which he was quite sure he was, Chris cracked open the door and slipped into the room. The demon was stretched out on its stomach on Kyle’s bed, its huge, black wings hanging onto the floor. “You said your name was Ryka, right?”

“Mm hmm.”

A little nervously, Chris moved to lean against the dresser. The demon seemed far more interested in his cigarette than in whatever Chris was doing. “I was just wondering. How did -?”

“I end up with the stud, here? I’ll tell you. Grab another beer.”

Without even thinking, Chris leaned forward to do just that. And suddenly found himself at eye level with Ryka. For a moment, he was frozen as he stared into the demon’s red eyes. This had to be a terrible mistake, getting this close. But he couldn’t look away, couldn’t move. The fire burning in those eyes was hypnotic. Somehow, he found himself leaning closer still. Fire was the only thing he could see – everything else was going black, darkness creeping in from the periphery.

“Don’t stare too long – you might not like what you see.” With a start, Chris blinked, only then realizing he hadn’t done so in far too long. When his vision cleared, he was surprised to find Ryka studying him with his head cocked, almost like he wasn’t used to seeing people so close.

“Sorry,” Chris mumbled.

“You can come closer if you want.” Licking his lips, Ryka patted the bed next to him, moving a wing aside to make room.

Chris jumped backward, then quickly straightened and opened his beer, trying to appear calm. The demon didn’t buy it, at least not based on the laugh he tried to smother. “Way too much alike,” Ryka muttered. “But, I’ll tell you how all this happened, and then you can tell me what my Master was like when he was little, right? Oh, and definitely about college. I want all the juicy details.”

You can see all my memories. Why would he need to do that?

“It’s different when someone else tells it.”

You just want to hear him talk, don’t you? Everyone had always told Chris he’d had a voice made for radio, but it bothered Kyle how smitten Ryka seemed.

Sensing his host’s discomfort, Ryka grinned and returned his attention to their guest. “But you’ll tell me, won’t you, handsome?” For something that looked, and surely was, dangerous, he sounded like a small child requesting a favor from an adult.

Chris thought saying “no” wasn’t an actual option, and didn’t see any harm in playing along, so answered, “Sure, I don’t mind.”

***

Head throbbing, Kyle finally awoke close to noon the next day. Ryka and Chris had been up chatting most of the night, and had finished off the case of beer. Well, Ryka had done most of the drinking, and now Kyle was suffering for it. But at least Ryka had managed to control himself, and hadn’t done anything worse than call Chris “handsome” in lieu of his real name.

“You’re done for a few days, though, got it?”

Whatever.

“I mean it. Not until Chris is gone.”

Ryka grumbled an agreement, and Kyle felt that was the best answer he was going to get. Too tired to argue, he put on his glasses and robe, and headed out to the kitchen. Chris was already up, and rummaging through the fridge, looking for breakfast. “What a trip,” he said, grabbing a carton of eggs and turning to face Kyle.

“I guess you could say that.”

“You look like shit. Are you okay?”

“Hungover,” Kyle mumbled. His own voice was too much for him to bear.

“You’re hungover?”

“He does all the drinking, and I get this,” he explained, massaging his temples. “Pain in my ass.”

Chris laughed. “I don’t think he does it to be vindictive.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that.”

He had expected Ryka to butt in, but when he listened closely, he could hear the demon quietly snoring. Really, it was more like talking in his sleep, but whatever language he was using sounded mostly like growling, so snoring was a less disturbing way to think of it. Because he really didn’t want to know what Ryka was saying.

Carefully shaking the thought – the room was spinning around him - Kyle sat down at the kitchen table and rested his forehead on the cool surface. The demon really was out if he could feel that. Normally, Kyle was impervious to hot and cold; since his possession, Ryka ensured his host was nothing but comfortable temperature-wise. The only times Kyle felt anything but were when Ryka purposely gave up control, or when he was too exhausted to maintain it, as he was now. But Kyle was grateful; the chill took the edge off his headache.

“Sorry I told him all that stuff about you.”

“What stuff?” Kyle asked, lifting his head. Although he had known that Ryka and Chris were talking, Ryka had blocked him, and Kyle hadn’t been able to hear what either of them were actually saying. And he wasn’t any good at reading lips. Without answering, Chris turned to the stove and started on making breakfast. “Don’t worry about it. He can see all my memories anyways.”

“It’s just strange. I didn’t think a demon would be like that.” In Ryka’s more relaxed moods, it was almost possible to forget what he was. He just hoped Chris didn’t get too comfortable. “Do you know why he’s not in Hell?”

It wasn’t something Kyle had really thought about. Not since that first night. “He was told he couldn’t be there anymore. Not now, anyhow. But at some point, we’re both getting called back.” No need to divulge the other reason for Ryka’s reassignment: gathering souls.

“Both of you?”

“Yeah, well, hosting a demon is pretty high up there on the list of major sins. No matter how nice they may seem.”

“You don’t sound very concerned.”

“A little late for me to be worrying about that now.” Hoping to avoid talking any more about Ryka or his own impending damnation, Kyle rested his head back down. He didn’t realize he’d fallen asleep until he found himself staring across his bed at a strangely cute little demon with over-sized wings and huge, sad eyes.

The clinking of a plate on the table startled him awake, and he stared dumbly at the scrambled eggs and toast Chris had set before him. “Maybe you should go back to bed,” Chris suggested.

Kyle shook his head, an act which made him feel even woozier. Once he was sure he wasn’t going to be sick, he explained, “It’s not like this is the first time he’s done this to me. I’ll be fine.”

“If you’re sure. Because I’d like to drink with you tonight.”

“Maybe you guys should have left some beer, then, huh?”

***

In anticipation of putting his body through another night of hard drinking, Kyle spent most of the afternoon in front of the TV. He felt bad ignoring his cousin, but only until he looked over to find the other man fast asleep in an armchair. It really was college all over again.

It was Ryka who finally woke him around dinnertime. I think I might cry, I’m so fucking bored. Please, get out of the house. Even for a few minutes. Mustering what little energy he had, Kyle got up off the couch, roused Chris, and suggested they walk to the nearest convenience store to restock their alcohol supply.

Although the cold no longer bothered Kyle, he was still glad there was a gas station with a convenience store only a few blocks from his house. Because although the brisk winter air had no effect on him, Chris’s teeth were chattering by the end of their ten-minute stroll.

“You go ahead. I’ll be right there.” It wasn’t his compulsion, he knew, to hang back, and also not his will to look to the far end of the parking lot. He didn’t like that at all.

Too cold to even open his mouth to answer, or to question Kyle, Chris nodded and did as his cousin suggested. Kyle walked toward the corner of the mostly empty lot, where two teenage boys appeared to be desperately waiting for someone to arrive. “Hey, mister, we’ve got the money, can you buy us some beer?”

Before Kyle even realized he recognized that voice, Ryka growled. Kyle put his hands to his throat as if that would stop it. It didn’t, and the sound seemed to echo on forever in the still night.

“Oh, shit, Mr. S.,” Nick managed, his voice trembling. Kyle knew it wasn’t the frigid air that was making him shake. Next to him, Tommy stood staring stupidly at their teacher with his jaw hanging open.

Kyle was just as helpless. He could feel his will bending to Ryka’s. It wasn’t just the demon’s body that was strong. When Kyle opened his mouth to speak, it wasn’t by his own volition. Nor was it his voice that came rumbling out. “What are you worthless little shits doing? How badly do you want to go to Hell?”

Hearing Ryka pulled them from their stupor. Clinging to each other, they turned and fled into the dark. As soon as they were out of sight, Kyle felt Ryka retreat. “That wasn’t really necessary.”

Sure it was. You’re on break. You don’t need to see them.

He couldn’t argue with the truth. Glad it had only been a minor incident, he headed into the store. Chris was planted in front of the beer case. “What do you think, Kyle? Sam Adams? Bud? We could get some Corona and try to pretend it’s not ten degrees outside.”

“That last one sounds good.”

And I need butts. Just get a couple packs.

They each grabbed a twelve-pack of Corona and headed for the counter. Later, Kyle would be extremely grateful that Chris had decided to make a detour to the snack aisle. He was too busy deciding what kind of chips he wanted to hear the door slide open, but the sound of a gun being cocked was almost deafening. It was immediately followed by a gruff “Empty the register.”

He doesn’t know you’re here. The only car in the lot belongs to the guy who’s about to get shot.

“What?” Kyle breathed, unable to stop himself. In the sudden silence, he was sure the robber heard him. And he was right.

“Someone else here?” the man shouted. “Shit!” From what Kyle could tell, it sounded like the store clerk was trying to fight the gun out of the robber’s hands. Kyle winced as the first shot was fired. A second followed only seconds later. Bile rose in his throat when he realized the gurgling, rasping sounds he heard were being made by the store clerk, who was rapidly bleeding to death behind the counter.

I suggest you take off your shirt, Master. Unless you want me to destroy another one.

With his hands trembling, it seemed to take forever to undo the buttons. He had only just managed to shrug off his top when the robber rounded the corner into the snack aisle. Chris, who had been watching him with wide eyes, immediately dropped the twelve-pack and threw his hands up in front of him. The bottles shattered, spraying glass and beer out in all directions.

“On the ground,” the man ordered, aiming the gun first at Chris, then at Kyle.

He’s scared, Ryka remarked. It bothered Kyle how aroused the demon sounded. He knows he fucked up. He just doesn’t know how bad yet.

“I said get down!” Only when he looked to find Chris huddled on the floor did Kyle realize that the robber was talking to him. He slowly got to his hands and knees and dropped his gaze to the tile, letting his glasses slide off.

“Why’d you take your shirt off?” Even Kyle could hear the panic in the man’s voice now. Things weren’t going according to plan, and he was getting anxious. “What the fuck are you doing? What’s going on?”

The only answer was an unholy growl. Next to him, Chris gave a quiet gasp as the floor began to quake.

The transformation wasn’t as quick as Kyle would have hoped. Though he had a feeling Ryka was going slowly on purpose, trying to keep the man’s attention. Kyle/Ryka could feel the horns pushing through the skin above his temples, and it was difficult not to be fascinated as he watched his nails grow out into wicked, pointed claws.

And then Kyle was looking out through Ryka’s eyes, and feeling the demon’s huge wings open toward the ceiling. Somehow, they only emptied half the shelves in the aisle. While bags of potato chips rained down around him, Ryka raked his nails through the tile, as though testing to make sure they were sharp enough.

Throughout the entire process, the robber had stared in wonder as the man in front of him turned into some kind of monster. But when it lifted its head and stared at him with glowing red eyes, his body finally responded to the commands his mind had been screaming right from the start. He turned and sprinted for the exit, but only made it back to the front counter. The door locked while he was still a few paces away, forcing him to skid to a stop.

“Where do you think you’re going, sinner?”

“Huh? Sinner?” the man replied, spinning to face whoever had spoken. To his horror, it was the monster.

Ryka’s lips curled back to better show off his pointed teeth. “That would be you.” Tail lashing behind him, he took a step forward, one hand outstretched toward the robber. “You pointed that thing at the wrong guy,” Ryka informed him with a nod toward the gun.

The man glanced down at the weapon, held in a white-knuckled grip, then back up at the creature slowly stalking toward him, and panicked. Eyes squeezed shut, he lifted the gun and fired off one round after another, until he’d emptied the magazine. Praying that he’d killed whatever it was, he risked opening his eyes. And immediately regretted it.

There was no doubt the demon was still very much alive, and now even angrier. Ryka curled one wing in front of himself, and glared at his prey through one of the smoking holes a bullet had left there. “That was a big fucking mistake, mortal.” He snapped his wings shut and advanced on the robber, who dropped the gun and raised his hands, as though they’d provide some sort of protection.

Hissing, Ryka wrapped one hand around the man’s throat. It was only seconds before he was turning blue, gasping for air and feeling the constriction grow tighter with every attempted inhale. Blood spurted from the places where Ryka’s claws were sunk deep into his neck, and vessels were bursting in his eyes.

He smelled like fear. And adrenaline. The last bit of which inspired his prey to try and struggle free. Scoffing, Ryka squeezed tighter, putting a quick end to the man’s efforts. “I was going to drag this out and make you really suffer, but I’m way too pissed now.”

Ryka, don’t kill him!

“Sorry, Master. Tonight’s his night. It’s this or let him wrap his car around a tree running from the cops. This is much more satisfying.” Very much more so. This was a heady new drug, the fear of imminent death. And of knowing what was going to come after it. This would be far too easy to get addicted to, Ryka thought, his heart pounding harder even than his victim’s.

While he crushed the robber’s windpipe, Ryka put his free hand over the man’s mouth. As his victim took his last breath, Ryla clenched his fist and pulled his hand away. What looked like gray smoke writhed between his fingers and enveloped his hand, but seemed unable to escape from his grasp. Dropping the now soulless and lifeless body, Ryka turned to the far wall, where his shadow was watching the proceedings with hungry eyes. “I know you’ve been waiting for this. Open wide.”

Until now, Kyle had only ever seen the shadow act as intimidation. In theory, he understood it was a portal, but had hoped never to see it in action. The shadow had obviously been hoping otherwise. Its glowing eyes narrowed to slits as it opened its mouth.

Flames danced behind jagged teeth, and Kyle swore he heard the tormented screaming of the damned. He could see the heat billowing out of the shadow’s suddenly cavernous maw, and he could feel Ryka basking in the familiar warmth. But to Chris, who had crawled out of the aisle to see what was going on, he was sure it felt like someone had just opened the door to a blast furnace.

“Tell Satan that Ryka says ‘hi,’ okay?” the demon taunted as he released his grip on the soul. The gray smoke that had been the man’s life force was sucked toward the shadow’s mouth. As soon as it was through, the doorway to Hell was closed, and Ryka’s shadow receded.

But that still left two bodies and security footage. There was one simple way to erase the evidence: incinerate it. A fire would make the news, but there would be no one to tie it to. The punks from Kyle’s class probably had enough brainpower to be able to put two and two together, but they’d suffer worse fates if they ever came forward. And if they weren’t clever enough to know that, Ryka would gladly dispose of them, too.

Still elated from his kill, Ryka’s fire sprang to life on his wings with an audible “whoosh.” The magazine rack near the counter made much the same noise as Ryka dipped his wings to touch that morning’s newspapers. The Hellfire spread faster than should have been possible, but Ryka didn’t take the time to admire the sight.

With a nod to Adam, now scooting toward the exit on his belly to avoid the smoke, Ryka sank to his knees and retreated.

***

When Kyle awoke, he found himself staring up at a familiar light. Somehow, he was sprawled across his mattress. He was even wearing his glasses again. “How’d I get home?” he wondered.

“I dragged you. Well, you sort of shambled along, but ….”

With a gasp, Kyle sat bolt upright. He hadn’t noticed Chris leaning against the bed. “Shit, man, you scared me.”

“I scared you?”

In a rush, the events of the night came back to Kyle, and he suddenly felt like he was going to be sick. He fought back the nausea and flopped back onto his pillow. “I’m sorry you had to see that. I didn’t think he’d actually …” Kyle trailed off. It was too hard to think about. Those hadn’t really been his hands, but yet, they had been. And they’d taken a life.

His chest was tight, heart beating erratically, but he tried to keep it together. There would be time later to deal with his own feelings. Because he hadn’t been there alone, hadn’t been the only one to see two people die in one night. And he hadn’t been conscious to watch the aftermath. Faintly, he could hear sirens.

“Are you okay?” he managed, looking down at Chris.

“Maybe. I guess I will be.” An answer given to protect Kyle’s feelings, he was sure.

“Are you going to leave right away?” He wanted Chris to run, and fast, but also knew how much that would hurt, to lose him forever in this moment, for this reason.

“No, but ….”

“I understand if you don’t ever come back.” It pained Kyle to say it, but deep down, he knew it was for the best. He was going to outlive everyone he knew. Breaking ties as soon as possible would make things easier in the long run. This arsonist urge to burn all his bridges wasn’t Ryka’s. It was his. He had his own fires to set. To protect those he loved from the monster that would gladly watch everyone and everything go up in flames. “In fact, I’m going to tell you not to. It’s safer that way. And you can’t tell anyone about this … about him. Not even my mom.” Kyle’s voice hitched, and Chris turned to look at him, worry creasing his brow. “Please.”

“I won’t. I promise. And I mean it this time.” For a few long moments, Chris said nothing else. Then, in a quiet voice, he asked, “Is he listening?”

“Ryka? No, it sounds like he’s sleeping.” There was no snoring, but the relaxed silence was enough to let Kyle know they weren’t being listened to.

“I feel bad that this happened to you.”

“Don’t,” Kyle told him. Not once since he had agreed to be Ryka’s host had he truly regretted making that decision. Strange as it seemed, he never feared for his soul. Not even after catching a brief glimpse of what awaited him after death. “It was a conscious decision. Mostly.”

Chris’s shoulders started shaking, and for a minute, Kyle thought he was crying. Then, Chris glanced back at him, smiling. “This is going to sound ridiculous.”

“Well, as a teacher, I hear a lot of ridiculous shit. You must, too. So spit it out.”

“I think your demon’s got a serious crush on you.”

Feeling his face turning red, Kyle looked away. “No, he’s just a pervert.”

“Really? I don’t think he let that guy turn his wings into Swiss cheese for shits and giggles. He told me about your class, and that crazy parent that attacked you. He really wants to protect you, and not just because it’s his body, too. He came out because you were in trouble, right? The longer he keeps you alive, the longer he gets to be with you. Isn’t that right?”

“I think it’s part of his obligation as a parasite demon to make sure I stay alive until Satan calls for us.”

“You really think that’s all?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

Even without looking, he could feel Chris staring at him. “You don’t think he’s maybe been flirting? Or trying to? Hmm? Stud?” Chris barely managed to make it through the last word without dissolving into hysterics.

Kyle covered his face with his hands. If he didn’t manage to smother himself, maybe the shadow would be kind enough to swallow him and end this. “He’s been calling you handsome,” Kyle returned.

“Aren’t I?” Kyle aimed a well-deserved kick at Chris’s head, but his cousin dodged it. “You can’t see the look on his face when he’s talking about you. Or the look on your face now.” Chris grabbed Kyle’s wrists and pulled his hands away for just a moment before allowing Kyle to resume hiding.

“I just -” Kyle feebly offered.

Chuckling, Chris struggled to his feet. “Don’t bother denying it. Did trying to hide it from me work in college?” The words stung, but Kyle knew his cousin wasn’t trying to be cruel, just honest.

“That was different. You had to catch -”

“I think I just did, didn’t I? Look up.”

Kyle only peeked out through his fingers enough to see Chris nod up toward the mirror. No, he didn’t want to see what his cousin just had. “Chris ….”

“Sorry, sorry. At any rate, I’m going to bed. It’s been a hell of a day.” Somehow, that made him laugh even harder. Because Kyle’s suffering wasn’t amusement enough. “Good night, Kyle.”

“Night.”

***

Three hours later, Kyle was still tossing and turning. Really, he knew he couldn’t deny what Chris had said. But he had no idea how to deal with the truth, either. With a sigh, he got out of bed and padded quietly into the living room. He stopped in front of the mirror out of habit. Dark-ringed eyes stared back at him. “Ryka, wake up,” he whispered.

Yes, Master.

“Thanks again.”

Like I said, tonight was his night, regardless. He only got what he deserved. You know that, right?

After the initial shock, Kyle found he was more disgusted with himself for how little empathy he felt for the man Ryka had killed. It was still unpleasant to think about - there had been blood, after all - but somehow he had expected it to be worse. There was almost no guilt. The man had murdered another in cold blood. “I … do,” he finally admitted.

Good.

“Ryka, servant of the Great -”

No!

Stunned, Kyle stopped the summoning. “Why not? I thought you might want a drink.”

You have it for me. I’m healing.

“Oh! How are you? Did he just get your wings?”

Yeah, it’s nothing. But it’s easier to fix it up this way.

“Well, whenever you want to come out, let me know. Though I think you’re out of cigarettes. And we never got beer.”

I suppose I’ll survive. But hey, stud?

Kyle couldn’t be sure if it was his own nervousness he felt, or Ryka’s. But to him, it seemed almost impossible that something as strong as a demon could worry. “What, Ryka?”

Your cousin was right, you know.

“What do you mean?” Even though he was sure he knew exactly what part of their conversation Ryka had overheard, he found he couldn’t stop himself from asking.

I love you, Master. I really do.

All Kyle could do was stare at his own reflection. He watched himself blush, and when he tried to look away, Ryka forced his gaze back to the mirror. After mumbling incoherent nonsense for at least two minutes, Kyle finally managed to get out an actual response. “I’m flattered. I mean it. But … I don’t know what to say. You know that I like you. A lot. You’re my only friend, Ryka. When everyone else is gone, you’re going to be the only one I have left. And I’m glad it’s you, I just ….” He couldn’t say it. He really shouldn’t. And he didn’t. “That’s all I can say for now. I’m sorry.”

I’ll take what I can get, Ryka responded, rather nonchalantly, Kyle thought. So even demons could have their egos bruised.

“I do like you. Please don’t forget that. Now I feel bad.”

In his mind, he saw the demon smile. Some really expensive beer would make me feel better. Cigars, too.

“Sure.”

Idiot. You don’t need to feel so bad, you know.

Kyle studied his own shocked expression. “How can you say that? You just told me you loved me, and I -”

I’m not worried. Because I’ve got at least another century, maybe two, to help you realize how you really feel. I’m looking forward to it.

“Ryka ….”

But for now, I’ll just say it again. I love you, Master.

“Thank you, Ryka. For everything.”