Chapter Five
Annex
Hazel is an enigma.
A mystery wrapped up in a beautiful package with more secrets than I can count. Perhaps I’m a simple demon, but knowing there are a multitude of skeletons hiding in her closet only makes me more intrigued.
I’d like to spend some time unraveling each and every mystery from her soft little body.
Fine.
She’s technically not short for a witch at five-eight or five-nine, but even when I’m glamoured to look human, I still loom over her. In full demon form, I’m nearly seven feet tall, while this shell is closer to six-five. That means I tower over most humans, witches, and warlocks, so I have no idea why I find it so adorable that she barely comes up to my shoulder.
It probably ties back to the fact that Hazel is the most dangerous being in Black Cove.
I can sense it. Maybe I find the entire situation cute because, looking at her outer package, you’d never suspect how deadly she is.
I’ve never been afraid of a powerful woman. I might be a High Lord of Hell, but there’s no doubt in my mind, Hazel could put my power level to shame, and I find that charming.
The first time I sensed her, I assumed she must be ancient. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that she’s not even a quarter century old. The universe sure does love to play games. Giving something so young such immeasurable power is either utterly brilliant or a goddamn recipe for disaster.
And I can’t wait to find out which.
Either way, I’m sure it’ll be an exciting ride.
I moved my belongings into the house today while Hazel was tied up at Spellbound. Not that I brought much with me to Black Cove. Mostly just the necessities, but that’s because I have my own perfectly nice home in Starlight Springs.
Black Cove may be slightly smaller than Starlight Springs due to the limitations of the sanctuary ward, but it’s still spacious for a sanctuary town. When you’re in the downtown area, it’s easy enough to walk where you need to go, but it’s a bit of a hike to the neighborhood we’re now staying in.
“Do you not own a car?” I ask, studying Hazel as she keeps pace at my side.
Her long dark hair falls around her shoulders as her head shakes. “I don’t even know how to drive.”
My head tilts. “You must get quite the workout in walking to and from Spellbound twice a day.”
“Um, yeah. I mean, it’s not too bad.”
I chuckle, wondering if she’s this awkward with everyone. Either way, I find it far too captivating.
“Well, allow me to save your feet, at least for this evening,” I say, instructing my wings to explode from their confines.
The strange shiver that always slides down my spine as they settle in place travels through my system.
I’m old enough to remember when the fae were stingy with their magic and refused to use it to help my kind. Luckily, times have changed, and I have a lovely fae tailor who does spell work on all my clothing. It allows my tail and wings to remain accessible without damaging the fabric.
My tail follows next, and my clothing becomes uncomfortably constrictive as I transform fully. I wonder if she likes the additional set of horns? I have two, but I can choose to show one or both while partially shifted. Although they can’t be hidden when I’m in full monster form.
The second set gives away my age and station in Hell, but I don’t think she’s the type of woman to be swayed by social status.
Hazel’s head whips to the side, and her mouth falls. “Wow, your wings are massive when you stretch them.”
Hmm.
Maybe she is easy to impress. Or perhaps her system aches for me in the same way I do for her? That would be a delightful surprise.
“Seriously, I’ve never seen bone-tipped claws as long as yours are,” she whispers, sounding awed as she studies them.
She means the nodules lining the tops of my wings. The bones at the creases start as tiny nubs, but grow into full sharp talons as the centuries pass. While they look interesting, they’re basically just for aesthetics. There’s no actual way to use them to my advantage in battle.
