43 CHAPTER FORTY THREE

"... are you joking?"

"Nope."

I blinked slowly, trying to digest the unbelievable information she just gave me.

"But... I'm human?"

I wanted it to be more of a statement than a question, but my confusion forced me to think twice. What if everything I knew so far was actually dust in the wind?

She sighed softly and looked at me with big eyes, full of pity.

"I know it's hard to hear such a thing so suddenly. But it's true. You are half-angel. But here's the trick: there are no records of half-angel humans because they don't manifest any powers. The human genes are predominant, for some reason, so you can say you are mostly human."

"Then... why would you tell me this? It's not like there's a lot on my mind already. Why add more, especially when he's dead anyway? I can't talk to my mom to ask her anything too. So what's the point, Jessica?"

I threw her a bittersweet smile and I could sense my lips trembling. She sighed again, adjusting her wild hair.

"Because that's why you are unlucky. You haven't been touched by a demon who brings misfortune or something similar. Your bad luck is because your father chose his feelings over God. It's like a curse. At least, that's what the angel told me and, also... apparently half-angels don't age. At all. So, congratulations! You are immortal!"

"Okay, now you gotta be joking."

I froze, looking at her with a skeptical gaze. There was no way that I was immortal. It couldn't be possible.

"It's true. Apparently, when half-angels are spotted because of their immortality, they are searched by the angels and put to blend in with the humans and carry certain tasks for them throughout the years. It's quite pitiable, though. They can't go to heaven, because they are still human, but they can't die, because they are half-angel. Forever roaming around the Earth... but, look at the bright side! If you ever get bored, you can descend to hell and become a demon! We don't have such strict rules like the heaven!"

I grimaced, still shocked by her information.

"If I can't become an angel, then can I become a demon?"

My mind was trying to process all the things that were happening and I could swear I could smell something burning.

"Yeah, you know, angels could come to hell anytime they want, but we can't go in heaven and, even after millions of years, we still don't know if God is actually real or it's just a puppet made by the angels to keep us in order. Like, where was this dude when the worlds were almost destroyed? Quite weird, isn't it?"

"...oh God... I'm... half-angel?!"

I still couldn't believe it. My dad... I always thought of him highly, to the point I really looked up at him as an angel... but him, being an actual angel...? That was... just impossible.

"It's okay, Ivy Moore. Angels always come down on Earth to check on humans, and because they are curious about them, some fall in love. It happens. Because they have to use human vessels, just like us, demons. It's completely possible, but kind of hard to move an immortal being's heart. Your mom surely is extraordinary."

"Yeah... my mom is amazing..."

I shook my head, trying to not remember the painful memories of my family. But, in a way, the night in which my father lost his life in the car accident... and not being my fault entirely, made me feel a bit better. I've always thought that I've done something wrong, that made bad luck come to me. But, if it was because of God's rage as I was half-angel... it could explain things a bit, and it made me understand that my bad luck was out of my control, and it wasn't my, or my family's fault.

"It's God's fault. For not allowing my dad to live happily."

I threw her a sarcastic smile. I couldn't believe I was blaming our own creator.

Jessica sighed and placed a hand on my shoulder, trying to comfort me.

"I don't think it's anyone's fault. God made this curse so people, like you, wouldn't have to suffer by living on Earth, without being able to rest. Death might be scary, but it can be a blessing. It's too tiresome to roam around for eternity. Believe me. Us, demons, and angels have become so cold and unhumane because of this. Back in the day... we were quite similar to humans, you know. But, after a few million of years... it's getting boring. But, your father knowing about the curse and still wanting to have you... you can either see it as being selfish or an act of love. He loved you before you were born. So, he probably wanted to stick to you for eternity. Maybe he was lonely you know. Your mother would have to rest eventually. But you will still be there."

I listened to her words and I realized she was right. Living forever was a curse. God used this measure so no one would try to do it, but my dad still did it because he loved me...

"Oh my God, what about my brother?!" I asked, Jessica, with my eyes open wide.

She shook her head solemnly.

"He is only half-brother. Your mother had... an adventure."

My mouth fell open. That couldn't be!

"My mother loved my father to bits! She would have never done this!"

"It's true she loved him, but according to this angel, your mother got way too drunk at a staff party at the company she was working back then, and well, in a way, you could say she was raped. She wanted an abortion, but your dad was pro-life. So, he convinced her to keep the child. I mean, if someone did this to me, I would've dumped them, not gonna lie. My body, my rules! But ugh, angels can be too soft-hearted sometimes. But, oh well, your brother is quite nice, so it turned out well in the end, I guess."

I didn't know how to react. My parents were loving and kind, and I would never have dreamt that they would keep such dark secrets from me. But, in a way... it would've been better not to know. Tho, I would've figured out that something was wrong if I wasn't aging like everybody else...

"But, in a nutshell, that is why Mr. Angry Fox was drawn to you, initially. Angels are like a drug to us, I swear. Maybe because they taste like the forbidden fruit? Who knows."

"So, you are saying that Caiden liking me is only because of my angel side?"

She shook her head with a serious expression plastered on her pale face.

"Of course not. If it would've been like this, he would've moved on until now. Do you see me hovering over you...? I guess the night is still young, don't answer this question."

I rolled my eyes. I knew she couldn't be serious for five minutes straight.

"But, anyway, he really likes you for being you. So, congratulations? You can live together happily ever after!"

"Hm. I don't think so, tho?"

A harsh voice made me and Jessica turn around, towards, the hallway of my apartment. Right next to the living door, a man dressed in casual clothes, with dark, short hair, was smiling at us with his arms crossed over his big chest.

Kasho.

I jumped on my feet and his grin got bigger, watching me with narrowed eyes.

Jessica was already pushing me behind her, getting out her sharp knives.

"Ladies! Why are you so flustered? I'm here just to have a chat. It's quite hard to see this little bunny, over there. How are you, Ivy?"

I gulped, while his bloody red eyes were scanning me carefully.

Could he... remember me? How did he know who I was?

I barely could recognize him, with his modern clothes and his hair cut almost zero.

"How... how do you know who I am?"

He chuckled and made a move, making Jessica tense. Taking a few steps, Kasho stopped next to a shelf stuck on the wall, close to my sofa. He picked up a vase with no flowers, as I always forgot to buy new ones for decoration. He then turned it upside down, and something fell from it, directly in his hand. He showed it to us. A recorder.

He listened to me speaking shit for God knows how long.

"Oh my God..."

"My apologies for spying on you without your consent, Ivy. I just needed information on our mutual friend, Satoshi. But, now you kind of piqued my curiosity."

"Look, fox, she has nothing to do with this situation. Why don't you pick on that boring Satoshi, if you don't mind?"

Jessica's voice was harsh, but I could sense her being nervous. This was not a favorable situation for us. So, slowly, I reached out to my pendant.

A knife flew towards me and Jessica barely managed to grab me form its way, before it hit the wall, getting stuck in it.

"If you try to call Satoshi now, I will be very sad. I don't want to see him just now, as something else is more interesting."

"You... you said you want him!"

"Yeah, I do, but not right now. We were having a conversation! How can you be so rude to interrupt me while talking?"

Jessica clenched tightly her mouth and I flinched, afraid of what he wanted to do to me.

"...what do you want?"

"So, you are half-angel."

He walked around the sofa, standing right in front of us, and then just let himself fall on it, sitting comfortably. I blinked a few times, surprised by his not-so-hostile behavior. Well, ignoring the dagger he threw towards me a few seconds ago.

"... so what if I am?"

"I'm half-demon."

Jessica and I stood silent. We already knew that. Caiden told us before. So why was he bringing up this topic?

"So?"

"Isn't it interesting? We are the exact opposites but at the same time, similar. Both humans, both having a different side to ourselves. But you are an angel, and I am a demon. Isn't it romantic?"

"Cut the crap, dirty fox. What exactly do you want?"

He glared at Jessica, with a displeased expression on his face. I couldn't help but notice the similarities he had with Caiden. It was the same as in the past, but now you could tell he wasn't as wild as before. Maybe because he lived longer? Or because he had to get accustomed to these modern times in which you couldn't exactly kill someone on the street? Probably both.

"I was curious about why Satoshi was protecting her... but being half-angel? Quite rare. You know, your blood is amazing. You can heal someone in seconds. Mine... is just dirty. But, I guess I still win, since I don't have that rotten curse from God."

I could see Jessica frantically thinking about her next move. And I took a deep breath. We were cornered. He knew about the pendant as well... and probably the demons that were following me were already dead, as Kasho was too relaxed.

"So, what do you want?" I asked him again, making a step so I could stand right next to Jessica.

I didn't know how immortal I was, but I couldn't keep hiding. He clearly wanted something from me, and as we were on the losing part, we had to make a deal with him.

He grinned, crossing a leg over the other.

"Your blood. But, I will need it for quite a long time, so I suggest that you join me. Traveling together, what do you think?"

I opened my mouth, throwing him a scandalized expression. He raised a hand, stopping me from uttering any words.

"You don't have to give me your answer now. I'm a patient guy. But, you will probably join me anyway when I will kill your beloved Satoshi. If you are so into demons, is there any difference if it's me or him, huh?"

I was so shocked I couldn't say anything. Jessica was watching him carefully, as he rose on his feet.

"Well, I will say goodbye for now, but we'll meet soon, Ivy. And let Satoshi know that his location is compromised. I will face him soon, but not now. I have some preparations to do."

And with that being said, he walked carefree towards the door, opened it and then closed it behind him with a sharp click, leaving me and Jessica in total confusion.