Page 12 of Demon's Prey
“Sigil! Yes, I heard you the first three times. I didn’t mean to make any shape with my body to summon you from the depths of hell, okay?”
Kurse’s eyes shrunk, and his lower lip curled downward. He turned away and left the room.
Faith sighed. She hurt a demon’s fucking feelings. How was that even possible?
She didn’t want to have to do this, but it could be good for her career. The Veil had fallen, but very few people actually had any interaction with many supernatural beings—especially demons.
This could be good for her career.
She stood up from her desk and made her way into the living room. He is teetering off the couch, like an adult in a highchair. He glared down at his hands, visibly upset.
Faith trailed into the kitchen and emerged with rocky road ice cream. She held it in the air and called his name. “I think you’ll like this, Kurse. It has zero spice in it.”
He peered up and watched her try to sit next to him. There was barely any space on the couch, but she tried. She opened up the container and offered him some.
“It’s cold, just so you know. I think you’re going to like the taste, though.”
Kurse lifted a single finger and dipped it into the delicious dessert. It was about the size of an average spoon. He placed it into his mouth, sucked on it, then smiled massively.
“You’re right!” He roared at her.
She was going to have to get used to having her audio bubble popped on a daily basis. She scooped some out with her own spoon and ate some. It was delightful, especially after the day she’d had. Together they sat, eating ice cream, finally finding common ground.
When she had enough, she peered at the demon. He was dripping with chocolate and spit. Faith laughed lightly while Kurse bowed his head bashfully. She stood up to toss it into the trash.
“I don’t think you’re going to fit into my bed, so the couch will have to do,” Faith said, pointing where she had already been sitting.
Kurse looked around, then shrugged. “I’m used to sleeping on hot coal, so this will do.”
Faith nodded. He seemed to actually be listening to her and behaving himself. She brought out sheets and a pillow, just out of habit, to make the couch more comfortable. Kurse watched her, bewildered.
He sat on the couch once she had finished. He then laid down, tipping it slightly to the side. Faith tried to brace herself for impact.
“You can sleep on the floor if that is easier.”
Kurse balanced himself on the tip of the couch. He turned and bared his teeth at her. Faith assumed he was trying to smile.
“This will do. I could always curl up on your ‘balcony’ later on.”
Faith had forgotten about the fact that her sliding door had been shattered. She placed the thought into the back of her mind for another day, another problem.
“Whatever works for you. Now, remember, things in here aren’t for eating. If you want anything, come wake me up and ask.”
He nodded, under the sheet like a teenager too big for his childhood bed.
This blood red being was sleeping over on her couch. That morning, she had asked the universe for the story that she deserved. This wasn’t exactly what Faith had been asking for.
She moved into her bedroom, changed into her pajamas, and lay in bed. She didn’t turn out the light for some time—perhaps she was afraid or too intrigued. She listened for any more movement in the living room. There was nothing. He was listening to her. The PEACE agent had been right.
She would investigate this whole ‘fated mate’ business in the morning. Faith had been out of the dating pool for some time and wasn’t exactly open to curling up with a demon. She hoped that it wouldn’t come to mean her harm if she continued to refuse his advances.
Faith dozed off in the dark, not particularly fearing the hell that had literally entered her life.
7
KURSE
Kurse awakened to the flavorful scent of animal flesh and something a bit sweeter. He shot his eyes open and found himself mostly laying on the ground. He grunted and drifted to the floor, making a loud smacking sound that alerted Faith to his state.
