Frozen in Fire

I stared at Samael silently before bursting out laughing.

    "You're kidding..that's the best you could come up with?"

    His gaze darkened as he looked at me again. His expression was a cool mask that hid the emotions that I was sure were roaring through him. He bristled a little and growled softly.

    "I am not kidding, Kasey..."

    "Yeah, sure you're  not." I pushed the covers off of me and slowly climbed out of the comforting warmth. I glanced at the window that was covered with thick black curtains that reminded me of a void. I glanced at the person sitting in a chair, watching me wearily. He looked so familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on it. "Nice costume by the way. How much did that cost you? And what the heck even are you?"

    He scowled and looked away, "it cost me, my soul. My mortal soul." He looked at me, his eyes looked so genuine but I would not be fooled. I shook my head, his eyes pinning me. "I am a demonic immortal, Kasey...and you are in my realm. Do not realize how much danger you are in? And the fact that your scent is so different, it's been hard to keep Kedar away from you. You're lucky he hasn't eaten you yet."

    I frowned, "do you ever stop lying? And who the hell is Kedar?" My steps were slow as I moved towards the curtain.

    "He's my....companion...a..uh..pet...?" I looked back at Samael, his eyes were looking at the door. Following his gaze, I saw a shadow block the sliver of light that had shined beyond the door. A soft tapping of claws on wood echoed between me and Samael. Samael's body already looked defeated.

    "So...Kedar is...what? A dog? You look like a dog person.."

    "He..is a hound, yes. But..he's a hound from my realm, not yours." Samael slowly stood, walking to the door hesitantly. He paused to look at me, "do you want to meet him..? I won't let him hurt you.."

    "What? Do you not train your dog to be nice? Maybe you should put a muzzle on him if he bites so much. Or just put him down." I watched Samael's hand grip the handle slowly, his body was rigid and a soft growl was coming from the door; along with loud sniffing.

    "That's not possible.."

    "Why not?"

    Samael sighed loudly, and grumbled, "because one, no muzzle would ever be able to keep his big mouth shut; and two, we are in hell. There is no 'put down' option." The knob turned and Samael jerked away when the door flew open. A loud growl coming from the giant beast that slowly stalked halfway in. Blocking my only escape route. It was terrifyingly beautiful. It was at least five feet tall. Its body was covered in black fur that looked to be coated in soot. Its fangs were as long as my forearm and each padded paw had long black claws. Its eyes were the most alluring part of the creature, orange fire burning its way through the room. It moved closer, the rattling of chains that were around the neck and two front legs the only sound. I stepped back, its huge form coming towards me, its wet snout sniffing at me.

    "Kedar..." Samael warned. The beast paused its slow walk that marked my doom, its head slowly turning to meet Samael's raging eyes. Both were terrifying. And both were suddenly growling, a steady black snake of smoke rising from Kedar's mouth.

    "You...you can't be..you can't be serious about this..." I squeaked, regretting my decision as Kedar swirled his head back to watch me. Its pointed ears falling back as its body switched into a battle stance.

    "Kedar..!" Samael growled, his hand suddenly grabbing onto the chain around the beast's neck. I watched as the huge beast was yanked away from me, its jaws snapping shut with surprise. Kedar pulled against him, looking at me with hungry eyes. "Dammit..you fucking bastard.." Samael growled, yanking the beast out the door with him.

    The door shook as Samael slammed it shut after sending me an apologetic glance. I stood frozen, listening to the loud cursing and thudding as claws scraped along the floor. I stood still until everything went quiet, I eased my way to the door and slowly opened it. I stuck my head out of my room, peering over the dark interior.

    Despite Samael's ancient taste in decor, the hall was well spaced and open. Probably for Kedar's sake, or any other monster he probably has. I looked over the high ceiling that was held up by smooth stone bricks. The floor looked to be of some other material that I couldn't distinguish. Its color was a very deep purple that looked black. A metal railing was near the center, where a hole was carved so you could see below. Further down the hall to my right were two big doors, the stone frame making the dark wood pop. I looked over the torches and the hanging bowls full of fire that set a soft glow over the whole place. It was... somewhat enchanting. The hall continued its way to my right, leading deeper into what I assume is a mansion. This would be way too elaborate for a simple prank, or stunt. Especially that beast. It seemed so real..and I felt its breath. How could they manipulate machines to do that? Things were not adding up. And the fog that blocked my mind was not helping. What happened? I went to college...and...I went with a friend.. who..who were they? I snapped back into reality as voices came from my left.

    "She's suffering from amnesia. I can't send her back like this. She wouldn't make it through the Shadows to even get home." I slipped into my room, keeping the door slightly ajar as the voices grew louder.

    "Well, she's not safe here. She'll DIE if we keep her here. Then, she'll be thrown into the Pit because she didn't die from natural causes." The female voice seemed confident and annoyed, most likely an arrogant hothead.

    "You don't think I know that?? I am TRYING, Cahtora."

    "Trying will not save her life, Samael. And you can't stay here and be her protector since you have your 'lordly' duties to attend to."

    "That's why I'm asking you to help me!"

    The cackle that replied sent shivers over my spine, "no. I will not help you babysit." Their footsteps and voices were closing in, my curiosity and confusion being overrun as my anxiety yanked on my strings. I  turned the knob and shut the door, slowly uncoiling the handle to let the bar slide into its slot as quietly as possible. My feet instantly backtracking towards the bed. I plopped onto the soft mattress and slowly mulled over what they said. Were they talking about me? And if so, why did they say I have amnesia..? I don't have amnesia. Do I?

    The door slowly opened and Samael walked in, the women who I heard him talking to had disappeared. He slowly looked over the room before looking at me. He sighed and ran his hand through a bit of his hair, his horns keeping him from going through it all.

    "What?" I asked softly, trying to hide my confusion as he paced slowly, he mumbled to himself but didn't pay me any mind. "Samael?" I was invisible to him. I sighed frustrated and snapped at him, "Samael!!"

    He jolted, turning his body towards me as if realizing he wasn't alone, he sighed. "Sorry...This is my room. I'm used to being alone. Especially with everything that is going on.."

    "Like what?"

    "Your return to the mortal realm." He looked away, clearly uncomfortable as I stared at him.

    "Why is that a problem?"

    "Because it's dangerous..." His reply was soft and undecided. I guess he was trying to figure out how to answer without revealing too much.

    "I think Kedar is the most dangerous thing...Let's just go right now. I'll be fine." My smile was a little strained as I stared at his hesitant form.

    "There is much worse than Kedar. He is actually the safest thing probably near you.."

    "What's the most dangerous then?"

    "Don't worry about it..." He mumbled, looking towards the window. My eyes followed his gaze though there was nothing to be seen with the curtains hiding whatever lied behind it. My curiosity was drawn to it, but from the fear that was hissing at me, I knew I did not want to know. "We'll be moving you to your own room."

    "Where to..?" I whispered cautiously.

    "Next to mine so I can keep you safe."

    I frowned, running over my memory of what I saw in the hallway. There wasn't a door nearby except the big doors down the hall. Did I miss something? I was sure that I was vigilant. How could a door easily slip from my view? I hesitated, knowing that I cannot ask without revealing that I snooped around.

    "You probably want to bathe don't you?" He frowned slightly, "I'll make sure Cahtora adds that to the plan. How does a Jacuzzi sound?" He looked at me as if he was asking something totally normal.

    "What...?"

    "What kind of–"

    "No no, what plan?"

    "The construction plan...?" He stared at me confused as I just gaped, shocked. "What? Don't you mortals construct things?"

    "Well yes, but it takes MONTHS to finish a construction! It doesn't take like, a day! How long am I stuck here??"

    He winced, "right...I forgot you are not used to this. As I said before, we are not in your realm anymore. What takes you guys months, could take us just a few hours or minutes depending on the size and how many slaves–er....workers.....we...put to....work..." he trailed off, looking away guiltily.

    "You have slaves...?" I asked slowly.

    His frustrated sighs were enough to answer, "I don't have a choice, Kasey. Besides, they are murderers and pedophiles. I only take the worst...I swear." He looked at me with puppy eyes, begging for forgiveness. I looked away, silence filling the empty space between us.  The only thing that interrupted that sweet silence was my stomach growling, I blushed. Samael's grin seemed to laugh at me but he kindly nodded, "I'll get you some food." He left without another word, a soft click telling me that he locked the door. I silently cursed my body and I looked around the room again. It was fairly spaced and there weren't many decorations otherwise. I looked over everything, claw marks catching my eyes in places that I didn't notice before. I looked over the bed again, it was massive and I frowned thinking about why he would need so much space. I shook my head and looked back towards the window. Curiosity was clawing at my mind and I felt like I was going mad. I sighed annoyed at myself as I stood, walking towards the curtain that seemed to promise me answers with a silent threat lining each answer. Despite my better judgment, I pushed the curtain back.

          *Mild Violence Warning*

    I looked down and stared at it. My eyes met the black eyes, fear tearing at me as I froze like a deer in headlights. The lipless creature seemed to grin, its mouth stretched from ear to ear. Its mouth snapping open to show sharp pointed teeth and a long slimy tongue. Its legs were twisted in all angles and it crawled on all fours. Its torso seemed to be pointing up but its chin was pointed to the floor. It was just all wrong...the back legs were in the position of what a grasshopper would have. Its eyes were beady little black dots with nothing but darkness swarming in them. and then it was charging.

    I screamed, stumbling back in horror as I listened to it clawing up the wall. I stumbled towards the door, my eyes never leaving the window. I watched as its disfigured human face peered in, its eyes staring at me as it drooled. I tripped back, hitting the floor,  and just stared, my body pinned down from the horror that was strangling me. Tears started to blur my vision, and I heard a thud and a crack. I blinked to clear my vision and watched it beat its head on the window again, the small cracks spreading like a spider's web. It screeched its anger and impatience as its head collided with the window again. Black liquid oozed from the cut it made on itself, but it was not done. I jumped up as I heard the last thing I wanted to hear. The window shattered, and the creature clawed its way inside.