"What?!" I nearly threw up my breakfast. And I know what you're thinking, how could I eat after killing someone, but starving myself wasn't going to get me out of this alive.
"You've passed all my tests by proving you can kill for what you want and resisting my demon pheromones. So I've married you. Besides you've taught me that humans could knock themselves out if they want," the stranger said.
He actually said it again! Married! I'm married at 18! Oh dear lord! Fuck my life!
"There's no way in hell I'd ever marry you," I spat.
"There's no way that youd ever marry me? You?!" His red eyes were wide with shock.
"That's what I said."
"And why the Hell not?"
"I don't like you!"
"You don't have to lie. Everyone likes me. Your father gave me your dna. I could've just drained of substance and eaten your flesh but I decided to be merciful and make you my bride after you passed my tests." The stranger said.
So the alternative is being tortured to death by this guy?
"It's not like I thought this would be the outcome either. I was just waiting for a good meal. Blame your father for giving me such interesting dna instead of his own," he said.
Why is he right? "Find someone else." I forced myself to say.
"I can't after you provided me such a delicious sacrifice," he said. So coach Danners was a sacrifice?
"You used him to lure me in?" I asked.
"Smart girl."
"What if I hadn't killed him?"
"You'd be last night's dinner. Here we like to tenderize the meat while it's still alive. The terror really adds a nice flavor to a dish."
Fuck!
"What exactly did my dad promise in that contract?" I asked.
"Oh, why do you think he's been able to live a life a luxury and gets so lucky in business even though he's terrible at it," the stranger chuckled. "He sacrificed your mother first and you for the breach."
"What was the breach?" I asked.
"He told your stepmother about it," he said. "But now that I've collected he's not under my protection anymore. The contract with me is void, so I found a way to make a new one instead of just eating you. A demon marriage happens when one sacrifices something for the other. The more vile the soul the better. And you provided me with top tier filth. That's why you have that ring on your finger now."
I looked at my hand in shock. There was indeed a thick black ring around my finger. Dark but shining at the same time. I felt my heart drop into my ass. It was already done? "What the fuck?"
"Obsidian. It'll never come off as a demon only mates with one for life," he said. Shackles to accompany being tricked into an unwanted demon marriage? And zero processing time at all!
In what way was any of this fair? How was my life supposed to get better if I was married to a demon? I was supposed to be struggling but happy I wasn't still trapped in that house with my stepmom!
This just wasn't it!
"I heard your wish. 'You just want your life back' right? I've decided that it's going to come true," the man said.
That was my wish...
Ok reality time. I've been in this bed for about three days, the demon hasn't done anything really but be an annoying asshole, he hasn't touched me or made me do anything against my will, the food here wasn't poisoned. I don't think I've lifted a finger since coming here.
But he tricked me... into murdering scum so he could marry me.
Sadly the pros just outweigh the cons here don't they? As for another angle, this would be fairly fair compensation for his lost meal and years of service to our family prosperity.
"Wait does this mean I can make a deal with you now?" I asked.
"You're already mine, dear. Were you not listening?" He said. "You don't want to be the same? Well you won't be. From here on out everything in your life will be different."
A difference.
Is he maybe talking about revenge? Just the thought made my brain tingle. If I could get revenge on everyone whos wronged me and boy did I have a long list, I'd be all set fore life.
My father being the shit bag he is would be first followed by my stepmom who I'd have torn apart by dogs if given the chance. Then Fauna, since she was the ringleader at school I'd put her through everything she put me through since middle school. I can fuck over every teacher that decided it was right to look the other way when they saw something or blame me for getting bullied starting with my home room teacher this year. That asshole just ignores everything and even had the audacity to pull me aside and tell me I should stop being so weird.
I wasn't weird, I was being tormented!
Theres so many grudges I have.
And he could help me get back at everyone?
He could change me?
"What if I could give you more meals like Coach Danners?" I asked before I could stop myself. Shit! I let my thoughts consume me a bit too much.
"I'll only get more powerful," he warned. That's scary. I don't want to make him overpowered but there has to be a way out for me I'm not seeing yet since cooperating with him is my only other choice besides death right now. "And the more powerful I get the better things will get for you. Or course as your husband I'll be needing compensation. If there isn't any, you won't survive long."
Was he tempting me? And what kind of compensation would this guy need? My life if I don't follow through?
It's not untempting at all.
That's the issue here.
"You're thinking too much," he said, his free hand cupping my cheek, thumb brushing away a tear i didn't realize had fallen. I hated it. I hated how good it felt. I hated that my body was responding while my mind screamed that this was wrong. "That's my job, little one. In return, I'll give you everything you want and more; safety, luxury, even pleasure."
Is it worth it though? I mean there isn't really a choice here since I'm not willing to die.
Fuck, I'm married!
"What's your name?" I asked.
"You can call me Darius Malverne."