The Devil's Love

||. Chapter 37: The Orange Code .||

The flower bouquet nestled comfortably in between Angelo's embrace. As they crossed the busy road, Ansel began to harbour a fit of slight jealousy at the flower for claiming her spot. Trailing next to Angelo, Ansel scanned the surroundings carefully. Above them, the yellowish-grey skies seemed to be luring them for a long evening walk. It was rather calming to take walks under such mesmerizing sight. Ansel had always preferred evening rather than morning walks. She could barely understand the fun of watching the sun rising in between the skies eagerly, allowing it to burn her skin. Evening walks and drives had always been her favourite.

She enjoyed the silent walk to Lily's apartment, just both of them holding hands, walking in between the sea of humans and taking in the beautiful sight of the city. It had always been the small gestures that mattered to her. Crossing to the opposite sides, Ansel sighted a familiar figure standing under the lamp post by the alley. He appeared to be waving frantically towards them as if he had been chased by a group of demons. She felt Angelo tightening his grip on her palms as they both headed towards Jonathan. His eyes lurked around the place before dragging them into the quiet are by an alley.

"First off," said Jonathan, pushing his falling fringes backwards as he sucked in the air to regain his breath. "I tracked Carson using the blade you told me, and the results were terrifying. Remember those attacks in town for the past few months? It was indeed Carson's doing. Our guessing was right. Carson has been moving from one person to another. He is using multiple resources."

"Multiple resources?" Angelo questioned, straightening the flowers in his embrace. "No, Jon, that's impossible. Carson can only mend his soul through a loyal mortal."

"You are right, he cannot use multiple resources to mend or heal his soul, Angelo," Jonathan agreed, looking at both Ansel and Angelo. "But, Carson isn't just looking to heal. He is looking to kill. He needed more power, more boost, so his other alternative was to consume souls from ascetic individuals. Those murdered for the past few months lived in simplicity and contributed a lot to their nation. War heroes and heroines, we call."

"He sure is picky," snorted Ansel, adjusting the strap on her back. "From what I understand, Carson is taking the short route to regain his strength. Will we even have days to defeat him? We barely have a plan."

Jonathan sighed, his fingers trembled and shook his head.

"We don't have days, Ansel. I ran a tracking spell on his weapon, and this is the main reason why I am here," said Jonathan seriously, staring right into Angelo's eyes. "He's headed for Lily. I ran the spell multiple times, but it all leads to Lily's apartment. He is heading there as we speak, Angelo. I don't understand why he selected her..."

"She was a war heroin," blurted Angelo, his fist tightening against the stem of the flowers. "She served her nation in previous wars before moving here to settle down. We need to go there immediately. I am not letting Carson hurt Lily."

Jonathan nodded. A flash of light blinded Ansel's sight for a moment. She cracked her eyes opened slowly the minute it disappeared and gasped at the sight of three daggers in Jonathan's right palm. Ansel marvelled at the beautiful phoenix carvings on the daggers. Phoenix tails carved beautifully around its handle. Both its wings wrapped around the blade of the dagger, acting like extra weapons for it. Her fingers itched to snatch it try it out. She could feel Angelo's intense stare at her.

"I don't know if you are allowing Ansel to come with us, but I prepared three," said Jonathan, slipping one into the pocket of his trousers. "We cannot delay any longer, Angelo. Who knows how strong Carson is now? He could kill Lily in seconds."

Before Angelo could answer, Ansel reached out, grabbing the dagger in her right palms and slipped it at the back pocket of her jeans. The material fits right in between fingers, allowing her to feel like she was meant for this fight. Glancing at Angelo's worried expression, she shook her head and breathed out the cold evening air calmly.