A Z R I E L (A Freenbecky Fanfiction)

CHAPTER 29

"And you're just telling me this, now?" Blair exclaimed, eyes wide, staring at the younger woman who just finished explaining to her the events of the past few days.

From Lilith's attack to her late-night flare up where Azriel was the one who saved her both times.

Aelia winced, fingers knotting in her lap. "I... I wanted to tell you earlier, I swear. I just—things kept happening so fast. And I didn't even understand what was going on myself."

"You mean to tell me," Blair began again, voice rising just slightly, "that Lilith—the Lilith from the damn Blacklist—attacked you? And that you nearly burned your dorm down in your sleep because your powers flared up? And Azriel saved you both times?"

Aelia flinched. "Yeah..."

Blair's brows shot up. "Bella, do you hear yourself?! That's not just a bad couple of days. That's trauma. You've been through actual supernatural trauma and I'm the only one who don't know? Even Elethea knows."

"I'm really sorry, Blair," Aelia said quickly, voice cracking with guilt. "We haven't actually seen each other since it happened, and I just didn't know how to explain it without sounding... unhinged. I didn't want to drag you into it."

Blair stared at her for a long moment, the exasperation slowly draining from her face. Her shoulders relaxed.

Then she stood up, walked around the table, and gently knocked her knuckles on the top of Aelia's head.

"Ow—hey!"

"That's for not trusting me sooner," Blair muttered.

And then she smiled. A soft, understanding smile that reached her eyes.

"It's fine, Bella," she said, crouching slightly and gently patting Aelia on the head in her usual sisterly way. "I get it. I really do. I understand why you weren't comfortable sharing all of that with everyone."

Aelia's eyes shimmered faintly, the tension in her shoulders easing. "You're not mad?"

"I'm mad you almost died twice and tried to handle it all alone." Blair stood straight again, arms crossed. "But I also know you're stubborn and scared to make people worry."

Aelia gave her a sheepish look. "Guilty."

Blair rolled her eyes but then leaned down to hug her tightly.

"I'm glad you're okay," she whispered. "But next time something like that happens, you tell me. Promise?"

"I promise," Aelia whispered back.

"And..." Blair pulled back slightly, giving her a curious look, "Azriel, huh?"

Aelia groaned, hiding her face in her hands. "Don't start."

Blair grinned like a fox. "Oh, I've already started."

"Blair!"

"What?" Blair teased, smirk lingering on her lips. "I'm just surprised that cold hearted evil woman was willing to sacrifice her own safety just to save you."

Aelia raised her eyebrows, "She's not evil. Stop judging her."

"Now you're defending her." Blair snorted, "I'm just kidding, by the way."

"Tell me again?" Kali asked, arms crossed as she watched Aelia slip on her jacket.

"Professor Caelus told me to meet him every Friday at six o'clock for special training," Aelia explained, glancing briefly at her RWD for the time.

"Because you had that slight flare-up during his class?"

Aelia nodded. "Yeah. He said I'm containing too much pressure and eventually it'll explode if I don't learn how to release it properly."