by Indra Frost
I would just need to learn to ignore the guilt that came along with that decision.
I made it back to the warehouse just as the sun was rising on a new day. I had managed to catch a short ride, but the man had dropped me outside the city when he realized I wasn’t going to give him the favor he was hoping for. I didn’t mind; the long walk ended up doing me wonders.
I had decided that I was still going to do everything I could to help them bring down Greg, I had made a promise after all. But I was going to do it my way. Starting with keeping up my routine at the gym.
That choice was more about survival than the want to go in. The other fighters would tattle on me if I didn’t show up this morning. That more than anything would make me seem suspicious, even if I wasn’t the one actually trying to bring him down.
If I avoided actively participating in their plans, and stuck to round-about tactics, then the pain should stay down to a low burn instead of scalding me. The pain was becoming almost like background noise, still there but I was almost numb to it. As long as I didn’t outright go against Greg, I was hoping it would fade away completely.
It wasn’t likely, though. I would just have to learn to deal with it.
Climbing the stairs was tiring after walking all night, but I wouldn’t be able to rest until after my workout. Hairy would be waiting for me; he was trying to get an in with Greg and would use this to his advantage. What better way to earn the brown nose award than to get the masters favored pet in trouble?
I made it to the warehouse to find that nothing seemed to be out of place. Though, the feeling of impending doom was still there. It was like someone was watching me. I reached out my feelers, but couldn’t find any magical traces lingering. So, Walker, or another magic user, hadn’t left any spells behind.
Changing quickly, I grabbed my gym bag and headed back out. There wasn't a point in taking the longer routes when everyone seemed to already know where I lived. There wasn’t anyone out on the streets this early and I was hoping that I could make my appearance at the gym and leave before more people started to come in.
If it all worked out, there would be no way to prove I wasn’t there for longer than the half hour I planned to stay. The cameras Greg had told me to put in didn’t actually work. He just used his spies to tell him what was going on, so most of his clients were none the wiser to his lack of security.
I walked through the back door with ease. There was no need for the minor demon to lock up, not with a reputation like his. The only people who were stupid enough to try him didn't live long. Except, apparently, five attractive men were now intent on bringing him down.
I still wasn’t sure who they were working for. We didn’t talk about it the night before, as I didn't want to linger longer than I had to while in pain. I also didn’t plan to talk to them again. I wasn’t going to let on that I was planning to help them out, either. The less they interacted with me, the better it would be for everyone.
If that thought sent a pang through my chest, I didn’t care. I didn’t need anyone else, and relying on others was a dangerous and foolish thing to do. So, no. I would need to keep all my actions hidden, but it’s the pain I was worried about. I may have been used to it, but that didn’t mean I enjoyed it. Being in a situation and intentionally causing myself pain wasn’t something I relished.
I pushed into the room, relieved to find it empty. Though I didn’t think anyone else would be there this early, I couldn't be sure. I set my plastic sack of belongings down and paused. I wanted to make sure I was really alone. Then I started looking around, trying to find ways that I could help the guys without getting myself, or them, caught.
Moving around the room, I got to work. I pulled things out that I thought they could use and tried to make them more obvious. I wanted to make some of his ‘extracurriculars’ as obvious as possible, the more the guys could get on him the better. Putting up clues to help them without actually telling them anything. The pain as I continued on my task was overwhelming. Every time I did something else that would cause Greg problems, I was hit with another wave of pain. That and a lack of sleep was causing me to feel like I was burning from the inside out. I was a sweating, shaking mess before I had done much more than pull out a few more articles for the guys to consider.
A sound came from near the front door, letting me know that someone was about to come in.
I jogged over to the bags and started up like I had been training this whole time. The pain sweat may actually be good for something. I would use it to make them think I had been working hard, not trying to get Greg taken care of.
I taped my hands earlier, but I had to make the little I had last, so there wasn't much between my hands and the bag as I worked it over. I couldn’t afford the wraps, as the other members of the gym would ruin them. It had happened before, and if I ever dared to bring something even a smidgen valuable, it would happen again.
Such is the life of a hated half-breed.
“Look what the cat dragged in.” The voice sent both anger and fear rushing through my veins.
I sniffed at the air, turning and making a disgusted face. “Is that you that smells like wet dog?”
Hairy’s face darkened, and I didn't fully turn toward him, but I watched his movements out of the corner of my eye. His face went red with anger and he scowled taking a threatening step toward me.
I smirked, still not turning fully toward him. I couldn't fight back, not really. It would mean worse things later on, but Greg wasn’t here, so I could defend myself in more subtle ways.
I tensed, waiting for the attack. I almost wanted him to come at me, wanted to take out some of my frustration on something other than a bag. I turned to face him as he lifted his fist, but before he could make the hit, another hand reached out and stopped him.
My eyes flicked to Reed as he stepped forward, a warning not to interfere if he knew what was good for him. He didn’t listen.
“Isn’t it a bit early to be taking out the trash?”
The words surprised me, and they sounded odd coming from the angel. Something pinched in my chest, but I also wanted to laugh. I could see on his face how much he disliked saying those words. It was hidden pretty well, but I also had my empathy to tell me that he didn’t enjoy the words he was saying.
I didn’t expect it, but I should have. He was taking my advice, after all. Trying to get in good with the fighters that would be able to help them. Hairy was a good choice; not the brightest person and he was the best choice for getting them into the fights. I wasn't looking forward to what that would mean for me though.
Reed would need to keep trying. If he couldn’t handle talking rude to me, then I would have to warn him not to win any of the underground matches. I couldn’t imagine that he would be fond of the fact that getting to use me as a punching bag was the prize for winning. He didn’t seem like the type to enjoy that sort of thing. There was also a money prize, but I wasn't sure he would need that, either.
Harry turned on him, mouth open like he was going to say something, but Reed’s eyes pointedly flicked to someone standing in the doorway of the gym.
Harry and I turned at the same time to see an officer standing there, staring at the members from across the room. His glare was angry, and I could feel his frustration from here.
Stepping back from Reed and Hairy, I ignored the copper and turned back to the bag. Seeing the cop would put a stop to Hairy’s actions, but not for long. The cop continued to watch us, his eyes scanning the gathered faces.
Something about him seemed familiar, so I examined him as he searched for whoever he was looking for. More people had come in while Hairy had been threatening me, but it still didn’t take long for his eyes to land on me. As soon as his eyes narrowed on my face I knew where I recognized him from.
I glared as he stalked towards me.
Hairy watched on with glee, probably thinking about how he was going to spin this to Greg to get me in trouble. The cop came over and grabbed my arm, his hand tight enough
as he dragged me to the front door that it went numb.
Reed looked like he was planning to follow, concern radiating from him as he watched us leave out the door. Hairy already had his phone out and to his ear, a sadistic smirk on his face. I shook my head at Reed, warning him not to come.
The cop continued to drag me around the building to an alley, shoving me against the wall hard enough I bounced off. I glared at him, not allowing myself to rub the ache he had caused. I wanted to hit him. To fight back, but that would be suicide, just like fighting back in the ring would be.
The small pain was a welcome relief from the constant burning, and I almost relished it.
Someone shifted further down in the alley, and I turned to see Copeland standing there. His dark eyes almost seemed to shine in the early morning light of the alley. He watched us, something predatory stealing over his face as his eyes switched from me to the cop. Again, I had to gesture him to stay where he was.
I didn't want them to interfere in this. It had nothing to do with them, or with Greg.
I sighed and lifted my face to meet the cop’s. “What do you want, Walter?”
I didn’t try to hide the hatred in my voice, he was well aware of how I felt about him. He glared, the semi professional facade fading to show the evil, hostile man beneath.
“Where’s Lucy? What did you tell her?”
My heart both lightened and dropped into my stomach at the same time. That bad feeling overriding the momentary hope I had been feeling.
“Did she finally smarten up and leave you?”
Walter’s face went dark, his hand moving fast enough I almost didn’t see it coming. My head snapped to the side as he lowered his hand back down and it clenched into a fist. I spit out a mouth full of blood, my teeth having cut into my cheek.
“Where is she, bitch? She was supposed to be back yesterday morning, but I haven’t seen her, and neither have her clients. I know you had something to do with this. So, where is she?” His voice held a sense of concern that I knew he didn't really feel.
I looked at him, looking at his handsome face. It would be so easy to pretend that he actually cared for her, that he was concerned for her wellbeing, but I knew better. He was anxious to find his best money maker, to find the woman who would do whatever he asked when he asked. He was more worried about the loss to his wallet than my friend having gone missing.
“I don’t know, Walter. If you're so concerned about her, why don’t you report her missing to your buddies. I’m sure they would be more than happy to help an abusive pimp find one of the girls he rents out for a night.”
It wasn't too dissimilar from my own situation, but I didn't have the same choice to leave that Lucy did. I think that was part of what made me so angry about her situation. The fact that I could see what was happening, but I wasn't able to put a stop to it.
I was aware of the eyes watching us from the end of the alley, but Walter, who was a Supe himself, didn’t seem to notice. He was a wolf shifter, and he had a smell of wet dog similar to that of Hairy’s odor. It wasn’t necessarily pleasant to my sensitive nose. The fact that he couldn't scent Copeland let me know that he didn't have access to his senses. It could have been like Hairy, where he had issues with his wolf and wasn’t able to use that part of his abilities. That would also explain the smell.
Not all wolves smelled like those two, in fact, most wolves smelled of the woods where they lived. There was a slight dog smell that was always present, but the more corrupt someone’s soul, the worse they smelled. To me at least. But I was half angel and half demon; that gave me a unique outlook on rotting souls.
I had learned that most Supes didn’t enjoy being told their soul was rotting. Especially when they were doing things they shouldn’t. And demons really didn’t like to be told that they were wrong. Even when they were.
It had gotten me a lot of beatings in hell when my father's friends had come around. He didn't enjoy me making his friends angry. He lost a lot of deals to my smart mouth; or so he said. I think it had more to do with the fact he was stabbing them in the back.
"Tell me where she is." He growled at me; the sound echoing off the walls.
I narrowed my eyes at him, hating him more than I thought possible, and not letting on how worried I really was.
Lucy was supposed to be heading back to see him, and she didn’t have anywhere else to go. As much as I hated him, she loved him. It was for that reason, and that reason only, that he was still breathing.
I had been tortured and beaten almost since the day I was born. That was easier to take than watching this man beat on the only friend I had. I hated him, hated what she allowed him to do to her, as he claimed it was love. She was the only person in the world that cared about me. Even if it was conditional.
I had a few people that I had thought of as family once. One woman in particular that had helped me learn to fight and had raised me when I arrived on earth. Then, I had overheard a conversation that she had with her right-hand man. It wasn't a pleasant one, and it had prompted me to leave her.
So, having Lucy, even if it was only because she needed me to keep her safe, would have to be enough. I would take anything she was willing and able to give me.
I wouldn’t put it past Walter to do something to her, but behind the anger I could feel fear, and that told me that he hadn’t. It wasn’t a fear for her life, which made me angry, but a fear for his wallet. She was his top money maker; without her he would have to get more women to make up the loss. That wasn’t an option when the only women around here weren’t in the best shape. Most of them were homeless like me, but they also didn’t take care of themselves.
“I can’t help you, Walter,” I smirked, playing off some of my worry so I didn’t agitate Copeland. “And I wouldn’t help you even if I could.”
His eyes shifted to gold; his wolf coming close to the surface. It felt off, feral, but I wasn’t intimidated. I had faced much worse things than this abusive asshole. My soul, and my life, were tied to a demon who enjoyed punishing me for the sake of punishment. I grew up in hell with all the torture and anguish that brought with it.
I wouldn’t let this mutt of a man scare me, and if Lucy had finally decided to run, then I wouldn’t help him find her. I would do that on my own.
Walter hadn't stayed much longer, his growling tactic hadn’t worked, so with one last threat he headed off. It didn't really surprise me that he had waited until I was at the gym to come after me. He had found out early on that when I was here, I wouldn't fight back.
“Are you okay?”
I turned to look at the vampire, having to look up to meet his eyes. His handsome face looked back down at me as I admired him. He was trying to look expressionless, but he wasn't able to hide his concern.
Warmth filled my chest at the semi-warm expression, and heat threatened to fill my cheeks. I wasn’t sure what it was about these men that flustered me. I didn’t usually react like that to men, or anyone. I had one friend, and only one friend for a reason. I did better on my own.
It was something I learned young: don’t trust those who are kind to you because they’ll expect you to repay the favor. Lucy's favors were something I could live with.
I stepped back from him, now anxious to look for her. The feeling of dread grew the longer it took me to get out of there.
“I’m fine.” I started toward the mouth of the alley, not intending to go back to the gym.
I would be in more trouble if I didn’t go back, but I didn’t care. The only person in the world who cared about me was in trouble, the pain would be worth it to make sure she was safe.
“Where are you going?” Copeland called out as I turned away from the entrance to the gym.
“I’m going back to my place,” I paused when I heard steps behind me. “What are you doing?”
“I’m coming with you.” He came to stand next to me, looking at me like his answer was obvious.
It made me wary, wondering what he wanted now. I co
uldn’t think of a reason he would be coming with me unless he was trying to keep an eye on me. Maybe he thought this would be a good way to get me to come back and help them. Or he could have wanted to see where I was staying now. I hadn't moved, hadn't had the time, but I would be soon.
“No, you’re not.” I shook my head, crossing my arms across my chest.
He raised a brow at me, crossing his much more muscular arms. His chest puffed up in a way that was almost intimidating, but was most definitely attractive. I looked him over, enjoying the look of him and making sure I would remember his face. It was a very attractive face.
It was easy to forget what I was doing, but the constant low buzz of pain wouldn’t let me forget the consequences so easily. Although it wasn’t their fault that I was in pain, I had made the decision by myself, it was because of them that I made the choice. I would have tried eventually, but now I felt like I was a player in someone else's game. A pawn specifically designed to be a sacrifice to the king.
“Look-”
“No, you look,” I interrupted him.
I was beyond frustrated with this situation. Despite the fact he hadn’t done anything, he was going to be getting the brunt of my frustration if he didn’t leave. He had followed me, but he hadn't hurt me. They only wanted something from me that I wasn’t sure I could give.
Magic built up in my veins, the fire burning pleasantly in my blood. It dulled the pain for a brief moment, and I took my first full breath since agreeing to help them. Magic pooled in my back and hands, phantom weapons threatening to manifest with my agitation.
“I’m not sure what you’re hoping to accomplish here, but I can’t help you. I can’t do what you need, and frankly, I’m not sure I would have been much help in the first place. I’m a demon who works for another demon. That’s it. That’s all I can offer.” I threw my hands up, not knowing what to say.
I had told them before that I wasn’t going to be able to help them. It wasn’t my fault that they didn’t listen.
My sleepless night and excess energy use was catching up to me, and it made me want to collapse in a lump at his feet. I didn’t have time for that though, I needed to find Lucy. I could sleep once she was safe, but until then I would push on.
