A Z R I E L (A Freenbecky Fanfiction)

CHAPTER 21

Eirene stayed behind, chatting with Aelia about anything and everything-from old professors to random campus rumors-just enough to distract her from the lingering pain and confusion.

Azriel, despite her bruises, wounds and broken bones, insisted on going out to get food.Both women tried to stop her, but Azriel didn't listen.

Now, Aelia sits propped up against the pillows, her body sore, her mind restless.

"How can Azriel defeat someone like Lilith?" she asked carefully, eyes flickering toward the door Azriel had walked through not long ago. "She's an abyssal. Powerful and with years of experience fighting."

It wasn't doubt-just wonder.

Eirene hesitated. "Azriel..." she started, then paused, unsure how much she should reveal. She's not exactly sure how to tell Aelia how powerful the woman is. Azriel's power is very extraordinary even amongst the supernatural realms. It's also the reason why she's restricted from unleashing her full potential, she has lost control before, and she might lose control again.

"Her power's not normal. Even among our kind." Eirene settled with that answer not elaborating anymore.

"It has to be, if she survived that fight." Aelia said softly, brows furrowed.

Eirene only nodded. She looked like she was holding something back, so Aelia didn't push. Maybe Azriel would answer those questions herself-though that's probably impossible.

"Why am I here anyway?" Aelia asked next, glancing around the room. "Why didn't she take me to a hospital?"

Eirene exhaled. "After Azriel told me to take Celestine, I rushed her to the hospital. They asked me questions, and I told them we ran into Lilith on the road, but lied about the rest. Said we survived because we weren't elementals and Left out the part where you and Fran were still out there." She said instead.

"Why?"

"Because Fran wouldn't want anyone interfering. And..." Eirene hesitated. "Because she'd be in deep trouble for what she did."

"Trouble?" Aelia echoed, blinking. "She was saving me."

"She's not allowed to fight, Bella. Not even allowed to go off campus."

"What? Why?"

Eirene shook her head. "That's not my story to tell. You'll have to ask her."

"We could've died out there"

"But you didn't, Fran wouldn't let that happen."

Just then, the door creaked open.

Azriel stepped in, looking more tired than she let on, carrying paper bags of food in both hands. Without a word, she handed one to Aelia.

"Here. Eat."

Then she walked over to the damaged table from the fire Aelia unleashed earlier, sat down with a quiet wince, and began eating from her own bag like nothing had happened.

"Hey!" Eirene said, affronted. "Where's mine?"

Azriel looked up, blinked, and shrugged.

"Seriously?" Eirene huffed. "So mean." She muttered, then stood, tapping Aelia's shoulder. "I'm going to check on Celestine. Try not to strangle each other while I'm gone." She shot a look at Azriel, who didn't even glance up.

The door shut quietly after Eirene left the room.

Silence settled in.

Aelia opened her food and nibbled quietly. Then, glancing up, she saw Azriel watching her from the corner of her eye. The older woman looked away the moment their eyes met.