Seduce Me ~ The Path To Forgiveness

Path Three, Step Two: Invasion

The shrill ring of the doorbell startles me and my journal clatters to the ground as I jump up from the chair. I scoop it up, flattening its ruffled pages, and move to the door of the study, pulling it open a crack and holding my breath as I hear the front door open.

"Boys! You made it!" My fathers voice carries to me, booming its familiar laughter. I throw the study door open and scurry to the foyer, ducking behind the banister of the grand staircase. My fathers body blocks the doorway but I already know who's there.

"William, it's wonderful to see you again, it's been too long." His tone is one of rare formality and his voice is surprisingly normal but I know how human demons can seem.

My father reaches forward, pulling the demon into a hug and I catch a glimpse of his face. His eyes are a golden tan behind black rimmed spectacles, his dark ebony hair cropped short with bangs swept to the side, and a friendly smile graces his lips. He's lovely in a too perfect way, they always are.

"Your daughter isn't with you?" He asks when my father releases him and I lower myself further into my hiding place; I don't want them to see me.

"She's around somewhere. As I've mentioned in my letters she's a bit.. shy." His voice is sad and I feel a pang of guilt; maybe I am being a bit childish. I know my father wouldn't put me in danger but knowing what they are makes the brand on my shoulder ache and my stomach twist into knots.

"Come in, come in! We can talk about this more in my study." I hear their footsteps as he ushers them inside, leading them to the room I had been in minutes before. I wait in silence as they make their way out of the foyer when their steps stop suddenly.

"Damien?" The demon my father had greeted moments before asks, speaking to, who I assume, is one of his brothers.

"Would it be alright if I took a few minutes? I'll be along shortly." One of the demons requests, his voice warm and deceptively gentle.

"Of course, it's been a long time since you were last here. Take your time." My father replies and their steps continue to recede as they enter the office, the door clicking shut behind them.

Footsteps, barely audible on the wooden floor, stop just feet from where I'm crouched. I hold my breath once again, praying he hasn't heard me as the seconds turn to minutes before his soft voice calls to me.

"You can come out, I'm not going to hurt you." Though his voice is gentle a hardness lingers in his tone that demands my attention.

I stand up slowly, the fear that grips my heart causing it to painfully pound against my chest, and peek at him from around the curved railing. Like his brother he possesses an otherworldly beauty. He's wearing a tan coat draped over a red shirt with white jeans and sneakers, his hair is a stunning shade of orange that frames his face and his eyes a dusky blue flecked with hints of violet. I clutch my journal to my chest as he watches me silently before greeting me with a welcoming smile.

"Hi there, I'm Damien." His voice is soft, as if he's worried I'll run like a cornered animal any moment, as he takes a small step towards me.

My grip tightens on my journal, knuckles whitening, as I fight the urge to back away and though my face remains passive he seems to sense my fear, putting his hands up in front of him in a non-threatening manner.

"Hey, it's alright. I'll stay over here, okay?" His smile never leaves his face as he hooks his thumbs in his jacket pockets and patiently watches me. After a few moments I relax, if he wanted to hurt me I'm sure he would have by now, and I see the worried tension ease from his shoulders.

"Better?" I nod and give him a nervous smile.

"May I ask your name?" I drop my left hand, still clutching my journal, to my side and bring my right hand in front of me when I suddenly freeze; he won't be able to understand me. He looks confused for a second as he glances at my raised hand.