Page 50 of Prayer of the Damned
“Designated demonic incarnation never fully takes place before completing training and studies, especially not in the case of a freshman student, but I’ve been told she’s already taken on some of the powers that accompany her intended role. We mustn’t ask about her role, or discuss it amongst ourselves, and we must not intervene in anything she does. You’ll find her presence is quite charged. Any faculty member who crosses the line will be returned to their creator, no exceptions. That’s a direct order from Satan himself, given to us through the head of the Council. Am I clear?” He narrows his eyes as he examines us, as though seeking doubt in our eyes.
“Yes, sir,” we answer as one.
The others don’t know what this is about, but after the Dean’s message I have no doubt: In spite of my efforts, Lilith has awakened. She walks the lands of Adam.
I’d meant to evade Lilith. At least until I could inform my superiors of recent events, and until I was given orders on how to proceed. It was one thing before the girl completed the transformation, now I find myself in territory I wasn’t properly prepared for.
I go to my office so I can contact my superiors, but the Devil’s in the details. As I open the door to my office, I find Bellcolor sitting in the chair across from my desk and staring. Fuck.
I can’t just turn and run. It would be stupid and irresponsible. I can’t afford to rouse her suspicion.
“Miss Fermi,” I address her formally, unsure of what I should call her now that everything’s changed.
She snaps out of the trance she’d been drawn into and stands up.
Not only has Bellcolor completed the transformation, she looks like the polar opposite of the lanky, pale girl I’d met at the start of summer.
Her black hair has been given volume and a life of its own. It cascades and curls on her swollen breasts, which threaten to split the buttoned shirt of the school uniform. There’s no question that she fills it out differently now than she once did. The black tie lies between her breasts and is tilted slightly to one side, and all I want is to arrange it and cop a feel of those stunning breasts. Her pleated black skirt reveals long legs and silken skin, almost as pure as the holiest of angels. My eyes return to her flushed face, its color living and gleaming, and I need to remind myself that the woman before me isn’t alive, she’s actually a walking corpse. Her eyes are white and gleaming, wide open as they look me over with the same intensity.
“Barty,” her pink lips speak my nickname, and I feel all the filthy blood flowing between my legs and making me hard. I’ve become a monster, and my blood again retakes control of my body and my filthy, sinful thoughts.
“What are you doing here?” I blurt out, almost enraged. Damn it, I need to control myself. The Dean was very clear with his warnings.
“I need your help.” Her eyes grow soft, displaying a sadness unlike any I’ve ever seen.
“Mine?” I ask in amazement.
“I’ve thought a lot about the creation story you taught us.” She looks down. “I think you were trying to tell me something and I was too stupid to pick up on it.”
She’s onto me. That’s it. It’s over.
She raises her gaze and approaches me. All the air drains out of my lungs and my knees shake. The aura around her is powerful, and I can barely breathe. My blood bubbles in my veins and I find myself fighting to keep my body from pressing against her and never letting go. Where does this influence come from? She’s controlling my body without even meaning to. If I hadn’t been aware of the Devil’s tricks, I might’ve mistakenly thought I missed her.
“W-what do you want from me?” My lips finally manage to move, and I curse myself for the weakness I display in her presence.
“I need you to set what you came here to do in motion.” She fixes her gaze on me and I freeze in place.
“W-what? What do you know about that?”
“Everything,” she immediately answers, tilting her head with clear amusement on her face. “I need you to banish her. Lilith… she’s awakening inside me,” she demands, and I’m stunned into silence.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Bellcolor
“We meet again, beloved,” Libretto whispers with a smile, forcing me to raise my gaze to meet his.
“W-what?” I stammer in shock, glancing at my father and seeing him kneel before me, lowering his head with respect.
What in the name of every spirit and demon is goingonhere?
I look back at Libretto, and the lustful, admiring look on his face makes me nauseous and uncomfortable in a way I’ve never known before. I may be over the age of consent, but it’s a whole other fucking level of creepy. The man’s as old as time itself.
“Get your hands off me!” I withdraw and slap his hand away.
“Lilith?” he seems confused.
“Why are you calling me that?” I look from him to my father, now on his feet and looking just as confused.
