Kapitel 3: Deal

"Lin? What's the rush? Where's Jinx?" I ignored the pixie as I slammed the door open, pushing past Lee as I rushed into the kitchen. I didn't have time to waste on a message, I needed to call Luc directly. Lee was hot on my tail as I opened the phone book, slamming it on the counter as I tried to scan for the vampire's number. "Lin, I-"

"You're about to find out." I managed, finding the number and punching it into my cell phone as quickly as I could. My heart pounded as the device rang and I was flooded with relief as I heard a voice I hadn't heard in years.

"Hello? Lin?" I did my best to swallow my pounding heart, pushing aside my own feelings as I spoke.

"Luc I need your help. Jinx has been possessed by a vengeful spirit I raised and I need to catch her before she hurts Jinx." I could hear the fury and worry in Lee's wings as he hovered next to me but I did my best to ignore it as I continued speaking. "I know tracking down spirits isn't exactly your speciality but-"

"I can't."

"Wait, what?"

"I can't. I can't leave." Luc's voice was remorseful and I stared at the phone in disbelief. "My father…has forbidden me from leaving."

"Then let me speak to Requiem, I don't have time for this." I insisted, hearing Luc's indecision on the other side. I understood why he didn't want to: Requiem wasn't just Luc's father, he was the Ruler of Demons. Luc was his half-breed son, and he didn't particularly care for his father or his demon heritage. But he was also the King's favorite and Requiem was nothing but protective of his treasured children. Finally I heard as Luc sighed, and began to move about the space he was in. When I finally heard a voice again, my very soul quivered with the sound.

"To whom am I speaking?" Despite having seen Requiem in person, there was something both repulsive and mesmerizing about his voice, and I hated that it affected me the way it did. Even if I had fallen, I was still an angel.

"Lin."

"Evangela, the Fallen one. " Requiem's voice contained a hint of amusement and I scoffed as I heard it. Lee was sitting on the counter next to where I stood, his anxiety obvious even though he couldn't hear the conversation. "What's the occasion?"

"I need to borrow Lucien. I need his help." I stated plainly, finally using Luc's full name. I heard as Requiem chuckled on the other end.

"And why would I let you, the one who almost caused his death at the hand of the Angelic Council, anywhere near my son?"

"Because I also fucked myself over to save him." I seethed, not even pretending to be polite. The instinctual dislike his voice caused in me was starting to make me angry, and I was only growing more worried for Jinx. "Lucien should be free to make his own choices, isn't that your whole issue with angels in the first place?"

I only heard a deep sigh as Requiem listened and I growled on my end. Requiem was only the most recent Ruler of Demons, and he seemed to dislike angels more than his predecessors. He always slammed our lack of free will and choice, allowing our lives to be dictated by those who simply claimed to be the voice of the Creator with no proof. I didn't necessarily disagree with him but I also didn't support his desire to simply wipe out the Council. Without that guidance, most angels simply wouldn't know what to do with themselves.

"On one condition." I snapped from my thoughts as he spoke again and I scoffed again into the phone.

"What?"

"Take my son on a date."

"What?"

"Did falling cost you your hearing?" His sarcastic tone only surprised and annoyed me more, and I found myself staring at the phone in disbelief. A date? That was his cost?

"Why in the world-"

"Yes or no, Evangela, I don't have all day." Requiem interrupted me, a bit of annoyance coming into his voice. I mulled over the decision as I hesitated with my answer. It was a bit concerning that Requiem had not specified which son I was to take on a date, but he seemed to be implying Luc. It was likely I couldn't tell Luc that it was the condition for his help and I didn't doubt that Requiem was planning this to either hurt me, or his son who was fixated on an angel.

"Fine." I finally breathed, my concern and worry for Jinx winning me over. "I accept your deal."

"Good to see you can be agreeable." Requiem replied smartly and it took all my effort not to give any sort of reaction. "Lucien will be escorted to your dwelling for you shortly."

The call ended and Lee and I were left in silence. I turned to look at the pixie, and for a moment, I could see my own dark eyes reflected in his worried expression.

"What," he started, refusing to look away, "in the world happened?"

"Luc's on his way." I sighed, closing the book as I set my phone down. "I'd rather only have to explain everything once."

"You better." Lee hissed and I watched as the pixie flew into the next room to wait for the vampire to arrive.