Noah’s POV

I stared at the tall black man in front of me, disgust was written across his face in block letters, my mouth open, eyes burning, and a scream crawled up my throat, ready to burst.

“Scream,” he said, voice low and deadly, “and I’ll make sure you never make another sound again for as long as you live.”

My mouth snapped shut. Fear slithered up from my toes to my chest and wrapped around my throat. Tears blurred my vision. I should have screamed, raised an alarm, done something, but I couldn’t. Something about him pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating. Whatever it was, it didn’t feel human.

He sighed, rubbing his brow like I was the inconvenience here, then started toward me. I scrambled backward, heart pounding. Every step he took, I took five. He stopped, groaned and vanished.

My breath hitched. He just… disappeared. I blinked hard, rubbed my eyes, stared at the empty space he’d occupied. Nothing.

Then I turned my head and nearly passed out again. He was crouched right beside me.

The scream I’d been holding finally tore out of me, but his hand clamped over my mouth just in time.

“You really need to pay more attention to your surroundings,” he drawled, like we were discussing the weather. “Or is it the alcohol? Stronger than it used to be, huh?”

I just stared at him, rigid, trembling, brain short-circuiting.

He sighed again and grabbed a handful of his dreadlocks with his free hand. “You’re stiff as a noble at his own beheading. Relax. I’m not here to hurt you. Promise.”

When I felt his grip loosen, I smacked his hand away and stumbled back. “What the f*ck are you?”

He raised a brow. “A demon, of course. You summoned me, remember?”

My jaw dropped. “You’ve got to be kidding me. A demon? What kind of sick joke is this? Demons don’t exist.”

He tilted his head, smirking. “Then how do you explain me vanishing and reappearing, or how I got into your place without a key? Or maybe how your lady friend didn’t see me at all?”

I opened my mouth then closed it again. I had nothing. Just static.

Shit. The circle.

“Bingo,” he said with a grin, now leaning lazily against my counter, a slice of pizza in his hand. “About time you used your brain.”

“Where the hell did you get pizza from?”

“This?” He gestured at the box. “Online. Took a few tries to figure it out. Expect some crystals in the mail soon, though.”

If I could’ve, I’d have strangled him right there. “Now back to business,” he continued, strolling toward me. “Why did you summon me?”

“I didn’t!” I snapped, standing up and brushing off my jeans. “It was an accident. Just go back to… wherever you came from.”

Silence filled the room. He just stared at me, unreadable. I stared back.

Then suddenly, his face twisted. “No, no, no you can’t just send me back! There has to be something you want. Something I can do.” He began pacing, muttering to himself, frustration creasing his face.

“Why can’t you just go back?” I asked, suspicion tightening in my gut.

He froze, his expression darkening for a split second. “I just can’t. You wouldn’t understand. I have to do what the summoner intended. I need to stay.”

“Why are you so desperate to stay?” I shot back, taking a wary step backward.

He looked up, catching the fear in my eyes. His lips twitched into a half-smile. “Because it’s not every day you get out of hell. You’d want to stay too. Think of it as… vacation time.”

Something flickered across his face, something softer, sadder but it vanished before I could place it.

I studied him warily: this tall, black, undeniably hot demon standing in my living room like he owned it. The afternoon light caught the sharp lines of his jaw, glinting off his caramel skin. His brown eyes locked on mine, unreadable.

I sighed, went to the fridge, and grabbed a beer. “Fine. You said you’re a demon, right?”

He tilted his head, amused. “Last I checked.”

“Well… can you cure humans?” I asked quietly, squeezing the can until it dented.

He chuckled, the sound low and smug. The almost-pleading look from moments ago disappeared completely, replaced by a grin that screamed I’ve got you now.

“About time you asked. And yes, I can. But it’ll cost you.”

Anger flared hot in my chest. “You were playing me, weren’t you?”

“Of course I was,” he said, utterly unbothered. “What makes you think a demon of my caliber can’t stroll out of hell whenever I please? You’re adorable, really.”

“You think I can’t end this? I’ll find a way to send you back,” I snapped.

He smirked. “You can’t. The deal’s already begun. Whether you like it or not, you woke me. That means payment is due. So relax, human you might as well make it worth your while.”

My jaw tightened. If what he said was true, I had no choice. And Jamie, Jamie needed help.

“Fine,” I said, voice trembling. “I want you to cure my brother. State your terms.”

He smirked wider, arrogance rolling off him like heat. “Simple. You let me stay here in the human realm. You’ll act as my guide. I’ve grown bored of hell, and humans have changed. I want to experience that firsthand.”

“Fine,” I bit out.

He tsked, sauntering closer. “Not good enough. Say it.”

“Say what?”

His grin turned wicked as he stepped into my space, eyes locking onto mine. “Say, ‘I consent.’”

Before I could respond, he produced a blade from nowhere and slashed my palm. The sting jolted me, dragging me out of my daze but before I could react, he took my hand, pressed his palm against mine, and stared deep into my eyes.

“I consent,” I gasped. My focus glided onto him 

And then the world tilted.

Everything went black.

Again.