Demon Heart

Chapter 18.2

AZA

Guns used to terrify Aza. It was probably the fault of her father. Using his to threaten her and knowing he'd been shot with one had sort of put a damper on James Bond. But she got sick of feeling sick every time she saw someone use them in the movies. It had taken time. It had taken playing with water guns and toy guns all the time, pushing away her initial revulsion to actually have fun and to get the dread out of her head. Guns were not evil. Guns do not kill people. It's the person holding it. The person holding it, using it, is the one that has the power, that has the choice.

Holding this sleek shiny machine in her hand now felt awesome. It wasn't really going to kill for one thing, but it would take down the monsters that hurt Lucis. It would lead them to Thom. It also made her feel like a true Maverick. She closed one eye and aimed at the dark clouds. "Pa-chew, Pa-chew," She whispered, her grin a little twisted.

"That's not the sound I imagined to be at the source of my death." Said a voice directly behind Aza, making her yell and spin, aiming the gun only to have her wrist snatched and thrust upward, actually lifting her feet off the ground. "Don't point it at me, idiot."

Aza wriggled and yanked herself free, dropping back to the roof and glared at Del. "Well, don't silently poof out of nowhere and flipping terrify me then!"

The dark angel stood against the big conditioner unit, remaining in its dying shadow. His hair fell into his face as he leaned his head to the big machine and crossed his arms.

"What are you being so dramatic for?" Aza put her hands on her hips. "Aren't you supposed to be spreading out somewhere else?"

Del blinked his eyes slowly. "How many were there?"

Aza scrunched her face. "Bat demons? I don't know, like five... plus a gazillion."

Del's head bowed forward, a groan bubbling up from the back of his throat.

"Look, when Lucis and I were attacked it was dark and they came from all sides. We were zooming around, Lucis was bleeding, and they just seem to appear out of nothing, a lot like you, so it was very disorienting. I was just trying to figure out how to get out of your brother's way so he could get them off of us."

Del lifted his head with a huff of air stirring his black mane. "Yeah, and you told him to drop you out of the sky."

Aza nodded. "And it was excellent skydiving experience for when I'm sure to do it again."

Del shook his head. "Preferably not off this building tonight. I'm sure it's already crossed your mind about how much stupid fun it would be. As much as you may doubt it, you are mortal and you can die."

Aza mirrored his posture. "Well, you're only half right about that. I know I'm mortal, but it's been proven multiple times that I cannot die."

Del sighed. "Yeah? And who's proven that?"

Aza grinned. "Me, obviously. I like to test the universe everyone once in a while to make sure it's still on my side."

Del rolled his eyes. "I'm pretty sure every time, you've almost died, it was me or my brother saving your life."

Aza shrugged. "Yeah, well you and your brother are technically a part of the universe, so you obviously don't want me dead."

The corner of Del's mouth twitched and it was a hint of starlight flashing through his eternal clouds of darkness, making Aza's heart have another mini convulsion. Again Aza's mind leapt to the last time the two of them had been on a rooftop.

"We'll be busy this time, though, so maybe don't push the universe too far." Del pushed himself off of the air conditioner and took a step toward the small blonde. He leaned in close, and Aza's body went rigid, only to his breathe tickle her ear as he murmured something completely off topic. "Do you think she's okay?"