Sybil woke up in Azazel’s bed. Again. This seemed to be a common theme for her. Except she wasn’t sure how she got here. She remembered pushing magic out, trying to protect her house, and then everything went blank. And now here she was.
She tried to call up memories of what happened, but nothing came to her. She let out a long growl and stood to go find Azazel. All the rooms were empty until she came to the kitchen, where he and Dey were sitting at the island with a mound of papers.
“Sorry to disturb your work...” she started, but Azazel appeared in front of her and wrapped her in his arms.
“You’re awake,” he muttered. “I wasn’t sure how long you’d be out.”
She slowly wrapped her arms around him. She could get used to being greeted like this when she walked into a room. “Yeah, but why was I out?”
“Oh, she doesn’t remember.” Dey looked concerned. “You weren’t kidding when you said she was going to have to learn control.”
Sybil’s heart pounded as she looked at the imp and then at Azazel. “What is she talking about?” She had a feeling she knew. It’d happened twice before, when Morrah started hunting her. “Azazel?”
“A witch showed up at your house,” he started slowly and pulled away from her. “You were trying to defend your home.”
“I remember. I pushed more magic into the barrier...” She hesitated. “What else did I do?”
Azazel met her gaze. “You came out, and you stole the other witch’s magic. You touched her and called all of it to you.”
The world spun. “Did I... did I kill her?” She struggled to get the words out.
He pulled her against his chest again, and this time she buried her face in his shirt. “No, no, you didn’t kill her. You pulled the magic from her, and she became human. Completely.”
She shook against him. “I don’t remember. I didn’t mean to...” she mumbled. “I can’t imagine what it’s like to have your magic ripped from you.”
“You were defending your home.” He tilted her chin up so she’d look at him. “You neutralized the situation.”
“I took a woman’s magic away.”
“A woman who was trying to bring you to Morrah,” he reminded her.
She looked away. “I’m not supposed to hurt with my magic. That makes me no better than her or anyone else.”
“Anyone else?” Dey asked. “You sound like you’ve done this before.”
Azazel looked back at Dey and then at Sybil. “Has this happened before?”
Sybil stayed quiet and turned away. “I... I’d like to go home now.”
“Your home isn’t safe. The barrier is down,” Azazel whispered. “Please, Sybil.”
She swallowed. “Then you need to go get Billie.”
Both of them drew in sharp breaths.
She spun around and looked at them. “What?”
Dey slid off the stool and walked up to her. “Sweetie, the witch killed Billie.”
She tried to digest those words. Billie was a goat, but she’d raised her. She’d been her companion since Billie was a kid. “The thunk on the window...” she muttered. “That was the witch...”
Azazel went to take her hand, but she pulled away. “I don’t want comfort right now.” She didn’t know what she wanted, but it wasn’t to melt into Azazel’s touch. Not now. She closed her fists.
“You’re still tired from earlier. Why don’t we sit down and watch some movies?” he suggested. “Try to recover a little.”
She bit her lip and tried to pull up the chunk of missing memory. Had she intended to kill the witch in anger? Or had she really only intended to take the magic, like she had done.
“Sybil?” Azazel said again, and this time, she turned to face him.
“I’m a monster. I’m no better than that woman.” The thought came out of her mouth so quickly. “She killed my goat, and for that I striped her of her magic and maybe had the intention of killing her. I don’t know.”
He put a hand on her back and guided her out of the kitchen and to the living room. “You were defending—”
“You keep saying that, but it doesn’t make it right. I don’t know why I have this power. I don’t know why Morrah wants it.”
Azazel guided her to the couch, and she looked up at him as he kneeled in front of her. “Morrah wants to take magic away from the humans. That’s why he wants you. He wants your ability so he can undo the gift I gave your kind.”
She met his gaze. “He can’t have it.”
“That’s my girl. We’re going to keep you safe, and you’re going to learn to control it.” He put his hand against her cheek. “I won’t be leaving you alone to fight this.”
Her heart warmed, and she gave him a little smile. “Thanks.”
He pulled the blanket off the couch and wrapped it around her. “I’m going to take care of you, and you’re going to let me.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but he put his finger to her lips. “No. You’re going to let me.”
She snuggled into the blanket and smiled up at him. “Fine.”
“Good girl.” He practically purred and sat down next to her.
Sybil tucked herself in against him. “The witch, did I hurt her? Other than taking her magic?”
“I think you hurt her pride a little, but that’s it. I don’t think you had an unconscious want to harm her.”
She nodded and tried to push it from her mind.
Azazel wrapped his arm around her, and she leaned into the comfort he offered. “Sybil, I know you don’t want to talk about it, but we need to. When did this happen before?”
“I was protecting my sister, and I killed someone.” She choked on the words. “And that’s when Morrah started hunting me.”
Azazel didn't push as Sybil tried to get control over her words. He looked down at this beautiful woman in his arms and couldn't believe that she had purposely taken a life.
“Tell me what happened?”
She looked away from him and took her hair out of the bun, playing with the ends. A nervous tick, he was realizing. “We heard a noise outside, much like at the house. Except it wasn't a goat. It was the dogs, and my parents went out to see what it was. Then they came back in and told us to hide. I grabbed Maribelle and pulled her into the closet. I didn't know what was going on or who was out there, but I needed to protect her.” She swallowed, and he rubbed her back, trying to provide her with some sort of comfort, but he knew when traumatic memories were brought up, there was no comfort that could erase the feeling.
“Was it Morrah?”
She shook her head. “No, a warlock. Looking back, he probably worked for Morrah. I heard nothing after my parents went out, so I left the closet to see if the chaos was over. And then... they were on the ground and there was nothing there. I heard Maribelle scream. When I ran back into the house, he had her by the neck. I blacked out and woke up in the hospital.”
“You have no memory of what happened?”
“None, my parents gave me the rundown and told me if it happened again, they'd send me away.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “It...it happened one other time. I've lived on my own since I was seventeen.”
He kissed her head. “You had pictures on the fridge. I assumed they were family.”
She nodded. “My sister and friends, one of my parents. I keep them there so I won't forget their faces.”
“You said you colored you hair purple because of your sister?”
She smiled. “Purple was her favorite color. It makes me feel close to her even when I'm not.”
“It's a beautiful color, and it suits you. Purple is the color of protection. You've done a lot to protect those who love you.”
She snorted and snuggled further into him. “I thought we were going to watch movies and not talk all night.”
He reached for the remote. “I'm trying to comfort you.” And he thought he'd been doing an okay job at it.
“It's working.” She gave him a shy smile and leaned her head on his shoulder as he turned on a movie.
His phone buzzed halfway through the movie, and he pulled it out. Dey's message came across the screen.
“Insurance adjuster would like you on scene.”
He muttered. “You up for a trip to the surface? We need to go to the shop and meet with the insurance adjuster.”
She nodded. “Yeah. Let's go. Maybe we can grab dinner? Have a proper date?”
He chuckled. “As long as Morrah stays away. Which after what you did to his witch, I wouldn't doubt that he's regrouping.” He kissed her gently, giving her enough room and a moment to decide if she liked it.
She ran her fingers through his hair and pulled him closer for a deeper kiss. “Good.”
He stood up and pulled her with him. “If you want more than a kiss, all you have to do is ask.”
She instantly blushed, and he ran his fingers over her cheeks. “Red looks good on you, too.”
Sybil let out a little squeak and turned away from him. “Surface, remember?”
“Yes, the adjuster is waiting. Such a shame.” He wrapped his arms around her and took them to the surface.
They walked up to the shop, and Sybil stood there, staring at the damage. “How did I survive this?”
The insurance adjuster stood there with a clipboard and looked up at her. “You were here at the time of the explosion?”
Azazel nodded and answered for her. “It was a miracle that she wasn't harmed.”
Sybil had a feeling there was going to be a discrepancy in the paperwork, but she also didn't want to explain why she wasn't sporting two casts anymore.
“Indeed.” The man nodded. “Maybe miracles seem to happen when witches are involved.” He wrote a few notes. “Your secretary told me that there was only one person here at the time of explosion. I'd like you, Mr. Margo, to walk through the damage with me and then, since she,” the adjuster motioned to Sybil with a pen, “is here. I want her to walk me through what happened.”
Sybil frowned. “Isn't your job as an adjuster to inspect the damage and read the reports and figure out things from there?”
“Are you telling me how to do my job?” The man shook his head. “Keep in your lane, woman.”
Sybil locked her jaw as anger filled her. 'Keep in her lane' indeed. “You know, Zel, I think I'm going to go walk to the coffee shop while you handle this. I don't particularly feel like reliving more trauma today.” She spun on her heels and walked away from the scene, not paying attention to the adjustor's protest.
Azazel caught up with her quickly. “I'll have Dey meet you there. I don't want you to be alone.” He kissed her cheek, and a thrill went through her. “I'll deal with the adjuster and his attitude.”
“Thank you.” She smiled. “I just don't want to walk through it all again.”
“Yeah, I think you've reached your limit today. Go.” He smiled and motioned for her to walk off.
She walked down the street, aware that anyone or anything that might try to follow her. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. She enjoyed the quiet walk a few blocks south to the coffee shop.
Dey was waiting for her at the door, texting furiously before she looked up at Sybil. “Hey.” She grinned.
Sybil raised her hand in greeting. “Hey, thanks for taking time out of your day.”
“Seriously, I can work anywhere, and I could use a break from the underworld. Let's get some coffee and a snack and keep you distracted.”
Distracted? “From what?”
“Everything, girl. You've had a hell of a day. When I say distracted, I mean from everything going on in your brain.” She grabbed Sybil's arm and dragged her into the cafe.
Most of the chairs were empty, probably because it was later in the afternoon, after the lunch rush but before the after-work rush. They stepped up to order, and the barista greeted them.
Sybil put her order in for black coffee while Dey ordered something complicated, and it wasn't long before they were sitting down to enjoy it.
“So the insurance will hopefully cover everything and once the shop is repaired, and you and Chrissy can get back to work,” Dey announced. “We'll work on making it quicker than they want to move, because Boss doesn't like it when his shops aren't making money and his people are out of work.”
“He's pretty awesome for an owner, if he cares about the people who work there.”
Dey laughed. “Oh, he's a hardass. There's nothing like him showing up and scaring the shit out of stores that aren't performing. But he cares. Just because he's fallen doesn't mean he's a complete ass.”
“I never thought he'd be a complete ass. Pompous maybe...”
“He's holding back a lot. I think he believes he'll scare you off if you see what he's really like.”
“Have you seen what he's really like?”
Dey snorted. “Of course I have. I've been working with him for centuries.”
There was that jealous ping again. “How do I get him to show the real him?”
“Stop being so scared. Embrace what you are.”
Sybil opened her mouth to argue, but Dey held up a hand.
“No, you're scared. You lack control, but you're powerful. Power attracts power.” Dey took a sip of her coffee. “You're a witch and not a goodie-two-shoes witch. Embrace what you are. Embrace that little call of darkness within you.”
Sybil drank her coffee and thought about the words. Is that why Azazel was treating her so softly, because she couldn't embrace her own darkness like he had his? “Thank you, Dey.”
“You're welcome. I may not know about men, but relationships I get.”
“How long have you and your partner been together?”
Dey's face lit up. “Centuries. And you'll get to meet her, eventually. But enough about relationships. How did you end up working at Mind Over Magic?”
“Actually, Chrissy found me. I was at the consignment store asking about employment, and Chrissy was super excited and pulled me aside and explained where she worked and what she was looking for and it just felt right.”
Dey laughed. “Chrissy was super excited to learn that she could expand the number of employees. That shop grew faster than we expected. It helps to have staff that know what they are talking about.”
“I really enjoy it. It feels like a second home, and I feel like I belong there. Chrissy will bring in special things for me so I can make my dream satchels, and she lets me consign them there.”
“Dream satchels?” Dey leaned in.
“Yeah, little bags filled with herbs and good wishes to promote better sleep and pleasant dreams. It's a little hobby of mine.”
Dey nodded. “You like to help people.”
“I like to keep them safe.” Sybil looked up as Azazel walked in. “That was quick.”
Dey glanced at the door. “He's not happy either. Look at the scowl on his face.”
Sybil could see him try to control his face before he came to sit at the table. “Sorry that you had to step away.”
“It was better for all of us, I think.” Sybil smiled. “I might have zapped his ass or something.”
Dey laughed. “I'd like to see that.”
Azazel nodded. “The reports from the fire department said arson from an outside source, but the insurance agent is doubtful and is worried about insurance fraud.” He shook his head. “Which is ridiculous, because I know neither you nor Chrissy would have done this on purpose.”
The entire world seemed to freeze around them, and Sybil took a deep breath, turning to look at who just walked in the door.
Morrah stood there, his wings visible, pressed against his back. He seemed to emit white light that was too bright for Sybil's liking. She wished she had a weapon that could kill the creature in front of her. He'd made her life a living hell, and now he waltzed into the coffee shop, freezing all the humans in place.
“Be not afraid.” Morrah held his hands up.
Sybil raised a brow. “What do you want?”
“I wanted to let you know I have Chrissy.” He smirked, and both Sybil and Azazel shot forward. “Now, now.” Morrah snapped his fingers, and a barrier appeared between them. “No need to attack me. I've come to negotiate her safe return. You both care about her. If you want her back, unharmed and still as naïve as she was, you'll meet me at The Chalice Hotel in two nights. One witch for the other. Don't let your love hold you back, Azazel. If I kill Chrissy, her blood is on your hands.”
Azazel snarled, and power pulsed around them. Sybil turned in time to see black wings sprout from his back and fire seemed to spark in his eyes. “You dare harm those who worship me?”
“You created these monsters. I'm simply trying to cleanse the world of them. No one worships you anymore, Azazel. It's time for you to step down and stay in hell like a good fallen angel.” Morrah looked at Sybil.
“You know what the right thing to do is. You don't want another to die because of you. Not again.” Morrah disappeared.
Azazel's wings faded away, and the world around them moved again. Sybil rolled her shoulders and marched out of the coffee shop. Azazel was quick on her heels. “Where are you going?”
“To figure out how to kill an angel,” she snapped. “I will not let him kill Chrissy.”
“You can't kill him at that hotel. The owners have a strict no killing policy.”
Sybil turned to him. “I don't plan on waiting two days. I plan on hunting him down,” she snapped. “All my life I have tried to contain my magic, contain this insane ability I have, and Morrah is right. I don't want anyone else to die because of me.”
“So, what are you going to do?” Azazel paused in his steps. “You can't just approach him without a plan.”
She nodded. “I know. So help me?”
“Absolutely.” He smirked.