The Fire in the Monster

Rain Drowns the Flames

Morning came entirely too soon. Sam was a deep sleeper, but he didn't miss the sound of my phone chiming an alarm. As I jumped to smack it violently into quick submission, he groaned and rolled onto his side, one eye opening and an eyebrow raised in question.

"Shhhh," I said, feeling immensely guilty for the lie I was about to tell. "I have an online chat for a group project, go back to sleep."

Sam nodded and pulled me down into his arms for a sleepy kiss. He was sound asleep before our lips even broke apart. Gently, I disentangled his arms and slipped on a fur lined pair of black leggings, pulling a light pink sweater over my head. I tip toed over and grabbed my snow boots as well as fresh socks before sneaking out and closing the door behind me.

Downstairs, the clock read 7:48. I hastily pulled my boots on and jogged to my SUV, sliding the key in and listening to the car turn over.

I drove on autopilot, replaying all the events that led me to this moment in time. Life had knocked me to my knees more times than I ever wanted to remember. I had been broken, bent, and left empty. My soul had been shredded; my autonomy violated. My very essence had been dismissed and declared worthless by those who took what they wanted from me. So many times, over and over, control was wrenched from me. Too many times, I was made to feel powerless.

Not anymore. Today, I was going to make a decision on MY terms. If death awaited me, I would embrace it. If pain was the price, I would pay it. Whatever was coming to me would come with my consent, my permission. I was not going to just lay down and take it again. With my resolve set, I put my car in park and exited to walk towards the Pink Lady Cafe.

On coming in, I spotted Raphael at a back table. He was wearing a white sweater that seemed to glitter slightly in the light and had a mug pressed firmly between his palms, taking delicate sips. He waved briefly and I nodded in return before stepping in line to place my order. 5 minutes later, I joined him at the table with a vanilla latte. I noticed a half empty mug at the seat next to mine, the smell of heated chocolate swirling into my senses.

"Did you get two drinks?" I asked, giving him a small grin.

"On no, that's-" he began, before smirking slightly and indicating behind me. I turned in my seat and gaped at the sight before me.

A man with a simple t-shirt and blue jeans was approaching our table, his lips pressed together and his eyes betraying his discomfort. He was lean and lithe, his hair black and tousled. His whiskey colored pupils rivaled even James' in their warmth and depth. Around his neck, hanging from a gold colored collar, was a sweet flower. When I had met him, his ears had been pointed and he always had a spear.

When he reached the table, I gasped up at him. "Sae...?"

He quickly interrupted me, his gaze shifting uneasily to Raphael. "In this plane, please call me Charles."

"What, seriously? Like Princess Diana and Prince Charles?" I giggled while Saero looked confused.

"What's funny?" he inquired.

I laughed out loud before promptly ignoring him. "Raphael, why is he here?"

Saero sank into the chair next to me and took a sip of his hot chocolate. Raphael smiled widely before reaching across the table to pat my hand.

"Oh Babygirl," he said, eyes shining. "I had the most splendid idea of a solution for our little issue. Charlie here tells me that you and the lovely Demon Queen go WAY back."

I shifted in my seat uneasily. "We've met a time or two."

Saero snorted but looked properly chastised when I glared at him.