Chapter 9 : Calling Ai & Satanael

Ai was sitting on her bed, holding her phone. She was anxious and impatient, waiting for Shandor's response. She had bombarded him with messages, but he hadn't replied. She wondered what he was doing, where he was, if he was okay.

She had really grown attached to him. He was funny, kind, cool. He told her incredible stories, taught her interesting things. He is one of few persons that she trusts.

But he was also mysterious, secretive, distant. He didn't talk about his past or his plans. He didn't tell her where he was going or when he would be back. He didn't show his emotions or weaknesses.

Even her, she couldn't maintain such a mask when it came to him. She needed to excel more in the art of lying.

She wanted to know more about him. She wanted to understand and support him. She wanted to be closer to him. She wanted to be more than just a friend to him, even though he was older. Maybe that's why he kept a boundary between them.

She didn't know how to proceed. She didn't know how to capture his attention, how to pique his interest, how to touch his heart.

She tried to tease him, flatter him, charm him. She tried calling him, sending him messages. She tried to be cute, funny, sexy. Even though these emotions were fake, she hoped that one day they would become real.

But nothing worked. He remained indifferent, impassive, unaffected.

She felt frustrated, disappointed. Maybe he already had a woman ? But he hadn't told her anything about that. Did he ever see her as a woman ?

She wondered if she should continue to hope, to struggle, to dream.

Or if she should give up. Resign herself. Forget him. Don't idols have the right to happiness ? Doesn't she have that privilege too ?

She sighed and looked at her phone. She saw an incoming call.

It was Shandor.

She felt her heart race. She answered and put the phone to her ear.

"Hello ? Shandor ? Is that you ?" She didn't know why, but she could feel butterflies in her stomach. She didn't understand this feeling, perhaps an illusion ?

She heard his deep and raspy voice as usual.

"Ai. It's me, Shandor." On the other end of the phone, the redhead man simply intended to apologize. The alcohol had gotten to his head, so he wasn't too keen on having a conversation.

She let out a cry of joy and excitement. "Shandor ! Oh my god, you're alive ! Where have you been ? What happened ? Are you okay ?"

Shandor felt bad for the girl. He didn't want to tell her about his journey or lie to her. He knew she wasn't aware of the supernatural world, and he had to keep it hidden from her for her safety. He searched for a plausible excuse to reassure her and make her stop asking questions.

"I'm sorry, Ai. I couldn't reply earlier. I was on a business trip for an important contract. No network, no free time. I just got back home, and I'm exhausted."

He hoped she would believe him and not ask too many questions. He hoped she wouldn't be too curious or clingy.

He heard her soft and worried voice. "A business trip ? What kind of business ?Where did you go ? Who did you go with ? What kind of contract ? Did you have any problems ? Were you hurt ?"

Shandor sighed. He should have expected this... She asks too many questions ! Doesn't this kid have anything better to do ?

"Ai, Ai, calm down. It's not important. It was just a boring thing, with boring people, in a boring place. Nothing dangerous or exciting. You don't need to know the details. It's confidential." Lying was as easy as breathing for him.

He hoped she would leave him alone and change the subject. He hoped she wouldn't be too insistent or frustrated.

He heard her pouting and disappointed voice.

"You're mean ! You're secretive ! You're mysterious ! But I'll find out someday !"

Shandor smiled. He found it amusing and cute. She was too naive, but she was still a teenager after all.

"Tomorrow, after your work at 6 o'clock, I'll treat you to coffee as an apology, fine ?" He preferred sake, but he wasn't crazy enough to suggest alcohol. He needed to make Ai understand that she was getting too involved in his affairs.

This girl had grown too attached to him, he wasn't naive. That was precisely the problem, it was too dangerous. Ai might get caught up in supernatural problems because of him, and he wouldn't accept someone else being hurt or killed because of him.

Suddenly, a portal appeared in his room. Shandor was surprised by the appearance of the portal. He recognized the symbol of the Fallen Angels and became alert. It was an unwelcome visitor again, his anger grew. Another person intruding into his room, don't they know any respect ?

He saw a figure emerge from the portal and squinted his eyes. He recognized the face of his guest, and his anger intensified.

It was Satanael, one of the most powerful and famous Fallen Angels. He was especially known for betraying Azazel, the leader of the Fallen Angels, and had been missing for years. He was in no way weaker than the Chief of Grigori.

Shandor already knew him, of course. This guy had been alongside Azazel in the Great War, so naturally they had clashed. But he hadn't seen or spoken to him since then. He didn't know what he wanted or why he was here. But he was annoyed.

One thing was certain, he hated deserters, especially traitors. This guy was one, even if it wasn't his business. He showed up before him as if nothing had happened. Doesn't he know that he is dead by coming here ? There must be an objective.

Shandor looked at him with hostility.

"What are you doing here ? How did you find my location ? What do you want from me ?"

He heard Satanael's suave and mocking voice.

"Well, well, Shandor. I'm delighted to finally see you again." He saw his smug and seductive smile, making him disgusted. "I've come to make you a proposition. A proposition that might interest you." Shandor could see the calculating gaze of the man, his Conqueror's Haki starting to manifest. He was getting really pissed off.

He finally heard Ai's surprised and curious voice. "Huh ? Shandor ? What's going on ? Who is this ? What's happening ?"

"I have to go, we'll talk tomorrow." Shandor hung up the phone, focusing on the damned raven in front of him. Was he a magnet for Fallen Angels ? Azazel, Kokabiel, and now this guy ? All disrespectful...

"I won't bother you for long, don't worry, you'll be delighted with my proposition." Satanael wore a mischievous smile as he made his request.

"I've come to ask you to join the Khaos Brigade."