Chapter 8: Loyalty Crossroads

“Wai…” My surprise caused the word to come out half-formed, hoarse, and quiet, dying with a whimper in my throat.

Zophie had already shut the door behind her, quickly enough that I didn’t have a chance to get a properly formed word out.

I didn’t stay stuck in bed for long, fully shoving the blankets down and off my body. Now exposed to the cold air, I leaped out of bed, pushing through the groggy sleepiness from waking too early.

Not letting anything get in my way, I moved to explode out of my room, but a thought occurred to me: if Michael had wanted to harm Zophie, his best opportunity had been while I was asleep, without any ability to defend her. No, he didn’t want to immediately cause her harm, and that meant I had a moment to think. I didn’t need to burst out there, shadows at the ready, without so much as even a shirt on. That didn’t mean I’d take my time either.

As I moved to the dresser, my thoughts churned. Since when did my feeding habits prompt such a reaction? Bad luck he showed up now while Zophie was still here. I couldn’t imagine she’d stay for long. A cold rage simmered at the nerve, sending that vile imp and barging in unannounced. Guest rights bound him to civility, but I’d still tear into him—calmly, for the mortal’s sake, no need to drag her into this.

Now fully dressed, just some all-black casual indoor wear, I opened the door to my room. Instantly, my eyes locked onto Michael’s, the taller immortal sitting at the kitchen island. He had a strong jawline, and his powerful build stressed the seams of his black and red suit. Blonde locks draped down his back; I’d never understood why he bothered to keep that unruly mess of hair. His mane and angelic blue eyes clashed awfully with his ongoing red theme. Maybe that was the point.

“Oh, Asmodeus, how pleasant of you to join us!” his taunting tone crawled down my spine, the use of my full name bothering me to my core. He was pushing my buttons on purpose.

“Mike,” I taunted back, moving to sit between him and Zophie at the island. “Sounds like you’ve picked up a fun new nickname, from what I’ve heard.” I drove the point home with a satisfied smirk, half leaning on the counter with one arm from where I sat.

In response, Michael grimaced, trying unsuccessfully to hide it behind a toothy smile. “Ah, yes,” he coughed into his hand, “Zophie dearest here did ask if I had any names reserved for only the closest of friends, and when I told her I didn’t have one, she happened upon ‘Mike’. Quite endearing, don’t you think?” The sarcasm rolled off him, but Zophie didn’t seem to notice; the naïve girl just smiled brightly at us.

“I see you are dressed impeccably, today again, dear Asmo.” He glanced up and down my black sweatpants and t-shirt.

“And I see you still carry around that mop you call hair! Quite a daring choice.”

“Oh, you two must be close, pulling at each other’s chains like that!” Zophie butted in, causing both me and Michael to turn toward her with furrowed brows. Her smile faltered. “Oh uh…” her cheeks flushed red, and she turned her head to look back down at her half-eaten omelet. “Never mind,” she mumbled.

“So what brings you to my humble apartment?” I asked in a lofty tone.

“I think we both know why I’m here, Asmo.” Michael’s tone lost all pretenses, his voice sharp and to the point. He meaningfully glanced at Zophie.

I ground my teeth. I wouldn’t have even noticed if the sound hadn’t made Zophie flinch.

“Um… should I go?” Zophie asked hesitantly.

“Yes,” I said, my tone sharp.

“No, please, stay.” Michael rebutted firmly. “We’re all just getting to know each other.”

Zophie looked between the two of us, glancing from my hard stare to Michael’s sickeningly sweet smile. “I uh… Well,” she hurriedly stood up, not finishing her omelet. Her actions had surprised me; she was smarter than I’d given her credit for. “I have to go,” she spoke hurriedly.

“That’s for the best.”

“What a shame. Perhaps you can introduce us more next time, Asmo?”

I didn’t bother to respond. We’d discuss more after Zophie left the apartment. A silent pressure in the air grew as Zophie made her way to the front door. The deadbolt clicked open, the sound echoing in the absence of dialogue.

With one foot out the door, Zophie turned back to me one more time with a forced smile. “We’ll talk more later, Asmo?”

I grunted in her general direction, only seeing her with my peripheral as I kept my eyes on Michael.

The door swung shut behind her, a gentle breeze blowing through the apartment a moment later. In her absence, the apartment suddenly felt colder, less bright. I’d never been one to shy away from the darkness, so why did I feel so empty?

“See that, Asmo? That’s exactly what I’m concerned about.” Michael folded his hands in his lap, his posture impeccable as we locked eyes. “Why, if I didn’t know you better, I’d almost think you were associating with mortals!”

“Oh piss off. You know me. That girl was just strange, special in some way. You know I’ll keep her at a distance.” The words felt like a lie on my tongue, but I convinced myself to believe them. She’d be safer outside of this world, making friends of her own kind. Without me.

Michael crossed one leg over the other, talking as if he were at a formal dinner instead of encroaching on my territory. “I’m something of a sin detector myself, Asmo. Why does it feel like you’re lying?” He leaned forward, a predatory glint in his eyes. “Do I need to remind you of the mortal’s place?”

“Don’t touch her,” I commanded in a guttural hiss. “You don’t have to remind me of anything,” I bit out. “This doesn’t just feel to me like it’s about Zophie. What, are you scared that I’m suddenly going to become a sympathizer?”

Michael shrugged, a questioning look on his face.

“Oh piss off,” I said, exasperated. “We’ve had enough centuries on this god forsaken rock to understand each other. I’d argue I despise mortals more than you do. Zophie caught my interest a bit, but now she’s going back to her world.” I spun the chair, now looking directly down at the counter. Zophie had left me a plate of breakfast which was rapidly going cold.

“See that she does,” Michael ordered, his words stoking a burning rage within me.

I turned my head, glaring at the older immortal. “Where do you get off telling me what to do?” It was one thing for me to choose not to associate with mortals, but Michael couldn’t tell me what to do or who to be around. The sheer gall, the ego he had to have to get off on ordering me around. This was my territory. “I think it’s time for you to leave.” My rage seeped into the world around me, my shadows flickering uncontrollably.

Michael put his hands in the air disarmingly, nodding in acquiescence. “Just remember what I said, Asmo. Heaven may be empty, but that doesn’t mean we need you starting another blood war.”

I scoffed. “Yeah, right. Like one tiny mortal could do that.”

“It’s never been about any particular mortal.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”

Michael’s polite mask cracked, the hints of a scowl breaking through. He moved to stand up, but just as he did, I shot my hand out. I locked onto his wrist, my grip so firm his skin began to go white.

“Michael,” I started out pleasantly, “I’ve always enjoyed our chats, and you were here for me when I first descended.” Then I purposefully shifted my tone into something darker, my anger seeping through and drawing him ever so slightly into the shadows. “But if you ever threaten or command me again, hell, if you ever send your disgusting imp after me again, we are going to have a problem.”

Michael snatched his arm back, breaking my hold. He smoothed out his pants, forcing his expression to be neutral. “Very well.” He made to leave, only calling out again once he had made a few steps toward the door. “I believe you and I are of a similar mind, Asmo. Just as always. Are we still on for tea with Hannya next week?”

“Yeah, sure,” I replied, waving him off.

He opened the door, turning to me with a grin on his face. “Then until next week.”

“Alright, old man.”

The door closed, and with it, I was alone again. The feeling was familiar, but not as pleasant as I expected it to be. It was better this way. I’d make sure to set Zophie straight the next time she dropped by.