“Well, well, Malachi. You’ve done surprisingly well in this form. It’s not nearly the punishment I expected it to be. But it has brought some rathergood news to us. You managed to attach yourself to an angel. I’m assuming she doesn’t know what you are?” Arched hairless brows over the blazing yellow eyes of the higher demon advised Malachi what his answer should be.
No, your unholiness,he offered as he bowed deferentially.She knows I’m not a regular dog, but she believes I'm a human cursed into this form. Like a werewolf. I have not shared with her my true nature. I do, however, spread corruption and chaos whenever I am able, with the limited power you have disgracefully allowed me.He continued to stare at the grass under his paws. Not daring to meet the Hellish gaze concentrated on his neck, burning his skin like the midday sun.
“Werewolf.” The demon commander chuckled. “I like that. Wait… your power?” he snapped as his voice rose, thundering now. “I have not given you any powers!”
Swallowing hard, Malachi thought furiously. If Hyacinth didn’t give him access to his power, where had it come from? Unfortunately, right about the time he realized the answer—and that he shouldn’t have revealed that bit of information—Hyacinth came to the same conclusion.
“The angel,” he hissed, like a radiator leaking pure menace. “Her grace must be eroding the spell on you. Tell me, Malachi,” the demon taunted. “Have you been a good boy for her? Does she think you’re well behaved?” An evil chuckle accompanied his words.
Sorta,Malachi replied.She doesn’t know she’s part angel. She’s a police officer and made me her partner. So, I get to chase down criminals and bite them. When I do a good job, she tells me that. I think that’s what’s happening. I’ve been using it for nefarious purposes, though, sir! I slip chaos into their minds, making them crazier. Sending them visions of Hell and roasting in the fires. They’ll be prime specimensfor our dark lord in no time!
Hyacinth tilted his head thoughtfully. “Hmm, doesn’t know she’s an angel. That has promise.” He scratched at the giant wart on his nose and scrunched his face harder. Slowly, like an oil slick spreading over his face, a terrible smile curved his wrinkled mouth. “This is just what we need. You’ve gained her trust; now you can corrupt her, and we’ll get an angel soul in Hell. Imagine the rewards!” The demon’s slitted eyes closed in bliss, and he licked his lips in an obscenely gleeful way.
The sight sickened Malachi, which was just as shocking. He should be cheering, too! Why was he against the idea? Not wanting Hyacinth to catch on to his true feelings, Malachi quickly chuckled as well.Wonderfully evil idea. I’ll keep working on warping her virtue and turning her grace dark.
“Not enough,” muttered Hyacinth, cracking his knuckles, causing a flurry of soil to fall like dirty snow. “She might catch on.” The upper demon studied Malachi consideringly. The gaze was so intense that Malachi wanted to squirm, but he knew better. Suddenly, Hyacinth’s shriveled lips curved into a grin significantly nastier than usual. “You said she thought you were a werewolf?” A laugh that sounded like a cross between a piece of metal caught in a shredder and a wet phlegmy cough issued from the demon’s throat. “I think that’s just what we need. Canine by day, man by night. Corrupt her, twist her, claim her!” He sneered. “But doNOTlet her know what you truly are. Play on her sympathies, let her try to save you, but she’s the one who’s going to need saving. Oh, this is diabolical. I bet I’ll get the Dark Lord’s personal commendation for this one.” Slapping his withered knees, the chuckle wheezed through the night.
Malachi’s legs were trembling, but he held himself still.Diabolical idea, oh evil one, but I cannot change into my human form anymore.He ducked his head in supplication.
A mucous-filled snort echoed over the small yard as Hyacinth glared at Malachi in derision. “Do not toy with me, you smear of slime.You know what I intend. It’s almost as if you don’t want to collect her soul.” He squinted in suspicion. “You aren’t… going soft, are you?”
Fuck no!Malachi insisted vehemently.I’m trying to corrupt a fucking angel for evil’s sake. I just wanted to be sure you understood I can’t pull the werewolf routine without my human form. I’m ready to prove myself to our dark lord. I mean, I’ll do it in canine form; it will just take longer.He sneered at his commander, his tone matching the other demon’s disdain.
Nodding, Hyacinth smirked. “As you should, I’d hate to have to smite you before we collected the angel. Well, no, I wouldn’t hate it. I would thoroughly enjoy it. But I’m going to give you one chance. Don’t make me regret it, or Iwillsend you back to the lowest level of demon-kind, and you will spend the next five centuries trying to get an opportunity for me tothinkwhether I will grant you access to the next level.
Malachi shuddered at the visual threat it brought. He didnotwant to be demoted to an entry-level demon. They were the true bottom feeders, the scum on Satan’s shoes, the dirt under the filth. It was a fate worse than death. It was quite possibly the worst punishment in Hell other than absolute destruction. Some demons opted for final death rather than demotion to level one.I won’t fail you, Hyacinth. I will corrupt the angel and gain her soul for the ingloriousness of Hell and all demon-kind.He bowed low for good measure, scraping his muzzle on the ground.
“See that you do,” Hyacinth growled. He reached out with one jagged, filthy claw, caked with soil and grime.
Malachi braced himself, and with a sharp rap, the gnarled finger tapped him between his furry eyebrows. A burning pain like a blazing inferno raced through his veins, boiling and searing, before dropping him to the ground. Writhing in agony, a low whimper burst from his throat, and he clenched through the scream that wanted to escape him. Spasms had his body thrashing in the grass before it mercifully stopped. He panted inexhaustion as the feeling of his powers returning soothed the aches that had bent his limbs at awkward angles.
A heavy sigh eased from his lungs before he could stop it. Stretching, he moaned with pleasure as his demonic magic suffused every part of his body. He opened his eyes and blinked, noticing his perspective had changed. He no longer saw a fuzzy snout in front of him. He held up his paws and grinned. They weren’t paws. They were hands. Human hands. Five fingers, neatly manicured nails, with a light dusting of black hair on the backs. “Oh, fuck yeah!” he cheered and quickly stood on two legs, swaying slightly.
Wheezing snarls had him whirling to find Reena curling her upper lip at him, a sudden stranger standing in her territory. Holding up his hands, Malachi took a slight step back. “Reena, it’s me. Malachi. It’s me, Re-re. Here… smell!” He held out one hand for her to sniff.
Cautiously, Reena leaned forward and took a whiff, then tilted her head in cute doggie confusion. A small yip and excited rumbling followed as she rubbed against his legs before glaring at Hyacinth. She growled once and ran back through the doggie door, no doubt heading for the comfort of her plush bed, far from the weirdness occurring in the backyard.
Turning back to the squat wrinkly demon, Malachi glanced down and thanked the evil fires below. He had a human form that was pleasing. He barely managed to keep the judgment from his face as he studied his demon boss. Bowing low at the waist, he murmured, “My eternal wishes that all of your line command the Hellfire with spite and fury.” A standard demonic thanks, because demons just didn’t do that kind of thing.
Malachi caught a glimpse of his reflection in the window and his smile stretched from ear to ear. His human form was made to capture the eye. His mother was a winged ash demon, his father an incubus. The result was that he had an incubus form with wings and smoke magic. Something that had served him well until he had accidentally seduced Hyacinth’s daughter.It hadn’t been intentional; he thought her just another loose female. But his superior hadn’t seen it that way, taking it as a personal insult.
Tossing back his shaggy black hair from his face, he was pleased to see he had maintained his figure during his time confined to dog form. His arm muscles were toned, and he still boasted six-pack abs. A sharp jaw, sculpted cheekbones, and full lips that would easily curve into a sinful, knowing smile, accented by a single dimple on the left, greeted his ecstatic grin upon regaining his body. His eyes—normally a gorgeous turquoise—had inexplicably stayed chocolate brown. Frowning, he leaned closer to the glass to study this, but Hyacinth cleared his throat in irritation.
“Yes, you’re still pretty. That’s what got you in this mess. Now, use that for some good. Go in there and charm her!”
Spinning to face the other demon, Malachi grimaced. “Yeah, pretty high on the list of that’s not how that works. She’s acop. A strange man waltzes into her bedroom in the middle of the night; she’s more likely to pop a bullet in my head than drop her panties. I need to let her think she’s ‘curing’ me.” He made finger air quotes with a smirk. “And then I’ll be her reward for her hard work. She’d be more likely to succumb to my charms if she pities me. Poor, cursed Malachi, starving for attention. Boom. She thinks she’s the hero savior.”
Squinting suspiciously, Hyacinth finally growled his agreement. “Fine, but don’t let this take too long. If I even suspect for a second you’re drawing this out on purpose…” He stomped his stubby foot and dug his heel into the ground like he was crushing a cigarette.
Nodding with alacrity, Malachi promised, “I know! I won’t let you down. I’ll get her to drop her guard, then I’ll have her soul. You’ll see! I’ve always been your best, most reliable soldier. Until our… misunderstanding!” He blinked and grimaced, realizing belatedly he probably shouldn’t have mentioned that last part.
“Were. You were. Now you need to earn it again. I want a report in one week. Don’t disappoint me, Malachi.” His name was said with a mocking emphasis that left no doubt he was high on his commander’s shit list. With a stench of rotten egg and putrid squelching noises, Hyacinth melted into the grass and disappeared.
Sighing in relief, Malachi dropped to his knees and let the shivering and trembling he’d contained earlier ripple through his body. After a few minutes, when it all subsided, he turned to the house and wondered what to do next. Shrugging his shoulders, he willed himself back to dog form and shook out his coat. He hurried through the doggie door, then crawled back into bed with Chuck, watching over her for the rest of the night. He didn’t dare sleep for fear Hyacinth would drag him kicking and screaming through the floor. Carrying out his promise to reduce Malachi to a level one demon.
The occasional shudder rippled over his body, keeping him awake long after the darkness ebbed and dawn crept over the horizon.
Finally, the Right Frequency
