by Bea Biddle
"But still," Karen managed to stutter, knowing she was probably turning red everywhere. He was right, of course, but that was earlier. Earlier when they were both drunk on lust and minds clouded by passion and sex. Now they were here, sober and clear-headed. In a completely new light. She had her hands over her breasts still, he quickly decided that wouldn't do. Grabbing each wrist, he pushed her arms apart, exposing her chest to him. He grinned at her, satisfied that she wasn't fighting it, lacing their fingers together above her head he swooped in to kiss her.
Unable to stop herself she arched against him, needing him again, but with a hiss, she broke the kiss. As soon as she had moved, she felt the aftermath of their adventure on the sheets. She was sore and aching, the dull throb at the junction of her legs warned her, her body wanting her just to lie still. Cef was oblivious, kissing down her throat, making his way to her exposed breasts. Taking a nipple in his mouth, he flicked his tongue over it, working it into the pointy, hard nub he wanted. "Beautiful," he breathed through the teasing.
“Cef, no,” she said in a moan, squirming beneath him, “I'm sore.” As much as she wanted him again, she was sure she couldn't take it. Not so soon anyway.
"Your body says yes," he pointed out happily, kissing the other nipple with great vigor.
"My body is lying," she argued laughingly. Annoyingly, he was right, her body reacted to his touch instantly, moving on its own, arching, pressing itself against him, her skin ablaze. How did he do this to her?
His grin faded, replaced with a serious expression as he moved back up to face her. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"No, no," Karen quickly assured him, "But give me a little time at least. I'm not used to a man of your, uhm, generous proportions and great enthusiasm."
"Humans," Cef clicked his tongue at her before kissing her forehead. "Such fragile creatures." He let go of her arms, and fell down on the bed next to her, making her bounce on the mattress.
"Shut up," Karen said, pretending to be offended, and lunged a half-assed fist at his chest. She laughed when he caught her wrist, holding it to his lips as he kissed up her arm. His dark eyes bore into her, warm and affectionate, with a wide smile on his face that changed him completely. This was a very different Cef from the brooding, sulky Demon she used to know. This new Cef was playful and at ease, smiling and laughing. She liked this new Cef. "Demons are the strangest creatures. One bout of passion and you are completely transformed."
He nodded through kisses. “We are physical creatures indeed.” And it was you. I needed you. No one else would do.
“Ah yes, battle, bloodshed and then... sex?”
Cef shrugged. “That sums us up pretty well,” he said with a chuckle, “Although sometimes they blend together nicely.”
“What do you mean?”
“You've been a battle, my Karen, a battle from the moment I met you. My personal battle.”
Karen laughed. “Have you won or lost?” she questioned, biting down on his thumb that had traveled to her face, caressing her cheek and lips.
“Lost, completely and utterly,” he murmured with a groan, “It feels very much like a victory, though. And now,” he added mischievously, growled playfully as he nibbled his way up her shoulder. “Now we get to enjoy the spoils.”
Karen sighed dreamily and let herself snuggle into the pillows and duvets under her as he worked his magic on her body, touching and caressing his way around. But then an annoying, piercing thought burst through her. ”Oh shit,” she exclaimed and bolted upright into a sitting position, her tired body objecting to the movement. ”I'm not on the pill. Did you think I was on the pill? I'm not, I'm not on the pill. Fuck, I'm stupid. So stupid.”
”What is the pill?” he asked, lifting his head, leaning on his elbow next to her.
”We didn't- We didn't use protection,” Karen finally managed to press out through gritted teeth.
Confusion clear on his face. ”Protection from what?”
”Cef! Protection! So that we don't- so that I don't-” she hesitated, hoping he would understand.
He did. But then he started laughing. Karen huffed at him, it really wasn't a laughing matter. Shaking his head at her, he explained, "Karen, Demons and humans can't reproduce. It's not possible. Coffee?" he asked casually, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed and got up in one swift motion.
”Oh,” was all she could get out, ”We can't?” She didn't really know why that fact disappointed her. She didn't want kids. And she didn't really know Cef. She was certainly not sitting there, after one wild, mind-blowing morning in his bed, planning their future together. Surely not. She was sensible, and grounded and not at all given to fantasies or stupid notions like that. At least that was what she kept telling herself. ”How do you know that?” she asked softly.
He didn't answer, he was busily pouring the steamy blackness into a cup that he came over and handed to her. She pulled a blanket around her and sat up properly. "Careful with that one, it's literally the last cup I own," he pointed out as she accepted it.
She chuckled when she saw it. A large, baby blue cup with a dancing Cinderella and her prince, the sparkles caught her eye. "Cef, where do you even get these cups?" she asked. He shrugged in response, his giant grin charming her, making her want to melt all over again. "I like you," she whispered to him with a grin. “Mr. mysterious cup man.” She shook her head at the cup and laughed again.
After her first sip of the smooth, delicious coffee, she stretched and yawned. Getting out of bed, she wrapped the blanket around her. She walked to the giant windows and stood gazing at the skyline while drinking her coffee. The sky was stunning, a deep orange with hints of purple and pink, night wouldn't be far behind. Cef stepped up to her again, his hands rubbing up and down her arms, he left little kisses on her naked shoulders before he wrapped his arms around her in a comfortable, warm embrace. Karen rested her head back on his chest, feeling the strong beat of his heart. This is absolute bliss, she decided, Who would have thought I could find complete paradise in the smallest, shittiest apartment in the city? Why hadn't she gone to him earlier? Why hadn't she said yes the first time? All this time wasted being an idiot when she could have had him. Which let her to another topic. "Cef?"
"Mhm?" he murmured, nuzzling his nose in circles in her hair.
"I think I might be homeless at the moment."
He spun her around so suddenly she almost dropped her empty cup. "There it is, the ulterior motive. I knew you didn't just come here for me." He grinned down at her, their noses touching, his lips brushing against hers. "Do you wish to stay?"
She nodded eagerly, angling her head upwards, waiting for him to ascend on her lips. “Desperately,” she whispered, not even embarrassed at how needy she sounded at that moment. Her eyelids fluttered closed, her lips parted.
"I only have one bed," he countered, walking her the few steps backward before her calves bumped against the foot of said bed.
"Yeah, sounds amazing," she managed to mumble before he brutally crushed their mouths together. He tore the blanket from her body, leaving her naked and exposed in the fading sunlight. The cup in her hand disappeared, it landed in a heap of clothes after Cef had thrown it over his shoulder. He picked her up, threw her down on the bed. She bounced with a giggle, reaching for him. She didn't have to wait, he was on her immediately. And she let him, despite her tired and sore state, she let him roam and explore, pleasure and please, tease and torment. And loving every minute of it.
✽✽✽
The subway was so full they had to stand, but Karen hadn't a care in the world that evening. She was exhausted and spent and seriously not looking forward to the long night of work ahead of her.
She had showered before they left. Cef had joined her. The water had turned cold by the time they had finished, and in that time he had shown her that her satyr fantasy of him in the shower couldn't compare to the real thing at all. The memory made her smile as she stood, holding on to him so she wouldn't fall, pressed agains
t him in the cramped cart. He had one hand on the rail, supporting them both, the other held her to him protectively, with her arms around his waist, steadying her.
Karen couldn't even look at him. His long, dangerously intense and suggestive looks made her blush, she knew exactly what was on his mind every single time his scorching gaze fell on her, his lips twisting into a feral grin. She had to look away, knowing her face would be completely red if she looked up at him. But she couldn't stop herself, she was drawn to his smirking face. She peeked up and let out a sharp breath at his searing hot, penetrating gaze. When he licked his bottom lip quickly she unwillingly moaned. He grinned knowingly.
“Idiot,” she hissed at him, laughed and buried her blushing face against his chest. She felt his chuckle rumble through him as he hugged her tighter. And then, as if he didn't even care that they were in a packed cart full of people, she felt him kiss her on the top of her head. Not a big kiss, just a soft peck. His hand began a soft massage on her neck, trailing up and down her back on top of her jacket.
She froze. She had never been with anyone that was comfortable enough showing affection in public, this was brand new to her. She looked up at him again, watching his small smile as he brushed a lock from her forehead, and with a startling realization knew that she had just lost a little piece of her heart to him, in the middle of the overly crowded cart.
✽✽✽
The bell rang out. Cef led Karen into the diner and closed the door after them.
Sylvester was at his usual place behind the counter, pouring himself a glass of blood, he barely glanced at them. "Good evening, you two," he called out casually. "Lovely evening, isn't it?" He leaned his elbows on the counter as he took in their appearance. Cef's face had been arranged in neutral folds ever since he stepped over the threshold, same old Cef, a big square Demon. But the hand on Karen's shoulder gave him away, the thumb that stroked up and down the side of her neck even more so.
And then there was Karen's massive grin that she could not wipe from her face no matter how hard she tried. Dead giveaway. Sylvester had the good manners to hold his tongue, only serving them a crooked, knowing grin. He winked at Karen, tipped his glass to her, but said nothing. At least until Cef had squeezed Karen's shoulder, given Sylvester a nod of greeting, and gone through the kitchen doors, making his way to Alyssa's office.
"So," Sylvester drawled and waved her over to him by the counter, "Having trouble walking, little miss Karen?"
"And just how did you know?" she asked him, yet she knew she was as transparent as they came at that point. She was high on life and didn't care at all that he had figured it out so fast.
“Really?” He raised his eyebrow at her and snorted, refusing to state the obvious. “Don't insult my intelligence. But, good girl,” he told her instead, sipping his glass elegantly. “Things get so much easier when you just take my advice and stop fighting the inevitable.”
Karen giggled, draped herself over the counter in a show of exhaustion, and sighed. “Sly,” she breathed, “I've been hit by a train. And I loved it.”
Sylvester's ears perked up, his eyebrows did as well, and he leaned closer, his smirk growing wider. “Tell me everything, every little sickening, slippery, sordid, devastatingly sexy detail,” he demanded. “Tell me it was good, tell me it was amazing.”
Karen groaned. “It was magnificent. He is a stallion. A beast, a pure beast.” She growled for emphasis and Sylvester laughed. “I am wonderfully, amazingly sore. I ache everywhere. I have bruises and a twinge when I walk.”
“Oh, you lucky, lucky bitch.”
Karen snorted in a laugh. She was ready to burst. So many things had happened, so much she wanted to tell him. In Sylvester, she had found a friend she could discuss these things with, someone who didn't make her feel judged or became disgusted. His own sex life had always been an open book, and she had, regrettably, often found herself a little jealous that she had nothing to add to the conversation. Finally, finally, she had an experience to share, the most mind-blowing experience of her life. And she couldn't wait to spill.
"...And now for a statement from the New York Police Commissioner." The blaring TV from the office interrupted them. Both Karen and Sylvester made their way there once they heard Alyssa turn up the volume. Cef was standing by her desk, arms across his chest, glaring at the TV with murder in his eyes.
"What we have here is a state of emergency," the Police Commissioner stated. "We don't know where they came from, we don't know who they are, we don't know what they want. But we do know that anyone in their way has so far disappeared. They are violent and unpredictable. We urge you to keep indoors until the police can get a grip on what's happening in the city. Do not leave your home unless it is of the utmost importance."
"Is this live?" Karen asked. Only then did Cef notice her standing next to him. He nodded.
"The security footage from downtown just a few moments ago appear to have captured one of the gang leaders." The woman on the news segment didn't seem phased, her stiff characteristics only heightened by the obscene amount of makeup and hairspray. "Viewers discretion is advised, there are scenes in this clip not suitable for children." The screen cut to a grainy black and white image of downtown Manhattan. Demons, they could be nothing else, not with the odd choice of clothes, or lack thereof in this cold weather, were seen roaming the streets. Acting like common hooligans, breaking windows, attacking people, destroying everything in sight with strength normal human beings did not possess. One such Demon was shown holding up a mailman in the air, by his throat, before slamming him into a car. He stopped moving. His head had gone through the window. Karen couldn't help but utter a tiny cry and then covered her mouth. Cef's hand on her shoulder, pulling her close, did nothing to calm her.
One Demon walked up close to a security camera, stared into it, a dangerous smile on his lips, his hawkish nose poking at the camera. The screen paused on him. "Tamas," Cef growled and slammed his fist into the wall, leaving a nice little hole.
"So, this is the Warchief?" Alyssa's voice was level, devoid of emotion.
The news reporter's droning voice spoke over the image. "Eyewitnesses all claim the gang in question are sporting horns on their heads, giving them the nickname The Demons." Sylvester snorted at that comment, he was the only one in the room that found it funny and quickly apologized. "As far as we know they are not affiliated with any other gangs in the city. What we are seeing here is an unknown gang, both males and females of various ethnic backgrounds, that have been spotted creating havoc and mayhem in the streets. The police strongly implore anyone in Midtown to stay indoors while they're trying to get a handle on the situation." The paused picture of Tamas started moving again, his smile turned into a darkened grin, filled with pure hatred, before tearing the camera off the wall, ending the footage.
"This isn't happening," Karen breathed in a whisper. "Why is this happening?"
"They're trying to lure me out," Cef answered not taking his eyes off the repeated security footage showing on the screen. "They think I have the stones or can lead them to them at least."
"Did you see how many?" Alyssa asked.
"I only counted six, but that was just one security footage, there could be more out there," Cef pressed out. His voice shook with anger, his words clipped.
"What- what do we do?" Karen asked.
"Karen, I need you to go home, go to safety," Alyssa said and stood up.
"Are you closing the diner?" Karen asked.
Alyssa shook her head. "No, I am not. But my customers can take care of themselves. You, however, you're only human. Don't argue," she snapped and held up her hand, stopping Karen who had opened her mouth to argue. "Listen, in any other situation you could stay, but for now, I'd rather keep someone not of the supernatural community out of harm's way. Do you understand?"
Karen nodded. “I- I guess, I-”
"I'll get her to safety," Cef volunteered. Karen felt the weight of his hand on her shoulder, pulling her closer.
She wanted to have enjoyed that protective gesture, but she was quickly beginning to feel like a burden because of her humanity. "I'll return shortly."
"Be careful, Cef," Alyssa said, but she didn't sound worried, in fact, her words weighed down like a warning. Cef gave a quick nod and sharing one last look with Alyssa he pushed Karen out of the office.
"Hey, hey, stop it." Karen pulled her shoulder out of his grip. Her voice echoing in the still empty diner. "Where are we going? Shouldn't you be the one going to safety? They're after you, not me."
Cef ignored her question. "Do you have somewhere to go? Somewhere out of the city? somewhere safe?"
Karen wanted to point out that the only place she wanted to go to was his. But his face quickly changed her mind. There was no arguing with him about that. "I guess, my parents' place, it's in Queens."
"I'll get you there," he said. Once again pushing her towards the door, not giving her a chance to argue. "It's not safe with me," he added, knowing what she was thinking as soon as she snorted in frustration. He strode to the door in long strides that had her running to keep up, then stopped abruptly, whipping around to face her. "Here," he said, reaching inside his coat and pulled out a gray bundle of cloth. He unwrapped it and showed her the content. A short but wide knife. Its handle wrapped in leather, its blade black as night, shining red in the lamplight. She had seen one before, only much, much bigger, wielded by the first Demon she saw attacking Cef. "This is a Skarram," Cef explained, "A Demon blade. This is only a dagger, it's all I have to give you. I assume you know how to use one?"
"Why would I know how to do that?" Karen stuttered but accepted it. Feeling the weight in her hand, it was much heavier than it looked.
