Page 21 of His Infernal Purr
“We fortify your apartment and the clinic,” I explain, already moving toward the stairs. “I’ll need to place wards, gather certain materials, perhaps summon a few loyal—”
“Whoa, hold up,” Finn interrupts, following me. “Summon? As in, bring more demons here? Is that really the best solution?”
I pause on the stairs, turning to face him. “Valefar is powerful, Finn. More powerful than those minions you faced before. I can’t guarantee your safety against him alone.”
A stubborn expression settles on his face—one I’ve come to recognize and both admire and find frustrating. “There has to beanother way. One that doesn’t involve turning my clinic into a demon battlefield.”
“Your safety is my priority,” I state firmly.
“And the safety of my patients and clients is mine,” he counters. “Look, I appreciate the whole protective demon boyfriend thing, I really do. But we need a plan that doesn’t potentially endanger innocent people.”
I suppress a growl of frustration. Finn’s compassion—normally one of his most endearing qualities—is highly inconvenient in this situation.
“Fine,” I concede. “No summoning. But I will place protective wards, and you will follow my instructions precisely.”
“Deal,” he agrees, then hesitates. “You could… go back, you know. To Hell. Confront him on your own turf. You wouldn’t have to worry about me or the clinic then.”
The suggestion catches me off guard. “You want me to leave?”
“No!” he says quickly, reaching for my hand. “God, no. That’s the last thing I want. But I also don’t want to be the reason you’re at a disadvantage in a fight with your archenemy.”
I study his face, noting the genuine concern in his eyes—concern for me, not himself. It’s still a novel experience, having someone worry about my wellbeing.
“I’m not leaving you unprotected,” I state with finality. “Valefar threatened you specifically. He knows my… attachment to you is significant.”
A small smile tugs at Finn’s lips despite the circumstances. “Significant attachment, huh? Is that demon-speak for ‘feelings’?”
“Focus, Finn,” I admonish, but there’s no real irritation in my tone. “We have preparations to make.”
Chapter 8
The next three days pass in a flurry of activity. I place powerful wards around both the apartment and clinic—symbols carved into doorframes, sigils painted (in materials I don’t specify and Finn doesn’t ask about) beneath carpets and behind furniture, protective charms hidden in strategic locations.
Finn watches these preparations with a mixture of fascination and concern, asking questions about demonic hierarchies and Valefar’s specific grudge against me.
“So this all started because you… what? Beat him in a demon promotion contest?” he asks as I carefully inscribe a protection sigil on the underside of his kitchen table.
“A significant oversimplification,” I reply, finishing the complex symbol with a flourish. “Valefar and I have been rivals for millennia. The specific incident that triggered this vendetta was my successful acquisition of the Obsidian Territories, which he had been maneuvering to claim for himself.”
“And the Obsidian Territories are…?”
“A particularly desirable region of Hell, rich in soul-energy and strategically valuable.”
Finn nods slowly, processing this. “So basically corporate politics, but in Hell.”
I give him a flat look. “If that simplistic analogy helps you understand, then yes.”
“And now he’s targeting me because…?”
“Because you’re important to me,” I say simply. “And because my apparent choice to remain here with you rather than return to Hell is seen as a weakness he can exploit.”
Finn is quiet for a moment, absently scratching the spot behind his ear where I’ve noticed he touches when thinking deeply.
“Is it?” he finally asks, voice soft. “A weakness?”
I set down my tools, giving him my full attention. “In demonic terms? Yes. Attachment to a mortal is considered a vulnerability.”
His face falls slightly, but I continue before he can respond. “In my personal estimation? No. My connection to you has brought me experiences and… emotions I never accessed in thousands of years of existence. That is not weakness. It’s… expansion.”
