Stacey found herself swayed by the kiss. It felt as if her restraints were melting away. She leaned in, kissing him back like she wanted it. Slowly, he helped her up, lips still locked. Frederick's hands moved further down her waist to keep her steady. In a flash, Stacey jerked free for him, pushing him back as it dawned on her who she entangled with. She had completely forgotten for a second.
Her brain switched to a defensive mode in that instant, and she rained fire and brimstone on Frederick.
"How dare you kiss me?" She fired at him.
Frederick scoffed, "are you kidding me? You just kissed me back few seconds ago or was that me too?"
Stacey stomped around in fury. This was her first kiss and of all people in the world, it happened to be with Frederick, whose guts sickened her. Seeing the smile that played around the corners of his mouth sent her on a downward spiral.
"You pervert! You took advantage of me. You were only supposed to break my fall not kiss me." She fumed, suddenly feeling several degrees hotter.
Frederick lacked words to express his confusion. Stacey was making the kiss all his fault, like she played no part in it. They connected. He could tell she liked the kiss, and probably that's was why she was going ballistic, so he decided to placate her instead. Arguing with Stacey is a lost battle.
"Fine, I'm sorry I kissed you. It won't happen again."
"What kind of half hearted apology is that? You are unbelievable."
"Would you rather that I grovel at your feet and plead for mercy?" Frederick asked in the most sarcastic way possible. He was fast losing his cool. "whatever happened, has happened, so deal with it." He was done trying to fake an apology for something that he wasn't in any way sorry about.
"I freaking hate you." Stacey barked at him, marching away and leaving him clearly addled.
"Women and drama." Frederick sighed. "Must everything be complicated?"
Stacey texted her driver, and in less than fifteen minutes, he'd arrived with her car. She banged the car door shut, cussing under her breath.
"Why must it be him?" She screamed out. "this isn't right."
"Stacey Brown, you liked it, didn't you?" A voice in her head teased.
Stacey placed her fingers on her supple lips, reliving the moment, but soon shrugged out of it in the twinkle of an eye. It just can't be. She asked the driver to take her home, leaving her guards behind. They would have to follow Fredrick home.
She gave the driver Adelaide's address; she needed someone to rant to, and she couldn't think of anyone else.
Adelaide had a beautiful apartment in the outskirts of town. Stacey had asked her a couple of times to relocate, but Adelaide claimed she loved the serenity and calm it afforded her, so Stacey gave up on the matter.
Stacey had planned paying her a visit to discuss her findings on the picture of the mark. But, now she was going to kill two birds with one stone.
After a thirty minutes drive from the restaurant, she arrived Adelaide's house, rushing up the patio. She briefly pressed the door bell, and Adelaide came to it almost immediately.
"Hey." Adelaide beamed animatedly.
"Hey," Stacey responded, brushing past her as she entered the sitting room; the warmth from the fireplace, a much needed comfort. She kicked off her shoe and rested her legs on the pouffe.
Adelaide had to check the surrounding if Stacey was being followed, before rejoining her inside.
"Girl, what's up with you? You barged in like someone was on your tail. What's up?"
"That bounder kissed me?" Stacey blurted in an antsy tone, unable to stay still.
Adelaide wasn't quite following, "who might this person be and what did he do?" She took her seat opposite Stacey, fixing her one of her detective gazes.
"It's Frederick August… the asshole kissed me." Stacey blurted. The whole scenario still irked her. "I knew he was up to no good."
Adelaide laughed out then stopped herself, "don't tell me you are freaking out because of a kiss? Besides, what did you expect when you went out on a date?" She began laughing again.
"What's so funny?"
"Sorry, but it's hilarious. For real. Frederick kissed you and you are losing your peace over it?"
"The fact that he showed no remorse, only an arrogant smirk, is setting me off."
Adelaide observed her friend for a second," I dare you to deny that you didn't like it." Adelaide accused with her arms folded across her chest, not breaking her gaze.
"That's not the crux of the matter." Stacey rebuffed defensively.
"So, you liked it?" Adelaide laughed.
"You know what? Just forget I ever mentioned anything. What did you find out?" Stacey said, completely enervated.
"Ah ha, I see. Changing the subject... Nice approach."
"Of course, we have a weightier matter to deliberate on."
"You were the one that came complaining to me about your little moment."
"Now, I'm the one who doesn't want to talk about it. You are clearly not on my side." Stacey sulked like a baby.
"Oh, don't be precious, Stacey. There are clearly no sides to take in this."
"Adelaide, please drop the subject already."
Adelaide shook her head. She was going to do just what Stacey requested, but they were far from being done with talking about her first kiss!
"Would you like some aperitif? I am about having dinner. That's if you don't mind joining."
"What's for dinner?" Stacey queried, looking all gingered up.
"Chicken apple pasta primavera." Adelaide supplied with a tint of pride in her voice. She loved experimenting with food. Honing her culinary skills would have been a priority, but then, her love for history and research superseded any other career niche for her.
Stacey was more than interested, "nice. I'm in."
"Like you had a choice, earlier." Adelaide chuckled before disappearing into her kitchen. She came back with two glasses of aperitif and a file in hand.
"Thanks." Stacey collected the drink from her and took a sip of it, savoring the taste.
"You like?" Adelaide asked, like Stacey's approval would mean a lot.
Stacey nodded. " Yeah."
"Okay then. Down to business." She settled back into her seat. "So we were able to get to the meaning of the mark."
Stacey's heart was already racing. She took more gulps of her drink.
"Out with it." She urged.
"It's an ancient mark called Sigillum Ignis…"
"I know that much. What else? "
"Okay… It's Latin for seal of fire." Adelaide quietly stated, looking intently at the file in her hand.
"Let me see." Stacey requested. She already knew what the Latin word meant… she wanted to know what it signified.
Adelaide scooted to her side and showed her the picture in the file, outlining the curved horn, pair of wings and musical note that were all intricate parts of the mark.
"It signifies Azrael's claim on…"
Stacey didn't let her finish. "Please don't say it."
Stacey moped at the picture before her, but wasn't seeing anything. It seemed like she was experiencing a mental haze.
"Fine. Let me just serve dinner then. No rush."
***
James and Susan were waiting for Stacey to return, so they could hear all about her date with Frederick. Her guards had found their way to her.
Susan was the first to spot her.
"Stacey darling." She crooned. "How did it go?"
James added, "any plans for another date soon?"
Stacey was speechless. What's the excitement about?
"Yeah, it was so much fun, Mum. I had the time of my life."
"That's awesome. I knew he was a gentleman.
"Gentleman indeed. He's a predator." Stacey muttered under her breath.
"So we will see him often, right?" James probed.
"Dad, we want to take things slow."
James surrendered with a smile, "that's not a problem. You guys should take your time."
"I am quite exhausted. I need to head upstairs now. Have a court hearing tomorrow."
"Oh, go on, Sweetie. See you in the morning."
"Good night." Stacey said and dragged herself up the stairs.
Stacey soaked herself in a warm bath with some scented petals and Roman chamomile to help her relax. She was soon ready to sleep with an agendum in mind. She was going to seek Azrael out, that's if he isn't waiting for her already.
Soon as she drifted, she was standing in a long dark alley. The only light was the opaque lighting that was dimly flickering from a distance. Azrael wasn't there, but she was far from being scared. The much she knew was that Azrael wouldn't let any harm come to her in his world. When she tried speaking, her voice echoed, but she called out anyways.
"Azrael… Azrael… Azrael!" She hollered.
She felt the sudden chills that always envelope her when he is around, and smiled to herself. He came.
"Are you that eager to see me, that you couldn't wait for me to come to you?" His thunderous voice rumbled softly.
"Don't get too excited. It's not a pleasant visit."
"So why did you summon me?" He asked, disappointedly.
"I need to talk to you."
"What about?"
"I don't want to be your bride." She let the words echo.