Page 4 of Snowed in with the Demon Lord
“You’re not a human man, though.”
“No.” I sighed, aggravated that I’d told her so much. It would have been simpler to leave her to freeze in the blizzard. Somehow, I hadn’t even considered that when I found her. Even thinking about it now hurt. I didn’t want this mortal to die.
“Look, uh, Mr. Abaddon, I should get going. I’ve got my own cabin to get to?”
I doubted she meant that as a question, but her uncertain tone made it one. To answer, I threw open the curtains and let her see the storm still raging outside.
“If I could send you to your cabin, I would,” I told her. “But you’re going nowhere while that storm is raging. Once it passes, I will take you where you belong.”
Unless it’s too late for that. Why did she turn upnow?
Holly staggered to the window, and I had to keep myself from rushing to help her. Right now, quick moves would only frighten her further, which would not help. Snow battered against the glass, driven by the raging wind, and even I saw nothing but white. Holly, with her merely human senses, would fare no better.
“Fuck.” She spoke with dreary finality, like this was the latest in a long series of awful events. It sounded so sad that my heart ached for her. “So much for Christmas in the mountains.”
“You are mistaken. While the blizzard rages, I expect you will have no choice but to spend your Christmas here.”
Which meant her staying here entirely too long.
“No, look, it’s fine.” She didn’t sound convinced. “I’m sure I can?—”
“Die in the snow?” I interrupted her with a glare. “That is all you would achieve by leaving, and I will not allow it. Do not be a fool.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she glared at me, sucking in a breath to object. I snarled. “You have come near death once already, and I have saved you from it. Do not insult my efforts by throwing your life away as though my gift means nothing to you.”
Her flush deepened, her eyes narrowed, and she said nothing. Her glare was eloquent enough, so why spoil it with words? I matched her gaze and saw the roiling emotions struggling for control, as chaotic as the storm outside but hot rather than cold. My soul burned in response, and it took an effort of will to control myself.
“Fuck you,” she said, finally breaking the silence. “My life isn’t your ‘gift’ to give. I’m grateful that you saved me, but that doesn’t mean you get to tell me what to do. I don’t care if you’re a demon, you aren’t the boss of me.”
Few humans ever defy me. Fear, weakness, and prudence hold them back. The exceptions are drunk, insane, or stupid. Holly was none of those. She was afraid, but didn’t let it rule her, and she harnessed her anger to overcome it.
To my surprise, I liked it. The fire in her voice, despite knowing she couldn’t best me in a fight, the decision to defy me anyway—it aggravated me, but also made me want to smile.
For the first time, I actually looked at the mortal female. I’d been too busy wrapping her in blankets and trying to warm her to pay attention before, but she was beautiful. Full lips, a curvy figure, and long red hair. Green eyes so intense that they burned into my mind. I wanted to tear her clothes off her, free her of their confining grasp, feast my eyes and heart and soul upon her. But I could not.
With a frustrated hiss, I threw up my hands. “Then what will you choose, Holly? Leave in the face of that storm? You will die.”
She shook her head quickly. “I’ll stay, but not because you ordered me to, okay? I don’t owe you that. And I want some answers too. You said that being a demon doesn’t mean what I think. So what does it mean?”
I had nothing to gain from telling her, and much to lose. But still I gestured for her to sit down again, and nodded.
“If that is the price for your life, I shall pay it.”
4
HOLLY
Isat at a hand-carved wooden table covered in pages of arcane notes, and across from me was a demon. A literal, no-shit,demon.Either that or I was still dreaming, and it didn’t feel like a dream. Didn’t look like one, either, now that he’d switched on the electric lights and I could see him clearly.
Anger had gotten me past the weirdness for a while, but once it faded, I looked at the towering demon lord and didn’t know how to feel. I didn’t even understand what being a ‘demon lord’ meant, and he didn’t seem inclined to tell me. After saying he’d explain, he’d fallen silent.
I didn’t want to break the silence. He hadn’t harmed or threatened me so far, but I was still very aware that I had nowhere to go. A normal human would terrify me in this situation, and Abaddon was neither normal nor human.
Eventually he spoke, his voice slow and deliberate.
“The important thing is, mortal,” he said, then paused as though gathering his thoughts. I held my silence, despite the questions ‘mortal’ raised. “The most important thing is that demons do not steal mortal souls. You need not fear that from me, nor that I will kill you. You are a guest. I brought you herefreely, and you made no bargain with me. Thus, you owe me nothing, and I demand nothing of you.”
“That doesn’t explain anything,” I pointed out when it was clear he didn’t intend to say more. “Whatdoyou want? What are you?”
