“Richard is an odd one,” Kas says, “but Tim has it on good authority that he would make a contract.”
So that’s what this is about. I drop the paper, letting it float to the ground. “I told you, I have no interest in making a contract with anyone.”
Tim’s face is a mess of wrinkles, and Chanel looks equally as pissed, while Moniz looks half dead.
Kas sits next to me on the couch. “Okay, so not Richard. In fact, fuck Richard–he’s a vampire anyhow and might not even be able to make a contract. How about–”
“What do you mean?” I’m not interested in whatever Richard wants, but the fact he wouldn’t be able to make a deal at all is intriguing.
“I’ll answer your question with another question; do vampires have souls?”
“Fuck if I know. I’ve never met a vampire.” I recall the conversation back at Industry Lounge, the succubus Seira who has some vampire at her beck and call: a sugar daddy.
“Then they probably don’t, so fuck you, Richard, and let’s move on.” Kas grabs another piece of paper from the stack. “So this woman is a real bitch and a half–”
“I’m not signing a contract,” I tell him again.
Then I look at the group of succubi. Tim’s arms are crossed over his chest, and Chanel’s propped her hand on her hip. At this point, I think Monizisdead with how the whites of their eyes are showing.
“If you lot think I’d spend eternity with some bitchy woman or soulless vampire, you all should concern yourselves with finding a brain instead of finding me a contract.”
“Kas!” Tim whines, not unlike Minnie when I’ve properly vexed her. “What’s this guy's deal? You keep telling us he’s a Prince, but I’m starting to think he’s a fraud.”
I lean back into the couch, considering how to punish this insolent worm. “Eat cat shit.” Tim goes stiff, baring his teeth before he starts to walk toward the box that Leaf relieves himself in. I raise my hand. “Stop.” Tim stands in place, his body still straight like a rod. “As entertaining as that would be, the smell would be unbearable.”
“You’re kind of shit at this,” Chanel speaks up. “You know that?”
My top lip curls, and I click my tongue. “Again with your heedless words. But I’ll bite. What is it exactly that I’m shit at.”
Moniz yawns. “Being a devil.”
I bite my tongue, hard enough that even my mortal teeth could chop it right in two. I don’t hold back for their sake. If anything, this is a punishment for myself. A lashing for being so… I’m not sure what. I don’t refuse contracts out of kindness the way Minnie suggests. In a fitting selfishness, I do not want to prattle with mortal souls for eternity. Even if I were to torture them, to leave them at the bottom of some fiery pit in Hell, they would still be intertwined with my being. I would own them, yes–but the tether would drag me down as well.
To be soul-linked is a burden I do not want. How does that make me any less of a devil?
When I release my tongue, a metallic taste hangs in my mouth. “Bold words coming from someone who is only half a devil, who must draw on the power of others. Including mere mortals. What are any of you without humans, anyhow?”
Chanel makes a squeaking sound. “What are you without a contract?”
“Plenty more than you.” I glare at her.
“Rosier…” Kas sounds hesitant. Good. He should be careful with his words now that Minnie isn’t around to protect him. “I don’t… get it. Why are you being so cagey?”
“Cagey?”
He furrows his brows. “I mean, why won’t you sign a contract withanyone?You’re the first devil to reach the mortal plane since…Honestly, probably since Chanel’s mom, and that was back in the 1800s.”
“You’re assuming these people would even make a contract,” I say… “That they would believe in such things.”
Kas leans down and snatches the piece of paper off the floor. “Richard would believe it. He’s old enough to remember a time when devils did come to the mortal plane to make deals. Unlike your generation.”
“What?” I’m genuinely confused now. How could my age matter–as if I could even determine my age in any manner that makes sense on this plane.
Kas shrugs. “You’re young. Had your title handed to you. Most devils of your rank had to work to become Princess. But it’s more than that, you’re… I hate to say it–”
“Then shut your fucking mouth.” I grab the paper from his hand and rip it up. Then I gather the other papers and crush them in my hands like clay to be molded for a pot. “I don’t need contracts. I don’t need you all. Ineednothing. I am–”
“Yeah, yeah, the best of sin, a Prince of the Hells, Minnie’s favorite–whatever it is that makes your cock stand up so tall.” Kas rises and starts to usher the others out of the apartment. “Have a good day, Prince.”
