Ryan barely got the door open before Asher was pushing past him. "Let's get this over with." He said bitterly, "I'm sick of smelling like vile humans."

"I never knew you had a hatred for humans." Ryan commented as he followed him upstairs.

"I'm a demon, aren't I?" He scoffed, "Why do you think I love to abuse you? You used to be one of them." 

"Yeah, but you used to serve them." 

Asher stopped dead in his tracks. He gave a new meaning to glare when he looked back at Ryan. "Let's get one thing straight. I may have protected them, I may have been upset by their betrayal, but I never served them. They worshiped me. Not the other way around." 

"You're just another false God. I've seen plenty in my day, Carmella Orlando being one of them. She was a demon that fucked my family up pretty badly, but that doesn't mean I hate all demons. So, logically, you shouldn't hate humans as an entirety."

"You should be counting yourself lucky that I'm on such a short leash, or else I'd make you eat your words. If you think what I did to you before was bad, I can get a lot worse. One of these days, I'll be let off my chain, and I'll make you pay for the way you've treated me." His fist tightened by his side, "I'll make you all pay." 

Ryan sighed, "Yeah, whatever. Plot your revenge all you want, just so long as you get your ass in the shower. I've got other things to do today."

Asher walked into his room, then into the bathroom. He slammed the door so hard it knocked a picture off the wall. Ryan knew it wasn't a good idea to leave him alone. He was an addict for pain and could easily do some nasty shit to himself if left to his own devices. However, Ryan wasn't really in the mood to deal with his attitude. It didn't really phase him if Asher fucked himself up.

| | |

The night was calm, though it was previously filled with screams from the sanctuary. If you thought removing one demon's wings to replace them with another would be a painless process, you're a fool. Thankfully, it went over without any complications. It was a long process that wore heavily on the three doctors involved. Remington and Emerson were used to long surgeries, but it'd been awhile since Beau was involved in something so tedious. 

He was one of the most highly trained doctors available in the supernatural world. With experience in literally every field imaginable, it wasn't hard to see why he was trusted as a doctor to the Gods. He'd always preferring matters of the mind over the body, though. Beau returned to his room with his clothes rather dirty from the surgery.

Angela jumped when she heard the door open. She turned white, seeing the blood staining his shirt. "Oh, Dr. Angel, I'm sorry. I was just changing your sheets. I'll be done in a moment."

He smiled softly, "It's alright, Angela. Take your time." Beau slowly unbuttoned his frilled off white shirt, dropping it in the laundry basket she had with her. "Please make sure to treat those stairs soon. I'd prefer to salvage that shirt if at all possible."

"Yes, Sir. What type of blood is it?" She asked.

"Black Valley Demon blood. It won't be long before their kind becomes endangered." He said.

She glanced up at him as she pressed out a fresh sheet along the mattress. Angela tried not to visibly show how her heart rate increased when she saw his bare chest. "With all due respect, Sir, aren't all demons endangered now?" She stammered out nervously. 

"Hm, I suppose for the time being." Beau glanced over to her, his red eyes nearly paralyzing her in place. He hadn't really realized he was long overdue to feed until now. Ashamed, he looked away. He'd easily taken notice to the fact that she was uneasy. Beau could read someone's emotions like a book. "Tell me, why are you nervous?"

"I'm not-"

He looked back at her with those striking irises. "Don't lie to me."

Angela took a breath, replying, "I'm sorry, Sir. I'm not used to seeing you... indecent."

"I see. As flattering as that is, you'll have to go elsewhere to satisfy your cravings. I'm sure Mr. Sitkowski will have you. Now, if you wouldn't mind, I've had a long night. I'd like to sleep." 

"Yes, Sir." She quickly finished up making his bed. Angela grabbed the laundry basket off the floor and left the room. It wasn't enough that she'd embarrassed herself in front of him. She was also terrified of the fact that he was obviously hungry. If it was bad enough, he would've asked for her to bring him something to drink. No, he was in the mood for something fresh from the source.

Angela heard someone walking down the hall. She quickly adverted her eyes when she saw it was Jasper. Most people, she didn't fear, but him? She was utterly terrified of him. Ashley had told her some of the things he was capable of and she never wanted to have to see them for herself. She minded her manners as much as possible and continued walking.

Jasper smiled to himself. He loved a good trained servant. Her fear was enticing, but he was hungry for something different tonight. He slipped into Beau's room as quietly as possible. Beau wasn't very shocked to feel Jasper's arms suddenly wrap around him from behind. He took in a revitalizing breath and avoided touching him, though he wanted to. 

"I'm too tired to play your games tonight." He said.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Jasper mused, "I just came to check on you. You've had a rather hard day."

"It wasn't that difficult. Only tedious, but Thursday and Covey both will be back on their feet within a few days." Beau replied.

The demon seeped a warm breath down his neck, "I wasn't talking about the surgeries. You officially relinquished your responsibilities in Asgard today. It must've been hard on you to let go of something that's meant so much to you for so long."

"It didn't bother me as much as you'd think." Beau brushed his arms off his waste. He grabbed a candle off the dresser and walked into the bathroom. As he began to take off his jewelry, he explained, "When I first took my position here, I figured it nothing more than a small side project. I'd come here for a few days each month and that'd be the extent of it. However, over time, I gained a longing for this place and my patients. The truth of it was, I was bored in Asgard; Bored and lonely. All that time spent alone added up, and I had no reason to feel pain in leaving. Odin showed no anger towards me either. He'd come to understand by plight before even I had."

"I suppose that's why he's the King of the Gods. They say when one doors closes, another opens. Now, that you're without ties to the light, a door to the darkness has opened." Jasper said.

Beau picked up the candle beside him, using it's light to guide his way. He could see in the dark but most crows had trouble with it. Even being a vampire as well, his crow genetics were far stronger. He glared up at Jasper. "I've made it pretty damn clear to you, I have no desire to be with you." 

The demon smirked slightly. He pinched the flame of the candle between his fingers to put it out. Darkness coated the bathroom. Beau knew even when it was pitch black, he should be able to see more than this. Jasper was blinding him somehow. He dropped the candle holder, letting it clank on the ground. 

"I hope one day you will see what I do. You and I are special. We're purebreds, yet we're two species at the same time. I find it beautiful, in a way, to watch the kind heart of a crow battle the instincts of a vampire." 

"I find it tragic, to watch the strength of a demon be restrained by the body of a vampire." He replied.

Jasper gently set his hand along Beau's jaw, tipping his head to the side. He kissed down his neck softly. With his eyes blinded, his other senses were heightened, leaving his skin much more sensitive. He wouldn't put it past Jasper to manipulate his nerves either. Whatever it may be, every kiss shook his body.

"Tragedy and beauty go together like the sun and the moon. They can't live without each other. My powers may be a little duller than they would be if I were in a demon's body, but I'm still strong enough to destroy the sanity of even the strongest creatures. If I wanted, I could have you under my control easily, but I do want you to come to me willingly."

"If you want me so badly, why don't you try approaching me properly instead of whispering threats into my ear?" Beau sneered.

"We've known each other long enough that hearts and flowers aren't necessary in my eyes." He replied, "But perhaps I could be a little more affectionate. I nearly forgot, you do have the eternally bleeding heart of a crow." Jasper released whatever curse he'd placed upon him. He could see again. His eyes peered up at the demon in front of him, searching for an answer to his actions. "I once loved a vampire. He was crude and cutthroat like me. That was nearly over seven hundred years ago."

"Coincidentally, your previous body was about that age before you laid it to rest. Is that the reason you were so attached to it? It belonged to your previous lover?" He questioned.

"Yes." Jasper hesitantly admitted, "He suffered from an affliction similar to Tokyo. His body was psychically fine, but his soul was unwell. He wanted me to end his misery, not thinking of the pain it would burden me with. Everything heals with time, I suppose."

"I see, now. You've finally let go of the last of him, and now that you have nothing to hold onto, you've become lonely. You could've just told me that instead of playing these foolish games." 

He diverted his eyes from Beau's, responding, "It's more than that. Several things are about to change around here. Believe it or not, even a cold, ruthless leader like myself needs comfort in times like these."

"I will always be by your side, as a loyal friend. I can't say exactly how I feel about us becoming intimate. The desire has always been there, but," He sighed, "There's so many other things involved. Please, I'm tired, Jasper. Let us talk about this in the morning."

He closed his eyes briefly and smiled, "I love to hear you speak my name. It's rare that you do. Very well, then. I hope you sleep well. You've deserved a good night's rest."