Chapter 10: She survived

**Nerina**

Having forgotten about Roberta and her hasty exit, I head home with the rest of the subordinates. The rest of my day was a bit stinky, with absolutely no soul being sent my way. I’m almost certain that Roberta redirected my traffic out of revenge or something, and it worked.

I was so bored; I caught myself several times scribbling Luc's name on the notepad in front of me. I scoff.

What am I? A lovesick teenager? For heaven's sake, I need to give myself a kick in the ass.

My feelings are so conflicted because of that beast. On one hand, I’m very angry at him for treating me so strangely, but on the other hand, he is the creator of my spirit, and there will always be a loyalty to him that wants to crush the other side.

Arriving back at my apartment, I decided once again that if the dress is there, I will control my anger. I learned long ago that you catch more flies with honey. Of course, after catching them, you can rip off their wings and burn them with a magnifying glass. I know how to play this game, so when I see the dress in the closet, I put it on and smile at my reflection.

When I arrive at Zachiel’s mansion moments later, I find myself in the dining room in front of a piglet, with an apple in its mouth, ready to indulge. My stomach growls as I appreciate the delicious sight and, without waiting for my host to join me, I dive into the plates full of food, savoring each bite and swallowing the blood wine.

When I’m finally full, I sit back in my chair and remember where I am and that I’m still alone. Zachiel hasn’t joined me tonight. Maybe I shouldn’t have come? I just assumed the dress was my invitation to show up.

“Right this way, please,” says a low, sickly voice behind me.

I’m getting very tired of creatures talking at my back.

I spin around in my chair, ready to make a snarky comment, but stop when I see a little devil standing there. I stand up, towering over the small pink creature, and cross my arms.

“Where are you taking me?” I demand.

“To the master,” he replies, hopping towards that damned door on the other side, his tiny wings flapping as he goes.

“No,” I say, holding my ground. “I want Zachiel to tell me what’s going on.”

The little devil turns and looks at me with his big round eyes. “You can follow me, or Darius will take you to the master.”

I gulp as I follow the little devil’s long, crooked finger into a dark corner and see the shadowy outline of a beast so tall and wide that I can only assume this is the infamous Darius from the Devil's personal guard. I don’t like my chances with him; I’ve heard the rumors, so I run after the little devil and dart through the door of the dreaded room.

I find it empty as I survey the dark space. I’m not sure whether I’m relieved about that or not.

“Nerina.” Zachiel’s deep, raspy voice tells me as he enters the room, this time wearing his robe and clearly naked and excited beneath it.

He closes the door, so I ask, “Where are the twins?”

“They are busy with other things,” he says meaningfully, letting his black silk robe drop to the floor.

“So, it’s just you and me?” I ask, my hope rising that I might end up having a night of depraved sin with him after all.

“And Stanford,” Zachiel says, nodding to the mischievous little devil.

“Stanford?” I ask weakly.

“It’s too late to choose Darius,” Stanford says with a lewd grin on his wide mouth.

Oh shit! What have I gotten myself into?

I like to fornicate the way it’s usually offered, but with a dark pink little devil?

Oh hell no!

Those long, creepy fingers and droopy ears, not to mention the wide, smiling mouth and sharp teeth do absolutely nothing for me.

“Zachiel.” I plead, hearing my desperation.

“He won’t touch you,” Zachiel says with a mocking laugh. “He’s here just as a witness.”

“A witness to what?” I ask, relief flooding me for not being about to be raped.

“The union of our bodies,” Zachiel says as if it’s obvious. “Get ready.”

What?

Am I supposed to strip and pleasure myself while a little devil watches me?

“You do it,” I say, hands on my hips. “If I’m good enough to fuck, I’m good enough to touch myself.”

“Do it!” Zachiel roars, his blue eyes turning black. “Or if you’d prefer Stanford to touch you, that can be arranged.”

The threat of little devil fingers near me sets me in motion.

I take off the dress and climb onto the bed. I spread my legs and, feeling utterly humiliated, proceed to try to reach orgasm while Stanford looks at my naked pussy with delight.

After a few moments, I know this isn’t happening. For the first time in my life, I simply can’t do this while that creature is watching me so closely. It’s extremely disheartening.

“I can’t.” I stammer and let my hands fall to my sides.

Zachiel scoffs at me and shakes his head. “You’ll have to serve; I have another place I need to be.”

He lifts my legs and hits me hard, clearly enjoying my cry of pain. He continues with the business, and as soon as he starts, he finishes.

But this time something different happens. Instead of letting me clean up, Stanford hands him a blade, and he opens his hand. He holds it over my abdomen and presses down, letting small drops of black blood trickle onto my stomach to mix with his seed. Then, he runs his hand over my belly and grabs my left wrist tightly.

I sigh as a dark, immense feeling of power washes over me. I can’t help but look away from Zachiel’s eyes. They are engulfed in flames, licking the sockets of his eyes, and two twisted horns sprouted from his head, as long as my arms.

I tremble in terror.

I have never been afraid of anything in my life, but now I’m almost wetting myself in fear. As Zachiel murmurs words in an ancient tongue, I feel my wrist burn and scream in pain. Then it’s over.

Zachiel returns to his smooth, human personality. He lets me go, and I fall back onto the bed, whimpering. I raise my hand and discover a solid bronze bracelet has formed around my wrist. I try to rip it off, but there’s no clasp; it’s almost as if it has been fused onto my wrist.

“The first phase is complete,” Zachiel says, almost with a hint of pride.

I bring my eyes back to his blue eyes. I want to ask what phase two is and why I’m wearing this bracelet, but I can’t speak. My fear has left me completely shaken.

“Go now,” Zachiel says as he puts the robe back on. “Stanford will accompany you.”

I nod and get out of bed, my hand still gripping my burning wrist. I search around for my dress but can’t find it anywhere.

“Follow me,” Stanford says, and with one last vigorous look at my body, he turns and hops with his big, flat feet toward the door leading to the dining room.

“Wait.” I shout, finding my voice. “My dress.” There’s no way I want to leave here naked and covered in Zachiel’s bodily fluids.

“The dress is gone,” Stanford says lazily. “So find a robe or something to wear.”

I reply, “That’s not my master’s wish,” says Stanford, still hopping, although I haven’t taken a step. I realize I have to follow Stanford. I have no choice but to make my walk of shame.

The door through which Zachiel left has vanished, so any thought I had of following him is gone. Hesitantly, I leave the room, grateful to find the dining room empty. I run after him, keeping my arms crossed over my breasts.

I reach the hallway without incident, but then I encounter the twins casting their cutting glares at me with looks that can only be described as jealousy and hatred. I relax instantly.

I have no idea what the hell has happened to me over the last three nights, but it’s definitely something these women would envy. This can only mean it’s important.

“She survived.” Stanford states the obvious to the twins.

I look at him as the potential danger of what just happened to me sinks in. “It is the master’s wish that you purify her and send her home.” He continues, and then he leaves without saying anything more.