Lucifer's Gift

Chapter 5 – The Condition

I sat across from him at his dining room table. I was way too nervous to even look at him, so I stared at the walls instead.

‘You know, I thought that the Devil would have more of an office to do this stuff in.’

‘Yeah, well, not all people want to see the fire and brimstone while signing a contract. I think it makes them nervous.’ He placed a small stack of papers in front of me.

He had already had a contract made out with my new name on it: Angel.

I started to read over it, word for word.

‘’I, Angel’ … Do I need a last name?’

‘No, I know who you are.’ I gave him a raised eyebrow and continued reading.

‘’I, Angel, being of sound mind and sound halo’… really? Halo? I only wore one once.’

‘Keep reading.’

‘’Do hear by wed the eternal Master of Darkness, Lucifer, for all of eternity.’ Wow. You make it sound kind of like a bad thing. I mean ‘Ruler of the Underworld’… wow.’

‘Is there something wrong?’

‘No, just the wording, that’s all.’ I continued. ‘’In accordance with Lower Law section 666, paragraph 6.2 article 3.9995, any persons entering a binging martial agreement with said Master of Darkness, should be aware of their duties.’ I had to take a breath because it was starting to get warm. ‘Can you keep calm?  You’re making it hot in here.’

‘That’s not me, luv.’ WOOSH! A ring of fire leading from hell opened in the living room and several small demons bumbled through before it closed, rough housing with each other. Their cackles and laughs were screeches in my ears. ‘Hey, knock it off.’ He shouted at them. They didn’t seem to listen. Lucifer then got up and started to chase them into the kitchen. When he came back, his clothes had been singed at the chest and down his arms. I tried to ignore him and go back to the contract. ‘Kids; am I right?’ he stated, putting his feet on the table.

‘Those were kids? I thought the innocent went to heaven.’

‘Not all. You see when someone decides to have an abort- ‘ I held up my hands in protest.

‘No. Not gonna go there!’ He gently pushed them back to the table.

‘We can see into their futures. What they would have been. If they would have been good, they do go to heaven, but if their future meant that they were very, very bad…’ He made the motion with his head towards the ground.

‘That’s horrible! Being judged before you even have a chance to do anything!’ He shrugged.

‘That’s what my father came up with when it came to stuff like that.’ I shook my head in disbelief and returned to the paper in front of me.

‘Anything you have questions over?’

‘A few.’ He rested his elbows on the table and fluttered his eyes with a silly grin on his face.

‘Go on.’

‘Does that happen often? How do you afford this place? Do you own this hotel? Why are you on Earth? How come you look so handsome? Did I die? Why did you light up the living room with magic candles and turned on the kitchen light to get me food?’

He let out a low bellowing chuckle.

‘My answers: Yes. I am powerful and have ways. Yes. Looking for you. I just am. No. I like to be dramatic when entertaining.’

‘Oh.’ I smoothed my hands over the paper.

‘Anything else?’ I placed the parchment on the table.

‘Just one large one. Why me?’

‘Because you…are…perfect.’

‘I don’t get it.’ He rose from his chair. And stood behind me, his hands on my shoulders.

‘You are perfect. You just are.’ I felt my chest and shoulders get warm. Uncomfortably warm. I pushed him off me and paced around the room. ‘Think of it this way: By taking my deal, you will have the power to have anything you want. Money, power, fame…’ He inched closer to me. ‘Someone to take care of you. You’ll never have to live on the streets again. No more p**********n for a place to stay, no more running from the police because you needed that bread…’ His breath was on my neck. ‘You’ll be free.’ He finally whispered, the air leaving his lips was heated and silky. A shiver ran down my back and I walked towards the elevator door; my mind made up. I can’t do this!

‘If you leave, this offer will be off the table and you will go back to your suffering.’ My finger stopped just before I had a chance to press the button. I had to think hard about my next move. It could be my last.

‘I have a condition.’ I told him; my face being reflected in the doors of the elevator.

‘Name it.’

‘I want 2 weeks.’

‘Come again?’ I turned to face him.

‘I want two weeks to make my decision. After that if I don’t find a reason to leave… If I don’t find a better reason to live and go on without you, I’ll stay, and I’ll sign on the line.’ I took a few steps towards him. ‘If I am going to be bound to you for all eternity, I want to weigh my options.’