“Sebastian! Don’t you dare hang up on—“
I fling the phone down angrily, slumping back on the couch. My dad exploded when I cancelled tonight’s plans. They were already on their way here, but I sure as hell couldn’t let them inside while Tuxie boy is here. Speak of the... demon, he’s wandering around my apartment, touching everything like he owns the place.
Maggie can’t stay away, rubbing against his legs and purring more than ever, while Zane is cowering next to me, either whining or snarling at Tuxie. It’s making me quiet, scared of what’s going on.
“Quit calling me Tuxie,” the demon finally says. I look up, terrified. He just gives me a cold smile. “No, I can’t hear your thoughts, kid. You’re mumbling them out loud.”
I swallow, releasing Zane a bit.
The demon in my living room stares at me for a long time. I finally draw my attention away from his pale, thin features, and focus on his wings. Or, what’s left of them.
“Kid—“
“Quit calling me kid!” I yell, fed up. “You’re my age... what, like, twenty?”
Tuxie keeps on staring at me, and a smile slowly creeps across his face. “Do you know how old demons get?”
“Uh...” I scratch the back of my neck anxiously. That was a stupid assumption.
“Yeah. I’m just over three centuries old.” He sits down across from me, which unnerves me completely.
“Do you choose what age you look, then?” No, stupid. Don’t talk to him. Keep your distance.
Tuxie scoffs a bit. “Whatever. I age the same speed as humans, like you. Well, when I’m in my chains, I don’t age at all. I’ve been waiting to be free from that position in Hell. So, thank you.”
He doesn’t look at me, staring at the floor and toying with a scar around his wrist. I feel nauseous as realization hits me. “You mean, you’re being tortured in Hell until someone calls your name?”
His gaze snaps up to mine, his black eyes seemingly darker. “You know nothing,” he spits.
I sit there in silence, waiting.
“Fine, yes. It’s not really torture, just working in the forges. If you even falter for a second from your job...”
I have to find a new way to breathe. That’s sickening. “Then just don’t go back. You’ll be trapped for ages... so why give yourself up to that pain?”
Tuxie stares at me coldly. “You think demons haven’t tried that before? Unless our wings are restored, we’re able to be tracked wherever we go. And only an angel can restore wings, and only if they’re willing. I’m going to be back in Hell, whether I like it or not.”
I draw my knees up to my chest, and Zane hops up next to me on the couch, gazing at the demon woefully.
“Why do you keep them? They must be expensive to feed.”
I shrug. “They’re my companions. Nobody else is here.”
“Your parents were coming over. What about them? And you have a picture on your desk with a girl and a boy. What about them?” Tuxie settles back in the chair, keeping his deep gaze on me.
I look away. “My parents have given up on me. That picture is my sister and her fiancée, who live in Italy. They won’t be coming home anytime soon.”
“I could take you,” the demon offers. “Then my deed will be complete and I’ll be gone, you’lol finally get me out of your apartment.”
I scoff. “It’s really that simple?”
Tuxie sighs. “Well, yeah, except for the blood ritual.”
I nearly fall off the couch. “Blood ritual? Excuse me, but no.”
He grins. “It’s not that big of a deal. I just need a drop or two of your blood, even just something from a pricked finger. The more blood I consume, the more my wings are restored. I’m just that much closer to getting out of Hell.”
I try to slow my breathing, putting two and two together. “So, you can heal your wings without an angel?”
“Uh, yes. But it takes several thousand centuries to grow them back, all the while in Hell, and it’s a painful process the farther you go. Not to mention if you don’t keep up with your work in the forges, you get new scars.”
My eyes trace the pale white marks decorating Tuxie’s skin. “I think I know what I want my deed to be.”
He claps once, standing up. “Perfect. I’ll be out of your way soon, then.” I can hear the slight twist of despair in his voice as he faces the thought of having to go back into Hell. “What shall it be?”
I clear my throat. “I want you to find an angel for me.”