The Devil Touched Me Gently

of some truth. Eli tended his herbs, keeping his hands busy. His brain betrayed him constan

somewhere in the barn, at rest, healing, watching. But nig

e watching the still grass move with the soft breeze. The book lay op

footsteps bef

him, "I'm just not used

ay from the horizon. "Stillne

is," Amon said. "I star

him. "Is that

hen you've been taught to

ot really from fire but from Amon himself.

ok down on the ste

d

hy

moment, I for

w you r

ing. "No. That's the problem. Everyt

face him. "Then forg

u're offering," Amon said; his v

tell

and took a few steps aw

but I can feel it. Heaven doesn't forgive. Hell doe

fened. "

's face was leathered with pain. "They'll find me eventu

orward. "Then let

ust a moment, he looked bro

n't mea

d

lled peo

ou sav

duced. I've destroy

ea with me

most laugh-sob.

id. "Say it. You didn't bring me in

t him, wanti

shadows wrapping his b

he whispered.

h his hand. The space shimmered, and something app

my divinity. My last ember. If I give it

ened. "Why wou

running. Because I want to feel again. And because... when

t around it, exting

way for free. It needs

ha

, your soul. One night. O

eat louder th

ur bargain?

ded once

I ac

for the first time

ven asked what

," Eli said.

but intoxicating as it seemed to pulse in the air-then reached o

" Amon whispere

be b

id. "Pleasure. Pain. Memories not your own. I will ta

wed. "Then

on did

, present trembling with silent energies, shimmered with g

to stop,"

his head.

rved. Amon kissed him as though claiming air after drowning. Eli kissed

ell away

ouched

ery sigh prayer. His hands learned every line of Eli's body like they were scribbling some

ned-properly joined-th

tside ceased to exist. There wa

mon he

last spark," he sai

breathles

gel can strike you. No demon ca

ore secure than he had

ainst his skin