Shobek wandered to the kitchen, Kasey still making some food. He glanced at what she had decided on and almost laughed.
"What?" Kasey turned a sharp eye on Shobek, scowling at the young boy.
"Frozen tenders and fries?" Shobek smiled mockingly, "it's funny how a little kid can cook better than an adult."
Kasey scoffed, "little kid my butt." She carefully slid the pan into the oven and closed the door. She turned back and peered behind Shobek, "did you end up killing him?"
"Sadly, I refrained from doing so. He's bathing in the bathroom if you want to go check."
"No thanks." Kasey turned back to the frozen food bags she had yet to put away and slowly looked at Shobek again. "How do you have all of this modern stuff?"
"It's easy for me to travel between realms because I can make my own portals. Though it is draining. Every once in a while, I visit Mammon's land and do a little shopping. He keeps on top of every new thing that comes out in the living world. He can be quite pricey but his stock is usually well worth any investments."
"Who's Mammon?" Kasey pushed the freezer door closed after sticking the food bags back.
"A businessman. An avaricious demon. Because of his great business, he has purchased many lands across Hell. He is one of Hell's strongest rulers." Apophis limped into the kitchen with gray sweats and a black shirt, he grimaced as he reached out and grabbed an apple from a wooden bowl that was placed in the corner of the counter. "which means, he's also one of your biggest enemies."
Kasey tilted her head slightly and stared at Apophis in confusion, "why?"
Apophis took a bite of the apple and nodded his head towards Shobek. Kasey turned to look at the boy who had a faraway look as he leaned against the counter. "Shobek? Why is Mammon, my enemy? In fact, why is Belial? What did I do to them? Shobek? Shobek!"
Kasey hit Shobeks shoulder which caused him to jump as he looked at her annoyed, "what?"
Annoyed, Kasey huffed, "why is everyone after me, Shobek?"
Shobek looked at Apophis then back to Kasey, "it's...complicated.."
"How is it complicated?" Kasey pressured, stepping closer to him.
Shobek looked at Apophis again, looking for help. Apophis gave him a shoulder shrug and took the last bite of his apple, walking to the trashcan and dropping the core into the trash bag.
"Don't look at him, look at me and answer my question." Kasey cornered him against the counter and Shobek stared at her surprised.
Silence fell amongst the three until Apophis finally cleared his throat, "you're...gonna burn the food..."
Kasey narrowed her eyes at him before stepping back and pulling an oven mitt on. Shobek slowly skirted around her and disappeared into the dining room, sitting at the head of the table. Apophis went to the fridge and pulled out three bottles, moving back to the dining table to set down the bottle of barbeque, the bottle of ketchup, and the bottle of ranch then took a spot to Shobeks left. Kasey piled some food onto three plates before carrying two to the gentlemen already sitting. She stomped back into the kitchen to retrieve her plate when Shobek gave Apophis a sharp glare and hiss. Apophis shrugged nonchalantly and smiled at Kasey as she returned and sat on Shobek's other side. The three dined in silence for a while before Kasey finally slammed her fork down and glared at the two men.
"Alright, I am done waiting. What the hell is going on? Why am I being hunted like some dog and why the hell is everyone fighting to kill me?"
Apophis looked to Shobek who pretended not to hear and continued with his meal. After a few seconds of waiting Kasey finally stood up, knocking her chair back as she yanked Shobeks plate away from him and flung it down the table.
The dragon growled and looked at the mortal woman in front of him as she bared her own teeth at him. Apophis looked between the two as each of their eyes started to glow. He slowly set his fork down and slid his chair away from them.
Apophis watched the staring contest before slowly asking, "if you guys are gonna fight, can you at least point me to where you keep your popcorn?"
Shobek whipped his gaze to the Egyptian and snarled before standing. Kasey refused to back down and only stood straighter. Shobek hissed an 'excuse me' before quickly leaving the room and marching to the darkened hall to disappear into his room.
Kasey stared after him before growling in anger and flinging her chair out of the way and marching to her own room.
Apophis watched as he slowly took another bite of his food. When both parties left, he looked back down at his plate before noticing the mess the two had left. He groaned, "do I have to clean this up?!"
Two loud slams sounded to his question and he let out a huff, muttering, "don't slam your doors on me... Not my fault you two are like children.."
(Apophis's POV)
I looked between the two plates and the knocked-over chair, then leaned over to spot the three bottles Kasey had pushed off the table with Shobek's plate. Sighing, I scarfed down the last of the food that was offered to me before standing and gathering the plates. Shobek was usually pretty insistent on having everything clean before leaving a room, but considering I forced Kasey's attention on him instead of walking her through everything; it's no surprise he made an exception. I dropped the plates in the sink and wandered back into the dining area to collect the bottles. A wince escaped me before I could stop it and I frowned, looking down at the bandages on my arms. Hopefully, having some food in me will help my recovery.
Speaking of food, I was still starving. I hadn't eaten for days because of Cahtora, and two tenders and some fries were not nearly satisfying enough. The fridge wasn't one of those extra-large fridges like Samael had but it was still stuffed with food. I grabbed a package of tenderloins and another of chicken breasts. I didn't care if it was frozen or cooked or just raw, I was starving. I pulled out two packages of sirloin next before finding nothing else appetizing in the freezer; I threw open the fridge doors. Scavenging a little longer, I collected some tomatoes, eggs, and some grapes before closing the door again. I pulled out a pan and turned on the oven to let it preheat.
Shobek was gonna need to go shopping now that he let a snake in his kitchen.
After stuffing myself full of food, I got myself a tall glass of milk and perched myself on the couch. Shobeks TV was a large screen but it had no interesting channels. I slowly flipped through the channels again when I heard a door open. I looked at the darkened hallway and watched Shobek walk towards me.
"Well, hello. Are you done pouting–?" He grabbed my arm and yanked me up onto my feet, forcing me to hiss in pain. "What is–?"
"Someones here. And I am pretty sure she is after you." Shobek gave me a sharp look as he yanked me to the back of the living room. He pulled me through the secret doorway that was hidden with an illusion.
"Wait, wait..! Who?" There's no way he would sell me out to...HER... Would he? Sure I pissed him off, but giving me back to Cahtora would be too far. Right?
"Doesn't matter. She wants to see you."
"How do you know?"
He growled, "this is my land. I know who and why she is here. Unlike you, she actually asks for permission to do shit and lets the property owner know of her existence."
"That doesn't sound like Cahtora." He growled again as he continued to pull me through the dark tunnel.
"Because it's not Cahtora." He pushed me through the portal doorway, causing me to stumble. I looked up at the pale figure underneath the long robe, her big doe eyes were looking around the gray forest, her complexion sticking out against the burned leaves and grass.
"Latifa?" She jumped and looked at me, her green eyes instantly darting to look around again before settling on me again. Shobek appeared next to me from the invisible portal, causing her to take a step back. I looked at Shobek and nearly jumped as well when I looked at the new form he took on.
He chose his real appearance instead of his childlike form, making himself appear to be at least in his mid-twenties. His cold eyes glanced over the pale girl who had stepped onto his land. "make this quick."
Latifa shivered and backed away slightly, she was clearly intimidated. Which wasn't surprising since this is the very dragon that slaughtered thousands before becoming subdued. Seeing this version of him again makes me want to agree with his earlier statement. Looking like a child does make him less threatening.
I smiled apologetically at her before tilting my head to the side as a quiet gesture to follow me. She nodded and followed me a few feet away from the beasts she clearly feared. "What is it?"
Her eyes glanced back at the dragon lord before returning to meet mine, "Samael is gone."
"....What?" I stared at her as her eyes filled with tears and she bit her bottom lip. "What happened?" If Samael was gone, either he has an idea of where to find Kasey, is off making a deal, or has been collected by Belial. None of these are good.
Latifa took a shaky breath before recounting what happened, "Vetis was badly injured by Kasey and he was furious. He disappeared for a time and during his absence, Pyro came sniffing around. A meeting was called by the Great Seven and they requested Samaels's appearance... I don't know what happened at the meeting, I just know that Lord Samael has yet to return and his property is now flooded with Aeshmas."
"What of Kedar? He is supposed to protect his land."
"They took Kedar away... They took my Sorscha too!" Latifa let out a heartbreaking sob that I almost rolled my eyes at. "Please! You must help me get her back!"
"Who took her?" Shobek asked from behind Latifa, making her jump and squeak. She hid behind me and I sighed and didn't even bother to stop my eye roll this time.
"O–Ose..." Her whisper was barely audible but that name made me look at Shobek, his eyes met mine and we both knew this wasn't good. I stepped away from Latifa and gave her a scrutinizing look.
Shobek looked Latifa over before letting a growl slip out before he turned away, he wiped his face with one of his hands as he muttered to himself.
"Why come to me?" Latifa wasn't evil, but she still worked for Samael. I needed to be careful. The fact that she came to me already gave me red flags.
"Because I...I don't know who else to go to. Kasey said you had saved her..." She looked away and started to play with her fingers.
"So? That doesn't mean I do things for charity."
She looked at me with wide eyes, "I never thought that! I just... I saw you as being more likely to help since I did help you escape."
Shobek looked at me and hissed, "we don't have time for this. If Ose is active, that means he is looking for Kasey. She is nowhere near trained to fight."
Latifa looked at Shobek, a small light sparkling in her eyes, "Kasey is alright? She is safe?"
Shobek stared at me, "not for long." He looked at the lesser demon for a second before turning away, "We have work to do. Time is up Apophis. Let's go."
I gave a look of pity to Latifa before turning to follow Shobek back to his invisible portal. I was shocked by Latifas brazen act as she ran over to Shobek and grabbed his arm. He looked down at her with a sharp look before it slowly softened.
"Please...I need help... I... I'll help you guys in return! Please..! If you help me get Sorscha back..I will work for you! I'll help train Kasey or.. or I will cook and clean..!" She looked between me and Shobek, pleading.
Shobek sighed and pulled his arm away from her, "I'll see what I can do..."
Before he even finished his sentenced Latifa jumped and hugged him tightly. The dragon was thrown off guard and stumbled back slightly as he awkwardly let this small girl hug him. He gave me a confused look as she finally pulled back, saying 'thank you' over and over again. Shobek led me back to the portal, walking ahead of me. His ears were slightly red and I held my breath to keep a serious face. I kept my face straight until we finally walked back into the secret portal. A wide grin spreading as I chuckled.
"I think she–"
"Finish that sentence and I will cut out your tongue." He hissed as he quickly moved through the tunnel.
I sauntered after him, waiting a small moment before continuing my sentence, "–likes you."
The embarrassed dragon let out a deep furious growl that had me laughing as I continued to mock him.
Who would've thought that a hug would make a murderous beast blush?