by T L Stokes
Demonic Love: M/M Romance
T. L. Stokes
Contents
Blurb
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Also by T. L. Stokes
Blurb
Can a damned demon really love?
* * *
When Stephan meets the strange Stell, he’s more than a little intrigued. The man has ice-blue eyes and snow-pale skin, and he’s downright attractive.
But as Stephan gets to know Stell, he starts to suspect there’s more to Stell than meets the eyes. He knows Stell is not telling him everything, but never in his wildest dreams could he have guessed the truth:
Stell is a demon, damned by Lucifer himself to an eternity of suffering.
Stell cannot be loved.
And Stell cannot be saved.
Can Stephan show Stell the meaning of true love before the demon’s time runs out?
And, with the aid of an angel, can Stephan help save Stell from the damnation that the devil has designed?
Demonic Love is a steamy contemporary gay romance set in the real world with some magical and supernatural themes and an HEA.
All characters depicted in this book are 18 years of age or older.
Copyright 2019
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author or publisher except for the use of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental. All characters depicted in this work are adults.
License Notes:
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
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Chapter One
A lone figure rises in a graveyard. Taking a moment to look around, he sets off in the direction of the gates. Passing through them just as the clock’s final chime marks Midnight. The smell of sulfur follows him, dissipating in the cool night air behind his flowing jacket.
“Stephan Bernard! You get down here this instant!” Martha called from the kitchen. Stephan gave a heavy sigh, taking one last look in the mirror. He stood 5’ 11” with light brown hair and emerald green eyes. He had manage to keep all the muscle he worked hard on over summer. Working at the outdoor adventure camp was a very demanding job.
He had been held back a year, and was now 19. Starting his senior year of high school made him think about what he was going to do after it. Was he going to go to college?
‘I can’t worry about that now,’ he chided himself. ‘I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.’ He grabbed his backpack from the floor where it had sat all summer and rushed downstairs.
“You’re going to be late.” His mother wrapped a muffin in a paper towel before handing it to him and giving him a kiss on the cheek, rushing him off to meet the bus. He made it just in time and climbed on. He quickly sat down next to Francis.
“Hey where you been all summer?” Francis asked him, grabbing the muffin and taking a bite.
“Working. Which is more than you can say. I’ve saved up a ton,” Stephan said before snatching back the muffin and eating the half his friend hadn’t already stolen.
“As far as I’m concerned summer is for sleeping, eating, and hot girls,” Francis smirked. “But of course you wouldn’t know about that.”
Stephan punched him in the arm. Francis was one of his few friends who were ok with him being gay. He had come out two years ago and had lost a couple of friends, but the ones who were most important to him stayed. Which he was thankful for.
“You meet someone over break?” Stephan questioned as he finished his breakfast.
“Yeah, her name’s Madeleine. She’s John’s cousin,” Francis said with a glazed over look in his eye.
“Madeleine, huh? How long have you two been a thing?” Stephan said, slightly wincing at the name of one of his old friends. John and Stephan used to be friends. But when he came out John wanted nothing to do with him. Even went out of his way to cause him trouble. They had gotten into several fights. Stephan had almost been expelled.
“Two and a half months,” Francis smiled proudly, as he and Stephan stood to get off the bus.
“Wow man, I’m proud of you... I’m pretty sure that’s a new record for you!” Stephan nudged Francis’ arm. Francis had a long reputation of only having one night stands with a girl.
“Yeah, me too! I just hope I can keep it going. Her family is like mega-Catholic. Won’t put out at all.” Francis said with a sad look on his face.
“Just hang in there man. You’ll make it,” Stephan punched his friends shoulder as they stepped off the bus.
“Welcome back everyone. As all of you know, I’m Mr. Townsen. Most of you had me last year. And probably the year before that. And the year before that. So you all know what I expect of my students. Don’t disappoint me. However, we do have a new student, class this is....” Mr. Townsen held a small slip of paper in his hands and struggled over the name.
There was a small boy with dark black hair and brilliant blue eyes standing next to him. He looked thin and almost frail. But his face held a certain strength to it. He was dressed in mostly black except for a few blue patterns across his shirt. He wore a long jacket that was tight on his chest but then flared out so it was long on the back and sides. It reminded Stephan a lot of Neo’s coat in The Matrix.
“ I’m sorry, how do you pronounce your name?” Mr. Townsen asked the boy. The boy turned and looked at Mr. Townsen. His ice blue eyes gave him a very intense gaze.
“Just call me... Stell,” the boy said with a small smile on his face.
“Stell... well, welcome to the class. Have a seat,” Mr. Townsen pointed to an empty seat next to Stephan.
He soon began with a long list of rules and class guidelines. Everyone slowly began to zone out and Stephan saw a couple of people pull out their phones and begin to text or play games. Some began talking to each other or pass notes. He turned in his seat so he was facing Stell.
“Hey, I’m Stephan,” he addressed the smaller boy.
“Stell... as you heard,” he spoke with what Stephan thought sounded like an old English accent.
“Nice to meet you. So, where you from?” Stephan asked, wanting to know more about the boy.
“Hell... ummm... Hell, Michigan. Weird name for a town, I know,” Stell answered.
“Ah man, that’s so cool. Awesome name for a place. So why did you move to boring ole Sunnyslope, Washington. Now that’s a shitty name for a town if you ask me,” Stephan laughed.
“Work. My... uh... Dad’s work,” Stell said.
“Ah I see. What’s he do?” Stephan asked. He thought he saw Stell wince. ‘Am I being too nosy?’ he thought to himself.
“Uh he’s a... lawyer. His firm closed down and he got a good job offer here... so... here I am,” Stell seemed to be fumbling with his replies.
“Cool. My dad used to be a warehouse worker. But after I came out a couple of years ago people started giving him shit at work. So instead of putting up with it, he le
ft and started his own business,” Stephan said, searching Stell’s face for any hint of anger or disgust. He saw none on the boys smooth face.
“Your gay, huh? Me too. Not a lot of people know though. Its not that I haven’t come out, its just that there was never really anyone to tell. If that makes sense,” Stell added.
“Yeah... I know what you mean. So ‘Stell’, huh... no offense, but that’s a really weird name,” Stephan laughed.
“Yeah, it’s a nickname. That’s what I’ve always been called,” Stell replied.
“Cool,” Stephan said.
They continued to talk for most of that class and the class after. Stephan had found out that Stell loved music. And reading older books. He played guitar and a few other instruments. And he was usually home alone since his dad always worked late and his mother had died when he was born.
Stephan loved the gaze that Stell would give people. Not like he was glaring at them or staring. Just the way he looked at people. Almost never blinking and his eyes always wide open. Stephan knew he was feeling something for the younger guy and was hoping Stell felt the same way.
On his way to lunch, he stopped in the bathroom to look at himself in the mirror, before sitting at his usual table with Francis.
“Hey,” Francis said as Stephan sat down.
“Hey. So, have you seen the new guy?” Stephan asked. It was rare they got a new student in Sunnyslope so he knew if Francis had seen him he would know him.
“Yeah that weird goth guy? He’s freaky,” Francis said over a bite of his sandwich.
“Really? He’s kind of cute,” Stephan said staring off into space thinking of Stell’s ice blue eyes.
“Ooooh... no. Not again. Remember, you made me promise I wouldn’t let you get into another relationship with a straight guy. Not after Peter,” Francis said, poking Stephan in the chest hoping the pain would refresh his memory.
“Ouch! And I know. Stell isn’t straight though, so ha... I win,” Stephan smirked, rubbing the spot on his chest Francis had jabbed with his finger.
“Stell? His name is Stell? That only proves my theory the guy is fuckin’ weird, Ven.” Francis used the nickname Stephan had gotten in the first grade when Francis couldn’t pronounce the STE of his name.
“It’s a nickname. Jeez, you can’t blame the guy for having a weird name,” Stephan rolled his eyes and took a bite of his pizza.
“Ugh, fine just don’t come crying to me when he sucks the soul out of your body or something,” Francis said taking another bite of sandwich. Stephan laughed at the clump of tuna on Francis’ lip.
“Dude... you’re a pig,” Stephan said and threw a chip at him. They were about to get into a full on food fight when a small but firm voice interrupted.
“Mind if I join you?” Stell said from behind them. Stephan turned suddenly on the bench, face lighting up seeing the smaller boy.
“Hey! Sure Stell, here,” Stephan scooted closer towards Francis to make room for Stell to his left.
“Thanks,” Stell said before sitting down and looking over at Francis.
“Speak of the devil,” Francis muttered in Stephan’s ear before receiving a hard elbow to the ribs. He let out a satisfying ‘oof’ before he quickly recovered.
“Hey. You’re in my English Lit class right?” Stell asked Francis.
“Yeah. Francis,” Francis introduced himself after catching Stephan’s threatening glare.
“Stell,” he replied with a nod of his head.
“Yeah Ven’s been talking bout you,” Francis smiled at the blushed look that came across Stephan’s face.
“‘Ven’ huh?” Stell looked at Stephan who was quickly turning red.
“Yeah what makes you think you’re the only one with a nickname,” Stephan smiled. And was overjoyed when Stell smiled back at him before taking a bite of his pizza. Stephan caught a slight twitch of Stell’s eye and his grimace before swallowing the food.
“Cafeteria food isn’t the best. I seem to be the only one who likes it,” Stephan laughed.
“Yeah, but you would eat a bike chain if it got too close... so that’s not saying much,” Francis smiled, and Stephan shoved him enough to drop his bag of chips.
“Aw,” Francis said, mourning over the loss of his snack. Stephan rolled his eyes and turned towards Stell.
It was about a week after they met that Stephan decided he would finally make a move. It always seemed to him like Stell was flirting with him. It was the end of the day when Stephan finally found him. Stell was in the halls setting up his locker with his books, schedule, and everything else he would need for the rest of the year. The school was almost empty, everyone eager to get home.
“Hey Stell,” Stephan smiled and walked toward the boy.
“Hey,” Stell returned the smile. Stephan noticed his smile never really reached his eyes. Like he always had the icy gaze that not even his smile could touch.
“So I was thinking, if you wanted to we could hang out or something. My place or yours... I don’t care. I mean if you want to. We don’t have to. Or we don’t even have to go home yet. There’s a park nearby or we could go get something to eat. And I’m babbling. I’m going to shut up now,” Stephan laughed and rubbed the back of his neck looking down at his shoes. He hadn’t asked someone out since peter.
“I would love to. I don’t care where we go. My Dad won’t be home til early in the morning most likely.” Stell smiled as he pushed the last book onto the top shelf of his locker.
“Cool that works. Let’s go to your place then,” Stephan replied.
“Here’s my address. I need to run around for a bit. So come by at like 5 or so. Alright?” Stell asked handing him a piece of paper he had just written down his address on.
“Sure. See you later,” Stephan said and took off towards home. Where he showered and changed just to make sure if anything did happen he was nice and squeaky clean.
Stephan pulled up at Stell’s in his dad’s car. He found out that it was only a couple of minutes away from his own house. He parked and walked up the driveway to the front door. He knocked and waited a moment before the door opened and Stell stood In the doorway.
He was wearing different clothes than earlier that day and his hair looked like it was almost dry. He had on a short sleeve black shirt, which showed tattoos on his arms, and tight black jeans. His hair was brushed down his forehead reaching almost past his eyebrows. His eyes the icy blue Stephan had grown to love.
“Hey, come on in,” he turned around and headed up the stairs. Stephan stepped in and shut the door behind him. He took a quick look around. The living room off to his right and a dining room to his left which attached to a small kitchen. All furnished with modern appliances and furniture. However he saw no personal touches.
No pictures or paintings. No items lying around the house. The furniture looked like it was almost never used.
He walked up the steps to the second floor where there was a long hallway. With two doors on the right, two on the left, and one at the end of the hall. The one at the end of the hall was open and music drifted out of it. Stephan walked towards that one and found Stell sitting at a computer.
Stell turned and smiled at him. “Hey sit down,” he nodded towards the bed and Stephan had a seat. They spent the next hour or so talking about everything from their teachers to movies until they reached the subject of music.
“So what is this?” Stephan asked.
“Its the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. They mix rock music with classical. Christmas music too. That’s what they’re famous for. But this is my favorite,” Stell explained.
“Cool. So you’re really alone here most of the time?” Stephan asked flipping through a stack of CDs, which were on the bed when he came in.
“Yeah, my dad works late so its just me,” Stell answered, throwing his arms up and looking down at himself.
“That’s kind of cool I guess. Always have your privacy right?” Stephan asked.
“Yeah... I like it.”
<
br /> “Hey, I wanna apologize for the nervousness earlier when I asked you if you wanted to hang out,” Stephan laughed
“Its fine, I thought it was cute,” Stell smiled.
“Yeah, well, I haven’t really asked anyone out since my last boyfriend. Peter,” Stephan got a sad look in his eyes.
“Uh-oh. I sense a story here,” Stell got up and sat down on the bed next to Stephan.
“Not much of a story if you ask me. I was happy with him. I thought I loved him. I thought we were gonna be forever you know? Well, he had other ideas and thought I would be cool with him seeing other guys. I caught him cheating on me. And instead of apologizing or anything, all he did was invite me to join them.” Stephan glared at a spot on the floor until Stell thought he was gonna burn a hole in his carpet.
“Ouch,” Stell winced.
“Yeah. Well, he was an asshole... so forget him,” Stephan smiled and looked up at Stell.
“I’ve only been with one guy, too. We never really went any farther than kissing though. His name was Faust,” Stell said, although there was no remorse in his eyes as Stephan expected. Instead there was almost a humorous twinkle.
“You Michigan boys have some weird ass names,” Stephan laughed. Stell smiled.
“Yeah well, my Dad and his dad never really got along so I swear they didn’t do it on purpose,” Stell laughed.
“If you don’t mind me asking... what happened to you two?” Stephan asked.
“He had to leave. He made a deal with someone and when they finished their part of the deal he had to hold up his end,” Stell said.
“That sucks,” Stephan said simply. Suddenly entranced by Stells soft looking lips.