14 Chapter Fourteen

They reached the dark cavern on the edge of Darklight, intimidated by the dark mountain corridor. Shivering excitement and nervousness, they pulled their black robe closer to their body and walked into the abysmal darkness with nothing but a ether light as their guide. The pale green light of the orb glowed eerily against the cave walls, mixing hues of purple and frost on the walls. The dry scuttling of insects filled the cavern and sent chills down their spine.

"Arachne!" They shouted into darkness, "Show yourself! I have a bargain!" The sound grew heavier and a raspy hiss of laughter filled the air.

"Feeling brave are we?" Her voice seemed to come from the air with no body to tether it down. Searching the cave the stranger grew agitated.

"It involved the Star-Blood." The scuttling stopped at once. Eight crimson balls floated in the air in front of the robed figure, illuminated by the ether stone.

"What about that cunning bitch?" She hissed, her eyes whirling in their skull.

"I want you to kill her." The blatant request of the figure made the old beast laugh at the absurdity.

"Have you hit your head? She is guarded by Darklight, I have no access to her while she resides in the city. I thought I killed her the last time I met her, and now she's killed six of my children! As much as I would love to tear her into bits, it is out of my power." The eyes began to close in simmering rage.

"I can get her out." Arachne paused at the words, a laugh barrage of raspy laughter filling the cavern air.

"Can you? And what do I get in return?" The monster crooned, her young offspring dancing around her.

"What would you like?" The beast edged closer to the light. It illuminated the beautiful woman's torso; bare with her breasts covered by her ebony hair. Eight blood red eyes were dotted on her face and fangs protruded grotesquely from her gaping maw.

"I want a Nephilim as well.." The figure nodded and the deal was done. Booming laughter echoed through the cave as the figure left, a crooked grin on their face. Tomorrow would rise, and the final Star-Blood will die.

The warm water hit my skin and steam filled my lungs. Eclair had directed me to go shower, deeply worried about my mentality after the horrific event we all faced. I was jumping at every shadow that moved, fearing that spiders were going to crawl up from the floorboards and drag me back to Hell where they belong. Embarrassed by my primal instinct of fleeing taking over and voiding my bladder onto my pants, I was trying to draw out as much time as possible before exiting my ceramic tomb. Eclair had assured me that it was okay and began to mother me, a gesture that sent me close to tears. She had taken my clothes to be washed and placed new ones on the sink. Two minutes earlier she had popped her head in the door to tell me that she was making me soup to help settle everyone's nerves. My nerves were beyond frazzled at the moment and I pressed my forehead against the tiles. It felt like the warm water was washing away my fear and trepidation, but all good things must come to an end. Twisting the warm nozzle I shut the water off and stepped onto the fuzzy bathmat. The cooler air made me shiver as I began to dry myself off, yanking the soft blue tee and grey track pants on. I giggled at the fuzzy socks Eclair had supplied me with as I slipped them on and wrapped my drenched hair in the towel. I opened the door to the bathroom and released the steam into the open hallway.

"Soup is ready!" Eclair called from the kitchen right across from the bathroom. A smile graced my lips as I placed my foggy glasses on my face and walked into the kitchen. Everyone-- including our new friend Chance the thief-- was lined up to receive some soup. Our guard buddy was not made out to be as clean and orderly as he lead on. As it turns out he had just recently been released from jail for fraud and robbery and faked his records to get the job, planning on stealing hospital supplies for money. Mary-Anne did not trust him as far as she could throw him, but everyone seemed to be happy with his company. Eclair pointed us towards the dining room table and told us to wait patiently and called us heathens. I took my seat in between Carina and Mary-Anne, the poor boy trapped between Carina and Carmella. Carmella seemed like a sweet girl but Carina was going off on him. She crammed every detail of information I couldn't even take over the last three or four days into a ten minute lecture. Chance looked frightened as she went on with her spiel, waving her arms around violently like a person falling from an aeroplane.

"Stop talking tumour baby, my ears are precious and you're ripping them apart with your obnoxious whining. Shouldn't you be getting back to your whorehouse soon?" Mary-Anne growled and straightened up in her seat.

"Sorry Mary-Anne I forgot your address," Carina did not miss a beat before returning to her lesson. I snorted and covered my mouth as Mary-Anne's face turned pink. Eclair interrupted our gloomy and tense environment with her personality of sunshine, setting a pot of steaming soup on a wooden cutting board before us. It had a hint of garlic and spice to it and my mouth watered at the large portions of what appeared to be dumplings floating in the mix. Setting down a porcelain bowl in front of all of us before patting Chance on the shoulder.

"Eat up chickies!" She bounced out of the room as quickly as she came. Like madmen we scrambled for the ladle, Carina getting to it first. A soon as I possessed the ladle and dumped the contents into my bowl my mouth began to water. As I took mouthful or the salty and spicy broth the others were flocking in conversation. My mind blocked them out until Chance posed a question.

"So do you guys always do stuff like this?" Shae jumped from the other side of Carmella and latched onto her arm. Some soup went up my nose and I began to cough violently.

"This one is new," Carina said with pride and slapped my back harshly. I managed to regulate my breathing and nod in agreement.

"So, you guys are almost like superheroes?" We all shared a rapt glance at the boy, shocked by his high praise. When I first saw the horrific truth about the world around me I was terrified. Every shadow that moved was a threat, every sound that echoed in the distance a looming monster. This man-- not much older than myself-- saw a beautiful side to what we do, one I did not see until this moment. Deep down I had felt like this world of beauty I was wrapped in was just covering the disgusting truth, and that I was a piece that fit perfectly into the ugly picture. Perhaps I was wrong; that the picture we painted with every spell, every movement and every altercation was a beautiful one. For the first time in my life, a lightness rose in my chest. It resonated and pulsed in me, making a warmth flood through my veins that. It was similar to the burning that Michael left on my skin but softer. For once, I felt admired. I felt like I was finally doing something right in my miserable excuse for an existence and a smile spread across my face. Everyone shared the same serene expression, which included Mary-Anne.

"You could say that." She whispered and took another sip of soup. His eyes danced in admiration and awe and the audience of his spectacle blushed and turned their heads away. Still smiling like a goofball, I took another sip of soup before pulling out my phone.

How's it going Behemoth?

Pretty horrible, Gabriel and Lilith are pulling some mad karaoke moves. And by mad, I mean when I see you next I'll probably be deaf.

Sounds like a fun time.

I guess. You okay Peanut, you seem kind of down.

Yeah I'm fine. Just exhausted that's all.

You idiot. Go to bed then pal, I'll talk to you tomorrow.

"You guys have a cell signal here?" Chance chuckled at me while I typed.

"Powered by spirit crystals. They reach to most realms, but it's still sketchy." Carmella winced as Shae let her go and slapped the table.

"Spirit…" Shae muttered and grew fidgety again.

"You figured that out by yourself?" Carina asked me and poked my phone.

"To be totally honest it did not even cross my mind." A sleepy yawn forced its way from my mouth as I stretched. Shae began to jerk side to side and we all stood up at attention, watching her writhe in her chair before slamming her fists on the table.

"Shae are you okay?" Carmella reached out to touch the girl but her head snapped towards her. Her pupils were dilated an extreme amount and she wore a twisted grin.

"Shae is not here. Leave a message at the beep." She giggled and I felt my hand reach out for my cards.

"Which one are you then? Jezebel, Drea, Eva or the new one?" I asked, pulling out information from memory. The boney girl stood up and cackled.

"So you know my name eh? Do you know where mommy got an idea for little Jezebel?" She crooned and sashayed over to me, her knees knocking together.

"Wasn't Jezebel a whore in the bible who got stoned?" Shae-- or should I say Jezebel-- nodded to Carina and stood in front of me. Her eyes suddenly turned to those of a beggar.

"It's horribly crowded in here," She whispered. "Get him out." Her pupils suddenly blew up and she hunched over again. Regular Shae had returned and she gripped the edge of my shirt for support. Eclair clicked her tongue and appeared at the doorway.

"Shae seems like she's exhausted herself. It's late in fact, you should all be heading home and to bed. Come you two, I'll show you where you'll be staying." Shae immediately ran over to Eclair and latched onto her, whimpering slightly as she did so.

"What is she, a warden?" Chance scoffed and stood up. Eclair gave him a sickly sweet smile as she put her head to the side.

"No sweetie. In fact I can either make your life unbelievably pleasant here," She stroked the curly mop of ash hair in front of here, "Or a living hell." Everyone went silent and my face dropped in terror. Eclair was like Polly; she would take care of you or drive you out with a broom.

"I'm going to go crash." I squeaked and scrambled out of the room before the tension escalated any further. I wanted to be far away in case anything like that happened as I hopped up the old stairs by twos. I noticed a furrow on the step that was curved in the center. I smiled at it, comforted by the steady rock that held up this home. Reaching my landing I wondered what would be at the top of the spiraling tower that held Michael's room. What did it look like? Pulled by my curiosity I placed my foot on the next step before stopping myself.

He might get mad at me if I snoop. I'll ask him tomorrow when I see him, I thought to myself before venturing into my room. Barely taking in my surroundings I collapsed on my bed, feeling the fabric consume me. Little did I know that as I slowly drifted off a pair of dark eyes stared at me from the darkness. As my breathing slowed and my heartbeat regulated they fled through the open window of the balcony with their mission completed..

"Hand cramp!" The girl cried and gripped her wrist. Wringing out her right hand she tried to rid her hand of the stabbing pain before returning to her work.

"Still working on that thing? I told you, I like your writing but this idea I do not agree with." Her mother protested, glaring at her youngest daughters hunched over figure.

"Because it's biblical?" She asked and continued writing.

"I don't want people getting the wrong idea about the bible. Angel's cannot have children, Lilith was not real--"

"Mom it's a story!" The girl was starting to grow frustrated, but a shred of what she just said was not true. She knew she had to get this story done as fast as possible before the puppeteer came to light.

"Well it's a story I don't approve of. You always write dark things, why can't you try writing something different?" Her mother's words angered her. It was her imagination, her book, her hand writing the story and creating the characters-- not her mother's. Although her mother meant for nothing but the best intentions, it still did not soothe the quiver of pain that struck her heart.

"This is not all dark, you haven't even read it." She sighed and refused to look up.

"I don't need to know that it' a dark story. From what you've told me, I don't like it." She had had enough of her mother's interferences. Standing up in a huff she nearly tripped over the golden pup at her feet. She began to trudge upstairs to continue.

"Where are you going? You never spend anytime with your family!" Her mother called from the downstairs, he hands firmly on her hips.

"I'd rather be alone right now." She croaked and reached the landing.

"You need to see a counselor." Her mother was demanding and it made the girl's blood boil.

"I need to work in peace," She growled and slammed the door behind her. At school she was cool like a cucumber, but her home life was riddled with landmines of accidents and mishaps. Sometimes, she wondered if she herself was one of those accidents. Shaking her depressing thoughts away, she sat on her bed and continued her writing. Pushing back her auburn streaked hair, she readied herself.

"Salayria, please be okay," She felt her heart breaking for what was to come. Just like herself, her friend would not be able to find a happily ever after like she should have.

Not yet at least.

"Gressil stop it." I groaned as something heavy bounced on the bed. The bouncing did not stop so I waved my hand in the air, desperate to steal a few more minutes of much deserved sleep. It only seemed to get harder so I started to whine. Gressil purred above my head and my body went cold. If Gressil was above my head, then who or what was jumping next to my legs. Someone grabbed my waist and started to shake me.

"Way up in the sky, the little birds fly! Way down in the nest, the little birds rest!" Michael grabbed my wrists, "With a wing to the left! And a wing to the right; good morning! Good morning, they all say in flight!" He waved my arms around wildly to simulate flying before I yanked my arms away.

"Go away pretty boy, I'm sleeping." I grunted and buried my face into my pillow.

"I'll have you know that some people have compared me to their celebrity crushes, thank you very much." He scoffed and curled up beside me fitting around my body like a shell.

"Sure they have," I grumbled and tried to doze off.

"You need to get up, it's almost nine." He grunted and rolled off the bed. When I did not move I heard the suspicious click and whirl of a device. Peeking a bit I was blinded by a sudden burst of light and whined in protest.

"Behemoth, what the hell?" I cried and rubbed my eyes furiously. He just snickered and took a seat next to me. I managed to open my eyes to see him grinning like the Cheshire Cat and fanning a sleek mini Polaroid, a vintage instant camera wrapped around his neck.

"I don't have many of you, so this is perfect." He blew on it lightly while grinning down at me. I smiled a bit, happy to pick up a little more information of the elusive Michael.

"So, you are a twenty year old virgo archangel, who is not a virgin and likes photography and long walks on the beach. And of course, Snuffles and Dante." He nodded with a pleased look pasted on his face.

"I'm glad you know so much about me so far," He chuckled and stared at the picture.

"I've known you liked photography since we met, idiot." I looked like a moth emerging from its cocoon, my honey eyes wide in shock. My freckles looked like stars splashed across my face and Michael's nordic blue eyes met my own honey gaze.

"I felt the need to point out the obvious," He stuck his tongue out childishly before returning his attention to the picture, "Very cute," He chuckled and carefully placed it in his cardigan pocket. Patting my hip he stood up and began to make his way to the door.

"You better hurry up, I'm leaving to go grab breakfast soon." The prospect of food made me move my butt. Swinging my legs around the bed and searching through my doors.

"Really, that got you moving?" Michael sneered as I picked out an outfit.

"I like food," My bluntness made him chuckle.

"Noted." He shook his head and exited the room to give me some privacy. Like lightning I was in jeans and a long sleeve, dashing out the room to get my food. My cards were left behind with Gressil who napped on my pillow. I expected this venture to be quick and I smiled up at Michael in glee.

"Come on Peanut." He graced me with a beautiful smile and laced his large hand in my small one. I felt like a child grasping an adult for dear life as we weaved through his palace of a house and waving to Eclair. Just before we exited the lively home I felt a pair of small hands wrap around my wrist and yank me back.

"Mommy…" Shae whimpered and buried her nose into my shoulder. I was momentarily stunned before I looked over to Michael in shock.

"Shae are you okay?" I asked as she gripped my arm like a child would grip their mother. Michael reached out and gently stroked Shae's hair as she sniffed.

"Eva's scared…" She mumbled and looked up at me with woeful eyes. Chance ran into the hallway with eyes full of wide terror.

"Shae, Eclair put me in charge of you!" Chance scowled as he stormed over to us.

"Careful Chance!" I winced as Shae jumped and gripped both Michael and I.

"Mommy! Daddy! Don't go!" She screamed as she was gently pulled away by Chance. I opened my mouth to say something but Michael just yanked the door open.

"We'll be back." He called and pulled me outside. The sunlight burned my eyes and I moved my glasses to block the view more. Scrunching my nose in discomfort we began to make out way around.

"Why did you do that?" I asked as he maneuvered me onto the sidewalk.

"I don't want to feed into her delusion." He sounded slightly pained as he gripped my hand tighter. Deciding to cheer the poor man up I began to bounce around in my usual giddy manner.

"So where are we going?" I asked, hopping up and down a tad bit as we made our way to an unknown destination.

"I was in the mood for a smoothie and a bagel. How about you?" I took away my hand to clap in excitement, loving the prospect of a bagel and a icy fruit beverage.

"Yes please. I love smoothies, especially anything with mango in it." My voice came out childlike and filled with joy. Michael retook my hand and lead me through the bright streets the light glittering off the gold and crystals that lines them. It's beauty still sent me in awe as I smiled brightly at the world.

"What are the lamps made of?" I inquired as we passed one dimly shining.

"It's called an ether light. It's a kind of stone infused with magic from Purgatory that absorbs the sun and uses that light at night." He pulled me behind him as we passed a couple who glared at our clasped hands. They were doing the same old-fashion pose Michael did with me the first time I was outside. I gently touched my nose piercing in embarrassment as if I was caught in the middle of intimate actions with Michael rather than holding hands.

"Purgatory?" I squeaked instead, trying to rid my embarrassment from my face. Michael's tattooed arms laid bare in the sunlight and I could not help but look at my own that was hidden behind the fabric of my clothes. I had not paid much attention to it, focused on other events. The appendage looked like it belonged to someone else instead of myself.

"Heaven's for angels, Hell is for demons, monsters have to have a place to call home." He never took his eyes off the sideway, the road beside of us bare. I was confused as to why they had roads anyways; I had never seen a single car around. That question I kept to myself incase the answer was as bloody obvious as my last. I turned my attention from the empty and seemingly useless road to Michael's tattoos. The gold and silver ink shimmered in the sunlight, creating a dazzling effect of his arm. The shine made it seem as if a rainbow was caught in the ink.

"Ha, gay…" I whispered under my breath and started to giggle uncontrollably. It was a joke I had heard Lilith make whenever she saw rainbows around her.

"What are you laughing about?" He had clearly been caught in his own world and had missed what I had said. That only sent me spiralling into a laughing fit.

"Don't worry about it." I snickered and wiped my eyes. Michael smiled down at me with a glow in his eyes I couldn't quite place. Soon we came to the more modern part of town where the demonic and angelic sides met. A large metal groove driving right down the main street.

"What is that?" I asked and nudged Michael. I had noticed the groove the other day when I had gone exploring and had been meaning to ask.

"A long time ago the angelic and demonic sides of time were split by an magical mechanical barrier. After it went up it was impossible to put down until the person who raised it was dead. The dark side of town built it after the Star-Blood's were murdered." We came to the passage and I hopped over it and almost tripped. Michael hauled me to my feet and suppressed laughter.

"You're too small for this world." He chuckled and pulled me closer, wrapping his arm around my waist. I went rigid at the foreign contact but it felt interestingly pleasant. Sheepishly I grabbed his pant leg and stared at the ground as we walked.

"Blame genetics not me." I grumbled, feeling the rough denim from his pants under my fingertips. I was met with no response and quickly the trickle of people around us became a flood. The people began to blend together with demonic, angelic and nephilim Guardians alike surrounding us. It was an interesting act that was played before me as we passed by the interactions between the folk that I found endless entertainment in. We passed by a young couple who appeared to be on a date; the green haired boy bounced around happily around the conservative young lady. Her pale face was flushed red in embarrassment which was a contrast to the boys inked dark skin that dazzled with glee. In as stall not too far away a man in a pristine suit was silent as a stone as the red haired woman rung through his purchases. On the outside he seemed to be disinterested, but his eyes glittered at her words. The more conservative people veered away from the colour and light of the cheery side of town. I found it to be a humorous oxymoron that the angels would be more prone to the dark while the demons bathed in the light. I knew that it was not their blood that made them who they were; it was their environment. I had been doing some reading in the book that Michael gave me; the world of Darklight was not always like this. I had been confused on what 'the wall' was mentioned in the book, but after this excursion with Michael I knew exactly what it was talking about. All I had been able to read was that the demons that were so kind today were known for trickery, deceit and horrific acts of violence. In fact they were the reason for the Salem witch trials-- an act they called as something to 'pass the dreadful spin of time and watch the maggots burn'. My spine shivered as I recalled that sentence.

"You okay there Peanut? You've been awfully quiet." I blinked at Michael's comment and became aware of my surroundings.

"Uh-huh." I gurgled a response and tried to get my bearings.

"You have an odd habit of drifting off.��� He chuckled as he weaved past the oncoming tide of people.

"Sorry, it's something I've always done." We turned down a slightly less crowded alley. The blue and canary yellow tents flapped slightly in the wind as people sat at oak park benches and chattering amongst themselves.The buildings shone like orange sandstone in the light as the booth attached to the glowing wall shone with a homely light, the people inside it bustling and cheerful. It reminded me much of the Rabbit Hole, a kind and comfortable place to eat and drink in the morning only this cafe extended to the outside.

"We're here." He stopped walking and retracted his hand from my waist. My expression had softened at the sight of the dainty place. I took a step towards the shop before an ironclad grip wrapped around my wrist and pulled me back gently.

"What is it?" I asked Michael who seemed jumpy and skittish. A light spread of pink dusted over his cheeks and he looked side to side. He looked like he was in slight pain and worry began to bloom in my chest.

"Bud, you okay?" I asked in worry. He nodded but his expression did not change. A angel couple walked past us and eyed us warily, their judgemental gaze sending pinpricks of nerves through Michael. I stopped worrying about their judgment a long time ago, but the tiny shake in Michael's posture showed that he was still under its control. He looked as if he wanted to break free from the restrictive confines of his world and walk as himself-- unashamed and empowered by his choices. I was impressed by my deduction of his mentality, but knew that I might of been wrong. Michael's eyebrows furrowed at the middle as he took a large breath like a tree that was holding on, one last strike of an axe would make him fall.

"Fuck it," Those words were the final whack as he let go of the shaky breath in his lungs. Gently grabbing my small face in his large hands he lunged down. Like pieces of a puzzle our lips fit together perfectly. He was nervous and shaking like a leaf, while my dumbass could only stand there in shock at the situation. I grabbed the front of his shirt with my eyes wide open and terrified. He pulled away from me and eyed my expression with his nerves dissolving at my beguiled expression. My heart fell and I felt like I had done something wrong in the kiss. It was my first and I had stood there like a statue.

"Y-You okay there?" He stuttered and stayed eye level with me.

"I am so so-sorry, I didn't kno--" He chuckled at my flustered stammering and pressed his lips against mine once more. This time I melted into it when his hand shifted to cradle the back of my head.

"Doubt the stars are made of fire," He pulled away for a puff of air before pressing his lips against mine again.

"Doubt the sun doth move," He repeated the action.

"Doubt truth to be a liar, but never doubt that I love." With those words entangled in puffs of breath he deepened the kiss, scattering butterflies into my stomach before they shattered. My mind and heart raced and the turn of events confounded me. Everything that had happened within the last week just sent my mind into every corner of confusion. When air was needed he pulled away. Both of our breaths were ragged and hearts beating like drums.

"I really do love you Peanut." My face fell and I felt like a balloon that had just been popped. My jaw was hanging open and my eyes burned in an unknown emotion. I began to sputter and babble incoherent words, but none were making any sense. My mind processed what had just happened and my body went slack. He just admitted his feelings but quoting Hamlet-- one of my alltime favourite Shakespearean plays which he was fully away of.

"Did I just break you?" He joked and stood up. My blush only intensified and my babbling increased until Michael pressed his hand against my mouth.

"I know this was sudden, but my brother told me to be blunt and spontaneous about it." I nodded at his words, unable to speak from his hand placed against my mouth.

"I understand that this is a bit of a shock. So how about you gather your bearings, and answer that when I come back." He pulled away from me with a wink before sauntering over to the store entrance. My body felt like every atom was vibrating and a tingling sensation lingered on my lips and shot through my arteries.

"I hope that Mary-Anne does not kill me." I managed to whisper.

"Ay yo ma! You rang?" A voice pulled me to the left to see Carina walking over to me in the same outfit I had saw her in the second time I met her.

"What?" Carina frowned and waved her phone in my face.

"You texted me to meet you here. I saw your little make-out session with Michael there, nice job." She winked at me evilly but I was absolutely bewildered.

"Carina, I didn't even know I was going to be here." We both stilled and I looked over at Michael with my heart in a vice grip. He seemed nervous with his foot tapping constantly.

"Good morning you two." A familiar voice said behind us. I jumped slightly before turning to see a friendly face.

"Oh jeez bud, you scared me." I grabbed my chest and laughed nervously.

"What are you doing here?" Carina gave them a polite smile. They rested their hand on each of our shoulders and squeezed lightly. Ducking their head down they began to whisper.

"I came here for you two." The words ran my blood cold. Something was wrong and I knew it at the wicked grin they flashed at us. I opened my mouth to yell for Michael, but a fog circled around our legs. The ground suddenly disappeared beneath our feet and I clutched onto Carina. I didn't have time to scream and neither did she as the ground swallowed us into darkness, a set of glittering eyes shining above us was the last thing I saw.

Michael was moonstruck as he stood in line waiting patiently with an impatience growing in his chest.

What if I did something wrong? What if she doesn't feel the same way? Oh God, what would I do if she says no? Did I just royally screw up our friendship then, and my only chance? These thoughts raced through his mind. He tapped his foot in anticipation, gently touching his lips in awe. A tiny bubble of relief burst through him.

I finally kissed her, he almost squealed like a girl at the thought but he kept himself composed. The girl at the other side of the cafe beckoned him over, holding onto a tray with his plastic cups and a to-go bag with the bagels.

"Well, well if it it's Michael Black. Any chance I could treat you to a drink?" She grinned and leaned against the counter. Michael did not even know this girls name and yet she knew his. The Michael from a few months ago would have flirted back and took her out. He would of had his way with her and forgotten her, but now he was a changed me.

"Sorry sweetie, but I'm here with the girl I love." He went quiet when he said it still in shock over his bluntness. She blinked in surprise and disappointment before wishing him well and going back to work.

"That's cute you knew her order." The cashier with a thick English accent came over to him. He wiped his hands on his apron and nodded towards the mango smoothie on the tray.

"I heard you two chatting over there. Never said what she wanted, yet you seemed to know." Michael flushed red again and sheepishly took the food.

"She mentioned mangoes earlier. I just hope she likes it." The cashier grinned at Michael's demeanor and leaned forward.

"Stop worrying mate. I can sense your anxiety from the back. If a girl doesn't want to be kissed, she'd go ahead and slap the bloke who did so. She didn't; henceforth you're fine." Michael smiled in appreciation and said his farewells. When he turned around he felt this stomach drop. She was not there waiting for him, she was not anywhere in sight.

Did she run away from me? He thought to himself and he trudged over to the spot. He noticed a familiar face staring intently there.

"Good morning Judge Meihui," He groaned at the asian witch with tiger hair. Her tattoos danced in feathers across her face, her golden eyes glaring at the spot.

"Michael come here." She ordered. Michael was not in the mood to humour her but turned around anyways.

"What?" His voice came out sharp like the fragments of his heart. Meihui ignored it and waved her hand ominously.

"Your lady friend, who is she?" Her eyes never left the spot.

"The Star-Blood madame." She went rigid and her eyes finally dragged themselves to Michael.

"You seem agitated." The witch had been known to switch subjects when she was trying to avoid a serious matter, and this skill was making Michael cross.

"I am. I told her something important and she left me," Meihui shook her head.

"Less than a minute ago I felt two souls leave this world and depart to another. And it was not of their own accord." His skin prickled and his grip on the tray tightened. .

"Was she standing there?" She pointed to the now empty space where Michael had left her.

"When I last checked yes." Meihui stood up so fast that the table shook. Some eyes trailed over to the woman, but Michael's was on the lines on the table. Sharp squeaking was heard and growled before the table was shook with the weight of something jumping on it. Gressil screeched at Michael before hopping off the table and running to the vacant spot his master was moments prior. He jumped up and down and scratched at the cobblestone.

"I sense something dark happened." The Judge floated over to the spot and caressed the ground. Michael's heart pounded in his chest and his blood roared in his ears. Meihui summoned a ball of telekinetic energy that bounced in her hand.

"Call a meeting. Tell all the judges that the Star-Blood has been kidnapped." The ball split into thirteen small balls before shooting into different directions. Michael felt the tray fall from his hands and crash to the floor. And that was the moment that his world began to unravel.