A Friend to the Darkness. Katherine Rathbone

Said Seth.

      “Which areas are you going to be living in?” Mum asked politely.

      “All pretty close to me, mum. Let’s order, hey? I’m starving!” I answered.

      We ate, and laughed, and had a couple of drinks, since I was eighteen now. Once again, I was impressed with how well my friends got along with my mother. Afterwards, Sera came to my room, and whisked me away to our usual spot. I thanked everyone again for their gifts, not quite meeting Lucifer’s eyes. He gave me a small smile and said,

      “Come, Katie. Walk with me.” Behind him, Seth’s eyes widened, and he grinned and gave me two thumbs up. I ignored him.

      “Umm…” I tried to think of a good reason to say no.

      “Please.” His tone was amused and a little exasperated. I sighed and agreed.

      “What’s going on there?!” I heard Sebastian whisper- yell as we walked away.

      Seth answered, his tone making his words a lie. “I couldn’t say.”

      Lucifer laughed quietly at them. I scowled. We walked in silence for a while, until I couldn’t stand it anymore, and said crankily, “How long are we going to walk for? I want a drink.”

      He gazed out across the river and said, “Here will do, then.” And sat on the sand. I blinked in confusion. Did I keep standing? Did I walk away? Did I sit with him? How close? I settled on perching awkwardly near him. He glanced at me, shook his head slightly, and lounged back on his elbows, still not saying anything. This was driving me insane.

      “Fuck it.” I finally said. “What do you want?”

      He didn’t look at me, and answered me with a question of his own. “What do you want?”

      “I’m not the one who dragged me off into the middle of the bush!” I flashed.