Zeev POV
Harlee was working again, but that was alright. It was better this way. I had been hearing rumors that we were being hunted on the sly. I shut off all contact with Harlee, leaving only the thrumming soul string between us. I felt her tense up and brush a finger along her Mark, sending a questioning thought my way. I sent a reassurance back then shut down contact once more. I had some hunting to do. I shifted to my True Form and ghosted through the place between worlds-Demon's Keep-what humans like to refer to as Hell.
Harlee POV
I felt my head throb and knew Zeev had changed to his Demon Form.
"Oh Zeev be careful." I whispered and sent up a silent prayer for his safety. Imagine that. Praying for a Demon.
Zeev POV
The particular Demon I was looking for was a rival. One who wished to take my place, and planned to use the fact that I was now Bonded to Harlee to exploit what they perceived as weakness. I let my wings fold and dropped to the ground. It was more comfortable in the air, but this Demon preferred cramped quarters, so I padded along on my taloned feet.
"What are you doing here?" Said a feminine voice behind me. I turned there they were. Damn. Always had been good at sneaking around. Slithery snake-like creature that they were.
"I heard a certain rumor you were hunting me, so I decided to return the favor." I replied nonchalantly.
"And you came prepared for it too-" The Demon replied looking me up and down. They were still in their human form, a rather androgynous look that leaned more towards female today. "Alright, if you insist-let's get this over with." The Demon waved a hand and shifted in a puff of smoke. Flashy bastard. I lunged, but they were no longer in the space before. I roared.
Harlee POV
I felt the pain as something ripped into Zeev. No ripped something from Zeev. He let the barrier drop momentarily and I realized it was his wing! They ripped off his wing! My back spasmed and I felt his distress at causing me pain, he slammed the barrier back up between us.
"Harlee, Harlee! Are you ok?" Kayla grabbed a hold of me. Why was I on the floor? "Oh my God Harlee-your back's bleeding! Let me see!"
"No! I'll be ok." I grimaced. The blood really wasn't mine. Sort of.
"You won't!" She snapped. "How are you going to reach it? Let. Me. See!" She lifted the back of my shirt and gasped. "Where'd this big cut in your back come from?" She ran a finger down it gently and I screamed. A golden feather fell from my shirt and landed on the floor beside me.
Zeev POV
I snarled at the Demon-my blood splattered the walls and floor as I circled them.
"You are weaker." They taunted. "Giving a human your Heart destroys your very essence as a Demon. Makes you forget who you were." The Demon struck again. Damn they were quick.
Harlee POV
"I think I should call someone." Kayla stammered, pulling out her phone. "Like an ambulance.." Zeev had wiped her memory of the last event and the memories of the EMTs that showed up, but he wasn't here now. I grabbed her hand.
"No doctors. Call Josh." I snarled.
"Josh? Why?" She looked confused. "He's just a kid!"
"Josh! Now!" I yelled at her and she started scrolling on her cell.
"Ok, ok!" She screamed back. I sighed and let my eyes close.
Zeev POV
I felt the venomous fangs sink into my thigh and tear away a chunk of tissue, but chuckled evilly as at least one fang snapped away.
"Your teeth are not meant for tearing, my friend, just for striking from behind like the coward you are. Let me show you what teeth meant for attacking are truly like." I growled, jumping at the Demon.
Harlee POV
My thigh opened up and was bleeding as Josh rounded the corner of the customer service desk.
"I knew this would happen!" He cursed "What is that damn Demon boyfriend of yours doing?"
"Zeev didn't do this! It just happened! I saw!" Kayla cried.
"Oh you knew this exact thing would happen?" I shot at him at the same time.
"Not this exact thing, but something like it." He sighed. "Help me get her to the breakroom Kayla."
Zeev POV
Too many injuries. I was not going to win this fight. I could feel Harlee in pain in the back of my mind and that hurt me more than my injuries. I snarled and ripped my talons along the Demon's belly. It had me pinned to the ground, striking at my face. I felt the wet splash of innards and the Demon hissed.
"You're lucky that's not permanent, what is it your human calls you... Zeev?" They hissed. I felt a chill, this Demon had been watching us. I kicked at the monstrosity to try to get free, but they were coiling tighter around me. They had a snakelike body and head. The rest... well they could have been mistaken for a dragon, I presume. If dragons also had furry bits. I coughed as a rib punctured a lung. Damn, I couldn't die here-Harlee's soul would die with me! And Harlee!
"When was the last time you fed on a human, you pathetic waste?" Snarled the Demon.
"My Mistress doesn't like it-so I've been finding other means of nourishment." I replied with a grin.
"Like what?" The Demon laughed scornfully. So I showed them, biting off their front leg and chewing it loudly in front of them.
"You...Abomination!" The Demon shrieked.
"Strange, I've been called that before." I replied. The Demon's blood spattered across my face and they withdrew slightly, staring at their severed limb.
"How dare you! That will take months to regrow!" They complained. I saw my opening. Kicking with my powerful hind legs, I sent the Demon against the roof of the corridor we were in. I heard a nice, satisfying crunch as their folded wings broke in several places. I moved through space several feet back and righted myself to see the results of my work. The other Demon hissed at me again.
"Run while you can 'Zeev'-I will catch up with you, and your human girl." They snarled.
"You want my Ruby Slippers?" I taunted as I stepped backwards into space towards Harlee, shifting into my human form as I did.
Harlee POV
Zeev collapsed in front of us. I was laying on my stomach on a bench in the breakroom and immediately reached out a hand for him when I saw him. Kayla squealed slightly when he appeared. She was probably going to end up with another memory wipe. Zeev panted. He was covered in blood and torn to shreds, but he still managed to grip my hand.
"Harlee, I'm sorry, but I've gotta go find something to eat, or we'll never heal..." Zeev's eyes pleaded with me for understanding. Josh snarled I closed my eyes.
"I... understand." I whispered and he vanished again.
"What...WHAT is going on?!" Kayla screeched.
"I told you, Harlee's boyfriend is a Demon. He's gone to find some people to eat. Isn't that right, Harlee?" Josh snarled.
"If he doesn't, we may both die." I murmured and I heard Josh suck in an unsteady breath.
"There's gotta be a better way." He complained under his breath. I coughed and blood trickled from my mouth.
"I wish there were." I replied softly and felt Josh frantically checking my pulse as I lost consciousness for a moment or two.
Zeev POV
Desperate souls were too easy to find in this day and age. Poverty breeds despair, as does racism, inequality, violence, abuse. It made for easy pickings. But Harlee had higher standards, so I zoomed through the streets full of screaming souls reeking of despair, desperately seeking the dirtiest soul I could find.