Deep into the shadows of an ordinary city excisted a place only those aware of the supernatural world knew about. Under the ethereal lights of a nightclub called Fangs ‘n Fire, unearthly beings danced, the rythm of the music chaotic but strangly harmonious. Horns glittered, fangs shone, and claws flashed. The place felt glamorous yet dangerous. Walls were covered in a luxurious shade of red with golden trimmings and covered in several dozen mirrors. Cozy, private booths were lining the wall and the bar was stacked to the ceiling with almost any kind of drink, from earthly to otherworldly. On the dancefloor the air felt heavy of unrestrained desire. It was intoxicating.

Their eyes met. Just for a second, but Caleb could feel the pull tugging at his undead heart. A tall demon, with hair fiery red and untamed, stood out from the crowd. His jawline was sharp, with high cheekbones and twinkling eyes. He wore a tightfit T-shirt in a shade of red that complimented his tanned skin well. The man’s fine looking ass was clad in a black pair of jeans.

If Caleb’s memory served him well, this man was part of the Demonic Court. His name was Astaroth. Caleb shifted unconsiously, making his blue suit rustle.

Astaroth was very well known among the supernatural elite. Rumors were that he was engaged to the princess of the underworld, Lilith. Although they were rarely seen together. Many speculated it was an arranged mariage, a mariage out of political reasons and not out of love.

Not that Caleb knew much about love. With his mother raising him in a cult with the sole reason of him eventually becoming part of the undead, he knew nothing of it. A sigh involuntarely escaped his lips. Deciding to let the entrancing music invade his mind and chase away the negative memories, he let his lithe body move to the rythm. He got lost in the moment until a deep voice pulled him back to reality.

“I haven’t seen you here before. What’s your name?”

Caleb turned to face the source of the voice. It was none other than Astaroth himself, his black eyes now revealing a hint of amber in the low light of the dancefloor. The air crackled with tension as their eyes locked once again. The vampire felt compelled to answer.

“Caleb. Caleb Rown.”

The demon bowed lightly and it made Caleb blush, his pale skin making the pink on his cheeks stand out even more. He really hoped the man in front of him wouldn’t notice. Caleb looked back at him, and instantly forgot what he was worried about again. Up close the man’s features were striking, making it hard not to stare.

“Nice to meet you, Caleb. My name is Astaroth Bloodtorne, heir of the Bloodtorne family. What brings you here tonight?” Astaroth asked with a polite but probing curiousity. There was a hint of a smirk on his lips.

The demon’s directness startled Caleb, making him hesistate on answering just for a moment.

“Just a bit of escapism, you know? Day to day life isn’t exactly… easy.”

Astaroth’s dark eyes seemed to glimmer with a knowing intensity, as if he knew more than the vampire had let on.

“Ah, I can imagine. A vampire’s life can’t be all that easy, huh?”

Caleb blinked. Did he look that obviously undead? He thought he had managed to hide his looks pretty well from humans so far, but he guessed demons weren’t so easily deceived.

“How did you know?”

The demon chuckled.

“Well… besides your flawless skin and those pretty pointy canines, you carry the unmistakable aura of a vampire,” Astaroth said, then leaned in with a smirk, “Yours is particularly enchanting.”

So close! Caleb could smell the demon, like a warm fire, overwelming his senses. And before he knew it, everything went black.

“Whoops, sorry about that.”

Caleb had been propped up in one of the leather booths, with a satiny pillow under his head. Astaroth sat next to him, his smirk was replaced by a worried frown. The demon reached out to a glass on the table.

“How do you feel? Do you want something to drink?”

Ah, he recognized it now. A Bloody Mary. It was a human drink usually, but here the bartender added real blood to it. Better than the blood wine, he wasn’t much of a wine drinker.

Caleb carefully reached for the glass, but his hands still shook from the ordeal.

“Here, let me help.”

Astaroth held the glass for him so Caleb could reach the straw. He took a few sips and looked at the demon in front of him. Usually he would have the demeanor of a bad boy, acting all cheeky and flirtatious. Now this rare sight of a caring personality made his heart glow, just a bit. It was actually pretty cute. He chuckled, and immediately regretted it, accidently getting some booze in his lungs. He coughed.

“Well, at least you’re dead already, otherwise I would have to revive you too!”

Caleb couldn’t help but cough and then laugh when his lungs were finally clear. How this this royal demon get such a stupid sense of humor!

Astaroth’s face was one of confusion. “What?!”

When the vampire could finally speak again, he patted the man in front of him on the shoulder.

“You’re funny, Astaroth. I like you.”

A light blush appeared on the demon’s tanned skin. He shyly adverted his eyes. Cute.

“Well, at least I’m glad you’re feeling better, Caleb.” The demon looked at one of the mirrors on the wall. His face suddenly turned worried. “I… have to go now though. Will I see you again? I’ll be here next week, same day, same time.”

Caleb nodded without hesistation. He had grown quite fond of this man so quickly already and he barely knew anything about him.

“Thanks for not letting me die.”

Astaroth scooted out of the booth and looked one more time at Caleb. He nodded silently and then disappeared into a red smoke.

Though Astaroth’s sudden exit left Caleb a bit worried and with quite a few questions, he felt… content for once in his life. Maybe meeting the fiery demon was a good thing. Caleb really hoped so.