I know, but I want to,Drew thought back at him.
“Have fun,” Dom said, giving Zach one last scritch. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”
Drew held the backpack open for Zach but he refused to jump in, instead scooting further up Drew until he was draped over his chest and shoulder. “Oh, I see how it is. You want to be carried, huh?”
Zach purred again and nuzzled his cold cat nose against Drew’s cheek.
“Okay guys, see ya!” He headed off, his backpack on one shoulder and his other hand cradling Zach’s butt to keep him steady. The weather had turned cool, and the wind had a chill to it so it was nice having a small warm body against his throat.
You’re better than a scarf,Drew told Zach.
I don’t like it when you’re cold, sweetness.There was a pause.You really don’t have to go to any trouble and cook for me. It’s okay. Really.
Drew frowned.Wait a second . . . You don’t want to eat my food because you think I’m a terrible cook. That’s it, isn’t it?
The silence was incriminating.
I’m notthatbad!Drew protested.
Drew,Zach said gently.The last time you tried cooking something more than just pasta and sauce, you summoned a demon.
That was an accident!
I’m just saying, we can always just order in.
More determined than ever, Drew headed towards the Country Grocer which was next to the bus stop.It’ll be different this time, Zach. I’m doing well in my lessons, and I’ve got control of my magic. It’ll be fine, you’ll see.
It wasn’t fine.
Drew looked up at the two demons in his kitchen—realdemons this time. He froze. They looked human, but there was a red glow to their eyes and the smaller one had a mean smile on his lips. He was wiry and powerfullooking, with oily blond hair that hung limply around his shoulders. “Well, well, well, look what we have here,” he sneered, his eyes trailing over Drew as a forked tongue came out to lick at his lips. “Looks like Zachariel has his own little plaything.”
The other demon nodded his agreement. “Very pretty. I’m gonna enjoy tearing him apart.” And he certainly looked like he could tear Drew apart. He was tall and muscular, and a scar marred the dark skin of one cheek.
“Now, now, Asmodeus, there’s no rush,” the first demon said silkily. “Let’s have a little fun first. You know lust is my favourite cardinal sin.” He took a step towards Drew, which finally broke him from his frozen state.
“Zach!”Drew cried, edging away from the demons and backing himself up against the sink.
“Drew, what’s wrong?” Zach called from the other room—where Drew had made him stay, on the very edge of the ten-foot limit so dinner could be a surprise—a note of worry in his voice. He appeared in the doorway and his eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. “Beelzebub, Asmodeus, what are you doing here?” he all but snarled.
“Oh, we weresummoned, Zachariel,” the one called Beelzebub said. He smiled wickedly and tilted his head in Drew’s direction. “Looks like your little plaything here isn’t getting what he needs from you, so he called for somerealdemons to give him what he needs.” Beelzebub looked back at Drew and his forked tongue licked over his bottom lip again. It was more than a little creepy. “It’s going to be utterlydeliciousdestroying something so sweet.”
Zach growled and lunged at Beelzebub, but Asmodeus stepped in between them and stopped Zach with a hand to his chest. “Now, now, Zachariel,” Asmodeus said in a low, menacing voice. “If you don’t behave, your toy is gonna suffer more than he needs to.”
Zach narrowed his eyes and took a step back, seemingly in retreat, but as soon as Asmodeus dropped his guard, Zach struck, punching Asmodeus across the jaw and then using the distraction to cross the kitchen and planthimself in front of Drew. “You won’t be laying a finger on Drew,” he told the two demons. “He’s undermyprotection.”Asmodeus wiped his nose, glancing down at the smear of blood on his hand then back up at Zach. “Your protection, huh? How much good is that gonna do the kid?”
“You’re the one bleeding,” Drew snapped, feeling brave enough to be snarky now he had Zach by his side. “I reckon it’s worth a bit.”
Asmodeus sneered at Drew. “He took me by surprise, that’s all. Your cunt of an angel ain’t got nothin’ on me.”
“Charming as usual, I see,” Zach drawled.
Asmodeus gave a feral grin in reply.
“This is all well and good,” Beelzebub announced, looking rather bored. “But I’d much rather get to the fun part of this evening.”
“Oh? And what does that entail?” Zach asked.
“Well,obviouslyit’ll be us disposing of you and then having our wicked way with your young Drew here.” The calculated smile he flashed Drew made his blood run colder than Asmodeus’s evil bluster had.
