The incident with Angie - whose name had since become taboo - seemed to have triggered another spate of bad luck. One of Kyle’s classes, heedless of their peers’ warnings, had begun acting up. What had started as good-natured joking had quickly become blatant disrespect. The situation brought back unhappy memories.

So far, no one in the class had gone so far as to say they wanted to hurt him, but he was sure it was only a matter of time. Especially once the talking during lectures escalated into launching spit balls and paper planes at the chalkboard. Accidental injuries caused by misplaced backpacks would be next, followed by outright threats and real violence. And the ones that didn’t mean him any harm wouldn’t stop those that did.

He was busy writing down dates the class needed to know for the next test when a half dozen spit balls whizzed by his ear, sticking to the board only inches from his hand. Sighing, he put down his chalk. “It’s only the middle of November, Ry,” he said, quietly enough that his class wouldn’t hear.

Yup.

“I’m stuck with them until June.”

Hell’s not even this bad.

“Why me?”

You’re too nice. But I’m not. So say the word, and I can make it all better.

Recently, Kyle had come to realize that he really didn’t mind giving in to Ryka. After all, the demon had never failed to protect him, and once he intervened, things tended to work themselves out in Kyle’s favor. And he was no longer bothered that, after everything was said and done, Ryka was the only one he had left.

How does it feel to be losing your humanity?

“Not as bad as I would have expected.”

“Mr. Saunders, are you talking to yourself?” Brett, one of the students leading the revolt, inquired. If not for the sneer in his voice, he might have been expressing concern.

With a smile part way between one of his and one of Ryka’s - half bemused, half bloodthirsty - Kyle turned to face the class. “Myself? No. But I have a question for you all. Do you remember at the beginning of the year, when I talked about learning from past mistakes so we don’t repeat them?”

Slowly, everyone nodded. He briefly wondered if he looked as crazy as he sounded. Probably, he realized, not caring very much either way. You’ve also developed quite the short temper. A few spit balls and you’re ready to sic a demon on them. I love it.

Ignoring Ryka’s remarks, he continued, “I know it’s usually bad to listen to rumors, but if they’re about me, you should believe them. So please, behave yourselves. I don’t want to have to call in my substitute.”

“Substitute?” one of the girls asked. “I thought it was you we were supposed to be scared of?” she finished, her tone mocking.

Now his crooked grin was entirely Ryka’s doing. “But I’m the only one he listens to. Well, sometimes he listens. Just don’t make me call him. Please?”

His students didn’t look impressed by his threats. Brett even told him, “I’d rather have a sub. Then we wouldn’t have to do any work.”

“Suit yourselves. I’m not going through this shit again.” Some of the class seemed surprised to hear their normally soft-spoken teacher curse, but the rest appeared to find his tantrum amusing. At least until he started slowly unbuttoning his shirt. Shaking his head, he shrugged it off, folded it, set it on the desk and said, “They’re all yours, Ryka. Try not to go too hard on them.”

The only response was a thunderous growl that shook the walls and rattled the windows. Kyle/Ryka watched as their expressions turned from amusement to regret to fear. It was all Ryka needed to speed the transformation along. Wings open, the tips now just shy of brushing the walls, Ryka leaned back against Kyle’s desk. His tail grazed the floor as it lashed back and forth, making a soft rasping noise. Save for the thudding of the students’ hearts, which was clearly audible to him, it was the only sound in the room.

“He warned you. So did everyone else. So now you get me. And I’m here to teach you a little lesson about obedience. And respect. Something it’s quite clear none of you little shits understand.” Their terror was abundant, and Ryka was determined to take advantage. It was a good chance to stretch his wings - literally and metaphorically.

With fear-widened eyes, Kyle’s unruly students watched as Ryka pushed himself away from the desk. They were all seated, cowering in their chairs, petrified. Digging deep, Ryka commanded “Stand.”

As one, the class rose to its feet, desks squealing across linoleum as their traitor bodies hurried to obey the demon’s orders. Ryka grinned watching as they tried to fight his influence. None were successful. “Kneel.” Next to their desks, the children all sank to their knees. “Now bow.” Together, they kowtowed to Ryka, freezing in place with foreheads pressed to the floor. There was no need to ask them to cry - every last one was, hiccupping and sniffling as they fought uselessly to regain control of their bodies.

It wasn’t generosity or pity that made him give them back just a little of their free will. He just wanted a rapt audience. “Pitiful, all of you. You mortals are all looking for the same thing – an easy way out. Guess where that gets you.” As he spoke, his shadow reared up on the wall behind him, its wicked smirk mirroring its host’s. With obvious glee, the portal opened its mouth, revealing the inferno on the other side. Loose papers swirled around the room, carried by the desiccating gale rushing in from the immortal world. Faces lifted from the floor to watch, firelight reflecting in tear-filled eyes.

“You’re not so intellectually deficient that I need to tell you where that is, right?” The students all shook their heads - no help from Ryka needed - and the portal closed. “Good. Then I hope you’re also smart enough to realize that if you continue to give my Master a hard time, or even think about it, that that’s where you’ll be going.” Whimpering followed his words.

“I highly suggest you maggots learn some respect. Because Master will be the only one stopping me from tearing you scrawny little fuckers limb from limb. And if you piss me off enough, even he won’t be able to save you.”

Helpless gazes fell at his feet. “So you’re going to listen to Master. And obey him. Or I’m going to come back and make you. Do you understand?” More nodded, this time more urgent. As much as he wanted to keep going, he could feel Kyle getting anxious. Besides, if he did much more than this, he would undoubtedly miss out on his reward for good behavior. He nearly reversed the transformation, but caught another delicious whiff of fear and stopped himself.

Who was he kidding? Reward or not, there was no way he could avoid taking advantage of such an easy meal. After a few seconds of thought, he decided a little fire might be fun, and result in a satisfying dessert. A low flame started at his fingertips, but spread quickly up his arms, across his shoulders, and all the way to the tips of his wings. With this new light source, his shadow was now dancing across the floor, toward where the students were still prone next to their seats.

The moment the first student felt the numbing touch of the portal and screamed, the entire class panicked. As they began shrieking, he released them, and there was a mad scramble to reach the back of the room. The students huddled together, as if proximity could somehow protect them. Delighted by the result, Ryka extinguished the fire, keeping his wings closed behind his back. His shadow returned to the blackboard, watching eagerly over Ryka’s shoulders.

“You’re all going to behave now, right?” Meek concurrences followed his question. “I’ll always be watching, so you better not be trying to lie to me.” They all shook their heads. Satisfied, Ryka perched himself on the edge of the desk. “Master?”

That should do. Thank you, Ryka.

A few seconds later, Kyle awoke staring at the ceiling. Daytime transformations still exhausted him. Head swimming, he sat up. “Does anyone need to go home? Or go to the nurse?” Still obedient, they shook their heads again. “Okay. I’m sorry –”

Liar.

“- but let me explain ….”

***

“How do you always end up with the worst kids?” Adam asked.

“It’s a curse, I swear.” It certainly felt like one.

They were on lunchroom duty, both leaned up against the large windows that looked out toward the football field. Angie shared their shift, too, but after meeting Ryka, she had taken to avoiding Kyle entirely. Adam had explained everything to her, since Kyle couldn’t get close enough, but she had completely lost the desire to even be in the same room as him. A success, as far as Ryka was concerned.

“Were they as bad as that class you had a few years ago?”

Hesitantly, Kyle told him, “Well, no. But I didn’t want to have to start sending the whole class to detention, and then have things get even worse.” He shuddered a little, thinking of the bloody rock he had found on the classroom floor, and the sinister look in the eyes of the boy who had thrown it.

“True. Detention isn’t all that effective. They just share all their ideas for pissing us off.”

For a few minutes, they said nothing, but glanced around the room, making sure no rule-breaking was occurring on their watch. Conversation died at any table that fell under Kyle’s scrutiny. Word got around quickly.

It wasn’t so bad, was it?

Kyle shook his head. Although Adam was quite used to hearing him talk to Ryka, he still felt uncomfortable doing it in public. This time, Ryka got the hint and kept quiet. But even if he had spoken, Kyle doubted he would have heard him over Adam’s yawning.

“Are you okay?”

“I had to sleep in a hotel last night, and the people on either side of me were loud.”

“A hotel?” Kyle’s first thought was that something had happened with Kate. At least he could rest assured that it probably didn’t have anything to do with him. It had been a few years since Kate had personally encountered Ryka, and she had been among the least of the demon’s concerns at the time.

Adam nodded. “We’re having work done on the house. So much that we really can’t stay there. Kate took vacation time to go visit her folks, but that’s not an option for me.” Aside from a pittance of sick days, they had no time off to use. Not that they could complain, not when they had the whole summer.

By this point, he’d been Ryka’s host long enough to know what the demon’s reaction would be to what Kyle planned to suggest. “Well, I still owe you from when my house flooded. If you don’t want to stay at a hotel, I have an extra room.” As expected, Ryka laughed. There was little doubt he’d amuse himself teasing Adam. But Adam could handle it, Kyle was sure.

“Really? I don’t want to intrude.”

“It’s fine. I’m sure.”

Me, too.

***

That night, although of course Adam would never admit it, he was quite relieved when Kyle informed him that Ryka wouldn’t be allowed out - he’d already had his fun earlier. And Kyle looked relieved that Ryka didn’t argue. It was one of the rare times where Ryka didn’t protest, and for that Kyle was grateful. He had work to get done, and knew he wasn’t alone.

So it was Kyle’s own fault for not getting to bed at a reasonable time. Still mumbling to himself about the early hour, he shuffled outside the next morning to pick up his newspaper, which had been tossed in a puddle at the end of his driveway.

“’Morning, Mr. Saunders,” his neighbor greeted, voice echoing in the early morning stillness. Kyle nearly dropped the sodden mass that was now more pulp than paper.

“Good morning, Steve,” Kyle returned, trying to wring out the publication. “Please, forget the ‘Mister.’ I’m not at school yet.”

“Ah, sorry.” Steve, who had moved in next door a few months earlier with his girlfriend, had just finished college the year before, and still seemed to be in the habit of addressing anyone older than himself using some sort of honorific. Not that Kyle looked much older - he mostly just felt it, and that somehow came across. “Hey, did you hear there was another break-in two nights ago?”

“Really?” Word had only reached Kyle a few days earlier that five houses on his block had been burglarized in a span of two weeks. Frankly, he was less worried about his meager belongings than he was about the safety of anyone who dared enter his home without permission, but he couldn’t say that.

“Yeah. Whoever’s doing it is getting brave, too. This time, there was someone home. And they still managed to make off with most of the jewelry in the house and a small safe.”

“Ridiculous,” Kyle muttered. To Steve, he said, “Aren’t the police doing anything?” He couldn’t recall seeing any patrol cars in the neighborhood.

Steve shrugged. “All I know is I’m keeping a baseball bat within arm’s reach when I’m home. If the cops won’t do anything ….”

The rest of Steve’s words were drowned out by Ryka’s cackling, and Kyle suppressed a shudder.

***

Luckily, Kyle had more than enough work to distract him from all thoughts of the robber. He had an ever-increasing number of assignments to correct, as well as tests to prepare. But since Ryka hadn’t been allowed out the night before, there was little chance of him getting any of that work done. And now Adam had to give up all hope of being productive, too.

“Play darts with me,” Ryka said, staring hard at Adam across the small kitchen table.

“Well ….” Adam regretfully eyed a pile of quizzes that needed grading, but knew that it wasn’t in his best interest to turn Ryka down. “Sure.”

They’d only been playing a few minutes when Adam began to wonder why Ryka had even asked. He was far from good at the game when playing another mortal. Against Ryka, his skills were pathetic at best. Even worse, he spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to pull the darts out of the wall. When Ryka threw them, they ended up buried halfway up the shaft, having passed through the board, the cork behind it, and the wall behind that.

“You know,” he panted, nearly stumbling backward as he dislodged a dart, and a considerable chunk of plaster, “I’ve never gotten such a good workout playing this game.”

Ryka laughed. “You’re amusing. You choose your words very carefully, and you know exactly what you can get away with.”

“Sorry?”

“Don’t be. Just keep playing.” Adam did, at least until he heard his cell phone ringing. Even then, he finished throwing the darts he was holding, and looked as remorseful as possible when reaching for his phone.

“I suppose we can end it here,” Ryka told him, poorly feigning his annoyance at being interrupted. “It’s probably your girlfriend.” His eyes narrowed and he snorted, but his frustration didn’t affect his aim - he carelessly tossed his darts at the board, and they clustered around the bulls-eye.

“Thank you,” Adam replied before taking the call and disappearing into the guest room.

Once Adam was out of hearing range, Ryka flopped down on the couch, squirming out of the remainder of Kyle’s clothes. “My playmate left me. Console me, Master. All night long.”

Ryka ….

“I wasn’t asking.”

***

To Adam, waiting patiently in the guest room, it really did seem to be taking all night. The first hour, he had been talking to Kate, and didn’t mind being trapped. The hour after that, he had spent trying to sleep. But it wasn’t easy to ignore what was going on in the living room. Actually, it was impossible. And the waiting became torture when he needed to get out and use the bathroom.

Finally, at one o’clock, three hours after their game of darts had come to an abrupt end, the house fell silent. Still, he didn’t want to risk leaving the guest room. But he didn’t think he had much of a choice. Ear pressed against the door, he listened for any sound that might suggest that Ryka was still awake.

“You’d better hurry before you piss yourself,” Ryka called, sounding out of breath.

Adam was too relieved to worry about how Ryka knew. Not even bothering to respond, he dashed for the bathroom. Only on his way back to bed did he look at the demon. He was sprawled out, face-down and naked, on the couch. Through half-closed eyes, Ryka stared back at him, offering a sleepy, but somehow still suggestive, wink. Then he yawned, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

It was only a few moments before Ryka’s demonic traits were absorbed back into the body he shared with Kyle. Now it was Kyle left sleeping on the couch, without the benefit of wings to cover him. Blushing, Adam tossed a blanket over his friend before heading back to the guest room.

***

“You know, he really was happy that you played darts with him.”

Adam stared blankly at Kyle over his mug. They were eating a quick breakfast while trying to grade those last few items before heading to school. “I’m glad,” Adam responded, his words sounding more like a question than a statement.

Laughing, Kyle told him, “It’s a good thing. He really does like you.” When Adam looked understandably skeptical, Kyle continued, “If he didn’t, I don’t think you’d be here right now.” What Kyle had meant was that Adam wouldn’t have been allowed to stay with them. What Adam heard was that he could have been dead, butchered in an alley somewhere like those guys last Halloween, instead of nibbling on toast across from the demon’s beloved Master.

As he watched the color drain from Adam’s face, Kyle realized what the other man had thought. “No, I meant ….”

“Either way, I guess.” This Adam said with a weak smile.

It was hard to argue with the truth, Kyle thought. But this time, he kept quiet.

***

Considering the rapidly increasing amount of work Kyle had to do, he decided Ryka would be denied another night of fun. A decision Ryka wholeheartedly disagreed with.

This is so fucking boring.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“You played darts last night.”

Well, what about later? We can -

“No.”

The morning’s conversation long since forgotten, Adam observed Kyle’s end of the argument with amusement. It really did sound like he was dealing with a spoiled child. After hearing that, he almost forgot to be afraid of Ryka.

***

The unmistakable sensation someone had just crawled into bed with him woke Adam in the middle of the night. Forgetting where he was, and assuming it was Kate now lying next to him, he quickly dozed off again. At least until that someone started licking his ear.

“Kate,” he groaned, drowsy but delighted.

“Guess again,” a deep voice responded. In only a fraction of a second, Adam went from mostly asleep to completely awake. He rolled onto his side and found himself face-to-face with Ryka. “Rise and shine, big boy.”

The only response Adam could make was a startled gasp, mostly due to the fact that Ryka had just shoved a hand down the front of his pants. “Wha-”

“What am I doing? Well, what does it feel like?” It felt like something Ryka should have been saving for his host, that hot hand cupping him. “Or were you going ask ‘Why?’” When Adam found he couldn’t make any sort of reply, Ryka laughed. “Then just shut up and enjoy it.”

With his body and his mind sending him conflicting messages, Adam squeezed closed his eyes and tried to pretend this wasn’t happening. Couldn’t be, shouldn’t be. But groping aside, Ryka was impossible to ignore, whispering right in his ear. “I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me. You really are a big boy. But you’re shaking. Tell me, are you scared? Or just quick?”

A miserable whimper was all he could manage. Ryka was undeterred. “Does it feel good? You’re getting there, hmm? What do you like?”

Not be to suddenly touched like this, he wanted to say. The tightness in his throat and burning behind his eyes told him if he opened his mouth, he’d cry. Something that would surely provoke Ryka further. Desperate, he turned his head to look at the door, thinking he could make a quick exit. The door knob was glowing red-hot - even if somehow got away from Ryka, he was trapped in the room. No longer caring how he reacted, he squeaked out, “Please stop.”

“That’s no fun.” Ryka’s lips brushed his throat, and all Adam could think of were those teeth, now so dangerously close to his jugular.

“But, K-”

“Don’t worry about her.”

That hadn’t been Adam’s first thought, but his girlfriend was certainly a concern. Especially if he mishandled this and ended up the subject of a homicide investigation. No, it was the demon’s host he was more concerned about, how he must be feeling about this situation. And if he could just get his name out, maybe Ryka would give up. “No. I meant, K-”

“If you’re thinking about anyone else while you’re in bed with me, I’m not doing my job.” At that, Ryka redoubled his efforts, and an inadvertent moan escaped. Gratifying for Ryka, crushing for Adam, who wanted nothing more than to be left alone. “That’s it. I’ll take care of you.”

“Please stop.” His voice cracked, and the first few tears fell. But Ryka showed no signs of giving up, and Adam tightened his jaw, determined not to make any more noises that would further instigate Ryka. He briefly wondered if praying would help, or only bring swift death.

Murder, though, might be preferable to rape, especially given the size of the weapon between Ryka’s legs, currently pressed into his thigh. Evisceration was sure to be less painful.

There had to be some way to talk Ryka out of what he was doing. “I -”

Before he could finish his thought, Ryka withdrew his hand. With a sharp hiss, he stood and spun to glare out the window. His sudden movement was startling, and Adam found himself lying on the floor, having rolled right out of bed. Terror and relief washed over him in equal measure.

Growling low, Ryka told him, “Mood’s ruined now.” That burning gaze followed something on the other side of the wall. Adam was grateful for whatever it was that had finally distracted the demon. “Sorry to leave you high and dry, big boy. I owe you one.”

The words “No thanks” caught in his throat; far safer to keep quiet. As slowly as possible, he crawled back into bed. And the movement put him right back in Ryka’s sights.

“I suppose I should make sure you get some sleep tonight, hmm?” Before he could try to insist otherwise, Ryka was looming over him, grinning. Adam tried to melt into the mattress and pulled the sheets up to his chin. “Don’t be scared. I wouldn’t hurt you. I just want to make sure you have sweet dreams.”

Suddenly, Adam’s eyelids felt unbearably heavy. The demon’s parting words echoed in his head as he drifted off to sleep.

***

Whatever it was that Ryka had started in person the night before, he’d finished in Adam’s dreams. Extremely vivid dreams. Adam hadn’t been sure how he was going to face Kyle before, but now he didn’t think he’d be able to look him in the eye again. Though he badly wanted to know how Ryka had managed to infest his dreams, and if he’d ever get a peaceful night’s sleep again.

But he decided to hold off asking when he walked into the kitchen the next morning and found Kyle curled up on the couch, staring absently at the TV, which wasn’t even on. He seemed to regain his focus when Adam stopped in front of him. “I’m so sorry about last night,” Kyle managed, voice hoarse.

“Don’t worry about it,” Adam replied, attempting to sound anything like relaxed. He didn’t think he succeeded, but thought the effort was worth it. Especially once he saw Kyle’s eyes. Red, swollen and ringed by dark circles, they made it very clear that he’d also had a long night. “It’s fine, really.”

“There’s no way that’s true.” Doing his best to act like nothing had happened, Adam offered to make breakfast, but was turned down. “I’ll have something later. I called in already. I need a day to catch up on work. And sleep.”

“Lucky you, that makes it a three-day weekend.” Adam hoped his cheerful act was convincing. What Ryka had done to him had been disturbing enough, but seeing how miserable it had made Kyle made him feel even worse.

Not sure what else he could say to improve his friend’s mood, Adam got ready for work in silence. Only when he had one foot out the door did he turn back to face Kyle. “I need to stop by the house and see how things are going, so I’ll be here by four.”

“You shouldn’t -” Kyle began, astounded Adam wasn’t heading out with his luggage.

“Maybe four-thirty. Do you want me to pick up anything on my way?”

Kyle only shook his head, and Adam left. As soon as Kyle heard the car pull out of the driveway, he struggled off the couch and headed back to bed. Just as he was drifting off, Ryka woke him. Are you still pissed?

“You have to ask?”

Jealousy is my favorite. And when it’s yours, it’s even better.

“Wh-”

I’m in a deficit, you know. Ever since the night of the dream, Ryka had been complaining of gnawing hunger, an emptiness so intense it nearly hurt. Even Kyle felt hollow.

“That doesn’t make any of what you did okay.”

Who do you think you’re talking to? There was an uncomfortable amount of menace behind his words, but Kyle was too furious to be scared. It had taken years, and lots of reassurance along the way, but he knew that he, at least, was safe from harm.

“Don’t you dare take that tone with me. Not when you owe me an apology. How dare you do that to Adam. And to me.” Kyle’s voice wavered, and he could feel his face getting red. Envy roiled hot in his stomach.

I -

“You didn’t want something like that to happen to me, but you think I want to watch you do that to someone else? You will apologize to him. And never try anything like that again.” When he was answered with only grumbling, Kyle continued, “You said he’s your friend? Friends don’t do what you did. He was scared of you. I don’t care how hungry you are - Adam is off the menu.”

Fine. I won’t touch his dick without his permission again.

Kyle briefly considered calling for a priest. Through clenched teeth, he growled out the demon’s name. “Ryka ….”

What? Come on, don’t be mad anymore. I’ll apologize to him. That, at least, meant it would be an honest apology. The words would choke him otherwise. But Adam wasn’t the only one deserving of the demon’s remorse. And after several minutes of awkward silence, Ryka finally got the hint. I’m sorry, Master. You know I love only you.

He sounded sincere. Kyle fully planned on clinging to this anger for another week at least, however. Enough time for Ryka to understand that some of his actions had consequences, and that there was a limit to what Kyle would tolerate.

Master …. Pleading now that Kyle hadn’t immediately returned his affection.

“I love you, too. So don’t do that to me again.”

Yes, Master. I won’t.

“Thank you.”

Fraught after their conversation, Kyle buried himself in the sheets. Sleep wasn’t going to come so easily this time, he knew. Before he could ask, Ryka was already offering his assistance. In his own way, of course.

I can do that. But first let me help you relax. I owe you this much, right? No need to ask what Ryka was suggesting - Kyle’s breathing already ragged, and Ryka’s purr rumbled in his chest. Whaddya say, stud? Let me lend a hand or two.

It had taken Kyle years to realize that when Ryka made suggestions in a certain tone, the effect was something akin to hypnosis. He lost all will to refuse. And he knew it was nothing Ryka was doing – he was just a sucker.

Before he could reply, Ryka took control of his hands. “Not too much. I’m tired.”

I know. This will have to do for now. I’ll really make it up to you later.

Kyle couldn’t say anything.

***

By the time Adam returned that afternoon, Kyle was feeling better. Ryka had helped him into a deep sleep, then woken him for lunch. In an effort to get back in Kyle’s good graces, he had even kept quiet for three hours while Kyle caught up on paperwork. A record, Kyle was sure.

The change was immediately apparent to Adam when he walked through the door. “Feel like going out to the bar?” he asked, setting down his briefcase.

“I had to go out and get smokes, so I grabbed some beer while I was at it. But if you’d rather get out of the house for a bit ….” Kyle knew he couldn’t expect Adam to feel safe alone with them anymore. He was still flabbergasted that Adam hadn’t simply packed up and left, never to return.

“A beer’s a beer, right?” Of course Adam was nervous, but Kyle was his friend and still deserved human interaction. Besides, a few drinks would take the edge off his anxiety. Coffee and high-schoolers certainly hadn’t.

When he finally turned in that night, Adam was much more at ease. An apology from Ryka helped. Warring pride and shame meant that it was given from Ryka’s passenger position, mumbled contrition rumbling out of Kyle’s mouth. But Adam had appreciated the gesture all the same.

Based on what Kyle had told him, Ryka would behave himself going forward in an effort to earn his Master’s forgiveness. An immense relief. The graphic dreams the night before had ensured he’d woken up exhausted, and with a little less to fret about, Adam was able to nod off the instant his head hit the pillow.

But it wasn’t a deep sleep. He nearly leapt out of bed when he heard the doorknob start to turn. “I scared you that much, huh?”

“R-Ryka.”

Silhouetted against the pale glow of the night lights in the living room, with his eyes ablaze, the demon seemed even more dangerous than usual. With practiced grace, he folded his wings and slipped into the guest room. “Did you think I was going to completely violate you last night?” Adam nodded. It was nearly impossible not to reply when Ryka asked a question. “I couldn’t do that. No matter how good you tasted. And don’t worry, the rest was a one-time deal. Unless you wanted more?”

“No, please.” He still didn’t think he’d ever be able to tell anyone the things Ryka had done to him in that dream. Facing Kyle had been hard enough; he still didn’t know what to say to Kate about all this, if anything.

“Your loss,” Ryka said with a shrug.

It really wasn’t, Adam thought, but even if he’d been fool enough to say it aloud, he wouldn’t have been given the chance. Just as he had the night before, Ryka suddenly directed his gaze toward the window. The blinds were still closed, but that mattered little to the demon.

“Gonna try it tonight, then?” His lips were already curled into a predatory grin.

Adam was about to ask what he meant, but when he opened his mouth to speak, Ryka clapped a hand over it to shut him up. In the sudden silence, Adam heard a window being quietly opened. He recalled Kyle telling him about the burglar that had been targeting his neighborhood.

Over the sound of his own drumming heartbeat, he almost didn’t hear the intruder land softly on the kitchen floor.

“Be a good boy and go back to sleep. I can help you, but you’ve only got two choices. Nightmares so bad you’ll never want to sleep again, or … well, you know.” Neither option was appealing and Adam quickly shook his head. “Then stay here. This isn’t going to be pretty; I’m hungry.”

The glee in his eyes as he spoke those last words made Adam’s skin crawl. He watched helplessly as Ryka moved to wait next to the door. Not sure what else he could possibly do, Adam lay back down and closed his eyes. Most of the way, anyhow.

With almost surreal slowness, the knob turned and the door cracked open. As soon as the burglar spotted Adam, he tried to back out of the room. But although he was quick, Ryka was faster still.

Claws of both hands embedded deep in the man’s shoulders, Ryka steered him back into the hallway, then into the living room, where he had more room to move around. Fighting back a scream, the man struggled to reach into his jacket. “You’re going to pull a knife on me? Cute.”

Ryka disengaged one hand - crimson dripping from his fingertips - and snatched away the small dagger. In one quick motion, he plunged the knife deep into the man’s thigh. But the shock of being faced with something obviously not of this world had set in – the man couldn’t make a single sound. He gaped silently, watching blood gush from the wound in time with his racing pulse.

That was only the beginning of his punishment. To Adam, looking on in horror from his bed, it was like watching a cat toying with a mouse. Slowly and methodically, Ryka broke all the fingers on the man’s left hand, shuddering with each wet crack and the agonized mewling that followed. Behind him, his shadow was waiting eagerly for him to continue.

“I can’t make promises on this one, sorry.”

With a disappointed groan, the shadow seemed to slink away. The burglar’s eyes followed the pseudo-demon’s movements, but didn’t seem to comprehend any of what was happening.

Still holding the intruder by one shoulder, now knuckle-deep in flesh, Ryka used his free hand first to shred the intruder’s shirt, then to begin tracing curved lines along his torso. Mapping out his internal anatomy - heart, lungs, stomach - with the precision of a surgeon. Or a butcher, Adam corrected, gorge rising. Was he about to get a front-row seat to the massacre he had missed a year earlier? He prayed not.

“I should flay you alive for trespassing here,” he seethed, face inches from the other man’s. The shallow incisions on his torso were streaming blood, but the burglar didn’t seem to notice.“It’s a bad hobby you picked, mortal, taking what isn’t yours just for fun. What should I take from you? Your life?”

Ryka pulled his other hand free, and spray of red with it, and grabbed the man’s face, claws finding new purchase in his cheeks. “You’re all so fragile.” To prove his point, he squeezed his hand closed, and Adam had the misfortune of perfect line-of-sight to see the man’s jaw dislocate. It dangled open, more pathetic whining keening out of a permanently gaping mouth.

“Want to leave so soon?” Ryka growled, dropping his hands to his sides. It looked like he was letting his prey go. The man thought so, too, twitching as his eyes darted toward the door and body tried unsuccessfully to do the same.

This, Adam realized, was how Ryka fed. Keeping his prey prisoners in their own bodies, flesh bent to his will while their minds and souls tried desperately to break the spell and flee. He couldn’t imagine how terrifying it was, to be facing something like Ryka, and be betrayed by your own body that way. Being frozen in fear was one thing. This was something else entirely.

And Ryka wasn’t done. Adam watched - himself frozen in horror - as the demon balanced out the damage, easily crushing the intruder’s functional hand, then pulling out the knife and stabbing it into his other thigh. “That should put a damper on your fun, hmm? But should I really make sure?” This as he traced a new line - across the man’s throat. A curtain of blood slowly descended down his chest. It was puddling at his feet, the accumulation from his wounds soaking down his pant legs along with a considerable volume of urine.

“You sell most of it, but always keep a souvenir, hmm? Think I’ll do the same.” Ryka deftly plucked out the burglar’s right eye and held it up in front of him. “You’re really wishing you’d passed this house by, right?” The man made a whimpering sound in the back of his throat as Ryka studied the empty orbit. “Too late for regrets now, isn’t it?”

Optic nerve still dangling, Ryka rolled the eyeball between his fingers. The image, combined with the pain, was enough to snap the man from his shock. He screamed, long and loud. Ryka closed his own eyes, drinking it in.

“Maybe you should run while I’m not looking.”

Not caring whether or not this was some sort of trap, the burglar staggered to the door. He fumbled with the doorknob, broken fingers refusing to grasp it. Once Ryka had tired of watching him struggle fruitlessly to escape, he willed the door open. Even more amusing, Ryka thought, was watching him stagger out the doorway and down the dark street, wailing with useless hands over his wrecked face.

If you were going to do that, you should have just killed him.

“Listen to you. You really are losing your humanity.”

No, that’s mercy. He’s going to bleed to death.

“None of those were fatal wounds And he’s about to get help.”

With the door still standing open, it was easy enough to hear approaching police sirens. The moment the flashing blue lights were visible, Ryka closed the door, then sat down on the couch to wait. He was still idly playing with the eye.

What are you doing?

“Saving your ass.”

No sooner had he spoken than the doorbell chimed, breaking the eerie silence in the house. Ryka got back to his feet, and the door swung open. Two very surprised police officers stood on the other side. But surprise turned to horror when they saw what had let them in.

“Can I help you?” Ryka asked, motioning for them to come in with crimson-stained hands. The officers looked at each other, hands hovering at the guns on their belts, then back at Ryka. “Pulling one of those on me will be the last thing you ever do,” the demon said flatly.

The older of the two relaxed his stance, but Ryka didn’t miss it when the younger man’s hand twitched toward his holster. The gun was drawn in an instant, but didn’t remain pointed at Ryka for more than a fraction of a second. Muttering a string of quiet curses, the officer turned to point the weapon at his superior, barrel pressed hard into his temple.

“I warned you,” Ryka scolded, impressed by how easily the man’s free will had crumbled. Easier than Kyle’s students. In one deft movement, the man released the safety and started squeezing the trigger. His partner, also under Ryka’s power, remained glued to the spot, an easy target.

No, Ryka. A cop can’t die here. We’d have to leave. Please.

“Even if he does it himself?”

The younger officer’s elbows bent, and now he was staring cross-eyed at the barrel of his own gun, gouging the space between his brows.

They need to leave alive and unharmed, Kyle clarified.

Regretfully, Ryka released his hold, and the two men backed away from each other, eyes huge and faces pale. It was with a shaking hand that the younger officer holstered his weapon. “Tell me, what brings dessert right to my doorstep tonight?”

After some indecision, the older of the two men spoke. “Th-the blood led back here.”

“It sure did.”

“Um ….”

“I think you need to forget all about that. Unless, of course, you want me to put a few holes in you, too.” This as he waved the claws of one hand at the men. They both took a few steps back toward the exit. “So you’re going to do the smart thing and pretend you were never even here, right?” Together, the officers nodded. “Good choice.”

Never letting their gazes wander from the demon before them, they backed out the door. Just as they were turning to dash back to their car, Ryka stopped them. “Hold on. I don’t think I want this after all.”

One of the officers reflexively reached out to grab what was tossed his way. Feeling something wet against his palm, he opened his hand. His high-pitched shriek was delectable. And when his partner saw what he was holding, his scream was the cherry on top of an already satisfying dessert course. It had taken two days, but Ryka had scrounged up a full meal.

“Shut up before anyone else comes. I’ll kill whoever shows up here next.” His delight at the prospect was initiative enough to flee. This time, there was no hesitation as they turned their backs on the gory scene in Kyle’s living room, the younger of the two still tightly holding the burglar’s eye.

“Sorry about the mess.” Ryka made his way to the bedroom, skirting around a puddle of blood and piss. Kyle was upset enough as it was, he didn’t think tracking that through the house would help any. “I’ll go away for the night.”

No, don’t. I’ll be sick. That was … His sentence ended with a gagging sound.

“You need to toughen up, stud. Hell’s gonna be rough on you if you can’t get used to a little mild violence.” Still, he stopped to at least wash his hands, even rinsing the sink after.

Mild? Kyle asked in disbelief.

“You’ve seen worse.” Kyle had, he just hadn’t wanted to remember it.

But … what did he really do? I know stealing isn’t great, but is it bad enough to deserve that?

“Alone? No. But what do you think he was going to do with that knife when someone confronted him?” That stopped Kyle short of making another argument. “See? And it would have been that little cutie next door that got hurt, too.”

Do you mean Steve? Or his girlfriend?

“We both know which one has the better ass, so you tell me. Since I’ve caught you checking.”

Ry ….

“Lecture me about it later. It’s time for bed.” Still feeling wide awake after all his fun, Ryka belly-flopped onto the mattress. But he forced himself asleep. He just couldn’t wait any longer.

***

The same flash of light that he saw in his dreams every night startled Kyle awake. But he knew right away that this wasn’t the same old dream. This time, he decided himself to sit up – it wasn’t simply repeating the past.

If conscious thought wasn’t enough to give it away, the not-so-little demon waiting at the foot of his bed certainly did.

“I told you I’d make it up to you.” His wings had been folded around him, but Ryka opened them as he spoke. He was, what he had once joked, decked out in full demon regalia. In human terms, that was absolutely nothing. Head cocked, he watched Kyle’s reaction. His reddening cheeks, the track of his roving gaze. “You’re staring.”

“You’re, um, ready to go, huh?” Quite suddenly, all thoughts of the last thirty or so minutes were completely forgotten. Kyle swore he could feel the blood rushing away from his brain.

“Always for you, stud.” His recent meal hadn’t hurt in that regard, but anticipating a night with Kyle already had him hard.

Shaking his head, Kyle forced himself to focus. He had questions, and lots of them. And he fully intended to get answers.

Asking them was impossible, though, with Ryka’s tongue suddenly down his throat. And there was no putting space between them, not with the demon’s hand fisted in his hair, preventing him from backing away even an inch. Opening his mouth to attempt an inquisition was only seen as acquiescence, Ryka’s kisses becoming even deeper and more desperate.

Ryka was no fool – he knew how to distract his host, and do it well. When he felt the anxious tension in Kyle’s muscles let up, he pulled away slightly. “Yell at me later. Let’s not waste this.”

His anger once more dissolved, Kyle hooked an arm around Ryka’s neck. Wearing a smile that he would never know exactly mirrored the lusty expressions Ryka projected into his waking consciousness, Kyle told him, “You’re going to have to work hard to make me forget about what just happened. Think you can manage?”

“Absolutely, Master.”