The Lesser Evil - 10. The Lovers

“You have got to be joking!” Isolde said incredulously, staring at Edwin. He watched as she stood up from her chair and began pacing across the small room of the house Mildburg used to live in, where Reiff and Sigrid had joined them.

The shopkeeper sat silently, giving the blacksmith woman some time to process everything he had finally told her - the whole truth about angels and demons, the fact that he had been working together with Lothar, and the ritual in which Mildburg’s spirit told him it was none other than Agilmar who killed her.

“Isolde, I wish I was joking, but I’m completely serious. I promise, everything I told you is true,” Edwin spoke again, trying to reassure her.

“No, but… But it can’t be,” she shook her head, running fingers through her now disheveled hair. “Don’t tell me you expect me to believe that angels and demons exist? And you’ve met a demon? Does he have horns and goat legs?”

“No, he looks just like us,” Edwin rolled his eyes, trying to suppress a chuckle. “But he does have powers.”

“Powers? I just… Wait, why am I the only one surprised by this? Don’t tell me you two believe him?” she turned to Sigrid and Reiff, who both solemnly nodded.

“I know this is hard to believe, my child, but what Edwin is saying is true. There are other realms beside our own, and they contain forces beyond our reach and comprehension,” the old mystic spoke up. “We have all heard tales of demons and angels, but most of us believe them to be nothing more than folk tales. I used to be one of those people until my powers developed and made me realize there is so much we don’t know.”

“And this… demon - have you seen him too?” Isolde asked.

“No, I have not, but I have sensed a dark energy in Edwin’s home unlike anything I have ever felt before. I have no doubts now that it comes from a demon.”

“And how does that sound good? Why are we putting our trust in a demon? Am I the only one who sees the problem here?” the young woman was unrelenting. “Reiff, tell me you’re willing to listen to reason here.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ve met the demon, and if he can help me find Helga, I can’t throw that chance away. I think he’s the best shot we have,” the man replied.

“And… you really think he can help us find Ida?” Isolda asked, turning back to Edwin. “You would trust him with my sister’s life? With all of our lives?”

Edwin thought back to the fight they had, when he suspected Lothar of killing Mildburg, and how much he regretted it now. It was Agilmar all along. How could he have ever doubted Lothar?

“Yes, I do. I trust him,” he replied after a brief pause.

“You don’t sound too sure,” Isolde remarked, still restlessly walking around. “This is insane, but... My father being a murderer is the easiest thing to believe out of everything you just told me. How can this be happening?”

“That’s something I’ve been asking myself often these days,” Edwin admitted.

“Yet that is the wrong question to ask,” Sigrid interjected. “What we should be focusing on is what to do next. We must come up with a plan.”

“We need to go to the temple and find Agilmar,” Isolde was quick to respond. “I still don’t believe he would hurt Ida, but… I don’t know what to think anymore. Whatever his role in this, he will pay for what he did.”

“Hold on. We shouldn’t do anything until Lothar returns,” Edwin suggested, noticing Isolde’s jaw clench at the mention of the demon’s name.

“And when will that be?” the young woman asked impatiently. “How long do we have to wait? There’s four of us anyway. As strong as Agilmar is, he’s no fighter.”

“And neither is Sigrid,” Edwin noted. “And did you forget about the guards he hired?”

“Edwin is right. We should expect the worst from Agilmar,” Reiff said. “And we could use the demon on our side.”

“If he is on our side indeed,” Isolde frowned as she glared at Edwin.

“Lothar may be a demon, but he is the lesser evil here. When will you begin to trust me on this?”

“I don’t know, Edwin! You’ve been hiding this from me all along, so what do you expect me to say? Ida is my sister! If anyone deserved to know about this, it’s me.”

“I’m sorry, I should’ve told you. I messed up and…”

“And now you want me to put my trust in an actual demon who is… where exactly right now? Somewhere in hell? And we don’t even know when he’ll return,” Isolde snapped. “I… I’m going home. I need to think about all of this.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” the shopkeeper offered, getting up from his chair. He hated leaving things unresolved between them. If they were to find Ida, they had to work together and not fight each other.

“No, I just want to think about this on my own.”

“Fine. But don’t do anything hasty, alright?”

Without replying, Isolde opened the door and left the house, leaving the other three. Concerned, Edwin exchanged awkward glances with Reiff and Sigrid. In a way, things had gone just as he had thought they would. He knew even from Ida’s stories how outspoken and temperamental her sister was, so he never had much hope she would accept things peacefully. Still, he hoped she would come around and realize she has to trust both Edwin and Lothar.

“Reiff, can I ask you for a favor?” he spoke after some consideration.

“I suppose,” the older man replied with the tiniest shrug of his shoulders. “What do you need?”

“Could you go over and keep an eye on Isolde, at least just for today?”

“You think she’ll try and go after Agilmar alone?”

“I wouldn’t put it past her,” Edwin said. “She’s very upset right now, and when she gets like that… I’d hate to see her get hurt.”

“Alright. Not like I have anything better to do,” Reiff replied, getting up and wrapping his heavy robe around his shoulders.

Edwin and Sigrid followed suit. After putting their coats on, they all left Mildburg’s old home and went each in their own direction.

~~

The sun was low on the horizon when Edwin arrived home later that day. The closer he got to his shop, the more he felt a strange sense of anxiety stirring up within him. He unlocked the back door as silently as possible and entered, looking all around to make sure he was all alone. As if guided by some higher force, or perhaps it was his intuition, he lit a candle and decided to go straight up the staircase into his bedroom above the shop.

As he slowly opened the creaky door, Edwin held his breath, listening for any sounds coming from the inside. Once the candlelight finally illuminated the room, he gasped as he saw a body lying in his bed.

“Lothar!” Edwin nearly screamed, rushing toward the bed as he recognized the white-haired demon lying on top of the blankets, his eyes closed.

“Not so loud,” Lothar muttered, grimacing as he opened his eyes and raised a hand to shield them from the light of the candle in Edwin’s hand.

“You’re alive! What the hell happened?” Edwin asked, completely ignoring the demon’s request to lower his voice. As his eyes surveyed Lothar’s body, he could see the ends of bandages hanging under the red shirt he wore. “You’re hurt!”

“I’m fine, just a little stab,” Lothar replied, his eyes now fully open and a satisfied smirk spreading across his face. “But it’s nice to know you care.”

Edwin had already sat down next to him, lifting his shirt up to inspect the bandages. “I…” he stopped, having realized what Lothar had just said. “You scared me, that’s all.”

“Sorry,” the demon replied, even though he did not look even the least bit sorry.

“What happened? Are you in pain?” the shopkeeper asked, unable to mask the concern in his voice. Without even noticing, his fingers gently trailed across Lothar’s firm stomach, drawing lazy circles across the part of his skin that was exposed.

“Had a little run-in with the angels, but I’m feeling better already. They have it much worse than me, trust me.”

“I do trust you,” Edwin replied as he gazed into Lothar’s face, as if trying to memorize every line on it. He looked so handsome, yet so vulnerable at that moment. It was as if Edwin was seeing the demon’s real self for the very first time. “I trust you about everything.”

“Do you mean…”

“I’m sorry I doubted you before,” Edwin nodded, looking ashamed, but also relieved to finally say what was on his mind. “I shouldn’t have accused you of killing Mildburg. I know it wasn’t you who did it.”

“What do you mean? Have you learned anything new?” Lothar asked, frowning as he tried to get up, but Edwin held him by the shoulders, pushing him gently back in a lying position.

“I’ll tell you all about it later, but first you need to rest and recover.” The shopkeeper stood up and went to a nearby chest of drawers, pulling out a warm blanket from the top drawer. “You should try and get some more sleep, and we’ll talk in the morning.”

“Fine,” Lothar replied as the other man covered him with the blanket. “I don’t blame you for being suspicious of me. It hurt that you thought I killed the woman, but I do get where you were coming from. I would’ve been more concerned if you hadn’t been. You should question everything and everyone. It just means you’re smart.”

“Thanks, I suppose,” Edwin smiled. “Now, get some sleep.”

“Aren’t you going to stay here and nurse me back to health?” Lothar added hopefully, moving to the left side of the bed. “There’s plenty of room here for both of us.”

Edwin stood by the bed, gazing into Lothar’s eyes. He did not even have to think about it, he knew well he was not going to refuse the demon, not after wanting him for so long. Without a single word, he took off his coat. Then, he casually opened the top button of his shirt, followed by another, and another, revealing more and more of his ebony skin. His flat stomach, broad chest and dark nipples gleamed in candlelight. Lothar seemed mesmerized as he stared longingly at the man in front of him. After finally removing his pants, Edwin got into the bed, never breaking eye contact.

As soon as the shopkeeper lay next to him, Lothar placed a hand on the other man’s cheek, giving it a light caress. Rolling onto the side, he leaned in, their faces just inches apart. The two men gazed in each other’s eyes, as if waiting for the other one to look away first, but neither did.

Finally, Lothar was the first to make a move, leaning in and pressing his lips against Edwin’s. It wasn’t the first kiss they’d shared, but it was the softest one yet, full of emotion.

“Lothar,” Edwin whispered after their lips parted, “you should… you should be resting.”

“This is what I need right now, not rest,” the demon replied, gently stroking the other man’s jaw and neck with his thumb. “I know you want the same.”

Edwin looked up into his eyes without saying anything. No words were needed, as his eyes said everything. He wanted to tear the clothes off of Lothar and feel his naked body against his own. He didn’t want to wait any more, he wanted all of Lothar right now.

With his signature smirk, Lothar took Edwin’s black hair in a firm grasp, tilting his head as their lips pressed together once again. It was the hottest kiss Edwin had ever had, as if the fires of hell were invading his body, burning him from the inside, but not harming him in any way. It was arousing, making him want more. Edwin couldn’t be sure, but the kiss seemed to have the same effect on Lothar. The demon started moaning into his mouth, his hands going down and groping the shopkeeper’s body, stroking his broad chest before moving down to his firm stomach.

One by one, Edwin removed pieces of clothing from Lothar’s body until they were both left naked, their strong bodies glistening with sweat. Edwin closed his eyes as Lothar peppered kisses all over his collarbone, moving down to his chest. Feeling the demon’s expert tongue and lips on his hard nipples, Edwin let out a moan, feeling his erection growing.

“Please… stop teasing,” he pleaded, desperate for more. The demon’s warm, strong hands and wet tongue were working miracles across his naked skin, but Edwin needed more.

Lothar’s eyes burned with want, as he dragged his tongue down across Edwin’s abdomen until he found his target.

“Oh, I’m only getting started.”

~~

Edwin woke up at the break of dawn, feeling a warm body pressed next to his, and a heavy arm draped around his stomach. As he turned his head to the side, he could see the familiar mop of white hair, the long locks covering the sleepy eyes of the demon lying by his side.

The shopkeeper smiled as the memory of what they did last night started returning, along with his arousal. The demon just looked so good - his tanned chest and stomach were on display, as the blanket only covered his crotch and thighs.

“You’re already awake,” Lothar spoke in a raspy whisper as he opened his eyes, startling Edwin.

“Yes, I just woke up,” he replied, drawing his eyes away from Lothar’s naked body. When he looked up, he was met by a knowing smirk on the demon’s face.

“I was hoping I’d get up first. I wanted to bring you breakfast in bed.”

“I’m still in bed, aren’t I?” the shop owner replied.

“You’re right. Give me a moment,” Lothar said, slowly getting up and putting on his shirt and trousers, making sure his bandages stayed in place. He then blinked, leaving Edwin alone in the room.

True to his word, he returned a few moments later, carrying in his hands a wooden tray overflowing with food and drinks.

Edwin perked up, lifting himself up in a sitting position. Carefully, Lothar placed the tray in the middle of the bed and lay down, watching as the other man inspected the items he had brought. There was a bright yellow ceramic bowl filled with fruit - grapes, apricots, figs, dates, and Lothar’s favorite - fresh strawberries. A smaller bowl next to it was full of chopped mangoes - Edwin’s preferred fruit. Deep-blue plates with ornate design contained hummus, olive and garlic bread, and sweet vanilla and cinnamon buns. Hot black coffee and green tea were still steaming in small cups in the corner. Finally, a small pink bottle contained a translucent beverage that immediately drew Edwin’s attention. He picked it up and removed the cap, instantly enchanted by the sweet fruity aroma.

“Spring water infused with apples, roses and oranges,” Lothar explained, smiling.

Momentarily rendered speechless, the shopkeeper glanced once again at the rich offering before him, then back at the man lying beside him. “Wow… This is just amazing. Where did you even get all this?”

“I have my ways,” the demon shrugged.

“I can see that!” Edwin laughed. “No offense, but… I don’t even know what demons eat. I never thought you’d appreciate something like this.”

“Most of us don’t eat human food. Not because we don’t enjoy it, but because it’s difficult to obtain in our realm. But present this to any demon, and they’d have a hard time resisting. I myself am quite fond of black coffee… and strawberries.”

“I see,” Edwin nodded, impressed. “So the green tea is for me… And the mangoes. How did you know?”

“I observe,” the demon said. “Do you like it?”

“Very much,” Edwin nodded, reaching out to pick a strawberry. “May I?”

“Of course.”

Taking a delicious-looking strawberry from the bowl, Edwin brought it to Lothar’s lips, touching them with just the tip of the fruit.

“Open up.”

With no hesitation, the demon parted his lips and Edwin gently placed the strawberry on his tongue. As he closed his mouth, Lothar did not miss the opportunity to brush his lips against Edwin’s fingers, causing the shopkeeper to close his eyes and hold his breath. He wanted to capture that moment and remember the feeling.

“Mmm, delicious,” Lothar whispered as he swallowed the fruit.

“I never took you to be the type to enjoy strawberries,” Edwin remarked, eyeing him with curiosity and affection.

“Why not? Just because I’m a demon, it doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy small pleasures like this.”

“Fair enough. I just… I don’t know much about you or your kind. We’ve never talked about that stuff.”

“Well, what do you want to know?” Lothar asked, smiling. “Ask away.”

“I don’t know… anything. What do you do for fun? What is your home like? What other powers do you have?”

“Oh, that’s easy. My house is quite like your human houses, only made of stone and much darker. And maybe not as comfortable as yours,” the demon replied as he picked a juicy piece of mango and fed it to Edwin. “I like to be outdoors as much as I can. Running, climbing mountains and hills, either alone or with friends. It makes me feel alive and keeps me in shape,” he added, flexing his biceps as he did.

“I can see that,” Edwin chuckled, placing a hand on Lothar’s arm and stroking it. The demon turned to him, gazing at him with something that seemed like deep affection. Edwin held his breath, feeling his cheeks turn red as his heart started beating just a little bit faster. The feelings that had been growing inside him were too much to ignore, but that was certainly not the right time for them to show up and take control of his heart and mind. Besides, were demons even capable of… such emotion? He certainly hoped they were.

“At night, I like to just lay outside and look at the sky,” Lothar continued. “Did you know that where I’m from, on some nights you can see almost twice as many stars as you can from Earth?”

“Wow… Is that true?”

“Absolutely, it’s a marvelous sight. And about my powers… Maybe it’s best if I showed you,” the demon said, lifting his right arm into the air and opening his palm. A moment later, a small ball of flame appeared, hovering just above it.

Edwin looked wide-eyed, as if he had never seen fire before. “You can create fire?”

The demon nodded, closing his fingers around the fireball and making it disappear. “All demons can do it, it’s something we develop at a very young age. Actually, it’s one of the things that connect us with angels. They can create fire too, but theirs is holy fire - it’s used for healing and creating things. It hurts like a bitch when they use it against us, though. Some of the oldest demons say that the Celestial Spire and all of the angelic structures are made of pure energy, fused together with holy fire. And then you have our demonic fire, which is used to wreak havoc and destruction.”

“Do you… do you use it often?” Edwin asked, wondering how many times Lothar was forced to use his powers to kill someone or defend himself.

“When I have to,” the demon shrugged.

“Do you want to tell me what happened when you got injured?” Edwin asked, glancing down at Lothar’s stomach. “Does it still hurt?”

“Nah, I’m feeling much better already,” he replied, tugging on his shirt to cover the bandaged area.

As the two men proceeded to eat the rest of the food and sip the beverages before them, Lothar recounted what had happened when Zelig and he went to investigate the angels’ domain and how they failed to find Ida or Helga. Edwin sat quietly and listened to him talk, waiting until he was finished to ask questions. It was only when the demon finished his story that Edwin realized how dangerous the mission was and how lucky Lothar was to still be alive.

“I’m sorry,” the shopkeeper spoke, squeezing the demon’s hand. “You could’ve died, all because you were trying to find my friend.”

“It’s not your fault. I would’ve had to go there whether it was your friend or someone else. Cromwell’s orders,” Lothar explained. “I’m just pissed we didn’t find Ida.”

“So what do we do now?”

“Only one thing we can - find whoever summoned the angels to Earth in the first place, and use them to call for Ida.”

“I think I know who it was,” Edwin said, gazing into Lothar’s red eyes. “I think it was Agilmar, Ida’s father. He was the one who killed Mildburg and who might be behind everything.”