Chapter 2: Enter Azrael

The morning after the summoning felt like a dream Freya wasn’t ready to wake from.

Except it wasn't a dream.

When she opened her eyes, he was there—sitting casually on her desk chair, legs stretched out, flipping through her math textbook like it was some ancient artifact. His black shirt clung to his lean frame, sleeves rolled up, revealing tattooed forearms with markings that looked alive. His golden eyes lifted lazily to meet hers, and he smirked.

"Good morning, Freya."

She bolted upright in bed, her blanket clutched to her chest. "You're still here?"

Azrael stood with a slow grace, every movement fluid and precise. “Of course I am. You agreed to my terms. I’m staying until your wish is fulfilled.”

She blinked at him. “But where will you stay? What if my parents—?”

He arched an eyebrow. “Your parents barely remember you exist, darling. They won't notice.”

The words stung more than they should have. Because they were true.

She flinched, but he softened just slightly. “I mean no offense. It’s just… humans often leave their most fragile ones to fend for themselves.”

Freya slid out of bed, pulling on a hoodie over her nightshirt. “This is insane. You’re insane.”

Azrael leaned against her wall, watching her like she was a puzzle to be solved. “And yet you summoned me.”

She avoided his gaze. “I didn’t think it would work.”

“That’s always the most dangerous kind of summoning.” He stepped closer, his voice lowering. “Desperate. Pure. Unfiltered. Those wishes taste the sweetest.”

Freya’s breath caught in her throat as he hovered a few inches from her. She could feel the heat radiating from him, his energy humming beneath her skin.

“I’ll give you what you want,” he murmured. “Make him notice you. Make him want you. But you have to let me in, Freya. Into your world. Into you.”

She shivered, unsure if the chill came from fear or something far more dangerous. She didn’t respond, and after a beat, Azrael stepped back.

“Get ready for school,” he said smoothly. “I’ll be with you today. Watching. Helping.”

“You're not coming to school with me,” she snapped, grabbing her bag.

“Oh, but I am.” His smile was maddening. “No one can see me unless I want them to. I’m very good at blending in.”

He vanished in a swirl of smoke, only to reappear behind her. “Now go impress your pretty little crush.”

Freya moved through the halls like she was walking through water—slow, uncertain, disoriented.

Azrael was everywhere. Leaning against her locker, whispering in her ear during class, lounging on desks during lunch. No one else could see him, but his presence was overpowering. His voice, velvet and dark, coached her through every social interaction.

“Stand taller,” he whispered when she slouched. “Smile like you know something they don’t.”

And people started noticing.

Her classmates looked at her differently, like something had shifted. Her posture was more confident. Her laugh more open. Even Caleb glanced her way during lunch—a small glance, sure, but it made her heart flutter.

“You’re doing well,” Azrael purred, appearing beside her on the empty bleachers after school. “But he’s not worthy.”

Freya gave him a tired look. “You don’t even know him.”

“I’ve seen into his soul.” He smirked. “It’s boring.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re just jealous.”

“Of him?” Azrael laughed, then leaned in close. “If I wanted you, Freya, I’d have you begging.”

Heat flushed her cheeks. She looked away quickly. “You’re disgusting.”

“And yet, your heart is racing.” His voice dropped. “Would you like me to stop?”

She said nothing.

He watched her for a long moment, then his tone softened. “I’m not here to hurt you, Freya. Not unless you want me to.”

She gave him a look, unsure if it was annoyance or something darker. “You're messing with my head.”

“Of course I am,” he said with a wink. “It’s part of the service.”

That night, as Freya lay in bed, she stared at the ceiling while Azrael lounged at the foot of her bed, swirling shadows between his fingers.

“Why me?” she whispered.

Azrael glanced at her. “You called. I answered.”

“No… why are you really here? You said you feed on need, desire. But it feels like... more.”

Azrael was quiet for a moment. Then, almost too softly, he said, “Maybe I wanted to be seen, too.”

Freya turned her head. In the dim light, his expression was unreadable, almost human.

And that night, she dreamed of fire, of kisses that burned, of hands that promised both destruction and safety.

When she woke up, she wasn’t afraid anymore.

She was curious.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***