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Chapter Ten- Vivian

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I know this might surprise you but I actually have a job that I should be doing. You know, just like saving kittens out of trees and stuff,” I said antagonizing Angel Boy. He dragged me by the metal chain that was wrapped around my wrists. They didn’t go on willingly either. Just like my legs that suddenly wouldn’t walk behind him, and I dragged my body lethargically slumping. I smiled at the memory of his frustration. He blindfolded me for extra measure. My right hand was still healing but I kept that out of my mind. Instead, I made it my personal task to see how effectively I could irritate my captor. 

I had the feeling that we were still within Shabeah. This shabby city had a demonic vibe to it constantly. If I were in a city that was governed by an angel, I imagined I would of smell cups of lemongrass tea and flowers. . . assuming that’s what the fancy fuckers did with their time.

His lack of response irritated me. Despite my floundering steps and walking into walls on purpose he now gave me no attention. I didn’t like that. I walked at his pace pointedly for a minute. He continued to ignore me only to try and walk ahead. We must’ve been power walking a moment later as he tried to outrun me. I listened to his steps aligning my own with his. Suddenly, I stepped my foot in front of him trying to trip him. He stopped before falling for the bait. I laughed at the growl that came through, deep and aggravated. Well there, now we have a little bit of attention.

“It’s such a shame I can sense others around us. Because of the treaty you probably can’t hurt me unprovoked until this council says so, right?” I nudged my shoulder into his and I knew that he was fuming. My laugh echoed through the room which was intentional. The sound of my own voice bouncing of the walls indicated that we were in a large open room. Most probably a large hall room. He collected his pace walking in front of me again. “Should’ve killed me when you had the chance,” I murmured so only he could hear.

Suddenly the room felt as if it sunk in. The moaning and rattle of the room, indication of the power that was to follow. I knew this darkness all too well and could almost smell the coal like flames of Haymen. I heard the click of fingers and suddenly I was beside Haymen, my chains removed and blindfold gone. A thin layer of darkness wrapped around me from Haymen’s quick teleportation.

We were in a large marble hall. The ceilings high and trimmed in gold. There were white statues surrounding ornamentally but other than that, empty. Well, besides the twenty odd angel soldiers armed and surrounding Gabe as he stood there. His lack of motivation to retrieve me made me realize he had been waiting for Haymen. I was just the bait. I hadn’t been in this room before but wondered if someone had transported it here momentarily for the council. I couldn’t imagine Haymen to own something so... godly. No, he preferred darkness over the flashy marbled walls.

The two stared at one another silently. I kept my gaze from Haymen unsure of how he would react to my capture. I had failed and possibly shamed him and I had seen his reaction to others before me when such a thing occurred. Instead I winked at one of the onlookers, making him shuffle uncomfortably. I charmed a smile.

“Vi,” Haymen said pulling my attention to him. I looked into those killer blue eyes that missed nothing. His rough voice that echoed my name raised the hairs on my arms. The angel spoke out to Haymen but his attention was only on me. Not even I could understand what he was saying as I was sucked into Haymen’s power. He reached out and collected my broken hand. My heart raced at the possible outcomes–further twist it until it was unrepairable, amputate it, execute me here and now. His head which bowed to no one suddenly dipped and the cold touch of his lips pressed against my hand. My entire hand jarred awkwardly and healed. I flexed it back and forth, assured it was properly fixed. I gave nothing away but I was surprised by his... generosity.

Weapons began to unsheathe within the room and I suddenly looked around and realized that twenty angel guards who were heavily armored with gold plating had their weapons pointed at Haymen and me. His gaze held onto mine a moment longer, lingering with what one might have thought to be assurance that I was alright.

He was totally indifferent to the weapons that were pointed at him. Not one of them would come close to touching him. “You seemed to have taken my prized possession, my dear old friend, Gabe.” Haymen said as he finally turned to the angel who was my captor. So, Gabe was his name. Haymen’s eyes were ice cold and death danced within them. The emerald green of Gabe’s was as sharp and cutting. These two had history. “And you even polluted her with your old tricks so she couldn’t summon her demons. How despicable.” Haymen brushed the back of his finger down my cheek and stroked down to my collar bone. It was the feeling of cold ice running down my neck. “She’s my favorite, did you know?” And that question was a lethal threat.

Gabe didn’t flinch. The others surrounding him weren’t as certain. Even I didn’t want to stand amidst the tension between the two. The sensation of their two forces of power by look alone was enough to cut the air out of my breath.

“She is to appear in front of the high court for murdering an angel. No matter the claim on your property, a treaty is a treaty unless you want to create war,” Gabe said stepping forward, almost hoping that was what Haymen would do. Haymen only stretched a sickening smile and began playing with the tips of my hair in distraction.

“You know I do like a good war,” Haymen purred absentmindedly. He seemed infatuated with me even as he spoke to Gabe. He was looking at me as if I were his prized possession. I met his eyes once for a chance glimpse. My gaze dropped from his intensity. What was he doing?! I looked to Gabe instead who was furious by the contact. I wanted to say, ‘You and me both sister,’ but even I didn’t dare try when Haymen was next to speak.

“As much as I want to entertain you, Gabe,” Haymen said dropping his hand from my hair and seriously looking at him. “I’ve come to represent my darling Vi in this trial you’ve orchestrated yourself. So as of now, you no longer speak or even directly look at her.”

“Perhaps I’ve taken a shining to your new trophy wife,” Gabe antagonized. I tightened my jaw to not spill the filthy words from my mouth. The large white doors to our left opened. Both with serious expression Haymen and Gabe looked up the twenty steps that led to the inviting room.

“Shall we?” Haymen adjusted his black suit and waved his hand towards the steps. Gabe straightened himself and walked ahead. I was surprised Haymen was even entertaining this. I really am going on some ridiculous trial.

I began to walk after him but Haymen caught my wrist and grabbed my jaw. He angled my head to look up at him. The sheer force and power that swirled from him was both intoxicating and terrifying. “You belong to me,” he purred. His lips were close to mine as we shared breath. My body couldn’t help but react to his. It was savoring the coldness that pillowed off of him. He smiled and brushed his lips along my cheekbone and to my ear. My entire body straightened and my nipples ached to be touched. “I want you to find Alice Kendrid within Aztec and find out what you can about their Master.” I blinked once. My keen mind cut to the truth of this matter. Haymen was already using this incident to his advantage. He already planned to have me convicted and sent to Aztec prison.

“I don’t have time for that. I have a lead on my case at the orphanage. I think-”

“Then I will have Tahmeed watch over it until you return,” he sharply cut me off. His whisper in my ear was an order. I wasn’t to argue. Ever. His shallow breath was already against my neck and I found myself arching into him as he spoke. “I’ll give you two days.” His lips brushed up against my neck and along my jaw again as he pulled away. My hand had been pressed against his chest and I was on my tip toes breathing into him. I lacked all common sense until his cold smile broke the tension.

I questioned as to how much of this might have been premeditated by Haymen or if it was simply chance that he jumped with opportunity. I was being convicted of murdering Luke, an angel, and a crime that I didn’t commit. I wanted to plea my case if not for my own pride but knew that was now out of the question. I didn’t let any emotion flicker on my face. We were his tool and had to act like it. At least I knew that he wasn’t so easily going to dispose of me and had no intention of allowing my public execution.

Two days my ass, what if I was in there for longer? When would I have time to report about the orphanage that was showing traces of the very entities we were hunting? I had just started my case and one thing I hated was leaving a hunt without conclusion or death.

He stepped around me and began to ascend the stairs with hands in pockets. Dick. He can hunt himself if he plans on sending me to prison. I bitterly began my walk up the stairs looking up as if to see the noose that would soon be the object of my hanging.

*

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I wasn’t surprised that majority of the jury were angels, ‘the warriors of justice’ I sarcastically sung in my head. Amongst the angels, there were few demons and humans who watched on with a skeptical eye. The angels looked at me with disgust and the humans seemed to be raising their nose further than was needed. It was entertaining to watch how humans acted in front of a room full of angels. The demons looked on with smug expression. I had no doubt they would’ve had the same face even if a fellow demon was killed. They just loved cases like this. They were secretly laughing at the fool who got caught killing someone that they shouldn’t have.

I looked towards the podium in front where three angels sat in white... so cliché. Behind them was a golden scale that I imagined to represent justice. The podium oversaw everyone in the entire room. So many political and unequal rights came to mind. Why was it only angels? How was that fair in the grand scheme of things? I pondered whether I should begin spelling my rights and inequality just to annoy them. But I knew more than anyone how unfair this world was. How were the results ever going to be fair for a demon when the high court was only angels? I was going to be convicted of murder anyway so I might as well piss off as many people as I can on the way.

A camera to my left sparked a flash. The lanky man behind it smiled at me. Great, this will be the scandal of the year. How beautifully organized this was and arranged so quickly. They even had time to involve the media which was hardly ever involved in internal matters. This was purposefully organized because Gabe wanted me to sink and drown. Hard.

This would only end one in two ways. One, I would be killed like most demons who reached this panel. Or two, which was the way that this would go because Haymen wanted it, was that I would be imprisoned. It wasn’t unheard of but very rare and usually offered to those who the panel was scared to kill because of the backlash that might occur. That or they were being protected for special reasons. I heard of one case that they were the last of their species and so the 262 accounts of murder were pardoned and he was locked away instead of being killed. That was the written press version but those who had real connections knew that the backlash would be too great if he were killed. Some demons and angels had power, real power in the human world. And so to keep the treaty safe, that was accounted for. The words of war rattled many different worlds and it was one that wasn’t desired here. 

The male angel who sat in the middle was old in all accounts. His dark grey eyebrows twisted up in comparison to his long thin beard that hung down. The beautiful blonde to his left had her sharp eyebrows raised and soundlessly scoffed at me when I looked at her. She already wanted me dead. The older lady wore a scowl from age but her expression was unreadable. Perhaps she would hear out the case unbiased. I chuckled to myself. Yea, right. 

Gabe shot me a sharp stare. I only smiled at him before he looked back towards the podium with a clenched jaw. He stood to my right in front of the jury. There were no chairs or podiums for us, we stood out in the open being looked down upon the angels in front of us. I yawned as if bored, hoping to gain a reaction out of Angel Boy. He could blow his own case if he lost it in this court. Still yawning from the boredom, I turned around to the cameraman to smile over my shoulder provocatively. Snap! The photo was taken. The jury began whispering amongst themselves throughout the echoing hall. ‘How disrespectful’, ‘She has no remorse’, yada yada. Haymen’s smile stretched wide at my attitude. He pressed his hand on my lower back as if to look at the judges and cleared his throat.

I looked over at Gabe whose eyes screamed ‘Death Penalty’. “I suppose you couldn’t run and fetch me a latte? I think I might be here a while,” I said with a cocky smile. His eyes remained on the front but the vein in his neck bulged. It was rather disappointing that he didn’t bite.

“Miss Vivian Lair,” the older male said grabbing my attention. I hated when my last name was used. I buried that with my past the day I died. Those who knew my last name had done extensive research because I tried my hardest to destroy all connections to my previous life.

“Present. With no choice in the matter,” I said. I would’ve raised my wrists in chains if Haymen hadn’t already removed them. The blonde woman scoffed at me.

“Just call me Vi,” I added looking directly at the younger angel hoping to irk her further. The two older angel’s expressions didn’t change and they had no comments to make. The blonde one followed suit but I knew she was biting her tongue. So, I smirked at her with satisfaction wondering how long I could wind her up before she broke. Her stare only narrowed further on me.

“You are here today within our Court, specified only to be the judgement panel of Angels under the impression and violation of the treaty. You are alleged for the murder of Luke Tailor, a soldier under Gabe Christain’s legion, how do you plea?” That I didn’t know. Gabe’s jaw was clenched and his fists curled to show white knuckles. So, Luke was under his lead huh? That’s why it was so personal for him. That kind of dedication appeared as a shock considering I was disposable to my own boss. Or maybe they just liked to make a fancy protest and look righteous.

“Not guilty,” I said. “Let me assure you that when I was last with Luke, he was very much alive and happy,” I said with a suggestive smile. Gabe’s knuckles turned white as he focused on the screen that began to descend the wall. A projector from the corner of the room blasted through the room with evidence and footage of Luke and I at the club. We were getting acquainted as he whispered sweet things into my ear and I smiled. Haymen’s hand on my lower back seemed to heat and press further into me. I hesitated to steal a glance at him. He was not at all impressed by the video. I was his property to an extent but not when it came to dealing with our sexual frustration. I was doing what all Guardians did. I tried to step out of his hold but his hand firmed on the back of my hip. A low growl that wasn’t human came from him in warning. I focused on the screen until the surveillance was done trying not to think much on the imposing hand at my hip from the boss who was ready to have me convicted for his own gain. The film ended as I led Luke out of the club.

“He was found dead the next day,” the old man said.

“Well he was very much alive with me that night and left around three in the morning,” I said. “He certainly exhausted me after all of the late-night movies we watched together,” I toyed deliberately. Whispers circulated around the room. I could feel the rage flowing from Gabe even if his facial expressions said otherwise. I wanted to poke him just to see if he would snap. He dared threaten Lassie yesterday but, in this court, if I could make him lose it, he would only shame himself. And that was exactly what I wanted him to do. I wouldn’t allow anyone who threatened me go unpunished. “And before he left there were certainly no complaints,” I added speaking directly to Gabe. It was loud enough so everyone would have heard. His dark green eyes found mine and I made sure not to look away. The intensity in that gaze hitched my breath but I refused to back down. I wondered how old he actually was, looking at him now, I could see death dancing in his eyes. A very forceful darkness from a white winged angel. That certainly grabbed my attention. I just had to wind him up a little bit more and maybe I would see that venomous side of him that would jeopardize his case.

“Vivian,” the older woman on the right said. “You do realize that these are serious allegations.” I smiled through my eyes at Gabe before turning my attention to her.

“Correct. I am answering them honestly. Just because I was last with him and slept with him– repetitively and for hours on end,” I added hoping to wind Gabe up more. “That doesn’t mean I murdered him. I didn’t have the slightest energy to lift a coffee cup let alone murder once he was done with me,” I said pointedly towards Gabe. Before Gabe lashed out with a remark, the pretty blonde on the panel stepped in. 

“You were the last one seen with him. You baited him and then murdered him. Like all of your kind do!” I was surprised she wasn’t spitting venom. Jackpot. Gabe might have not yet cracked but this little angel did. The room was silent as she thought about her words. The two elders looked at her with distaste. Looks like I got under this one’s skin.

She blushed in embarrassment and I clicked my tongue.

“Ah, racist,” I said in a tone that I knew would grate against her anger further. “Because I’m a Guardian? Because I can call upon Demons? You know your kind created this treaty and yet you don’t seem so faithful to it,” I said.

“Enough,” the old male said irritated with the bickering. He threw an effective look at the younger angel. She sat back into her chair keeping her pretty mouth shut. Haymen so far had been quiet. I only questioned as to when he would step in and start manipulating this into the direction he wanted it to go.

The older angel began skimming through files that also projected on the screen.

“You’ve been within the employment of Mr. Davolch now for a little over twelve months it states here. One of his regional Guardian’s in the city of Shabeah.” She stopped on a page and looked to Haymen with a scornful expression. “Haymen,” she said now not so formal. “It is within our treaty that you announce the demons which your Guardians are contracted to. This one only has four entered.” I let my face show nothing. I only knew of three. Only three demons had come through so far and I still waited for the rest to awaken.

“Siren, a form of water demon; Succubus, both poison and sexual.” I noticed the look that Gabe gave me and I arched a suggestive eyebrow. He looked away as soon as our gaze met. “Cat demon, rather rare considering how little they produce offspring. Foreseer and sixth sense.” She stopped on the final one and looked up at Haymen. She then read it again. Her eyes then dropped to me. “Reported as of yesterday, Hellhound.”

The room went silent and so did I. That was new.

“Hellhounds have been extinct since the last war,” the old man began as he pulled the files from her to check it himself. There, on the screen in clear writing and image was a description of the Hellhound. “Explain yourself Haymen.” Formality was being lost the further this case went on which indicated they were all familiar with one another.

Haymen dropped his hand from my waist and stepped forward. And now he would begin his show. “My Darling Vi is rather special. Most of my Guardians are aware of the demons that they are contracted to as soon as they wake. Vi it would appear isn’t aware until they come forth to her. My finest witch has been taking blood samples weekly to experiment and decipher her blood. And as of yesterday, she was able to identify only one other, being the Hellhound. Now obviously I can’t control what contracts are made and what demons come forth. Perhaps not so extinct after all,” he charmed them a smile. I knew very little about the Hellhounds but what I did know was that they were the shadows under Haymen’s control in the last war. They were ruthless and bloodthirsty and only he could control them. They were brought in from another world and so during the war they were the sole target to destroy for numerous angel units. The Hellhounds were the first crack to Haymen’s empire to fall. That was the war that eventuated into this treaty.

Whispers began to spread and I noticed that Gabe stared at my chest as if trying to burn through my shirt and see my tattoos for what they were.

“A Guardian can harvest up to seven demons, there are three not accounted for,” the older lady said.

Haymen shrugged his shoulders. “Gretel,” he said using her name. “I cannot produce information I do not have. I don’t know what she harvests either. Not until they awaken within her. I can’t help the paranormal that occurs. That is why my Darling Vi is so special to me.” I realized that was the second time he said ‘Darling Vi’ and it was reoccurring because it was a threat.

“Then perhaps we can easily manage this case by allowing me to slip into her mind,” the younger angel insisted. “I will confirm if she is innocent and actively help the record as to all seven of her demons.”

“I’m sorry Buttercup but I’m not going to allow that,” he said readjusting the hem of his suit jacket as if uninterested in speaking with her particularly. “All of my Guardians have personal information that I cannot have compromised. And if you have done this to any of my own previously then it’s a direct insult to myself.” His eyes met hers with the rage of a storm. “If that were the case I would have to deal with it accordingly.”

The older angel who was called Gretel intervened. I quietly enjoyed watching the younger one get nervous at Haymen’s threat. I wondered if the reason why he entertained this entire hearing was to be in a position where he could ask them questions. “Haymen, you do realize that with this case and accusation it might be the only way that you can prove her innocence. This is no small matter or charge. Unless you can prove otherwise, there is consequence to her actions and that will result in a public execution. The killing of our kind is not tolerated.”

“Let’s round this up quickly then, shall we?” Haymen said clapping his hands together. “I know that Vi didn’t murder that angel because she was with me after he had left.”

“That’s a lie!” Gabe spoke up.

“Is it? I don’t like speaking ill of your dead friend but she was quite unsatisfied after he left,” Haymen taunted. I charmed a smile. Although that was a lie, Haymen was doing the same as me. He was riling Gabe.

With all restraint Gabe stood there like stone. “What your Guardian felt afterwards is irrelevant,” he hissed. “The fact is that she was the last one seen with him and there is no tracking, surveillance, or even contact made from him after he was coaxed to her bed. I have a strict mandatory call in every few hours from those who have been pardoned outside my city. Prior to entering Ravish Club was the last time my team had heard from him.”

“Well you sound smothering to work for,” I said and looked over to Haymen who smiled. Menacing pride filled his eyes.

“Opposed to your puppeteer of a boyfriend,” Gabe hissed.

“Enough,” the older angel said silencing the room. Images of Luke’s body splashed across the screen. His wings had been ripped from his body, the bone broken into shards and were found in dumpsters. His body which was located elsewhere was swollen from an unnatural form of drowning. Crisp green poison had oozed from his face from when it had been slashed by three long talons. Bone was shattered and bled out from the muscle of his wings being torn off.

“All the elements involved in his death was that of what your demons have the ability to do,” Gabe gritted out and looked at me. “You seemed to have really enjoyed your night with him.” For once, I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t sentimental and I didn’t care for his feelings. But sometimes I knew when to remain silent. I had been set up. Not that my demons could have killed him this exact way but it did make it very easy to pin me for his murder after we spent his last moments alive together. Haymen’s hand found his way around my hip again.

“I will have my Guardians find your killer out of good faith considering that it was within my city that your soldier was killed. Until then, and to assure you, that no one else is hurt during the time that we have a rampant demon who is targeting angels, I want a lockdown and agreement that no angels are permitted in my city until the matter is fully resolved,” Haymen said to the three on the podium.

“Bullshit. You think that you are going to gain from this?” Gabe sneered. “There is no way you are taking her back under your protection and requesting for your city to go off the grid. That’s not how this works.”

“I’m just trying to protect your soldiers who clearly can’t defend themselves against this rampant demon. Perhaps while I focus on my city you should focus on the training your own.” The tension in the room thickened and I could feel the power of the two pushing against one another with me in the middle. I was near choking on the hatred that I could taste was brewing for years.

“Don’t think that you will slip out of this one, Haymen. All evidence leads to your little pet here,” Gabe said not even looking at me. His stance had changed, his full height and broad shoulders stretching to show all lean muscle. He was ready to fight. Haymen’s fingers began to dig into my hip, whether he realized it or not. Both of them were restraining themselves in the face of the court.

Haymen disregarded Gabe and looked to the angels. “Of course, I understand you will need a certain leverage until I can produce the truthful killer. I permit for my Guardian in question to be detained but once I prove her innocence she will be released.”

“You’re just buying time!” Gabe harshly shouted throughout the room. The camera flashed and Gabe shot a fierce look at the cameraman. He looked away and reined in his anger. He should’ve just killed me when he had the chance instead of going through all this justice and political bullshit. Despite his irritability, I thought he was smarter than that. He had to have a separate motive just like Haymen. I could feel that I was just the pawn to whatever game these two were playing and for the time being there wasn’t much I could do about it.

“You do understand the magnitude of your suggestion Haymen? She isn’t just going to any detainment center, she will be going to Aztec,” Gretel said. “She will not be released unless you can find evidence of the real killer. If nothing is found within a week she will be publicly executed and the media will be informed,” she said pointedly to the cameraman. Which meant currently this case was not to be made public.

“I object,” Gabe said stepping forward. “He is going to manipulate the truth to suit him when we already have the evidence we need now. If she is pardoned for this act, I will personally watch over her until a mistake is made and justice is sought through.”

“You seem to have taken a liking to my Guardian, Gabe,” Haymen growled and it shook the room. Everyone waited until the aftermath stopped. Those on the podium weren’t as concerned over the power display. Wind began to howl through the room and I could almost see the flash of a storm in Gabe’s usual green eyes.

“I am not letting you get away with another bullshit stunt,” he said. “You made a mistake the moment you allowed such a hideous creature to kill one of my own.” Somehow, I had almost become irrelevant in all of this argument despite standing in between them.

“I ask you, the jury,” Haymen said in a manipulative tone. “Do you believe my Vi is guilty of such an act with such little evidence except for this angel who points his marshmallow fingers?”

Gabe’s wings and chest expanded and the leash to his fury had snapped. All that kept him back was the hitting of the hammer on the front podium by the old man. He rolled over the information and looked to his other two angels. I had the sense they were talking telepathically. Blondie sat back unimpressed by the outcome. The older man proceeded. One thing I now noticed was their wings were tucked it in and almost hiding. I couldn’t see any of their colorings or tattoos that might’ve marked them as warriors like Gabe. If I weren’t about to be convicted of murder I might’ve been curious as to how their hierarchy and roles worked.

“Due to current information we have at hand and the seriousness of the prosecution we will allow both parties to do private investigations. Haymen, as agreed if you can curate us enough evidence of the rightful murderer then she is free to leave Aztec, if still alive,” he added. “Haymen, you are not pardoned to have exclusive rights to your city in this matter. We deny your request. If enough evidence is found to support that Vivian Lair is not the murderer, Gabe Christain has the right to have one of his officers or he can personally follow your Guardian’s actions for thirty days after being released from Aztec.”

“That last sentiment is ridiculous and I do not adhere,” Haymen snarled.

“The other option is, Mr. Davolch,” Gretel announced. “Is that we finalize this matter now and with no further evidence she will be locked away in Aztec for the rest of her lifespan. We respect you Mr. Davolch, but this crime is too serious to overlook.”

“And what is your reasoning behind this decision?”

Blondie spoke up. “Justice and reassurance. Despite Shabeah being known to be a city for demons, on behalf of the treaty we must know that things aren’t being overlooked. The death of an Angel has drawn our attention to the possibility of an imbalance and perhaps too much demon influence. What better way to assure the commitment on your part to the treaty than to have one of your personal Guardian’s followed, who by registration is your leading law enforcement. We wouldn’t want to worry or follow you for such reasons, Mr. Davolch. And that of course is out of respect, which is why we will follow your law enforcement instead.”

“You can start following one of them now if you will,” Haymen seethed. “I don’t know why you care to specifically hinder my Guardian here who already has been effected by such accusations.” I was surprised that he was actually entertaining them. If he wanted he could burn down this entire room with the click of his fingers. And yet he listened, something I saw Haymen do very little of.

“Justice, Mr. Davolch. If she makes it out of Aztec and you are able to prove her innocence then we need to guarantee she is not covering up evidence or intel. This is a serious matter and I am sure you can understand that we would treat a suspect similar if it were one of your own kind that was attacked.” Wrong. He would’ve killed them by now. I looked over at Gabe in question. Why didn’t he kill me? What was he after to draw out this painful political shit show?

There were so many things I wanted to say and to be able to speak for myself. Possibly even sky kick blondie here in the face but the moment Haymen spoke up I knew my word was irrelevant. He was silent for a moment, thinking and manipulating the outcome to his benefit as always. His grip loosened on my hip and he finally let go. I felt almost relieved as the tension he emitted dropped off me.

“Then I should make her quarters more accommodating for you, Mr. Christain,” Haymen said with an underlying suggestion. Before Gabe could respond, the hammer was brought down and my sentence was final. I grimaced at Haymen. He laced his icy fingers around my hand and kissed the back of it. “Two days,” is all he said and then blackness swirled in the spot he once stood. Poof. Just like that my almighty savior and boss vanished, sentencing me to the most brutal prison. Two days my ass. I would go insane in that time and there wasn’t a thing I could do to go against Haymen’s word.

I was jarred by Gabe who grabbed my arm and began to drag me out.

“Listen here Angel Boy,” I said trying to grab my arm out of his strong bruising grip. “I might be going along with this whole thing but that still doesn’t give you the right to touch me as you please.” He pretended not to hear me as we walked towards the now open doors.

His brooding expression only focused outdoors. I smiled and placed my foot out in front of his. This time he tripped. He caught on to one of the chairs as he brought me down with him. I was ready to hit the ground face first. It would’ve been worth it. He regained his composure with me still in his grasp.

Click. The photographer had taken the cheeky photo. I laughed hysterically as he grabbed the man’s camera and crushed it in one hand. Well I guess none of this would be sprawling on headlines after all. Within seconds, he chained my hands and feet together. I didn’t even see where they came from. Maybe this little angel had a few teleportation tricks up his sleeve. Tape went over my mouth within seconds as he threw me over his shoulder and walked out. I could’ve fought him until the very end but I knew I had to adhere to Haymen’s words. Didn’t stop me from laughing at the pissed off angel who dragged me out of the courts.