Of Light And Shadows

It took two days for Lucifer to be well enough to leave the Infirmary. Jia watched as he fastened the tie around his neck and stood.

Since telling her he was going to teach her to defend herself, she’d spent almost every minute with him. He’d agreed that the safest place for her was beside him while Satan was making his plans and she’d had no problems following his advice.

Mammon and Belphegor dropped by regularly, as did the rest of the Devils, to report on how the academy was doing in his absence and to see if he was okay. Every single one of them addressed him with a level of respect she’d not noticed them exhibit before.

“Everyone is acting differently around you,” she said as he slipped a dark navy suit jacket over his shoulders.

“That’s because they know I could have fought back,” he answered, fiddling with his shirt sleeves. “They also know that if I had they’d all be worse off. They’ll go back to normal soon.”

She saw his brow tighten a little as he adjusted the back of his collar, betraying the fact that he was still in pain. He still had tape around two of his fingers where the bone hadn’t set right. It had needed to be re-broken despite Sellik’s best efforts to fix it.

“How are you feeling?” she asked. He arched one dark eyebrow at her.

“For the fiftieth time, I’m alright.”

“Your face says otherwise. You keep flinching when you stretch.”

“My father cut my heart and lungs to ribbons with a knife. It’s not surprising that I still have some pain. You don’t need to worry.” He crossed the space and pulled her against him, wrapping her in a rare, gentle hug. “But I appreciate that you do.”

His voice was soft and honey smooth as he spoke quietly into her hair.

“You’re hugging me. You don’t hug. Usually it’s me that hugs you.”

“Would you like me to stop?”

“No,” she replied immediately, circling her arms around his waist to keep him there. He smelled wonderful despite his time in the Infirmary.

“I’m glad you’re safe. I was worried when he came that you’d be hurt while I couldn’t protect you. I’m very happy that you weren’t. Had I been able, I would’ve hugged you much sooner.” He dropped his arms and went to step back, pausing when she didn’t let go.

“I’m not done yet,” she protested. He chuckled and held her tighter, careful not to hurt himself. “This is great. You should become a hugger.”

“No,” he replied. “Hugging implies I’m nice.”

“Are you not nice?” she asked in surprise as she pulled back a little, looking up at him to find him looking right back with a faint half smile on his lips.

His face was suddenly very close to hers. She felt heat creep into her cheeks and moved away immediately, letting him go. He grinned.

“Shut up,” she muttered.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to.” His grin broadened.

“Why are you blushing?”

“No reason,” she answered quickly. “Don’t you have work to do? You’ve been slacking off for several days now.”

“I was dead for half that time.” He folded his arms across his chest, the smile still not slipping from his face.

“That doesn’t mean the work won’t be waiting for you.”

“I suppose you’re right.” She watched as he disappeared through the curtain, taking a breath to compose herself before she followed him. Sellik collared him on the way out of the Infirmary.

“Now wait just a second,” she demanded. Lucifer stopped and turned. “Are you sure you’re ready to leave? You’re still in pain.”

“Not enough to stop me going back to normal,” he replied.

“On a scale of one to ten, rate your pain,” she demanded.

“Three.” She poked him in the chest, hard.

“Now rate it.”

“Obviously it’s worse now,” he choked, clutching the spot where it hurt and scowling at her.

“Rate it or I’ll poke it again!”

“Six,” he grumbled immediately. “Not enough to make me stay here.” Some of the wheeziness had returned to his voice, but he stood up straight and stared evenly at the attendant.

“You should be on bed rest for another few days,” she complained.

“And leave the academy to my idiot brothers? Not a chance.”

“They can handle things.”

“Sellik, it’s rare that I give you orders. It’s rarer still that I disregard your advice. Unfortunately on this occasion I have to. I have a Vampire to deal with.” Jia’s eyes widened.

“Fine,” Sellik growled. “But as soon as you feel worse or you have any bleeding you come straight back.”

“I will.” He turned and left before she could say anything else. When they were outside Jia caught him rubbing the sore spot and stopped him, taking a hold of his elbow.

“It’s more than a six isn’t it?” she asked.

“I’d say it’s probably more like an eight but I’ll be fine. Just don’t prod my knife wound,” he answered wryly.

“Are we going to see Evander now?”

“We are.”

“Is it a good idea with you still hurt?” she asked doubtfully.

“I thought you might like to see how he’s doing since you’ve asked me to let you visit a thousand times. Would you prefer to wait a few more days?” She chewed her lip, drawing another amused smile from him when she didn’t answer. “He’s this way.”

She followed him through a few more corridors until they reached a set of stairs leading downwards. He stopped at the top and gave her a serious look.

“It’s unlikely that he’ll attack you out of thirst since Vampires don’t drink Demon blood. The energy of this realm is enough now that he no longer needs blood to survive here. Sellik was due to give him his last lot the day my father killed me.”

“Don’t say it so casually,” she shuddered. “You died. It’s not normal.”

“What would you like me to say instead?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.

“I don’t know. Not that,” she shrugged. He raised an eyebrow before continuing on.

“Evan is in chains at the moment. He can move freely around his room but the chains will stop him going any further. Whatever you do, please don’t rush right up to him. Wait to see how he reacts before you go near him. Your Demon heritage might not be enough to dilute the Angel blood in your veins."

“Are you coming in with me?”

“I wouldn’t allow you in there without me.” He started down the stairs, the flickering torches on the wall casting a glow across his back as he walked. “If this meeting goes well I plan to start allowing him out of the room.”

“That would be nice.” Jia smiled at the thought of her friend being free again. When they reached the bottom of the stairs she was greeted by a long corridor with various doors branching off it. The carpet beneath her feet was the same rich, thick covering that was in the hall outside her bedroom.

“What is this place?” she asked.

“An old dorm. We don’t use it anymore so I thought it would be a good place to keep Evander without making him uncomfortable. He’s in here.” He stopped outside the only door with light filtering around the frame.

“Thank you for being so thoughtful. I was worried he’d be in a cage or something.” Lucifer chuckled before turning back to the door.

“Evander? You have a visitor. If you’re nearby please move away from the door.” He paused for a moment before he took a key from his pocket and turned it in the lock. “Stay behind me for now,” he warned Jia. She nodded and followed him inside.

The bedroom was plain but pleasant enough. There was a window that looked out onto the grounds around the academy, but even from her position behind Louie, Jia could see the sheen over the surface confirming that it was enchanted so Evan couldn’t break out.

There was a small desk with a chair in one corner and a book case in the other. The bed was double and covered in thick, luxurious bedding.

Evander sat on it with a book in his hands, his legs crossed and a shackle around his left wrist. It was connected to a long chain and fastened to the wall by a heavy duty bracket. It was clearly new and specially made to detain him. He was looking up at them as they entered and Jia stifled a gasp.

His body was unnaturally still, his skin a pallid white now the Vampire virus had sapped it of its healthy vitality. The contrast made his dark brown hair appear almost black. His eyes were startling silver, framed by thick black lashes and filled with uncertainty.

He closed the book slowly and set it aside, making no move to get off the bed. She felt a prickle of unease skitter down her spine. He was watching her like a caged animal.

“Lucifer,” he said quietly. “I haven’t seen you for a few days.”

“I was in the Infirmary,” the Demon answered. “Sellik tells me you’ve been doing well so I thought it was about time we try you with a visitor.” Lucifer was still stood firmly in front of her. “How are you feeling with Jia in the room?”

“Fine,” Evan shrugged. “I don’t plan on tearing off her head, if that’s what you mean.” Through the silver eyes and the fangs she saw a hint of her best friend.

“Good.” Lucifer moved aside so Jia could get closer. She took several hesitant steps forwards, eager to see him but afraid in case he wasn’t himself anymore.

“Evan?”

“Hey,” he said, flashing her that wicked smile she’d missed so much. It was still him even with the new teeth. “I’d hug you but I don’t want it to look like I’m trying to hurt you and risk your friend snapping my neck.”

“He won’t hurt you.” She continued forwards until she was right beside him. He climbed off the bed, moving slowly to avoid startling either of them. When he stood in front of her he was even taller than Lucifer.

She looked up at him and he bent and grabbed her, pulling her into a bear hug that lifted her off her feet. A giggle bubbled up inside her as he set her back down.

“I missed you,” he said. “It’s really good to see you, Jia.”