Prologue

<i><u>Playing:🎶Darkside by Benjackson Troy🎶</u></i>

<i><b> -The Demon-</b></i>

<b>Xander's POV</b>

Parking on the dark path, I alight from my dark blue Avalon, but not before gazing behind to check if I am being followed. I snatch the red baseball cap from the passenger seat that has my name inscribed on it and place it on my head for extra protection hence you never know who's lurking in the shadows.

I proceed stealthily into the woods, my feet generating crunchy noises as I step on dead dry leaves, the creaks of crickets and other night insects prompting me to shudder in fright.

A mile or two go by until I'm in the heart of the eerie atmosphere. I clear a patch of leaves with my foot to reveal a square wooden lock.

Producing a red crooked key from my pocket I unlatch it and then pull it open. It makes an ear-piercing creaky sound as it unfolds, giving way to show a dark metal staircase that leads underground.

I lower myself on it and descend till I touch the ground in the gloaming abandoned warehouse.

My orbs flicker around the place, the space I came through offering little or no illumination from the moon above.

The hairs on my skin stand on end as it's been year's I was last here and partly from the cold. It's a miracle I am able to recall the direction to this location, I guess I have to be grateful for my very active memory.

Taking a few strides forward I am paused in my steps by a voice, one I haven't heard from in almost a decade.

"Why are you late?" He questions, sounding exactly as I remember.

"You know, traffic." I apologize, making a turn to trudge to him majestically.

"If you say so," he nods, the night preventing my view of his face.

"Thank you, Azazel," I mutter, my tone neither high nor low.

"You wanted to see me?" He polls, his voice resounding through the dark abandoned warehouse.

"Yes Azazel," I smirk and try to hide the slight fear of reject nagging at the back of my head.

"What is it about?" He implores his arm going to rub his prominent chin as he fixes a stare at me.

"I want my soul back," I inform, matching his gaze with mine.

"How do you plan on getting it back?" He quizzes, stepping a few inches my way.

"With a deal Azazel, or more specifically, a pact," I tell using all my energy to stop my feet from moving backward.

"That is very difficult Xander, you sealed your vow with a drop of blood," he argues, the moonlight falling more on his face as he tilts his head upwards.

"And I'm here to make and seal another," I converse awaiting a reply.

"No, you got what you wanted, to be rich, famous, and loved, what else do you desire?" He asks, his supernatural blue eyes having a scary glint to them.

"My soul," I repeat. "Plus I know you love making deals Azazel, no matter how you try to hide it, I see the excitement and mischief you try to conceal."

"Same way I see the little fear of rejection bubbling within you, I detect it in your eyes, I hear it in your heartbeat, and the blood pumping through your veins," he sneers in response, squaring his wide shoulders to come off as intimidating.

"Hence we understand each other well, we know you've got more to win than lose, and I've got more to lose than win," I confess.

"You are right," he lets out in a husky tone, his red lips curving into a hint of a smile.

"So what do you say demon, you in?" I invite, my eyebrow raised and with a grin as I know I've gotten through to him.

"I am," he gleams. "What's this pact about?"

"It's about love," I converse, folding my arms.

"Love?" He sniggers, his sculpted nose squeezing in humor while he laughs.

"Yes, love," I affirm.

"You are serious," he doubts, and I remain still to show I am. "Carry on then."

"If I can find a lady with a pure soul who will love me for who I am then I get my soul back," I explain my words clear as day.

"And how will you know if she loves you?" He calls into question as I sight him lift a brow for emphasis.

"Actions speak louder than words," I assert.

"You are right." He beams, rubbing his palms together, "and I exactly know how."

"Tell me," I utter, cocking my head to the side.

"If she loves you, then she should be ready to give her soul to me in exchange for yours." He speaks, a grin stretching his lips.

"That's outrageous Azazel, no one would be willing to do that," I blurt in shock.

"You said love right? Love conquers all," he beams.

"Okay," I sigh in defeat.

"And this should happen in not more than a year, not even a minute more," he instructs flashing me a challenging stare.

"It's a deal," I agree, offering my palm for a shake.

"The dack pact," he chuckles, accepting my hand for a shake, the white skin on his wrist doing nothing to hide his light blue veins.

<b>Helena's POV</b>

I exit through the back door of the club after another annoying and stressful day. My bones feel a bit weak and the vibrations leaving through the walls of the building do nothing to calm my throbbing headache.

"Thank you, Lord, for not making me apply for a night shift today," I breathe out in praise as I amble away from the area.

I slip through the closely parked cars, a minute after, I find myself on the noisy street. Feeling like clearing my head and a need for fresh air I stroll forward, passing houses, shops, restaurants, and a few other clubs that line the concrete roads.

Before I realize it, I'm sauntering further towards the woods, the surroundings now quiet and peaceful except the occasional shrieks of night insects and creatures.

Spotting a stone at the roadside, I settle down and take breaths of fresh air, feeling at ease and one with nature as a smile appears on my lips.

I close my lids and lean on a tree branch as I get sucked into my head, my environment forgotten while I enjoy the serenity and try to calm my raging thoughts.

A sound distracts me, my eyes slide open and I peer around but I see no one so I proceed to shut it once more.

Some minutes later I hear the sound of a vehicle coming to life. In alarm, I rise from my position to search for the source. This time I'm not mistaken as I spot a car in the distance. To my horror whoever the driver is makes a U-turn and drives towards me.

I scurry into the woods a bit and watch till the automobile rolls ahead. When I'm sure it's gone, I materialize on the freeway and retrace my steps back to the city.

As I amble down the path, my heel-clad feet stomp on something soft. Fishing my phone from my black leather jacket I swipe it and flash the torch at the object.

I notice it's a baseball hat at a closer look so I shift my foot to jerk it up with my nude painted fingernails. Hoisting it to my eyesight I focus the light from my iPhone Xmax to see the words 'Xander Miles' embedded on it.

"Shit!" I exclaim not believing my eyes. I blink and see it's still the same before palming my mouth to prevent another scream.

Turning the cap around and upside down my brown eyes spot something written on the side.

'Thank you for being our ambassador.

From Nike ✔'

My mouth gapes open as I come to terms with the fact that this belongs to the 'Xander Miles' himself, the world's most famous music artist.

<b>Azazel's POV</b>

The minute Xander leaves, I disappear, reappearing at the stripper club. I proceed into the noisy background after the bodyguards let me through.

Nodding at the employees I could spot around, I stride to a secret door totally hidden from humans. Making a sign in the air with my index finger, the lock shifts and opens to let me down the path to the VIP suite reserved for demons only.

While I roam farther, their voices become louder and I smirk knowing my mates are all here.

"Hey Azazel," Alastair the torturer calls when he catches sight of me, a wine glass in his palm.

"How are you mate?" I invite. "Tired from your torturing job today?"

"Man what can I say," he shrugs his bulky shoulders. "I love my job,"

"I know you do," I chuckle, waddling to the empty seat. "Hello, guys."

"Good to see you Azazel, it's been a while." Asmodeus the king of demons nods in my location, Lilith the demon queen by his side looking hot as hell.

"Where are you coming from, you don't look your normal self," Pazu-Zu Demon King of the wind says, observing my mood.

"Nothing, just a tricky human," I retort, feigning a smile. "Azrael can I see you?"

"Sure," the angel of death responds. "In private?"

"Yeah," I concur, motioning him to follow me, which he does.

We trek to the quiet area of the room, the voices of the others now a distant hum.

"I need to inform you about something," I convey, peering at him.

"I'm all ears." He tells, folding his sturdy arms.

"Remember the human I was talking about back there?" I implore, hoping he hasn't forgotten so soon.

"Yes, what about him?" He asks.

"We made a pact. I won't go into details but I'm here to notify you to take the life of Xander Miles in a year from today," I convey, my expression serious.

"I'll inform you otherwise if things change."

"Noted." He bobs his head, "any other thing?"

"None for now," I utter and walk back to the rest.

"So this human, is he more tricky than you?" Pazu-Zu quizzes the instant I reach them.

"How can you say that," I scoff. "You know how smart I can be."

"Then you need to cheer up and join us in this delicious banquet." Mammon urges, his words coming out muffled as a result of his mouth being busy munching on a chicken lap.

"Who am I not to," I cackle. "Let's get the fun started!"

"Yeah!" The rest applaud.

And so the night rolled on.

<span><b>Names Of Demons</b></span>

<b>

</b>

<b>

Pazu-Zu Demon King of the wind</b>

<b>Asmodeus kind of demons</b>

<b>Lilith demon queen (succubi)</b>

<b>Belphegor</b>

<b>Mammon</b>

<b>Samael</b>

<b>Sabnock</b>

<b>Saleos</b>

<b>Ramiel</b>

<b>Samhain</b>

<b>Alastair (the torturer)</b>

<b>Dagon</b>

<b></b>

<b>Sorry for the many switch in POV's I did it to show what was going on at different moments that same day

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Freshy ❤️