Chapter 1
1001 Words
PART ONE: FALLING
DAMEON
Click… click… click.
The heels of Professor Frost’s shoes echo through the empty hallway of the philosophy building.
Click… click… click.
The sound grows slowly louder as I glance about, planning my escape.
Click… click… click.
I allow myself a victorious smirk as I tuck the stolen answer key into the pocket of my leather jacket and press myself against the wall, silently slinking toward the door.
Click… click… click.
It’s a silly game, really. As a prince of Hell, cheating on a philosophy exam is just a drop in the bucket of the ocean of sins I’ve committed. But the leaders of hell gave me a year to waste. One year of freedom to possess the body of a human boy before I’m given my first mission as a part of Hell’s royalty.
My year will be up in two days, so I’ve gotta get my kicks somehow, right? A little sin here, a little sin there. It’s all in good fun.
Click… click… click.
I begin to push the heavy door open as quietly as possible when I’m hit by a wall of blustering winter air, and something even more magical. The methodical rhythm of Professor Frost’s shoes is drowned out by a supernatural melody. I’m frozen by the voice as it dances through the crisp, cold air.
On the front steps of Overmyer Hall sits the most enchanting mortal creature I have ever seen. Hair in a cascade of dark curls down her back, skin the color of caramel, and graceful fingers entwining the neck of her guitar. She stops her song and looks up at me with hauntingly sad golden-brown eyes, and I nearly forget that I’m about to get caught with Professor Frost’s answer key. I shake myself out of the temporary paralysis. What the hell was that about? Women are usually enchanted by me, not the other way around.
I slip out the heavy metal door, almost losing my footing on the icy steps as I try to close it silently behind me.
Idiot.
I’m a Prince of Hell. I don’t trip.
Granted, being a Cambion (half human, half demon) means that my mother’s human qualities surface at times, much to my father’s chagrin. I'm definitely not the perfect demon that he expects me to be. Don't get me wrong- sin is deliciously fun, but the pesky guilt that nags me is not something I'm proud of. Possessing a human body makes that weakness even more difficult to hide, but I can’t disappoint someone as powerful as my father. One doesn’t disappoint Asmodeus unless one has a wish for eternal torture.
To help me hone my evil ways he sent me to a place where humans are the most depraved and guiltless-a college campus. I'm supposed to learn to live undetected among these mortals, kicking up a storm of mischief and mayhem wherever I can. I think I've done pretty well for myself until this slightly awkward moment on the stairs.
I brush myself off, trying to salvage this first impression. I’ve still got two days of freedom to waste until Asmodeus calls on me, and this sad little girl will be a worthy distraction. My mind is racing with the wicked acts I plan to commit with this delicious creature, and being the son of the Demon of Lust means that she will be wrapped around my finger quicker than you can say “sin.”
I run my hands through my perfect jet-black hair, and artfully adjust my slightly-too-tight jeans. Now for the kill shot- I hook my fingers through the belt loops to skillfully pull my pants down just enough to expose a sliver of muscled skin below my waist. Finally, I flash a seductive smile at her and use my patented, never-fail pickup line.
“Hey.”
I say with a little nod of my perfectly sculpted chin. No woman has ever resisted my well-rehearsed seduction.
She blinks at me.
BLINKS.
Without a word, she looks back down at her guitar and resumes her mournful melody.
What in the actual hell? I am the son of Lust itself and she just... looked away! This has never happened to me before. How can a mortal girl resist me? As I stand in my dumbfounded stupor, her song begins to wrap around me like billowing smoke. I breathe it in, and I feel it within me. Alive. I feel alive.
As she continues her song I fall under this mysterious hypnosis once again. I feel compelled to get closer to her but I don’t understand why, and I’m unable to resist her call. Without realizing it, I take a step towards her. What is happening to me? It’s just a song. It’s just a girl. And yet, I take another involuntary step closer like a mindless zombie. All of my free will has been surrendered to this beautiful siren, but for some reason I don’t care. All I want is to stay under her spell for all eternity. I silently take a seat next to her on the steps, relishing in this loss of control, listening intently to the beautifully sad song she plays. For once in my life I am not being driven by the evil forces of hell, but I belong to this enchanting woman. It feels so pure, so... good. Not pleasurably good, but just... good.
When she finishes the song my mouth hangs open stupidly. What is this sorcery?
“Who are you?” I ask. Everything within me has to know.
My question hangs in the air, unanswered for what feels like an eternity.
“Seraphina.”
- Writer
