Chapter 20: A Devil's Worth.
Dante Andromalius.
New York. October 2007.
Three months after Chapter 19.
I'd been waking up earlier than usual for two weeks.
It wasn't even the new need to feed the Dark Force a small portion of my cosmic power. This was different. And I knew exactly who was responsible.
Tandy Bowen.
Three months had passed since we met at the café, and I finally understood what Tyrone meant when he was searching for "his light." The bastard wasn't being poetic; he was being literal in a way I didn't expect.
The Dark Force wanted her. Not in wanting to consume her as it usually did with everything, but in the 'you're incomplete without your other half' way.
Which was fucking weird and annoying.
It also explained why Yao found it so amusing. I needed Tandy. I needed a mortal girl. Not that I would die or go insane without her. But there was a pull between us that I couldn't deny.
No. I was lying to myself. I didn't just need her. I wanted her.
I ended up offering her a job at my café, paying more than what was considered reasonable for her current capabilities.
Not that I cared about what the other mortals thought, I just wanted her here with me.
At first, she was hesitant, thinking I just wanted to fuck her or something. Which… I didn't blame her. I doubted it was the first time someone had offered her that kind of 'deal'.
Mortals could be so crass. I never had to pay for a service like that when I looked the way I did.
She was alluring. Easy to miss when she'd been underweight and strung out, but now that she'd stabilized? Yeah, she was something else.
I wanted her. I had read that being a devil amplified some sins, but I didn't believe greed had shown this hard before.
She was mine.
But I didn't offer her that job just for that. I hadn't even thought of that at that time until she mentioned it.
Then she did. And she fucking had the gall to smirk at me while accepting the job.
Ugh. Tandy was a tease, and she became fast friends with Wong. And the bastard was smart enough to realize that I saw something in her, making sure to use that to his advantage, much to my discomfort.
So now I was on the back foot most of the time.
That wasn't even mentioning when I came clean with her power and destroyed the seal D'Spayre had left in her.
Which brought so many fucking complications. Like her memories.
Which left her crying for days. Not that I blamed her after hearing what she went through. And… well, I will help her get her revenge.
There was nothing better than some bodily harm to get close to each other.
I couldn't wait to see her giggling as we ripped D'Spayre's spine and the doctor who injected her with the drug. I had already sent some people who owed me searching for information about this supposed man.
Simon Marshal was living in borrowed time, and it would be my first way to see how cruel Tandy could be.
If she wasn't? Well, I'd have some extra work to do, but I doubted it. She had a lot of anger to work through. I could see through her, and the connection made it easier.
The worst part is that I couldn't say it wasn't worth it. It absolutely was.
That power of hers. The light force, as Wong called it.
Pure, fucking Life force. An immense amount of it, and just as Tyrone was to the Dark Force, Tandy was the perfect host to hers.
It was… shocking.
And most importantly, useful.
Just by being near her, I was energized, and I consumed what she wasted of it to feed the Dark Force, and what remained filled my cosmic well even faster than making deals with normal mortals.
As a pair, she converted me into a perpetual motion machine.
It was insane what we could do together.
Meeting her alone made the trip worth it.
But things weren't as simple as that, and that was what I didn't like.
I needed to return, but I didn't want to.
Not alone.
I wanted to stay with her or take her with me. But I shouldn't. I couldn't risk her by bringing her home.
Just thinking about some other devil reincarnating her without permission made my blood boil. If anyone tried, I'd cleanse Red's universe of devils to make the point.
She was mine. And she was starting to realize that.
Not that she didn't enjoy my attention. She was so desperate for companionship that she ignored that I took Tyrone's place for myself.
I had thought that she would focus on that, but as broken as she was thanks to the memories, she latched onto me too easily.
And I loved it. She made it just too easy.
Putting a smile on my face, I stood up from the table in only my briefs.
Looking at my reflection, I nodded to myself, seeing nothing was out of the ordinary. No one should notice how torn I was at the moment.
After putting on some slippers, I walked outside.
Tandy was already waiting, sitting in the dining room of my home. The penthouse I remodeled after Yao made me the owner of this place.
Yes. I had a roommate. Even if she could pay for her own place by now, she preferred to stay with me.
To practice magic, she said.
"Dante!" She smiled brightly. Her usual hesitation and lack of trust in me disappeared after the first month.
She frowned. "Is something wrong?"
What the fuck. Why was she asking that?
I lifted my eyebrow and smiled, seeing a hot cup of coffee already set in my place.
"What makes you think that, my dear?" I asked casually as I sat down.
She stood up from her seat, her obnoxious, pink, fluffy pajamas making me squint in disgust.
This girl.
"Something is going on with you," she said, sitting next to me, her hand reaching to my hair almost gently before she froze.
It was funny to see her frozen in place, like she didn't know whether to continue or retreat.
I moved my head forward just a tad, smiling at Tandy.
Her hand curled around my hair as her smile returned, her fingers gentle despite the storm of Light inside her body.
"I know you." She continued softly, "I don't understand everything you and Wong explained, but I can feel it. You and I. And you've been acting strange for a couple of days."
She laughed softly, "I know it's only been two months, but it feels like forever."
"There's much you don't know about me, my dear," I chuckled, looking at her eyes, "but you are right. I've felt… confused these past days."
"And I can assure you that doesn't happen often," I sighed as I pulled my head away from her hand, acting torn.
Or allowing my true feelings to show. I couldn't lie to myself and deny what I felt.
But seeing me vulnerable made her thoughts on me rise even more. Women didn't like it when a man was all so unflappable; they might act as if they preferred someone like that, but they all had dreams of helping their partners in some way or another.
Case in point. She stood up as her hands began massaging my shoulders.
"Is there any way I can help?" she asked worriedly, "or is this too high level for me? Again?"
I sighed. She was still pouting about the last time I didn't allow her to accompany me and Wong to exterminate some vermin in Romania.
She was too precious for me to risk it. Not yet.
Not that she understood I was doing it for her own good.
"I told you, Tandy. You can go with us when you manage to make Wong bleed at the very least." I chuckled, pushing my shoulders against her hands.
This Light Force was heavenly. And that was me saying it.
It just felt too good, every bit of tenseness disappearing under her care.
She pressed her hands hard, making me wince playfully.
She pouted even harder, "You know Wong is bullshit with those portals of his. There's no way I can harm him anytime soon."
"And that's why you're not coming with us." I bent my head back, locking eyes once more, "I couldn't risk you like that."
She blushed, coughing against her fist to hide it.
"I want to be of help."
"You already are, Tandy. You are basically the face of the café now. You know how many people I've had to fight for your hand?" I teased her.
And the embarrassment returned. How adorable.
Then a 'fierce' expression appeared on her face, "You don't have to defend me. I can do it by myself."
I stood up, approaching her slowly. She had every opportunity to retreat, but she didn't.
Holding her hand, I put on an earnest expression.
"I know you can," I whispered, "but I want to protect you. You aren't alone anymore, Tandy. You can count on me."
Later.
Tandy was uncharacteristically silent after our talk. But both of us would have to be blind not to notice the glances we shared almost every moment we were on each other's sightline.
Seeing her work, smile, and greeting the usual customers was doing something to me I didn't think possible.
I wanted her to keep those expressions.
Seeing dudes hitting on her also pissed me off more than it should. Not that I showed it outwardly, but she always sent 'angry' pouts in my direction when their hot coffee dropped on their laps.
Petty? Maybe. Not that I cared.
She was mine.
It had been hours since we opened the café, and I was still torn.
I had to leave. I wanted Tandy to be next to me… and I knew how frail mortals could be.
I could fix it with a snap of my fingers, especially now that I had more cosmic energy than I knew what to do with.
But there was another way. A way I was so against it before, when Red mentioned it.
And here I was now, desiring them. As simple as they were… I could improve them after Red enhanced the evil pieces. I could make them better. And I could make Tandy forever mine.
And she'd probably love it… who was I kidding, she'd jump at the chance.
She knew I was a demonic being, but I hadn't mentioned the evil pieces yet.
But she was jealous of all the perks we had compared to normal humans.
… I had to go. Tonight.
But I could do something nice for her before leaving.
To make a perfect day for her. Just what someone I wanted deserved.
Standing up, I walked towards Wong.
The idiot frowned when he saw me approaching.
"What do you want? You haven't spent the last few days making deals," he looked at me untrustingly, "What's going on?"
I groaned, rolling my eyes, "I make deals, you get prissy. I don't make deals; you wonder what I'm plotting for world domination. Your days must be so boring."
He grunted, staying silent.
"I'll leave for a bit. I have some… business I need to deal with back home. Can I trust you to keep an eye here and care for Tandy while I'm gone?" I asked neutrally.
He looked at me as I used my clan trait to envelop both of us, disappearing from everyone inside except for Tandy, who was looking in our direction with narrowed eyes.
This fucking connection.
Wong glanced at Tandy, who was busy acting as if she cared about what the other waiters were saying during their break.
"Back in some demonic realm?" He pressed, but I stayed silent.
"Fine, I'll keep an eye here. Nothing will happen to your business." He grunted.
"I don't care much about my business, Wong," I said, locking eyes with him.
He didn't say anything and started walking away, but I wasn't done.
"Wong," I said coldly.
He stopped but didn't turn around. His shoulders tensed, which was good.
"What you have seen is me being good." Now he turned to face me.
I wasn't smiling anymore.
Let him see what I'd been hiding behind civility and the mortal way I'd kept around most of the time.
"Let me be very clear about something." I stepped in, invading his personal space.
I liked that he didn't step back. I wasn't wrong in making him my 'minder'.
"Tandy is mine. She's not your student nor your responsibility when I'm here. She's mine."
The mortals in the café trembled, but no one could explain why. The windows misted, and some of them even looked outside in alarm.
No one but Tandy was watching us. And she didn't approach even if she looked worried.
"I don't care about this café. I don't care about this building. I don't care about this entire planet."
The Dark Force bled out, just a tiny bit. Just enough to make sure I wasn't the same weak devil as when I came to this world. That I was something that should be feared.
Wong's breath misted in the sudden cold.
"But I care about what's mine." I leaned in.
My mouth was next to his head so that I could whisper. "So, while I'm gone, you will check on her. You will keep her safe. You will make sure she eats, sleeps, and continues training."
My hand gripped his shoulder.
Not enough to harm him, there was no need for that. I liked calling him my friend.
"And Wong? If I come back and find her hurt, sad, or worse… if I find out you've been filling her head with ideas about leaving, about how dangerous I am, about how she deserves better?" I smiled.
It wasn't a friendly smile. "I will do things that would make Mephisto shit himself of fright. Do you understand?"
He swallowed nervously, even if his expression didn't change much. "Dante…"
"I'm not finished."
The lights of the café dimmed in their intensity as some of the books ruffled from the magic my body was expelling.
"You think you've seen what a demon can do? You've seen me play nicely. You've seen me follow rules I agreed with Yao. You've seen me make fair deals and keep my word like some fucking Boy Scout."
I released his shoulder and gave him some space. "But fair doesn't mean kind, Wong. And it certainly doesn't mean forgiving."
The warmth returned to The Ninth Circle. My smile also returned, the usual one.
"So... Can I trust you to take care of what's mine?" He stared at me for a long moment.
He looked as if he wanted to say something funny.
Wisely, he didn't. Good, I didn't want to lose a friend today.
Then nodded. "Yes. I will care for her."
"Good." I patted his shoulder. "I knew I could count on you. I will bring you some souvenirs from home, I'm sure you'll love them."
I walked away, towards the place where I kept my car keys. Such an ingenious invention, for a mortal.
All was good, Wong understood. Tandy was off limits.
To everyone but me.
That evening.
Tandy had the brightest smile I had ever seen on her face. She loved what we did the whole day I 'kidnapped her from her work'. Her words, not mine.
Not that she had anything but a blinding smile the whole time. She loved the Lambo I got last week, probably more than me. I'd leave it for her to use while I was gone.
Carrying her bags, I thanked my lucky stars that devils were stronger than mortals. I bought everything she would need for however long I was gone, from food and clothes to things for her university if she decided to return (she hadn't since she moved in with me, but who knew).
"You're smiling," she said softly as I dropped the bags in front of her room.
"Do you fault me? I spent the day with such a beautiful girl," I grinned at her.
"Idiot," she huffed with pink cheeks as she plopped herself on the sofa.
"Why did you do it?" She asked seriously, her eyes not leaving mine. "I sensed you wanting to say something the whole day, but you never did. I didn't ask about what you said to Wong before."
I stopped cold. Then sighed, genuinely.
Time to face the music. I had prepared enough during the day. My heart was firm.
"I'm leaving… tonight."
The words hung in the air between us as she froze.
"What?" she murmured.
"I need to return home. There are things I need to do."
Her cup of tea shattered on the floor.
She began trembling as she stood up and approached me, uncaring of her new things on the floor as she stepped over them.
She didn't look down.
She looked at me.
"What?" she whispered again.
"I'm leaving," I repeated slowly. "Tonight."
Her hands curled into fists. I felt the Light inside her spike; her whole body went bright as light started bleeding out of her skin in a way it hadn't since the seal broke.
"No," she said immediately. "No. You don't just say that. You don't…"
"I do," I cut in. "And I am. There are things you don't know yet, Tandy."
She crossed the space between us in three steps and shoved me.
Hard.
I didn't move. She was too weak for that.
She shoved me again, harder. Her palms flared with light that scorched my shirt and burned skin beneath it.
I still didn't stop her. I didn't allow the hiss that almost broke out of my mouth.
"Say it again," she snapped. She sounded so broken, "Say it and look at me."
"I'm leaving," I said firmly.
She hit me.
A punch that would have Wong acting disappointed. She didn't use technique at all, just powered by Light and pure panic.
It connected with my jaw, snapping my head to the side. I spat a bit of blood on the floor.
Damn, that one really hurt.
She gasped like she was the one who'd been struck.
"Oh God… Dante…"
Her glowing hands were on my face instantly, healing the damage before I even straightened.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, falling onto my chest as she pressed her forehead against me, shaking.
"I didn't mean to," she sobbed. "I didn't… why would you do this to me? You can't leave me behind... not now... not ever."
I let her heal me. I hugged her closer. I let her hit me again, weaker this time, her fists pounding uselessly against my chest.
I bit my lips. I was prepared to do what I needed to do. I had gone over this inside my head the whole time we were together.
And despite all that, those iridescent tears made my firm heart waver. Every feeling she felt was amplified as I focused on our connection. Her light went wild as my darkness emerged from my body.
And for the first time, the Dark Force didn't consume her light, as if to show it was mourning with her.
"Why?" she cried. "Why now? Why like this?"
"Because I need to go," I said quietly. "And because I need to go alone."
She froze.
Then she pulled back and slapped me.
"I don't care," she said viciously. "I don't care where you're going. I don't care what it is. I'm not staying here while you disappear."
"You are," I sighed. "You won't go with me. I can't take you with me."
Her eyes burned white. "You don't get to decide that."
"I do," I replied. "I will not change my mind, Tandy."
She laughed brokenly. "About me?"
"If it is about your safety? Yes."
That stopped her.
"What does that mean?" she whispered.
I exhaled slowly. But I couldn't bring myself to lie. Not this time. Not to her.
"It means," I said, "that I won't risk someone else taking you from me."
She shivered in my arms.
"You told me," She said shakily, "that I wasn't alone anymore. That I had you."
"You'll always do."
"Then why does this feel like you're leaving me behind?"
I hugged her tighter, feeling her shivers and wet tears against my bare chest, "Because it's for the best, Tandy. I can't risk you like that."
"Then explain it!" she snapped. "Stop deciding things for me!"
I stepped closer, close enough that she had to tilt her head up to look at me.
"Back home, there are some artifacts that all high-ranking devils get," I said neutrally. "They are called evil pieces, and devils can use them to change another being into a devil. They make something called peerages, and they wouldn't hesitate to force someone like you into them."
Her hands trembled as she clenched them in my shirt.
"If someone realizes what you are," I continued, "what you could be… they won't ask. They won't play nice. They'll break you apart and put you back together in a way you won't recognize yourself. They'll turn you into something that answers when they snap their fingers."
Her eyes filled again. "And why haven't you done so?"
"Because I don't have them. Not yet." I kissed her golden hair, "My family fell from grace under our government. Someone cursed my father into eternal sleep, and I had to leave my mother behind to grow stronger."
She fell silent at that.
She swallowed. "And are you strong enough now?"
I frowned. "Why would you ask that?"
"Because you're leaving me behind!" she said sadly. "You won't make me yours the way you could. You won't take me with you. So, tell me… am I not worth it?"
"You are more than worth it, Tandy. You are mine."
Her voice was barely there. "And yet, you're leaving me behind?"
"I'm becoming High Class," I said firmly. "Once I return. I can do it... I can save my father; I can help my mother. I can get my pieces."
She shook her head violently. "Then let me help you. I can give you more. I can push the Light harder…"
"No."
The word broke the windows of the penthouse as my magic went wild.
I grabbed her wrists, not gently this time.
"You will not burn yourself for me," I snarled. "You will not hollow yourself out just so I can grow stronger."
Her eyes trembled with tears, "But you said you wanted me. Is this not why? I can be useful too, Dante. I can help you."
"I want you," I healed her hand. "That's why I won't let you do that."
She broke down in tears.
She surged forward and kissed me like she was trying to meld her body into mine.
I kissed her back.
I poured everything I didn't want to admit into the kiss.
When I pulled away, my forehead rested against hers.
"Tandy, you won't escape me. Ever." I said quietly.
She laughed weakly and smiled. "You're an idiot."
Then she kissed me again. The fact that I could feel her emotions made it worse: her longing, her anger at herself.
I hated that she viewed herself as a tool. She could be so much more than that.
"I don't deserve you," she whispered back.
"You could do better." I looked into her eyes and smiled sadly. "But it's too late for you to escape."
She searched my face for a long moment.
"Promise me," she said. "Promise you'll come back with the pieces. And you will make me yours. Once and for all."
I kissed her rosy lips, "I will, Tandy. No one will take you away from me. I give you my word."
"Words are not enough," she added, her voice shaking but firm, "What if we make a deal?"
I smiled faintly. Oh, she was perfect.
"Deal," I said.
She pressed her forehead to my chest and breathed me in like she wanted to memorize my smell.
"I'm taking the master bedroom," she added, pouting adorably.
"Whatever you want, dear."
"And the Lambo."
I laughed quietly as I pecked her forehead.
"As my future bishop decrees."
Kamar-Taj, Nepal.
The darkness retreated into my body as I stepped into the monastery courtyard.
Yao was already there. Of course she was.
Which pissed me off because I knew she couldn't see me with that stone.
She stood with her hands behind her back, watching the horizon like she hadn't been waiting for me at all.
"So," she said calmly, without turning, "are you here to say goodbye to the best teacher you've ever had, Dante? Or do you prefer Seere?"
I laughed loudly enough that my ribs hurt. Hard enough to echo inside the room.
A smirk crept up my face.
"When did you figure it out?" I asked, not bothering to deny it. What would be the point? "And call me Dante. That's who I am now."
She finally looked at me.
"Since I saw you work in your café," she replied neutrally.
I clicked my tongue. "That's it? You saw me be myself and decided I was the best demon that came out of Nemesis's legs?"
"You think too highly of demons," Yao said dryly. "You were the only one who ever believed fairness was a viable path. And no one has walked it since your supposed death."
Then her face almost turned green. My eyes widened at that.
"Even less after what Mephisto did to the escapees he managed to find."
My smirk vanished.
I frowned. That fucking bastard. I will fucking tear him apart when I get my hands on him.
"…Our agreement still stands?" I asked quietly, not wanting to hear any more about them.
The escapees were MINE.
"But of course," she composed herself slowly. "You are my student, after all. The best one I will ever have."
I bowed.
A proper bow. Because I respected her.
Her eyes widened just a fraction.
"Thank you," I said simply. "I… I'm glad I met you, Yao."
"I'll be using the sealed room beneath the monastery," I added as I straightened. "Promise you won't meddle. Nothing good will come of it for either of us."
She waved a hand lazily as I turned away.
"Oh, and Dante," she said.
I paused for a moment.
"I saw what you did to Wong."
I glanced back. She wasn't angry. Just… tired.
She sighed. "Tandy Bowen will be in good hands while you're gone," she said. "You have my word."
"Thank you," I said again.
I didn't apologize. I didn't do anything wrong. Even if I did, I wouldn't have. I did what I had to do to protect what's mine.
I reached into my coat and pulled out Red's scale.
The air broke into a million pieces as I cut reality with it, and the dimensional gap yawned wide.
And Red was already there.
Grinning. Or as close as a Dragon could manage.
"You took your sweet time," the oversized lizard rumbled.
I stepped forward to greet one of my only friends.
And he sent me flying with a flap of his wings. Hard.
"Get your promotion," Red said as I fell. "I'll be waiting."
The world turned as I rolled through the void.
Then… I slammed into the floor of my house hard enough to rattle both bones and my pride alike.
"Asshole," I groaned, pushing myself up. "Overgrown juvenile reptile."
The Dark Force came out of my body as if agreeing with me. I could feel… like it was sad because I left Tandy behind. It didn't feel that hungry, surprisingly enough.
I smiled sadly. I already wanted her here.
The house was silent. So different than my earlier memories.
Then I saw her.
My mother.
Sleeping peacefully in my bed, holding a picture of my father close to her chest.
I exhaled.
"I'm back."
And The Underworld was not prepared for the hell I was about to unleash.
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