“Aura if you change your mind and decide you want to be on the winning side let me know.” He hands her a card. “That’ll show ya where to find me. We could use more rogue angels.” He faces me again. “Until next time, lovelies.”
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
“So that’s Damien?” She seems shaken a bit as well, but done an excellent job at hiding it. “Not as scary looking as I thought he’d be at first glance.” She was kidding, right? “Then again, he’s only human currently.” Much to my surprise, she pockets the business card instead of tossing it. She wasn’t actually putting his plan as a foreseeable possibility, as she?
I nod. That was the one and only Damien. I just didn’t expect him to pull that stunt, or to wait so long to.
Chapter 25
Aura
“What are your plans for Halloween?” Riley asks me, during a slow part of the day.
I’ve just returned from my visit to the “bad” area of town. Gabriel promised he’d be back later, but he almost broke them as often as he made them. SO, I wasn’t holding my breath. He was cutely overprotective, though.
“I don’t really celebrate holidays much.” Halloween could be fun. It was also one of the times demons could more likely hide in plain sight though. “How far away is that again?” I purse my lips, not having really kept track of such trivial matters as the human calendar.
“How could you forget the day of Halloween?” She shrieks, outraged by the very concept. Her extra-ness is becoming one of my favorite parts about her, as I became more accustomed to it.
I shrug. “Sorry, my days just seem to rush together.” I sheepishly grin.
“Next time we go shopping you must get a calendar to mark. Along with a sexy costume.” She winks. “It’s in a few weeks. Luke is throwing a party that night. He said you were definitely going.”
“He did, did he?” I throw him a quick glare. He mouths ‘live a little’ to me, with a grin. He was lucky I didn’t incinerate him on sight. There were things of more importance going on that night. I thought Theresa was joking at first when she said that was my deadline. I feel my heartbeat over twice as fast. Deadline. Meaning I had two weeks at most to figure out this demon shit. Fuck my life. That wasn’t nearly enough time. He just started making progress.
“You okay?” Riley notices the rush of panic that’s set over my features. “Did I set off some explosive I wasn’t aware of? If so, I am sorry.”
“Peachy.” My voice must not be convincing as she gives me a look. “You didn’t trigger any awful memories.” I reassure her. “Really, you didn’t.”
“Ladies get back to work. There are tables to wait.” Luke saves me from the awkwardness of having to delve into details. I would have to come up with an excuse for later in case she remembered. How I hated to lie. It wasn’t me.
“Make sure you keep Maori inside during the holiday though.” She refers to my cute demon kitty. “Some people can do cruel things to black cats. Or cats, small animals in general.” The words twist my stomach. Why the hell was I bothering saving the human population? If it goes, the animal killers should be gone first.
Am I terrible for thinking that?
Nah. Cats are way better than humans. She could likely hold her own though from what Luke’s shown me of her abilities.
“What the fuck?” My head perks up at the yelling from across the restaurant. Some man in what was no doubt an expensive suit, was wearing his food. I stifle a laugh at his appearance. The laughter soon ceases when I see the culprit sprawled out on the floor. The man kicks at what appears to be the unconscious body of Gabriel. Fuck.
Those pills. I knew he wasn’t adjusting well to them; I hadn’t known it was getting so bad. Or I didn’t want to know and overlooked things. I don’t even feel my feet moving as I rush to his side. I run my fingers across his forehead, sweat is layered in sheets.
“What the fuck? Isn’t anyone going to get me a refund? And who’s paying for this dry cleaning?” The word sociopath rushes to my mind, as he didn’t even give a five-second consideration to how Gabriel was doing. Humans, so selfish. Luke rushes over to talk to the guy, mouthing at me to help Gabriel.
I bend further down, to check that he’s still breathing. Faint, but it’s there. Whatever Luke tells the guy, he’s not pleased with it. “Why aren’t you waking up Gabriel?” I whisper, running my hand over his forehead.
His hand reaches out for my arm, then I’m drawn in.
I did not intend to enter his mind. When I’m here, it’s exactly how Theresa described him. He’s huddled up in a corner, arms hugging his knees.
“Gabriel,” I call out to him, but the figure ignores me.
“Don’t bother he can’t hear you,” his demon calls out. His voice is cocky as ever, even as he remains behind that chained door.
“What’s wrong with him?” I glare at the demon, wanting Gabriel to be out of the cage.
“You are. You give him these pills that are supposed to help him.” Air quotes. “Leaving him to be a shell after you take away his crutch.” I don’t want to trust a word he says. “Besides,” he lifts his shirt to show scared, burned skin, “Whatever hurts me, hurts him. Were one and the same.” He licks his dry chapped licks.
“You’re wrong. He’s stronger than this.” I shake my head in denial. The scene the demon was showing me had to be a trick.
He laughs, before wincing in pain. Good, fucker deserved it. “I’m his crutch.”
“He can get over his past.” I glare daggers at him. He could let go of that crutch and would be far better for it.
“What?” He leans against the cage. “Come a little closer, won’t you?” I shake my head. “Just like you got over your past.”
I growl, going up to his cage. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
“Just like when you killed little Minx because you’re so over your past.” The words lurch me to stand face to face with the monster.
“You act all tough and scary, but you’re just a loser stuck in a cage.” I back up, going back to the more pressing issue of Gabriel huddled in the corner.
“Gabriel?” I touch his shoulder. When he looks up from his knees, I see the face of a child, instead of a man.
“Please don’t do this to him.” I look over towards the demon who now has the face of Gabriel once again. What was happening? The one curled up is a grinning demon boy.
“You angels are so easy to mess with. So gullible.”
I’m brought out of his mind and back into the diner.
Chapter 26
Gabriel
Burning up my insides...Everything is just so bland, days blending together on a repeated mantra. A set-in timer, to go through every boring day routine.
Wake-up. Eat. Work. Sleep. Repeat. It’s all so much of an effort to be almost robotic. Lonely. Depressing. I feel my body sort of numb up, like it’s becoming a sculpture of some twisted artist Except, my body certainly isn’t a piece of art.
Luke’s well-loved couch is slightly stiff against my back. The demon would have a snarky comment on it if he were around. I want to drink, scream, or do something, some sort of distraction-anything. The silence is deafening. “Gahhh!” I have to get out of here.
I didn’t deserve to be saved; the faceless people he’s killed are so many. I should be dead like them. It doesn’t matter if I remember them or not, it’s my fault I don’t have a better control of steering my life. Their lives were cut to a halt, because of my hands. Wouldn’t it be better for Aura? That little angel’s kindness isn’t something I deserve. Then she could leave, could be free of this place she despises.
Besides, if I were to be saved what the hell would I do with my life? I haven’t planned to be around this long. There were many times my life should have ended. I feel that I’m far past my expiration date. I wasn’t supposed to still be alive; I should be dead or consumed by the darkness. It’s not like people would notice, besides Luke; I’m a fucking dick.
I needed to g
et out. Walking out the door, I brush into a young woman, causing her coffee to stain that pretty white blouse, along with eliciting an earth-shaking shriek. Fucking hell.
“Watch where the hell you’re going.” Such an ugly, angry expression contorts her face. A shame, she was pretty without it. Could I do nothing right?
I bite my tongue, caged anger wanting to tear her to pieces. “I could buy you a fresh coffee.” I need a hobby, some healthy way to let go of all this rage I feel. Maybe a gym membership.
She doesn’t justify my offer with a response, just goes on her way.
“Gabriel are you okay?” A familiar voice comes from behind. Aura, she must have run to keep up. And I was taller than her, so it had to be a slight feat. Why couldn’t she just let me be? This is the third time I’ve run into her outside the diner, because she tails me when I go awol. Well, I am a dick. She chased after me when a businessman and I got into a spout at the diner. I passed out, then took off, fleeing the scene.
“I’m fine.” I nod, hoping she’ll buy it. I didn’t feel too okay as my mind was conjuring up all the ways I could kill myself. Currently free falling from a tall building is the one of choice, but I’m not sure that would even work. I sort of have wings. Would that involuntarily stop the fall? The scene of the option plays through my mind. Better not to chance it. Besides, that gains unwanted attention from others, even in this seedy town. If my wings were to stop me, I have enough enemies in this town who would be more than happy to exterminate my existence. Demons that’ll want to claim vengeance.
“What brings you out?” I was meandering the streets with my thoughts. Maybe grab a coffee, and maybe a trip to the bookstore... Who am I kidding, a bar. Maybe the bar would have a few good reads though.
She gives me a look as if I should already know.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” There’s that question again. “You passed out, then ran off,” she says aloud, and very obviously. It’s like the lecture voice one gets from mommy. No duh Sherlock.
“Yes.” Short, and sweet; with a dash of a little hostility just for kicks. Fuck me.
By the scrutiny on her face, she doesn’t seem to buy a word of it. “You look like you have a lot going on up there.” She takes a seat next to me, concern softening her face.
“The pills work. The consequences of them are worth keeping him quiet.” I fail at attempting to give her a light smile. “Aura, don’t worry about me so much.”
Her worry doesn’t halt. I want to reach out and kiss it away; but I know better. Maybe I should go to the bar and find someone to mess around with there. Luke would be a bit pissed, but I’m an adult capable of making my own decisions. And it would be a welcome distraction.
“Did we have an appointment to try something again Aura? Because if we did, I’m sorry I forgot.” That was the only genuine reason we spent time together. Work. Or when I was being an asshole and running off again.
“No, I wasn’t busy, so I figured we could maybe hang out.” She looks embarrassed. Who put her up to it? There goes the day drinking. Or maybe---no she would never go for that.
“Why would you want to do that? We don’t exactly hang in the same crowds.” The words make me sound even more like a prick, as she scowls.
“Sorry,” I mumble. “I’m just not feeling at my best. Now’s not the best time.”
“Is it the pills? Side effects, she said they were a bit experimental.” Her mother bear act makes me regret saying a thing. Experimental fun, I shouldn’t judge.
“No, just some food went down the wrong way.” I lie and feel a pang of guilt. I’m used to lying, why would I feel guilty about it? It’s no biggie, never has been. Lying to Aura just felt wrong. “We can chill. Any plans in particular?”
“What were you going to do before I ran into you?”
Day drinking, moping, experimenting with drugs. “The bookstore.”
If her eyebrows shot anymore up, they wouldn’t be on her face anymore. “So, you actually do more than drink?” The sarcasm is layered thick. Bitch.
“Yes Aura, I do read. Do you read anything more sustaining than a beauty-?” My sentence is halted with a slug to the shoulder. Ouch. She isn’t one to put up with bullshit though.
“Why wouldn’t I be into that type of thing? I’m not just some dumb ditz Gabriel.” She throws me a teasing glare.
Of course not; I’m not that stupid. “Is there anything in town you wanted to go see instead?” She was sort of new, maybe someplace in google maps caught her interest. It made me seem considerate.
“No, I love books.” She hums, content for once. “You said there was a bookstore close-by, right?” She confirms with me the tidbit I taught her of the city's layout.
“Really. What do you like to read?” I ask, as we make our way to the bookstore since we are already relatively close. She must have planned it this way.
“I used to be really into supernatural stuff until I started living it.” Her laugh is like bell chimes.
xxXxx
“Just because she’s super powerful doesn’t make her a powerful character.”
“I just think you’re wrong about her character. She’s clearly strong. A girl doesn’t need to be sexed up and smile pretty to be strong.” I should have known better than to get into an argument with her. We started talking about movies, and there was some new superhero female she was defending.
“There are plenty of other movies that have-” I’m cut off by an announcement on the speakerphone, letting shoppers know the store is closing in fifteen minutes. I glance outside and see the skies already dark; we’ve been here longer than expected. How far away were we from Luke’s diner again?
“We should get going.”
Aura glances outside, her smile disappearing.
I wrap an arm around her shoulder. “It’ll be okay.”
She looks strangely at it for a moment before accepting it. My heart beats faster.
“Aura, I-” She cuts me off.
“We’re at the diner now, talk to you later.” She runs off into the building, ignoring what heart plundering thing I had to say. She’s good, I’m me, it’s better she took off. “See you later when we go to the circus.”
So bold of her to assume I’d go. Who would be dumb enough to say no to such a beautiful girl? I feel my heart jump a bit, not a feeling I’m well acquainted with.
Circus. The week before Halloween. Only a matter of time.
Chapter 27
I feel my heart start to race a million miles an hour.
Anxiety.
My breathing laboring.
Anxiety.
The faces around me blur, everything feeling all too bright, blinding me.
ANXIETY!
Aura is saying something, but it’s just a mixed jumble of whispers, with the buzzing in my ears. I try to reach out, say anything, but my knees buckle; I’m paralyzed.
ANXIETY! ANXIETY! ANXIETY!
Paralyzed.
You didn’t think I was gone, forever did you? You can’t live without me. Him.
xxXxx
Aura
“What do you think, Gabriel?” I ask him for his opinion on the attraction Riley wants to see. Glancing back after a lack of snarky remarks, I see he’s not there. “Hey guys, did you see where Gabriel went?” A bad feeling creeps in my stomach.
“Why does it matter?” Tony shrugs. Tony indeed had an argument with that. “He probably is just chasing after another piece of ass; you know how he is.” It didn’t seem like it was that this time, something seems off.
“Be nice.” Riley nudges him in the ribs.
What if he’s hurt?
“He’ll probably be back soon.” Riley tries to soothe me, but she probably has the same mindset about it as Tony does. She’s just more tactful about it. Plus, she was too busy enjoying her first date with Tony.
I try to shrug it off. “Sure.” Why would he run off like that? There was finally light at the end of the tunnel; things were great, and he just leaves
. People don’t change that much though. I was stupid to think that.
“We should get tickets to the show before they run out,” Riley urges us.
“I’m not sure I want to go.” I backtrack. It was a show about the demons that live with us. No matter what the actual production that the shows is, it can’t be right. No one should be treated as a toy on display.
“Forget about Gabriel for half an hour and see this!” Riley gives me her best puppy dog eyes. And how can anyone say no to those?
“Fine. If it ends up really tacky, I’m leaving for food.” I shake my head, knowing there was no way she’d let any of us leave early. She was super psyched about this show and had been talking nonstop about all the possibilities.
“It’ll be great. I’ve seen this guy’s show on YouTube, and the makeup effects on the people are incredible.” That cements it as we buy the tickets and go in.
The lights on the stage are off; three large areas are covered with curtains. Other people fill in around us. It’s an enormous area, seats circled all around the center stage.
Riley gives my hand a squeeze. “I’m so excited.” At least one of us is.
“Really? couldn’t tell.” I tease, trying to feed off her excitement, but I’m failing. After another ten minutes or so the lights on the stage go on.
“Come one, come all and see my show of wonder. Creatures you could only imagine in your wildest dreams.” A flash of light goes off. Probably just some people with too many makeup effects.
“First, we have a creature that feasts on innocence, stalking in the dark of night. Be careful or maybe he’ll take a bite out of you!” Terrible puns. The curtain is lifted, and it’s a man sitting in a crumpled heap in the cage. He doesn’t look like a monster with his torn clothes, arms wrapped around his knees, hiding his face. He looks thin, as if he hasn’t eaten in days, or even weeks. The crowd boos.
The Demon Inside (Hell's Creatures Book 1) Page 16
