Chapter 16

They all sat down in a park. Hansel sighed heavily. He noticed two police officers coming his way and he frowned.

"Is there a problem, officers?" he asked, getting up from the park's bench, and almost immediately, the demons, including Varrine, appeared by his side, almost behaving protectively.

"We got calls about a suspected kidnapping," one of the officers said, looking at Varrine and placing his hand on his holster. "Do you mind if we speak to the girl?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

Hansel shrugged. "Sure," he said, going to sit down, to close his eyes, he's having a little headache. Right now, he simply wishes to relax, despite one of his people talking to the police, but he doesn't care. They should all be sensible enough not to do anything rash.

Initially, the park was very hot and all of a sudden, a cool breeze cooled everything down. 'That feels a lot better,' he thought. His mind wandered. He still hasn't thought of how he is going to get himself a new job.

'I may have to return to underground boxing,' he thought, with a little frown on his face. He hasn't done that since he was seventeen and he had nearly killed one of the fighters. He earned a lot of money from doing that and that's what he used to find himself and Jamie a suitable home.

"I wonder if the location is still the same," he muttered.

He opened his eyes when he thought the conversation was taking too long. He then saw Varrine holding a gun with the other demons surrounding her looking at it in curiosity. The police officers were frozen, almost as if they were under a spell.

"What the--" He looks around to see every human in the park has been frozen in place.

Time isn't frozen, this is something else. He must have been under a seriously deep thought if he hadn't sensed their magic.

He walked towards them. "My Lord!" Varrine said running towards him.

He pursed his lips a bit. "Just call me Hansel," he said, but she ignored his request.

"What is this?" she asked out of curiosity.

"A gun," Hansel replied. "It is a dangerous weapon, now return it to the law enforcement officer and unfreeze everybody," he said strictly.

Varrine frowned. "I don't want to," she said. "They were trying to paint you as some sort of slave trader."

Hansel smiled softly. "They were just worried for your safety... You are still a child after all," he said patting her head.

"I am no child," Varrine said.

"Well unless you are above eighteen years old, then you are still a child in this world," Hansel said strictly.

Varrine wanted to refute, but she couldn't, she was only eleven years old after all. "I'm eleven," she said.

'And she already has this much control over her magic,' he thought. "You are still a child and should be in school, that's why the police were asking you some questions," he explained. The other demons stood a distance away from him.

The only one talking to him was Varrine. They were controlling their emotions, but he could tell that they were pissed at her.

"Come here," he said to the other demons, signaling them to get in closer. "I want to ask a favor of all of you," he said.

They stood obediently. "I want you all to get along with each other," Hansel said. "Don't treat Varrine like she's a slave or lower than you," he said. "Right here, while you are in my presence you are all equal."

He could sense the discomfort. "But I'm not on their level," Varrine said.

'You are far above their level,' Hansel thought. 'When will I tell them that we're practically cousins.'

"I don't care," he said strictly. "Think of this as my first command to you," he said.

"Yes, My Lord," they all said bowing.

Hansel turned around sighing. "Now unfreeze everyone in the park and finish your talk with the police," he said to Varrine. "Also return his gun we wouldn't want to get in trouble now."

Varrine walked to the police officer. "The rest of you follow me," he said. He patted the bench as he sat down. "Sit."

They reluctantly sat down and Hansel returned to his resting position, looking up to the sky and the cool breeze returned.

'It's... Peaceful and calm.'

Hansel dealt with the officers after their talk with Varrine. It was obvious they would try to look for her identity to know if she was kidnapped.

But he's grateful that this was over. He was not at peace, they might try to disturb him again. 'I may have to manipulate the memories,' he thought. 'Oh well.'

He checked the time. It's remaining thirty minutes before Jamie ends school.

"Let's go."

Jamie was surprised when he saw Hansel sitting by the bus stop, obviously waiting for him. "You got off work early," he said happily hugging his older brother.

"I lost my job," Hansel replied blankly. Jamie released him, looking worried. "Don't worry, we'll be fine," Hansel said reassuringly.

"Hello, Mr. Hansel," Niel said standing behind Jamie. He had decided to follow Jamie, for some reason and here he is before Hansel.

"Hello Niel," Hansel said, acknowledging him.

The demons had gotten up, but Jamie couldn't fully recognize any of them, without the horns and unique features. "Don't say you don't recognize us," Minos said, crossing his arms.

Jamie scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Wow, I didn't recognize you guys at first," he said.

"Oh la la," Niel said, moving to Liliith. "And who's this beauty," he said wiggling his eyebrows while smirking.

Lilith gave him a cold look, not speaking a word and Niel left her. 'I know the look of someone that would kill without a second thought if they have the chance,' he thought smiling. He then looked at the others who were with Jamie and Hansel and saw this dangerous glint in their eyes. 'Yep... Dangerous people.'

"You guys go home without me," Hansel said, patting Jamie's back and smiling.

Jamie was confused at first, but Hansel showed him the back of his palm, where he saw the familiar mark turn gold, he didn't understand what it meant, but he nodded. "I'll leave some dinner for you," he said.

"Eat well!" Hansel said, running away.