Demonadine

By Desmerelda

Let me tell you the story of a beautiful young man, with golden hair and honey-cream skin, running through the lifeless, stifling and acrid landscape of Hell. There are three ugly demons chasing him, and he’s got myriad cuts, bruises and scrapes all over ever inch of his totally naked body.
He’s got no idea where he is, or how he got there, not even who he is. When in a sudden, breathless moment an angel descends to hover over the parched ground a few feet ahead of him. It is Lucifer, the Lord of Hell, and the most gorgeous, most powerful angel ever, so much so that even being cast out of Heaven couldn't dim his light.
Black shiny wings rise over curly black hair and a pale marble statue-like body, like that of the warrior he was and still is. He doesn't know this beautiful stranger either, but he knows he must have him. His multicolored, crystalline eyes flash and flicker, as he swoops down and picks up the fleeing young man, lifting him into the sullen red sky.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Desmerelda
• Release date: May 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311655615

Book preview

Demonadine

By Desmerelda

Copyright 2015 Desmerelda

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting my hard work.

Dedications and Thanks

There are always so many people to thank, because each of us is the result of so much interaction... But to name just the usual suspects: Dad, M’Aunt, Cooster, Bruzin, my brothers and sisters by marriage. Of course Cara bear and Vamp Queen. And the countless new friends I’ve made on Facebook as well as a few new friends in person on the buses. Special thanks to Courtney Brady for the lovely cover art.

This book is for all you rebel angels out there. Never let anyone tell you that God doesn’t love you.

Other titles by Desmerelda

Slave to the Vampire King

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

About Me

Chapter One:

Black, smoking ruins lay all around and a red, lifeless sky stretched endlessly above the smoldering desert wasteland. There wasn’t even the slightest breeze or natural motions of any kind, no birds, animals or plants swaying in the wind. There was only silence, oppressive and thick, and a muddy, despairing sort of perpetual twilight haze, with the occasional thin, dark purple cloud skulking through the hot, acrid air.

And yet there was movement. Looking almost tiny against the backdrop of megalithic ruins, he ran over hot sand on bloody, blistered feet. Covered in bruises and filth, caked on blood, the young man with skin the color of honeyed cream, and long, golden hair streaming behind him like a banner, was the brightest thing for miles, until the weary Prince of Darkness comes into view, perched on a cliff observing, dichroic crystal eyes narrowing.

Lucifer was the original sinner, the most beautiful and powerful angel ever- and even being sent to rule this hopeless mental region of terror and penance had not dimmed his light. He tilted his head, soft black curls falling to the side, his glowing dichroic eyes thoughtful. Very unusual, a genuinely innocent creature, and yet you are damned. Something inside of him flipped and twisted into new life. He knew nothing yet about the young man he watched with the intensity of a starving dog eying a meaty bone, except that he had to have him.

Lucifer had decreed some time ago that the demons were not to make things worse for the damned souls, unless specifically mentioned in the atonement plan for that soul. He noted which demons chased the dazzling creature. They would pay for their defiance and more for their stupid inability to appreciate goodness and beauty when it was right before them. With that delicious thought, his silky black wings snapped open and he shot down to the ground just a few feet away from the fleeing man. Hello, looks like you could use a little help. He glared at the trio of demons chasing his prey.

The three demons stopped well away from the invisible barrier Lucifer erected, snarling and hissing. With a fulminating glare that promised eventual agony, the leader turned and loped away.

The blond man, almost more of a boy really, froze. Who are you? And where am I? He ran his hands over his bare arms shivering despite the heat. Please don’t let them come back, he chanted mentally.

Luce laughed. They won’t come near you now that I’m here. He smirked at the innocent question. Where do you think you are? What do you think was chasing you?

Deep blue eyes widened, and a very nicely built, though not muscular chest started heaving. Soft, pink lips parted as if to speak and then the beautiful blond shook his head. They looked like demons, and I just realized I’m not even winded from running. The youth paled to an almost chalky countenance and those lovely eyes filled with sudden terror I’m- dead then? At Luce’s brief nod and wince, he continued to think it through Then they were demons and this is Hell? he shook his head frantically. I don’t belong here, do I?

Not really, no. You’re here on a technicality. Come with me and let me tell you a few hard truths and then let’s talk about some better news. He held his hand out to the younger man, firmly squashing a predatory laugh. At least I hope its better news. Would really suck for him to prefer eternal damnation and constant agonizing pain to my company, but with that brilliant goodness in him, he will probably think he should. Genuinely good people tended to not want much to do with me. Lucifer, first victim of very bad PR, he groaned to himself.

I guess I’m here, so what else could it hurt? He took the radiant angel’s hand, shocked to feel warm, solid flesh, skin. The brief caress of the demon lord’s hand made him shiver and his breath catch.

Never ask a stupid question like that. Luce sighed, How curious that this pretty boy would be the first thing to make my blood stir in the past five hundred years or so. Look down there, that is Hell, but it’s also simply the afterlife. Hell is a concept that’s generated inside of the human mind. God is a loving, forgiving Creator, He would never make something like this, but the- Luce broke off here at a loss for an explanation for this very modern, practical minded youth. Akashic soup, if you will, is formed by what you expect in the moment of your death.

I don’t even remember my name, much less what I expected when I died the young man snapped, violently shivering, his stomach starting to clench and twist with sudden dread and lord was he hungry! And how can I be so cold, when it’s so hot here?

It’s in your mind boy. Shift your expectations, grasp new opportunities and make this next life what you will. Luce sighed, rolling his eyes. Here, let me do it for you. He tweaked Reality, just a bit, in the immediate area of his pretty new acquisition.

Warmth spread through the lost youth’s body, and slowly the shivering stopped and the tearing hunger abated slightly. How did you do that? he muttered, jerking back his hand back, jaw dropping. Of course you own the joint. You’re the fucking devil! the comment ended on a screech. The startled young man danced away, just out of reach to glare accusingly at Luce.

I’d like to be fucking, very much. Luce grinned. And yeah, but anyone here could do the same damned thing if they’d think about it. Akasha is, I suppose, what you modern sorts would call primordial chaos. Any one of these idiots here could learn to change their personal reality and be free.

The golden haired youth watched his dubious savior with narrowed eyes. So far it made sense, but that’s just what you’d expect from the devil, isn’t it? Perfect reason and kindness, all rosy good intentions until it’s too late. But the effect was somewhat ruined by his exhausted swaying.

But isn’t Hell forever, and I’m evil? Now the slight tremble of his limbs wasn’t caused by cold. He really, truly didn’t want to be evil. And why are you helping me? Are you supposed to be uh, I don’t…appreciating my suffering or something? He wasn’t actually all that clear what the Lord of Hell’s job really was anyway.

The dark angel was just suddenly next to the golden youth, crooning almost gently No, gorgeous you’re not evil, and shouldn’t I know? But never mind any of that for now, although you’ll learn, unlike the rest of these poor sots. I’m making you my pet project, gorgeous. This is the choice I’m giving you, and you’ll just have to make it with the limited understanding you currently possess. He trailed a hand across the smooth skin of the boy’s chest.

I didn’t think I was imagining that, the youth muttered, swallowing hard. Guess this is what I get for laughing at the Saddam Hussein and Satan skits on TV. The brief touch of those pale, smooth fingers had left him tingling, a faint blush spilling over his previously colorless cheeks. His stomach plunged to new depths as he was reminded of his nudity.

Luce laughed. Nah you’re not being punished for watching South Park. And newsflash, masturbating doesn’t make you go blind or crazy. I told you, it’s really all in your mind. You expected to be here for some reason, do you remember it? He held the boy’s hand tighter, and pulled him straight up into the air, dragging the stunned young man closer.

The boy looked up, suddenly uncomfortably aware that he was pressed against a warrior angel’s body. A body hardened and shaped by centuries of war. I think I was gay. But I didn’t want to be, so I ignored it, and just didn’t fuck anyone. He blushed.

Luce smirked, rolling his flashing crystal eyes "Being gay is not why you’re here, most likely you signed a contract or made a vow, something like that at some point, even though you can’t seem to remember it and probably didn’t take it seriously. Although being gay may make this easier on you than I thought at first.

I can dump you back down there with the peons, where you can suffer eternally for the sin of possibly having been gay, or for signing a stupid contract, which wouldn’t hold water without your belief in it somewhere in the back of your mind, or whatever other baggage you have that I don’t know about yet. Or- he paused here for impact, because he really did suspect this poor kid wouldn’t take easily to his next suggestion, even if he had thought he may have been gay- you come with me and be my sex slave.

What? the boy jerked back, almost tipping into the sky as he abruptly let go. Isn’t that what got me here in the first place?

Luce sighed and tightened his grip. No, I keep telling you that your own beliefs did. Think about it. I exist, so now you know that, at least for you, the Big Guy exists too, right? He held his totally unneeded breath hoping for the next part to really sink in.

The youth stopped mid-squirm and nodded slowly. I better hope so, or the universe is so fucked. He tried for airy commentary, but he chewed his lip.

So why would your Creator, the one who loved humankind so much that offered up his own son as a sacrifice to automatically save all of you, condemn anyone for Love; any kind of love, or even just for any kind of sex, when He created you with that potential? Pretty boy, you are already walking in Grace forever; there can be no Hell for you, once you open your eyes to the truth. Luce smiled, and it was radiant, bursting with love for this universe, for the One Who Made and Loved All.

Uh you’re the father of lies, why should I believe you? But he did feel something suspiciously like a heartbeat speed up. And you want to fuck me, so double the question.

Luce shrugged, Because I didn’t leave you there. He gestured down to the surface where three demons were fighting over some unidentified bones and two humans hid in the shadows, grabbing their stomachs suffering from eternal starvation. Set all the philosophy aside, because you’re not ready for it, which means you’re bound to this state of awareness until you achieve enlightenment, and just consider my offer. Sex slave, total submission to my every carnal whim, if you do that, I’ll take you back to my palace, and you won’t suffer a damned bit of whatever you have planned for yourself, because as you so charmingly put it, I own the joint.

Another deal with the devil to avoid the consequences of the first one? the boy exclaimed in disbelief. He tried to ignore the flare of- of something that made him feel very strange. How could there be desire here? How could there even be sex?

Luc shrugged. Sure, why not? You’re stuck here anyway, it’s not like you’re going to be any more damned for it. Here the fallen angel hid a wince. Well he wouldn’t be more damned exactly. But he might ratchet up his own punishments. Focus Luce, he told himself, that isn’t exactly a lie. Is too, his atrophied conscious weakly protested, Shut it, it’s not as important as the idea that you actually can and will make things better for him. Not as important as the fact you don’t want to spend another moment without him, Luce admitted finally, even if only in his own mind.

With blithe disregard of his internal arguments born from long practice, he continued Also I’m thinking you’re one of those damned forever types, not the more moderate suffer until the scales balance sorts. You will be suffering for a long, long time without my help. And you even thought you might have been gay, so why keep resisting? I can give you back your identity, negate all self-inflicted Hellish punishments, and you will never be lonely again.

It just seems wrong, like I’m cheating, especially if, as you said I created this whole plan. But the words sounded only half-hearted at best, because that wasn’t the only reason he kept protesting. The way he wanted to melt against his unlikely ally was. He jerked again, vainly trying to pull away from the stronger man.

Oh for the love of God stop that! If I drop you it won’t help matters, it will just hurt a lot and leave you broken fresh meat for the fuck wads down there. I’m convinced these idiot demons are what bullies grow up to be. Luce dug his fingers into the boy’s arm, until he knew that it would bruise.

Incredibly, that made the young man be still and look up with a combination of wounded eyes and a smile. How come I keep responding as if I were still alive?

Because you are still alive, you’ve just shed your body. Life isn’t just chemicals traveling along neuron paths. But still that touches on things you aren’t ready for. Instead think of it this way, if you couldn’t physically feel things in the afterlife, then neither reward nor punishment would hold sway, and none of it would matter.

He’d never come out when he was alive. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew it was because he’d been afraid. That fear surged up now, threatening to swallow him whole. Refusing such an amazing, once in a life time offer for morality was good, right? Refusing it just because he was scared would be stupid, so he tried to ignore the hammering of his heart and the metallic taste in the back of his throat. It’s still cheating, the boy sulked.

Unless you put me in here to give you a way out, Luce coaxed, noting with amusement that his young prize was definitely acting like a boy at the moment. Maybe accepting your true nature is part of the puzzle that holds you here. He maneuvered them towards a high rock, and landed, setting the youth down. The boy’s shaking again, he noted. Perhaps it isn’t just stubbornness preventing his agreement. The fallen angel looked a bit more closely at the gorgeous boy, and had to quickly hide his shock. He had not expected this, a virgin in Hell!

Maybe so, but I don’t think I can do it, Luce, the boy murmured, unaware that he was using the fallen angel’s favored nickname.

Well time to be evil, Luce thought, grinning. Being stuck running the asylum for all the evil dead has to have benefits, right? He pushed the boy back catching him in a small space between the fallen angel’s body and a corner where two sheer rock faces met. "You know I don’t have to give you anything, I don’t even have to ask you. You belong to me anyway demonadine. He ran his fingers lightly over the boy’s trembling, slender arms. Fuck you’re a delicate thing, how much chance do you really think you have against them? Face it pretty boy, you’re going to be someone’s bitch. Might as well be me because I can at least give you something back for it."

My demonadine, Luce thought, with a gentle flip of his fingers through the boy’s blond hair. Anything, whatever, do anything; just don’t let him walk away from you! He screamed mentally at himself. This beautiful, pure, good creature had sunk into him, he was made just for Luce to hold and love; to protect from the pain and evil of the dark side of the Akasha.

The boy paled sharply and tried to back further away, only to hit the sides of burning rock that formed the corner he’d been so skillfully backed into. Scorching hot rock seared his back in two, broad stripes on either side of his spine, and he screamed, legs giving out suddenly, falling to knees. His stomach heaved from the sharp, burning pain, trying to empty, but there was nothing in to vomit, so all that came up was acid and bile. He knees bruised against the hard, rocky earth. Fuck you. He managed to spit out. Leave me here if you want to. I just might end up someone’s bitch but at least it won’t be yours.

So that’s it, eh? I’ve pissed you off so you’re going to make this hard. Luce shook his head and smirked. "Demonadine, did you really think that I would leave you here? No, I’ve decided I don’t care if you take my offer or not. I’m having you. Now if you accept that like a good boy, I’ll make sure you don’t suffer anything worse than me. Otherwise you get it all and I do what I want to with you anyway."

What the fuck do you keep calling me? the boy demanded, closing his eyes against the dizziness. His whole back was one big screaming agony now; never had he felt such pain before, or such despair. He was trapped.

Luce trailed his fingers across the red and blistering surface of his demonadine’s back, sighing. It’s pretty bad little one. Better make your mind up which way this is going to go quickly, or you’re going to faint and I’ll just take you with me without giving you any relief.

The boy jerked away oh God please don’t touch it. The words were forced out of him.

I’m not God little one, The fallen angel snickered, despite feeling a strange twisting inside of him that he only vaguely recognized as pity, But I can help you, just say the magic words. Luce crooned, "And all of this goes away, like it’s never happened. You don’t deserve damnation, demonadine, but I can’t give you a get out of Hell free card. You have to give me something in return, it’s in the rules. I can’t help you at all unless you agree to my terms."

That isn’t entirely true, Luce’s nearly comatose better nature scolded him you could call them. With an internal wince, he acknowledged the truth. He couldn’t, wouldn’t give up a chance at this lovely boy without a fight. He could always call them later. But to make up for being such a bastard, he certainly would heal this grievous injury at least.

He stared at the sobbing, moaning youth, knowing that the boy would heal only very slowly and would still suffer from cold, starvation, thirst and whatever other horrors he’d cooked up for himself, and he just couldn’t leave him like this, not even if the boy hated him forever. He made the decision for them both, although he said nothing about it to his charge right then. The rules required service from Demonadine for help, but they didn’t say he had to be willing.

Let me help you with this, at least. Luce slid his hands just over the surface of the damaged flesh, adding This will cost you nothing else, he clarified, when the boy pulled away. Nothing I’m not taking anyway, he amended to himself, if I can’t seduce him, and he really doesn’t want this, I’ll call the boys in to save him. But even just the thought hurt.

Yeah fix the pain you caused. He grumbled but he knew better. Luce hadn’t hurt him, he’d hurt himself struggling against what was beginning to seem like his destiny. He flinched at the caress of Luce’s fingers on his skin.

At that sort of agreement, Luce began healing the dreadful burns, and the other injuries the demons must have inflicted on the boy. With a slight shudder at the utter griminess of the boy, he added a surreptitious cleansing spell.

Coolness blanketed the youth’s tortured skin and he slumped over to the ground at Luce’s feet. Fear of pain and love, of intimacy and