Page 81 of The Angel's Kiss
“We have to go. The demons might have already freed Satan,” Rai said.
“Very well. Please, step inside the sigil.” They did and I then began sprinkling the herb mixture on the sigil doorway to the Magic Shop. Like before, the sigil lit up, the brightness of the light filled the entire apartment as it had before. The sensation of traveling through space, time, and the ether was unmistakable. I wasn’t affected by the sensation, but when we landed, Monique puked. Luckily, Rai also had anticipated her regurgitation and he moved out of the way same as I did. Rai patted her back while I took a look around.
“Oh my god,” I heard Monique gasp and I figured she was done spewing and noticed that we were in the middle of nowhere—literally. The only thing standing before us was the Magic Shop with its tacky neon red lettering. “Where—where are we?” she asked.
“Nowhere and everywhere,” I said.
“I don’t like it,” she said.
I chuckled. “Let’s enter, shall we?” I led the way.
“What the hell?” Monique said after we entered the enormous shop.
I heard Rai chuckle. “Yeah, I know. It looks so much smaller on the outside. I was surprised when I first came here too.”
The Owner stepped out from between two aisles of potions and items that other beings were perusing. With all due respect, I bowed my head to him and he nodded in acknowledgment. I didn’t know much about this man. But I knew he must have been someone time didn’t touch, like Death. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rai bow his head as well. He was learning. Monique just looked at him dumbfounded.
“We need your help,” Rai said, stepping in front of me.
The Owner’s black eyes—eyes that I avoided—looked at my lover.
My Lover. Yes, that was who Rai was, who he was meant to be. I smiled at the thought. I watched my lover look The Owner in the eye and didn’t know if it was fearlessness, ignorance, or arrogance. Probably a bit of all three, but I thought it was adorable. I didn’t think The Owner would harm him. Still, I was a demon who knew better than to disrespect something or someone whose origins were unknown.
“We have to stop the dem—”
“I know what has happened,” The Owner said.
Rai frowned. “How?”
“It is my job as the Keeper of the Shop to know what all of my customers’ needs and desires are,” The Owner said in that otherworldly manner of his.
“So, you know what we need to do?” Rai asked.
“You need to go to Satan’s cell now,” The Owner said. “Leave the girl, she will be safe. Follow me.”
Rai threw me a look that was both cautious and curious and I nodded at him as we followed The Owner.
“Should we have any special weapons with us?” Rai asked.
“You are the only weapon you need. The Divine Weapon and one that is more powerful than any other Guardian. You must trust in that power. I am happy that you took my advice, young man,” The Owner said.
Advice? I had wondered what the two of them had discussed the last time we were here. Whatever it was, I was glad Rai took it as well.
The Owner turned to Monique, who had been quiet as she took in her surroundings, which was wise on her part. It might have been because she was too afraid to say anything, or because she was caught in wonderment. Either way, the Owner calling her name drew her attention.
“Yes?” she said. “Wait, how do you know my name?”
“I know many things, my dear... as any good Shop Owner should.” The Owner made a sweeping gesture to a room with several sofas where people were reading and drinking beverages. Some of the beings there were clearly not human. “Please, wait here.”
“I don’t want to go in there,” Monique said, seeing an elf, a fairy, and what I knew to be a vampire along with three other humans sitting calmly.
“No harm will come to you,” The Owner stated.
“You can trust him, Monique,” Rai said.
“If you want a world to go back to, child, we must leave,” I said to speed things along.
“Tactless,” The Owner criticized me, but there was a smirk playing on his lips.
