The Witch's Devil

Chapter 5, Initiated

Ember's POV~

Running as fast as my legs would carry me the rest of the way to the shop. Finally making it, only just a few minutes past opening. Thankfully one of the other workers, Samual, got there to open the doors and was already hard at work on the morning chores. Storming through the door, my lungs burning for air. Panting deep breaths like my life depended on it.

"Oh hey! Ember running a little late I see!" Samual cheerful voice came to light as she walked out to greet me. An ear to ear smile delighted to see me with a hot tea in hand ready. "Hey, is everything okay? Did something happen on the way in this morning?" Sam asked sitting the hot cup on the counter.

"Yeah. I'm. Okay." I answered Samual

Fluttering lashes in time with my deep breaths of air. Nodding as I come to terms with what had just transpired back in Devils Den alley. Placing a shaking hand on the counter for extra standing support. Filling lungs until they were calmly satisfied. Sam kindly slid the mug she had so graciously prepared closer. Taking it in hand, sipping the soul soothing warm green tea and honey.

"Just lost track of time while visiting the colony." Reassuring the sweetly tall worried blonde. Who stood almost a head taller. Running a hand through her boyish short blonde pixie cut. "They nearly gave me a heart attack today. Those wild kitties with their shenanigans." Quick to change the subject to anything but myself.

Samual raising a brow above dark thick rim glasses bringing attention to her sharp facial features. Her eyes looking me over as if to check that I'm not hiding anything. Accepting my works with suspicion and unspoken questions thankfully.

"Come on now Sammie!" Another playful voice coming in from the back. A tall slender young man making his way to them both. A stack of books that was towering above his head, "You know as well as I; that those cats love her. Who's to say? They could have wanted to share some good news with their beloved Ember." He says with a boyish smile. Flashing his pearly white teeth to us. Setting the stack down with such ease. Our young associate may not look it, but he had strength in that thin frame. "Now then! Morning Boss! Glad to see you're okay! Let's get this place in order!" His tight 3C small afro hair bounced along with him matching each energetic step.

Both Samual and I couldn't help laughing at his work ethic and cheerful demeanor so early in the morning. If you had to think of a morning bird, Damien would be the definition of one. "Yes, you are right Damien. Let's get to work guys!" Ember responded with delight. Damien's energy was always highly contagious.. Turning on the bookshops stereo to fill the room with music. Getting right into the work that needed to be done before any customers arrived.

Today was going to be a good day.

Alastor POV~

Finishing up business with those wonderful mini wild cats, Pausing just before leaving the alleyway. 'Devils Den, huh? Strange name for an alleyway.' Thinking briefly while placing a gentle touch onto the headscarf. Tapping my foot on the hard concrete path hesitant about it all. 'Will this really make me appear human to the people of this town? What demon needs to hide?!' Clicking my tongue with my absolute disdain of the thought. We were all proud to be called demons, and devils alike. It was after all just a fact of who we are. Being able to take everything as we were in the moment. Demons took pride in the job that was given and didn't feel shame for loving what we love. An enjoyment of our freedom of choice at its finest. Acceptance of needing to walk through thorns to arrive at the beautiful rose filled fields at the end. No one could take away that from me. Not even some strange mysteriously bewitching young witch. Thought that smile on her lips when she spoke to those precious felines. Finding myself drifting off to when our eyes meet and time froze still.

Unprovoked, I slapped my cheek with good force behind the hit. Burying the thoughts of grave annoyance deep down. I couldn't afford to make too much trouble on my first day above seeing as I was already banished from one realm. Stepping forward determined on this mission: to find that cat loving witch with a beautiful smile. First steps on the nearly smooth concrete sidewalk were almost nerve wracking. It has been far too long, possibly four hundred years, since I've walked on this plane.

Starting this new journey off in the direction that I watched her run. She seemed to be in a hurry, and not running in fear of me. Curious to know where such a gemstone would need to be in a place like this.

Resting my hands in my pants pockets, relaxing my shoulders, taking in the sights all around. Strolling through the old tiny town. Its history was as clear as the brick laid road; from the ports along its banks. Frozen in time buildings were now turned to businesses, shops and even some homes. Old oak trees tell their stories with their sheer size. Journey through the decades upon decades. Deeply moving as they blissfully sway in the breeze..

Yet it wasn't long for the residents to murmur cruelty to one another. As mothers crossed the streets with their children while covering their little eyes from my direction. Pedestrians gawking with horrified shock and awe. Others point whispering inaudible gossip under their breaths to the neighbors beside them. Heavy is the hold on this town by the church, blatant for the world to see. My skin crawled with an uneasiness. Such a vengeful god desperate for her follower's prayer to feed her own fragile ego. This quaint little town seemed to have more to it than meets the eye could see.

Questions flowing into my brain like the boiling waters of hell down the throats of sinners. 'Why would a witch be in such a dangerous place?' Snuck on the way she smelled of alluring sweetness. Green eyes so beautiful they could kill even the likes of Lucifer himself.

However, I was so rudely disturbed by a group of older rancid reeking men. Throwing their trash in my direction, mostly missing by feet. They stood with their rusted out jacked up trucks and cases of beers down a back street. Trying to eye me down as if I were a criminal to be caught, sentenced and executed. Their tainted souls smelling of rot; dirt covered faces and hands showing the work they do along with their crosses hung around those fat necks.

Unable to control myself, turning on my heel to flash them a big polite grin. "Excuse me, is there something I can do for you fellows?" Asking the group with a raised brow.

One of the much older gents walked over throwing his impressive weight around. "Yeah. I think there is. You look to be new to town and don't know how things work around here." Sipping on a bottle hidden inside a brown paper bag.. False bravado, laced with a minor threat that wouldn't faze even the shyest of woodland sprites. This cocky bald, poisoned blood individual with his buddies just made the grin across my lips spread wider.

"Why yes, I am new here." Answering, fainting an innocent ignorance. Dramatically placing a hand on my chest, "Would you be so kind as to tell me how it's done around here?" Eyes half closed already annoyed with this half assed attempt of a shake down.

Giving his boys a look over with an arrogant xpression. The man's buddies begin to move in closer to try enclosing around me, "We don't want any more devil worshiping sons of bitches, like yourself, in our holy god fearing town." Almost nose to nose with the insufferable man now. My nostrils wrinkle at his ungodly stench. At least the minuscule amount of entertainment was enjoyable. "We have enough of your kind around here with the she-witch in town." The man tried spitting his words like venom, but it came off more as a small child's tantrum.

Lighting up a bit as he gave me a lead into the conversation. "Oh so you know who I'm looking for, wonderful, could you—" Being rudely cut off by the man punching me square in the jaw.

"We will not help you!" He yelled, throwing his beer on me. "We want you to leave! Take that devil whore—" Quickly returning the favor cutting off the dirtbag with the lack of air to his lungs from my own punch to his chest.

Taking a quick action so my hand squeezed around the bastard's throat. Lifted him easily off the ground, fighting to be freed from my grasp. His group of friends looked on in terror at the scene beforehand. "You know... It's your kind of humanity," I began to speak low, my voice deepening with menace, the whites of his eyes turning black. "The hypocrisy. The hatred. All of it." Words sharp enough to slice through the air like it was nothing. Anger washed over every inch. If there was one thing I hated most it was self righteous asses. They all quaked in their boots, the smell of piss filled the air around, as they were petrified from their own fear.

"Now that I have your attention let's have a chat, shall we." Sinister grin on my lips as the man I held gulped,

~~~End Chapter~~~