Page 4 of The Devil After Dark

four

LIANA

Coming from the lesser class, the ones without magic, it had been hard for me to dream of a life like this.

I lived in a world where the magic wielders had everything—the wealth, the power, they governed, and lived lavish lifestyles.

The rest of us were just living in their world, working our way up and trying to live normal lives without getting in their way.

We have a complicated history. Millenia ago the magic wielders and those without magic fought and warred.

Those without magic tried to exterminate those who had magic, seeing it as un-godly for someone to have power like that.

But of course, those with magic won out.

Thankfully, they chose not to exterminate us in return.

Instead, they chose to let us live under them and we earned the charming title of ‘lesser humans.’

Now, hundreds of years later, technology has given us lesser folks the tools to somewhat keep up with the magic wielders.

The magic wielders still hold the power, but for the rest of us, life has never been so good.

So I cherished the job I had that afforded me the ability to live in my little condo and buy everything I could ever need.

I was content. A little lonely at times, but mostly content.

The events of the night had me feeling lonelier than ever and I could not, for the life of me, find a way to get some sleep.

At 6:00 AM I sent a message to Roger letting him know I was working from home today. We had no meetings so I knew he would not even question it. At 7:00 AM my phone buzzed and I saw a message from an unknown number:

Cassio asked me to send you an update on Jason. He is out of surgery and the doctors tell us he is going to be okay. -Zac

I let out a relieved sigh and sent a message back.

I am so glad to hear it. Thank you for sending me an update.

Turning my phone to silent, I flopped down on my couch.

I pulled a blanket off the back of my couch and draped it over myself.

I was still wearing the shirt Cassio had given me.

There was something comforting about pretending I had someone special who would let me wear their shirt.

The fantasy made me feel slightly less lonely, and only slightly pathetic.

Closing my eyes, I quickly drifted off to sleep.

I felt hungover when I blinked my eyes a few hours later.

My mouth was sticky and I had clearly drooled a little.

I sat up on my couch and looked around my condo.

Something felt … off, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

I knew I had reports to get to, but I was in desperate need of a shower and some coffee.

After my shower I sent Zac another message.

Let me know how I can return the shirt.

With a steaming mug of coffee and a muffin next to me, I opened my computer and started diving into my client work for the day.

By the early afternoon I had consumed three muffins and was already dragging.

Not sleeping was really kicking my ass. I moved to the couch and pulled a blanket on my lap as I tried to answer the ungodly amount of emails I was receiving today.

Why was it that when you weren’t in the headspace to work, everyone needed something from you?

My phone buzzed and I abandoned the email I was trying to write to see who messaged me. It was Zac.

Keep it.

Okay then. I guess a man with a driver and a car like the one I had ridden in did not need a silly shirt back. I turned back to my inbox.

By the time I looked up again, I realized it was already starting to get dark outside.

It was one of those days where I felt like I had done so much and at the same time absolutely nothing.

I closed my laptop and wandered into the kitchen to see what food I had—and to find some wine.

Tonight required a glass of wine and a good night’s sleep.

Throwing some leftovers in the oven to heat up, I went to my bedroom.

Cassio’s shirt was still on the bed where I had tossed it.

Picking it up, I held it to my face, rubbing my lips gently across the soft fabric.

It smelled like man. Delicious man. And it was clearly Cassio’s shirt as it would completely drown Zac.

I looked at my clothing hamper in the closet and instead of tossing it in, removed my own shirt and slipped back into his.

It was definitely huge, but it felt comforting after the night we had been through.

I guess this shirt was now mine and I was going to wear it.