***

– HAHEUIAH – The angel of protection.

***

Oh, a torn page!

– Hayden!

After a long time of reading, I find him asleep. I get up and move closer to him, looking at his face resting on one of his arms stretched out on the table. A sudden urge arises to gently caress his cheek with the back of my finger, which I do. His skin is soft until I reach the beginning of his beard at the end of his chin.

– You look so calm and gentle when you sleep, I whisper.

I cross my arms, resting my head on them so that he's facing me, watching him before closing my eyes. Sleep begins to take me as well, imagining his face, right behind my eyelids.

***

The rays of the sun hit my face, warming my skin. Surprisingly, I feel good, no sweat from the night, no strange dreams, and the bed is so comfortable.

– I slept well for once.

I stretch and sit up.

When the blanket slips, revealing my assets, I am left stunned. What the hell is going on? I quickly pull the blanket back up to my neck and look around to make sure no one has seen me. That's when I realize I'm not in my room. However, this room reminds me of something. No, it's not...

– Finally awake, my lovely.

Yes, unfortunately, that's exactly it.

In front of me, Hayden is dressed in nothing but a bath towel around his waist, water dripping from his body. He walks toward a wardrobe and drops the only thing covering him.

Immediately, I put my hands over my eyes to hide my embarrassment and what is happening in front of me.

– Does it bother you?

– W...why am I not wearing any clothes? I ask, panicked.

– You don't remember our night?

He smiles.

– What?

Surprised by his response, I cross my arms over my chest, confused, clutching the blanket against me.

– What happened?

A small muffled laugh tries to escape, hidden behind his beautiful full lips.

Is he mocking me?

– Is this funny to you? I ask, frustrated by his response.

– Ha ha, nothing happened, don't worry, he reassures me, still getting dressed.

– Then why am I not wearing anything?

– Oh, that...

He steps toward me and places his hand on my throat, gently making me fall back onto the bed so that I lie down. He then positions himself above me, one knee on each side of my thighs. I let him do it, feeling his hand surprisingly warm even though his skin is still wet.

With a delicate gesture, he uses his other hand to deliberately pull the blanket I'm covering myself with, revealing more and more of my skin.

My body lets him do it without my permission, but my mouth manages to intervene.

– Hayden.

– Relax, he whispers.

His deep black eyes finally lift to meet mine. After a long gaze, he stops and loosens his hold on my neck, bringing his face closer to my ear.

– Your skin is intoxicating and so soft, he whispers.

A wet strand of hair drops a droplet of water onto my cheek as he places his lips on my skin, giving me a kiss. A delightful shiver runs through my body for the first time, stopping at the lower part of my stomach. He eventually lifts his head and smiles at me, which intensifies the shiver that lingers inside me.

– I need to go, I had a great night, and I hope to have more nights like this, he says before leaving the room.

Strangely, his smile made me shiver in a good way. He acts like his brother Hadrien, but I don't feel any anger with him. I don't find him dangerous when he acts like this, even though he's been impulsive and unpredictable since we met.

Alone in someone else's room, I get up and look for my clothes, which I find folded on his desk.

– This is not... this isn't mine. Never mind, I need to get dressed quickly before he comes back.

Boom.

– Damn!

I finish getting dressed and bend down to pick up the book I just dropped on the floor.

"Demonic Souls."

– The book is quite curious.

The cover seems to be made of dark brown animal skin. On the front cover, the title "Demonic Souls" is written with a cross just below, surrounded by words in another language in red. The back cover is blank. I quickly flip through the book and spot some pages with drawings and the same strange red writing.

Curious about what this book contains, I take it with me and leave.

***

Back in my bed, I find none of the girls I share the room with. Quiet and alone, I begin to flip through the book.

After a few minutes of reading, or rather skimming, I come across a page I can finally understand. It seems to be translated because the ink is black, and the writing appears different.

"When souls flee, they appear as visible creatures, with long claws and covered in skin. These creatures are searching for one thing... their salvation."

That gives me the chills. Well, I skip some more blah-blah-blah...

– "True demons are..."

Hyn... oh no... I can't read. The ink seems to have been erased.

I squint my eyes, holding the book at every possible angle, trying to catch the light of day to read it, but I can't decipher the rest properly.

– "...their only weakness..."

– Ah, you're here!

I quickly close the book, clutching it against my chest so that Hailey doesn't see the title. I acted as if I'd just been caught reading a dirty book. She doesn't seem to have noticed my strange behavior and rushes straight to her bed to change her top.

Here is the translation of the text into English:

---

– Yes, I exclaim.

– Are you reading?

She's changing her pants now.

– Uh... yes, I borrowed a book from the library... I might have also fallen asleep there, haha, I say as an excuse for last night, nervously placing my hand behind my head.

– No worries, are you ready? she asks, checking her face in a small pocket mirror.

– Ready? Why?

– Didn't Elise warn you during your visit?

She puts on her shoes.

– Uh... no.

– There are fights on the field before breakfast. It's an annual show the battle angels put on.

– It must be captivating.

She walks toward me, smiling.

– You can rummage through my st... um... stuff... Your t-shirt is very nice, it vaguely reminds me of something, she says, staring at my top, slowly losing her smile as she tries to force it to stay.

– Oh, that's...

The front door bursts open, and Elise enters cheerfully.

– Come on, girls, what are you doing? The fights are about to start, she yells.

– It's your fault, you didn't warn her, Hailey remarks to Elise.

– Oh yes, I was going to tell her during our meal yesterday, but she left in the middle and never came back.

They both look at me, waiting for me to give them an excuse.

– Oh, oops, I did go to the library yesterday and I fell asleep there.

It's not exactly a lie. I really was at the library, and I did fall asleep there.

– Alright, Marie, get ready and join us, okay? Hailey replies before leaving with the beautiful blonde.

– Alright!

Elise arrived just in time. I didn't want to explain about Hayden to her, but I'm starting to feel guilty for not telling her. What if she takes it badly?

After taking a shower, I change into black pants and a black long-sleeved top. I notice all these clothes are the same color, and not just hers. I've realized that everyone at this school seems to like this color.

As soon as I step out of the room, I overhear some whispers that are quite audible. Strangely, I think I recognized one of the voices. My curiosity gets the best of me, and I move closer, walking along the wall of the corridor until just before the corner so they won't see me.

Shouldn't everyone already be gone? I think.

– Shh, don't make any noise, one of them whispers.

– Everyone is at the field, no one will see us, another responds in the same way.

A man. That voice sends a shiver down my spine, and not in a pleasant way.

– You never know.

Isn't that Amber I hear?

– Are you sure you want it?

The more I listen to this deep voice, the more I wonder if it's not...

– Yes, kiss me.

I place my hands over my mouth, making sure no sound escapes, and tiptoe back. I hope they didn't hear me. I manage to distance myself quite a bit and find myself right in front of the door to my room.

– STOP!

Startled, a small sound escapes my lips, and I slowly turn toward the voice behind me. It's Amber; so it really was her, I was right. I glance over her shoulder quickly but don't see anyone else.

– What are you doing here? she asks, arms crossed and tapping her foot, impatient to know my answer.

– Oh haha, it's you, you startled me, I didn't hear you coming.

– How long have you been there?

Still in the same position, she clenches her jaw, holding back her stress as best as she can. It's a strange reaction. Her friend that she kissed might already be in a relationship, and she doesn't want anyone to know? This is the first time I've seen her like this.

– Uh... Hailey warned me about the fights, I just finished getting ready... and now I'm going, I reply.

She watches me for a moment, looking me up and down without saying a word, making me uncomfortable, then she relaxes her arms and her jaw. She seems to calm down.

– Me too, I'm late. Shall we go together?

Since we met, she's been distant with me, and now she actually wants to be with me. She must really want to keep this a secret.

Marie, anyway, it's none of your business, I tell myself in my mind.

– Uh, yeah, sure, I smile a bit forced.

I hope she believes me.

***

The sun is blazing, and the entire school is gathered around the field, all eyes on the sky to watch the fight.

Elise spots us and smiles.

– Marie! Amber! You're late, come on, we saved you seats, she calls out.

There are two seats: one at the end of the line near Hailey, and another between a stranger and Elise. Amber trots over to take the seat at the far right, leaving me the one next to Elise and a beautiful brunette with black eyes.

– What a beautiful show, I say.

– Yes, every year, it's the same thing.

– Do you have a favorite fighter?

– Yes... Hadrien. Oh! He just arrived.

A fight has just ended, and the announcer announces the score.

– "WINNER JAILS, THE NEXT FIGHT WILL BE... HADRİEN VERSUS HAYDEN."

I lean forward and give Hailey a surprised look, but she shows no emotion on her face after the announcement.

– Hailey? I ask.

– Yes?

– Doesn't it bother you that your two brothers are fighting each other?

– No, don't worry. Every year, they make them fight each other. It's their favorite fight to dazzle others. But my brothers know what they're doing, she says with a calm smile.

Here's the translation of the text:

---

– Haha, well, that's good, I'm not worried anymore.

– "FIGHT!"

The two fighters are on the ground, their wings spread, facing each other. As Hayden tries to take off, Hadrien stops him, stretching out his arm and showing the palm of his hand, shouting:

– Wait, just a second.

Hayden, still at the other end of the field, stops, putting both feet back on the ground and rolling his eyes.

The spectators have their eyes locked on Hadrien, who folds his wings back inside and suddenly walks toward the stands.

– What is he doing? I ask Elise.

– His little show, as usual.

Elise, looking very focused and almost excited, stares at Hadrien without blinking. I notice that most of the girls around me are waiting like Elise, even the one on my left. Except for Amber, who seems less than pleased, tightening her jaw again and crossing her arms.

What's going to happen?

He places his hands on the top of his black t-shirt, sliding it up to take it off, revealing his bare chest. Most of the girls get up, all screaming with excitement like fans, while the male angels are either annoyed by the event or upset that their girlfriends are standing up for another angel, like the couple to my left. The beautiful brunette acts as if her partner no longer exists. Poor guy.

– Hailey, what's going on?

– What's happening is that my brother is using his angelic charms.

He's playing with his shirt, twirling it over his head, looking at all the girls one by one. I notice when his gaze lands on Amber, he holds it longer than with the others, giving her a half-smile that I find pretty wicked. Amber, on the other hand, seems to like it less and less.

Suddenly, he throws his t-shirt hard into the stands, and I don't see its trajectory, my eyes already occupied watching Amber.

Elise sits back down, as does the whole section, then lets out a sigh of disgust. Suddenly, the same girls who had just sat back down stare at me for a long time. I look at them one by one, wondering what they're looking at like that.

What's going on?

– Marie, says Hailey.

– Yes, what? I ask, turning my head toward her.

She gives me a glance at my knees, smiling without speaking, wanting me to look in the direction her eyes are pointing. So I lower my head and am caught off guard by a piece of fabric on my legs. I didn't even feel it.

– He's having trouble aiming, says Hailey.

I throw it at her.

She moves to dodge it and makes a face.

– Ugh, she says.

Ugh?

– I'm not touching that, don't worry, he didn't mean to send it to me, I'm sure.

– Why do you say that?

Elise laughs at the scene.

– It's because he doesn't want to sleep with his little sister. He sends his clothes to the girl of the moment he's interested in, the one he wants to have some fun with, she explains, laughing.

– Ugh, I grimace in response. I don't want that either.

Remembering his audacity when he violated my privacy in the bathroom last time, I definitely don't want to repeat that experience, even if it was consensual.

I'm now thinking about that night in Hayden's bed. Did we really sleep together? Did he undress me?

– Girls, it's starting, Elise shouts.

My attention returns to the field where Hadrien has repositioned himself facing his brother, suddenly unfolding his powerful black wings.

– "LET THE FIGHT BEGIN."

Even though Hayden tries to dodge and take the blows, he manages to hold his ground. Their movements are quick and powerful, but they don't seem to be suffering.

The fight has been going on for a few minutes. While Hayden is taking all the hits, Hadrien seems to be getting more and more exhausted from striking, landing powerful blows that are draining his energy. The classic strategy but still effective.

I haven't tried it, but my mother always told me that if someone starts trouble with me, I should act like this, and when I manage to gain the upper hand, never stop hitting until the opponent stops moving. Luckily for me, I've never had to fight.

This is the moment when Hayden takes the upper hand and starts giving everything he's got, returning all the hits he's taken since the beginning, chaining them without stopping. Hadrien seems overwhelmed by the blows coming from all sides and exhausted from dodging. His wings also seem worn out compared to Hayden's, who's kept the most energy since the start.

I hope they're going to be okay. Hailey doesn't seem worried, maybe I should do the same as her. By the way, why am I worrying about them? From the beginning, they've only caused me trouble.

This fight seems longer than the others; it's both beautiful and frustrating to watch them fight almost evenly.

Suddenly, Hailey stands up after seeing her brother fall to the ground violently. That last blow was intense.

Here's the translation of the text:

---

– "END OF THE FIGHT"

The announcer declares the end of the fight, and Hailey starts running to join her brothers. Amber follows right behind, looking equally worried. Elise and I exchange a glance, then we get up and follow them to the field.

– Get up! COME ON, GET UP, she shouts.

She gives him a few little kicks on his legs, but he doesn't move.

– HADRIEN!, she continues, yelling.

– Stop shouting, I'm getting up, it was just a joke, he says, opening his eyes.

– Idiot, make that kind of joke again and I'll be the one facing you in your next fight.

– Don't worry, little sister, I'm tough as a rock, he jokes, giving himself a couple of taps on the head.

He sits down on the ground and calmly catches his breath.

– "WINNER HAYDEN, END OF THE FIGHTS."

– You beat me again, bro.

Hayden extends his arm and helps him get up without saying a word. When he stands up, I notice blood on his back, probably from the wound he got a few days ago that I had to treat.

– Oh, your shoulder wound reopened, I remark.

Hayden looks at me from the corner of his eye, and I notice immediately.

– I'll take you to your room, Hadrien, lean on me, offers Elise, putting an arm around his shoulders.

As she gets closer to Hadrien, Amber, silent, positions herself with her arms crossed and her jaw clenched. She probably doesn't like someone getting close to Hadrien. Was it him she was with earlier in the hallways? I thought it was Hayden she had a crush on.

– I'll help you too, my brother, Hailey continues, taking his other arm, making him lean on her.

They leave, leaving me with Amber and Hayden.

– And you, are you okay? she asks, finally saying something, addressing the man standing between us.

She suddenly seems relaxed.

I don't understand anymore. Could it be both of them she wants?

– Yes, he answers shortly.

– Do you want me to walk you back to your...

– No.

He turns to face me and grabs my arm.

– Come with me, he orders in his deep voice.

Without understanding what's going on, I let him lead and follow him, leaving Amber behind, watching us walk away, stunned.

We end up facing the building the fighters use as their dorm, and he stops, speaking up.

– Why are you so cold with her?

– She annoys me.

– What did she do?

He doesn't answer and finally lets go of my wrist.

– You can leave.

Is he angry?

– Are you sure you're okay?

– Do you know my brother? he asks suddenly.

– Your brother. Hadrien?

– Yes!

– Yes... well, not really.

He turns around and gives a huge blow to the entrance door, making me jump, before taking a deep breath and turning back to face me.

– Don't get close to him.

– But for...

– I told you... to never... GET CLOSE, he yells, his fists still clenched, leaning over me.

Without letting me respond, he lets go and walks inside.

Not understanding where this anger is coming from, I sigh.

– Are you two dating?

Startled, I jump, hearing a voice behind me.

– No, but... what's with you, Amber, sneaking up behind me like that without making a sound?

She has quite the same skill as Hayden and Hadrien, or maybe all the black angels have this ability to appear behind people like cats, without making a single sound.

– Answer me! she orders.

Is it a day of orders?

– Nothing is going on between us, believe me, I reply, my brows furrowed, showing that I don't appreciate the tone she just used.

– Why were you in his room yesterday?

– I... I was there by accident, and besides, it's none of your business.

I don't like her presence; she makes me uncomfortable.

– Listen, I don't like you... and Hayden is mine.

Well, we're two then, I think.

– I...

Not letting me finish, she turns her back and walks away quickly.

– Pff, my day is going great, I murmur.

GRRR. I'm hungry. Let's forget about all this and go eat; that's better.