Demon Boyfriend: Beleth 2 (complete)

To say Beleth has become a thorn in my side would be a mild way of putting it. Ever since our last encounter, he has been much more adamant about stealing my time. He’s been coming to the bookstore often enough that he’s formed a relationship with the owner, or rather, he’s seduced her like he has his congregation. He’s even set up a weekly book club at the bookstore after hours, and a charity that works through the shop.

I suppose these are all good things, and the bookstore has gone from struggling to prospering. But it could be part of a game to win my affection and lure me over to whatever dark side he operates on. 

One afternoon I come in to find Beleth talking with the owner. We set out cookies and snacks for our customers, but it looks like Beleth had just about eaten through all of them. 

For someone so gaunt-looking, it’s hard to believe how much he eats. I’ve seen him eat five helpings of food during one of the book club meetings, and they weren’t skimpy plates either. I’m not one hundred percent sure of it, but piecing together things I have gleaned about Beleth, I have a feeling he might ‘feed’ from his congregation and the people who adore him.  I’ve noticed that my boss, after meeting with Beleth for long periods of time, seems tired and withdrawn even as she gushes about him. And after all, Beleth mentioned that our ‘afflictions’ are the same. Perhaps he has an energy crisis of his own.

The book club happens every Tuesday, and whoever is closing sets up for it. This week it’s me. The owner attends the meetings now, as do a lot of women who come into contact with Beleth. Men too, of course - he is irresistible to anyone with a sex drive. The owner cleans and locks up after the meetings - all I need to do is set up, greet everyone, and then lock the doors behind me as I leave.

Today is a pretty slow day, so I have set up early. I’ve been enjoying an unusual burst of energy today, so I’m happy to get things done. After getting all the chairs arranged and snacks placed on the table, I reward myself with a cup of coffee and some peace and quiet.

Unfortunately, it’s not meant to be. Much like the cat that stalks my fire escape, Beleth’s timing is perfect. Just like the cat seems to know when I sleep in, Beleth walks through the door as I enjoy my first tranquil sip of perfect coffee.

“Oh, it’s you today.” He shifts from foot to foot, keeping his head turned at an odd angle. He sets down his bag and turns his back to me as he looks over the snack table.

I snort and enjoy a less peaceful sip of coffee. “You’re usually so chipper to see me. What’s changed?”

“Nothing.” He takes a handful of frosted cookies and starts eating. For some reason, he won’t even look at me.

“You’re acting weirder than normal.” I stand up and approach him. “You seem awfully shy,” I tease.

Beleth turns his head again as I try to lean sideways to see him. “The spread is getting better,” he murmurs between bites.

I shrug and walk away. “Whatever is wrong with you, it’s better than your usual self.”

Beleth grumbles under his breath. “Your nickname suits you, you know? Mad. Let it serve as a warning to all around you.”

“I try, but some folks can’t seem to take a hint,” I scoff.

He turns, and I’m taken by surprise. As he glares back at me, I see the reason he was trying to keep his face hidden - his right eye is covered in a swollen purple bruise, and he has a bandage taped over it. I cover my mouth, suppressing a giggle.

“Oh… Oh no. Did someone have a clergy fistfight?”

“Oh, ha-ha,” he sneers at me. He cups his hand over his eye. “You know, a little bit of sympathy can go a long away.”

I nod my head, spluttering and twitching as I try to hold back my laughter. “Did you run into the Virgin Mary statue?”

Beleth just scowls at me. “If you’re going to make fun of me, just go.”

“No, no,” I giggle. “I actually have an ice pack in the freezer. I also have this amazing comfrey balm my grandma sends me that makes bruises vanish like that.”

“And you’re telling me this why?” Beleth sniffs.

“To brag? Because it’ll help you, even if you are an ass demon.” I crook my finger to motion him to follow. “Come this way.”

Beleth follows after me into the back office. I rummage through my backpack to find the balm. The stuff is like glue and gets everything stuck to it, but it works like a charm. I’ve had cuts before that vanished overnight because of this weird paste. 

“Here now, sit.” I pat a chair. “Take the bandage off and I’ll goop you.”

Beleth removes the white bandage, showing off the regal purple shiner underneath. He can barely open his eye, but when he does he can’t maintain the glamour on it, showing off the toxic green goat eye.

“Yikes,” I chuckle.

“Are you doing this just to laugh at me?” Beleth growls.

“No, no,” I snicker. I start to gently pat on the balm. “What the hell happened? You don’t seem the fighting type. I figured you could charm anyone.”

Beleth is uncharacteristically quiet. 

“Oh, what?” I smirk. “Cat got your tongue?”

He snarls, curling his lip. “It hurts.”

I go still. “It does?” I take back my hand. “Sorry, didn’t mean to.” 

I step away as he gently taps his fingertips under his eye. Beleth sighs, relaxing a bit. “You mean that, don’t you?”

I shrug, wiping my hand off so I can dip in for a bit more. “I mean,” I mumble, “you’re an ass demon, but even you have feelings, right?”

He chuckles. “I’m not an ‘ass demon’,” he says. “But thank you for noticing my feelings. What is this stuff?”

“Some magic stuff my grandma makes in the mountains.” I say as I finish up patting the balm to his bruise. “I tease her and call it Hillbilly Magic.”

“It feels disgusting,” Beleth growls. He sits up and sets the bandage back over his eyes. “It’s not going to kill me, is it?”

“Works on people, but I’m ot sure about demons,” I say with a shrug. 

Beleth rises from the chair and sniffs. He keeps touching under his eye as if he expects his skin to begin melting off. “Well, thank you, I suppose. Didn’t have to do that.”

“Suppose not.” I toss the little jar back into my bag. “But I don’t like seeing people hurt, even you. So…” I trail off, suddenly feeling nervous.

A sly smirk spreads across his lips as he looks at me. “I see. Perhaps I should come by more often with a scrape or bruise. I’ll be the little wounded bird you tend to so lovingly.”

“Don’t get creepy,” I sigh. 

“Most people would jump at the chance to tend to me.” Beleth shrugs as he returns to the snack table. “Consider yourself lucky.”

“What even happened?” I ask. “Walk into a crucifix? Get into a fight with someone? It’s a serious shiner, so I’m pretty curious.”

“Curiosity killed the cat,” Beleth sniffs.

“But satisfaction brought it back,” I say triumphantly.

Beleth scoffs, setting down the brownie he’s picked up. He turns to me again, a glare in his one good eye. “How long have you been sitting on that little gem?”

“Long enough,” I grin.

Beleth dusts his hands off and sighs. “I don’t really feel like sharing this information with you, seeing as you taunted me before. This secret will go to my grave.”

I smirk back at him. “Can’t wait.”

I leave once everyone has come to the book club. Locking the door behind me, I go out to my car. While there, I happen to glance over towards the church’s parking lot, which is down the hill from us and behind the fence that surrounds the bookstore. Wandering around the parking lot is what looks like a goose. Odd, I think, but there is a pond just beyond the church’s rear yard, so the goose must have come from over there. I dismiss my curiosity and go home.

When I come to work the next day, I find a tote bag sitting at my desk. There’s a note attached from the owner attached: “Reverend Beleth left this last night. If you could return it to him, that would be wonderful. Thank you so much.”

I scoff, shoulders slouching as I start to feel fatigued. I take it over anyway. As I get out of my car I feel the sudden sensation of burning eyes boring into me. 

I turn slowly, glancing to my left. The goose sits there, its gaze boring into me with eyes as black and soulless as the abyss. I stand frozen solid, unsure whether to move or not. The horrible goose is frighteningly still, as if planning how to devour my corpse when he’s done pecking me to death.

I move to the side, holding Beleth’s bag tightly. The goose moves forward. He takes two steps, flapping his wings as he does.

I scream and run, not daring to look back to see if the downy abomination is chasing after me. As I rush up the stairs the doors open, and I fling myself inside. Just as the doors close, I hear the goose shriek and attack the wood without mercy.

“That fucking monster needs to be shot!” Beleth huffs.

I thrust his tote bag to him. “Any chance I could use you as a shield so I can get back to my car?” I grump.

Beleth takes his bag. “He’ll be stalking at the door for at least half an hour. I suggest waiting him out until he gets bored.”

“How long has he been stalking the place?” I ask. I feel so tired after the whole ordeal, I could honestly lay down and nap in a pew.

“A few days,” he grouses.

Suddenly, it clicks, and I cup my hand over my mouth. “The goose attacked you!” I point at him. “That’s how you…”

“Shut up!” Beleth snaps.

It hurts to not laugh, but I am trying my hardest not to burst. “You - oh, my god! That’s how you got the black eye! The goose got you!”

“I tripped. I…” He grimaces and walks away. 

I follow him to his office, where he almost slams the door in my face. “No wonder you didn’t want to share.”

“It all happened so fast. He got me, I ran. It was really nothing.” He slams his hands down on the desk. “You know what? Leave. Get out. I hope he eats you.”

“Oh, come on,” I smirk. “You have to admit it’s really kind of funny. You, a demon from hell, and him, the king of hell.” I sputter and snort. “Is he your boss?”

Beleth grabs me by the shoulders and turns me towards the door. “That’s enough. Get out of here.”

I try to keep from moving as he pushes me. “Please, no! I really don’t want to run like that again.”

“Well, too bad. I would say I’m feeding you to the wolves, but it’s much worse than that.” He stops trying to push me and I turn around. “If you tell anyone…”

“Why would I?” I laugh. “Everyone around here loves you so much they’d bowl me over for making fun of you. I know when to keep my mouth shut and when to blabber.”

Beleth’s shoulders slouch. “I suppose that’s true. You’ve not even breathed a word to me about my actual lineage.”

“I call you an ass demon,” I smirk.

Beleth rolls his eyes. “Tell me, is there a reason you’re holding this information over my head? Do you want something from me?”

“I’m not holding anything.” I shake my head at him. “Yeah, it’s weird, and I don’t much care for you, but what would be the point to tell someone? To be called insane? To have them like you more because I’m trying to attack you?” I laugh. “No way. Holding my tongue is better than dealing with bullshit regularly.”

Beleth smiles. “You sure I haven’t charmed you, even a little?”

I stand there and glare at him. “Why are you trying so hard? Did your mommy not love you enough or something?”

Beleth grimaces, but he remains oddly quiet. “Don’t say that again,” he snarls.

The seriousness of his tone makes me shiver. “Sorry. I… I won’t.”

Beleth’s angry expression melts away and he looks forlorn. “What I do is for my own self interest. Do I like the attention? Of course. I thrive off of it. I live off of it. But am I a televangelist? No. Of course not. I’m not that evil.” He sticks out his tongue and huffs. “My reasons are my own, and I will survive because of them. You understand what it’s like, to feel as though the life has been drained from your bones, as if you’ll fall apart at any moment. You know me more than you care to let on.”

“I assume,” I grumble. “But I don’t know.” I fidget with my fingers, afraid to look him in the eye for a moment.

“I was punished long ago in order to make me dependent,” he growls. “But you… you have freedom, and I hate that about you.”

I look back up at him, and suddenly my heart begins racing.

Beleth scoffs and looks away from me this time. “Fucking duck.”

“Goose,” I correct quietly. 

Beleth smiles and lets out a small laugh. “If you know me, then why do you tolerate me?”

I shrug “You’re pretty. Sometimes it’s nice having something enjoyable to look at.”

Beleth approaches me. His hands fall onto my shoulders and he places a soft, warm kiss on my forehead. I lose my breath for a second, and my heart races like a Hot Wheels car on a figure-eight track.

“Thank you for the compliment.” He pats my cheek, then swipes his thumb across my bottom lip. “Strange creature you are.” He winks. “Compliment me some more, and I’ll give you more than a chaste kiss on the forehead.”

My face is burning. “Don’t count on it.” I gulp my heart back down my throat as it speeds towards my mouth.

Beleth licks his lips as he gazes at me. “It’s probably safe to go back outside,” he says. “Risk it, if you will.” He goes to his desk and sits down.

“You’re not even going to be a gentleman and walk me to my car?” I approach his desk. “What if I get viciously attacked?”

Beleth smiles as he shuffles some of the papers on his desk. “We all take deathly risks every day,” he says. “Perhaps this is yours for the day.”

I move to the side of his desk and kiss his cheek. “I’m feeling dangerous.” I tuck a loose lock of his long hair behind his ear. “Walk me to the car, and I’ll make it worth your while.”

His shocked expression shifts into irritation again. “You just want to use me as a human shield!”

I nod. “I do. But like I said, I’ll make it worth your while.” I place my fingers under his chin, tilting it up as I press a soft, gentle kiss to his lips.

Beleth’s lashes flutter and he moves in closer to me, chasing me as I pull away from him. He grimaces when he realizes I won’t kiss him again until he walks me to my car.

“Fine” he snarls. “But don’t act smug about it.” He takes hold of my hand as we head for the door.

“Oh, but I will,” I smirk, lacing my fingers with his long, elegant ones.

Beleth cautiously opens the door and inspects the area for any signs of a feathered horror. We rush down the stairs and to my car. As I’m about to open the door, Beleth slams his hand over it to keep me from getting in.

“He could be coming fast!” I fuss.

“Reward now, safety later.” He dips down, kissing me and pressing me hard against the car. I cup my hands around his face, intending to push, but instead I pull him in even closer. The kiss probably would go on longer if we did not hear the threatening sound of wings fluttering behind us. I turn quickly, seeing a white streak behind the church.

“Later.” Beleth opens my door for me, and I slip inside. He leans in close to the window. “This isn’t over.”

I smirk at him. “Nope, I guess it isn’t.” I lean out the open window and kiss him again. “I still don’t like you.”

“Liar,” he purrs. “You love me.” He kisses me again before the goose honks threateningly. He gets up and runs, darting back towards the church as I drive off.

My heart is hammering and my lips feel warm. This is dangerous, but somehow, I’m not worried in the slightest.