Page 66 of The Angel's Kiss
“Okay,” she said, then took the vial from me and swallowed one sip. “Mmm, tastes sweet.”
I nodded and she drank a bit more. “That’s all, you don’t need much.”
She handed the vial to me, but I waved it off. “Keep it.”
“Okay.” She looked down at her wound and widened her eyes in surprise as her skin began to heal. “Oh wow, it really does work!” she exclaimed in delight. “Who knew magic and demons and all of that was really real? This is kind of cool—well, not those demons.”
“I can see why you’d say that. I’m glad you’re okay.” I ran my finger over Azazel's face, tracing his cheekbone, and he seemed to be enjoying the extra attention. He earned it. I sighed before looking at her again. “So, what’s your name?” I asked because it was important.
“Monique Jackson,” she said. “What’s yours?”
“Rai Harrington and this is Azazel,” I said, giving our introductions.
“Like the demon Azazel?” the girl asked as she stared at him.
I nodded. “That’s him.”
Azazel smiled. “My reputation precedes me.”
“He’s like the son of Satan, right?”
To that, Azazel scoffed. “My dear, I’m older than Lucifer’s reign in Hell. I handed Cain the rock,” he bragged as if he couldn’t help himself, even in his weakened state.
I rolled my eyes. “There are different human versions of him, but he is—was—the Demon of War. Now, he’s my Champion. Those evil glory days are behind him,” I said, then playfully slapped the side of his head. To my delight, he chuckled. Not only did that mean he was feeling better, but also that we were bonding more. Considering all of the fights I’d been in lately, I knew I needed him more than anything. Why had I been so afraid to let him in before? It felt wonderful to connect with him on that level, to become one. I loved it.
“Oh man, I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that demons are real and that I was attacked by some,” she said, then sat down on the sofa.
“Did they tell you why?” I asked.
“They said that I was the Chosen One. I don’t want to be their Chosen Anything,” she said and her expression displayed all of her emotions; fear, sadness, and curiosity.
Considering that I, too, was a Chosen One with a predestined life, I understood where she was coming from. “I won’t let them harm you.”
“I believe you,” she said. “I don’t know why, but I just do. I don’t feel like I’m in danger around you.”
“Good, because you are safe,” I said.
“How old are you?” Azazel asked.
“Sixteen,” Monique replied.
Okay, so I was off by a few years. She looked younger and she was about five feet tall. “Where’s your family?” I asked.
“I don’t have one,” Monique answered. “I’ve been living on the streets since I was fourteen. I’d rather do that than be whored out by that bitch of a foster mom.”
Azazel snorted. “Humans.”
I huffed. “Behave,” I told him. I looked to see that he was completely healed, but hadn’t bothered to move his head. “Comfortable?” I asked him.
“I still need to recover. Don’t move,” Azazel lied.
“Are you two boyfriends?” Monique asked.
“What?” My eyes were wide, because I hadn’t expected that. “Why would you ask?”
Monique shrugged. “I mean, I don’t care. I’m not judging. Love is love and all that. It’s just you two seem pretty intimate,” she pointed out. “There’s a vibe I’m sensing.” She waved her hand and wiggled her fingers for emphasis.
“Yes,” Azazel said.
