Jessie 6: The Tammy Replacement
1141 Words
JESSIE
Every inch of my body aches the moment I get out of the pool. Since I missed morning training, I had to do extra laps than everyone else.
Tired and hungry, I quickly make my way to the shower. All day long I worried for Pride. How was he doing? Did he navigate through town okay? Did he eat?
He seems pretty capable but what did he know really about this world?
Once I’m done showering, I pull on my trusty leggings and a thick sweater. I didn’t even know where to meet him. We didn’t talk about that.
I leave the locker room and head for the exit when I hear a voice from behind.
“Heading out, Jessie?” It’s Zeke.
I don’t know why he’s still here when training ended a few hours ago. “Yeah. I just finished.”
“Great. I’ll walk out with you. Do you wanna go grab a bite to eat? You must be starving.” He said kindly with a big goofy smile.
I haven’t thought much about Zeke. My focus is keeping my grades high and my performance great in swimming. There wasn’t really much time to think about him.
“She’ll be eating with me.”
I jump at the chill that the voice gave off. In front of us was a hulking Pride not looking the least bit amused by Zeke’s presence.
Pride reaches for my arm and pulls me to his side. There’s a possessiveness to his actions that make my cheeks flush.
With one last glare directed to Zeke, Pride walks us out his hand still holding onto my arm. The cold night breeze doesn’t bother me with his warmth sipping through my sweater.
“You’re a busy girl aren’t you?” Pride sneers icily. “School, training and men.”
“Zeke isn’t much of man.” I try to joke.
Pride pauses before shaking his head. “That I agree with.”
I watch Pride for a few seconds and I know it’s been a long day for him. “How was your day? Did you get to eat? Was-“
“Envy came and he will return. I need you to swear you won’t engage with any of my brothers.” He immediately tells me.
“I won’t.” I promise knowing this is very important to him.
He breathes a sigh of relief. “They won’t come during the night. They’ll be with their own humans.”
“How will I even know what they look like?” I ask curiously. Pride looks like a normal human albeit a little too handsome for one but still.
“There will be a chill if they’re near. If what you feel for me is warmth they’ll be the opposite.”
“I understand. So, did you eat?”
Pride shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair. “I didn’t have the time.”
I purse my lips and wag a finger at him. “You have a human body now. Humans need to eat. Come, I know a really good Italian place.”
He nods following after me. “I found us a place. It’s slightly bigger than your last apartment. One room still. No Tammy’s.”
“Darn. I wanted a Tammy.”
“I’ll be your Tammy.”
The Italian restaurant I brought Pride to is extremely busy. There was a long line of students waiting to be seated and I groan at the sight.
“Maybe we should go somewhere else. This will take hours.” I tell Pride who’s currently eyeing the line curiously.
“No. You wanted it here. We’ll eat here.” He briskly walks up to the front of the line and speaks with the staff.
They converse for a while and I realize he’s using his abilities to talk his way into getting a seat. I’m secretly very impressed when Pride turns and waves me over.
We’re ushered into a beautiful booth seat and I can barely keep my composure. “My Prince of Hell is brilliant.”
Pride’s eyes gleam at my words and he smirks. “It’s only a seat. You haven’t seen anything yet.”
We order our food quickly because we’re both hungry. Comfortable silence washes over us and I let my mind relax. Having Pride didn’t seem so bad.
“I’ve moved all of your things to our new place.” He starts while pouring wine into his glass.
Our place.
I nearly choke on my water. “What?”
He takes a long drink from his wine glass and swirls the remaining liquid around. “While you were at school, I’ve taken all of your things from your old place to our new home. I’ve also bought new furniture so you can leave the mite infestation that you call a couch with Tammy and your roommate.”
“How could you possible do all that in a few hours?” I ask knowing already that he yet again used his abilities.
“There’s little I can’t do.” Pride says ostentatiously. “I also took the liberty of casting a cloaking spell around it. No one will know we live there.”
“What’s a cloaking spell?”
“A simple spell that would prevent most beings from entering our home. It’s untraceable and untouchable.” Pride explains looking quite proud of himself. “Regardless, I’ll still require you to share a room with me. It’s a necessity. I’m more powerful the closer you are.”
I swallow not knowing how I feel about that. It wasn’t like he was going to do anything to me. “Is it because I have your life force?”
“Yes. We’re bound together which enhances my abilities. A human life nurturing a demon is otherworldly in power.”
I want to ask more questions but our food arrives and Pride tucks in. If he’s hungry, he doesn’t show it. That’s the difference I guess with him and other demons. He holds himself too high with pride for things he deems are below him.
After dinner we walk quietly to what I would guess is our new home. Pride is quiet like usual taking in our environment with watchful eyes.
“What do you plan to do now?” I ask him referring to his new life as a human.
Pride looks down at me curiously. “I suppose I’ll buy us a car for better travel. Walking leaves you out in the open.”
“I meant, what do you want to do with your freedom from Hell?”
I see him swallow. He’s hesitant and careful with his words. Pride breaks eye contact and looks up at the night sky.
I wonder what the great Pride would do with his life. I could picture what Gluttony and Lust would want but nothing with Pride.
“I’m not particularly sure.” He finally admits. “Live a normal life, I suppose. Travel and see what else is out there.”
It becomes quiet after that. Slowly, our surrounding change from shabby brick structures to posh high rise buildings.
It’s takes a few more minutes of walking until Pride stops us in front of a luxurious glass building with bright lights. My jaw drops at the sight. I’ve never pictured myself living in a place like this.
There are even pots with actual plants around the entrance! The pots we had in my old building only had a collection of cigarette buds and spit.
This is it.
This is my new life with the Prince of Hell himself.
- Writer
