Page 100 of Demons & Damnation

Chapter 41

The instant Kyla said his name, Azazel couldn’t help but want to smile. His egotistical male pride burst through his veins in an instant making him want to grin like a Cheshire cat at anyone who looked his way.

However, upon seeing the instant rigidity in Dylan’s shoulders and feeling the tension in the air grow as thick as mud within a split second, Azazel somehow, by the grace of God, managed to restrain himself.

“Steady,” Lily said, pressing a hand to Kyla’s upper arm as she peered over to look at her. “How are you feeling? You ok?”

Kyla blinked several times, then turned her head to the left, taking in the sight of her gran. “Gran? What are you doing here?”

“Easy, Marmalade,” Malcolm said, moving to her feet and looking up at her. “Take a minute to readjust and then we’ll fill you in.”

“Uh-hum.”

The sound of a deep, sarcastic cough stole everyone’s attention. Azazel lifted his eyes to the source of the noise, then rolled them as he swore under his breath. Malcolm let out a sigh. Sam shrieked and jumped backwards, bumping into Balthazar who gladly slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.

Kyla settled her eyes on a tall, broad-shouldered man. With jet black hair, jet black eyes, and an air of arrogance she’d never seen on anyone, she knew whoever this was would be a force to be reckoned with.

“You could have waited,” Malcolm said, folding his arms over his chest.

“I prefer to strike whilst the iron’s hot—you know that better than anyone, Malpass,” the man replied.

Kyla watched her grandad, his shoulders square and stiff, his eyes narrowed, and a muscle in his neck twitching. He was angry. Why? Who was this?

“What’s going on?” Kyla asked. “Azazel, put me down, please.”

“Are you ok to stand?”

Kyla glared at him. “I don’t know if I don’t try, do I?”

Biting his lip to keep himself quiet, he gently lowered her to her feet. “You good?”

As Kyla took her weight, she nodded. “I’m fine. Thanks.”

“Let me introduce myself,” the man said, stepping forwards from the doorway and into the blood soaked room. His jet-black eyes gleamed with a streak of red as echoes of shouts and screams of agony whispered in the background, a wall of shadows surrounding him.

Seconds ticked by with no further indication of words coming from the man. Kyla folded her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow. “That’s it? That’s your introduction?”

The shadows lifted and the background noise ceased. The man smirked, his eyes returning to normal. “I would have thought that little skit would have been enough for you to guess who I am.”

Kyla flashed him a sarcastic smile. “Oh, I’ve guessed that alright. What I mean is, are you going to tell me how to address you? Or do I just guess? Is it Lucifer, Satan, Krampus, Beast, Lord of the Flies, the Antichrist? Or perhaps Santa Clause depending on the time of year?”

“Kyla...,” Malcolm said. “Be very careful.”

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