ᶰᵒᶤʳ ᶜᶤᵗʸ, ᵇᵉᵍᶤᶰᶰᶤᶰᵍ

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Soon after, Lucifer lead them back to the elevator.

Steel couldn't say this was an enjoyable experience. But it wasn't a terrible on either. How he would describe it would be;

Meh.

He quietly walked behind his sister. Kate hadn't talked much after the meeting with Equality, a demon. She seemed to be in deep thought, her eyebrows furrowed in such a way that he could tell thoughts were flying across her head a mile a minute. When they stepped inside, the door slammed shut and the elevator rocketed up. He wobbled in the middle, finally grabbing the railing in back of him for balance. Kate leaned against the railing, like last time. And Kestrel gripped Lucifer's arm, like last time. When they reached the top, he spotted a woman with that other demon from before. She was tall, wearing a government-looking outfit. A patch with a red trident and a Satanist circle rim on her left. She had white horns with blue speckled tips. Her eyes were a strict red. Steel decided that this demon must be very powerful, and not be messed with. ''Charles, I swear, if you don't get this matter figured-'' she stopped at the sight of the four. ''Lucifer.'' She clapped her arms to her sides and bowed in greeting. ''Everly.'' He greeted flatly, his face looking scrunched up. ''My lord-'' she straightened again, ''-can you tell this collector demon that his  wyvern pet is illegal to keep in this shop. Since they can cause so much destruction when they grow-'' Lucifer shrugged, ''well, I don't see the issue as long as he has a big enough cage for it when its older.''

''But sire-''

''Everly, let it slide.''

Everly, growled for a second, before glaring menacingly at Charlie. ''This isn't over, lower class.'' She spat, storming off with loud hoof-like stomps from her massive leather boots. ''So, where's this wyvern?'' Lucifer glanced at the Hispanic, who quietly pulled the curtain off a small cage with a tiny golden brown wyvern inside. It growled at them for a second before letting out a squeal that sounded more like a caw. Its orange eyes staring at them. Lucifer sighed quietly, ''I'm sorry about Everly, she's very committed to the law. And doesn't understand when it can be slid over.'' He muttered, the lower class demon nodding. ''Thank you for letting me keep her, it gets lonely around here. Since Ryan barely visits anymore.'' The 'Icon Of Hell' nodded, ''its alright.'' Then they said their goodbyes and left Charlie with his baby wyvern.

Steel got home, his parents practically broke their voice boxes at how long them screamed at them. He guessed it wasn't any better for Kate since her father, Larry Heronwing, was very strict about what time she was home. Their parents sent them upstairs, not giving them a chance to explain. He spun in his computer chair, wheezing at his thoughts.

Of course it was about Jake.

That's really surprising, isn't it?

That was sarcasm.

He stared at the window and saw drops of rain start to drip down. Lightning crackled and he just stared, sighing. He leaned more against the chair, rubbing his cheeks and groaning angrily. ''I hate gay thoughts.'' He wheezed to himself, hearing a his sister knock on the door. ''Come in!'' Steel shouted and Kestrel squeezed open the door. ''Hey, can I borrow your phone? Mines dead.'' Steel groaned a yes, and Kestrel scurried over and grabbed it. Turning it on and bursting into laughter. ''Booyyy you got it baaaddd.'' She cackled, then Steel realized he had Jake as his screen saver. A picture Kate had sent him via email.

Again, surprising.

Again, sarcasm.

''Well its not my fault.'' He wheezed at Kestrel, slouching over in the chair. ''Its his genetics fault for making him so goddamn adorable and attractive.'' Kestrel just kept laughing, probably ignoring him. ''Aw, aw, sweetie.'' She was gasping for breath, patting his shoulder. ''You 'gotta move on, that boys as straight as a line!'' Steel sighed at her, ''I can't help it, Kestrel! He's just perfect.'' He spun in the chair, making her whip her hand off his shoulder. ''Well I'm going to check your pictures and internet history--BYE!'' Kestrel ran off before he could chase her/protest. Slamming the door behind her. He decided to clear his internet history, and watch some YouTube until he fell asleep.

The next morning wasn't all that great. They still had school (seeing it was a Friday) and it was so close to summer. He was very excited for that.

That was the season he saw the most of Jake.

He got a big ol' dumb grin on his face at that. Kestrel giving him a suspicious look, ''are you thinking about Jake shirtless again?'' Steel's face went a bright pink, and he basically screamed out the words, ''KESTREL PLEASE.'' They then boarded the bus, Steel sitting next to Kate and Kestrel sitting next to Dawn. Steel just stared at Jake quietly from in front of Kate. His gaze seeming distant and sorrowful. Kate glanced at him, almost, concern in her eyes. ''So Kestrel told me about your screensaver.'' She said quietly, her hands in her pockets. ''I changed it.'' He said quickly, his voice trembling. She sighed and patted his shoulder, almost in a comforting way. ''You didn't have to. I mean, what you feel is what you feel. There's no controlling it.'' She sighed quietly. ''Thanks.'' He mumbled, he didn't really expect Kate to be so....nice. She took her hand off his shoulder and watched Kestrel and Dawn chat.

When they finally arrived at school, people had been whispering and going on about the Shadow attack, again. He had no idea what started the uprising of the conversation starter again. But he heard a glimpse of what probably did.

''There was another attack by Mills High, three people were said to just 'melted into shadows'.''

Mills...

Kate must have heard it too, because she twitched ominously. It was obvious she had something on her mind, and that it had to do with the shadow beasts they had encountered twice now. He shuddered to himself. Hopefully he wouldn't have to encounter them again. He watched helplessly as Jake strode by. Forcing himself to tear his gaze away. They arrived at class after putting their things away. Steel had to force himself to pay attention before he couldn't bare it anymore. Resting his head on the desk and staring at Jake secretly. He felt a cold breeze run through his body, a cold breeze of sorrow. Jake could never be his. As Kestrel said, he was straight as a line. But he couldn't stop how he felt about Jake. Even though he really wished he could.

Next period wasn't any better. He didn't really know why today was chosen for him to be so bothered by it. He let out a rasped sigh. Before he heard someone whispering in the background. Laughing and pointing at him. He growled quietly, trying his best to ignore them.

A few hours later it was finally lunch. He sat next to Kestrel like he usually did, slowly chewing his Cheeto's, sighing.  He watched Jake eat, still looking utterly helpless to his emotions. He suddenly realized how dramatic he was being and cursed at himself. Kate glanced over and mouthed: 'Don't stare at him when he's close, he might catch you'. She, like Kestrel, knew that he was very secretive about this. And took this with great concern and protection. He nodded and kept his eyes on his food. Sighing to himself.

''Dick-lover!''

He whipped around to see Danford, snickering at him mischievously. Steel stared, completely paralyzed. Kate covered Jake's ears quickly, he hissed loudly. ''I know you're secret!'' Danford laughed, making Steel even more uneasy. ''W-What secret?'' He stammered out. ''You like Heronwing! The boy! You like Heronwing!'' He chanted, ''you love Jake Heronwing!'' Steel went pale, ''o-of course not! I-I'm not g-gay!'' He only spat in Steel's face. ''Oh yes you are! Indeedy you are! I see how you look at him!'' He felt frozen staring at Danford. ''But don't worry, I won't tell. For a price.'' Oh boy, he thought. Danford's crystal blue eyes narrowing with brutality. ''I want you to-'' before Danford could say anything, Kate stood up abruptly, climbed over the table and slammed her fist into his jaw.