Kat leaned over the counter near the cash register of the bookstore, reading up on demons and summoning and how to undo it. She frowned at some of the suggestions, wondering at what points she should give up or what points she should take seriously. She did summon a demon which previously seemed impossible so really anything was fair game at this point.

"You aren't going to find shit in there," Nex said, closing the book.

Kat scowled and glared up at him. "I thought I got rid of you," she grumbled, opening the book to find her page.

Kat was a little nervous he would be very angry when she got out of church but he was nowhere to be found, even when she went home to get lunch before coming to work, he wasn't there. He always seemed to appear out of nowhere.

"You can't get rid of me until you give me a name, we've been over this," he said, flipping her book shut again.

Kat sighed and picked up the book, setting it down behind the counter and opening it up again. Nex leaned over the counter and moved to shut it when she opened it again but she was ready this time, leaving her hand on the page.

"It won't do any good," Nex said, sipping from a straw stuck in a take-out cup.

"I'll find a loophole," Kat said determinedly.

"No you won't, kitten. You're wasting your and my time," Nex said, circling around the counter.

"You can't be back here!" Kat hissed, trying to shoo him away. "My boss will get mad if she sees you."

"She won't," Nex shrugged, sitting on the chair behind the counter. "No one can see me right now except you unless I allow them to. Everyone thinks you're talking to yourself, by the way," he said, nodding to the few people in the store.

Kat's eyes darted over to the couple who looked over at her in confusion. Kat paled and tried to come up with an excuse

"Sorry, I'm practicing lines for a play," she explained, laughing nervously.

They seemed to accept it and nodded, smiling in understanding and going back to browsing. As soon as they went around the bookshelf Kat turned to Nex with a scowl.

"Why do you have to be so mean? I'm trying to help you," she hissed, turning back to her book.

"If you were honestly trying to help me, you would give a name," Nex snapped.

Kat sighed and continued reading through the book, taking notes in a notebook on anything she thought might actually be of some use. She got through the book, ignoring Nex's obnoxious slurping as he reached the end of his drink. Setting that book aside, she reached for another but paused, noticing the bible hanging out of her purse.

Duh, she thought, grabbing the bible and opening it up. Nex scoffed and rose from the chair, walking up behind her and peering over her shoulder.

"How was church?" He asked.

"Don't say it like that," Kat sighed, flipping through the pages.

"What? Like it's a stupid notion where you're taught stupid things? I thought you seemed like the type that appreciates honesty," he teased.

Kat shook her head and continued skimming through the bible, looking in the back for the word 'demon' and going to all the pages it listed.

"Honestly, why do you go? You actually believe all that? You're a woman, why aren't you offended by the teachings?" Nex pressed.

"Not every church is oppressive to women," Kat said, rolling her eyes.

"Really? Do enlighten me, kitten. Because it seems as though your church has taught you enough to dress like this," he said, tugging on her dress. "I mean really, who can make a dress look boring?"

"Stop it," Kat snapped, sending him a glare. "I dress like this because I want to, not because someone is telling me to."

"Bullshit," Nex scoffed. "No one wants to dress like this. Which part of the teaching is your favorite, when they tell you to keep yourself covered so you don't make men sin when looking at you, or the part where they tell you you should obey everything a man says? Gotta say, kitten, I think you're missing the point in there because you have blatantly disobeyed me several times."

"Shut up, Nex," Kat muttered, writing down more notes and flipping to the next page.

"Oh, wait, I have a better one. Do you also agree that you have no free will?" Nex pushed.

Kat shook her head and stayed silent, flipping to the next page as she tried to keep her temper in check.

"Oh, you know, it is Sabbath, you're being a little disobedient and disrespectful working on Sabbath. What would your pastor say?" Nex mused.

"Seriously, cut it out," Kat snapped, turning the pages of the book angrily.

"Come on, kitten, I'm just wondering what the hell you think is so good about church," Nex shrugged. "Or maybe you just enjoy going because you like being told what to do, you do seem rather spineless at times. Is that what it is? Easier to have someone else decide for you? Do you like letting someone else have control of your life? You'd make a wonderful submissive, if that's the case."

Kat slammed the book shut and turned to Nex angrily. "Maybe I like going not because I agree with everything that's said but because I believe in a higher power and I like being around the people, okay? Maybe they're all I have left of my dead parents, maybe they're the closest thing I have to a family, maybe it's nice to have somewhere to go and be a part of something since I spend the rest of my time by myself, maybe it's nice to have people that check up on me if I don't show up for a service or for choir, maybe, just maybe, it's nice to be part of a community that cares about me," she turned back to the bible and opened it to a random page, fighting back the tears. "Maybe it's nice to have somewhere to go on holidays so I'm not all alone," she muttered.

"Katherine..." Nex said, setting his hands on her shoulders.

"Just stop talking for five seconds!" Kat snapped, shrugging off his hands. "Is that so hard? Do you have so much self-importance that you need to fill every empty second? You know, my church is different, not that I need to explain myself to you. They teach that men and women are equal, they welcome in everyone and they don't think you have no free will. So just shut up, you don't understand it and I don't expect you to. Just for the love of God be quiet so I can try to figure this out," she sighed, leaning over the book and trying to focus on the words.

Nex opened his mouth to speak then shut it. Kat tried to focus on the words but couldn't so just slammed the book shut in frustration, bracing her hands on the counter and glaring at it, as if it was the counter's fault she was in this mess.

Pushing the books aside, she decided to reorganize the book display at the front to get some space from Nex. When she got back, he was gone. She decided to stop wondering how he did all the things he did without being seen and focus instead on getting through work.

Reading books on demon summoning was creeping her out so she gave it a rest by the end of the day. She was nearly home when she looked up and saw a familiar car parked in front of her house. Frida's car. Oh no, not with Nex here! Her eyes widened and she picked up the pace, hoping Nex didn't answer the door.

Frida was her cousin on her dad's side. The family lived on the other side of the country but Frida was a successful blogger who made decent money off it and her work was essentially to travel all over and find little gems and good food to write about online. She stopped in randomly whenever she was passing close by but never stayed for more than a day.

She walked inside and considered immediately turning around because sitting there on the couch was Frida and Nex. And Frida was showing him baby pictures of her.

"Kitty Kat!" Frida said, leaning over the back of the couch and grinning. "You didn't tell me you have a hot boyfriend! What the hell? Who keeps someone this fine a secret??"

"Boyfriend..." Kat said, frowning.

Nex stifled a laugh. He got up from the couch and circled around to her, pulling her into a hug and kissing her cheek. "Welcome home, Kitty Kat."

"You," she hissed, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Don't I get a hug?" Frida asked. "I mean I know you got him but I'm still family."

Kat disentangled from Nex, sending him a dirty look before walking over to Frida. They hugged and while hugging, Frida whispered in her ear. "He's so hot, good for you! He's just been filling me in about you guys, it's so cute!"

Nex's smirk told her he heard what Frida said. She glared at him over Frida's shoulder and he blew her a kiss.

"I didn't know you were coming into town," Kat said when they pulled out of the hug, trying to keep a smile on her face.

"I wanted to surprise you," Frida shrugged. "But I'm the one who was surprised when that fine specimen opened the door in nothing but a towel," she whispered, sending a smile to Nex before fanning herself.

"Oh my God," Kat muttered, burying her face in her hands.

"Why didn't you tell me you finally had a boyfriend? And one that lives with you??" Frida whined.

"I..." Kat sighed, shaking her head as she realized there was no way around this, he'd already laid the ground work and she had no other explanation for his presence or the fact he now had clothes in her drawers and closet and food in her fridge. "I was trying to keep it quiet?"

"Of course you were," Frida said, waving her hand dismissively. "Well it doesn't matter, now I know and Nex said he would buy us dinner and make margaritas! What a sweetie," Frida said, winking and bumping her hip against Kat's.

"Oh, the sweetest," Kat said flatly, glaring at Nex who just stood there looking quite pleased with himself.

"Shall we get the party started?" Nex asked, rubbing his hands together like the evil genius he was. "Frida here tells me she can get you drunk better than anyone else. I'm very interested to see that, kitten."

"Awwww, kitten," Frida cooed. "So cute."

"It's no-" Kat started then stopped, giving a strained smile to Frida. "I just want to get a little more comfortable, you know, not wear a dress all night," Kat said, gesturing to herself.

"Go for it," Frida said, typing into her phone. "I left a bag with new pajamas in your room."

"Oh," Kat said in surprise. "Thanks. I'll be fast," Kat said, grabbing Nex's arm on the way to the bedroom.

"Oh, am I coming to help you get undressed?" Nex teased. "Frisky, this one," he added, sending a wink to Frida.

Frida giggled and Kat briefly reconsidered her position on not using violence as she pulled Nex into her bedroom. She shut the door and pushed him against it, setting her hands on her hips and glaring at him.

"Oh," Nex said, raising an eyebrow. "That was hot. I'll let you be the dom this time because I really didn't think you had it in you and now I'm curious but for the record, I'm the one in control, little kitten. After this you submit and I make the rules."

"I am going to kill you," Kat hissed.

"Me? That's a twist I didn't expect," Nex said, frowning and darting his eyes around as he worked it out in his head. "Technically that would release me of my attachment to you but," he paused, tapping his chin with is finger. "If I kill myself, would I actually return or would I have to start over stripped of my ranks like I would if another being killed me?" His frown deepened and he shrugged, crossing his arms. "I don't know about that one, I'll have to do research and get back to you."

"Nex," Kat whimpered, dropping her head in her hands.

"Already with the whimpering? Kitten, I haven't even touched you yet," Nex smirked.

"Stop it!" Kat hissed, balling her fists at her sides. "Why did you do that?? Frida's going to tell everyone about you."

"Oh, I figured, she seems like the gossip type," Nex said, wrinkling his nose.

"Why did you do that?" Kat repeated.

"To fuck with you mostly," Nex shrugged. "You're keeping me from going home. This is your fault. I don't know why you didn't expect a retaliation, honestly. Now, if you'd like, I'll go in and tell her it was all a great joke and that I'm actually exclusively into men, all you have to do is give me a name."

"You can't manipulate me into killing someone!" Kat said, throwing her arms up in exasperation.

"Death is hardly a big deal, people die every day," Nex said, rolling his eyes. "Trust me, I know, I practically run the end that gets most of their pathetic souls."

"To some people death is a big deal," Kat snapped, crossing her arms.

She expected another sarcastic remark but his expression softened. He took a step towards her and brought his hand up to her cheek in a surprisingly gentle gesture.

"Katherine," he sighed, his finger brushing against her cheek softer than she thought he could be. "I'm sorry for being insensitive earlier. I didn't know about your parents. If I'm being honest the other reason I said that to Frida was because I was afraid you wouldn't look at me all night and this way you have no choice. I'd rather you be angry with me than hurt because of me."

Kat stared at him in disbelief, a confused frown taking her place. "I'm not... I'm not hurt. I was frustrated," she shrugged. "But I wasn't hurt. I can understand how it looks from the outside but... You shouldn't assume, Nex. You never know what someone's life is like or their motivation behind things. We all have secrets and reasons for acting the way we do."

"You're not mad?" Nex asked, pulling his hand back.

"Oh, no, I'm livid with you now. But the other thing is forgiven," she shrugged. "Not this though," she said, poking his chest. "How could you do that to me?? Now what am I supposed to do?"

He stared at her for a moment and gave no answer. His brows furrowed as he tried to understand her. Most humans he dealt with held grudges forever, especially considering how sensitive a topic but she seemed genuinely over it already. She wasn't like the humans he was used to. She stared at him expectantly and he finally smirked.

"I told you, kitten. Play along or pick a name. I can very easily make this problem go away with a little cooperation on your part," he said, crossing his arms.

"It's not happening," Kat said flatly.

"Very well," Nex nodded. Kat didn't register movement happened until she was up against the wall with him pressed against her, pinning her to the wall with his body, his nose touching hers. "Then prepare for a fun night, kitten, because I've spent a great deal of time telling Frida how incredibly affectionate I am. Didn't you know I was touch-starved as a child? It was quite tragic. Now I need it more or I start to get nervous and feel unloved but thankfully I have the sweetest girlfriend who is so understanding and always give me the attention I need," he said with a half-smile. "That means I'll be touching you all night, kitten. I do hope you can handle that. We don't want to raise suspicion with Frida," he taunted, nuzzling her nose. "Do we?"