written by EmilyMorgans

This is not right.

I stare at the creature in front of me before looking down at the old leather-bound book in my lap. This is definitely not right. The demon I meant to summon is a large, powerful Guardian with protruding horns and a minotaur-esque body covered in green scales. My eyes drift back to what has just appeared in my lounge. This is not that.

The demon before me looks much more human, even if his eyes are pitch black and his skin has a purple-ish tint. Tall and broad-shouldered with a firm jaw and high cheekbones, he reminds me much more of a male model than the demon I had planned to summon. The only thing they have in common is the horns. They protrude from his black wavy hair and curl backwards, similar to the horns of a ram.

I'm not sure if I should be relieved or worried about the fact that he looks about as stunned and confused as I feel. His black eyes dart around the room as he's trying to take it all in before they finally fasten on me. I swallow painfully. For a demon, he's ridiculously handsome. No, not true. He's ridiculously handsome by human standards, too. What have I brought into the human realm?

The way his gaze travel over my body makes my skin heat, and I suddenly wish I was wearing more. Or less. I'm not sure. This is not what I planned. As if he's sensing my reaction to him, a lazy smile spreads over the demon's face.

"I am not usually summoned in this manner," he says, his dark voice low and amused. "Usually, I only visit the human realm in dreams, but this is a delightful change of pace. You must be quite powerful to pull me across the veil."

My cheeks heat at the compliment before I remember that I didn't mean to summon him at all. I clear my throat. "Well," I say as I stand. I don't really want to be sitting on the floor staring up at him, but even on my feet he's a good head taller than I am. "There seems to have been a mistake."

He raises a crooked eyebrow. "A mistake? Did you not wish for fulfilment?"

"Fulfilment?" What did that even mean? "No, I meant to summon a Guardian." I hesitate for a moment before asking, despite being quite certain of the answer, "You're not a Guardian, are you?"

A quiet laugh escapes him. "A Guardian? No." He's still chuckling. "I am an Incubus."

"A... An Incubus?" How the fuck did I get it so wrong? I pick the summoning book up and skim through the ritual I had just done. Everything sounds correct. I did exactly as it says. Rifling through the book, I find the page on summoning an Incubus. I nearly choke when I find it.

'Don't.'

That's the only instruction. Don't.

With a frustrated groan, I toss the book on the couch. I needed a Guardian, not a goddamn pleasure demon. I glance at the clock hanging above my electrical fireplace. A few minutes past midnight. It's Valentine's Day. I don't have time for this. Today is the day. Fuck! Pushing the worry away, I focus on the issue at hand. There's no point ignoring the demon in the room, especially as he's watching me with eyes glinting with curiosity.

"I'm sorry for bothering you." I make a vague move with my hand. "You may return to your realm."

"No."

My eyes narrow. "What do you mean 'no'? I have no use for you. What I need is a Guardian, and I can only summon one demon at a time. Those are the rules."

He smirks, and it rankles me more than it probably should. "Indeed. But you have brought me to this realm and I cannot return until I fulfil my task."

"Oh." Is it hot in here, or is it just me? His black eyes are travelling over my body again, taking in the faded t-shirt that is now more grey than black and the jogging bottoms that are more comfortable than sexy. I wasn't exactly concerned about my looks when I decided to summon a Guardian demon. My fingers shake slightly as I tuck an errant lock of henna-dyed hair behind my ear. It must have come loose from the bun at the top of my head.

The tall demon bends slightly at the waist in what I assume is meant to be a bow, but the smirk on his face negates any deference that may have been inferred. "Razalus at your service, Warlock." His black eyes meet mine again and the smirk deepens. "When you cry out in ecstasy, you may call me Raz."

"W... What?" I stammer even as heat pools between my thighs from the images his words conjure. "No. That's not why you've been summoned. As I said, I didn't mean to summon you at all, but a Guardian."

Why is he still looking amused? There is nothing amusing about this situation! I need to send him back through the veil so I can summon what I need. A strong goddamn monster of a demon. Someone who can protect me. Not... This. This walking, talking sex doll.

When he takes two steps in my direction, I reverse, keeping the distance between us. The corners of his mouth twitch and I wish I had kept hold of the book so I could throw it at his stupid, handsome head.

"I'm sure I can bring you the fulfilment you require," he says. What did he say his name was? Raz? "Because you summoned me in physical form and not in your dreams, I cannot return until I have. So why don't we get started?"

Before I can object, he's pulled his linen jerkin off, leaving him in nothing but a pair of tight leather trousers that end just below his knees. His feet are bare. How did I not notice that before? The sight of his bare chest distracts me for a moment. It's smooth and muscled, with defined pecs and abs. He looks like an underwear model. A demonic underwear model. Something swishes behind him, and my mouth drops open.

Is that a tail?

It's long and slender, with a wider tip that looks like a Spade. It flicks in the air, not unlike the tip of a cat's tail when it's hunting or playing. Taking advantage of my distraction, Raz closes the distance between us. He's even more intimidating up close. I have to crane my neck to meet his eyes. There's a distinct smell coming from him I don't recognise. It's not something I remember having smelled before, and I can't help but wonder if it's how demons smell in their own realm. It's not unpleasant, just... Unusual.

"Let me help you, Warlock." His voice is low, caressing me like a gentle kiss, and I have to stop myself from automatically nodding.

"I need a Guardian." Having him so close has a strange effect on me. My skin tingles and my body hums in awareness of his.

"I'm sure I can fuck you as well as a Guardian," he purrs. His large hand comes to rest on my shoulder. Its warmth seeps through the material of my t-shirt, warming my skin below. "They're only summoned because of their big co—"

"That's not why I summoned one!" I take a step back, offended that he would think so. That anyone would think so. And also, really? That's why some warlocks summon Guardians? I inhale, trying to rein in my rampaging thoughts. "Look," I say, trying to sound reasonable. "I need a Guardian because someone is trying to kill me and I need protection. Can you protect me? Cause if not, I have no use of you."

Raz purses his lips as he considers my words. I fidget under his intent stare, wishing he would look at something else.

"I am not useless," he finally says slowly. "And the way the summoning works, I must fulfill the reason for your summon. Ideally, that would be to bring you to ecstasy, but I will protect you if I must. Else I will be forever trapped here."

'If I must'. Well, that instills great confidence in his willingness to keep me safe. I suspect he will equally return across the veil if I die. Great. This is just fucking great.

I let out a yelp as his tail wraps around my waist and pulls me to him. My face connects with his chest. It's solid and despite the cool air in my flat, it's surprisingly warm. Putting my hands on his pecs, I push myself away, but his tail keeps me from moving more than a few inches.

"What are you doing?" I growl.

He leans closer and I can feel his hot breath against the sensitive skin on my neck as he whispers in my ear, "Why don't we do what I do best and see if that will release me? Then you can summon your Guardian and we will all be happy."

"I... Well..." My brain short-circuited around the same time his lips grazed against the shell of my ear. When I don't immediately push him away, he nibbles on my earlobe and I let out a low moan as heat rushes through me. Fuck, that feels good. It's been so long since I had sex that my body instantly melts against him, wanting more. Not since fucking Teddy Byers. The asshole that got me into this mess four months ago.

The demon's large hands slide down my back to cup my ass, and his lips drag across my neck to nibble on the sensitive spot where it meets my shoulder. I can feel his sharp incisors scrape across my skin. It's a sobering reminder that it's not a human man holding me, and I pull back.

We stare at each other for a moment. One of his dark eyebrows quirks in question. I shake my head. He lets out a little huff of frustration, but takes a step back and releases me. As his warmth leaves me, I almost call him back. But he's only wanting to be released from his duties and somehow it feels wrong to have sex with him because he has to. Call me vain, but I want anyone having sex with me to want to and not only do it out of duty.

"Let's visit my friend Zelda," I say, keeping my voice light and positive. "She's incredibly skilled and has been around the block more than once. If anyone knows how to send you back without fulfilling the summoning, she does."

He shrugs, looking bored. "It's your time we're wasting. If you'd just let me fuck you, this would be done already."

I look over at him as I'm pulling on a jacket and my trainers. "That may not be true. I summoned a Guardian. Or I meant to. So fucking me might do nothing."

"We won't know until we try," he points out.

I roll my eyes. Not going to happen, mate. No matter how sexy you are. I keep those words in my head because I don't think he needs to know how attracted I am to him. Although judging from the way his black eyes observe me, I suspect he already knows.

"Come on," I say when he's not moved from the spot I left him. "Let's go."

He smirks. "You want me to join you?"

I throw him a beanie hat. "Try to shove that over your horns." Digging through the small closet in my hallway, I find a pair of Teddy's old shoes and throw them Raz's way, too.

A few minutes later, we're walking through the dark streets on our way to Zelda's house. Fortunately, it's not far.

"This is humiliating," Raz grumbles next to me. "These contraptions on my feet are like torture devices."

"They're shoes. Humans wear them. And they're probably a size or two too small, which is why they're tight and uncomfortable."

He's a ridiculous sight, really. The beanie barely covers the horns, making it look as if he has stuffed something under his hat, and he's wearing one of Teddy's old hoodies. The garment is tight to the point of breaking on his wide, muscular frame, and I worry it might pop at the seams at any moment. I made him tuck his tail in his trousers, which he was definitely not happy about.

"We're almost there," I say as we turn another corner. The cold February air stings my cheeks, but Raz doesn't look as if it's bothering him in the least. Maybe demons are immune to the cold.

Zelda will know what to do. I keep repeating this to myself, hoping it will somehow make it true. That I've never heard of anything like this happening before is a minor detail. Maybe it happens all the time, but no one wants to admit to it because it's too embarrassing. Yes. Yes, that must be it.

We finally reach my friend's house, and I hope she's not a deep sleeper. The flickering light of a TV makes me sigh in relief. She's not gone to bed yet. Thank god she's a night owl like me. I knock on the door and a few moments later I'm met by my friend's surprised face. She's in a grey pyjama with a fluffy, pink dressing gown hanging open over it. Her blond hair is pulled into a heavy braid hanging over her shoulder. I always tease her she looks like Elsa, and while she acts like she doesn't like it, I know she secretly does.

"Tiff! What are you—" Her eyes widen as she catches sight of the demon behind me. She slowly exhales. "What have you done?"

"I didn't fucking mean to," I snap. When my friend gives me a reproachful stare, I make a wry face. "Sorry. It's been a night. Can we come in?"

"Of course." Zelda steps aside and holds the door open, her eyes following us as we enter. Well, follow him, mostly. I don't blame her. He is quite the sight.

"Tea?" she asks after closing the door behind us.

I shake my head. "Not now. I need your help."

Zelda eyes the tall demon next to me. He's pulled off his hat and is shaking his black curls out. While we're both watching, he steps out of the shoes and wriggles his toes, enjoying the newfound freedom. Then he looks up and grins at us as he puts his hand inside his trousers. I scowl. A moment later, he pulls his tail out, swishing it behind him.

"Ah," he lets out something in between a groan and a moan. "That feels much better."

Zelda lets out a squeak. "I think I'll have a cuppa," she mumbles.

A few minutes later we're sitting on her sofa while Raz is walking around the lounge, picking up little trinkets, inspecting them, and then setting them back down again. I've just filled Zelda in on what happened when I catch Raz putting the head of a little shepherdess statue in his mouth.

"That is not food," I point out.

He only shrugs before putting the figurine back down again. I turn back to my friend. "Please tell me you know how this happened? And, more importantly, how to fix it!"

Zelda takes a sip of her tea as she ponders the problem. "What time did you do the summon?" she asks.

I think back. "Around midnight."

"Ah." She makes a grimace. "I reckon you did it at exactly midnight. The ancient magic around Valentine's Day can do strange things as the shift between days happens. Your spell must have got twisted as it crossed the veil between worlds."

"Fine, but how do I break it? I need a Guardian, not sex on a stick."

Raz looks up at this, his face split in a roguish smile. "Thank you."

"It wasn't a compliment."

"I'm not sure you can send him back," Zelda muses as she takes another sip of her tea. "These contracts are binding. He must fulfil it to return."

"That's what I've been saying." Raz's voice near my ear makes me jump, and my head connects solidly with his jaw. It's rock-hard. Of course, it bloody is. "So let's hop to it and get this over with."

His large hand grabs my breast, and I swat it away. "Stop it!" I look at Zelda again. "Do I really have to have sex with him to send him back?"

She shrugs and tries to hide her smile behind her teacup as Raz's finger chases goosebumps along my neck and shoulder.

"It might not even send him back."

His finger on my skin freezes as he joins me in staring at her. "Why not?" I choke out.

"You meant to summon a Guardian. He might have to fulfil the role you requested." She's no longer trying to hide her smile as she adds, "But you could always fuck him to make sure."

"Worth a try," Raz happily agrees.

"No, I—" A knock on the door interrupts my words. An icy tendril of fear slithers down my back. I lower my voice, looking over at Zelda. "Are you expecting anyone?"

She shakes her head and foreboding grips me. Shit.

"We know you're in there," comes a singsong voice from outside. "Come out, come out little warlock or I will huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down."

I can't help but roll my eyes. "Fucking fangers. Don't even remember that the brick house is what bested the wolf."

Raz's eyebrows knot as he looks between the door and me. "What's going on?"

"The reason I wanted a Guardian demon," I mutter. Knowing that Jessamy won't leave without getting what she wants, I open the door.

"Tiff." Even in human form, Jessamy reminds me of a wolf as she grins. Her brown hair is wild and shaggy, like a lion's mane. It doesn't escape my notice that there are two other werewolves standing a few feet behind her. "Happy Valentine's Day. Time to pay up."

I cross my arms over my chest and try to look tougher than I am. "It's Teddy's loan. Find him."

"Teddy's been missing for months. You're his guarantor, so I'm here to collect." Jessamy trails a finger over my cheek and I recoil from her touch. Her eyes harden. "You know the penalty for non-payment."

"Death or working for you until the debt is paid. Yeah, not interested in either of those options." I raise my chin to prove the attitude I'm not feeling. "Teddy named me as guarantor without consulting me. Your contract is null and void."

Jessamy laughs. A harsh sound that grates on my fragile nerves. "Doesn't work like that in our world, love. You know better than that." She swivels on the heels of her feet and saunters away. "Get her, boys. She's coming with us. If she fights you, kill her."

I turn and rush back into Zelda's lounge, hoping to make it through to the kitchen and out the back door. Everything happens in a flurry of movement. Zelda is shrieking on the couch. Movement behind me tells me the pursuers are not far behind. When one of them grabs me and lifts me up, I yelp as my feet kick the air.

"Release her." The dark command makes everyone in the room still. You could drop a needle and everyone would hear it.

Raz stands at his full height before us and it feels as if he's even bigger than before, his commanding presence compelling everyone to obey. Darkness and danger glitter in his eyes. The arms around my waist slacken and I fall to the floor.

"We... We don't want any trouble," one of the fangers says.

"Yeah. Take it up with Jessamy," the other agrees. "I'm not willing to take on a fucking demon."

They disappear out the door and I rush over to slam it shut. I lock it for good measure. And put on the chain. Looking back at Raz, he looks less intimidating now. Less like his body will take over the room. But the scowl hasn't left his face.

"No one touches my warlock but me," he growls.

I let out a surprised laugh. Shit. I guess this is the demon I need, after all. Happy fucking Valentine's Day to me.

<<<<<FINIS>>>>>

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Emily writes steamy (sometimes funny) romances. When not smashing her head against the keyboard in the hopes of words coming out, she's usually busy with her tiny tyrant, and with pretending the dust bunnies under her bed are pets. One is named Steve.