Chereads / The Secret Guardian / Chapter 18 - Chapter 018

Chapter 18 - Chapter 018

A growl escaped my stomach, causing me to cough to cover it. But of course, universe was never my side. They heard it, and glanced at me in unison.

"Or maybe we can discuss it over dinner?" Jared teased.

I nodded simply, not wanting to let them know that I know they heard it. However, Azriel's smirk indicated that he knew everything from the redness of my cheeks. He knew that it was embarrassing and so like an asshole he was, he decided to comment on it.

"Sweetheart, the blush on your cheeks give away how hungry you are right now. And the growl-"

I interrupted him in between, fuming, "Well, that's because my asshole of a guardian decided it would be good to keep me hungry till dusk hits!"

"It's not my fault you didn't say anything." He replied cooly.

"Geez, do you always fight like this?"

"He fights." I said, squinting my eyes at Azriel while he scoffed, saying, "Please, till now every fight of ours was based on your decision to not listen to me."

I glared at Azriel, frustration evident in my voice as I retorted, "Oh, please! It's always your way or the highway. You never consider my opinions or ideas. It's like you enjoy being in control and making me feel powerless."

Azriel crossed his arms, his smirk turning into a sly grin. "Maybe I do enjoy being in control," he said, "and, for your very kind information, you don't have ideas and opinions, or even if you have, you keep them to yourself."

I felt my anger intensify as his words struck a nerve. "That's not true!" I shot back, my voice rising. "I've tried expressing my thoughts before, but you always dismiss them or act like they don't matter. It's hard to share my ideas when you constantly belittle them."

His grin widened, clearly enjoying the confrontation. "Belittle? Oh, dear, you're too sensitive. I challenge your ideas because I believe in pushing you to be better, to think critically. It's not about belittling; it's about growth."

"Fuck you!" I yelled at him.

"Fuck you too!" He yelled back.

Jared just stared at us in utter astonishment. "I've never seen you getting so riled up, Az," he said, his mouth opened. "And you two fight like cats and dogs. Seriously, how do you tolerate each other?"

"I think we have an understanding between us." I cringed as soon as I let my words out.

Azriel scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Understanding? That's a stretch."

I shot him a glare, my voice tinged with sarcasm. "Oh, forgive me if I don't find your constant need for control and belittling remarks endearing."

Jared interjected, trying to mediate the situation. "Guys, guys, can we all just take a step back? Maybe some time apart would do you good. Cool down, collect your thoughts."

Azriel crossed his arms, a defiant look on his face. "Fine by me. Maybe some peace and quiet will make you realize how much you rely on me."

I gritted my teeth, my frustration reaching its peak. "Oh, believe me, I'll be just fine without you breathing down my neck all the time."

"Oh, really?"

Ugh! I hated him. Yes, he had saved me from that creeper and all, but that didn't mean he could say whatever to me, and make me feel like I am oh so dependent on him.

"Guys, guys." Jared spoke up calmly, "I think it's better if both of you shut up and I speak."

Azriel nodded and I didn't say anything.

"Yes so anyway, tell me about the situation of the creeper. How is it going?"

"Not good." Azriel tensed as he spoke, "I lost my trident and it's all just a mess."

"You lost your trident?!" Jared eyes widened. "Could you be any more careless? God. That's important, Azriel. We must get it back."

"I know that too. But I couldn't do much when I was literally about to die."

Jared's eyes widened further, concern etched across his face. "You were in that much danger? I can't believe it."

"Yes, but I am okay now. She saved me. CPR stuff." He said, and I couldn't help but feel pride in that. I saved someone's life. Well, he saved mine first.

Jared took a deep breath, his voice filled with urgency. "We can't underestimate the importance of your trident. It's a powerful weapon, and in the wrong hands, it could pose a significant threat. We need to devise a plan to retrieve it."

"Well, of course, it's in Abaddon's hand. He used it to destroy the house, your heart." Azriel let out, his jaw tensing.

"Yes, but first Selene should know everything. Everything about Abaddon's history."

"I agree. She should." Azriel looked at me and our eyes locked for a second before we both turned away from each other. "But first, we need a place to rest and eat before her stomach growls again."

As we reached the entrance of the safehouse, Azriel turned to me with a mischievous grin on his face. "Ah, welcome to my humble abode," he declared dramatically, gesturing towards the entrance. "Prepare to be amazed by my impeccable taste in secret hideouts."

I couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Impeccable taste? More like questionable choices, Az. I bet this place is just a glorified closet." It didn't look good from outside.

Jared chuckled, unable to contain his amusement. "Hey, at least it's better than sleeping out in the open, right? Let's appreciate Az's unique sense of hiding spots. Though, I also doubt it. When did you find this place, Az?"

"When I was younger." He replied, and I noticed his eyes flickered of an emotion I couldn't read.

"How?" I asked, curious.

"Let's not live in the past, shall we?" Azriel deadpanned, looking at me. He was so kind and good to everyone, but to me, he was just a cocky asshole.

"Wh-"

"Uh-uh. Before you start bickering again," Jared interrupted, " Let's go in and eat. I am starving. Plus I have a story to tell you, Selene."

I nodded, a slight pout on my face as I glared at Azriel.

We sat down to eat, and I was filled with a sense of happiness, just like the one when we had breakfast at waterfalls of problem with people who didn't seem to judge me. My lips curved up. I wish I had friends like this before. I wish my mother would've eaten with me for at least once. I shook away my thoughts and gazed before me on the food as I served myself.

Jared started speaking the story he wanted to tell, that was important for me to listen, "I think you already know that Abaddon and Azriel are brothers."

I nodded, "Yes."

"Were." Azriel corrected him. "We were brothers, before he found it very alluring to pick the path of evilness."

"There must be a reason for him to do so, right?"

Jared nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, there is. It goes back to their childhood, where their paths diverged. Abaddon had always been envious of Azriel's abilities and the attention he received. He felt overshadowed and neglected."

"No. For the nth time, I was the one who was overshadowed and neglected." Azriel spoke up.

"No, god, Az, everyone told you that yours is the distorted memory. Everyone clapped you on the back and Abandon felt left out."

"Well, I don't believe everyone. What do they know?"

"Az, it's been years, and you still haven't accepted the fact. I am not saying that you were the reason he had gotten in the wrong path."

"You're right. I wasn't the reason. It was his choice and it was because of his ego."

I just ate my food in silence, watching their heated exchange of perceptions.

Jared broke the silence, his voice filled with genuine concern. "Az, I'm not trying to invalidate your experiences or emotions. But sometimes, our memories can be colored by our own perceptions. It's important to consider different perspectives and be open to the possibility that our recollections might not be entirely accurate."

Azriel clenched his jaw, his gaze fixed on Jared. "I understand what you're saying, Jared. But this is how I remember it, and no amount of convincing will change that. It's my truth."

"I don't want to fight, Az. I was dead for years, I came back and I want us to not fight so soon."

"You're right. I am sorry." Azriel turned to the food and started eating.

Soon after, Jared had slept after dinner, and talking. And I was trying to sleep but I couldn't. I kept thinking about that expression on Azriel's face before. He looked like no one was going to believe him, and it felt like I knew him in that moment, I knew the feeling.

I got up from the bed and walked out of the room to see the door of Azriel's room was open. My eyebrows furrowed as I heard footsteps upstairs, so I followed.

I watched as Azriel stood on the terrace, his gaze fixed upon the vast expanse of twinkling stars above. I looked above us to the clear sky and the many stars. It was so beautiful that I didn't want my gaze to tear from them but they did unwillingly and I looked at the man's back before me. Broad and muscular.