97 I Want A Refund!

After practically pealing the kids off me, I shut the door and lock it with trembling hands. When I turn back to look at Kian with horror, he tries his best to hide his smile but the twitching of his upper lip gives him away.

"It's not funny!" I say as I walk over and start closing the curtains on the windows. He clears his throat and says "Actually, you're right. I wanted to ask you about what happened... Especially because you're now carrying an angelic touch."

I frown at him before looking down at myself in curiosity. I can't see anything... Kian steps closer and says "It's nothing anyone, including yourself, can see but your very scent has changed a bit. To others... you're more approachable and they even desire to be closer to you."

He steps even closer as he says "And to demons... you are almost impossible to deny." He says coming to a stop right before me. He slowly lifts his hand up and gently brushes my cheek with the back of his fingers as he says "I think the only reason I'm able to hold on to the person I used to be is because of you... you're the heart that holds my humanity."

His red eyes lock onto mine as he says "Demons will want you're soul more than ever, Eris. Even me, as little as it may be, wants it. The only thing keeping my demon in check is you." While staring into his eyes I mumble "I want a refund. How do I get the angel to take it back?"

He chuckles at me and says "I don't think you can. I've never heard of an angel taking back a gift." Suddenly, we both jump when we hear "What the demon says is correct. Once we give a gift, we can no longer take it back."

"Yoooou!" I say turning to face the angel. He plays with a hanging plant, spinning it once before turning to look at me and saying "Maro. Not 'you'." I glare at him and say "Take the 'gift' back... please. I have enough problems with the 'gifts' I already have, I don't need more."

Maro slowly walks over to the next plant, lightly spinning it as well before saying "While I do admire your guts Eris Hallows, those guts won't keep you alive so if you'd like to keep those guts, you'll learn to live with my gift."

My eye twitches as Kian stands next to me in a protective manner. Maro comes to a stop and looks Kian over before looking to me and saying "If you kill the demon, you shouldn't have any other issues, correct?" He makes it sound all so easy...

I scoff at him and say "If you're all so powerful, why can't you just kill it?" He continues to stare at me with a blank face as he says "That's just it. We angels don't interfere with humans but if we must, we try to find the best way."

"When I showed up last night, I was surprised to find you and was even more surprised when I saw how close you were to killing it. A half breed... a hybrid and one that still holds humanity. You were the perfect solution to the problem... you just needed an edge."

I want to argue with everything he just said but the only thing that comes out is "And that edge was children liking me!?" His blank face finally changes as he frowns at me and says "No, they like you because they can sense the good in you... it's just enhanced with the angelic touch."

He walks to the door and says "Remember my words, Eris Hallows. I don't enjoy throwing beings into the eternal prison but I will if I have to. I'll be close." With that, he disappears without another word. Kian turns to me and says "What does he mean by that?"

I sigh and say "He warned me not to become power crazy. If I do..." I make a slicing motion at my neck and say "He'll stop at nothing to drag me to their eternal prison without trial." Kian frowns at me in concern, instantly making me chuckle as I say "What? Are you worried?"

He tries to hide the look but it lingers in his eyes as he says "Even the most powerful demons fear the angel's eternal prison... it's nothing to joke about." I rub the back of my neck as I sigh and say "I'm not really joking about it. I'm just trying to process everything."

His eyes soften on me as he says "I'm sorry... I'm just worried." I smile at him and say "Let's go enjoy our coffee. I don't care if the president himself shows up, I'm not answering the door again." Kian chuckles and follows me into the kitchen. Using my magic, I heat the coffee back up and sit in the chair.

When I take a sip of my coffee, I notice the plants Maro was playing with was now greener, fuller, and overall healthier. I shake my head and try to enjoy my coffee but the house suddenly starts shaking.

"What the hell!?" I say trying to keep my coffee from spilling. Kian runs to the living room to look out the window as he says "Demons!" Shit... I take a large gulp of coffee, not caring that it burns all the way down before putting the cup down.

I start to walk over to Kian when the floor suddenly disappears! I let out a little squeak that has Kian turning to look but it's too late. Our eyes meet for the briefest moment before the darkness swallows me whole!

Suddenly, I'm failing but I can't tell if I'm falling up or down! When I finally see light, it's so bright, it's nearly blinding! I come to a sudden stop before dropping down into hot sand. The sand rolls, causing me to tumble over several times.

The sand continues to roll and move like it's water!! I struggle to stand and fight against the sand waves but it's almost impossible! Where the hell am I and what the hell is happening?!