Bars, Witches, and Demons

I had been told over and over about the threat that now followed me like a shadow.

But did I listen? Well, I wouldn't be here if I did.

That was always an issue of mine. The man, or rather the "man" who I had caught the interest of was not someone to be taken lightly. He was not something to be taken lightly. What still baffled me beyond belief was, how on gods green earth did I even catch his eye in the first place?

I didn't have a super memorable face. I wasn't at the center of the large group at a party or gathering, just talking away. I wasn't the opposite either I suppose. I preferred groups of the smaller size. Casual, not tacky- in a sense.

Now, I had been single for quite some time, and my friends were getting restless to see me get some action.

Not having anything better to do I let the short nymph and Forest elf drag me along to a downtown pub. It was packed as hell, but the firey nymph rangled us a spot up at the bar. They immediately began to search the room for their next unsuspecting victim. Not even as soon as we had ordered our drinks had they found a few possible candidates. Just for me of course. Aria- my shorter friend pointed out a foxy looking woman across the way.

She stood alone, a beer gripped in her slender fingers. She had many other admirers. Red suited her well, it seemed. I had shaken my head, dismissing the idea. I didn't want to bother her. She probably sat over there because there's less roaming hands and eyes. Both girls whined, knowing how this night will go. Julia- my taller friend- reminded me of how I shouldn't be too picky. She says this not to insult me, but instead to inform me to not pass up any good opportunities- because who knows when one will come again?

The time flew by- as it should when having fun- but I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. It was strange- a feeling that I have certainly felt more times than I'd care to admit. I never checked my surroundings though and acted as natural as I could. By now the bar was beginning to clear out. We did too eventually, and I found myself in the backseat of Julia's car alongside Aria. A bit tipsy, said girl let her lose tongue get the better of her.

"Oh yeah. There was- there was someone looking right at you most of the night." She nudged me to get her point across. I quirked an eyebrow, not quite believing her. "I didn't know what to say to you though... it was weird."

"Really now?" I smiled, now completely doubting her intoxicated words. I doubted myself and the idea that others would even so much as glance at me. If others ever stared at me, there was most definitely a malicious purpose behind it. Julia chimed in.

"It's true, he was near the back of the bar. He was dressed in a red shirt and was rocking a black leather jacket and matching pants." She whistled in appreciation, then laughed. "Classic bad boy look."

They then began to talk about him as if he was an old acquaintance. It was so casual. I asked if they knew who he was and they laughed. Julia was the first to recover- Aria was still holding her sides like she would fall apart otherwise.

"Oh, you know. Only the most powerful demon of all time."

Aria managed to sober up enough to correct her- or try to. "Second, most powerful."

"Nooope! He is now the most powerful. He claimed the throne remember?" Julia smiled in return. This made the nymph pout, crossing her arms deftly. I felt a bit left out, yet ignored the feeling. "I just don't know why he was there tonight."

Finally deciding to address my burning questions, I spoke up. "Just please tell me his name already?"

At this Aria gave a nervous giggle- clearly in a tipsy haze again. Or something. Julia's face was as hard as stone, her stormy grey eyes just the same. I watched through the mirror as her lips curled upwards in a snarl. But it was gone as quickly as it came. It made me all the more conflicted and worried, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Alu. Alu Morningstar."

* * *

That was a week ago.

My life has gone on. I've been loafing about for a couple of days- but to be honest who hasn't? When my friends had dropped me at my place Julia had given me some advice- and a warning or two. They had both told me repeatedly that same week to cover or get rid of all my mirrors. Apparently, he can travel through them. I got rid of a few, but some part of me still believed that they were just messing with me.

But my subconscious knew better. It nagged me on and on about the bad that will come from my ignorance. From my stubbornness. Nothing out of the ordinary was happening. Every now and again I would feel a presence behind me- even when out in the daylight. Or a faint sensation of a hand ghosting across my arm.

I brushed it off as the common haunter or playful spirit. They do get lonely after all- so they seek out living beings to entertain them and keep them company a while. They aren't the only ones who get lonely either. And I don't mean it in any sexual sense. Maybe my mind was conjuring some really vivid sensations from being alone for too long?

But of course, it was none of those things. I knew it too. At some point, I had admitted it to myself.

By now I had arrived back at my humble flat after a late-night grocery run for some ingredients for some curse that I deemed justified. My eyelids fell halfway- leaving me to suppress a yawn. I watched the tea I had brewed swirl in the ceramic mug, no longer in the mood for it.

Downing it anyways I got up to place the empty mug in the sink for me to wash in the morning. Dusting my hands of invisible dirt I paused to arch my back in an impressive stretch. I noted that I needed to light the fireplace- or that I really wanted to I guess. Shrugging it off I sat back down on the sofa near the TV.

Once I had settled back in, I strangely tuned out the screen before me. My attention had drifted to my surroundings instead. I was all too aware of the silence save for the commercial playing. Before I could properly question this, I nearly fell from my spot. Noises came from down the hall- the direction my back was facing. I immediately began to panic. The idea of a demon coming through a mirror in your room was crazy. It is crazy. Although I did have a slender floor-length mirror in there. I gulped.

Paranoia man.

Seconds ticked by. I would know- I counted every single one. Now, of course, the smart thing that I should've done by now is grab my phone from the kitchen counter. It's not even 10 feet to my right. Or I should've grabbed a weapon at least. The kitchen was full of them. But that part I have covered. Slowly, slowly, I pulled up the cushions. Just enough for me to retrieve my metal softball bat.

Ever since those ominous warnings from my friends began, I had become a little... panicky. So like a rational person I hid a few similar weapons around the house.

What would you've done?

Mumbling to myself, I gripped the bat hard enough that my skin squeaked on the handle. Circling the sofa, I swiftly made my way past the island countertop in the kitchen. Closing in on the hallway, I pressed my back to the wall- keeping me hidden. Taking a deep breath, I uttered a simple enchantment for the bat. I never needed any due to my body being fortified like a secret fortress with charms and such. Raising the metal weapon, I prepared myself to head into the dim hall.

A voice smooth as red velvet resounded in the room, violently tearing me from my hyper-focused thoughts.

"And just what, pray tell, is a beautiful lady such as yourself going to do with that?"

I was frozen on the spot, not daring to move. Only turning my eyes in the direction from which I came, I saw it. I saw him. Illuminated by the unearthly glow from the fireplace, his face was downcast in shadow. The fire was only unearthly because it wasn't just any fire. It was Hellfire. The blue hues shifted across his stern-looking face. But amusement mingled there as well. The corner of his lip curled slowly at my silence.

Well, of course, I was stunned- more scared actually- to silence. Witch or no, anyone would be surprised by someone just manifesting in their home. Especially a demon. Especially a Morningstar. Managing to gather myself- even if I was still a shaky mess- I replied as smugly as I could at the time.

"Well I- ... I was gonna use it against dolts like you," Turing to face him with my back against the wall, I felt my heart racing by miles a minute. I mainly faced him to make me feel more secure. Never turn your back on a predator. "I only say that because you called me beautiful if I recall correctly. Only idiots would dare to do that."

His eyebrows rose, nearly disappearing into his lush black hair. He seems... surprised. I took a slight offense to that for whatever reason.

"I do not want to offend you- it is just- You are taking my sudden appearance... very well."

Well, of course, why wouldn't I be? Because it's perfectly logical for me to be wishing for the son of Lucifer to appear in my living room. Subconsciously I suppose I've accepted the fact that he has truly taken an... interest in me. But that doesn't mean I'm not scared shitless right now.

Shakily, my other hand found the bats handle, ready to defend myself. Enchanted or not it would barely leave a bruise on a being like him- if anything at all. But I brandished it all the same.

"Well, I would say that I'm handling it as well as any witch would when an unwelcome being conjures itself," I paused to glare- and to forget my nerves. To bury them. "In their living room."

Yet again he seemed caught off guard. His laugh resounded in the room. The next few moments came in a blur. He had gestured for me to come and sit in the seat adjacent to him. And for whatever reason, my legs obeyed before my mind could tell them to stop. I never sat though.

I didn't want my guard down- and I certainly didn't want him to see me as some sort of pushover. My hand tightened around the handle at this thought. Although, he probably already was aware of my thoughts. So maybe he wouldn't try to take advantage then. The idea of an unwelcome presence in my mind unsettled me. But most of all it made me want to bash his face in. That would be pointless though.

Most likely getting the memo of his presence being unwanted in my mind he held both palms up in submission. But his eyes- dear gods his eyes.

They said anything but.

"Yes of course." He gestured for me to sit again. Never lowing my awareness, I slowly sank into the furniture. The blazing fire was impossibly warm- but it felt nice from this distance. "Would you grace me with the honor of knowing your name, my dear?"

I stared up at him suspiciously. Even while sitting down this man seems to tower above me. A faint shiver coursed my spine at that. I crossed a leg over the other, planting the end of the bat on the floor. My palm rested casually on the bottom of the handle. I felt regal- despite my current position. It was to make me feel powerful- not completely helpless.

"I thought you knew all."

His smile returned. It was so genuine it was nearly terrifying. Despite who this man was, there wasn't a trace of a shadow in that smile. It almost unsettled me. Where is the malice? Where are the lies- the deception? It only made my guard go up all the more. But his reply was a smooth one.

"As did I."

Smug bastard. That's when I saw it- felt it. Something surrounded him. It was like a haze that made you feel nice- fuzzy. Like rain on a fall night. Or the relief of finally arriving back home after a long vacation or a bad day at work. Sweet, calming. Familiar. Shaking my head minutely, I blocked the feeling out.

"A charm? Really?" I accused, not noticing my grip loosen on the handle despite my harsh words.

"You can not complain. There are nearly fifty on you right now." The corner of his mouth curled again.

"None of mine are manipulative," I said this with ease because it was true. They are protective and send good luck my way. Staring him down I aggressively thought about re-doing them. They clearly aren't working very well.

"This is to appear less intimidating. Nothing more." He shrugged, casually leaning back into the chair. Only then did I see the weapon in his hand. My eyes went round. He examined the bat with unyielding curiosity. A hand ran down it from handle to top. "You know that this will do nothing to harm me, correct?"

I was practically gaping at him like a fish above water. My hands flew to my upper arms, locking them in a vice. I was frozen to the spot. Doing my best to recompose myself, I found my voice sputtering like a car that wouldn't start. Half mumbled excuses- and such. Although, he took it in stride- which thoroughly shocked me. He didn't mock or laugh at me. He didn't smile at my vulnerability. Instead-

"Your handiwork is quite impressive though, I must say." Finally satisfied he handed it back to me.

I hesitantly took it, the weapon feeling more useless than I had already acknowledged it to be. We both were painfully aware it was for my reassurance. To make me feel some sense of security. It made me sick. The silence didn't last long, though it sure did feel like it. His to die for violet eyes scanned me briefly. Wait- I watched him closely.

The way he was studying me... At that moment I had to choke back a laugh, more from nervousness than anything. Did the devil- just check me out? I had just barely managed to resurface from my thoughts when he spoke. His voice was low, velvety.

"I have heard your wishes. I have heeded your calls, little witch."

Sweet baby crab cakes! His voice was utter sin when he spoke like that. No pun intended. Clearing my throat I 'sassily' crossed my arms.

"Well, I'm sorry, but I prefer those who talk to me- instead of stalking me." Yet again his reply was a smooth one, stamping out my rage nearly instantaneously.

"Ah, my apologies. I am everywhere as you know. You just caught my particular interest so my energy was more focused on you. Around you." Running a hand through his hair he smiled that ridiculous and warm smile. I frowned a bit.

"Tell me Morningstar, just how have I caught the attention of the King of Hell?"

His laugh was hearty and unreserved. It was... surprisingly refreshing. Using all my willpower I shut out the feeling of that welcoming warmth. As much as I hated to admit it, it was really difficult not to give in. It would be so nice. Part of my brain nagged me on and on about it. But I harshly reminded myself it was like falling asleep in the arctic or in a bath. If I went under, I probably wouldn't wake up.

"You have called upon the Hellfire many times have you not?" I quirked an eyebrow.

"Yes. Although I don't see how my ability to call upon Hellfire-"

He interjected. "It is not just your ability. Tis the fact that you can do it with such ease, nearly no effort. It is the fact that you have evaded me for years. I should know all. So you could imagine my surprise when I found someone who could hide from what they call- the devil."

I mulled it over- very cautiously. I had unconsciously been wishing for something. If he was just granting said wish he could've done it from Hell, and be finished with it. He didn't need to be here, whether I caught his attention or not. It finally clicked. Turning my attention back to the blazing blue fire, I smiled this time around.

"Since we both clearly want something, I have a proposal." His eyebrows raised as he leaned in. "A match of chess."

"A match of chess?" He parroted. I nodded.

Some rational part of my brain was screaming at me to run. That this is ludicrous. That I shouldn't be so casual about this entire scenario.

He is the son of Lucifer Morningstar. Do not take him lightly.

But there was something about this that made it impossible to refuse. It wasn't the charms either. Perhaps it was the gamble of a life on such a simple game? Stealing another look his eyes caught mine. No, he simply intrigued me. And it was almost infuriating.

"Do you agree?" He merely nodded. "Let's come to an agreement on what will happen after this match then," I said rather bluntly. "If I win... what do I get?"

"Whatever you so desire, darling witch."

My lip curled. "And if you win?"

"Oh really? You have no need to ask." His violet eyes went dark again, he laughed- though softly. "You know what I want."

I took a moment. Considering his status, and how lonely- let alone stressful it must be to bear the burden of the crown alone-

"A queen?" His subtle nod was my only reply. My heart was pounding against its cage. Swallowing thickly I flashed another rather shaky smile. "Deal." My green-tinted eyes swirled with red.

Without a single gesture, a board appeared before us, along with a small table. We were significantly closer as well. The set was something otherworldly. They looked to be made of glass- in black and white. Mindlessly toying with the queen on his side, his gaze found mine yet again. I narrowed my eyes. Clearing his throat, I was pulled from whatever daze I had been in.

"Now, I would be most honored if this lovely lady would gift me the knowledge of her name."

The quiet that followed was an eerie one. But this man was beyond patient. In fact, it only made him all the more intrigued. At least I wasn't alone there. Parting my lips I sighed- though tiredly, resting my head upon my fist.

"Eve." His eyes lit up at my voice. "My name is

Eve."