I want him out of my head.

I want him out of my life.

I wish he'd never existed.

I wish I'd never met him.

Fucking asshole.

I hate him. Absolutely do for what he did, thinking about him only makes me feel like shit.

Trace met my eyes, giving me a soft smile. "You look beautiful today."

"Motherfucker." I hissed to myself under my breath.

"Hey!" Lou chimed up with a protest from my side. "All I said was that you look kind of good today!"

"It's not about you, Lou." I muttered bitterly, tallying up the receipts as the bar slowly cleared out.

"Really? Then why'd you say it right after I complimented you?"

"Because I wasn't listening, Lou." I threw him an irritated glance. "My world doesn't revolve around you."

Mike snickered, raising his glass to his lips. "Newsflash, demon."

"Shut up." Lou snapped, sticking his tongue out at him. "Return to being the feathered prick who was a bone-in-the-gut and stop using slang. It's getting out of hand."

"You just can't handle my newly-unearthed sassy nature." Mike smirked, pausing and looking at me. "Did I say that right?"

"You made me cringe, but yes, it's right." I tore up a receipt I couldn't read, turning to rewrite it on a fresh sheet. Dottie's handwriting is impossible sometimes. "Also, Lou, it's stick-in-the-mud. Like you're usually being."

"Bone-in-the-gut is better to explain how of a pain-in-the-ass he really is."

"That's not the only pain you'll be feeling once I'm done with you, demon."

I stopped writing, throwing my eyes up to the ceiling at their third flare-up of the night. "Guys, please. I'm in no mood to deal with this today."

"As we've noticed." Lou growled out while maintaining his stare-off with Mike. "Why do you think everyone left so early?"

My head fell forward and I let out a tired sigh. "Sorry, I can't be all bubbly and cheerful every night, guys." I spoke loud enough for the entire bar to hear, the defeat I was feeling coming through my voice. There were some encouraging replies from the demons and most of the angels didn't even acknowledge the sarcasm.

"Bubbly and cheerful isn't how I'd describe you, Ryleigh." Lou sipped his drink.

"Oh, really?" I shifted the notepad to the side, starting to write on a crisp note. "I couldn't care less." I replied absently, trying to keep my writing neat. It needs to be readable.

He didn't seem to hear me, swirling the liquid in his glass as he continued anyway. "Mean, sarcastic, mouthy, ballsy- at times, bit of a miser too-"

I gasped, looking up to throw him a glare. "Miser?!"

A smirk had formed on his face due to my outburst. "You forced me to pay for the first time I drank at your place."

"That makes you the miser! You didn't pay and instead decided it would be better to scare me till I passed out and threaten my life." My hand slammed against the wood. "Multiple times!"

"Miser is not the word I'd use here, demon." Mike thoughtfully sipped his drink. "It's just... collecting her debts."

"So... like a miser." I narrowed my eyes as Lou repeated the word.

"If I'm a miser, you're stingy." I placed my arms across my chest. "You're always looking for a free drink!"

Lou gasped loudly as if I'd accused him of something scandalous. "How dare you!"

There was a short silence in which we stared at each other. Mike shrugged after a while. "Atleast the demon's not denying it."

Lou gasped again, turning his scandalised glare towards him. It didn't last. He shrugged too. "He's right. Who doesn't want a free drink?" Taking a page out of my book, Lou called out the question to the entire place. Some demons hooted, and I could even see grudging agreements in the angel's eyes.

I rubbed my face tiredly. "Why do I torture myself like this."

"I think, deep do-"

"It was not a question, Mike."

Mike swerved his glass towards me in acknowledgement before taking a sip. I turned back to the note, continuing to scribble down words regardless of my handwriting. They'll be able to read it.

"Well..." I looked up at Lou as he placed both his hands on the bar. "I'm done poking the bear for tonight." I'm a bear now? "See you tomorrow, Ryleigh."

I walked over to pick up the cash he'd set down. "Hold on." He paused, halfway off his seat. His eyes were glued to me as I moved back to the register, shuffling some notes before handing it to him. "Here's your change."

"What?" Lou eyes were filled with confusion, looking at the cash I was holding out. "Change?"

"Yeah." I shook it. "Take it if you're leaving." I slid over another pile of cash. "That's yours, Mike."

"Change?" Mike echoed, but he actually sounded more disgusted.

"Yeah." I repeated, glancing at them both. "Take it. I've got shit to do."

"This feels weird." Lou mumbled, gingerly taking the cash from me as if I'd handed him hellhound saliva. "You never give us change."

I gave him an overly sweet smile. "Am I still a miser?"

"I'm supposed to take this?" Mike, ignored my question, sounding more repulsed by the second. "Demon's right. I feel weird."

My smile faded away, and I threw them both an irritated glare. "Take it. I'm not in the mood to play today."

The demon and angel glanced at each other, slowly backing away from the bar, staring down at the money I'd handed them. "Look through it." I spoke up.

Both paused in their steps, turning to look at me. I nodded as I met their eyes. "Look through it. Check if it's all there."

"Uh." Mike turned back to his money, sincere boy that he was, flipping through it with Lou's eyes on him. He was quiet for a short while once he finished, staring at it blankly. "Are you sure?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes, returning to my notepad. "Yes. I am. Count yours too, Lou. Carefully."

I heard the two resume walking to the exit. A quick glance showed Lou shuffling through the notes as well. I sighed to myself. Let's see if they call me a miser after that. Maybe I'd give them a few free drinks if they get my m-

"Human." I looked up, seeing an angel wave at me.

I nodded. "Your bill's ready." Angels are pretty glib. It's nice sometimes to not have to talk much.

I had wrapped up tallying the receipts by the time the last demon paid and left. I remembered what I'd told Asshole this morning. I regretted those words, but this was necessary. It was the only way I could get this done, and him out of my life. Two birds with one bullet.

There was reluctance sitting heavy in my belly as I locked up the place. I didn't want to go home. I had told him to come over, but I was regretting it. He was probably already waiting for me.

Ever since he'd told me that they were ready to execute what I'd asked them to do, I'd had an uneasy feeling in my stomach. It was too late to back out. It was too late to do anything about it. It scared me. My plan... scared me.

I walked through the night with my head down, hands clenched into fists as I went over and over the first conversation I'd ever had with Harry in my head. The plan had been made up on the spot. I'd been thinking about wanting to be free of the demons and angels and it had just... happened. My need to be free of them had somehow translated into... into a massacre. The two species would never forgive me if they found out I was behind this. I didn't even know how to defend myself despite having the greatest weapon against them. Could I go on the run? Could it be possible to join the Hunters and seek protection?

No. It is not. Just the thought makes me want to dive into a drain.

I ran a hand through my hair, eyes blankly on the path in front of me as my feet moved on autopilot. I was tired of this. The Hunters, the demons, the angels... I'd never wanted this. Pretty sure I would have been better off not knowing that another world existed.

My building started coming into view and with it, Onoda standing at the entrance. There was a familiar figure in front of him having what seemed to be a heated conversation.

Asshole turned his head to look at me, fake surprise crossing his face as he spotted me. Flinging his arm out to point at me, he said something to Onoda. Onoda's face soured further. Pressing his lips together, he waited till I was within hearing distance before speaking. "Should I call the authorities, Ms. Ryleigh?"

I met Asshole's eyes, looking him over and wondering if I should turn him away. There was a smug look on his face. He was probably waiting for me to prove Onoda wrong.

Sorry, Onoda. I don't want to do this either. "I... invited him here, Onoda." I turned to meet his brown eyes again, seeing surprise cross through them. "He's not going to be long. Just has to collect his stuff and leave."

"I... see, Ms. Ryleigh."

"Sorry I didn't inform you." I gave him a sheepish smile. "I didn't think he'd show up before I returned from work."

"No need for apologies, Ma'am. I am the one at fault here." Onoda tipped his hat, hiding his face as he stepped aside. "My apologies... sir." No name? Onoda really doesn't like him.

"It's okay, Onoda. I know you're just doing your job." Asshole gave him the fakest smile, reaching out to pat Onoda's shoulder.

Onoda stepped away at the contact, straightening up to smile at him but I could see the irritation in his eyes. "Kindly refrain from contact, sir."

"Yeah, sorry." Asshole rolled his eyes, turning to me and gestured to the door. "Shall we?"

I ignored him, stepping past Onoda. I made a mental promise to make it up to him later.

Asshole's hurried steps followed me inside. He kept a good distance away from me as I signed him in. My eyes went to his ID as he held it out for confirmation. Obviously, a fake. But a very good fake. I was used to spotting them from my time working at a college bar but this one would've crossed inspection. It was impeccable.

'Trace' straightened up as he finished signing the log book, glancing at me expectantly. I gestured to the lift, falling into step beside him as we walked over. These Hunters were dangerous. They must have connections, because as far as I know, that's a real driving license.

"It still amazes me that you live here." 'Trace' mumbled once the lift doors closed. "I could never afford something like this."

"Neither could I."

"You said a friend owned it, right?"

"I did."

"Who is this guy?"

"Another thing you do not need to know about, Asshole."

Asshole rolled his eyes. "Stop that, Ryleigh. It's fucking childish. Call me Will."

"No."

"Call me 'Will', Ryleigh." He insisted. "We're working together, it's the least I'm asking."

"What's the point of calling you that? You'll have a new name tomorrow."

The sound of the lift dinging open muffled Asshole's groan. "Come on. I'm trying to be civil here. We can be friends, right?"

"Over your dead body."

"Why?" He chuckled behind me. "Are you planning to kill me?"

"Maybe." I replied, meeting his eyes over my shoulder. "Step back. I need to enter my code."

"I've already seen you enter it once."

"I changed it right after you left that day."

A smile started crossing Asshole's face. "Call me Will first."

"No. Step back."

Asshole snickered, leaning in to whisper. "Say 'Step back, Will'." I had to resist the urge to slap him away.

"No." I narrowed my eyes at him. "I refuse to dignify you with a name just like you refused to respect my time and my life."

"It's just a name." Asshole sighed, stepping to the side and leaning against the door, eyes purposefully glued to the keypad. "Go ahead. Take your time. I don't mind spending time with you."

I do, though. I don't want to spend time with him. I could however, enter the emergency code which would send a signal to the reception desk that I was being forced into my apartment on duress. The police would be here in less than ten minutes. But then again... I don't want the attention.

I closed my eyes, exhaling softly to brace myself. "Step... the fuck... away... Will."

Asshole laughed. "Really, now. Was it that tough?" He pushed off the door as I opened my eyes, backing up a few steps before I entered my passcode.

The name left a bad taste on my tongue. The moment my door was open, I made a beeline to my kitchen, filling a glass of water and taking deep gulps in the hope that it would go away.

Asshole stepped in, head turning automatically to look at the view. "Man... I forgot how beautiful it is up here."

I wish it had stayed forgotten. I exhaled loudly as I kept the glass back down, feeling my head clear a bit. My bag went to it's usual spot on the kitchen stools before I made a beeline for the bag. It was in my lower kitchen drawer.

I tugged the bag out easily, it was lighter now with a few weapons missing. Asshole turned away from the view to look at me as I dropped the duffel on the carpet by his feet. Stepping back, I gestured to it. "Here. Take it and leave."

He casually placed a hand in his pocket, turning to face me. "I can't just leave without checking, Ryleigh. Besides..." He turned his head to the side to look at the view again. "This brings back memories."

I wanted to scream as he said that. I'd been trying not to think about it when he'd walked straight up to the glass walls. It was very reminiscent of when he'd come over the first time. "Forget about that, Asshole. It's in the past. Just... inspect what you have to and leave."

"Call me 'Will', Ryleigh." Asshole smiled at me, cocking his head. "I'm fine with you calling me Trace too. I did get used to that name."

"In your dreams."

"Oh, yeah. Definitely." He looked down by his feet, crouching as he spoke. "You do a lot more than say my name in my dreams." I felt my gut clench. "You say it, you scream it, you yell it, you..  moan it..."

"Goddammit." I growled to myself. It slipped out before I knew it. The frustration, the anger, the... need. He was pushing my buttons, and I was letting him. It was like I couldn't help it. The feelings I had for him were hurting me more than anything.

Pressing my lips together, I turned away from his smug figure, returning to the kitchen stools to maintain some distance and take a seat. My eyes were on him as he carefully unzipped the bag. The first thing he pulled out was the broken shotgun. The placement was my handiwork.

"What happened here?" He sounded worried. "It's been snapped in half."

"Demon." I replied curtly.

He looked at me sideways. "Demons were here?"

"They come and go as they please. I don't have the means to stop them."

"I can give you symbols you can draw out to keep them away."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yes." He paused. "Only if you call me Will from now on."

I rolled my eyes. "I'll live."

He chuckled. "I'll give them to you anyway. Can't have them popping into my ex's place when they want."

"Ex?" I scowled. "Let's get this right, Asshole. I can't be your ex because I was never your girlfriend. I was the woman you were cheating on your wife with."

He stiffened. "She's my fiancée."

"I don't care. You slept with me under the pretence of liking me. For all I-"

"It wasn't a pretence." I went silent as he cut me off. He sighed, reaching for another gun in the silence. "I wasn't pretending or faking it, Ryleigh. I liked you. I... I still like you."

My heart skipped a beat. I didn't like the warmth flooding through my system with those words. "I don't care."

"Yes, you do." He replied quietly, pulling out one gun after the other and spreading them out on the carpet. "I know you do."

"I do what?" I snapped unintentionally.

He sighed, not saying a single word as he working on disassembling the guns. He was methodical and neat, arranging the metal parts all around him. He fingers were nimble yet strong, pulling out each part by pressing on hidden buttons and latches I had no idea about. It was... mesmerising.

Tearing my eyes away from his hands, I looked over his aura. He was torn yet again. The same pinks and browns that plagued him through our relationship, not literal red flags, but good enough. I was really blind. And ignorant. I should have figured out that all that uncertainty, all that confusion couldn't mean anything good. It should have been obvious.

"You're staring at me." His voice cut through my mental self-torture.

"I'm watching you." I corrected. "In case you make any moves that you shouldn't."

"And you would know what moves I should or should not be making with a gun?"

"Not with a gun. But I know what moves you should not be making in general."

"You don't really need to worry about that." He looked up, cocking his head. "I'm done."

Surprise crossed through me. "Already?"

"Yeah. You sound surprised."

"You just pulled them apart and looked them over."

"That's an inspection." He looked down again, reaching for the parts to start reassembling the guns. "Visually, everything is fine. Others can do a more thorough check." He chuckled to himself. "Do you not want me to leave?"

"I do want you to leave. The faster, the better."

"Why?"

"Did you happen to forget what you did?" I raised an eyebrow, anger leaking into my voice. "You might have been out of my life for about a month, but that doesn't mean my trauma has vanished."

"I also did not want to do that."

"But the fact is- you did."

"And the other fact is- I regret it." He paused, sitting back on his ankles and turning his head to look at me. "I... I didn't want it to end, Ryleigh. I didn't want us to end."

I pressed my lips together, looking away from his earnest green eyes and truthful aura. "No point in talking about it. Get your stuff and get out."

"On it." He mumbled.

My eyes eventually strayed back to him, watching him work at reassembling the metal. He looked... handsome against the city lights. I didn't need to switch on the lights in my living room when I usually returned because it was bright enough with the light streaming in from the street. It seemed to do him justice, framing his body and his face. I hadn't made a bad choice, looks-wise that is.

"You're still staring."

"I'm watching you. I don't trust you."

"You've made that clear." He replied, hands not pausing even once as he spoke. "What do you plan to do once this is over?"

"I'm leaving the city." I replied frankly. "I need a break from all this. I want to return to my normal life."

"You've stepped into this world, Ryleigh. You can't just back out. Our association is going to be a lot longer than this."

"Not if I can help it, Asshole." He frowned as I returned to using his nickname. "And I can. I'm leaving the city once this is all over." I paused. "And as a favour to me, owing to me my privacy, my respect and the time you wasted with me, you won't tell anyone about this."

"I won't need to tell anyone about this because you won't be leaving." He paused to look up at me, eyes meeting mine meaningfully. "You're stuck with us. Hunters are everywhere. You can't run."

"I'm not running. I'm leaving." I reached up to open my ponytail, running a hand through my hair spread it out. "I'm tired of this. Demons, angels... humans who think they can defeat them- it's too much for me. I just want to live my life."

"What life? You died, didn't you?" Ouch.

"Yes, I did."

"Was that before, or after we started dating?"

"After our second date." No point in hiding it. "Your pal Gerheart shot me a total of five times."

"It's hard to believe he shot you."

"He shot up the bar and I happened to be in it.

"He probably didn't know."

"Or didn't care. Can you hurry up?"

"This is delicate work, Ryleigh." He shrugged. "I'm going to be here a while whether you like it or not."

I didn't, but I had a job to do. "Fine, tell me about what you guys have planned."

"Why do you want to talk about stuff like that?"

"I want to be reassured that you can handle killing my regulars."

"We can. Thirty Hunters, and enough guns. We had special ammo stockpiled for occasions like this."

"Wow. How long did you have that knife?"

"We've had it three years. Enough to distribute it to all the Hunters we know. And that's a lot of Hunters."

"So, you can guaranteed that they'll die?"

"Yes. One bullet is enough to cripple them. It affects them like a bullet affects a human." I turned to look at him. "They'll die."

"Can't they teleport away?"

"Do you think we just follow you to watch the bar?" Asshole laughed. "We've been placing layers upon layers of charms and restrictions around the entire building. There's not much left to do."

"When do you plan to attack?"

"Getting the guns today..." Asshole sighed, starting work on what was hopefully the last gun. "Tomorrow. Once your midnight shift hits its peak."

I whistled lowly to myself. "That's quick."

"We're always ready to fight." He had a lot of pride in himself and the other Hunters. Maybe they could win.

"That's it?" I raised an eyebrow as he didn't continue. "How will you enter the barrier?"

"You'll have to let in half of us so we can hide in the back. Then we'll wait for your signal."

"And the front is unguarded?"

He smiled at me, it was a soft smile. Like one you'd give when you were amused by someone's lack of intellect. "We have more Hunters as backup, about another twenty, watching each route."

"And you can bet that teleportation will be halted by the charms?"

"Teleportation halted, strength halved, speed reduced. They won't even notice our presence." He rubbed the back of his neck, rolling it twice. "You don't have to worry about us."

"I'm not." I replied dryly. I'm worried about me.

Asshole chuckled, looking up after placing the last gun in the bag. "Tell me, Ryleigh. Are you scared?"

"That's none of your business. Now that you're done, get out."

"I need to know, Ryleigh. Scared people do stupid things."

"Yeah, like trust a guy like you."

Asshole sighed, zipping up the bag before throwing me a tired look. "You couldn't help it. Your memories were manipulated, and so were your feelings with it. Trace never existed."

It felt like a punch in the gut everytime I heard it. "I know." I gritted out, looking away from him. "He might not have existed, but you do..." I trailed off, trying to stifle my feelings for him. It wasn't working.

"Ryleigh..."

I didn't like that tone of voice. It... stirred certain nighttime memories. I didn't acknowledge it.

I heard him pick up his bag and start to move towards me. His steps were hesitant. "I have a lot to say to you... if you'll let me."

I frowned, meeting his eyes in a sideways glance. "Can it wait?" Or can it never happen?

He shook his head. "I won't get a better time." He placed the bag on the carpet before stepping over the raised step to the kitchen. "I know you still like me, Ryleigh."

I stiffened, trying not to show my unease at his direct words. "Why would you think that?"

"I don't think it." He gave me a soft, sad smile. "I know it. And I like you too."

"I don't like you, Asshole." I spoke up, shaking my head for effect.

"Yes, you do. Sarah told me."

"How would she know? She can't read my aura. I don't have one."

"I heard. But she's still an empath. She can still sense your feelings."

"Sense my... feelings?"

"Yes. She told me that she still sensed your affection towards me. I took that as meaning that you still like me."

"No, I don't." I gritted out, feeling my gut turn at this specific lie. Ironic almost, after all the others I've been spewing.

"Yes. I know you do." He moved towards me, green eyes seeing through me. "And I still do as well."

I shifted uncomfortably. "This isn't something we should be talking about, Will."

He laughed, placing his arms across his chest. "So, that's what it takes for you to call me by my name."

I hadn't even realised I'd done that. Colour rose up my face and I looked away. "It wasn't intentional. It's best you-"

"Leave, yes. I know. But..." He took another step forward, placing an arm on the counter behind me.

I looked up at him, frowning as he leaned over me. "What are you doing?" My heart was still. My mind didn't want to process the situation.

"I..." He sighed before giving me a sheepish smile that made my still heart thump very loudly. His green eyes were very close. "I'm going to make a move now, Ryleigh. Stop me anytime."

"This is not a good idea, Tr..."

He laughed softly, closer than I should've let him get. "You almost called me Trace." My eyes flickering to his lips.

"You're not Trace." I whispered, my head turning up to his.

"No... I'm Will." He whispered against my lips before meeting them.

My eyes fell shut, expecting his familiar warmth. He held it there for a moment, hesitating a bit before increasing the pressure. I understood why. He was expecting me to stop him. I was expecting me to stop him. But... I didn't want to.

It was a warm, soft kiss. Almost like an apology of sorts. I felt Will shift, his other hand settling on my waist as he got closer. I wanted him. I wanted him so bad I leaned in almost involuntarily even if my hands refused to move. They were clenched tightly as what little sense I had left rebelled.

Will's lips parted and he deepened the kiss. I had been waiting for it. It took my need to the next level, igniting it inside me as his hand lifted my shirt.

But him touching my skin was like a bucket of cold water being dumped on me.

My eyes snapped wide open and I jerked away from Will, breaking the kiss. Surprise crossed through his eyes as he slowly opened them, but he didn't have time to react as my hands rose to his chest, pushing him away as I hopped to my feet.

"No..." I whispered, voice breathy from the kiss as I looked at the ground. I couldn't meet his eyes. "No. Get out, Trace."

Trace raised a hand, pressing his fingers to his lips as he laughed to himself. "Call me Will, Ryleigh... Trace doesn't exist."

****************

AUTHOR'S NOTE
Oh-ho-hooooo, Ryleigh messed uuuup.
We're getting closer to the end. Do you think the Hunters will win? Or will Lou beat their asses into the ground? Will Ryleigh emerge alive from this?

Exciting! Stay tuned for more chapters and the result of Ryleigh's decisions!

Vote and comment!