Feature Writer: Libertysn
Feature Title: SEEDS OF CORRUPTION 4
Published: 28.06.2024
Story Codes: Demonic
Synopsis: Alice tries to maintain her human identity
Author’s Notes: Hey thanks for reading this chapter! Sorry for any delay. I will be posting these every fortnight on a Wednesday going forward. I feel like the story to this point was a bit slower setting things up. The next few chapters are pretty much back to back now to the end.
Seeds Of Corruption 4
Chapter 4 – Monsterous adjustments
Alice was pulled from her sleep by the shrill ringing of her phone. Opening her eyes made her realise just how much her head was throbbing. Bleary eyed she reached over grabbing her phone from the side and saw it was Julia’s name, she debated declining the call but figured it would just ring again.
Alice answered the phone holding it tentatively to her ear as she all but whispered. “Hello?”
“Did I wake you? When did you end up getting to bed?” Julia’s voice came through far louder than Alice anticipated.
“I don’t know, maybe about five? My head is killing me though, what’s up?”
“Sorry it’s two so figured you would be up. How did last night go, you found out what you needed too?”Julia spoke gentler but just as loud. Alice huffed a laugh as the events of last night slowly filtered back to her.
“Yeah I did, I don’t need to tell you what I was told though, do I?” Alice said sardonically.
“Sorry about that, I really felt like it wasn’t my place to tell you ya know?”
Alice had already thought about this last night walking home, should she have felt betrayed that her friend didn’t let her in on what was happening to her? Maybe. But she also recognised that without Levash’s history lesson and sincerity she probably would have gone completely off the deep end had she found out sooner. “It’s alright, thanks for pushing me to go regardless, Chris was dead set against it and without your encouragement, I probably would have flaked.” Alice heard Julia let out a relieved sigh in response, it would make her feel better to believe it was in relief.
“So what happened? You texted me pretty late in the end, how did it go? What is going to happen now? Can he stop it?” In response Alice gave Julia a rundown of how the night went, aside from the history lesson, and the reservoir.
“Jesus.” Was Julias only comment.
Alice laughed. “Actually quite the opposite.”
“Ha, ha.” She could practically hear Julia roll her eyes. “So, what happened when you got back?”
“Two things, one I kinda freaked out at Christina and she locked herself in her room.” Alice waited for the reproach but Julia spoke at the same level in response.
“Okay. What else?”
“I started growing horns.”
“Fuck. What are they like?”
Alice considered Julias question, having all but avoided them since they appeared. Sne slowly reached up feeling for them, her hands wrapped around them and they had grown considerably through the night, she guessed they might have been about five inches long and had started to curl around the top of her head growing backwards. She was slightly more shocked to realise they felt quite sensitive. As her fingers rubbed up and down the smooth ridges on the horn it felt. Weird? “They’re horns? And they’re growing fast, which I guess is good because they seem to have bled over most of my bed in my sleep.
“Welcome to womanhood.” The joke forced a loud laugh from Alice, quickly making her wince at the pain. “Anything else this morning?”
That was the million pound question. Slowly getting out of bed, Alice trudged into the bathroom for her daily checkup.
“Okay so, horns are horns, my face is covered in streaks of blood which is very Carrie but sadly halloween has passed.” Pausing to take stock of herself. “Face is the same as yesterday, minus bags, guess feeding has given me energy like he said it would.” Looking down her body seemed, maybe more curvier? It was hard to tell from sight, maybe she should start measuring each morning. “Body looks fine, or well nothing new. Touch wood, that’s all for today.”
“Okay well in that case, get a shower and clean off all the blood, get dressed I’m on my way over.” Julia said definitively.
“You don’t need to do that, I’ll be fine, I’m going to try and avoid leaving the house today, hell my room even if I can help it.” In response though, Julias tone became considerably more serious in an instant.
“I’m not coming round for you, Christinas already called me in tears, you terrified her last night. We need to talk.” The line cut off after that, Alice just staring at the wallpaper on her now silent phone.
“Just stay calm, that’s all I need to do.”
—
The shower had revealed no new changes except that she had slept funny last night and her lower back had an awful twinge in it. Sucking it up she continued getting ready and just as she finished throwing on a white sundress she heard the front door go, soon after followed by Christinas door opening as well. A familiar chill shot up Alice’s spine before she could leave.
“If you need to remove yourself from the situation at any point do so, do not be forced to stay by some dog. Your control is more important right now than a human’s feelings.” The voice rang in her mind. Well, the sentiment was in the right place, all Alice had to do was ignore the voice’s casual disregard for, well just about everyone else.
Entering the living room she found both girls sat on the sofa together, Christina looking much the same as she had last night.
Julia spoke up for the pair. “Please take a seat Alice.”
Alice laughed trying to break the tension in the room.
“Why do I feel like I’m on dateline?” Neither of the other parties found her joke funny. Sitting, Alice waited for either of them to start the conversation. Christina surprisingly was the one to break the silence.
“Tell me that what happened last night won’t happen again.”
“Levash told me–” Alice was quickly interrupted before she could finish.
“I don’t care what the Demon said, I want you to tell me that you blowing up at me last night won’t happen again.” Christina insisted. Alice couldn’t gauge Julias position in this, she had been cold at the end of the phone but had still checked in on her first. Christina seemed nervous as Alice hesitated before responding
“Me shouting back at you was a heat of the moment thing, a lot happened last night, I found out a lot. You jumping down my throat kind of rocked me when I was already very, shaken. I have been told that our — Demons’ tempers are more volatile while they — we are changing, but that can be controlled still.” Alice thought for a second and then added. “I’ve been advised that in stressful situations it would be best to remove myself if I feel overwhelmed. I think that would be good advice to follow to avoid it happening again.” Julia looked back to Christina but didn’t jump to add a comment waiting for the brunette to respond.
“Would it be better if one of us moved out while this is going on?” Alice’s eyes went wide, they had both lived together since they started University, they had lived next to each other growing up, basically never being apart.
“No. No I mean, it was one time and it won’t happen again, I think. Regardless I won’t let it get that bad Chris, I was just so, so out of it and. It doesn’t justify it but–” Alice trailed off seeing Chris was deep in thought and as the seconds ticked by Alice grew more uncertain while sat in limbo, the idea that on top of everything else her transformation would scare off her closest friend. Julia broke the silence, speaking up.
“Weres can have quite a temper Alice, we have to learn to control our anger growing up, having it thrust on you now, I can imagine would be a lot. If it would help we could talk about the ways I control myself.” Alice nodded as she ignored the voice in her head.
“Whatever breathing exercises they teach each of the little pups won’t change anything for us. Whatever they feel, whatever you felt as a ‘human’ is nothing compared to the fire you felt last night in your veins, how can it be? They can only commit sin, wrath. We are sin incarnate.” Alice took a deep breath before responding to Julia.
“I’d like that a lot, please.” Christina finally spoke up and put Alice out of her misery.
“Julia has already offered to let me stay at hers if I need to, but I don’t want to. Alice I’m sorry I blew up last night, I know it was a lot for you, but I was freaking out all night and I just couldn’t help thinking that, maybe you were just being manipulated like, like I had.” Alice noted the first tear start to well on Christina’s face and without hesitation she moved across the room embracing the girl who all but collapsed in her arms. Julia looked ready to intervene before noticing Christina holding on tightly back.
“I’m so sorry for scaring you, or for making you think about that arsehole again. I promise it won’t happen again.” Alice consoled as both girls stayed together for a moment, Chris’s tears staining through Alice’s dress before she pulled away. Wiping her eyes on her sleeve Chris sat back and gave a weak smile that gave Alice far more relief than she could have ever imagined.
Julia stood with a clap.
“Well one issue has been resolved. Alice, don’t slip up again. Chris, don’t poke the bear.” Both girls nodded as Julia continued. “Second item on the agenda though, the show starts on Wednesday, and Alice is very clearly not human anymore. Now not the biggest issue, we just need to get you new ID’s to show you’re a Demon and we can get your contract updated and all be set to go, right Chris?”
Chris sat still, her eyes getting wider. “Oh shit..” Alice faintly heard Christina mumble as her eyes darted between the two but Julia seemed just as confused as her.
“That’s not reassuring Chris, does it take a while to get a new contract? Why do I even need a new contract anyway, I’m still me.” Alice questioned growing more concerned. Julia spoke first, shaking her head.
“Not in the eyes of the state. It’s odd, like not many groups can actually make a supe out of a human, yeah? But like with vampires, and the few Were creatures that can turn more, the state treats it as if the human died, so effectively all contracts you had are null and void, your items are divvied out as inheritance etcetera. The only reason the council isn’t pushing to repeal it is the vamps are having a bit of a population issue, everyone wants to be immortal right? So like The Council’s idea is let your assets be stripped when you’re turned to stop the rich just buying immortality.”
Alice just looked at her dumbly. “But I’m not a vampire, I didn’t die or anything. Why would they do it like that?”
Julia just shrugged again, looking slightly more exacerbated. “Supes, us. The state isn’t exactly tripping over itself to get our rights in check. For as much as the little hate groups think we’re taking over, everything is made as difficult as possible for us. FYI, make sure your next of kin is trustworthy or they can just keep your money.”
“Are you joking?”
“Sadly not, prepare to pay inheritance, and gift tax when they send you your own money back. It’ll really make you appreciate paying for all the public services that aren’t available to you by the way.” Julia said as Christina continued to silently think.
“What do you mean they aren’t available?”
Julia’s laugh echoed in the room almost startling the concentrated brunette next to her. “You’ve never watched any of the debates on the news have ya?”
“Not since I was a child anyway.” Alice shook her head as she responded.
“Well in which case, enjoy not being entitled to any form of benefits, pension, schooling or healthcare as the Gov decided The Council should be providing all that, they didn’t decide to reduce our tax bill so we can pay it into The Council instead though. And don’t even get me started on the police, what a joke. But hey, at least your student loans will be cleared.”
The entire time the pair had been speaking Christina had been sitting working through something in her head and finally decided to speak up.
“Alice, did the Demon tell you if you can hide your horns?” Surprised at Chris finally speaking up, Alice thought back to the previous night.
“Not exactly me but he said we can, Succubi and Incubi can change forms, and he never has any of his demonic features on show so I guess why?”
Chris looked at her, her eyes already full of pity. “You know all the meetings and late nights I’ve been having?”
“Sure?–” Alice spoke again, feeling tension and anxiety pool in her stomach.
“We, the theatre, are being sued for discrimination. The new showrunner, in her infinite wisdom, decided she wanted no one visibly supernatural as part of the performance, saying it was too distracting. We rejected a siren from joining and she sued us.” Christina rushed out towards the end as Julia grew more outraged and Alice sank into the sofa processing what this meant.
“Are you joking? Visibly supernatural? She’s fucking Undead! I’m sorry I’ve seen the old corpse and you’d think she’s just been rolled in off the gurney. She’s so obvious.” Julia shouted as she rose, Chris shrugged before Julia’s eyes locked onto hers and narrowed. “Wait, you’ve been in on it, you’re helping the theatre defend itself?” Chris clearly shocked to be in the crossfire stammered out.
“Well I mean, it’s all our legal team not me, I’ve just been consulted to get information from when she’s worked with us in the past.”
“So providing them the ammo to say she’s shit and it’s not discrimination then? What the actual fuck Chris?” Julia all but shouted only being interrupted as Alice stood up her hands out in front of her as she tried to control the storm raging within.
“Look, I can talk to Levash, see how I hide them and then just keep using my human ID’s right Julia?” Alice questioned receiving a shrug from Julia in response before noticing Alice staring at her wanting more affirmation to which she nodded.
“Yeah plenty of supes don’t report their status, barely any of us trust the government.” Julia said offhandedly. Alice turned back to Chris who looked as overwhelmed as she had last night.
“What’s the actual odds if I can’t hide them that they can replace me in three days?”
Chris thought about it before responding. “We have one violinist that’s on our books we could call, whether they can do it or not is another question. Also I’m not being biased when I say this but she doesn’t hold a candle to you.” Putting the plan together in her head Alice turned back to Julia.
“What did you tell management when I left yesterday?”
“Just that you were ill, why?”
“Good, then if I can’t hide them I’ll call in sick tomorrow and Monday, show up Tuesday and give them twenty four hours to call the replacement, I’m not giving them any more notice than that. No offence Chris.” The brunette quickly shook her head.
“None taken, I obviously won’t say anything.” Alice stood as the other two waited in silence. The club wouldn’t be open until eight tonight, so she had about five hours to wait to see Levash, okay make it six she didn’t want to seem too needy.
“Right, I’m going to withdraw all my money from the bank, do either of you have a beanie to cover these?” Alice motioned to the horns.
Julia nodded. “Smart, I have one at home. I can meet you back here by half past if I leave now?” Alice did the maths in her head for how long it would take to get to the bank, closing at five she would have maybe twenty minutes in the branch to withdraw them today should she need to apply for a new ID tomorrow before work.
“Go now please, I won’t have long to get it out today.” Alice said, receiving a mock salute in response from Julia before she quickly made to leave the flat. “Chris, can you run to the chemist and get some bandages to wrap around the horns, I can’t go into the bank looking like I’m in a vamp metal band.”
“Yeah just let me get dressed and I’ll run now. I, I am sorry about last night, if you say he’s not doing anything malicious I’ll believe you. Just please watch out for yourself.” Alice nodded, going in for a quick hug with the girl.
“I’ll watch out for the pair of us, no matter what we stick together right?” Chris nodded and the girls parted. Alice leaving for her room. Waiting to hear the front door shut as Chris left she realised she had about half an hour to do her part of the plan. Speaking aloud to herself, she spoke loudly and sternly.
“Right, I think we both need to talk.” The shiver down her spine let her know she wasn’t alone.
—
“I know you can hear me. You’ll sit there making snide comments all day, well now’s your chance, get whatever you want off your chest.” Alice could feel the presence, she knew the owner of the voice was listening and yet she now sat in anticipation waiting for a response. Five minutes had passed since her original declaration and the presence never faded away as it usually did, but still no response came. Alice knew her time was running out, Chris would be back in the next half an hour at most, and she didn’t particularly feel like sitting in her room talking to herself while her already once scared friend listened to her. Finally the voice spoke.
“You’re not going to give up are you?” Alice practically sighed in relief.
“Not bloody likely I have questions. Most importantly, who are you?” The presence remained silent for a moment, Alice almost asked again thinking it had decided to ignore her again before answering.
“My name is Lilith.”
“And who are you, why can I hear you?” Again the conversation paused, the voice clearly considering its words carefully.
“I am– An ancestor of yours. I was also a powerful Demon, once. This is why you can hear me speak even now.” It wasn’t any more insane than anything else she had learned in the last week, but the idea that some dead ancestor was stuck in her head was, disconcerting. The idea that the ancestor in question was a Demon, was less than appealing.
“So, I’m. I’m assuming that it’s being related to you that has caused, well all of this.” Alice gestured to the horns on her head.
“The taint of my blood could not be diluted no matter how many generations pass. Once corruption and sin had entered your mortal body, I was able to manifest once again on your plane. I nurtured that corruption so that you would see your true potential.” It took Alice a second to digest the words before she snapped back.
“So this is your fault then? Levash was right, him leaving should have starved the process.” The voice responded more agitated now.
“This is no more my fault than the colour of your eyes. It’s simply genetics, you descend from me, so we share common DNA. I know humans have become more learned in this topic in my absence so do not act as if it’s a mystery to you.”
“But if you hadn’t done whatever you did, then it wouldn’t have finished. I’d still be human.”
“Incorrect, your body creating the pool from whence the corruption could grow was nothing to do with me. This isn’t possible on Earth, your transformation was purely down to your genetics, and this corruption would not have died out in your body. You’re very blood carries the taint of my existence. It would have fuelled it and completed your transformation without my assistance. I merely sped it up and ensured the more painful aspects of your transition would occur as you slept.”
Alice thought back on the dreams, the first time she had heard the voice, the dreams all remained hazy, except for the last one. Thinking of it she remembered briefly, a vision of a statuesque woman, the feeling of fire burning something, the comfort and safety she felt.
“What did you do to me?” The voice sighed within her mind and when it spoke it sounded, exhausted.
“Nothing that was not destined to occur the second you allowed sin to manifest within you. What you felt on the night before you awoke hearing my voice was the last of your humanity being peeled away like a shell to reveal what is truly you within. Your companion was incorrect to refer to this as a transformation, as if what you are was caused by him or any other being in that club. You were not ‘corrupted’ to become a demon, you always were a demon, corruption merely made it possible to remove the human veneer you had been unknowingly trapped within.” Alice was silent considering the words, none of it made any sense to her but the voice continued. “The process would have been vastly more painful had it occurred while you were aware, I have been pushing you along to ensure each of these changes happens while you rest where I can numb your mind. I wished to do the same with your physical changes, however your emotions last night spiked the energy within you causing it to start when I could not control it.” Alice finally snapped back.
“But I wasn’t a demon, my parents were both humans, they have aged, acted and lived like humans!”
“I do not have long, maintaining this connection takes a lot from me, I hope to correct that soon but– To answer your question I would assume that one of your parents’ family is plagued by illness and short lifespans. I also assume that they typically tend to live on the fringe of human society. This would have been your fate as well. I hesitate to use the word but it is one you may understand, the ‘soul’ you carried was not a mortal one, it was demonic. This soul chips away at the mortal shell as you age and without sin to fill in the cracks and rebuild you would slowly wither, die or be driven mad.”
Alice instantly thought of her mother. She had moved in with a cult leaving her family behind, her uncle was schizophrenic. Her grandmother passed away when her mother was only a child due to organ failure. There were many more such cases in the family, Alice had assumed this was just, well life. Could she be telling the truth? “I will go into more detail, you’re right though we did need to speak and I have been delaying this thinking my silence would have served you better.” Alice laughed.
“That was you being silent? You could hardly keep your comments to yourself.”
“Be that as it may, moving forward I will be more proactive. I wish to say quickly, I agree with the plans you have made today however I would get further information on the identification. Your friend commented that some ‘supes’ do not trust this government of yours. Ask Levash what he knows of it before you do anything. I also wish to say that I trust your choice in a companion, he is loyal and if he has fled Lestia for Earth in the hopes of fighting back then I can hope he has grown a backbone since I knew him.” Alice went to interrupt but the chill went down her spine. “Another time, this is to say I trust him to guide you on how to survive but understand that he will not fully know what you are, there are things that may differentiate the two of you. Come to me with questions about them and I will guide you as only I can. For now, I ask that you do not inform him or anyone else of who I am. I know that you are growing to trust him and I once did the same, but it has been four hundred years since I last saw him and Demons can change. For your own protection, and only for now, please conceal your knowledge of me, perhaps inform others that the voice you had heard is gone. Regardless, your friend is in the elevator up and I need to rest. Until we speak again.” Alice didn’t get much chance to digest the mound of information provided to her because as she was told, Chris entered the apartment not a moment later.
“Hey, I have the bandages, where are you?”
—
Julia had arrived not long after Chris, and between the three of them it took an embarrassingly long time to apply the bandages in a way that they stuck to the smooth horns. Pulling the beanie on felt odd, the texture almost scratchy on her horns. It would be another question for one of the Demons she knew because in her mind horns shouldn’t really feel anything? Then again in her mind, she didn’t come from a long line of repressed Demons but anything seemed possible at the moment.
The trip to the bank had been uneventful and Julia waited outside for her, Chris having remained at home to finally shower and dress. Once in the bank getting her money out had been a chore. Requesting to withdraw all her funds flagged as suspicious for the bank and in Modern England there could be many reasons for that. She had to go into a private office and answer many personal verification questions. After this was done they had an “expert” review her to make sure that she was under no hypnosis or mesmerisation. This consisted of repeatedly flashing a light in her face and asking her repeatedly if she was acting of her own accord, Alice thought the bank may be overpaying for his “expertise”. After this she was allowed to withdraw all but one hundred pounds to keep the account active. She cancelled her direct debits and left cash in hand.
“How did it go? Took a little longer than expected.”
Alice heaved a sigh. “All fine, though they almost blinded me and kept flashing lights in my eyes.”
Julia shrugged as they set off walking. “It’s to check if a vampire has controlled you, your eyes dilate when under command, so if they’re flashing a light and your eye never changes, you’re being compelled.” Alice had never known that, it would have been useful to know before for Christina but–
“Well regardless, all is fine, I’m going to head home and then tonight see Levash again. What’s your plan?”
“Full moon.”
“Ohh, what do you actually do on a full moon? Chase cars?” Julia gave her a blank stare.
“Make all the jokes you want, I’ll remember this, Demon.” Julia winked and they both broke out into laughter. “Speaking of a full moon, it’ll be dark soon. I need to get to the pack house. Are you going to be fine walking home alone?”
“The more I learn about yall, the more you sound like an American frat. But yeah I’ll be fine, it’s not like I’m really in danger anymore at night.”
Julia shrugged. “Well regardless, be safe, won’t be free as you can imagine. Can’t take any calls but let me know how it goes.”
“Yeah I guess wolves have no pockets for their phones,”
Julia rolled her eyes.”Or thumbs to use them, anyway I need to go. Speak tomorrow.” Alice waved her friend off and carried on walking.
The sun had set with about ten minutes to go until she was home and even now without Levash around she was ecstatic at the idea of being able to walk freely now. Even if there was still a little part of her that felt like she should be scared. She pushed the feeling away though, no supe would harass her now if they could tell what she was and hell if they couldn’t she could just take the stupid itchy hat off and they’d see. Disregarding this instinct is what allowed her to be stalked, and why she didn’t notice when the man blocked the alley behind her.
“Alice, wait there.” She cringed at the voice hoping for once he’d take the hint. Turning around annoyed, she saw he was at least in a better state than when she last saw him, the dark jacket and pants were clean and his beard had been shaved. His eyes looked sharper, more focused. John looked a lot better, she still couldn’t stand the sight of him however.
“John, why are you following me?” He walked forward and stopped a few feet away from her giving them some distance, with his hands in his pockets he rocked on his feet looking her over.
“I heard you’ve been going to that Demon club, Goetia or some shit.”
“I’m not sure that’s any of your business.” The first crack of anger sparked on his face, he quickly got in under control but he couldn’t control the faint red shimmer begin to crack at the edges.
“It’s my business if my tart of an ex is running around playing make believe with some Demons. Its fucking embarassing for me.” Alice’s eyebrows furrowed at this.
“What on earth are you on about John? So what if I went to a club it means nothing.”
“It means something if you’re running around telling people you’re a Demon to get your rocks off with them. It’s pathetic, I get it might be a bit harder for you to find someone given..”
“Don’t you dare.”
John rolled his eyes. “But pretending to be some fucking supe to trick people into it is pathetic, and it embarrasses me, that my mates think i used to date a trollop like that.” Alice’s own anger began to get the best of her.
“You want to know what’s embarrassing John? Being hung up on your ex, two years after she dumped you. It’s embarrassing to get tricked by a church into a little fascist hate group. It’s embarrassing to spend all of your life either harassing me, or people you don’t like. Get a grip.” Alice hadn’t noticed her voice begin to distort as she spoke, nor did she realise her Amber eyes had begun to flare with inner fire. She did notice her ex’s face start to twist into shock, then fear, the pure rage. As soon as she finished speaking John lunged for her and before she could react he had thrown her against the wall of the alley. She was disorientated for a moment but instinct took hold as John reached back into his pocket she grabbed his arm and twisted hearing the bone pop as it was twisted out of its socket. The scream it pulled from his mouth made a small part of her revel with joy and as she pushed him away John flew further than she expected hitting two bins by the wall before crashing to the ground. She started to back up as she spoke.
“Stay the hell away from me John.” The man just looked at her with fear as he held onto his dislocated arm. She saw as she turned the beanie lying on the floor, having fallen off in the scuffle. Picking it up she quickly put it back on before hightailing it out of the alley and back home.
—
Getting into the flat she was instantly greeted by Christina asking how it had gone.
“Give me a second please.” Alice walked into her room and shut herself in the bathroom. Running the cold tap she began to splash the water over her face and her chest trying to cool down. The walk home had been difficult, the urge to go back and really show John the error of his ways for harassing her, for harassing all supes for that matter was overwhelming. When his bone had twisted she felt nothing but joy, to be causing this repugnant man pain. She realised it gave her the same twisted pleasure that feeding on the lust addled Micheal had. Looking in the mirror and taking the hat off the horns looked fine if a little longer, they now ran fully over the curve of her forehead and about an inch or two back over her hair, and while they seemed to be flowing straight backwards, she could see the small wave in the protruding horn. But nothing else had changed, she felt energised, awake, good. She still had a dull ache in her lower back but otherwise, she was fine.
Giving herself another five minutes to make sure she was fully over it she finally went back into the living room to find the puzzled Christina sitting with two cups of tea at the table.
“How was it?” Alice collapsed into the sofa rubbing her hands into her face to relieve some of her inner tension before grabbing the mug offered to her and tucked her legs under herself.
“Bank was fine, John surprised me on my way back though. He caught me in an alley and started laying into me about going to a Demon club. As you can imagine my reaction wasn’t very measured.” Chris reached out placing her hand on Alice’s arm and she realised she didn’t feel the pins and needles that she had been feeling lately when people touched her. Perhaps having just fed altered it? Another question for another day.
“You okay? He didn’t hurt you?”
Alice shook her head. “No not really, I started shouting and my voice did that thing–”
“The thing where you sound like Satan himself is crawling out your mouth?”
“That’s not funny.”
Chris held her hands up. “Hey I was on the receiving end of it, I’m just telling you what it’s like.” Alice drank some of the tea and realising even though the steam was coming off it, it felt room temp to her.
“Well John knows as well now, he chucked me against the wall and I guess I just reacted but I dislocated his arm and then. Well I pushed him but he flew, like across the alley, into some bins.”
Chris laughed. “So where he belongs then.”
Alice gave her a concerned look. “Chris I shouldn’t have been able to push him that far, he’s like twice my size.”
Chris just shrugged. “Most supes are stronger than us poor old humans. Enjoy it.”
“Well he saw my horns as well, my hat came off at some point so the truth is out for him.”
“Well maybe this will get him to finally leave you alone then. Silver linings.”
Alice chuckled without any real humour. “Anyway, I need to go to the club tonight. I have more questions for Levash but also too, well. Feed.”
Chris rolled her eyes, responding, “You don’t need to be coy about it, I’m a big girl, I know the brew is doing nothing for your nutrients. But, do you mind if I tag along? We’ve barely spent anytime together this week and well–” Alice quickly jumped in.
“Please come with me, I was going to ask you. I don’t care how supernatural I become, this is still your scene.”
Chris grinned. “And don’t you forget it Demon, but if I am, I need to get ready like half an hour ago.” Alice realised her baggy outfit for the bank would not cut it and rushed off to do the same. Alice got the note Levash left and saved his number in her phone. She sent a quick text telling him she would be there from nine with Chris. As she started to pull her makeup out of her bag she got a text back from him and smiled. He teased her for getting in touch so soon, as she knew he would. Then confirmed he’d be there. A second text came through after saying he had some work to deal with first that may overlap a little, but that even if it did He’d be there not much later than nine. Alice added another question to the list as she started to prime her face. What the hell does a demon do for work? Probably the most important question because it looked like she might soon be unemployed.
—
Getting ready had caused heated debate between the girls over whether Alice should try and hide her horns.
“It’s not like you can wear a beanie to a club, and that’s ignoring the fact it’s a Demon club, where else would be better to have them?”
“Yeah but no one enters looking like a Demon, have you not noticed? When we waited outside it was all human looking people getting let in, I think the majority hide their features, something we don’t know yet if I can do.” Chris sat looking contemplative staring at Alice’s horns. She had tried to wash them in the shower and found they almost shined when wet. If not for the bandages she might have almost found them cute.
“Maybe there’s a backdoor for the Demons that can’t change to use? Or a secret entrance? I don’t see what the problem is personally. The bouncer is very visibly demonic.” Alice sighed already knowing this was a losing battle. Going into the bathroom she looked them over again. The whole image was, well, what you would expect of a Succubus. She had on a burgundy backless dress and with now longer white hair she really did look flawless, except for the bandages around the horns. Sighing she began to peel them back seeing the dried blood on the bandage. Once off she quickly wiped at the site finding it mostly healed. Looking around both, the skin around the horn was agitated but in the lowlight of the club would be barely noticeable. They still looked to be growing but she figured her small feed earlier today had done something for her. Shaking her hair out a bit it finally settled in, she really was a Demon. Staring into her reflection and seeing the fierce looking woman looking back was, she wanted to say, felt scary, daunting, but it felt liberating. That thought worried her more. Bottling her emotions back up, she put on a smile and collected Chris as they left for the club.
—
Getting off the tube the pair walked out onto the street arm in arm. In the end Alice had gone with her horns on show and between that and her lack of a need for a coat it was clear to the protestors waiting outside the station to see what she was. The insults from the crowd, seemingly more creative and said with far more anger than the night before, Alice blocked Chris from their view as best as she could as they made their way around the cordon. Alice looked over at the humans as she passed and could see the wash of red outlining the majority of those in the crowd, their rage almost palpable, it did make her laugh when she saw a purple outline mixed into the crowd only serving to confuse Chris as they crossed the street.
Yet again the barrier was already up and the same bouncer was at the door as they approached.
“The human with you?” The bouncer said, barely looking in either direction.
Alice nodded and he jerked his head in the direction of the entrance. The waiting humans in the queue seemed to be the exact opposite of those across the street, a vast sea of purple energy lined against the club, how different their attitudes were now they saw her not as an equal but as a demon. Alice blew a kiss to one of the men at the front of the queue and as she did she watched the purple energy ripple outward across the masses.
Entering into Sloth Alice made a beeline for the back doors Chris hot on her heels. As she was about to reach the stairs a pink hand reached out stopping her, turning to the owner she instantly recognised the lavender eyes of the taxi driver.
“Hey, hey you’re Levash’s girl right?” Before Alice could pull away Chris had already narrowed her eyes at the pink demon.
“She’s no one’s.” He blinked looking at Chris as if he hadn’t seen her the first time before focusing back on Alice.
“Right, sorry, I’m Urdon. I think I freaked you out the other day when I dropped you off.” Alice nodded slowly.
“Yeah, a little but I get it.”
“It’s just, not happened on earth before so– Also Levash didn’t do us all the pleasure of warning us so, was kind of caught unaware. You think you know every demon in the city then suddenly this human gets in your car moments away from changing.” Alice could only continue nodding but Chris saved her from responding.
“What? Does Levash need to notify everyone? Is there a group chat he has to let know?”
Urdon looked between the pair before responding. “Well I mean, The Council should know, but for us nothing as grand, but every demon in London crossed together, so we all sort of congregate together. Anyway I just wanted to apologise, imagine we’ll probably see more of each other, so.”
Alice felt like a bobblehead. “Don’t worry about it, no harm done.”
An award winning smile appeared on his face, “Perfect, are you heading up to lust? I can introduce you to a few demons, I don’t think Levash is back yet.”
Chris stepped forward taking Alices arm. “That’s fine, we’re spending the night together.” To his credit his smile didn’t falter at all looking between the pair again.
“No worries, if either of you change your mind–” His eyes wandered Chris’ body who just pulled Alice to the stairwell.
Once through the doors Alice stopped them speaking up “Hey what was that about?”
Chris stopped but did make eye contact with Alice, “I just got bad vibes is all, can we just go up?”
Concerned for her friend, Alice stepped closer, “Is everything alright?” Chris was staring at the ceiling but visibly uncomfortable.
“I might not feel the best around Demons right now. After what happened to you– Sebastian always threatened, too, well turn me. When I said I was going to leave it was what he threatened me with to stay because he could. I wouldn’t have been able to stop him and if he had, I’d have never gotten away, he would have had power over me for, for eternity.” Alice was speechless, the two years Chris dated Sebastian had been, tense. Alice never gave up on her friend, but tension did begin to grow between the pair as she started to fear for her own safety as well as Chris’. “I just don’t want to be changed, you know? I find it all really interesting obviously but, I’ve never wanted to be anything else.”
Alice paused, taking it all in, “I never knew he was doing that. I’m so sorry.”
Chris looked at Alice, pain clear on her face. “It’s kind of why I freaked out last night, I just. I’d hate to think I dragged you somewhere and then–”
“That’s not what happened regardless, and I do not blame you at all. It’s early days but, I don’t hate, hate what’s happened. I mean it’s probably going to get a lot worse and I’m still due about three breakdowns but nothing cataclysmic so far.”
Chris sighed. “I guess I’m just a bit worried it could happen to me as well.”
Alice quickly shook her head. “It can’t. You heard Udon on whatever he’s called, it can’t happen on Earth.” Alice received a sardonic look.
“What did he take you back to hell with him to do it?”
“No I’d have called it heaven honestly–” The comment pulled a laugh from her dour friend. “But I have it on very good authority that I’m the anomaly, not Earth.”
Chris squinted at Alice. “What authority?”
“Say nothing.” The chill made her cringe as usual.
“Look, I can’t say–” Alice spoke over Chris as she tried to interrupt. “I’m fine and safe, trust me but it can’t happen to you I promise. The process also takes a lot of time from start to finish, and if it happens I’d know, like all Demons would be able to tell and avoiding Demons would stop it.”
“You won’t tell me how you know all this?”
Alice shook her head. “The majority from Levash but, yeah. Do you need a minute, or we can head home back. Order that Chinese I owe you?”
Chris looked back to the doors and shook her head. “No, this is a part of you now, if you promise me I’m safe, I’m safe.” Alice smiled in relief, mostly because she could feel hunger starting to creep in.” Pulling her into a quick hug she started to head up the stairs as she spoke.
“Perfect, let’s get going then I can’t wait to show you the drinks up here.”
—
Entering Lust Chris was enamoured.
“I’m sorry, why do you enter into Sloth when this is hiding here? What are the other floors like?”
Alice just shrugged. “Come on the bars behind the dancefloor.” The crowd was already building humans and Demons alike out in full force. Alice rode the energy of the crowd as she pulled Chris to the bar. Waving to the pearlescent demon behind the counter she turned to survey the crowd as they waited.
“Hey I don’t think I want any weird drinks here.”
Alice turned back to Chris. “Why not?”
“Are you forgetting what we were like, well what I was like last week?” Alice shrugged.
“Yeah but it’s only lust, just call Mark or something and you’ll be fine. Better than watching another two seasons of that wedding show.”
Chris rolled her eyes. “Still I think I’ll pass.”
Before Alice could turn back to the crowd the bartender interrupted the pair.
“New girl, I don’t think Levash is about.” Alice turned seeing the bartender, everything about her was pristine. Not necessarily in a beautiful way but, rich. Her previously white skin now appeared marble-like with golden veins running across her body, the gold and pearl crest and horns adorning her head like a diadem. Something about her appearance finally clicked with Alice.
“Don’t worry about it, I never got your name, I’m Alice.” She answered with a bright smile, receiving a blank look in return.
“Margarita, now can I get you anything?”
“Two sex on the beach cocktails and a glass of water.”
Chris quickly jumped in. “I don’t want anything, I’m fine.” Alice smiled.
“The drinks aren’t for you.” She turned back to Margarita “I assume she’ll be fine with the water, like no side effects?”
“The water is just water.” Margarita’s face remained cold and blank as she spoke.
Alice smiled. “Perfect.” She walked off to prepare the drinks, Alice turned back to the crowd surveying the people.
“This place really is something, it’s really giving me techno harem vibes.” Chris said pulling Alice from her search, furrowing her brow, Alice responded with a grin.
“I’m sorry?”
“Like all the silks hanging down from the ceilings, the smoke coming from under some of the walls. Then the strobing lights.”
“They have bedrooms in the back.”
Chris laughed. “Why does that not surprise me.”
As they fell into a companionable silence Alice continued to scan the crowd. While at first her search had been looking for anyone actively watching her and with a purple aura it quickly changed as she saw a lone figure towards the glass barrier who she recognised in an instant. The music continued to surround the pair as Margarita returned with their drinks, Alice taking her card out to pay before she was stopped.
“Demons don’t pay, we can’t feed off each other.” Margarita said, the glare attached to the comment almost enough to shatter Alice’s confidence. Alice put her card away and turned back to the floor while Chris looked on in confusion.
“You only make humans pay to feed from them?”
Margarita rolled her eyes. “And other supes.”
“But your lust Demons?”
Alice interrupted the pair. “She’s a greed Demon, Chris.” Chris’ eyes went wide in realisation.
“Pluti. But close enough.” With nothing else to say Margarita walked off.
The pair descended onto the dancefloor, Alice with her two drinks and Chris with water. It didn’t take long for the pair to be sucked into the centre of the crowd and begin to let go. Chris was hesitant at first but soon whatever energy controlled the crowd in lust moved her too. As they swayed between bodies Alice spotted her target. Leaning over to Chris’ ear and careful not to spill her drinks she shouted over the music.
“Will you be fine if I pop off for a minute?”
Chris nodded. “Go do what you need to do.”
Alice gave an award winning smile as she made her way to the red stain in a sea of purple.
Cutting across the crowd she bumped into the lanky guy she had seen with Ez’s group yesterday, his energy still red and violent. As he turned and spotted her his eyes latched onto the horns on open display.
“I brought you a drink!” Alice yelled, the man was too tall to reach his ears.
He shook his head in response, “Not interested.”
Alice maintained her smile, “Not interested in a free drink?”
“Or dancing with a Demon if it’s any difference to you.”
Alice squinted her eyes, maintaining the now false smile. “You came to a Demon club to not dance with a Demon or to drink?” He just turned away to her swaying to the music. “No worries then, tell John I said hi!”
He turned back in an instant, the red energy swelling as shock ran across his face.”I’m sorry who?”
She just smiled as she walked back into the crowd, the man’s anger starting to fade from his body as panic took hold, moving out of the crowd himself.
Before she could make it back to Alice a girl bumped into her spilling part of one of the drinks onto the mostly bare expanse of her upper chest. The woman now facing her was pretty, she looked older than Alice but time had only served to age her finely.
“Oh God I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
Alice just smiled ignoring the damp spot on her dress. “Don’t worry it was your drink anyway so you didn’t waste mine.” The girl looked on with a confused smile as she was passed the drink. “Alice by the way.”
The girl laughed. “Alice? A demon called Alice?”
She got a shrug in response. “It seemed more fitting when I picked it. Want to dance?”
The girl thought about it for a second, taking a sip of the drink before nodding. “Katherine.”
It didn’t take long for both glasses to be finished and discarded on one of the small tables littering the room. The pair had begun their dance quite timid, Alice for all the bravado she put on struggling to separate the act she was about to commit with her own human sensibilities. Sensibilities her dancing partner soon showed she didn’t care for. Katherine took the reins of the dance, laying her hands on Alice’s hips as they danced together and as Alice was pulled closer his instincts took over. Alice had never been able to dance really, but in that moment she exuded the same grace she had seen Levash work on her. It wasn’t a shock when Katherine leaned in for a kiss, nor was it a shock when Alice fell into that lust, being absorbed by the feeling. She felt her hands hit the glass barrier as she pushed the human against it. The sensation was incredible, she could focus on it a little better than the night prior and it felt forbidden. As their tongues continued to meet together, and hands wandered, she could physically feel Katherines lust rising and with it, some intangible force growing. As the force grew the energy she could feel swell in her body started to crash within like a tsunami. As Katherines hands began to slip from Alice’s body she felt the girl beginning to slow down her affections which made Alice blink.
Pulling back she saw the girl’s eyes lidded in a mixture of arousal and exhaustion. She remembered Levash telling her she had taken too much yesterday, and now she had done it again. Panicking, she began to drag Katherine out towards one of the few booths on this level, Katherines hands wandering and trying to pull her back the entire way. Finally reaching one she sat the girl down who for her part pouted up at her as she spoke.
“Sit and rest, get some water before you leave please?” The girl just nodded and rested her head against the back of her chair, bliss overwhelming her. Alice took the reprieve from the woman’s lust to find Chris. Not seeing her on the floor she made her way to the bar and wasn’t sure whether she felt relieved or not to see her and Levash watching her approach.
“So how’s your little friend?” Levash was leant against the bar with his usual smirk on his face. She couldn’t help but stare a little, he’d gone with a white shirt similar to what she’d met him with but it was barely buttoned, the majority of his firm chest exposed.
Blinking Alice registered the question. “Good, well fine. I think. She seemed sleepy.” Levash looked over the booth where she had left Katherine, Chris’ eyes darting between the two.
“She’s fine, if you went overboard someone would have stopped you. Good job.” Levash said with what looked like a genuine smile on his face.
Alice pretended the praise didn’t affect her as much as it did.
Chris quickly stole her attention back from the Incubus though. “So– Levash, like I said I think Alice has a few questions for you.” She made eye contact with Alice and nodded to the Demon.
“Oh right yeah, just a few important ones, can you show me how to hide my horns?”
“Are you already bored of them? They’re growing quite quickly, honestly. How are they feeling?” Levash reached out as he spoke his fingers gently sliding towards the base and over the almost healed skin. The caress sending shivers down her spine.
“Fine, well sensitive actually, but the aches have cut down a lot. They still seem to be growing though.” Alice said with a shrug. By the time they had reached the club the horns reached almost as far back as her crown. “Just turns out our showrunner, who’s a supe, doesn’t want supes in the band so I need them gone for opening night.”
Levash stared at them as Alice waited on tenterhooks. “If I had to be honest I’ve got no idea if you’d be able to. Most don’t see any magic or abilities until they’ve finished their physical changes at least. However you’re clearly an odd case, the length of those horns should have taken you at least a week and the skin would still be raw. We can try back at yours if you want?”
Alice was visibly relieved at the chance she could still play. “Do you mind Chris if he comes back with us?”
Chris was visibly shocked to be asked. “Do what you want, just don’t keep me up with it.” She winked as Alice rolled her eyes.
“You had another question?” Levash asked his eyes darting between the pair.
“Two actually one, should I be getting my ID updated to a Demon one or trying to just skirt by on my human one?”
Levash stood up in an instant standing before her, his face a portrait of concern. “Tell me you haven’t updated your ID.”
“I haven’t updated my ID? I was told to get your opinion on it first, I’ve had to withdraw everything from my bank account which was a pain though”
“Alice do not under any circumstances change your ID, every Demon who did so in Leeds where we first came through has gone missing.”
Alice blinked in shock.”I’m sorry what?”
Levash looked back at Chris then to the bar. “Let’s go back now if you two don’t mind? We can chat there.”
Alice nodded concerned before remembering. “Oh before we do, this guy..” She quickly scanned the floor finding the lanky man from earlier standing by one of the booths, his aura still red. “Is part of the SDF. He told my ex that I was here telling people I was a Demon yesterday. Plus his auras red, wrath right?”
It was Levash’s turn to look stunned now. “You’re certain?” Alice just nodded.” Give me a second.” Going to the bar he flagged Margarita down and the pair spoke in hushed harsh tones before he motioned to the man by the booths. Alice saw Margarita grimace before picking up a phone and texting as Levash came back to them. “He’ll be dealt with, let’s go.” As Levash gently grasped Alice’s arm to guide her out, Chris spoke up following the pair.
“Is he going to be fine?”
Levash looked between them grimly. “If we’re lucky.
—
The three left the club relatively sombre, waiting for the taxi outside, Alice saw the queue still packed with lustful humans waiting to get in and the cordon across the street had been removed. Placards and litter lining the streets and a large police presence but no humans protesting for once. Once the taxi arrived the journey home was tense. Chris had got in the front and tried to start a friendly conversation with the driver who seemed unwilling to respond to the only other human in his car. It didn’t take long for Alice to realise everytime the car stopped waiting at the lights, his eyes looked onto the rearview and locked with either hers or Levash’s the red aura around him thick spreading outwards like a malaise. Levash pretended not to notice, leaning back in the seat relaxed and with a smile she assumed was put on given their attitude leaving the club. Alice just tried to ignore the driver, he didn’t worry her really, but the urge within to prod at him and to further enrage him left her slightly unsettled.
As the taxi pulled up the larger guard who had been nothing but trouble was rushing out of the building and making his way to his car in the lot outside, he never acknowledged any of the three leaving the taxi. Ignoring the driver staring daggers at them as he drove off and the guard cutting across the road and speeding in the opposite direction, Alice just focused on getting home. The lobby was empty, whichever guard was swapping with the one who’d just left must have been in the back as the three waited and then rode the elevator back to their flat.
As Alice waited for Chris to unlock the door she felt that twinge in her back that had been there all day, a particular sharp pain shot through her for a moment before fading.
Levash noticed her wince before she could cover it. “You okay?”
Alice quickly waved him off. “Just slept funny, nothing major.”
He looked her up and down clearly looking unimpressed but didn’t push the topic.
Chris slipped into the flat and kicked her heels off straight away. “Unless you two fiends need anything I’m going to get to bed and hopefully sleep before you’se make it impossible.”
Levash laughed. “Well it was a pleasure speaking tonight, glad we could find common ground Christina.” Alice saw her nod before she went to her room, thankfully no scowl on her face when she did.
“You two spoke?” Alice asked as he waited for her to pass him in the doorway.
He nodded, kicking the door shut. “Yeah sadly all your embarrassing stories and fantasies, I will be using those against you, FYI.” Rolling her eyes, Alice walked about the flat following Chris’ lead and kicking her heels off.
“Do you mind if I get changed?” Turning back she saw the leer on the demon’s face.
“Feel free to wear as little as you want, love.”
Alice couldn’t help but laugh entering her room and shutting the door behind her.
In the end the pair had decided to settle in Alice’s room so as not to wake Chris. Alice wasn’t sure what compelled her initially to wear the shorts and crop PJs set she usually reserved for deep summer, but watching Levash stumble over his words as he tried to explain why she shouldn’t change her ID made it worth it.
“In short we first appeared in the UK in Leeds.” Alice nodded remembering the event being broadcast for a week on the news. “We have one portal that we can use to access earth and its unstable, having been built in a rush by the celestials. When a new group goes through there’s no knowledge of where it will spit them out on Earth. Once we came through in London, we made contact with the original group and were dismayed to find it had shrunk. Of the initial forty demons that went through and ended up in Leeds, eight agreed to get ID’s the rest scattering and hiding their appearances or themselves to blend in as we have done. Some assurances have been made by the government to The council for us to avoid ID’s for now which has allowed us to open Goetia, but we are prepared for its fall. Regardless, of those eight, none have made contact with the main group in the two years since they got here. Our assumption is, well the government took them and for what purpose we can only guess. That is to say when we came through, not a single member agreed to get identification, so all our jobs are either through the bar or gig jobs we can use forged papers for.” It was a lot for Alice to process. She hadn’t exactly been subtle going to the club with them out, and even her ex had seen them plus any neighbours being nosy as she came back.
“Is it a risk that people may know I’ve changed? My ex is, well long story, my ex is in the SDF, part of the reason I knew that guy at the club was.” She noticed Levash’s eyebrows raise. “He wasn’t when we were together mind you but, he sort of stalked me this afternoon and pushed me in the alley after finding out I had been to the club. He saw my horns, should I be worried?” Levash’ eyes finally left Alice, reluctantly peeling away from her exposed chest as his face closed off concentrating.
“How involved is he in the group?”
Alice shrugged. “Honestly it was all after we split, I know he goes to a lot of meetings but I couldn’t tell you what he does.” She heard the sigh leave his chest.
“In which case until we know how he’d react to the news, bearing in mind that he attacked you for just knowing you went to a Demon club. I’ll be honest, I don’t think you are safe here.”
Alice sat up off the headboard. “He’s never hurt me before or anything, he wasn’t violent when we were together.
“Alice, you were human then. You’re not now, if he’s in that group he’s already an extremist, I’m sorry.”
“I started the day having to convince Christina that I wasn’t a threat and that we could still live together, and now you’re saying that I should leave anyway because it’s me who’s not safe. Where would I even go?”
Levash pulled himself up, taking Alices hand in his own. “If I could promise you’d be safe here I would, but the SDF has been ramping up attacks on Supes and a few of our group have been getting serious harassment. If he knows you were human and hasn’t convinced himself you’ve always been a Demon, he could be more damaging to us than we know.” Levash pulled her into his chest as Alice remained silent. “We can set you up with a flat paid for by The Council, get a job working either for them or the bar. It only has to be temporary until we’ve worked out how much of a threat he or the new SDF chapter is.” Alice sobbed, the idea of having to leave her entire life behind to accept something she never wanted to begin with. As she continued to sob the twinge in her back came back and lasted longer than before making her back straighten as the cry died in her throat.
Levash placed his palm to her lower back trying to massage but quickly pulled away. “Alice, we need to lay you down on your stomach.”
“What?” She looked at him in shock as he began to turn her over.
“I promise,it’ll only take a moment.” As he spoke the pain came back quicker than last time and lasted longer, the pain agonising like her spine was trying to tear out of her back, the skin being stabbed by its attempt as the bones seemingly realigned. As her head hit the pillow Levash’s hands grasped her by her waist and thigh pinning her to the bed. Before even the flush of arousal could build at the touch the pain came back again and worse than before. The agony lasted seconds before she was relieved, she heard the tear echo in the room but was able to finally breathe as the pain faded. Levash said nothing as Alice remained still on the bed, his hands still barely holding the flesh he had before had a tight grip on. She only got a few moments of peace before something long and wet curled around her upper thigh. Flinching from his grasp and off the bed, Levash remained kneeled on the bed with his hands splayed in front of him. Seeing nothing untowards she looked back to him but before she could vocalise her confusion he nodded to her thigh and looking down she saw the long crimson tail corded around her own leg.
It took Levash ten minutes to convince her it was normal, and ten more to convince her not to try and remove it.
“Look it’s just, it’s just a tail?”
Alice looked at him incredulously. “Just a tail? I’m not a fucking cat Levash, I shouldn’t have a tail!”
“Demons have tails you–”
“Are a Demon, don’t I know it. Christ. We haven’t even had a chance to try and hide the horns. What on earth am I going to do with this?” At her words it twitched in the air, feeling like it had a mind of its own, causing her to flinch.
Levash stifled his laugh at her glare. “Look, we can work on hiding both, if you can do one you can do both, it’s not harder.”
Alice sighed exhausted with the majority of the week she realised. “I’m sorry, can we, can we just do this tomorrow? I think I need to go to bed.” Levash looked slightly disheartened at her words but did his best to cover it.
“If that’s what you want but I still don’t think it would be best to stay here, we have rooms at the club..”
“No offence but I’ve seen the rooms and no thanks. I’ll sleep and think about it, okay? I can text you tomorrow to see what we decide.” Alice slowly walked to the bathroom rubbing the dried tears from her face. “I’m gonna try and wash and bandage this thing, can you show yourself out? The doors unlocked.”
Levash looked ready to argue but seeing the resigned sadness on Alice stopped him. “I’ll call at around lunch and we can try and hide them tomorrow. I’ll make sure I’m free okay?”
Alice weakly nodded. Levash looked to be holding something in but kept it to himself. He walked over to Alice and before she could stop him he hugged her close. He let go and giving her one last look he left her room and soon the flat. She wanted to tell him how much the hug meant, hell how much his continued time meant but, not tonight.
Entering the bathroom Alice began to run the tap looking at the tail where it waved in front of her. Tentatively holding her hand out to touch the tail it felt soft, very soft under the drying blood. That coupled with the almost heart shaped spade made her feel less demonic and more corrupted cupid. Sighing she turned the tap on trying to work out what best to wash it with, catching something out of the corner of her eye Alice looked into her mirror and despite the ruined make up on her face she found something that shocked her more, standing behind her in the mirror was a towering red demon, the one from her dreams. Turning on heel her breath hitched as she realised it wasn’t an illusion.
Lilith smiled a fanged grin at her. “Looks like you’ve had a hellish evening.”
THE END OF CHAPTER FOUR