A few days have passed since Gabriel eliminated Koma the Shinigami, the days were awfully quiet to the point that Gabriel and Mak were arguing for the stupidest of reasons, they even yelled at each other just to kill some time, Kevin had a lot in his mind these days and he was almost always absent from the house, he spent most of the day and night at the forrest was the Shadow Stone has erected from the ground, he asked Mak to translate the markings and then he spent countless hours deciphering what they actually meant, even though Mak told him that the stone was just a tool to summon a shadow elemental, Kevin wanted to do a thorough investigation, he made an extreme amount of calls to Munderic who was more than happy to help, Munderic owed a favor to Gabriel after all since he got rid of Marbas and hence broke the contract that Munderic had with him. Munderic also stated that he would be happy to come for a visit and help even more if Kevin asked, since Kevin didn't have any mentionable knowledge on magic and Mak wasn't actually helping him with his research as much as he was loafing around, Kevin asked Munderic to come by and he said that he actually had a plan, the morning that Munderic was to arrive, Kevin had everyone wake up early to greet him, he woke up Gabriel first who was sleeping in the garage that after cleaning it they turned it to a room, they just moved a bed and a wardrobe there so that Gabriel could have a place to sleep and put his things, everything else stayed in place, Kevin had a huge collection of hardware tools, power tools, and many screws and loose boards of wood and metal sheets, basically anything that a middle-aged man would have in his garage, since Gabriel didn't have anything to do he started to practice with these tools, in his mind a man has to know how to handle power tools and know how to fix things around the house, so he took the time to work and he actually was the one who built the bed and the wardrobe out of the loose boards and some screws and hinges he found lying around. Mak also woke up early and by the time he and Gabriel got out of bed, Carmen had already made coffee for them...

Mak-I have to say, if anything, Kevin's coffee is better.

Gabriel-Yeah, he basically is a disaster in the kitchen but his coffee is unmatched.

Carmen-I am sorry, I thought I did everything right.

Gabriel-I don't mean that your coffee is bad...

Carmen-What do you mean then?

Gabriel-Well...You know...Nothing, it's fantastic.

Carmen-You don't mean that.

Carmen made a frustrated face while saying this...

Gabriel-No, I do.

Carmen-You prefer that doctor Kevin should have made coffee?

Gabriel-If I have to be one hundred percent honest...

Carmen-Hm...

Gabriel-No! I like yours better. Doc can't even boil the water to the right temperature,

Mak-You both know that Kevin isn't an actual doctor, right?

Carmen-He isn't?

Gabriel-He is.

Mak-Just because he saved your life by performing an extremely dangerous operation doesn't make him a doctor.

Carmen-But you also call him doctor.

Mak-I did because at first I also thought he was, Gabriel called him doc from the first moment, that's why I was confused at first.

Carmen-What should we call him then? Mr. Kevin?

Gabriel-Mr. Crazy Scientist?

Carmen-Hahaha...

Gabriel-Ha...

Mak-Why do I even bring this stuff up, you don't take anything seriously, you two are just kids.

Gabriel-I could also tear out your tongue so you won't bring anything up again.

Mak-Cruel.

Carmen-Stop teasing him.

Gabriel-How old are you supposed to be then?

Mak-I am 56 in goblin years.

Gabriel-And that's...

Mak-7 in human years.

Gabriel-You are younger than me then.

Mak-And still I have had more girls than you.

Gabriel-That's it, I am cutting your tongue off, where is my sword?

Mak-How about you ask Carmen out already?

Gabriel-Ask her...

Carmen-Out?

Carmen's face turned bright red, Gabriel also felt embarrassed and as they tried to look at each other they couldn't keep eye contact for more than a second, in order to save them from the awkward situation, Mak pulled some money out and said...

Mak-Here, go out for a coffee, my treat.

Gabriel-Why do you have money?

Mak-Ah, please.

Carmen-What's wrong with the coffee I just made?

Mak-Damn it! What the hell is wrong with you two? Just take the money and go out for fuck's sake!

Carmen-You don't have to yell.

Gabriel-What's gotten into you?

Mak-I'll tell you what's gotten into me, I have to see your stupid face all the time for the past few days and all Kevin is doing is screw around an elemental stone, I have nothing to do!

Gabriel-Why don't you go out for a coffee then?

Carmen-You don't want to go with me?

Gabriel-That's not...what I mean...

Mak-That's why! Now go out and let me in my suffering...

Kevin came to the kitchen at this point...

Kevin-No, Munderic is coming any moment now, the least you can do is wait for him to arrive and then after the job is done you can also invite him too.

Gabriel-What job?

Kevin-I don't know yet but I guess he has a plan.

The doorbell rung...

Kevin-He is here!

Mak-I haven't seen him this happy before.

Kevin run to open the door and there he saw Munderic, he was wearing a red shirt with checkered pattern and brown trousers, his hair was also longer then the time Gabriel saw him...

Munderic-Hello, Mr.Kevin, nice to meet you after all this time on the phone.

Kevin-Hello, Munderic, I must say that when I heard from Gabriel that he found a warlock, I didn't expect to see someone so young.

Munderic-Gabriel is here?

Gabriel-Hey Mundy! How are you doing?

Munderic-Let me explain! I haven't done anything bad, I was just helping Mr.Kevin by answering his questions that's all, please believe me.

Kevin-Why are you...

Mak-Gabriel kind of scared the crap out of him when they first met.

Gabriel-I didn't...

Mak-Yes you did, hello by the way.

Munderic-Hello Mak, how are you do...

Munderic saw Carmen standing next to Gabriel, he lost his words as he saw how beautiful Carmen was and he froze for a second.

Mak-Hello...? What?

Munderic-Hi...I...am Munderic.

Carmen-Nice to meet you, I am Carmen, I live here with doctor Kevin, Gabriel and Mak.

Munderic-(What a smile...SPEAK, SPEAK MUNDY!)Oh...I live with my mother...(Crap, why did I say that? I should have said that I live on my own house and have lots of money...)

Gabriel-Yeah, yeah, let me ask you something, your plan doesn't involve summoning any demons, right?

Munderic-Not demons.

Gabriel-Not, demons?

Munderic-We will use a spell that is commonly used to summon beings from other dimensions on the stone, the elemental should appear...

Gabriel-So you are going to summon an elemental?

Munderic-You got it all wrong, Gabriel, I am not going to let it loose or anything...The spell will just let us communicate with it.

Gabriel-Is that so?

Munderic-Uh...

Mak-Do you enjoy this?

Gabriel-A bit.

Kevin-Don't stand at the door, come on in, you must be tired, let me take care of your luggage.

Munderic-No, I can carry it myself, it's not actually luggage, it's my pet.

Mak-WHAT!?

Gabriel-WHAT!?

Carmen-Your pet?

Mak-You'd better not see this, Carmen, get out of here, you are going for a cup of coffee with Gabriel now.

Carmen-Why?

Gabriel-He is right, let's go, Carmen.

Gabriel grabbed Carmen's hand and pulled her out of the house...

Carmen-(Huh? He is holding my hand...)

Gabriel and Carmen left, he didn't want her to see the invunche as it was horrific, just the thought of it made Gabriel want to puke, he might have already puked a bit in his mouth, he already had Mak's money so they made their way to the coffee shop, the coffee shop that they used to go sometimes was still closed after the incident with Koma so they had to go to one a little bit further, without realizing he was holding Carmen's hand the entire time, Carmen's face was redder than before and once Gabriel noticed that he hasn't left her arm yet he pulled his hand back and looked at her face...

Gabriel-(She...She is so cute...the emerald color of her eyes is like green jewels that shine in the night, her dark hair is reaching down to her waist like a black tidal wave wrapped in a ponytail, her body is amazingly petite and cute...)

Carmen-Um...Gabriel.

Gabriel-What?(Damn, act cool Gabe)

Carmen-We are not at the coffee shop yet.

Gabriel-Yeah...Let's keep walking...

Carmen extended her hand for Gabriel to hold it but this time he was conscious about it, he couldn't lift his arm, the arm that teared apart a demon's wings, the arm that crushed a Raiju's skull was unable to move to touch a girls hand, he froze, he couldn't do anything but stare at Carmen's hand, she obviously wanted to hold hands again, Gabriel knew that but he couldn't make the move, at this point his hand moved on it's own to grab Carmen's and that made Gabriel snap out of it...

Gabriel-(What?)

???-(I have your back).

Gabriel-(WHAT!? YOU ARE BACK!?)

???-(I never left.)

Gabriel-(Can't she hear our thoughts? She is an esper.)

???-(A puny esper couldn't possibly read this mind now that I have awoken.)

Gabriel-(I have so many questions...)

???-(You are not ready for the answer.)

Gabriel-(What are you doing?)

???-(I sensed that you wanted to grab this woman's hand but hesitated, you must not have confidence in your courting skills)

Gabriel-(Uh...)

???-(Your troubled mind is confirming my guess.)

Gabriel-(So you took control of my hand?)

???-(Yes, I told you before, I can sense your resolve and willpower, all I have to do is give it a push and then I can make your wishes come true.)

Gabriel-(You sound like a telemarketer.)

???-(Just know that I will always have your back, you are my host after all)

Gabriel-(Host?)

???-(I told you, you are not ready.)

Gabriel-(Can you just take control any time you want?)

???-(No, when your fear and insecurity is blocking your actions then you unconsciously cry for help, that's when I can take control, for now.)

Gabriel-(Huh.)

???-(Enjoy your time, your well being is important.)

Gabriel-(You are leaving?)

???-(My job is done, I can't control this body fully for an extended period of time.)

Gabriel-(Thanks.)

Carmen-Gabriel?

Gabriel-Yes!

Carmen-We are here.

Carmen's smile stunned Gabriel once again, him holding her hand has now sparked a stunning smile on her face and as they sat down on the table they waited for the waitress to take their order, meanwhile back at Kevin's, Munderic unpacked and he took of the invunche out of his bag...

Mak-Why did you have to bring this thing?

Kevin-I am amazed, what is it?

Munderic-It's an invunche.

Kevin-Invunche?

Mak-Hey, don't you have to make this thing from a human?

Munderic-Originally yes, but I have taken a corpse from a graveyard and performed a necromancy spell first, I couldn't just go and grab a baby from someone.

Mak-But you could dig up a baby from a grave?

Munderic-You make it sound terrible.

Mak-Because it is! Do you know what Gabriel will do to you if he finds out?

Munderic-Maybe we shouldn't tell him.

Mak-For your safety yes.

Kevin-You haven't answered my question yet.

Munderic-Yes, it's used as a catalyst for many spells and as a sacrifice to other spells, it's practically immortal, the only way for it to die is from starvation due to the lack of energy in the body.

Kevin-A reusable sacrificial lamb? That's brilliant, I presume it's magical power also works as a catalyst then?

Munderic-Exactly.

Kevin-Fascinating.

Mak-Really? You find this fascinating? How about the crap I took yesterday? It probably looked better than this.

Kevin-Don't mistake human brilliance with shit, Mak.

Mak-Brilliance!? That thing looks like it crawled out of an orc's ass during a hot summer day at a swamp.

Kevin-That was disgusting.

Mak-No, this is disgusting.

Kevin-So I guess we will use it as a catalyst for the summoning?

Munderic-Yes, I already have the incantation ready, all we need is the summoning stone and the catalyst.

Mak-Just out of curiosity, how are you going to bring this thing all the way to the forest?

Munderic-We can always put it back in the bag...

Kevin-And it will stay there? We can't let it loose.

Munderic-Yes, the invunche will always obey the commands of the warlock who created it.

Mak-What did you tell to your mother in order to come here?

Munderic-She thinks I am staying with a friend for a couple of days.

Mak-What if she looks for you?

Munderic-She won't find anything, after all...I don't really have any friends...

Mak-Damn...

Kevin-What are you talking about? I am your friend, Munderic.

Munderic-Really?

Kevin-You have helped me many times, so is Mak, Gabriel and Carmen.

Mak-I wouldn't be so sure about Gabriel.

Munderic-Carmen? Is she Gabriel's girlfriend?

Mak-Slow down there, buddy, she might not be Gabriel's girlfriend but they are working on something.

Munderic-I see...

Mak-Obviously this knucklehead doesn't have an idea but I am trying to push things.

Munderic-Then maybe...

Mak-Do you really want to risk it?

Munderic-She is cute and...

Mak-She is an esper with strong powers, if you do anything stupid she could blow your head off.

Kevin-Really?

Munderic-Really?

Mak-Relax, I meant if you push her over the edge, I doubt that everyday problems will trigger anything but I am sure Mundy here isn't the smoothest of people.

Munderic-It's true...

Mak-Also, when I said if you want to risk it, I actually meant that Gabriel will blow your head off, or melt your face, I have seen it.

Kevin-Yes, I had to throw out the carpet after that incident, it also was really messed up.

Mak-I told you he isn't really stable mentally, didn't I?

Kevin-I think you are overreacting.

Mak-We will see about that...

Munderic-(What have I gotten myself into?)

Kevin-How about we start with the summoning ritual?

Munderic-Sure, I have everything prepared...

Kevin, Mak, and Munderic are getting ready to go to the forest and start the summoning ritual, they hope to at least communicate with the elemental and ask some questions, Kevin is really interested as to what an elemental has to say and this knowledge might prove useful at a later time, Munderic is still afraid of Gabriel's anger after what happened back in England, he mostly helped Kevin because he wanted to get a good relationship with them in order to not be on Gabriel's blacklist, Mak was the one who saved Munderic back then by explaining that he wasn't aware of his actions and that was enough to direct Gabriel's rage at Marbas instead of Munderic, he is still afraid of what will happen if he screws up again so he came really well prepared for the ritual and he has absolute knowledge of what he is going to do, he hasn't left anything in luck this time, meanwhile, Gabriel took Carmen out so she wouldn't have to see the invunche, also he didn't want her to be with everyone when the summoning ritual was to take place, he himself wanted to see this elemental but there would be a chance after Munderic and his pet took off, for now, he is enjoying time out with Carmen who is delighted about that, she couldn't contain herself after Gabriel grabbed her hand forcefully and broke the barrier between them, she wanted to hold hands with him but she couldn't be the one to initiate it so when Gabriel did it a smile appeared in her face as did a lot of embarrassment, Carmen wasn't really used to this kind of behavior because she grew up in the street without any friends, experiencing romance was an even stranger feeling for her, Gabriel also had undeveloped emotions since the only girl that he had ever spoken was Helen, even if he hasn't seen her for so long and even if his feelings aren't that strong anymore,every timee he thinks of her as an excuse to avoid Carmen's feelings he can't help but remember the night he stood out of her window and watched her undress, the image of Helen popped in his mind every time he used her as an excuse and every time he saw another girl that was pretty he compared her to Helen, in his mind there always will be an image of him and Helen

being a couple, the only thing he could think of is being with her even if he never admitted it to her, even if he would never see her again, just the thought of her was enough to suppress his feeling for Carmen, to Mak it was obvious that Gabriel was just obsessed with any girl he spent time with, for Mak, Gabriel's feelings for Helen weren't stronger than what he felt for Carmen, he knew that Gabriel used Helen as an excuse for his own fears, he knew that Gabriel had feelings for Carmen and that those feelings were cultivated in the time they spent together, all he had to do was to push Carmen to make the first move and then maybe Gabriel would give into it. Gabriel thought that his feelings for Helen were strong but in reality all that has happened was that he developed feelings for Helen because he has spent a very long time close to her, Helen was very pretty and it was natural for Gabriel to feel a slight attraction to her but it was time that made him think these feelings were strong, he felt a slight attraction to Carmen when he saw her for the first time as well, Mak believed that it was just a matter of time until he discarded his feelings for Helen and focus on Carmen and that why Mak is trying to push things, Carmen, after hearing lots of stories from Mak and Kevin about Gabriel couldn't help but think that Gabriel was really amazing and she had already interest in him even before she actually met him, Gabriel had a fine body after the machine in his chest stabilized his DNA and the vampiric powers also changed his body in a state of being very well built, a vampire's physique is perfect in the amount of muscle mass, when Carmen saw Gabriel for the first time she didn't know him but

when she saw him again at the storage house and Mak told her that this was Gabriel she instantly recalled the interest she had in him from the stories and then the time she spent close to him cultivated her feelings as well, Mak saw right through that and told her multiple times to not be shy about it and confront Gabriel. Since Carmen had such a strong image of Gabriel she thought that he would never be interested in her, after all she thought that he was a cool guy and he said multiple time that he had feelings for another girl. Mak is the only one who has a clear understanding of everything but he can't actually confront Gabriel about it because he is still afraid of his mental state, being able to melt people's faces and kill demons but also being afraid of humans, that was a clear sign that Gabriel wasn't really stable and Mak has been teasing him occasionally to check if he would react cool or angry, Mak's teasing wasn't just to have fun but to check Gabriel's mental state, as long as he reacted like a normal person everything was under control, the problem starts when he gets really mad and doesn't care about consequences, Gabriel beat down the onmyoji students when they refused his request, he went to hell to battle a demon just for revenge even though there was a possibility that he could stay there forever, when Gabriel is angry everything goes south and Mak was aware of that, that's why he couldn't confront him directly for something like a relationship, he couldn't risk it even for Carmen's sake, all he could do for Carmen was to playfully tease both Gabriel and Carmen, Mak had a mentor-mentee relationship with Carmen, he saw her as an asset to the team and as a lump of clay ready to be molded to something great, he thought that he could be a teacher to Carmen and a mentor, he saw her as something like a daughter and even though Gabriel isn't exactly the perfect guy to give to someone's daughter, he was the one she fell for and Mak didn't want to shut down Carmen's feelings. For now, Mak is going to help Kevin and Munderic with the ritual, there is plenty of time to work on the relationship of Gabriel and Carmen...