The Seven Deadly Princes

Pride 3: The Skull Crusher

PRIDE

I’ve never been more grateful for a gift of understanding than today. Jessie is still incredibly shocked. She’s shivering but not because of the cold. Still, she doesn’t show any sign of weakness other than that. 

I try to control my rage from within at the thought of another demon attacking my human. Not even an hour into finding her and already they’re after her.

It can’t be helped. With her being linked to me, her essence is stronger than all the other humans. Demons of all kinds are drawn to Jessie more because of her connection with the eldest and the strongest brother. What a shame that she’s also physically the weakest out of all the humans assigned. 

I might not know exactly what the other humans look like but I had the youngest one. A girl too. 

How can the Prince of Hell in charge of pride have a girl as his link? How is my life force in this small girly human? 

Jessie let’s out a small cough which effectively grabs my attention. Was she sick too? What kind of punishment is this?

“Would you like some coffee? I think I’ll need a cup to calm down.” She has a small soothing type of voice. Her cheeks are flushed too. My hand on her arm should have been able to warm her. 

I nod not feeling the need to talk and at my confirmation Jessie changes direction. We walk for a few more minutes until a small cafe appears at a corner.

She opens the door and holds it open for me. “What would you like?” 

My mind comes to a halt. I’m not versed in coffee. We’re there many kinds? I let my eyes wonder to the bright menu board above the cash register. 

Americano? Cappuccino? Expression? Latte? Hot and cold?

So many kinds... 

At this very moment, I wish Gluttony was here. He would know. 

Jessie must have noticed my silence because she tilts her head with her hair following the movement. It looked soft to touch. “Do you want something hot or cold?”

“Hot.” I answer monotonously. 

She nods looking pleased with herself. “Sweet or bitter?” 

“Bitter.” 

“Got it. Take a seat and I’ll get our drinks.” She says motioning to a couch by the windows. 

Jessie proceeds to the front where a boy takes her order. It’s obvious she goes here a lot by the way the boy is smiling and talking animatedly with her. 

Hm.

Interesting. 

I take a mental note to remember this boy. He could be a danger in the future. 

They were still talking. How long does it take to order? Gluttony will not be amused by how long these humans take to serve. It didn’t help that the boy’s actions remind me strongly of Lust. 

Definitely not safe.

My eyes carefully sweep the area. Bright, comfortable and oddly mismatched in terms of furniture. Nothing like Hell. 

I felt uneasy. 

How were my brothers taking the change? Better than I most likely. Maybe not Wrath. 

I predict he would be the first one back to Hell because he might accidentally kill his human. 

A tray with two mugs and plates of pastries are placed on the table in front of me. Jessie’s smiling face graces my line of sight. 

“I got us snacks. I didn’t know what you liked. I got all the good ones.” She says cheerfully taking the seat across from me.

I wanted to tell her that I didn’t know what I liked but kept quiet. 

How could such a girl be mine? Too nice. Too innocent. This isn’t how it’s supposed to go. 

I watch her reach for her mug and carefully sip the dark liquid. She let’s out a big sigh and slouches in her seat. Sloth would appreciate her at this moment.

In contrast, I sat straight with my posture perfect. I reach for my own mug of dark liquid and drink it’s contents. Rich flavor bursts in my mouth and forgetting the scalding heat, I finish the entire thing in one go. 

Jessie’s jaw drops at the sight of my empty mug. “And I thought I was in love with coffee. Wasn’t it hot?  Let me get you another.” 

I made an attempt to reach for her but she’s already out of her seat and talking with the boy again. He looked pleased to have her back and that irate me. 

It would seem my coffee would be coming late because of him.

My eyes fall back to the tray with pastries and I reach for one. A muffin with dark blue spots. Either they served out of date food or this is a flavoring. 

Refusing to ask Jessie about it and risk losing face, I take a bite off the warm muffin and immediately sweet flavor dances in my mouth. I now understand Gluttony completely. This is delicious.

I allow myself one last bite and nothing more. Feeling quite proud of my self control, my eyes trail after my little human who’s still engaged in a conversation with the boy.

She looks uncomfortable and my body acts on it’s own. With a few quick strides, I make it to her side and place a hand on her shoulder feeling possessive.

I expected her to jump in surprise but oddly without looking she knows it’s me. Jessie turns and has an expression on relief. 

The boy on the other hand is startled at my mere presence. He trembles a little and I lavish at the fear in his eyes. Pathetic. 

That’s right. You should be afraid. 

He glances between Jessie and I. My jaw clenches in irritation and suddenly have the strangest urge to skin him alive. 

I was allowed to commit sin wasn’t I? It wasn’t against the rules. 

Just when I’m about to curse the living Hell onto the boy, Jessie reaches for the hand I had on her shoulder and squeezes.

“Honey! Were you waiting long? I’ll be right there with your coffee.”

Honey?! 

The form of endearment knocks the air out of my lungs. From what I know from Lust, he uses forms of endearment to seduce women. Was my human already smitten with me and attempting seduction? In front of another male no less. 

Had she no pride?

The boy seemed just as surprised as I was. An upfront seduction like this must not come normally in the human world. 

“Is he your boyfriend?” The boy manages to say. 

What? What nonsense is that? Boyfriend? I was no such thing. Partner in life maybe but not boyfriend! 

The grip on my hand tightens and Jessie let’s out a shy little laugh. “Oh, yes. He’s...” She pauses looking up at me timidly. “He’s Pepper.”

Pepper?! Of all the names she could have given me. She chose Pepper? 

The boy deflates at her proclamation and dejectedly hands over a new mug filled with coffee. Jessie’s hand let’s go of mine and she takes the cup. “Thank you.”

We silently walk back to our seat by the window and I’m still quite surprised by her words. Did she misunderstand our connection? Did she not know we’re simply bound together for life? 

I open my mouth to explain our arrangements when Jessie let’s out a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry about that. Andrew kept insisting on getting my phone number. I had to lie and say you’re my boyfriend to stop him.” 

I blink. 

My eyes return to the boy who’s still watching Jessie longingly and the urge to skin him alive is more powerful than anything else. He will burn in hellfire for what he’s doing. 

My hands twitch at my sides when a mug of steamy hot coffee is brought to my face. “Another cup of coffee just for you. Try to not finish it as fast this time. Maybe savor the flavor a little.” 

I nod wordlessly taking the cup from her hands. 

Jessie grabs her own cup and pinches a piece of the muffin. She props it into her mouth and happily does a little jig on her seat. “Blueberries are my favorite. Did you like it?” 

“Yes.” I say remembering that I haven’t said anything in a while. To have a good life here in this world I must have good relations with my human. Degrading and horrific as that may seem, it’s the best way to go about this whole thing. 

I already received the short end of the stick when it came to human selection, might as well make do with what I have. 

Jessie must not be seen by any of my brothers. Especially, Greed and Lust. Maybe even Envy but what is there to envy with my human? She’s small and not fit for fighting. 

For traveling maybe with her size but not for battle. She’s too nice which would mean people most likely take advantage of that. It did not look like she has riches nor power. So far, she didn’t show any signs of high level sin. 

She’s nothing but an appealing face. 

Yes, avoid Lust. He has a rather dangerous way of showing appreciation for beauty. I didn’t want my human to die because of his frisky hands.

“So, how will this work?” Jessie asks with her eyes on mine.

What an alluring set of eyes. I clear my throat and straighten my back. “I will live with you for the mean time. If the attack was any indication, you’re already a target. An easy one without me by your side.” 

“L-live with?”

I purse my lips. “Yes. Your accommodations might not be up to par with my standards but it will have to do.” 

She gapes at my words. “Now I know why they call you Pride.” 

I shrug. “We will find a better living space tomorrow.” 

“Better living space? I don’t think you understand. I can’t afford anything else right now. I could barely afford this dinner.” Jessie winces at her words. 

Pride. There was pride in her words. It was the first sign of my sin on her. It hurt her to admit that. Mild but it was a start. 

I dismiss her statement with a motion of my hands. “Little girl, you’re living under the eldest brother’s protection now. I’ll take care of us.” 

“Your bone crushing hand might be enough for demons but not for humans.” She says with a laugh. 

“As a matter of fact, it’s easier to crush human skulls than of demons.” I tell her proudly. 

Her eyes widen at my words and she coughs at her drink. At this rate, my human would most likely die of food choking than anything else. 

How horrible. 

“I have no doubt of your skull crushing skills.” She mutters looking flustered. “I meant we need money to survive in this world.” 

“Is that all?” I shake my head at her confusion and take out a slick black card from my pocket. One of the gifts given to us before leaving hell. It’s meant for our overall needs. Although, we aren’t allowed to alter too much of our human’s life with the money provided.

A new living space wouldn’t change too much from my human’s life. 

“I won’t accept that.” Jessie states frowning at the card in my hand. There it is again. Pride. 

I observe my human quietly, my eyes searching hers. Her pride is mellow and soft. I had to wisely play with my words to get things from her. “Don’t misunderstand. This isn’t for you. It’s for me.” 

The determination wavers in her expression and I know I’ve got her. My compulsion doesn’t work on Jessie unlike other humans but understanding her and manipulating that will allow me to get what I want. 

“For tonight, we’ll have it your way.” I continue taking a long drink from my mug.