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- DAMABIAH - The healing angel of wounded hearts.

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In Hayden's room, the atmosphere remains silent. Everyone must be at the ball, because on our way here, we didn't meet anyone. My only desire right now is to wash up and change. Hayden, on the other hand, probably feels the same. He tries to take off his t-shirt without delay, but struggles because of his left arm. He makes an effort to pull the right sleeve with his teeth, and then manages to get it off on that side.

I approach him and place my hands on the fabric, trying to pull it over his head first, then I slide the rest of the garment down his remaining arm. It surprised me that he let me do it without saying anything, but I guess he has no other choice. His shoulder is swollen, and the skin on his chest and back is marked with new scars and bloody scratches that are already beginning to dry.

- Your shoulder is turning blue and seems to have swollen.

- It got dislocated when a demon jumped on me, I landed badly.

- Does it hurt?

- When you don't touch it, no, it's fine, but I have to put it back in place and that's probably not going to feel good.

He looks at me and then says:

- Can you do it?

- Wouldn't you rather call someone who knows how to handle this kind of situation, your sister, or a doctor angel, if they exist, or anyone, I panicked.

- No, I can't, otherwise I'd have to explain how I got this, and I've already told you, angels can't lie.

I bite the edge of my lower lip, then agree with a nod.

- What do I have to do, I ask.

- You grab my arm, bend my elbow slowly, one hand on my wrist and the other just above the elbow.

I follow these instructions while he explains. I find myself facing his left profile.

- Like this?

- Yes, that's good. Now, this is where it's going to get tough. Make sure you do it right.

- I'm ready.

- With the hand that's higher, so your right hand, you're going to pull downward, then with the hand that's holding my wrist, you're going to push it back while continuing to pull downward with your right hand.

- Okay... okay, I repeat, to give myself time to picture what I need to do.

I execute the movements, following his instructions while trying not to lose grip. It's complicated, as my small hands struggle to properly grasp the bottom of his muscular biceps. The unpleasant sound and the feeling of his arm moving inside terrifies me. I notice him gritting his teeth, his gaze fixed straight ahead, motionless. Once I finally manage to put his shoulder back in place, hearing a pop that signals it's done, he lets out a sigh he's been holding in since the beginning.

- Don't let go of it, understood?

- Okay.

He looks around, searching for something, then moves toward his wardrobe. I follow him, my hands still in place. With a precise motion, he opens the closet with his good arm and pulls out a black t-shirt.

Without needing to say a word, I understand what he wants to do. With his teeth, he easily tears the fabric into strips, creating an improvised bandage. As he hands me the long piece of fabric, I hesitate to move my hands.

Seeing my hesitation, he places the end of the fabric between his teeth, holding it by one corner, then replaces my right hand, spreading his fingers so he can properly hold his elbow and arm. I gently release him to check the stability he's achieved with just one hand, then I grab the homemade bandage that's hanging between his teeth.

Now that I think about it, he could have done it himself, right?

He tilts his head toward me, and I finally touch the black fabric, brushing my fingertips against his soft lips, which unsettles me for a moment. I pass the bandage under his left elbow, then behind his head, tying a solid knot to create a kind of splint. I wonder if real splints exist in this world. He finally lets go, releasing a sigh of relief, while I see his face relax, his jaw less tense, and his expression more at ease.

- You shouldn't have followed me, I suddenly say.

- If I hadn't, you'd probably be dead, devoured by a dozen demons.

Dozen, I repeat in my head with dread.

- At least, you wouldn't have been hurt.

- Shut up, he says in a sharp tone.

My eyes widen.

- If I had to do it again, I would.

I'm left speechless.

He starts unbuttoning his pants, and for that, he didn't need my help. I turn my head to give him some privacy, although it seems like he doesn't need it, given how often he undresses in front of me.

- You don't seem ashamed to change in front of a woman.

He doesn't respond.

I glance over to check out the excessive pride radiating from his body. He's searching for clothes in his wardrobe. His physique is muscular, but balanced—he doesn't look like one of those bodybuilders whose upper body is three times wider than their thighs. No, his body is muscular in the right way. In fact, he has every right to be proud of his body. Actually, everyone should be proud of their appearance, like he is of his, but not to the point of undressing in front of just anyone.

A thought crosses my mind—the demon who reacted when I spoke to him without attempting to rip me apart. Is one of the angels' powers to control demons? I absolutely need to find out. If Hayden hadn't shown up to kill him, maybe I could have figured out if I was the cause of his obedience.

- By the way, how did you find me in the forest?

He continues searching.

- Events aren't really my thing, I was on my balcony, and I saw you running strangely and in the opposite direction of where you were supposed to be tonight. I thought I should follow you to see what was going on... Ah, here it is!

He finally turns around, and at that moment, I realize I've continued to watch him. When I realized it, it was too late, but I still turn my head to the side, fully aware that he knows I was watching him.

- No need to turn your head, I saw you, he says with a smile.

- No, I don't know what you're talking about, I smile back, embarrassed, not for watching him for so long, but because he saw me doing it.

- Yeah, right, here, catch.

He throws me a stunning dress that I catch just in time. It's black, long to the knees, and has an open back.

- A party dress? How come you have this in your wardrobe?

He doesn't answer and slowly loses his smile. Could this be a dress from the famous Leila?

- Can I ask you a question?, I ask.

- Which one?

- Before I passed out...

He stops moving, waiting for the rest.

- You called me... Leila, I finish.

I clench my teeth, hoping I'm not being too direct regarding his private life.

- She's nobody. Not anymore, he replies, his voice barely audible.

- You mean she's...

- Dead, he says, finishing my sentence.

He looks at me, then lowers his eyes to the dress I'm holding between my hands.

I, in turn, look at it. I already have the answer to my question, but I ask anyway for confirmation.

- This dress was... hers?

He nods without taking his eyes off the dress.

- You must have cared a lot about her.

- Hmm, she was a very beautiful woman. Brave... determined... sincere. Rare qualities in an angel these days.

He looks up at me now, then continues:

- You really look a lot like her.

- If it bothers you that I wear this dress, I understand, I say, offering it back to him.

- No, keep it. I'd rather give it to you than let it gather dust here. Besides, I'm sure it'll suit you very well.

I bring the dress back to me and thank him.

- Do you want to take your shower first?

- Yes, I would, I smile at him. I need to go to the ballroom. The girls must be worried, especially your sister.

- I'll accompany you to protect you.

- I don't want your protection, you're just going to end up getting hurt because of me again.

- I told you, if I had to do it over again, I would.

At those words, my heart skips a beat. I start to feel my body warming up, even though it's freezing outside.

I've just finished my shower and put on clean clothes.

- That feels so good.

I quickly wipe the mirror to see my reflection. As I look into it, I remember those times spent in my room, doing my makeup before going shopping or out with my mother. I stay there, in front of the mirror, lost in my melancholic thoughts. I run my hand over the fog that's starting to form again on the mirror's surface, and I realize, snapping out of my memories, that I won't be able to get ready properly for the ball.

With a man's bathroom, it's certain that I won't find anything to powder my nose. Yet, there was that dress I'm wearing. Well, never mind, I'll have to make do with this. I leave my hair natural, long and wavy. I do borrow a hairbrush, though, to style it.

- There, I'm ready.

When I leave the bathroom, I realize he's not in his room. Seizing the opportunity, I decide to take a little tour, curious about his things. I know it's wrong to snoop, but a room can reveal a lot about a person, often without them realizing it. On his desk, I notice several books, once again.

- He really has a passion for reading.

I sincerely hope they aren't forbidden books, I don't want to go through another catastrophe like last time.

As a precaution, I don't touch them. What can my power do to a forbidden book now that I've undergone this ceremony? I was the only one who could nullify it; maybe I can activate it without intending to. I tilt my head over to read the titles. Touching with my eyes doesn't count, well, I hope not.

- The Legend of the Fallen Angels World. The Power of the Supreme Angels. The Lineage of Pure Angels.

Is he researching me?

The door opens, and Hayden appears. He returns half-naked, again... He must have taken his shower in another room, probably his brother's.

- I took the liberty of snooping through your wardrobe, hope you like my selection.

He takes a glance at the bed, on which I've placed clothes for him. A black shirt and a classic pair of pants that were hidden at the back of his wardrobe, along with a pair of classic shoes that will go perfectly with the rest. As an accessory, a simple black belt with a square gold buckle.

- No way I'm wearing a shirt.

- It's a ball, did you forget?

- I'm not going to participate, just accompany you.

He then pulls out a more casual outfit and doesn't wait for me to turn around before dropping the towel, letting his fully naked body appear. All flushed, I quickly turn halfway around, trying to regain my composure.

- You can look, I don't mind.

- No... I'm fine.

- In that case, don't keep glancing at me, he says with a smile.

I blush. So, he had noticed, I was right.

- I haven't thanked you yet for saving me, I say, trying to think of something else.

- I promised to stay with you the day we met.

- Except you left me with your sister.

- That's true.

- So, the condition no longer applies? I smile, full of hope.

- Yes, my dear, it still stands, you still have to do whatever I want. Don't complain, it was you who made the proposal, he says, getting closer to my ear, still smiling.

I sigh.

In front of me, near the entrance door, I see my heels from when I was running toward the forest.

He found them and brought them back, how kind, especially coming from him.

- Oh no, my shoes are...

Before I finish my sentence, a pair of high heels appear in front of my face.

Hayden hands me a beautiful pair of black stilettos. I take them and turn around, relieved and grateful. I'm not wearing makeup, but at least I'm clean and wearing beautiful clothes.

As I fasten the straps of the heels, I realize that if Hayden didn't have this anger issue, he'd be perfect. When I stand up, I see him extend his arm like a gallant man. A gallant man dressed in a tracksuit and a black t-shirt, but it's cute.

My heart trembles and warms up.

- Let's go.

- I thought you didn't like these kinds of evenings.

- Who's going to protect you if I don't go?

I smile at him.

- My dear, after tonight, I'd like us to talk about something concerning you, and don't forget, don't show your wings to anyone.