Chapter Three

Pounding on the door pulls me out of a groggy sleep and I blink my eyes open. I turn towards the demon sitting in the chair, I half expected to not be there. That last night was a crazy dream but he’s still as a statue almost like he didn't move all night, his eyes on me.

“Want to get that?” I ask him

“No.”

I groan, pushing to sit up. “Why not?”

“I don’t open doors.”

Raising an eyebrow, I scoff. “Because answering summons on random roads in the middle of the night is so dignified.”

His eyes narrow to slits and I can’t wipe the smile off my face as I get out of bed. Yeah, that was a lot scarier before I knew he couldn’t harm me. Making my way to the door, I yell at the person I’m coming and grab my pants off the floor. 

I peek out the hole and I pursue my lips, opening the door. “Are you here for Reno?”

Kel shakes his head. “No— well yes but to warn you.”

I widen the door so he can step in and he walks in and pauses once he notices the demon near my bed.

“Oh. I didn’t know you had company. Though you probably should have stayed at his place.”

I snort, not commenting on the fact he tried and he can’t. The demon glowers at me as if he could read my thoughts and I bite my lip to keep from smiling again.

“You said you wanted to warn me?”

Kel studies him for a few more seconds before turning back to me. “You hear from your dad?”

My heart skips a beat and I exchange a glance with the demon. “No.”

“He was gambling at Scratch’s. Won big and skipped town last night.”

My stomach sinks. “But he owes Reno…and what about Natalie?” 

Kel gives me a somber expression. “Exactly, Rae. Reno is pissed, he’s been on a warpath all night. He has someone watching the cafe.”

“Fuck.” I curse. “I’m supposed to work today.” I run a hand through my hair and stomp to my small kitchen, starting the coffee. I’m not awake enough to think.

“Reno is planning on collecting you for his debt and soon, you know that, right?” Kel calls out to me. I hear a small growl from near my bed that has me pausing and looking behind me. Kel is still standing by the door with a confused look on his face. 

 “I figured. He’s stopped buying things at the cafe as a ruse.” 

Kel clears his throat, coming to the kitchen with a few wary glances into my bedroom. “I know you’re low on cash. I pulled some money because you need to get out of the city.” 

Warmth spreads out through my chest. “Kel … you don’t have to do that. Reno would kill you if he found out.” 

“We both know you didn’t deserve this life, Rae. I wish I could do more to help you.”

Heavy footsteps have Kel stepping back so the demon has room to come in the kitchen with us, he leans against the counter next to me with crossed arms glaring at Kel with an unreadable expression. 

I swing my hand between them, gaining both of their attention, Kel sets the money down on the table. I frown at him. “You should probably go. I don’t want Reno to catch wind of your help. Thank you though.” 

He nods, throwing another wary glance at the pouty demon with dark vibes before he kisses my forehead and slips out the door. The click of it closing echoes through the apartment before he speaks. 

“Who was that?” 

“Who are you?” I counter, putting my hands on my hips. He demands the name of someone else but won’t give me his. 

“Caspain.”

I open my mouth to argue and then snap it shut, realizing he had answered me. 

Caspain. Caspain. I quietly tested it on my tongue and found I like it. 

“That was Kellum. I’ve known him since I was a kid.”

“Intimately?” His stare is intense as he asks. 

“Uh-“ I give him a strange look. “That’s not the point.” 

“It is. I need to know.” 

I throw up my hands in frustration. “Why? Are you only going to take him seriously because he’s dicked me down? As if that’s what makes him a trustworthy man. That’s some toxic masculinity  bullsh-” 

Caspain growls, pushing closer to me so his hip is burning against mine. “I need to know if I have to kill him for touching you.” 

“Woah. Let’s back up here for a second.” I laugh, grabbing my coffee and stepping away from him. “Before I went to bed last night, you tried to kill me. And now you want to kill Kellum because we had sex a few years ago?” 

“So he has touched you.” His voice is dark and deadly. 

“Caspain!” I groan, I’m beyond annoyed. “That’s not the fucking point. What is even going on right now? And stop trying to kill everyone!”

“You’re mine.” He snarls, his eyes are so black I feel like I can see my soul reflecting.

“Yes, I know until the contract is fulfilled you’re stuck with me. I’m sorry, okay?”

I blow out a tense breath while we stare at each other. 

“We need to find somewhere else to hide out in the city. Do you happen to know anyone? Like do you have contacts in this.. realm?”

I dump my barely drunk coffee in the sink and walk to my bed, grabbing my old duffel bag. “Or maybe you can get money? Kel gave us a few hundred and I think I have like a hundred or so in my account.” 

Looking around my apartment, there isn’t much I want to take with me. Mine and Natalie’s important documents, like our birth certificates and socials, were my only priority. Other than that, I shoved an extra pair of jeans and a shirt into the bag.

“Or I guess if you have any other suggestions?” I call out since Caspain hasn't replied to anything I said. 

I do not enjoy awkward silences, especially ones filled with tension that needs to be broken. I don’t understand his problem with Kellum, but it’s making me uncomfortable. Kellum has been the only person there for me. He was the one who took me in when I became homeless at 18. Though Reno eventually got his hooks in him too, I don’t fault him for it. People on this side of Chicago don’t live a nice life. At least Kel has always done what he can to separate his duties with Reno and his life with me. We only crossed the line once on a drunken night and we knew right then and there, we were better off as friends. 

“Caspain?” 

“Stop talking, little human. Your voice is irritating me right now.” His voice is a bit muffled and I wonder if his head is in his hands. 

I huff. “Your entire presence irritates me but I still don’t tell you to shut up.”

Caspain comes out of the kitchen area and leans against the wall near the chair he sat in all night with a bemused look on his face. “No one has ever dared tell me to shut up.” 

I smile sweetly. “Shut up, Dumb Demon.” 

His nostrils flare, but his lips twitch in a shadow of a smile. He shakes his head. “Your mouth. I’m surprised it hasn’t gotten you in more trouble.”

“Ha!” I bark out a laugh, “do you not remember the shit show of my life I told you about last night?” 

Caspain sighs, running the palm of his hand across his mouth. “There’s somewhere we can go that I was trying to avoid while here.”

“So then why would we go there?” I ask. 

“Because we wouldn’t have to worry about being disturbed while we are with him. We can find the information we need during the day and have somewhere you can safely rest at night.” 

“Right,” I nod, zipping up my bag, “because demons don’t sleep.” 

“One of the reasons, yes,” Caspain says, watching me curiously. “Are you sure you want to take any of these possessions? They don’t particularly hold much value.”

“You know, you’re pretty materialistic and snobby. I would think living in brimstone and dirt would give you more appreciation of things.”

Caspain laughs. My eyes follow the slow lick of his bottom lip before his tongue tucks away into his cheek.“Fire and Brimstone. I have always been curious where humans came up with that.” 

I shake my head, cursing myself internally. He may be hot, but he’s still a demon. I can’t think like that about him. “Why didn’t you want to go to this place?” 

“The less that knows about our situation the better,” is all he simply says. 

I frown. “Why?”

He sighs, pulling at the lapels of his suit and rolling his shoulders. 

“You know I wouldn't have as many questions if you didn’t give me such damn vague answers.” 

Caspain’s lip twitch. “I doubt that. Humans love their questions.” 

“Is it because I bled in the hole? And now you can’t go home? So that’s a big deal?” I tie my hair up in a ponytail, grab my leather jacket, and put on my shoes. 

Caspain stares at my exposed neck for so long, I can’t keep the flush that creeps up it. He meets my eyes and I swear the black in them is burning brighter. “More or less.” 

I gargle a scream in frustration. “Oh my god. It’s like talking to a brick wall.” 

Caspain lets out a sinister hiss that has me shivering. I met his gaze and his face twisted in disgust. “Don’t, little human. Don’t talk like that.” 

“Uh— what?” I pause, realizing the word I had said and I giggle. “You’re scared of the word… God?” 

He growls when I say it again and causes me to laugh even harder. Caspain suddenly stands up straight, staring at the door. 

“We need to leave. I can sense men coming this way.” 

I sober up. “Wait, you knew Kel was here before he pounded the door like that? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Your friend's soul was barely tinted with corruption, he wasn’t a threat.”

My heart aches at the sentiment. “He only works for Reno out of desperation to keep food on the table for his family.” 

Caspain stares at me with a blank stare. “But not desperate enough to summon a demon?”

My jaw drops. “Was that a joke? Or an insult towards me? I can’t tell with your face and tone.”

He chuckles darkly, a shot of warmth going straight between my legs. “Come, little human. Time to meet a Prince of Hell.” 

I grab my bag the same time Caspain grabs my wrist and the world starts spinning. My last thought before everything black was how much I suddenly didn’t hate him touching me.