(While all of my prompt stories will likely remain short, I might take this one further if there is interest. It was certainly fun!)
She began to regret what she had done as the ground began to open wide, and a hideous beast emerged from the depths of the earth.
Well, this is going to end painfully, she thought as the panic started to build. She took a few stumbling steps back from the crumbling earth before she could gain her footing, terrified the various cracks would split at any moment. The ground beneath her trembled as the beast continued its ascent. She could feel the vibrations in her bones. She’d go so far as to say she could feel them in her soul.
Clutching the bag of blessed salt to her chest, she waited for the beast to crest. The acrid, eye-watering smell of rotting eggs was enough to make her stomach lurch, had the terror paused a moment to give the smell a chance. Her stomach was somewhere up in her mouth; she was certain she’d vomit soon.
The beast crested with a monumental roar, it’s huge claws burying themselves deep in the dirt. The roar rocked her backwards, and she landed solidly on her behind. Damnit, she was really hoping these pants wouldn’t get dirty. The beast shook its massive head, and viscous gunk flew off in all directions. Where the gunk landed, it burned and gave off an incredibly foul smell. It reminded her of week old chicken breast left in the sun.
She trembled under the hot gaze of the beast. It reminded her of a bulldog, if the bulldog was covered in tar, had the fiery pits of Hell for eyes, and was the size of a three-bedroom house. Not to mention the monstrous claws and teeth. She wouldn’t mention those, and actively avoided staring at them for long.
Trembling, she yelled, “I’ve summoned you here! You will obey!” To add emphasis, she tossed a handful of salt at the beast.
The salt hit the beast and was quickly absorbed. It did nothing. It didn’t even sizzle. She stared, wide eyed, as the beast growled. Oh yeah, this was going to hurt.
“The first thing we need to do,” A voice roared above the beast, and a man’s head popped up behind a thick piece of gunk on the beast’s ear. “Is seriously injure whoever taught you how to summon. Salt? Really?”
Confused, she placed the bag of salt on the ground next to her, and began to stand. “Who are you?”
The man grinned and disappeared behind the beast again. A second later, she watched as he leaped from the beast’s back and landed hard on the cracked earth, unfazed. What the hell was going on? She had only summoned one demon, not two. If she had screwed up…well, there would be hell to pay, of that she was absolutely certain.
He sauntered over to her with one hand stuffed deep in the pocket of his black skinny jeans. His other hand teased his elbow length blonde hair, tossing it easily over his shoulder. He was taller than her, much taller, and appeared to be around her age. Appeared being the magical word here. His grin could only be matched by the smoldering look in his brown eyes, and her heart skipped a beat. There will be none of that, she admonished herself quickly. She realized her mouth was hanging open, and she closed it with an audible clack.
“You summoned me, and you’re asking who I am?” He asked her, his voice sultry and low. “My my, I certainly didn’t take you for being stupid. A bit naïve, maybe, but not stupid.”
Angry now, she snapped, “Well, excuse the fuck out of me.” She retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. “I didn’t expect you to be riding that…that…uh…thing!”
He laughed. It was an animated gesture that included throwing his head back and covering his eyes with his free hand. As the laugh burst from his open mouth, she blushed and squirmed. She knew well the powers of the underworld, but she had been certain she’d be unfazed. Only now did she realize how utterly incorrect she was in that assumption.
“You really thought that Hellhound was me?” He asked as the laughter died away.
She blushed as he peered at her through splayed fingers. “I did.” She answered honestly. “I was told to expect a hideous creature.”
He grinned, dropping his hand from his face. “Did you hear that, ol’ boy? She thinks you’re hideous!”
The beast growled deeply, and the ground shook with the sound. She tossed her hands up and shook her head, eyes widening, but the beast didn’t move. In fact, it didn’t seem to really understand the conversation, or, at least, wasn’t paying it much attention.
He watched her intently, and she squirmed again. “You know, us in the Underworld really aren’t as bad as the Sparklies tell you.” He reached forward and gently caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “Hell, we love you humans.”
She jerked away from him. “Don’t lie to me.”
He laughed again, though this one had no mirth in it. In fact, it sounded angry. His eyes hardened and the playful look on his face was gone. When he gripped her upper arm and pulled her into his embrace, she was unprepared for how gentle he was, and yelped in response. He didn’t seem to notice.
“Listen, kid, because I’m about to blow that naïve little mind of yours,” He growled in her ear, running his fingers through her hair. “Why do you think you don’t summon angels for favors? Why do you humans always run to the denizens of the Underworld? It’s because they don’t give a rat’s dead ass about you creatures. You are imperfect, impure, and disgusting little nobodies to them; pawns in the greater, unknown scheme of the Big Man.”
His chest was warm and he smelled of rich earth, the kind found in a moss-covered forests untouched by man. As he spoke, the vibrations rumbled through her, through her very soul if she could properly describe how she felt. It’s just magic, she tried to remind herself as she listened closely. He’s lying through his teeth, and using magic. Stay strong.
“We come when summoned because we like you humans. You guys are interesting. You’re always ready to throw such impossible things away for the most mundane,” He purred, still stroking her hair. “You’re more like us than you realize.”
He released her. She stumbled back a step, disoriented, and tripped over the bag of salt she left on the ground. As she struck the ground, again, she jolted to her senses and glared at the man. He was smiling, but that hard edge in his eyes hadn’t softened yet.
With a sweeping motion, he bowed elegantly. “Anyway, enough with the theatrics. How may I serve you, master?” Still bowed, he picked his head up to look at her, his grinning face framed in a halo of golden hair. “And don’t forget to offer something….titillating.”
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