Chapter 18 — One problem at a time
Azazel:
My lady can sing. That was the first thought I had when I saw her step onto the stage. She looked incredible in her fitted dress. I’ve never seen such a beautiful sight. And her voice. There is no way to describe how beautiful she sounded. Unfortunately, it also answered my question of who the siphon was. To any other human, she looked normal. However, any supernatural being who saw her would see her glowing skin and radiant neon blue eyes. My mate is a Siren. And she's in trouble.
Fallon, Mikhail, and I gasp in shock when her body begins to vibrate. I watch in horror as dark waves glow around her body like a malignant halo, and her eyes dim like black obsidian pools. I can tell that she's not in control of herself anymore. Tears are running down her face, and her arms were quaking.
“What the bloody hell!” Fallon says, looking at me with shock. Mikhail grips my shoulder and points to the stage. “You have to get her out of here. Look.” I look in the direction he is pointing and notice two men arguing. Suddenly, before my eyes, all hell breaks loose. The crowd begins to push and kick at each other. A man elbows another man in the face, and a woman breaks a bottle over another man’s head. Bodies clash, and blood rains down the room. But my eyes are centered on my beautiful mate and her pleading eyes.
“Meet me outside in five minutes. I’m going to get her.” They both nod and make their way to the front door as they sift through the crowd. Avoiding flying debris and bodies, I make my way to my lady. It feels like it has taken hours to get to Zoe. I finally reach her stiff frame. “Zoe! Stop singing!” I turn her towards me and yell out. But she continues to sing. It’s as if she’s lost in her own world. I shake her shoulders again and cry out louder. “Stop, Zoe!” But she remains unmoved. Unable to find another choice. I give her my most apologetic look and use my demonic power to make her lose consciousness. Her body stills for a moment, then falls into my arms. Lifting her over my shoulder, I make my way out the door.
Mikhail and Fallon both meet me outside. “Is she well?” Fallon asks, running his gaze over her insensible frame. “Yes, she’s fine. I used my power to knock her out.” Mikhail sighs with relief and gestures to flashing lights in the distance. “It looks like the police are coming. We better go.” We all nod in agreement and make our way to our vehicles. Zoe doesn’t even stir when I place her in the passenger seat, buckle her into the roadrunner, and drive out of the lot.
I watch through the rearview mirror as several police vehicles stop in front of the club. I’m in disbelief at what just happened in there. So many humans hurt. And it was all because of Zoe’s Siren song. It makes no sense. Sirens aren’t violent beings. Regardless of what the myths might say, Sirens are actually very rare. They became scarce when they began mating with humans over a thousand years ago. Most siren and human children have little to no power. They tend to be more human. And Sirens, who can sing with the power that Zoe wields, are unique.
I look at Zoe’s slight form with concern. Her chest rises and falls slowly. Her skin is pale, and there are shadows beneath her eyes. She looks fragile, and it angers me that she had to go through this. I turn on my floodlights to get a better look at the wet, darkened road. It had rained earlier in the day. The road is quiet and empty, giving out an ominous feel. I maneuver the Road Runner swiftly down the darkened road as I make my way home. Unfortunately, I’m so caught up on what to do about Zoe that I don’t see the dark figure standing in the middle of the road until it’s too late. Without a thought, I turn the wheel to avoid the figure. Unfortunately, the Road Runner’s speed and the slipperiness of the road causes the vehicle to swerve and flip.
I reach for Zoe’s prone form in hopes of protecting her. Being a demon, I know that I can survive anything. However, I don’t know if Zoe can even if she is a Siren. I watch helplessly as her restrained body is jostled by the impact of the car rolling and crashing down the street. I stiffen my hands over the steering wheel, trying to gain control of the car, but there’s no hope. Suddenly, the front windshield’s glass shatters, hurling shards towards our unprotected bodies. I close my eyes to keep the glass from falling into my eyes and flinch when a sharp pain burns through my stomach. After a few seconds, the vehicle's trajectory is halted. I lie upside down and take a deep breath, groaning over the pain that is coursing through my body. I can feel the wet glide of my blood dripping up my chest and neck to fall like tears around my head. My vision blurs with every rise and fall of my chest, but I’m not worried because I know I’ll heal.
Looking down, I see a large piece of glass embedded in my gut. Zoe is still strapped to the seat, unconscious. Her hair dangles down like a curtain brushing over the roof of the car. She has a few scratches on her head and arms, but otherwise, she is unhurt.
I’m about to release myself from the vehicle's restraints when a sound warns me that we’re not alone. Just then, the hinges of the passenger door squeak and flies off its frame, crashing into the slippery asphalt. I watch in shock as a dark figure squats down and unstraps Zoe’s form from the seat.
“Zoe!” I scream out, trying to release myself from the seat belt's hold. The figure pulls Zoe from the seat and drags her out of the door. The pain in my stomach intensifies as I try to reach for Zoe. Calling upon any power I have, I reach down, wrap my hands around the shard and pull it out of my stomach. My breath hisses with every burning scrape of the glass’s ragged edges. Sweat gathers on my forehead, and my body shakes with the exertion. However, my skin begins to knit back instantly.
Just because I can’t die, it doesn’t mean I can’t feel pain, though. Grabbing hold of my healing wound, I unbuckle my belt and crawl out after Zoe’s abductor. “Let her go!” I scream out at the dark figure.
Once I’m out of the car, I release the full charge of my power. My wings expand from my back, and my claws and teeth sharpen. I look at the culprit through my glowing demon eyes, but to my surprise, I only see darkness. It’s not possible. I should be able to see through anything with my demon eyes. I can also sense that this is a new threat to Zoe. Whoever this is, it doesn’t bode well for the rest of us.
Wiping the blood from my brow, I rise from the street and fly towards the retreating figure to land in front of him. The man stops in his tracks and places Zoe’s unconscious body at his feet. I’m still unable to see his true form. It’s disconcerting to my demon senses. “Who the bloody hell are you? And what do you want with my mate?” I growl out aggressively.
However, the man is not intimidated. Instead of answering me, the man throws a hand up and tosses a deadly shot of power at my chest. My body staggers at the impact of the shot. I’m amazed by the extent of the being’s power because I’m a very strong demon. Not many can go against me. My body swells with rage. I’ve never been so angry in my entire existence. Rage envelopes me. Pulling my sacred sword from the secret sheath behind my back, I aim it towards his head. “I’m going to say this one more time. Let my mate go, or I will slice you into little pieces.”
Just then, Zoe’s body begins to stir. She lets out a distressed groan and opens her eyes. Her face tightens in confusion as she looks around her. “Zoe!” I cry out in warning as the figure leans over her. Her head snaps in my direction with surprise. Then, as if sensing the presence behind her, her body stiffens, and her eyes widen like saucers. She turns her body slowly to come face to face with the form leaning over her. To my surprise, she doesn’t scream. Instead, she swallows deeply and sputters out. “Y-y-you. P-p-please don’t...”
I break into action when the man reaches for her and grips her by the neck. Zoe cries out in distress and grips the man’s muscled forearm as he lifts her off the ground until she is dangling before him like a rag doll. She chokes and wheezes. “Azazel!”
Using every bit of my demon speed, I rise up in the air, flip behind him and kick him in the back. The man falters on his feet and releases Zoe, who cries out as she falls hard onto the road. But I’m more focused on keeping the man from hurting her than I am of a few bumps and bruises. Before the man recovers, I aim my sword at his head, but he’s able to block my strike with some kind of gauntlet that is attached to his hand. I blink my eyes, trying to focus on the man’s weapon. It looks very familiar. I just can’t recall where I have seen it before.
The man grips my sword tightly and pulls back his fist to hit me in the face. I duck his strike and kick out at his feet, making him fall to his knees. Before he can recover, I slam my elbow at his face and kick him in the stomach. The man falls on his back and rolls out of my way to rise to his feet using his supernatural speed. My frustration surmounts as I try to figure out who the mystery man is. “Who are you!?” I yell out in aggravation.
This time he does react. But not the way I expect. He simply lets out a mocking chuckle and utters sinisterly. “Who do you think I am, Azazel?” My body stiffens in recognition. The voice sounds very familiar. A memory niggles in the back of my mind. However, it pulls away before I can recover it. “I know you?” I ask carefully as I step in front of Zoe to keep her out of the man’s sight. The man nods his head carefully and mimics my steps. We’re now standing parallel to each other.
“Yes, you know me.” He says with a mocking jeer. I take a few impatient breaths as I consider my options. I feel like he’s playing me somehow. Like a cat plays with a mouse. And it grits at my nerves. “No more bloody games!” I mutter coldly. “Tell me who you are, and let’s be done with it!” I emphasize my words by slashing the air with my sword.
For a moment, I think he’s not going to respond. Then he moves forward and releases the cloak of shadows surrounding him. My breath hitches, and my body becomes cold when I get a really good look at him. “Lucifer?” I hiss out in surprise. The bastard gives me an arrogant grin and tilts his sword in salute. “Hello, Azazel, it has been a long time.” I narrow my eyes, take a protective step, and hold a hand back to help Zoe rise. She grips my hand and remains behind me.
Tightening my hand on hers, I take another cautious step back. “Why are you here, Lucifer?” Lucifer smirks and moves his eyes towards Zoe. “Well, I’m here for her, of course.” He says matter of fact. My shoulders stiffen as a wave of ferocious anger rushes through my blood. “You dare say that to me, you bloody git!” I growl out, furious. He clucks his tongue with a snicker and shakes his head in bemusement. “Oh, I do, old friend.”
My chest heaves as I tighten my hand over Zoe’s to keep her still. Her body shudders behind me. I wonder what shame of our conversation. “We’re not old friends, Lucifer. We will never be old friends. I don’t know what you think you’re up to, but Zoe is mine, and I will kill anyone who tries to hurt her.”
The bloody arse simply shrugs his shoulder and points his sword at me. “Oh, really? Well, what if I told you that I’ve killed your sweet little mate many times, and you’ve done nothing to stop me?” Zoe places her other hand on the small of my back and gasps in astonishment. “Oh my God, he’s real!” She mutters in alarm.
Lucifer quirks a brow and chuckles. Damn him and his supernatural hearing.
“You remember me, don’t you, luv?” Zoe's breathing hitches as she clings tighter to my back. I can feel her long nails digging into me like claws. Unable to bear her fear, I pull her hand around my waist and give Lucifer my most killing glare. “Enough of your games, Lucifer! Why are you here instead of sitting your arse on your lavish throne in hell?”
Lucifer’s nostrils flare as he narrows his eyes at my insolent tone. He always hated the fact that I never bowed down to him or never showed him any fear. It’s the reason why I had to leave hell. He knew, and I knew that if I stayed longer, I’d have to kill him. “Do you really think that I’ve forgotten about your little rebellion, Azazel? I’ve always been on the fringes of your world. You can ask your beautiful mate there about that. For two thousand years, she and I’ve met. Of course, it has never ended well for her.” He utters with a false self-satisfied tone.
The blood rushes to my ears as his words penetrate my mind. Is it possible? Does Lucifer have something to do with my Millennia’s loneliness? He must see the realization in my expression because he lowers the point of the sword to the ground and leans on it like a cane. “Now, you know why you’ve been alone for all of these years, mate.” My stomach plummets with the implication of Lucifer’s words.
A wave of cold anger suffuses my bones, bringing my demon to the fore. I throw my head back, feeling my eyes begin to glow with the fire of my rage, my claws extend into sharp points, and my wings begin to flutter agitatedly from my back. Zoe takes a step back to avoid being pummeled by my wings. But I’m too angry to notice anything other than the hellish creature standing before me. “What have you done, Lucifer?” I grit out through clenched teeth.
Lucifer wags his index finger with a mocking sneer. “Now, now, Azazel. What did you expect me to do after the way you betrayed me? You needed to pay. And your mate was the best way to make you suffer.” I bite my lip, trying to stifle the echoing void in my heart. It’s just not possible that Lucifer has been hurting or my mate throughout the centuries. My teeth clench at the horrors that my mate has experienced without my knowledge. However, as horrified as I am by the prospect, it all makes perfect sense in a twisted psychopathic way. Lucifer has always been a vindictive wanker.
“We made a deal, Lucifer! I’d leave hell and never return in exchange for my freedom. You knew I’d keep my end of the bargain. Why would you do this?” Lucifer doesn’t respond this time. Instead, he lifts the sword up, leans it on his shoulder, and waits. He reminds me of a predator stalking its prey. But I’m not weak, and he knows that I will not back down, especially now that I know that he’s trying to kill my mate. Lifting my own sacred sword between us, I take a deep breath and respond.
“You know what? It doesn’t matter. I’m not letting you touch her ever again. It looks like Fallon is about to become the new king of hell. So let’s just get to it then.” Rising up into the air, I take aim at his heart with the intent of killing the king of hell. Unfortunately, Lucifer uses my momentum to his advantage; he aims his gauntlet taking aim and shoots power daggers at my chest. I try to duck the daggers, but a few embed in my chest, which unfortunately stops my momentum. I fall to the ground and gaze down at my skewered chest in shock. The daggers begin to glow with sinister energy. Lucifer’s satisfied smirk warns me that whatever he throws my way, it’s not going to be good. A lethargy overwhelms me as the daggers suck all of the demonic power from my body. I try to rise to guard my mate, but it’s too late.
A cry escapes my mouth as Lucifer takes her struggling body into his arms and disappears. My chest burns with every breath, and my vision begins to haze. The last thought that I have before oblivion overtakes me is that I have failed my mate—again.