I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, letting out a small sigh as the Enforcer Base faded into the distance. The cold, steel-clad walls of the human establishment were always uncomfortable, but… today had gone better than I expected.
I glanced sideways, catching sight of Kevin studying his new training file, his brow furrowed with focused curiosity. His strong hands gently traced the edges of the papers, so careful, so earnest.
I couldn't help but smile softly, warmth blooming in my chest.
He had no idea how deeply he'd already entwined himself into my world.
Before I could dwell on the complex emotions stirring inside me, a loud shriek pierced the car's cabin from the back seat.
"Mistress!"
I startled, nearly swerving as a small, sharp-clawed figure popped up from the backseat, his bat-like wings flaring dramatically.
"Did those Enforcers hurt you?!" the imp howled, his yellow eyes blazing with protective fury. "I swear, I'll—"
"Imp!" I snapped, firmly but fondly. "Calm down. We're fine."
The imp blinked rapidly, his anger dissolving into nervous curiosity.
"You sure?" he asked, tilting his head. "\They looked mean."
I sighed, rolling my eyes. "They're not that bad."
Kevin turned, his eyes wide with surprise. "He's been here... this whole time?"
"Of course!" Imp declared proudly, puffing out his tiny chest. "I was... keeping watch!"
Kevin chuckled softly, shaking his head.
Then, he twisted around in his seat, eyeing the small imp still perched proudly on the back seat, his bat-like wings twitching nervously.
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, letting out a small sigh as the Enforcer Base faded into the distance. The cold, steel-clad walls of the human establishment were always uncomfortable, but... today had gone better than I expected.
As I smoothly maneuvered the car through the winding roads leading toward the hidden entrance of the Demon Guild's territory, I allowed myself a rare moment of calm. The rhythmic hum of the engine and the familiar warmth of Kevin beside me created a soothing bubble amidst the chaos we lived in.
But, of course... peace never lasted long in my world.
Before I could dwell on the complex emotions stirring inside me, a loud shriek pierced the car's cabin from the back seat.
"MISTRESS!!"
I startled, nearly swerving as a small, sharp-clawed figure popped up from the backseat, his bat-like wings flaring dramatically.
"Did those Enforcers hurt you?!" the imp howled, his yellow eyes blazing with protective fury. "I swear, I'll—"
"Imp!" I snapped, firmly but fondly. "Calm down. We're fine."
Imp paused, struggling to think of a threat bad enough.
"Did they hurt you?!" he shrieked, waving his clawed hands in mock fury. "Did those filthy Enforcers dare touch you?! I'll... I'll..."
He paused again, his face contorting with exaggerated menace.
"I'll... curse their families with endless... paper cuts!"
Kevin turned, his eyes wide with surprise. "He's been here... this whole time?"
"Of course!" Imp declared proudly, puffing out his tiny chest. "I was... keeping watch! Ready to strike at a moment's notice!"
Kevin smirked. "Yeah? What were you gonna do... breathe fire? Throw insults?"
Imp huffed indignantly, crossing his tiny arms. "I am a highly trained infernal courier! My claws are... mildly sharp! My wit is... razor-sharp!"
Kevin chuckled. "Sounds like you'd make an excellent doorbell gremlin."
Imp gasped, clutching his chest as though mortally offended.
"Doorbell gremlin?! I am NOT some common summoning minion!"
He flapped his wings angrily, nearly toppling backward.
Xier laughed softly from the driver's seat, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Play nice, boys," she teased, flicking her gaze toward the rearview mirror.
Imp scowled, pointing a dramatic claw at Kevin.
"Mistress," he pleaded, "can't you summon someone... less annoying?"
Kevin leaned back, grinning triumphantly.
"She already did."
Imp groaned, throwing his tiny arms into the air.
"Humans... always so smug..."
Kevin added with mock seriousness, "Paper cuts? That's your big threat?"
Imp crossed his arms tighter. "Paper cuts are deadly! Stings like the devil!"
Kevin gasped dramatically. "Oh no! Not the dreaded... stationary sorcery!"
Imp flared his wings indignantly. "Laugh now, mortal, but you'll fear the office supplies when they strike unexpectedly!"
Kevin chuckled, shaking his head. "You're ridiculous."
I couldn't help but laugh softly, lightly shaking my head.
"Thank you, Imp," I said gently. "But I've got things under control."
His serious expression softened slightly, though he still glared suspiciously at Kevin.
"You better," he grumbled, settling back defiantly into the back seat.
"I'll be watching..."
Kevin couldn't resist one last jab. "Careful, Imp. Don't strain yourself... wouldn't want you to pull a claw muscle during all that... intense 'watching.'"
Imp gasped dramatically, waving his hands. "I AM VIGILANCE INCARNATE! You'll regret mocking me when... when..." He paused, fishing for something.
"...When a paper cut sends you CRYING to your precious 'first aid kit!'"
Xier covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.
Imp pointed a dramatic claw at Kevin, huffing with exaggerated indignation.
"FEAR ME, MORTAL. For when you least expect it, I shall... misplace your favorite pen!"
Kevin howled with laughter, slumping back into his seat as Imp crossed his arms in defiant triumph.
---
As we continued driving toward the Demon Guild's hidden entrance, I could feel Kevin's gaze lingering on me, curious yet amused. After a few moments, he finally spoke up, his voice laced with playful curiosity.
"So... what's his name?" He gestured toward Imp, who was still sulking in the back seat with his tiny arms crossed, his face scrunched up like a pouting gremlin.
I sighed dramatically, already anticipating where this was going.
"Imp," I answered simply.
Kevin blinked, slightly confused. "Wait... that's it? Just... Imp?"
"That's his name," I confirmed, shrugging. "He's an Imp. Naming conventions aren't exactly creative in the lower ranks."
Before Kevin could respond, Imp shot up indignantly.
"I'm not 'just' an Imp!" he snapped, waving his claws. "\I'm a distinguished messenger imp of the highest importance!"
He puffed out his chest like a tiny warrior, clearly offended.
Kevin grinned, leaning back comfortably.
"Oh, really?" he teased, raising a brow. "\Highest importance? Do you... deliver important mail... or just complaints?"
Imp gasped, horrified.
"How dare you!" he screeched, flapping his wings in indignation. "\I bring messages from demon royalty! You foolish human!"
Kevin couldn't stop laughing, clearly enjoying himself.
"\Well... you're very good at bringing... noise," he quipped, chuckling. "I bet Xier just loves that while she's trying to write."
I sighed, shaking my head.
"You have no idea..." I muttered. "\He's always shouting or complaining... or worse, reading my drafts out loud like he's auditioning for some terrible play."
Imp huffed, crossing his arms even tighter.
"My dramatic reading adds depth to your work!" he declared proudly. "\You should thank me!"
Kevin laughed harder, wiping a tear from his eye.
"You're... definitely one of a kind, Imp,\" he said between chuckles.
"Remember that, human!" Imp snapped, turning away with a haughty expression.
I smirked slightly, watching Kevin recover from his laughing fit.
"You're going to regret encouraging him," I warned playfully.
Kevin grinned wider, shrugging.
"I think I already do... but it's totally worth it."
---
The car cruised smoothly through the winding, secluded roads as Imp fidgeted in the back seat, occasionally glaring at Kevin with thinly veiled suspicion. His tiny claws drummed against his armrest, clearly restless.
Kevin must've noticed the sharp-eyed stare because he grinned mischievously, turning halfway toward the back seat.
"What's wrong, Imp?" he teased, raising an eyebrow. "Jealous of my front-seat privileges?"
Imp snorted loudly, crossing his arms in defiance.
"As if!" he snapped. "The front seat is beneath me! I choose to command from the back, like a true overlord!"
Kevin laughed softly, clearly enjoying the outrage.
"Is that why you're so fidgety?" he pressed. "You miss sitting in the front like a good little messenger?"
Imp's tiny wings flared defensively, and he launched himself forward, scrambling onto Kevin's shoulder with comical determination.
"You dare mock me?!" he shrieked, lightly clawing at Kevin's jacket. "I'll have you know I've commanded legions of..."
He froze mid-rant, sniffing sharply. His small nose twitched, inhaling deeply as if searching for something.
"Wait..." he whispered, brows furrowing as he pressed closer, his small claws gripping Kevin's shirt collar.
Kevin stiffened, startled by the sudden change in behavior. "Uh... Imp?"
Imp sniffed again, slowly narrowing his eyes with suspicious intensity.
"You smell... familiar..." he hissed softly. "There's... something... strange about you..."
I glanced over from the driver's seat, biting back a knowing smile. Imp had finally noticed the lingering trace of my demonic blood in Kevin's system—faint but undeniable.
Kevin fidgeted uncomfortably, awkwardly brushing at his shirt. "What are you talking about?"
Imp narrowed his eyes, sniffing one last time before relaxing... slightly.
"Hmph..." he muttered, settling onto Kevin's shoulder like a perched gargoyle. "\You smell like... her."
Kevin blinked, completely confused.
Before he could ask further, Imp crossed his arms, looking almost... pleased.
"You're not completely useless," he admitted grudgingly. "Maybe... slightly worthy... for a human."
Kevin stared, baffled.
"Is that... supposed to be a compliment?"
Imp huffed indignantly, turning away.
"Take it or leave it, mortal."
---
As we cruised down the winding road, the car fell into a comfortable rhythm, filled with the soft hum of the engine and the occasional breeze from the open window. Eventually, we approached a traffic light at a remote intersection and rolled to a stop.
Imp was still perched stubbornly on Kevin's shoulder, his tiny claws gripping tightly as if he owned the spot. He kept huffing indignantly, occasionally glaring at Kevin but clearly relaxing in his new "command post."
I glanced back, smiling fondly at Imp's grumpy little face. His wings drooped slightly, and his scowl softened just a bit. It was rare for him to be so quiet.
Without thinking, I reached over, slipped my arms around his small frame, and gently tugged him toward the front.
"Come here, you little troublemaker," I teased, cradling him in my arms.
Imp squeaked in surprise, his wings fluttering wildly as he found himself pressed against my chest.
"What are you—"
Before he could protest further, I leaned in and lightly kissed his forehead, lingering for just a moment.
"Thank you... for always looking out for me," I whispered gently, sincerely.
Imp froze completely, his wide red eyes going as big as saucers. His tiny wings twitched, and his whole body locked up like someone had just pressed pause.
"Mistress..." he whimpered, barely managing the word before his knees buckled dramatically.
His tiny hands clutched his chest, and he slowly collapsed backward like a swooning actor in an overly dramatic play.
"My heart...!" he gasped. "Too... much... affection...!!"
Kevin burst out laughing, clutching his stomach as Imp flailed helplessly on the passenger seat, twisting and writhing like he'd been mortally wounded.
"What... what is he even doing?!" Kevin wheezed, tears forming in his eyes.
I bit my lip, trying desperately not to laugh, but Imp's flailing theatrics were too much.
"I think you killed him," I giggled, pressing a hand over my mouth.
Imp finally rolled over, breathing heavily, one hand over his chest, still recovering from his "deadly attack" of affection.
"I... I've been... blessed beyond mortal comprehension," he whispered, his voice weak but reverent.
"The Mistress... has kissed me..."
His tiny head lolled dramatically to one side.
"I can die... happy now..."
Kevin completely lost it, collapsing into laughter as he wiped his face, gasping for air.
"He's... the most ridiculous thing... I've ever seen," he managed between wheezes.
I stroked Imp's head gently, still smiling.
"Drama queen," I teased, brushing some imaginary dust from his shoulder.
Imp perked up slightly, still pretending to be mortally wounded, but his face glowed with pure joy.
"Best... day... ever," he whispered, fainting again with exaggerated flair.
---
Just as Kevin wiped tears from his laughing fit, the traffic light ahead flicked green.
I sighed dramatically, gently grabbing Imp by the scruff of his neck like a misbehaving kitten. His tiny body dangled helplessly, his wings fluttering feebly as he struggled.
"Alright, you little troublemaker..." I smirked, swinging him backward with a firm but playful toss into the back seat.
Imp yelped, tumbling into the seat cushions with a soft thud, his tiny claws scrambling for balance.
"Mistress!!" he whined, flailing dramatically, "How could you cast me aside... after..." he clutched his chest again, "\such a profound moment of love?!"
Kevin snorted, trying desperately to keep a straight face.
"Cast aside, huh?" he muttered, barely suppressing another laugh.
I turned around, fixing Imp with a stern but playful glare. My eyes sparkled with mock seriousness.
"Listen closely, Imp..." I said sweetly, leaning slightly over the seat. "\Kevin... is mine."
My voice dropped into something dangerously silky, sweet but commanding.
"You got that?"
Imp froze, wide-eyed, wings twitching nervously.
"Y-Yes, Mistress!!" he squeaked, saluting sharply, his tiny claws trembling. "Yours, absolutely! I swear!"
Kevin burst into laughter, leaning back in his seat with amused disbelief.
"Did you... just claim me?" he teased, his voice laced with playful warmth.
I smiled, flicking my hair over one shoulder.
"Of course," I purred, pretending to adjust the rear-view mirror. "I don't share."
Imp groaned softly, curling into a tiny defeated heap in the back seat, muttering something about "humans stealing attention."
Kevin laughed harder, reaching over to lightly squeeze my hand.
"Noted," he smiled, warm and genuine.