Chapter 8 Chapter eight
“What? Like our home?” Aquila asked llikehe couldn’t believe it. But I was in no mood to explain myself, nnordid I plan to.
“But she’s a human. Humans bring nothing but trouble and you know that.” he tried to protest.
“You’re nothing but trouble too, Aquila.” I deadpanned.
“I’m your best friend. She-”
“Is coming home with us. Or you can stay here if you want.”
Aquila let out a tired sigh, as he put his hands on his waist, kicking up a patch of dirt. “Fine. Whatever you say, boss.” he finally relented.
“But wait, Crystal Noir. I remember that name.” He hummed softly as he stroked his clean-shaven jaw, then as if he were struck my lightening, his eyes lit up. “Isn’t that the name of Vincent’s Protege? How the hell did she even end up in a place like that?”
“I should be asking you.” I sent him a sharp glare.
“Asking me for what? She’s not in my jurisdiction.” he huffed. “Hm, but what if he comes looking for her? It could be trouble--”
“I won’t let him have her.” I snapped. My own tone surprises me.
“No need to get all touchy, Ash,” Aquila glanced back towards where the convoy had been.
Barron might have escaped, but at least I got the girl. A strange feeling of familiarity hit me as I continued to hold her like this. It felt…right.
“And what about Barron?” Aquila’s voice snapped me back and I looked up. “Do you want me to--”
“Don’t worry about him.” I cut him off. “For now, let's just go home.”
“Alright boss.” Aquila stretched his back with a lazy yawn. “I’m starting to get pretty hungry anyway.”
The corner of his lips curved into a dangerous smirk as he glanced down at Crystal with a hungry look in his eyes.
“For what?” I protected the unconscious woman from the demon’s hungry gaze and his smirk immediately turned into a knowing grin.
“For food, obviously.”
Like I’d believe the words of a sex driven demon with a notorious reputation for sleeping with people’s wives. Without as much as a second glance, I started walking deeper into the forest towards where we left our horses.
“Aw come on. I mean it. I’m a growing Demon boy. I need my nutrients.” he flashed me a toothy grin as his horns retracted and his eyes went back to their usual green hue. “I wish I got to kill the fat hog though. He would have made a tasty meal.”
“The plan wasn’t to kill Barron.” I glanced down at the woman in my arms. “It would have just looked like acts of violence. He’s going to report the attack and claim his ‘property’ was stolen. I have a feeling this thing goes deeper than we think.”
“It always is, my friend. So we’re using her as bait?”
I gave him a sideways glance before turning my gaze back to the path ahead. “I was thinking evidence.” There was a difference, but I doubt my demon companion would beg to differ. “Besides, she understands the law better than most. If we’re going to dismantle the thing that caused my mother’s death, I have a feeling we’re going to need her help.”
“So you think she’ll help you?” he asked when we reached the horses. They huffed at our approach.
“Does she have a choice?” The words came out a bit harsher than I intended.
“Well, if you put it like that,” Aquila said with a grin, that knowing look in his eyes that made me want to throttle him to the ground.
“Hm.” I handed Crystal over to him for a moment while I mounted my horse, then took her back, settling her across my lap. She made a small sound, something between a whimper and a sigh, she looked like she was stuck in a bad dream.
“Let's go,” I said roughly. “ I want to be back at the estate before sunrise.”
“Alright, lover boy,” Aquila mounted his own horse, still watching me with that insufferable smirk on his face. “You know, when I asked you to get out more and meet people. This wasn’t what I meant.”
“And I told you I don’t need to meet anyone.”
“Whatever you say, young master Asher.”
“Are you finished?”
“Tsk, you wish. But don’t worry, you’ll get to hear plenty more of my rant when we get back.” he kicked his mount into motion and joined me. “Like, who the hell runs off mid-fight and leaves their best friend open? What if I died?”
“But you didn’t, did you?”
“No, but what if I did?” he sent me a pointed look from his horse and I sighed.
“I trust your capabilities, Aquila. You’re a strong fighter.”
“Maybe even better than you.” he scoffed. Even over the sounds of the rushing wind, I heard his words, and for the first time tonight, I actually laughed.
“You wish, Aquila. You’d have to live another lifetime before you can actually beat me in one-on-one combat.” I kicked my horse to go faster, leaving him behind.
“You cocky bastard,” Aquila yelled, kicking his horse to catch up with mine. “If it’s a race you want, you’ve fucking got one.”
We rode through the dark forest, past the burning wreckage that passed in a blur. Crystal remained unconscious the entire journey, her slight weight warm a
against my chest.
Tonight might not have been a complete waste after all.