"You owe me!" Elaz yelled, grabbing Areji by the collar and pulling her close. "You understand me, you disgusting creature? You owe me!"

The nephilim merely laughed mockingly in response. “For what, snookums?”

Fisting the fabric tighter into an uncomfortable squeeze against Areji’s throat, Elaz leant their head closer and spat, “For wasting my life. For killing Zizia. For cashing out her life insurance. For cutting off every person in our lives while laughing. For getting Saeclum locked up. Take your pick!”

Areji tried desperately to maintain a mocking expression as she slowly choked to death. Her face had purpled nicely - her breath forced and wheezy - when Elaz gave in and released her.

The nephilim took two steps away as she heaved and inhaled deeply. Her incensed golden irises met Elaz’ tired green ones.

“That’s a bit -” she gasped, pausing to inhale more air into her strained lungs. “That’s a tad hypocritical, don’t you think? Lord ‘choke poor Areji to death?’”

“POOR AREJI?” Elaz screeched. “POOR AREJI? You lost the privilege of pity when you killed my oldest friend! I have no sympathy left for you! If you wanted to be pitied, you should’ve been less of a despicable being!”

Areji had gained enough breath to LAUGH. Like Elaz wasn’t ready to separate her stupid fucking head from her shoulders. Like this was all some game.

Elaz felt the infuriated fire blaze even brighter within their chest.
“Stop fucking laughing. I can’t stand the sound of your voice - especially when it is happy.”

This did seem to snap Areji out of her smug stupor. Her head whipped to face Elaz’.

“You’re kidding, right?” She sauntered forward, a sultry smirk affixed on her face. “You can’t resist this tempting face and body…”

Elaz squeezed their eyelids shut and turned away. Guilt and shame ate through their body at having what had...