Chapter 17: My body remembers

Zoe:

I straighten my dress as I step out of the locker room and leave Azazel behind. My body is still quaking from the encounter. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and walk back to the bar. Two of the waitresses that I was speaking to earlier, spot me as soon as I reach the bar. Kat, a brash redhead with a mane of wild red hair and a bust that is too large to be real, raises her eyebrows with an inquiring look. “So…” She says with a snicker. “…you and that really hot gladiator, Azazel. Do tell?” The other girl, Sadie, moves closer with an interested smile. I roll my eyes and look around nervously, then shake my head. “It’s…complicated,” I answer with a grimace. She clucks her tongue and wags her index finger near my face. “No, honey. We want to know everything. And with the way he carried you out of here, I’m sure that there is a good amount to tell.”

Heat crawls over my neck as she and Sadie gaze at me expectantly. I’m speechless, which makes me want to strangle Azazel. Thankfully, Christoph chooses that moment to walk up to us. “Ladies!” He calls out, clapping his hands together. “We should be getting a large crowd within the next hour due to the champions match. I need you on your game tonight. So I suggest we get to work!” I give Christoph a grateful look as I collect my drink tray and prepare for the night. He gives me a sly wink when he passes by and mutters. “Look, Zoe, I know that you and that gorgeous man have a complicated sexual thing going on. But next time you and the boyfriend get into a squabble, I suggest you do it at home; because you and I both know that Sahara will not be happy about his interest in you. You hear me?” I nod my head in contrition and get to work.

My tension increases throughout the night as Sahara and her entourage drink and make merry. Thankfully, Azazel avoids her table through the night. I don’t know what I’d do if I saw her flirt and touch him. I know that I ran away from him this morning, but contrary to what he thinks, it wasn’t really about his demon form—even though I made him think it was. The reality is that I have never been in a relationship or have been asked to stay at a lover’s house. I guess my go-to move is to leave before they ask me to. With a man as good-looking as Azazel, it’s not difficult to believe that he’d have sex with me then move on to his next conquest. I mean, I’m nothing special. There are plenty of women who’d hold his interest longer than I would.

I definitely did not expect him to be so honest about his feelings for me. I guess male demons are different than human males when it comes to sleeping with women. I move towards a column near the ring to observe the match. The announcer comes out dressed in a spiffy black and white tuxedo to introduce Azazel and his opponent.

Azazel moves into the small imitation Colosseum ring, wearing loose black low rise stretch pants, no shirt, black boots, and carrying a black steel sword and shield with a red dragon engraved in the middle. His head is covered with a black Corinthian helmet. Oddly enough, it reminds me of the uniform he wore in my dream. His muscled chest and abs glisten under the bright light of the ring. My mouth waters at the sight of his six-pack and the V of his pelvic bones. There’s just something about seeing a man ready for battle. He’s the ultimate alpha male. The kind of warrior a woman dreams of taking to bed. And I have.

I lean my shoulder on a nearby column and watch as he and his opponent salute each other. They both look like warriors of old when they raise their swords to their foreheads as a sign of respect. My attention is shattered when a dark man leans his shoulder on a column near me. He’s tall and dark, with a rocker vibe about him. I’m stunned. He’s gorgeous with a pitch-black faux-hawk and dark eyes. He’s wearing a black Nirvana t-shirt, skinny jeans, and black all-stars. He looks like Tom Welling and Ian Somerhalder’s love child. He’s still not as gorgeous as Azazel with his Brad Pitt and Alex Pettyfer looks, but he’s pretty hot.

He gives me a wicked smile and points an index finger at Azazel. “He’s good, isn’t he?” I nod my head and gaze back at Azazel. My eyes clash with smoldering golden ones, and my heart stutters. Azazel winks at me with a devilish smile and nudges his chin at the man. The man gives Azazel a two-finger salute and looks back at me. “You must be Zoe?”

I nod my head warily but don’t answer. Instead, I ask. “Who are you?” He extends his hand towards me in greeting and enfolds it with mine. “I’m Mikhail. I’m Azazel’s best friend.” My eyebrows go up to my hairline in astonishment. “Seriously?” He nods his head and looks back at the sparring duo. “Yep. Azazel is my boy.” I think about his answer for a moment. Then a thought strikes me. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help but ask. “Are you…” I clear my throat and lick my dry lips. “Are you…like him?”

Mikhail smiles in bemusement. “I believe what you are trying to ask me is, am I a demon?” I nod my head and swallow hard at his casual no-nonsense question. He cracks his neck and quirks his lip. “Sort of.” He answers vaguely. I frown at his answer and inquire. “What do you mean sort of? Are you a vampire or something?” He snickers. “No, I’m not a vampire. However, one of my brothers is. No. What I am is…complicated.” I quirk a brow at his comment about vampires and look back towards the ring nervously. Azazel has the advantage over his opponent and brings him down. Once he’s done with the other man, he looks back at me with a boastful smile. He’s such a cocky jerk. It makes me crazy and hot at the same time.

Needing a distraction, I look back to Mikhail and ask. “So, you’re not a demon?” He shrugs with an intent look. “I am more of a hybrid. I’m half demon and…half angel.” My eyes widen with surprise. “What? You’re kidding, right? Angels exist?” He shakes his head bemused. “No, I’m not. Don’t worry, Azazel will explain everything to you later.”

I don’t know what to say after that. It’s obvious that he’s being earnest with me. Unfortunately, before I can ask more, one of Sahara’s lackeys approaches me. “Ms. Sahara wishes to speak to you.” I look back at an awaiting Sahara, then turn back to Mikhail with a grimace. “I should go. It was nice meeting you.” I utter lamely. He gives me a sincere smile and waves as I walk away.

Sahara’s eyes narrow the closer I get. Things definitely don’t bode well for me. She snaps her fingers at the men around her and states with authority. “Gentlemen, can you give us a moment, please.” The men rise from their perch and walk away.

Sahara leans back on her seat with a satisfied smirk. Her dress is a scarlet color this time. Unlike the ones she has worn before, this one is short and tight. It has long lace sleeves and a plunging neckline. Her long red hair is piled on top of her head with a tight bun, and her makeup is bold with dark crimson lipstick and long fake lashes. She reminds me of a China doll.

Straightening my spine, I give her my best fake smile. “You wanted to see me, Sahara?” She nods her head and crosses her arms in front of her chest. “Yes, I did. The singer we booked for the night canceled, and I need you to take over for her.” All of the blood drains from my body. My heart stutters, and my head spins. “What?” I say with a panicked squeal. “I can’t!”

Sahara narrows her eyes and raises an eyebrow. “Don’t be such a bitch, Zoe. Of course, you can and you will!” I shake my head and take a nervous step back. My knees quiver, and my body trembles with terror. However, a small part of me quakes with excitement at the thought of singing again. It had been so long. I feel like I’ve been in the desert, and someone has offered me a bottle of fresh water. But I know that it would be dangerous for everyone. No matter how good it would make me feel. “No, it’s better if I don’t. I’ve never sung somewhere this fancy. Perhaps it’s better if you find someone else?”

Sahara exhales in exasperation. “Oh, but you will if you want to keep your apartment and your job. This is a very important night for my investors and me. If you don’t do this, I will lose a great deal of money. Therefore, either you sing, or I toss you and your friends out into the streets. You have one second to make that choice.” Her words make me feel cornered. Bree and Lana need me. There’s no way I can let them down. Maybe this time will be different? Perhaps I’ve been overblowing the repercussions of my voice? However, deep down, I know that something really bad is going to happen.

Swallowing my dread down, I nod my head. “Okay, I’ll do it.” Sahara gives me a satisfied smile and snaps her fingers toward the man who approached me earlier. The man stops in from of us with a blank expression. “Yes, Sahara?” Sahara waves her hand towards me with a look of distaste. “Tell Christoph to dress her and have her ready for the performance. You have thirty minutes.” I cringe at her every reference to me. She calls me “her” with such distaste. I feel like something she has no choice but to tolerate. The man wordlessly nods his head and takes my elbow to lead me away.

I feel like a prisoner being led to the gallows. We both moved through the large gathering crowd until we find Christoph standing near the bar. His eyes widen when he sees me and Sahara’s goon approach. “Zoe. Is something wrong?” He asks with a concerned frown. I shake my head but remain silent. The giant man tightens his hold on my elbow and gives Christoph a grave scowl. “She’s fine. Sahara asked that you dress her for the performance. She will be the one replacing the talent.” Christoph’s mouth gapes open, and his eyes widen in surprise. “Really? I didn’t know you could sing Zoe.” I shrug my shoulders. “It’s nothing. To be honest, I don’t sing much anymore.”

Christoph’s mouth flattens into a dubious grimace. “Are you sure?” I want to scream “no” in response. Every part of me rebels at the thought of what might happen. But my eyes clash with Sahara’s daring ones across the room, and I think of what will happen to Bree and Lana if I lose my job and our apartment. Instead, I let out a resigned sigh and smile in agreement. “Yeah, I’m sure,” I say with my most enthusiastic voice. Christoph narrows his eyes at me for a moment, then takes a step back and points to the locker rooms. “Okay, then step right in, and I’ll fix you up.”

It doesn’t take long for me to change. Unlike the toga dress, this one is a little classier. It’s a halter style black lace dress. The dress wraps around my neck with no sleeves and drapes down my body like a second skin to end at my knees. Christoph hands me six-inch silver platform heels and curls my hair in loose waves around my shoulders. He places a silver bracelet with small jewels on each of my forearms. My makeup is stylish, with silver eyeshadow and black eyeliner to emphasize the size of my sapphire eyes. My lips are a glossy platinum color. I look in the mirror in wonder. I’ve never felt so sexy.

Christoph gives me a knowing smirk. “Do you like it, honey?” I nod my head and turn my head left and right to get a better look. “Wow, Christoph, you’re a miracle worker.” Christoph snorts and adjusts a few strands of my hair. “No, Zoe, it’s not a miracle. You’re already beautiful, girl. I just enhanced your appearance.” I shake my head in wonder and am about to respond when there’s a knock at the door. “We’re ready for you, Ms. Zoe!” A muffled voice mutters from the other side of the door.

Reality crashes down on me then. This is not time to play dress-up. This is me performing in front of an audience. An audience that might be hurt by my singing. My breathing starts to hitch with dread. Christoph must see my panic because he places his hands firmly on my shoulders and whispers. “Just breathe, Zoe. Relax. You’ll be great.” I take a few deep breaths and look towards the door. Every part of me wants to run and never look back.

Christoph gives me an encouraging smile and ushers me to the door. “Shall we?” My shoulders tense further as we make our way out the door. Nausea rises in my stomach, and my vision dims. I can hear the thrum of my rapidly beating heart over my shallow breathing. I rub my sweaty palms down my thighs nervously as we approach the stage and listen to the MC make the introductions. I knew the place was packed with people who came to see the champion match. However, now that I’m in center stage, it’s a lot more overwhelming. The crowd applauds politely at my introduction while I stand there feeling like my world is falling apart. Then, as if by some miracle, my eyes clash with Azazel’s. He’s standing off on the side of the room with the other guys, Fallon and Mikhail. He gives me a curious smile, salutes me, and then leans his back on a nearby wall expectantly. I don’t know how, but for some reason seeing him relieves all of the tension in my chest.

Closing my eyes, I settle my trembling hand over the microphone and take a deep breath. My voice sounds like warm molasses. That’s what one of the bartenders at Dusty’s used to tell me. The song pours out of me like a softly flowing stream. The crowd goes still, keeping their eyes attentively in my direction. I hit a high note and close my eyes as each note penetrates my senses. That’s when I feel my power awaken. It rises over me like a tide in the sea, enveloping my every cell. My eyes open and roam over my now captivated audience. Everyone’s eyes are glued to me as if in a trance. This is one of my favorite songs. Nothing beats a classic from Heart. Especially the song “Alone.”

Halfway through the song, I look towards the crowd, relieved to find that everyone seems enraptured as they sway to the music. Perhaps nothing will happen. I think to myself, like a mantra. However, my relief is short-lived when the current running through my body becomes a vibrating pulse. The smooth current turns into a tidal wave of electricity. It feels like my body is turning into a conduit. I try to close my mouth to stop the music, but I no longer have control of my voice. I can feel the shift in the air the moment it happens. Several people begin to push each other in agitation. A man throws an insult to another man. Tears gather in my eyes as the violence escalates. I watch as a man turns around and punches another right in the face.

My body shudders when the fight turns into a brawl. I look to where Azazel is standing. But he’s no longer standing near the column. Desolation overwhelms me as I search frantically through the crowd in hopes of spotting him. I want to cry out, but I’m trapped inside myself. I close my eyes feeling tears of despair run down my face. My throat burns with every corrupt note of my power. I can feel it consuming me from the inside, and I can't stop it. I watch in horror as the brawl becomes a massacre. Blood splatters on the stage floor, landing on my dress and arms. It’s utter chaos, and I’m the one responsible for it all.

Just then, strong arms turn me around. Azazel’s glowing crimson eyes meet mine. I can see his mouth moving, but I can’t hear a word he’s saying. He gives me an apologetic look before he whispers a few words and raises his hand up to send a surge of paralyzing power through me. Relief is all I feel as the world fades away, and I’m lifted over a brawny shoulder.