He brushed the herbs with his fingers, smiling proudly. Then, he stood up and leaned onto his shovel. The garden had grown a lot, and it was not thanks to any spell, but for his hard work and attention.

The angel had been here for enough time, yet he still felt wary. He tensed and fixed his gaze onto the nearby wall, because two guests suddenly passed by through the patio. He stood frozen all the while, only relaxing when the two humans left behind his garden. He sighed and scolded himself mentally, for every single moment he reacted this way. He had no reason to act like this.

With one last glance at the garden, he laid down the tool and grabbed a basket at his feet. He got out the small fence that surrounded the crops and turned around the wall to walk towards the main doors. He walked up the steps, and didn’t have to open the doors with his hands full. He leaned on the doors and pushed them as they opened, glancing sideways at the armor. He shot it an acknowledging nod, and then kept going.

The halls were long and spacious, and no longer vacant. With every turn he took, he tensed. Guests would walk past him, sometimes rooms would open suddenly, and he would always avoid eye contact. He yelped when a guest almost bumped his shoulder, because she was reading a book and was not looking where she was going; he avoided contact, but almost dropped the basket as he sidestepped out of the way. He regained his balance, sighing and holding the basket against his chest. He refused to look at any of the humans he came across, and kept making his way towards the main living room. No longer would he see the manor deserted; he had to get used to it, even if it wasn’t easy. The inn was fully working; Uriel had become trusted, and he had come to be known as the paranoid assistant. That was all fine for him though, no guests bothered him, normally.

He reached the room he looked for past many hallways and doors, a bigger arc. He pushed the big door open with his shoulder and sighed with the sight.

“I see you made yourself comfortable.”

Ayako turned her head, and then smiled up at him. She was sitting on the couch, right in front of the big fireplace.

“And I see you remembered.”

He pushed one of her legs aside with his foot, to make space on the couch she was hoarding. Once he could sit, he did, dropping the basket onto the small table in front of them. He began to point at its contents. A black rabbit peeked from below the couch, suddenly interested by the fresh smell that engulfed the room.

“Let’s see.” He picked a couple herbs, weighting them under her gaze. “I took some basil, rosemary… Well, just check them out, most grew with the seeds you gave me.”

She rummaged through the basket. While she did so, she smiled thankfully at him, seeing that he had taken all that she could bring back to Godric.

“Thanks, Alex.” He let out a small growl when she ruffled his hair with a loud laugh. “Now the guests will not only see you as the cranky handyman!”

He swatted her hand down. She grinned, considering it as a challenge; he soon blinked and cringed. Abiel had crawled out from below the couch, and watched curiously as angel and human contested in what seemed a swatting match.

When they stopped, it was only because someone else entered the room. Uriel paid no mind to their duel; Alexis finally managed to push her off, after having been cornered under swats at the edge of the couch. The two sat correctly when Uriel sat and left a plate besides the basket on the table.

“Sorry for the wait, I was needed in the kitchen.”

They smiled, because Uriel had brought three cups of tea. The demon did not wait for them to pick theirs first; he leaned tiredly on the couch with a long sigh and sipped at his drink without hurry. Ayako took a sip of hers as well, commenting casually.

“Tired?”

“Very.” Uriel laughed silently, eyes closed fondly. “It is strange to have to tend to so many guests again. I have to pay mind to three armors at once, and make sure I don’t burn a thing in the oven.”

Alexis hummed at that, twirling a spoon in his tea with boredom.

“Well, just you wait.” He pointed the spoon at Uriel, with a friendly warning. “We have guests, but none compared with the numbers this inn can host. If word keeps spreading, you’ll have to open that upper kitchen again.”

Uriel winced, but did not lose his smile.

“I both look forward to it and dread it.” He looked at her next, hiding his smirk while he drank his tea. “Last time you were here, we did not have these many guests. So tell me… you wouldn’t have something to do with this recent increase in visits, huh?”

Alexis spoke before she could, huffing while resting his feet on the table.

“Of course she does. She comes and goes as she pleases, and plots behind our backs while we can’t see her.”

She shook her head with a proud smirk, letting down her empty cup.

“I did nothing this time, you know.” She also threw her feet on top of the coffee table. “I may have lured some travelers here the couple first times I was away, but not this time. I took a good rest in my cabin, and lent a hand in Godric’s apothecary. All the guests you have here today? They are here by their own will and others’ advice.”

Uriel moved his tail nervously, staring at their feet anxiously.

“You two, please stop steeping on my furniture…”

They did as told, but not without pouting. Alexis grabbed Abiel, while Ayako taunted Uriel.

“You worry too much.” She was right; his eyes were droopy, he was focusing too much on what his armors could see, on what he could possibly do, for every single guest. “I think you need another kind of tea.”

She snatched something else from the basket. The demon blinked, and stared at the herbs she held in front of his face.

“Chamomile?”

“That’s right.” She stuffed the flowers into his claw, and then moved him off the couch. “Go make some infusions with it; it will ease some of your anxiousness. Maybe bring some for this other dork too.”

Alexis jolted and glared at her, hearing her taunt.

“Hey.”

Uriel looked down at the herbs, but soon smiled. With a twirl of tail, he walked out the room to do as told, and she swore the fireplace burned warmer.

——————-

 

The sun shined, even if it was descending slowly.

Ayako’s steps were cheerful and fast. Lykaios was not having an easy time following her, now in his small form. He commented while looking at the flowers around them.

“You are visiting them a lot nowadays.” He chuckled, amused by the contented smile she wore. “One could swear that manor is your new home.”

Ayako blushed a little and retorted quickly.

“My home is that small old cabin, and the village.” She had to admit that she did feel at home, every single time she stayed there. She looked ahead, with a sigh. “My visits to that manor are productive.”

“Productive you say?” Lykaios waved a paw, grinning and eyeing her. “You have already established a new route of travel, and commerce can’t possibly increase more with your efforts; you’ve done all that could possibly be done to aid them.”

She crossed her arms and her steps became more firm.

“Well, maybe I am not being exactly productive…” She laughed, eyes closed joyfully. “I just like to see them, and I know they like to see me too.”

He shook his head with a smile, incapable of understanding their strange way of bonding. He caught up with her pace and looked up at her curiously.

“You are aware that you’re working less and less each day, right?”

Before, the two of them roamed without end. They sought angels which to hunt, collected a thousand herbs which to bring back, and dealt with any problem the region had. Now, she barely brought herbs, much less helped in the apothecary. She was very aware of it, and only slightly guilty of it.

“I know.” She frowned, looking at him seriously. “Don’t worry, I have everything under control. I have not forgotten my duties. Once I am sure all is running smoothly in that inn, I will dedicate myself again to…”

Those last words did not come out. He finished for her.

“Hunt angels.”

She slowly nodded, careful to not look down at the daggers in her belt.

“Yes. That. And any other thing I can do besides it.”

Lykaios could see well she was having second thoughts. Hunting was a normal thing for her, yet she felt conflicted at the idea of doing it again. He gave his two cents, which she did not like to hear.

“You know, I think you will not take down any angel, not anytime soon.”

She did not like to, but she had to.

“I will have to, in the future. It is my job. It is what I have dedicated most of my years into, with tears and sweat.” She clenched a fist, resolving part of her division. “There’s nothing wrong with it. No angel is like him. He’s different, and he won’t have to know about any of my fights.”

“He may.” He walked faster than her. The manor was right ahead, but her steps slowed a little with his words. “If you hunt again, it will be far from here, from him. If you stop visiting as much as you do now, they will worry about you. If you ever get hurt while hunting, they will get in between. And then… well, you might not be able to keep everything to yourself anymore.”

She had a blank look on her face, a thoughtful one. He leaned his head, sitting by the gates; he spoke calmly, knowing she was pondering.

“I suppose that’s none of my business; you will figure out a way to deal with everything, I’m sure. The mighty hunter doesn’t have to explain herself to anyone. For now, I guess you don’t have to worry about that, right?”

She snapped out of it. She stared at him, and slowly nodded.

“Right.”

She looked up again and sighed with a smile. She was going to see them today, and nothing should haunt her mind.

Lykaios did not feel apprehensive anymore while stepping up towards the main doors. More than a month had gone by since they restored the manor; she had been here multiple times already. He had been around enough for her to think that Uriel and Alexis were not wary of him.

She bounced up the last step, cracked her knuckles, and then knocked on the doors, decisively. Usually, she was greeted by an armor, which always opened when she knocked. This time, it was not a puppet, but the puppeteer himself who greeted her. The door swung open to reveal Uriel there, smiling.

“Hello, Ayako.” He glanced up to the sky for a moment, and then joked. “A little late today, are you not?”

She chuckled and hid her grin behind her hand. Uriel did not complain when she pushed the door more open and walked past him.

“The sun is still shinning, Uri.” She smiled like a fox, and then mumbled something slyly. “Though not as much as your eyes, of course.”

It did not fail to make the demon blush. Uriel coughed onto his hand, trying hard to not look as embarrassed as she liked to see him. He closed the door as soon as Lykaios entered, not needing to say anything to acknowledge his presence. He tried to not stutter, while he invited her in.

“We were about to have dinner.” He pointed ahead with a claw, tucking his tail. “If you haven’t eaten anything on the way, would you like to join us? I called Alexis to the dining room some minutes ago; with luck he won’t have gotten out of his room yet.”

“Don’t mind if I do.” She twirled on her feet and began to march forward. “Walking makes me hungry!”

Lykaios followed her. On his way, he passed Uriel, and he commented to the tall demon jokingly.

“She wouldn’t be so hungry all the time if she didn’t come here so often.”

Uriel couldn’t complain. He followed their steps, proud to have her here to see the inn functioning.

Unbeknown to them, she would not be the last guest of the day. Outside, through the north path, rode a hooded figure. The man’s eyes were shadowed; his figure neared the manor in the dark, for the sun had finally hid. The horse not only carried him, but multiple bags. Slowly but surely, the man approached the manor. Tiredly, a satisfied grin grew on his face when he jumped off his horse. He stood by the gates and eyed one of the bags. His hands took a box out, carefully, like if the contents were made of gold. Again, he faced the manor, and whispered contentedly.

“Time to make some good profit…”

With that, he pulled his hood off. He was not a vagabond, nor a simple commoner; near the lights of the inn, his clothes were revealed. He wore a distinct leather armor, and by his tight belt, hanged a metallic mask and multiple daggers. He advanced through the gates surely, with one single objective.

Inside, three were blissfully unaware of the visitor that neared.

Ayako was the last to finish her food; she leaned back onto her chair and slammed a hand onto her belly.

“Ahh… That was so good.”

Uriel smiled and finally stood up. He picked her empty plate, Alexis’, and his; he even took away the empty jug of water with his tail, which he tangled around the handle. While his angel toyed with a half bitten apple, he made sure to use an armor to clean away anything he couldn’t hold himself.

“I’m glad you liked it.”

“She didn’t like it.” Alexis’ bit again on his apple, rolling his eyes. “She loved it.”

“Damn right.” She laughed, and then stood up from her chair. She neared Uriel and tried to snatch away some of the plates he was holding. “Give me some of those, Uriel.”

He lifted them up, out of her reach. She pouted and bounced a little to grab them.

“Uriel, let me help. It’s the least I can do.”

The demon chuckled and stepped swiftly around her. Even if tall and big, he could really be sneaky if he wanted to. Ayako sighed and groaned at the same time, while Uriel walked away towards the door and the kitchen.

“You have to do nothing. You’re a guest, and I treat my guests as best as I can.”

“I’m not a guest, Uriel.” She leaned onto her chair, arms crossed. “I had a lot to do with this inn’s success.”

Uriel had walked out the room, but with her words, he leaned back to look in again.

“Of course you had a lot to do with it; more than you think.” He grinned. He would have waved a claw jokingly if his hands weren’t full. “Fine, you’re not a guest. And you know what that means?”

She leaned her head, eyebrow raised under his smirk.

“What?”

He laughed, and then finally walked away while he answered. His voice echoed through the hallway, joyful and playful.

“That this is your home then! And in my home, there are rules! A good night rest is always mandatory after dinner. Only guests can stay up late and roam about as they please!”

She opened her mouth, but Uriel was already gone and probably steps away from the kitchen. She stopped facing the door, and was not surprised to see Alexis staring at her with a mocking grin.

“What are you looking at?”

He looked at his apple again, struggling to not taunt her. The laughter was half included in his answer.

“Nothing, nothing at all. Not interested in you guys teasing each other.”

“Wha-” She sat sharply on her chair again, and leaned very closely towards him, inquiring. “Was he… flirting?”

He stared and raised an eyebrow because of her clueless look. She liked Uriel, and the idea of him liking her back was all too thrilling for a lively human like her. With a snort, he spoke slowly, weighting the apple in his hand.

“Aya, you don’t expect him to be the one to get flustered all the time, do you? You always tease, and you fail to see that he can do that too. He is not always a nervous wreck; it has been a long time since I’ve seen him be this playful. Uriel can be smooth when he wants.”

She frowned and pierced him with her stare, watchful. She even leaned a little bit closer, tilting her chair.

“Since when do you know all about that?”

“I don’t.” He threw the remains of his apple into the nearby fire. Then, he stood and excused himself. “I’m an angel; we suck at understanding these things. It’s just hard to not notice when it’s right at your face. I don’t mind, but I don’t care either.”

She smiled knowingly. She stared at the back of his head, having caught him smiling a little.

“Oh, you do care.”

He would never admit that he loved to see them be happy. He retorted lazily, plopping onto the couch with a bored look on his face.

“Nah.”

She shook her head at him with a fond smile. She turned towards the door, leaving him to rest by the fire.

“Goodnight, Alex. Don’t stay up too late.”

“You can’t boss me.”

She chuckled at his defiance. She began to head for her room, ready to sleep the night away.

While she closed her bedroom door, two demons crossed paths.

Uriel walked out of the kitchen, done washing their plates, but also all the ones the guests had used. He had been busy, and had not been paying attention; but now, he was slowly realizing that the tension that had crept on him was not one of tiredness. Slowly, but surely, he was on edge, and he had no idea why.

He moved away from his kitchen, he was ready to head for his own chambers and take some rest; however, things would not be that way. He stopped, when he came across Lykaios, who came towards him. The small demon neared him slowly, with an expression he could not read. It did not help when he spoke, with a tone he did not like.

“Can you smell it?”

Uriel was confused. He answered Lykaios, all ever apprehensive of him.

“What?”

Lykaios did not blame Uriel for not understanding. His long droopy ears twitched, alerted of movement. Uriel had sharp hearing, but he was better at it. He changed his question, only slightly, with a more serious stare.

“Can you hear it?” Uriel finally realized something was not normal. Lykaios looked sideways, through a hallway that led to the main doors. “I think we may have another guest tonight. If I’m not imagining things… it could be an unwanted one.”

Uriel took a deep breath. He winced immediately, for reasons he did not understand fully. There was a very faint smell, one that he was having a hard time distinguishing. It was familiar, and he was scared to think of it as a hypnotic scent. He frowned and bolted for the doors.

There was someone outside, walking up the steps. He heard it all from inside, even the knock that echoed from the entrance.

He reached the main hall, and knowing a human was waiting to be let in, he used the armor by the doors to open them. He never had forbidden anyone of stepping into his inn, but something made him feel that he should do it now.

He did not, and so, the human invited himself in.

Uriel stood in the center of the hall. As soon as that man walked in, he was hit with multiple realizations. One, the looks of the man; he took note of his clothing, a black leather armor, the daggers he held… and the symbol marked on his coat. As well, the scent that he had sensed increased, almost painfully; it was something that was alluring in the distance, but now it made his stomach churn. Lastly… he had learnt through the years to read people’s eyes, and this man was not someone he trusted; his eyes were sly, his stance was sure, and his voice was persuasive, with a tone that only the most self-seeking would use.

“I knew those peddlers were right.” The man took off his cowl and left it on a coat hanger. He stepped closer to Uriel, and did not notice how the demon tensed even more. “Greetings. My name is Zviad. I’ve heard of you and your inn, and could not let the change of visiting fly by.”

Uriel leaned slightly away. He stood put, only to be polite, but the smell was more alarming with every second. He even shielded himself a little with his arm, his tail dropped low.

“My inn is not deserving of such publicity, I assure you.” He struggled to let out what he would say to any guest, feeling obliged. “I assume you are in need of stay?”

“I may, but my visit is not for your inn, but for you.” Zviad walked towards a nearby table and let down the box he carried. “You see, I don’t usually roam around these parts; this region had nothing of interest for a hunter like me. However… recently, rumor had spread, of an inn run by a demon. A demon who has no thoughts against nearing humans, a demon who can be reasoned with, a demon who is not feral. You, my friend.”

Uriel’s eyes were sharpening, and that fact was scaring him. He would have revolted at the thought of this man calling him friend, but he could only focus on one of his senses…

“I-”

The man was perfectly aware of Uriel’s apprehension and wariness, yet he was not fazed by it. He kept explaining; Lykaios had been watching, and now had bolted away into the inner hallways, eyes sharpened as well.

“I had to come see you.” The man laid a hand on top of the box, eyeing Uriel with a privy look. “What I carry is of great value. No one wants to buy it; no one wants to believe its authenticity. I was lucky to find it, scattered in a lone meadow; only my years of experience told me what it was. People have no way to be sure if its real, and I don’t want to waste it without seeing gold first. You can already tell that it is very much real.”

Uriel raised a claw in front of himself, shaking his head. His voice came serious, pleading and warning reasonably.

“Do not open that box.”

He was not having an easy time thinking, and the man knew. Zviad moved the box closer, smiling knowingly. He kept talking, now more slowly, never lifting his gaze of the anxious demon.

“You, you can tell. You demons are enticed to it; you are drawn like moths to a fire. You value it much more than any greedy human would. The poor and wary won’t buy it from me, but you…”

He opened the box an inch. Uriel had enough. With a booming growl he leaned a little, his nails sharpened, his irises shrunk, and his tail slammed down.

“I said, don’t open it.”

That growl would scare anyone. It managed to make a guest peek from inside his room into the hall, with a shaken look. An armor crumbled somewhere, unable to keep the tie to Uriel’s mind.

Zviad was startled, but not scared. In fact, he smiled, glad to have seen that reaction. Uriel blinked and groaned, shying slightly after his outburst.

“Ah, there it is.” Zviad opened the box fully. Uriel scowled and clenched his fists, while the man revealed the contents. “I knew that no demon could resist their inner feral side, no matter how sophisticated they may behave. You all can sense it miles away, the blood and flesh of your most hated enemy. You want it, to consume or keep.”

Uriel stared blankly at the bone that rested inside the box. He had no doubt that it was what remained of an angel, and judging by how torn it was, said angel had been dead for a long time. Still, no matter how old that bone was, he was entranced by it. His senses were blasting with too many inciting whispers; his mind and heart felt disgusted. He could not move, only stare with deep breaths while he trembled. His expression was solemn yet unnerved, pitiful for both the remains and himself.

While he stood silent, two came running into the main hall. Lykaios did not follow her all the way, able to smell as well the scent, now all the more strong. Ayako stopped running at Uriel’s side, slamming her feet as soon as she saw the man. Her icy eyes widened at first, but as soon as her mind registered that symbol on his armor, they narrowed. She stared at him for a moment, and then asked with disbelief.

“…Zviad?”

The man also stared at her, surprised. It seemed to take him some time to recognize her; he tried to guess how she could know his name. He figured it out and asked as well, more surely.

“Ayako?” He moved the box a little away, turning to face her. “It’s been years. You really managed to become a hunter?”

“It’s been a long time, yeah. Didn’t think I would see you again.” She was not angry to see him, but not happy either. “Last time I heard of you, you left the city of Kaerlit with stolen goods, and the local guild quarters announced your dismissal.”

Uriel looked at her, eyes tired.

“You know this man?”

Zviad interrupted with a cough, proudly.

“I did not steal anything.” Uriel did not like the way he leaned onto the nearby desk, still smiling. “I killed that angel fairly, and I did not think it was fair that I should give my trophy to the guild. Wasting it on some sick idiots, instead of making gold… It was only fair I left that place. Other branches of the guild deal better with my policy of work.”

Zviad remembered why he was here. He had no interest in Ayako, but her presence was something that he considered a possible helpful coincidence. He clapped his hands, and tapped onto the box, taking their attention again.

“Let’s forget about that; you and I, we share one same root. I am here to sell, and who could possibly help me more, than an old colleague?” He nudged Ayako with an elbow, laughing. She was not angry before, but with his next words, she was. “I bet you were here to try to make some profit as well. Telling this demon how many angels you could bring him… No wonder he does not show interest in a simple bone!”

Uriel glared him down, standing tall. It was not easy to ignore his instincts, but he had managed to sheathe his claws and clear his eyes.

“She is not here to sell me anything; she never has bargained with a single piece of her kills. I don’t want to see anything that you offer, so take it away with you.”

Ayako was amazed by how diplomatic Uriel could be, even when furious. He was not letting it get the best of him, but she could tell he was holding back a punch.

Zviad opened his mouth, never stepping back. Before anyone could say anything, they heard steps behind them, and a worried call.

“What’s going on?”

Uriel’s eyes widened, Ayako tensed and cursed silently. Both turned, and saw Alexis there, looking at the scene with a frown. The angel spoke, shooting the man a wary glance.

“Uriel, I heard you yell.”

His demon faced him, he pleaded.

“Alexis, please go back to the living room.” He scratched his horn, and quickly came up with an excuse to get is angel away. “It’s just another guest. No need for you to help.”

Alexis was not stupid. He knew when his demon was scared. Besides, angels were emphatic creatures; he could sense the dread. He looked at Ayako, and only grew more confused when she sidestepped, blocking part of his view of the desk behind them.

Zviad glared at them, offended.

“I’m no ordinary guest-”

Ayako smiled, and then quickly shut Zviad off with a little swing of hip. She knew well it was a bad idea to let him know who this man was, or what was in that box. She was a better liar than the demon, and Alexis trusted her as much as Uriel.

“Don’t pay mind to his arrogant ramblings, he’s just the typical guy needing to stay, but with more money and demands. We’ll deal with him. You hate to do paperwork, so go find something to tinker with.”

Zviads’s eyes glinted; a knowing smirk grew on his lips. He knew when people treated each other with most respect, and with equality. He whispered, plotting.

“So he has say in this inn…”

Ayako gasped, pushed aside; Uriel turned slightly, seeing Zviad on the move. The hunter was fast, they had to admit. In a second, Zviad had grabbed the box on his hands, and made a move towards Alexis, who was still eyeing them all with confused and worried eyes.

“Excuse me; you wouldn’t share the ownership of the inn by any chance?”

Alexis took a step back. Uriel had always told him that this inn was his as well, but he did not think about that right now, he did not bother to answer. He could see the box now; Zviad opened it right in front of him. He stared at the bone, and did not understand at first; he only realized what it was when Uriel wheezed a little. With the box open again, Uriel was hit with that scent. He looked at his demon, and saw how his claws sharpened even if closed, they scratched his skin, his stance trembled, and he clenched his teeth with clouded sharp eyes.

Alexis paid no mind to the words the man was saying, he heard nothing while cold sweat fell down his forehead.

“Looking at you, I can tell you care for your demonic partaker here. You see, he fails to see the value of the bone I’m selling here. You must see him work tiredly every day; I think it would be a great investment, to acquire something that-”

Zviad stumbled, he almost dropped the box; he blinked and stared with surprised eyes at her icy ones. Ayako was holding him by his shoulders, after the strong yank she had given him. She whispered slowly near his face, with an expression that showed how pissed she was.

“Zviad, I think it’s time for you to leave. Now. They don’t want to hear or see any of what you sell.”

Zviad’s eyes narrowed too, challenging. He pushed her hold off, and yelled while holding the box tightly.

“So you really want to keep this opportunity to yourself.” He glared at Uriel, with a greedy look. He snatched the bone out the box, and displayed it angrily at them. “Fine, Ayako! I’ll give you part of the gold; just convince him that this is of as much quality as your future kills. It’s only a broken femur, but it’s still one hundred percent angel bone! It’s as good as any flesh you tear off!”

Alexis heard those last words, and rightfully froze, pale. With one last look at those remains, he walked away into the hallways without word. Seeing that, she pulled back her sleeve and held her arm menacingly, one step away from him. She had a tear in her eye, because she had seen Alexis look at their symbols on their armors. Her voice stammered a little, but it was fierce all the same.

“I’m not here to sugar coat Uriel into acquiring any corpses… Piss off, right now.”

Zviad lost his patience with her. He got chest to chest against her, shoving back the bone under his thick coat. He stared her down, daring her.

“And what makes you think I will?” He laughed at her, hitting where it hurt. “You are a hypocrite, little Ayako. You judge me for trying to sell, for trying to get some gold… but don’t we do the same? Don’t we both slay, butcher and tear them? Why do you look down on me, when I’m only trying to help? Is it that bad, to give a demon something with which to rile up their senses? What makes you think giving these things to the sick makes any difference? We kill; we should keep these to do as we please. It is you who better piss off, naive girl. Keep telling yourself you are noble, the angels will surely welcome you into heaven without question when you drop dead.”

He pushed her sideways with a shove of shoulders. Surprisingly, Ayako did not answer back with her own shove. She stepped back, with a dazed look on her face; it was not for his push, but for his words. It was not easy to get under her skin, but he had managed to do it with a subject that haunted her daily, and it was not easy to deal with.

Uriel looked at her worriedly and tried to move to get to her side, but once again the insistent hunter stepped in front of him. He scowled, amazed by how quickly could this man change manners; he was smiling up at him again, even daring to lay a hand on his arm in a friendly manner.

“Well, with the annoyance dealt with-”

“Out.”

Zviad blinked, interrupted. He looked up to Uriel, confused by that harsh word.

“What?”

Uriel grabbed Zviad’s arm as well, but it was not a friendly move. He lowered himself to his height, slowly, and did not doubt to show his fangs while he repeated himself.

“I said, out.” His eyes were sharp, but not for the scent. He was about to not give a fuck anymore, and it would not be nice for Zviad. “No one dares to talk that way to anyone in my inn, I don’t care if guest or not. With all my respects… piss off, sir.”

A tense moment passed by, both held their gaze. Uriel’s eyes opened with surprise; Zviad dared to laugh under his intimidating glare, all friendly manners gone.

“Oh, the demon is angry! Not so well behaved now, are we? Are you having a hard time ignoring the scent of this flimsy broken femur? Does it tempt you? Scare you of what you are? Does the shy imp feel snappy?”

Uriel stared at him for a moment, mouth open. Then, he said one single word, with a blank look on his face.

“Maybe.”

Snap he did. Next thing Zviad knew, he was being hauled up with one single claw in the demon’s harsh hold, shoved right through the two main doors. He rolled down the stony steps, falling face first against the pavement of the patio. He took a couple seconds to push himself into a sitting position, in which he heard Uriel yell behind him, from the doors.

“Feel free to haul your ass out my forest as well. Have a nice night, and please, refrain from ever coming back. You’re unwelcome.”

The doors were shut loudly. Even if Uriel wouldn’t see him, Zviad stood sharply, swung a fist sideways, and faced the doors, furious. He yelled loudly, wanting to make sure every single person in the inn heard him.

“And there it is! All demons are feral, dangerous, ungrateful, sons of beasts! No matter how you try to hide it, you are beasts! This inn won’t last a year, not like this! I hope you keep treating your guests like this, and I hope they come back as a mob, to burn this place down, with you inside it! You damn-!”

The doors opened again. Zviad flinched and stumbled back, because Uriel peeked out, eyes glinting aflame, in a cold firm manner. The demon asked, slowly, inquiring.

“You were saying…?” Uriel smirked and twirled his claw, to invite him to finish his ramble. “Go on.”

Zviad eyed what was behind Uriel. Two armors stood behind him, two that he had sworn were only decorative when he had been inside. The puppets were standing tall, holding two spears, eyeing him down like their master, with ghostly haunting glows. Not all demons could cast spells this complex, and as a hunter he knew how dangerous magic was.

The man did not have the guts to keep yelling. With stumbling nervous steps, he cowered towards his horse, which was tied by the gates. Uriel watched contently how the man rode north again, taking a turn towards the eastern road.

Gone the fool, his eyes stopped glinting. Calmly, he moved the armors to their respectful spots, sheathed their spears, and closed the two doors with his arms. He laid his back against them, letting out a big tired sigh. After a moment, he opened his eyes and whispered worriedly.

“Ayako, are you alri-?”

He looked around, but she was not there anymore.

He frowned, knowing exactly where she had gone. Slowly, he pushed himself off the doors, and began to walk towards the sweet smell of herbs she always left behind. Sadly, he also recognized another scent, one much more alluring and permanent around him. It was different from what the hunter had tried to offer, but only slightly. This was familiar, with a less bloody touch to it, mixed with the smell of coal and ashes, of wood and earth. He could smell his angel, he always could. It never made his feral side flourish, but with the recent scent of torn bone, the usual proximity made his skin shiver. It scared him how easily he could feel drawn to angelic flesh, even if he cared deeply for one.

With slow steps, he neared a corridor. He stood at a distance, watching silently. Ayako was sitting by a door on the floor, which was locked. She was holding her knees together with her arms while she stared at the wall in front of her. She was whispering from time to time, knowing the one in the room could hear her. Alexis had a sharp hearing when in trouble; he had heard everything, even after he had bolted out the main hall.

“Alex, I’m sorry you had to see that.”

She had been talking alone for a while; Alexis had not answered her question of if he was okay. Yet, he began to answer now, still locked.

“Not something I wasn’t aware of… Nothing new.”

Uriel could tell that Alexis was sitting by his desk, and that he was trying to occupy his mind with his tools. He slowly sat by her side, and shared a knowing glance with her. Ayako kept speaking, ashamed.

“I… I wish I could apologize for what my guild does. For-” She groaned, slamming a hand on her face. “Dammit, for what I do. I wish I could say I have never held something like that, but I did, and I-”

There was another sound. Steps echoed harshly, the door was unlocked. Ayako and Uriel kept themselves sat, while they heard him walk back to his desk. His voice echoed more clearly from inside, he did not want her to mishear what he would say next.

“You’re not at fault.”

He had locked himself in his room for one very simple reason: he felt nauseated by the sight of that corpse; he had felt his stomach turn and twist. He felt slightly better now, and he had no reason to keep himself away, not from them, not from her.

She was the first to stand, Uriel followed suit. They calmly invited themselves into Alexis’ room, knowing well he wouldn’t have unlocked the door if he didn’t want them around. Still, there was a trace of apprehension in his position. While they neared from behind, he kept staring down at his drawings and sketches, of what he planned to be a forge. He was holding a pencil, but his hold was shaken. He wore a serious frown, and without seeing his face, they could tell he wanted to cry. Abiel was on his lap, and he kept petting him with his free hand. There was silence for a while, with the two of them looking over him at his sides. Their gazes were sad, slightly guilty even if they didn’t have the blame. Alexis was the one to speak again, almost to himself.

“I don’t blame anyone. It’s just… not easy to see something like that. That could have been me. It… Part of me ended like that. It’s haunting.”

All were haunted. She wondered if the demon that attacked Alexis left anything of his wings at all; Uriel on the other hand knew that the guild had taken away every single chip of bone those golden wings had.

In the end, they stayed silent. She was the first to hold Alexis in a hug, crying like he was. Uriel held and pulled them both tightly, eyes closed mournfully. Alexis was not able to keep holding the pencil, but he did not protest to their silent hold.

————————–

“Damn demon… Stupid brat.”

He was riding in the dark through the dark forest. Only a lantern allowed him to see through, because the moon was hidden by the crocked trees that loomed over him.

He kept cursing, tugging his treasured box closer.

“All this time wasted. If I had known them to be this daft, I wouldn’t have traveled all this way for nothing.”

He always wandered, but he had been comfortable in an eastern city. There was a nice tavern, and nice wenches; he could brag there about being a hunter, because there were no headquarters there. He was not enjoying having to go back; nothing of interest was in the south, just small towns and useless farms. He had to go back to where he came from, back to big cities, in search of a human stupid enough to believe in his word and the promise that this bone was real.

Only other hunters could tell the difference, or demons. But hunters didn’t trust each other, and demons like the one in the inn could be counted with fingers. There was no one he could sell the bone to, not without a significant low pricing.

“This has more worth than its weight in gold. If I was a demon, I would treasure it like a starving wolf keeps a carcass.”

Unknown to him, he was not as alone as he thought. Something was moving in the shadows, and he was blissfully unaware of it.

“Why no one wants to take it from my waiting hands?”

A branch cracked somewhere. He ignored the sudden nervous sounds his horse was making. He was too angry to notice the two red eyes that glinted nearby.

“Can’t anyone see how formidable is to be at reach of an angel’s remains?!”

Something answered.

“I can.”

He froze on his steed. That voice had not been human; it had been growled, whispered yet loud. He finally realized that something was creeping around, and it was too late to do something about it. His horse stood on its hind legs and screeched in fear. He groaned and pulled at the reigns to try and keep the horse calm, but he was not managing; the voice was not heard again, but some growls were. A soft wail echoed from every angle, and he could swear that it was a mocking one. He glared everywhere, still on his horse… yet he did not see the shadow lunge.

He was pushed off fiercely, and surprisingly, he fell to the ground without harm. He caught a glimpse of the shadow, which hid again out of sight after shoving him down. He yelled and lifted an arm, calling as his horse fled away.

“Wait! Come back!”

His steed did not listen. He pushed himself to his feet. Now, the shadow was closing in, circling, and still keeping itself unseen. He could see those red eyes though, and it was making his blood run cold. With a snarl, he took out a dagger; he pushed his box against his side, intending on keeping it.

The demon finally revealed himself. Zviad trembled but did not cower when Lykaios came out of the shadows. The demon was bigger than a bear, but only his upper half was as broad as that animal. His hind legs were as slender as the ones of a wolf; a long black mane fell to the side of his long neck, longer than the one of a lion. His maws were sharper than any other animal, and his face seemed a mix of the wildest felines. He could very well stand on his hind legs and tower three times over him. With all this, his composed voice did not seem to match his bestiality.

“Such a mistake, bringing that box here.”

Zviad was an angel hunter, and he had killed at least two of those formidable creatures. A demon was not worse, or so he thought.

“Get lost beast!”

“No, not until I acquire what you carry. I share the same fascination for it.” Lykaios stepped closer, unimpressed by that dagger. “You see, you’ve frustrated the only shelter you could have found around here. You’re foolish, a lone fool.”

“You’re not taking this away, I was too lucky finding it to let it slip from my hands. You’ll have to go through me.”

He said so holding the box closer to himself. Lykaios nodded, and smiled.

“Fine.”

Zviad swung his dagger, but it was for nothing. He blinked, and he was on the ground again. A huge claw was on his chest, pushing him down. The weight was like the one of a cart, yet he was not being hurt… much.

Lykaios leaned closer to him. Zviad whined and closed his eyes, expecting his face to be bitten off. He screamed when another growl echoed, followed by the sound of jaws clasping shut around something. He waited for the pain, but only felt that claw moving away.

He sat up. The beast was eyeing him down while giving him his back; those jaws had broken the box into pieces and had taken a hold of its contents.

Lykaios said nothing. He watched the hunter stand nervously, and then run away like a wimp towards where his horse fled.

With one last look, he took the bone away, for himself.