An Unexpected Surprise
1027 Words
Marisol had needed some air. After a week of nonstop training and being a full-time mom, she needed a second to breathe. And while uncomfortable to think she’d ever need or want space from her daughter, Brianna understood. Tamia had come through and scooped Aurora up like it was nothing and waved her off.
“Go get a coffee, go read a book, go do something!” Brianna encouraged as she made a bunch of cute little outfits appear with a wave of her hand. “We’re going to play dress up!” She cheered at Aurora who immediately clapped and giggled her approval.
On her way out, Marisol was awing as her daughter was being dressed in the cutest dress with Mary Janes on her feet. Leaving after another moment of staring, Marisol decided a coffee would be good. And after a run by Starbucks, she was shocked when someone said, “Marisol!”
Turning, Marisol looked and almost ran seeing Will Iglesias, Javier’s older brother. In his thirties, married, and a very important IT guy at a company, Will stood tall and handsome. He smiled at Marisol and gently looked around before asking, “How are you?”
Will was a weird man in Marisol’s opinion. He was nice and smart, and while Latino and very proud of it, he always acted like he was a Bob in public. It was weird to see, but she couldn’t judge since she knew that got him to where he needed to be.
And while they had never been close before, it was nice to see he was smiling at her. And not throwing a snide look and a disgusting word or two.
Will however knew of his brother’s mistakes and how he’d handled them. Like a little boy being coddled and babied by his parents who thought spoiling him would set him on a path of success.
“I’m so sorry Marisol.” Will apologized sincerely. Pulling her to the side he whispered, “My parents are assholes and my brother is nothing but a spoiled little boy. He’ll learn the hard way.” Marisol shrugged, “I honestly don’t give it much energy these days. I just do what I have to for my daughter.” Will admired her for that and reached into his back pocket and pulled out a fat stack of cash.
“Will-.” But before she could protest, he pushed it into her hand. “Take it, take care of her. And yourself out here okay?” Marisol nodded fighting tears and then showed him a picture of Aurora and told him her name.
“She’s beautiful.” He whispered amazed seeing the little version of her. Marisol thanked Will and promised to keep in touch, if anything, Aurora would have a loving uncle who cared. And that was better than nothing.
When Will left to head back to work, she headed to Books A Million to get a few books to read to Aurora.
But as she walked the aisles getting lost in the different titles, she suddenly felt eyes on her. Turning, Marisol looked to see a young man watching her. And while at first glance it looked like he was just trying to check her out, Marisol could see better than a normal mortal.
He was a demon, and he wasn’t anything but fifteen. It was sad really, but there was no changing he was in fact a demon.
But something was off with him. He didn’t try to attack her or look at her like she was disgusting. Instead, he looked afraid as he refused to meet her eye after being spotted. Marisol pretended to go back to her browsing, but she kept him in her peripheral.
He was scruffy and dirty, dark hair uncut and pulled back in a ponytail. The clothes he wore were big, but the boots on his feet were almost clown-like on him. After she was done and had enough books to start her own children's section of stories, Marisol caught him following her out.
Walking calmly like she was unaware, Marisol ducked into an alley. And when he walked by, she grabbed his arm and pushed him against the wall.
The boy, Lorenzo, looked at her afraid, his eyes turning black naturally. But Marisol held up her axe, “Be calm kid or this is going to end badly for you.” Lorenzo trembled and his eyes turned brown again as he pleaded, “*Per favore, non farmi del male. I don’t want to fight, I need your help, Marisol (*Please don’t hurt me.)”
Looking him over, Marisol asked seriously, “Who the hell are you and why are you following me kid?” Lorenzo winced but answered as he confessed, “My name is Lorenzo Ramírez.” Marisol backed up as she looked at the kid wide-eyed, “You’re his son. Aren’t you?”
Paling at the acid in her tone, Lorenzo nodded slowly making Marisol instantly stiffen. Her power surrounded them in a bubble of intimidation as the puddles of water on the street turned to ice. The already frozen sidewalks of New York becoming an ice skating rink.
“What could you possibly want from me kid?” Fighting the urge to run, Lorenzo breathed out, “My father killed my mother when I was in her womb. I survived because I had some of his powers. Ever since he’s been keeping me captive, locked in his house. I escaped two weeks ago and heard from other demons about his obsession with you. How much you despised him in return and it seemed like my only chance. I thought you…I thought you could help me.”
Marisol’s interest peaked as she looked at him closely. “Help you with what?”
Lorenzo’s chin went up as he seriously propositioned, “Killing him.”
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