Page 36 of A Beginner's Guide to Demonic Possessions
Mike nodded like that was all perfectly natural, even though those were probably the weirdest second introductions ever. Ari was sort of staring off with a dreamy look on his face the whole time too. Trent turned to Paz, though, an idea forming in his head.
“Paz, could you quit? Was that what Cassius was trying to tell us?” Trent asked.
Paz looked thoughtful. “I… don’t know. If I quit, what would I do? I don’t know that demons are allowed to not have positions. Would a resignation end my existence?”
Trent gasped at the thought, squeezing tighter onto Paz’s hand. He couldn’t lose his demon.
Mike just hmph’d though. “You guys are soulmates. They can’t end your existence because you’re tied to each other.”
“Wait, we’re what?” Paz asked, confused.
Ari seemed to check back into the conversation then. “Ah, dudes, you didn’t realize you were soulmates? Like, you guys can feel each other and shit, yeah? That’s what Cassius was getting at when he did whatever he did. That dude knows shit,” Ari said, nodding his head. “He is wise.”
“He’s annoying,” Trent grumbled. “He couldn’t just tell us that?”
“I’m not sure,” Mike said thoughtfully. “We don’t know what Cassius’s deal is, but he does know things, and he’s only ever been helpful. When Ari has a vision, it isn’t always clear.”
“Little dude is correct. I just had a mini vision, but it was totally vague. There’s someone who is still causing someunsanctioned chaos in the universe. That’s, like,totallymy job, and chaos for the sake of destroying the world is just not cool at all. It’s no one in my legion causing this mess,” Ari commented.
Trent perked up at that. “Your legion? You’re management or whatever?”
Ari looked slightly outraged. “Dude, I am an Infernal King of the Underworld. I am notmanagement,” he spat out. “Those leadership team assholes just make shit more complicated,” he grumbled.
“So, could you give someone a job?” Trent asked, getting excited. He looked over at Cassius, who was working behind the counter. The guy looked over at him and winked, so Trent figured he was on the right track.
“Sure, dude, Paz is awesome and I would love him in my legion. He could totally cause some chaos while you live out your life topside. He definitely has it in him, and I feel like he’s totally all about the good kind of chaos. Plus this way he won’t have to go on business trips as a possessor, since I’m sure you guys don’t want to be separated when you’re so newly soul-mated,” Ari responded. “I’ll put the paperwork in. There’s a mirror in the bathroom, I think…” he said, trailing off. Then the guy got up, sliding Mike into the seat, and disappeared into the hallway that led to the bathrooms.
Mike smiled fondly at Ari as he walked off. “Ari will put in the transfer, but it might take a little while. In the meantime, I wouldn’t worry. You’re soul mates, so they can’t separate you guys permanently. Even if Paz had been summoned, you guys would have found one another. My guess is the summoning wouldn’t have held him anyway.” Mike shrugged.
“How do you know we’re soul mates?” Trent asked. He wanted that, whatever it meant, more than anything, but it almost sounded too good to be true.
“He’s right,” Paz softly replied. He put his hand on Trent’s chest. “Do you feel it? I can feel you and your emotions. I didn’t think about it, but I’ve been able to since we shared a body. Can you feel me?”
“That isn’t normal?” Trent asked. “I thought that was a demon thing or something.”
Paz chuckled. “No, and I should have realized. That’s what Cassius was trying to ask. I thought it was love. I’ve never experienced that before.”
Trent and Paz smiled at each other. They’d both been experiencing something amazing, and neither of them had known exactly what it was. Trent leaned in and Paz seemed to do the same, and then they kissed softly, drawing out the moment and feeling one another. Trent realized that his pleasure and happiness was mirrored, and those were Paz’s emotions.
They were interrupted by a gentle chuckle.
“Aww, you dudes are so cute,” Ari said.
Mike was tucked under his arm, and both of them stood beside the table. Trent blushed—he hadn’t even noticed that Ari had come back and Mike had gotten up.
“Well, are you my new boss?” Paz asked, still leaning close to Trent.
“Dude, you are my new demon underling. It’ll take some time to go through, but it’s all good. In the meantime, I put in an order that you can’t be assigned any tickets, so that should take care of the whole summoning issue. Welcome to the team, bruh,” Ari smirked. “You’ve always been good at chaos—even if it’s the good, life-changing chaos. This is a perfect fit!”
With that Ari and Mike walked off, waving to Cassius as they went.
“Could it really be so simple?” Paz asked.
Trent leaned over, pecking him on the lips and then leaning their foreheads together. “Apparently you’re my soulmate. You’ll never be rid of me now,” he joked.
Paz smiled softly. “I’ve responded to wishes for all of eternity, and I’ve never wanted anything in return until you. You are my wish, Trent,” he whispered.
“And you are mine,” Trent responded.
