Chapter 8 Yes, You’re Still Pretty
Yes, You're Still Pretty
Malachi woke in the middle of the night to a cold, wet nose shoved against his own.
He bolted upright, almost knocking Reena ass over teakettle off the mattress.
Geez, short stuff, don’t scare me like that.
A wheezing laugh came from the other dog as she righted herself.
A quiet yip from her had Chuck fretting in her sleep.
Reena and Malachi both paused to study her until she settled back down.
Jumping down to the ground with an undignified grunt, the smaller dog glanced back over her shoulder like she wanted Malachi to follow.
He was curious. Reena had never acted like this before.
Intrigued, he gently stepped over Chuck and quietly lowered himself to the floor before trotting after the Chuglet.
He watched her curly tail wagging as she hurried to the back door, pausing to glance at him again before squeezing through the flap to the backyard.
His interest was on high alert, although an oppressive feeling was slowly working its way over his body.
An unexpected ripple rolled over his back, and his hackles raised on their own.
Tension squeezed him tightly, and a sick sense of dread streaked through his veins as he poked his head through the plastic door.
Sitting in the grass, pulling on a tug rope with Reena, was his former commander, Hyacinth the Destroyer.
It was quite possibly one of the worst and most un-demonly names possible, but no one dared say that in his presence.
Malachi wasn’t sure whether he was named that because of his bulbous shape that resembled the actual flower bulb, or the fact that he reeked of dead flowers instead of brimstone.
Regardless, it was his name, and no one cracked a smile towards it.
“Malachi…” Hyacinth crooned quietly. “Come. Face me.”
With steps dragging only slightly, Malachi reluctantly continued his trek towards the higher demon who had placed him in the dog’s body.
Hyacinth chuckled as he lifted the rope in the air, Reena dangling from the other end.
Her teeth were clamped around the toy as she growled and snorted, refusing to let go.
The demon shook the rope, laughing harder as Reena’s piggy noises grew louder and her eyes rolled wildly.
“So much fire and spite in this one. She’d make a fine demon! ”
Agreed, sir. I said as much when I met her. That’s why I petitioned to keep her around me, so I could bring her along when I get back to the sixth ward.
“When…” Hyacinth drawled. “So bold of you to presume. Maybe I’ll just give her your post instead.”
Reena suddenly let go of the rope and plopped on the grass. She stood and shook herself on wobbly legs before trotting over to Malachi. Turning, she faced the other demon, lifting her stubby snout in a snarl.
Booming laughter escaped the shriveled lips, wafting the smell of a decaying spring garden over the two canines. “Oh yes, all the feisty best in that tiny creature. Look how loyal she is to you. I have much to think on small one, but be at ease. I have a proposition for your Malachi.”
Snuffling, Reena relaxed and scampered off to water the garden.
“Well, well, Malachi. You’ve done surprisingly well in this form.
It’s not nearly the punishment I expected it to be.
But it has brought some rather good news to us.
You managed to attach yourself to an angel.
I’m assuming she doesn’t know what you are?
” Arched hairless brows over the blazing yellow eyes of the higher demon advised Malachi what his answer should be.
No, your unholiness, he offered as he bowed deferentially.
She knows I’m not a regular dog, but she believes I'm a human cursed into this form.
Like a werewolf. I have not shared with her my true nature.
I do, however, spread corruption and chaos whenever I am able, with the limited power you have disgracefully allowed me.
He continued to stare at the grass under his paws.
Not daring to meet the Hellish gaze concentrated on his neck, burning his skin like the midday sun.
“Werewolf.” The demon commander chuckled. “I like that. Wait… your power?” he snapped as his voice rose, thundering now. “I have not given you any powers!”
Swallowing hard, Malachi thought furiously. If Hyacinth didn’t give him access to his power, where had it come from? Unfortunately, right about the time he realized the answer—and that he shouldn’t have revealed that bit of information—Hyacinth came to the same conclusion.
“The angel,” he hissed, like a radiator leaking pure menace. “Her grace must be eroding the spell on you. Tell me, Malachi,” the demon taunted. “Have you been a good boy for her? Does she think you’re well behaved?” An evil chuckle accompanied his words.
Sorta, Malachi replied. She doesn’t know she’s part angel.
She’s a police officer and made me her partner.
So, I get to chase down criminals and bite them.
When I do a good job, she tells me that.
I think that’s what’s happening. I’ve been using it for nefarious purposes, though, sir!
I slip chaos into their minds, making them crazier.
Sending them visions of Hell and roasting in the fires.
They’ll be prime specimens for our dark lord in no time!
Hyacinth tilted his head thoughtfully. “Hmm, doesn’t know she’s an angel.
That has promise.” He scratched at the giant wart on his nose and scrunched his face harder.
Slowly, like an oil slick spreading over his face, a terrible smile curved his wrinkled mouth.
“This is just what we need. You’ve gained her trust; now you can corrupt her, and we’ll get an angel soul in Hell.
Imagine the rewards!” The demon’s slitted eyes closed in bliss, and he licked his lips in an obscenely gleeful way.
The sight sickened Malachi, which was just as shocking. He should be cheering, too! Why was he against the idea? Not wanting Hyacinth to catch on to his true feelings, Malachi quickly chuckled as well. Wonderfully evil idea. I’ll keep working on warping her virtue and turning her grace dark.
“Not enough,” muttered Hyacinth, cracking his knuckles, causing a flurry of soil to fall like dirty snow.
“She might catch on.” The upper demon studied Malachi consideringly.
The gaze was so intense that Malachi wanted to squirm, but he knew better.
Suddenly, Hyacinth’s shriveled lips curved into a grin significantly nastier than usual.
“You said she thought you were a werewolf?” A laugh that sounded like a cross between a piece of metal caught in a shredder and a wet phlegmy cough issued from the demon’s throat.
“I think that’s just what we need. Canine by day, man by night.
Corrupt her, twist her, claim her!” He sneered.
“But do NOT let her know what you truly are. Play on her sympathies, let her try to save you, but she’s the one who’s going to need saving.
Oh, this is diabolical. I bet I’ll get the Dark Lord’s personal commendation for this one.
” Slapping his withered knees, the chuckle wheezed through the night.
Malachi’s legs were trembling, but he held himself still. Diabolical idea, oh evil one, but I cannot change into my human form anymore. He ducked his head in supplication.
A mucous-filled snort echoed over the small yard as Hyacinth glared at Malachi in derision. “Do not toy with me, you smear of slime. You know what I intend. It’s almost as if you don’t want to collect her soul.” He squinted in suspicion. “You aren’t… going soft, are you?”
Fuck no! Malachi insisted vehemently. I’m trying to corrupt a fucking angel for evil’s sake.
I just wanted to be sure you understood I can’t pull the werewolf routine without my human form.
I’m ready to prove myself to our dark lord.
I mean, I’ll do it in canine form; it will just take longer.
He sneered at his commander, his tone matching the other demon’s disdain.
Nodding, Hyacinth smirked. “As you should, I’d hate to have to smite you before we collected the angel.
Well, no, I wouldn’t hate it. I would thoroughly enjoy it.
But I’m going to give you one chance. Don’t make me regret it, or I will send you back to the lowest level of demon-kind, and you will spend the next five centuries trying to get an opportunity for me to think whether I will grant you access to the next level.
Malachi shuddered at the visual threat it brought.
He did not want to be demoted to an entry-level demon.
They were the true bottom feeders, the scum on Satan’s shoes, the dirt under the filth.
It was a fate worse than death. It was quite possibly the worst punishment in Hell other than absolute destruction.
Some demons opted for final death rather than demotion to level one.
I won’t fail you, Hyacinth. I will corrupt the angel and gain her soul for the ingloriousness of Hell and all demon-kind.
He bowed low for good measure, scraping his muzzle on the ground.
“See that you do,” Hyacinth growled. He reached out with one jagged, filthy claw, caked with soil and grime.
Malachi braced himself, and with a sharp rap, the gnarled finger tapped him between his furry eyebrows.
A burning pain like a blazing inferno raced through his veins, boiling and searing, before dropping him to the ground.
Writhing in agony, a low whimper burst from his throat, and he clenched through the scream that wanted to escape him.
Spasms had his body thrashing in the grass before it mercifully stopped.
He panted in exhaustion as the feeling of his powers returning soothed the aches that had bent his limbs at awkward angles.