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Sixteen year old Maria Gonzales was on her knees praying to God as hard as she could. She prayed that she would not suffer the horrible fate that was to come. A week ago she had received word from a group of people who wanted to convert to Christianity and asked her to help them. As the daughter and only child of Cardinal Harrison Gonzales and a devoted follower of God she could not refuse missionary work so she accepted their invite. But it all had been a trap set up by devil worshippers. They captured her, drugged her, and took her back to where they held their evil rituals. There reason for them doing this was because the devil king Dagon had chosen her to be one of his wives.

Now you're probably thinking that Satan was the king of devils. Well actually Satan was the king of Hell and all evil creatures who were against God and there were two races of such creatures: The devils and vampires. Over the centuries Satan decided that ruling all these evil beings on his own was too much and that he had more important things to do so he made two evil beings from his blood, his own children if you will. The first was a male devil called Dagon who he chose to rule over all the devils, his second was a female vampire called Jasper who he chose to rule over the vampires.

Dagon was a heartless, merciless, and twisted being. The title king of all devils suited him well for like his creator he was the embodiment of evil and he was responsible for creating a new race of devil. In the beginning devils were just the souls of evil humans who died on earth but Dagon grew tired of waiting for evil humans to die off so he decided to create natural born devils like him. He would convince foolish devil worshippers to let him infuse his blood with theirs turning them into full fledged devils and since they had bodies of flesh and blood they could produce off spring and those came the creation of natural born devils. They have no immortal soul and they can live on earth and/or hell but their bodies are of flesh and blood and if they are killed they are banished to hell forever.

Poor Maria didn't know what she did to deserve this? Well the answer was her beauty. She was a very beautiful and pure young woman, even devils couldn't resist her beauty and Dagon was no exception. He had become very infatuated with her lovely appearance and set out to seduce her. Unlike most human women he went after that willingly agreed to become his, Maria was horrified and disgusted by this. Dagon had tried to seduce her plenty times but she always resisted him. When he realized her heart could not be swayed he told his followers to abduct her and make her his bride. She was up to her ears in tears as she continued to pray to God that she would escape this fate. When the time had come for the ritual to begin she was to be taken to the alter. She was dressed in a sliver cape with floral embroidery and a gold dress with a matching bodice.

Among one of the devils attending this God forsaken ceremony was a young rogue devil called Rodolfo Rivera. His family, the Rivera devils were one of the very few devils in the world who did not serve Dagon, in fact they did not serve anyone. Not Dagon, not Satan, and not God. They did whatever they wanted, went and left whenever they pleased, and had no loyalty or devotion to anyone except each other. Unlike most natural born devils the Riveras resembled humans but that was just to hide the devil blood flowing through their veins. Rodolfo looked like a young, strong, and handsome human man in his twenties, at first glance he seemed like the most calm and least harmful devils but to the contrary he was one of the most dangerous. One of the greatest things to be feared in life was a devil's rage and no devil had a worse temper than Rodolfo Rivera. It was a Rivera trait to have a bad temper and when enraged they could shed their fake human skin and take the form of a monstrous creature that would frighten anyone. So it was wise never to anger a Rivera.

Rodolfo didn't know why but for some reason he felt the urge to attend the ceremony. Which he found quite odd since he hated those rituals and found them both revolting and a waste of time. But he went to this one and he wore his best black suit, jacket, and dress shirt.

"So his royal pain in the ass is taking another human bride?" He sighed smoking a pipe. "Who's the poor, naive, and idiotic mortal woman he seduced this time?"

"Actually she rejected him."

"She did? She actually resisted him?"

"Yes."

"How amusing, nice to see that at least some of these women have some common sense." He chuckled. "Wait a minute if she rejected him then why is she here?"

"Dagon has decided that if she won't give herself to him than he'll take her."

"I see so he intends to force her into marriage, devil transformation, and then rape her. Isn't that a bit too much? Doesn't he have enough devil whores of his own?"

"What Dagon wants he gets."

"You speak as if he's God or Satan. He's nothing more than a cockroach pretending to be a threat."

"Show some respect!" The devil snapped, he raised his fist to punch him only for Rodolfo to catch his fist and send him flying across area.

"Fool." He chuckled. "A Rivera only respects another Rivera. You lower class demons are no match for us."

All became quiet and dark as the ceremony began. The young woman called Maria was brought before the alter, her entire body trembling. Rodolfo had to admit it, she certainly was the most beautiful human being he had ever laid eyes on, he could understand Dagon's obsession with her. Black fire rose and from the flames stood Dagon.

"My bride has arrived at last." He said lustfully.

Maria's body ceased trembling and she stood bravely.

"I am not yours." She said sternly.

"Don't be so difficult. You should be honored that I have picked you. Now let us begin the-"

"Bastard!" She screamed, slapping him much to the shock of everyone including Rodolfo. "I told you many times before! I will never be yours! Can't you filthy demons understand that?!"

"You..." He hissed. "You dare strike me?! You ungrateful human! How dare you-"

But she just spat in his eye which once again shocked everyone there.

"Go back to hell where you belong!" She cried.

He sized her by her arm and pulled her close. She was scared but she wouldn't let him see her fear.

"Stop resisting! Give up and I'll-"

"Shut up! I'd rather die than marry a vile, wretched, and revolting creature like you!"

"I can easily make that happen you know? Would you rather prefer death than to be my wife?"

"Yes! Because if I am dead you can't have me! Ever!"

"Hmmm...She's spirited." Rodolfo thought. "Quite unusual for most women he pursues. I like it but knowing Dagon he'll try to break that spirit. He deserves to lose something he wants and I am going to see to that."

Dagon forced Maria to faint and prepared to infuse his blood into her body forcing her to become a devil when a huge green flame was flung right at Dagon, then more flames appeared burning anything it touched to ashes. The other devils and their human followers fled for their lives while Rodolfo casually walked over to the alter and picked up the unconscious woman.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Dagon demanded trying to escape the flames.

"Simple I'm taking what you want." He said. "I'd think a thief would know that when he saw it."

He then sprouted bat-like wings and flew away.

"Damn you Rodolfo Rivera! Every other Rivera in your damn bloodline!" Dagon cursed.

He took her back to his manor and waited patiently for her to wake up. He wasn't sure what he intended to do with her. He could have his way with her, it had been so long since he had the pleasure of a woman but with human women there was always the risk of producing half human off spring which he couldn't handle being the parent of.

"How did I get here?" She asked waking up. "Am I dead?"

"No." He said. "Not yet anyway, you maybe should Dagon ever find you."

"Who are you? Another devil?"

"What gave it away? The green fire?"

"Did you...Did you save me?"

"I guess."

"Why?"

"I don't know, you peeked my interest and I found it quite amusing to have Dagon loose his bride."

"What do you mean I peeked your interest?"

"Well most women he goes after basically throw themselves at him but you spat on him and slapped him which may have been the funniest thing I've seen in years."

"Well thank you for saving me."

"Don't mention it, seriously and don't be too grateful because I'm not sure what I'm going to do with you yet."

"Are you going to kill me?"

"No."

"Rape me?"

"No. Frankly I'm not sure what I'm going to do, I hardly interact with humans except to play a few tricks."

"So what do I do?"

"I'm not sure but no doubt you're exhausted so I suggest you get some rest. There are a few bedrooms down the hall, take your pick but stay from the first one you see because that's my room."

She nodded and left the room. Once she was gone he continued to smoke his pipe while thinking. His thoughts were interrupted by glass breaking and Dagon lunged for him. They tackled each other, tearing at their flesh and drawing blood. Maria heard the ruckus and went to see what was happening.

"If you value your life get out of here!" Rodolfo shouted.

She gave him a look of worry then fled down stairs to the nearest door leading out of there. Once she was at a safe distance she listened carefully to the fight that was taking place. There was screaming and snarling, some were the voices that she knew were not human. She saw green fire rising and burning. There was a loud roar that sounded like a wild cat and something unknown, inhuman, and frightening. That was the last thing heard before Dagon was sent flying out of the manor looking like some battered old man. After an hour she walked back to manner. The flames had now faded but the floors were stained with ash and blood. She followed the trail of blood leading to Rodolfo. He was beaten, battered, and bloodied.

"Are you alright?" She asked him.

"No." He said in an unresponsive voice. "He tore off my horns, I can't live without them. In a few minutes I'll be dead and have to go to hell. Well my life was good while it lasted."

She kneeled down next to him.

"I can save you if you want."

"I am a devil with no horns. I can not be saved by anything."

"Yes you can, I can save you by giving you half of my immortal soul."

"Are out of your mind? Are you even aware of what happens to humans who do that?"

"I know, the church I grew up in taught me well. When a human gives half of their immortal soul to a natural born devil they have a chance to redeem themselves but the human and the devil share both one soul and one life meaning when one dies so will the other."

"And yet you'd be willing to share a life with me? Suppose we did this and I was killed tomorrow, you would die within a week at most."

"I know but it gives you a chance."

"A chance?"

"To prove that you're not all evil, to prove that you don't belong in hell."

"I don't believe this. Are you crazy or just stupid?"

"It's called compassion, something I'm assuming is foreign to your kind. I'm willing to give you have of my soul so you can have a chance to save yourself unless of course you don't want it."

"I still say you're crazy but a devil will do anything to avoid hell. I'll take it but I hope you realize what the hell you just agreed to."

"I do."

Using the last of his strength the devil man plunged his hand into her chest and pulled out a wispy ball of light. It was her soul. He pulled a dagger from his pocket and cut it in half. He placed one half in her chest and the other into his. His life and hers were now one. In a flash his wounds healed but he felt something new and strange.

"This woman." He thought. "Her soul is so warm, so soft, and so full of love. I have never felt this."

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"Yes but I feel different." He said. "What exactly did you do to me?"

"I didn't do anything, I just gave you half of my soul." She said. "Funny."

"What?"

"I feel you. I feel what's inside you, you're so cold and hard. Are you lonely? Are you sad?"

"What I feel is none of your business."

"Alright I won't ask about it." She stood up and walked away.

"Wait!" He called grabbing her arm. "You and I share a life meaning if anything happens to you, it will happen to me too so you'll have to remain with me so I can make sure no harm comes to you."

"As you wish." She agreed.

He was surprised by her reaction. He thought that she would slap him or spit in his eye like she did with Dagon but she didn't. What was even more surprising was that she willingly gave half of her soul to him, a devil without so much as a hint of hesitation. At first he couldn't understand it but as he felt her soul in his, feeling her kindness and selflessness, he began to understand it perfectly. She stayed with him for two years, for two years he watched her everyday wake up with a smile on her face. He watched her go into town or the forest and show kindness to any living thing she meant. He wondered how she managed to stay happy with him for all those two years. How could any God fearing mortal truly be happy with a devil for two years?

Furthermore he found himself changing and having strange and unfamiliar feelings. He felt pity and remorse for humans who were hurt and suffering. He felt regret and guilt for harming others for her. But out of all his feelings the strangest were the ones he had for Maria. Her smile, her laughter, and her touch made him warm and happy. If she was sad or hurt it made him sad and hurt too sometimes ev

"Father I am confused." Rodolfo said to his father Jorge.

"Why is that son?"

"I'm changing Father. I feel remorse, guilt, and regret. I have even begun turning to God."

"What?! When did this happen?"

"It started when I shared a soul with a mortal woman. Her name is Maria."

"Dagon's bride?"

"Yes I stole her from him two years ago, he attacked me and pulled off my horns. She gave me half of her soul to save me from hell."

"This woman has made me ill but also happy . Thought of her being happy makes me stronger and the thought her being sad makes me weak. I don't understand this power she has over me."

"It is merely her pure and innocent soul changing you. You must rid yourself of it."

"How? If I do I shall die."

"Not if I reattach new horns to your body." Jorge said. "Once i do that you must kill her."

"Kill her?"

"To remove her soul from your body."

"Wouldn't it be easier for her to take it back?"

"Yes but since when do devils spare human lives?"

"I...I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"I just can't Father! I can't! If I were to ever hurt her I would never be able to live with myself!"

"That human soul has made you softer than I thought. Don't worry I shall kill her."

"What?!"

"It won't be difficult after all she's just a human. Slaughtering her will be like-"

But he didn't get to finish because in a flash his son sent him flying toward the wall and he pinned him there by his throat. His eyes had green flames in them and his teeth were baring fangs.

"YOU ARE NOT TO TOUCH HER!" He roared in his demon voice. "IF YOU DO I'LL KILL YOU!"

Jorge looked at him shocked and horrified.

"You'd kill me? Your own father?"

"I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE MY FATHER! I WILL NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO HURT MARIA!"

"Oh God above and Satan below!" Jorge gasped looking into his son's eyes. "This can't be! It isn't possible! But your expression says it all!"

"WHAT?"

"My son you've...you've fallen in love with her."

He felt his demonic heart stop along with his blood and his breath. Was it true? Was that why he hadn't tried to stitch his horns back on? Was it because during these two years he had fallen in love with a human? But devils can't love! It was impossible! But he had. He was a devil man in love with a human woman.

...

Eighteen year old Maria hummed to herself as she worked in herbal garden. She found it quite strange these pass two years had been the happiest of her life. She hadn't been this happy since she was a little girl. After she turned twelve her father pretty much locked her away from the world and forced her to learn lesson after lesson. Not that she didn't mind lessons but she wanted to do something else once in awhile, something fun. Staying here allowed her to do more with her life.

Not to mention Rodolfo was not at all what she expected. Over the years he had become kind and understanding. He had become more human like and she found herself enjoying his company very much and looking forward to seeing him.

"Maria?" A voice called. "Maria Gonzales?"

"Father Gardner?" She said when she saw the minister in his early thirties running toward her.

"Thank God I found you." He said hugging her.

"It's good to see you." She said hugging back. "But what are you doing here?"

"When we heard you were abducted to be the bride of the devil king your father had us looking every where for you. We were worried sick."

"I'm alright."

"Come on I'm taking you home."

"I...I can't leave."

"Why not?"

She told him everything that had happened and why she stayed away so long.

"You what? How could you give him half of your soul?"

"He saved my life, I owed him."

"But he's a devil."

"He's not like the others. Devils like him are born the way they are, they were never human, they never had a chance to choose who they wanted to be."

"Maria I know you pity this creature-"

"I don't just pity him. I love him."

"You what?! You can't love him! He's a devil! Devils don't love anyone or anything!"

"You don't know him, you don't know how he suffers."

"Maria please, don't make take you back by force."

"He'll come for me then and he'll hurt you if he has to so please don't because I don't want you to get hurt."

"Maria you can't stay here."

"And why is that old man?" Rodolfo asked. "She is not harmed and she wants to stay so why can't she stay?"

"Devil get back!" He held up a cross, Rodolfo hissed in pain.

"Don't!" Maria said pulling the cross away.

"Maria are you crazy?"

"Father Gardner you are my friend and I don't want to see you hurt so leave."

"But-"

"She said LEAVE!" Rodolfo growled.

Gardner was hesitant to do so but he did as she demanded. Maria took Rodolfo inside to tend to his wounds.

"Why was he here?" He asked her.

"He wanted to take me home." She said.

"Do you want to go home?"

"Yes and no."

"What does that mean?"

"There are things I miss at home but I'm happy here."

"If you want to go home I will let you."

"But you said-"

"My father can reattach new horns to me, you can go back to your home. Would you like that?"

"Yes but I would miss you."

"Why?"

"I think it's because I've grown to love you."

"You're confused. Devils are loved by no one."

"But I do love you."

"Why? How in the name of God can you love me?"

"I don't know I guess one day I looked at you and I didn't see a horrible devil, I saw a lonely man wanting to love and be loved. Silly of me huh."

"Foolish is more like it."

"I guess that's true. Anyway I-"

But she didn't finish, he planted his lips on hers in a passionate kiss. It startled her but she accepted it warmly. She wasn't it sure if what they did later that night, if what she had felt from him was real love or pure lust but she hoped and prayed that what he felt for her was love. In the morning Rodolfo declared that he wanted her to leave. He didn't say why but she agreed. After he had his horns reattached and had Father Gardner took her home. But things had changed.

"What's wrong with you?" Father Gardner asked her.

"Nothing." She giggled. "I'm just very happy."

"Why?"

"Because I'm about to bring something wonderful into this world."

Father Gardner froze, he took a moment to pray that what he feared was not true. That the terrible thought creeping into his mind was just him being paranoid.

"Don't tell me you're-"

"Yes, I'm pregnant with Rodolfo's child. I found out a week ago and I couldn't be happier."

"God almighty."

When word got out that Maria was pregnant with a devil's child many were horrified and shocked. Cardinal Harrison was enraged by this.

"My daughter give birth to a devil's child?!" He shouted. "Never! Abort the atroscity!"

"But sir that's against the laws of God." Father Gardner objected.

"I don't care! This monster cannot be born!"

"My child is not a monster!" Maria argued. "Mother, Father please understand. It's not what you think."

"I know exactly what it is! It's an abomination!"

"Harrison maybe we should listen to her side of this." Maria's mother Marta said.

"I will not argue this Marta!" He pulled a glass bottle containing a strange liquid and brought it toward her. "Take this drug! It will ensure that you miscarry this mistake of nature!"

"Never!" She said smacking it out of his hand causing it break and spill. "How could you ask me to do such a thing? It's my child! You're grandchild!"

"It was fathered by a devil!"

"Who's more human than you are! Rodolfo would never ask me to do this!"

"You speak as if he actually loves you!"

"I believe he does! More so than you! I don't care what you say! I'm having this baby and I intend to raise it!"

"You're a witch!" He shouted. "You have betrayed us to Satan!"

"I have not! My loyalties are still to God!"

"Liar! Lying witch! I'll have you burned at the stake for this!"

"Harrison!" Marta screamed shocked.

"Sir you can't!" Father Gardner said.

"I refuse to let a devil's child be born into this world and if I have to sacrifice my daughter to prevent this, so be it."

"Father please!" Maria pleaded.

"This isn't right! I won't let you!" Gardner said raising his sword.

"Arrest them both!"

Despite objections from Father Gardner and pleas from his wife, Harrison had Maria tried for witchcraft and sentenced to burn at the stake and had Gardner imprisoned for interfering. With in a few months the dreaded day where she was to die arrived.

"You can't do this!" Gardner said from his prison cell. "She's your daughter! Do you not love her at all?!"

"In my heart she's already dead. One day you'll understand my reason for this and you'll thank me."

"Don't hold your breath!"

He left the prison cell and outside where Maria was tied to a stake that stood over straw, her stomach now swollen to show the new life she was carrying inside of her. Marta was at Maria's feet sobbing and praying for forgiveness.

"Forgive me Maria! Forgive me!" She wept. "Forgive your poor mother for not being able to protect you!"

"Don't cry Mother. I'm not going to die." Maria said. "He'll come for me, he always does."

"Who? The devil?"

"He won't let me die Mother. I can feel it."

Marta was then forcibly pulled away from her child. The executioner approached the stand with a lit torch. He lit the straw and fire began to rise toward her. She coughed and screamed as the smoke and flames rose to take her life.

"DAMN YOU!" A roar was heard. "HOW DARE YOU TRY TO HARM HER!"

The crowd gasped at the sight, a being surrounded by green fire came raging through city. He was large, menacing, and monstrous. Green fire began to rise every where, exorcists held up their crosses but they didn't work on him. Not this time.

"Why aren't the crosses not working?!" Harrison asked.

"Dear lord I never thought I'd see the day." Gardner said witnessing everything from his cell. "He follows God. A devil who follows God."

Rodolfo broke the ropes holding her and carried her body over to the cell. He burned the bars to ashes and placed her in Gardner's arms.

"TAKE HER BACK TO MY MANOR! AND DON'T TELL ANYONE WHERE SHE IS NO MATTER WHAT!"

Gardner nodded and left. Rodolfo in his great demonic rage slaughtered every man who tried to kill Maria starting with her father. Once he was calm he went back to his manor. He arrived in three days, on a cold winter's night and he found Maria lying in his bed looking tired but happy. In her arms was a bundle of blankets and wrapped inside of it was a baby boy surrounded by a green flame.

"Rodolfo, you're here." She said softly. "Just in time too. Isn't he adorable?"

"Is...Is he mine?"

"Yes. I decided to call him Manny. He's very little but very strong."

Rodolfo looked down at the baby she cradled in her arms. The baby opened it's eyes, looked up at it's devil father, and smiled. He was in his devil form and this child was smiling at him completely unafraid.

"I was hoping that we could raise him together." She said. "As a family."

"You really want me to raise him?"

"Yes. The three of us can live here and love each other."

He looked back at the human woman he loved and their half human son. In an instant he deiced that he could never part with them and he was going to make sure of that. He went outside and tore off his new horns.

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