Jade nodded slowly. Research was a clear answer, at least. Aamon hadn't been toying with her for sport. Not exactly. He simply didn't understand what she'd been reaching for. Jade eyes him, trying to reach for an understanding she wasn't sure of. Maybe Aamon simply did not understand emotion? Jade could level with him there. She struggled understanding most emotions herself.
"Are you two done bickering?" Zeth chirped as he spun lazily in one of the lab chairs, clearly tired of tension he didn't fully understand.
Aamon gave a small nod. Jade stayed quiet.
She looked between them. Zeth's friendliness felt genuine, even if his bluntness hit like a thrown rock. Aamon was colder, harder to read, but she'd seen glimpses of something softer beneath the indifference. That thought sent an unfamiliar ache through her chest. She hadn't known them long. She shouldn't care.
That was the problem. Because she did care despite telling herself not to. Caring made room for fear. Fear of losing someone. Fear of being the burden. Fear of Foster ever figured out she'd been involved with the demons. He would use her. Jade didn't know how, but she could imagine the shape of it. Threats. Pressure. Isolation. A knife disguised as procedure. She couldn't be the reason Aamon or Zeth got caught.
"Maybe…" Jade's gaze fell to the floor as she forced the words out. "Maybe it would be safer if we went our separate ways now." Knowing it was the right thing to do didn't make it any easier to say.
Silence is the only response she gets for much longer than was comfortable.
Aamon turned toward her. He studied her for a long moment, his eyes resting on her with an intensity that could have burned a hole right through her, had she realized he was staring. It didn't look like a decision Jade wanted to make. It looked like she was surrendering to something he could not understand.
"Why?" he asked at last.
Jade shut her eyes, not wanting to face seeing them leave. "Because I'm going to be too much trouble."
Aamon's expression tightened with something between irritation and disbelief. "How stupid are you?" He said flatly. "We're demons, Jade. Trouble is kind of our thing." Aamon's words sat in the air as factual. Nonmoving and heavy.
Zeth reached over and patted her head as if she were a distressed child. "Hey, it's okay. We don't expect you to stay out of trouble. That'd be boring."
He meant it warmly. He said it with such cheer in his voice and that stung Jade even more. Their kindness felt dangerous. She was desperately afraid of what she'd become now that she had a taste of what kindness felt like. Her throat tightened. How could they not understand how painful this situation was for her? She looked at Aamon, but he'd already turned away again, as if he couldn't stand to watch her fold in on herself.
Only hours earlier he'd been pestering her like they'd known each other for years. It was true, she had grown annoyed at him, she had been blindsided by his intrusion and the way he inserted himself into everything as if he belonged. Now he felt distant, shut behind whatever walls he lived inside. Jade hated how much that shift bothered her. She drew a breath and tried to explain herself again, this time with honesty instead of fear disguised as logic.
"I'm afraid of what Dr. Foster is capable of," she said, voice low. "I am afraid of what he'll do to me if he finds out I helped you." Her gaze flicked to Zeth, then back to Aamon. "And I'm afraid of what he'll do to you if he catches you."
Zeth looked entertained, like the idea itself was cute. Jade thought she heard him giggle as he spun slowly in the chair. Aamon still didn't turn around. Jade forced herself to keep going. To fill the stillness and avoid the uncomfortable silence.
"Even though we're strangers, and even if you're demons," Her voice wobbled, and she hated that too. She hated having to put uncomfortable emotions into comprehensive words. Somehow, it made them feel more real. Made her face things she wasn't ready to admit to herself yet. "I'm glad I met you. I'm afraid to be alone again, I can admit it... still I won't put you in danger just to keep… whatever this is."
Jade shut her eyes, trying to still her rapidly beating heart. She hated having to put raw emotions into words knowing it would result in her being a long again regardless. Anger crawled up her back as she started to feel her explanation was pointless.
"Jade, humans can't actually hurt us. You're worrying over nothing." Zeth tussled Jade's hair, disrupting her thoughts and giving her a shock. She'd been so lost in her own thoughts, she hadn't noticed Zeth until he was right next to her.
She nodded, but the doubt didn't leave her. She'd seen the tubes. The restraints. The containment. Someone here had figured out how to hold them, at least temporarily.
"You're worried about us leaving and yet, you are asking us to go?" Aamon questioned suddenly. His voice was calm again but something in it also sounded distant.
"If you stick around," Jade said, swallowing, "you will get into trouble. I don't want you to get into trouble."
Zeth's reaction was instant. He folded forward over himself, laughing so hard he nearly toppled to the floor. Aamon whipped around so fast, Jade expected he would sprain his neck.
"You want," Zeth managed to say between laughs, "demons, to stay out of trouble?"
"That's not what I mean," she snapped, her face turning red as she realized how ridiculous her statement was. "Just… don't get caught."
Aamon's mouth curved, faintly amused despite himself. "You do realize no mortal here has the capability to keep any of us?"
Jade blinked. "But they had Zeth. And that other guy in a tube. He broke out, sure, but—"
"Wait." Zeth's laughter vanished. He straightened sharply. "What other guy?"
"The one that just broke out," Jade said, confused by his sudden seriousness. "That's why Dr. Foster wanted to question me. I thought you already knew."
Aamon and Zeth exchanged a look Jade could not quite decipher.
Aamon exhaled. "Looks like the first prince has arrived."
Jade's brows knit. "Prince?"
"I don't think you need every detail," Aamon said, tone measured. "Zeth and I are here to locate a few demon princes. I didn't expect one to surface this early."
Zeth's expression tightened with genuine concern. "We need to handle this. And we need to make sure this facility forgets we were ever here."
His gaze flicked to Jade. "And keep her off their radar."
Aamon nodded once. "They'll come back to question her soon. That makes it urgent."
"What are you going to do this time?" Jade was starting to feel nauseous from how quickly things kept changing. One moment she was crying, the next her life was in danger and then suddenly she was swept away to safety only to be trapped in danger again. The cycle made her head spin.
A coy smile touched Aamon's mouth. "Hasn't anyone ever told you curiosity killed the cat?"
Jade rolled her eyes, and responded without thinking. "And didn't anyone ever tell you, satisfaction brought it back."
Despite herself, she smiled. It was an insignificant, stupid, little thing, but it felt like a thread between them. Something soft and warm and real that she could cling to. It was evidence that a real friendship was possible here. For a moment, Jade let her eyes meet Aamon's and they shared a look that was almost intimate. It was as if for the first time since meeting, they had both finally seen each other.
Zeth scrunched his face and pointed between them. "Whatever this is, it's weird. Stop it."
Jade and Aamon laughed, and for a moment the air in the lab felt lighter. Zeth watched Aamon with a curious gaze. He'd noticed subtle changes in Aamon. He was never interested in mortals, yet here he was enjoying a borderline flirtation moment with a human woman.
Zeth shivered, not liking the implication of the moment. "So. How about that coffee?" Zeth pointed to the now cold cups of coffee sitting on the table. They had picked them up on the way back from their private meeting, forgetting about them when all the commotion happened. Now, Zeth was happy to have a reason to change the subject from the strange moment Jade and Aamon had been sharing.
Jade eyed the coffee. She hadn't even noticed the cups until now. Surely, they would be cold by now.
Almost as if he knew her thoughts, Aamon held his hands near the cups, and heat radiated out in a controlled wave. Steam curled up again as if the coffee had never been abandoned.
"Heated to perfection," he said, and handed a cup to Jade. She blinked, accepting the cup.
They moved into Jade's office for more privacy.
Aamon and Zeth began talking in low voices about what to do: how to erase memories, how to shift suspicion off Jade, how to deal with the prince who had just escaped before he chose to circle back. The words kill and wipe came up like they were routine options.
Jade listened quietly, sipping her coffee. She was letting this new reality sink in, just as she did when she had to dissect new alien species. Just as she did when she was drafting up diagrams for vehicles that were clearly not man made. Jade allowed her scientific mind to take over. Analyzing the situation rather than letting emotions take over. Zeth watched her over the rim of his cup, visibly unsettled by how calm she was.
"How come you're not more freaked out about all of this?" Zeth finally had to ask. He was too distracted by the lack of Jade's reaction to pay attention to Aamon's planning any longer.
Jade stared at Zeth like he'd asked why she wasn't going to the hospital over a paper cut. She sat her cup down on the small coffee table in the center of the room and folder her hands in her lap, giving Zeth her full attention.
"In the last twenty-four hours," she said evenly, "I was mugged. Nearly assaulted. Saved by a stranger that turned into a demon. I saved a man I thought was dead, who this lab was probably going to dissect." Her eyes flicked to Zeth. "Oh, and then he reappeared the next morning, and surprise, he's apparently a demon too."
Zeth blinked. Aamon let out a soft chuckle. He couldn't help but to be amused at how baffling Jade was. The longer she was around, the more certain he was that he'd made the right choice in allowing her to keep her memories. Jade had proven to be a great source of entertainment, however, there was also something deeply unsettling about Jade that Aamon could not yet explain away. He was determined to keep her around until he could understand it fully.
Jade looked back at Aamon. "You have no concept of personal boundaries and have harassed me at every opportunity for the sake of research. That alone would be enough to drive a person insane." Jade paused, lifting the cup of coffee again and calmly taking another sip. "Trust me. You two are no longer capable of surprising me." Jade shrugged, suddenly feeling exhausted and wishing she'd stayed home and slept today.
"And then," Jade rubbed her temples as she replayed the moment in her mind. "I saved another one of you. A… snake-ocean-man beast thing who escaped through my incinerator. Now my name is on the investigation list and my life might be in serious danger."
Aamon's gaze sharpened at that. "So. He let you live."
Zeth stood suddenly, panic evident on his face. "We need to find him before it's too late."
Jade hesitated. "Is he a bad guy or something?"
Zeth and Aamon exchanged a look that wasn't reassuring.
"He's no worse than we are," Zeth said carefully, "but he's not friendly toward mortals."
Aamon added, almost reluctantly, "He's special."
Jade's mind snagged on the word. "Special how?"
Aamon's eyes narrowed, as if he'd already decided she didn't need the answer. Zeth, however, blurted it out like a child sharing a secret.
"He's the gate to the Dark Realm."
Jade's eyes widened. "A gatekeeper?"
Zeth shook his head quickly. "No. He is literally the gate."
Aamon cleared his thorough, causing Zeth to stiffen. "You forget yourself, Zeth." Aamon's word came out slow and deliberate. Jade however, was too busy considering other possibilities to notice.
"So, snake man is a gate, and Aamon has skin that burns," Jade mumbled to herself thoughtfully as she connected dots. "Are you also special Zeth?" Jade questioned him with a childish curiosity.
Both men gawk at her in disbelief. They had expected at some point, that Jade would fall into a ball of nerves. Become scared of them, try to run away. And yet, here she sat, perfectly sane and even trying to understand more.
Jade's confidence faltered as she realized she might have been insensitive in asking something so bluntly. "You don't have to tell me. We all have secrets." Jade added quickly.
Zeth's brows rose. "You really don't care what we are, do you?"
Jade shook her head. Her gaze slid briefly to Aamon, then back to Zeth. "I care whether you're kind and you're both kinder than any human I've had the displeasure of meeting. So no, I don't care what you are."
Aamon's jaw flexed once, a subtle clench he relaxed just as quickly. The strange internal heaviness returned.
Then, because she couldn't help herself, she pushed again. "So this prince… the gate… is he a friend too?"
"Friend isn't the word I'd use," Aamon responded after a moment of thought. "Demons don't do friendship the way mortals do."
Jade frowned. "Then why come looking for them? I mean, you came for Zeth because I told you he was captured here."
Zeth rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. Aamon answered smoothly, too quickly.
"I wasn't aware he'd been released until I ran into you. He appeared captured, but he was where he was supposed to be." Aamon held Jade's gaze until she nodded. "I wasn't coming to save a friend. I was coming to meet an associate."
Jade's shoulders sank a fraction. "That sounds… lonely."
Aamon blinked. He had expected Jade to simply nod at the explanation, but she seemed to be sympathizing with something Aamon had never considered. Loneliness was a luxury for those who had too little to do in life. Her words, however, made something shift inside Aamon he'd never felt before.
Zeth moved a little closer to Jade on the small sofa they sat on and draped his arm around her shoulders. "We're not lonely, but if it bothers you that much, then keep us company." Zeth smiled, hoping his words would bring her comfort but his skin was so cold, it made Jade shiver instantly.
"Oh! Sorry." Zeth yanked his arm back like he'd touched a hot pan.
Jade hugged herself, her teeth rattled together slightly. Aamon smirked as he raised a hand toward her and let a mild warmth bloom around her, gentle and controlled. The air heated. Jade's face warmed too, and she couldn't tell whether it was the heat or a blush.
She muttered a stiff, "Thanks."
Aamon cleared his throat. "Anytime." Aamon leaned back in the chair, letting the air between them cool again.
Jade glanced at the clock. "I still need to take the files to the museum." She rubbed her temples; she was done with today an hour before today had even started. Jade sighed, her stomach groaned. She looked up startled and her face flushed. "Must be time for lunch already." Jade mumbled awkwardly.
Aamon and Zeth were already on their feet, heading towards the exit but Aamon paused, turning back to look at Jade. The corner of his lip curved up slightly, amusement in his eyes.
"I'll bring you something when I return. It is the least I can do after all, you're starving and exhausted because of us." Aamon gave her a slight nod and was gone before she could process his words.
Jade sighed heavily, she was too tired to bother with Aamon's words. She collected her things and made her way to the museum. Luckily it was only a five-minute walk from the lab to the museum.
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"Luke?" Jade called as she entered the museum.
The building was quiet, the way museums always were. A voice answered from a back office, and Jade followed it. The artifacts here were dusted with care and positioned delicately. The man in charge of this place took great pride in his displays. His consistent detail and desire to keep everything in pristine condition was something Jade Admired about him.
Luke was bent over a microscope when she stepped in. He looked up with an easy smile that always made him seem brighter than the dim lights around him.
"Jade! Fantastic," he said warmly. "How are you, love?" Luke beamed at her, his deep blue eyes full of warmth as he approached her and wrapped her in a tight hug.
"I brought the files you wanted," Jade said, matching his cheer as she handed them over.
Luke's smile widened as he flipped through them. "This is going to be a great help." Jade toyed with the zipper on her bag, nodding almost robotically. Luke noticed immediately and his eyes narrowed on her. "Hmmmm. What's with you today?"
Jade laughed softly. "Life has been… more interesting." Jade said cautiously. Of everyone Jade knew, Luke had been the closest thing to a friendship she had though she knew he was only kind to her because she gave him access to things he otherwise wouldn't have.
Luke's hand landed lightly on her shoulder. "That's wonderful news, love. There's no better feeling than friends to be proud of."
Jade nodded. "What are you working on?" she asked, to keep the focus away from herself.
Luke brightened immediately. He loved showing off his collection, operating hours be damned. "Come, come look." Luke quickly lead Jade to the far side of the room where he had a microscope set up. He glanced into the lense, adjusted a dial and then stepped back.
"Go on, take a look. It's my prized possession."
Jade smiled and leaned over the microscope. The slide was full of tiny living organisms, faintly glowing with ember-like light. The color reminded her of Aamon's eyes. A cold chill slid down her spine. She straightened too quickly and forced her expression back into polite interest.
"Oh. Those are… interesting."
Luke's brows lifted, faintly offended. "Interesting doesn't even begin to explain this. I've had this piece for years, it's very precious."
Luke smiles proudly, but his expression quickly changes to worry when he sees Jade's face. "What's the matter, my dear Jade?"
"Oh, I'm just thinking, trying to figure out what that stuff is." She tries to brush off the question.
His smile didn't reach his eyes now. "Not a what," he added softly, "but a who."
Jade's stomach tightened. His statement made her uncomfortable. She knew it had to have something to do with Aamon and she needed to tell him.
"I wasn't expecting living organisms," she said carefully. "After reviewing those notes, I thought you'd found a new artifact." Jade tried to keep her voice friendly.
Luke lifted a finger to his lips and leaned closer, his gaze intent. "Shush. This is a special prize, just for me." His voice turned silky, persuasive. "You mustn't tell a soul about this. Understand?"
Jade took a small step back and blinked at him. Something about the moment felt wrong. Too close. Too heavy. Luke stared at her, then blinked, confusion flickering across his face.
"Jade?" he asked, like his own words had failed him.
She laughed nervously. "Sorry. Long day. I'm tired."
Luke recovered, but his eyes stayed narrowed. "You won't tell anyone," he said slower this time. "This will be our little secret."
Jade smiled. "I won't tell another human soul about it."
Luke's expression tightened, puzzled by the specificity.
"Right…" he murmured, thinking.
Jade backed toward the door. "I hate to cut it short, Luke, but I really am exhausted. I should head home."
"Of course," Luke said brightly, the cheer snapping back into place too fast. "Let me drive you."
"No, no. Thank you," Jade said quickly. "I have to go back to the office for a few things first. I don't want to bother you."
She was already halfway out the door before he could insist. Luke waved with a smile, but the moment she disappeared his face went flat.
"She sure is an interesting one." he said to the empty room.