The Fine Line of Heaven and Hell

Update: This chapter as well, beta'd by Gaia.

A/N: You know, if I never got another review, I’d still be really happy! I got twenty-one reviews that were very good. Thanks, everyone! I’m glad to hear your comments and all the hilarious things you all cook up. My friends usually find me in a mega-good mood after reading them. *smile* If you want to, keep reviewing and thanks for reading. ^.^

Snidne: I’m sorry about your computer. XD I should post a warning about calculating Shuey’s level of trust then, right?

Warning:
Attempting to mathematically induce the trust level of our Angel/Demon hybrid may result in broken calculating devices. We will not be held responsible if this occurs. ^.^

Well, I’m not that great at warning labels. *sigh* I tried, though.

Thanks for reviewing again, SilkenPetal! Somehow, I missed your reviews, so I’m glad you decided to drop another one on me. *grins*

Chapter 11-The General
=================

Three weeks passed since what Shuey now considered “The Lesson”. Sure, she was still
pissed off about it, but she was starting to understand what he’d been trying to do. Now,
he didn’t attempt to touch her at all and remained completely professional in everything
he did. He never asked personal questions anymore, nor did he ever come within five feet
of her. As puzzling as it was, she found it rather nice for him to be so much less
annoying.

Today’s training was cancelled because of a meeting, and there was another demon
meeting tonight in the bar. Demon gatherings usually meant a double-shift with Leon,
which led to Shuey standing behind the bar, looking for the shock of cherry red hair that
she recognized as only Leon’s. Deamon flopped into a stool, leaning on the counter with
one arm and waving the other in front of her face. “Hello Angel, how’s business
tonight?”

Her relationship with the dark-skinned demon was strange, but comfortable. He asked her
many questions on a regular basis, but never expected any answers. He never asked
questions too personal, and obviously didn’t seem to mind that she’d slashed his wrist
upon their first meeting. She wondered idly if she could consider herself and the violet-winged
demon friends. Shuey wasn’t sure about that type of thing, so she had never
bothered to ask. “Decent,” she said, already mixing his newest favorite.

He’d taken to yet another fruity drink, making her reconsider a few of her first
impressions. His most recent preference was a concoction called Dangerous Curves, a
mixture of Gran Marnier, Amaretto, and pineapple dumped into shot glasses and leaving
the shaker with more than was really necessary. Instead of pouring the shot like was
normal, she poured the drink into a tall drinking glass and slid it to him. She also handed
him a shot glass, in case he felt the need to take shots. Obviously he didn’t, for he just
took the glass and tipped it without even a glance at the small glass beside it.

“How’s the songbird?” he asked after setting his drink down, leaning heavily on his arm
as his red eyes stared directly at her. When he talked about the songbird, he was
addressing Leon, so she thought about it briefly before shrugging. He trained her often,
but never seemed to alternate his expressions. He either didn’t care, or he was angry, but
for some reason Shuey was more appreciative of his lack of emotion with her.

As if appearing when spoken of, the redhead came through the door, waving at a few
people in the corner of the bar as he headed over towards them.

“Hey Deamon, how’s it going?” The demon chuckled at the casual question as he sipped
his drink a bit more and winked at the girl that hadn’t even looked the man’s way.
Instead, she began mixing a drink for the strange demon who walked up beside him.
It had somehow become normal not to order when Shuey was the bartender. No one
could figure out how she did it, but she always mixed the exact drink you wanted without
you saying anything. Was she psychic or something?

“Is that a Dazed and Confused?” Deamon asked, nodding at Leon to acknowledge that
he’d heard him. “It’s going damn dandy.” The woman gave him a curt and barely
perceptible nod as she slid the drink over the counter, eyeing the customer warily as he
walked away. This made the dark-skinned man chuckle, relaxing with his drink.
“Today’s going to be a very interesting meeting. I hear we’re going to have a very special
guest.” Her brow crinkled and Leon shook his head, smiling as he did.

“And who might that be?” he asked, keeping up the conversation, even as he began
stocking the alcohol while Shuey manned the counter. Business was going to start
picking up very quickly, and he wanted to be prepared. The demon grunted, leaning over
the counter and grinning in a flash of white teeth.

“Why, the great General Brethmel, of course,” he answered, jumping slightly when a
glass shattered as Shuey slammed it down on the counter and glared not at him, but at
Leon. Said angel’s blue eyes had become saucers as he stared between him and Shuey.
Apparently, he had said something not good.

Knowing a distraction was in order, Deamon smiled broadly at the woman before him,
tilting his head so that she’d catch the movement in the corner of her eye. He’d noticed
long ago that she saw everything and admired that more than he found it creepy. Lately,
she’d gotten even more observant, and he started wondering if she was learning from
someone.

Regardless of whether or not she liked Brethmel, he was coming so she should at least
calm down while she could. “Why don’t you fix me one of those Dead Bastards that
you’re so good at?” he requested coolly, his blazing eyes watching her blue one blink at
him briefly before automatically beginning the drink.

Her dagger glittered in its band as she mixed the alcohol up, handing it over to him with a
blank expression. “Thank you,” she muttered softly, making Leon’s eyes widen and look
back and forth between Shuey and himself. Deamon shook his head and had at the drink,
not really wanting it, but drinking it anyway.

Grabbing a cloth and beginning to wipe down, she glanced at the angel before asking,
“Why didn’t you tell me?” In her peripheral vision, she could see the man stare at her, his
mouth partially open before it snapped shut, the muscles in his jaw working as he
watched her. So had he really known about this?

“Jerrick told me you would get upset when I told you. I would have said something
before he showed up.” She openly rolled her eyes, intriguing the demon on his stool,
watching the entire scenario play out. “He doesn’t know, nobody told him or anything, so
you have nothing to worry about.” She glared at him, as if telling him she’d stitch his
mouth closed and Leon’s eyes widened marginally before he laughed.

This seemed to confuse her rather than piss her off further, which of course, interested
Deamon more. Instead of continuing the conversation, she went back to cleaning the bar
and walking around the angel to wipe down tables. Noting that he had been ignored, the
redhead sighed, going back to filling up their front stores while Shuey manned the bar in
general. The demon laughed aloud, making both parties glare at him, even as Jerrick
stepped through the entrance and waved at everyone.

Grey eyes met Shuey’s own eyes as she glowered darkly at him. As if amused, the damn
man smiled at her, walking over as if she’d given him permission. “Just look at it this
way, you’ll know who he is, even if he doesn’t know who you are. If my day tender
hadn’t quit, I wouldn’t need you here, so I’m sorry. Leon can’t run it by himself. You get
to leave before Leon, so please bear with it.”

Expecting her to refuse, he waited cautiously while watching that stoic, nearly
expressionless face. “It’s fine,” she said after a few moments, still obviously unhappy
with the fact, but willing to endure it. The fact that she would deal with the situation
made him smile, which made that lovely brow furrow in confusion.

“Thank you, Shuey,” he murmured, smiling at the demons sitting around the front.
“Welcome yet again. Tonight we have message from the well-known General Zeke
Brethmel.” Slightly baffled, she watched the man switch from gratuitous to his work face
in a mere second. Swiping at the table before her, she returned to the bar to help Leon
produce drink after drink as the customers filed in.

Not twenty minutes after the demons began speaking about their regular topics, family
ranks, clan births, new clan members, clan jointing, and everything else they could
discuss about themselves, a silence hushed the members as they all stared at the man in
the doorway. His heavy boots clunked against the floor as he looked around the bar. He
had the same russet hair as Shuey herself did, forcing her attention to him as if he had
given her a silent command.

His muscular frame filled the doorway and Shuey decided instantly that her height came
from her mother. Black abyssal wings spanned from his back, obvious and standing
proudly from his shoulder blades. She had half expected him to be donned in armor,
holding a helmet in the crook of his arm as he scanned the crowded little bar. Instead he
wore a pair of heavy black pants and a slightly tattered tank top, his dark bulky arms very
visible in the dim light. Apparently she got her pale skin from her mother as well. She
noted idly that her wing looked very much like his, and was slightly curious as to what
other features she might have of his. His reddish brown hair was long, though his bangs
were slightly longer and covered both eyes. She was sure he could see through the wall of
hair, because she could see through her bangs that covered her own golden eye. His face
turned towards her own, and she stared back blatantly, assessing him as his stature
straightened and he gazed back emotionlessly.

Did stoic personality traits run in the family? Here stood her father, and yet she couldn’t
ask him any questions at all. Instead of politely looking away, Brethmel continued to
stare at her, even as she blinked once as if looking his way wasn’t important. He could
tell she was analyzing him, she was sure, but she really didn’t care. The lengthy silence
was beginning to make the pub members nervous as they shifted and murmured quietly
among themselves.

Instead of speaking, the man stepped up to the bar, looking at her more closely and even
leaning over the bar to get an even better look. “Can I help you?” came the chilled
question when Shuey felt her personal space invaded. He just stared at her, not making
her nervous, but irritated.

“Let me see your face,” was the brisk, to the point response, making her lips turn into a
frown. She glanced at Leon, who’s face revealed nothing, then to Jerrick, whom was
donning a slightly worried expression. Instead of heeding him, she stood went to stand
beside Leon.

Without a word, Shuey looked at the angel for a few moments before frowning. Leon’s
blue eyes narrowed, but he seemed to get the message clearly enough. She wanted him to
do something to keep Brethmel away from her. He wrapped an arm around one shoulder,
grinning at Brethmel in that stupid way he had. He tilted his head to the side, his spiky
hair like red daggers from his head and ruffled her hair happily.

“This is my little sister, Shuey. She came and found me when she found out she had a
brother.” He smiled broadly as if proud of having such a little sister, but the General
didn’t seem impressed. The man knew parts of his family history, so he might try
questioning her about it, which would lead to major problems. Taking the chance, he
tapped Shuey on the nose, making her glare haphazardly.

Zeke remained leaning on the counter, staring directly into her eyes as well as watching
the pair together. The two didn’t look anything alike, and it was suspicious. She looked
so much like someone he knew, had once known, yet it was impossible, right? “Can I get
you a drink, General?” Golden eyes blinked behind the veil of hair, which he did actually
move while in battle, but preferred to be less noticed while walking the streets.

“Straight vodka, no ice,” he said dully, still watching the woman behind the bar, even as
the angel poured his request. As the drink was set down lightly in front of him, his wings
shifted to a more comfortable position. “An angel?” he asked blandly, knowing
something was way off about this girl, but not knowing exactly what it was. It was very
irritating to him not to know. Last he’d checked, Leon only had one dead brother, not a
living, breathing sister.

Unwilling to outright lie to the man, Shuey just glanced at Leon again, taking up a few
mugs and playing the silent bartender. “Sure,” came the angel’s collected voice, making
her want to hit him for being more at ease in the situation at hand. “How’s that drink,
Sir?” The demon before him took a sip, golden eyes peeking through russet bangs. She
really couldn’t help but look at those unique eyes that matched her own eye. This was
really the man that sired her?

The observant man took notice of her watchful stare and smirked at her. “Can I help
you?” he reiterated her, making her brow crinkle in slight recognition of the statement.
Slowly, she shook her head, setting down the mug she’d been cleaning when the angel
had taken charge of the situation. “No? Don’t speak much?”

It would seem the General had taken on some sort of interest in the halfling, and it made
three people very uncomfortable. Leon watched the two with narrowed blue eyes, almost
glowing with the energy of his caution. Grey eyes had wandered over to the bar, where
they lingered over Shuey in concern while dual eyes gazed directly into knowing gold.
“No,” she responded slowly, not liking where the event was going.

“I prefer to look into the eyes of the people I converse with,” he said sharply, Shuey’s
eyes narrowing with acknowledgment. He really wasn’t going to drop it, was he?
Frowning, she nodded slowly at Jerrick, silently telling him that she would probably
leave. In return, the man shook his head and shrugged. Leon just nodded at her.

“With all due respect, Sir, I do not wish to speak with you,” she said blandly, giving the
cloth she held to Leon as she left, the glint of silver on her arm not missed by the stoic
militant man. Just as she passed him to leave, a muscled hand gripped the armed wrist.
Whipping around, Shuey glared vehemently at her aggressor. “Let go.”

Ignoring her, Zeke twisted her arm to get a better look at the small weapon. A deep frown
graced his emotionless face, his bangs shifting as he tilted his head to one side. “What a
rare piece. Where did you find such a thing?” he asked coldly, on hand running over the
hilt while the other gripped the blade, holding it against her arm. Jerrick had slipped it in
her room while she wasn’t in a week ago, and she’d hesitated before bringing it with her
every time.

“Pardon me, but it’s none of your business,” she muttered, jerking her hand away,
although she got the feeling that he’d let her go. Glaring at Leon as though it had been his
fault, which it had because he’d dirtied her jacket yesterday, she left the bar. Barely
restraining herself from running, Jerrick’s cool voice reached her ears as she turned the
first corner to get to the entrance desk.

“Shuey.” Turning around, an icy blue eye surveyed the man calling her name. “Are you
alright?” he asked softly, even though his lips looked like they wanted to say something
else. Was he here because he was concerned or because he wanted to question her? This
man was really confusing sometimes, always displaying mixed feelings.

“It’s fine,” the Halfling muttered briefly, still staring at Jerrick’s face. He wanted to step
up to her and touch that russet hair and tell her she was lying, but knew he really
couldn’t. He’d noticed that the dagger was unique himself when he had held it in his
hands before putting it in her room. Surely it was one of a kind. Where had she gotten it?
While his brain flurried with thought, he actually did take a few steps towards her,
making her glance down at the ground before watching his hands instead of his face.

Instinct?

“It’s okay. I won’t ask. I won’t touch,” he said after a few moments of her watching his
every move. He even took a step back, leaning casually against the wall and discarding
his usual pristine mannerisms. When he was around Shuey, it didn’t matter if he was
aristocratic or not, so why bother? “I’m sorry.”

Shuey blinked for a second, then another. What? Grey eyes were locked on her face,
making her slightly uncomfortable. Did he just apologize for today? Maybe he was sorry
for what he’d done two weeks ago. Confused, she said the only thing she could think of,
“For what?” A small, barely perceptible smile found it’s way on his immaculate features,
his dark hair contrasting both his eyes and his pale skin.

“For everything, maybe,” he said coolly, tilting his head to the side just a bit as her brow
furrowed and her lips formed a near pout as she tried to figure out his meaning. “But I
want you to know that, regardless of how you think of me, I do care for you. Everything I
do to and for you is in your best interests.” The blue eye scanned his face, widening
further and further as he spoke.

She was so observant, and yet she couldn’t understand what he meant? It was really
frustrating to a guy trying to portray his emotions when the target was a girl who knew
nothing about them. Her silence was somewhat alarming, but not unexpected for him.
“I don’t… think I understand what you mean,” she said after what seemed like eons in
the hallway before the clerks’ desk. All he could really think about was that she’d
answered him, albeit confusedly.

“You don’t have to,” he said, smiling when pout lips frowned at him. “I’ll show you one
day.” With an idiotic grin on his face, he trailed back into the bar to finish the meeting.
Different colored eyes watched the back of a man Shuey was beginning to think she’d
never comprehend. He was going to show her what? With a sigh she turned, her mind
wrapped around the words they’d spoken as if trying to unlock some secret code within
them.

Because she didn’t understand, she would just have to wait until he showed her.


Because she didn’t understand, she would just have to wait until he showed her.
A/N: Wow! For some reason, even though I didn’t at first, I like the way this chapter turned out. ^.^ I am now one happy camper!

DecadenceRefined: Even though that could go either way, you said it was a compliment, so I’ll take it that way. *chuckle* Thank you for reading, and I’m glad you reviewed. My pen name is actually Curio, which is a nickname my friends gave me a long time ago. I just put Curiosity because I felt like it, I guess. I planned on changing it to Curio, but I’ve never gotten around to it. I think I’ll do that when I post. *grin*