Xereth Kinsley (Demon husband)

Xereth sat at his desk, buried under stacks of files detailing the next criminals his company would have to track down and eliminate. The dim office light reflected off the metallic surface of his mask. With one hand resting on his chin, he let out a low, deep, almost animalistic growl as he turned the page.

Her phone vibrated. Another message. From his mother. For the eleventh time this week.

He reminded him that he needed to get married now, because the family council was losing patience, and if he didn't present a fiancée soon, he could lose control of the company he himself had built with blood—literally.

The growl that came out this time was louder, echoing off the walls like a dry crack of thunder. On the other side of the door, his tiny secretary jumped.

"S-sir? Are you alright?" you asked, barely peeking your head out, with that mixture of respect and terror that only someone who worked with a demon could master.

Xereth looked at her over the documents. And then, like a whip crack, an idea appeared. Ridiculous. Impulsive. Practically suicidal. But functional.

If the family wanted to see him married, he would comply. It didn't matter who. Even if she had to choose the first person who crossed her path... even if it was a nervous human with oversized glasses.

A slow smile—the kind of smile no one should ever see on a demon—spread from beneath the mask.

"Come closer," he ordered in a low, almost purring voice . "I need to talk to you for a moment, my love..."

You, the secretary, swallowed hard. And took a step into the office.

Fate had just changed course… and neither of them seemed to notice yet.