Chapter 4 A Heart To Protect

The sun dipped behind the horizon, dousing the city in a dull orange filter. He was propped on the counter of a diner, nursing a tepid cup of coffee. A few days of deep contemplation weighed heavily on him, but a rare moment of peace had helped him let his guard down a little. The bell above the diner door jingled, and Alex’s heart jolted. Then she arrived, a woman with auburn hair, glowing in the waning rays. Her eyes were a soft hazel, and they lit up when she looked at him. “Lila,” Alex said and put down his cup, rising to greet her. Her smile and the warm feeling in her expression were something Alex hadn’t felt in what seemed like forever. “Hey, stranger. You’re not easy to find these days.’ Alex shrugged, swallowing his internal conflict behind a demon’s mask of serenity. “You know how it is. Life gets… complicated.” Lila tilted her head, gazing at him. “You are more complicated than I can describe. But I’m glad you’re okay.” Alex winced; she wasn’t being fake; she was concerned. He hadn’t said anything about the deal with Lucifer or the wars he’d been fighting. How could he? She was the only remaining light in his life, and he couldn’t fathom bringing her into his nightmare. That night, Alex walked Lila home. As the night grew later, the streets were more sedate, the city’s hum more muted. Lila talked about her day, her voice a soothing balm to Alex’s fraying nerves. He let himself dream for a moment about a normal life, a life with no demons and nobody burning in hell. But that image, vivid as it was, faded as when Alex recognized the hammering in his head. “Faint, but getting stronger with each step. Body taut, senses attuned, and hunting the shadows. “Alex?” Lila’s voice pulled him back. “Are you okay?” He grinned through clenched teeth, but his eyes were cautious. “Yeah. Just tired, that’s all.” They reached Lila’s apartment building, an unremarkable structure wedged between two bigger complexes. She was still smiling at him, soft and true. “Thanks for walking me home. It’s good to see you again.” Alex hesitated, his instincts telling him to stay. “Lila, I…” He stopped short, searching for the words. Instead, he nodded. “Get some rest. I’ll see you soon.” She looked at him curiously but didn’t press. “Goodnight, Alex.” She disappeared inside, and Alex stood on the sidewalk, her fist clenched. The pounding in his head was louder now, a dull drumbeat that sent shivers down the back of his neck. Something was coming. The attack came swiftly. When the streetlights illuminated and then extinguished themselves again, three demons spawned from thin air, their bodies twisted and contorted, yet their two scarlet eyes glimmered in the shadows. Hellfire lit in Alex’s palm as he took a step forward. “You picked the wrong fucking night,” he said, low and dangerous. The first demon charged, raking its claws through the air. Alex opened a gout of fire that engulfed the creature. It let out a gurgling screech and then disintegrated into ash. This second demon was quicker, darting around Alex with almost inhuman speed. It lunges towards him, and its claws rake across his arm. Alex winced but stood his ground. He lurched toward a jet of flames, fending the beast away, and with one last swing, he destroyed it. The last demon hesitated, its eyes ablaze, all its attention on Alex. But before it hit, another voice went out. “Get away from him!” Alex turned to see Lila standing in the entryway of her building, baseball bat in hand. Her expression mixed fear with resolve. “Lila, get back inside!” Alex yelled, panic creeping into his voice. The demon seized the opportunity of her distraction and lunged at Lila. Alex’s heart plummeted as he watched that thing close the distance in a blink. Thoughtlessly he threw himself between them, flaring up a shield of hellfire to take the blow. The flames roared, and the demon recoiled, its skin bubbling from the heat. Alex didn’t allow it to heal. He channeled all of his might into one final blast of flame, incinerating the beast in a column of fire. The street was deserted, the sounds of Alex’s heavy breathing the only noise. He glanced back at Lila, standing frozen in the open doorway, a bat still gripped firmly in her hands. “Lila,” he said, his tone not unkind. “Are you okay?” Yes, she said, very slowly, very wide-eyed. “What… what was that?” Alex hesitated. This was the moment he had dreaded more than anything. He could not lie to her, not after she had just witnessed what she had just witnessed. “It’s complicated,” he finally said. “But you’re safe now. That’s all that matters.” Lila stepped closer and searched his eyes. “Safe? Alex, you just fought … whatever those were. You’re not telling me everything. ” He gazed down, sighed, and ran his hand through his hair. “You’re right. I’m not. But it’s better this way. The less you know, the safer you are.” “No,” she says, her voice strong even as her eyes are sunken with fear. “If there is danger, I have to be aware of it. You can’t shut me out, Alex.” Those words hit home, and for a moment, Alex contemplated telling her everything. But the thought of her being drawn into his world, of getting hurt because of him, was unbearable. “Oh, Lila, please,” he whispered, voice barely a whisper. “Just trust me. I’ll keep you safe. I promise.” She studied him for a long time, then reluctantly nodded. “Okay. But this isn’t over. You owe me an explanation.” Alex managed a small smile. “Fair enough.” Alex stayed outside, vigilant as ever, while Lila returned to her apartment. The demons were getting bolder, and it was clear they weren’t going to stop. But now, for the first time in a long time, Alex had something to fight for. He’d sworn he’d protect Lila, and he was going to do it no matter the cost.