My days started to turn into a schedule. Wake up, breakfast, shower, swim, lunch, exciting activity with Lucien, dinner, book and a movie, clean, and go to sleep. So far, I had learned how to surf, went sky diving, parasailing, drag racing, hiking in the Alps, and cave diving in a South American jungle. Even though I hated Lucien, he was growing on me. I was isolated and I craved attention. He wasn’t the same as he was the first day. He didn’t make sexual innuendos or try to take advantage of me. He was polite.

Lucien would always make comments about my eyes. He would tell me what color they were, as if I didn’t already know. He soon caught on to the fact that certain colors meant certain moods.

I started trying to keep track of the days by the outings with Lucien, but time slipped through my grasp like sand from fingers.

One day, Lucien surprised me with a puppy, as if he knew I was getting lonely. I named the puppy Venus because it was a girl and I had never had a pet before so I was horrible with picking names. Venus appeared to be a Siberian Husky. She followed me around everywhere; I took her swimming, she slept in my bed, and she even tagged along on my adventures with Lucien.

I loved Venus.

Lucien was also starting to show up early and go swimming with Venus and I. Then, he started staying later, too.

Venus sat on my lap while Lucien and I watched a horror film. I absently petted her and answered Lucien’s random questions.

“Why doesn’t this scare you?”

“The movie?” I asked, not sure if he was talking about being here or not.

“Yes, of course.”

“Because I’ve seen so much, caused so much myself. It looks so fake.”

“Same. How do you cope? I mean… You are half-human, so how do you do it?”

“I don’t, not really. I don’t think about it. I tend to run away from my problems, to be honest.”

“What’s your favorite color?”

“That’s a random question, but I don’t have one.”

“Just trying to get to know you. That’s what humans do.”

“Usually they try to incorporate it into a conversation somehow.” I snorted.

“I didn’t think I struck you as the type of person who messed around with small talk.”

“That’s true. You’re terribly blunt, especially when I met you.”

He laughed. “That didn’t seem to catch on with you very well so I thought to tone it down.”

“A valid point, but I do like a man who does take control sometimes.” I purred, and it surprised me. Why was I flirting with him?

He smiled and sat forward. I thought he was going to rip my clothes off, but instead he changed the topic. I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or disappointed. “I’ll make you dinner tomorrow, so what would you like?”

“Surprise me. I’m adventurous.” I chuckled.

“Oh, I’m aware.”

We continued to watch the movie but I whispered to him, “Lucien, can you get me a blanket? I don’t want to disturb Venus.”

He got up and quick came back with one. “Why do you need a blanket? You can’t be cold. If mean, if you are, I can always make it warmer here.”

“No, I’m fine. I just like blankets and the feeling of being covered up.” I unfolded it and threw over my legs, carefully moving Venus’s head to the top of it. “Now be quiet, I’m trying to watch this.”

Lucien raised his hands up in mock surrender and mouthed, “Kill me if I speak again.”

I tried to glare at him but started laughing. I turned the volume up higher just in time to hear a high, piercing death scream. I shrieked and said, “holy shit!”

I glanced over at Lucien because Venus did. He was barely controlling his laughter. “What? It caught me off-guard.” I said self-consciously.

He raised one eyebrow at me and shook his head without saying anything.

Earlier that day, we had rock climbed what suspiciously looked a lot like the Grand Canyon. I had used up just about all of my energy and fell asleep before the movie was even over. I had forgotten to tell Lucien to leave.

I don’t think I dream anymore. At least, I hadn’t remembered any of my dreams since I came here. I just got a very restful sleep every night.

* * *

When I woke up, I was snuggled against someone’s chest, his arms around me. His breathing was deep and steady, just like his even heartbeat, so I knew he was asleep. His warmth radiated from his body and made me feel perfectly warm.

“Mmmm, Reven, where are we?” I asked, without opening my sleepy eyes. Then everything came flooding back and I knew I wasn’t cuddling with Reven. My eyelids snapped open to see Lucien, asleep.

Sleep really changed the way a person looked. Even though Lucien was quite literally the Devil, sleep made him look innocent and naive. I stayed there, without moving, just looking up at him. I was used to seeing his face now, but I was struck by his beauty once again. It was otherworldly, impossible, unreal. So, straining my body and arching my neck, I planted the lightest possible kiss on his lips. It didn’t feel right to kiss him, or that’s what my conscience was telling me it felt like.

I carefully removed his arms from around me and got up to take Venus outside. Her giant paws made me giggle because they made her so uncoordinated when she walked and she’d trip frequently. She had already gotten so much bigger since Lucien gave her to me.

How long have I been here?

I tried to count the days, trying to recall all the adventures Lucien and I have had.

“Oh, my God. Almost six months.”

I went back inside, Venus stumbling behind, and grabbed a bowl of cereal from the kitchen. After I was finished eating, I brushed my teeth and took a shower. I was just about to remove my towel when Lucien knocked and asked if I was decent.

“Depends on the point of view. I think I’m decent enough.” I pressed the towel tighter when he came in.

“Nice outfit,” he commented as he flopped onto my bed. “You know, earlier, I could’ve sworn… Nah, probably just a dream.”

“Could have sworn what?”

“That I received a kiss from your sweet lips.” He sighed.

I turned away, unable to keep a straight face. I cannot believe I was blushing. “Definitely just a dream.” I took that chance to grab a pair of skinny jeans and a tank top and changed in the bathroom.

As I emerged, Lucien asked, “So what are we doing today, Aimee?”

“Pool and hot tub day for sure. My neck and back hurt from sleeping on the couch. But hmm… The possibilities. Speed boat racing?”

“Adrenaline junkie.”

“I can’t be anything else.” I laughed lightly.

We went on with our day and he made me extremely delicious shrimp scampi for dinner.

The next day, he didn’t show up until it was time for our daily adventure. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I missed him. He offered no explanation but he said, “I’m going to pick the place this time. You’ll love it. I promise.”

I eyed him suspiciously.

“Do you trust me, Aimee?”

I surprised myself when I instantly said, “I do.”

“Good, good. Ready?”

“Venus!” I yelled. “Come here!” She padded into the room and jumped into my arms. Lucien held out his hand and, shifting Venus to one arm, I took it.

“Close your eyes.”

Venus yipped at me, as if reinforcing his command.

I closed my eyes and waited for a few seconds. “Are we there yet?”

“Yes, but don’t open your eyes. Set Venus down carefully and then jump.”

After I set her down, I asked, “What do you mean? Jump forward, to my left, to my right?”

Lucien laughed. “Too many questions. Just jump up.”

So, I jumped up and… Floated back down. “What the hell?”

“You may open your eyes now.” I could hear the smile in Lucien’s voice.

“We’re on the moon!” I screamed with excitement. I took off running, taking huge leaps, and slow motion flips and twists in the air. Venus ran after me, barking. Lucien stood back and observed with a smile on that beautiful, beautiful face of his, but his eyes were sad.

I bounded back to him. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing.”

I looked down and placed his hands in mine. “Lucien,” I murmured softly.

“Yes, Aimee?”

“I just wanted to tell you that…” I dragged it out and looked up at him. “You’re it!” I yelled and bolted away.

He laughed while he chased me and Venus chased him.

I lost. Miserably.

He easily caught up to me and tackled me. Venus pounced on us and bit Lucien’s shirt. We collapsed on the dusty gray ground. Venus lied between us as we laughed, looking at each other. The laughter died down until Venus fell asleep and we were both just smiling. We both petted Venus’s silky coat because if we stopped, she would wake up and nip at us.

“The Bible doesn’t do you justice, does it?”

“I don’t mind. I still am pretty horrible anyways, condemning souls and all. Just in a day’s work of the Prince of Evil and Darkness and Sins and whatnot. The list goes on.”

“The Devil and the Demon.” I chuckled.

“Quite the name you’ve got.”

“You too.”

“Touche.”

“Can I have a zero gravity machine? Because that would be so cool.” I could feel my eyes shine as I smiled at him, a genuine smile. One of mine are rare. 

“Done.” Lucien could tell that my smile was real as he looked at my lips. Only one side of his mouth turned up.

I laid on my back and looked up at the stars. “I was up here, once.”

“You were?”

“I was at Reven’s house in Africa. I visited the natives and when I came back, an assassin hopped up on angel blood was waiting for me. He lit a match and the house exploded. I died, of course, and when I woke up, I was on a base here. Scientists were researching and abusing my blood. I found out it was thirty-seven years later. I escaped, naturally. But the person who was on charge of the whole operation was a man I once considered my best and only friend…” I trailed off, ghost memories creeping up to the front of my mind.

“What happened to him?”

“I killed him.”

“Ah, charming. Remind me never to get on your bad side. At least, the one that isn’t fun.” He winked at me but turned more serious as he offered, “What was his name? I could see if he came here or not.

“Some things are better off not knowing, Lucien, but thanks anyways.”

“So… Were you and him…?”

“No.” I bit my lip, and grudgingly admitted, “Once. Only once. He was in love with me and I abused him. I instantly regretted it. I was constantly putting him through Hell; showing up, expecting him to take care of me, disappearing for months or years without saying goodbye, and doing it all over again. I took it for granted.”

“You and Reven?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Two men ever?”

“Ever.”

“You sure?”

“I was the ultimate challenge in high school.”

“Modest, I love it.”

“What’s your favorite place in the world?”

“Honestly, I haven’t ever been to Earth. I’ve seen it from the souls’ memories and I can watch it from here.” He sighed.

“Depressing.”

“Reven has clarified about the Bible’s fictitious stories, yes?”

“Yep.”

“What about me?”

“He left you out.”

“Of course he did.” Lucien shook his head, grinning. “First off, I am no Lucifer; I was never an angel. I never rebelled or whatever and got cast out. I was created right after the humans were and right before the angels. As much as it pained God to do this, there needed to be a place for the bad souls to go after they died and a person to supervise it. I never did anything to get sent here. I was made for it.”

I didn’t say anything so he continued. “I can’t… Feel as much. I don’t feel guilty. This is all I’ve ever known so there’s nothing to miss. I can have anything I want here.” He snapped his fingers and three beautiful girls appeared, one looking suspiciously like me. “But they aren’t real.” The women disappeared. He touched my hand and when I didn’t pull away, he put my hand on his chest. “I’m real, you’re real.” I could feel his heartbeat and suddenly, I pulled my hand away and pressed it to my chest.

I waited, and waited, and waited to feel that familiar rhythm but I felt nothing. I closed my eyes and laid down flat on my back. Tears rolled down my temples and into my hair.

“What’s wrong? Did I do something?”

I grabbed Lucien’s hand and pressed it to my chest. “What do you feel?”

“What do you mean? Nothing,” He said, confused.

“Exactly, Lucien. Nothing. I have no heartbeat. I’m just a memory basically.”

I felt Lucien’s warm breath on my face so I opened my eyes. His face was so close. “Have you ever had this exact conversation before?”

“Well, no.” I grudgingly agreed because I knew he was about to make a point.

“Then you are not just a memory. You’re just as real as I am.”

“Fine,” I grumbled. “But I’m dead, Lucien, and I don’t belong here.”

The words seemed to hurt him; he closed his eyes and sighed. It took him awhile to open his eyes but when he did, he told me, his voice so soft and his eyes were shining with sincerity, “You can belong here, with me, if you want.”

I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out so I pressed my lips back together. He waited for me to reply and when it was clear that I wasn’t going to, he pulled his hand back and moved farther away.

I started to watch the stars again. I saw a shooting star. I wish… What did I wish? I didn’t even know what I wanted. I had everything, anything here… Except my life and Reven.

The real question was… Did I even need them?

I continued to watch the sky and the stars looked like they were starting to shine brighter and I could even point out what color they were. The constellations started to appear like they were shifting and moving. It was breathtaking and I knew that Lucien was doing it for me and only me. Sometime during the amazing astronomy show, I reached out and hung onto Lucien’s hand for dear life as I finally started to accept that I wasn’t ever going back.