I hurried out of the club, practically running down the street to get back to the hotel. With every step I felt myself speeding up, finally to a comfortable jog. I glanced behind me, making sure no one was following.
Bang.
The dull thud of impact resonated through my skull as my head collided with the unforgiving pavement. A sharp hiss of pain escaped my lips as my vision flashed black. My hands instinctively flew to the back of my head where I made contact with the ground. Wincing, I cracked open an eye to find that a familiar face hovered above me, their features both an oasis of recognition and an array of unanswered questions.
•~•~•~•
"Why did you disappear for so long?" I finally managed to speak. The sound of our feet hitting the concrete sidewalk echoed off the dark buildings. It was odd for the streets of hell to be this empty, especially at night. But others usually tried to avoid Alastor at all costs. Maybe that was why it was so quiet.
"I had some business to attend to," He replied. His eyes darted to meet mine & I felt uneasy. I didn't want to push him for answers, but at the same time I could hardly believe he was even here right now. The person that consumed all of my thoughts these past few weeks, the one that I knew was dangerous but I kept finding myself being drawn to him like a magnet. He was like a drug, but not even the good kind. He was like the kind of drug that made people crazy.
I couldn't help but stare at him. His antlers poked up past his fluffy red & black hair, little ear-like tufts on top of his head. The chain of his monocle gently swinging as he walked, his hands behind his back holding his staff. "What kind of business?" I pressed, looking forward again. I was desperate to talk about anything with him. I just wanted to hear his voice. That was truly the one thing that solidified that he was actually here. Part of me was afraid he'd disappear again.
A small chuckle came from his throat. "Nothing to concern yourself with. Just overlord business." I forgot he was an overlord & not just a demon. Vaggie told me the stories of how he came to become so powerful shortly after coming to hell. I honestly wasn't sure if I really believed it. Sure he was powerful, but most of the 'story' seemed like speculation & no one really knew the real source of Alastor's power.
"What kind of overlord business?" I pushed. I folded my arms in front of me, subconsciously putting a barrier between myself & Alastor. I was afraid of him, but I really just wanted to hear his voice more. His smile visibly tightened & he stopped walking, turning to face me. "Why all these questions, little doe?"
Little doe.
I felt my face heat up as I stared at him. I felt my heart speed up. "I'm just curious," I said. I glanced at the ground & back up at him. "I.. I just.."
"You just what?" His head tilted to the side, encouraging me to go on. I just missed you.
"I was just wondering what overlord business was like," I lied. He didn't look satisfied with that answer. He stepped toward me & I felt my breath get caught in my throat. I took a step back, but he kept stepping closer. & closer.
My back finally hit one of the buildings. "Overlord business," he started, standing so close I could feel his breath on my face. "Is just a bunch of talking. I've talked too much since I've been gone. I'd like to return to the hotel in peace."
My brow furrowed. "Why do you even bother escorting me back to the hotel if you're going to treat me like I'm the most annoying person you've ever met?" I snapped. His eyes flashed, almost like a red light at my outburst. He suddenly started laughing.
"The most annoying person I've ever met is Angel," he laughed, his eyes returned to normal. I wasn't satisfied with that answer. I wasn't going to let it go.
"I could've been hurt tonight," I rolled my eyes. "I'm tired of being weak. I want more. So I don't have to depend on anyone else to protect me."
"Interesting.." Alastor said, turning his back on me. He took a few steps away, looked at the deep red sky, & finally turned back to me. "I could make you stronger," he said in a dark tone. A chill went up my spine. I felt my anxiety pool in my stomach.
"How?"
Alastor stepped closer to me again, but this time placed his hand on the building right beside my head, essentially trapping me between his body & the rough brick wall. The heat radiating off his body made me feel lightheaded & I couldn't help but feel my face heating up again from being so close to him. I desperately wanted to avoid eye contact with him, but I couldn't help myself. My heart pounded wildly in my chest as I looked up at him, meeting those glowing red eyes.
"Make a deal with me."
Green smoke-like magic filled the air between us. Alastor's face contorted into a true demon-like grin, his eyes glowing bright red & his pupils shaped like radio dials. His once small black horns were elongated, stretching far past his head. Those hands elongated & distorted as if he had multiple joints between each of his fingers. Vaggie said he was powerful, that his power surpassed some of the other overlords in hell, but seeing his body distort itself into something so evil looking sent a wave of fear through my body. All of my senses were telling me to run, yet I had no intentions of doing so. I was tired of running. "A deal?" I questioned, not able to take my eyes off of his.
"Yes, a deal. I give you strength & power so you can protect yourself, you give me something in return." His face had returned to normal, the green mist form of his magic still hanging in the air around us. His body was still dangerously close to mine & even after he showed me a small glimpse of his power & how he really looked, I couldn't help but want more of him. To see him as he truly was.
"I don't have anything you want," I said. It was true, I had nothing to give. It seemed like a very one-sided deal in my eyes.
"Oh but of course you do," he laughed heartily. His laugh echoed through the empty dimly lit street, reminding me that we were completely alone. If he switched up on me & I needed to be saved from Alastor, I was already fucked. Even more so with no witnesses, no one to even attempt to help me. Not that it would really do anything. The true danger of this situation became extremely apparent once I realized that. He made me feel safe, but also sent an odd fear through my bones. Almost familiar in a way.
"Your soul," he continued, softening his voice. "Your soul is much more valuable than you think."
"My soul, Alastor? You want my fucking soul?"
He laughed again, but this time it sounded much darker. It suddenly clicked in my head. Was he only nice to me & protecting me to get close to me so he could eventually get my soul? Was I just a collector's token to him? "What about redemption?" I asked. "If I have no soul, I assume I can't get into heaven. I'd be letting Charlie down. I'd be ruining her dream."
"Oh, nonsense," he waved me off. "It doesn't have to be permanent. Besides," he leaned closer to me, his lips brushing my ear. His voice softened before he spoke. "What else could you offer me?"
I couldn't deny the effect he had on me & how badly I wanted him. I couldn't lie to myself about it anymore, I wanted him desperately but I was trying so hard to stay true to Charlie & the hotel. To stay true to my redemption. I wasn't even sure if I belonged in hell to begin with, I couldn't remember anything about my human life. But if that was the case & my memory never came back, shouldn't I go ahead & make a new life here in hell? This is my reality now.
"Alastor," I whispered. He chuckled, the heat from his breath fanning across my neck. "My little doe, let me help you. I can give you everything you desire."
My knees grew weak & I was suddenly grateful for the building behind me holding me in place. Heat pooled between my thighs & I felt like I couldn't handle it anymore. What was redemption to me? Redemption for a life I didn't remember? Why not relish in the sins since I'm already here? The effect Alastor had on me was intense. It made me feel as if my soul was already trying to claw its way out of my body to be closer to him.
"I'll do it," I said quickly, closing my eyes.
"I'll give you my soul."
He didn't speak, but he pulled his body away from me which made me open my eyes. His appearance shifted to that demonic form once again as he pulled away from me, offering his hand. "On one condition," I continued. He said nothing, only tilted his head to the side to encourage me to keep talking. "Don't disappear on me again."
I reached out & took his hand, giving a firm shake.