The Demon's Pa

I frowned at the two of them, “He didn’t tell you what it means to be a Promise angel?”

Rain shook her head, “No.” She paused, “He merely looked at me strangely and threw his arms around me, thanking me for existing.”

“He did?” I asked disbelievingly, wondering who on earth it had been. “Are you his Promise angel or the PA of his royal?” I questioned.

Rain shrugged, “I don’t know, he never said. I screamed and he let go of me and then he left saying something of having to let someone know called… uh.. well I can’t remember right now but it was a really odd name.”

It had to be one of the royals, “Norabo?” I questioned.

She shook her head, “No that isn’t it, I think it was something with a ‘J’ maybe, but I was a little distracted to actually remember what the vampire had said.” She laughed nervously.

“Jagger?” I suggested and her face lit up.

“Yes! That’s the one. How did you know? Do you know him?”

I shrugged, “He’s my brother in law.” I eyed her carefully. Her long brown hair fell over her shoulders down to her waist and she had grey eyes, tanned skin and was rather short. She would fit with Jagger rather nicely, but just as I fit with Alexander, Cherise with Oberon and Lucy fit with Viktor it was to be expected. They were soulmates.

Her face contoured in shock, “Wait, does that mean you know what the vampire meant when he called me a Promise angel?”

I nodded, “I am a Promise angel, but to someone else.”

Su and Rain both raised an eyebrow, “You are?”

“Yeah, but the man I…” I sighed, “It’s complicated, so let’s just say that the seven royal vampires have Promise angels who can love them completely.”

Rain snorted, but said nothing.

Su shot out of her chair, “Hold on, hold on! What do you mean ‘love completely’?”

“We have the capability to love those vampires completely even if they are all half demon.” Or full demon trying to kill us, but I didn’t say that out loud.

“I could never love a vampire.” Rain stated and I almost laughed.

“We’re all like that in the beginning…” I told her gently, “But trust me, the attraction will just be too much too ignore.”

“But you’re a vampire, so it’s a lot different.” Rain said softly.

“I wasn’t always a vampire.”

Su narrowed her eyes, “He turned you?”

I nodded, “To save my life.”

“There is no way I’m letting some vampire turn me into a blood sucker.” Rain proclaimed.

“Hmm, we’ll see if you still think that when you meet him. Jagger is the smart one in the family so I think you’ll like him.”

“He is?” She questioned almost looking excited but not quite, “Well, I don’t really care.”

“Of course not.” I said sarcastically but it didn’t look like she’d picked up on it. “I’m glad he found you at least.” I said, “We’re going to need you soon.”

“We?” Rain asked.

“And for what are you going to need her?” Su added with a frown.

Realisation hit me like a ton of bricks, of course they didn’t know about the demons or the coming war, they were human. “Oh right. And it’s the whole world that is going to need you.” And so I told them about the war that was coming and how we needed the seven Promise angels if we wanted to defeat Clades once and for all.

Su made a thoughtful sound after what I’d told them, but Rain remained silent.

“So yeah.” I finished off, “You haven’t by any chance had a vison or something have you?”

Rain hesitated, “Not that I know of.”

“We still have a little time, but please tell me if you have one, otherwise we won’t be able to kill the demon.”

Their little brother who’d been sitting on the floor playing with blocks looked up at me questioningly, “Does that mean my sister has to leave?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but shut it again. I couldn’t decide that for her. Ultimately the decision would be up to her and Jagger would certainly have some say or influence on it. “Her coming with us would be ideal, but I can’t force her.” I told him kindly, “It’s going to be her choice.” I gave Rain an intent look before looking away.

“Where is the vampire whose Promise angel you are?” Su asked when the silence had gone on for an uncomfortable amount of time.

“Like is said…” I trailed off, “It’s complicated. I’d prefer not to tell you, Rain… unless I have to. I don’t want to scare you before you even meet Jagger.”

Su narrowed her eyes, “Now that makes me worry.”

My eyes widened, “No, it’s nothing like that don’t worry he would never hurt me intentionally.” Except for the fact that he wanted to kill me at the moment.

“Do you love him?” Rain asked.

I let my head fall into my hands, “Of course I do, no matter what happens, I’ll always love him.”

Heli made a puking sound, “That’s girl stuff.”

I laughed at him and after a moment Rain and Su joined me.

I stopped laughing abruptly when I heard the fast approaching footsteps. They followed so shortly after one another I knew that anyone traveling at that speed would have to be a royal… or a demon.

Cold shrivelled my heart. Was it Alexander? Had he caught up to me?

I shot to my feet, “Someone is coming.”

Su looked at me enquiringly, “What do you mean?”

I sniffed the air, it didn’t smell like Alexander and yet, it did. That meant it had to be Jagger, didn’t it? I took a deep breath and let it out slowly as I tried to calm my nerves by acting like a human. I could only hope that it was Jagger and not Alexander.

“Ash?” Su asked but I ignored her, my eyes were focussed on the ‘door’, ready to attack if it was Alexander. Maybe I could take him down if he didn’t see it coming. I highly doubted it, but I would have no choice but to try if it was him… Rain needed to live.

The footsteps stopped right outside and I watched as the dark figure stepped through the gap in the rock.

A surprised look crossed his face when he saw me, “Ash?”

I sighed in relief, “Jagger.”

“What are you-” he stopped talking abruptly and his head snapped in rain’s direction. His lips parted slowly as he stared at her, looking absolutely dumbstruck. His hand went to his mouth as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Rain was staring right back at him, but her expression was unreadable and I couldn’t tell what was going through her head. Did she at least think he was attractive?

“H-h-hi.” Jagger stuttered as he slowly let his arm fall to his side again. “You’re beautiful.”

Rain didn’t even flinch at his bold statement but Su’s eyes widened to the point I believed they couldn’t go any bigger without her eyeballs popping out.

“Hey.” Rain finally said, “You must be Jagger.”

Jagger’s face softened when she said his name and he looked at her carefully, “I am.” He took a step towards her, “What’s your name?”

“I’m Rain.”

“Rain,” he all but purred, “That’s beautiful. You’re perfect.”

I cleared my throat loudly to try and signal Jagger that he was being creepy, but it didn’t seem like he even noticed me as he continued to stare at her. I walked closer and hit him on the back rather hard, “All right, that’s good now we all know each other. Very good, very good.” I continued to hit him until he turned to face me.

“So what are you doing here, Ash?” he asked as her eyes went back to Rain.

“You all were right,” I said, “Alexander is alive.”

Jagger’s concentration on Rain was momentarily broken as his face turned serious, “He is?” He frowned, “Then why don’t you look very happy about it?”

“I am happy about it, I’m just not happy that he can’t remember me and is hunting me down to kill me.”

“To kill you?” Jagger repeated as he scratched his chin.

I nodded, “Yes and I’m running away from him, that’s why I’m here.”

Jagger made another thoughtful sound, “Do you need any help? I’m sure that with enough vampires we can stop him.”

I shook my head again, “I don’t think that’s necessary, I’m rather certain I managed to throw him off of my trail. Besides, he has control over everyone he’s created even if he doesn’t know it.”

Jagger’s expression darkened, “He does?” When I nodded solemnly he sighed, “Well damn, I’d hoped that that wouldn’t be the case. And what about the location of the war? Have you heard anything?”

I shook my head, “No, but I should get going now.” I said as I started walking away, “I’m glad you found your Promise angel Jagger.” I said with a smile.

“No Ash wait!” Su exclaimed and I turned back. “Please just stay. I don’t trust him.” She glanced in Jagger’s direction and he narrowed his eyes at her warningly.

I sighed, “Fine, but I can only stay a little while. Only until Rain decides what she’s going to do.”

Jagger then tuned all his attention back to Rain, “So you know that you’re… that you’re my Promise angel?”

She nodded slowly, “Yes, Ash… explained.”

“Will you accept me?” He got straight down to the point.

“Uh…” she made an unsure sound.

“Gosh Jagger,” I exclaimed in horror as his bluntness continued, “You can’t just ask her that! She just met you!”

He shot a panicked look in Rain’s direction, “I’m sorry for being so… forward, but it’s just that I’ve been waiting to meet you for almost two thousand years and now that I have, you’re just so beautiful and I just want to hug and kiss you and tell you how much I love you.” He continued to ramble on like some idiot. “I want to ask you about your life and your family who are staring at me like I’m crazy at the moment and I want to know what you think the meaning of life is and what you think happens to our souls after death. I want to know what you do for fun and how you feel about other people. I want to hear you laugh and watch you sleep and I want to know what you think of me and what you think about Newton’s first law and what that expression on your face at the moment means…” He trailed off awkwardly and looked down, “I should probably shut up now…”

I raised an eyebrow, who ever would have thought Jagger would be like this when he met his PA, he always seemed so formal but at the moment he was word vomiting the most embarrassing crap possible.

The silence that surrounded us after Jagger’s weird statements was broken by Rain who’d started to laugh. She was the only one who was laughing at how stupid Jagger was being and I grinned, they were going to get along just fine.

Rain just continued to laugh as we all watched her, “I’m sorry, but you’re the weirdest vampire I’ve ever met.”

Jagger hesitated, “Is that a good or a bad thing?”

She continued to laugh a little longer before she said, “Honestly I’m not sure.”

“Well at least she doesn’t hate you.” I pointed out when Jagger’s face fell a little after her answer.

“Yeah. I guess.” His sad expression turned serious, “But Ash has told you about the war, right?”

Rain nodded, “Yes.”

“And what have you decided?” Jagger questioned, “Even if you don’t like me like that, we still need you if we have to have any chance to win this war and save the world.”

Su snorted, “Oh please, I don’t believe a word of that crap.”

“Su.” Rain said warningly. She turned back towards us, “I’m sorry, she is a little over protective since our parents….” Rain sighed. “It’s been tough since they passed away and we’ve struggled. I’m sorry Ash, Jagger, but I don’t think I can leave my family. They need me.”

Jagger nodded understandingly, but I stared at her disbelievingly. “You’re just going to let the demons take over even though you can do something about it?”

She didn’t say anything for a moment, “I can’t leave my family Ash.”

I opened my mouth to rage on about how her being selfish about her family is going to mean the end of the world but I quickly shut my mouth again when I realised I would have done the same, “Alright, fine then. I suppose I understand.” She’d just sent the whole world to hell to spend these last few weeks with her family. I could understand that, to some extent.

“Well I’m sorry to say but just because that’s your decision doesn’t mean I’m going to leave your side ever again.” Jagger told her seriously.

The unreadable expression on her face didn’t change, “You’re crazy. You’re one of the most powerful vampires on earth aren’t you?” Jagger nodded and she continued, “Exactly! They are going to need you to fight.”

“Not any more than they are going to need you.” Jagger pointed out, “But somehow your decision has made me rather happy. Now you can’t go and get hurt on the battlefield. We can just stay here and I’ll protect you for as long as I can.” He swallowed. “Until I’m killed and…” Jagger shot me an intent look, “He really doesn’t remember you at all, Ash? Not even a little bit?”

I wrapped my arms around myself, “No, not at all. He very clearly stated that he was going to kill me and when I didn’t want to tell him who I was he killed an innocent human girl in front of me. Just like that, she was dead instantly.”

Jagger lowered his wide eyes, “Maybe leaving ere would be best, safer… If Clades doesn’t know I found my PA… he can’t make me hurt her.”

“He’ll know that you found her Jagger, you know that. Don’t try and lie to yourself. Staying with her would be the safest for her.”

He smiled, “I’m glad you think that Ash.” He turned his head to look at Rain and walked towards her slowly. She only took one step backwards before she stood her ground and looked at him enquiringly. “I want to hold your hand.” He stated as he held out his hand for her.

A small smile spread on her lips as she placed her hand in his, “You really are weird…” She sighed, “I’m not going to get rid of you any time soon am I?”

“Only if I die will I leave your side.” He assured her as he gazed into her eyes intently.

I smiled sadly. I missed Alexander. I missed how he used to look at me with that same expression in his eyes.

I was glad Rain had taken a liking to Jagger so easily and had not been as stubborn as Lucy and I had been at least. It made my life a lot easier. “Well,” I said trying to save myself from falling into my pit of depression again, “Since it seems like she’s made a choice and so have you.” I told Jagger. “We’re going miss you on the battlefield, but I know that you can’t leave her, I understand that you want to stay here. I’ll let everyone know.”

“You’re still going to fight?” Su asked me.

I nodded, “Someone has to and honestly I don’t feel like I have much of a choice.”

“What about Alex?” Jagger asked as he pulled Rain into his side protectively. Her face didn’t give away what she was thinking or feeling.

“What about him?” I asked, “I can’t kill him, I don’t have the physical or emotional capability to do that.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“He’s going to kill me.” I said and all eyes that were on me widened, “And I’m going to let him, I’ve seen it.”

“A vision?” Su asked.

“Yes.”

“Aren’t you afraid of dying?” She asked with wide eyes.

I could feel as my defences tumbled down at the thought of Alexander, “It’s only Alexander, how can I ever be afraid or hate him for wanting to kill me?”

The humans gave me a hesitant look but Jagger said, “I see.”

“I really have to get going now!” I said overly cheery. “And I hope to see all of you in the next life after all the crap of this life is over. Bye guys.”

“Goodbye.” The humans chorused, still looking a little in shock.

“Goodbye, Ash.” Jagger said, “And I hope that Alexander comes to him senses.”

I turned around and squeezed through the narrow entrance, “Yeah,” I whispered to myself, “Me too.”

I only had to run for about another hour or so before I reached to ocean and after checking with a few local vampires in what general direction I had to go to reach New York I jumped off a pier and ran.

On water.

I didn’t sink like rock like I’d thought I would and it took me about five minutes to come to terms with the fact that I was freaking running on water like that kid in The Incredibles movie.

It was amazing!

I got bored soon after I took to the water and the view only got exciting again when I ran into a massive storm that tossed me around like some ragdoll until I had no choice but to swim under the water to avoid losing direction.

I didn’t need air and the saltwater didn’t hurt my eyes so swimming was quite fun. I made a mental note to go deep sea diving if I survived the war and Alexander didn’t kill me.

When I saw that the weather had calmed down again I struggled for a while to get running again because I kept on sinking because I couldn’t get a good grip on the surface of the water. When I did manage to start running again, however, my journey passed smoothly until I set foot on a very familiar beach.

It might not have been New York just yet, but I was bloody close.

I was almost home and one PA was successfully paired with her half vampire, so what could be better?

It was just a shame they wouldn’t be fighting with us.

So basically, we were screwed, but I wasn’t going to worry about that just yet.

After all, anyone could have a change of heart.