Ryan's POV

"It just doesn't make any sense," Alastor said to me as he applied more gel to his hair. He played with his tie and adjusted it before turning to face me. "How do you think the demons of the council will react?"

I thought for a moment before forming a response. "Frankly, I don't give a shit what the council thinks. My father is retiring soon and I'll be their Lucifer. They should be scared to question me." I traced my finger around my whiskey glass and glared at him.

"I'm just saying this is dangerous. That's all," Alastor hummed before staring at the various paintings on my wall. Demons of mythology and numerous folklores remained on the works of art. Krampus, a demon from German mythology was my most favorite piece. Alastor's eyes lingered on that work of art for some time. "May I meet her?" His question caught me off guard.

I hated the thought of Alastor seeing Megan - not because I was insecure, but more so because she was mine and he wasn't a character to be messed with. Dangling a pretty little human would trigger his hunger and inability to control himself. As long as I was in the room, perhaps there was no problem. "Sure. She should be here any second now."

Alastor smiled and continued to admire the paintings while I sipped on my drink. I heard a few knocks on the door and raised a brow at Alastor. "Behave yourself," I said before nodding my head at him. He opened the door, allowing Megan to make an entrance and an undeniably attractive one at that.

She was wearing a silk red dress that was tight in all the right places, remaining loose down her legs. Her chest was revealed and I knew Alastor was getting too much of a look. Her hair was curled to perfection, hanging down her back with two braids tied back. And her makeup only enhanced her already perfect cheekbones. I couldn't stop gawking at her.

"That's enough Alastor," I said, sitting up and adjusting my tie before walking up to Megan and grabbing her hand. "Megan this is Alastor, an old colleague of mine. Alastor, this is Megan, my date for this evening's ball."

Alastor looked Megan up and down with hungry eyes before stating, "she sure is a fine dime." His eyes met mine again before he placed his glass on the nearest coffee table. "I best get going. It was nice meeting you Megan. I'll be seeing the both of you tonight."

I waved him off as he politely exited the room. Megan turned and faced me with big innocent eyes that made me want to tie her to my desk and pound her relentlessly, until she was shaking. My dirty mind escalated quickly but I didn't let it get the best of me. "You look beautiful."

She smiled and her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "You're looking handsome," she said nervously. I could almost hear her bite on her own cheek which caused me to release a soft chuckle.

"Are you ready?" I asked her, offering her my arm for her to intertwine hers with. She hooked hers with mine and nodded her head.

*

It was roughly 9 pm and the towers of Hell were packed with old acquaintances and partners with whom I shared business with. Megan had followed me around as I had informed her too. I had a glass of wine in my right hand so I could firmly shake the hands of others. Few people had commented about Megan, to which I replied about her being my pet. Though she was my date technically I couldn't let it be known to others who held high authority to my status. Most demons however could detect the scent of a human and had no comments to add, knowing she had far less value than the rest of us. I could still hear some of the nasty demon's thoughts and it made my inner devil growl inside at the thought of anyone touching her. I couldn't let my possessiveness show through.

"Ryan," someone said from afar. I peered my head over the demons and friends before me to see Alexander, the 2nd tier of the council. "'Tis a pleasure to see you once again, as always," he said as he paced forward through the crowd to take my hand.

"You as well, Alexander," I replied. "How are things with the council? And Paris?" The most noted drama occurring with Hell and the council was Paris - a succubus demon who had attempted to seduce a council member for more power. While demons typically can't fall for a succubus's charm, it doesn't mean that the smell of temptation is nonexistent. Theodore hadn't fallen for her traps as she had expected him to, therefore she was facing punishment. They hadn't decided yet if she should be banished or forced into a long and painful process of solitary submission. She would be there until the council desired - which would be long.

"Still haven't decided. I voted banish the whore for causing any detrimental effects to the council. I frankly don't reckon she needs to 'suffer in imprisonment' - which currently is the only debate that is keeping her here. She needs to be executed." Alexander was right about his thoughts but I was torn between the argument.

"And what is that," Alex commented at Megan, his eyes turning a dark shade of red. Megan bowed her head in embarrassment and fumbled with her fingers. The little thing was probably nervous someone of such high power in a dangerous place had even given her the time of day.

"This is my pet, Megan." I looked at Megan with a mix of lust and disgust - I couldn't let anyone know about my attraction towards her, as she should mean very little to me. But I couldn't help but want to throw her in the nearest room and devour her until her legs were shaking, especially in such a dress. It was difficult to keep my facade.

Alex walked closer to her and using both his index and middle finger, he perked her chin up. He looked deep into her eyes and read all her thoughts and sins as he was capable of doing. "You smell quite delicious for a human," Alex noted. Though I was glad someone was taking such a liking in her scent as I was - which had informed me I had a very attractive human - I was still possessive over her. My anger towards Alex only increased with each second.

In a flash, Alex used his hands and utmost power to push her onto the ground and at the nearest wall. "But know your place," he said with venom lacing his voice.

I glanced at Megan, who had tears in her eyes and pieces of hair falling out. She was such a weak human, given Alex had hardly touched her with his strength. I could almost feel sympathy for her, but I pushed that thought away - Alex had more importance to me, and after all, Megan was just a pet.

Right?

It pained my heart to see her writhing in pain.

I turned to face Alex and laughed greatly, along with a few others in the building. The scene wasn't quite funny to me but I had to mask any care I had at all and put all my focus on Alex.

"Are you ready for the ceremony?" Alex inquired, referring to my transformation and title as Devil. Once named, I will have more authority than anyone in Hell.

"I am," I answered. "Though I need to talk with my father about the set date, invitations, and more. I suppose he should be here right about now, correct?"

"I believe so. We'll chat with him more upon arrival." Alex smiled and glanced over my head. "By the way, you should probably hide that hideous thing. No one wants to see it." He then walked away.

I knew it angered people here that I had brought a human, it made them feel invalidated and it brought rage to them that the soon-to-be devil gave something so worthless a chance at going to the ball. On the contrary, I knew the main reason they wanted her set away was because she had aroused them. She was a human, but that was the reason people had wanted her. She had fresh blood and the innocence of a fragile being, which people so carelessly wanted to take from her. It was the innocence of her that had people eager to snatch her for themselves.

I wouldn't let that happen.

I turned around to see Megan stand up cautiously and run to the nearest hallway before she went out of my sight. I had the urge to run for her and make sure she stayed safe but before I could do so I was interrupted by another demon with intentions to talk about the ceremony.

"Ryan! It's so nice to see you again," someone said as they aggressively pulled me in for a hug. I hadn't even recognized the voice, or face for that matter. Probably just another demon eager to get me in bed with them tonight. Whore. I thought. The only thing I wanted right now was a tiny little human with the sweetest scent. But she wasn't even near me.

"Are you excited to be named Lucifer?" she purred as she bit her lip and played with the tie on my suit. I could feel a bulge growing in my pants, but not from the female in front of me, but rather, from the thoughts of Megan that kept making an appearance in my mind.

"Yes I am," I answered, annoyed with her presence. "I should get talking to some fellow mates, it was nice chatting with you though." I pushed through more people and found a group of friends that I used to know back since training. Blaine, Emmet, and Raymond stood before me with smiles on their faces as I arrived to their conversation.

"Wow it's been a couple hundred years since I've seen the devil himself," Blaine exclaimed as he took my hand in his for a firm shake.

"Well not yet, but do feel obliged to get comfortable with calling me that," I said, chuckling. "How have you guys been?"

"Well I've settled on a female, but you can ask these two about their whore-hopping. I'm sure they can tell you about their greatest experiences-"

"Oh shut up," Emmet said, cutting off Raymond. "This statement may be true but that doesn't mean I'm not looking for the right one in doing so."

"Ahhh, trying to put a ring on someone? I don't see you committed to a relationship, Emmet," I said, laughing with the boys.

Minutes of conversation passed before my mind once again had thoughts of that one little human who was carelessly wandering around the pits of Hell. I had an urge to tear that dress off her tiny frame and taste every inch of her body. I desperately needed her, and it made me insecure knowing I wanted someone with such little value. I wanted to take my anger out on her.

"I'll chat more with you all in a second, I need to find someone," I said before waving them off and running through more crowds of people. Few demons had tried to grab my attention but I simply pushed them away without a thought. The more I thought about Megan the more desperately I needed her in my arms.

I flew through the hallway I remembered her running through. I wasn't sure which was she went but I followed the fair scent of what I could only assume to be human. The scent grew stronger, guiding my the way to my meal.

I came across a door in a dark hallway that was hardly touched. The aroma of a human filled my nostrils and I knew it was her - but behind the door something dangerous was happening and I knew it. I pushed on the knob only to be denied entrance, so I used my devilish capabilities and pushed through the door with my arm.

I couldn't believe my eyes.

**********
this was a long chapter for a long wait!! i can't believe i haven't updated in almost two months, sorry about that guys. my desire to write comes in intervals. however i hope this chapter was satisfying enough and i hope i left everyone on an intriguing cliffhanger!! let me know your thoughts on Alastor, Alex, and Ryan's friends. do you find them trustworthy?

xx
CloudiLynn