The Devil's Love

||. Chapter 39: Venomous Speech .||

The usual route home didn't feel familiar anymore. Usually, he would be accompanied by Ansel's chatty presence, but today, all he felt was fear, terror and uncustomary silence. His feet played an important role in dragging his heavy body towards the empty seat at the park to calm his raging mind. His heart clamoured against his chest, sending multiple reminders to him of Ansel's stolen rights to live.

Lowering his head down, Angelo shut his eyes, brushing his slender fingers across his cold cheeks only to be grateful that Lily wasn't badly injured. A strong gush of chilly wind swept past him, reminding him of the unintended absence. Shaking his legs, Angelo rubbed his palms nervously, shifting his eyes from one corner to the other. Sweat trickled down his brow. He tightened his fist, hating his own for being so powerless. He could not do anything except for placing tremendously high hopes on Jonathan.

Without his angelic power, Angelo cannot return back to Halion. He despised the idea of having to rely on anybody, yet in this moment of unending desperation, he knew he needed to be patient. Angelo bit the corner of his lips, drawing metallic blood onto his taste buds that reminded him about the possible pain Carson could instil on Ansel's mortal self just to make her feel helpless. Carson's only intention was to prevent Ansel from dying, but it didn't mean stopping the elder from torturing her physically and mentally.

"Angelo," Jonathan called out, closing his wings behind him and brushed the clouds of dust off his clothing. "It is confirmed that Carson is no longer in this mortal realm. He left no trace about his next shelter and I am going to need more time to search for her. I'll work my way around, Angelo. I promise you. The minute I have any information about Ansel, I will inform you about it. For now, why don't you head back home for some rest and break the news to the rest of your mortal friends? It is essential to tell them, Angelo."

Angelo hung his head down. Rising from his seat, he ruffled his hair that dance innocently across the cold wind. Angelo wanted to join the search, to be together with Jonathan, yet his lack of powers proved him an incapable candidate and possible prey. All he could do not was to explain the truth to Jiang, Annika and Jun Ho. He squinted his eyes, imagining the worst possible reactions he could get. Pacing himself next to Jonathan, Angelo kicked a nearby rock into the nearest drain, throwing his head up to study the unaligned stars in the skies.

"It will be my priority to inform them about Ansel's absence. After all, there is no point lying to them, Jon," Angelo sighed, tapping his fingers gently in his pocket while studying the vehicles passing by. "Halion. Carson could be in Halion, hiding in plain sight where no one would notice. I know this is a lot to ask, but can you do me a favour and return to Halion to check on her? Carson's intentions were clear. He is not planning on killing Ansel. Remember my family manor located by the edge of the Slanted Falls? He could be there since that manor is the only place in Halion guarded by my father's magic."

Angelo watched the younger stopping his tracks. Hesitation marked across his features. The Slanted Falls is the most dangerous waterfall in Halion. Its history dated back to when his great-great-grandfather had defeated the creature living in it. Legend has it that the soul of the creature is still ruling the place. If that wasn't dangerous enough, long after his grandfather was consumed by the sun, his father set up poisonous traps outside the manor that can only be stopped by certain relics.

These relics were passed down by his father to his legitimate children and Angelo happened to have one that could prevent Jonathan from being torn into pieces the second he set foot on the foul land. He lifted the hem of his trousers, removing an artistic craft leg bracelet from his ankle. It glowed under the night lamp, showing off the delicate markings on it. Angelo took Jonathan's palms in his, placing it gently and stared into Jonathan's confused eyes.