Page 40 of Infernal Hearts

“Evil creatures.” He hiccups again, stumbling forward. “Evil, evil creatures.”

I lean forward to help him up. “Hey, that’s not very nice. We aren’t evil at all. Only misunderstood.”

He shakes his head and narrows his eyes, voice uncertain. “What’s there to misunderstand? You take advantage of situations and prey on the weak.”

I’d only be offended if anything he said was close to being right. I give him a wide grin. “I do no such thing. I help people. I’ve helped more people than I can count.”

“Oh, yeah?” He holds onto me, hand around my waist to get his balance. The warmth is pleasant. “Like who?”

I chuckle. “I live in Los Angeles. Actors, singers, bodybuilders turned politicians.”

His face contorts into disgust. “You fucked him?”

“Dear lord, no. Blech.” My body literally convulses at the thought. “We signed a contract like you and I did.”

His unsteady steps slow, and he lets out a huge breath. “I really wish I understood your magic more.”

I shrug. “The closer the bond, the more the magic works. He just needed a little push. Now just imagine what would happen if you’d let me work my real magic on you next time.” I wink.

His eyes drift closed, smiling at nothing. “See this? This is me refusing to think about you naked.”

I throw my arm around his shoulder, pulling him in close and whispering in his ear. “Come on. Don’t tell me you aren’t at least a little curious.”

A red flush creeps across his face. “I’ve thought about it. Once or twice. For research purposes, obviously.”

“And what were you doing when you thought about it?” My voice grows smoky and low. “Specifically with your hands.”

He leans in, and I can feel his breath on my cheek—it reeks of alcohol. He gently pulls me in. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

How drunk is he? Still, I can’t shake the thought of him touching himself while thinking about me. It’s making me hard just picturing it.

“I would, actually.” But he’s clearly wasted, so I release him and keep my distance. This isn’t the right time.

He steps toward me so our mouths are dangerously close to making contact, but I just chuckle and lean away. I’m above a lot of things, but consent isn’t one of them. “Guess it might have to wait for another night.”

His face sobers as he rights his balance. “This was a bad idea to begin with.” I can tell he feels denied, but I’m not about to take advantage of him like this.

I smile and pull him closer again, helping him find his footing. “I’ll wait as patiently as you want me to.”

“Maybe you aren’t evil.” He thinks for a moment. But I know a “but” is about to come. “I get why people are so afraid of demons considering all of the lore, but actually getting to know you? You’re not that bad.”

And there it is.

“I’ll tell you a secret you probably won’t remember, anyway. We’re relatively harmless. Without our deals, we’re pretty defenseless. It takes almost all the magic we have to morph into our other forms and fight. It leaves us weak, so we prefer to trade magic for favors and protection.”

His words come out slightly slurred as he struggles to focus his vision. “Oh yeah? And what happens if you break a deal?”

I tilt my head from side to side. “That depends on the creature. Demons aren’t the only ones who can make them.”

“What do you mean?”

“Some are less severe than others. Break most deals? Not awful, but not great. The opposite effect happens. Wish for youth, you age rapidly. Wish for fame, everyone forgets who you are.”

He stops walking. “Then what’s the worst that can happen?”

“Oh, that’s easy. Oblivion.”

He giggles. “Oh, so scary. ‘Oblivion.’ That’s a funny word.”

---