Page 11 of Hunted By Fear

“I need your help.”

Have you ever heard the mortal saying, ‘I’d go to hell for you?’

I have, and while I understand that mortals seem to think it's a grand act of sacrifice, I don’t think they can really grasp it.

Unfortunately for me, I know exactly what it could mean, and while I’ve never been to Hell, there isn’t anywhere I wouldn’t go for her. This is her only chance. If there were another way, I’d gladly take it, but there isn’t.

I’d rather rip my wings from my flesh than leave her to Rome. Nobody deserves that, and while I’m not sure what this pull I have to her is, I know in the eons I’ve existed, I’ve never felt anything like it… If that’s not worth everything, I don’t know what is.

All I want is to find her, but just like the last time, she’s lost to me.

Rome shouldn’t be able to do this, to hide her away from me. My job is to keep tabs on her and help her navigate life, staying on the path of the Divine and keeping her safe.

That’s what a guardian angel does, or is supposed to do.

I’ve done nothing but fuck up with Aeri from the moment Rome set his sights on her.

Asta said it was best if I continued about my life, but it’s hard, knowing they’re out there and I’m just here doing dumb shit, hoping they find her.

On the bright side, her car is fixed. I did a lot more than what she paid for, but the idea of her driving around in it as it was gave me anxiety.

It’s a miracle thatthingwas even moving, but it was far from safe.

My phone vibrates, and I drop the wrench I was using, quickly digging it out of my pocket.

In my haste, I end up smearing grease across the screen, rendering it unreadable and no longer able to register my touch.

“Fucking hell,” I curse, moving to the sink to wash my hands and wipe my phone down.

It’s not perfect, but I manage to get it good enough to see a message from Kai.

I found her.

I’m at the apartment before I can really think it through. Thankfully, it had only been me at the shop today. I can’t imagine trying to explain my disappearing act to anyone else, though that means I left the door unlocked.

“You know, just because you can appear here doesn’t mean you should. The door still works just fine,” Kai says when I materialize behind him. He doesn’t seem the least bit fazed by my sudden appearance, and I have to guess he would assume I’d head here when I got his message.

“Where is she?”

As if my question triggers his appearance, Asta appears in the living room, his hand wrapped around Talian’s arm to bring him along for the ride, but it’s Talian who steals my attention.

Or rather, who’s in his arms.

My breath catches seeing her like that, and I know she’s alive, but heaven above, does she look dead.

“What happened?” Bast demands, storming out of the kitchen and into the living room with them. I know I should stay in the kitchen, wait for them to fill me in, but I can’t. It’s as if I have no control of my body as I follow Bast, my gaze moving over her, needing to see the rise and fall of her chest in order to believe she’s truly okay.

“She’s fine, just passed out. Whatever that bastard did is no joke,” Talian grumbles before he looks down at her, and his face softens.

Huh, when did that happen?

Talian enjoys all kinds of company, but only for just that. The closest people to him are in this room, and while demons might consider them close, they aren’t known to be friendly.

I’m pretty sure the only reason Kai tolerates me is because we were friends before their fall, and nobody else can stand him now that he’s more of an asshole than ever.

Bast doesn’t look happy with Talian’s answer, and I’m not the only one who seems to notice.

“It’s for the best. She has no idea who we are or what's going on, so for now she needs to remain out. At least until we’ve had a chance to discuss our next move.” Asta gives Kai a pointed look, and I don’t need to be a genius to know what he’s asking him to do.