Queen of the Ashes

Chapter Sixteen

Aloe vera:
pain/greif & affection/healing
∗·• ♔ ♥ ♔ •·∗

Ethan woke up with a flinch as a loud noise suddenly sounded from upstairs. He lifted his head from Maze's nude chest and looked around in his room frantically to find the source of the sound. But there was nothing out of place.

At first he thought he had just imagined the sound or dreamt it, but then it erupted again and this time awakening Maze who's eyes snapped open.

«What the fuck?» She muttered sleepily. She raised herself on her elbows and looked around as well.

«I-I think i-it came from u-upstairs» Ethan said lowly. It was no secret he was scared and his tone made Maze's hand unconsciously stroke his back.

She pushed him back so he laid down before she stood up.

«Stay here» she said lowly as she made her way to the door. Ethan didn't listen though as he hurried after her and grabbed his PJ-pants and shirt and clumsily slipped them on. He also grabbed his white button-up shirt.

Just before she had reached the top of the stairs Ethan stopped her.

«W-wait» he said breathlessly «T-take this o-on first» he handed her the shirt, and Maze wanted to roll her eyes but took the garment anyways and slipped it on. But she didn't have enough time to button it up completely before the sound erupted again and lead them to the front door.

Maze made sure to retract her fangs, claws, and normalize her eye color before she opened the door.

Immediately Ethan flushed bright red as he watched with wide eyes the person at the door.

«A-aunt Anita?» he exclaimed, clearly shocked.

The lady outside huffed as she suddenly slipped herself past Maze and pulled Ethan into a formal and cold hug.

«I waited and waited. Had I not known better I would've thought you had dropped dead as well» she exclaimed angrily and against her best efforts to not sound harsh her concern came out the wrong way and Ethan felt his heart ache a little.

When she pulled away she frowned as she eyed him up and down.

«But I suppose you normally sleep past noon these days considering your appearance».

Ethan tugged the collar of his PJ-shirt upwards, but there was no use as his entire neck was bitten raw and bruised.

Maze tugged the attention away from him as she cleared her throat.

«Was there anything you wanted besides bitching?»

The lady's brows rose as she gasped lowly, shocked to witness such behavior, especially as it was directed towards her.

«I will have you mind your own business. This is strictly family matters-»

«A-aunt this i-is Maze...» Ethan suddenly explained «m-my...m-my...»

«friend?» His aunt suggested, but the demon only snorted as she crossed her arms.

«Lover» she corrected and Ethan couldn't help but blush at this. He hadn't expected Maze to be so blunt about their relationship (to be honest he didn't even know what they were), but the demon had a way of surprising him. And embarrass him. Mostly, at the worst time possible.

«Oh» his aunt said as she eyed Maze up and down. Suddenly the pieces in her head added up and she exclaimed a pitched «ah! You are that lady I talked to on the phone two weeks ago!»