Angel lay in bed as she flipped through channels. She lay in bed with her head resting on one hand. There was never anything good on at this late hour. She stopped on a random channel that seemed to be playing a film. She really wasn't that interested in the movie, she just needed some background noise. Sighing, she picked at some popcorn she had brought up and looked through her phone. It had been a few days since Aaron had moved out. He and a few of his bandmates got together to rent an apartment in the next town over. A part of her had wanted to go with him but she couldn't leave her parents. In the end, she was happy he was at least able to escape. He would only ever have continued to make things worse, he just didn't understand Daemon. You could never win. She had vowed to stop fighting him because of it. It never mattered in the end.
She had been having trouble sleeping since she first met Daemon but it had gotten worse over the last few days. It seemed as if just when she had started gaining some weight again she began having more trouble sleeping. She looked back down at her phone. She scrolled through her Instagram. She instantly regretted it when she saw Julian's page. She looked him up yesterday, figuring that it was at least one way to see him. He obviously didn't think so; the most recent picture was of him and someone else. He looked happy at least. Angel put her phone away and ate more popcorn. Aaron had left her, and Julian wasn't interested anymore. She wanted to feel something about that but she couldn't even force herself to be angry. Why would they hang on after all that's happened? If anything she just felt more empty than ever.
So lost in her own thoughts, she didn't notice as Daemon slid into bed behind her. After a few moments, she felt the air had changed and a coolness slid up her back. She stilled immediately.
As if to confirm, Daemon began. "I was beginning to wonder if you would ever catch on."
He chuckled softly to himself and wrapped an arm around her midsection. He swiftly pulled her into his embrace and held her against his body. She squeaked with the sudden movement but was otherwise silent. She looked up at him and found he was already looking into her eyes. His crimson eyes seemed to go on forever. His strong jawline, the smooth profile of his nose, and his high cheekbones all combined to form quite a handsome face. His features seemed to soften for a moment and she couldn't pull her gaze away. He was awful, he hurt her, broke her, and made her feel things she didn't want to. But he always stayed. For better or for worse.
"What are you thinking about?" He said softly. His voice was sincere as if he truly cared what she thought about. He stared into her blue eyes. The intensity broke through her thoughts and she had to look away.
"I don't know." She mumbled. Her face felt flushed for some reason.
"Try again." He held her jaw and moved her head back to face him. His hand was surprisingly gentle but his voice was stern. Like a parent reprimanding a child.
His gaze was oppressive. She tried to think straight but he made it so hard. Tears threatened to fall but she held back, determined not to cry in front of him. One of his hands came to rest on her stomach, drawing lazy circles. Whether it was the look in his eyes or the fear of lying, Angel told the truth.
"I just feel alone. Aaron left, Julian is long gone, and my parents can't help me and you. You did all this." The words seemed to rush out in a single breath. His smile grew and his grip tightened slightly. She was feeling trapped again, suffocating in his hold on her. His arms were like steel, completely immovable.
"How about a deal then."
"What do you mean?"
Daemon pondered at the ceiling for a moment as if deep in thought. The next few moments could go a number of ways, he was only interested in one. Looking back down at her, he smiled, it bordered on a smirk.
"I will never again touch you in this world unless you ask nicely of course," he winked at her then, "in exchange for say, a favor." His eyes darkened and his smile deepened to something cruel. A blackness swirled in his crimson eyes she had never seen before. He didn't quite look like himself. Just as quickly as she saw it, his eyes returned to normal. The thought of him never touching her again was enough to see past it though. She was desperate but she had to remain cautious.
"What kind of favor?" Her eyes narrowed.
"Not sure yet, kid. But it's always handy having a human who can speak with me. You can access things I can't." He said lightly.
