17
UNFAITHFUL DEMONS
Mark the demon emerged from the shadows on the large balcony. Jo's heartbeat quickened, and she was unsure what to say. His tall form and piercing black eyes crept closer to her. Fear struck through her body as memories from the Rack resurfaced in her mind. Trying her best to look strong and unafraid, she pushed her shoulders back and stood tall.
"Mark," she finally greeted. Her voice betrayed her displayed confidence, and the demon smirked. She'd seen that smirk so many times on the Rack as he tore into her flesh. He relished in the opportunity to carve off her skin and slowly dissect her body in unimaginable pain.
"Queen now, huh?" he mocked with a raised eyebrow. "I must say I'm rather disappointed." Her chocolate eyes danced between his face and the glass doors. Heavy black curtains decorated the glass doors, concealing them from view.
"If I was you, I'd show me a little respect," she tried to threaten but was laughed at in response. His laugh was the same menacing cackle she'd heard while on the Rack, and all it did was weaken her confidence as he continued to inch closer.
"I don't think I'm too worried about it. You see little huntress," he used the pet name he'd given her on the Rack and a shiver crept up her spine. "I'm not faithful to you. Nor am I faithful to Dean. He's nothing like Lucifer, and has changed this glorious Hell into a pathetic excuse. You're nothing but a tortured soul he randomly picked. You're nothing. You're dirt. You're useless," the demon continued to throw insults her way until Jo was all the way backed up against a railing.
"Get the fuck away from me," she said. He smirked at her, and grabbed her throat. Pushing her up against the wall with enough strength to seriously injure her if she were alive, his black eyes bore into her brown ones. Dean had not made her a demon; she was still a regular soul. That's the way it was supposed to be according to Death's requirements, and it had its disadvantages.
"Don't talk down to me you little bitch. Don't you miss our fun? Huh?" he taunted, squeezing his hand tighter around her throat. Even though she couldn't die, she was still in unbearable pain. His other hand moved up her side of her gown to grope her breast.
"Dean!" Harvey's voice called from the opening of the doors. In an instant, Dean's form was next to her. He pushed off Mark with flashing red eyes.
"You've just sentenced yourself to an eternity of torture," Dean said in a furious, livid voice. "Harvey," Dean called, looking back at his assistant. "Bring him up to my table." Once Harvey disappeared with a struggling and screaming Mark, Dean turned his attention on Jo. "Look at me," he ordered, and her tear-stained face turned to meet his eyes. Her left hand still clutched at her throat, she wasn't sure if she'd be able to speak. With a snap of his fingers, Dean's powers healed her and the pain was gone.
"Thank you," she choked out before more tears flowed down her face. Dean didn't say anything; he just reached out and brought her into his arms. He was being caring, compassionate, and showing love. "It's okay," he hushed after a few silent minutes of her crying in his arms. He rubbed soothing circles on her back and held her close. "He'll pay," Dean promised.
"Dean, I'm sorry," she said, gaining control of her emotions and looking into his eyes that had gone back to normal.
"You've nothing to apologize for. I figured there would still be a few that preferred Lucifer's reign as opposed to mine. I just didn't think they had the balls to go out and attack you of all people," he explained. He pushed a tendril of blonde hair behind her ear that had fallen out of place.
"He was too strong…I felt helpless," she tried to exclaim, but he shushed her and cupped her face with his large hand. She knew he was constantly fighting a battle between the human and Devil sides of himself, but in that moment he was his human self.
"That's because you're not a demon. I like you that way," he said simply. "Did he touch you?" he asked in a hushed tone.
"He was choking me!" she answered with wide eyes. "Of course he was touching me."
"No Jo…I mean, did he touch you?" she understood his implication and her stance faltered.
"Nothing underneath my dress. Just on the outside…and the choking." He nodded at her response and kissed her gently before his eyes flashed back to their vibrant red.
"Go sit down," he calmly ordered and guided her back inside the Event Room. Upon entering, Dean led her all the way back to the table where she took her seat. John sent her a concerned glance, and Jo tried to give him a hopeful smile.
"Are you okay?" John whispered. She just nodded in response, as Dean stood in front of the table. A few demons appeared more anxious at seeing their ruler's eyes bright red. Mark was kneeling on the floor in front of the crowd next to Dean. The demon appeared to be too full of pride to look terrified or frightened.
"Apologies to interrupt our fine evenin' folks, but it looks like we have a rat amongst us," Dean bellowed throughout the large room. "A lowly piece of shit. A lowly piece of shit who has disrespected your Queen!" Roars erupted from the crowd. Jo caught John's upset look in her direction, and avoided his penetrating gaze. Harvey stood behind Jo, almost as a guard.
"Miss," Harvey quietly said, setting down a fresh glass of wine for her. She eagerly accepted it in hopes to distract herself from the show Dean was putting on before her. She did not like being the reason for his display, and felt vulnerable. "You see how upset they are over someone daring to hurt their Queen?" Harvey whispered in her ear for encouragement. She had to admit, his words did help.
"I think the evening's entertainment might be substituted for the torture of this filth, don't you?" his Hell was in an uproar as demons clapped and cheered. Out of nowhere, Dean plunged a knife into Mark's shoulder. The demon screamed out in pain as a sadistic smile made its way to Dean's face. Jo held tight to the wine glass, watching Dean torture the demon that'd caused her agony on the Rack. "I'll only make this announcement once," Dean started. "Let Mark her be an example to those of you who want to defy me. There is no Lucifer, I am your Devil now. I am your King. Arirca!" Arirca made his way towards Dean.
After a few hushed words between Dean and Arirca, Mark was removed from the front of the room. Arirca drug the offending demon from the room and Jo knew he was going somewhere for Dean to torture later. The celebration continued after Mark's defiance. Once the demons proceeded to drink and dine, Dean made his way back to their table. Sitting down, he looked to Jo with jade eyes replacing the vibrant red. "He will be punished," Dean whispered.
"I know."
"Drink your wine," he encouraged with a smile. Jo gave him a curious look, but did as he asked.
"What's so special about this wine?"
"Don't worry about it. Tonight is supposed to be a good night, and I'm sorry that Mark ruined part of it. Let's just try to have fun now, okay?" Jo nodded and gave him a smile.
"Okay."
