Outside the restaurant, Gabriel sat in the driver's seat with a paper cup of coffee warming his palms. Steam curled upward, fading into the air, but the warmth did nothing to settle the unease coiled in his chest.
He glanced toward the restaurant entrance for the fourth time in less than five minutes.
Ellios had been inside longer than expected.
Gabriel told himself not to overthink it. Ellios was an adult, a powerful man, not someone who needed constant supervision. And yet—this feeling wouldn't leave. A faint pressure at the base of his skull, a soldier's instinct sharpened by years of standing guard in places where danger wore polite smiles.
He took a sip of coffee. Bitter. Lukewarm.
"Tch," he muttered, setting it down.
He checked his watch, then sighed and opened the car door.
"Bathroom," he told himself. "That's it."
The restaurant's restroom was quiet, tiled in white and gray, the hum of fluorescent lights filling the space. Gabriel leaned over the sink and splashed cold water onto his face, letting it drip down his jaw. He stared at his reflection—sharp eyes, rigid posture, a man always ready for impact.
"You're being paranoid," he said to himself.
Then the air behind him shifted.
It wasn't a sound. It was a presence.
Gabriel's muscles tensed instantly. His hand dropped slightly, ready, and his eyes flicked up to the mirror.
A face stared back at him from over his shoulder. A familiar face that he remembered.
Too close.
Gabriel spun around. "You—!"
The man was handsome in a way that felt almost deliberate—soft features, playful eyes, lips curved in an infuriating smile. He leaned casually against the counter as if he belonged there.
"The name's Dan," the man said lightly.
Gabriel's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here?"
Dan tilted his head, gaze flicking over Gabriel with open curiosity. "Same as you. Washing my hands. Taking in the atmosphere."
"And why are you standing so close?" Gabriel snapped.
Dan stepped closer instead of answering.
Gabriel felt his space being invaded and instinctively took a step back. "Back off."
Dan's smile widened. For a brief moment, something flickered in his eyes—pink, glowing faintly before vanishing.
"Nervous?" Dan asked softly.
Gabriel opened his mouth to reply
—and froze.
A hand pressed against his chest.
The contact sent a sharp jolt through him, like static electricity crawling beneath his skin. His body locked, muscles refusing to respond, breath catching painfully in his throat.
"What—" Gabriel strained out. "What are you doing?"
Dan's hand slid lower, slow and deliberate, not rushing, as if savoring the moment. Gabriel's heart pounded violently.
"Helping," Dan replied lazily. "You look… tense."
"No," Gabriel said sharply, forcing the word out. "I don't want this."
Dan chuckled, fingers brushing dangerously close to Gabriel's waistband. "Relax. I'm just fixing your zipper."
His fingers tugged lightly.
"What did you think I meant?" Dan asked innocently.
Gabriel's restraint snapped.
He forced his body to move, shoving Dan hard enough to put distance between them. The spell—or whatever it was—broke just enough for Gabriel to regain control.
He stood rigid, breathing hard, eyes locked onto Dan with pure hostility.
Dan straightened slowly, not a hint of offense on his face. He glanced downward, then smirked. "Hm."
Gabriel followed his gaze despite himself—and stiffened.
"Don't," Gabriel warned.
Dan laughed softly. "Relax. I'm impressed, actually."
"Impressed by what?" Gabriel growled.
"That," Dan said, pointing casually at his pants were it easily show that he's hard "Man, the power I have."
Gabriel clenched his fists. "I'm leaving."
"Of course you are," Dan said lightly. "But it's interesting."
Gabriel paused. "What is?"
Dan's eyes gleamed. "You didn't fall for it. Most do."
Gabriel turned to face him fully. "Stay away from me."
Dan shrugged. "I wasn't trying very hard."
Gabriel stepped closer, every ounce of threat in his posture. "If you come near me again," he said coldly, "don't blame me if I stop being merciful."
For a moment, something sharp flashed across Dan's face—something ancient and calculating. Then it vanished beneath that playful smile.
"How cute," Dan murmured.
Gabriel didn't respond. He turned and left the restroom, jaw tight, heart still pounding as he returned to the car.
Inside, Dan remained alone, watching the door long after Gabriel disappeared.
"A high-level incubus like me," he mused aloud. "And still nothing."
As a high level demonic incubus, to cast a spell and the only thing to happen is a boner. It really is mystifying. Different from others that would be on their knees like they have taken the strongest aphrodisiac begging him to allow them to have their way with him. To have sex with him.
He tapped his finger thoughtfully against his chin. "Either you love someone deeply… or your will is unusually strong."
Both possibilities intrigued him.
Dan chuckled softly to himself. "Very interesting."
Outside, Gabriel slid back into the driver's seat, eyes scanning the street, every sense on high alert now.
Something was wrong.
And he knew it. He decide to enter inside and take Ellios out of here. He felt like dangerous predators were all around stalking for their preys and he doesn't like that it feels like he's one of the preys.