The portal spat out Eva at an unknown location, or at least that's how it felt to her. A little spaced out, she swallowed, blinking a few times, her tummy gurgling. Perhaps travelling through portals wasn't as fun as she thought, her second time through was just as bizarre as the first... earlier trip.

The light dimmed, her spine straightened as she heard a low growl, rumbling nearby. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, a pair of familiar red eyes glowed in the depth of the blackness. Shit, where I am?  This can't be good.

She took a step back and bumped into something... not something, someone. It could only be Azrael.

Azrael smirked, moving his hands around her small waist to clasp her tightly against him.

His breath tickled her ears, as a shiver rippled through her entire body.

"Don't worry my Angel," he whispered.  "I'm here to protect you. He won't hurt you, if you're with me."

She could sense his amusement, but found some comfort in his words. As he gripped her a little tighter, she bit on her lip. Although not uncomfortable being wrapped in his arms she didn't want him to get the wrong idea.  Yeah, right you keep telling yourself that... sure.

Eva wriggled free from his grasp, turning. "Well, if you could tell your  pet, I don't want to fight him, then we will get along just fine."  She tilted her chin upwards.

Light erupted in the basement, much to her surprise, blinking to readjust.

Azrael broke into laughter. "Well I'm sure that will put him at ease." He chuckled again before speaking to his Lupine.  "Zuul."

The Lupine shifted his mammoth frame, which Eva could now see. She gulped, he looked even bigger than what she remembered.

The Lupine sniffed the air, claws scraping on the cement floor.  His scales vibrating, changing colour from red to a silvery grey and then returning to red. It was stunning to watch.

"Zuul, you will not harm our Angel." He pointed towards Eva. "She is a guest here in our home and you will treat her as such."

Eva raised a brow, one could assume he was talking to a child. "And he understands what you're saying?" She waved her finger between the two of them.

"He does. You must not confuse him with a dog or such like from this Realm Angel. Lupines are highly intelligent and loyal, he would die to protect me and now, he will do the same for you."

Eva's mouth popped open. She wasn't sure what to make of that.

"Come, I wish to eat." He didn't wait for a reply as he marched towards a set of old wooden stairs. "Zuul, come."

Eva watched the Lupine glare in her direction before huffing, following Azrael.  She turned one last time to witness no evidence that a portal had even been there. She pondered if all demons kept their portals in their basements. 

Her face dropped as the image of her farther's worried face paraded behind her eyes.  She blinked the thought away.  

Following Azrael up the stairs, she kept her distance. The Lupine scared her a little, although she would never admit this to Azrael, banishing her concerns, pushing them to the dark corner of her mind, along with all the other things she would worry about later.

Reaching the top of the stairs, she stepped into what appeared to be a utility room, natural light flooded, forcing her eyes to narrow and she brought up her hand.

"Follow me Angel." She heard him call.

She followed the direction of his voice to find herself inside an enormous kitchen. Looking around, the normality of the room surprised her.  Although she wasn't sure what to expect in a Prince's home. It was modern with professionally designed granite counters, tiled floors, stainless steel appliances and spotless well-equipped utensils. Mrs Bates would be thrilled in this kitchen.

She observed him walk towards what appeared to be a refrigerator, its efficient hum could be heard as he pulled open huge double doors. Almost disappearing behind the door, he stepped back.  In his hand was a carton of milk.  She watched with intense interest as he drank like a man who hadn't drunk for days.

Her mouth popped open. What the hell?  A prince, a demon prince no less, drinking Milk!  Really?

She restrained her laughter, placing her hand on her hip, he was full of surprises.

Azrael could see the look of amusement from the corner of his eye. "What amuses you Angel?" he asked.

Eva looked around, lifting her hand to wave around the room before looking back at him. "This, you..." She stopped. "It all just seems a little surreal."

"Entertain me, what did you expect?"

Entertain him?   "I'm not sure, but not all this normal  stuff.   You stood here in a kitchen, drinking milk. It's like stepping into the twilight zone!" She shrugged her shoulders.

"Twilight Zone?" he had never heard of such a place.

Eva watched a look of confusion pass across his face, before a devilish smirk quickly replaced it. "It's an old TV show."

"Ah, I see.   Well, I like milk; it happens to me one of my favourite beverages in this realm. Delicious.  Can I offer you some?"

Eva swallowed; her throat dry. She was thirsty and wouldn't mind a glass of milk. "Yes please, I think I will."

Azrael took one more gulp before holding the carton out for her to take. "Here, drink as you wish."

Eva huffed. "What? You expect me to drink out the carton? Never heard of glasses, or a mug. I thought, well... look, you're a prince. Aren't you meant to have all the airs and graces or something?" She looked around before continuing. "Have lots of servants, obeying your every wish?"

He laughed and pointed to the cupboard. "Help yourself. But I think a prince from this realm is very different to one from my realm, Erubus.  In Erubus, It holds power and status, not pomp and tradition as in yours."

Eva shrugged her shoulders. "I wouldn't know much about either, you're the first one I've met." She walked towards the cupboard and pulled out a glass. Turning she nearly dropped it as he now stood beside her, the heat from his closeness gave her goosebumps and her tummy practically somersaulted. "Oh," she said surprised. "You're stealthy, anyone ever told you that?" She took the carton of milk from him and poured.

Standing this close, Azrael could almost taste her aura. He couldn't help but glance over her displayed cleavage.  It had been many days since he had indulged in the flesh of a female and she looked ravishing.  "No, perhaps you're just a little nervous in my presence."

Eva rolled her eyes before taking a drink of her ice-cold milk. "Nice," she popped her half empty glass on the side. "And you don't make me nervous."  Liar. Oh yes, he does.

Azrael smiled not hesitating before reaching out, running his thumb across her top lip.  Eva's eyes widened, frozen. "There, all clean." Bringing his thumb to his mouth, he sucked, his eyes never leaving hers.

Eva swallowed; her heart racing a mile a minute.  Shit.   She sidestepped around him. 

Ignore him, Eva.   "So, where are we?"  She distracted herself by walking around what now felt like a small kitchen, with him so close.  Looking out the window, she focused on some nearby planting.

"My home, I believe you're already acquainted, you were spying on me."

Eva stilled, stuttering "I-I was not... spying that is. J-Just curious." Her stomach jumped. 

Crap, I was spying.  Trying to look unaffected she walked past the window where she stood at the open doorway, peering into a long corridor. "I can't believe this is the same house, you've done all this work in less than a week?"

"Well, you could say I used my princely connections, and I have many gifts."

She turned, looking at him, excitement bubbling. "Like what... apart from interior home design?" He had her full attention and she had many questions.

Azrael ignored her question. He would not reveal anything until he got some truths from her. "Here let me show you around Angel." He picked up an apple taking a large bite before he strode past her, heading down the long hallway.

Guess no questions... yet!   Eva glanced over her shoulder before following, she could see Zuul, who appeared to be sleeping under the table. He reminded her of a dog, a very large scary scaled colour changing dog, but still a dog. "Okay, coming." She chased.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Eva marvelled at the house as he opened each door for her to peer inside – his home was nothing like she expected. It was modern, airy and fresh. The walls were painted in creams and pastels, and nothing like her home, another thought raced through her mind. "I live next door?"

Azrael turned. "Yes, you've only just figured that out?" He raised an eyebrow as the whites of teeth peeked through his cocky smile.

Ignoring his sarcasm. "Can I visit my father, and my friends?" She smiled with hope flooding every nerve.

Azrael shook his head. "No, that would be inappropriate Angel. You're under my care.  And if they, the Conclave find out you returned home, it will give them grounds to seize you."

Disappointment crashed over her in waves, dousing the remaining hope. "Oh, yeah, guess so."

Azrael knew this to be true.

Pondering for a moment, she picked up the hem of her dress and walked into the orangery – the same one she had seen in the darkness the week before.

"Wow, look at this, it's beautiful." The transformation was astonishing. She wandered around all the plants – some she had never seen before. Stopping she turned to lift the head of an enormous purple flower, that draped just overhead, inhaling its rich scent. "Wow, this is..." she stopped turning to find him standing beside her again. "Will you stop that?"

Azrael leant in closer, letting his eyes roam down her body and shrugged. "Stop what?"

"Invading my space, what are you doing... sniffing me?" Her cheeks blazed with embarrassment, not understanding why.

He arched a brow. "I was, you smell delicious, you remind me of-" He stopped.

"Of what?" She noted his eyes wander down her face, now staring at her breasts. She lifted her hand to her chest and adjusted, pulling as much as the material up higher. She didn't like feeling exposed.

Something shifted through his body, moving back, his shoulders lifted as he cursed himself. "Nothing, it's of no importance." He stepped away, putting a safe distance between them.

Eva noticed the sudden change in him; he was a strange one she thought. Sighing, she looked down; her feet were aching in her new shoes. Bending down, she pulled off each shoe, one at a time. "Thank the angels, that's so much better."

Pulled from his thoughts, he chuckled. "I'm guessing dressing up isn't what you're accustomed to?"

Eva shook her head. "Nope, and I hope it won't be a regular thing. I'm a jeans, t-shirt, and sneakers kinda girl." Eva looked down at her dress, before lifting it from the floor, wiggling her toes. "What am I supposed to do about clothes. I have nothing here?"

"You could just strip off and walk around naked or in your underwear, I would find either option perfectly acceptable."

Eva's face burst into flames, clenching her thighs, she felt hot... too hot as a throb down low made itself known.  By the Angels, was he serious – no surely not?   "I bet you would, pervert. Well, I can tell you now, that ain't happening.  Prince or not!" She held his gaze, unflinching, making sure he understood.

Azrael laughed. "Only a suggestion, Angel, but you forget yourself, your words may say no, but your body suggests a different answer." He inhaled a deep breath for her to see.

Eva gulped, a shiver ricocheting over her body.  Holy shit!  How could he know what my body is doing?   She watched as his eyes, lit up with amusement, they glowed a brighter blue, how was that even possible?

Ignore him.  "So, clothes? I need some. I can't wear this until you have to take me back." Her stomach dropped as she thought of having to go back and stand in front of the council.

He clicked his fingers and suddenly he was dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt. Like she had seen a few days before in the woods. "Well, pity we all can't do that..." she gestured with her hand to his outfit.

"Yes, pity. But I could easily click my fingers and remove your dress... like a magic trick of sorts, if you want me to show you."

She shook her head, a little too quickly. "I don't think so, and I don't want you using any of those demon powers on me.  We will have to do it the old-fashioned way.  You need to go next door and get my clothes. Kara will know what to pack, she knows what I like."

He stepped towards her, to hear her breath hitch at his closeness.  A sudden urge to touch her steamrolled through his mind.  Running one finger up her bare arm, he listened to her heartbeat.  Scared or excited?  Definitely excitement, he could smell her arousal. "Fine, wait here."

His touch was hot on her arm, as the throbbing down low intensified.  Her mouth opened to speak but he was gone before she could say another word. "Holy shit!" she said out loud, releasing her breath.

>>>

Daevan paced up and down his study, muttering to himself. Martha sat watching comfortably in a nearby chair, she knew not to engage him in conversation when in such a mood. She would wait.

Kara stood quietly outside his office leaning up against the wall. She felt exhausted, stress from the evening taking its toll. Using her gifts on the Angel, Ender and worrying about Eva, who was god only knows where.

"Hey." Christian walked towards her. "Your back so soon, what happened, where's Eva?"

Kara's eyes dropped to the floor.

Christian's heart plummeted through to his stomach, muttering under his breath. Dipping his head, he looked at Kara straight on, waiting for a response. "Tell me Kara."

Kara inhaled, mentally beating herself up. The events of the last couple of hours replayed in her head. Although rationally she knew what happened had been beyond her control, beyond anyone's control.

Christian, impatient, reached out, touching her shoulder, hoping for a response. He could see a multitude of emotions flicker across her face.  His stomach churned with unease. "Did a demon take her? Has someone claimed ownership, no they can't?" He shook his head rubbing his hand across his chin. "No, no.  Not before her twentieth birthday." He answered his own question.

Kara shook her head, whispering, not wanting to be overheard by Daevan. "No. Not exactly. There was a problem and now Daevan is under investigation, charged with a crime by the Conclave – which I don't understand, and we had to let Eva go with a demon guy, I think they called him Azrael."

"Shit... Azrael?"  He felt a swell of anger, Seb had already told him he wasn't just interested in Eva in a neighbourly way. "Well, what are we waiting for? If she's just next door, let's go see her, talk to this Azrael, bring her back home with us?"

Kara looked at him puzzled, "What, we can't just go over there. And don't you think Daevan would have done that already, if that was an option?" She lifted her head, looking up to the ceiling, her mind swirling with questions. "This Azrael demon seems to be someone important. The whole of the council seemed wary of him."

Both heads sharply turned as they heard Mrs Bates approaching, mumbling to herself.

Mrs Bates came to an abrupt stop. "What are you two doing, just stood around, lurking? And what are you doing back already? Is Daevan in there?" she asked, pushing her round glasses up her nose.

Kara stood up straighter. "Yeah, but he ain't in the best of moods, so I wouldn't go in there unless it's important," said Kara.

Mrs Bates shook her head, tutting. "Well, he has a visitor, Azrael he said his name was.  Very strange and it appears he's our new neighbour." She paused. "I wasn't even aware anybody had moved in next door. And strangely he is asking to see Daevan about Evangeline."

Kara's eyes widened. "Shit!"

Mrs Bates bristled. "Kara, language, that's no way for a young lady to speak!"

Kara could see the look of disappointment on Mrs Bates face, she hated that look, it reminded her of her mother. "Sorry Mrs B." She pushed herself from the wall and knocked on Daevan's study door.

"Enter." She heard his billowing sharp voice.

Kara opened the door. It was evident he hadn't calmed down, in fact he looked more enraged than earlier. She swallowed. "That prince demon, Azrael is here... here to see you about Eva." She turned to Mrs Bates, nodding.

Mrs Bates' eyes had fallen on the strange woman sitting in a chair; she had never seen her before.

"Mrs B..." prompted Kara.

"Oh, yes, yes. I've shown him into the lounge." Her gaze returned to the woman.

Daven didn't say a word as he marched past them, out the study.

"Should we go too?" asked Kara, looking at Martha, then Christian, who was now stood in the study looking at Martha.

"No, it's better to let Daevan manage this situation, Azrael is not one to be trifled with."

>>>

Daevan watched Azrael standing before a gigantic window with a picture of Eva in his hand. "Prince Azrael," he announced himself.

Azrael placed the picture back on the table. "I think we can drop the formalities Daevan."

Daevan curtly nodded. "Where is my daughter?"

"On my property next door." He heard Daevan's relieved sigh. "And before you ask it is unwise to have contact, I'm merely here to collect some belongings."

"Yes, yes.  I shall instruct Mrs Bates to organise and drop them with you later."  He eyed Azrael carefully, unable to wait, patience had never been his strong point.  "Whilst your presence in my home is welcome, you could have easily sent one of your many acquaintances to arrange this? What brings you here?"

Azrael knew Lord Daevan would not be fooled or toyed with. "Is there anything you wish to tell me about your daughter, anything I should know?"

Daevan furrowed his brow. "I have no secrets."

Azrael looked out the window, he thought the gardens were quite beautiful. "We both know that was no normal reaction in the pledging circle."

Daven clenched his fist, he should have known what happened would raise questions. "I know not of what you speak. I too was shocked."

Azrael sensed his lies, they hung in the air like a rotten smell. But, he wouldn't push this issue... not today. "Did you do what they accused you of?"

His jaw ticked. "Again, I do not know what they speak of."  Daevan held his ground, Azrael or anybody would not intimidate him.

Azrael turned from the window. "Well, this looks like quite the conundrum."

Daevan ignored his statement as he walked over to his liquor cabinet. "Drink?"

"No thank you."

Pouring himself a measure of whisky, he turned his attention back to Azrael with a drink in hand. "I wish no trouble, only that my daughter is returned to me unharmed. Your role in this is merely to hold Evangeline until time she is returned to me and  she will be returned to me. Mara cannot prove what she accuses me of, because what they speak of never occurred."

Azrael stood for a moment, he had wasted too much time here already.  "My business here is complete, I will take my leave." He didn't wait for a reply, as he teleported back to his home, to find Eva in his library.

>>>

Eva yelped, almost dropping the book she held, surprised by his reappearance. "Holy hell, will you stop doing that!"

"Doing what?" he asked, amused, as her face flushed pink.

"That." She pointed at him. "Poof, you're gone and then poof your back, never heard of a door?"

"Ah, well I suggest you get used to it, it's how I travel.  And I believe the correct terminology is 'teleporting'  not 'poof' as you so deftly put it."

Gripping the book tighter, she knew he was mocking her. "Well, did you get my things, my clothes, some shoes?"

"Yes, they will be delivered here soon."

Eva got a little excited, as she bounced on the spot. "So... someone from home will bring them over, as in fetch them, in person?"

"Yes."

Azrael looked at the book she held in her hands. "Interesting?" He pointed.

Eva looked down at the book. "I've never seen a library like this before, it's full of weird books and I thought my father had some strange books."

He stepped closer and flipped over the book she held. "Ahh, demonic possessions." His eyes wandered over the rest of his books where Eva stood. "Yes, this realm amuses me with their books, about our world. That one you hold is a comedy of sorts." He quirked an eyebrow, his top lip curling.

"A comedy?" she retorted. "You have a weird sense of humour. This is more like a horror story to me." She shivered.

"Well humans know not of what they speak or write and therefore, how can I phrase this. Make shit up."

Eva giggled as she placed the book back in its place.

He watched her stretch up as she placed the book back. She was perfectly dressed for what he now had in mind... question time... "Now, whilst you are already dressed. I would like to take you to dinner, so we can get to know one another a little better.

Eva gulped as she watched him reach for her hand.

"Don't let go Angel, wouldn't want to lose you." He winked.

She didn't have to reply or catch her breath as Azrael teleported to heaven's knows where.