~~Young~~

Chapter Twenty Two

   “Jerry?” Gage managed to squeak out.

   Yes Jerry, in all his natural glory. No jeans or ball cap, this time he was clad only his animal skin wrapped around his waist. But, Gage frowned, he knew that already. He saw Jerry in such an outfit after he pulled himself and Sera from the currents. Sera…he was so focused on her, he was already losing memories of others.

   He wasn’t alone either. That grayish demon was with him standing just a step behind him with its arms crossed over its chest. An escort no doubt, just to make sure Jerry didn’t try any funny business…

   Jerry turned to him, “it is about time,” he nearly growled, “now dat our ties is broken I is a free de’mon.”

   …or maybe not.

   Gage felt…wounded by that. And if he doubted he could feel such a thing over Jerry’s callous remark then the flame recoiling only confirmed it. It floated over to the edge of its confines-because it was just as trapped as Gage was- and crackled at Jerry. How long had they been together, two, three hundred years? Gage wasn’t sure but it didn’t really matter. He had thought they had become friends over such a time together, thought he wanted to be at his side. But all along, he just wanted to be free…

   Jerry looked to the flame and simply swatted it away unperturbed. It bounced angrily against its invisible barrier, having a new target in mind for its work. But without it in the way Jerry’s eyes grew wide at some sight on the ground before him.

   “An’ what is dis?” he leaned forward to pick something from the floor. It was Gage’s blade; he had forgotten Lucifer had left it. Not that it did him any good, “oh I cannot tell d’u ‘ow long I’ve wanted dis,” he showed it to the grey demon who hadn’t uttered a word, “such a fine blade. It slices t’rough de hardest of bones like dey are air,” he twisted and turned it this way and that; “I wish tu test it,” his eyes fell on Gage, “on some flesh.”

   “Do your worst,” Gage said flatly and held his chin high, giving Jerry the best possible shot, “killing me would be doing me a favor.”

   “If dat is what d’u want,” Jerry reared back and swung.

   Gage closed his eyes.

   But nothing happened.

   He felt the whoosh of air as the blade swung past his neck, but no pain following it. When he opened his eyes he saw the flame in a dozen pieces scattered about the floor…right next to the head of the grey demon. His body hit the ground a moment later, its black acid spilling over the floor and sizzling at Gage’s restraints.

   Gage shot his gaze to Jerry in disbelief, but he merely shrugged.

   “My o’poligies for getting d’ur blade dirty, I promise tu clean it for d’u later…suh.”

   “Jerry,” Gage shook his head, “how…how did you know I was here?”

   He frowned even as the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile, “I guess…I guess d’u have be’come more t’en jus’ my boss,” he tapped his fingertips to his chest, “because I knew in here when d’u were in trouble.”

   So then they really were bonded, but that, Gage knew that wasn’t something that could be broken on another’s orders. Like Gage’s connection to Sera-

   “I’m not the only one in trouble,” Gage said suddenly, “Lucifer, he sent Bane after Sera.”

   Was it not just a moment ago that was the biggest concern in his mind? What had that flame done inside his head?