CODEX Part 2: The Secret Child of the Devil
Zoe's Friday Night Dinner

When Zoe reached her apartment, she wanted nothing else but to go into her room and get into bed. What she did not expect was to enter the living room and replace two very preppy demons.

“Bad boys, bad boys. Watcha gonna do. Watcha gonna do if they come for you!” Iaosur’s voice was so loud that probably the whole building could hear him.

“You never cease to amaze me,” she muttered grumpily.

“Are you tired? You haven’t really done anything yet,” Eneizar commented from his seat. He seemed very comfortable as if he was home.

“Besides, your friends have been talking about having dinner together,” Iaosur added, his eyes glued to the TV.

“...great,” she replied, feeling like she wanted to disappear for another year or so. However, before she went into her room, Zoe took a long look around, hoping that a tall and brooding demon was hiding somewhere, but he was not there.

Eneizar watched her the whole time, careful to note everything she did, especially if it was about Mehrdir.

By five o’clock, Zoe’s apartment was filled with chatty young adults. Unlike before, she felt happy to have so many entities around because they were good at taking her mind off of her personal troubles.

Thankfully, the table she had was big enough for all of them yet unfortunately, they had no chef after Rowan died.

“Why are you frowning?” Ezekiel asked approaching his best friend.

“I don’t cook,” Zoe whispered.

“I can do it!” Eneizar interfered, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He wanted to try it out after he had watched some cooking shows.

“No way in hell,” she answered immediately.

“Is there nobody who can cook in this house?” Ezekiel asked, his eyes traveling over every living human.

Zoe glanced at her ghost friend and raised an eyebrow. Andrew noticed the way she looked at him and sighed, already giving up.

“Fine. I’ll do it,” he mumbled and entered Ezekiel’s body.

“So, what exactly did you experience?” Gabriel asked, through bits of pasta.

“I’m not sure I’m following,” Zoe said, raising an eyebrow.

Gabriel chuckled and nudged Mark bemusedly.

“Have you experienced some type of outer bodily sensation? Something that could indicate how a patient in a coma feels?” Gabriel was talking quite intellectually for someone who didn’t believe she could make it, “I’m sure everyone is curious,”

Zoe glanced at Ezekiel and Chen before her head moved to the other side, to Eneizar and Iaosur.

“To be honest, there was nothing extraordinary. I felt scared, lonely, and cold. I wanted nothing more than to wake up and see a familiar face,” Zoe answered, knowing that what she felt down there was hard to put in words.

Eneizar and Iaosur hummed and nodded at each other knowingly. She was connected to her body by a thin string but her human mind could not retain her memories in hell since it was too much to manage.

“I’m still curious how someone could break into your apartment and attack you. You’ve got a lot of people around,” Gabriel mumbled, the rest agreeing with him.

“We didn’t hear anything. He must have been very silent,” Luke continued, knowing that walls aren’t that thick and they could have heard something and helped.

Zoe bit her lip and decided not to comment. She preferred them to have their own little theories rather than tell them that she is connected to hell.

“But did he break in or did he corner you outside? I didn’t understand since Mark was crying,” Henry said getting in exchange a glare from Mark.

“It doesn't even matter. I think we should be grateful that she’s alive.” The newest member of the group, Jack, mumbled. Much like Andrew, he knew exactly what to say and when.

She chuckled and hid her smile behind the glass of wine. Her eyes wandered to Andy who was proudly standing between Jake and Chen.

On the other side, Ezekiel seemed a little intrigued by something. He made a sign for her to get closer and leaned towards her.

“I can see Andy. Why can I see Andy?” He questioned, lowering his voice to a whisper.

“Because of me,” She whispered back, content about giving him the present he’s always wanted.

Ezekiel nodded and turned back to his discussion with Alice, a wide smile contouring his lips.

The view was wonderful. There was nothing Zoe wanted to change. If anything, there was something she wanted to add. Her expression didn’t change but everyone could see the longing in her eyes. She was happy but something was still missing, something very important to her.

“I say we make it something weekly. Zoe’s Friday Night Dinners.”

Henry’s eyes widened in excitement at Gabe’s brilliant idea.

There was no Mehrdir to tease but the other demons could manage. It didn’t take long for them to notice the sparks between Henry and Mark when the subject was Zoe.

“You should be careful. He may be your friend now but I’m sure there’s something dark in him, especially when it comes to competing in love.” Iaosur whispered to Mark.

He really liked how different they were yet they liked the same humanly things. Well, maybe not dancing. Iaosur didn’t like to move his limbs like he had no control over them, it was embarrassing.

“Everything is allowed in love and war, my friend!” The vanity demon combated.

Eneizar was on Henry’s side. Why? The answer was very simple. He was very handsome and Eneizar was very shallow; he was a vanity demon in the end.

“You shouldn’t make plans so soon. You never know when Mehrdir will come back~”

Zoe turned to her friends with a scowl. She couldn’t believe that Ezekiel and Chen were getting involved.

“I’m for Team Asshole!” Chen raised his hand and shouted.

There were two fairies on each side of Andy. He was sitting next to Jake and was trying –key word: trying- not to lean closer to him, scared that he might possess him by mistake.

“I’m betting my fairy duties on that asshole too.” The two fairies agreed, “He’s a demon. Their relationship can go on forever.” The female fairy had a point, Andy gave her that.

“I think she should be better with Mark. He can pull her out of the darkness a little. It would be good for her.” The ghost mumbled.

“So there are three teams, right?”

Everyone agreed. Zoe tried to open her mouth and say something but they wouldn’t even let her. She sighed and made herself comfortable. Since she couldn't control the chaos, it was better to just watch it unfold.

“So, we have Team Asshole, Team Dino and Team Sexy. Let’s see who bets on whom.” Chen moved in the middle of the room and started to write.

Eneizar patted Henry proud of Chen’s team name.

“Who’s the asshole?” Alice asked Zoe.

Chen found it vital to explain, “He’s a greed dem-“

Ezekiel covered his friend’s mouth and smiled nervously.

“A guy we know but you didn’t have the pleasure to meet. He is a bit cold and he is very-“ Ezekiel had to replace the right words to describe Mehrdir, “-troublesome and greedy.”

Alice and Gabriel nodded, happy with Ezekiel’s explanation. Jake on the other side glanced at Zoe warily.

“Are you really letting them do this?” Jack asked seeing how she was so relaxed.

She bit the inside of her cheek and laid back, “My hands are tied.”

Jake chuckled and turned to the issue at hand.

“I’m betting on Henry.” Chen narrowed his eyes at Jake for not using the correct term. The dancer rolled his eyes and corrected himself, “I mean, Team Sexy.”

Eneizar jumped and high fived Jake, already taking him under his black wing.

“Of course you do. You’re from the same group,”

The three boys glared at Alice. It didn’t seem to affect her at all.

“Anyway, I’m for Team Asshole. It seems that guy made quite an impact on Zoe,”

“Girls...” The boys shook their heads disapprovingly and continued.

“Luke and I go for Mark. He’s funny and smart. Besides, who can look so bright all the time? It’s blinding, I tell you!” Gabe winked and gave him two thumbs up. Mark blushed and laughed it off.

“So, we have two for Team Dino and one for Team Sexy. We also have one for Team Asshole. Alright, Ezekiel?”

Everyone turned to him. He was sitting next to Alice, on the ground, one arm wrapped around the older woman.

“Definitely asshole.” Chen nodded and wrote it on his phone.

“I’m for asshole too. That leaves us with three points for Mehrdir, two points for Mark and one for Henry.” He nodded to himself. Somehow, it was obvious who was the winner; therefore he just made a circle in front of Mehrdir’s name. “So, Henry loses the first round,” Eneizar glared at Chen but the human didn’t care and continued, “We’re left with two. So, who’s for Team Dino?”

Mark’s friends raised their hands.

“Alright, you have four. Now, Team Asshole?”

Every supernatural being in the room raised its hand. It was overwhelming and Zoe was glad that Chen couldn’t see them.

“When did this become such a big thing?” she muttered to herself.

Even Rubin came when they started to bet on her Prince Charming. The living room was full of fairies and familiars.

“When Mehrdir became obsessed with the commander,” Rubin responded, “By the way, I heard you won’t get a new babysitter. It seems Beelzebub thinks you can manage on your own now.”

“Does he?” She mumbled under her hand, already annoyed that decisions are being made behind her back.

Rubin started to laugh and shook his head.

“He doesn't seem to focus on you right now, there are bigger problems in hell. But he didn't tell Mehrdir to leave either, so if he decides to stay, it's his choice. Beelzebub made him choose between going back to Mammon and doing stupid favours for him and he chose the favours so he’ll be busy for the next few decades. But don’t be sad, he can’t stay away from you for too long~”

"Why’s that?” Zoe mumbled, turning her head towards the bulky fairy.

Since everyone was busy shouting and high fiving each other, she could talk to herself without being noticed at all.

“Because you marked him. Just like you did to Iaosur but at a deeper level, stronger, and more emotional. Mehrdir's existence is now directly connected to you. Marking is literally bonding with that demon.” Rubin explained.

No one understood why Zoe suddenly got up and went into the bathroom but nobody really cared at the moment. Iaosur, who has been eavesdropping on her conversation with Rubin, followed her shortly after.

“So the fairy dropped the news to you, huh?” He asked entering through the closed door.

“I marked you? How’s that even possible? Why didn't I feel a change?” she asked trying to replace just where it was that she marked him on.

He raised his left hand and showed her his wrist.

“Is that it? I can barely see it,” She grabbed his arm forcefully and pulled it in front of her eyes. It looked like an endless knot but not entirely.

“You didn't have to feel anything since you did it unconsciously. But I did and it was like nothing I had experienced before, with other masters. I am bound to you now, Zoe. You're my master, now.” he explained, looking a lot happier than she expected.

Zoe sighed and sat on the toilet and rubbed her face tiredly.

"Why aren't you angry? You didn't want it," She asked seeing how he was too calm and nonchalant.

"...it gives me a sense of safety. I don't know how or why but I feel at ease because of you." Iaosur explained, his usually grumpy expression softening at his master's face.

“Does it work in dreams too?” Zoe asked remembering the field of lilies.

Iaosur stared at her intensely, a wide smile gradually forming on his lips.

“You marked Mehrdir, haven’t you? And I'm sure he didn't react well at all. Did he try to run?" the demon asked, trying his best not to laugh.

Her jaw tensed and she was ready to punch him or make him feel pain, no matter where or how much.

“I think we all know who’s the winner of your heart now, don’t we?” Iaosur retorted like a smartass. "But Zoe, although my mark and his may seem the same, they aren't. You're my master but with Mehrdir...ha," he needed to stop and shake his head at the human woman.

“How can I know the difference?" she asked since she didn't know anything about this subject.

"When a demon's desire for a human equals that human's desire for him, which is incredibly rare I should add, then a bond is created between the two. But you are not just another woman, you're the commander. You are a demon as well. His obsession and your feelings are so deeply rooted in who you two are and how you live that...it probably created more than just a bond. You marked him as your mate." Iaosur explained, bending so that he could look Zoe in the eyes.

"...is that bad?" she asked looking into his eyes with so much hope. It was as if she was expecting a particular answer.

"Demons mate for life. It's for ever and nothing can break it. You should be happy, Zoe. He's yours now." the demon continued and he noticed the little smirk on her face. She was indeed a sly fox.

Zoe walked out just in time to see her friends getting ready to leave.

Iaosur leaned against the door frame and smirked. He loved to be around her because she was an infinite source of entertainment. If wearing her sign for eternity was going to be as fun as now, he would gladly leave everything behind.