Chapter Twenty-One (Amaya)

I was asleep in Abigail’s living room when I heard someone stumbling around, half asleep I sat up, rubbing my eyes.

“What time is it?” I asked as I looked out the window. It was still dark, nothing was visible. The fire in the enormous fireplace was nothing but red coals. I couldn’t even see who was crashing into everything.

“Damn it.” I heard Sin curse as he banged into a piece of furniture. I leaned over and turned on the lantern that I kept beside my spot by the fireplace, then stood and grabbed some logs, putting them into the fireplace to get it going again. Then I turned and faced Sin.

He stood there and stared at me, “What are you doing?” I hissed in a low voice, trying not to wake anyone.

“Wanted to see you.” He slurred as he stumbled towards me.

“Really?” I raised my brows and crossing my arms. He seemed to be drunk. “And how much have you had to drink? Can you even get drunk?” I pondered, as he smiled mischievously.

“Yup, demons have their own type of alcohol.” He replied as he reached for me, pulling me into a hug.

“Um… what’s going on with you?”

“Just didn’t realize who you were when I found you. She is going to freak.” He laughed explaining nothing.

“Who is she, and who am I to you?” I asked, hoping in his state he would divulge some information.

“Shhh.” He whispered as he faced me, leaning down and kissing me gently. I relaxed into his hold, loving the feeling of being near him. Something about him felt right. Sure, he had his quirks, but I found them attractive.

“What is going on?” Samuel asked, walking awkwardly out of the room.

I broke away from Sin and turned to face Samuel, who was frowning angrily.

“Why does it matter?” Sin bit out angrily.

Samuel, using the crutches we gave him, made his way towards Sin and me. He glared at Sin and moved to stand beside me.
“You have no claim to her.” Samuel sneered angrily.

“That’s what you think.” Sin retorted with a grin.

“Neither of you do.” I spoke pointedly. “I am a person with feelings, not some object you can fight over.” Annoyed at how medieval their thinking was.

“We don’t think of you as an object to be won.” Samuel replied, offended.

“Not for me either, I am looking for a partner in crime, so to speak, want to join me?” Sin asked as he raised his eyebrows and smirked. "All it takes is a deal."
I frowned, “I can’t choose either of you. I like both of you, but it doesn’t matter. It would never work, there are too many variables.” I shared as I watched both men.
“And what variables would that be?” Samuel asked.

I looked at him and told my half truth, “I would have to go home at some point, and you wouldn’t be able to come with me.” Then turning to Sin and added, “And I would not be welcome where you live.”

“So, you would move for him and not for me?” Samuel asked, disgusted.

"No, I am saying that I can’t stay here indefinitely. It’s not where I am meant to be."

“And if the variables didn’t matter?” Sin asked, walking closer to me.

I looked between the two men, feeling cornered, and answered, “I can’t choose. I barely know either of you, why are you pressuring me like this?”

“No pressure, little flame, I just like being close to you.” Sin answered as a frown lined his handsome face, he moved away from me.

I sighed; I didn’t want to be stuck in this position. Being the center of attention was anxiety inducing for me and having these two incredibly attractive men vying for my attention was something I wasn’t used to. It was nice in one way because I was drawn to them, wanting to explore what a relationship with them would be like, yet I hated girls who played around and messed with people's feelings.

“I have an idea.” Samuel declared.

“What?” I asked as I sat down at the table, and he did the same. Sin leaned against the wall.

“Yeah, what’s your brilliant idea?” Sin snorted, rolling his eyes.

“Well, I think she should give both of us a fair chance, and then decide who she wants to be with.” He suggested.

“What makes you think she will choose us at all?” Sin bit out angrily.

"That would be up to her. She would spend time alone with both of us and in," he paused, then continued, " let’s say a year before she tells us her decision."

“Are you nuts?” I asked, surprised, how was it that they were speaking so calmly about this? I gaped at them as they looked at me.

“Would you agree to giving both of us a chance?” Sin asked, his words still a little slurred.

What choice did I have? I wanted to explore my feelings for both of them. With everything out in the open, it’s not like I was being dishonest. I wonder how Samuel would feel knowing that he was planning to make a deal with a demon. I chuckled to myself. “Hmmm, I guess so, I have feelings for both of you and would like to explore those feelings, but it doesn’t feel right, so the minute this thing gets awkward or weirder than it already is, I am calling it off.”

“Deal.” Sin smiled broadly.

“No deal, just an agreement.” I corrected, knowing what those words meant to him. He frowned but nodded as he and Samuel shook hands.

“Now that, that’s settled, can you shut the hell up so I can get some sleep?” Abigail scolded us as all three of us almost jumped out of our skin as we turned to face Abigail.

“How long have you been creeping there?” I asked as my heartbeat slowed to its regular rhythm.

She chuckled, “Wouldn’t you like to know? Now bed.” Samuel walked back to his room and closed the door as Abigail walked over to Sin, “And you, mister, go sleep off the booze and think about what you just agreed too.” She snapped at Sin, pointing her bony finger at him.

“Will do.” Sin frowned as he walked over, kissing my forehead.

“Later little flame.” He smiled as he disappeared into his flames.

“And you back to bed, I hope you know what you just agreed too. Trickery won’t be above these men, don’t let their handsome faces fool you.” I frowned and nodded as she walked back to her room, she turned to me and added, “And just know I am rooting for Sin.” She winked with a grin on her face.

“Crazy lady.” I muttered to myself as I put the lantern out and crawled into my bed on the floor, quickly lulled to sleep by the crackling of the fire.