Killing an Angel

Chapter 25~ still

Still, Nagisa didn't let his guard down. He closed his eyes, trying to sense any unwelcome presences. A darkness. The fallen angel felt a shudder run through him. This presence was much darker than most demons. It also might need to be added that Nagisa recognized this presence.

And here he thought they'd escaped him for awhile.

"Kayano," he began to warn, "be-"

A sudden movement prompted him to throw out an energy shield, deflecting anyone who would attack. He hoped.

-

Karma gave a bored sigh. Kayano was honestly starting to get on his nerves, but it wasn't like he'd ever admit that to Nagisa. The demon would've loved to keep Nagisa all for himself, but knew that he should respect Nagisa's friendships. For the most part.

He still reserved to right to dislike Nagisa's friends.

Speaking of friends, he wondered how Rio was doing. He'd been so distracted by Nagisa that he'd missed keeping in touch with Rio. Different from Kayano, the female demon was always jumping about with others and catching up on all the gossip demonically possible. Which was a lot. She wouldn't miss Karma, but enjoyed his company when he gave it. Karma pulled out his phone.

"Hey Rio," he greeted when the demon answered almost instantly. He swore she was attached to it.

"Nice to hear you again, Karma," Rip greeted cheerily. "Heard that Satan had to interfere in a fight with you an Asano?"

"Ah, that's gotten out, has it?" Karma murmured thoughtfully. He wondered how much people really knew. Though it didn't really concern him, as long as they knew not to mess with him.

"Yep. Come on, you know news travels fast. How about you catch me up on the rest of it? I'm assuming that's why you called."

"You guessed right," Karma smiled, grabbing his wallet just in case any mortal issues arose. "How about a cafe this time?"

"Or a mall," Rio piped up, "you could maybe pick up an outfit for your fallen demon." There was suggestion in her tone; she knew how girlish Nagisa looked.

"Tempting, but no." As much as Karma knew it'd be fun, he didn't want to do that to Nagisa. Not by using peer pressure, anyway. "However we could meet at a mall if you really want to hear mortal gossip."

"I am not only focused on gossip!" Rio argued.

"Sure, sure," Karma shut the door behind him.

"And besides I have other things to do besides gossip."

"Sure you do, Rio," Karma held in laughter, but he was certain Rio could hear the amusement in his tone. "Mind naming a few?"

"...demon stuff."

Karma actually rolled his eyes then. "Terribly sorry I'm interrupting you from your demon stuff, then."

"Shut it Karma! I'll meet you at the bubble tea place inside."

"See ya."

After catching an uber to the mall since Karma was obviously a modern teen and did that often, he met up with Rio at the bubble tea place. He ordered a strawberry one since he could, while Rio ordered a chocolate one.

"Let's sit here," she suggested. There were only tables for three at the cafe-like place in the mall.

Once they were settled in, Rio opened her mouth today something. Unfortunately, she never got the chance.

"Oh my, looks like you have a free seat open! I shall grace you with my lovely red reaper presence, dear demons!"

Karma's eyes narrowed and he looked over to the other redhead who had joined them. Several mortals nearby sent them strange glances, then shook their head and went back to whatever they were doing.

"Teens and their cusplay or costplay or whatever," someone muttered.

The two demons and reaper ignored them. "Grell," Karma said in a controlled voice, "why are you here?"

The demon waved a hand, leaning back
in his chair and magically finding a cup of tea. "I came to give you dark news."

Karma arched an unbelieving eyebrow. "Oh?"

"You know Asano's cousin? What's her name, Alyssa or something? I don't know, that demon chick."

"Yes, why?"

"Well about her... and Nagisa."

In one fluid movement, Karma leapt up and snatched Grell in a chokehold. Rio eyed the mortals next to them warily. Karma best be careful with his out-of-line behavior.

"Tell me. Now. What does this have to do with Nagisa?" Karma's voice was borderline threatening.

Grell sighed. "She's gathered an army. She says she'll have you Karma, and refuses to "let the angel stand in her way". She says she's found him."

Karma let go of Grell, clenching his fists.

He stormed in the direction of the exit, causing Rio to stand up and call out: "Karma?! Where are you going?"

"To get Nagisa." Karma let out a string of ugly curses. "I let him go off with the angel Kayano. Like hell I trust her fully."

"I'm coming."

-

Just in time. Nagisa felt the demonic presence before he saw him. The demon let out a hiss, coming into focus before his eyes.

"Dammit," Asano swore, "Fucking Satan gave you time to train. Of course that's what Karma chose to train on. Your little shield."

Nagisa's eyes narrowed. "What do you want," he hissed, hand creeping towards his side. Where the mark was.

Asano's violet eyes flicked over to the moment, and he shook his head. Quick as a flash, he was gone. Nagisa realized his intention and swore. He should've predicted that.

Asano sighed. "The instant you summon him, I'll cut your poor friend's throat. It's a sad move, but you won't listen."

Nagisa stilled, judging the timing. All Asano had to do was move his arm, and from Kayano's faint struggling, she wasn't escaping anytime soon. "What do you want?" Nagisa hissed.

Asano looked appraisingly at Kayano. "If I'd known that threatening her was all it took to get you to listen... ah, that would've made my previous job so much easier. Well, I hate to admit it, but..." Asian hesitated, and Nagisa felt confusion begin to creep in his mind.

Asano cleared his throat. "You know my cousin?" 

Nagisa thought for a second. "The... the demon Karma got really mad at?" Then he realized that wasn't really specific. "The girl who seemed to have an obsession with Karma?"

Asano's laugh was humorless. "I thought she was an idiot. Yes, that's her. She's done more than I thought she would." There was a cloud of anger on the powerful demon's face, and Nagisa felt worry bubble up inside him.

"Done more...?"

"She's been training. Every hour she can. Demon's rarely need sleep, you know. Instead of being an easy stepping stone like I thought she'd be..." he trailed off, before looking back up at Nagisa.

"If I let this angel go, you are not allowed to move, understood?" The two friends nodded, and Asano removed his knife.

Nagisa took in his information. So Asano had been helping Ally, but was now on their side? That was a bit hard to believe. And Ally was training? "Training for what?"

His phone rang, with a very specific ringtone. (Bye Bye Yesterday rings out) Karma.

"What is it?" Nagisa asked, nodding slightly when Asano put a finger to his lips.

"Nagisa," Karma's voice sounded rushed, "Where are you?"

-=+=-

and we reach the last stretch...

i need to make a cover for my new story, and I'll be good... when i figure out exactly how I'm going to do the cover...

•Lexy