Diabolus: The Lost Phoenix

Chapter Twenty Seven

  BEVERLY WOODS

As we reach the manufacturing district, our car slows down in front of the huge, probably, unused factory. The building is colorless, gray, the kind of place where no happiness ever reached. Every building looks the same way, only a few workers walking outside with their bright colored vests, probably, taking their earned breaks.

I turn my head to the left to look at Kai, his serious face, as if all the warmth was sucked out of him; now it's all business. His face is stern, yet surprisingly peaceful as he stopped the car and kept his eyes on the area in front of him; lifeless building, and his people, getting out of their black cars.

"Kai?"

When my voice breaks the uncomfortable silence, he finally turns to me, his eyes soften in an instant. I notice the corners of his lips moving, trying to fight a smile as he looks at me and immediately starts calming down.

"Are you ever afraid?"

"Of what?"

"That you might... not make it?"

Within his often serious and mobile face are eyes that twinkle. In just moments his mouth gives up the tension and worry our days keep building, his lips breaking into a boyish grin. I feel his gentle, but electrical fingers sliding into my palm, spreading the warmth, and the heat seems to travel through my veins, warming me up. When Kai touches me, it all changes; there's no war, no death, no suffering, just us.

"Sometimes. But I have to deal with the perks of being an assassin. But to be honest, I'm more fearful that someone that I care about will not make it. That's why I would prefer to be working alone."

"But we're a team."

"That's why I'm not making those decisions alone. But I would always choose to die myself, to make sure I did everything to protect you, and others."

I smell his sweet, yet spicy cologne when he leans a little closer, lifts his head up to reach my forehead. When he plants the kiss there I feel warmth spread through my limbs and my mind feels a pleasant buzz. Everything seems possible now, likely even.

When we pull apart, a man in front of our car catches my attention and it's a sign that we have to get out. His dark brown eyes, somehow, seem to be filled with pain and hidden trauma, glistening in the light that radiated off the sun above him. His forehead is hidden under dark brown hair, but you could still spot the odd wrinkles; and a silent half-grin on his face, a little tipsy.

"Well finally, the most beautiful couple of assassins."

"You want to piss me off? Already?"

As we hop out of the car, he spreads his muscular arms to the sides, as if we were his old friends that he was happy to see again. The playful smile on his lips is kind of annoying, something inside me tells me not to trust him; but if Kai does, it means I have to believe in him.

I notice a few men with black suits behind Daryl, as if this was a business meeting; which we all know, is not.

"No need to be so angry, Diabolus. We are a team now, we have to work together."

"We're not a team, we just have the same aim."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

Daryl chuckles and quickly shoves his hands into his pockets, rocking from his heels to toes. When we get closer to him, all of us, I feel the tension starting to grow. I know no one trusts him, but Kai. And I have no idea why he is doing this, being so gullible, a little irresponsible, yet I know no one will have doubts about his decisions.