Elliot

“I thought you said she wasn’t a witch. That it was false information.”

Jacobs beyond angry, and I stumble on my words, trying to determine how I'm going to explain without sounding like a liar?

“I didn’t investigate thoroughly, I guess.”

Fuck! I’m an idiot. So much for thinking on my feet. I managed to say the only thing worse than the truth. Jacob steps closer. It’s not until he sniffs the air around me that I realize what he’s doing.

“That’s it! I warned you time and time again. I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but until you can pull your shit together… you're out.”

“No! You can’t do that.” I bark.

Not now!

He sighs like he’s uncertain about his decision, but I don’t sprout hope yet.

“You’re a liability, and you know it. You're not focused, and that’s dangerous. You could cause another member’s death… How would you live with that? I couldn’t.”

I know he’s right, but with Jolene here, everything will be different. Now that I’ve witnessed firsthand the strength she harbors. Well, that changes everything. She may be human, but she’s strong. A relationship doesn’t seem like such an impossibility anymore.

“You can come back in a couple of days, and we can talk. Then well go from there… You need to get sober.”

I snap, wholly frustrated.

“It’s not like I’m drinking demon brew. It’s only alcohol. You know damn well that doesn’t affect our kind. It barely takes the edge off… What about Jolene?”

Jacob is about to ask me who that is, and I snap my answer before he can.

“The witch.” I grunt.

I can tell he’s holding on to his patience by a thread.

“What about her? We’ll have a chat, and I’ll see if she’s a good fit.”

I don’t like the sounds of that.

“And if she isn’t?”

Uh oh, he’s getting suspicious.

“What does it matter to you?” he asks.

Looking every bit as angry as I feel, I try not to grind out my words.

“It's our job to protect any member of species that is in need. Isn't it?”

Great, now I’ve piqued his interest. He folds his arms, analyzing me. Jacob's silence is never a good thing.

“If she doesn’t fit, then I’ll alert her to the danger she’s provoking.”

That’s it?

“I’ve already done that.” I say impatiently.

A quick jerk of his shoulder tells me that’s all I’m getting.

“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. We can only do so much before we cross the line. This situation is complex because she’s still essentially human. She will need to learn to survive in both worlds, never committing to just one… that’s not easy.”

Jacob’s words bounce around my head, making a jumbled mess. If anyone could, I know it'd be her. She’s the most bullhead, courageous female I know. Who else would look a demon in the eye and laugh at his threats? Not to mention her impeccable self-control, especially considering that ego of hers. That day in the café when she held back on that bimbo, I would never have that kind of control.

“What makes you so invested?”

Jacob's question pulls me back to the present as I pull myself from the memory. Just when I begin to feel hope for the future, he rips it away. No, this is my fault, my penance. Another challenge to acquire happiness… with her.

“I just am, is all… she’s good people.”

Jacob looks skeptical, but he keeps it to himself. Having a lucid conversation has taken the edge off his anger, hopefully granting me some leeway.

“Can I help? With-”

He shakes his head before I can finish. Damn it.

“Observe?” I suggest.

He crosses his arms, scrutinizing me all over again.

“Is there something you're keeping from me?” Jacob asks suspiciously.

I look away toward Jolene, avoiding the question. I’m through with lying, but I’m not ready to tell him.

“You can wait here… and I'll tell you how it goes.” Jacob says it with a pointed look. I’m still receiving my punishment, no doubt about it.

I round the corner, following Jacob. I expect to see Jolene standing there, tapping her foot impatiently, but she’s gone. Jacob checks the exit, thinking she left, but I know better and begin looking around. She’s too curious to leave. I find her in the library reading through a book of otherworldly species.

“She’s here. In the library.” I yell at Jacob down the hallway.

Jolene looks up at me in disbelief. Fear and apprehension contort her features.

“Is this what you wanted to show me? Do you believe in this crap?”

She approaches me, shoving the book in my face. The pages are open to the demon's section. The irony isn’t lost on me. Though I’m a Nephilim demon; meaning I have angel DNA in my line, making me appear more human. That’s where the difference ends. There’s no denying my race. The demons she’s researching are more grotesque in looks, making them hard to accept for any newbie, especially human.

“Your fucking crazy!” I flinch at her words. Jacob appears behind me. Just fucking perfect. The look I give her is pleading.

“Is this a fucking cult? Are you trying to get me to join some sick in the head, demon, worshipping group?”

I hear Jacob chuckle behind me, easily replying.

“Absolutely not, that’s ridiculous.”

My heart is beating loudly in my ears. Never have I been so nervous. I’ve also never had this much at stake. Everything she says, how she reacts, will depict the direction of my life.

“Then explain this!” she demands, pushing the book in his face.

And it’s not going well. If she leaves, my life might as well have an expiry date.

“Its research… Tell me Jolene, who taught you about magic?”

She hasn’t accepted his answer, convinced he’s addled. She probably thinks I am too. I step back, looking between the two.

“I’m not telling you shit!” she squeaks.

Yep, bad idea. I should have never brought her here.

“Let’s start over, I’m Jacob… and you are?” Jacob steps in front of me, giving me a look, and shuts the door. I hear her introduce herself by name before they move away from earshot. Pacing the hallway, I hold on to the little piece of hope I have left that things can still work out. It’s just a few minutes later before the door crashes open and she frantically runs out past me.

I stand in the hallway, frozen. Part of me wants to chase her and make her understand, that’s instinct. The intelligent half of me knows that will just drive her further away. I look at Jacob.

“So, that’s it? It’s over?” I ask, unable to mask the desperation in my voice any longer. Jacob’s look of interest quickly turns to concern, and his defensive tone is obvious.

“No, but for now, it has to be. She needs time to accept… I don’t think I need to tell you again.”

Jacob looks pointedly toward me and the door. He couldn’t be more obvious if was holding a sign saying; LEAVE! My stomach twists in discomfort. I’m not sure what bothers me more, being pushed out by my family or losing any ground I’ve attempted to gain with Jolene.

My first instinct is to drink and get lost in my head, but that’s what landed me here. I check into a nearby motel to sleep off days' worth of stress and worry.