His students may have had two days of break left, but for Kyle, summer vacation was over. As much as he loved his teaching job, he wasn’t ready to go back to work yet. He never was, but this year was particularly challenging. He really could have used another week, at least. To recover. Because between himself and Ryka using it, his body hadn’t gotten much rest over the summer.

You seemed to enjoy it.

It wasn’t the late August heat making him feel flush. “I did,” he mumbled. Even in the privacy of his own car, he was embarrassed talking about it. Since the end of the last school year, his relationship with Ryka had changed drastically. If they hadn’t been stuck in the same body, he might not have thought it was so strange. But he had never expected to fall in love with a parasitic demon, much less have a weird sort of physical relationship with one. “Incubus,” he breathed.

I’m just good with my hands. But I’ll behave. Like you told me before: if you don’t work, I don’t drink.

“Mm.” He felt a little bad about being such a poor conversationalist, but it was difficult enough trying to drive half-asleep, never mind talk to Ryka. Feeling himself start to drowse, he cranked the air conditioner, hoping the air blowing on his face would help keep him awake. Only when Ryka started shouting at him did he realize it wasn’t working.

Hey! This isn’t really a good time for a nap. I’m not ready to go home yet.

“Oh, shit,” Kyle said, realizing he was about to drive right by the school. A horn blared behind him as slammed on the brakes and squealed through the turn at the last possible second. “I’m not ready for this.”

Why do they make you go back before the kids, anyhow?

“Meetings. You know that.”

Boring.

“You’re telling me.”

Still trying to force himself awake, he parked next to the only other car in the lot. He recognized it as Adam Brissette’s. They simultaneously rolled down their windows. “Hey, it’s been a few weeks,” Adam called over his radio. “How’ve you both been?” He asked it so easily, as if there was nothing strange about inquiring about the wellbeing of one’s parasitic demon.

“Good. You?”

“I’d be better if we weren’t here.”

Kyle forced a laugh, hoping it didn’t sound that way.

It had happened by accident, this tenuous friendship. After their initial trip to O’Rourke’s, he had run into Adam at the grocery store and been invited out again. Even though he had told himself that one time had been enough, his desire for human contact won out, and he had found himself back at the bar with Adam. Although Kyle really did enjoy grabbing a few beers here and there with his co-worker, he truly hoped Adam only invited him out to be polite. And would learn to stop asking before Ryka felt compelled to teach him.

Because Kyle didn’t want friends. Not when he knew he’d outlive them, and certainly not while he played host to a demon. Ryka could be relaxed, even friendly under the right circumstances, but there was no denying how dangerous he really was. He was short-tempered, over-protective, and since the trip to Salem, no longer needed Kyle to summon him. That on top of their new relationship made for a very bad combination.

It had come too close for comfort the second time they had gone out. Adam had offered to pick Kyle up, and Ryka had decided to help his host get a generous head start. Walking through the door to find the demon seated on the couch, wings fully open behind him, Adam had nearly fainted. But Ryka had controlled himself, only glaring at him over a beer can and offering a curt “Watch yourself” before making himself scarce.

There were worse ways he could have caught them than trying to get drunk. And Kyle wasn’t ready to go there quite yet, not when things were still so new. He worried how Adam would react, and what Ryka would do to him if he didn’t approve of the response.

Kyle knew that Ryka’s apparent civility was conditional. There was no denying the fact that one wrong move would have brought out Ryka’s true nature. And there would have been little Kyle could have done about it. He didn’t really want to have to keep people at a distance, but neither did he want them to get hurt because of him.

He saw Adam open his mouth to say something else, but they spotted Dr. Taylor pulling into the parking lot at the same time, and their conversation was cut short. Reluctantly, they followed him into the building, and it wasn’t long before the rest of the staff arrived. By the time their lunch break rolled around, Kyle was once again wondering why he had ever wanted to become a teacher. Before anyone could ask if he wanted to eat with them, he slipped out of the room and snuck out to the parking lot.

His car had been baking in the sun all morning, but he didn’t even feel the heat as he settled himself in the driver’s seat. He only cracked the window so he didn’t suffocate. “Are you awake, Ryka?”

Hardly. Shit, that was boring.

“If I take a nap, can you wake me up in a half an hour? If I don’t sleep now, I won’t make it through the rest of the day.”

Yes, Master.

Now Kyle felt warm, heat spreading on his cheeks. “You don’t have to keep calling me that.”

There was a laugh, and Kyle could see Ryka’s naughty smile. But it turns you on a little, doesn’t it?

“I’m going to sleep now. Half an hour, remember?”

Sure thing, stud.

***

Worried as he was that Ryka wouldn’t wake him in time for the afternoon meeting, Kyle hardly slept at all. The few minutes he scrounged were apparently enough, because he was able to make it through another three hours of lecturing by the principal without once nodding off. Glancing around the table at the other teachers to see most looking just as tired as he was made him feel a little better. No one was ever ready for summer vacation to end, no matter how old.

When three finally rolled around, he was one of the first out the door. Adam was close behind, and stopped him before they got into their cars. “Want to grab a beer? Since it’s going to be the last night for a while we won’t have correcting to do.”

“Sure,” Kyle answered without thinking. The guilt would plague him regardless of how he answered, so he thought maybe it was better to risk enjoying himself a little instead of sitting at home. “I’ll follow you to O’Rourke’s, then?”

“Sounds good.”

Since most people were still at work, the pub was nearly empty. Down the other end of the bar, a group of men were loudly discussing a recent baseball game. Obnoxious as they were, Kyle didn’t mind the noise. No one would be able to hear his conversation over all the racket.

For a few minutes, Kyle and Adam sipped their beers in silence. Adam was the first to put his down. Turning to Kyle, he asked, “You mentioned you go to the library in town pretty regularly, right?”

This was certainly an unexpected topic, and one Kyle was already worried was going to head in a risky direction. “Yeah. Why do you ask?”

“You probably know the younger woman that works there, then, right? Kate.”

Kyle managed not to choke on his drink. A sound like thunder rumbling echoed his head, and he hoped desperately it was only in his head. Since no one suddenly looked their way, he assumed Ryka was somehow managing to keep a lid on his anger. This was just what Kyle had been worried about.

When the young lady in question had asked if he wanted to join her for dinner a few weeks earlier, he hadn’t been sure he’d be able to make it out of the building fast enough. Ryka had all but forced him back into the library. He’d wanted revenge. And it had taken days for Kyle to convince the demon that he wasn’t interested in her, that he’d only talked to her to be nice.

“I do,” Kyle answered with a sigh. He was going to have to admit to several things, and quickly drained half of his beer in anticipation. Liquid courage, indeed.

“You don’t sound too excited about it. Something happen?”

“I’m fine. It’s just kind of a sore subject, I guess.” Before Adam could ask, Kyle decided to head him off. “She asked me out a couple weeks ago.”

Now not only was he dealing with Ryka’s unnecessary jealousy, but Adam looked more than a little wounded as well. “Oh,” was all the other man said, looking for solace in the bottom of his glass.

“I turned her down,” Kyle explained. He’d been able to at least manage that much before having to flee the premises. “I mean, there’s Ryka, so ….”

More growling, but Kyle hadn’t meant it to sound that way. This wasn’t getting any easier. Time to bite the bullet.

“Are you feeling okay? You’re awfully red.”

He knew he’d started to blush the moment he’d opened his mouth. There was really no point in denying it. Easier to admit it before Ryka made him any more uncomfortable. “What I was trying to say is that, well –” here Kyle took a deep breath, bracing himself –“I’m gay. And when I said ‘there’s Ryka,’ I meant that we’re together. Dating? I don’t know what word to use, of course we’re together,” he finished, feebly motioning at himself.

“Oh. And I get what you’re trying to say,” Adam assured him. “I’m sorry for bringing it up, and for making you say any of that if you weren’t ready. So please, forgive me. I really don’t want either of you pissed at me. Him, mostly, but still.”

“It’s not a big deal. Seriously.” It did feel better to get it out in the open. Maybe it would actually make things safer for Adam, if he knew. “It’s not like no one knows. Well, about me and Ryka it’s just you.” He knew his cousin had certainly had his suspicions, and maybe one day he’d confirm them, but admitting to Adam that he was in love with a parasitic demon was more than enough for the moment.

“Well, then, I feel honored to know. Cheers.”

Still reeling, Kyle lifted his glass and clinked it to Adam’s before taking a swig. How was Adam not remotely put off by any of this? His coworker wasn’t just taking the news in stride, he looked genuinely happy for Kyle. As though continuing to risk his life, and possibly his afterlife, by spending time with Kyle hadn’t been enough.

He has a disgustingly pure soul. Makes me want to gag.

Kyle stifled a laugh. To his relief, Adam didn’t notice. But putting down his drink, he turned his attention back to his co-worker. “Thanks. It’s been kind of a crazy summer.”

“I can’t even imagine.” He genuinely hoped Adam wasn’t trying to. Conversation halted while they finished their beers. Now, Adam was the one who looked embarrassed. “Can I ask you something?”

“Um, sure.”

“I’ve kind of been crushing on Kate for a while, but I guess she didn’t notice. Um, do you think you could get me her number?”

***

Not once since he’d started teaching had a school year gotten off to such a painless start. His sophomore American History classes were all going smoothly, and unnaturally so. Of course, what had befallen one of the previous year’s classes was the reason he was having so little trouble now. Without mentioning specifics, the class that Ryka had whipped into shape had quickly spread the word that Mr. Saunders deserved respect.

His current class had been freshmen then, and had taken to heart the advice of the older students. The warnings had apparently been dire enough that even upperclassmen believed them, as the current Senior class seemed to think twice about misbehaving in his presence.

The incoming freshmen hadn’t been privy to this information, but most seemed to have picked up the rumors. Though it seemed like some kids felt brave enough to ignore them. This year, the worst behaved students in the school weren’t his, but were in the ninth grade World Cultures classes that took place in the classroom next door. During one of his free periods, Kyle would hear Mr. Boudreau practically screaming at his students. From the sound of it, they may have been even worse than his period one class had been.

Two weeks into the new school year, he risked poking his head in through the door that separated their rooms. It had gotten quiet enough to make him nervous. You need to stop worrying about other people. But Kyle couldn’t help himself.

To his relief, Mr. Boudreau was still alive, and completely unharmed. The class appeared to be taking a quiz, although at least half the students were blatantly on their phones, and the others were busy sharing answers. Mr. Boudreau finally noticed he was watching, “Is there anything I can help you with, Mr. Saunders?”

“Can I borrow your stapler?”

As soon as it was in his hands, Kyle disappeared back into his room. Shaking his head, he set the stapler on his desk - next to his own - and returned to preparing the next day’s lesson plan. “There must be something wrong with the water in this town that so many kids end up like that,” he mumbled.

Must be. You moved here and look what happened to you. Anyhow, just forget about it. Whatever happens, happens.

“I can’t help it.”

You need to learn. People are going to hurt each other and damn themselves doing it. Get over it.

Kyle stared blankly at his desk. Five years had gone by since he’d first become Ryka’s host, and he still found it difficult to understand the demon. To Kyle, he could be downright sweet. Or he at least had the best intentions in mind. But as far as the rest of the human race was concerned, he wished slow, painful deaths and eternal damnation on all of them. And it disturbed Kyle to hear him talk so casually about it.

Think about it. The more people go to Hell, the more fun I get to have torturing them later. I was created to make mortals feel nothing but fear and regret.

“Well, being a human and all, that’s a little hard for me to stomach.”

But, Master, you’re different. You’re special.

For obvious reasons, Kyle found that difficult to believe. The only thing that made him special, he thought, was that he’d purposely chosen to commit such a heinous sin as hosting a demon. “What makes you say that?” he asked.

Ryka didn’t get to answer, though. The bell signaling the end of class rang, and seconds later, Mr. Boudreau was standing next to Kyle’s desk. “I see you didn’t really need the stapler.”

“Sorry. But if they’re anything like my class last year, there’s something bad going on when they’re that quiet.”

Mr. Boudreau laughed, or tried to. They both knew there was nothing funny about feeling threatened by your students. “Anyhow, they’ll shape up. In the meantime, I apologize for all the noise.”

“It’s not a problem.”

And then Kyle’s students began streaming into the room, and Mr. Boudreau took his stapler and left. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew Ryka was right; there was nothing he could do to help his co-worker, or the students. Nothing that wasn’t even worse, anyhow.

See, just think of it that way. What humans do to each other is nothing compared to what I could do to them.

“I hate to admit it, but you have a point. Thanks, I think.”

Anytime, stud.

***

Through Ryka’s eyes, Kyle watched his new flat-screen TV wobble precariously on its stand. Considering that Ryka had added several feet of wingspan in the past five years, Kyle wondered what had possessed him to buy something that stood such a good chance of being accidentally destroyed during one of their transformations. Finally, it settled back on its base. “I think I would have been even more upset about that than you,” Ryka said, starting for the kitchen.

When his wings were folded, they brushed the ceiling and dragged on the floor, and now he let out a long string of curses every time he had to pass through a doorway. It had been a tight squeeze before he’d grown, now it was a major undertaking for him to get around the house. “Can you buy a bigger fucking house? Or get one of those tiny little fridges for the living room?”

It’ll have to be the tiny fridge option. I’m a teacher - how the hell much do you think I get paid? And you know, when I bought this house, I never anticipated having to worry about how much space the demon I’d be sharing my body with would take up.

Ryka grumbled some insult Kyle couldn’t quite make out before grabbing two beers and returning to the living room. Since Kyle had to work the next day, that was all the demon was allowed. Over the course of the past year, he’d once again become basically obedient, and there was no doubt Ryka’s change in attitude had everything to do with their current relationship.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

“Of course. Master won’t touch me if he’s pissed.” At least Ryka couldn’t watch him squirm as they currently were. He still knew exactly what his host was thinking and feeling, though. “At least it keeps me on my best behavior.” “Best” might have been generous, but Kyle couldn’t argue. Ryka paused to take a swig from one of his beers. “Speaking of, I’ve been good, right? Do I get my reward tonight?”

Although Ryka had asked, Kyle knew that it was really more of a demand. One he couldn’t ignore. After all, if he ever wanted control of his body back, he’d have to give in. There were supposed to be words that recalled Ryka to his position as passenger, but Kyle had forgotten them years ago. And he strongly suspected Ryka wouldn’t remind him of them now.

I guess. But I’m really not good at this. It had taken him most of the summer just to figure out how to get partial control of his body while Ryka was in charge. Almost a month had gone by before he’d been able to wiggle his fingers. He felt he hadn’t advanced very far since then.

“I don’t mind. Practice makes perfect, right? Or is it ‘it’s the thought that counts?’ Whatever, just touch me. And leave me a hand to drink with.”

Unbelievable, Kyle remarked. Still, he did as Ryka wanted, and wondered, not for the first time, which of them really deserved to be called “Master.”

***

Usually, Kyle avoided the halls at school between classes. The students only had three minutes between periods to get from one room to another, and visit their lockers on the way. Complete and utter chaos resulted from their rushing around to avoid being marked late. He had always figured that they had enough trouble competing for space to move in the cramped halls with each other, never mind teachers. So, he always tried to wait until the bell rang and the corridors were once more deserted to move around the school.

However, Ryka had consumed far more than his allotted two beers the night before, and now Kyle was the one suffering with a hangover. His free period was only moments away, but his stomach had him convinced he was about to throw up a case of Budweiser, and he didn’t want to risk arguing with it.

With more than a little trepidation, he stepped out into the slowly moving mass of students. Most darted quickly out of his way, either because of his reputation, or more likely, because he looked like he was about to be sick. Thinking he was definitely going to make it to the nearest men’s room, he turned the corner, and quickly regretted letting his stomach win.

The closest bathroom to his classroom was just off the hallway where the current freshman class had their lockers. And they were, by far, the most worried about getting to class on time. Still, most of them tried to let him through, or at least apologized if they stepped on his toes or hit him with their backpacks.

He was only steps away from his goal when he caught sight of a few of the students from Mr. Boudreau’s class, the ones he was sure were plotting to seriously hurt their teacher. And when they felt Kyle staring, they returned the gesture, with more than a little malice in their eyes.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a hungover teacher before,” one boy remarked, completely unaware that in all likelihood, he had probably seen several. He was already taller than Kyle, and based on his build, Kyle was quite sure he was on the football team. In fact, he remembered a few of his students gloating about the new freshman on the team that were certain to help them win a title this season. Kyle briefly wondered if steroids were the secret ingredient in the town’s drinking water. “Isn’t he in the room next to Mr. Boudreau’s?”

“He looks like a total pussy. Why is everyone so afraid of him?” another boy added. He nearly matched Kyle in height, and had more than a few pounds on him. Tall even before Ryka’s involvement, Kyle had always been a bit self-conscious about his height. He didn’t like to stand out, and spent most of his time with head bowed and shoulders slumped. It annoyed Ryka to no end.

“He looks like he’s about to cry.” Really, he was swallowing back vomit, but they seemed happy to believe they’d caused his misery. And they both continued to glare as they loudly talked about him. Now other students were stopping to see what was going on.

Ryka had been asleep, but woke as Kyle started to panic. Move it, stud. It’d be pretty embarrassing if you puked in the hall. We’ve got a reputation. Don’t ruin it.

The demon’s voice snapped him back to reality, and he managed to get his feet moving again. As he neared the restroom, he could still hear the boys’ laughter. It didn’t seem to be getting any further away, even though he had passed them.

He realized why when he suddenly found himself on his hands and knees, staring down at the scuffed tile floor. “Oops, sorry,” one of them called loudly over his shoulder. Quietly, so only Kyle could hear, he added, “Better watch where you’re going.”

Only when they were out of sight did he allow himself to hold his right arm. Unwell as he was, he didn’t think they’d needed to hit him that hard to get him to fall. But the pain and lingering nausea were all but forgotten when he heard Ryka start to growl. “No, please don’t,” he whispered. It was still noisy enough in the corridor that no one could hear him.

If they so much as look at you again, I’ll slash their soft little bellies open and -

“Shh, that’s enough. I’m okay.”

“Um, are you sure, Mr. S.?” Nearly flinching at the sudden question, Kyle looked up to find Tommy hovering over him. Nick was beside his friend, and they both looked concerned.

“Just got a little dizzy. I’m fine.”

He felt a set of hands on each arm, and his former students hauled him to his feet. By this point, there was almost no one else in the hall. The few people not yet in class gave Kyle a wide berth as he staggered toward the bathroom. Nick and Tommy stayed close by his side. “Those guys are assholes,” Nick said.

“Watch your mouth,” Kyle snapped. The words, a reflex after teaching for more than five years, were his, but the anger in them was all Ryka’s. Trying to force the demon back, Kyle took a deep breath before continuing. “Sorry, guys. Thanks for your help. Now hurry up or you’ll be late for class.”

They said nothing, but left Kyle just outside the men’s room. To his great relief, it was empty. Suddenly feeling on the verge of tears, he shut himself in one of the stalls. Master, let me deal with them. We’re not going through this shit again.

“No, Ryka. Leave it. They’re not in any of my classes anyhow.”

Not this year….

The thought that he might be stuck with those kids the following year made him shudder, but he still wasn’t worried enough to set Ryka on them. “They’ll be fine by then,” he said, more to assure himself than the demon.

Keep dreaming.

***

A week passed without Kyle so much as seeing either of the boys that had harassed him in the hall. Since they weren’t in any of his classes, and he went back to avoiding leaving his room between periods, it was easy enough to stay out of their way. Although it wasn’t so easy to ignore Ryka.

Aren’t you a little old to be bullied? Especially by friggin’ fourteen-year-olds?

“Shut up,” Kyle retorted. It was his free period, and he was trying to correct homework assignments. Interruptions, particularly those from someone who was supposed to be on his side, were not what he needed. “I have to get this done.”

Don’t you have another free period later this afternoon?

“No, because there’s a pep rally last period, and even though I don’t have a class to take down there, I still have to go.”

Ugh. Fine. Kyle was more than a little surprised that Ryka gave up so easily. He suspected that Ryka knew something he didn’t, but he really didn’t have time to dwell on whatever that may be. And his afternoon classes kept him busy enough that he had forgotten about their conversation long before it was time to head to the gymnasium for the pep rally.

***

Not that he would have preferred to remain hunched over his desk doing paperwork, but it was still with no small amount of reluctance that Kyle made his way to the gymnasium that afternoon.

While the entire student body streamed into the room, Kyle trailed behind, stopping next to the nearest set of bleachers, unaware that was also where the fall sports teams would be entering once the program got started. Even after watching the marching band and the cheerleaders pass right by him, he still failed to make the connection.

At least until the sports teams were introduced. And only when Kyle heard the principal announce the first few students on the football team did he remember about the two boys that had harassed him the week before. He had assumed they were on the football team, and wasn’t happy to discover he was right when they filed into the gym ahead of the upperclassmen on the team. While they loitered just inside the door, waiting to be praised by their classmates, one of them spotted Kyle.

“Hey, isn’t that the drunk teacher?” One nudged the other, and now both were looking his way.

“Yeah it is.”

Just hearing their voices made Kyle’s stomach knot. It bothered him that he was so afraid of a couple students. Ryka’s quiet growling didn’t do anything to ease his worry, either. Especially not when it continued to increase in volume as the boys moved up beside him. “You know, we told the principal we thought you were hungover, and he said there was no possible way.”

Kyle spun to face them, and wished he’d just walked away instead. How was it that high school boys were so intimidating?

“Are you sleeping with him or something? Because you were definitely hungover.”

Not sure how to respond, Kyle stared stupidly at the boys. His mouth worked to try to make some witty retort, but nothing came out. His tormentors started laughing, at least until the two young men in front of them in line were called out to the middle of the gym to stand with the rest of their teammates.

Kyle was glad they’d be next. Because he could feel Ryka trying to summon himself, and he needed at least a few moments to try and talk some sense into the demon. But the boys didn’t leave him that option. The moment their names were called, they started away from the bleachers, shoving Kyle into them as they passed.

Bright lights danced before his eyes, and he could feel blood trickling down the side of his neck from just above his ear. Dizzy, he straightened up and looked at the edge of the bleachers. A small red spot glistened there. As soon as he noticed that, the pain started. But it didn’t last long.

Hands that were no longer under his control started pulling off his shirt, and he could feel the stares of the students around him. It wasn’t him they were watching, he quickly realized. The transformations were hardly noticeable anymore. “Sorry, Master. But sinners must be punished.”

So far, only the students closest to where Kyle had been standing had noticed Ryka, but when the gym doors slammed shut and locked themselves, the room fell quiet. Grinning, Ryka strode toward the center of the gym, where the football team had been milling about, soaking up adoration from their peers. Those that saw him remained frozen in place, too scared to run.

Kyle’s attackers, though, had their backs to the demon, and Ryka stopped behind them. “So, you wanted to know why my Master has such immunity? It’s because your principal, like every other mortal, fears for his soul.” As one, the boys turned around, and their jaws fell. “I’m not intervening to try and get you to change your ways. I’d rather you damn yourselves. But I did want to let you know how much of a mistake it was for you to fuck with my Master.”

Before they could react, Ryka reached out and wrapped a hand around each of their throats. Eyes closed in bliss, he sank in his claws and listened to the panicked racing of their hearts. The feeling was only heightened by the terrified shouts echoing around the gym. He could hear some scrabbling for exits, screams turning to whimpers when the doors failed to open for them.

Still grinning, he opened his eyes and glared at the two boys, whose feet were now dangling a few inches off the ground. “Pathetic scum. And look, you’ve both pissed your pants. Not so tough now, are you?” Teeth bared, he tightened his grip. That was enough to free them from their shocked immobility.

Both desperately tried to escape the demon’s grip, flailing wildly and beating on his forearms. With a growl, he opened his fists and let them fall. They sank to their knees and immediately clung to each other, but seemed otherwise unable to move. The same was true of the rest of the student body and the staff, all now frozen watching the scene play out before them.

“Vermin, all of you!” Ryka shouted, opening his wings to their full extent. The fluorescent lights flickered before exploding, raining a shower of sparks and glass down into the gym. “I think you need a reminder that no sin goes unpunished. Especially those committed against my Master.”

With no light left to cast a shadow, Ryka made his own. Flame flickered over his wings, the dancing fire bathing the room in an orange glow. As the demon raised his arms, his shadow crept up the wall behind him. In such a large space, the shadow was as big as Kyle had ever seen it, easily filling the entire wall.

With a deep, rumbling laugh that shook the building, it opened its cavernous mouth, its jagged grin a mirror of Ryka’s. Heat boiled out of Hell, blistering the paint. Behind the shadow, Kyle could see the scoreboard bubble before it began dripping off the wall, metal and plastic liquefied by Hellfire. The wailing of the tormented souls that accompanied it was almost enough to drown out the screaming in the gymnasium.

Extinguishing his own fire, Ryka nodded once, and the shadow closed its mouth. “Now listen up, maggots.” In an instant, the room was silent, all eyes back on Ryka. “Mess with my Master again, and I won’t hesitate to kill you.” He glowered down at the two boys, still cowering at his feet. “Any of you. I’ll send your worthless souls where they belong, to face an eternity of suffering.”

Terrorizing Kyle’s class the year before had been unbelievable fun for the demon, but feeding off the fear of hundreds was better still. With a sigh, he closed his eyes, gorging on the fear that hung heavy in the air. It had been too long, and he hadn’t even realized how starved he’d been. This was a filling meal, replenishing his spent strength. And then some. He could feel his power growing. And something else as well.

Now’s not the time for that Ryka. I don’t need to be seen as a monster and a pervert. Deal with it later.

If Kyle’s admonishment hadn’t been enough to ruin the mood, the fact that the two boys that had dared attack his Master were trying to escape finished the job. Without even having to open his eyes, he reached down and grabbed each by one of their ankles. Effortlessly, he lifted them off the ground, letting them dangle with their football jerseys falling down over their faces. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice? You mortals are all so stupid. Now, move those shirts. I want to see you cry while you beg for mercy.”

Too scared to disobey, the boys did as Ryka commanded. When he was bored of their sobbing, he squeezed his fists closed, listening for the sound of cracking bones before dropping them back onto the gym floor. “Remember,” he said, loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear, “anything you do to upset my Master - even a little - will be more than enough reason for me to kill you.”

At that, he turned and started for the nearest exit. His shadow shrank back down to normal size and followed after him, its glowing eyes leaving two smoldering trails on the wooden floor. All the doors unlocked as Ryka left, and it pleased him to hear that no one was brave to follow after him. Or even to risk moving.

In the school, with its wide halls and high ceilings, Ryka could easily move around. Um, maybe I should be in charge for a while.

“Not while you’re hurt, Master. Besides, it’s not like I was going to leave the building.”

Kyle realized Ryka was headed for the teachers’ lounge. That door took a little effort to get through, but the room itself was quite large, and had a couch. Although it was hardly big enough for two people to sit on, Ryka flopped down there anyhow, keeping one wing folded up against the back of the couch and letting the other hang onto the floor.

Did that tire you out?

“Quite the opposite. It was a good meal. But I didn’t think you’d appreciate it if I kept going.”

Thank you for that.

“Besides, I can heal you better if I’m resting.”

Which leads me to wonder … you knew they were going to hurt me, right? Not just today, but last time, too.

“Yup.”

Why do you let them do it, then?

“When there’s a good reason for me to get involved, you feel a lot less guilty.”

Kyle was about to argue, but realized he really couldn’t. Even though Ryka could defend him unasked, he still waited until the point where Kyle would have called for him. Or at least, close to it. That might have been overkill, by the way.

“Nope. Better to scare them all shitless now.”

You didn’t even warn them not to tell about you.

“They won’t.”

How can you be so sure? Kyle asked in disbelief. Already, he had visions of priests being sent to his home to try and exorcize Ryka.

“It would upset you if any of them told, right?”

Ah.

“Humans are selfish. Anything to save their own hides. No wonder most of your species ends up in Hell.”

Gee, thanks.

Sighing, Ryka told him, “I said this before – you’re not the same as the rest of them. Now shut up so I can work on getting that dent out of your head.” Only recently had Ryka learned how to fix his host’s hurts while he was the one in control, and it took most of his concentration. Minor things seemed to fix themselves - fading to almost nothing while Ryka was out - but anything more than a little scrape needed attention.

While they rested alone in the teachers’ lounge, Kyle could hear the almost familiar end-of-the-school-day sounds coming from the parking lot. But the buses that had been waiting for the pep rally to finish were taking off much earlier than they normally would have, and he heard tires squealing as students raced to leave the premises. And Ryka’s fine-tuned senses easily picked up the crying of the few students who had been waiting for rides home, and who were now stranded at school.

Suddenly, the fire alarm went off, but the piercing shriek didn’t bother Ryka. It was the approaching footsteps he heard over the alarm that made him groan. His eyes were already fixed on the door when Adam Brissette and Dr. Taylor cautiously stepped into the room.

Sweating nervously, Dr. Taylor risked coming within three feet of the couch. “Um, we’re the only ones left. We’re using the small fire in the gym as the reason for the early dismissal, and the panic. We’ll blame it on faulty wiring in the scoreboard.”

“Like I give a fuck. I’ll burn the rest of this dump down if you don’t leave us alone.” To give his threat some weight, he held out one hand. A small, swirling ball of flame instantly appeared there. Dr. Taylor’s eyes went wide, and Ryka extinguished the fire with a wicked laugh.

Only appearing slightly less terrified than the principal, Adam, too, approached the couch. “It’s just that the fire chief wants to inspect the entire building. He’ll be up here in a few minutes, with some of the firefighters.”

Ryka, let me out. I’ll have Adam drive me home, and you can finish healing me from the comfort of our own couch, okay?

“Yes, Master. And you,” he continued, burning gaze focused on Dr. Taylor, “get the fuck out.” There was no answer save the sound of rapidly retreating footsteps. Adam started to back away, but a paralyzing glare stopped him in his tracks. “Look away.” Adam obeyed so quickly he nearly gave himself whiplash.

Moments later, Kyle found himself face-down on the couch, which had obviously had one too many cups of coffee spilled on it. He sat up fast enough to make his head spin, but the headache that resulted was preferable to having to spend another second enduring the reek emanating from the cushions.

“Are you okay?” Adam asked, moving to stand in front of him. Kyle nodded. “I mean, what happened? Those two boys ….”

“How are they?”

“Um, they won’t be playing football this year because of their ankles, but that’s not what I meant. What triggered all that?”

Kyle struggled off the couch, keeping one hand pressed to the spot on his head that had been bleeding. The wound had closed up, but was still throbbing. Unsure about how else to explain, he answered, “I’m like a magnet for sinners, I guess.”

Right you are, stud. Like bugs to one of those blue zappy lights.

“The phrase is ‘moths to a flame,’ Ryka. For crying out loud, you can read my mind. At least get it right.”

I could make the head trauma worse. We’ll see how many idioms you remember after I swell your brain enough to crack your skull.

“I’ll pass. And calm down.”

Sorry, I need a smoke.

“We’ll be home soon. You can have a cigarette then.” All the while Kyle talked to Ryka, Adam just stared at him, readying himself to bolt if it looked like the demon was coming back. But when Kyle turned to him, exasperated, Adam almost laughed. “Pain in my ass. But, um, could I trouble you for a ride home? My head is killing me.”

“No problem. And just call me tomorrow and I’ll bring you to pick up your car.”

“Tomorrow’s Saturday, huh?”

“Did you hit your head?”

“I’ll explain in the car.”

“Thanks. And just so you know, there won’t be school Monday. They’re going to patch up the gym. The fire wasn’t that bad.”

Not that he was in a hurry to face anyone else at school anytime soon, but he was glad it wouldn’t take long to fix the damage Ryka had caused. It’s all emotional damage, Ryka reminded him, sounding pleased with himself. And don’t worry about it. I don’t do it for their benefit, but it straightens them out anyhow. Bastards.

On the ride, Kyle managed to tell Adam everything that had led up to the events at the pep rally. The other teacher was still at a loss for words when they pulled up in front of Kyle’s house, and only waved as Kyle walked away.

As soon as Kyle was safely inside, Ryka summoned himself. Too lazy to make himself comfortable on the couch, he instead stretched out on the floor. “Are you mad at me?”

I can’t be. It’s your duty to protect me, right?

“Oh.”

And I love you too much to stay mad. Is that better?

“I think I’m gonna cry.”

What a sap, Kyle teased.

“Not about that. My smokes are all the fucking way in the kitchen.” After letting Kyle rant for a minute, Ryka smiled and rested his head on his arms. “You idiot. I love you, too. Though I really do wish I didn’t have to get up to get my cigarettes.”