Infernal Blessing

“I’m just so glad you’re okay honey, honestly, it’s a miracle!”

Her mother’s voice on the other end of the line sounded so thrilled, it made Celine’s ears ring. She sighed and leaned back on her bed, staring at the ceiling above her.

“Mom, thanks, but I’ve got to go now, okay?” she tried to end the conversation for a third time that evening, eager to prepare for her first college class the next day.

“I know Celly, I just want to make sure you’re following up on all of your appointments, are you? I can still hardly believe it, and you’re no longer required to take any of your medication? You’re sure of that?”

“Mom, I’m seeing my doctors, I promise. They confirmed, no medication needed anymore. I can call you tomorrow but I’d like to go to sleep early today. If I miss my morning class they’ll all think I’m a slacker.”

She still sounds worried, she thought, as she ultimately ended the call after saying goodbye multiple times.

A miracle, she said…

That’s what they all say.

To the outsider, it would seem so, she supposed. A young woman, chronically ill with a mysterious disease, seemingly getting worse and worse. Her dreams had to be put on hold, perhaps even discarded all together, as the only thing she was able to do was lay in bed and watch the world pass her by.

Then, as they said – miraculously - , her health improved. Every day, her strength grew, her skin no longer yellowish, her nails no longer cracked. The doctors all thought they must have done something right, but Celine knew it wasn’t them. It was none of them.

She put her phone on her nightstand and got up. If only they knew what really happened. What I did. Would any of them even believe it?

She walked out of her bedroom and crossed into the living room to turn on her tv. As she turned the corner, she flipped the light switch. With the room now fully visible in the light, she looked up in front of her, and froze in horror.

There he was. Seated on the armrest of her chair, twirling a silver coin in between his fingers, pushing it from knuckle to knuckle, boring his eyes straight into hers.

A man. Tall, jet black hair, bright red eyes.

Celine squeezed the doorpost she was still holding onto, her breath caught in her throat – she knew immediately what this meant, and she felt her blood turn into ice. It’s already time?

The man still pierced her with his eyes, a devious smile now spreading onto his lips, a slight hint of a fang visible. He flipped the coin, and allowed it to bounce onto the floor and roll away.

“For protection, I take it?” he drawled, staring down at Celine, gesturing toward the silver coin with a slight nod.

She was still nailed to the floor, her thoughts racing. Should I run? Hide? Prepare for a fight? She couldn’t take her eyes off of the demon in front of her.

His devious smile turned into a grin, and he chuckled at her panicked face. “I did not expect you to be… shy.” He got up, now showing his full length – towering over her.

“You called on me, remember?” he said slyly, slowly moving closer.

Celine started breathing heavily, finally finding her voice. “Don’t - don’t come near me!” she said, taking a step backward, into her bedroom.

She was scared, and cornered in her room. I need to fight, she thought frantically, looking around for something to hold onto. How do I fight a demon?

He kept coming closer, gently biting his lower lip as he looked her over. “I’m flattered you’re showing me your bedroom already, mortal girl. But believe it or not, I do prefer having a talk before I claim my end of the deal” he purred, as he pushed the hair out of his otherworldly eyes.

Celine stumbled backward, grabbing a large, thick book from her desk – “understanding the human mind and behaviour” – and without a second thought, she hurled it at the being in front of her.

He caught it so effortlessly and gracefully that it seemed as if he had foreseen her attack. “I don’t usually get a warm welcome,” he said slowly, as he looked at the cover, “but I’d say your behaviour right now seems… antagonistic.”

“Stay back, demon, I command you” – Celine finally called, even managing to sound rather confident, holding a silver pendant out in front of her.

The demon cocked his head and sighed. “Like I showed you before,” he said, enunciating very clearly, “that doesn’t do very much”. He leaned over her, close enough for her to feel the temperature drop around her, to see the dark glint in his red eyes, before carefully taking the silver pendant from her shaking hands.

He held it up in front of her eyes, just long enough for her to see her own reflection in it, before he dropped it. It made a loud clink-sound, before rolling away.

Celine shivered, trying not to look straight at the face in front of her, her head turned sideways. He is so close. I can feel his breath on my face. She squeezed her eyes shut, unwilling to push him away from her physically.

She could hear a low chuckle. Then, a hand took hold of her chin, his cold fingers turning her face toward him. His voice was cold, the sarcasm evident. “Don’t you want to see your saviour?”