The Devil's Love

||. Chapter 40: Questions .||

Without warning, Jiang bolted up from his spot with widened eyes like a hungry shark, jumping out of its territory for food. His palms reached out frantically for the night lamp next to him. Ruffling his own hair, Angelo watched Jiang massaging his sore neck. The crumpled pink pyjamas Jiang was wearing weaved in between his blanket, proving the comfort he had throughout the sleep. Untangling himself skillfully from the cloth, Jiang reached out blindly for his spectacles, putting them on and stared right into Angelo's soul as if trying to ignite flames to burn the angel down.

"Would you kindly repeat your sentence again?" Jiang questioned, slipping his feet into the pair of the furry pink bunny slippers and headed out of his room to switch on the kitchen lights. "Repeat them."

"Ansel's missing Jiang," Angelo blurted a little softer this time as if his tongue had suddenly swell due to the snake's venom. "We head over to check on Lily after the library session. Jon came over, informed us that Lily was in trouble so all three of us rushed there and we..."

Angelo silenced himself when Jiang settled the glass of warm water down on the table. His palms held up, stopping the angel from continuing his words. Pushing his spectacle upwards, Jiang met Angelo's dark eyes for further assurance. He decided not to jump to a conclusion, but the fear painting across Angelo's face proved otherwise.

"So, she was with you and Jon, your angel buddy," stated Jiang and when Angelo nodded as a confirmation, he added. "So, Ansel is missing because of angel business? The business from Halion with Carson. But how? As you said Jon is still a child and you are a dormant angel. How could she be missing? Do..."

Angelo whipped his head up from the ground the minute Jiang stopped his words. Fire lit up from his dark orbs, reminding him of the lake of Hellfire. His jaws clenched tightly, fist gripping onto the handle of the mug tightly as if the heat from within the mug channelled diabolical energy. Angelo took a step back, fearing that Jiang would toss the mug right into his head. He knew Jiang's company always provide comfort, but on this very night, Angelo felt insecure. His fingers turned cold at each passing moment.

"Are you trying to tell me Carson kidnapped her?" Jiang rose his voice after taking a few minutes to piece certain things together. "Talk to me Angelo or I am going to head over there and rip your porcelain face off your neck."

"Yes," Angelo replied in slight stutters. "I would do anything to save her, Jiang, but Carson bounded me and Jon with his spell. When she tried to injure Carson, he disappeared with her. I don't mean to lose her. I love her and I care for her. I will do anything to search for her. I promise I will save her. I will bring her back."

Angelo needed Jiang's trust as a conviction for his actions. He never seeks validation from anyone in his life, yet he felt the need to obtain approval from the elder. Perhaps it was because Jiang had always seemed like a father – figure to Ansel, making him fear the possibility of Jiang preventing him from meeting Ansel again. He bit his inner cheeks, drawing blood from it that tasted bitter. Silence began to outgrow their breath, causing Angelo to shift in discomfort while Jiang paced a few steps away as if trying to cool the steam off from his body.

"Your choice is to bring her back, but what exactly is her choice?" Jiang whispered, turning to face Angelo, breathing out a strong gush of air. "I'm mad at you, mad at her and everyone, but what good would it do? You promise me you will take care of her, bring her back, but to what extend can you promise me that she will be alive when I see her again? Do not make promises you are not sure to fulfil, Angelo. As much as I respect Ansel for her choices, there were multiple times I do not support it, but I had to because I know she will not listen. How can you promise me that you will bring her back... Alive?"

Alive.

That was the one word Angelo dreaded. He lowered his head, staring at the shinning tiles that seemed to be laughing at his stupidity. He sucked in the air, nodding his head multiple times.

"It is true, Jiang. I cannot promise you a hundred per cent to bring her back alive, but I will try. I will do anything to bring her back alive. I..."

"Save it!" Jiang snapped, staring at Angelo and blinked back those threatening tears. "I know Ansel more than you do. When she is determined on doing something, she will never stop until she succeeded. I find it hard to trust the words that you will bring her back alive because I know how hard-headed she is. Angelo, please do not give me the slightest hope when there is none. Just, try and bring her back. At least, free her from Carson."

"Bring who back?" Annika's sleepy voice questioned as she stepped down the stairs, swaying in her steps. "You guys are so loud. Some of us are trying to get some sleep here. Jun Ho and I have to head to work in about four hours. What're all these commotions about?"

Surprisingly, Jun Ho emerged from behind Annika with sleepy eyes, messed up hair and an oversized night robe hanging from his shoulders as his fingers reached out to tie a not. They walked down together, setting themselves on the chair next to Angelo. Jiang tried to piece the idea of what Jun Ho had been doing in her room, but none of them is his priority now. He exchanged glances with Angelo who gulped the saliva coating in the middle of his throat. Jun Ho and Annika deserved to know the truth. It would be the best time to reveal Angelo's real identity to piece up the story of Ansel's disappearance.

"Jiang," Jun Ho called out, studying his younger brother. "What's wrong? You looked like you have just received a parcel with someone's head rotting in it. What in the world is happening at almost four in the morning?"

"Well, since it is four in the morning and I am going to present to the both of you very important news, you both might want something to drink before I go on," Jiang suggested, pulling out a bottle of red wine from the cupboard, earning confusion from Jun Ho and Annika. "I guess I am the one needing it the most."

Angelo saw Jiang's shoulders descended as his fingers worked hastily on the few glasses. It seemed unfair to have Jiang explaining about Ansel's disappearance since he was the one who caused and witness it. He grazed his lips nervously. Before he could open his mouth to say a word, Jiang had already plopped himself down in front of the two, pushing two glasses of wine towards their direction.

"Before I start on the story, our housemate, Angelo here is an angel of Death and Ansel is currently kidnapped my Carson," said Jiang, chugging down another glass of red wine and used his fingers to draw circles in front of their faces. "Absorb that, then I will go on."

Annika's eyes immediately travelled towards Angelo. Grabbing the glass of wine, she took a sip hastily. Jun Ho's tired eyes widened immediately at his words. Angelo could feel three pair of unending gaze at him. It felt as if his world had shrunk.

"Kidnapped," Annika repeated, tapping her fingers on the table, trying to process the news. "Also, who is Carson? What are we doing sitting down here? We should rescue Ansel. For all I know, she could be dead by now. How can we save her?"

"Carson is an angel. He's my second eldest brother," answered Angelo truthfully, sparing Jiang from the endless question as the elder turned away from them to face the open window that boasted on about the beauty of the moon. "Currently, we have no whereabouts on Ansel, this rescuing is not an option now. I..."

"Wait, hold on. So, Angelo, you are an angel. Can't you save her from your brother? There must be something you can do," Jun Ho interrupted. "How did this even happened? I mean you have been living here for quite a long time. How are we only knowing about this now? Jiang, did you know about this earlier?"

"Yes, yes I do," said Jiang, sighing as he settled the glass in the sink before turning to face Jun Ho and Annika. "Angelo might be an angel, but he is a dormant angel."