Chapter 1: A Demon Walks Into A Diner

-Lucifer-

It has been two days since finding Anna. The informant had come through, as I knew she would. I can’t help licking my lips as I remember the taste of Anna’s blood. It was sweet...addictive. It called to me, begging me to taste her essence. It was a mere sample of what was to come. Being the greedy Devil I am, I want more. I want to taste every inch of her delectable body. I want to bathe in her scent and feel her soft flesh writhing in pleasure beneath me. My patience is wearing thin. I want her.

I have spent the last two days watching her as she went to the mortal school, went to work, went to Ravenhurst Coven...I watched her as she bathed, as she slept. She was already like a drug to me. I can’t stop watching her. To be honest, I have done the bare minimum in my kingdom the last few days just so that I can watch her. My need to make contact with Anna is overwhelming. The demon inside me is demanding me to go claim what is ours.

Suddenly, the heavy stone doors of the throne room open revealing Tobias who is quickly making his way towards me. I sigh, waving my hand in the air, making the image of Anna dissipate. There better be a good reason for this interruption.

Tobias bowed. “My King.” I gesture for him to rise. “I have received word that some of the princes of The Underworld have suspicions of your mate in The Mortal Realm.”

My jaw clenches as the anger inside me starts to build, but I retain the blank expression I’ve perfected over my existence in front of my general. The news of my mate has leaked from my kingdom somehow. There is a traitor among us. This infuriates me but really isn’t a surprise. There are very few I trust who knows about Anna but that doesn’t mean that one of the servants couldn’t have overheard the news. I will have to head to The Mortal Realm immediately to protect my Queen.

“Tobias,” I say standing up from the throne.

“Yes, my King.”

“I’ll have to go to The Mortal Realm sooner than expected to ensure my Queen’s safety. In the meantime, I want you to search for the traitor that leaked the information as well as start the preparations for my Queen’s arrival in the kingdom.” I make my way down the half dozen steps and start walking towards the throne room entrance with Tobias walking beside me. In my absence, Tobias is in charge ranking as my second in command until Anna arrives.

“Yes, my King. Are you sure you don’t want to have any of the elite guards there to protect the Queen instead?” Tobias asks grabbing the hilt of his sword out of habit.

I shake my head. “She is too important to me. She is my mate, I will protect her.” It’s not that I doubted the reliability of the elite guards, they are the best. Their strength, endurance, combat skill, and loyalty surpassed most of the demons in Hell and The Underworld. To be honest, they could handle protecting her. Being the selfish bastard that I am, I want to meet her. No, I need to meet her. I’m done waiting. I know that I will have to make the occasional trip back to Hell to handle things that only a king can manage until Anna descends but Tobias will alert me if anything comes up until then. I will also have to assign Anna a bodyguard while in my absence. I have an idea whom but getting the demon to agree to such a task would probably be a battle itself. She hates The Mortal Realm as most demons do but it will only be until I can bring Anna back to our kingdom.

“I understand, my King. I will keep you well informed while you are gone. The preparations for the Queen and the hunt for the traitor will be taken care of immediately.”

“Good.” I reply with a nod. Although I maintain my reserved appearance, I can’t help the excitement coursing through my veins now that I am going to finally meet Anna. My future. My mate. My Queen.

~~~~~

-ANNA-

It is a typical busy Wednesday evening here tonight at the diner but I don’t mind it. I’m going to miss the normality that this job gave me after this week because I would be putting all my spare time towards the classes at the Ravenhurst Coven. That was the agreement between me and my aunts. After my junior year of mortal high school, I would be able complete my senior year at mortal high school but all my spare time would be devoted to the coven. That means no job and no soccer. Just loads of time spent learning how to be a powerful witch, to hold up to my family lineage. I spent the passed summers at the coven learning, studying, and practicing on my own or with my friends. I’m pretty good. I’m confident in what I can do. Being a natural born witch with royal blood in your veins has it’s perks of being naturally stronger than regular witches and warlocks. However, being a Royal also holds you to higher standards according to my Aunt Zelda. Such as being in the top of all my classes, both mortal classes and the classes at the coven. Always looking presentable to the public. Carrying myself with confidence and poise. Be a role model and so on. She enjoys her status as a Royal bloodline. Aunt Beatrice, however, is more like myself. We don’t like people treating us any different just because of our blood. Hell, I even had to fight Aunt Z to let me have a job. She didn’t like the idea of me working like a commoner. Money is not an issue with our family, she would argue. Which is true. The Croft family has always been wealthy but in the end, she caved as I told her it was something that made me feel normal and that it would be short lived once I graduate.

“Anna!”

I look up from wiping the counter behind the bar as Chris calls my name. Chris is sitting in a booth with Andy and Nick. He gestures with his hand for me to come over. I roll my eyes and drop the rag on the counter before heading over towards the football players.

“What do you want now?” I ask stopping beside the booth with my hands on my hips. I wasn’t necessarily irritated with them, it was their best friend and my ex-boyfriend Mitch. I caught him cheating on me two weeks ago. I’m a tad salty since we had been together for nearly seven months.

“Look, you’re our friend too. We miss you.” Chris tells me as he pushes his half eaten plate forward.

“Just because Mitch was stupid doesn’t mean we can’t still hangout and be friends.” Nick adds while taking a drink of his soda.

I lean over and grab a French fry off Chris’ plate. “We are still friends.” I tell them as I bite into the French fry.

“Then why are you avoiding us?” Andy narrows his green eyes at me.

I sigh.“I’m not avoiding you. Ninety percent of the time you are around Mitch and I can’t be around him without wanting to tear his head off his shoulders.” Or turn him into something disgusting...like a slug.

“Understandable but what about the other ten percent?” Nick asks me raising his eyebrows.

“I’m either working, hanging out with the girls, or busy.” Which isn’t a lie. It makes me actually wonder how I juggled everything on top of being an outstanding girlfriend to that prick.

“How about you come to the party that Andy is throwing this Saturday to celebrate the end of the school year?” Chris suggests with a friendly smile.

I shake my head. “No thanks. Mitch will be there.” Mitch never missed a party, especially when his friends were throwing it.

Andy sighs in frustration. “Come on! You don’t even have to be near him. We will be sure to keep him away from you.”

I look at Nick who is pouting and I roll my eyes. “Oh stop! You’re not that adorable Nick.” That’s a lie. The three of the guys are pretty good looking. Nick has short wavy black hair and chocolate colored eyes whereas Andy has shoulder length dirty blond hair with green eyes. Then Chris has short brown hair with grey eyes. All completely different looking but good looking in their own way. Plus, being athletically fit helps too. Although they’re attractive, I never considered them more than my friends.

Nick sighs. “At least think about it?”

I hear the bell go off at the diner entrance signaling a new customer arriving. I take another fry off of Chris’ plate and munch on it before replying, “I’ll think about it.”

The three boys start to fist bump each other in celebration. I roll my eyes. “That doesn’t mean I’m going.”

Chris gives me a big smile and casually points a finger at me. “True but you didn’t flat out say no, either.”

I smirk at them. “Get lost dweebs. I have actual customers to take care of here, like Henry.” I say making my way to the old man sitting at the bar. Henry is an army veteran that lost his wife a few years ago. He’s a regular customer, one of my favorites actually.

Henry looks over his shoulder and eyes the football players. “Ey, they giving you trouble tonight missy?”

I grab the coffee pot and began refilling his cup. “Nothing I can’t handle Henry.”

He returns his gaze to me and leans forward on his elbows, saying loud enough for the guys to hear, “You still have that taser I gave ya right?”

I smile at the old man. Henry was protective, like a father. He had come to me one evening and insisted that I take the taser from him and carry it because of all the creeps in town. It was a sweet gesture and I took it to make him feel better but the weapon was unnecessary since I’m a witch. “Yes, it’s in my bag.”

He nods, pleased with my answer and replies before taking a drink of his coffee, “Good.”

I make a fresh pot of coffee and check out a couple tables of patrons that were ready to pay, including the guys. Once I had finished the last paying customer, Darla, the other waitress working with me tonight, comes up behind me. “Hey Anna, while you were busy, I seated another customer at one of your tables. You should thank me, he’s quite the looker.” She winks at me.

I look over the counter and notice a gentlemen in a black suit sitting in one of the booths looking over a menu. I nod to Darla saying, “Thanks,” and head over towards the man. Darla wasn’t kidding, he is yummy looking. The man looks to be in his late twenties, maybe early thirties. He has black short stubble on his carved face that screams rough and rugged even though he is wearing a business suit. The man is wearing a white collared shirt under his black suit with the top two buttons undone exposing a bit of his chest. He has short jet black hair, pale skin, a strong jaw and high chiseled cheek bones. He looks like a business man out of a fancy magazine...a very delicious business man. This man...is the epitome of a tall, dark and handsome man. Completely drool worthy. Calm, yourself Anna. A guy that good looking is probably married or at least has a girlfriend.

As if he knew I was coming towards him, he looks up from the menu and meets my gaze. Oh, wow! This man has the most gorgeous, intense dark eyes I have ever seen! As he looks at me, there is a series of emotions that crosses his face, but I can’t place them. It’s only when I’m merely ten feet from him I realize that he is in fact, not human. He’s a demon. I can sense things like that, the auras of different beings. He’s a powerful one too. Oh good gravy, not another one!

I stop by his booth and take the tablet and pen out of my waitressing apron. “Good evening sir, my name is Anna and I will be your server tonight. May I get you something to drink?” I decide to play it cool. Maybe he’s just passing through?

A smile spreads across his handsome face, showing a line of perfect white teeth. “Anna, that’s a pretty name.” He replies in a thick, seductive British accent.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes. I can’t imagine how many females are called Anna in the world. Is this demon really trying to flirt with me? “Thank you, sir.” I reply to him, trying to be polite since I’m working...and unfortunately have to be nice to people no matter if they’re possibly created in the fires of Hell.

“Tell me, Anna, do you enjoy serving these peasants?” He asks while looking around at the mortals in the diner.

My eyeballs have a mind of their own and I roll my eyes. “Wow, you demons really are full of yourselves.” I have no regrets about the eye roll. None.

His smile widens. “Does me being a demon bother you?”

“No. I’ve met plenty of demons in my day. You are nothing special.” I tell him. It’s strange. Although I’ve never met this man before, I feel like I know him. There is something that seems to be pulling me to him. I shake the feeling off. “Are you going to order something?”

He looks amused. “I’m not really hungry.”

“Then why did you come to a diner if you aren’t hungry?” I raise a questioning eyebrow. He’s no doubt here just to be a thorn in my side.

He sighs and lays the menu on the table. “Well you see, my dear Anna, I’m here for you.”

I raise both my eyebrows at his statement. I shouldn’t be surprised, this isn’t the first demon that has sought me out. “You’re not an Incubus are you?” I ask narrowing my eyes at him suspiciously. It would explain his incredibly good looks and strong s*x appeal. I bet if you look up s*x appeal in the dictionary, an image of this man would be there for reference. Now, as to why I would think this handsome man is an Incubus...for the last month, I’ve had to deal with four Incubus seeking me out all because of a spell I did with my friends. So it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s one of them trying to see if he can’t pry my legs apart.

He chuckles and replies in a silky voice. “Why? Do you find me attractive?” He pauses then smirks. “Yummy, perhaps?”

I frown. This son of a b***h read my mind! Not many demons have the ability to do so but he does. How irritating! “Didn’t you know it’s rude to listen to someone’s thoughts?”

The demon shrugs casually. Like it isn’t a big deal, like he just didn’t invade my privacy. “No, I’m not an Incubus but I am pleased you find me yummy. I must say, you are quite the delectable creature yourself.”

I feel the blush rising on my cheeks from his comment. Normally, I would feel awkward receiving such a compliment, especially from a stranger. However, this isn’t the case with him. How odd? I sigh, feeling annoyed by this demon. “What do you want?” I watch as he not so subtly rakes his dark eyes over me, like he’s envisioning all the pervy things he would like to do to me. When he finishes, he meets my gaze.

“We need to talk.” He states.

I glance back at the clock on the wall behind the bar then turn back to him. “I get off my shift in an hour. I’ll meet you outside by the black mustang.”

From the look he gives me, it almost appears he thought it would’ve been more of a fight for me to agree to talk to him alone. If he only knew the amount of demons I’ve dealt with.

The look is quickly replaced with a charming smile. “Great! Now, I think I’ll have...” He glances down at the menu before looking back up at me. “A chocolate milkshake while I wait.”

I scowl at him before writing down his order. Is it too much to ask that he waits his pervy ass outside? “Right away, sir.”

The demon chuckles at my annoyance. The next hour is going to be a pain if he’s planning on sitting there the entire time and creeping on me.

~~~~~

-LUCIFER-

I notice Anna the moment I enter the diner. She was having a conversation with three boys. I had to hold back a growl as I heard them trying to persuade her to come to a party this weekend. Although they seem to be her friends, they are in fact male. Even if Anna doesn’t realize it, they are attracted to her. The mortal boys might not have openly said it but their lustful thoughts told me otherwise. My jaw clenches as I hold back on going over there and ripping the heads off the mortal boys that would dare think of my mate in such a manner. NO! Calm yourself, Lucifer. You need to behave yourself. This will be the first time meeting Anna and you need to make a good first impression.

“Good evening, sir. How many will be dining with you tonight?” An older woman with short red hair asks me.

“One.” I reply, not taking my eyes off Anna. She is breathtaking. I still can’t believe that she’s mine.

“Do you prefer the bar, a table, or a booth?” Th redhead asks batting her eyelashes flirtatiously. The waitress’ interest in me does not go unnoticed. Aside from my painfully good looks, I have a natural s****l aura that emits desire to anyone who looks at me. It is both a blessing and a curse, especially when it can negatively affect my relationship with Anna.

“Booth.” I state, relaxing as Anna walks away from the boys at the booth and over to an old man sitting at the bar. I’m not worried about the old man. The old man’s thoughts are purely about protecting Anna as if she was his daughter.

“Please follow me.” The waitress says as she leads me over to a booth and places a menu on the table. I take a seat to where I can easily watch my mate.

“Anna will be your waitress tonight. She should be over here in a few minutes to take your order.” The redhead informs me before making her way to bus some dirty tables.

I watch as Anna pours the old man some coffee then went about working behind the bar. I watch as she cashes out some customers, including the boys she had been talking to earlier. I grit my teeth again as I hear one of them talk about the party. Once the mortal boys had left the diner, my body relaxed. I look down at the menu, playing my part as a convincing customer. I wonder why on earth she, being a Royal bloodline, would choose to work serving those that are under her? She is a Queen. These mortals should be serving her.

I smile behind the menu as I hear the redheaded waitress inform Anna of my presence. I lower the menu slightly, resisting the urge to smile when I hear Anna’s thoughts. She finds me attractive. I hold in a smirk as she calls me drool worthy. As the mate bond grows between us, eventually she won’t be able to resist me...nor I her. Unfortunately for me, I’m a demon god and all the emotions I feel towards her are already intensified tenfold. I’ll have to be careful not to scare her with my beastial impulses. As Anna comes closer, her enticing scent fills my senses. I hold in a moan that threatens to escape my lips as my body begins to respond to her. I can’t resist anymore and look up, meeting her gaze. f**k, she is breathtaking. Painfully beautiful...like a goddess. My goddess. Anna has her long blonde hair pulled up in a ponytail, revealing her pale slender neck that is just begging for my lips. Her blue eyes are like sapphires, vibrant and intense…and she has the most beautiful rosey red lips I have ever seen. I notice she isn’t wearing makeup. She doesn’t need it with her beautiful complexion and naturally long dark eyelashes. There is no need to cover up perfection. The blonde is wearing a black t-shirt with the diner’s name on her slender form and a pair of dark blue skinny jeans that show off her enticing curves. I feel an aching in my heart that I’ve never felt before as I look at her. Truth be told, I’m not sure how the mate bond will change me. All I know is that when I look at Anna, there are emotions stirring inside me I didn’t even realize I had.

I was so mesmerized by my mate, it wasn’t until a moment before she stopped by the booth that I had caught what her last thought was...she knows I’m a demon. Anna must have been able to sense my aura...impressive.

Anna stops next to my booth, retrieving a notepad and pen from the apron she’s wearing. “Good evening sir. My name is Anna and I will be your server tonight. May I get you something to drink?”

A smile spreads across my face. If she’s bothered by the fact I’m a demon, she isn’t showing it. “Anna, that’s a pretty name.” I can’t help myself.

“Thank you sir.” The blonde replies politely.

“Tell me, Anna, do you enjoy serving these peasants?” I ask while looking around the diner at the mortals. It really bothers me that she would choose to work as a servant to beings lesser than herself. However, her reaction was not what I anticipated.

She rolls her beautiful blue eyes at me. “Wow, you demons really are full of yourselves.”

I can’t help it, my smile widens at her comment. “Does me being a demon bother you?”

“No. I’ve met plenty of demons in my day. You are nothing special.” Anna tells me boldly. I resist the urge to chuckle. Such a spitfire! I can’t help but feel a little bit of jealousy knowing that other demons have met my mate before I had. I’m brought out of my thoughts by her next question. “Are you going to order something?”

I look at her amused. “I’m not really hungry.”

“Then why did you come to a diner if you aren’t hungry?” Anna raises an eyebrow at me.

I sigh, placing the menu on the table. I decide that being straightforward with her would be the best strategy. “Well you see, my dear Anna, I’m here for you.”

She raises both of her eyebrows at my response, then narrows her eyes at me and asks, “You’re not an Incubus are you?”

Why in the world would she think I’m an Incubus? Granted, I’m extremely good looking and s*x appeal is one of the qualities that make me who I am but still. I chuckle and reply in a silky voice. “Why? Do you find me attractive?” I pause, already knowing her answer. I smirk. “Yummy, perhaps?”

Anna frowns at me, realizing now that I can read her mind. “Didn’t you know it’s rude to listen to someone’s thoughts?”

I shrug casually. I read people’s thoughts all the time. I don’t care about their privacy. What’s the point in having an ability if I can’t use it? “No, I’m not an Incubus. But I am pleased you find me yummy. I must say, you are quite the delectable creature yourself.” Again, I can’t help myself. Anna is my mate and I can’t resist flirting with her.

I watch as a delightful blush spread across her pale cheeks. She sighs. “What do you want?”

I can’t resist looking her over from head to toe. I want her...I want to take her right here on this table in front of everyone. I want to hear her moan my name as I pleasure her and taste her luscious lips. I want to put my marks all over her body to show everyone that she is MINE. That is what I want but that will come in time. I need to be patient. “We need talk.” I state.

Anna glances back at the clock on the wall before returning her attention back to me. “I get off my shift in an hour. I’ll meet you outside by the black mustang.”

I study her for a moment. I’m kind of shocked that she had agreed to meet privately with me so easily. She doesn’t appear to be the least bit concerned by a demon requesting to speak with her. Just how many demons have come to my mate?! And for what purpose?! I can’t help but feel my anger rising at the thought of Anna putting herself in danger. How could she be so reckless?! No! No. I regain my composure and fight back the urge to chew her out for putting herself in harm’s way. Anna is standing right here in front of me, alive and well. She obviously has been doing something right. I give her a charming smile. “Great! Now, I think I’ll have...” I glance down at the menu before looking back up at the blonde. “A chocolate milkshake while I wait.”

Anna scowls at me before writing down my order and snapping. “Right away, sir.”

I chuckle at the girl’s clear annoyance of me choosing to stay inside the diner until her shift is over. I watch as she turns around and heads over to the bar to place my order, swaying her hips as she does. I’ve never given much thought to the invention of the skinny jeans...but I feel like I owe the inventor something in return as I watch Anna’s ass as she walks away. My little temptress...with her perfect ass that I can’t wait to smack with my hand. I bet she has the cutest little dimples above her cheeks. Mmmm. I can’t wait to find out. She’ll be lucky if I leave her alone at all between now and the time that she goes to Hell with me. Yes, things are certainly going to be interesting.