Better the devil you know rose petals upon piano keys crimson sliding from ivory dripping onto the floor a stain that symbolizes something permanent that has become something much more temporary transient mortality the death of more than desire she trusted me once sat beside me as mozart played upon the keys beneath my fingertips her body swaying to and fro as though wrapped up in whimsy i permitted myself a grin because the angels never sense the demons in their presence never want to believe somebody could be so cruel to them what do they say? better the devil you know. she thought she knew me. it only took a drop of wine between her crimson lips for her to smile a wicked smile and become lost within the melody of death’s sonata placed a hand upon my shoulder and as she leaned in closely i smelled her sweet perfume parting from the music to touch her long, brown hair yes, she trusted me and i, in turn, cared for her however demons only know how to destroy everything they touch the tender kisses placed upon her smooth skin became rougher as two sides lobbied for control over the man did he love her or wish to crush her as he did everything else was it the human who wished to taste her or the devil sating his selfish whims her lips parted in a tender moan yes, she trusted me once and, in turn, the predator smiled and took hold of the reins forgotten piano music to a forgotten melody that had once been the soundtrack to their dance with one another instead, the rose traced a path across her satin flesh before the sharp points of porcelain daggers embedded deep within her soul the master she once trusted became the demon depleting her the soulless bastard i once was replacing the saint i tried to be did not rest until her humanity became nothing more than the smoke from a dying ember i took from her and watched the gothic princess i adored close her eyes in death’s repose. smiled the devil’s smile as i licked my lips again. and as i gazed upon the piano’s keys, i saw her hand placed upon the next chord the next set of notes we’d been destined to play together crimson slipped out from her body and coated the piano keys instead. yes, she trusted me once. she laid down her life for me. and i merely took from her before casting her away. and as she slipped into decadence with me i placed my hands upon the keys and played the chorus of the cursed the corner of my mouth turned upward in a pleasant smile better the devil you know, perhaps but it would have been better had she never known the devil at all.