Marax Pov.

I leaned back against the lamppost, my arms crossed, and let out a low whistle as I watched Athena disappear around the corner. The sway of her hips, the determination in her steps, even the slight tremble in her hands—everything about her drew me in. She didn't even realize it, but there was power in her every movement.

"Oh, how I love to watch her walk away," I muttered, a grin tugging at my lips.

"Marax," Zarach's sharp tone cut through my musings, and I turned to face him with a lazy shrug.

"What?" I said, holding my hands up in mock innocence. "I'm just appreciating the view. Can't fault a demon for noticing the finer things in life."

Zarach glared at me, his dark eyes narrowing like storm clouds about to break. "She's not a 'thing,' and you need to take this seriously."

"I am taking this seriously," I said, though the smirk on my face probably wasn't doing me any favors. "Seriously enough to know that our little Athena is a lot more interesting than we thought."

Zarach rolled his eyes and turned away, his posture stiff as he scanned the empty street. Always the serious one, my dear partner in crime. If he ever cracked a joke, I'd probably assume the world was ending.

"Don't let your wandering eyes distract you from the fact that she's in danger," Zarach muttered, his tone clipped. "We're here to protect her, not—"

"Not admire her?" I interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "Come on, Zarach. Even you can't deny there's something... magnetic about her."

He ignored me, which only made me grin wider.

"Fine, fine," I said, pushing off the lamppost and stretching my arms. "I get it. You're all business, no fun. But admit it—you're curious about her too."

Zarach's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond.

"Thought so," I said with a chuckle. "Don't worry, big guy. I'm not about to cross any lines. I know why we're here."

"Do you?" Zarach shot back, finally looking at me. His gaze was hard, unyielding. "Because sometimes I wonder if you even understand the gravity of this situation."

"Oh, I understand," I said, my tone softening. "Something's coming for her. Something bad. And we're the only thing standing between her and whatever hellspawn decided to make her a target."

"Then act like it," Zarach growled.

I held up my hands again. "I am. But let's not pretend we're just here for the scenery. She's special, Zarach. You feel it too, don't you?"

Zarach didn't answer right away, his gaze distant. He was always the cautious one, always analyzing every detail. It was one of the things that made him such a pain in the ass—but also why I trusted him to have my back.

Finally, he sighed. "She is. But that doesn't change the fact that she's vulnerable right now. And if we don't keep our focus, she won't survive what's coming."

I nodded, the grin slipping from my face. "I get it. I do. But you don't have to remind me every five minutes. She's under my skin too, you know."

Zarach glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "Don't let it cloud your judgment."

"Don't worry," I said, flashing him a quick smile. "I'm always good under pressure."

"Sure you are," he muttered, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

I looked back at the empty street where Athena had vanished, my chest tightening in a way I didn't quite understand. There was something about her—something more than just her looks or her fiery spirit. She was a puzzle, one I couldn't wait to unravel.

And if that meant protecting her from whatever dark forces were circling, then so be it.

"Come on, Zarach," I said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Let's make sure no one gets to her before we do."

Zarach fell into step beside me, his footsteps as measured and deliberate as ever. I could practically feel the weight of his thoughts hanging in the air, but I wasn't in the mood for one of his lectures. Not yet, anyway.

"You know," I started, glancing sideways at him, "we should probably tell her what's really going on. Give her a hint about what she's working with. Might make her less... defensive."

"Less defensive?" Zarach arched an eyebrow. "You mean less inclined to punch you in the face for calling her sweetheart?"

"Hey, I've been nothing but charming," I said with a mock gasp of offense. "She's just... adjusting. And besides, can you blame her? We show up out of nowhere, drop cryptic warnings, and expect her to just roll with it."

"Because she needs to," Zarach said sharply, his tone leaving no room for argument. "She doesn't have time to question this. Neither do we. The longer we wait to figure out what's coming, the more vulnerable she is."

"Right, right," I said, waving a hand dismissively. "But let's not ignore the big red elephant in the room: she's got powers, Zarach. Real ones. I can feel it—like a heat coming off her. Stronger than anything I've ever encountered."

Zarach's jaw tightened. "I know."

"Do you, though?" I pressed. "Because it doesn't seem like you're as impressed as you should be. Whatever's hiding inside her, it's... massive. And dangerous, sure, but also—"

"Unpredictable," Zarach cut in. "And until we know more, we can't risk pushing her too far. If she doesn't know how to control it—"

"She doesn't even know she has it," I interrupted, my voice dropping into something more serious. "She's walking around blind to what's inside her, and you're worried about control? We need to wake her up, Zarach. Fast."

"Wake her up how, exactly?" Zarach's dark eyes bore into mine, unflinching. "You think she'll just accept it if we throw her into the deep end? That she'll suddenly embrace the idea that she's... what? Some kind of weapon?"

I stopped walking, turning to face him fully. "She's not a weapon. She's more than that. You've felt it too. That power—it's not just destructive. It's... balanced. Controlled, even if she doesn't realize it yet."

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Zarach stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he let out a slow breath. "I've felt it. But that doesn't mean she's ready to face it."

"And what happens when whatever's coming decides it doesn't care if she's ready?" I shot back. "If we don't prepare her, Zarach, she won't stand a chance. Neither will we."

He looked away, his gaze fixed on the distant glow of the city lights. For all his stoic posturing, I knew Zarach felt the weight of this just as much as I did. Maybe more.

"We'll ease her into it," he said at last, his voice low but firm. "We'll watch, we'll protect, and when the time is right, we'll help her see what she's capable of. Until then, we keep her safe. That's our priority."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you when she starts setting things on fire without meaning to."

"She won't," Zarach said, his tone brooking no argument. "Not if we do our job."

I smirked, letting his seriousness roll off me. "Whatever you say, boss."

As we started walking again, the tension between us softened slightly. Zarach was always going to be the cautious one, and I... well, I wasn't. But that's what made us a good team. He kept me grounded, and I kept him from being a total buzzkill.

Still, as we moved deeper into the night, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were running out of time. Athena might not know it yet, but she was sitting on the edge of something big—something that could change everything. And whether she liked it or not, whether we liked it or not, she was going to have to face it soon.

And when she did, I only hoped we'd be enough to help her through it. Because if her power was as strong as I thought it was... the world might not be ready for her.

As Zarach and I stepped out of the shadowed alley, I felt a familiar tingle of energy crawling up my spine. It wasn't fear—I didn't scare easy—but something told me the time for subtlety was over.

"She's not safe tonight," I said, my voice low. "We need to move."

Zarach didn't hesitate. With a sharp nod, he raised a hand, his black eyes narrowing as his fingers traced patterns in the air. The energy around us grew thick, shimmering like heat waves, and I followed suit. Transporting wasn't exactly my favorite trick, but it was damn convenient when things went sideways.

"Stay focused, Marax," Zarach warned, his tone clipped.

"Always am," I replied, though my grin probably betrayed me. I wasn't about to admit how the thought of Athena—fragile, fiery, and utterly clueless about the forces circling her—had my pulse racing.

With a sharp twist of power, the world around us shifted. The alley dissolved, replaced by a rush of darkness and a familiar tug in my chest that signaled the jump. A split second later, the world snapped back into focus, and we were standing in Athena's small bedroom.

The scent of lavender soap and something uniquely her hung in the air, and I couldn't help but let my gaze wander. Clothes folded neatly on a chair, books stacked on her nightstand—it was an intimate glimpse into her life. One I couldn't help but appreciate.

"She's in the shower," Zarach muttered, his tone as neutral as ever. He didn't so much as glance at the closed bathroom door.

"Relax," I said with a smirk. "Not here to peek."

But my grin faded as my gaze landed on the figure seated on her bed—a man with golden hair that shimmered faintly in the dim light, dressed in white that almost glowed. His wings, folded neatly behind him, looked like they were spun from sunlight and feathers. His entire presence radiated calm, yet there was an unmistakable edge to it.

Zarach was the first to react, stepping in front of me as if to shield me from the angel's gaze. Not that I needed it. "Nathaniel," he growled, his voice dripping with disdain. "What are you doing here?"

Nathaniel didn't move. His hands rested on his knees, his serene expression completely at odds with the tension crackling in the room. "Zarach. Marax," he greeted, his voice smooth and composed. "I could ask you the same question."

"We're here because she's under our protection," Zarach snapped, his shoulders squared. "And you're not supposed to be meddling in human affairs. So I'll ask again—what are you doing here?"

Nathaniel's gaze flicked to me for a moment before settling back on Zarach. "I'm here because Athena is more than just a human. You know that as well as I do. I'm here to ensure she's guided, not corrupted."

"Corrupted?" I scoffed, crossing my arms. "That's rich, coming from someone who's got a reputation for meddling. You angels love to play savior, but you're not exactly innocent, are you?"

Nathaniel's calm demeanor didn't falter, but I saw the faintest flicker of irritation in his eyes. "I'm not here to argue," he said, standing. His presence felt larger somehow, the light around him intensifying. "I'm here because Athena's awakening is approaching faster than any of us anticipated. You two aren't enough to protect her from what's coming."

Zarach stepped forward, his black eyes like twin voids. "We've handled more than you can imagine, angel. Don't underestimate us."

"Don't underestimate her," Nathaniel countered, his voice sharpening just enough to catch my attention. "Her power will burn brighter than anything you've ever seen. She needs more than brute strength and flippant charm."

I bristled at the jab but didn't let it show. "We're more than capable," I said coolly. "And last I checked, she didn't need a celestial babysitter."

The sound of the shower turning off cut through the tension, and all three of us froze. The bathroom door opened a moment later, and Athena emerged, wrapped in a towel, her wet hair clinging to her shoulders. Her expression shifted instantly when she saw the three of us—confusion, alarm, and then irritation.

"What the hell?" she demanded, gripping the towel tighter. "Why are all of you in my bedroom?"

Nathaniel inclined his head, his tone soothing. "Athena, I apologize for the intrusion—"

"Don't you dare," she snapped, cutting him off. "I don't care who or what you are. Explain. Now."

Zarach's expression darkened as he cast a glance at Nathaniel, clearly not willing to let the angel take the lead. "We need to talk. You're not safe tonight."

"You don't say," she shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "And who's this? Another demon here to protect me?"

"Angel," Nathaniel corrected gently, his golden gaze settling on her. "I'm Nathaniel, here to ensure you're properly prepared for—"

"No," she interrupted, holding up a hand. "I don't care who or what you are. You're on my bed. In my room. And I've had enough surprises for one day."

Her fire was something to behold, and I couldn't help the slow grin that spread across my face. "I told you," I said to Zarach, unable to resist, "she's tougher than she looks."

Athena shot me a glare, then turned back to Nathaniel. "Out. Now."

Nathaniel hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave, but after a long moment, he inclined his head. "I'll be close," he said quietly, his form glowing faintly before he simply disappeared, leaving only a faint shimmer in the air.

"Okay," Athena said, exhaling sharply as she looked at us. "Now it's your turn. What's going on?"

I exchanged a glance with Zarach, who sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It's... complicated."

"It always is," Athena muttered, crossing her arms as she stared us down. "Start explaining. Fast."

Zarach's scowl deepened as the golden glow left the room, signaling Nathaniel's abrupt exit. I could practically feel the tension vibrating off him, which wasn't surprising. Angels and demons rarely played nice, and Nathaniel? He'd been an Olympic-level pain in the ass from the moment we'd arrived.

Athena stood frozen near the bathroom door, a towel still clutched in her hands. Her gaze darted between me and Zarach, her confusion sharp enough to cut through the awkward silence.

"Okay," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Somebody needs to start explaining what the hell just happened. Right now."

I leaned against her dresser, folding my arms casually. "What happened," I began, "is that golden boy Nathaniel—aka Mr. Holier-Than-Thou—is apparently crashing at your place. He's got a thing for dramatics, in case you didn't notice."

Athena glared at me. "I'm serious, Marax."

"So am I," I shot back, smirking. "Nathaniel's an angel. More specifically, he's Aiden's guardian angel. Though judging by how cozy he looked sitting on your bed, he wouldn't mind switching his assignment."

Her cheeks flushed at the implication, and she shook her head fiercely. "That's ridiculous. He's just... He's helping me because—because he's good or whatever angels are supposed to be."

Zarach snorted. "Good. Right. Tell me, Athena, did it seem 'good' to you when he was sneering at us like we'd set the place on fire?"

She hesitated, chewing her lip. "He didn't seem thrilled to see you, but you are demons."

"Exactly," Zarach said, his voice hard. "And don't mistake his motives. Nathaniel might have wings and a glowing personality, but he doesn't trust us. More importantly, he doesn't trust you—not with us."

Athena frowned. "What does that even mean? Why would he care about me being around you?"

"Because angels have a superiority complex," I said with a shrug. "They think anything to do with demons is automatically dangerous. And you? You've got us shadowing you now, which makes you guilty by association."

"Shadowing me," she repeated, narrowing her eyes. "You mean stalking me."

"Tomato, tomahto," I quipped, earning a sharp glare from Zarach.

"Focus," Zarach barked before turning back to Athena. "Nathaniel doesn't want us here because he thinks we're a threat. He doesn't care about the bigger picture—about keeping you safe. All he cares about is his own agenda."

Athena raised an eyebrow. "And you're different? You're just here out of the goodness of your demon hearts?"

I smirked, appreciating her sarcasm even if Zarach didn't. "Not exactly," I admitted. "But we're not here to hurt you, either. We're here to protect you. Whether you like it or not."

She folded her arms, clearly unconvinced. "Protect me from what?"

Zarach stepped forward, his tone cold and precise. "From the things that are coming. From the shadows you've already seen. And from yourself."

Her head snapped up at that last part. "What's that supposed to mean?"

I gave Zarach a pointed look, silently telling him to tread carefully, but he ignored me. "It means you're not just some ordinary human, Athena. You've got magic—raw, untamed, and dangerous. If you don't learn to control it, you'll become a target. Not just for the shadows, but for anyone who senses your power."

She let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "Magic? You're kidding, right? This is all some kind of elaborate prank, isn't it?"

"Do we look like the prankster type?" I asked, gesturing to Zarach's ever-serious face.

"Not helping," she snapped, glaring at me before turning back to Zarach. "This is insane. I don't have magic. I don't even believe in magic!"

"Then how do you explain this?" Zarach demanded, gesturing to the room around us. "The shadows? The angel? Us?"

Her mouth opened, but no words came out. She took a step back, shaking her head. "No. I'm not—this isn't real."

"It's real," Zarach said bluntly. "And the sooner you accept that, the better."

"Or," I cut in, "you can wait until your powers decide to make themselves known in a more... dramatic way."

She shot me a skeptical look. "Dramatic how?"

Before I could answer, the air around her rippled, charged with an electric hum. A second later, an invisible force exploded outward, sending Zarach flying into the wall. He hit it hard, the impact cracking the plaster and knocking a framed photo to the ground.

Athena gasped, staring wide-eyed at the damage. "Oh my God. Did I—was that me?"

Zarach groaned, pulling himself out of the crater she'd made. "Yes," he ground out, brushing dust off his coat. "That was you."

She stumbled back, her hands trembling. "I didn't mean to! I didn't even do anything!"

"That's the point," I said, stepping forward with a grin. "You didn't mean to, but it happened anyway. Which means Zarach's right—you've got power. And if you don't start learning to control it, we're all in for a rough ride."

She sank onto the edge of the bed, her expression a mix of fear and disbelief. "This can't be happening," she whispered. "I'm just... me. I'm not magical. I'm not anything."

"You're more than you think," I said softly, crouching down to meet her gaze. "And yeah, this is a lot to take in. But you're not alone, Athena. You've got us.

And like it or not, we're not going anywhere."

Zarach muttered something under his breath—probably a complaint about me being too soft—but he didn't contradict me. He knew as well as I did that the hard part was only just beginning.