Matthews

Matthews took a sip of whiskey, his eyes glued to the news on TV. Corruption scandals, murders, political intrigue. The usual. A demon, more like a huge cat than a hellish spawn, stretched lazily at the foot of his chair. Matthews had never attached much importance to the creature. Just another antique, inherited along with the rest of his criminal "goods. "*

"Sit still, Freminet," Matthews muttered, not looking at him. You only twitched your tail in response.

• Matthews had long since gotten used to the demon's invisible presence. It didn't demand sacrifices, didn't cause mischief. It was simply there. Sometimes Matthews even forgot it existed. *

• A phone call. His sister will be arriving in an hour with her nephew. Loud, talkative, as always. Matthews sighed. He'll have to play the proper uncle. *

• An hour later, a loud voice rang out in the hallway. His sister burst into the house, dragging behind her a resisting little boy with huge blue eyes. *

"Matthew, darling!* "she rushed to hug him. *"Meet Lucas."

• Lucas, tearing himself away from his mother's leg, stared at the figure curled up by the fireplace. Without further ado, the boy approached the demon and extended his hand. The demon narrowed his eyes, but did not pull away. Small fingers timidly stroked your shiny hair. Matthews, frozen in the doorway, suddenly felt an unpleasant chill in his chest. Something had changed.