Secret Confessions (Book 1)

Alastor

"I won't fuck someone I love who feels nothing but lust fer me."

Angel's words replay like a broken record in my head. I clutch my shot glass tighter and glance over at the wall clock. Artfully crafted with small mahogany doors for a wind up bird to pop out every hour.

I would enjoy the craftsmanship more if I weren't so worried about Angel. Eyes narrowing as I check the time, I grit my teeth, sharpening my smile.

3 a.m

Where is he?

Normally he comes back around 1 a.m.

Seething quietly, I hunch over and wrap my other hand around the glass. Why must I feel this way? This spider has burrowed under my skin and sank his claws deep, leaving his mark. An annoying and permanent imprint.

"Look, I don't care or anything," Husker says, appearing before me behind the bar and I jump slightly. "But you keep glaring at the clock like it owes you money every few minutes. Want to talk about it?"

"Mind your buisness." I growl, static popping heavily in the air.

"It's in my job description to ask pitiful degenerates like you, drunk at the bar, what's wrong. You don't have to be such an ass." He hisses and stalks a few feet away to wipe a rag on the bar.

Guilt annoyingly wiggles its way forward and I sigh. "Sorry my friend, but this is a matter I must figure out on my own."

"Angeldust will come back soon. He loves to keep everyone waiting and being late is kind of his signature move." Husker replies and I jerk my head back in surprise.

"Whatever do you mean, my friend? No, my problem is simply-"

"Cut the bullshit Radio Demon." He says with a huff, cuting off what I was going to say. "Anyone with eyes can see that even though you two fight, you both clearly are into each other. Playing this game of cat and mouse is pathetic. Just fuck already."

Chuckling, I rub my forehead tiredly. He's right. Nothing ever gets past Husk.

As much as I hate to admit it, I care for the drug addicted porn star. There's no denying it. What started out as stirrings of something not resembling annoyance, has developed into something more...

Staying up late and sacrificing sleep just to make sure he comes back safely, finding any excuse to be in the same room as him, the way my dead heart feels like it's thundering in my ears when he smiles genuinely.

I... like him.

Reaching up, I gently press a finger to my mouth. I can still feel his soft lips on mine. My hands itch to run through his white fur once more.

"If you like him, then just tell him." Husker says with a scowl.

With a fake cough, I lower my eyes to my drink, heat flushing my face. I didn't realize I said that part out loud.

"It's not that easy." I whisper.

"Bullshit. You walk up and tell him how you feel."

Snorting, I roll my eyes skyward. "Ah Husk, if only I possessed your confidence in the meanial art of relationships."

"Don't push it." He snaps and pulls a glass out from under the counter and pours himself a shot of whiskey.

"How do I tell him that I want to try out this thing between us, but I'm... afraid?" My question is so soft, I wonder briefly if I asked it in my mind.

"Who is afraid of what?" A bright voice asked and I wince as Charlie walks into the lobby.

I open my mouth to tell her the lie on the tip of my tongue but freeze when a smell reaches my nose. Coopery and tangy. A bit sweet.

Blood. And it's coming from...

Jumping up, I dash toward the entrance.

Throwing open the door, I stare at Angel's crumpled form in horror.
Blood dribbles out from the side of his mouth, one eye is swollen shut, and purple bruises cover every inch of him.

My head snaps up to see a limo with a heart on the side, speed away. Vision swimming in red, symbols retract from my body and materialize in the air around me. Deadly power surges through me, demanding carnage.

"Angel!" Charlie cries out and drops to her knees next to him.

Angel whimpers in pain and my attention returns to him. Bending, I gather him in my arms, ripping Angel from Charlies grip, and hurry inside. I don't question why I'm furious at finding Angel this way, nor why I feel relieved that he's alive.

The only thing that matters right now is to heal the spider in my arms.

There is plenty of time to exact revenge once I heal Angel. This action demands blood, and blood will spill. No one hurts the demon I fancy and gets away with it.

I'm coming for you, Valentino.

(Scene drawn by the incredible: yourlocalgremlin_2278)