17. Chaol #3
Draego shifted, his glowing eyes trailing around the room. They snagged on Daniel and Chaol before returning to Talon. “Yes, that’s what I’m saying.”
“Who, then? Who’s the human you’ve had your eye on? Are they here in the Rink?”
Draego’s expression tightened with unhappiness. “They aren’t here, no. I’d rather not say.”
Talon looked askance at Ira, who raised his hands and said, “This is another I’m staying out of. In fact, this one began long before I ever received that first vision of Alex killing the mozgoran.”
Talon’s eyes widened. “What? You’re saying Alex and I weren’t really the first?”
Ira opened his mouth, looking stricken, and then shut it.
“Yes,” Draego said begrudgingly. “That’s what he’s saying. And I’d appreciate it if he’d say no more,” he gave Ira a pointed look, “because things between my human and I are… precarious. I’d rather not risk it all because you were too curious for your own good.”
Talon folded his arms. “How precarious are we talking?”
“Talon, it’s okay,” Ira said. “Draego’s actions here won’t put us in any danger.”
At that, Talon deflated. “Fine. I’ll take your word for it—of course.”
Ira gave him a smile.
“To be clear,” Draego said, “I wasn’t asking your permission, leviathan. Whether you agree or not, I will be at any battle my human fights in. I will protect him at any cost. If that just so happens to align with your cause, so be it.”
Talon opened his mouth to argue, but Ira beat him to it, words tumbling from him quickly. “It does align with our cause, so we’re good. We’re fine. We appreciate your help. Welcome to the team! Hi Daniel, Chaol, welcome back,” he said loudly, no doubt to change the subject.
Talon turned toward them, scowled, then moved away with a grumble.
Chaol watched him weave through the throng of people to the sitting area in the corner, where his human was typing on a laptop.
His chest squeezed with anxiety. For months, he’d planned his attack against the demons who had killed his brother.
It felt like a betrayal to let that anger go, but he couldn’t be with Daniel while attacking his allies.
He had to choose: vengeance or love. It was cruel that he couldn’t have both, but in the end, it was no contest. He couldn’t live without Daniel.
Amon had long ago made it clear that he wouldn’t choose Chaol over Lilith’s vendetta.
He wasn’t betraying his brother’s memory, just matching the energy he’d given their clan while he was alive.
Fingers threaded through his own, and Chaol turned to look at Daniel, who quietly glanced between Chaol and Talon with a questioning tilt to his brows. Are you okay?
Chaol nodded, leaning in for a quick kiss, and Daniel relaxed, giving him a smile.
Draego approached, extending his hand to Daniel, who shook it amicably.
Chaol marveled at the proximity of the original harbinger.
He’d never seen Draego before, and if he had, he would have flown the other direction.
Draego was powerful, and Chaol tended to avoid the demons who could squash him like a bug.
It was just his healthy sense of self-preservation.
Draego carried a stoic sense of strength with him.
His body was broad and imposing, but it was the eyes that really gave him away.
The embers of hellfire within the black of his pupils flared and sent a shiver down Chaol’s spine. He was not a demon to be trifled with.
“Brother,” Draego greeted. “Chaol.”
“Are we?” Daniel asked curiously. “Brothers?”
“In a sense. You are the only one like me I’ve ever met. That makes us kindred, in a way.”
“Oh. Well, good. I actually came to ask you for help.”
Draego’s head tilted. “Oh?”
“Yeah. I have no idea what it means to be a harbinger. I don’t know how to control the hellfire or mind my strength. I was hoping you’d be able to help.”
“Ah. Yes, that seems wise. You would also likely benefit from some combat lessons.”
Daniel straightened his shoulders. “I know how to fight.”
“But not as a demon.” Draego looked amused.
“Is it really so different?”
He smirked. “I suppose you’ll find out, won’t you? Why don’t we go outside? We’d hate to leave more scorch marks on the ceiling.”
Daniel laughed nervously. “Yeah, that might be a good idea. The whole parking lot was warded the last time I was here, so we should be safe enough from the paladins.”
But not the angel, Chaol thought. Could two harbingers handle him, if he showed up?
Part of him wanted to say yes, but it lacked confidence.
He couldn’t shake the image of the angel tearing through the crowd of demons in Pandemonium.
He had sliced through them like they were nothing.
Chaol had never seen demons run from anything in Hell.
And the pain he’d felt when the angel grabbed him…
He didn’t want that to happen to Daniel.
Chaol took a breath to voice his concerns when a loud boom tore through the air. Everyone flinched at the sound, and he instinctively grabbed for Daniel. That sounded like…
“The angel,” Daniel said. “It’s the angel.”