The Prince of Darkness

Contents Warnings Mariella Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Vicente Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Mariella Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Vicente Chapter 19 Mariella Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Vicente Chapter 23 Mariella Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Vicente Chapter 26 Mariella Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Vicente Chapter 31 Mariella Chapter 32 Vicente Chapter 33 Mariella Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Vicente Chapter 40 Epilogue Acknowledgments About the Author Also by Isabel Lucero Interview with a Sadist by WS Greer Copyright © 2023 by Isabel Lucero All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication and use of these trademarks are not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Warnings The Prince of Darkness contains dark elements. This story is intended for mature audiences due to both violent and sexual acts. For more detailed warnings, please check my website. www.isabellucero.com Mariella Chapter One His footsteps behind me speed up as I quicken my pace, and my heart races as I eye my apartment building up ahead. He’s been following me for two blocks. At first I thought it was a coincidence, but after catching a glimpse of his face in the reflection of a storefront window, I know he’s laser-focused on me. He’s not casually looking around or glancing at his phone. He only has eyes for me, and it’s anything but flattering. Only half a block to go until I’m at my apartment building, but if I go in there, he’ll know where I live. My eyes dart around, looking for an alternative. I remove my phone from my back pocket and call my roommate. Autumn picks up on the second ring. “Hey. You almost here?” “Hey! I can’t wait to see you. Are you guys still meeting me?” “What?” she asks, sounding confused. “What’re you talking about?” I clear my throat and stop at a streetlight, casually glancing around to see what the man behind me is doing. He also came to a stop, but he turns his head in another direction and puts his hands in his pockets, appearing as though he’s simply waiting for the light to turn so we can cross the street. “I’m over here by Sweetpea,” I say, looking at the pastry store across the way. “What’s wrong, Mariella?” “Yeah. I’ll just wait for you guys to show up.” Shuffling on the other end lets me know she’s moving around. “I’m coming. You said Sweetpea?” “Yeah, just across the street now. So, you’re close?” “I’m gonna grab Noah and we’ll be there. Stay on the phone.” “Oh, I can’t wait to see Noah!” I say, forcing myself to squeal with excitement. I hear Autumn knock on the door and say, “Come on. We gotta go.” Noah doesn’t question her. All I hear is another door close and then their footsteps as they walk through the hall and down the steps. “Is it the same asshole you said was following you last week?” Autumn asks. “She needs to get a gun,” Noah says. The light turns and a group of us begin crossing the street. “I’m not sure,” I answer Autumn, remaining vague. “I didn’t get a good look last time.” “We’re almost there. I see you.” When I get to the other side of the road, I turn and search for them. I raise my hand to wave, and the man who was behind me passes by, his shoulder brushing mine. He’s wearing dark sunglasses, a ball cap, blue jeans, and a black T-shirt. I don’t let my eyes linger long, but when I see Noah and Autumn crossing the street, I turn my head and try to find the man, but he’s gone. “Was that him? The one with the hat?” Autumn asks, her natural red hair appearing orange under the glare of the sun. “Yeah.” “I’ll be back,” Noah says, heading in the direction the man went. “Noah, be careful,” I plead. Autumn pulls me in for a hug. “You have to tell the police. You said you’ve noticed someone watching you on multiple occasions. What is this? The fourth time?” “The first time I was drunk and probably just blowing things out of proportion. It was likely just a guy who wanted to talk to me.” She steps away. “And the other times?” “I think it was different people. The guy at the gas station had longer, lighter hair. This guy’s hair was dark and buzzed short on the sides.” “Maybe Noah’s right. You should get a gun.” “I’m not getting a gun,” I state. “I don’t know anything about them, and I’d likely panic and shoot myself or someone who isn’t deserving of being shot. Guns scare me.” “They scare a lot of people, which is why you should have one to scare these fucking guys away. What if you were far from home and he cornered you in an alley or something? Jesus, Mariella, I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.” I grab her hand and squeeze, giving her a small smile. “I’m gonna be okay. I think I’m just paranoid after what happened with Theo.” She rolls her green eyes. “That asshole definitely deserves to be shot.” Autumn never