baptized.
Celestial beings and netherworld beings agreed over sharing the
humans. Neither side could lay claim to the other's followers.
However, if a human willingly gives themselves himself or herself,
the wrath of their God will come down on them.
It was the reason demons always sought to trick or tempt humans
into making deals for their souls. It worked in the opposite way as
well, although the Celestials had a nasty habit of breaking the rules
with their so-called “forgiveness of sins.”
In a nutshell, what Elise offered would condemn her to an eternity
of suffering. As tempting as the offer was, Damien couldn't bring
himself to take it.
"No, Elise. I can't do that to you. I can't–"
He wrapped his arms tightly around her, thanking any and all gods
that gave him this precious gift.
"Oh how fucking touching!"
Damien jerked his head up. Seething anger flared in his eyes when
he saw who had interrupted his moment with Elise. He immediately
grabbed her by the waist and whirled her around to stand behind him.
"You're a fool to come here!"
84
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Damien charged DeMumart, changing into his demon self at the
same time. He realized the trick too late. Just before he tackled the
vile Boggart, DeMumart disappeared.
"Bastard! Coward! Show yourself!"
"Yoo-hoo ... Damien!"
The nasally taunting voice came from behind him. Damien turned
sharply. DeMumart stood behind Elise with his forearm around her
throat. He squeezed making her choke and gurgle. She was helpless.
Her arms were pinned to her sides, letting Damien know DeMumart
had her magically bound.
He bared his fangs and growled threateningly. "Let her go!"
DeMumart had the audacity to roll his eyes, before he smiled evilly,
"Very well. There she goes."
A cold wind blew through the room. Damien watched in horror as
the wind yanked Elise's paralyzed body off the floor and flung her to a
rafter high above their heads. The chandelier twisted and elongated
into a large birdcage. Seconds later the wind dumped her inside,
leaving her to dangle in the center of the room.
She grasped the steel bars of the cage. "Damien!"
The terror in her voice speared Damien straight through his heart.
He charged DeMumart again, only to collide against the stone wall.
Getting to his feet, Damien shook off the pain in his head.
DeMumart stood at the other side of the room mocking him.
Fucking little Boggart asshole. He really hated these demons. Their
trickster natures were so annoying. They were difficult to catch due
to their speed and ability to be at more than one place at once.
He needed to outsmart DeMumart, instead of using brute strength.
Thanks to the curse his magic proved useless against the demon that
imprisoned.
The little bastard danced around on the other side of the room,
tossing crude hand signals and slapping his ass as he shook it at
Damien. No wonder his father banned them.
85
Damien stood to his full seven-foot height and flexed his muscles.
He got DeMumart's attention, because the demon abruptly stopped.
Fear settled over his hideous face. Good he should be afraid.
"Now that I have your attention, I'm only going to ask once
Boggart. Release. Elise. Now."
Damien punctuated each word. His voice laced with lethal
promise. However, to his complete surprise, DeMumart threw his
head back and laughed. Apparently, he had regained his perceived
advantage.
"Ha! You can't touch me! I cursed you! No matter what I do you
are helpless to keep me from doing it!"
Grand Duke DeMumart squealed in fear as Damien approached
him. He shrank to the floor and skittered across the stone tiles like a
scared rabbit.
Just as DeMumart scrambled back to his feet, Damien reached him
and grabbed him by the neck. The demon gurgled. He applied more
pressure threatening to crush its throat.
The Duke dangled by his neck in Damien's vice like grip. He
would kill the vile Boggart slowly and as painfully as possible. Fuck
his
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