Page 52 of Demons & Damnation

Azazel shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. When Sam told me what happened, I just couldn’t stop thinking about her. Sam saying she was worried about her, I wanted to make sure she was ok. Turns out she wasn’t.”

“How so?”

“Well, when I found her, she was strangling her boss to death in the pantry.”

Balthazar widened his eyes. “What? For real?” He then narrowed his eyes and took a step towards his brother. “Did you influence her to do that?”

Azazel shoved him in his shoulder, pushing him back two steps. “No. That’s what she was doing when I turned up. Anyway, to cut a long story short, he’s dead, the pub is closed, and Kyla’s at home.”

“Did you kill him or did she?”

“I did but only after asking her if that’s what she really wanted.” Azazel took a breath and thought back over that moment, the gleam in her ocean blue eyes as she’d watched Keith die gave him pleasant chills. “She’s a loose cannon, Balthazar. Sam’s right—she’s right on the edge.”

Balthazar folded his arms over his chest and grinned at his brother. “Ok. And?”

“And I’m worried.”

Silence fell between the two. Balthazar stared at his older brother, waiting for the penny to drop. Azazel stared back at him, trying to figure out what his younger brother was thinking.

“What?” Azazel asked. “What are you staring at?”

“You. Wondering when you’re going to figure out what’s happening here.”

Azazel shot his sibling a murderous glare before replying, “Fuck. Off.”

Balthazar chuckled and took a step back, holding his hands up in a surrender sign. “I’m just saying the Azazel from twelve hours ago is a very different Azazel to now. There’s only one reason that’s happened. Just think about it.”

With that, Balthazar turned and left, heading back to the house. He walked in and headed straight to the living room, wanting to sit on the sofa in front of the fire and think back over his day with a nice glass of whiskey. He strode over to the crystal decanter in the corner of the room and poured himself a glass of much needed alcohol. He’d had a fantastic day with Sam, one he hoped would soon be repeated.

Walking over to the sofa, daydreaming of the blonde beauty, Mildred shimmered into existence in front of him just as he sat down. “Don’t worry about him, he will be fine. I believe he may be facing his inner demons.”

“If it weren’t for the fact he’s just told me he’s worried about a human, and we’ve just managed a normal conversation without his egotistical arrogance getting in the way, I’d be laughing at you. But as it happens, I’m dumbfounded and also rather relieved that there is still a speck of humanity left in him.”

Mildred chuckled. “Perhaps I need not point out that to utilise this to your advantage would be the best course of action here. Whilst he is feeling weakened and soft, use it to show him the ideals of love.”

“He will only ever accept what he wants to, Mildred. And if I force it on him, he’ll reject it. He needs to embrace this at his own pace.”

Mildred clasped her hands together in front of her and smiled. “He may find his pace quickened by his desire for the girl. His body will react before his mind. He will need you to keep his mind up to speed.”

“Noted,” he said, inclining his head towards her. “Thank you.”

“And I presume you are aware of the one who completes you being near?”

Balthazar nodded. “I think so. I initially thought my connection was potentially with one, but I feel a strangely strong connection to another.” Balthazar thought over what had happened with Sam today, a feeling of serene peace settling inside him. “I’m certain it’s her.”

Mildred said, “The one often comes along from a place not expected. I am not surprised that she has appeared whilst your attention was drifting towards another. I presume you are aware of what you must do in order to confirm your suspicions regarding your demi-soul?”

Balthazar nodded and took a swig of whiskey. “I am.”

“Be careful, Balthazar. Sometimes the answer we crave is not the one given.”

With nothing but a sly smirk to follow her words, Mildred disappeared, leaving a thoughtful demon to wonder what exactly she meant.

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