This re-editing a chapter because this scene didn’t feel right, but wanted to post it as a little teaser for what’s to come even though my OC is being replaced with someone else.
"That might be a problem" Both angels turned to see the demon that helped Aziraphale and Erik in Hell lounging in Crowley's chosen chair. Her tail swung back and forth lazily and her cheek rested on her top of her knuckles.
"Hajila/Rinaj?!" The angels yelled, but looked at each other confused when they said different names.
"I don't mind being called either. After all, what being doesn't have multiple names nowadays? Crowley certainly sparked many ideas in the humans. Keeps some of us safe from summonings if the humans don't know our REAL names"
"How did you get in here?" Aziraphale questioned, his guard completely up. He looked at Benjeem for his next question. "And how do you know them?"
"It's a long story" Benjeem replied sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"And I was granted entry during the whole bookshop attack a few years back" Hajila-Rinaj- the cat demon answered with a pleased smile.
"Why are you here, Rinaj?" Benjeem calmly asked, his shoulders tensed up, but Aziraphale knew it was only an act to be on guard. His tone betrayed his false body language. The cat demon, Rinaj, stretched out across both arms of the chair, her joints popping loudly. Aziraphale's mouth opened to scold her, but stopped once he saw what was dangling from her black claws. A seven-knotted red bracelet intertwined with his own white feather.
"Where did you get that?" The angel asked, his chest tight and hot once again. He could feel his insides turning anxiously. One of her eyes popped open, staring straight at Him.
"It was outside that car Crowley loves so much. I was sent to check on him, but he wasn't there. Barbatos is Downstairs trying to figure out where he is."
"I could fill you in on more of the details, but from the looks of Benji, I think we should move this conversation elsewhere." Rinaj swung her legs up and hopped out of the chair, strolling passed him and to the doors. "Well, you coming?"
Aziraphale looked at Benjeem and, just as she said, he was practically bouncing in place with anxiety. "Don't worry, dear boy, go back Upstairs and don't say a word to anyone!"
"Be careful, Aziraphale." Aziraphale nodded and followed after Rinaj. He nearly cried at the sight of the Bentley outside his bookshop.
"Oh, so now you come?" Rinaj cried in annoyance. Aziraphale quickly hopped into the driverseat, his hands smoothing over her steering wheel. She purred and rumbled in greeting.
"Hello to you too, my dear." Rinaj jumped in (much to the Bentley's dismay) and turned to him.
"We need to get going. I'll fill you in on the way."
"Right, let's go, my dear!" And with that, they were off at 20 mph.
"Aziraphale, not to be that f-demon, but we really should go faster than this!"
"I'm already going over the speed limit, we're not going over anymore than that! Besides, this traffic is absolutely atrocious!" The Bentley rumbled in agreement. Vehicles were slowly moving forward, honking at each other and narrowly missing the potholes and deep crevices now in the road. Rinaj groaned.
"Alright, fine! At least we're far enough from the bookshop. Demons Downstairs are already preparing for Judgement to happen and the War to begin. Grand Duke Astaroth hasn't gotten ready yet, which is typical of him, but he was waiting for Crowley and Barbatos was worried that once he felt Crowley's energy, he would be called upon.”
"What does the duke want him for?"
"You own a bookshop and were a part of the War, how do you not know?!"
"I try not to remember those days and I haven't read up on demonology! Not the unimportant stuff, anyway. Do you know how that would look to other angels to see one of their own reading about demons?! What would they think?"
"You weren't curious enough even after you both left?"
"Well..." Aziraphale was not going to admit that he was also scared to read up on that stuff. Humans had a way of depicting them as more terrifying than they actually were sometimes.
"Crowley is to be the viper by his side!"
"But Crowley isn't a viper"
"That doesn't matter to him! Now that he has Crowley, he'll force him to become a serpent and ride him into the final battle!" The Bentley's speed picked up, Aziraphale's fury rose the more he listened. He didn't know what he was going to do, but he knew that he had to save Crowley no matter the cost.
"What's going to happen to him for now? The battle won't start for a while yet."
"I don't know." Rinaj looked down at her lap, her legs bouncing as she fought to lift them and hug them in her seat. "But I was told to stay with you until it's time."
"Don't thank me" Aziraphale gave her a soft smile. The rejection brought back fond memories which fueled his wrath even more. He will find Crowley and he will rescue him no matter what, and this time, they will get through this together.
