“Okay that’s absolutely a
load of shit. You guys are already spoiled. No one needs to make it worse,” he
said, shaking his head.
“I’l just get Todd to do my bidding. No one really says no to Todd.” She had watched Todd sneak off with bits of Jasper’s clothing without getting in trouble, so she was fairy certain the fox could get away with anything.
“Okay, so he’s less terrible
than we expected. Doesn’t make him great. He still knocked up your
granddaughter after sleeping with you,” he reminded.
“And that pregnancy was also the best thing to ever happen to my granddaughter because it got her and Rocco together. I wouldn’t trade any of it because of that alone,” she countered, not really leaving him too much room to argue.
Most would have felt panic and adrenaline surging through them, but all Chance felt was the cold coils of dread sinking into the pit of his stomach. This was not anything he had expected, but the physical pain distracted from some of it.
For the first time in his life, he understood exactly what Azrael had meant when he said Britt and Sera were the only things keeping him safe.
Azrael only held on for a moment longer, just enough to be sure he had made his point and Chance had gotten the message loud and clear; not only did he now have a blood pact with the angel that was just as unbreakable as those with Sera and his mother, but that the stakes in doing so had been raised exponentially for what he stood to lose if he even attempted to cross Azrael again.
Letting go, the fire vanished in an instant, Azrael standing there as if nothing had happened, except for the steely but triumphant look in his eyes that matched the one in Sera’s when she had convinced Chance to make the first deal. There were no scorch marks on him or anywhere in the room, and not a single hint of a burn to Chance’s skin that would back up his version of events in the highly unlikely event he went telling Sera or Britt.
Once he was free of the other’s grip, Chance took a step back, breath labored as he wiped his hand on his jeans to try to rid himself of the lingering sensation. That had been rather unpleasant and he didn’t like feeling at a loss of control.
“For the record, she fucking disowned me before I got out,” he spat, turning and heading towards the door. “She chose you.”
Chance went to pull away when Az’s grip tightened but he never got the chance to look annoyed. Within a breath, it felt like his entire hand was on fire. It was worst than when Sera used to bleed him. The only thing that kept him from yelping was biting down on his lower lip hard enough to puncture it as he tried to jerk his hand back quickly.
Azrael held fast, his grip tightening all the more as he let the illusion slip so that Chance could see the angels true form and let him know just who he was dealing with. It didn’t matter if it scared Chance or not, but it would serve as a reminder that Azrael was something far older, more powerful and considerably more dangerous than he was, despite how harmless he seemed usually.
The burning sensation from the physical contact with the angel’s blood quickly became met with the sight of visible fire as Azrael’s form burst into flames, the blaze engulfing Chance with it as the angel still refused to let him go.
Most would have felt panic and adrenaline surging through them, but all Chance felt was the cold coils of dread sinking into the pit of his stomach. This was not anything he had expected, but the physical pain distracted from some of it.
For the first time in his life, he understood exactly what Azrael had meant when he said Britt and Sera were the only things keeping him safe.
“I made him strong.” Nothing anyone else could say would make him think otherwise. It was a useless argument overall. Az was right about him being incapable of understanding the depths of what he did to Jack or Manson.
He was silent as he pulled one of the various blades he was carrying. Even if he wasn’t armed, he still had talons. With a slight moment of hesitation, he dragged the blade over his palm before offering the hilt to Az. “Get it over with.”
The angel took the blade, mirroring the action as he cut his hand before he pressed the wound to the other, suddenly tightening his grip and refusing to let go as he watched and waited, a cold look on his face.
Chance went to pull away when Az’s grip tightened but he never got the chance to look annoyed. Within a breath, it felt like his entire hand was on fire. It was worst than when Sera used to bleed him. The only thing that kept him from yelping was biting down on his lower lip hard enough to puncture it as he tried to jerk his hand back quickly.
“The only thing I took from him was his damn mother and a dog. Both of which he fucking has now.”
The anger in his tone didn’t mask the unease in his eyes. He knew his son had inherited skills from Sera’s side. Things he had access to teachers for in the years Chance had been locked away. He wasn’t an idiot when it came to that. It made him want to tell Az he could shove the idea up his ass sideways.
“Fine.” The word was little more than a snarl, but he didn’t see much other choice here.
“You took a lot more than that, Chance, but we both know you’re incapable of understanding what exactly.”
Az was glad that Jack had found a mother figure in Ava, and as much as he hoped one day he and Sera could build a relationship, he knew better than to hold his breath on that for now.
“Good. I trust you have a knife with you as always.” The angel answered with an eerie calm.
“I made him strong.” Nothing anyone else could say would make him think otherwise. It was a useless argument overall. Az was right about him being incapable of understanding the depths of what he did to Jack or Manson.
He was silent as he pulled one of the various blades he was carrying. Even if he wasn’t armed, he still had talons. With a slight moment of hesitation, he dragged the blade over his palm before offering the hilt to Az. “Get it over with.”
“You underestimate what my boy is capable of.” Chance knew better than anything that it wouldn’t be “a little damage” he would end up with. He had trained Jack for years in how to inflict the most damage and pain with a weapon. It wasn’t exactly something he wanted to be on the receiving end of. It was one thing for Sera to get rough with him, that was in fun. This…this wouldn’t be.
His eyes narrowed as he thought it over slowly. “You’re not telling them I was here. That is no one’s business.” He damn sure didn’t want anyone to think he had done anything even remotely good, no matter his reasons.
“No, I don’t. I’m fully aware of Jack’s abilities. Do you really believe I wouldn’t take into account all the things you taught him? That’s why it would be suitable justice for him to take back from you what you took from him. He knows he can’t kill you but you taught him how he can hurt you, so you’ve really only got yourself to blame on that front.”
Azrael wasn’t about to tell Chance that Jack had learned even more things to his advantage while his father was locked away, but he’d find out soon enough if Chance made the agreement.
“I won’t say a word to anyone, even your mother or Sera, but only if you agree to the terms I have set out. Otherwise, all deals are off.”
“The only thing I took from him was his damn mother and a dog. Both of which he fucking has now.”
The anger in his tone didn’t mask the unease in his eyes. He knew his son had inherited skills from Sera’s side. Things he had access to teachers for in the years Chance had been locked away. He wasn’t an idiot when it came to that. It made him want to tell Az he could shove the idea up his ass sideways.
“Fine.” The word was little more than a snarl, but he didn’t see much other choice here.
“She doesn’t know I’m here.” His upper lip had curled into a familiar sneer. It was clear he didn’t like any of this, especially when it involved giving his step father an upper hand on anything.
“My son doesn’t need anything. He got his damn freedom. I can’t fucking go near him. That should be more than good enough,” he growled, his already thready control beginning to falter.
“He might have his freedom physically, but you messed that kid up more than you could possibly comprehend and I know for a fact that he’d take his shot at vengeance if he got the opportunity. All I’m saying is that you leave that door open for him. He deserves closure, even at the cost of you taking a little damage and Sera will agree with me on that.”
Azrael made it clear he wasn’t going to agree to any deal and go home unless that was on the table.
“Let the kid have his payback for what you did without repercussions toward him after, continue to keep your promise to Sera and your mother, don’t make any more threats about finding loopholes, and in return, I will go home and you can have free run at Jericho if Sera gives her consent for you to do so.”
“You underestimate what my boy is capable of.” Chance knew better than anything that it wouldn’t be “a little damage” he would end up with. He had trained Jack for years in how to inflict the most damage and pain with a weapon. It wasn’t exactly something he wanted to be on the receiving end of. It was one thing for Sera to get rough with him, that was in fun. This…this wouldn’t be.
His eyes narrowed as he thought it over slowly. “You’re not telling them I was here. That is no one’s business.” He damn sure didn’t want anyone to think he had done anything even remotely good, no matter his reasons.
He tried to hold onto pure rage, but the idea of being completely alone was enough to fill him with a sense of panic. He couldn’t be sure Sera would try to find him without the blood bond. With it, he could pretend. The illusion that she wanted to be there could be held onto. He didn’t want to face the reality otherwise.
“Sera won’t.” He was letting her keep the baby this time, letting her raise it. He was trying this time. “I chose her.” And it was one of the dumbest choices he had made, sure, but he was sticking to it no matter the cost.
“Then prove it. If you’re doing it for her, agree to the terms and make the deal.”
It actually felt good to have Chance backed into a corner for once, and this was probably the closest they’d actually ever come to having a vaguely civil conversation since Chance had been a child, even if it was fairly begrudging on both sides.
“I have one more condition to make. It’s about Jack. What you did to him is even worse than what you did to Sera, so if he decides he wants his pound of flesh from you, and Sera agrees, which I’m sure she will, you’ll let the kid take it.”
“She doesn’t know I’m here.” His upper lip had curled into a familiar sneer. It was clear he didn’t like any of this, especially when it involved giving his step father an upper hand on anything.
“My son doesn’t need anything. He got his damn freedom. I can’t fucking go near him. That should be more than good enough,” he growled, his already thready control beginning to falter.
“If we go now, we might make the 6 o’clock.”
It wouldn’t be the first time he had gotten caught in a live chase story and he damn sure knew it wouldn’t be the last, not if he had anything to say about it. He had only really been arrested for that once but he had been 14, so he had only gotten a slap on the wrist. He learned after that to shift and run the first chance he got.
“Ambitious! I like it.” she mused with a laugh, getting outside into the sunshine.
“Only thing now is to decide who’s driving.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time. ‘Course last time it was a weird story of how is this car being driven by a wolf?” Which still amused him to this day.
“What kind of gentleman doesn’t let the lady decide?”
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