Even before Kyle had become host to a demon, he had never bothered much with his neighbors. Now, he was sure there was no way he’d ever be able to face any of them. Not after they’d undoubtedly heard the things that went on in his house.
Moaning and sighing - like a porn star, Kyle thought with some amusement - Ryka again stretched his wings. They knocked the few items remaining on the bureau to the floor before snapping back to his side, trembling.
You’re never this loud when you do it yourself, Kyle said, realizing with embarrassment that his bedroom windows were open.
“That’s because it’s so much better when you do it, stud,” Ryka explained. His growl quieted to a steady purr, at least temporarily. Kyle knew that when the demon eventually reached orgasm, he’d sound downright furious. “And stop thinking ‘hurry up.’ It’s not helping.”
Sorry. Really, Kyle couldn’t help it. It was the last day of summer vacation, and try as he might, he couldn’t stop fretting about all the work he still had to do preparing for the new school year.
“I think you need to relax. It’s your turn next. With the new toy.”
***
Arguing had been pointless. Ryka was very persuasive, and Kyle gave in more often than he’d ever want to admit. Sometimes it was enough to make Kyle long for the days of praying he outlived his loved ones, just so no one had to see his browser history. Because hiding porn was easier than hiding the after-effects of an evening succumbing to Ryka’s best intentions.
It almost took more effort than he was willing to give to pretend it was just his back that hurt. And he hadn’t been able to wake Ryka to get him to do something about the discomfort. Even worse, he was one of the last to arrive at the meeting, so everyone was there to watch as he gingerly lowered himself into the empty seat next to Adam.
“Are you okay?” Adam quietly inquired.
“Just slept weird, I guess,” Kyle lied, studying the day’s schedule that had been waiting for him on the table. In truth, he hadn’t slept much at all. The dark bags under his eyes were testament to the fact.
Adam realized that Kyle wasn’t exactly telling the truth, but knew better than to pry. “Did you get the memo about the new Biology teacher?” Work, he thought, was a much safer topic.
“It sounds familiar, I guess.” Kyle recalled some sort of note from the principal arriving over the summer, but he was sure he’d been in a drunken stupor at the time. Once his mom had headed back home, he’d spent a considerable amount of his free time drinking. With no risk of hangovers or a beer gut, the only limitation on how much he could imbibe was his finances. If it weren’t for budget constraints, he would have spent his entire summer sloshed. And after admitting to his mother he’d willingly damned himself, drunk had been his preferred state.
“Miss Frasier, I think her name was. She just finished school herself. She’s got a couple junior classes.”
“I wish her the very best,” Kyle muttered, more bitterly than he had intended.
“Is that really you, Kyle?” Adam queried, only half-joking. Even on bad days, his colleague usually managed to at least feign a good attitude, so Adam was shocked to hear Kyle grumbling in a manner usually reserved for his other half.
“Sorry. I’ll be right back.” Somehow managing to quash a grimace, Kyle rose and shuffled toward the door. Two steps from his destination, it was flung open, and a young woman came charging in, looking quite flustered. The door caught Kyle in the shoulder, and considering he was finding it a challenge just to remain upright, he didn’t stand a chance. Especially since the new arrival’s momentum meant she bumped into Kyle as well.
Tears sprang to his eyes as Kyle landed hard on the thinly carpeted conference room floor. Between the excruciating pain and the lengthy string of mental curses, Ryka finally awoke. And he wasn’t happy.
What the fuck? Ryka seethed, his growl quickly escalating to a point where it wouldn’t be something only Kyle could hear. With a shaking hand, Kyle covered his mouth, hoping Ryka would get the hint. Was it that bitch? Ryka forced Kyle’s gaze upward as he spoke.
The woman - Kyle guessed she was the new teacher Adam had mentioned - was staring down at him, a horrified expression plastered on her face. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” she breathed, reaching down to help pull Kyle back to his feet. So focused was she on helping her new coworker that she failed to notice how quiet the room had fallen. Or the naked terror on everyone’s faces.
“I’m fine.” He politely declined her assistance, and instead used Ryka’s strength to get back up. Forcing a smile, he staggered back to his seat, and once more tried to make himself comfortable. There was no way he’d make it to the men’s room now.
Still apologizing, she took the seat next to him. “I’m so, so sorry. Great first impression, huh? I’m Angie Frasier.”
“Kyle Saunders.”
I’ll introduce myself later.
Kyle couldn’t stop his eyes from going wide. For being so concerned about their reputation, Ryka seemed to enjoy embarrassing Kyle as much as possible.
I love you, but I’m still a demon. And I’m still hungry.
As if Kyle could forget.
“Kyle?” he heard Adam and Angie say in unison.
When he looked up, he found the entire teaching staff staring at him, and he briefly wondered if he’d inadvertently been talking to Ryka aloud. But Dr. Taylor smiled meekly and told him, “If you wouldn’t mind saying a few words about yourself for Miss Frasier.”
“Oh, uh, right.”
***
It was, Kyle thought, a very long morning. The first round of meetings couldn’t end fast enough. And even when it finally concluded, he wasn’t able to escape as quickly as he liked. He’d only made it a few pained steps out of the room when Angie stopped him, resting a hand lightly on his shoulder. For the first time, he noticed how very young she looked. Hardly older than the students she would shortly be instructing. “I’m sorry again about earlier. That looked like it really hurt.”
“It’s nothing, really. Forget it.” What he wanted to say was “forget me,” but he had a feeling he wouldn’t be so lucky. She had spent the entire morning leaning close to him. Even worse, Ryka hadn’t said a word about her obvious flirtation. A fact which led him to conclude that Ryka was already plotting something.
He shrugged off her touch and picked up his pace, trying to make it to the nearest men’s room before she could continue the conversation. His bad luck ensured he didn’t make it in time. Determined, she darted in his path, stopping him in his tracks. “Well, I was just hoping I could buy you a beer to make up for it.”
“I’ll let you know,” Kyle answered, dodging her and the question before escaping into the bathroom. He heaved a sigh and leaned back against the door, too exhausted to react when it locked shut behind him. “Please make me feel better. I can’t make it through the rest of the day like this.”
But you were so into it yesterday.
“Ry, please.”
Oh, fine. Get your shirt off.
Kyle didn’t hesitate to do as the demon said. And it was only a few seconds until he was enjoying the sensation of not having a body.
Wings stretched as far as he could manage in the relatively small space of the men’s room, Ryka stood at the sink, studying his reflection. “Interesting day so far, huh?”
After what happened, I was expecting worse, actually. You’ve been a little too calm.
“You think so?” The demon’s unwavering gaze was making Kyle nervous. He knew the stare was meant for him, but he didn’t know what to make of it.
She was hitting on me. Right? And you didn’t even say anything.
“Well, she’s not too bad looking.”
Considering Ryka’s reaction the other times women had tried flirting with him, Kyle was stunned. Especially since she had caused him such pain, albeit accidentally, only a few hours earlier.
But even more overwhelming than the shock was his jealousy. Suddenly, he understood how Ryka felt when someone else took up any of his attention. He was about to say something, but wasn’t given the chance. “You’re so delicious.”
What?
“You have to feel worse before you can feel better,” Ryka reminded him. “I am a parasite, after all.”
You made me upset so you could … You know, that’s not fair. And I thought you couldn’t lie.
“I can’t.” This as Ryka glanced away from the mirror, studying the tiled floor so Kyle couldn’t see his expression.
You really think she’s cute?
“You disagree?”
Kyle knew better than to avoid the truth. He may not have been attracted to her, but she was conventionally pretty - petite and blonde with a face that was undoubtedly going to make most of her male students fall instantly in lust. Well, no.
A loud growl greeted his response. “Bastard!”
Envisioning this argument going in circles for a very long time, Kyle calmly suggested a cigarette break. That seemed to do the trick. Thanks to Ryka’s power, they could smoke in the men’s room without any fear of setting off the fire alarm. So, after Ryka finished half of their last pack, Kyle got his turn. And he was pleased to discover Ryka had indeed cured his aches and pains.
Such a tender ass.
Kyle only narrowly avoided inhaling an entire cigarette. “Please don’t talk to me for the rest of the day. I need to focus on work.”
And fuck you, too.
That hadn’t been how he’d wanted to end the conversation, but it was too late to apologize. Already, Ryka was fast asleep and avoiding him. “The whole year better not be like this,” Kyle said to himself as he exited the bathroom. He had a very strong feeling it would be, though.
***
An already long day was dragged out even further when he was roped into going out for drinks with Adam and Angie. She seemed pleased to be able to buy him a beer, but he was mostly thankful that Ryka had maintained his silence, although he knew the demon was awake and watching their every move.
When Angie got up to use the restroom, Adam, who had been sitting on her left, moved over to take her stool. “She seems really nice.”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t seem very excited.” Kyle didn’t even need to reply. The look on his face, which somehow managed to convey his rapidly growing fear for Angie’s safety and his complete disbelief that Adam was even daring to broach the subject, said it all. Shrugging it off, Adam continued. “I just said she was nice, not that you should marry her.” The jest had been unintentional, but he instantly realized his mistake. “I’d never suggest that,” he finished quickly.
“I know you wouldn’t. You know my situation.”
I’m a situation now? I’d tell you to rot in Hell, but ….
Doing his best to ignore Ryka’s barb, well-aimed as always, Kyle took another sip of his beer. “She can’t know about Ryka. And I hope I’m just imagining things, but I think she’s already getting ideas about me. Did you see her in the meetings?” She hadn’t kept her distance in the afternoon, either, and Ryka hadn’t been as amused then. And there’d been no need for the demon to voice his frustration. Once in a while, Kyle was in tune enough with Ryka to understand exactly what the demon was thinking or feeling. Sometimes it was impossible not to feel it, too.
“I did. So if she asks you out or something, you just say ‘no.’ We’re all adults. I’m sure she’ll understand. Besides, Ryka wouldn’t be your only reason for turning her down.”
“A great conversation starter,” Kyle said with a wince, trying to imagine how Angie would react to the news that he only liked men. And apparently not even human ones. “What happened to a woman’s intuition?”
Adam laughed. “Something tells me that might not apply in your case.”
“Fuck.”
“I really think she’ll be fine with just being coworkers or friends or whatever. She does actually seem like a decent person. Not to mention she’s good-looking. You know, as a bonus.”
Eyebrows raised, Kyle asked, “What about Kate?”
“I love Kate. But I’m not blind.”
Stud, you’re a bad influence. Now he’s turning into a sinner, too.
“Quit being so rude,” Kyle said quietly.
But I’m so good at it.
There wasn’t enough time for him to agree before Angie returned. Ten minutes after that, Kyle decided he’d had enough socializing for one day. Angie looked a little offended, but Adam smiled knowingly as Kyle stood. “Try to take it easy tonight.”
“Trying doesn’t always work. But, thanks. See you both tomorrow.”
With a sigh, Kyle dropped into the driver’s seat of his car. Ryka was chuckling. Do you really think she’s going to give up now?
“I let her buy me a drink, right?”
Are you really that naïve, or just in denial?
***
For an entire week, Kyle managed to successfully avoid being alone with Angie. He didn’t dislike her; as Adam had said, she was very nice, and the rest of the staff and students took an immediate liking to her. His problem was her seeming obsession with him. She was constantly poking her head in his room to say ‘hello’ as she passed, and she had tried to get him to go out to the pub, alone with her, three more times since the first day they had met.
Kyle knew he was partly to blame. He hated to decline her offers because he didn’t want to hurt her feelings. He wouldn’t have minded another acquaintance like Adam, but it was plainly obvious she had more in mind than just friendship. She looked at him differently than she looked at her other coworkers, and it worried him. Especially since Ryka still didn’t have anything to say about it.
After the first week of classes, Kyle let his guard slip, and found himself cornered in the teachers’ lounge during his free period. “Hey, Kyle,” Angie greeted, bubbly as usual.
Coffee sloshing in the mug he held with trembling hands, Kyle seated himself at one of the empty tables in the room. There was no escape this time. He had let Mr. Boudreau use his room so his students could work on group projects, Adam had a class, and hiding in the restroom or his car with his coffee was out of the question. “Hi, Angie.”
Even though he hadn’t meant it as an invitation, she took it as one and dropped into a chair across from him. At least, he thought, she hadn’t picked a spot right next to him. “How are your classes going so far?”
“Good,” he answered. “Yours? Are you getting used to things here?”
“Yeah, everything’s great. I’m really glad I got this job. I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was a little. Was it the same way for you?”
“Sort of.” He wanted to kick himself for keeping up the conversation. It felt like he was leading her on, even though he knew he was only trying to be polite. “I originally wanted to teach elementary school, but my love for history won out, so here I am.”
“Aw. Little kids must be a blast to teach. Do you have any of your own?”
“No,” he answered quickly. A conversation he had never wanted to revisit, not after telling his mother that she’d never have grandkids. It had been a disheartening thing to fully accept, and even Ryka didn’t seem to know how to console him. Trying to shake his grief, he kept up their discussion. A mistake, he quickly realized. “What about you?”
“God, no! I’m not even married or anything. It’s just me and a couple cats at home. I know Adam’s got a girlfriend. Kate, right?” Kyle nodded, bracing himself for the inevitable. “What about you? Are you seeing anyone? Just out of curiosity.” For mild curiosity, her question was accompanied by quite the pressing stare, Kyle thought.
She’s not wasting any time. Say ‘no’ and she’ll probably be begging you for it right here. Whore.
“Uh, well … it’s complicated.” Kyle could have kicked himself for not giving a better answer, but changing it after the fact would sound too suspicious.
Ryka didn’t seem too offended by the vague response, but it had the opposite of the effect he had been expecting on Angie. Instead of deterring her, it seemed to make her more interested. “Oh? Well, if you need someone to talk to, I’m happy to listen.” With that, she got up and headed back to her own classroom, leaving Kyle to try and figure out what had gone wrong.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
***
Once she had learned his schedule, Angie made sure to stop by and talk to Kyle at least once a day. They had the same free period, and she had a knack for popping in just as Ryka was waking up. Until she had begun inviting herself in, Kyle’s free periods had been time reserved not just for grading those last few assignments, but for Ryka. The demon still kept his opinions to himself, but Kyle could sense his frustration at the intrusion. Kyle now feared he was saving all his anger for an unholy outburst.
But since they were only meeting at school, and Ryka hadn’t shown any signs of being outright aggressive, Kyle gave up trying to avoid her. Though he thought he may have been deluding himself into believing she thought their relationship was purely professional.
“You’re kind of a weird guy,” Angie told him, rather out of the blue. Less unexpected had been her appearance. It was, after all, his free period.
“Um ….”
“I mean, you’re just so quiet. And mild, I guess. I’ve heard the other teachers cursing up a storm in the lounge, and the worst I’ve heard you say is ‘crap.’ You don’t even say ‘God’ or anything like that. Are you really religious, is that why?”
“Another complicated question.”
Two weeks later, he still hadn’t been able to give her a clear answer on whether or not he was single. People tended to want to see pictures of significant others, some sort of proof that they weren’t being lied to. Kyle assumed that pointing at himself and saying “Just add horns” wouldn’t go over so well.
Several times, he had tried to end that line of questioning the most effective way – by telling her he was gay. But the words had died in his throat each time. Or more accurately, they had been murdered. Because he hadn’t been the one to stop them there, leaving him gasping and choking as he floundered to recover and move on. And Ryka had warned Adam not to intervene, insinuating dire consequences if he did. The demon was itching for a confrontation. Kyle was doing his best to avoid it, but already suspected he wouldn’t be able to.
Besides, outing himself after two weeks of evasion would probably only make it sound like a lie, and he already struggled enough with honest conversation. It really was a wonder Angie kept trying. “I watch my language at school. My reason for not saying any of that other stuff is kind of, well, not easy to explain. But I definitely believe.”
“Really?”
“You don’t?”
Angie shook her head. “I’m all about the science.”
In his head, Kyle heard Ryka laughing. Most of you never figure it out. Early on, Kyle had learned what so few ever suspected – that two beliefs that were thought to be mutually exclusive actually coexisted. Immortals, Ryka had told him, really hadn’t interfered much on Earth. At least not until humans had evolved – with a nudge here and there.
And then they had become quite fond of meddling, to the point that angels and demons frequently appeared in religions worldwide, often as gods. Of course, Kyle wasn’t obligated to tell her this, nor could he give his reason for being such a firm believer in higher powers.
Her atheism was to his benefit, at least - since she only used it as an exclamation, the G-word didn’t leave him doubled over in pain the way it sometimes did when the faithful used it.
“To each his own, then,” was all he said.
“I take it you’re not one of the people that likes to argue much about it.”
“Nope. I’m pretty non-belligerent.”
When she looked away, he began to worry. Because he had a very good idea where this conversation was headed. “I thought so. But you’ve got quite a reputation with the students. Some of the upperclassmen especially.”
“I try to be nice, but I guess I’m still kind of strict.” Students who had been freshman the year Ryka appeared at the pep rally were seniors now, and although the entire student body stayed on their best behavior in his presence, the seniors would dart out of his way in the hall. Most of them still avoided eye contact, the same way most of the staff did. And that was Angie’s next question.
“What about the other teachers? Except for Adam, they don’t talk to you much. I feel bad saying it. I’m sorry.”
“Forget it. I guess I’ve lost my temper a couple times. Maybe that’s why I’m so quiet now.” He suddenly thought that maybe he let her try to get close because she was one of the only people left in the school that treated him as entirely human. Even if it was because she didn’t know any better.
Her next words left Kyle pale and sweating. “Everyone’s got their demons, right?” He sure as Hell hoped not, but couldn’t say that. Or anything else, for that matter. Instead, he gaped at her, unblinking. Already, visions of a world overrun by Ryka’s kin flashed through his mind. “Did I say something wrong?” she asked, noticing his discomfort.
Finally, Kyle was able to gather himself. Easier said than done with Ryka cackling maniacally. “No, not at all. Sorry. I had that sudden worry I’d left the stove on.”
“That’s the worst.” Satisfied he was in fact okay, she moved on to other topics, to Kyle’s great relief. While she rambled on about upcoming school events, Ryka finally chimed in.
Fuck, this is boring. I mean, she’s hot and all, but shit. Does she ever shut up?
Kyle couldn’t say anything. He didn’t mind talking to her, as long as it wasn’t about him. However, he was her favorite topic of discussion, and somewhere in the middle of chatting about next week’s pep rally, she asked, “You, me and Adam should grab a few beers on Friday. It was a lot of fun last time.”
His desire for human contact overshadowed his better judgment. “Sure. You have lunch duty with him today, right? Ask him then.”
“Will do.”
***
The dream was all too familiar, at least at the start. Kyle was lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling. He knew it was a dream because there weren’t faint blood stains there yet. Stains that six coats of paint couldn’t entirely cover. Those would be the result of his upcoming meeting with a cute little imp.
This time, however, there was no flash of light, although he sensed someone sitting at the foot of his bed. He lifted his head off the pillow to see who it was, and did a double-take. Angie, decked out in red negligee, was sitting cross-legged at his feet. Her blonde hair, usually tied back in a neat pony-tail, hung down in loose curls over her shoulders. “You’re awake. I’m glad.” This as she crawled toward him, allowing more than just a glimpse of her cleavage. “I thought you’d never wake up.”
She settled on his stomach, then thought better of it and scooted back a few inches. “Y-you’re in a bad spot,” he managed, cold pit growing in his gut.
Giggling, she told him, “Oh, I don’t think so.”
His heart was pounding, but for all the wrong reasons. He wanted to tell her “no,” but the word just wouldn’t make it out of his mouth. And he completely lost the nerve when she leaned forward to kiss him.
Unable to stop himself, he flinched away, assuming she’d take what she wanted all the same. But when she didn’t come any closer, he risked opening his eyes. Her face was stopped only a few inches from his, and tears were now streaming down her cheeks. He understood why when he looked behind her.
Ryka, no longer child-like, as he usually appeared in the dream, had Angie by the hair and was slowly pulling her back toward the foot of the bed. “Damn bitch, always interrupting,” he growled into her ear. Then, directing his gaze to Kyle, “Look only at me, Master.”
A familiar feeling of calm washed over Kyle as he stared into those blood-red eyes. His vision blurred for a moment, and when it cleared, Angie was gone. Ryka didn’t hesitate taking the spot she had only recently occupied. The demon was wearing even less than their uninvited guest had been. Nothing at all, to be precise. It finally struck Kyle that, under the sheets, he was in the same state. He swallowed, and Ryka flashed him a naughty grin.
“Like what you see?” Kyle nodded, struck dumb by the sight of a full-grown Ryka straddling him. If his brain wasn’t firing well enough to respond, it had to be because all his blood had rushed elsewhere, something he realized at much the same time Ryka did. “I show up, and look how excited you get.”
That somehow managed to get his mouth working. “Ry …. How?”
“Worry about that later. But don’t you have something to say to me?”
“Thank you. And I’m sorry. I really suck at this.”
Grinning, Ryka leaned forward, resting his hands on Kyle’s chest. “No, you do it on purpose.”
“What?”
Ryka pushed himself upright, and Kyle grunted against the pressure on his sternum. “You want me to save you. The thought of me having to rescue you makes you hot.” Stunned, Kyle stared up at the demon. “I know everything that goes on in your head, stud. Sort of like how you really do like watching me jerk off. You’re just too much of a coward to ever admit things like that.”
Ryka’s accusatory tone made Kyle cringe. “But you know how I really feel.”
“I’d rather hear it, though, than have to go digging through your head for it.”
“I-” Impatient as ever, Ryka cut him off.
“So, I’m not doing anything until you tell me what you want. This is your fantasy, stud, but you have to tell me what to do. And I’ll do anything. I can make it all real – your most romantic dreams, your most depraved desires. I’m yours to command.”
Kyle’s pulse started to race when he thought of the demon actually doing as he was told for a change. “Fine. Maybe let’s start with the first one.”
“Of course. Now then, what are your orders, Master?”
***
Eyes still closed, Kyle stretched and sat up. Eight hours had passed since he’d fallen asleep, but it felt closer to eight minutes. He was even more exhausted than when he’d gone to bed the night before. But he hadn’t wanted to wake up - he had never expected to be able to be with Ryka like that, to actually be able to touch him, and be touched by him. It had felt incredibly real.
A little too real, he realized, when he tried to throw back sheets, only to find they were glued to his legs and stomach. “Ryka! I’m too old for this.” There was no reply, and with a sigh, Kyle struggled out of the tangled, sticky mess he’d made of his bed. And nearly hit the floor - it truly did feel like he’d spent the better part of a night fucking.
He was dehydrated, his bladder felt like it might pop, and he was sore all over, but the first order of business was finding a cigarette. It felt like he’d won the lottery when he found a full pack and a lighter in his bedside table. That need met, he headed for the bathroom. His reflection in the living room mirror stopped him short.
Everywhere on his body was the evidence of Ryka’s passion - raised, angry red welts where he’d been sucked on, bitten or clawed, and bluish-purple bruises where the demon had held him in a smothering grip. All things he’d asked for, never expecting to be faced with the consequences in the morning.
A few choice curses passed his lips before he noticed the marks diminishing, fading away almost entirely in the span of minutes.
Did you say something? came the delayed, groggy response to his cussing.
“Nothing important. But I have a question.” Skin now flawless, Kyle continued on his way to the bathroom. He desperately needed a shower.
Shoot.
“Do I really still have to have that same dream every night?”
Something between a purr and a laugh followed his question. Unfortunately, yes. That took a lot of energy. Besides, I wasn’t even sure how well that was going to work. You were a bit distracted to start, which is why we had an unwelcome visitor.
“I see, and I’m sorry. I’m wondering, though, why you’ve been so uncharacteristically patient with her. Not that I’m complaining.”
Very quietly, Ryka told him, She reminds me of someone I know.
“A friend?” When no immediate reply was forthcoming, Kyle ventured, “More than that?”
If I’d had my way.
After last night, Kyle couldn’t imagine why anyone would turn Ryka down, but he was glad to have the demon all to himself. And even if it was something unpleasant, he was honored to be given this little tidbit about Ryka’s past. Not that there was much he could offer by way of solace. “Ah.”
Mm.
Clearing his throat, Kyle changed the subject. “So, was this dream all because you’re jealous?” The low growl that worked its way out of his throat answered his question. “Why? You know better by now.”
I don’t like it when other people get close to you.
Kyle stepped out of the shower and stopped in front of the sink, wiping steam off the mirror. The gentle smile he wore now was for Ryka. “Ry, no one could possibly be closer than us. We’re in the same damn body. So relax. I’m sure it won’t be long before it is just you and me.”
I can’t wait, stud.
***
No matter how many he corrected, the pile of quizzes stacked in front of Kyle didn’t seem to be getting any smaller. Groaning, he pushed his chair back and rested his forehead on the table. “A few minutes won’t hurt, right?” he said, mostly to himself. Ryka had long ago dozed off, and Kyle felt his eyelids drooping. In the empty teachers’ lounge, quiet except for the muted droning of a copy machine in the next room, it was all too easy to fall asleep.
The sensation that he was being watched roused him, and he found Angie sitting next to him, brows furrowed. “Are you okay?” she asked.
“Just tired. Why?”
“You were talking in your sleep.”
Kyle felt his face getting hot. “Really?” Try as he might, he knew there was really no way he could sound calm.
“Don’t worry, you were just mumbling. No state secrets or anything. But I just wanted to make sure you still planned on going out tonight.”
“Yeah.” It was too late to get out of it now, he was sure.
“Then I’ll meet you at your house at seven?”
“See you then.”
***
When Angie showed up ten minutes early, wearing a very short skirt and tight-fitting, low-cut top, Kyle knew he had been lied to. And from the way Ryka was laughing, he knew he’d been the only one in the dark about Angie’s true intentions.
“Adam’s not coming, is he?” Kyle asked, although he already knew the answer.
Wearing a sly smile, Angie shook her head and sat down on the couch, motioning for Kyle to join her. He remained standing. If he didn’t settle this now, himself, Ryka would do it for him.
But before he could try to explain, the lights flickered, and his home and cell phones began simultaneously ringing. Annoyed, Kyle didn’t bother with formalities when he answered. “What?”
“Nice. You know, I’m just trying to help,” Ryka said over a considerable amount of static, and what Kyle was sure was the wailing of the damned.
“Help how? I can do this.” As he spoke, he glanced at Angie, and she quickly looked away.
“You can try. But she won’t believe you. She already has her mind made up. Which means there’s only one way to convince her.”
“No…” Kyle told him, his command completely lacking conviction. There was little doubt that Ryka was right.
“Is it so bad relying on me? Especially when you like being taken care of so much?”
Knowing his face was probably quite red, Kyle started toward his bedroom. “I’ll be right back,” he called over his shoulder to Angie, who nodded. Once the door was closed behind him, he continued his conversation with Ryka. “It’s not that. I was just hoping there could be one other person at school who wasn’t terrified of me.”
“Don’t wish for the impossible,” was Ryka’s reply. The line went dead, and Kyle was left staring wide-eyed at the receiver in his hand. Then it was on the floor, and so was he. For the first time in a long time, he winced feeling Ryka’s horns push through his skin. He couldn’t stop himself from whimpering. Something didn’t feel right.
As Ryka’s eyes rolled forward, Kyle was incredibly glad he wasn’t in charge. He knew he would have been sick. Blood was dripping off Ryka’s chin and the tips of his horns, leaving crimson flecks on the khaki-colored carpeting. Stop growing, Kyle murmured, somehow still managing to feel faint. Ryka stood, and the blood trailed down his chest. At least it seemed his wings hadn’t grown as well.
“Can’t help it. Sorry about the mess. And this.” Even without claws, he made short work of the red-stained, tattered remains of Kyle’s shirt. Hearing Angie outside the door, he kicked it under the bed, then stretched himself out on the recently dry-cleaned comforter. “And about the sheets or whatever.”
In a voice barely audible through the door, Angie asked, “Kyle, are you okay?” Not sure why, she jumped when the knob turned and the door swung open a few inches. Unexplainably uneasy, she pushed the door open the rest of the way.
First, she saw the blood. Then she saw Ryka. And she screamed.
Survival instinct kicking in, she scrambled back toward the living room, but hardly had time to take a step in that direction before the thing that had been Kyle spoke. “Don’t run.” She froze to the spot, fear holding her in place. After a long, tense silence, she worked up the courage to speak, but was cut off. “Ask me if I’m Kyle and I’ll pull your tongue out.”
“Then what are you?”
“Another stupid question. You may not run into us all that much, but deep down, most humans know an angel or demon when they see one. And I’m sure you know which I am.”
She started to say that his being a demon was, in fact, impossible. But the words never had a chance to leave her mouth. A cruel, mocking laugh that made her blood run cold cut her off. “Anyhow,” Ryka said, getting to his feet, “I’m not here for your enlightenment. I’m here because you were going to try to seduce my Master.”
“How did you -”
“You think I couldn’t tell? I can smell your lust, see your intentions. I know what you wanted to do with him.” Angie wanted to deny the monster’s words. “But he’s mine. And messing with a demon’s property is a big no-no.”
“He’s -”
“Mine,” the monster reiterated, seething. “And I’d recommend keeping your mouth shut. It’s not your place to question immortals. Especially not after you’ve already pissed them off.”
The door slammed shut behind her, and Angie’s stomach dropped when she heard the deadbolt slide home. She wondered briefly why Kyle needed a lock on his bedroom door, then thought that it might be to contain this beast he had appeared to morph into. “No,” the demon explained with a hiss, “it’s to keep people like you out.”
Wearing a sadistic smile, Ryka advanced on Angie, forcing her back against the door.
Before she had time to process what had happened, she found herself pinned against her only means of escape, her wrists tightly enclosed in one of the demon’s fists, and his knee sliding up between her thighs until she was left with her feet dangling half a foot off the floor. “If it’s just this body you wanted,” he rumbled, moving her hands up over her head, “then I’ll let you have it. But know this – you won’t survive a night with me.” Behind him, his shadow laughed and winked at her. She wondered if she’d lost her mind.
A scream tried to work its way out of her throat, but the demon used his free hand to cover her mouth. All she could manage was a muffled groan. With pleading eyes, she looked up at Ryka, and found nothing even remotely resembling compassion or remorse in his expression.
“Isn’t there something you should say to me?” The hand, stiflingly hot, fell away from her face.
“Please,” she begged, her voice barely a whisper.
The demon snorted and narrowed its eyes. “Try again.”
“I’m sorry.”
“The right words. But why are you sorry? Tell me.”
Only her most recent decision - to come to this house - sprang to mind. But terrified as she was, she still knew that wasn’t what the monster sought. Voice quavering, she offered another, “I’m so sorry.”
“Do you need a hint? Let me say it again: he’s mine. If you continue to pursue my Master, I will kill you. And rest assured, it will be slow and painful.” Unaware of the risk, she met Ryka’s gaze. In a daze, she watched as the flickering firelight resolved into a hospital room, crowded with people, some of whom she recognized, some she didn’t. Her gut told her she was the white-haired, frail old woman lying in the bed, hooked up to all those machines. “That’s how it’s supposed to be.” That deep voice called her back from her vision. “But I’ll gladly change it if you don’t give up on my Master. I’ll paint these walls with your blood.”
Tears streaming down her face, Angie apologized until she was hoarse. Sobs choked out most of her words, but it wasn’t what she said that concerned Ryka. He only needed to sense her contrition, but even once her regret was plainly obvious, he refused to loosen his grip. After what seemed like hours to Angie, Ryka finally let her go. She barely stopped herself from crumpling to the ground. The door unlocked, and she immediately reached for the knob, eager to flee.
“Consider yourself lucky. I’ve done far worse for much less of an offense. Now, keep your mouth shut about me, and forget about all those things you wanted to do with my Master. He belongs to me.”
Angie nodded before slowly exiting the room. She felt that if she moved too fast, she’d somehow provoke him again. But as soon as she was back in the living room, she grabbed her pocketbook and dashed for her car.
Ryka grinned, hearing her speed away, back toward her own home. “Good fucking riddance.”
That may have been a little harsh.
“You always say that. I think I went too easy on her.”
Thoughts of Ryka’s previous victims crossed his mind, and he realized the demon really had controlled himself, all things considered. I guess. But anyhow, what’s all this about me being yours, like you own me. Did you forget whose body this is?
“It’s cute when you try to play tough.” Flustered, Kyle didn’t respond. Instead, he watched through Ryka’s eyes as he settled himself back on the bed, of course facing the mirror above the dresser. “You need more mirrors.” This with a quick glance toward the ceiling.
Should I just get a champagne-glass hot tub, too? Then, realizing he probably shouldn’t even make that suggestion, quickly said, I’m not decorating my room like a Las Vegas honeymoon suite. Sorry.
“Fine. But you know,” Ryka said casually, changing the subject, he hoped to his benefit, “I just got another little promotion. I’m feeling kinda horny.”
You didn’t just say that.
“I did. But seriously. They’re really sensitive now, you know.”
Is that so? Of course, Kyle knew this from their experience in Salem. Even though he hadn’t been in charge then, he had still felt the same incredible pleasure Ryka had when Val had touched him.
“Yup. So if I apologize for the whole ‘possession’ thing -”
Uh ….
“Calling you mine. Not making the contract. No regrets there.” Kyle was prepared to forgive him when Ryka continued, “Actually, forget it. I don’t feel bad at all. You are mine. Right?”
You’re a piece of work, you know that?
“But ….” he urged.
I’m yours. No point in denying it, not this far along. And the toothy grin Ryka beamed at the mirror was worth the admission. You’re going to have to ask nicely after that whole act, though.
Obedient as he’d been in the dream, Ryka coyly covered part of his face with a wing, peeking over the top and batting his eyes. “Please, Master? Please?”
Too cheesy. Try again.
With a low chuckle, Ryka dropped his wing, aiming a hungry stare at his reflection and offering a throaty, “I’m all yours, too, Master. So please?”
Thinking of the sad little demon he had first encountered, and now met with the lusty gaze of the stunning creature he had become, Kyle quickly succumbed. Not that he had planned on denying Ryka in the first place. At least not for long. Oh, okay. You win.
“Of course I win.”
‘Now get going,’ right?
“You’ve learned. I’m so proud.”