Demon Boyfriend: Beleth Part One (special preview)

Beleth chuckles, and I can certainly see the charm he holds over his congregation. Despite how thin and frail he appears, his beauty shines through like sunlight through stained glass. “It’s a gift.”

I glance back down, unable to look at him directly for too long. “Thank you. I’m Madeline, by the way. Mad, for short.”

Beleth chuckles. “You can call me Beleth if you like, Ms. mad,” he chuckles. “Now tell me,” he murmurs. “What brings you like a stray kitten to my stoop?”

I sip the coffee, testing the waters in a way. I then take in a deep breath and sigh out loud. “It’s been a week,” I murmur. “Sort of a whole domino effect until today.” I glance at him again then quickly look away. “My car isn’t doing well, and I had to pull into your parking lot.”

Beleth nods. “Then the rain, then the thunder, then the tears.” He smiles sympathetically. “I am so sorry for your week.”

I’m not sure why, but I’m having a hard time believing his sincerity. He’s beautiful, sure, but there seems to be something lurking under that smile of his. Not to mention that his eyes seem strange. I am not sure how to put my finger on it, but when I look directly into his eyes, I see a faint shimmer over them, as if he’s wearing odd contacts.

“Mind if I ask if you have a current church home?” Beleth’s voice is soft and sweet, which makes me feel it’s an act.

I shake my head. “Sorry to say this,” I huff, “but I really don’t trust the whole organized religion thing.” I glance at him, seeing his expression hasn’t shifted at all. “My family was extremely religious and it sort of turned me off on it.” I shake my head, expecting the whole spiel from him I’d gotten before.

“Shame when that happens,” Beleth replies. He then lays his hand on his chest. “I’ve been there.”

I chuckle. “I find that hard to believe.”

“No, it’s true,” he says with a smile. “When I was much younger I battled with it, quite violently too.”

Something about this seems more sincere to me. I look back at him, seeing his smile falter for a moment. 

“It was an all out rebellion. But I learned I had to fall in order to rise back up.” He takes a small cross from his pocket and offers it to me. “Here, take one.”

I shake my head. “No thank you. Give it to someone who might actually need it.”

The strange veil in his eyes flickers again. “No, I insist.” He extends the cross a little bit more. “Even if you don’t appreciate it, I’d still like you to have it as a reminder.”