Damned (Alastor x OC)

Ch 26

Alastor's POV

I never thought I'd be back here.

The doors of the library were imposing as I stared at them. I already felt just a little bit uncomfortable.

It's strange, however...the dark magic I could feel radiating from this building so long ago is no longer there...

Was that him, too? Was she behind any of that fiasco?

Of course I'm wearing my human disguise at the moment, and it feels strange. I looked down at my hand and flexed my fingers.

When I did that, my claws extended and then immediately retracted upon me relaxing my muscles.

I sighed, stepping forward and pushing the door open.

It's relatively late...just beginning to get dark outside. So there shouldn't be many people here.

In fact, there were none at all. I quickly locked the library door, just to seize this golden opportunity for privacy.

My steps clicked softly as I walked around, hands behind my back.

Part of me was hoping Rose was still alive. If she were dead, that would complicate things. I'd have to find her in hell, and that would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

I'm not ready to find another needle just yet.

I heard shuffling, and quickly I hid behind a book display. If that's not her, I'm just going to head home and—

There she is.

She waddled out from somewhere in the back, her old woman form seemingly the exact same. She must be using some sort of vitality spell.

I stepped out, gaining her attention. Her attention that promptly turned into a terrified, wide eyed look.

She stumbled back away from me, and it worried me just slightly as I thought she may fall and hurt herself.

I held my hands up, "hey, calm down, you're alright I just—"

"You're back to get revenge!" She cried out, covering her head with her arms. It's very pitiful, seeing her like this.

It's also just sad.

I sighed and shook my head, "no, I'm not here for "revenge" Rosaline, for Pete's sake," I said, using the tone I would always use whenever she was being silly.

It's strange how fast I reverted back to...this parental type personality.

I don't hate her, even though I know I probably should. I should despise her for what she did to my Aria, but...

I don't, I just... I can't. Especially not now that I know she had a darker influence than I first believed.

She lowered her arms and gave me a wary look.

For 100 years old, I would've only guessed she was maybe 70. She's definitely using a spell.

"You're not?" She said, and I shook my head.

"No, however...a new problem has arisen in hell, Rose, and I need your help to fix it," I started, "and I know you have the answers."

She looked nervous, but didn't say anything or move away from me.

"A demon by the name of Xander—"

Immediately her disposition changed, her eyes turned to a deep glowing purple and fire flared from her fingertips.

"Don't speak that foul name in my presence!" She hissed, "that evil, awful man..." she looked equally terrified and equally angry.

But that's what I wanted. She recognized the name, meaning I was right.