There was a ripping sound, and then a warm, red glow seeped through my eyelids. I cracked one eye open. Through the steam-fogged glass of the shower, I caught the outline of something—someone—big, and red, and … glowing?

“SJ?” I whispered, pressing my hand to the glass, rubbing away the steam. I squinted out at the enormous, devilish monster. Even without my glasses I could make out the black horns curling out of his blond hair, the tail lashing agitatedly.

He was naked, except for a very tight pair of black underwear. He leaned against the door, the rest of his human clothes a tattered pile at his feet. His red skin emitted a faint red light, which illuminated the bathroom and soothed me.

“You needed the dark to go away,” he explained. “This was the most expedient way, without me leaving you.”

My heart stuttered. Who was this man … male … devil … who wiped sweat from me and didn’t seem to be bothered by seeing me on the toilet, vomiting and pooping out gluten? Who seemed genuinely sorry for the pain he had caused me tonight? Who came when I screamed for him and made light for me to chase away my nightmares …?

“Thank you,” I mumbled, clambering to my feet. “Is it okay if you stay here, just while I rinse my shampoo out …?”

“You do whatever you need to do, Mouse. I’m going nowhere. Consider me your personal lantern for the duration.”

I bit my lip against the surge of emotion I felt as I tilted my head back, rinsing out the shampoo … and maybe also rinsing away a few stray tears, too.

* * *

“I’m ready for my towel,” I said, poking my head around the shower door after finishing my shampoo and conditioner routine, brushing my furry teeth, and just letting the warm water soothe the lingering ache in my belly.

SJ was very firmly staring at the ceiling as his skin bathed the room in warm, red light. He tugged my towel from the rack, spreading it for me, still looking anywhere but at my wet, naked body.

“Such a gentleman,” I remarked, an attempt at a joke. But my voice was still a little shaky, from my gluten ordeal and from the lurking memories the sudden blackout had dredged up.

“If you could see inside my head right now …” he muttered as I stepped into the towel, and he draped it over me. “You would not think of me as such.”

My heart stuttered, and not from fear this time.

I felt safe with him.

Which was the stupidest thing I could ever feel, for the devil who made dirty little remarks about what he may or may not be thinking about me. And who wanted my soul.

Does he, though? a little voice in the back of my head whispered. He could have taken it tonight, but he chose to let you win …

I couldn’t work the big guy out.