The Devil's Temptation!

“You’re still human, your energy level is completely different from a pure blooded demon and you still used it to save human lives. If you take the risk and give Annalise whatever energy is left in you, I’m hoping not to be the one who’ll send your soul to the netherworld.”

As much as Roshan hated it, Azazel was completely right about that and it only made him feel more useless. He can’t even save Anna now since it’d take years to recover whatever energy he’s lost these past few weeks.

“Then help me.” He said through gritted teeth and closed his eyes to calm himself, gathering enough courage to lower his guard before fluttering those eyes open.

“Help me save her.” His tone came out soft, almost pleading and it made Azazel’s gaze darken at how much his brother was willing to stoop to save the human girl.

“And why would I do that?”

“Cause I’m asking nicely.” He retorted before meeting Azazel’s cold gaze. The anger in those blue coal eyes wasn’t hidden from Roshan and he knew very well that his sudden actions weren’t funny to Azazel at all.

“Will you do it?”

A controlled sigh left Azazel’s lips as he looked away from Roshan, but he was compelled to agree, even if he didn’t want to and it ate him up that he couldn’t.

.....

“You seriously owe me for this.” He mumbled before reaching Anna’s bedside and crouching beside it.

He held her arm and to Roshan’s relief, he watched as Azazel transferred a bit of his energy into Anna and as he continued, Anna’s slow heartbeat gradually picked up speed, returning to the normal beating rate and only then did Azazel let go of her arm, but his expression remained grim.

“Roshan...”

“You knew, didn’t you?” Roshan immediately cut Azazel off with his question. “You knew about Anna’s condition the very first time you saw her meteor mark, and you kept it hidden from me.”

That part wasn’t difficult for Roshan to figure out. Azazel was in charge of the limbo and he was very much aware about the soul that had escaped from it, he even made mention of the soul having a time limit and when he brought Anna into the palace, there was no way Azazel could lie to him that he had no clue Annalise was the escaped soul.

But what he doesn’t understand is why his brother chose to hide it from him.

Azazel, who didn’t expect the unforeseen question, froze for a few seconds as his eyes slightly widened in alarm. He had somehow suspected Roshan would figure it out already, but not so early.

“Why did you hide it?” He demanded. Azazel immediately composed himself as he stood straight, keeping his back to Roshan to avoid meeting his glaring gaze.

“I didn’t find it important.” Came his blatant response but that only made something in Roshan snap as he moved from his chair and the next thing, his fist had connected to the wall behind Azazel to the point it cracked from the impact.

Azazel barely flinched, knowing that the hit was actually meant for him. He just turned to look at the hand that still remained punched on the wall, before retracting it back to Roshan whose hazel-green eyes burned with fury.

“You didn’t find it important? You failed to come up with an even greater excuse.”

“You punched the wall on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Don’t think I spared you,” his deathly tone was enough to send prickles of tormenting fear down the spine of anyone, “it’s just a near miss.” He met Azazel’s stare, silently telling him he was lucky before taking his hand back and now, he was standing before his brother.

“Let’s leave it at that, I want you to answer this instead, how does Anna’s soul connect with Aveline?”

“Do you really want us to settle the scores here, dear brother?” Azazel tilted his head to the side, stealing a glance at Annalise and silently sending a message to the glacier that the people of Ark Ville can easily sense their presence if they end up taking things too far.

Getting the message, Roshan wisely stepped back from the white-haired Enigma who freely walked past him.

“Don’t worry, I’m still getting you out of here.” He assured Roshan who obviously didn’t need the assurance, more like he knew, but Azazel was only saying it to anger him further.

The air in the room felt tense and Azazel did a good job in keeping his own emotions hidden. Roshan had every reason to get angry at him, he wouldn’t blame the guy for killing him because of it, but if Roshan does find a chance to think this through, he’ll know he doesn’t do things without a reason.

“I can’t get you out of here tonight, that’s what I came to tell you.” Azazel informed him, but Roshan only sighed and turned to look at him, keeping his anger in check.

“What’s your plan?”

“Meet me in the woods tomorrow night, I think the place is called autumn forest, along with Anna, Levi and I will be there to take you both back.”

“What if you don’t show up?”

“We will just be there on time.” He turned to look at Anna whose normal colors had returned to her face and he met Roshan’s stare with a taunting smile.

“I hope your mate wakes up.”

“Get out before I lose it.”

Azazel vanished after that, leaving silence to fall into the room. His gaze returned back to Annalise who was currently stirring on the bed.

“Roshan.” She softly called in her subconsciousness, her eyes were still closed but she just stirred on the bed, her fingers digging themselves into the duvet that covered her.

“Roshan.” She called again. He reached for her bedside and held her hand in his, making his presence known to her and only then did her expression calm.

“Shhhh, I’m here.” He softly assured her, his anger vanishing without him even realizing it.