A Demon's Bargain

Ahura Mazda sat back, a mildly disheartened look in his eyes. How typical. I could tell I was about to get a sermon. “Chris, I need you to listen, ok?”

He sighed. “Look, you’re right. I’ve made mistakes before, many mistakes, with many of my children.” He gestured at me. “You included. That doesn’t mean I don’t love you, because I do. I love Andy too.”

He shook his head and rolled his eyes. “I’ve definitely mellowed out over the years. I used to be so gung-ho on the whole ‘plan’ thing, always making all these rules, but I always tripped myself up. I lost sight of the bigger picture.”

He sighed tiredly. “Anyway, we’ve talked about that before. The point is that I’ve done things I regret, and I’m sorry. In my own way, I am trying to make things right. Even I have so much to learn.” He grinned. “I bet you have a thing or two also.”

The thought that Yahweh had a lot to learn wasn’t exactly comforting. Predictably, he chuckled. “Sorry, I guess I was being a little self-indulgent. I am getting pretty damned old.”

The suspense was killing me, but I knew not to rush Dennis. He rolled his eyes again. “Ok, ok… Tell me, Chris, just why do you think Andy has fallen in love now, and so quickly, after all this time? What’s so special about (Y/N)?”

I shrugged. “She seems nice, if damaged. I got a couple brief looks around in her psyche, but nothing in-depth. Both times I was in a hurry. I think a lot of it is just the unusual power of her emotions, and because Andy is half-human. I think it makes him more prone to falling in love. I think the timing is just coincidence.”

Allah nodded. “Could be.” Shit! There was more to it, guaranteed, and Tiān wasn’t talking. What the fuck had I missed?

(Y/N) was definitely human, I had been inside her mind! Besides, Andy was very gifted; he would have sniffed out even the best imposter by now! Ultimately, I had to believe that Dennis meant what he said, that he loved Andy; hope that he’d tell me if Andy was in danger. Still, I was confused, and suddenly a lot less sure of myself.

I didn’t want to press Baha; I still needed his help… I fidgeted, worried for Andy. I supposed… Andy was technically a nephilim of sorts, was there some kind of weird shit I didn’t know about at his age? He was hardly a youngster! Was Andy hitting puberty?

Brahman surprised me by reaching out and patting my hand with his reassuringly. “I will help you, my son. But you were right, I am a sucker for atonement.”

My heart leapt and then quivered in my throat! This could be very good or very, very bad.

Notes