“The odds of success are low,” Mist said as if they were discussing the weather forecast and not his potential demise. “And if you try and fail, I will have no reason to continue aiding you. I will report to my mistress that you are here and in the company of a Nephilim. Or, we can negotiate and come to an agreement that benefits both parties.”
The demon was blackmailing them. And with his fancy mist trick, he was right that he stood a pretty good chance of escaping if they tried to catch him. By the furious look on Ash’s face, he’d come to the same conclusion.
“You say you’ve been aiding us?” Belial asked. “How?”
Yellow eyes blinked on an expressionless face. “I will explain once you agree to negotiate.”
Bel looked at Ash, waiting for his agreement. After some more grumbling and growling, Ash finally relented with a sharp nod, moving to stand in front of Eva.
“As I said, I’ve been watching you.”
“How’d you find me so quickly in the first place?” Ash asked.
“I am the Hunter. I hunted you.” He spoke like he was mildly offended by the question. “As I explained at our previous encounter, I traced your scent here and simply waited for you to return. As I did, I observed the human, and I became... fascinated.” He stared at Eva with those creepy eyes. “She is such a simple creature.”
Eva glared at him. She was notsimple, thank you very much.
“And then, when Asmodeus protected her, proving he had formed an attachment, my fascination increased. I gave the matter deep consideration, and finally, I concluded that I would like a human pet of my own.”
Everyone stared at him.
“Uh, what?” said Meph, which pretty much summed it up.
“I wish to experience this form of attachment,” Mist said, like that was a perfectly reasonable explanation. “So, when I was interrogated by the Watcher, I did not reveal your whereabouts. And after he left and I escaped the sigil, I chose to remain here and await your return to negotiate.” He glanced at the window beside him. “I also called a human to repair the glass and keep out the draft.”
“Wait.” Bel held up a hand and then rubbed his forehead. “I’m still not clear on what you want.”
“I would like to form an attachment with a human pet like Asmodeus and Eli— like Asmodeus. I want to know about this experience.”
Meph burst out laughing. Even Raum couldn’t hold in his chuckles.
“Excuse me,” Eva snapped, stepping around Ash. “I am not apet.”
Mist cocked his head at her like a freaking insect, and it took all her courage not to retreat right back behind Ash’s tall body. “You allow Asmodeus to care for you. He takes you with him when he goes out. He shares sex with you. I want a human for these purposes as well.”
“She is not a pet,” Ash said. “She chooses to be with me. We’re equals.”
Mist shrugged. “Whatever you choose to call it, I want to experience the same for myself.”
“But Ash is breaking the rules,” Bel said slowly. “You’ve never broken the rules before, Mishetsu.”
The Hunter blinked. “I have.”
“When?”
He simply stared at Belial, obviously unwilling to divulge that information.
“So that’s all you want?” Bel asked when it became obvious he wasn’t going to answer. “You’re willing to go rogue and risk everything just because you want a girlfriend?”
“Girl... friend?”
Bel waved a hand. “Pet, girlfriend, whatever. The term isn’t important.”
“Oh my god,” Eva groaned. “I can’t believe I’m hearing this.”
“I will not go rogue,” Mist said. “I’ll simply continue my mission of hunting you without any success and without stumbling upon a Nephilim, while in actuality, I will live here, and you will teach me how to secure my own human girl friend.”
“You’re going to lie?” Bel seemed to have a hard time wrapping his head around this.
