Alicia’s arms only squeezed tighter around his ribs as Alex coughed, shoving at her shoulder with growing desperation.
"What the hell are you doing, woman, I was just talking to her!" Alex managed to gasp.
Alicia finally let go, stepping back with a sigh. "Alright, alright, I believe you..."
But she barely released him before Alden barreled in from the hallway, tackling Alex in a bear hug. "Damn you, bastard! You always take the spotlight from everyone else. Still—I’m glad you’re okay."
Alex had had enough. He wriggled free, shoving Alden away. "Get off! Only women are allowed to hug me like this."
Alden clicked his tongue. "Fine, I get it. Jealous, maybe?"
Everyone was standing together now, and Zara glanced their way, offering a brief smile. "I have something to take care of. I’ll leave you three alone for a bit."
Alex nodded. "Thanks, Zara."
She slipped from the room with a graceful step. The second the door closed, Alden couldn’t resist—he gave a long, appreciative whistle.
"Who was that hot chick?" Alden asked.
Alex shook his head. "You’ve got a girlfriend, Ava. Stop eyeing other girls."
Alden shrugged. "Just asking, not like I’m doing anything."
Alicia’s phone beeped. She smirked. "Too late—I just messaged Ava what you were thinking. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to hear about the ’hot chick.’"
Alden’s eyes went wide. "What kind of sister makes so much trouble for her own brother?!"
Alicia grinned. "The kind that saves your relationship, dummy."
Alden just groaned, ready to protest, when the door swung open again.
The air shifted instantly as Azrael entered. Alex’s eyes narrowed, his posture tensing. Alicia and Alden felt the change too—waves of pressure rolling off Alex, thickening the air.
Alex’s voice was cold. "Leave us alone for a minute, guys."
Alicia gave Azrael a warning glare. "Don’t you dare try anything in there."
Azrael just smiled, sad but honest. "I know you don’t trust me, but what could I do? Do you really think I can harm that monstrous guy."
Alicia and Alden stepped out, leaving the two in heavy silence.
Azrael let out a hollow laugh first. "Aren’t you going to attack me? That’s the look you always give, but this time I don’t see any hatred."
Alex’s gaze stayed unreadable. "So, what were you expecting?"
Azrael shrugged. "Disappointment. That’s what I’m used to." He glanced away, then back with a steadier voice. "That was always the look I saw—on my family, my people, everyone who mattered. I suppose I expected it from you too."
He sank into a chair and glanced at the wall. "You probably don’t want to hear a sob story, but I need to get this out. There was a king in the demonic realm—powerful, feared, even respected. He ruled with an iron fist and managed to bring something like peace to a world that had never known it. Of course... there were enemies. Powerful ones."
Azrael’s voice went quiet, thoughtful and a little bitter. "The king married a high noble for power, and they grew to love each other in the end. Their son should have been extraordinary—heir to two mighty bloodlines."
Azrael laughed, but it was harsh. "You know what happened? Their child—their heir—had the weakest demonic aura in the entire royal lineage. The court accused his mother of having an affair. Rumors grew. But the king alone stood by her... and that weak child, well, he never measured up. No matter how hard he tried."
The story unraveled, pain building in Azrael’s voice. "He saw the disappointment in their eyes, even as they smiled. He tried, gods, how he tried. He grew desperate. At fourteen, someone offered him a shortcut. Power in exchange for a little something that the child didn’t knew was betrayal to his own family. He took it. And the kingdom his family built? Fell overnight. His betrayal destroyed everything."
Azrael was silent for a long time, his gaze empty. "The people who offered him a deal instead of keeping their promise tortured him instead—scarred him, locked him up, left him nearly dead. The only thing that saved him was a magic circle on the prison wall. Too desperate to care, he copied it, traded half his soul, and survived. Barely. All he wanted— ever —was revenge, a chance to prove he wasn’t what the world called him."
He gave Alex a tired smile, haunted but honest. "But even with all that, I’m still fighting and still too weak to have done anything that truly mattered."
Azrael leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, gaze never leaving the floor. "I guess you’re wondering... what was the deal I took? Who made that offer?"
He trailed off, shoulders tensing. But Alex’s voice came in sharp, cutting through the tension. "What’s your point, Azrael? Why are you here?" Alex’s eyes narrowed. "Are you not even scared I might kill you right now, after everything you’ve done?"
A bitter smile tugged at Azrael’s lips as he looked up. "That’s exactly my point. The child in my story—it wasn’t some far-off, forgotten prince. It was me. I betrayed my family,
Just like i took your life force for my own survival. Maybe I do deserve to die." Azrael’s breath shuddered. "If you want, just say the word. I’ll leave right now and never bother you again. Or if you want to finish this, I won’t stop you."
Just like i took your life force for my own survival. Maybe I do deserve to die." Azrael’s breath shuddered. "If you want, just say the word. I’ll leave right now and never bother you again. Or if you want to finish this, I won’t stop you."
He let his hands drop, palms up—a gesture of surrender. "Frankly, I don’t expect your trust. I’m used to disappointment—giving it, and living it. So the choice is yours."



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