Page 56 of Things Get Dark

I was trying to summon a warrior. A powerful demon who could act as my familiar and be the power source I needed to prove everyone at the Academy wrong. This…tall pink Marilyn Monroe was not going to cut it.

Pushing to my feet, I grab the book and start flipping through the pages. “How do I send you back?”

Tilting her head, swirling pink eyes narrow at me as her tongue flicks out over her bottom lip. “What’s the matter, my tasty little midnight snack?”

Panic seeps in, making my stomach clench and my palms sweat. I’d made a mistake. I’d fucked up. Master Garon was going to expel me. “I need a demon!”

Throwing her head back, she laughs. “And what am I? Chopped garlic?”

Shaking my head, even I know better than to insult demons. Taking a deep breath, I straighten my spine and pull my shoulders back. Now wasn’t the time for panic. I had to fix this. “No, I just need…someone powerful and a little less…perky.”

“I mean, I guess I could make them smaller…but I kinda like them.” She squishes her breasts together, making me blush as she bounces them with a mournful smile.

“No, the tits aren’t the problem. That’s not it.” Even if I am kind of jealous of her right now. I’ve barely got enough to justify the bra I’m wearing under my dress. “I need a scary, powerful demon, not…pink Jessica Rabbit.”

“With a tail.” Her red lips split into a wide grin, and I see sharp canines glinting in the candlelight.

“What?”

“Well, Jessica Rabbit didn’t have a tail. Or horns. I have both.” She reaches up to touch the two black horns, the movement drawing my attention to her breasts again, her nipples poking through the chains, and I realize they’re pierced. Dear goddess!

“Good for you.” I cough awkwardly.

“Wanna see what my tail can do?”

Chapter Two

Manon

Idon’t know whyI’m in a little witch’s bedroom, but she’s cute, so I won't complain. She doesn’t look like the creatures I usually call master. Power-hungry men and monsters are my forte, my bread and butter, but if a tiny goth human wants to play too, then I’m down. She tugs at the neckline of her velvet dress as she paces back and forth, clearly debating what to do, even thoughshehad been the one to callmehere. The lace trim of her dress swishes as she moves, and my eyes are drawn down to her long legs. I really like the over the knee socks she’s wearing and for a moment, I wonder if her pale skin is just as perfect and porcelain beneath all the black she’s wearing.

I’d been minding my own business in the demon realm, enjoying the beginnings of an orgy, when I’d heard my summoning incantation. I was curious, since it had been a while since I’d been to the human world. As I’d debated stepping through the veil, I’d caught the scent of something…delicious. Following it had been an impulsive act.

Opening my hands, I let flames lick upward from my palms. “I promise I am perfectly big, bad and powerful enough forwhatever it is you need. Fame? Money? Power? Slaughtering your enemies? I’m your demon.”

The woman pauses, and I let my powers reach out, like ripples in the air. I can sense something, something not quite right about the little witch. I’ll need to take a closer look.

“And what do I need to give you in return? For our bargain? My soul?”

Crossing my arms so that my tits look even bigger, I laugh. I notice the way her eyes tracked my chains, resulting in the faint hint of pink on her cheekbones or the tips of her ears. The little spellcaster might look all stern and scary with her blazing green eyes narrowed at me and her mouth pulled into a straight line, but there was no ignoring the curiosity in her gaze.

“Woah. Slow down, my little ghoulfriend. Like girlfriend, get it?” The blush deepens as she glances away. I tilt my head to the side. “Bargaining away your soul is a huge commitment, and to be honest…rarely worth the deal.”

Letting my feet finally touch the floor, avoiding the bloody sigils, I step towards her. “How old are you anyway? Are you even old enough to be summoning demons?”

“I’m twenty-one!” Her protests are funny as she checks her salt circle, trying to ensure her safety. As if that could hold me back. Oh sweet, sweet innocent witch.

“Hmmmm, you don’t look it, my spooky sidekick. But what do I know? Human ages are but raindrops in an ocean.” I hop over the salt, summon myself a glass and let her watch with her mouth open as I use her silly little circle to salt the rim. With a click of my fingers, the tumbler fills with a margarita mix. Perching on the edge of her bed, I ask, “What is it exactly you want, my little midnight snack?”

She stares down at me, and I decide I like the gleam in her eyes. Determination. “I want power. Magic.”

Arching my brow, I sip my cocktail, swirling the bitterness around my mouth before swallowing. When the glass is empty, I simply make it disappear. “But…you have it.”

“I can’t cast spells. I can’t transform.” The muscle in her jaw ticks as if she’s announcing some horrible flaw. “There’s something wrong with me.”

Frowning, I wave my hand over my wicked little witch. My vision turns a coppery color, and I can see her magic as plain as day, thrumming away inside her.

Witches do not create magic or power from inside themselves like demons and other creatures can. They can harness it instead, mold it. They work with demons to enhance their power wielding abilities sometimes, but like any skill, it still takes time and dedication. Demons also only get involved when it’s mutually agreeable, so persuading a demon can be a skill in itself.

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