“What you doing?” you yawn, as your feet shuffle across the cold hard floor of Constantine’s loft, the glow of the streetlights and neon signs outside filters through the slats on the windows, casting shadows across the long open plan space.

Constantine is lounging at his desk, his long legs stretched out with bare feet perched on the antique mahogany and an ancient book open on his lap. At the sound of your tired voice, your boyfriend turns his attention to you, the smallest smile on the corners of his lips at the sight of you approaching him with one of his large shirts draped over your smaller frame.

“Research.” was his short answer as he stretched out his arm, beckoning you to climb onto his lap.

As he carefully flipped through the worn and brittle pages, your tired eyes flicked over the hideous creatures depicted in the illustrations, each more gruesome than the last, causing you to cling closer to Constantine as you warily glanced at every dark corner and every shadow that surrounded you.

“Are all of these… real?” there was no mistaking the uneasy quiver in your whispered voice, your eyes as wide as saucers as the dim light reflects in their moistened gaze. The sight stirs a twisted thrill deep inside Constantine as he holds you more securely.

“They look even worse in real life.” Constantine murmurs, his lips close to your temple, his words only fuelling the terror in your gut. “That’s why you need me to protect you.”