The entire house - the entire neighborhood, by the sound of it - hummed with energy. Lights flickered back and forth between near-darkness and stark, blinding brightness. The TV was flipping through channels seemingly by itself, the radio screaming static. In the kitchen, the small appliances on the counter turned on and off, and the toaster smoked as it blackened its own coils. Wailing car alarms added to the cacophony, but through it all, the only sound Kyle could focus on was Ryka’s enraged hissing.

Ryka had been in a bad mood to begin with. Letting him get half-drunk had probably not been the best idea. When a demon was already on the verge of losing his temper, alcohol only gave him license to do just that. Of course, Kyle had been sure there wasn’t much at home that could set him off.

He had been wrong. Nothing, it turned out, infuriated a demon more than whacking its shin on the edge of a coffee table as it staggered to the kitchen for more beer. The offending piece of furniture was now a pile of charred kindling in the middle of the living room floor, but destroying it hadn’t been enough to make Ryka feel better.

Though so far he hadn’t done much more than mess with the local power grid, Kyle was sure it wouldn’t be long before he got bored with that and found another way to vent his rage. His street had already seen flooding - he imagined fire would be next, an unholy inferno that would swallow the neighborhood whole.

Ry.

It was no surprise that Ryka couldn’t hear him. Between the TV, the cook timer on the oven, the blender and the alarm clock, it was a wonder that Kyle could concentrate long enough to say that much. And with Ryka spouting off a long, loud string of curses - some bad enough to make Kyle feel sick even as a passenger in his own body - he was convinced he might never get the demon’s attention.

Calm down, Ry. I know it hurts.

Still, there was no reply. His angry-teacher voice would probably go unheard as well, and furious as Ryka was, he knew he stood little chance of gaining even minimal control of the body they shared.

Sensing that he was running out of time until Ryka burned the house down, Kyle tried a new tactic: bribery.

I think you were sleeping while I was grocery shopping, so I just wanted to let you know that I bought you some ice cream.

Midway through crushing the TV remote, Ryka froze. His fist slowly opened, and tiny fragments of plastic cascaded onto the carpet. “Ice cream?”

Mm hmm. Rocky Road, too. Your favorite.

His rage now completely forgotten, Ryka shuffled into the kitchen and retrieved his snack from the freezer. With his already high body temperature increased by his tantrum, it melted almost as fast as he ate it. But he didn’t seem to care. Not even when he had to resort to tipping back the container and drinking a significant portion of it.

Better?

“Yeah. Much.” Contented purring had replaced his growling, and it rumbled out behind his words. Gradually, the ruckus around them died down, appliances finally turning off and lights steadying as the power surges ceased.

Good. Glad to hear it.

A gallon of ice cream now devoured, Ryka set down the carton and spoon before leaning over on his side. With a yawn, he rested his head on his arms, closed his eyes, and promptly fell asleep.

Ten minutes later, Kyle struggled back to consciousness. The first thing he did was haul himself to his feet and run for the sink to throw up an impressive quantity of beer, liquor and ice cream. The second thing, once he was sure there was nothing left, was check in on his demon. “Ry?”

As he had expected, there was no answer. Ryka was fast asleep, and if the recent trend continued, there wouldn’t be much that could wake him.

Since the last time Ryka had dreamed them a night together, already nearly six weeks ago, he hadn’t done much besides sleep. After nodding off mid-sentence the morning following an ill-fated home invasion, he had only asked to come out four times. Kyle had resorted to summoning him twice more, partly to make sure he’d still respond, and partly to force him to smoke. Along with his lack of energy, Ryka had become quite cranky, and a nicotine infusion never failed to soothe.

It was apparent Ryka had over-exerted himself. Three dreams in as many weeks had been far too much – even with a good meal beforehand – and now he was paying the price. Between naps, he assured Kyle he was still fulfilling all his duties as a parasite, but those weren’t the duties Kyle was worried about. To be quite honest, he was lonely. His head hadn’t been this quiet in more than a decade, and he found the sudden silence depressing.

Sure, he got his work done without any interruptions. But now he had no one to talk to at home. And Adam, having just proposed to Kate, was busy with wedding planning. His social circle of two had shrunk to zero almost overnight.

Sighing, Kyle began the epic task of cleaning up the mess Ryka had left. “Sweet dreams, I guess.”

***

“You sure have been sighing a lot lately.”

Snapped from his daze by the sudden remark, Kyle looked around the teachers’ lounge, his gaze finally settling on Adam. “Sorry.”

“I was just saying.” Adam poured them each a coffee then sat down across from Kyle. They were the only two people in the room, and Adam took advantage of the fact to inquire, “Is he still sleeping?”

“Yup. It’s been three days.” Almost half a week had passed since Ryka’s meltdown, and he hadn’t woken up for more than a few minutes at a time since. Before Adam could say anything else, Kyle continued, “On the plus side, this is the least worried I’ve been about taking a trip in a long time.”

Not sure what else to do with all of his newfound free time, Kyle had signed up for a teaching conference during winter break. It was only three days, but he had booked five nights at the hotel. He hoped a change of scenery would rouse the demon from his slumber.

“It’s in Boston, right?” Kyle nodded. “When do you leave?”

“Right after the holiday.” Kyle couldn’t wait to get out of town. He only hoped his enthusiasm was catching.

***

The drive to the city had given Kyle only false hope. Ryka had been conscious long enough to curse out a few bad drivers with him, then had promptly resumed napping. In that situation, though, dozing was better than the alternative.

Unsurprisingly, Kyle wasn’t the only one who often envisioned terrible things happening to people who cut him off in traffic or drove like assholes. But he had long ago taught himself to quash those visions; Ryka was all too eager to turn those dark fantasies into realities. Not that Kyle had been given to road rage before, but now he only wished minor inconveniences on other drivers. So, lonely as he was, it really was better that Ryka sleep through a Boston commute.

But Kyle was starting to regret having cut all ties with most of his friends and family. At least he could have had someone to talk to these past few weeks. His brief interaction with the older man at the check-in desk had done little to fill the void.

Oblivious to the cold, Kyle had walked from the hotel to Quincy Market. But being around people wasn’t the same as being with them, and he found himself feeling more and more alone. Watching happily chatting groups of friends passing by with barely contained envy, he ate dinner, then brought another meal’s worth of food back with him to the hotel. Just in case.

But Ryka didn’t respond when asked if he wanted to come out for a drink and some fried food. “I forgot what it was like to be bored,” Kyle told the empty room. Shaking his head, he kicked off his shoes, stripped down to his underwear and crawled into bed. Hoping to find something mind-numbing enough to put him to sleep, he flipped through all the channels once before giving up and turning the TV off again.

As he set the remote down on his lap, he realized exactly what kind of attention he was missing most, at least at the moment. “Are you still sleeping?” He didn’t expect a response, and he didn’t get one. “Okay, then. I guess I’m on my own.”

He had just barely dipped his fingertips under the waistband of his briefs when he felt Ryka wake up. Whatcha doing, stud?

Of course, Kyle thought, withdrawing his hand. “Nothing anymore.”

Don’t stop on my account. Please.

“I can’t do it with an audience.”

Is that why you haven’t jerked off even once in all this time?

“That would be it.”

If it bothers you that much, pretend I’m still asleep.

“Then you shouldn’t have said anything.”

Kyle almost laughed when he felt Ryka’s temper flare. Shut up.

“Um, since you’re up now, how about -”

Now Kyle could clearly see the demon’s naughty smile in his mind. Nope. I’m just going to observe. Come on, you like to watch me do it. I’m not even asking you to go in front of the mirror.

“That’s different. You like doing that. I can’t, Ry.”

You can. Just tease yourself up - I’ll finish you off. And then some. I owe you that much. It had to be Ryka’s arousal his body was responding to - there was no way he’d be getting hard considering this. Right? Either way, Ryka sounded pleased when he continued, Consider it foreplay.

“Well ….” There really wasn’t much of a choice. He highly suspected that if he didn’t concede to Ryka’s request, he’d be spending the rest of the night bored out of his mind. And very uncomfortable. It just seemed like a lot to ask, especially out of the blue like that. He was still working out exactly how to pretend Ryka was still out cold when his train of thought was interrupted.

Voice tinged with impatience, Ryka told him, You’d better whip it out before I lose interest and go back to sleep. And you don’t want that, right?

“No,” Kyle muttered. He certainly didn’t want that.

***

Newspaper in hand and a mug of coffee within arm’s reach, Kyle leaned back against the headboard, content for the first time in weeks. Ryka had more than kept his word, never asking to take over himself, but ensuring his host went to bed satisfied, even when it took most of the night. Although he was quietly snoring now, that was to be expected. Kyle himself had only rolled out of bed at noon.

As tempting as the idea was, he couldn’t bring himself to spend the entire afternoon lounging in bed. There was a welcome dinner that night for the conference attendees, and he knew that if he lingered any longer, he’d very quickly follow Ryka’s lead and sleep the day away.

The afternoon was spent playing tourist. It had felt less of a risk the day before, with Ryka still out cold. But the demon was content to people-watch through his host’s eyes as Kyle carefully picked his way through the teeming masses. Though he realized too late he should have worn something heavier than just a sweater when he noticed the people he passed, all bundled up against the cold, giving him strange looks.

Back at the hotel hours later, he stopped outside the lobby, enjoying one last cigarette before what was sure to be a long night. He was so preoccupied watching smoke and his own condensed breath rising up into the night air that he never noticed the woman who moved to stand next to him.

It was only when Ryka sighed that he finally regained focus on his surroundings. That bitch keeps staring at you. Tell her to knock it off before I do.

“Huh?” Kyle replied, unable to stop himself from speaking out loud. Just as automatic was turning to the left to see exactly what Ryka was talking about.

“I was wondering how long it was going to take you to notice me.”

More than a decade had passed since he’d last seen her face, but Kyle recognized the woman instantly. Hazel eyes, dimples, her auburn hair still pinned up in its usual messy bun. “Jenny.”

She beamed at him and offered what he assumed was a greeting, but her words were completely drowned out by the enraged rumbling echoing in his head. It had only taken Ryka a moment to search through his memories, and Kyle knew there was no way he’d like what he found there.

You fucked her? Ryka growled.

It had been more than that. They had dated some of his junior year of college, and he could feel his own blood pressure rising as Ryka continued to rifle through his past. There was no way Ryka hadn’t seen this all before, the memories now playing in hyper-speed behind his eyes. But apparently, if the demon hadn’t liked it, he’d pushed it aside, probably hoping Kyle would do the same. No way to ignore it now, not with it staring them down on a busy Boston street.

“Hey, are you doing okay? I didn’t mean to freak you out or anything.”

“Uh, what?” Kyle managed

“Let’s go sit down inside.” Wearing a maternal smile, Jenny grabbed his hand and led him into the lobby. “Do you have a fever or something?”

Head swimming and vision tinged with red, Kyle fell into the nearest available chair. “No, sorry. Just a headache. A terrible, nagging headache.” The hint wasn’t taken, and all he could do to distract himself from the migraine-like throbbing in his head was sink his nails into his palms. “Crazy running into you here. What are the chances?”

“Pretty good, I’d say.”

When he was finally able to focus on anything by Ryka’s visceral hate, he noticed Jenny’s raised eyebrows and realized that bumping into her had all but been guaranteed. After all, she was one of the people running the conference. “I guess it didn’t hit me, seeing your married name.”

“Maybe if you’d come to the wedding,” she teased, lighthearted with a big grin.

“About that ….” He’d had every intention of going. The gift had been bought and wrapped, the hotel had been booked. But instead, he’d spent that weekend recovering from the mental and physical shock of becoming a demon’s host.

“Don’t worry about it. Burst appendix – yikes.” Kyle grimaced – so that was the lie he’d concocted. “So, were you coming to the dinner tonight?” Now she looked concerned, and that worried him. He could only hope that Ryka hadn’t already started a transformation. It had gotten to the point where he couldn’t always tell, not until it was too late.

“I was planning on it. But I need to head back up to my room right now to, um, do … something.”

“That doesn’t sound suspicious at all. But I suppose I’ll wait until later to bug you about it.” There was that playful smile he remembered so well. With that, she left, and Kyle made for the elevator. He almost wished Ryka could speed it up, but it was crowded, and he felt sure he’d be the only one delighted by the faster service.

As soon as he was safely back in his room, he collapsed face-down on the bed. “You didn’t need to get so upset.”

Easy for you to say. Some of the fury was gone, but there was still acid in his tone.

“Take it easy, Ry. You can see the whole thing. I mean, really, did you bother to pick my brain enough to see that she dumped me? And that we were both glad for it.”

Ryka mumbled something that sounded like an affirmative, but just in case, Kyle explained, “She told me I acted more like a brother than a boyfriend. And I’m sure you also noticed that we stayed friends even after she met the man that she ended up marrying. I doubt she’s thought very much about me in all this time, and I haven’t had time to worry about anyone but you. And also, you know damn well she’s not a threat. So chill out, okay?”

The world returned to its usual variety of colors as Ryka finally relaxed. Jealousy, he thought, may have been a monster, but it definitely didn’t have green eyes.

***

Dinner that evening was a big event, and with so many people for the conference’s organizers to greet, Kyle was only able to speak to Jenny in passing. Right after dessert, he decided he needed to get out of the hotel again for a while.

The farther he went, the more agitated he became, and he couldn’t understand why. At least not until Ryka spoke up. Do you realize you’re being followed?

For once, Kyle managed to keep his mouth shut. Surprised, he turned around to find Jenny about twenty paces behind him, looking quite sheepish now that she had been discovered. “Are you really okay?” she asked, closing the distance between them.

Kyle sighed. “Just preoccupied. Were you really that worried?”

“You don’t seem like yourself. Though I suppose it has been a while. Hey, let’s grab a coffee.” This as she motioned at a café a few doors down from where they stood.

Not seeing any way out of it, Kyle agreed.

Over lattes, which Ryka repeatedly insisted were disgusting, Kyle was told about what his ex-girlfriend had been up to since they had last seen each other. Which, Kyle realized with some regret, was at their graduation.

You should know by now that it’s better to burn all your bridges.

Even though that was the truth, he couldn’t help but feel a little guilty, at least until Jenny took out pictures of her two small children. Then he was actually glad he hadn’t seen her. Because Ryka didn’t discriminate. Young or old, any human was a potential meal.

“They’re cute,” Kyle remarked as she stowed the photos back in her purse.

“Thanks. But I’m doing all the talking. So, what about you? You can’t still be a bachelor; you’re too good of a catch.”

Says the bitch who dumped you.

Disregarding Ryka’s comment as best he could, Kyle answered, “Definitely no kids. I’m not married, but, um, I’m seeing someone.”

“Oh? So what’s he like?”

Yeah, stud, what’s he like?

It was difficult not to roll his eyes, but somehow Kyle managed to stop himself. “He’s trouble. So much trouble. But I think he’s somehow still been good for me.”

Jenny laughed. “He must be. You seem more comfortable with yourself. More confident. A little distracted, though,” she teased gently.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

He didn’t want to tell her that the confidence was due in part to having excellent back-up in the event something went wrong, even something minor. And that the distraction was from constantly juggling two conversations, one of which he couldn’t verbally respond to. But there was something else he had wanted to tell her for a long time, and this he was finally able to say. “You know, I’m really sorry about what happened with us.”

“I was never mad, not really. I was more sad that you were scared to tell me you were gay. I felt like I’d forced you into something you didn’t want when you did finally tell me.”

At that, Kyle dropped his gaze and studied his hands with unnecessary fascination. “It wasn’t forced. Not that I was using you as an experiment – because I promise you I wasn’t – but I really did like spending time with you. Going into it, I thought it could work. That maybe I was just wrong about myself. I’m sorry it was you that had to help me learn otherwise.”

“Don’t be sorry. We had some good times. I’m glad to hear I wasn’t your ‘I tried it that one time in college just to see’ fling, though.” Jenny laughed, and Kyle found himself doing the same. She’d always had an infectious laugh. “Your cousin tried to warn me without actually outing you, but I was too smitten to listen.”

“He’s usually so good at doing that to me, too.”

“Oh?”

Having talked himself into a corner, Kyle was trying to think of a way to avoid dredging up uncomfortable memories when his cell phone started ringing. If the three-digit number that showed up on his caller ID hadn’t been enough, the fact that the ringtone was accompanied by ear-piercing static was a dead giveaway. He excused himself and stepped outside to take the call.

“What’s up, Ry?” he asked, trying to sound casual, in case Jenny followed him again.

“So, you finally appreciate the easy out, huh?”

“This time.”

“Then I think it’s time to go back to the room. I still owe you, wouldn’t you say?”

The invitation was too good to pass up, especially when it gave him a perfect opportunity to try and break ties with Jenny, whom he had never expected to see again. Stuffing his phone back in his pocket, Kyle stopped at the counter to pay for their drinks, then said good-night to Jenny. “I have to finish that call back at the hotel.”

“No problem,” she said, a knowing smile on her face. Kyle wondered if he was blushing. “I’m sure I’ll see you around tomorrow.”

“Right. Bye then.”

***

When someone started knocking on the door to his room, Kyle, who had been very quickly drifting off for the night, woke with a start. He had every intention of ignoring whoever it was, but Ryka had other plans.

“Kyle? Are you still up?” Jenny called from the hall.

We are now. And dealing with this shit, apparently.

“No,” Kyle told him, still half asleep. But his order didn’t come soon enough. He heard the door unlock, and it clicked open.

“Oh, your lock’s busted. You should call the front desk or something.” Not until she was already in the room did Jenny finally take stock of her surroundings. And when she did, her face turned a brilliant shade of red. Kyle was sprawled out naked in bed, blessedly covered in the only spot that mattered. His vibrator was next to him, along with a now-empty bottle of lube.

“Shit!” he exclaimed, scrambling to bury himself in the comforter. “Hi. What’s up?” Cool and casual were the exact opposite of how he sounded, and he cringed at his own panic.

“I’m so sorry. It’s just that you left your credit card at the café, and I wanted to make sure you got it back. They gave me your room number, and I just thought you’d want it back sooner rather than later. But I’m -”

“It’s, um, fine. Thank you. I appreciate it. And, uh, well, sorry about, well, this.” He’d finally managed to get everything below his chest safely covered, with no revealing slip-ups.

“No need to apologize. I mean, I get it. Right?” Her rambling dissolved into a nervous laugh, and she set the card down on the desk on the other side of the room, eager to make herself scarce.

Sure the situation couldn’t get any more awkward, Kyle tried to apologize again, but only got as far as saying her name before the phone rang very loudly once, then fell off the receiver. The speaker button lit up, and Kyle knew things were about to get even more embarrassing.

“Well, stud, now that you’re awake again, shall we start round two?” Next to him, the vibrator buzzed twice. Kyle pulled the sheets up to his chin - trying in vain to muffle the obnoxious hum of the toy at the same time - and wished himself away. It didn’t work. “Aw, don’t be so ashamed. There’s nothing wrong with feeling good. It’s not like it’s a sin or anything. And I should know, right?”

Kyle had no idea how to respond. All he could do was look helplessly at Jenny, who was in turn staring transfixed at the telephone. He had hoped she would run when the phone moved on its own, but she was instead frozen to the spot.

“Don’t try to pretend that you’re upset with me. Not when you were so lonely when I was asleep. And especially when, not twenty minutes ago, you were so lustfully calling out my name.”

“Why are you doing this to me, Ry?”

“I’m helping you. If you want people that care about you to stay away, you need to tell them the truth. They won’t take the hint and fuck off otherwise. And a little evidence doesn’t hurt, right?” As the conversation went on, Kyle realized that the sound he heard in the background wasn’t really static, but the crackling of a fire. An impossibly large fire. “I’d start explaining so we can get on with our night.”

The line went dead, but in his mind, he could hear Ryka laughing. That was enough to snap him back to reality to face Jenny, who was slowly making her way to the door. “Can I tell you a really ridiculous sounding story?” he asked, stopping her in her tracks. For a moment, he was positive that she was going to dash out into the hallway and never look back, but she continued to hesitate. “Do you want to know why I haven’t kept in touch? Why I really missed your wedding?”

She nodded and fell down into the desk chair, eyes once again glued to the phone. “Yes.” She didn’t really sound very sure, but Kyle was determined to tell her anyhow. After what had just happened, he felt he owed her some sort of explanation.

Taking a deep, shaky breath, Kyle straightened up in bed and started, “See, there was this cute little demon ….”

***

For most of the next day he managed to completely avoid his ex. She was busy running workshops and he had unknowingly, but thankfully, signed up for sessions she wasn’t leading. And since she was at least temporarily out of the picture, Ryka was content to sleep, leaving Kyle to focus on the conference.

The few glimpses of her he did catch, however, made it quite apparent that she was having a difficult time maintaining her focus. Like his mother, Jenny was a good Christian, and after witnessing Kyle’s conversation with Ryka, had no trouble believing his story. So it wasn’t just for his own benefit that Kyle tried to stay out her way. She needed a chance to try and take in everything he had told her. Even if it wasn’t everything, it was still a lot.

Didn’t you miss me when I was resting? Ryka asked as Kyle stepped up to the hotel’s bar. The conference had just ended, and his craving for a beer was just as bad as his parasite’s.

“I don’t know why,” he muttered, paying for his drink then grabbing a seat in the darkest, most remote corner of the room.

You’re a shitty liar.

“Almost as bad as you, huh?”

I like it when you try to be mean.

Kyle completely blew off the remark and gave all his attention to his drink. Leaving none for him to notice Jenny entering the bar, at least not until she had already spotted him and started toward his table. And he was too stunned by the fact that she actually wanted anything to do with him to react.

“What did you think of the first day?” Her words sounded calm, but Kyle could see her hands shaking.

“It was great. But that’s not really what you want to talk about, is it?”

“Not really. I just … well, maybe it’s some sort of morbid curiosity.”

Kyle nearly dropped his beer when he realized what she was trying to ask him. “No way can you see him.” Then, thinking he had spoken too harshly, added, “But if there’s something you want to ask …”

“If it’s not a problem. I know he’s … well, you said you two are together.” That part he hadn’t left out - it saved confusion, and spared him Ryka’s unnecessary jealousy. “But I’d like to talk more.”

“We can do that. Just not here.”

“Is my room okay? I need to get these heels off before my feet start bleeding.”

Not seeing any harm in that, since Ryka didn’t react at all - in fact, he was already snoring - Kyle finished his drink and followed her upstairs. In her exuberance to get out of her shoes, she all but kicked them across the room. Kyle smothered a laugh, thinking of Ryka’s immense distaste for footwear.

“I’m going to put my PJ’s on, so hold on a sec,” she told him, removing her jewelry as well. She set it down on the desk, and Kyle noticed the next day’s conference schedule sitting there as well.

“Can I take a look at that?” She nodded, then disappeared into the bathroom to change. “I have one of your talks tomorrow, I think,” he called, picking up the paper to get a better look. Unthinking, he leaned back against the desk, using his free hand to steady himself.

Or tried to. His hand nearly slid off the surface, like it was being repelled. Hair rose on the back of his neck and his stomach did a quick somersault, but he ignored both and slammed his palm down on the desk. He only made it through one line of text before his vision doubled. In the same moment he registered the quiet sizzling noise, the aroma of charred meat reached his nose. The pain followed a moment later. Gasping, he lifted his hand, only to find the gold cross charm on Jenny’s necklace burning its way through his skin.

Horrified, he shook the cross free and clutched his aching hand. But the burning sensation only increased, and as he watched, the skin around the brand in his palm continued to blister, new sores popping up farther and farther away from the site of original contact.

The more he watched, the more unbearable it became. Finally, unable to stop himself, he screamed. And then he knew he wasn’t the only one hurting. The sound that came out of his mouth wasn’t entirely human. Ryka’s guttural howling accompanied his own yelling, and added to that was the blood-curdling wail of the shadow. Its host hadn’t even been summoned, but when Kyle glanced at the wall next to him, there it was, a searing red cross burned onto its own hand.

In a state of near-hysteria after hearing Kyle’s initial scream, Jenny burst out of the bathroom, now only half-dressed. “What happened?” she screeched, losing all semblance of the calm she had faked earlier when she spotted Kyle curled up on the floor, hand held tight to his chest. “Let me see.”

Somehow, she straightened his arm and pried his fingers open. Kyle opened his eyes long enough to see Jenny start to gag, and to see the reason for such a reaction. Black smoke was curling up from the wound, now easily ten times the size of the pendant. Reeking yellow pus oozed from rapidly bursting blisters as the cross continued to expand in size.

Tears stung his eyes, and he closed them again. “Ry,” he hissed through gritted teeth.

Jenny stumbled backward as leathery black wings erupted from between Kyle’s shoulders. Fascinated, she watched as Ryka took control of his host’s body.

Even as a passenger, Kyle could still feel the wound throbbing, and thought that maybe he shouldn’t have called Ryka when the demon held up his hand. It looked like the mark was about to burn clear through his palm. Blood poured from the deep gashes, sputtering like hot oil as it hit the carpet.

“Fill the fucking tub!” Ryka snarled in Jenny’s direction.

Let me out again, Ry. That’s even worse.

“No, Master. I’ll be fine. That is, if this fucking waste of a soul gets off her ass and does what I say.”

Jenny sprang to her feet and hurried back into the bathroom. The sound of running water followed seconds later.

Wings shaking and tail wrapped tightly around one of his legs, Ryka followed after her. He plunged his arm into the tub, and the water started boiling almost instantly. “Please,” he breathed. “I don’t want him to die like this.”

This could kill me? Kyle asked, mental voice trembling. He knew how resilient Ryka was. There wasn’t much left in the world that could cause Kyle any serious harm, as long as he had Ryka with him. But to think accidentally touching some jewelry would be his ticket to Hell made him feel sick and helpless.

“Not if I can get some fucking help here! What was the point of giving me protection, huh?” For the first time, Kyle noticed that the shadow was hovering right in front of them, mouth open as it looked down on the scene. And he remembered Ryka telling him that whenever possible, the gate opened to wherever Lord Satan happened to be.

Now wondering if letting the wound spread and kill him might be preferable to asking for the Devil’s help, Kyle tried again to convince Ryka to give him his body back. But before he could even finish getting the words out, the portal closed.

What happened?

“Something good, I hope,” Ryka answered, watching as the water in the tub continued to redden. The tap was still running, but slowed to a trickle, then stopped completely. “Please,” Ryka said again. “Not like this.”

As if in answer, the faucet started to vibrate, gently at first, then with increasing intensity until it was rattling loose the caulking holding it in place. Kyle could hear the pipes banging in the wall and a sound like a kettle about to boil - bubbling water and the hissing of steam. For the span of two breaths, all the noise stopped. Then the faucet blew off the wall, a geyser behind it. Ryka managed to get a wing out of the way just in time to avoid having a bath fixture shot through the membrane, but the wall wasn’t as lucky. The faucet smashed through the tile and embedded itself in the plaster behind.

But the wall wasn’t Ryka’s concern. He was focused on the water gushing out of the opening where the faucet had been. The pressure had dropped, and now Kyle could see that the torrent sluicing down the wall was tinged blue-gray. And that none of it was mixing with the bloody water already in the tub.

Again, Kyle tried to speak, but completely forgot what he was trying to ask when a pillar of water rose from the tub, swirling like a waterspout. It slowed as Kyle watched and took the form of something that looked eerily like the sea monsters drawn on ancient maps, the behemoths mariners thought had haunted the oceans. Long whiskers trailed down from its upper jaw, framing jagged teeth, and spiny fins flared back along the sides of its head and down its spine. It snorted, and steam issued from both nostrils.

“What did you do?” it gurgled in a voice so deep that it was felt, not heard. Ripples formed around it, but Kyle could feel the floor shaking under Ryka, too.

“What does it look like?” Ryka hissed, obviously not in the mood for questions. Still, he pulled his hand from the bloody bathwater. Kyle suppressed a yell - Ryka’s entire palm and most of his fingers were no more than blackened shreds of meat, barely clinging to the bone beneath.

The creature’s eyes, which looked like ice floating in his liquid form, rolled back in his head. “Learn from this. Next time, there will be no help.” Another column of water rose from the surface, and this one became a clawed, reptilian-looking hand. “Give it here.”

Ryka quickly did as he was told, and the creature in the bathtub superimposed his hand over Ryka’s. The bleeding and sizzling slowed, then stopped, and Kyle watched in amazement as tendon, muscle and skin regenerated, damaged tissue sloughing away. Within minutes, the brand was gone completely, with not even a scar left in place as a reminder of what had happened.

“Remember, just this once,” the creature reminded them, beginning to sink back into the water.

“I know, I know. I don’t want to see you again until we’re getting new bodies.”

Kyle could have sworn the thing in the tub smiled before opening the drain and disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. What was that?

“The question is ‘Who was that?’ Man, you say I’m rude. But anyhow, that was Styx.”

As in the river?

“You got it.”

But, he was … water.

“Good eye stud. Nothing gets by you.” Being sassed snapped Kyle out of his shock.

Sorry. But Styx is a demon?

“One of the oldest there is. Even if it’s only by trade.”

Kyle could only stammer. By trade? What? Nevermind. I … What? He suddenly realized he had more important things to ask. Are you okay?

“Mm hmm. Are you?”

I think so.

Only when Ryka was sure that Kyle was recovered from the experience did he turn his attention to Jenny. She had watched everything unfold from the doorway, and now found herself just inside the cramped space, between the vanity and the wall. With Kyle’s monster between her and the exit.

Grinning wide enough to show off all his teeth, Ryka pulled off the remains of Kyle’s shirt. “Not so curious anymore, huh?”

She shook her head and tried to back farther into the corner, sliding down the wall and curling into a tight ball. When Ryka stood, she covered her face with her hands. Maybe he’d just leave her alone.

“I can still see you, you know.”

Hardly able to find the courage to do so, she peeked over her fingers. Ryka was staring down at her, looking quite amused. But he didn’t say anything as he exited the bathroom. Like she’d been magnetized, she scrambled after him, stopping a few short paces away when he came to a halt in the middle of the room.

Don’t be mad at her. It’s my fault.

But of course, Ryka didn’t bother to reply. Instead, he studied his hand, opening and closing his fist while his knuckles popped loudly. “Good as new. But maybe I should test it out. Rub one off real quick just to make sure everything’s working okay.”

First of all, no. Just … no. And second, what the hell is this ‘real quick?’ Knowing you, we’ll be here all night. And in case you forgot, this isn’t our room.

“Later, then. I’ll even let you watch. But I should probably rest up first.”

Obviously exhausted, Ryka dropped onto the bed, leaning back on his elbows and letting his wings fall open to his sides. Sleep well, then, dear. Just before closing his eyes, he looked once more at Jenny, giving her the smuggest smile he could manage in his current state.

Kyle came to quickly, surprised to find that his hand really did feel as if nothing had happened. But the smell of burning flesh remained, and paired with the sight of melting skin that was now etched in his mind, he felt his stomach roil. A glance at the blood-soaked carpet certainly didn’t help.

“Excuse me.” Weakened from blood loss and pain, he barely made it back to the bathroom in time.

“Are you going to be okay?” Jenny asked from the doorway.

“Yeah.” He was sure he would be, too, until he looked over and saw the bathtub. The water may have drained out of the tub, but blood still stained the sides. “Nope, never mind.” Fingers clenching the toilet bowl in a white-knuckled grip, he leaned back over and threw up again.

“Still can’t stand the sight of blood? Oh, Kyle, you haven’t changed that much after all.”

When he finally emerged from the bathroom, Jenny was waiting with a bottle of water, which he gratefully accepted, though it did little to wash the taste of sick out of his mouth. Patient as always, Jenny waited until he’d emptied the bottle to speak. “I’m so, so sorry. I should have put my jewelry somewhere else.”

“Please don’t apologize. I’m the idiot that touched it in the first place. I should know better. I’m just sorry you had to see that.”

“He wasn’t what I expected,” she said quietly.

“Please don’t say anything that could possibly make him more full of himself than he already is.”

At that, Jenny laughed. The color was returning to her face, and Kyle relaxed, sure that she wouldn’t have too much difficulty putting the evening’s events behind her. Not everyone that Ryka encountered was so lucky. “He probably hates my guts, doesn’t he?”

Based on Ryka’s initial reaction to their meeting, Kyle would have thought that was the case. But he had just passed up an excellent opportunity to threaten Jenny, and Kyle felt he was answering honestly when he told her, “I don’t think so. He’s not as jealous as he usually is with this kind of thing.” Hoping it didn’t sound at all bitter, he finished, “It doesn’t hurt that you were the one who broke it off, but ….”

“Things wouldn’t have worked out regardless.”

“No kidding.”

“I mean, how would I compete with that?” Her expression suddenly more somber, she continued, “But I have another question: You said he was a parasite, but doesn’t that mean something bad for you? Yet you won’t age, you can’t get sick, and he just helped you with … that.”

Unbidden, the answer popped into Kyle’s mind. He couldn’t be sure if it was instinct, or somehow Ryka’s doing, but without hesitation, he said, “He’s turning my soul black. Blacker than the worst sinner’s.” His mind’s eye saw the souls Ryka had ripped from his victim’s bodies. They had all been gray, and he suddenly understood that the darker a soul, the worse the sin.

Mouth hanging open, Jenny stared at him. He swore he saw tears standing in her eyes. But he still couldn’t stop himself. “He does feed off me. My guilt, jealousy, fear, all that. But I’m never going to be enough, so we have to find other people. Other souls.” Prey. He managed to clamp his mouth shut against that word.

The rest were automatic, and as he went on, he was starting to feel that guilt he mentioned growing worse. “But he started with mine. I’m damned now, no matter what. There’s a place waiting for me in Hell, once we’re done here.” Done? He worried how he’d know when that was. And what would happen in the interim. Finally, whatever it was that had come over him released its grip, and he was smiling when he next spoke. “I don’t worry about it. I can’t. He takes care of me, and I really do love him. I’m actually quite happy. Even though weird things like that happen.” He hoped his smile didn’t look too forced.

But his words reassured her. Looking relieved, Jenny returned his smile. “As long as you’re happy. Um, do you mind if we talk about something else?” Try as she might, she couldn’t hide how nervous Kyle’ episode had made her. That made two of them.

“Please.” Never had Kyle been so excited to talk about work.

***

With Ryka sleeping, Kyle was able to stay and finish catching up with Jenny. Only when she reminded him that they both had to get up early for the conference did he reluctantly head back to his room.

While he showered, mostly to try to wash away the sensation of blood on his skin - very little actually remained - Ryka awoke. It doesn’t hurt anymore, right?

“It’s fine,” Kyle answered, once again inspecting his palm. A little wary about hearing the answer, but needing to know all the same, he asked, “Could that really have killed me.”

Maybe. Don’t let what’s-her-face know, but I may have panicked a bit.

“I see.”

I mean, we might have lost the arm, which would have been pretty fucking shitty, but ….

“Shit.”

It all worked out.

“Barely, it feels like. So, what if something like that happens again? Styx said he was only going to help us this once.”

Don’t touch shit like that. How did you not feel it? A believer’s cross friggin’ radiates energy. There’s no way you shouldn’t have noticed. Even before it was melting into our hand.

And Kyle understood why he could bump into an entire display of crosses at the mall and feel nothing more than some mild embarrassment – if no one found special meaning in that particular item then it couldn’t hurt him. He knew Ryka was right. Instinct had tried to save him - all those uncomfortable feelings - but he’d stubbornly placed his hand right on the pendant. “I’ll be more careful,” he said, hoping to assure both himself and Ryka.

I know you will. But if it does happen again, the blood of a sinner would probably fix everything. There just weren’t any handy.

“Good to know.” The best part, he thought, was knowing that he really wouldn’t have to see Jenny again. As much as he cared about the people he was distancing himself from, he’d prefer never seeing them again over a reunion in Hell.

He finished showering without any further interruptions from Ryka, but their conversation picked up again as Kyle got into bed. “Are you recovered now? I mean, do you need to go back to sleep again?”

I think I’m good. Those dreams took a lot of energy; more than I thought they would.

“So, if we did that again, the same thing would happen?”

Probably.

“Oh.” No point in pretending not to be disappointed, not when Ryka sounded equally so.

Other stuff’s gotten easier for me. Maybe that will, too. Though in the meantime, I should probably not be so eager. No matter how much fun it is.

Hidden as it was behind the sultry tone of those last few words, Kyle almost missed the remorse in Ryka’s voice. “You’re not blaming yourself for what happened tonight, I hope.”

A lengthy silence followed Kyle’s inquiry, and he was sure Ryka was trying to figure out a way to respond truthfully without sounding too emotional. No matter how much he loved his Master, he still felt the need to come across in as demonic a way as possible. Minutes passed, and Kyle had already started thinking about other things when Ryka finally spoke again.

Maybe I fucked up a little. I should’ve noticed too.

Kyle was as shocked by the sudden response as he was by Ryka’s admission of fault. “Live and learn, right?”

Whatever. Moving on. Don’t think you’ll ever hear me say I was wrong again. Ever.

“I’ll cherish this moment, then.”

You’re an asshole. But I really do like that about you.