24 comments/ 60676 views/ 15 favorites The Devil Buys My Soul Ch. 09-11 By: JoeDreamer Chapter Nine "Are they always this loud?" Sandy asked. She was smiling as she slowly shook her head. "Well, it has been two weeks," I replied with a shrug. I was still standing, even after ten minute of being in the same room with her. "Is that Lillith yelling?" she asked. I smiled and moved to a chair. I couldn't make myself sit on the same couch as her. "I don't think so," I replied. I wanted to touch Sandy so badly that I ached, but the whole situation was so surreal that I was afraid she would vanish if I tried. "My guess is that Katia is trying to fit Tyler's dick." "That's not possible," Sandy said, looking off into the distance. I was certain she knew from personal experience. I didn't want to think about it. "Not for a human," I agreed. I had so much to say, but didn't know where to begin. We were alone for the first time since the brief encounter at the reunion. "Why don't we take a walk?" Sandy said. I nodded and stood. We left the apartment and wandered around the complex. It was early October and the weather was unseasonably warm. Sandy took my hand as we passed through a nearby park. I could feel my pulse beat faster. "So, aren't you going to ask?" Sandy inquired with a slightly raised eyebrow. I took a deep breath. "I'm not sure I want to know." "I'm sure you don't," Sandy replied. "But I've come all this way to tell you what happening at Shelly insistence. It's not like I can go back without telling you." "So Shelly knows you're here?" I asked. I knew it was a stupid question as soon as the words left my mouth. Shelly always knew where Sandy was. Sandy didn't even bother to do much more than nod. I sighed and asked, "So, what's the news?" "Shelly's career is really taking off. They've extended her tour," Sandy said with a sad smile. I shook my head. "So, she's not coming back for Halloween?" I asked, sounding little better than I felt. "No," Sandy replied. "She sent me to thank you for getting 'Ted' to stop interfering." "You're kidding?" I asked in surprise. "No," she replied with a shake of her head. "I was surprised myself." "So, what do you think she's up to? Why did Shelly really send you with Tyler?" "I'm not sure," Sandy answered with a frown. "Shelly wasn't very clear. She sent me here, told me to thank you, keep an eye on Tyler and have some fun." "Have some fun?" I asked in amazement. "Those were her exact words." "Wow," I said. "Either stardom has mellowed Shelly's considerably or she's planning something big." "It very well could be the former. You should see her! Shelly's loving her new star status," Sandy said, and then laughing added, "She barely has time to see me or Tyler, much less spend any real time with us. I was actually starting to get lonely!" "So, did Shelly give you any limitations on what you can do while you're here?" I asked. Sandy raised an eyebrow. She knew exactly what I was thinking. "Don't you have a succubus to deal with your needs?" she asked pointedly, but didn't really look upset. "My sexual need, yes," I replied with a shrug. "But it's been a long time since I made love to a woman." "Does that line usually work?" she teased. I pulled her to me and kissed her. It was electric. I felt whole for the first time in a long time. Her soft curves drew me to her and her imperfect smile made me grin. I really did love everything about Sandy. "You tell me," I joked once we finally broke from the kiss. "Let's go to my place," she answered. I could see a need in her eyes that mirrored my own. Sandy led me to her car and broke quite a few traffic regulations on the way to the house she shared with Shelly and Tyler. We had the house to ourselves. Tyler would be busy with Katia and Lillith for the rest of the night and Shelly was an ocean away. "Nice place," I offered as we entered. "Shut up and take off your clothes!" she snapped as she quickly shut the door and started stripping her own clothes. "Are you always this bossy?" I asked, but I also started removing my clothes. "Do you have any idea of how often I've fantasized about you over the years? Especially, the last four months?" "No, tell me," I replied. She stopped undressing and looked at me carefully. "You might not want to know," she replied softly. I tilted my head and watched her curiously. She sighed and started to explain, "Shelly really is a virgin. I don't know why she's never let anyone touch her, but she hasn't." "Um, I thought the Devil said you two..." I began, but couldn't finish. I blushed. It was silly, but I couldn't help it. "We did when we were younger," Sandy replied. She was also blushing, but that didn't stop her from continuing. "However, she's never touched me since the day she made her deal with Satan and she's never been with a man." "Something to do with the deal?" I frowned. "No, I don't think so," Sandy said, shaking her head. She sighed loudly and added, "But that's besides the point. My purpose in telling you all this is so that you understand. Shelly never touches me or anyone else for that matter, but she does use me." "I know," I said quickly, trying to ease her discomfort at talking to me about this issue. "I was there in the coat check room at the reunion when Tommy Geskin and you were...well, you know." "That was to try and get Shelly's career jump started. She always offered me to anybody who might remotely help her in that area, but I wasn't only talking about that," Sandy replied. "What else?" I asked, desperate to know and frightened to find out. "I helped support her while she worked at being a singer," Sandy said, obviously working her way up to something. She looked at me and sighing added, "Look, there is no easy way to say this. Shelly used me as a relatively high priced call girl to help pay the bills. I even danced at a club two towns over." "That bitch!" I snapped. It was a ridiculous reaction, but I couldn't help it. Sandy was Shelly's slave. I understood that. I could even accept that she used Sandy to entice record executives. Yet, to me that was a lot different then using her as a prostitute. I always thought that no matter how Shelly acted, she had to really care deeply for Sandy. After all, Sandy was a large part of the reason why Shelly took the Devil's deal. However, that didn't seem possible to me now. "I can understand her giving you to a man to try and reach for her dream of stardom, but for money?" I said, getting angrier as I spoke. "To Shelly, the money was something she needed to get to her goal. She didn't separate the two like you obviously do," Sandy said, sounding concerned, but not overly upset. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "You don't seem particularly bothered by the way she's used you," I finally said. "I'm not," Sandy answered succinctly. "Oh, it bothers me a little if I think about it, but you have to remember that my whole life revolves around Shelly. Anything I do that helps her makes me feel better." "So you enjoyed being a prostitute?" I asked in disbelief. "No," she said with a pained smile. "I enjoyed being able to help Shelly." "I'm confused," I said, rubbing my hand through my hair. "Did you or did you not enjoy having sex with all those men?" "It wasn't only men," she said, stalling to gather her thoughts. I had a flash of her in the same bed as Lillith and maybe Katia. I really was a perverted son of a bitch! "What does all this have to do with you fantasizing about me?" I asked. "I'm getting to that," she smiled. She looked nervous as she shook her head and started to explain, "Look, I won't lie to you. I did enjoy the sex with some of the people I slept with, but not the majority. That doesn't mean doing it didn't make me feel good in a non-sexual way because my having sex with those stranger pleased Shelly and making her happy is my purpose in life." "So if pleasing Shelly is you're life, then why are you here with me?" I asked. "Because Shelly sent me," Sandy replied. The words hurt, but before I could say anything she continued, "And because I love you. I've always loved you. As long as that love doesn't interfere with Shelly happiness I can feel it and share it with you." "That not what I want," I replied with a sigh. "I want the unconditional love two souls feel for each other when they're meant to be together." Sandy looked at me and smiled sadly. I though that somewhere deep down she wanted the same thing, but she couldn't say so because of Shelly's control. "You know, I imagined that I was making love with you every time I was with someone. It helped me enjoy it more and allowed me to please Shelly," she said. I smiled sadly. "That's what you meant about fantasizing about me." "That's only part of it," she replied. "I also daydream about us. I have so many scenes of us being together in my head that I'm surprised there's room for anything else." "What kind of scenes?" I asked. "All kinds," she replied. "One of my favorites is of us decorating a Christmas tree." "So, they're not all sexual," I joked, forcing a smile. "Oh, I have those too," she teased back, and then smiling hopefully added, "I'm willing to show you some of them if you can accept the limitations my relationship with Shelly demands." "I can do that," I replied with a grin, but I lost my smile as I added, "For the time being." "That will have to do," she said, stepping into my embrace. We kissed again. We stood there for as long as I could stand it, but in the end that was only a couple of minutes. I lifted Sandy into my arms carried her toward the bedrooms. Sandy laughed and pointed toward a door. We entered a bedroom with a full king sized bed. There was also a hot tub. "Maybe later," Sandy giggled when she saw me looking at the tub. "I can't wait that long!" "Me neither!" I growled. We lay next to each other on the bed. We were both naked and Sandy was slowly stoking my cock while I took my time caressing her chest. She leaned in and kissed me. I'm not sure how long we lay there, but eventually Sandy climbed on top of me and sank down on my dick. She was panting gently and biting her lower lip. Her hands were on my chest. "This feels so good!" she cried. I didn't trust myself to reply. Instead, I placed my hands behind my head and smiled up at her. She shook her head and added, "I guess your going to leave all the work up to me." "For the time being," I replied with a grin. She rolled her eyes and slowly started riding my cock. I watched her face as she grew closer and closer to her orgasm. The desire and emotions there thrilled me more than I could say. I realized that this was more than just sex. I'd never felt this way with anyone else! Not even my ex-wife! "Yes!" Sandy cried as she stiffened out in orgasm. She was sweating slightly and gasping for air. I watched her face as I continued to lie there smiling. My cock was hard, but I wasn't close to cumming yet. Sandy fell forward on my chest when she was finally done. We lay like that, my cock still in her for a few minutes as she caught her breath. I wrapped my arms around her and just lay there enjoying the weight of her against my body. "You didn't cum. What's the matter?" Sandy asked once she calmed. She looked a little sad. "Not as good as the succubus?" "Are you kidding?" I laughed, hugging her tightly. "I've never felt this good in all my life!" "But..." Sandy began. I cut her off. "Not buts," I insisted. "I love you and that was amazing!" She made to speak again, but I covered her lips with my fingers. Her face was only a couple of inches from mine. I smiled and teased her by saying, "Don't ruin the moment!" She bit my fingers causing me to cry out, "Ouch! You bitch!" I was half mad and half laughing. "What are you going to do about it?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. "This!" I cried, pulling her mouth to mine. She kissed me back just as hard as I kissed her. I still had my arms around her and the head of my dick was inside of her. I held her tightly and started thrusting my hips up toward her. "It's about time!" she snapped briefly before thrusting her tongue deep into my mouth. I lowered my hands to her hips and started slamming up into her harder. I was soon moving as quickly as I could. Sandy wrapped her hands around my neck and held on. "Not again already!" she cried a few moments later. She stiffened above me and came as I watched. Her face tightened in orgasm. I gently kissed her face until she was done. "I could watch you do that all night," I sighed. She was a dead weight on my chest that felt wonderful. "I'd really like for you to join me one of these times," she grumbled. I laughed and rolled us over. I was now on top and between her legs. I started moving in and out of her slowly. I kissed her face and neck until she started panting again. I moved to her chest and she held my head between her breasts. "I'm getting close again!" she eventually said. I moved up and kissed her before adding, "Me too!" I started thrusting in with more force. Sandy cried out each time. "Cum in me!" Sandy demanded suddenly. "Soon!" I cried. "Now!" she demanded. "Not yet!" "Fill me!" "Now!" I cried out and then grunted as I thrust up into her one last time and filled her pussy with my cum. "I can feel it!" Sandy cried out as she started shaking uncontrollably. We both continued to orgasm for quite some time. She gave me one last kiss when we were done. "Are you up for another go?" I asked with a smile. I wasn't anywhere near ready. All I really wanted to do was wrap her in my arms and sleep, but if she wanted more, I would find a way of giving it to her. "In the morning," she promised with a smile. "I'm tired. Just hold me." I moved off of Sandy, but snuggled close. We spooned and I squeezed her tight one last time. She ran her nails along my thigh briefly and I kissed the back of her head. We both fell asleep moments later. I woke up and smiled. The drapes were open and the dawning sun lit the room. I sighed as I remembered Sandy's promise. I grinned and gently rubbed her breast. I looked forward to trying more of her fantasies. I had some of my own I planned on sharing with her as well. "Sandy," I said lovingly when she didn't react to my touch quick enough. I could feel my cock hardening and I wanted her. I didn't have the patience to wait for her to awake on her own. "Wake up!" I rolled Sandy toward me. I was leaning over to kiss her when I realized the truth. "No!" I screamed as my heart stopped and my soul cried out in agony. Sandy was dead! Her face was pale and stiff and she wasn't breathing. I jumped out of the bed. "Satan!" I screamed. "I know what my second wish is! I want Sandy to be alive! Satan, do you hear me!" He didn't appear and in my madness and pain I called to my old friend, "Ted!" This time the Devil did appear. He looked at me and I think there was a touch of sadness in his eyes, but I couldn't be certain. "You can take both wishes! Just make her live!" I begged. "That's beyond the scope of your wishes," he said calmly. "That would take a full blown miracle." "But..." I started to argue, however there was enough of my friend Ted in his face for me to read his expression. I wasn't going to be able to change his mind. "Who did this?" I asked, feeling lost and alone. "Shelly," he replied. "That Bitch!" I cried. My feelings of loss turned to rage. "I want her dead! I want her to feel the worse pain imaginable! Do you hear me? Make it one of my wishes!" "I can't do that," the Devil replied. "Why?" I asked, my fists clenching and unclenching in unspent rage. "She's already dead," Satan replied. "If it's any consolidation, she is currently feeling the worse pain imaginable. Actually, it's even worse then that." I looked at him, only half understanding what he was saying. "She's dead?" I asked in bewilderment. "Suicide," he replied. "She used pills." "Why?" I found myself asking again. Satan didn't reply. Sandy's life force was tied to Shelly's. It was part of the deal Shelly made with the Devil. Her death caused Sandy to die. I had two wishes left and they were both useless. "I could take you to her?" he offered. His words seemed to be coming from far away. It took me a moment to register. "You can?" I asked hopefully. "Sure," he replied. "All you need to do is wish yourself dead." "You bastard!" I cried. "You bastard!" "Oh, come on! What's the point of living without her?" he asked. "Nothing!" I replied. "If I thought for a moment that you'd actually let us be together, I wouldn't even need to use a wish. I'd kill myself with my bare hands! But I know you. There is no chance of that happening!" "So, you'll continue living without her?" he asked. "I don't know about living," I said. "But I'll survive. Sandy would want me to." "Spoken like a true coward," he said. The laughter that followed was cruel. "I've never denied being a coward," I sighed. I couldn't feel anything. I was numb. I knew it was the shock, but it didn't mean anything to me. "But I'm certainly not a stupid coward." "So, what are you going to do?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. "I going to spend the next month thinking long and hard," I replied as I glared at him. "And if I'm smart enough and lucky enough, maybe I'll find some way of getting back at you for this! After all, I still have two wishes." "I admire your tenacity," Satan replied. "Have fun trying!" He laughed again and then disappeared. I turned back toward the bed and looked one last time for the woman I loved, but she wasn't there. What was left was a soulless corpse. I felt gnawing in the pit of my stomach as I reached for the phone. I dialed 911 to get the police. They would come and get rid of the body. I couldn't bring myself to touch it again. Chapter Ten "Having fun?" I looked up and saw Satan sitting two bar stools down. The place was all but empty this early. Later would be a different story. It would be packed with all kinds of people. It was a Monday night, but that didn't matter. It was also Halloween. "Long time no see," I said. I could still feel the hatred and anger from the month before, but it was muted. He looked the same. Not me. The last month was the most difficult in my life. "Lillith keeping you busy?" he asked. "I haven't seen her in two weeks," I replied, knowing that he already knew it. "Yes, but you did have fun those first two weeks," he replied. I sighed as I remembered my initial reaction to Sandy's death. I was mad, and by mad, I don't mean angry. "Not really," I replied. He smiled. He knew exactly just how close I came to complete insanity. For two weeks I used Lillith to hide from my pain. She fulfilled every single one of my dark fantasies. I did things with her that sickened me. Yet, none of it bothered her. As long as there was sex involved she enjoyed it all. That was probably the only thing that stopped me from going mad now with guilt. "I thought you were going to let her kill you," Satan said, no longer smiling. "I might have," I replied honestly. I was too tired and depressed to lie. "But Katia wouldn't let me. I think that Lillith even tried to help." "Lillith?" the Devil said in disbelief. He laughed and added, "She wouldn't do anything that interfered with the possibility of her having sex. She is a succubus after all!" "Maybe you're right," I said with a shrug. "But that last day she used Sandy's likeness. She had to know how I would react to that." "You think she expected you to keel over and throw up all over her?" he asked, his disbelief growing. The Devil Buys My Soul Ch. 09-11 "I did worse over that two weeks," I replied soberly. "I know," he smiled. "Some of it was quite inventive." "Why are you here?" I sighed, changing the subject. "Just wondering if you've decided how to use your last two wishes?" he said with an indifferent shrug. "You only have to midnight to use them." "Dawn tomorrow," I replied. He smiled and nodded, but something about the way he said it peaked my interest. He couldn't possibly still be worried about anything. He won the moment Sandy died. I spent the last two weeks drinking and trying to come up with some way of hurting him, but it was all so pointless. I couldn't hurt him. He was the Devil. He'd probably like it if I could. "So, are you going to Freddie's party?" he asked. "Katia is insisting that Tyler and I go," I replied. Thoughts of Tyler made me shake my head. He took Shelly's death almost as bad as I took Sandy's. Their relationship was still an enigma to me, but it didn't matter anymore. Shelly was gone, just like Sandy. Neither of us would have survived without Katia's intervention. "She is becoming a bit bossy, isn't she?" Satan asked. I looked at him and laughed. "She has a strong maternal instinct and a large capacity for love." "Falling in love with her?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. "Not that kind of love," I replied with a sigh. "There is another type?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. I shook my head and he laughed. "So, what brings you here? Really?" I said as I threw back my drink. "Nothing special," he said. It was a lie. I knew it and waited silently. He pointed toward the door and added, "Oh, I did want you to be present for the creation of a new succubus." There was no flash or bang. There was no sign at all that something happened. Yet, suddenly Shelly was standing there. Any succubus could have taken on her appearance, but I knew it was really Shelly, the woman who caused the death of my soul mate. She looked confused. "Over here Shelly," Satan called, waving her over. She moved toward us slowly. She looked at the Devil fearfully. "Ted, you really are Satan," she said. Her eyes looked haunted. A month burning in hell would do that to a person. I should have felt bad for her. After all, hell was hell and no one deserved what it offered. Yet, as I looked at her I couldn't bring myself to feel anything other than hatred. "You never did accept that," he replied with a smile. "I do now!" she said, shivering in memory. I doubted she could remember everything she suffered. If she did, she would have to be insane. "Too late!" Satan laughed. Shelly nodded glumly. There was nothing she could do to change the reality of the situation, me neither. "Why am I here?" she asked. Shelly had yet to do more than give me a cursory look. "Can't you feel it?" Satan asked. Shelly frowned. "Feel what?" "Why, the desire burning within you!" Satan smiled in reply. "I don't feel any different then when I was alive," Shelly insisted. "That's because you've always had that sexual desire burning deep. You refused to release it and it gnawed at you from the inside," Satan said. Shelly shrugged and Satan laughed. "You may not think it's a big deal right now, but it will get worse as time passes. I'll bet you that in less than an hour you'll be begging me for a release. You'll do anything for sex!" "I will not!" Shelly snapped angrily, but she backed off quickly when she looked into Satan eyes. "Can I wish you to make someone a succubus?" I asked, interrupting. I wasn't sure what answer I wanted to hear. I would do anything to get Sandy back, but to make her a succubus was to make her the ultimate prostitute. Every fiber of my being revolted against such a thing, but at least it would get her out of hell. "Do you really want Sandy to be like Lillith and Shelly?" Satan asked with a raised eyebrow. "No!" I cried, but then I shook my head and added just as adamantly, "But at least it would free her from hell!" "A succubus," Shelly said in horror, as if just realizing what happened. She turned to me and gasped, "This isn't freedom from hell! It is hell!" I nodded. It was hell for Shelly, but would it be for Sandy? I didn't know the answer and I was petrified I'd make the wrong decision. Truthfully, I was in no shape to make any decisions at all. "You haven't answered me," I said to the Devil. "No, you can't wish for me to make Sandy a succubus," he said with a shake of his head. I was both relieved and disappointed. That was, until he smiled and added, "Although I am willing to do so in trade for your last two wishes." I groaned. To have Sandy back! To hold her in my arms one last time! I would burn in hell for the chance. I was going to anyway. "Don't!" Shelly cried. "Sandy would not want you to! You have no idea how bad this is! The desire is getting worse!" I looked at her and groaned again. Shelly sounded so confident, but was she right or just expressing her own feelings toward the change? "How can you be so sure?" I asked, rubbing my head, trying to clear out the cobwebs that filled my mind. "The need is growing inside of me," she gasped, ignoring my question for the moment. "It burns!" "Yes," the Devil said calmly. "Your desire will grow until it consumes you. That's the life of a succubus." "I can feel it!" Shelly groaned as turned back toward me. "It's more powerful than anything I've ever felt before! It's only a matter of time before I start begging him for release. Me! I kept my virginity all those years and I would give it up right now if he would just allow it!" She was pointing angrily at the Devil. He was smiling. He shook his head no, denying her the release she craved. "But..." I began. Shelly would have none of it. "No! If you turn her into a succubus you're doing it for you and not her! I've known Sandy far longer than you. She was my slave, but also my confident and friend. She wouldn't want this!" Shelly insisted. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "You're right," I said slowly. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make, even harder than deciding to sell my soul. "Thank you," she replied, sounding serious. She must really care for Sandy somewhere deep down in her sick mind, but that didn't make me feel any better. "Oh, don't thank me," I said, turning toward her. My eyes were cold and she took a step back. "You're still the reason why the woman I love is dead and burning in hell." "But..." said began, trying to explain. I wasn't interested. I wanted Shelly to pay for what she did. There was only one way to do that. I turned to Satan. "I wish Shelly the Succubus was mine to command forever," I said. Satan raised an eyebrow momentarily, but then shrugged. "Done," he said. "You seem to be collecting succubae." "What?" Shelly said in horror. I turned back to her and smiled. "You are mine," I said, smiling cruelly. Shelly's eyes grew big. "What are you going to do with me?" she said, knowing the truth of my words. "Nothing," I replied. "Nothing?" Shelly said in confusion. "Lillith!" I called and she walked through the front door. We were in a bar, so she was dressed this time, but that didn't stop every man and woman present from watching her make her way toward me. It would be years, possibly decades before Shelly could move like that. "Yes, mast..." she began, but then cut herself off when she saw Shelly standing there. "What's she doing here?" Lillith didn't look happy. "She is a new succubus and also mine to command," I replied. Lillith's unhappiness turned to fear. "Have I displeased you master?" she asked. "No," I replied honestly, and then smiling coldly, added, "She has." Lillith looked at me carefully before smiling. "What can I do for you, master?" she asked. "I was thinking about giving her to you. Shelly would be succubus's succubus," I offered. Shelly looked horrified as I expected, but Lillith expression surprised me. She looked disgusted. "Master, succubae do not get along. We can get no enjoyment from each other and therefore look at each other only as adversaries," Lillith said. "I didn't realize," I said in surprise. "I'd never get any use out of them if I let succubae be satisfied by succubae alone," the Devil put in. I shook my head because it made sense. "Well, if you look at each other as adversaries, wouldn't you what to have her as your slave?" I asked Lillith. "What for?" Lillith replied with a shrug. "I can't destroy her and nothing I do with her would lead to sexual gratification for me, so what would be the point?" "I understand," I said with a shake of my head. Why was I going to do with Shelly? "You could give her to another human," Lillith offered, but then quickly added, "No one around here. I'm already satisfying all of your friends." "Bitch!" Shelly snapped at Lillith. I wasn't sure why, but I was too busy thinking about what to do with her to pay attention. "You could be the first to take her. You are her master, after all," the Devil said. Lillith, Shelly and I all looked unhappy at that answer. Satan laughed. "It was just a thought." "Master, if you like her form I could..." Lillith began, but I cut her off. "No, I like you the way you are," I replied. Lillith was my favorite brunette again. "Besides, you've already taken her form before." "Yes, just a couple of weeks ago," Lillith smiled while I grimaced at the same memory. "Do you think we could do that again any time soon? I enjoyed it immensely!" "Well see," I replied, but I had no intention of ever treating anyone like that again, not even a succubus. "What did you do?" Shelly asked. Lillith opened her mouth, but I silenced her with a look. "Don't ask," I replied. "Let's just say that I went a little crazy when Sandy died. I took it out on Lillith." "Yes, he made me take your form. He did some wickedly..." Lillith said, but I cut her off. "Lillith! How would you like to be celibate for a month?" I snapped. "No! Master, I'm sorry!" she cried. "You bastard!" Shelly interjected, upset with what I obviously did. "Just be thankful that I'm not tempted to do the same thing to you!" I snapped. "I could, you know, and you would enjoy it just as much as Lillith!" Shelly shrank back. "Master?" Lillith said tentatively. "Am I not your favorite?" "Oh, be quiet!" I growled. "I can't even bare the thought of touching her, much less giving her sexual satisfaction!" Lillith smiled and I shook my head. The Devil laughed. "What do you think is so funny? I still have one wish," I said. He smiled and shrugged. "Yes, but it's only one now," he said. "You could have had them both if I'd given in and exchanged them for your turning Sandy into a succubus," I reminded him. "It was pretty close!" "Not really," he smiled. "What?" I asked in surprise. "The offer was false," he said with a shrug. "I had no intention of turning Sandy into a succubus." "But, why not?" He smiled widely and refused to answer. "So, what about that third wish?" Satan asked. "I'll see you later," I said in dismissal. He looked at me and laughed one last time as he stood and left the bar. "Lillith take her back to my apartment," I sighed. "But master..." Lillith began. I held up my hand to forestall her words. "I want you to make sure that she doesn't have sex with anyone." I said. Lillith smiled nervously and nodded. She still wasn't happy, but at least I was not letting Shelly have any sex. "Shelly, go with her," I commanded. I saw Shelly hesitate, but it was a wasted effort. She was mine and could not deny me. I smiled coldly and added, "Doesn't feel good to be under someone else's command, does it?" "She'll learn to like it!" Lillith said helpfully. I saw Shelly grimace at the thought. They walked out of the bar together. I ordered another drink and sat there wondering just how stupid a man could be. I wasted my second wish on what? Vengeance? Wasn't the Devil making Shelly a succubus vengeance enough? "There you are!" I turned and sighed. Would no one leave me alone today? "Hello, Katia," I said. She shook her head and looked me over carefully. "At least you can still speak," she said. "Give me an hour," I replied, reaching for my drink. Her hand reached it first. She picked up my glass and downed the shot in one gulp. "No time!" she said. "Let's go. We've got a costume party to get ready for!" "You seemed really pleased about this party," I said. "And why shouldn't I be?" she asked in reply as she pulled me out of the bar. "I've never been to a costume party before!" "You're just hoping that seeing some of our old friends will break Tyler and me from our depression," I said. She smiled and shrugged. "That too," she said. "But I wouldn't mind meeting someone nice." We arrived back at my apartment not long afterward. Tyler was for all intents and purposes, living with me. He had the place he shared with Shelly and Sandy on the market. There were already a few buyers interested. Lillith was always with me unless I chose to send her away. Katia still kept her place, but visited daily and slept over almost as often as she went home. We were turning into one very dysfunctional little family. I wondered what exactly Shelly would add to the mix. "Where's Tyler?" I asked as I entered the living room. Lillith was there, looking nervous. "He's in the bedroom with Shelly," she said. "Didn't I tell you to make sure she didn't have any sex?" I snapped. "Shelly?" Katia asked in surprise. "They aren't having any sex! They're just talking. Talking and crying!" Lillith cried out defensively. I stormed into the room angrily, but couldn't get myself to speak when I saw them holding each other. They were standing and Shelly's head was resting on Tyler's shoulder. They ignored me. "My whole adult life I convinced myself that all I wanted was to be a star!" Shelly said through her tears. "But the truth was that once I had it, I realized I only really wanted you!" "You've always had me," Tyler replied. The emotions were so heart rending that I had to slip out of the room before I screamed or did something worse. It was so unfair! Tyler and Shelly were able to share their love, but I was stuck without mine. "What's wrong?" Katia asked. I knew I was pale and I was sure my pain was clear for everyone to see. "Nothing!" I snapped. "Let's go. We'll meet everyone else at the party. Lillith stay here and make sure they don't have any sexual contact." She didn't look thrilled, but the succubus nodded. Katia and I threw on our costumes and left quickly. I made my way straight to the bar as soon as we arrived. Katia followed me. She didn't know anyone at the party. I was dressed as a sultan. Katia was dressed as my harem girl. Tyler was supposed to come dressed as a caveman. Lillith would be his cavewomen. None of us had particularly original costumes, but Katia spent a lot of time making each of them. She was a talented seamstress and we all looked good when we tried on the costumes the night before. "Long time no see." I turned and saw Susan from the gym standing in line behind me. "Hello, Susan," I said, giving her a brief kiss. "You didn't have to stop coming to the gym if you didn't want to work for me," she said. I laughed. "That wasn't the reason why I stopped coming. Neither were you," I said. So much had happened since we were together. It felt like a lifetime ago. I pushed the thoughts back and made introductions, "This is Katia." "Hi!" Susan said. "Hello," Katia replied. She was looking at Susan as if she wanted to eat her. I couldn't blame her. Susan looked good. She was dressed as a high school gym teacher. Actually she looked very much like one of our old high school teachers. "I didn't know you were friends with Freddy," I said. "We've known each other for years," Susan replied. "I went to school with his sister Marge." "Nice costume," I smiled. "Marge and Freddy insisted," she said with a blush. "They thought it would be funny since so many of Freddy's old high school friends were supposed to show this year." "Are you any relation to Mrs. White?" I asked. "No," she replied with a smile. "Marge showed me an old year book picture of her and I did my best to try and look like her." "You did a great job! You'd better be careful. She was a favorite of most of the guys in my class. I expect you'll be hit on frequently tonight," I teased. "Are you kidding?" she joked back. "I've already been propositioned by three guys!" Tyler walked up with Shelly and Lillith. Shelly had on Lillith's cavewoman costume. Lillith was dressed identically to Katia. Now I had two harem girls. "I always thought Mrs. White was into girls," Tyler said. "She was," Shelly said knowingly. She seemed distracted. There were so many people on hormone highs in the room that it must be driving a succubus in her condition mad. Even Lillith kept looking around and licking her lips. "I don't suppose you are?" Katia asked Susan. "Into girls, that is?" Susan just smiled and winked. "Susan, this is Tyler, Shelly and Lillith," I said in introduction. I figured I better get it done quickly before Katia dragged Susan away. The party continued, but I drifted away from the others. They were all so happy and I couldn't bring myself to fake it any longer. Tyler and Shelly made it harder than ever. "Only a few more hours," the Devil said when he found me. He looked like Ted again. Well, Ted in a pirate costume. "I thought you'd come as the Devil," I said. "Too easy," he replied. I laughed as I shook my head. How could I talk to him so calmly and laugh at his jokes? He was evil incarnate! I hated him with every ounce of my being, but I also loved him for being the best friend I ever had. "So, I guess you want to know what my last wish is going to be?" I asked. "Yes?" he asked in reply. It was a little too quick. I smiled. "Me too," I said with a shrug. He froze and looked at me. "You are such a dick!" he finally laughed. "Yes, but not as big of one as Tyler," I quipped. Satan laughed louder. "I wouldn't be so sure!" he got out. "Let's have a drink and talk about old times." An hour later we were sitting in a corner discussing how much our classmates had changed since high school. I was certain that half the people in the room were doing the same thing. "Look at her! She was a tank back in high school! She looks like a goddess now!" Satan said. "Sam Paulson swore she was great at giving head too," I replied. "He's a priest now," the Devil said, sounding serious. "Really?" I asked in surprise. Sam was one of the biggest womanizers back in high school. "No!" the Devil snorted. "Sam is on his third wife and sixth child!" "You're kidding?" I said. "Yes, I am," Satan laughed. "Sam is actually living in Hawaii with his wife and their three kids. They won a small lottery not too many years ago." "Bull!" I cried. "No, really," the Devil insisted. I shook my head. I didn't know whether to believe him or not. It didn't really matter anyway. "It's the witching hour!" Freddy called out as the clock in house struck midnight. The Monster Mash started playing in the background. "Dianne Phillips!" I said with a laugh. "And Tina Jacobs!" Satan replied. "I haven't thought about them in years!" I said, continuing to laugh. Ted and I doubled dated them freshman year. We made a bet on who could get further during Fred's Halloween party that year. We both ended up getting slapped during Fred's traditional Monster Mash song. The ladies left together and didn't bother speaking to us ever again. We sat together listening to the song until it ended. The Devil Buys My Soul Ch. 09-11 "I have to be going," the Devil said, sounding disappointed. It was crazy. I hated him and missed him terribly. "Give me a call when you think of your third wish." "I will," I grinned. "And don't worry. It will be before sunrise!" He shrugged and faded away. I wondered through the room and found Tyler and most of the others on a couch. Shelly was sitting next to him. I looked at them and shook my head. Katia and Susan were also sitting next to each other. They were whispering back and forth. Lillith was standing off to one side with two guys talking to her. They were obviously making moves on her and she loved every minute of it! I looked at them all and smiled. I realized just how odd it was. Katia, Lillith and Tyler were all linked to me in their own ways, but the strongest link of all, we shared together. It was friendship. "Shelly, come here," I said, interrupting everyone. Tyler rose with her. Lillith continued to talk to the two men, but I could tell she was also listening. Katia was torn between listening and paying attention to Susan. "Why don't I go freshen up?" Susan said, realizing she was intruding on something she had no part in, at least not yet. "Thank you," Katia said with a smile. "Don't disappear." "I won't," Susan replied as she stood to leave. "I'll be by the bar when you're done." "Yes, mas... master," Shelly stuttered as she walked up to me. She was in pain. I could see it in her eyes. "You're really having problems," I said, surprised by the intensity. "Lillith thinks that it might have to do with her denial of gratification during life," Tyler put in. "Now that she's a succubus, her natural desires have overridden the iron control of her human form. She's being hammered by all that pent up sexuality." I nodded in understanding. "Shelly, why did you do it?" I asked. She looked at me with a sad smile and shrugged. "I loved Tyler and you took him away from me," she said simply. "What?" I said in surprise. "I didn't take him away from you!" "No, you did something worse! You gave him someone who could fulfill his needs! That was something I couldn't do!" she cried. "I told you I had three wishes. I could have used them to help you and Tyler if you just bargained with me!" I replied, rubbing my hand through my hair. "Why else do you think I let Tyler have Lillith? I was hoping it would make you agree to free Sandy!" "I know," she said with a sigh. "But you have to understand, I'm pretty sure I was already mad, or at least so filled with hatred that I couldn't see the reality of what you were offering." "And now you can?" I asked in amazement. Shelly smiled crookedly. "You'd be amazed what a month in hell will do to a person," she said. I shook my head. Was she trying to say that a month in hell cured her insanity? That was crazy! "And I'm sure that turning into a succubus was soul altering as well," Katia put in. I almost forgot she was there. "Am I now supposed to forgive you everything and let you and Tyler share your love while Sandy and I are forever separated?" I asked angrily. Shelly's head fell while Tyler pressed his lips together. He obviously wanted to say something, but was fighting himself. "You could," Katia said calmly. "Well forget it!" I snapped. "I won't do it!" "Please," Tyler finally said. I looked into his eyes and saw his pain. It was pain I was causing. I still hated Shelly, but Tyler was another thing altogether. He was a friend. "Shelly, I want you to suffer for what you did!" I snapped. I turned away to storm out of the room. Yet, instead I turned back and took a deep breath before adding, "And I would make it happen if it were just you and me involved." "What do you mean?" she asked, not allowing herself to hope. The next words out of my mouth could give her a lifetime of pain or pleasure. I was sorely tempted to choose the former. "I may have sold my soul to the Devil, but I haven't given up my humanity. At least not yet," I finally said. "You mean..." Tyler began. I smiled and cut him off. "Tyler, you've been a good friend these last four months. If Shelly is what you want, then so be it," I said, placing my hand on his shoulder and meeting his gaze. He smiled tentatively. "Shelly, I transfer my ownership of you to Tyler. You are his to command." "Thank you!" Tyler said, pulling me into a bear hug. I was quite a bit bigger than him, but it didn't matter. "Just be careful," I said with a smile. "She may love you, but she is a succubus. If you let her, she will fuck you to death! It's her nature." "Yes, but what a way to go," he laughed. "Maybe," I said with a shrug. "But you'll still be dead and then Satan will have power over both of you again." "I understand," Tyler said seriously. "I'll be careful." "Good! Now, get out of here before I change my mind!" I growled. Tyler laughed because he knew I was just kidding. You couldn't change your mind about something like that. Of course, that didn't stop him from grabbing Shelly and making his way toward the door. "That was nice," Katia said with a smile. "Don't you think you better go find Susan?" I said pointedly. "She is dressed like a gym teacher and all the men left are pretty drunk." "I'll call you tomorrow," Katia laughed as she made her way toward the bar. 'Lillith,' I thought. 'Yes, master?' she asked hopefully. She was still looking and talking to the two men. 'Go ahead and have some fun,' I sighed. 'Thank you master!' she cried in my head. 'Only...' I began, but she cut me off. 'I know, I know, don't kill them!' 'Well, I never really did like Justin,' I said with a grin. He was the taller of the two men talking to Lillith. It was a sign of Lillith's and my growing relationship that she laughed. It wasn't long ago that she would have taken me literally. "You humans are an odd bunch." I turned toward the voice. It belonged to tall, handsome man. I had no idea who he was, or what he meant. "Pardon me?" I asked. He smiled. His teeth were white and even. He was dressed in robes. I guessed his costume was some philosopher like Plato or Socrates. It would explain his words, at least a little. "You sell your souls for the most inane things like beauty or a healthy life," he replied. So, he wasn't just a guy in a costume. "To some of us those aren't inane things," I replied, and then added, "Who are you?" "How could they not be?" he asked in reply, ignoring my question. "Katia didn't want to be beautiful for vanities sake no matter what she says. She wanted to be beautiful so that others would accept her. Human being are a social animal and we need each other," I replied. "An interesting view point," he said. "I'll have to keep it in mind when it's her turn to be judged." "Judged?" I asked in confusion. "Judged," he said confidently. I didn't like the sound of that. "I don't understand." "I know," he smiled. "Well?" I asked, getting annoyed with his superior attitude. He started to turn away, but he stopped suddenly and frowned. "Yes, Father," he finally sighed before turning back to me. "I am told to explain what I'm doing here to you." "Go ahead," I sighed, and then added sarcastically, "I'm all ears!" "I'll never understand the human need for sarcasm," he said with a shrug. I was tempted to try and explain it to him, but I stopped myself. "You were going to explain?" I prompted. "Well, yes," he said, gathering his thoughts. "I guess the first thing you need to know is that I'm the Archangel Michael." I nodded. What the hell? I didn't see why this stuck up pretty boy couldn't be an Archangel. After all, Satan was my best friend Ted. The whole universe was going bonkers. "Okay," I said with a shrug. "I didn't think God took such an active interest in mankind." "You'd be surprised," Michael said with a role of his eyes. He looked honestly annoyed. I sighed. This was going to be a long conversation. The Archangel didn't notice my reaction. "If you remember you religious teachings, you know that human's are judged by God when you die. If you are good, you go to Heaven. If not, you go to hell." "That sounds familiar," I said, keeping the sarcasm out of my voice. It wasn't easy. He smiled, nodded and continued. "Well, that not true in every case," he said. "What?" I asked in surprise. "Please don't interrupt," he said with a heavy sigh. I wanted to scream. How could I like Satan better than an Archangel? I really was doomed in the afterlife! "I'm sorry," I said with a false smile. He wasn't buying it entirely. He frowned before continuing. Maybe he wasn't as stupid as he seemed. "Anyone who makes a deal with the Devil for their soul is immediately sent to hell when they die," Michael continued. I nodded. After all, it made sense. "Only, Satan's deals are always a little tricky. Sometimes his deals aren't legal." "Legal?" I asked is disbelief. He frowned at my interruption, but answered anyway. "Legal in the sense that they meet the agreed upon rules set out by God," He explained. I felt my heart throb. A glimmer of hope appeared. "Such as someone making a deal to sell their soul to protect someone they love?" I asked. "Oh, there are any number of reason why God might cancel one of the contracts the Devil makes," he replied offhandedly. I grit my teeth so bad that they actually hurt. I wondered briefly what God would do to me if I started pummeling one of his Archangels. "Would the example I just stated be one?" I asked, holding my breath. Michael frowned and looked off into the distance before smiling and nodding. "Ah, you mean you soul mate Sandy," he said knowingly. I used one hand to massage the muscles in my jaw long enough for them to unclench so I could speak. "Yes, Sandy! Is God planning on canceling her contract with Satan?" I asked. "Of course," Michael replied. "There is no way that such a contract would ever survive God's review." I let out a long breath. Sandy was going to heaven! I still missed her terribly, but at least I didn't have to think about her suffering in hell. "So, she's in Heaven?" I asked. I was just to verify my understanding. "Not yet," the Archangel replied as if talking to a slow child. "You know, she's been in hell for a month now," I said, doing what I thought was an admirable job of holding my temper. "She's lucky! There are some that have been there almost a year," Michael replied. "A year!" I snapped. He sighed and explained again. "Once a year, on All Saint's Day, God sends all of the angels and saints down to meet with the Devil and his minions and review the souls they've collected due to contracts made sometime in the past. Those that have contracts that God cancels are then moved to Heaven on All Soul's Day." "So God leaves those souls to suffer in hell for up to a year?" I asked in growing anger and disbelief. "Absolutely not!" Michael snapped. He sounded offended at the thought. That was actually good news. "They are in hell, but there is no suffering. The Devil can't punish a soul until after God's review." "So then why doesn't God just process the ones with a contract the same as those without?" I asked. "You wouldn't understand," Michael sighed. I thought for a moment and realized he was right. I couldn't think of a single logical reason for God not to process them the same as everyone else. Not unless the argument was that it screwed up the workflow. I found myself saying a quick, silent prayer that workflow wasn't the reason. If it was, then the Universe really was mad! "Hey, wait a minute! What about Shelly?" I asked in concern. "She made a deal with the Devil and has suffered already! Heck, he turned her into a succubus for God's sake!" "Thou Shalt Not Take the Name of the Lord thy God in Vain," Archangel Michael's voice boomed. Most of the people left at the party looked over at him and frowned. Thankfully, it was a Halloween party and they were all pretty drunk. "Sorry, but my point is still valid," I said. "No, it's not," he said in a more conversational tone. "Shelly killed herself. That took precedence over her contract with Satan." It all sounded silly to me, but who was I to question? "So, basically, Sandy hasn't been suffering in hell and she will be going to Heaven the day after tomorrow," I restated. "Well, technically, it is All Saint's Day already, so she'll be going to Heaven tomorrow," Michael replied. "Thank you, God!" I cried out, gathering a few of my own strange looks from those left at the party. I didn't care in the least. "As well you should," Michael nodded happily. I expected him to leave, but he stood there waiting. "What else do you need to tell me?" I asked nervously. He shrugged in reply. "I don't really know. I was told to stay here and answer any questions you might have," he replied. "Any questions?" I asked. "Any question where you might actually have a chance of understanding the answer," he replied with a grin. "So don't bother asking about the meaning of life or what God's great design is about. You wouldn't understand the answers. Also, please don't ask me whether individuals from your past are happy in Heaven. You know any one you'd ask about well enough to know if they are in Heaven or hell. If they are in Heaven, then they're happy. If not, they aren't. It's really that simple." "Well then, I guess there is only one thing left to ask about," I sighed. I wasn't sure I even wanted to know, but if God was making Archangel Michael wait for me to ask, I might as well get a move on. "Am I bound for Heaven or Hell?" "That's a very interesting question," Michael said with a thoughtful look. "The deal you made in itself wasn't enough to send you to hell since it was to help Sandy." "That's great news!" I said, but he cut me off before I could continue. "Even the two wishes you asked for weren't that bad. They both turned out okay in the end. It's not like God's going to hold your treatment of a demon against you." I blanched as I thought about my two week of debauchery with Lillith after I found out Sandy was dead. I would have burned for sure if she were a human instead of a succubus. "What else?" I prompted. He obviously wasn't done yet. "Well, you did help the Devil broker a deal for a soul," he said. "Katia?" I said in amazement. "I tried to talk her out of it! I even offered to wish her out of it!" Michael nodded. "I know, I know, but still, you did help him," he said. "I don't agree," I said with a shrug. "That's okay, you don't have to," Michael said with a smile. He obviously thought he was being very funny. I didn't see it. "What about my talking to the old man about his wife Kathy? Or my talk with the college girl? Didn't I help keep those two stay out of Satan's hands?" I argued. Now that I knew Sandy was bound for Heaven, I desperately wanted to go there myself. "Yes, and that might negate your part in Katia's deal," Michael said. "But then, there is Simon." "The Baumont Beast," I sighed. I knew it was coming. "I had Lillith kill him." The Archangel nodded. I rubbed my hand though my hair and added, "But how could I leave him out there to rape and kill more innocent women?" Michael didn't bother replying. "I guess it's time I go," he said, seemingly listening to a voice I couldn't hear. "Is there nothing I can do to save my soul?" I asked. "Who know? Mankind has always been a favorite of God's," Michael sighed. "He must have sent me here for some reason." His words were kindly spoken. They gave me hope. "Thank you," I replied. "Can I ask one more question before you go?" "Go ahead," he sighed. "Would it be possible for me to see Sandy just once more before she goes to Heaven?" I asked wistfully. "I'd be willing to give up my last wish!" "Like I'd take a wish granted by Satan!" he snorted in disapproval, but then he sighed and added, "It's doubtful, but I'll see what I can do." He walked out of the party. I thought I saw him beginning to disappear before he was completely through the door. 'Maybe Archangel Michael wasn't such a dick after all,' I thought to myself. "Oh no, Michael is definitely a dick!" I turned and saw Satan once again. He obviously was reading my mind. "But he is a well meaning dick." "I take it that this is why you were so pushy on my getting my wishes in by midnight, Halloween?" I asked. "I wanted you to waste them on things to try and save Sandy," he replied with a shrug. "Since she was going to Heaven anyway, it really wouldn't matter what you used your wishes for." "So, you did tell me the truth during our deal after all. You said Sandy was one of God's and she was," I said in realization. "Of course," he smiled. He then winked and added, "I can't lie outright during a deal negotiation." "Now you tell me!" I sighed. "You wouldn't have believed me anyway." "I still don't," I said with a shake of my head. "Good for you!" he laughed. "You were also hoping that I would wish for something that would damn my soul," I said. Satan stopped laughing and nodded. "The first wish worked out well. You used Lillith to kill Simon. That's a big mark against your soul." "Yes, but the second seems to have caused no harm," I said, thinking of Tyler and Shelly. "It might even have helped my case slightly." "Only time will tell," he said, but I thought he agreed with me. "You know, this is all a bit anticlimactic," I said. "Oh, it isn't over yet," he shrugged. "You still have one wish and a whole life to continue to screw up." I nodded and smiled. He was right. It wasn't over and I was still just as likely to get myself sent to hell as Heaven. "So, now what?" I asked. "How should I know?" Satan replied. "It's not like God keeps me informed of all his plans." "Well, then," I sighed. "Let's get drunk!" "Sounds good to me," he replied. "I always hate this time of year. The angels and saints are all a bit obnoxious and it always hurts when God sees fit to cancel one of my contracts." "Tough life," I grinned. "And afterlife!" he replied. We both laughed. Chapter Eleven "Oh shit!" Satan said suddenly. "Call me when they're gone! I can't take seeing her!" "What?" I mumbled as he vanished. I blinked hard a couple of times. It was either very late or very early depending on how you looked at it. I was also drunk as hell no matter how you looked as it. The party had officially ended quite some time ago, but I still sat at the bar. "Ah, there you are!" A flash and bang occurred at the same time as I heard the voice. I blinked a couple of times and squinted trying to make out the woman in front of me. She was glowing beautifully. "Who're you?" I slurred as I swayed in my chair. The woman took one look at me and sighed. "No point wasting the dramatics on you," she said and suddenly stopped glowing. "You're wasted." "Ah, that's better!" I said with a dumb smile. I then frowned and asked again, "Who are you?" "Mary," she replied. My eyebrows rose. "Jesus's mother?" I asked in amazement. "Do I look like God's mother?" she asked with a roll of her eyes. I shrugged. "What do I know? First the Devil and then Arch... Archangel Michael," I said, having some problems with the word Archangel. "For all I know you could be God himself!" "If I were, it would be God herself!" Mary laughed. It was a throaty sound, not one you'd expect from a woman. "I can't wait to tell Him this one!" "Him?" I asked, and then sighed and added, "Sorry, everything is processing a little slow at the moment." "Yes Him, as in God," she replied. She watched me for a moment as I tried to sort out her words. Finally, she shook her head and took mercy on my damned soul. Mary reached out and touched my shoulder as she added, "Oh, this will never do!" The Devil Buys My Soul Ch. 09-11 My head was suddenly clear. It was as if the alcohol vanished from my system completely. I was stone cold sober and there was a woman dressed in robes in front of me. She had an earthy quality about her. "Thank you, Mary," I sighed. "Just a little miracle to help you get ready to see Sandy," she replied with a warm smile. "Sandy!" I snapped. I could feel my heart beat quicken. Mary smiled. "Surprised Michael came through?" she grinned. "Well actually, yes," I replied honestly. Her grin turned into a laugh as I added, "I especially didn't think it would be this quick!" "Sandy goes to Heaven tomorrow," Mary replied. "It's a lot easier for you to see her now. Take my word on it." "How is she?" I asked nervously. Mary smiled and gestured toward the door. "See for yourself." I stood as Sandy entered the room. My eyes were filled with tears as she walked in. I couldn't help it. I wanted to run to her, but I wasn't sure if she was real or just a ghost of her former self. I knew her body was gone. I saw the police cart it away. I had nightmares most nights of it lying in bed next to me. Sandy had no such reservations. She ran to me and threw her arms around me. She felt solid and so good! I reached around her and hugged her back. We stood holding each other silently for almost five minutes. "You two don't have all night!" Mary called. "Well, actually you do, but that's only another hour or so. We have to be gone before the sun rises!" "Vampires?" I asked glibly. I was so excited at having Sandy in my arms that I couldn't stop myself. I was feeling giddy. Sandy looked up at me in shock. "Mary is a saint!" Sandy snapped. "Sorry, warped sense of humor," I said with a shrug. "I'll say!" Mary put in and burst out into that same throaty laughter. Sandy relaxed visibly. "Sandy, did Satan treat you okay this last month?" I asked seriously. "Yes and no," she shrugged, but she saw me frown and quickly added, "He didn't really hurt me." "Then what did he do?" I asked nervously. "He let me watch you," she replied carefully. I stood stunned for a moment. "The entire month?" I finally asked, knowing the answer but holding my breath anyway. I was looking for another miracle! "Every moment of it," she replied with a shrug. I let my breath out and groaned. This meant that Sandy watched me with Lillith the first two weeks after she died. "I'm so sorry!" I cried. "I know," she said with a sad smile. "Me too. You were hurting very badly. I wanted desperately to contact you and let you know everything would be okay, but I couldn't." "Can you ever forgive me?" I asked. "Of course! I do love you after all," she replied with a shrug. She smiled when I relaxed and added, "It wasn't all sick anyway. There were a couple of times when I wished I was in Lillith's place." "Sandy!" I snapped in surprise. "Only a couple of times!" she laughed, and then looking at Mary, she hinted, "Actually if we had a little more time..." "Sorry children," Mary said apologetically. "I wish you could be together one last time, but that's against the rules." "Oh well," Sandy said. "At least we had that one time together." "Yes," I sighed, but couldn't help adding, "If I'd known..." "Me too!" Sandy interjected with a laugh. "I love you," I said, realizing I hadn't told her so since she arrived. "I know," she smiled. "But it's still nice to hear." We hugged each other again. I looked into her eyes and kissed her. "So, now what do I do with the rest of my life?" I asked in resignation, as we broke apart. Mary was standing. I knew they were both going to leave shortly. "What do you want to do?" Mary asked. "Whatever is necessary to get to Heaven and see Sandy again," I replied. "Good answer!" she laughed and I joined her. Her laugh was contagious. "Remember your friends," Sandy said, looking at me as if she was trying to memorize every feature. "You're at your best when you're trying to help them." "Most men are," Mary nodded in agreement. "That why I pushed Jesus to take so many disciples!" "You pushed Jesus?" I asked in amazement. "He may have been God, but he was also just a man," she sighed in reply. "You said you weren't Jesus's mother," I said in confusion. "I'm not," she replied, but then took pity on me. "I'm Mary Magdalene." "Jesus's wife?" I snapped in amazement. "Bless you!" she said, placing her hand on my head. It was amazing, but I actually felt blessed. "Do you know how many people still refuse to believe that I was more than just a friend?" It was a rhetorical question, but I thought Mary might actually know the count! "I'll be watching you," Sandy said with a grin. "Try not to do anything too stupid!" "Hey!" I snapped. We both laughed. "And try and forgive Shelly," Sandy added seriously. "She really isn't that bad of a person. I think her life as Tyler's succubus will actually be a good change for her." "Are you serious?" I asked in amazement. Sandy shrugged and laughed as she started to dissipate. I grabbed her hand one last time and leaned in to kiss her. I felt a gentle brush from her lips and then she was gone. So was Mary. I stood silently for a moment. "Oh well, time to get drunk again," I finally sighed as I reached for the bottle and poured two drinks. "Satan!" "I thought she'd never leave!" he said as he reappeared. "What's up between you and Mary?" I asked. Satan shrugged as he sipped his drink, but then he surprised me by answering. "She was always a very driven woman," he said, obviously thinking back and reliving part of the past. He drank his drink and snapped, "She was almost mine until He came into the picture!" "Oh my G..!" I began, but stopped myself. Satan wouldn't be happy if I brought His name up. I tried again, "Oh my, Mary was your first love, wasn't she?" "I'm Satan! I don't love anyone!" he snapped in reply. "You're a fallen angel. The capacity for love doesn't just disappear," I replied. "You're wrong," he said sadly. "You'd be amazed at what disappears after a few thousand years alone." I looked at the Devil carefully. I knew everything about him was a lie, but the loneliness seemed so real. He still looked like my friend Ted. Not matter what else, he was still the boy who talked me through my first breakup. He was still my first real friend. "What?" he snapped. "Nothing," I replied, downing my drink. "Pour us both another." I watched him as he took hold of the bottle and it suddenly dawned on me that our whole relationship was peculiar. Why would the Devil take the time to befriend a boy? I mean, he constantly had to be around for almost twenty years. That was only a tiny percentage of his entire life, but still, it was a lot of effort for a single soul. There were only two real possibilities. Either I was far more important than I thought, or he was truly lonely. It wasn't just another of his lies. The first possibility was so outlandish that I didn't spend more than a moment's thought on it. It had to be the second reason. Satan was lonely! He had millions, possibly billions of souls at his command, but he was lonely. I looked up and glanced out the window. The sky was brightening, but the sun wasn't up yet. "I know my last wish," I said quickly. "What?" Satan said in surprise. He was so deep in his own thoughts that it took him a moment to refocus on me. "I said that I know what my last wish is going to be!" I snapped. "Okay, tell me," he said. "I wish you would truly be my friend best Ted for the rest of my life," I said. "What? Are you crazy!" he snapped. I shrugged. "Maybe, but I miss Ted and you miss being him!" I replied. "I can't just drop everything and make believe I'm a mortal!" he said with a shake of his head. "Why not? You did it for almost twenty years once," I insisted. "It was more like five or ten years if you drop your baby years and the time you slept," he said, but he was looking at me oddly. "Oh, I'm not stupid enough to think you'll stop being the Devil or anything," I replied. "But that doesn't mean you can't take a brief respite and be my best friend Ted." "The scheduling issues alone..." he grumbled, but I cut him off. The sun was about to rise. "I don't care! My third and final wish is that you truly be my friend best Ted for the rest of my life. So grant it or our deal is off," I said, and then shrugged and asked, "Unless it breaks one of your limitations?" He looked at me carefully and then shook his head. "No, it doesn't really break any of the limitations we agreed upon," he finally said. I could see a half smile form. "So?" I prompted. "Granted," he said with a shrug. "I will live as a normal human being for the rest of your life. Just call me Ted from now on." I raised one eyebrow in surprise. That was a bit more than I expected. I was only hoping to have Ted back in my life. I didn't expect Satan to agree to spending years, hopefully many years, as a human. I wondered if he intentionally misunderstood me. It was very possible. After all, how could this wish not surpass the scope limitation he set? I was tempted to ask him, but things were the way I wanted them to be, so why rock the boat? "How about we go to a football game next week?" I asked. "Sounds good," Ted said, and then he smiled and added, "You might want to look for real job first. It's about time you stopped goofy off." I nodded. He was my best friend and he was saying something that only best friends could say. I was goofing off for the last six months. It was time for me to get my life back on track. It felt good to have Ted back in my life. Sandy was gone, but she was in Heaven watching and waiting. It hurt, but at least I had my best friend to help me through the pain. I wondered if this is what Sandy meant when she said, 'Remember your friends.' I rolled my eyes and laughed. "Probably not," I said aloud. "What?" Ted asked. "Nothing," I sighed as I threw my arm over his shoulder. "I think it's time we left." "Okay," he replied. "I'll be crashing at my parents old place. Call me tomorrow." "Sure." I smiled. I noticed that Ted had a very nice car. I expected he also made a good living at whatever job he chose. He might have agreed to become Ted, but that didn't mean he was going to live a poor man's life. He was still the Devil after all.