20. Rai

Chapter twenty

Rai

The Bonding

W hen I saw Azazel get stabbed in his chest with that demon's blade, I didn't know what came over me. All I could do was scream, my heart leaped into my throat, and I couldn't breathe. I wanted to cry and then I felt something inside of me break open. Before I knew it, Azazel had turned into a black smoke or mist and flowed into me. My body was ignited with energy, all of my senses were heightened to a level that felt like I'd been made a god. I stared at the demon before me. The last one. The one who had almost killed my Champion.

Oh, I was about to kick his fucking ass. I felt a level of confidence take over and just knew what I needed to do. All of my years of training were for the moment when I truly called my Champion to me. To fight as one. Black armor covered every part of my body that didn't feel heavy at all. It looked like the armor Azazel had when he battled Baal. I let my sword extend from my hand using the energy that flowed inside of me. But I also conjured up a black gun with flames on the handle. The bullets I knew would last as long as my energy did.

"Azazel really has sunk so low as to be a Guardian's dog," the demon said.

My sword was an arming sword with a double-edged blade so sharp, it could cut through any bone, I knew it. The hilt that was just as dangerous with its sharp design. It was the most badass weapon I'd ever seen. It looked like the perfect slayer of demons.

I charged forward with a speed that was astonishing even to me and slashed, catching the demon off guard. He managed to bring his sword up in time, but the impact of my blow sent him flying back and crashing through the brick wall into the next apartment. Thank goodness no one was there. The lights were out, so it would seem no one had been home. Perfect. Dust and debris fell as I stepped through the hole. The demon groaned as he brushed the rubble off his body. I could feel the power, more intense than anything I'd ever experienced, circulating all around me and through me. I was high on it.

Before he could get to his feet, I shot at him several times and he had to roll out of the way to dodge my bullets. I leaped over to him and stabbed him in his leg and he screamed and tossed a ball of red light at me. I pulled my sword from his ankle fast enough to slice through the energy he'd sent, making it fizzle out. He rose and made a break for it, limping toward the girl, but I was on him. I was not going to let that motherfucker get away with that girl. Not after what he'd done to Azazel. I shot at him, the indigo flaming bullet leaving my gun and hitting the demon squarely in the back. He arched and screamed, his back smoldering from the flames that were lighting him up. I teleported in front of him, which seemed to surprise his ass and I slashed, my sword cutting through his body. Blood gushed out like a fountain and I kicked his body away from me.

"Oh my god!" I heard a female voice gasp.

I turned to see the teenage girl the demons had tried to take was now standing in the farthest corner of the room, trembling in fear. All of the demons were dead now. The one who I had just killed burst into indigo-colored flames, he was the only one who did thanks to my bullet. That demon was strong as hell, definitely a high-level one.

Holy shit, did I just kill a fucking demon Knight? Oh man, wait until I told Darius and my best friend about that. I had to snap out of my elation at having just kicked major ass and bonding with my Champion. While I still had Azazel inside of me, I wanted to use his powers to teleport the girl out of there. My armor, sword, and gun absorbed back into my body and I felt the return of their energy. I wondered if Azazel felt the same when he did it. It tingled.

I ran over to her. "Are you okay?" I asked.

She nodded, her brown eyes still wide with shock. "You... you saved me from them."

I turned to see one woman and two men—all human—lying among the dead. "I'm so sorry that I couldn't save your family."

"They weren't my family. They kidnapped me and brought me here where those fucking monsters tried to take me away," she said.

Oh... well, it looked like I didn't have to feel bad about them, then. Humans who worked for demons were just as bad, in my opinion.

"How did you do that? What are you?" she asked, her eyes looking at me from head to toe. "Are you going to hurt me?"

She rattled off a lot of questions and I had to hold my hand up to stop her.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I came here to save you. I'm a celestial warrior known as a Guardian. We protect innocent humans like you from demons. But first, I need to get you out of here and someplace safe, okay? I'll explain more then." I held my hand out to her.

Considering what she'd been through, she responded pretty well. Tough kid. She slipped her hand into mine, giving me her trust and I teleported us back to my home. I knew how to use all of Azazel's powers, it was like his knowledge was my knowledge. He was helping me the whole time. But once we landed, the girl screamed, then wobbled.

I caught her. "I'm sorry about the sensation, it will pass."

"What... what was that?" she asked as she swallowed hard.

"I teleported us back to my home in Chicago."

She looked at me, eyes wide in shock. "We're in Chicago?"

I nodded. "My home. It's warded against demons, they can't enter, and you'll be safe."

"How... how did you..." she stammered.

I exhaled. "I can teleport. It doesn't hurt, but it's how I can travel quickly over great distances," I told her. "I'm not a demon, but my Champion is. It's his powers that I used to save us."

She was staring at me and I could see the wheels in her mind trying to keep up with all of the information she had to take in. "And you promise you won't hurt me? How do I know you don't want me for something bad like those demons did?"

"Fair question, but I don't. My mission, what I was born to do, was to protect humans from evil."

"But you just said you're a demon."

"No, I said that my Champion was. He's a good demon, bound to me. He will not harm you either. And we're safe here, that's why I brought you to my home," I said, trying my best to put her at ease.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." I started to feel the energy high coming down and I knew I'd have to release Azazel. "Give me a minute, okay?"

"Don't leave me." She clung to my arm.

"I'm only going into my bedroom."

"Don't leave me," she begged.

I sighed. "Okay, I won't, but what you're about to see, please don't be afraid. I'll explain, okay? But I have to help my friend."

"What friend?"

"My demon, he was hurt and he needs me," I said.

"Where is he?" she asked as she looked around my home.

"Inside of me, so that's why I don't want you to freak out or anything when I release him."

She looked at my chest. "He's inside of you? What does that feel like?"

"Powerful, but now, I can tell it's time I bring him back."

"Okay," she said as she released my arm. I was sure she had no idea what I was talking about. She was going to find out.

I closed my eyes to concentrate and focused on letting go and I felt all of that power leave me. Again, the girl screamed and I opened my eyes to see Azazel standing before me. He wavered and then collapsed, but I caught him and guided him to the floor. He was still wounded from his battle with the Knight. His flesh was pale and the wound was deep enough that it was still bleeding.

"Oh my god," the girl screamed.

Ugh, this was why I had wanted to go into the bedroom to avoid this moment of hysteria. I released Azazel and took her by her arms as she was backpedaling.

"It's okay. He's mine, you don't have to fear him," I reminded her. She was on the verge of hyperventilating. As much as I wanted to tend to her, I had to go to Azazel. "Listen, he needs me. Can you let me help him?"

She looked at me, then back to Azazel, and gave me a weak nod. It was enough. I released her and ran back over to Azazel. "What do you need from me?"

He was breathing hard, his face contorted in pain, and I hated seeing him like that. It brought back all of those dreams I had of him being vulnerable. Dreams where I just wanted to hold him. Quickly, I ran to the bathroom for my first aid kit, the one with the potion for healing. I returned to Azazel, putting his head in my lap. "Drink this."

He turned his head. "It won't work."

"How do you know that."

"Because I'm a demon."

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the girl watching us intently, and I knew she was listening to every word spoken. "But you're my demon," I told him. "It might work."

He looked up at me with those hypnotic indigo eyes and I just wanted to protect him... to save him. He had risked his life to save me, he didn't even think twice about it. "What... ahh," he groaned in pain and I wasn't going to argue with him.

"Drink it," I ordered and he pouted, but opened his mouth. I poured it down his throat. The worst it would do would be to make him sick. He swallowed, made a face like a big baby, but he didn't puke it up. That was a good sign. I watched him carefully for a moments and felt some ease when the color began to return to his gorgeous face. "How do you feel?"

"Better, my wounds... they aren't as painful," Azazel said.

I released a sigh of relief. "Good... good." I nodded, then looked at the girl, because now I knew he would live. Also, the fact that a celestial potion worked on him proved that he was really on our side... my side. Throughout this mission, the more I learned about Azazel, I knew I didn't have to doubt him anymore. His fight with Michael, the potion, and the fact that I didn't feel corrupted when we bonded... I knew I could trust him completely. His soul wasn't evil and that was my main fear. A fear I had no more. I continued to rest his head on my lap as I watched the deep wound in his chest mend back together, the skin knitting as it repaired itself.

"Holy shit, that is wild," said the teenage girl.

I looked up at her. "Are you okay over there?"

She nodded. "I mean... you two did save me and I have to give you a chance to explain what the hell is going on." She took a deep breath, then released it. "So, I'm going to stay calm."

Well, what a mature way to handle this fucked up situation. She looked to be a teenager around maybe fourteen years old. Her long, dark brown hair was in box braids that flowed down her back. Her ebony skin was blemish-free on the surface, but what stood out most to me was her serious expression. Her eyes held knowledge beyond her age. A life lived that no teenager should have ever experienced. I needed to find out more information about her, like where her parents were. She took off her jacket and that was when I finally noticed that she had blood on her arm. The blood was on her arm and her shirt had been cut by something sharp.

"Did they cut you?" I asked her. I needed to know if the demons took her blood.

She shook her head. "This happened when I was fighting my kidnappers. They cut me, but I poked one of them in the eye and he dropped his knife and let me go. But I couldn't get to the knife before another one of them grabbed me. They brought me there and those demons came. They said they were going to kill me and were laughing about it. That was right before you got there."

"So, they never touched you?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Not that I know of."

"Was it just those four demons?" Azazel asked.

She nodded. "They had killed those assholes who'd kidnapped me first and then those motherfuckers were going to come for me." She shivered and took another deep breath. "Thank you for saving me."

She reminded me of myself at her age. I could imagine what she was going through at that moment. A fear like no other. I was glad I got to her in time too. "You're welcome."

Well, the one demon I knew who had put his hands on her, Azazel killed before he could get anywhere. So, it was safe to say they didn't take her blood. She had to have been the Chosen One if Saraphell's heart led us to her where demons were already.

"Here, drink this, it will heal you," I said. I gave her a potion to heal her wound.

"It's just a scratch, see?" She rolled up her sleeve so I could see how superficial the wound was.

"I'd feel better if you didn't have a wound at all. Please, drink it."

"Does it taste bad? That demon didn't like it."

"No. He's just a big baby," I joked. I wasn't too surprised that it didn't taste good to Azazel. However, I was pleasantly surprised that it worked.

"Okay," she said, then took the vial from me and swallowed one sip. "Mmm, tastes sweet."

I nodded and she drank a bit more. "That's all, you don't need much."

She handed the vial to me, but I waved it off. "Keep it."

"Okay." She looked down at her wound and widened her eyes in surprise as her skin began to heal. "Oh wow, it really does work!" she exclaimed in delight. "Who knew magic and demons and all of that was really real? This is kind of cool—well, not those demons."

"I can see why you'd say that. I'm glad you're okay." I ran my finger over Azazel's face, tracing his cheekbone, and he seemed to be enjoying the extra attention. He earned it. I sighed before looking at her again. "So, what's your name?" I asked because it was important.

"Monique Jackson," she said. "What's yours?"

"Rai Harrington and this is Azazel," I said, giving our introductions.

"Like the demon Azazel?" the girl asked as she stared at him.

I nodded. "That's him."

Azazel smiled. "My reputation precedes me."

"He's like the son of Satan, right?"

To that, Azazel scoffed. "My dear, I'm older than Lucifer's reign in Hell. I handed Cain the rock," he bragged as if he couldn't help himself, even in his weakened state.

I rolled my eyes. "There are different human versions of him, but he is—was—the Demon of War. Now, he's my Champion. Those evil glory days are behind him," I said, then playfully slapped the side of his head. To my delight, he chuckled. Not only did that mean he was feeling better, but also that we were bonding more. Considering all of the fights I'd been in lately, I knew I needed him more than anything. Why had I been so afraid to let him in before? It felt wonderful to connect with him on that level, to become one. I loved it.

"Oh man, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that demons are real and that I was attacked by some," she said, then sat down on the sofa.

"Did they tell you why?" I asked.

"They said that I was the Chosen One. I don't want to be their Chosen Anything," she said and her expression displayed all of her emotions; fear, sadness, and curiosity.

Considering that I, too, was a Chosen One with a predestined life, I understood where she was coming from. "I won't let them harm you."

"I believe you," she said. "I don't know why, but I just do. I don't feel like I'm in danger around you."

"Good, because you are safe," I said.

"How old are you?" Azazel asked.

"Sixteen," Monique replied.

Okay, so I was off by a few years. She looked younger and she was about five feet tall. "Where's your family?" I asked.

"I don't have one," Monique answered. "I've been living on the streets since I was fourteen. I'd rather do that than be whored out by that bitch of a foster mom."

Azazel snorted. "Humans."

I huffed. "Behave," I told him. I looked to see that he was completely healed, but hadn't bothered to move his head. "Comfortable?" I asked him.

"I still need to recover. Don't move," Azazel lied.

"Are you two boyfriends?" Monique asked.

"What?" My eyes were wide, because I hadn't expected that. "Why would you ask?"

Monique shrugged. "I mean, I don't care. I'm not judging. Love is love and all that. It's just you two seem pretty intimate," she pointed out. "There's a vibe I'm sensing." She waved her hand and wiggled her fingers for emphasis.

"Yes," Azazel said.

"We're not," I countered.

Azazel nodded and I pushed him off my lap. His head hit the floor with a thump.

"Ow!" he groused, then rubbed the sore spot.

Monique half snorted, half laughed.

I huffed and climbed up to sit down on the opposite sofa. "We're not boyfriends," I said for clarification.

"Doesn't matter to me," she said with a shrug.

"You're the only one uptight about it, Rai," Azazel said as he sat up and climbed onto the sofa beside me.

"Look, enough about this. We need to get serious. You don't have any friends or family?" I asked her.

"Not anyone that really cares about me. I sleep in shelters and get my necessities from charities and sometimes churches," Monique said.

"Damn, okay. The good thing about that is you're the only person we need to protect."

She looked around my home. "Your place is really nice. Are you rich?"

"Okay, why are you so laid back right now? You should be freaking out," I said. I couldn't help myself. No teenager could be this damn cool.

Monique shrugged. "Living on the streets, I've seen some shit. I've had to survive all kinds of fuckery. Men who wanted to rape me, murder me...This one motherfucker wanted to piss on me. And let me not get on all the bitch ass motherfuckers who stole my shit. This night was just as fucked up as any of those. At least this time, someone helped me."

Living a hard life would make a warrior out of you if you survived it. This girl was living proof. "I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. And you don't know your biological parents?" I asked.

Monique shook her head. "I've been in the system my entire life, bouncing from one foster home to another. To me, I've always been surrounded by demons." She shrugged again. "The fact that actual demons are real was a mindfuck, but considering humans took me to them, they're all one and the same."

"Oh, I like this girl," Azazel beamed. "She's a realist."

"Oh, shut up," I told him.

"Why? Because she's telling the truth about human nature? Do you think demons had anything to do with her upbringing?" Azazel asked me.

I knew that they hadn't, or they would have had her blood ages ago. I shook my head. "But let's not pretend that demons don't play a part in why there's so much evil in the world."

Azazel shook his head. "You know, Rai, you keep calling demons evil. But we're not responsible for human nature. God made that flaw when he gave you free will. Humans created the systems throughout time that have been the backbone of their society and only the rich control it. Humans designed the concept of bartering, be it with spices, services, people, or money. The quid pro quo if you will. ‘What am I going to get out of it' mentality. That's how demons can make deals so easily."

"I know that. But that's not all humans," I said. "People have made huge strides in growth. When things happen in the world, there is always an outpouring of support. No one is ever alone in this world." I pointed at Monique. "Even she had places she could go for help."

"It's all humans who follow a system that is always against them."

"It's how we have order. without it, there would be chaos."

Azazel smiled, a hint of fang showing. "There's already chaos, but it's organized, so you don't see it. And when humans get angry, they don't do anything other than complain and half the time, it's misguided or not fully informed."

"People have challenged and even overthrown their governments," I stated.

"And replaced it with more of the same under a different name. Take your political and social systems. Humans vote against their best interests all of the time. Because for some of you, it's in your instinct to court chaos. Demons... we don't even have to try to seduce you. You come to us." Azazel snorted with his arrogant smirk before continuing. "I mean, every country is a capitalistic society as long as money fuels their government. Doesn't matter if it's democratic, republic, communist, socialist, libertarian—whatever." He waved his hand. "It's all based on the greed of the few that dominate the many."

This time I remained quiet, because Azazel wasn't being cruel, just honest based on his observation and I felt it was wise for me to listen. "Go on."

"For instance, take today's society in this country. The cycle. Your government allows corporations to give you shit products—let's take food—for this example. You buy it, even at prices that are too high already for what you're getting. Down the road, it makes you sick. So, if you're lucky enough to have the means to change your diet, they charge you even more for the food that's supposed to be better for you. If you don't eat it and get sicker, well, now you'll need medicine and surgery and that's when they can milk you. And then when you die, here comes another industry that gets to take more money from you. And while you're being a good little cog in the machine, those who created the machine are laughing all the way to the banks they control."

"I can't deny that. It's fucked up."

"Demons didn't do that. It's human nature. Why anyone would continue to bring innocent life into this world is a mystery to demons." Azazel shrugged. "But hey, it keeps us entertained."

"I see you still consider yourself a demon," I said, noting he said ‘us' in his statement.

"I am what I am. I don't have any qualms about that. Do you still?" he asked me, his indigo eyes captivated me as he awaited my reply.

I shook my head. "No." It was the truth. In fact, the more I thought about it, I think I got over the fact that Azazal was a demon years ago, but I just couldn't admit it to myself.

"I find that comforting," he said.

"Do you still take pleasure in human suffering as other demons do?" I asked, because that's the answer I wanted when I made my earlier comment.

Azazel tilted his head to the side, his luscious lips pursed slightly, then he sighed. "Not the way I used to. In fact, I only enjoy the suffering of those who deserve it. Does that answer give you satisfaction?"

I nodded. "It does. Back to what you said, that is all true. But my job isn't to change that."

"Same here, yet your side thinks we should."

"My side just wishes demons wouldn't make it worse."

Azazel laughed. "We're not. That's what I'm trying to tell you, Rai. Your side sits back and watches what you already know is the inevitable. My side only gives the humans what they already want. We don't change the outcome that is their destiny."

"So, is this you trying to convince me that ‘we're not so different you and I'?"

Azazel smirked. "Is that too hard a pill to swallow? If so, I have something else you can swallow."

"Oh My God! Go fuck already," Monique said.

"Jesus!" I gasped and turned to her. "Girl, that mouth on you."

"I'm just saying, you two sat there and bickered like an old married couple. I bet you forgot I was here. The sexual tension is so thick in the air, I choked on it," Monique said. "Just go fuck already. It's so obvious that you're into each other." She shooed us away. "Go, go on... close the bedroom door. I'll turn the TV up so that I don't hear." She grinned then. "Not that I wouldn't mind, because my god, you two are gorgeous!"

Azazel laughed outright then, slapping his knee and everything. I was still trying to process what she'd said. My face was so hot and I knew I was blushing. "It's not that."

She smirked and even I knew I didn't believe the bullshit I just said. It was totally that. I wanted to take Azazel to Poundtown and leave him twitching on my bed in soaked sheets. And the only reason I hadn't done so... how would others look at me? Judge me?

Azazel tapped my temple. "That brain of yours trying to figure out reasons to deny what even the girl can clearly see."

"I'm a Guardian."

"And you're still a man... with needs and desires."

"Azazel, we're not having this conversation in front of a sixteen-year-old, girl. Okay?" I put my foot down and he nodded. I turned back to Monique. "I'll admit, you're a tough little cookie, you don't break. That's badass. To answer your question, my lifestyle is supplemented by the celestial organization I live for. I have to be on call twenty-four-seven and able to travel all over the world to save people."

"I'm rich," Azazel said.

"Do you two live here together?" Monique asked.

"Not yet," Azazel said.

I started to protest but then decided not to. With the way I was feeling, my cock stirring to life, I'd be damned if I let it make a liar out of me. "Not yet," I echoed Azazel's response and he tossed me a wicked smile.

"I can move in ASAP," Azazel suggested.

I shrugged. "Fine. It's best that we live together anyway."

Azazel raised both sexy black eyebrows. "Really?"

I nodded. "You were right about everything. We're best when we're together, stronger. And unlike other Guardians, I can live with my Champion."

"Consider it done," Azazel said with a wide grin.

"Must be a nice life living in the lap of luxury," Monique said.

"It is," Azazel answered and I slapped his pec... his very muscular pec. "What?"

"I really don't think Monique needs to hear about how lavish our lifestyles are," I said.

He shrugged. "She asked."

"I sometimes forget how honest demons can be when it suits them."

Azazel laughed and nodded. "But have I ever lied to you, baby?" he asked, using that term again that made me feel all kinds of tingles.

"No."

"And I never will," he said with a charming smile.

"Shouldn't you be honest too?" Monique asked and I had to tear my gaze away from Azazel to address her.

"I am, but I'm also tactful. He's not. I try to spare feelings, he can hurt them," I said.

"I prefer blunt honesty, to be honest. I don't need anyone sugar-coating shit for me. I'm not a child," Monique said.

I studied her for a few seconds, then nodded. "No, I suppose you're not."

"You never had the chance to be," Azazel stated.

Monique was silent as she seemed to reflect on Azazel's words, then she nodded. "I guess not."

"It made you stronger and that's what you need to be to survive what's happening now," Azazel said.

Monique nodded once, then exhaled. "So, what are you two going to do next?" she asked. "Why did they need my blood?"

Azazel sighed. "Well—"

"It's best that you don't know," I said, cutting Azazel off.

"I want to know," Monique demanded.

"That must be that tact he was talking about," Azazel teased.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Monique, trust me, I'm not trying to shield you because I think you're a kid. I'm not going to tell you because I need you to be able to live your life as normal as you can. In this case, ignorance is bliss."

"They're going to do something really bad, aren't they?" she asked.

I nodded.

"I figured. I can't be the Chosen One for demons and not have it be something serious." She sighed and nodded. "Okay... I trust you. I don't want to know. But whatever it is... can you stop it?"

"I'm going to try. This means that we need to leave, but I won't be leaving you alone," I said.

"I'm going with you?" she asked.

"No, I'm going to have my best friend, Marcel, come to watch you," I said, then pulled out my cell and texted him. After I finished, I looked at Azazel. "We need to go back to that Magic Shop, there's something I want to ask The Owner."

"We need to go back to my home for the special herbs I'll need to open the doorway," Azazel said.

"Okay." I looked down at my phone when it beeped to see Marcel text back that he was on his way. I then looked at Monique. "Are you hungry or sleepy?"

"Hungry, yeah," she said.

"Do what kids do, feel free to raid the kitchen."

She smiled and walked over to the kitchen and started gathering goodies to eat.

"She's a pretty cool kid," I said softly.

Azazel looked at her. "She's had an unfair life thanks to humans."

"Don't start."

He chuckled. "Okay, I won't." He scooted closer to me. "Is your cock still hard?"

I reached over and grabbed his, which was hard. He growled in lust and moaned. "Behave."

"How can I when you're touching me?"

I smiled, but released him. "Get it together, demon. As for you moving in with me, it should be soon." I didn't need Azazel to be in the same home with me in order to call him, but I wanted him near me at all times. I just couldn't explain why, it was just how I felt.

"Once we solve this demon mess, I'll move in," Azazel said.

"Good." I rose. "Let me freshen up."

"Can I join you?" Azazel asked.

"No, take care of Monique," I said, then walked off to my bedroom. I showered quickly, dressed, and then decided to grab something to eat while Azazel took his turn, bathing to get all of the blood off his body. I tried not to imagine how hot he must look with suds dripping off his body, but it was a task I was failing at and my cock was tempting me to interrupt his shower.

"So, what's up with you and the demon?" Monique asked as she sat down in the chair across from me.

Her voice brought me back to reality. I cleared my throat. "What do you mean?" I asked, then took a bite of my ham sandwich.

"You're obviously into him, is he your boyfriend?"

I paused eating and looked at her. "No."

"Why not?"

"I don't think we should be having this conversation."

"I'm not a kid. I can talk about stuff like this."

I snorted. "Yes, you are a kid and I don't want to talk about Azazel and me."

"You trust him," she said, then she grinned wickedly. "I bet you're sooo in love with him."

"Shut up and eat your food," I said and she giggled. The last thing I was going to do was discuss my complicated feelings about Azazel with a wise-mouth, street-smart, sixteen-year-old busybody.

The door to my bedroom opened and the demon in question emerged wearing the clothes I'd given him. He was five inches taller than I was and my clothes were too small for him even though they were made with stretchy fabric. Seeing how short my sweatpants were on him was kind of funny.

"I still look good," he said, being a good sport about it, even though his ankles and legs were showing. His attitude made him even sexier to me. I was still chuckling at the outfit on Azazel when I heard the knock on my door, I knew it was Marcel. I let my BFF in and Monique's eyes lit up when she saw my handsome friend with the French accent. Girls had their crushes, I supposed. I made quick introductions.

"Okay, quick question, why are both of you going back to his house?" Marcel asked.

"Because we need to get the ingredients," I said.

"It's only some herbs," Azazel stated, which pointed out the amount of bullshit that was in my response.

I couldn't pretend like I was needed to do that task and the damn doorway to the Magic Shop was under my Persian Rug. "I need to speak with Azazel alone, okay?" I said finally.

Marcel winked. "Alrighty then. Don't worry, I'll watch over her," he said, and I was relieved that he didn't continue to pry. He looked at Azazel from head to toe. "You take care of my friend, all right?"

"Always," Azazel said.

The two seemed to be friendlier than I was expecting. "Have you met before?" I asked.

Marcel nodded. "From time to time when he was checking in on you."

I looked at Azazel and felt even more emotions flood into me. He even went as far as to be cool with my best friend just to make sure that I was doing well. Wow.

"Shall we?" Azazel said.

I snapped out of my thoughts and nodded, then looked at Marcel. "I have so much to catch you up on, buddy, but it will have to wait," I said. I wanted to tell him about everything that had happened in the past forty-eight hours, but I had to leave.

"Don't worry, we'll have time," Marcel said.

I nodded and left with Azazel, who teleported us back to his home.