Page 186 of Mayhem and Minnie

Minnie’s lips pull up in a sad smile.

“I’d never endanger you like that.”

“Minnie,” I start, doing my best to keep my emotions in check. “If I have to chain myself to you to prevent you from leaving me, then I’ll fucking do that. So don’t you even try to tell me you’ll leave me because I will not let you.”

In this life, or the next—if there is a next.

“But—”

“No buts. You belong to me. You are mine. Is that clear? I’m not going to let anyone take you from me.”

“But, Marlowe, surely you can see that this is beyond you?—”

“I don’t care.” I shrug. “I don’t care who’s after you. I don’t care what you’ve done. I don’t care about anything other than the fact that you are mine. I’ve chosen you as my person and no one is going to take you away from me.”

“These are powerful beings, Marlowe?—”

“I don’t care,” I repeat. “If they’re so powerful, then I’ll just have to be more powerful,” I state as an idea forms in my mind. “I’ll become one of those demons if need be. I kill. They feed on souls. It’s not that much of a difference already. Then I’ll be able to protect you.”

Hmm, that’s not a bad idea. My, my, but I’m teeming with good ideas today.

“Don’t even joke around with that!” she exclaims in outrage. “Demons are awful, wretched beings, Marlowe. Your soul would be damned for an eternity?—”

“I’m already damned, Minnie. What’s a little more damning going to do to me?” I mutter drily.

“You’re not taking this seriously,” she chides.

“Oh, I’m taking this very seriously. I just found out my fiancée,” I say pointedly, “is being chased around by supernatural beings. Seeing as I’m just a puny human, I’ll need to acquire some supernatural powers of my own to protect you. That seems like the logical course of action to me.”

“Marlowe!” she cries out. “Please be serious. Demons are not a joking matter. And even if you became one—which you will not—you’d just put yourself in danger. Demons are hunted. Just like in that show. They’re a pest to be controlled.”

“So? I’ll just become the king of demons. Like Crowley,” I say and flash her my most charming smile.

She smacks my chest and gets up, the blanket falling from her body.

“No. You will not.”

“Yes, I will. You’ve got to admit, it’s the best plan so far.”

“No,” she repeats staunchly.

“Didn’t you talk about acceptance until now? Why are you so against demons?”

“Because they’re evil. They’re malevolent beings and there’s not one ounce of goodness in them.”

“So?” I shrug. “I’m not that good myself either.”

“You are. There’s good in you, Marlowe. And becoming a demon would only taint that.”

“Minnie,” I say and get up.

“No, Marlowe. You will not become a demon for me. Promise me.”

“No,” I reply. “I cannot promise you that.”

“You must, Marlowe,” she continues, an anxious edge to her voice.

“Why is that so important to you?” I frown.

---