The Seven Deadly Princes

Pride 5: The Audacity of Human Men

PRIDE

The audacity of human men. I don’t understand where they get the courage to walk up to my human with me standing right beside her. 

To assume I’m her brother of all things. We look nothing alike! He knows too. I can see it in his eyes.

If I was Wrath or Envy, this Zeke boy would be already burning in Hell but... I am Pride. I am above those things. 

That didn’t mean I couldn’t think about it.

I continue to roam the campus in silence. From time to time, I would walk by the window of Jessie’s class to check up on her. Much like how I first saw her through the mirror, she’s attentively listening to whatever the professor is discussing. 

Jessie doesn’t notice the glances she receives from her peers. Wether it be from adoring boys or girls respectfully eyeing her. She must be smart to have that level of acknowledgement. 

I turn away and start scanning the campus yet again. When I was satisfied of my human’s safety -at least for now- I turn to exit the large university. 

There’s too much trees here. Easy to hide and attack when it’s a little less crowded. I have yet to think of the best way to protect Jessie when I’m not around.

Lost in my thoughts, I grind my teeth together when I feel my skin prickle. My blood runs cold like it’s frozen. The hairs of my neck raise and I turn only to face Envy.

He’s grinning mischievously. “Hi, brother.“

I force my expression to relax. It would do me no good if Envy notices the tension I’m feeling at the thought of him near my human. “Envy. What brings you here? Uninvited too.”

The grin playing at his lips widens. “I came to check up on you.” 

Lies. He wants to see my human. 

Out of all the brothers, Envy and Lust were the ones I wish never to meet Jessie. They’re reckless and constantly jealous. They also know this is the first time they could actually hurt me. 

I know it’s wrong to think badly about my brothers but we’re demons. The seven deadly Princes of Hell. It was in our being to sin even against each other. 

“What are you doing at a university? Are you being frisky with students? That’s so unlike you.” His smile doesn’t falter. “Perhaps your human is a student.” 

“Think what you want.” I say turning away and continuing my exit from the school. I must bring his attention away from campus. 

Envy matches his pace with mine and peers up at me. “Are you really shacking it up with students? Is that why you’re so secretive? Is our big brother ashamed of his s****l endeavors? Wait until Lust hears about this!” 

I turn to face him and glare. It’s best he believes that regardless of how disgusting his thoughts were. 

The anger in my face makes him laugh out loud. “There’s no shame to it. Lust certainly has done it. Several times too. I’ve even done it with my human. She’s a sexy little thing.” 

For a moment, all I could see was red. He touched his human in that way? Would he touch my human if he met her?

“Was it consensual?” I seethed angrily. We might be sinners but to take advantage and violate your own human? A being linked specially to you? 

Envy sees the deep rage in my eyes and takes a step back in fright. He raises his hands up. “Of course, brother.” 

I let out a breath that I didn’t know I was holding. “Good. We’re not animals, Envy. Especially not to our human.” 

He nods in understanding and tilts his head to the side. “So, is your human a boy or a girl? I heard whispers that a lesser demon came at you.” 

I decide to avoid his question. “Did yours get attacked too?” 

Envy shook his head. “I visited everyone. You’re the only one to get attacked.” 

Other demons want the most powerful one. Jessie is in more trouble than I originally thought. “How are the others?” 

“Lust, Gluttony and Greed are having the best time.” He began his story. “Lust having... you know the activity and Gluttony has been eating himself silly. Greed is Greed enjoying everything. He has the best human.” 

“The best?” I inquire hoping that my consistent questions allows him to forget about his interest with my Jessie. 

“Young, incredibly rich and has his own bodyguards to protect him. Greed has no worries and can enjoy himself to the fullest.” I could almost taste the envy and jealousy in his words. He must not have been as lucky with his human. 

If Envy was ever to attack anyone, it would be Greed. Too much of the perfection would consume him. 

“How is your human?” The question has my throat constrict. 

I had to play it out well or he’ll take interest. “Fine.” 

Envy frowns. “Just fine? Nothing impressive?” 

“Nothing.” I confirm hoping my agreement to it would let him drop this topic. I wasn’t completely lying. My human had no riches, no power. She was just regular Jessie.

He sighs dispassionately. “I suppose we got unlucky. You’ll let me meet her once everything settles right?”

He’s baiting me. Envy purposely said ‘her’ for me to confirm the rumor of Pride’s girl. “Him.” 

Envy’s eyes widen looking conflicted. “Him?” 

I shrug uninterestedly. If Envy’s human is a girl, he would want to compare his with mine. He would want to know everything about her to see who had the best one. 

Although I believe Jessie is one of the weakest of the chosen humans, I don’t believe she’s worth less than Envy’s. Jessie is my human after all. 

Envy searches my emotionless expression and sighs dispassionately. “You’re no fun, brother. Just like Wrath.” 

My mind wonders to Wrath. He would have the worst time adjusting. “How is he?”

“Dull and boring. He’s silently brooding with his human. He didn’t even bother to hide him. It’s like he’s baiting for someone to attack his human to have a reason to kill.” 

That sounded a lot like Wrath. I could only hope that his human has fed him like mine had. Did he get a proper lodging like I did? 

“You look content, brother. Your human must treat you well.” Envy comments. He still hasn’t given up. He’s pushing for any information.

“Doesn’t yours?” I deflect. I’ve brought him far now. Making him believe I live in this part of town. I make a mental note to place a strong cloaking spell on our new living space. 

Envy groans running his hand through his face. “She’s lazy as if she was Sloth’s human. Doesn’t cook, hardly cooperates and always argues. The only good thing about her is she’s a good-“

I put a hand up to stop him. I did not need to know that. 

Envy sticks out his tongue childishly. “You’re such a moral zealot thinking you’re above s****l needs. Just wait until I let everyone know you’re on the prawl for young university girls.” 

My youngest brother goes on about Greed and how he enjoys s****l pleasures with many different women. I want to tell them that it hasn’t even been a day. They should be more responsible. One wrong move and they could lose everything.

“Why have you left your human? Don’t be too comfortable, Envy.” I warned making sure he understood my words.

“She’s at work. No one can touch her there.” He says sounding carefree. 

I shake my head at him disapprovingly. 

“Greed and Gluttony want to know when we can meet.” Envy finally tells me after he finished his mindless babbling about his ungrateful human. I want him to leave so I can go about my day and find a new place for Jessie.

“Next week. I’ll inform everyone.” My patience is wearing thin. It’s lunch now. I’ve been with Envy for hours already. We’re at a mall looking around. Several times he’s stopped us to flirt with eyelash fluttering women of different ages. 

It’s mind numbing. I could be doing something productive instead of this. I wasn’t an i***t. I know exactly why he was spending his time with me. If it was any other time he’d be with Lust but Envy wanted to know more about my human. 

“Must you continue to bother me?” I tell him when he lost himself in another long story. 

He gapes at my words. “I’m bothering you?” 

“Yes. We’re finally on earth free of each other and you’re here taking my precious time.” 

Envy sighs and nods. “Alright. I know when I’m not wanted.” 

I frown leaning on a wall with my arms crossed. “Are you quite certain? Hours of my ignorance to your rambling and you only caught on now.”  

“You need to get laid, brother. It might fix your temper.” 

My jaw clenches at his rash words. “I’ll get on that once you leave.” 

He jumped up looking extremely excited. “I knew it! You do want shack it up!” 

“Leave.”