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"I summoned you, please come to me

Don't bury thoughts that you really want

I fill you up, drink from my cup

Within me lies what you really want"

Middle of the night x Elley Duhé

"Tonight, show me how humans love..."

I craned my neck to look at the demon towering over me and noticed some small changes. The waves of his soft black hair were more prominent and streaks of gold shined through his locks. Both his ears were pierced, with diamonds twinkling in each lobe. He donned a white silk button-up with a couple of buttons undone to flaunt his muscular chest with the sleeves rolled up and black pants. His aura was also different. It was like an electric field surrounding him that had the hairs on my arms standing up. It was as if my body was warning me of the consequences of angering him.

"You're severely fucked in the head if I'll ever show you, love." I smiled as I walked past him. Before I could leave, Aurelio gripped my forearm tight that I knew it would leave a bruise. I yanked my forearm away from his grip but it proved impossible. My hair was stuck to the corner of my lips and I used my small hands to peel Aurelio's fingers off one by one. His eyes glowed and laughed at my attempt to get away.

"Take me back to the Mortal Realm," I demanded. To my surprise, the demon obliged.

"You might regret it, but as you wish," was all he said before he snapped his fingers.

I could never get used to the feeling of being transported in between realms. I felt as if I was on a rollercoaster anticipating the steep drop only for it to keep repeating over and over again. Once my feet sensed solid ground, I sighed in relief. A clean and crisp scent overwhelmed my senses. My arms were wrapped around Aurelio's waist with my head on his warm chest. I jumped away in surprise and fixed my posture. I didn't even realize I was holding on to him as if my life depended on it.

The hospital's familiar hallway and waiting lobby awaited me and I ran to Danny's room. Hope bloomed in my heart that what I did worked and that my friend was safe and alive. I ran faster until I reached his room and the fragile hope that grew in my heart wilted once I heard the soul-crushing sound of a flatline emanating from his room.

My shaking hands managed to slide the white door open. A knot formed in the back of my throat and my chest became heavy when the doctor declared his time of death. 12 am. Brittany, Ethan, and Angelo stood in the corner of the room as I rushed to Danny's side. I could hear Brittany stifling her sobs while listening to Ethan and Angelo's soothing words.

"No no no no no," I repeated and my voice cracked. "No!" I screamed, reaching for my friend's dead body. I felt hands pulling me back, grabbing me to their arms. I held my friend's lifeless body and cradled him as I sobbed, my tears dripping on his forehead and blaming myself for his death. I hated myself for being clueless and stupid. Most of all, I hated the useless gift bestowed on me as the Bridal Fruit. "I'm sorry Danny, it was all my fault. I was wrong, I shouldn't have done it!" I sobbed against the corner of my dead friend's bed. Gentle hands touched my shoulder, arms, and waist as the nurses took my friend's body away from me. I was on the floor, my knees touching the biting cold of the tiles.

"I knew you wouldn't believe me unless I showed you," a voice whispered in my head.

"What happened, Celeste?" Angelo asked softly making sure the nurses and doctor couldn't hear us. I followed Brittany and Angelo to the main hallway.

"I-I..." I stuttered, unable to form the words. It was difficult to admit that it was all my fault that my friend died. "I used my healing powers as the Bridal Fruit to see if it would work against Danny's sickness."

"It didn't work, it killed him instead!" I sobbed.

Brittany came to my side, rubbing my back in soft circles. "That doesn't make sense, there's an angel and a demon right?"

I nodded. "I don't understand, but it's too late now. I killed Danny and I don't know how I'll get him back." I shuddered. I continued to cry until it subsided with the increasing realization that there is still a way I can fix this. I pulled myself away from Brittany's embrace. I was in a trance of determination as I stared off into space. I knew what I needed to do.

********

When the nurse pulled the sheet over my friend's face, I rushed outside the hospital. I ran to the park across the street and found a spot under a Weeping Willow tree, its branches and leaves softly grazing the ground. It was the perfect hiding spot to summon a demon. "Aurelio, I summon thee!" I exclaimed, drawing the runes with my blood on the ground over and over again. I was freezing and shivering in the cold night air. I was kneeling under the Weeping Willow, almost shrouded in darkness since the light that reached past the Willow's branches was moonlight.

It has been a couple of minutes and Aurelio hasn't appeared. The tips of my left fingers were bleeding from the sharp stones on the soil as I repeated the rune to summon him. I cursed at the demon who now decided to take his sweet time.

"Well, well, well, someone's very eager to see me." The familiar seductive voice teased.

I got up from the floor and faced where Aurelio's baritone voice came from. A large pale hand swept the branches of the Weeping Willow away and revealed Aurelio's intimidating frame. My heart pounded hard against my chest. My heartbeat accelerated when Aurelio took a step closer towards me. Unlike last time, a golden crown hovered over his head. His approach will always remind me of a predator ready to swallow and dominate its prey.

"I've changed my mind..." I stuttered, looking him in the eye, as tears brimmed to the corners of my own eyes.

"Changed your mind on what, love?" he tilted his head as if he was oblivious to our previous conversation after I saw one of my dearest friends die in front of me.

"About...being...my first partner of—" I couldn't finish my sentence because I was holding back tears from falling.

"Ravishment?" Aurelio finished for me.

I nodded, which was a mistake because a stubborn tear fell down my cheek. A strong gust of wind blew against my face only to find Aurelio close to me. We were no longer under the branches of the Weeping Willow. The moon was beautiful tonight. It stayed in the sky innocent to those who gaze, but it's a witness to many abominations of the night. Aurelio's pale skin glowed under the moonlight making him even more ethereal. I've always thought that he could use some sun but as much as I hate to admit it, he looked handsome in front of me.

"In return," I began, taking a gulp before I made my request.

"Please bring Danny, Summer, and Ted back." I said, my voice cracking as I tilted my head to look at him. Aurelio's eyes zoned in on my lips before bringing his gaze back to mine.

"Hmm...that's a large request for one night of ravishment, sunshine." he said, pulling me closer.

"I can only bring one soul back for you." he whispered in my ear. "And if you have more requests, it's going to require a larger payment."

I shuddered, knowing what he meant by his idea of 'payment'. How did I stoop this low?

"Are you still going to allow us to win this round of the game?" I asked him in a small voice.

"It depends on how our night goes, Celeste." he chuckled.

My cheeks reddened with shame and disgust for him and for myself. He was going to base off me and my friends winning based on my performance in bed.

Bed.

I've never slept with anyone. I've always assumed I'd give my virginity to the man I love. Yet here I am, offering myself to the King of the Nether Realm. Aurelio moved a strand of hair on my cheek and tucked it behind my ear. Aurelio raised his hand to snap his fingers and I instinctively wrapped my arms around his waist and shut my eyes closed as I felt the familiar sensation of changing realms. We left the tree that wept for my sacrifice and loss.

Hi everyone! I know it's been forever since I updated. Thank you so much for your patience <3 If y'all haven't checked it out yet, I have a playlist made for Enraptured that's posted on my bio. I definitely suggest listening to it since it fits the vibe for the entire book!