When the Demon Calls Her Name

Chapter 4: A Devil's Curiosity

“Hey,” Claire said, stepping inside with a bright smile. She was holding a paper bag that smelled like fresh bagels. “I brought breakfast!”

Evie forced a smile, stepping aside. “Thanks. You didn’t have to do that.”

Claire shrugged, setting the bag down on the counter. “You seemed off yesterday. Thought you could use some company.” Her eyes scanned the room before narrowing slightly. “Why does it smell like smoke in here?”

“Uh... burned a candle,” Evie lied quickly, trying to sound casual. “Guess it was a little too strong.”

Claire raised an eyebrow but didn’t press the issue.

Instead, she flopped onto the couch and looked around. “You’ve been cleaning? That’s new.”

Evie gave a weak laugh as she grabbed plates for the bagels. “Yeah, just trying to get my life together, you know?”

Claire nodded, then turned her attention to the bookshelf. “You’re missing a few books. Didn’t you have the whole set of those fantasy novels you love?”

Evie froze, her back to Claire, heart skipping a beat. “Oh, uh... they’re in the bedroom. I needed to make space out here.”

Claire gave her a curious look but shrugged it off. “Okay. So, how are you? Really?”

“I’m fine,” Evie said too quickly, trying to ignore the tension coiling in her chest as she set the plates on the table.

Claire frowned. “You don’t look fine. You’ve got those ‘Evie’s been up all night worrying’ bags under your eyes.”

“I’m just... tired,” Evie admitted, sitting down across from her friend. “Work’s been stressful.”

“Is that all?” Claire pressed, leaning forward. “You’d tell me if something was wrong, right?”

Evie hesitated, her stomach twisting with guilt.

She couldn’t exactly say, Oh, nothing much. Just accidentally summoned a demon who’s now living in my apartment.

“Yeah,” she said finally, forcing a smile. “You know I would.”

Claire studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. But if you ever need to talk, I’m here. No judgment.”

“Thanks,” Evie said softly, her heart warmed by the sincerity in Claire’s voice.

The two of them chatted for a while, Claire doing most of the talking as she recounted her latest disastrous date. Evie tried to focus, but her nerves were on edge, half-expecting Lucian to burst out of the bedroom at any moment.

Finally, Claire stood, brushing crumbs off her hands. “I should get going. But seriously, take care of yourself, okay?”

“I will,” Evie promised, walking her to the door.

Once Claire was gone, Evie leaned against the door, exhaling in relief.

“I take it the mortal has left?”

She jumped, spinning around to find Lucian standing in the hallway, looking far too smug for her liking.

“Do you have to sneak up on me?” she snapped.

He smirked, unbothered. “I thought you’d appreciate my discretion. Would you have preferred I joined your little breakfast gathering?”

“No!” she said quickly. “The last thing I need is you scaring my best friend.”

Lucian tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. “She’s protective of you. Admirable, in a way. Though her suspicion of your secrecy will only grow.”

Evie groaned, rubbing her temples. “Don’t remind me.”

He stepped closer, his presence swallowing the small space. “You cannot keep me hidden forever, little one. The longer I remain, the more... complications will arise.”

“I didn’t ask for this,” she muttered, her voice wavering despite her best efforts.

Lucian’s gaze softened, just slightly. “Perhaps not. But you summoned me all the same. And now, we’re bound by fate—or folly.”

Evie looked up at him, her frustration mingling with an inexplicable ache in her chest. “I don’t know how to fix this.”

His lips curled into a faint smile, almost gentle. “Then perhaps it’s time you stopped running from what you truly want.”

Evie’s breath caught in her throat, her heart hammering as his words lingered in the air.

What did she want?