Raven groaned, stumbling down the rickety staircase towards the basement. The box crammed with her father's copper and steel broken and tossed aside gadgets rattled viciously against her chest. Although she was grateful for her ability to see in the dark, it was the total lack of color that had her on edge.

The basement was cluttered with crates, boxes and old machinery, all thick with damp and dust. She inadvertently shivered when an icy breeze greeted her the moment she made her final descent, and stepped onto the cold, rough cement floor.

Her toes curled against the surface, she should have worn shoes. She had at least had some sense to wear jeans and sweater and not a dress. With a heavy sigh she trudged forward, deeper and deeper into the darkness. She should be used to these odd and totally random orders from her father.

"Take the box down and get me the old 20 inch wrench we tossed last week, will you?" She mimicked her father. It was not so much a request as a do it now or kinda thing. Sure, sure. If only she could remember where she had tossed the dumb wrench and other fifty odd, old tools.

Don't get her wrong. She loved her father dearly and she loved watching him work. The intricate and beautiful things he conjured are works of art, coveted by the whole high aristocrat society of the city.

A sliver of light in the corner of her eye caught her attention and she froze. Even in the stark shades of night, she knew that was the glimmer of fire. Sharp, burning and scorching to the touch.

The light widened and filled the darkness. Her arms lifted instinctively to cover her eyes, the box and all its contents fell, spilling all over the floor.

She dared a peek over an arm, her eyes squinting against the bright glare. Then in a trance her arms fell away and she stared at the creature who stepped forward out of the fire and through the gates that could only be that of the unholy hell itself.

"I am Grimalkin, kneel before me or perish!" It boomed. The walls of the basement rumbled, and cracks deepened.

For several seconds an eerie silence descended upon the basement, with an odd crackle every now and then from the hell's fire that licked out from beyond, threatening to ignite the surrounding crates.

"You are a cat."

Raven's cold statement must have annoyed the creature, as it protruded it's sharp claws, digging them into the cement.

It bore its teeth, snarling.
"Kneel befo-"

"What is this around your neck?"

Raven moved so swiftly and squatted before him, one hand lifting the small, delicate key that hung around his neck on a thick chain. His teeth retracted and he choked on his snarl.

"Wha-what are you doing?" The question sounded even stupid to him. This was definitely not the usual anticipated behavior he expected.

"What does it open?" Raven looked up, locking her blue eyes with his orbs of golden yellow.

Grimalkin sniffed the air, leaning his black, furry head closer to hers.

"You are not human." He sniffed again. "Ah, a child of nature." Then he frowned.
"You are far from home."

"I am half-human," Raven corrected, her fingers brushing the key softly. "And I am home."
"Why are you here, demon? No one summoned you."

"The name is Grimalkin, and aye, I came of my own accord."

"Why?"

"I was pulled, so to speak, enticed to seek out the person with a very strong desire."

"Oh? Desire, what kind of desire?" She arched a brow, her heart drumming in her ears.

He leaned even closer, his nose almost touching hers.
"Love."

Raven stood up, relinquishing the key.
"Then I ask again, why are you here?" She avoided his gaze, cheeks flushing hotly. Something she attributed to the heat from the flames, rather it being an emotional response.

Grimalkin chuckled, "for you."

"Me?" She squeaked, concentrating on everything but him.

"Aye", the black cat nodded, and the fires behind him disappeared along with the gates, and the intense heat dissipated. He watched as the girl busied herself, picking up the scattered things on the floor.

"I have no interest in love, and no, I do not wish to bargain with a demon for it. I am not afraid of you, so begone with you." Raven proceeded to throw everything back into the box, ignoring the penetrating eyes upon her.

"Then perhaps, companionship?"

"What?"

"I find you intriguing, dryad. I would like to offer companionship, my companionship."

Raven stopped, turning back around to face the cat, who had now made himself comfortable on top of a crate. No longer was he the foreboding creature, but rather simple, and much more approachable, however still significantly larger than an ordinary house cat.

"I don't need companionship."

"Aye, perhaps, but I do. Hell can be tiring and I crave more."

"Will you tell me what the key is for?"

Grimalkin laughed, "aye, grant me a month of your company and I will share its secret."

Raven shoved the box in-between two crates and for a moment stood deep in thought.
"Just a month?"

"Aye."

"All right, a month. But you will have to stay in my room, my father doesn't like, uh, animals of any sort."

"Deal!" The cat lifted a large paw, and Raven took it hesitantly, still doubting the insanity of it all.

Grimalkin jumped off the crate and the pair made their way to the staircase.

"Raven," she suddenly said as they reached the foot of the stairs and he turned to her confused.

"My name, it's Raven."

"Raven? A bird, how fitting."

"I am not a bird to be caught, cat. Remember that."

"Aye, I shall."

"You were kinda scary," Raven admitted as they climbed the stairs and Grimalkin laughed.

"Aye, I know." 

*******************************************************************************************
Halosandhellfires Prompt: 
The gates of hell stood ajar and out steps one of hell's most cunning creatures. Your Character stares it in the eyes. This hellcat can bring you to your knees or grant you your one deepest desire.

Word count: 986

Resources used:
Wiki - Grimalkin mythology
Pinterest - Images