#mezna

It was nearing 2 am by the time Mezuma finally exited the building. She looked slightly wobbly on her heels and shivered a bit at the cold air.

“You’re actually here.” he said as soon as she noticed Nona.

“I said I would be.”

“I woulda left if someone made me wait an hour out in this weather.”

“I don’t get cold.”

“What the leather jacket is for appearances then?”

“Although I don’t particularly care, I was informed by my partner I look good in them.”

“Your partner ain’t wrong.” Mezuma smiled and readjusted her purse over her shoulder. “C’mon, my feet hurt and I’m exhausted.” Mezuma hooked her arm into Nona’s like she’s been done this a hundred times before and Nona was comfortable letting her do it. “What’s your partner like?”

“Annoyingly charming and painfully witty.”

“Sounds awful.” Mezuma teased.

“I don’t mind him that much.. I would just never tell him that.”

“He gotta big head on him?”

“His ego outshines my reputation.”

“Sounds like my ex.”

“Kozic is a bad demon.. Mikla makes unintelligent decisions sometimes. They are nothing alike, I assure you.” Nona stopped them both at a crosswalk, cars zipped quickly by, and she patted her hand on Mezuma’s. “Don’t concern yourself with Kozic anymore.”

“He’s out there walking around who knows where, of course I’m going to be concerned.”

“He wont touch you. Not while I’m around.”

“You plannin’ on bein’ around me a lot, Nona?”

“I want to.” Nona smiled, it was always this soft and secret looking smile that made Mezuma melt every time she’s seen it. “If I’m allowed to..”

“Is my constant flirting not giving you any hints? You’re allowed to.. you’re more than allowed to.”

“It’s... complicated.” Once the cars had stopped, Nona guided Mezuma across the street and they continued their walk.

“You ain’t allowed to have a social life? That doesn’t seem fair.”

“I have my own freedom and what I do with it is my choice. I do... plenty of.. socializing.”

“What’s so different with me that I can’t be included in your ‘socializing’?”

“It’s because you’re different.” Nona sighed, her breath curling around her like smoke from the cold wind. “Most of my socializing only last one night.. but.. I am.. intrigued so much so by you that.. I wouldn’t want that with you.”

“You sayin’ you wanna court me?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Well, un-complicate it.” Mezuma unhooked her arm from Nona’s and grabbed her coat to keep it closed from the biting cold air. “I told ya before, I don’t like wastin’ my time on people who ain’t worth it.”

“It’s difficult to explain.”

“I got time.” Mezuma walked ahead of Nona, up to a shady looking apartment building and pulled out her key to unlock the door. “Come upstairs.”

“We can talk when you’re not exhausted.”

“Fine. But... come upstairs and check my apartment.”

“He’s not there.” Nona stepped into Mezuma’s space and gently cupped her elbow. “I can’t hear anything out of the ordinary.”

“Of course you can’t.” Mezuma huffed, clearly annoyed, and threw her keys into her purse.

“Tomorrow.” Nona said before Mezuma closed the door on her. “I can walk you home tomorrow.. and we can talk then.”

“You promise?”

“I’m not someone that lies, Mezuma.”

“Okay... But I’m gonna be pissed if you ain’t at the club waitin’ for me.”

“I’ll be there.”

“If you’re lying’ to me and you ain’t there tomorrow night, don’t bother coming to see me again. This whole aloof flirtin’ thing you’re doing ain’t really fun for me.”

“That’s.. fair.”

“Okay.” Mezuma looked back at Nona, feeling a knot in her stomach looking at the other woman.

“I will be there.” Nona promised. She gave Mezuma one last smile before going down the walkway onto the sidewalk. Mezuma kept watching her until she turned the corner out of her sight.

~~~

As promised, Nona was waiting patiently outside Club Crimson. She arrived at 1 am so she hadn’t gone into the club, thinking Mezuma would be hopefully coming out soon and they could walk to her place together. But her phone going off in her pocket would change her plans for the evening.

“Nana Banas, how’s my favorite other worldly assassin doin’?”

“What is it Mikla, I’m a little busy.”

“Uncle O business?”

“Personal.”

“I didn’ know you had personal business. Well uhh, is it hugely important business? Cause I could kinda use your assistance right now..”

“What’s going on?” Nona was already running off down the sidewalk because in the past 2 years, Mikla has never called her asking for help last minute like this unless he was in actual danger.

“Alright well, there I was, havin’ a grand ol’ time, catchin’ up wifh the boys. Some big bloke invites us into the owners private room, I’m thinkin’ he wants to party with us, get on my good side, all that jazz. Turns out he’s got beef with me bein’ here and the private room is actually an ambush.”

“Mikla, what did you do.”

“Oi, it’s not my fault his daughter’s a two timer that can’t handle being called out for her shitty behavior and being dumped in the same day. I’m valid in my decision. She just got pissy and had her dear old daddy handle her business.”

“I’m gonna kill you.”

“Yeah, yeah. Save me first, then you can kill me.” Nona could hear gunshots from Mikla’s end and picked up the pace. “You mind hurryin’ it up a bit, love?”

“You still have the card I gave you?”

“Yeah, course. What do I do wifh it again?”

“Call me with it.”

“What, like, hold it up to my face like a phone and say ‘Nona’?” 

A swirl of black smoke appeared next to Mikla, it startled him so much he nearly dropped his phone as he jumped away from it. Nona was crouched down next to him, still holding her phone, when the smoke cleared.

“Fancy seein’ you here.” Mikla greeted, shoving his phone into his pocket.

“How many are there?” 

“’bout a dozen last I saw.”

“You take six, I’ll take six then.” Nona pressed her index finger and middle finger to the moon carved on her forehead. The moon itself started to peel away from her skin and erupted into a black smoke as it floated a few inches from the top of her head. She reached into the smoke, her hand disappearing within it. From the moon symbol, she pulled a black bladed knife, then a small smoky hand gun.

“One of those wouldn’ happen to be for me would it?”

“The knife, if you want.”

“Cheers.” he caught the knife when Nona tossed it to him and followed her out of their hiding spot.

~~~

Back at Club Crimson, Mezuma was lingering around the bar, thinking Nona would be meeting her inside the club. At 1:15, she considered maybe Nona was waiting for her outside. So she gathered her things and made her way out.

Upon not seeing anyone outside, Mezuma felt angry and bitter tears threatening to fall. But she just kept telling herself it wasn’t worth it and instead started walking home.

It felt like it took forever to get home. Her feet hurt and her back ached. And all she wanted to do at this point was lay down in her bed, maybe cry a little bit, and eat the rest of her chocolate she had stowed away for emergencies.

“Wasn’t worth it anyway.” Mezuma said to herself as she entered her apartment. “Sure she was gorgeous and her dumb fuckin’ smile made you want to turn into a puddle of goo, but it ain’t worth feelin’ like this.” she kicked off her shoes, hung up her coat, and dropped her purse on her bed.

After a quick shower and putting on her pajama shirt and shorts, Mezuma walked back out to go to her kitchen and grab herself a glass of water.

“Hey, Mez.”

The familiar and sudden voice made Mezuma drop her glass onto the ground. It shattered and she spun around to find Kozic sitting on the couch in her living room.

~~~

Even though they were out numbered, Nona and Mikla had no trouble fighting their way through these goons. They didn’t take any lives, but certainly left a lot of demons with some serious injuries. It ended when Mikla finally got to the club owner and threatened his life for trying to attack Mikla. Apologies were given once the demon realized who Mikla was.

“Nans, I owe you one big time.” Mikla handed the knife back to her and reached into his pocket for his cigarette case. “So what was this personal business I so rudely interrupted?”

“It’s... nothing now. I’m too late.”

“What you got a date or somethin’?”

“It doesn’t matter now. ” Nona put both the gun and the knife back into the symbol above her head, and it receded back onto her forehead. “She wont want to see me now.”

“Wait you serious?” Mikla stopped her from walking and made her face him. “You seriously had a date? I ain’t never seen you date before, Nona. You exclusively have one nighters. Is this why you’ve been disappearing the past couple o’ nights?”

“I said it doesn’t matter.” Nona shoved past him. “I had to leave to help you. How am I suppose to be with someone if what I do keeps pulling me away from everything.”

“Nan I’m so sorry.” Mikla jogged to keep up with her fast stride. “She’d probably understand if ya explained things to her!”

“This wont be the only time this happens, Mikla. I’ll keep getting pulled away to do this. It’s not.. fair to bring someone into a life like this.”

“You wont know unless you say somethin’ to her. You can’t just assume you’ll know what people want, Nona. You of all people should know in the freedom of someone’s choice.”

“What if she gets hurt.” Nona stopped and turned to stare sadly at him. “Being around me.. is dangerous. She doesn’t deserve that.”

“I think you should at least give her a chance to make that choice, Nan.. it’s only fair.” Mikla pulled a lighter out of his coat pocket, lit up his cig, and took a deep drag. “How long you known this lass? Cause you got it real bad already, love.”

“Not long.” Nona rubbed her forehead and sighed. “It’s too late anyway.”

“Nah, it’s never too late. I bet she’d still be pleased as punch to see you when you explain everythin’ to her.” Mikla searched around in his pockets and tossed Nona a set of keys. “Take my bike, it’s down the block, tell me how it goes tomorrow.” he gave her a two finger salute and jogged back to the club.

~~~

“K-kozic!? You.. you can’t be here..”

“I ain’t allowed to see my best girl anymore.” Kozic rose from the couch just as Mezuma started to slowly make her way to her bedroom. “I missed you baby.”

“You’re gonna be sorry if you don’t leave now.” Mezuma ducked when Kozic rushed at her and she scrambled to get into her room. But Kozic was quick and managed to get an arm around her neck. Gasping, Mezuma stomped her heel down on his foot and used his moment of weakness to slam the back of her head into his face. He let go, holding his broken nose, and Mezuma dove into her room, kicking the door shut behind her.

“Mez!!” Kozic slammed on the door to open it but Mezuma had already locked it. Panicking, Mezuma shoved her shaky hands into her purse and dug out her small hand gun to protect herself with. Looking through her bag, she cursed at herself for putting her phone into her coat, which was hanging by the door, but her hand brushed along the sleek black card Nona had given her.

“What the fuck am I suppose to do with a dumb blank card!” She crumbled up the card in her fist and screamed when she heard Kozic banging against the door.

“Mez! You let me in right now or you’re gonna be in big trouble!”

“Go away!!” she climbed over her bed and curled up in the gap between her bed and the wall.

“You listen to me right now, Mez!”

“I said go away!!” Mezuma was sobbing and holding the card so tightly in her fist it was starting to hurt. “Stupid card. You’re so full of shit, Nona!!”

“Mez, there’s only one way out!” The bashing against the door stopped for a moment. Mezume was so terrified of what he could possible be doing on the other side of the door. After the silence, there was a very loud thud against the wall along with yelling and more thudding noises. The silence that followed everything was deafening and Mezuma covered her mouth to quiet herself so she could hear what would happen next.

“Mezuma..” A soft knock on the door made Mezuma start crying again. “Mezuma, it’s me Nona. You’re safe now. Please..”

Mezume had never felt the relief she felt when she finally got up, unlocked her door, and saw Nona standing there. She didn’t even hesitate to fall into Nona’s arms and start bawling. In return, Nona wrapped her arms tightly around the smaller woman and held her as close as possible.

“I know. I’m sorry. This is my fault.”

“You’re here.” Mezuma said between sobs. “I thought.. I thought I was gonna die. B-but.. you’re here.”

“Yeah, I’m here.” Nona slowly shuffled them back into Mezuma’s room and shut the door behind them.

“Is he.. is he still here?”

“Yes, but I’m having some of my associates come and get him. They will deal with him. He’s lucky... I wanted to kill him..”

“Please don’t.. not here.. I..”

“I know, it’s okay.” Nona ran a hand soothingly along Mezuma’s back while she continued to cry. “I can stay here tonight..”

“No.” Mezuma pushed herself off of Nona and rubbed her shaky hands over her face. “I don’t want to be here. I-i can’t be here. I have to be somewhere else.”

“Okay okay.” Nona gently took Mezuma’s face in both her hands. “Go pack a bag. I’ll take you to my place.. if that’s okay.”

“Yeah... yeah.. okay.” Mezuma took a deep shaky breath and began searching for things to throw into her purse for the night. Nona stood by the door, waiting patiently for her to finish packing. When she finished, Nona took the purse from her and guided her out of her room. Nona purposely steered her to avoid going near or even looking at the living room and Mezuma didn’t want to know why she wasn’t allowed to look. She just very quickly put on her coat and slipped on her shoes.

~~~

They arrived at Nona’s apartment after a 20 minute motorcycle ride. Mezuma was cold and exhausted from this evening’s events. She barely had time to register that the apartment building Nona was staying at was in the nicer part of Unerverse.

One elevator ride later, Nona was gently pushing Mezuma into her apartment. It was a small but nice apartment. The kitchen was right when you walked in and there was a wall stopping half way through the room that separated it from the bedroom. There was such minimal furniture and decorations.. it looked like Nona had just moved in.

“Do you.. need to shower?”

“I showered already.” Mezuma kicked her shoes off by the door and tossed her coat onto one of the chairs by the kitchen table. “I could use a drink, if you’re offering.”

“Sure.” Nona searched around for a glass, then searched around for the bottle of vodka Mikla gave her months ago for some strange reason. She filled the glass half way and handed it to Mezuma who was sitting on her bed, staring blankly at the wall.

“Thanks.” Mezuma drank half of it easily and grimaced at the taste of it. Nona dragged one of the chairs from the kitchen to sit across from Mezuma. “Where were you..” Mezuma finally asked, after a few moments of silence.

“Mikla needed my help. I was there and.. I should’ve went looking for you and said something but.. It was an emergency- he...” Nona rubbed her hands over her face and leaned forward to rest her elbows on her knees. “There’s no excuse. I’m.. sorry.”

“That sucked. A lot. And on top of that, my psychopath ex decided to pay me a visit.” Mezuma spat bitterly. “I don’t deserve to be treated like this. And you need to decide what you want cause I’m getting really tired of all this shit.”

“I want.. you to be safe. And if you’re with me.. People are in danger when they’re around me. What I do.. isn’t exactly an easy profession. I could get called away at any point during the day, just like I was tonight. I have enemies. Anyone mad at me.. they’ll find out who you are and.. they could hurt you.”

“I don’t know if you were 100 percent paying attention.. but you just got into it with my ex. And even before I met him, my life was plenty dangerous before you showed up.”

“This danger isn’t moronic exes with power complexes. It’s demons who have an arsenal of weapons and people that do whatever they want to whomever they want, just because they can.”

“I almost got killed tonight.. by my moronic ex. But I didn’t. Because you were there to protect me, Nona. And I think with you being around me a lot, you’re gonna be protecting me A LOT.” Mezuma sipped her drink and made another face. “And jobs pull all kind of stupid shit all the time. I get called into the club at weird hours. The shitty thing would be not tellin’ me you got called, like you did tonight.”

“I know.. I’m sorry.” Nona sighed and hung her head. “I’m not good at.. this.”

“Yeah that’s pretty obvious.” Mezuma set her glass on the floor. “See, communication issues was one of the hundreds of reasons I dumped Kozic. He’d do stupid shit and disappear all the time without tellin’ me a damn thing.”

“I don’t want to be compared to him.”

“Then talk to me. It ain’t hard, Nona, we’re doin’ it right now.”

“I just... I don’t want to force you into anything.. that you didn’t agree to.”

“No one’s forcing anyone to do anything. I had some idea of who you are and what you do when I saw you last night at the club. If I didn’t want to get involved in this, I wouldn’t have sat across from you in that booth. And I know for a fact you could’ve made me go away that night but you didn’t.”

“No, I suppose I didn’t.” Nona sighed again and cracked her knuckles. “Why did you sit across from me?”

“Mostly I wanted to thank you.” Mezume crossed her legs up on the bed and rested her elbows on her knees. “The first time you saved me, I was so convinced that you were going to kill me because of Kozic. But.. you looked at me, like you cared for me. And I ain’t never had anyone look at me like that ever. And I just kept thinkin’ back to all those stories I’ve heard of you and everything was outweighed by that look you gave me. I wasn’t afraid of you.”

“I think that’s why I didn’t make you leave.” Nona carefully reached a hand out to Mezuma, allowing her to move away if she wanted, but when she was met with no resistance, Nona gently took the pink demon’s hand in hers. “I have.. a.. sense I can feel from demons. I don’t know exactly what it is. I can’t read minds but I can sense things.. emotions, actions, energies. Even the demons I’m hired to protect look at me with fear. Last night.. you were the first to look at me and not have an ounce of fear in you.”

“I’m afraid of heights and rats. But I ain’t afraid of you.” Mezuma smiled and took Nona’s hands with both of hers. “That scares you doesn’t it? That I’m not afraid of you?”

“A lot of things involving you scare me.” Nona answered quietly. “I’m afraid of how different I feel around you. Of how much I’m drawn to you after knowing you for barely two days. How ready I was to take the life of someone for you. And, yes, how much you’re not afraid of me. I make a career out of people being afraid of me, you know.”

“I wont tell anyone.” Mezuma winked and chuckled softly. “I made my decision last night when it was obvious you were interested in me. I.. have a better understanding of the risks that come with being around you.. and it still hasn’t really changed my mind. Cause I can usually handle myself. I did break Kozic’s nose, after all.”

“You did. I was impressed.”

“I’m just sayin’.. I can do a decent job of handling my own troubles. I don’t want you picking me up every time I fall. I’ve survived this long on my own. And I’ll continue doing well enough on my own.”

“But I can take care of you..”

“How about we take care of each other?” Mezume squeezed Nona’s hands. “We’ll take this slow. Feel each other out. Continue doing what we do every day, just, yanno, keepin’ communication open. Starting with maybe givin’ me your damn phone number?”

“Yes.” Nona cleared her throat. “I had thought of that after I left. Having each other’s numbers would’ve made this a lot easier.”

“Exactly.” Mezuma smiled and started swinging their hands a little bit. “So.. I’m on board if you are?”

“I... yes. I want.. this.”

“Great!” Mezume tugged on Nona’s arms to help her off the bed before she climbed onto the other woman’s lap, straddling her legs.

“Mezuma.” Nona warned, even as Mezuma was lifting up her hands to put them on around her waist. “Please, you went through a lot this evening, you must be exhausted.”

“What, I’m not allowed to sit on your lap?”

“Not when I know where it’s going.”

“I’m just sitting on your lap, Nona.”

“I want to take you out before.. anything happens.”

“Wow, you really wanna date me then. That’s adorable.”

“I’m not adorable.” Nona stood from the chair, easily lifting up the other woman in her arms. Mezuma squeaked and wrapped her limbs around Nona as she was carried over to the bed. When Nona gently laid them both onto the bed, Mezuma felt the exhaustion hit her like a truck and she wanted nothing more than to sleep now

“Don’t go.” Mezuma whined pathetically when Nona made any sort of movement to separate herself from her.

“Okay.” Nona shifted a bit and made herself comfortable while Mezuma tightened her hold. “I wont.” she ran her fingers through the pink demon’s hair and exhaled softly. “I’m here.”

“‘dorable..” Was the last thing Mezuma mumbled before finally falling asleep. Nona smiled softly, running her thumb over Mezuma’s cheek, before leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss the same cheek.

~~~

Mezume was so comfortable laying in Nona’s bed that she debated for a very long time if it was worth it to get up or not. Her curiosity to where Nona was won out in her debate and she quietly crawled out of bed.

Nona was on the other side of the half wall in the kitchen, making what smelled like eggs and toast. It took Mezuma a second to realize that Nona was wearing normal clothes. No leather jacket or black jeans with harsh, heavy boots. She was wearing grey joggers and a plain white shirt. But it wasn’t the casual clothes that caught Mezuma’s attention, even tho she found Nona adorable in them, it was looking up at Nona’s head and realizing her long horns were suddenly two small nubs.

“What happened to your horns?” she asked loudly with a lot of concern.

“Hm?” Nona glanced over her shoulder at Mezuma, distracted for a moment by how sleepy she looked, and reached up to touch a hand to her little horn nubs. “Oh.” And just like that, they grew back to their normal height. “Sorry.. it’s hard to sleep when they’re longer.”

“You can make them smaller?”

“I’m not sure what it is about me.. but I can change certain aspects of my physical appearance. Nothing extreme. I can give myself sharper teeth or more eyes.”

“Really? Let me see.” Nona chuckled at Mezuma’s excitement and bared her suddenly too sharp teeth at her. She carefully cupped Nona’s face and pressed one of her thumbs to her teeth. “Why only these things you can change?”

“We’re not sure.” Nona took both of Mezuma’s hands and removed them from her face so she could shift her teeth back. “I’ve tried changing other things about myself, my height, my face, but it’s specifically those three things.”

“What about these?” Mezuma reached a hand up to Nona’s neck, brushing her fingers along the strange red line that went around her throat.

“I don’t know.” Nona turned off the stove and reached up to touch them herself. “I’ve always had these. They’re not just on my neck.” she tugged her shirt collar down to expose more of her neck and collar bone. The same red marks traveled down the center of her body in different sized circles.

“Are they scars?” she sat at the table and accepted the plate of eggs and toast when Nona handed it to her.

“I’m not sure.” Nona rubbed her hand along her neck and rolled her shoulder. “They somewhat imply that I was beheaded.. I think I would remember something like that.”

“I don’t think you’d survive from something like that. Even powerful demons wouldn’t survive a beheading.”

“I’ve never scarred before either. They could just be marks.” Nona picked up her own plate and sat at the table across from Mezuma. “How did you sleep?”

“Your bed is a dream. I didn’t want to leave it.”

“Well, you’re welcome any time to use it.”

“Don’t make that offer, I’ll never want to leave this place.”

“I’m not entirely against that.”

“So forward, Nona.” Mezuma teased. “And so soon, what will everyone think? We haven’t even properly dated yet.”

“You climbed into my lap last night.”

“I’ll admit, I blame most of that on the vodka, but have you seen yourself? If that demon the other night wasn’t gonna pay for that dance, I would’ve danced for you for free.”

“Mezume you can’t say things like that.” Nona groaned and rubbed her hands on her face.

“Aw why? You gettin’ all bashful now? Big ol’ bad demon from the Wastelands gettin’ flustered cause of lil’ ol’ me?” Mezuma abandoned her half finished plate, went over to Nona’s side of the table, and plopped herself down in the green haired demon’s lap.

“Mezuma.”

“You wanted to say yes didn’t you? When that demon offered to buy ya a dance from me. You know, you shouldn’t start off a relationship on a lie, Nona.”

“I.. I wanted to say yes.” Nona leaned back in her seat, making their faces much more closer to each other. “I did.. but it was-”

“Complicated, I know that now. You didn’t want a fling, you wanted to date me then mate me.”

“That’s-” Nona snorted and tried desperately not to laugh. “That’s awful, don’t ever say that again.” Mezuma smiled and wondered how many other demons got to see Nona like this and she felt incredibly lucky for once in her life.

“You should kiss me.” Nona’s laughter faded away and was replaced with a small smile. She brought her hands up to gently hold Mezuma’s face, leaning up, she finally pressed their lips together. Mezuma sighed, draped her arms around Nona’s shoulders, pressing as close she could get to the other woman and kissed back. It didn’t last long enough to Mezuma’s liking because she whined the second Nona pulled away from her.

“I would like to take you out to tonight. After work... please.”

“We could get cheap burgers and eat outside for all I care. I ain’t a fancy lady.”

“We wouldn’t go somewhere terribly fancy. I.. would like to take you somewhere nice. On a proper date.”

“Fine, you’ve convinced me.” Mezume replied with an over-exaggerated sigh. “I get off at midnight tonight. For Hell’s sake you better give me your number, Nona.”

“I will when I can get up.”

“Go ahead, nothing’s stopping you.”

“You in my lap is what’s stopping me.”

“You carried me to bed last night.”

“You’re the one who said you didn’t need me to pick you up every time you fell.” Nona said with a smirk.

“Oooh, she’s a sassy one.” Mezuma squeaked again when Nona lifted her up, bridle style, got up from her seat, and set the smaller woman on it. “You should know that’s a turn on of mine.”

“Behave.” Nona warned. She disappeared for a moment around the other side of the half wall and came back with her phone in her hand. “I can take you home before you go to work.”

“I have.. clothes at work.” 

“There’s nothing to be afraid of. He’s not there anymore and my associates cleaned your apartment for you.” She knelt down next to Mezuma and handed her the phone. “You still have the card I gave you?”

“Yes, but I still don’t understand how the damn thing worked.”

“It’s a summoning card. You hold it and say my name, I can be summoned to you from anywhere. I’ve only given one to 2 other people.”

“I’m guessin’ Big Bad and your partner.”

“Correct.” Nona smiled. “Only use it in emergencies.”

“What qualifies an emergency?”

“Life threatening situations.”

Just as Mezuma finished typing her number into Nona’s phone, it started to ring and flashed Mikla’s name and a photo of him crouched on the ground with his hands clasped in front of him.

“Oh my Gods, is this Mikla?” Mezuma asked with such joy in her voice.

“He insisted I take that photo of him.” Nona responded with annoyance in her voice and snatched the phone away.

“Oh, I love him already.”

“You two will not meet, I will make sure of that.” Nona pressed her phone to her ear. “What did you do now, Mikla.”

“Oi, I didn’ do nothin’. I was just checkin’ in to see how last night went with your lady friend.”

“This is not a subject I wish to discuss with you.”

“So it went well, eh?”

“Mikla.”

“I don’ mean it like that. I’m genuinely curious to see how it went. Last night was a different side to you I havn’ seen before and believe it or not I care about your well bein’ so I’m just makin’ sure everythin’s alright, Nona.”

“It went... fine.” she watched Mezuma watching her while she ate.

“She must mean a fuckin’ lot to ya to have ya that strung out like that, Nans. I ain’t never seen you so flustered.”

“Mikla.”

“I’m ain’t sayin’ it to be malicious or nothin’, I promise. You’d be the last person I’d wanna piss off, Nans.”

“I appreciate the sentiment.”

“Don’ get all mushy on me now, Nona, I need your assistance with a meeting I’m going to today with a couple of potential new clients.”

“How long will it take?”

“Not long, couple hours. Why? Got plans this evening?”

“Yes.. if you must know.”

“I told ya she’d be pleased as punch to see ya. We can easily wrap this up around 9 or 10, you have my word, Nans.”

“I’ll bring your bike back.” Nona hung up the phone before Mikla could even say goodbye and placed it on the table.

“Work stuff?”

“New clients.” Nona quickly ate a couple bites of her meal. “I am to accompany Mikla to a meeting and basically stand there and look intimidating.”

“Interesting how similar our jobs are. You make a livin’ standin’ around looking deadly, and I make a livin’ standin’ around and looking gorgeous.”

“You’re not wrong.” Nona chuckled. “I’ve been given his word it wont interfere with our date.”

“If it does, you’ll call me?”

“If it does, I will call you.”

“You promise?”

Now that just won’t do. Oserious has been making weapons for decades. He’s always had a hand in distributing them out to the right paying consumers. There’s never been a middle man and there never will be.

It didn’t take long for Oserious to find out where these demons were hiding. It pays to have eyes and ears everywhere.

He would go to deal with the problem himself, but Oserious had a prior engagement. A meeting with some associates he cannot postpone. And if nothing was done with these scoundrels tonight, the could potentially move their base of operation. So time was of the essence.

Inside an old apartment building, several of the gang members were scrambling to box every weapon they had spread out among the apartment. Two of them were keeping an eye on the exits and one of them was standing watch by windows facing the dark street.

Closed off in a room in the back of the building, the leader of this unorganized group, Kozic, was dealing with his own problems: his ex.

“I hope you eat a fat one, Kozic.” Spat a pink hair, short horned demon. “You and your idiot gang would be the only mooks to think they could get away with some shit like this.”

“Mez, I was doin’ it for us! How else am i gonna keep buyin’ ya pretty things!”

“There ain’t no ‘us’! I broke up with you a week ago and you went nutso and kidnapped me!!” To emphasize her point, she yanked at the handcuffs around her wrists, keeping her hunched over the bed she was chained to.

“Mez, it was for your own good! You made a mistake, but I’m willin’ ta forgive ya tryin’ to dump me. I know you weren’t in your right mindset.”

“I wasn’t in my right mind?!” She yanked on the handcuffs again, wanting desperately to have her hands free so she could sock Kozic in the face. “You’re the one kidnappin’ people and stealin’ guns from Big Bad!! You’ve never had a decent thought in that black hole you call a brain in your entire life!! You heard the stories! And I hope they’re true! Cause Big Bad’s gonna send Her after you and your idiotic gang!”

Kozic rushed at Mezuma with such sudden movement, she barely had time to register before his hand was around her throat, stilling her movements.

“Shut it.” Kozic squeezed until Mezuma was wheezing in his grip. “Or I’ll shut ya up myself, Mezuma.”

“Eat.. shit.” Mezuma managed to rasp out. Kozic released his fist, causing Mezuma to collapse onto the floor. She gulped in breaths as she tried sitting up, but Kozic brought his hand hard across her face and she slammed into the side of the bed.

“Babe I warned ya...” Kozic knelt down next to her, grabbing her face again. “That mouths gonna getcha in a lotta trouble if ya ain’t too careful. I keep tellin’ ya: a mouth like that is only good for one thing.”

“Kozic!!” One of the watchers was pounding on the other side of the door, ripping Kozic’s attention away from Mezuma for a moment. “We got company.”

Kozic stood up and went over to the table in the corner of the room to grab his gun. “I ain’t done with you.” He looked over to Mezuma as he loaded the gun. “As soon as this mess is sorted, I want a nice apology.”

A crash brought both their attention to the door. After a beat of silence, there was a disembodied groan and a silent thud. Kozic clicked the safety off his gun, quietly opened the door, and disappeared into the hallway.

Mezuma sat curled up in a panic. The side of her face her like hell and she had nothing to arm herself with. Kozic took everything off her person she could use as a weapon or to escape with, leaving her only in her shirt and shorts. Hell, she’d probably be able to free herself if she had a bobby pin but the bastard was smart enough to get rid of those as well.

Every moment felt like agony. The Big Bad wasn’t merciful with his enemies. Mezuma had heard the stories. How he found Her wondering around the Wastelands, feral and dangerous, like she was born to fight. He was the only demon who got close enough to tame her. And now she’s his faithful guard dog. Mezuma was starting to think her life was in danger just being associated with Kozic and his gang. She blinked back bitter tears and cursed the day she ever met Kozic.

There was a creak in the hall. Slow and steady foot steps growing louder as they approached the door. Mezuma ducked behind the bed as much as she could, but the handcuffs made it difficult to hid without having to twist her body uncomfortably. The door squeaked open. Tears were rolling down her face, but she held her breath to stay silent for as long as she could.

It felt like years past before she heard any sort of movement. But the moment she felt hands touch hers, Mezuma started sobbing.

“It’s okay.”

Mezuma had heard the stories. The wondering demon, No Name. Stories among younglings were, if you said her name enough, she’d appear and rip your horns off. Just stories kids told each other to scare themselves. But it was convincing enough that not a single person, adult or child, dared to whisper her name. Some stories say, No Name was so terrifying that looking at her banished you to the Wastelands. That her very presence scared the Gods themselves.

But that’s not what Mezuma saw when she looked up. Instead, she saw a woman. A woman covered in freckles. With long green hair and 2 black horns. The only oddity about her was an upside down crescent moon that looks like it was carved into her forehead. But.. Mezuma looked up at her, and saw nothing that any of the stories she had heard describe. Just a woman staring at her with such concern on her face that it made Mezume start crying again.

“You’re with them?”

Mezuma could barely speak, so she shook her head in response.

“Then I won’t hurt you.”

The woman tucked her fingers into the cuffs and easily ripped them open, freely Mezuma’s bruised wrists. Mezuma rubbed at the red, raw skin, already fading into her natural pink tint, and kept staring at this woman.

“Are you hurt?”

Mezuma didn’t respond, but she gently touched her fingers to where Kozic had hit her moments before. The other woman saw her reddened cheek and her jaw clenched.

“What’s your name?”

“Mez… Mezuma.”

“Mezuma.. I’m going to get you out of here.”

“My things…”

The woman stood and looked around the room. There wasn’t much. The bed. The table covered in guns and ammo. Kozic had left all of Mezuma’s stuff in the far corner. The woman gathered her things and brought them over to Mezuma. Her purse and fur coat were in tact, but the heels from one of her shoes was snapped off.

”Fucker.” Mezuma tossed the broken shoe against the wall before putting on the fur coat. “Is he… dead?”

“Oserious will deal with him.” The green haired woman responded ominously. “I can take you home safely.”

“Okay.”

For a moment, Mezuma thought she saw surprise on the other woman’s face. But it was only for a second.

The woman held out a hand to Mezuma and helped her stand up. There were other demons in suits packing up all the weapons in the building. Most of Kozic’s gang laid lifeless on the ground. Mezuma decided not to test her luck and stayed silent as she was escorted outside.

“Nona, you have friend?” a hulking horned demon with a heavy Russian accent greet Mezuma and her savior outside the building.

“She was handcuffed in one of the rooms.”

“Oh poor dear.” he held out a giant hand to Mezuma, which she automatically took with her own hand. “You must be so scared. Good thing, Nona was there to save you, no?”

“Jengi.” Nona interrupted. “If you could do me a small favor-”

“Yes, yes of course! I take her home, no problem. She will be in good hands.”

“Jengi will take you home safely.” Nona spoke softly. “He’s trustworthy.” She carefully took Mezuma’s hand in hers, such a simple and gentle gesture it made Mezuma even more speechless then she already was. It was only for a moment. When Mezuma came back to herself and she was sitting in the backseat of a black car, clutching her purse in one hand and holding a sleek black card in the other hand.

~~~

A week later Mezuma was back in her regular routine. After having to explain her sudden absence to her boss and coworkers, they were all very understanding, and luckily she still had her job at the club. Extra precautions were taken, more so than usual at this particular club. Bouncers were being more careful with who they let in. And all of the dancer had created a text group to inform each other their whereabouts when they left home or the club.

Now they only thing they had to worry about was the usual creeps that got too handsy with the dancers.

Mezuma had finished her set when three men walked into the seating area. It was no surprise that big named leaders found their ways here. But hey, a buck was a buck. She was in the back of the club at the bar, sipping on a cup of water. She avoided drinking while she worked, preferring to be more clear headed in case she needed to shove a guy off of her. Mezume has broken her fair share of noses and fingers before. But she was friends with the bouncers and bartender and knew they all had her back.

“This guy must be a big deal.” the bartender said  gesturing to the three men. Two of them were standing a few feet away from the shorter larger demon who was sitting at one of the tables in front of the stage. “Most big names have one or two guards. This guy has three with him.”

“I only see two, Malii. Your eyesights gettin’ worse in your old age.”

Alright, smartass.” Malii tossed a towel over his shoulder and leaned over the bar so only Mezuma could hear him. “I got a head count on every customer in this club. Before that guy and his boyband walked in, there were 28 patrons. After he walked in, there’s 32. Secret body guard number 3 snuck in here as soon as that guy sat down. She’s been sitting in that corner watchin’ him.”

Mezuma picked up her glass, sipping from it hide the fact that she was going to be blatantly looking at the corner Malii just pointed at. Malii went back to work so he never got to see Mezuma almost choking on her water when she saw who was sitting in the corner.

That green hair haunted her dreams for the past week.

Mezuma slid from the barstool, leaving her glass behind, and made her way to the dark corner of the room that Nona was occupying.

“You don’t look surprised to see me.” Mezuma greeted, easily sliding into the booth across from Nona.

“I saw you when I walked in.” Nona sat up a little straighter. “You work here?”

“Mhm. I know I’m gorgeous and I make big money doing what I do.” she smiled and winked at Nona, hoping to get a reaction but received none. “What brings you here? Business.. or pleasure?”

“Business.” Nona crossed her arms and nodded her head in the direction of the round demon sitting by the stage. “I’m here on a job.”

“So you’re at a strip club. Not watching any of the dancers. Instead, you’re gonna be watching some old mook get his jimmies off watching pretty ladies dance?” Mezuma sighed and leaned back against the booth seats. “That sounds horribly boring.”

“My job isn’t exactly fun. Despite what other’s may say.” Nona kept her gaze trained on her target, purposely avoiding looking at Mezuma. But it wasn’t going to stop Mezuma from talking to her.

“Are the stories about you true?”

“What stories?”

“You know..” Mezuma leaned her elbows on the table, keeping her voice low, “the ones saying you’re from the Wastelands. You’re a feral killer....”

“You mean the ones that say, ‘i’m an abomination to the Gods’? ‘Her face is so gruesome, people go mad when they meet her gaze’?” Nona switched her attention from the stage to Mezuma now, her lip twitching up in a small smirk. “Tell me, Mezuma... Does my gaze make you go mad?”

“I dunno..” Mezuma fluttered her lashes in response. “Does mine?”

Nona stared blankly at her for a beat longer than she would care to admit and went back to watching her job tossing dollars on the stage.

“You shouldn’t believe everything you hear.”

“You hear the rumors and enough demons pop up dead, you start believing some of the things you hear.”

“It’s not done out of malice. It’s done out of purpose.”

“Killing people is your purpose?”

“So far yes.”

“How come you didn’t kill me?”

Nona’s attention snapped back to Mezuma. The lights in the club were flickering along to whatever bass heavy song was playing as the dancer on stage performed.

“You were scared.”

“I imagine Kozic was scared too.”

“It was a different kind of scared. Demons like Kozic... they feel fear when they know they’ve done something wrong and they’ve been caught. It’s the fear in the consequences that they feel.” Nona licked her lips in thought and her posture relaxed just a touch. “You felt fear in the unknown of the circumstances. You  were forced into someone else’s mess despite having done nothing wrong yourself. You were afraid of.. me.”

“I was before.. I’m not now.” Mezuma sat up, picking at the nails on her left hand. “You know... when you hear horror stories about the type of being someone is and then you meet them and they treat someone the way you treated me that night, it does something to a girl.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, there was no reason for me to be malicious towards you.” Nona answered with a shrug.

“What did you do to Kozic?”

“Kozic technically hadn’t sold any of the weapons. So Oserious let him off with a very painful warning, as a... message to other who would think to try and do the same thing Kozic did. He or anyone else tries it again, it will not end well. Sometimes Oserious can be merciful.”

“Kozic is still alive then..”

“Unfortunately yes. But.. I did give him a warning of my own.” Nona reached a hand out to one of Mezuma’s and gently touched where the handcuffs had left their mark a week ago on her wrist. “If you’re worried for your own safety, that’s why I gave you my card.”

“That entirely black card? With no name, phone number, or address on it?” Mezuma pulled her hand away from Nona’s and clasped her fingers together to rest her chin on them. “I imagine that will be very helpful in the future. I’ll just throw it at Kozic if he shows his mug around here again.”

“Just keep it on you. It’ll keep you safe.” Nona sat up straight again. “Besides, you have good people here.”

“Here, yes, but not at my apartment. That asshole knows where i live.”

“Like I said: keep the card on you.” The man at the stage waved his hand at Nona in a ‘come here’ gesture. So Nona rose from her seat and stalked over to him. Mezuma watched over her shoulder as the pair talked, wondering if Nona would come back and maybe if she was over staying her welcome by continuing to sit there. But Nona did come back moments later, looking slightly annoyed.

“Something wrong?”

“He.. ahem.. noticed us talking and asked if I wanted a dance from you.” Nona sat in the booth across from Mezuma, pointedly making as much distance between them as possible. “He was very enthusiastic about paying for it.”

“I see.” Mezuma grinned. “And here I was thinking my flirting was getting rusty But if someone from tables away noticed, you’re either oblivious, or not interested.”

“I’m very observant.”

“So you’re not interested then.”

“I’m doing a job, I cannot be distracted.”

“You’re saying I’m distractin’ you then? Little ol’ me?” Mezuma pouted her lips out and fluttered her lashes again.

“I was hired to watch him. I wasn’t hired to watch.. the dancers.”

“What did you say when he asked to buy you a dance? Mm?”

“I thanked him and said it wasn’t necessary.”

“But what did you want to say.”

“What are you hoping to accomplish by asking these questions?” Nona’s demeanor changed. Her posture was more ridged and her face was void of any emotion.”What’s your overall goal here, Mezuma.”

“I’ve seen you as something else. Not the one they tell those stories about. Not the dangerous monster. You were soft... And kind..” Mezuma smiled. “And you seem to care about my well being, or else you wouldn’t have given me that card. Of course, if it actually does anythin’.”

“It does.”

“So you say. But, I’d rather have you around protectin’ me.” she shrugged and leaned back against the leather seats. “And you seem to want to be around me too since you haven’t left or asked me to leave yet. I’m a smart girl, I know when my time is being wasted. So,” she crossed one leg over the other, bumping her ankle against Nona’s shin. “What did you want to say?”

Nona continued staring at Mezuma, expression still blank. Mezuma busied herself with picking at her nails again. Nona’s suddenly flicked over to the stage where the man she’s been watching finally stood up from his table and made his way over to the bar. He beckoned Nona over to him again and she willingly went, leaving Mezuma to sulk at the table.

Mezume decided a couple moments later her time was being wasted. She was going to leave the booth and go back stage to get ready for her next set, but Nona was walking back towards her.

“May I walk you home tonight?” Nona asked, bending her head down low enough so Mezume could hear her through the music.

“Is that an answer to my question?”

“You’re worried about your safety.. and so am I. I.. I want to walk you home.. If that’s alright.”

“You should know I’m takin’ this as a ‘yes’ to my question.”

“Believe what you want.” Nona’s face softened to a small smile. “When do you finish?”

“1 am.”

“I’ll be outside for you by then.” Nona turned to leave but was stopped by Mezuma grabbed her elbow.

“Wait, are you leaving?”

“I go where he goes until the job is done.” she gestured to the three men making their leave towards the front door. “But I’ll be back.

“If you’re trickin’ me I’m gonna be real pissed off.”