HER DEAL WITH THE DEVIL

As the evening drew in, the rain poured down in sheets, drumming against the windows of Elena's room. The chill in the air seeped into her bones, making her shiver. She huddled under the blankets, wondering why the room was so cold.

Meanwhile, outside in the rain-soaked streets, a figure emerged from the shadows. Azura, a demon princess from the underworld, had taken on the form of a beautiful young woman. Her parents, powerful demons in their own right, had warned her against leaving the underworld, although they granted her permission,and gave her a certain time to be back..but Azura had been drawn to the mortal realm, and to one being in particular - Zamiel, the crown prince of darkness.

As she walked under the rain, Azura reveled in the sensation of the water on her skin. In the underworld, there was only heat and flames; the rain was a novelty she enjoyed. But as she stood there, she began to wonder how she would find Zamiel. As a crown prince, he was a powerful and elusive figure, not someone she could easily track down.

Azura's stomach growled loudly, reminding her that in her human form, she needed to eat. She looked around, trying to get her bearings, and spotted a young woman eating at a nearby food stall. Azura watched, fascinated, as the woman took bites of her food, the sounds of chewing and swallowing unfamiliar to Azura's demon ears.

She stared, mesmerized, as the woman ate, trying to understand this strange new world and its customs.

Azura drifted into the food store, her eyes fixed on the young woman eating at the counter. She sat down beside the woman, her gaze still locked on her.

"Who are you?" the woman asked, startled by Azura's intense stare.

"Food...I want food," Azura replied, her voice low and husky.

The woman's eyes widened in alarm. "Help! There's a strange person here!" she shouted, drawing the attention of the store staff.

The staff rushed over, concerned. "What's the problem, ma'am?" one of them asked.

"I think this person is strange," the woman replied. "She's acting like she has mental issues."

Azura's face twisted in annoyance. "I have no mental issues," she snapped. "I'm just hungry."

One of the staff members stepped forward. "If you're hungry, you need to pay for your food. We don't give out free meals here."

Azura's eyes flashed with anger. "I don't have any money."

The staff member shrugged. "No money, no food."

Azura's gaze locked onto the staff member, and suddenly, the woman tripped and fell. Azura's eyes seemed to bore into her, and the woman's eyes went wide with fear.

The young woman who had been eating earlier took pity on Azura. "Hey, it's okay. I'll share my food with you."

Azura's eyes lit up, and she devoured the food like a starving animal. The young woman watched her, amazed.

"Where do you stay?" the young woman asked, once Azura had finished eating.

Azura's expression turned bleak. "I don't have a home."

The young woman's eyes widened in surprise. "You don't have a home? Were you abandoned or something?"

Azura hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "Let's just say that's the case."

The young woman nodded sympathetically. "Okay, well, you can come home with me. My mom will be happy to help you out."

Azura's face softened, and she smiled, a rare sight. "Thank you."

*************************

"Amy's home!" Amy exclaimed, bursting through the front door of their rented apartment. "And I brought someone with me!"

Amy's mother, a warm and welcoming woman, emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. "Amy, you're back! And who's this?" she asked, eyeing Azura with curiosity.

Amy smiled. "Mom, this is Azura. I met her at the food store, and she's in a bit of a tough spot. She doesn't have anywhere to stay, and I thought we could help her out."

Azura stepped forward, bowing her head respectfully. "Hi, ma'am. My name is Azura, and I promise I'll be good and help out around the house."

Amy's mother smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well, Azura, that's a unique name you have there."

Azura laughed. "Yes, ma'am. I get that a lot."

Amy chimed in, "Mom, I was thinking that tomorrow, I could take Azura to my workplace and see,because there are some vacancies. That way, she can start getting back on her feet."

Azura's eyes widened. "Do I have to work?"

Amy's mother nodded. "Of course, dear. You can't stay here forever. You need to start building a life for yourself."

Azura nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. I won't be staying here forever."