A Hellish Encounter (Kait)

Mikhainon was back at the restaurant. He had finished his meal, so he headed back inside to socialize at the bar. He ordered himself a beer and scoped out the scene. Cute brunette with a nice ass — no, her clothes were too stuffy for the beach. Probably conservative. Pass. Hot tanned surfer boy — no, he was too painfully straight and he was too lazy to hide and shapeshift right now. Perky blonde girl giving out signals. Perfect.

He bought her a beer and she sat next to him at the bar. They talked for a while. She was an actress, typically, what with the perfect skin and the tramp stamp. She could also fly! That was new. This island was full of surprises.

When his phone started ringing — 'When You're Evil' by Voltaire — he excused himself and headed to the restaurant terrace. She called so fast. He knew Eternity was a product that wasn't hard to sell. He leaned against one of the columns, his posture indicating to passersby that he was just talking to a friend.

He laughed at the question. "I would say you're astute, but I don't like to flatter and that part seems a little obvious. No, it's not my real name. Yes, it does sound something like 'Beelzebub'! Or 'Baal'! Or 'Mammon'! No, I'm not going to tell you, child. Here's your first lesson: Your name is one of the biggest weapons that can be used against you. Be careful to protect it."

While she was half-human? Her birth name didn't matter that much. But he was going to ensure she would get a different name of her choosing if/when she joined him.

"It is exactly what it sounds. Knights from far off lands would visit Kingdoms to swear loyalty to the Kings there, and they would have access to prestigious commodities in the Kingdom due to their high rank and the King's fondness for them. I remember witnessing some accounts where those Knights would turn into Lords themselves. It is a system advantageous both to the Knight and the King. But the minute the Knight betrays their liege, their head comes off."

He paused, allowing that information to sink in for her. "I like the idea of having a daughter, Chloe. I am willing to share my Kingdom with you. But my Kingdom is in Hell, full of snakes that would turn you against me, and I don't want my sweet daughter to fall under their influence. It is a safety precaution, for both you and me. The magic that will bind that promise will protect the both of us. Contracts are ironclad in the unearthly domains."