Our Demonic Spawn

13

Third Person POV

Zeli noticed the subtle changes in Ash's demeanor, the way his smiles seemed a bit forced and his laughter a touch hollow. Concerned, she decided to confront him about it, despite her own awkwardness with emotional conversations.

"Hey, Ash," Zeli said, mustering up her courage as she approached him. "You've seem a bit off. Is everything okay?"

Ash, caught off guard by her directness, hesitated for a moment before responding, "Yeah, I'm fine."

Zeli wasn't convinced. She could tell there was more. "Come on, Ash, I know something's bothering you. You can talk to me."

Ash sighed, realizing he couldn't keep up the facade any longer. "Okay, fine. I miss Erana. A lot."

Zeli's heart sank a little at his confession, but she tried to offer comfort in her own unique way. "Oh... well, uh, you know... distance makes the heart grow fonder, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so." Ash raised a brow, slightly amused by her attempt at reassurance.

Zeli, feeling the weight of her inadequate response, tried again. "And, um, absence makes the... uh... heart... um... want... what it... misses?"

"Close enough, Zeli." Ash couldn't help but chuckle at her stumbling words.

They both shared a laugh, the tension easing between them as they awkwardly navigated the complexities of their emotions. Despite her clumsy attempts at comforting him, Ash appreciated Zeli's efforts to be there for him, and Zeli was glad he had opened up to her, even if it meant stumbling through the conversation together.

The pair spent more time together until Cal came bounding over. Ash quickly stepped away, so he didn't become an unwilling participant in another threesome date.

"Hey, Zeli! What's wrong?!" Cal wrapped his strong arms around her.

Zeli gave him a death stare for touching her, but he didn't mind. Instead, he delivered a big kiss to her cheek. Zeli rolled her eyes as he kept peppering her cheek with kisses.

"Let go of me." She commanded.

"But, I love you!" He squeaked and squeezed her tighter.

"You annoy me." She narrowed her eyes. "But, Ash is on my mind."

"What about him?"

"He's... going through stuff."

"Like what?" He gave her puppy dog eyes.

"He misses Erana."

"Ahh, well I know just what to do!" He announced.

"I don't like this."

.

.

.

As Cal and Onyx excitedly planned their night out, Zeli couldn't help but feel a sense of dread creeping in. She knew Ash felt the same way. Nonetheless, when Cal extended the invitation, they reluctantly agreed, not wanting to dampen their friends' spirits.

The club was loud, crowded, and overwhelming—everything Ash and Zeli dreaded. The pulsing music reverberated through their bodies, and the flashing lights made it difficult to focus. Still, they plastered on forced smiles and attempted to blend into the chaos around them.

Onyx and Cal, oblivious to their friends' discomfort, enthusiastically pulled them onto the dance floor. Ash and Zeli awkwardly swayed to the music, feeling out of place among the enthusiastic club-goers. They were the most introverted introverts ever and hated being squished amongst the sweaty bodies.

"I hate this." Ash stated.

"Same."

"I want to die."

"Accompany me as I kill myself."

"My pleasure." He nodded. The two were about to leave, but Onyx danced against them.

"I guess my death will have to be delayed." Zeli sighed.

"Seems that way."

As the night wore on, Ash and Zeli exchanged glances, silently communicating their mutual desire to escape the sensory overload. Yet, they endured, enduring the discomfort for the sake of their friends' happiness.

Finally, when the outing came to an end and they stepped out into the quiet of the night, Ash and Zeli shared a relieved sigh. Despite their distaste for the club scene, they couldn't deny the warmth they felt seeing their friends enjoy themselves.

"We survived," Zeli said with a wry smile.

Ash nodded in agreement. "Yeah, barely."

"I'll never agree we do something to lift your spirits again."

"I'd appreciate it if you allow me to be depressed in silence."

"Noted." She smirked at him.

Deep down, though they would never admit it aloud, Ash and Zeli were grateful for their friends and the moments they shared, even if it meant enduring a night out of their comfort zone. Zeli reached into her pocket and pulled out two blunts. Ash smirked and took one. He then produced a lighter and lit both blunts. They leaned against the wall while smoking and talking to each other.

The area they were occupying was dimly lit. Their faces were illuminated by the blunt's light. Since they were distracted, they didn't notice the approaching individuals until the last moment. They choked on smoke when they stared at Adira. They immediately flung their blunts to the ground and snuffed out the light. Roman's hands were clasped behind his back as he stood next to her.

"Your majesty." They got on one knee.

"Please rise." Adira requested and watched them stand.

"Why are you wandering the streets, your majesty?" Zeli wondered.

"It's late." Ash added.

"I'm fine. I have Roman with me." Adira spoke.

"Right, I forgot about the lowkey sword master." Zeli smirked.

"And Krav Maga enthusiast." Ash glanced to Zeli.

"Yes, he is proficient enough for me to have one guard." Adira smiled. "But, I apologize for interrupting your night."

"We should return to the palace." Ash stated to which Zeli nodded.

"That will be the request, but I apologize for interruptting your night off. There was an issue at the palace and I wished to bring everyone back."

"What happened?"

"Another breach." Roman stated.

"We'll get Cal and Onyx." Zeli left to retrieve them.

"Captured?" Ash questioned.

"Of course." Roman responded.

"Purpose?"

"Assassination." Roman answered.

"Notified?"

"Soon to be Ajax and Nyx." Roman paused.

"Specific target?" Ash asked.

"My grandson." The Queen firmly spoke. "Again."

"What the..." Ash trailed off in shock. "H-How- there's security?"

"Not well enough." Roman sternly responded.

Zeli soon reappeared with Cal and Onyx. The two were slightly tipsy, but forcing themselves to focus. Zeli placed an arm around Cal to hold him steady. Onyx clung to Cal's arm because her vision was starting to see triple Zelis.

"The young prince was targeted again." Ash stated which immediately sobered the inebriated angels. "And we're to return to the palace."

"Let's go." Cal and Onyx nodded.