Bloodflood

09

Azazel held onto my hand as he led me through the herd of people. I said hello one too many times and tried to act as though my heart wasn't in my stomach. I was the lone human amongst the sea of demons. And I was about to meet Lucifer. I was raised Catholic, very strictly Catholic. This was my very devout grandmother's worst fear.

My grandmother always told me to find a man of God to spend my future with. She told me that a man that could not love god, they could not love me or even themselves. But instead, I was holding the son of the devil's hand, my soulmate. And he was leading me to meet his father, Lucifer. Both my grandmother and my mother had to have been rolling over in their graves.

"Um...What should I say to him?" I asked nervously.

My hand felt so small in his. His hands were warm but not clammy like I was sure mine were. The coolness of his rings pressed against my hand. I had never really been into men who wore rings prior, but he made it so attractive. Everything about him radiated attractiveness, power, and beauty.

Azazel gave me a quick side glance. "Anything you'd like. There isn't a script."

I groaned. "Your father is Lucifer, Azazel."

"So?"

"So?" I asked incredulously. "He is the devil."

He shrugged. "My father is like any other person you'd meet. Why? Are you trying to make a good first impression? Finally warming up to the soulmate thing, I see?"

I rolled my eyes as he smiled smugly. "Not even close. I was raised Catholic...So of course I have reservations."

"The bible conveniently only tells one side of the story. My father is as three-dimensional as you and I."

"That's convenient for you to say," I muttered. "Your father is the reason I'm here right now instead of at home. I don't really care how this goes, honestly."

"This is your fate, Lilo. It was bound to happen."

"Your father made a choice," I remarked. "It wouldn't have been my fate if he would've just minded his business."

"Well, you're here now," he said, his tone cold.

He clenched his jaw, dropping my hand from his. I immediately felt cold and vulnerable. He walked ahead of me this time instead of next to me. I struggled to keep up with him. I tried my best not to trip over my dress, weave through the crowd, and not lose sight of the only person that could protect me if necessary right now.

He stopped suddenly. I halted quickly before I could knock into his back. My heels gave me no advantage. I couldn't see what he was looking at. I took a small step away from him and another around him. In front of him stood a woman and a man I didn't recognize. Azazel's expression was guarded and his walls were up. The much shorter woman smiled softly up at him.

The woman had strikingly sharp features, clear pale skin, and wide, doll-like green eyes. Her hair was a bright red, long and softly curled at the ends. She was small in stature, contrasting the tall man who stood beside her. He appeared rugged and rough yet somehow still clean and well-kept. His hair was a short dark brown, near black, and eyes an icy blue. He was handsome and she was absolutely stunning.

The woman looked up at Azazel in what seemed to be admiration. And he looked down at her with almost emotionless eyes. His lips pressed into a thin line, a small breath leaving his mouth. She took another step closer, raising her hands and cupping his face. He didn't move and his demeanor didn't falter.

Azazel's eyes tore away from the woman, glancing at the man instead. "What's going on?" He asked.

"Your mother's home now," the man said in a deep, even voice.