Hidden Runes

by G. Bailey

  Ninety-Eight

  "Where are we going then?" I ask Azi as he continues to glare at me as I make my wings disappear, and he holds his hand out for me. His glare turns into a look of pure frustration, and I wonder how much of my father's and my conversation he overheard. I want to tell him everything at this moment, knowing he would help me find a way to save myself or die trying. That's the point though, I couldn't see him die for me. Or at all. Azi is a demon like no other, a demon with parts of his soul that are good and pure. Whatever becomes of me, it's important he lives. Crap, now I really sound like one of those girls out of movies who will happily die for the better good or some shit. How did I get myself in this mess? Oh, I know, it started as a damn fairy tale where I fell in love and then did something stupid. Unfortunately, this fairy tale doesn't look like it has a good ending. If it were a movie, I'd pass on seeing the end...except this is my story, and there is no door to walk out of because I don't like it.

  "Seth has a cocktail bar that also does food. Why don't we go there to talk? It is private and quiet," he suggests. I glance down at my clothes, the leggings and top aren’t all too bad to wear out. I know there isn’t anything nicer among my clothes in the house anyway.

  "Sounds nice," I reply and take his hand he offers me. I rest my head on his shoulder as we walk through the demon underground, passing many people and seeing the difference since my speech. Everyone is working together, by the looks of it, and there is a peaceful feeling in the air. I don't sense any anger or pain like I expect to find in places like this. Usually, demon undergrounds are full of the emotions no one wants, much like the people here themselves. Unwanted by the world of humans.

  "Why are you so mad?" I quietly ask him as we head through a dark alley into another street. This one is lit up more than the others, and there is a large warehouse in front of us with a big queue of people outside. Luckily, they are all dressed casually; clearly everyone doesn’t care about dress codes for the time being.

  "If it were the other way around, would you be happy?" he asks me. I don't have an answer for him as he looks down at me for a second, and he knows it. No, I wouldn't be happy. I'd do anything, kill anyone, to make sure Azi lives. We walk up to the door, where the bouncer opens it straight away when he sees us. I walk into the big warehouse which is transformed into an awesome cocktail bar inside. Big fancy glass lights hang from the ceiling, showcasing the multi levels of what looks like red glass floors. The tables are full of people, and waiters are running between them. This place does well even in a war, it seems.

  "Brother, what brings you to my home," Seth says, coming out from a hidden door which swings shut behind him. He is all dressed up in a suit similar to the one Azi is currently wearing, only Azi wears it better. Seth also has glitter on his black coat and red lipstick on his white collar. "And Evie darling, I've heard you like my spare home very much. Too much perhaps."

  "You mean my home," I counter, crossing my arms as I let go of Azi’s hand. Azi just sighs and looks at me, knowing I’m not going to let this one go.

  "I never gave it to you," Seth replies. “I won’t give it to you.”

  "I didn't ask for it. It's mine, plain and simple. You can try to get it back if you want," I say, grinning. “I have a dagger waiting to slam into your balls if you come over.”

  "Your girlfriend is a crazy psychopath, brother," Seth says, stepping back and looking concerned. He really should be.

  "Yes, she is," Azi says, sounding proud as I smile up at him.

  "Whatever. You can keep the house, Evie darling, but I want my box of weapons back," he counters, and I just laugh. That isn’t happening either. I love a few of the daggers in there, and Trex is smitten with the axe.

  "Nope, they are mine, too," I reply. “Where do you think I’d get the dagger for your balls from?”

  "I wouldn't try to argue with her. It will get you nowhere. Trust me, brother," Azi suggests as Seth narrows his eyes at me like I'm the devil.

  "Why are you here?" he asks with a sigh, crossing his arms. "I have company tonight, and I am not taking guests."

  "Funny enough, we are not here to see you. We want a drink and some good food," Azi explains.

  "You're at the best place then," Seth replies, waving a hand around the room. "Have a good night."

  "Wait," Azi says as Seth goes to turn around, and he pauses to look back. "Did you find anything useful?"

  "Nothing that will save her or be of any use," he gently tells us, sounding very much not like Seth. If he feels sorry for me, then I really am screwed. "I will not stop looking. No one will."

  "Thank you, Seth," I honestly reply to him when Azi doesn't say a word. Seth bows his head in a respectful manner, which is unusual for him, before he turns to walk away. Seth stops a waiter who walks past him, whispering something and pointing at us before leaving through the door he came in.

  "This way, please," the waiter says, nodding his head in the direction he wants us to follow. I go to step away when I notice Azi doesn't move, his eyes fixated on the floor. I step closer and place my hand on the side of his head, lifting his glowing eyes to me.

  "We can enjoy tonight and worry about the future tomorrow. Don't leave me, Azi. Don't let your demon take over right now," I plead with him, knowing he is out of control simply by looking in his eyes. "Be strong for me. I need you, Azi," I honestly say, because everything is swirling out of control, and nothing I do seems to be able to stop it. I'm losing everything, heading for death, and I can't stop it. Nothing seems to be stopping it. The keepers, angels, reapers and now the demons have no answers for a way to save myself. I'll be damned if I let Azi lose himself, too.

  "I won't be able to save you from this, will I?" he asks, his voice sounding like a ghost.

  "I don't know. That is the truth," I reply, my voice cracking.

  "Death couldn't part us. It has tried once, and I got you back, Vi. I'm too selfish to let it take you from me. To let anything part us," he angrily tells me, and I deeply wish I could tell him he is right.

  "And I will fight to the bitter end to save myself and us. It's not over, not yet," I whisper to him. He slowly lowers his lips to mine, pressing a hauntingly sweet kiss on my lips, leaving me wanting more as he lifts his head away.

  "Why does it feel like our time is close to an end?" he asks.

  "Azi," I quietly whisper his name, and he nods, straightening up. "I don't get you alone much these days, I'm going to make the most of it." He looks over to the waiter who is stood a small distance away, looking awkward. I don't blame him. The waiter quickly turns and starts walking us to our seats. We head through the red glass tables and the nice red chairs that are tucked into them until we get to the back of the warehouse. The waiter leads us into a lift that takes us up two floors until the doors open up to the top level. This level only has one table and two chairs, with a long, large glass window that shows off the views of the demon underground and a city in the far distance.

  "Please use this to order your food and drinks," the waiter says, handing Azi a tablet. That's a fancy way of ordering food. Azi nods, ushering the waiter away as he goes to pull out a chair. Azi takes over, holding a chair out for me and waving me to my seat.

  "Such a gentleman, what have you done to my demon?" I ask.

  "I can't be a gentleman and a demon?" he asks, and I smirk.

  "Apparently you can," I say, "though I'd like the demon back for the bedroom later."

  "Bedroom?" he chuckles. "With an audience? That room is never empty."

  "Audience or perhaps partners to join in?" I counter with a grin. "I've never had a threesome before. Could be interesting."

  "You have four partners in love with you. It would more than three, Vi," he says, but there is a smile on his lips that makes me think I might get my way in the future. Azi clicks a few things on the tablet before handing it to me. I scan through the menu and find a creamy bacon pasta that looks good and a chocolate dessert for after.

  "I've ordered us so
me cocktails to try. I hope you do not mind," Azi says as I hand him back the tablet, and he places it on the table holder. It's not long until the food arrives, and Azi requests that the waiter put some light music on and leave us alone for a while. The music comes on a little later, a familiar tune played on a piano.

  "Nice?" Azi asks after I've eaten a few bites of my pasta and he has dug into his steak and chips.

  "Very," I answer. "Yours?"

  "Delicious," he replies. "Hali seems to be happy here with Cheri and another friend she has made."

  "Is the other friend a girl?" I ask, because Hali, the little minx, has not told me a word about this other friend. Though I did ask if she liked Cheri as more than a friend the other night, because they are so close, and she said she likes guys. I told her I wouldn’t care either way, but it was fun to see her embarrassed to talk to me about this stuff.

  "No, a boy. I have my eyes on him, do not worry," he says, and I laugh. Of course he has.

  "I need you to promise me something. Something I can't ask of the others because they don't know what this magic is doing to me," I eventually say as we finish our food. I nervously sip on my glass of wine as Azi stares at me, placing his knife and fork down.

  "Anything," he replies.

  "If it kills me, promise to live for Hali. The witches will try to kill her because of that mark of hers. They will never stop, and without protection, she might as well die with me," I carefully say.

  "You will not die," he growls out, his eyes glowing a brighter red than a moment before.

  "I'm saying if I do. I need to know you won't leave her to follow me," I reply. Azi pushes the table away and gets up, storming to the window where he stands still watching the city.

  "You ask too much of me," he finally says.

  "Azi...let your demon out for me. I need to talk to him," I ask. “I need him.”

  "He will kill you," Azi growls, looking down at me like I'm insane. "My sin is control, and you are the only person in the world I can't control. My demon would see you as a challenge he would kill to win."

  "I think he loves me as much as you do. I want to know if I'm right. Trust me, Azi...I want to meet him," I reply, knowing it is important. “Plus, you both already have all of me, there is nothing left to win.”

  "I won't be able to stop him," he warns me.

  "And I can fight all on my own. I can also fly, and I will jump out this window and leave if need be," I tell him.

  "Promise?" he asks, watching me closely.

  "Yes," I say, tilting my head to the side. I take a good step back as Azi looks down at the ground, and there is a noticeable change in the air as he lets his demon take control. All of Azi's skin lightly glows red, but it's nothing on his eyes as he lifts his head to look at me. They are nearly all black, with a bright red line around them that glows intensely.

  "Mine," he growls, sounding nothing like Azi's voice at all.

  "Will you make sure Azi stays alive?" I ask.

  "In exchange?" he counters.

  "I will be your mate," I answer, knowing what demons promise to each other when they mate. Demons don't mate like any other creature I know. I only have to promise myself to him for eternity and for him to say the same to me for us to be mated. Words have so much power, and demons believe this more than anyone. "When this war is over, I promise myself to you for eternity."

  Azi storms over to me, pulling me into his arms and kissing me harshly. It's a brutal, demanding kiss, and I love every second of it. His hands go to my sides, where he pulls at my shirt, ripping a hole down the back before letting it fall. I quickly undo his buttons on his shirt before he spins me around, pushing me face first against the glass. Luckily, no one can see us up here, especially how my breasts are pushed against the cold glass, and it somewhat feels good.

  Azi rips my trousers off next before wrapping a hand around my waist, and his other hand slides a finger inside of me as my legs part. I moan as his fingers torture me, and all too soon, he removes his hand. I look at Azi in the reflection of the glass as he steps between my legs, and his hands hold my hips tightly as he thrusts into me. It isn't Azi, not really in this moment. It's his demon wanting full control, and damn, does it feel good. Azi thrusts in and out of me, his black eyes locked with mine the entire time. His hand slides between my legs, pushing my ass further into him as he arches me down.

  "I promise my heart, my demon and everything to you for eternity, Vi," Azi whispers in my ear, and I cry out as pleasure shoots through my body. "Vi!" Azi shouts my name with a roar as he comes. We both breathlessly stare at each other in the now steamy glass window. "Eternity, Vi. Death means nothing in the game of our souls."

  Ninety-Nine

  "When did you get slow, dude?" I ask, spinning my sword around in my hand and jumping to the left as Trex tries to land a hit. We are both covered in sweat; the cold air from the open doors to the warehouse is doing nothing to cool us down as we train together. I don’t usually fight against Trex as I tend to prefer solo training or fighting with Hali who is deadly with that whip of hers. Trex is hard to beat, and I damn well know it.

  "You're bad for a man's ego, you know that?" he replies, grinning at me before swinging his sword and hitting mine hard as I block him.

  "Oh Trexy, I can be good for your ego if you like," I say, jumping back and loving the playful wink he gives me. I love training with Trex, it is the only time where he is laid back, chilled almost. The crowd around us cheers and claps as we circle each other, neither one of us wanting to give up the fight and lose. Trex runs at me first, and I spread my wings out, flying into the air and jumping onto his back, holding my sword at his neck. The crowd cheers my name while Trex drops his sword and places his hands in the air. "I win."

  "You're a cheat," Trex says as I jump down and wink at him as he turns to look at me. I drop my sword and wrap my arms around his shoulders, smiling up at him.

  "But you love me anyway," I reply, kissing him once before pulling away as I know we have people watching. Way too many people watching even for my liking.

  "You're such a pain in the ass, Evie," he mutters in a playful tone.

  "Evie, Keeper Grey asked to see you," Hali says, coming up to us as I break away from Trex. She high fives Trex before he ruffles her hair, and she pushes him away.

  "And what's in it for you, kid?" Trex asks her, crossing his beefy, sweaty arms.

  "He said he would give me a useful book on witches if I came and got her," Hali replies, shrugging her shoulders.

  "Let's go then. I wanted to see him anyway. He still hasn't given me my sword back, despite several promises," I say, kissing Trex's cheek before walking off at Hali's side.

  "A witch book, huh?" I say as we head down the busy streets of the demon underground, heading further and further into the main part of the place.

  "It's about time I learnt about my heritage," she quietly says. "It's not like I can just ask any witch for information."

  "No, you can't," I reply. “And it is a smart move to learn more about your people. Not all witches are bad, even if a few in charge are. Maybe one day, witches will change their mind about you, and if not, then you have me.”

  "Can I ask you something?" she asks after taking my words in.

  "Anything, Hali," I tell her.

  "Did my mum ever speak of my father? Did she say who he was or is?" she asks.

  "She didn't tell me much, but only that he didn't fight for her or you when he should have. Rita ran from the witches and your father in fear. So even if he is still alive, I know he could never be the father who would deserve you," I tell her my honest opinion. The fact is if he is alive, he hasn’t come for Hali or tried to find her. He didn’t stop the queen from killing Rita, or even try.

  "I wish mum was here sometimes. You know? I think she would be so proud of you, Evie," she tells me, not giving me her opinion on her father, and that’s okay.

  "She would be proud of you, and all we can do is make sure we keep making her spi
rit proud. I'm never going to forget your mum, never. I love her even now, and I remember her like it was only yesterday we last saw each other. Rita was my mum in every way I needed, and I hope I am that for you. I want to be whatever you need until you are older and strong enough to need me no longer...and even then, I will be there," I tell her, needing her to understand my feelings on her.

  "I love you, Evie...you're my second mum. You always have been," she says, stepping closer and wrapping her arms around my waist. I rest my head on top of hers, holding her to me for a second, and breathe in her coconut and almond hair conditioner. We may be different in so many ways, but we are so much the same. And gods do I love her. She is my family.

  "Sorry to interrupt, Queen Evelina. It might be safer to come inside," Keeper Grey says, and I lift my head to see him standing outside the door to a container, and he bows his head.

  "What are your plans for today, Hali?" I ask her as she lets me go and shyly waves a hand at Keeper Grey who nods in a respectful way to her.

  "Just hanging out with Cheri. She has this awesome bedroom with a huge TV and all the new movies. Oh, and an awesome snack collection she steals from her dad," she tells me.

  "Sounds like fun. Go on, and I will see you later," I say.

  "See you later," she says and goes to walk away when she stops and looks back at me. "I keep having these terrible dreams where you die. Your whole body is on fire, both holy fire and this red power that is scary to even look at. It consumes you, and you let it. I hate these dreams...and I hate that they feel like more." I shiver as I listen to her speak, knowing her mum had dreams of the future as it was one of her powers. With how close Hali is getting to receiving her powers, she could be seeing my future.

  "They are just dreaming. Nothing more, Hal," I say, knowing it would hurt and scare her more to tell her the truth. She tensely smiles, like she knows the truth but doesn't want to call me out on it, before disappearing into the street. I rub my face before turning around and walking over to Keeper Grey.