Leo stood against the wall of the training room, his eyes secured on Missouri, she certainly didn’t forget about their training session. He was a few minutes late, but he saw her studying the wall of weapons, relieved that she hadn’t forgotten.

Now the session was over and Missouri was exhausted, she lay on the floor, her hair a tangled mess and her skin flushed. He thought of her progress and couldn’t help but feel proud. For a human she listened and took his advice efficiently. She was still unable to conjure her power but he was convinced that she will be able to soon. 

Missouri gazed at the ceiling, her body resting flatly on the floor, her hands lying above her head. She was aware of Leo’s curious gaze and without turning her attention away from her distraction she spoke, “Why are you staring?” her voice monotone, she knew he was thinking about something, but she didn’t know what.

“Why are you not freaked by this change? From the beginning you bore everything with an open mind.” He commented, his eyes studying her features, but her emotions were locked inside her heart for fear of discovery so he saw no change in expression.

“I guess I didn’t have the luxury of being able to freak out. But I do think I was a bit freaked.” She replied.

Her tone worried Leo, usually Missouri would encourage his talks and invite conversation; something was undoubtedly wrong. 

“You know I have always thought of Gargoyles as water spouts. You feel offended by that.” She mused, but her tone was half dry.

Leo smiled at her attempt at liveliness, he folded his arms across his chest and bent his head slightly, “Yes well I can see how we may be of more importance that way.” A sad smile formed on her lips.

“Don’t you ever stop joking?” Missouri finally asked the question plaguing her mind. She turned to face him this time, the biggest smile of denial infecting his features.

“No.” He shook his head slightly, “But if it’s any consolation, Gargoyles have been placed on buildings to ward off evil for centuries.” He informed her. Missouri turned her attention back to the ceiling, bringing her hands down to rest on her stomach. Her forehead crinkled from concentration.

“I suppose there is some truth to all mythology.” She contemplated what else might have some truth in them and discarded the thought as she decided that it was best she didn’t know.

Hadriel sat back onto his chair, his hand holding on to the back of his neck while he rotated it in attempt to relieve the craps; which he was certain had nothing to do with sitting for hours in his chair. He had the urge to hit something, to channel his anger and the thought banged with certainty; he would use his rage in his interrogation, he was far past merciful.

Hadriel slid off his seat and hardened his features, the way he always did when there was something of utmost importance, the act wasn’t planned rather a reflex and he wasn’t aware he was doing it. Bent his head momentarily and when he looked up, the image of Missouri and Leo walking towards him flashed in front of his eyes. His heart constricted at the sight of her appearing forlorn.

Leo stopped a few inches away from Hadriel and Missouri was brought back to reality why he noticed his change. She picked her eyes off the floor and stared at the man-angel that haunted her every moment; she even dreamt about him!

She continued to gape unconsciously at him, but he didn’t pay her any attention. Hadriel illustrated devotion to Leo, “I need a word with you now.” He spoke, his voice harsh and Missouri felt the full cut of them, she knew she was being dismissed, she saw him do it many times to his angels. Without looking to Leo she walked around Hadriel and left them to their discussions.

Hadriel tried his best to ignore Missouri, and he felt his strength drain when he succeeded. He resisted the urge to follow her disappearing figure, his anger growing at his behaviour. He hated being responsible for that look of pure hurt. His fists balled at his sides and he could feel the blood stop flowing.

Hadriel focused on Leo and knew he was curious and unaware of what just happened, his face masked with the lines of suspicion. Before Leo could say anything on the matter Hadriel demanded, “How is the training?” His voice edgy, he was trying to conceal his anger but for some reason the more her tried the angrier he felt.

 Leo went into instructor mode and Hadriel could tell he felt proud of Missouri’s progress. “She is moving at a faster rate than I expected. Pretty soon she will have all the basics covered and then I will introduce the more complex parts. Her power has not made an appearance after numerous trials but I feel with more exercises that will be controllable.” He finished his summary and was also dismissed by Hadriel.

Missouri couldn’t fight the tears any longer; as soon as the sound of the door shutting behind came to a halt she slid to the floor unable to gather the strength to be strong. She curled herself into a tight ball, the way she always did when she was at the orphanage. Just like then she felt alone although in the deep recesses of her mind she desperately wanted it not to be so, just as she had wanted it be when she was a child. Her tears flowed uninterrupted, unheard by anyone once again. Pain as such never ended and she thought herself foolish that she believed otherwise, but now she understood that she was not be saved out of this like her rather fortunate friends at the orphanage. No she would forever be alone, with only herself as her saviour.

Hadriel ran his hand through his hair in frustration, he hoped she knew that she wasn’t alone, despite it all he wished that deep down Missouri was able to hold on to him and know that he would always protect her; even if he couldn’t be there to reassure her of that and even though all he could give her was broken dreams. 

The image of her pain shot through his mind and so did the anger; his fists balled again, his jaw twitched under pressure as he stalked off to the demon.

At the door’s entrance Hadriel ignored Muriel’s presence and pushed the door forcefully, with Muriel on his heels as he entered. He looked upon the creature’s smug appearance with the utmost derision. They had nerve, they would be on the verge of death yet they always managed to uphold their façade.

Hadriel regarded the demon maliciously, his knuckles made ready by his applying pressure on them and Muriel thought that he appeared more frightening, as if he was going to enjoy this more than he usually did, the thought churned her stomach. He twisted his neck side to side and smiled at the demon. “You are going to give me the information I need.” His voice friendly, but there was something even more deadly than before coating it.

“I won’t tell you a thing.” The demon replied and Muriel could that even he was affected by this Hadriel. Hadriel cocked his head to the side in contemplation. “Well then, at least it will be memorable.”

“I don’t need you in here Muriel, stand outside the door.” He commanded her and she did as she was told, deep down she was relieved she didn’t have to be in there for this interrogation.

Hadriel never let himself enjoy his interrogations but sensing that he truly couldn’t be more hated, allowed himself to feel the full disdain for his twisted emotions. Today and hence forth would not be a day to hold back, mercy was no longer a driving force in his judgement.

The sounds of screaming echoed off the walls of the Cathedral. Cry after cry came and stopped to no avail. Muriel heard this and tried to steady her heart beat. After what felt like a lifetime, Hadriel came through the door, his hands soaked in blood. 

“A demon by the name of Arc, find him. Take help.” He was calm and this Hadriel alarmed Muriel. Without a word she left to find Satael and locate the demon.

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Just wanted to thank you guys for all the support! I would be nothing nor would this book see the light of day if it weren't for you guys! :) I really hope you all are enjoying this book, plz tell me what you guys think by voting or commenting, I really enjoy hearing from you :)

-Shivani <3