The Devil's Lover: The Wish

by Dahlia Lu

  “Yes?” she looked up to him, “You said something?”

  Lucifer cleared her bangs from her face. “You seem distracted.”

  Lucifer noticed the change in Chevalier’s eyes in response to the scene before him. He was angry, wanting to object. If they had been alone, he would have attacked if provoked any further.

  “Sorry, I have a tendency to space out.”

  “You should eat,” Chevalier finally spoke. “You haven’t been eating much lately.”

  “Really?” Hana looked into Kali’s face. “You do look a bit pale.”

  “I’ve been studying,” Kali said with a smile. "I'm glad finals are over.”

  Hana looked to Lucifer. “Come to think of it, you guys make a great couple. If only Lucien would lose the glasses and get contact lenses or something.”

  Hana stood up and leaned forward to take off Lucifer’s thick glasses. They revealed a pair of angelic blue eyes that Hana was obviously not expecting. Her mouth began to drop in astonishment, and she lost her grip on the glasses. They fell onto a plate with a crash that drew attention from the whole restaurant. The room suddenly became dead silent, with the exception of dishes dropping to the floor.

  Lucifer picked up his glasses and put them back on. "I prefer wearing them. It is more convenience to me," he said.

  “I…see,” Hana stuttered.

  "I don't see the point of this date. I'm going home,” Chevalier stood up and grabbed Kali’s hand. "Let's go home, Kali.”

  "Okay," Kali agreed.

  "Before you leave," Lucifer placed a small box into Kali's other hand. "I want you to have this.”

  "What it is?" Kali asked. She curiously opened the box. Inside was a brand new key.

  Chevalier snatched the box, throwing it aside. Anger warped his face, but he knew it wasn't the time to act on it. "We're going home," he said firmly.

  "This doesn't concern you," Lucifer said, with utter disregard. Their glares met with such intensity that Kali feared they would come to blows.

  Kali subtly pushed Chevalier back. "I don't understand," she referred to the key.

  "I was informed about your situation. You were orphaned and currently don’t have a solid place to live,” Lucifer noticed she lightly flinched when he touched upon that sore spot. "I want to be an option.”

  “Is that supposed to be an insult to me?” Chevalier shouted. The volume of his voice disturbed the other diners around them. Hana quickly tugged him back down into his seat.

  She stood frozen for a long moment, searching Lucien’s eyes for sincerity. "You’re willing to take me in?"

  "Isn't that romantic, Kali!" Hana gasped. She picked the key up from the floor and placed it into her hand. "He's proposing!"

  Kali stared at the key in her hand and then looked to Lucifer again.

  "I think it's a wonderful idea," Hana said. "I’ve been worried lately.”

  "You have?" Kali hadn’t realized Hana was uncomfortable.

  "They were starting to talk at school, about you staying at my boyfriend's place," Hana sighed. "I know there are nothing between you two, but when they talked behind my back, it really bothered me.”

  "Give him back his key," Chevalier said. His voice demanded that she obey.

  When she looked back at him, he had closed his hands into tight fists. He saw the decision forming in her eyes. "Kali, no! Give him back his key! For God's sake, you barely know him!"

  "I think you should stay out of their affairs, Chevalier. She's allowed to make her own choice, right?” Hana placed a hand on his shoulder, but he quickly brushed it aside.

  "This is nonsense!" He protested. "You already have a home!"

  "I think," Kali looked to Hana before answering, "...I will take Lucien up on his offer.”

  With a low growl in his throat, Chevalier stormed out of the restaurant.

  †††††

  Kali returned to the apartment to pack up her things. She left the luggage in the hallway along with a box of her grandmother’s things that she haven’t had the chance to open yet. She took in a deep breath then exhaled before she went to the living room where she knew Chevalier was waiting for her.

  He sat on the floor, cleaning parts for his motorcycle. He merely glanced at her when she came out of the bedroom. “Are you really leaving?” he asked once again.

  “Yeah,” Kali replied. “Lucien will pick me up in a little bit.”

  “You don’t have to go, you know,” he said in a reserved tone. "This is your home.”

  "For how long?"

  "What?” he was stunned by her sense of doubt. "For as long as I live, that's how long!"

  "What about when you find the one you love and decide to get married?” she asked. "Are you going to slave away to support a wife and a girl who’s barely related to you?"

  "It won't always be this way. I’ll be able to provide better for you.”

  "That was never what it’s about!" she found herself shouting at him. She knelt down next to him.

  He closed his eyes for a moment. “Why do you keep pretending you don’t know how I feel? That’s cruel, Kali.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you,” she whispered.

  “I can accept that you don’t love me. I can even accept the fact that you’re with another man but…” he paused and pulled her close, “I just can’t accept him taking you away from me so soon.”

  “Chevalier…”

  He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, burying his face on the side of her neck. "How long are you going to keep pretending like you don't know how I feel?” he asked softly. "What it is that he can give you that I can’t? Why can't it be me, Kali?"

  She leaned back against him. “To me… you’re like an older brother, and more importantly, you’re the only true friend I have. I never wanted to think about you romantically. There were always so many women that the thought of being with you is frightening. I don't want to be one of those women.”

  "And you will never be," he assured her. He turned her around, caressing her face with his fingers to force her to look at him. Her sooty eyelashes lifted from her large, honey-glazed eyes. "But no matter what I say or tell you, you won’t change your mind. You don’t have any faith in me, so I’ll let you go. I’ll go on being your brother and friend while you look for happiness elsewhere. But when you can’t find what you’re searching for, promise that you’ll return to me and let me play the role that I’ve never been allowed to have.”

  Lucifer had been observing them from the roof of the adjacent building.

  “What is your verdict, Lord Lucifer?” Soren asked when he saw the displeased look in Lucifer’s eyes.

  “He must die.”

  Soren nodded obediently.

  Chapter 7: Taken

  It was too big of a place for one person. The house was so delightfully decorated with sophisticated art and ornamentation. From the detailed trimming of the interior design to the robust fireplace, everything had its perfect place. She hadn’t realized Lucien was from a wealthy family. Well, that may not be precisely true, since everyone attending her school was either rich or famous. She should have known before.

  Kali dropped her heavy suitcase in the front foyer. She looked around the house again and began second-guessing whether she had made the wrong choice. She even felt more out of place when a very handsome young man with pale green eyes approached and dipped his head to her. Even though he lowered his head as part of his duty, something just didn’t feel right.

  “I am Soren,” he introduced himself. His voice was beautiful, dry, and cold. It confirmed her suspicions. When he lifted his head again, a small gasp caught in her throat. Fear was creeping up her spine and she didn’t know why.

  “This way, my lady,” he directed her with the smooth motion of his arm. As she followed his motion, she felt his eyes following her. She turned around when she could no longer hear his footsteps, and saw him standing in front of a gilded double door. He pushed them open and stood to one side, inv
iting her in to the spacious bedroom the door guarded.

  “Will I be staying here?” she asked in a soft voice.

  “Master Lucien,” he paused when the words rolled off of his tongue unnaturally, “will be with you shortly. I will send for tea while you wait.”

  “Yes…thank you.”

  Kali seated herself in the lounge area of the bedroom, finding the couch a bit stiff and uncomfortable. It was a brief wait before a very young and attractive maid came to serve the tea. She placed the large silver tray, which was filled with exquisite pastries along with other accessories of tea, on the table. With a curtsy, the maid left her alone.

  She felt shy, but the cream and fruit on the pastries were tempting. She hadn’t had breakfast yet, and didn’t know how long she would need to wait. She reached out for a strawberry muffin and took a bite.

  “Do you like it?” his voice startled her, and she choked a little on the muffin.

  “Yes, it’s very good,” she managed to reply. “Lucien, maybe this wasn’t a good idea.”

  “Just focus on the reasons you decided to take my offer in the first place.”

  She lowered her eyes to hide her doubt. “Can this really be my home?” she asked.

  “It will be as long as you want it to be,” he promised. “Feel free to give the servants orders. I’ll be back later tonight,” he said, and exited the room.

  Kali decided to take the time to become familiar with her new room. The bed must be at least twice the size of her previous one, and the satin sheets were like cool butter against her skin. Giggling for a moment, she threw herself down on the bed, and then turned onto her side to inspect the room from this angle. She didn’t like how close the tall windows were to the bed. She never liked waking up with the sun in her eyes, but some thick curtains or draperies would fix the problem. The design of the furniture was unique. She had never seen the style before, but they were certainly aesthetically pleasing. Her eyes wandered to different parts of the room with little opinions here and there, and before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep.

  Kali woke up to the sound of running water. She found that opening her eyes was a chore her body wasn’t prepared for, and her eyelids slowly fluttered open with much effort. Someone was taking a shower in the bathroom connected to her room. She looked out the windows to see the sun had just set over the hills. She had told herself she was going to get acquainted with the staff while he was away, but she had carelessly fallen asleep. That couldn’t be a good first impression. She quickly slipped off the bed and seated herself in the seating area. She realized that talking to him from the bed was too inviting and may give him the wrong ideas.

  Lucien opened the door. He had just gotten out of the shower. Little droplets of water fell from his beautiful dark hair. His white dress shirt was improperly buttoned, showing a preview of his lean chest. She wondered if he didn’t realize it or had never buttoned a shirt before. He was drying his hair with a towel. His blue eyes stood out even when they were covered by his hair and hidden beneath his long lashes. Kali found herself flustered at the sight of him.

  “I’m sorry,” she said as he approached her. She covered her face with her hands so he wouldn’t see her blush.

  He grinned. “Would you like some water?"

  “No, that’s okay.”

  “Are you sure?” he held her wrists in his hands and moved them away from her face. “You look like you need a glass.”

  “You’re so different than before,” she swallowed softly. “You look different, and the way you talk is different, and your voice…” she looked down when she realized she was stuttering. “What am I saying?”

  “This is who I am,” he said, his voice husky. He was on his knees in front of the sofa. His hands rested on her lap.

  “I don't know who is the real you anymore. I'm really confused.”

  “There is much time to learn,” he brought his lips closer to hers, allowing her time to stop him. When she did not push him away, he kissed her. Kali closed her eyes. The scent on his body was so intoxicating it felt like a drug to her senses. His lips were so soft against hers. He rose up and forward, making her lean back against the sofa.

  Lucien broke the kiss and licked her upper lip. His hands were around her tiny waist. He gave her little kisses on her neck at first. Then he sucked on her flesh, nibbling on it until it left a deep red mark. He was satisfied with how it looked on her. Her heart was hammering inside her chest. He unbuttoned her shirt with his left hand and placed a kiss above her breast.

  “No,” she protested in soft murmurs.

  He closed his mouth over her breast, which were rising and falling unevenly with her breath. Her bra was in the way, so he unhooked it from behind and lifted it up. He cupped his hand over her full breast.

  She thought she would die from embarrassment, and found herself with her hands covering her face. The feeling of his lips, his tongue and his warm breath on her flesh was almost unbearable.

  "This is happening too fast,” she managed to say. “Lucien...aren't we moving too fast for a couple who just began to-”

  "After so many years have passed, you'll find that time is meaningless,” he said with a husky and seductive voice. "As for things that were meant to be, time is irrelevant.”

  "I was thinking... if we could actually love each other before we do something like this.”

  "But you will love me, Kali,” he assured her. The tone of his voice was both firm and confident. She felt even more intoxicated by his soothing voice. "You will love me with your body, with your heart, and with your soul,” he placed a hand on her coral cheeks. The stare of his beautiful blue eyes rendered her speechless. "And I will work on those things exactly in that order.”

  †††††

  Kali awakened alone on a white linen bed. She sat up slowly, feeling an aching in her body below her abdomen. The guilt quickly washed over her, biting into her conscience.

  What had she done? She asked herself. It wasn't like her at all! She had acted like she was drunk, but she hadn't even had one drop of alcohol. She couldn't think straight. She couldn't say no. She mentally slapped herself as punishment to relieve her conscience, but to no avail. Perhaps a shower would clear her head.

  She grabbed the thin layer of linen sheet and wrapped it around her before she left the bed. With the first step, she almost collapsed onto the ground. She turned to the bed to find dried blood stains on the sheets. Oh no, she said to herself. If Lucien finds this when he returns...

  She stood up, grabbed the sheet, and left the room to wash up. She returned when her cell phone rang in her bag. She sort through the bag and picked up the call.

  “Hello?”

  It was Chevalier’s voice on the other line. “Happy birthday, Kali!”

  “My birthday…”

  “You didn’t remember, did you?”

  “I did…sort of.”

  “Meet me at Central Park in an hour. We’ll walk to the cemetery to visit your parents, and your grandma too. I don’t want to stop by your new place. I think you know why.”

  “Okay,” Kali agreed. “One hour it is.”

  “Kali…”

  “Yeah?”

  “Never mind, I’ll see you in an hour.”

  Chevalier hung up the phone. He squeezed it tightly in his hand. He had wanted to talk a little longer. He wanted to hear her voice. In one hour, he'd be able to see her. But why did it feel like he would never get the chance hear her sweet voice ever again?

  †††††

  Kali wore a simple white dress as she had for this day every year. Her birthday was a curse that had haunted her for the last sixteen years. On the same day every year, she went to the cemetery to visit the mother who died giving birth to her, and the father who committed suicide because he’d lost the love of his life. Her father must have hated her. How could he love the child who had taken away the life of his beloved wife?

  Kali stopped by a flower stall on the way to buy a bouquet
of white roses. She had been told her mother loves white roses. She was also told that her mother was a gentle and beautiful woman. Her mother had been everything her father ever wanted for a lover and a wife.

  Everything about her parents, she had learned through the words of others. Her grandmother had never been compassionate with her. Even though she didn’t say it out loud, it was clear that she never wanted to raise the child who, in the same day, took away the life of her only son and daughter-in-law. She was to blame for all of the misery of her grandmother’s remaining life.

  Kali took in a deep breath. She should have gotten over it by now. It has been so long. She always convinced herself to be happy because life could always be worse. She told herself that her life has a purpose. That everyone’s life has a purpose. Now all she needed to do was find that purpose.

  It was a short walk to the park.

  †††††

  Chevalier put on his helmet and hit the road on his motorcycle.

  Soren kept watch on Chevalier, his face a study in ice cold scorn. He stood in mid-air, invisible to the human eye. Human lives are so expendable, he thought. Almost anything could kill them. But how should this one die?

  It started raining. It was drizzling at first, and then the rain became heavy. Kali ran under a tree for cover. She reached for the cell phone in her pocket and dialed Chevalier’s number. No one picked up. Should she leave? She debated, looking at her watch. It was only four-fifty.

  Only ten more minutes until their meeting time. If she had known it was going to rain, she would have at least brought an umbrella. She was soaked to the bone and probably would be sick tomorrow. The last time she had been out in the rain like this was when she was thirteen years old. The images played out in her head as she recalled the past.

  She had a very high fever that day and was confined to her bed. Winter always took a toll on her body and this annual fever had become a tradition. Now and then she could see her grandmother through the cracked door, walking by in the hallway. It was too much to expect her to come in. Grandmother had always been indifferent to her.