The Story of Archer Cross - Demonglass

Chapter 1

Sophie, Sophie, Sophie. Sigh, even during these jobs, especially during this job, I remember her even more. Oddly enough, some nights, I stay awake thinking about her. There was always something about her. From the "Bad dog" moment till that last night of cellar duty, I was drawn towards her and I guess that's why when she kissed me, I hesitated. I was afraid of how bad I wanted her. She can never know that though. No one can ever know that.

"Cross!" someone in the distance called out, "Finish this off and let's leave now."

The Council headquarters. That was today's job, attack the Council and burn down the building. What really sparked this was that demon problem that was recently uncovered. Someone was raising demons and that was sparking a whole new war and the council had no idea of it yet or at least that's what we think. Seven of the council members had died in the fire, her father luckily survived. The new guy, Raphael, only fourteen and so eager to be apart of this world, called out to me to get going now, our time here was up.

I got up from my spot on the floor and walked towards the others, getting into the car so we could go back to our own headquarters where I could go back to my room and think why I was still so confused about Sophie.

I was just about to leave to my room when someone called out to me. It was our head, Antonio, he decided the assignments here in London, and he was in charge here in the leader La Reina's place.

"Cross, I'd like a word with you."

I walked up to where he was sitting at the head of one of the many tables. The Eye was using an old restaurant of one of the members as London headquarters. Thankfully, it had been closed for a while so no people paid it any attention or came to inspect any activity as yet. The Eye covered their tracks well though, we are discreet and sneaky and no one ever notices us unless we want them to.

"Yes Antonio? How can I help you?"

He gestured for the others to leave so he could speak to me alone.

"Archer, have you been distracted lately? Your work is exceptional as always but still I have a feeling you are keeping something from us or that you are different ever since you came back from Hecate Hall. Is something the matter?"

He had a concerned look on his face, but I knew it was fake concern. I was a warlock and he detested that but because of my history he had no choice but to accept me and he would never go against La Reina.

"No Antonio, everything is fine, I don't see why you would feel that way. After all I do most of the work whenever we go out, the leader of the major mission. It is a tiring job though and I have been working non-stop. Maybe that is what you are seeing, nothing more than tiredness." I was lying but although Antonio is the head, he isn't very skilled at detecting lies plus they all are under the impression I could hurt them very badly if I wanted to so they left me be and kept out of my business most of the time.

"Is that all? You are not alone here Archer, I know Simon's passing was hard on you, we are L'Occhio di Dio but even we have hearts and it affected us all."

"I'm fine thank you; you need not worry about me. I am not so weak that I cannot handle this grief on my own. May I be excused now?"

"You can go." He waved his hand dismissively and I left to my room, heart sinking even more as I did.

Simon Cross was the warlock who had cared for me as a child, taught me everything I knew, was the man I thought truly cared for me, but he was killed in an encounter about a month ago. It would have been easier to deal with had it not been the fact that it was one of our own who had killed him. In a blind rage, Diego, Antonio's hench man had attacked him from the back not realizing who it was. I wasn't there that day, so they had tried to tell me that it was a Prodigium who had done it, Raphael however had told me the truth. It was either an attempt by them to make me hate Prodigium or to cover up their own tracks, either way I let it slip. It made no difference to me because I owed the Eye for many things, things which are not easily repaid. My thoughts drifted to her again as I lay down to rest, wondering what was in store for us.