The Devil's Love

||. Chapter 14: Confusion .||

Ansel wiped the sweat off her brow. Using the towel to dry off her sweat-soaked hair, Ansel turned to look at Iris who slumped herself down on the ground tiredly. They had both been waiting for Ben to return so the three of them could conduct a mission together. Ansel stood in front of the mirror, studying her bruised cheeks before letting out a soft chuckle. Their breaths filled the training room as Iris's feet squeaked when she rose from her position for some water. Looking at the elder, Ansel leaned herself on the wall.

"You are losing your touch there," said Ansel, leaning down to pick up her bottle.

"Did I now, Acute?" Iris asked with her eyebrows raised. "I could have gone harder during our spar, but Daniel reminded me not to kill you or injure you. I don't want to be his next target just because I hurt his favourite child."

The younger arched her eyebrows at the mention. "Daniel? Not long before he shot a bullet right through my shoulders. He could have killed me that night," replied Ansel as a soft scoff escaped her lips. "Training with you helps build my stamina and if he is ordering everyone to go easy on me, I might as well just retreat myself from this group. I need the pain to motivate me, not pity."

"You get lots of pain during our mission. Don't ask for it now," teased Iris, glancing sideways when Ben popped in and motioned them to follow. "Daniel might seem like he hates you because of that one little bag you are still keeping from him, but he cares about all of you if that matters. Maybe it is time for you to return it to him. He desperately needs it."

Slipping the knife blades into each side of her boots, Ansel walked side by side with Iris. Deep down, she wanted to keep the bag with her so that it could remind her of her recklessness. Now that Iris had pointed it out, Ansel began to doubt the value of the bag. Climbing into the backseat of the car, Ansel watched the vehicle whirred its way out of their tiny hideout in the forest. Maybe it is time she stops for her benefits. 

== xxx ==

Ansel sneaked silently into her home. Everyone had been asleep and it was past midnight. The mission took longer than expected. Removing her boots, she tossed it into the bucket by the toilet. Knowing that Jiang would be at home, she arranged her steps silently past his room only to freeze when the lights turned on. Looking ahead, she came face to face with Jiang sitting by the aquarium with Annika opposite him. She swallowed the bile in her throat, settling her bag at the side of the kitchen table.

Words were not needed at that moment. Jiang's eyebrows were knitted furiously, his lips quivered despite the thin line on his face and his arms crossed with his fingers drumming on his elbow. His legs folded on the sofa. Ansel studied his protruded jawline as their stares intensified. He could see the disappointment in his black eyes, his dishevelled hair explained his lack of rest and the tense atmosphere didn't seem to bother the usually cheerful man she knew.

"You want to explain to me what you are doing, returning home past midnight with mud-caked boots and a bruise on your cheek?" Jiang questioned as he stood up, arranging his silent steps towards Ansel who took a couple of steps backwards. "I did not pry into your matters, Ansel, but involving yourself into late-night missions, that's a little over than what we agreed. I have my limits, pancake. You don't want to unleash that."

Ansel bit her dried lips as her shaky fingers found their way into the pocket of her pants. Her lips shut tight not being able to find a single word. She knew Jiang had always been the understanding elder, but tonight's hunt, she went because she wanted to feel the satisfaction of injuring someone. She couldn't say it out loud because if she did, Jiang would be disappointed in him. She watched as Annika headed over to soothe the elder, brushing the fingers along his shoulders before turning to look at her.