So a very random idea I got while doing the laundry

The room was dark and musty, so far underground that no sunlight could reach even if there were any windows in the stairway. I was worried that the stairs would give in at any moment, creaking from my weight, but I wouldn't dare hold the railing. I'm sure just touching it would give me tetanus.

Once again I questioned why I was down here, clutching a piece of paper with an address scribbled on it. I knew this was a crazy idea, I never should have even joked about going through with it; and yet I did and now I was here.

The door was unlocked, and with only dim lighting in the room I slowly stepped in, looking around me constantly to make sure I didn't run into anything.

Glancing around the dark space with a couch and table on the opposite wall and overflowing bookcases on the wall I decided that I should just turn around and go back up to the living.

"Take a seat," a voice called out from the shadows of the room. Whoever it belonged to was male, his voice deep and laced with a thick accent. I froze at the sound, squinting into the darkness to find the owner.

"I think I'm good," I replied, backstepping to the door.

The voice chuckled, the sound of it like honey, flowing through me and making my body shiver. "You came all this way, you must want something." A light flicked on, making me jump, eyes flicking towards it and meeting a pair of deep brown ones. I would almost say they were beautiful—-glinting in the deep lighting of the room—if it wasn't for the deep red ring that circled the pupils.

Eyes of a demon.

My heartbeat raced in fear, yet as I took in the man—demon—before me, it sped for a different reason. He easily towered over me, dark brown hair grazing against his shoulders, the rest of his body looking as imposing as the energy he projected.

"So," he spoke again, drawing the sound out as he stepped toward me, "what did you want?"

A lump formed in my throat, needing to swallow around it to speak, "I'm reconsidering if it was a good idea."

The corner of his lip quirked up, eyes roaming my body in a way that made heat rise to my cheeks. "Never made a deal with a demon before?"

I kept my expression guarded, having been warned before how demons could read you, use what they find against you. "I've never made my way down to Georgia."

His smirk grew, crossing the room to lower himself gracefully to the couch, crossing his long legs, "And I've never made a deal with a fiddle player."

There was an atmosphere that just oozed off of him, a power that I could sense, making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Then there was a sensual energy, an intensity in his eyes that concerned me, especially when I felt drawn to it.

"What's your name?"

I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes, "Why do I feel like telling you is a bad idea?"

"I have no power over you from knowing your name."

"What's yours?" I asked instead.

He raised an eyebrow, seeming amused, "I have a few, but you may call me Dimitri."

I liked that name. That or I liked the way it sounded with his accent. My tongue darted out, licking my lips nervously, "Rose."

"Roza," he repeated, rolling the R. I definitely like the way it sounded with his accent. He could read a shopping list and I would hang on every word. "A beautiful name for a beautiful woman."

The smile that spread over his face made my knees want to buckle but instead, I settled for a look of disdain. "Does that line ever work?"

He laughed again, "You'd be surprised."

With a face like his, I wouldn't be surprised if women were just throwing themselves at his feet. Eager to make a deal just to have a taste of the pleasure he would bring that felt almost guaranteed.

"So you wish to make a deal," he started, expression becoming serious again, "Tell me what you want and I will tell you my price."

"What's your usual price?" I asked. I had heard stories, some wanted money, others were old school and asked for steep prices such as your soul or a firstborn. When I had first asked around for a demon to make a deal with I hadn't thought much about the price, yet now I worried if I would be willing to give it.

Dimitri clicked his tongue, giving me an admonishing look. "Tell me what you want first, Roza."

I weighed my options, glancing behind me at the door. Maybe this was going too far, maybe I wouldn't require his services. I could leave and never look back.

But then the thought of what was to come returned to the front of my mind and dread filled me.

I had no other choice.

"Tell me your price first," I told him, hand going around my purse, "I have money, a lot of it. I can pay you whatever amount you want."

He studied me, eyes pinning me in place, the rings glowing. "You intrigue me, Roza. I suppose just this once I can change the rules." A small hope grew in me. "My price will be a favour."

I was taken aback, "A favour?"

"Yes, you will owe me a favour that I can claim when I am ready."

I had hoped it would just be money, or at least something tangible that I could give to him. A favour could be anything, something that he could hold over me for years.

"Do you accept the price?" he asked with a calculating glint in his eyes. He was testing just how desperate I was. Most people were desperate if they searched out a demon—and I was no different.

"I accept."

As soon as the words left my mouth a searing heat burned into my palm, I winced, turning my hand over to see a small symbol burned into the heel of my palm. Two small lines that looked like lightning bolts crossed over in the shape of an X.

"Now that my price has been accepted, tell me what you want in exchange."

I took a deep breath, venturing further into the room now that I had committed to a deal with the demon before me. "I want you…" I paused, bringing my eyes to his, "I want you to be my date to a wedding."

Who doesn't love the idea of demon deals crossed with fake dating tropes.

Let me know what you think :D