The pain in the morning was just as big as when Hailie fell asleep last night. Her whole face was sore and a bit swollen, but it wasn't something she hadn't experienced before. It just made her so angry that after all this time nothing has changed. She still was the same scared and feeble teenager, who couldn't cope with the abusive behavior of her ex-boyfriend. She really wished for him to disappear, but at the same time she started to feel a desire for getting revenge. She just couldn't find a proper way to put him in jail. Jayson would have to do something terrible but then it might be too late to save someone, perhaps even herself. 

Hailie took a breath and stopped looking at the mirror. She tried to hide a bruise with a concealer, but it was still there, only a little bit faded out. It looked terrible and was a reminder of her failure. She was scared to think what would've happened if Leah didn't come out. That was pretty badass. She would never expect something like that from an old lady. That was a great hit, right in his weak point. She chuckled. Jayson being beaten by the old lady, that's something worth remembering.

One more gaze in the mirror, just to check if a marina turtleneck fitted with her jeans. She liked how it emphasized her waist.

Shane's gonna love it!

But he definitely won't be happy about that bruise on her face. He'll probably go berserk, ready to find Jayson and beat the crap out of him. She didn't call Shane yesterday, after that horrible act of violence. Certainly, he would come to her house at once and that wasn't a good idea. She just wanted to cry herself to sleep, which happened successfully, because Sloth and Greed were gone by the time she came back.

Hailie slowly opened the door and looked out on the corridor. She didn't want to meet any demon, because then she would have to explain how she got into a fight with Jayson. That wasn't clever. She came downstairs, wondering if Gluttony was again in the kitchen. She hasn't heard anything in the house since she woke up. It was deadly quiet.

But it was never quiet for too long.

"Hailie." She knew that voice way too well. "Please, let me talk to you. Please."

She slowly turned to Lust, deciding to give him a chance to speak up his mind. If it was so  important for him, then fine. She hasn't heard him say 'please' too many times and surely for a demon like him it wasn't easy to say, so he deserved to be at least listened to without all the demons watching them from a distance.

"What is it, Lust?" she asked, not missing the occasion to call him by his real name.

He was staring at her for a longer while, thinking how beautiful she was. It was hard to keep the anger at side, when he noticed the bruise that she was trying to conceal.

Focus.

"I don't want to pretend anymore that I'm okay with ignoring each other and acting like two full of hatred strangers. I can understand your anger and you have every right to be mad at me. Even to loathe me for all those lies. I can't expect you to accept the choices I've made. My intentions weren't pure, not at the beginning at least. It gets extremely boring in this house, so when you moved in, I just saw a girl with many problems. An easy target and a way to have some fun."

"Oh, awesome," she said with discontentment.

He put hands in his black trousers. That indeed wasn't something he could be proud of.

"I want to be completely honest with you. That means I have to tell all the unpleasant things as well."

Hailie tightened her lips, not sure what to think about this new tactic, but she saw too many movies not to predict his next words.

"And now you're going to tell me how it all changed? How you supposedly developed feelings for me? You, a demon, for me, a human."

Lust moved closer to Hailie and replied, "Yes, that's exactly what I'm going to tell you." He smiled, without any traces of deception. "After some time, you've stopped being a girl that I wanted to play with. You became someone much more important. Spending time with you, talking with you, it changed my perspective. I simply couldn't tell you the truth, considering how far it went. You wouldn't give me a chance, knowing I'm a demon." Hailie looked in the other direction. "Or would you?" he asked, sure of the answer.

"Well, you didn't give it a chance to find out," she said, but there was no reason to fight over it, because Lust was right. She could be friends with demons, but kissing one? No, if she knew then probably nothing romantic would ever happen between them.

"I know you think I've made a mistake, but truthfully, I don't regret anything. I had a chance to spend lovely time with you. I should've told you sooner, but I couldn't accept losing you. I care about you too deeply to let go so easily."

Her mouth started shaking as she tried to hide how his words moved her. As much as she wanted to hate Lust, it became obvious she couldn't. He was so charming and easy with words, making Hailie completely lost in her thoughts. And that look he was giving her, these dark eyes full of fire. Did he really meant what he said? Or maybe it was still part of his sick game? And did she even care about it? About him? So many questions and so little answers.

"Why are you telling me this?"

It only made her more confused. Being angry at him was the easy part and it was about to get harder, if she was to forgive all those lies.

"Because you deserve to know." It was just that simple. "And I want to talk with you, like it used to be. As friends, if that's okay with you."

What am I supposed to say now?

Yes or no, yes or no, yes or no?

"Maybe. Just maybe." That was diplomatic enough. It gave her time to think some more about Lust's words. She must've admitted that there was already too much hate and anger in her life. Maybe Lust didn't deserve to be treated that harshly.

But just maybe.

"Maybe is enough." Lust already knew that he made a first step towards getting Hailie back. Small, but meaningful.

The doorbell rang, getting Hailie and Lust's attention. They looked at the door, both already aware of who was standing on the other side. Hailie started wondering if there was a mirror so she could look at herself once more.

I won't hide it anyway, she thought and walked to the door, trying to figure out how to calm down Shane after he sees her bruise.

Hailie opened up the door to Shane, whose smile faded away the moment he saw her. He blinked a few times, gasping at her face to finally frown and tighten his jaw. His eyes darkened, while his thoughts floated away in multiple directions.

"This is a police matter, Hailie. You should've called me." He chose to act like he was giving her a lesson on how to behave in violent situations. There was no need to ask, who hit her. The answer was obvious, considering that Jayson was in town. "I could've at least locked him up for a night."

"Or have a fist talk." Hailie had a prediction that Shane wouldn't resist punching Jayson back. This became too personal for him and he was a policeman. She didn't want him to get into any trouble, because of her. "Besides, I know how it works. Jayson was acquitted. In this situation I'm considered as the girl, who's stalking him and acting like a crazy psycho fan. What would've changed now?"

"Now you have me, but I can't protect you, unless you let me." He sighed. "Jayson isn't any more in a town, where his mum was a sheriff. This is my turf and I'm convinced that at the police station I'd be backed by others in most of decisions made."

"I don't want to start another legal battle. I can't go through this once again," she said honestly. It was too much. Fighting against Jayson at the police station or in court, she just wished to leave those painful memories in the past.

"And I don't want to see you threatened. You're too good to be treated like that." He delicately touched her cheek, wondering if Hailie should be taken to the doctor. Just to be sure it's nothing more than a bruise. "Please, let me help you, Hailie. You're not alone in this anymore and we should start by getting a restraining order."

She hugged into him with tears in her eyes. Maybe Shane was right? She wasn't used to being supported in the battles with Jayson. Sure, her parents and sister never doubted in her version of the story, but they couldn't really do anything. Shane could and he wanted to help her, so maybe it was time to trust him more and let him act in a way that he sees fit in the matter. Jayson wasn't untouchable and this time she had a witness. She may even get Amy's support, considering how much she wants to restore their contacts.

"You're right, as always." She gently smiled, embracing him tighter. "Sorry I didn't call you, but I just needed-"

"Time?" he finished her sentence, making her laugh a little. "I always will be here by your side. I love you, Hailie."

She raised her head rapidly with eyes wide as possible.

"Wha-What?"

Shane seemed amused that Hailie was so shocked by his words. It became obvious a long time ago. From the first day he saw Hailie, there was this invisible force that was calling him back to her. He never could stay too far away. Just as if they were meant to be. It was simple as that. He just loved her, and he was not ashamed to call it by the name. This time and thousand times more.

"I love you, Miss Hailie. You're the best that happened in my life. You gave it a meaning even bigger than my work did," he joked smoothly, making her chuckle. She knew how much he loved being a policeman and how much he wanted to make a difference in this world. He deserved so much more than working in a small town like this one. "I hope I won't scare you off by saying it, but it's just how it is." He slid his fingers through her hair. "I love you." She smiled, but the fear creeped into her heart. She could easily say that this was the first time someone confessed his love to her, because with Jayson there was no love, considering how she was treated. "I love, love, love, love you," repeated Shane, making her chuckle. He could say it all day. "Now, I don't want to ruin the moment, but could you let me inside? It's kind of cold, standing at the threshold of your house."

She opened the door wider, letting him in with a laugh. She got cold too, even if out of emotions she couldn't feel it properly. Shane walked in with a happy smile, that faded a bit, when he saw someone behind Hailie's back. She turned away, noticing Lust, who was still standing close to the stairs, in the place they were talking. Why was he still there?

Hailie looked at Shane, whose hand landed close to the place, where he usually carried his gun. Today was not his working day, so it wasn't there. Besides, it wouldn't be needed anyway, it was more like a habit. Then she set her eyes on Lust, who said nothing, staring at Shane like on his enemy.

Now, that's what one can call awkward.

Where are the other demons, when they're actually needed?

Hailie cleared her throat, trying to stop them from looking at each other like they were about to have a Wild West duel.

"Okay, I think we can go soon," she slowly said to Shane, making him remember that they had plans together. "I just need to get my purse, which I left in the room, because I haven't had any breakfast. We can eat one in the town, yeah, breakfast in a restaurant, cool I think, or maybe just at the café, we'll see. I can even buy something on the road, but why, we have plenty of time to go to some nice place to eat. Did you have breakfast? Never mind, you can eat with me anyway, or I can also eat alone, but that would be a little bit sad." She took a breath. She was saying way too much and way too fast. It was time to stop that excessive wordiness and repetitiveness. "I better go for that purse."

Was it a good idea to leave the two of them alone?

She gazed at Shane.

"I'll wait for you here," he said and kissed her on the cheek, backing out from that stupid staring contest.

Now she gazed at Lust in order to make sure he won't do anything stupid.

"Considering that we made up, and we can call ourselves, um, friends, I guess." She bit her lips. Were they friends again? That fast? No, it seemed like a bad choice of words. Or maybe not? "Anyway, considering that we're in good relations now, I assume that I can leave you two alone and I won't come back to a total catastrophe." Hailie was staring at Lust so intensively as if she was about to burn out a hole in his chest, waiting for him to assure her of leaving Shane alone. "I want to see you two in the same places, when I come back," she added.

"Don't worry, Hailie, we'll be nice," said Lust, although he had a sly smile on his mouth.

"I hope." She slowly nodded, staring at them, while moving towards stairs. She stopped for a moment next to Lust, who smiled at her charmingly. He was really hard to understand.

"So, you already know about us," Lust tried to strike out a conversation, when Hailie went upstairs. His real goal was to find out more about Shane. He narrowed his eyes, analyzing his emotions and aura. As demons they could tell a lot about a human just by looking at them and sensing their intentions. That was no trick. He was sure that some people could do that as well.

"Can't say I'm surprised. Being a demon suits you." Shane raised his chin, gazing at Lust like he was better, because of being a human. "Lying, manipulating, seducing and well, losing."

"Losing what?" Lust came to the same conclusion as always. Officer Boring was simply annoying.

"Losing Hailie." Shane folded his arms. "She told me everything, including how you were playing her, pretending to be her friend as a human."

"And how we kissed?" There was a flash of satisfaction in Lust's eyes as he watched how the look on Shane's face changed. "Ah, not everything then."

Shane didn't feel any anger, especially that Hailie had the right to do anything she wanted. Besides, she was surely lured and tricked by Lust. What he felt the most was irritation that she lived under the same roof with somebody like this demon. Shane knew from the beginning that Lust was nothing good and he was right about it. Even now, that stupid smirk on his face, was showing that it all was just a game to him.

"Leave Hailie alone."

It was hard not to laugh it off, but Lust controlled himself.

"Or what?" he asked with amusement. It was hilarious that Officer Annoying dared to give him any orders. "What will you do, huh?" He stopped leaning against the balustrade and made a few steps towards Shane. "Will you shoot me?" he mocked, pretending to hold a gun in his hand. "I'd like to see you try. Or what? What can you possibly do? Tell me, because I'm really interested to find out what an irrelevant human can do to a demon." He waited a few seconds for Shane to respond, but he kept quiet. "Exactly. Nothing."

The police officer also moved forward.

"And what can a demon do to a human?"

"A lot," Lust assured.

"But not to everybody."

Lust knew what he meant by that and he couldn't deny it. He met enough people to know that Shane would be a difficult one to break. There wasn't a way to make him commit a suicide or crime against another person. Hellhounds or other hellish trials wouldn't work either, because Shane wasn't a sinner. He did nothing that would qualify his soul to Hell.

"There's always a way."

"Then try as much as you want and, in the meanwhile, I'm going to take care of Hailie, which you failed to do as well. I know that she won't fall for you, because the only thing that makes you special is the fact that you're a demon. There's nothing more in you."

Lust shrugged it off but knowing how hard it'll be to make Shane disappear created a real problem.

"Then you have nothing to be worried about." He raised his finger in the air. "Unless, unlike you, Hailie actually sees something more in me. We can wait and find out which one of us she'll choose."

Shane looked at Lust with pity. Was he even serious now? Hailie hated him for what he had done. If she forgave him then it was only because of how good she is.

"I know how she feels about me."

Both of them heard the door shut upstairs, which meant that Hailie was about to be in the hall soon.

"Do you?" Lust couldn't suppress a triumphant smile. "Because Hailie didn't say anything back," he said, referring to Shane's love confession. "I wonder why." He blinked to him and raised his hands in the air, theatrically disappearing in flames, before Hailie came back.

She stopped at the top of the stairs and smiled at Shane, unaware of the conversation that the two of them just had.