7. Azazel

Chapter seven

Azazel

A Meeting of Sorts

I took a swig of the martini Rai had been drinking and smirked at the Guardian who was glaring at me. "You should keep better track of them," I criticized. Like with most warriors of the Guild, he was one sexy-ass bastard. The demon in me wondered if he could match me in the sheets.

"I do believe this is our first encounter," the Guardian said, and I could hear his Egyptian accent. He looked around the club and I wondered if he knew that it was a demon establishment. There was a spell cast on the place to block all demonic auras to be a shield of defense against the likes of him and the Guards. He needn't worry about it; I'd have my fun in this place anyway. There were only ten demons here, low-level ones too. Easy work for me.

"So, what's your name?" I asked, then finished the drink. I could taste Rai in it, my Guardian, and he seemed like he was going to be a handful.

He didn't reply, only nodded for me to follow him.

I did and we were in the back alley now.

"Thank you for calling Terri and alerting us of this situation," he said.

"Did that hurt? Having to thank a demon?" I asked with a devilish smile.

"You're Azazel, the legendary demon Knight," he said.

"Legendary? I like that."

"Both in Hell and Heaven. You're responsible for killing three of our Guardians and their Champions," he said, but his tone was measured and I couldn't tell if he was disgusted or impressed. Probably both, but the man was hard to read.

"I wasn't going to hurt him," I said about Rai.

"I know, not that you could even if you wanted to."

His lot was pettier than they'd like to admit as they did love to bring up my inability to raise hell the way I once used to enjoy doing. It didn't annoy me these days. I got my jollies off in other ways as they say. If there was one thing I was exceptionally good at, it was adjusting.

"So, he's my Guardian? Does he even know about me?" I asked, keeping the conversation moving along.

The Guardian shook his head. "In due time."

I sighed. "What? Am I some dirty little secret?"

"A secret? No."

But I'm dirty... I caught that without him needing to be blunt. Those assholes. "So, are you ever going to tell me your name?"

"Darius, son of Jafari."

My eyes widened ever so slightly because that name was very familiar. "You are also legendary."

"When the time comes, Rai will call you to him. Have you accepted your destiny, demon?" Darius asked, his eyebrow cocked.

"You may be the oldest Guardian still living, but we are not equals. Show me some fucking respect," I snapped.

He lifted his chin as he regarded me. "It's true that you are now one of us, so I should treat you cordially, at the very least."

I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned back against the wall. "I can accept that. So, what's he like when he's not drunk off his ass?" I asked, nodding in the direction of the remaining waiting vehicle.

Darius slipped his hands into his pockets. The action letting me know that he wasn't worried about me attacking him. Of course, by that same token, I knew he couldn't attack me as well. The only harm we could do to each other was sling insults.

"He's headstrong, a brilliant mind, determined, but as you've seen, naive. He has a long way to go," Darius said.

I nodded then gestured to the building. "Did you sense anything in there?"

"No, but I know something isn't quite right."

I smiled. "That Guardian intuition. You'd be correct. There are demons in there and the only reason they didn't kill those two boys was because I was there protecting them."

"I see. Don't worry... the next time you see Rai, it will be when he calls you." Darius walked off then and I didn't stop him. I was used to those types of interactions with his lot.

I thought about Rai, he must be sixteen years old now and filling out well. Such a pretty boy. I wondered what he'd look like as a grown man. I guessed I'd find out. As for my night, I went back into the club to slay every demon in the place. But first, I needed to get rid of the humans. I pulled the fire alarm and as the humans fled, I froze all ten demons. I didn't have much time to spare as I could already hear the sirens of the fire trucks in the distance. I materialized my sword, then got to work. Since Hades had cast me out, I would make them regret that foolish decision.

I left piles of ash from every weak demon I slayed then teleported right before the firefighters rushed inside. No telling what they'd think of the ash piles, but I didn't care. Leaving that bit of mystery behind was kind of fun. And fun was always on a demon's agenda.

Rai Harrington, it was indeed a pleasure to meet you.