Golden wings

Chapter 39 - Protect

"Alexis?"

The young demon called again.

His tail swayed as he pushed a door open, yet again. He glanced into yet another room. His eyes gained even more worry when he only saw darkness, because the angel was not in this one either. He did not bother to close the door like he always did. He bolted through the corridor again, faster.

Alexis had been walking. He had been recovering. He had managed to move, almost like he did before, after having worn the cape for a few days. His wounds had stopped hurting as much too.

Then why...?

"Alexis?!"

He had already looked in the living room, kitchen and his room. The angel was not in any of those places.

Alexis had been roaming more and more each day, indeed. He had sometimes wandered into dark rooms and isolated corners, because he was still depressed. But those times, he was at least able to be found. He could not find Alexis now. He did not know where he was.

He had left him space, privacy, knowing how he felt about being near him. He was still subconsciously afraid of any demon; he was still hurt by his actions, even if he did not blame him anymore. While Alexis avoided him, he usually went into his own chambers, to read a book or try to not sink into his guilt. He had stopped keeping an eye, because he understood that Alexis wanted to be alone. They had barely interacted with each other. But this was not normal. Today, he had gone out of his chambers to make dinner, and he did not see his angel. Alexis did not go into the kitchen for the food he always left him there. He was nowhere to be found.

Uriel slammed his claw onto his chest and narrowed his eyes. He could tell that Alexis was not far. The ache in his heart was not strong; he could barely feel the pulse from the spell. He was somewhere, and alive.

But where?

Uriel halted a little his steps. His eyes filled with sorrow. His claws reached forward reluctantly, and lied on that big and old door. He opened it slowly, and then glanced at the huge dusty kitchen. He averted his gaze from the painting in the dark.

He dared to look here. But he was not here either. There was only dust.

He had not seen him outside through the windows; he was not outside at the garden. The pulse was too weak for him to think that Alexis could have gone away through the woods. He was already at the top floor, he had gone upstairs. His angel couldn't have possibly learned an invisibility spell. He couldn't have flown away.

It wasn't like he could have flown onto the roof, like he did before, in order to glance to the sky and-

The demon halted his thoughts, his eyes opened with realization. He remembered how the angel had always liked to reach the tallest spot, how he loved to outstretch his wings. He always had marveled at how easily he moved with them, he had always watched from a window while Alexis took off for the roof, in order to admire the sunset or the clear sky.

The roof... He had to be on the roof. But... his wings...

Uriel pondered, his eyes glanced around him in thought. He had ignored the second floor for a very long time. But he still remembered, he still recalled that there was a corridor with a small ladder and hatch.

It took little time for the devil to reach that ladder, hidden somewhere in forgotten hallways. A strong breeze was flowing outside; his claws had a hard time opening the trapdoor. He stood upright, slowly. He outstretched his claws at his sides, to balance himself on the tall roof. His violet eyes looked up, to look ahead wearily. His blood ran cold... because he found his angel.