Zeev POV
I stepped into the breakroom, grinning lazily. Harlee burst through the door in an instant and slammed a hand against my chest, using my own strength against me, she knocked me against the lockers.
"What. did. I. say. about. eating. souls." Harlee snarled. The Bond snapped with her anger and it was like I had been whipped. I yelped slightly and panted.
"I didn't eat her-I just put her on retainer." I growled back.
"Harlee are you ok?" Kayla peeked around the door.
"OUT!" We both yelled and she squeaked and disappeared.
"Besides-she came to me not the other way around. We never discussed how to handle people who seek out Demons." I gripped Harlee's arms to make her back up a bit. The lightning arced from her making me let go immediately. I hated to admit it, but this was actually quite arousing to me-seeing Harlee so aggressive and in charge.
"Stop it you lewd, twisted creature." Harlee sighed, letting me go. She rubbed her forehead.
"I am still hungry Harlee. You're keeping me well fed, but I need MORE. I've tried to explain it to you. There will be times I need souls to survive." I said gently.
"I know." She sighed and ran the hand previously rubbing her forehead through her hair. "And I've been asking a lot of you. Maybe it's time we gave up on some of the unnecessary stuff for a while to make it easier." She turned and walked back towards the door.
"No wait.. My Lady.. Harlee.." Her pain hurt me more than her anger had. It was like she'd carved that pain into my own chest. I gripped at my shirt. "Harlee... I don't want you to have to give up on what you want, or stop doing things for you that make you happy, because of me..." I whispered. She shut the door tightly behind her. I was certain the noise it made was actually the sound of my heart snapping in two.
Harlee POV
I knew I was being childish. Zeev and I had gone round and round this issue.
"Uh.. Harlee?" Kayla asked quietly.
"What?" I snapped and she jumped. "Aw fuck, I'm sorry, my nerves are just on edge. What is it?" I softened my voice for her. She hesitated for a moment.
"Are you ok? It looked like you and Zeev were fighting. I've never seen you fight." She twisted her hands nervously. I laughed harshly and slumped forward on the counter.
"When Zeev and I first met, we actually tried to kill each other. A lot." I remarked dryly.
"What?!" Kayla wailed. "I don't even know you anymore, honestly! What the hell?! Hiding Demons from me and now this?! What else haven't you told me?!" Kayla demanded, shaking me by the shoulders.
"So, so, much Kayla" I sighed. "So much." I had cut off contact with Zeev, so I couldn't be sure where he was as the day progressed. I just knew he stayed close. At the end of the work day, he walked into the customer service are with his head bowed.
"Are you ready, My Lady?" He asked quietly.
"I'm... gonna go." Kayla said nervously, slipping by him. "See you guys later! And you!" She swatted Zeev "Remember your promise to me!" She then scurried away quickly as if afraid Zeev might retaliate. He just looked shocked for a moment and burst out laughing. When his gaze returned to me, he sobered.
"You're right Zeev. We never discussed people who seek you out of their own free will." I said tersely, then sighed and ran my hand through my hair again. "I know I'm being unreasonable to an extent.."
"Ooh, look who it is!" Ash cried "It's my favorite person in the whole wide world!" Ash bolted the counter and scooped me into a hug. Damn! All the hard work I'd put into avoiding Ash down the drain. The roasted pumpkin scent enveloped me. Against my better judgement, I inhaled deeply, which was rather easy to do today, since Ash was wearing a shirt that bared one delicately muscled shoulder. The intoxicating scent hit me like a sledgehammer as Ash pulled back, holding me by the shoulders to look in my eyes.
"What? Not going to shove me away or punch me today?" Ash teased. If I was honest with myself, I wanted to kiss Ash. My eyes followed Ash's lips carefully. Wait, there was something wrong with this.. I turned my fuzzy head away to look over Ash's shoulder.
"Zeev!" I called. He was carefully hiding his expression until I called his name, then he strode forward immediately.
"If you'll excuse us." He said carefully to Ash and tugged me free from Ash's grip. Ash let go with a smirk.
"Yeah sure! See you later Harlee! Oh and be careful of his type-the jealous kind are such demons." Ash remarked. I blinked and Ash grinned broadly. "I won't be surprised if he doesn't burn through women like Hell with that attitude." Ash smirked. For a moment I wondered if Ash knew-but maybe it was just supposed to be a turn of phrase.
"Let's go." I said softly and Zeev nodded, walking me towards the store's entrance.
"Are you sure that Ash is human?" I asked Zeev softly, shaken.
"Quite sure, why?" Zeev responded emotionlessly.
"There's something wrong with Ash." I grumbled "And what about that Demon bit? Are you absolutely sure?" I asked again.
"Would you like me to look into Ash for you, Harlee?" Zeev asked, he put a hand on my waist as we exited the doors, checking to be sure no one was around.
"Maybe.." I replied. "I think there's something strange there.." Zeev stepped us home and I went to the bedroom to change.
Zeev POV
"So here's the thing." Harlee was drying her hair with a towel as she came towards me where I was reclining on the bed. I had to make my body calm down.
"I'm not going to say anything about humans that seek you out or ask to create contract with you PROVIDED they know what you are and what they're getting into. If someone wants to trade their soul for something-who am I to say they can't be beneficial to you, us, as well." Harlee sighed, crawling onto the bed. I tensed slightly, reminding my body to stay calm. "But, I'm aware that's not going to be enough souls to feed you, especially in dire situations, so I ask that you please, PLEASE try to use as much energy from me first as you can before going after the most despicable humans you can." She hovered over me and placed her hand on my Mark.
"That woman today-I know she was looking for an affair. But I saw it with your mind. She has kids, and her husband's clearly cheating. Her life is miserable enough, and she has people who will miss her. It doesn't make it right, what she was doing, but all in all, she's not the worst one out there." Harlee commented softly.
"No-but how many more lives will she go on to destroy herself with her revenge sex? How many families will she destroy, including her own?" I asked gently. "That's a lot of lives damaged, impacted." Harlee flinched. "At least with me, she harms none and I get to eat." I gnashed my teeth. Harlee shuddered and sat back, her weight resting comfortably across my hips. I once again told my body to calm down.
"I hadn't quite considered that perspective." Harlee said softly. She frowned to herself as if conflicted. I could tell she was trying to make a choice between the lesser of two evils, to allow me access to the woman, or allow her to possibly harm others. I sighed.
"These decisions were never meant to be yours. I'm glad you find my killing distressful, it keeps me on the path I chose to be on when I Fell. But Harlee-I'm hungry and although I've been nibbling away at you, I need a full meal instead of a snack." I gripped her hips and sat up. She squirmed slightly.
"A snack? Cute." She responded, leaning forward. "I thought my appetites were enough to rival even your own." Harlee leaned forward carefully, placing a hand in my lap and rubbing gently.
"Harlee!" I growled and she raised an eyebrow at me.
"Something wrong?" She asked innocently, grinding the heel of her hand into my lap. I snarled and grabbed her hand and pushed her over.
"If I had known you were into the rough stuff, Mistress, I would have brought out my BDSM skills earlier." I growled.