Page 7 of Knotty Bargain (Monster Holidays #3)

CHAPTER 7

LEVIATHAN

T here were many things on my to-do list for this morning. In my line of work, there comes a time when few things surprise you. But being accidentally summoned by a pretty little witch in tight pants and mouth-watering tits?

That wasn’t on my list.

The front door bursts open and the little witch stumbles in, her blonde hair in disarray, her fantastic tits bouncing. Her eyes, bright blue like an apatite stone, widen as they land on me. She halts, breath catching in her throat.

“You’re still here.” Her voice quivers.

“You didn’t break the circle, little witch. Where else would I be?”

She swallows hard, her chest heaving. Damn, I’d love to bury my face between those perfect breasts. A demon in my position could have any tits in his face, but I’m quickly growing obsessed with these. Even if humans and demons rarely mix.

A second human walks in. This one is dark-haired and tanned, shorter than the witch. I glance at her, then back at the golden-haired curvy goddess in front of me.

“Shit, Cordelia,” the newcomer says. “I thought you had hit your head in the toilet or something, but no. You were speaking the truth.”

Cordelia . That’s her name. Beautiful. It used to be more popular. I remember a time when it felt like half the girls were called Cordelia and the other half were Ophelia. I remember how many Cordelias and Ophelias we used to receive every day.

“Who are you?” asks the newcomer.

“A demon,” Cordelia says, grabbing a book. Her grimoire, perhaps? “He looks different since I left him, though.”

“Different?” asks the newcomer. “How so?”

I put on a human facade, of course. When you’re rudely summoned out of your desk in the middle of a workday, you don’t have time to put on an image that humans would find more palatable. Since Cordelia ran off, she gave me enough time to do it.

It’s not much. Though I look human now—no horns or claws; only two arms, which is sad and weak; and lighter skin color. Just enough to stop humans from screaming my head out.

“He looked literally like a demon when I left,” says Cordelia, motioning for me. “He had, like, horns. And, and... Arms.” She glares at me. “Look. I don’t know what you did to look different. And I shouldn’t have summoned you. It was a mistake.”

I click my tongue. “Ah, but you did summon me. And now we’re stuck together, bound by that little spell of yours.”

Her brow furrows. “No. No, there has to be a way to undo it. To send you back.”

“Pity. Afraid not.” I examine my nails, fighting back a grin. “You’re stuck with me. But don’t worry, I’ll be a perfect gentleman. Unless you prefer otherwise.”

I wink and she flushes scarlet. Sylvia bursts into laughter behind her.

“This is... fascinating.” Sylvia strides in, looking me up and down with keen interest. “An actual demon. In the flesh. What’s Hell like?”

I wave a dismissive hand. “Too warm. Dreary. Full of whiny souls. Quite dull, really. I’ve been in charge far too long. Even demons need a break.”

“Sylvia, don’t talk to him,” Cordelia hisses, flipping through the book. “He might spell you or something.”

Sylvia grabs Cordelia’s arm, grinning. “Lia. Babe. You accidentally summoned and bound a demon. We can find a way to undo this. You’re magic, bitch!” She shakes Cordelia’s arm, a little too excited. “Oh my God, we’re going to have so much fun!”

Cordelia shakes her head. “Fun? Fun? A demon , Sylvia. He’s going to murder us in our sleep.”

I scoff. “Please. That would be so uncouth. Everyone knows you don’t mess with your hosts. And as long as no one annoys me too much, I can promise to not maim anyone. It’s too much effort, anyway. And blood stains.”

Cordelia stares daggers at me. It only makes me want to rile her up even more. “I can’t believe this is happening.” She turns to Sylvia. “I just want him gone!”

I spread my arms wide. “You’re the one who dragged me here with your ludicrous rune-writing.”

Sylvia snickers. “Lia. Is this all because of your handwriting? Please tell me he’s telling the truth.”

Cordelia shoots me a withering glare. Gods, she’s even lovelier when she’s pissed. There’s a fire in her, simmering just under that sweet surface. I’d like to coax it out; see her burn.

“Listen,” Cordelia hisses, standing at the very edge of the summoning circle. “I get it. I summoned you and bound you and whatever. But this is not permanent. You are going back.”

Sylvia bounces on her toes. “So, are you going to, you know, wreak havoc? Claim souls? Do demony things?”

I snort, shoving a hand through my hair. “Please. That’s below me. And frankly, I can’t be arsed. I’m on vacation. Forcibly, but still.”

Cordelia looks like she wants to combust. Sylvia pats her shoulder.

“There, there, babe. We’ll sort this out. He said he won’t do anything evil, so it should be okay.” Sylvia steps forward and, with the tip of her shoe, wipes off a piece of the outer circle, breaking the spell and freeing me.

Oh. That was simple.

Cordelia jumps . “What are you doing?” she cries out.

“He won’t hurt us, babe! Besides,” she turns around and ambles out of the room, “maybe we can convince him to rid us of Vivian!”

She dashes off. Cordelia’s jaw clenches. I smirk at her. “Who’s Vivian?”

She huffs, folding her arms across her chest. It only serves to push her breasts up higher. Glorious.

“Not your business, Demon .”

“Leviathan.” I inspect my nails again. “Call me Leviathan. Or Levi. Or ‘oh god‘, if you prefer. I’m flexible.”

Her mouth drops open, a blush working up her cheeks again. I chuckle. She’s too easy to fluster. Yeah, I’m going to have fun with this one.