Chapter 14: I don’t think I’m ready for this

Azazel:

I don’t know what to do at this point. One thing I do know is that I came in my pants like a bloody green schoolboy after having an intense make-out session with this woman. That has definitely never happened to me. No woman has ever made me feel such intense emotion. I can’t think when I’m around her, and I tend to bugger things up. I look towards her stiff form and resist the urge to groan at the memory of how delicious her skin and her luscious lips taste. I was honestly trying to calm her down before she hurt herself. However, a part of me feels hurt by her rejection. Call it unreasonable, but I wanted her to accept me for what I am. Of course, we just had that heated sexual encounter, so it must not have been that big a deterrent.

I have to bite the inside of my mouth to stop myself from saying more. However, I can tell that she is at her wit's end. I have to laugh inside at the thought that Nevaeh foresaw this. I will never forget her words.

“And one of these days, you’ll come face to face with her and totally bumble it up before you realize that you can’t live without her…Oh yeah, and she’s going to drive you crazy before she realizes that you’re her destiny.”

I’m sure if Nevaeh were here, she’d laugh her sweet head off. Mikhail would probably laugh but sympathize with me as well. Of course, the git would laugh. After all the jesting I made about his infatuation with Nevaeh, the wanker would feel it’s his due. The irony of the switch in our situations definitely does not escape me now.

Zoe jumps out of the car as soon as the vehicle stops. I have to scramble out of my seat to catch up to her. “Zoe, wait!” I call out swiftly, following behind her. Zoe doesn’t stop, though. If anything, she speeds up. “Bloody hell Zoe. Stop!” I say a little more firmly. She stops in her tracks, standing rigidly in place. I swear she can be a statue by how still she is standing. Her face is expressionless as she stares longingly towards her front door. She’s most definitely not happy to remain in my presence, and I can see how close to the edge she is. Regret washes through me as I gaze into her haunted eyes.

“It’s okay, Zoe,” I whisper gently. Zoe doesn’t respond. She simply remains standing there with her arms wrapped around her protectively. “I know that you don’t want to talk about anything right now—and I respect that. But I want you to know that I would never hurt you. There are so many things you don’t know, but what I do want you to know is that I do not regret what we did earlier. I know you’re angry at me, and I don’t blame you. Just call me when you’re ready to talk. You have my mobile number.” I whisper softly. I don’t wait for her to respond this time. She’s been through enough already. Instead, I turn around and stride towards my temporary home.

I’m close to the driveway when her voice cuts through the silence of the night. “Azazel!” She calls out. I turn to face her. She shifts on her feet hesitantly but keeps her eyes glued to the ground. “I have class tomorrow. Maybe you can meet me at the library, and we can talk.” I nod my head, feeling relief infuse every part of my body. Taking a hesitant step forward, I tilt my head and utter gently. “That would be acceptable sweet. Text me what time, and I’ll be there.” She nods in agreement. “Okay,” and turns back to the apartment. My mind whirls with the night’s events. However, I can’t help but feel elation at the possibility of her forgiving my stupidity.

Fallon meets me at the door the moment I get into the house. “I saw you with the girl. Did you get any information from her?” Ignoring his question, I step past him and make my way to the kitchen. I’m not ready to talk about it yet. But he doesn’t take the hint. Fallon is most definitely not big on subtleties. The wanker needs to learn how to relax.

Taking a bottle of ale from the refrigerator, I hand him one and take the other. I sigh at the feel of cool liquid sliding down my throat like a soothing balm. The condensation of the bottle moistens my fingers as I continue to drink.

Fallon simply takes a sip. The git is a lightweight, I guess. Once the bottle is empty, I lay it down on the counter and look back at him. “She’s the siphon,” I say carefully. He must see the determined look on my face because he lays his bottle down on the counter and looks me straight in the eye. “How do you know?” I scoff and lay my hand over the bottle's neck to twirl it nervously under my fingers. “I know because she was attacked tonight by a magical wraith. Wraiths feed off the power. I don't think it was sent by Marael, though. She's too valuable to her, but it doesn't mean that Sahara didn’t send it. Unless it’s an epic coincidence.” I say with a hopeful tone in my voice. Fallon raises a disbelieving brow. I can tell by his astute expression that he can see right through my attempt to make light of the situation. He surprises me when he clears his throat and states. “Then, we must find a spell to free her of Marael.”

I nod my head in agreement, grateful that he didn’t suggest killing Zoe. However, I can’t keep my bloody pie hole closed because I have to ask. “Why would you suggest helping her instead of killing her?” Fallon shrugs his shoulder. “Because she is innocent, and she doesn’t deserve to die over some fool’s attempt to gain power.” His words reassure me as no others can. I don’t know how, but somehow through the last week, Fallon and I have established some form of bond. I can almost say we are actually friends. I know that I can trust him, and I think he feels the same way. Somehow, I've come to the realization that Fallon is nothing like his father. He's actually noble and loyal. Unlike Lucifer, he has no agenda.

I take a deep breath before I respond. “I am grateful for your assistance Fallon. If we manage to get through this, I will owe you a great debt for helping me save my lady. Just know that you have my sword if you ever have need of it.” Fallon’s face flushes slightly. He almost looks at a loss. It’s as if he has never had anyone at his back. Which I guess is what he is used to.

He tilts his head in a humble gesture and replies. “I do not help you as a boon. I do it because it’s the right thing to do.” I snicker and roll my eyes. “I know that, you git. And that’s why I give you my sword. You are a good son of a devil mate. Perhaps, maybe, a good friend. That’s why I promise you that I will have your back as long as you have mine.” He shifts back, looking a bit confused, then nods his head. “Very well, just don’t expect me to lend you money whenever you get pissed or buy you birthday presents every year.” He grouses out comically.

I chuckle at his comment and take out another ale. “Don’t worry, mate. I wouldn’t ask you for money or presents. Have you seen the way you dress? It’s obvious that you have bloody bad taste.” His eyes narrow threateningly. “Perhaps I will get you a present, you git.” He utters with a droll tone. Who knew that Fallon had a sense of humor? Will wonders never cease?

I throw my head back, amused by his comment, and reply back. “I also won’t be pissed at you. You sip ale like a lady at the Queen's Sunday tea.” Fallon rolls his eyes and takes another sip of his drink with a wince. “It’s not that I don’t like to drink. It’s that the ale is bloody awful.” He says with a grimace. I look at the bottle and smirk in agreement. “That’s not the point, you git. The point is to drink enough so that you don’t even taste how horrible it is.”

Fallon gives me a disbelieving look and slides his bottle towards me. “Here, you finish it. I’m going to do some more surveillance on the apartment.” I take the bottle and salute him with it. “Alright. Just letting you know that Zoe saw my demon earlier when I was fighting the Wraith.”

His eyebrows quirk in surprise. “What did she do?” He asks curiously.

I look down at the bottle with chagrin. “You mean after she went mad and tried to run away from me?” Fallon smirks at my avid description and quirks his lip. “Yes, then.” He asks, amused. I shake my head. “Well, after I calmed her down with the power of my sexuality, she told me she didn’t want to talk about it and asked me to take her home. However, she reluctantly agreed to meet me tomorrow at her school library. So I say it went rather well.”

I stop talking, take another deep breath, and prepare for his judgment. I don’t know how Fallon is going to react to my next comment. “I’m going to tell her about Sahara and Marael. It’s obvious that she’s some kind of supernatural being. And based on her panicked reaction after seeing what I am or what the creature was, I can rightly assume that she’s not aware of what she is. I’m also going to introduce her to Creighton. Perhaps he can help me find a way to get her out of this alive.”

Fallon doesn’t react to my plan. He simply leans over the counter with a thoughtful frown. “Are you sure this is what you want to do? I mean, we’re not one hundred percent sure that she’s the siphon or that she’s not working with Sahara.” I nod my head feeling my resolve strengthen. “I’m sure, mate. She doesn’t seem to know what is going on around her. I need her to know so that she can protect herself and her friends.”

I wait tensely for him to respond and once again find myself surprised. “Very well, if you’re sure that she’s innocent, we can talk to her. Perhaps her cooperation can help us end this sooner. However, make sure that Sahara does not catch wind of this, because if she does, she might tell Marael, and they might speed up their timeline.” I nod in agreement. His reasoning is definitely sound in this matter. However, I know in my heart of hearts that Zoe is innocent, and I will do anything I can to make sure she gets out of this unscathed.

Fallon moves back with a tired sigh. “Are you planning on speaking to Mathias about this?” I shake my head and give him a sly grin. “I’ll tell him after I speak to Zoe. After all, it’s easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission.” Fallon scoffs. “Well, I won’t disagree on that, mate. Perhaps it’s better if we keep the council out of this one.” We both give each other commiserating grins and head to our own separate rooms after that.

Sleep eludes me that night. If I do sleep for a few moments, my dreams are haunted by thoughts of Zoe and the feel of her body against mine. The sheets rub against me, making my body feel sensitive. At some point, I rise from my bed and move towards the window to look beyond the bushes covering the front yard and into the night. It’s a dark cloudy night with a light drizzle of rain misting the air. The street looks quiet and abandoned. The half-moon looks distorted behind the eerie looking clouds. I gaze at the digital clock near my nightstand. It’s nearly five in the morning. I’ve only been in and out of sleep for an hour. I run my fingers through my hair in frustration, then open the window to clear the stifling air and dry the drops of sweat that are dribbling down my chest. As soon as I do, my body cools and moistens with the condensation in the air. I look down my body to find goosebumps breaking through my abs and arms.

I’m about to close the windows again when the sight of a lone form approaching the house makes me go still. Due to the darkness, all I can see is a light color and a slight form. So I open my demon eyes to take a closer look and almost fall back. It’s Zoe. She’s wearing a white silk robe and fawn-colored Ugg boots. Her hair is loose around her shoulders, making her look ethereal. She hurriedly makes her way across my yard and stands nervously near the doorway. She looks unsure as she approaches the door and rings the bell. I close the window quickly and make my way to the hallway. Thankfully, I slept in black gym shorts.

Fallon is stepping out of his room to answer the door when he sees me come out. He’s carrying a sharp sacred sword and wearing a black tank top and jeans. It’s almost amusing to see a man in modern clothing carrying a large, shimmering steel sword in one hand. He notices my intent stare at his sharp sword and tilts his head bemused. “You can never be too careful when someone comes knocking on the door?” He says calmly.

I shake my head and gesture to the front door. “No need for that, mate. It’s Zoe. I’ll go see what she needs.” He narrows his eyes for a moment, then, with a knowing look, quietly steps back into his room.

The bell rings again. Worried that she might leave, I rush down the stairs and open the door. Zoe is standing there, trembling. She looks haunted. Her eyes are wide with uncertainty and apprehension. It’s almost as if she doesn’t want to come to me, but she finds herself without any other option. “Zoe, are you alright?” I ask with a worried frown.

She nods her head, then shakes it confused as she stands before me, trembling. Her hair and robe are damp from the rain. And her arms are crossed over her trembling chest to ward off the chill of the night. She blinks rapidly, giving me a beseeching look and whispers. “I couldn’t sleep.” She sounds like a small child who is looking for solace. “Every time I close my eyes, I see that thing. Then I see you turn into some…”

She sniffles forlornly and steps closer. “I’m scared to fall asleep, Azazel.” She whispers dejected. Her body begins to sway as if all her energy has been drained from her body.

I reach for her before she collapses onto the floor. Lifting her into my arms, I carry her bridal style into the foyer and kick the door behind me. Her face looks pale as she rests her head against my shoulder, looking drained. “I’m sorry.” She whispers before she closes her eyes. “It’s okay, luv,” I whisper in reassurance and lay a gentle kiss on her head. “Just rest. I will protect you. I promise no one will hurt you. We can speak in the morning.” She looked to be reassured as her body goes boneless, and she instantly falls asleep.

Fallon meets me halfway down the stairs and raises an eyebrow in question when he sees Zoe’s unconscious form in my arms. I shake my head and inhale deeply. “Don’t ask, mate. Did you see anything on the video surveillance?” He shakes his head. “No. Nothing. Other than your lady here, that is.” I think over my options for a moment, then move towards my room. “I’m going to bed. Let me know if you see anything.” He grasps my elbow and gives me a sharp glare. “What are you going to do with the girl?” My mouth quirks at his protective tone. Shaking my head, I quirk my brow incredulously. “I’m not going to do anything to her but lay her on my bed and fall asleep in my side chair. I'm not going to hurt her, Fallon. I just want to keep an eye on her in case she needs me tonight.”

I tuck Zoe’s slumbering form close and tilt my head arrogantly. “Look at me, mate,” I say with a cocky grin. “Do I look like the type who molests slumbering females?” Fallon exhales deeply and shakes his head. “No, you don’t.”

I smirk at his response. “You’re bloody right; I will protect my woman. No one will harm her tonight, so you may rest easy.” He gives me an admiring nod and waves me to my door. “Then I better budge up so that you may get to it, you arsehole.” He says with a military salute. I roll my eyes with a mocking sneer and whisper before I walk away. “Stuff it, you tosser.”

His mocking chuckle reaches my ears as I step into the room. Bugger that if the tosser has odd moments of amusement, considering how unusual it is to catch him cracking a smile. I close the door behind me and move towards the bed with my love in my arms. She looks serene in her repose. Laying her gently on the bed, I pull a few strands of damp hair behind her ear and inspect her. Her body looks fragile beneath her wet robe. Making a decision, I untie her robe and slip it off her shoulders. She barely moves when I gently run a dry towel over her face, arms, and legs. She’s wearing a short, thin nightgown with spaghetti straps. Thankfully, it’s dry. I don’t think I’d be able to keep my sanity if I had to undress her.

I lift the dress over her body and make sure to tuck them close. Her long, fringed lashes rest carefully over her curved cheekbones, and her skin glows like honey under the dim light of the lamp. Her luscious lips are parted as if beckoning me to kiss her, and her long silky hair is spread around my pillow like a curtain. She’s so beautiful lying in my bed. I didn’t expect her to show up on my doorstep after what happened tonight. However, I couldn’t help but be drawn to her vulnerability as she stood before me to admit that she was frightened. It must have taken her a great deal of courage to come to me after what she saw me turn into. This somehow solidifies my need to protect her. That’s why I promise then and there that I will do anything to shield her from danger. Even if it means destroying myself to keep her safe.