Chapter 35

Considering everything Henry had gone through in the past few days, nothing should have surprised him. And yet, here he was, once again caught completely off guard. His mouth went dry as he looked at Jewel. She’d said it so nonchalantly. And yet, when Henry had mentioned Exorcists and Demon Hunters, he’d made it sound like they were sworn enemies. Plus, Jewel had seemed like the murdering type…

“Demon Hunter? What do you-“

“Don’t even act like you don’t know.” Jewel responded simply. “I’ve no doubt that big, mouthed fool told you he was a Demon Hunter. And-“ she stopped Henry before he could respond, “I’ve no doubt he mentioned the fact Exorcists and Demon Hunters do not get along.”

Henry nodded, unable to speak.

“He’s not wrong. And if he’d pulled his stunts with anyone else, I’m sure he’d have put a massive target on his back. But personally,” she shrugged, “I don’t care about politics. All I care about, is killing D.E.D. And from my understanding of it, Demon Hunters do just as good a job at keeping humans safe, as Exorcists do. So, unless he gets in my way, or gets overly cheeky with me, I’m not spilling his secret.”

“But” she stopped Henry once again. “I’d advise you to be careful around him. He’s the type that’s going to get you in trouble. And as you are now, you’re weak and vulnerable. Meaning if he drags you down, chances are, you’re going to die.”

Henry looked at Jewel as she looked at him, even as their D.E.D. finished off another invading creature. After a pause, he opened his mouth. “Can I speak now?”

“Do you want to?” Jewel rose an eyebrow, both a question, and a statement.

“JJ’s been my best friend for a long time.” Henry started. “I doubt he would-“

“Your best friend is playing dangerous games. I know his dad was hunted by exorcists. He mentioned as much to me when he was wasted. Unfortunately, that secret seems to be of lesser importance to him, than the D.E.D. he has with him. I know he’s strong, possibly stronger than me, but he wouldn’t tell me the D.E.D. he had with him.” She paused. “Did he tell you what D.E.D. he has?”

“No.” Henry responded. JJ did have a tendency to give away too much while he was drunk, especially if he was talking to someone he found attractive. It was probably his biggest flaw. As such, Henry had no idea what JJ may have told Jewel, which meant it would be dangerous to try to lie to her. And considering JJ hadn’t been hunted down yet, Henry figured he could, surprisingly, trust Jewel enough to talk to her freely about JJ.

Though, he was going to give JJ hell for this the next time they talked. After all, he couldn’t believe…okay, he totally could, but still, the fact JJ had hit on an exorcist and completely spaced the interaction. Just, beyond reckless all things considered. And now, that recklessness was potentially dangerous to Henry. Meaning he needed to make sure JJ didn’t drag him down, just as Jewel mentioned.

“Damn.” Jewel sighed. “There’s a rather rare D.E.D. I am actually interested in. And if he had it, I’d have no qualms…persuading him to give it to me. Considering as far as I can tell, it’s not a D.E.D. that normally comes through rifts anymore.”

That piqued Henry’s interest about Jewel even more. She claimed she didn’t want anymore D.E.D., and had been killing every D.E.D. she encountered for the past year. And yet, there was one she did want. Which, made Henry wonder if she had other reasons for what she was doing. It also made him question her true motives. She hated D.E.D., he got that. She enjoyed killing every single one that came through, he got that. Then why, would she be interested in a rare one? Also, what other D.E.D. did she have? Suddenly, Henry was seeing another side of her, and it was leaving him completely confused. But, he figured for JJ’s sake, his buddy better not have that specific D.E.D., because he could only imagine how Jewel would persuade anyone of anything…

“Well, while that was amusing.” She turned back to the Greater Rift. Another form was beginning to take shape. “I’m assuming I don’t have to warn you against mentioning your Demon Hunter friend around any exorcists. And if you mention the fact I know about a Demon Hutner, I will silence you as well.” She was deadly serious.

“My lips are sealed.” Henry said quickly. “Besides, I don’t want to get him in trouble. He’s not a bad guy.”

“Other than the fact he thinks I would go out with someone like you.” She laughed again.

“Well that’s just not nice.” Henry retorted with a chuckle. He had to admit, the relaxed Jewel, was one he could get along with. Granted, the only reason she was like this, was the bloodbath going on, but, still, he liked this side of her. It was comforting, friendly, and somewhat reassuring. He’d been wondering about the life he’d been thrown into. It was nice, in a way, to be able to have an interaction like with this with a fellow Exorcist. Before then, his peers had been a mystery to him.

“Come on. Do you really think you’re in my league?” She smiled, “besides, what makes you even think I’m into guys?”

Henry stopped before he responded. She had a point. That was rather bold of him to assume.

“Then-“

“If you really want to know, you’ll have to prove you’re worth it to me.” He didn’t like the way her eyes flashed at that. Suddenly, her mood changed. “Get rid of your Evil Eye. Show me you’re focused on just getting stronger, and I’ll tell you my secrets.”

Henry looked at her. She was dead serious. He knew that much. However, he wasn’t going to sacrifice his Evil Eye. Especially not just for some girl…no matter how attractive, and no matter what the situation. The Evil Eye was a living thing. And it had put itself in his care. Besides, Loki had given it to him, and he had to wonder if there was a reason. Surely, Loki hadn’t given him such a frowned upon D.E.D. for no reason.

“Not going to happen.” Henry said firmly. Given the sudden change in mood, his voice came across stronger than he’d intended. “I’m not going to throw away my Evil Eye for you, or anyone. I’m going to get strong with the D.E.D. I’ve chosen, and no amount of bullying, or types of rewards, will change my mind.”

The tension seemed to intensify between the two of them for a moment. Or perhaps it was the wail of her Cyoeraeth once again destroying another D.E.D. Maybe even the fact there was a massive Greater Rift forming by them, resonating strongly with the energy in the air. Whatever it was, it intensified for a moment, as her eyes stayed drilled on his. After a moment, she smiled, her mood relaxing once more.

“Maybe I underestimated you earlier.” She said calmly. “Maybe you’ve got what it takes to actually become something.” She turned back to the fighting D.E.D. “Though, that Evil Eye is going to just keep brining you trouble.”

“He was given to me by Loki. I have to believe someone that strong, did it for a reason.” Henry said simply. “Besides, the records show there are possible fusions for the Evil Eye, once it gets stronger.”

“Fusions that are uncertain. Meaning you could potentially be wasting a lot of effort and time for nothing.” Jewel said dryly. “And don’t mention Loki when you’re around me. If you know what’s good for you.” And with that, the building relationship between them seemed to come to a screeching halt. All that remained, thanks to the mention of Loki, was a silence interrupted only by the fighting D.E.D. before them, and the chattering of the groups around them. Whatever Jewel and Loki’s relationship, it was clear the Exorcists, at the very least, were not a single cohesive unit. And Henry had a feeling he was going to get a headache trying to figure it all out.

But that could all come later. Because first and foremost, he knew they were drawing closer to the Tiered Demon’s arrival. Meaning it was almost time, for his first Home Team battle against a Tiered Demon, as part of the D.E.D. Exorcists. Something he was more than a little interested to be a part of. Just how different would it be, from when he’d followed Loki through the crackling rift, to fight the Larpen in an alternate dimension?