Chapter One

Grumbling, I continue to use the small shovel to dig a hole into the gravel road.

The chill of the night was causing goosebumps to run up my arms, even with the leather jacket.

This was stupid.

I felt like an idiot.

There was no way that a simple g****e search would tell me how to summon a demon.

But I was still out here digging a hole.

I ran over the mental checklist again.

Find a crossroads. Check.

Get a steel box. Check.

Put my most prized possession in said box. Check.

Bury box exactly in the middle of the two roads. In progress.

I sigh as I continue to dig a hole deep enough for my box.

What else do I have to do with my Friday night anyway?

What harm was there in trying?

Dad was out of options and I knew what the next step was if he got truly desperate. He already did it to my sister, what was stopping him from doing the same to me.

“Fuck!” I look down where I cut myself with the shovel, my blood dripping into the hole. “That’s what you get for being stupid, Rae. Digging a hole in the middle of the night.” I shake my head, scowling at myself.

Grabbing the bottom of my shirt, I press my finger into it to try to stop the bleeding. I pull my phone out and glance at the time. 11:58

Shit!

I quickly shove the box in the hole and stand up, kicking the dirt and gravel it as best as I could.

I walk to the side of the road, sucking on my bleeding finger. It hurts and I’m probably going to die from tetanus because who knows where this shovel has been.

Tapping my foot, I wait for something to happen, glancing at my phone after what I feel like is a million years but it’s only been another minute.

It was midnight.

That’s when they said to do it, bury a stupid box and strike a deal at the witching hour.

It was 12:01 now and I roll my eyes, laughing at myself.

Why do I feel strangely disappointed?

I walk back to the road to grab my box, I wasn’t going to leave my mother’s ring buried.

I kneel onto the ground to dig it back up when a deep voice interrupts.

“The sight of a woman on her knees truly does not get old.”

I scream and scramble backward falling onto my ass and look up towards the voice.

The gorgeous man in front of me frowns.

“You’re a bit young.”

Frozen in place and unsure what to say or do, I gawk at him. Where did he come from? Why is he so fucking hot?

He has a black tailor suit that lined his muscular form, his dark hair slicked back like a damn model. His jaw is sharply defined and his pale pink lips are pulled into a smirk now, his dark eyes shining against the moon.

“Young, but attractive. What do you want, little human? I want to finish the deal quickly so I can take my reward.”

I shake my head to remove the stars in my eyes and push myself up to stand. “H-human?”

The man looks down at the scattered mess of road near his feet and then back at me as if I asked something outrageous.

“R-right..” I stutter, exhale a breath, and run a shaking hand through my hair. “Right. You’re a demon?”

“I don’t have time to answer all the questions your pathetic human brain has to cycle through to grasp anything. What is the deal you were looking for?”

My temper flares up and I cross my arms at his words. “You know this is a two-way street. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here. I need something, you want something. We each take from each other.”

His dark eyebrows rise and a faint smile twitches on his lips. “My apologies, little human. Ask away.”

I suddenly don’t want to ask him any question to prove a point, so I steady myself instead. “I need help to pay off my dad’s debt and find my sister.”

He walks forward so he’s right in front of me and I hold my breath. He walks around me in a slow circle as if inspecting me and a small shiver threatens to run down my body. When we face again, he suddenly grabs my face and gives me a chaste kiss, and lets go just as quickly. The heat of where his hands touched my cheeks stinging.

“Done. I accept your contract.”

I stumble a step back, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. “What the hell you can’t just kiss people!”

His arm whips out, snatching my wrist, and pulls me to him examining the blood still slowly dripping from my cut.

“Let go of me!” I yell at him, pulling at my wrist. He steps closer and runs a hot tongue on the cut as I watch in horror.

His head tips back and his eyes close almost as if in pleasure. “So sweet, little human.”

My heart is pounding in my chest as we stare at each other. Am I going to die? Do demons eat humans?

His thumb runs over my thunderous pulse and lets go of my wrist. I cradle my arm to my chest, taking more steps backward to get away from him.

“I have a few things to tie up tonight. So I’ll come back to you tomorrow and we work out what you need, little human. Okay?”

“My name is Rae.” I’m not sure why I feel the need to correct, but the fact he keeps calling me little human is making me feel weak.

His eyes flash with something I don’t understand. “Rae.” He says, as if trying out how it sounds, he shakes his head. “I don’t like it. I prefer little human.”

I scowl at him “And I prefer my name. What is yours?”

His shoulders stiffen. “Names are powerful. I don’t give my name.”

I smile at him. “Dumb demon it is then.” I swallow to try to hide my fear, I don’t know why I can’t help but snark back at him. I really shouldn’t be teasing a demon.

His nostrils flare almost like I truly offended him. “Until tomorrow, little human.” He snaps his fingers and I watch him with curious eyes as we stare at each other.

He looks around with a tense brow before snapping his fingers again. I tilt my head, I wonder if something is supposed to be happening.

“What’s with the snapping?” I ask.

He turns to me with a scowl. “No questions.” His eyes follow to where I’m cradling my arm again and he stalks closer.

“No!” I scream, “you can’t have more of my blood!”

I turn to run towards my car but he catches my elbow easily, spinning me to face him.

“Did you bleed in the hole you dug?”

I try to wrestle my arm away but he’s gripping it so tightly I know I’m going to bruise. “I don’t know! Maybe. Why does it matter?”

He grips my chin to make me look directly at him, I shiver at the coldness in his eyes. “Think. Did you bleed in the ground while summoning me?”

“I-I think s-so.” I whimper, a tear escaping. He watches it roll down my cheek and land on his hand. He drops my wrist with a scowl.

The demon marches off to the hole and grabs the shovel I had abandoned on the road. Before I can even process what’s happening, he throws it directly at me. A scream hasn’t even worked its way up my throat before the sharp end of the shovel is hovering an inch in front of my chest.

“Did—“ Bile starts to rise as I step away from the shovel and it falls to the ground, “did you just try to kill me?”

The demon huffs. “Yes.”

My mouth drops open. “But why?” I know my voice sounds whiny.

“I had to test a theory.”

“Which is?”

He narrows his dark eyes but doesn’t answer. He sighs, scrubbing his face in a frustrated gesture that is entirely too human. “I can’t leave this realm till I’ve fulfilled your contract.”

“Okay.” I was unsure what else to tell him.

“So, tell me how you want me to help you.”

“Uh.. here? It’s getting late. I need to get home.” And away from you, I want to add.

He holds out his hand and I stare at it. “I’m not sure how well you will travel, but we can try.”

“I’m not touching you. I’m just going to take my car.” I point to the vehicle down the road.

Glancing at it, a resigned look crosses over his face. “Perhaps you should reconsider. My way is faster and less… of that sad excuse of a contraption.”

I cross my arms and scrunch my nose. “You mean that snapping thing you failed at not even minutes ago?”

He stalks towards me and I match his steps backward, keeping the distance between us. The demon throws up his hands, his face reddening as he stops. “I was trying to return home, which is why it didn’t work. I can take you anywhere in this realm,” his voice gravely with agitation, “anywhere, but my home.”

“Well, I would still prefer to take my sad excuse of a car and drive myself to my home,” I tilt my chin up, “alone. In case, you were thinking of following me.”

“How else do you expect me to get the information I need?” The incredulous look on his face makes me want to slap him.