Hellboy found Abe Sapien in his usual spot in the library, floating in his large tank. When Abe noticed the red man's entrance, he swam to the top and got out. He dried off and went down to meet Hellboy. Hellboy rarely visited the library now. Since he came in, Abe had to wonder if something was wrong.

"Hello Red," Abe said as he walked towards him. "You okay?"

Hellboy shrugged, "I'm fine."

Abe was tempted to touch him to glean what he really felt but that was an invasion of privacy. He let him be.

"Alright," Abe nodded. "Anything you need?"

"Yeah, I met someone-"

"Oh?" Abe interrupted, intrigued.

Hellboy rolled his eyes.

"Not like that," the man retorted.

Abe raised his hands in surrender, "Of course."

"This girl. Her name's Angel. She doesn't know I'm talking to you, but she has a bracelet that's acting like a restraint. Wondered if you had any books on it?"

Abe thought for a moment, "Probably. But what you're telling me is too vague."

Hellboy hesitated.

Abe noticed, "Look, you said she doesn't know you're talking to me about this. Why don't you ask her and see how much she's willing to let you tell me."

Hellboy agreed and pulled out his phone. He wondered if it would be better to call her instead of texting. He did want to hear her voice. But after the events in the shower, he wasn't sure if he should. He didn't want another…hardening.

He decided to text instead.

Hey.

Hey! I wasn't sure you were going to text me at all today.

He didn't want to be too honest with her and hurt her feelings. He hadn't planned on texting her at all today. Too many thoughts and emotions swirling around inside.

I was going to later. I wasn't sure if you'd still be sleeping or baking.

I'm job searching, actually. There's positions open for bartending and I'm calling around but seems like nobody wants me.

Why?

I think Jason blacklisted me. Nobody should trust me working for them. But I need a job. My rent's due and no money.

That prick. I'd trust you.

Thanks. So what's up?

Well…I'm talking to Abe, and I wanted to ask him to do some research for me, but I don't know how much you want me to tell him or if you want his help at all.

Hellboy waited as the minutes ticked by. Abe waited patiently. Hellboy's tail swished with anxiety.

Tell him everything.

That was all Hellboy needed. He texted back a promise to let her know what Abe discovered. He looked at Abe and told him everything. Angel's wings. Her father. The way the bracelet reacted to his stoned hand. And the Latin words.

Abe cocked an eyebrow at that one, "The right hand of the Devil?"

Hellboy nodded, "Yeah. Honestly…I think it's referring to me. After everything with Rasputin…I can't leave it to chance."

"No. We can't," Abe agreed. "Give me the day and I'll see what I can find."

Hellboy sighed with relief. He knew Abe would never refuse, but he was nervous telling him about her. Nobody in the Bureau knew about her. It was like she was his little secret. But he also knew he was running the risk that she might be found out. The Bureau can be a little testy about people like them.

Abe turned to begin his research, but at the last moment he looked back at Hellboy.

"Red, you know you can tell me anything right?"

Hellboy nodded, "Yeah, I know. Thanks."

Abe nodded and he went off. Hellboy lingered around in the library as he waited for Abe. He didn't want to go back to his room. The smell of his desire hung around in his room. It may have been faint since it was in the shower but with his sense of smell, he didn't want to be reminded of his failure…and his success.

Within an hour, Abe came back with a book, seemingly with answers. Hellboy stood in front of him with expectations.

"So…?"

"I think you're right."

Hellboy was shocked, "I'm sorry?"

"With what we know about your parentage so far from Rasputin, you are essentially the Devil. It was what you were destined to be," Abe said. "Your right hand is indicative of it as well as your horns."

Hellboy listened.

"The fact that the bracelet was crafted with Dark Magic and by a Dark Priest made it easy to find. It's more than a restraint. It's a chain, as the phrase said. It was designed to hold something in and if it were to be released, it would cause pain and probably kill the user. So, if the girl, Angel, decided to let those wings go for a long period of time, it would just burn her up."

"And I'm supposed to be the one to break it?"

"I think so. I can't be sure unless I were to see it fully myself. You said it burned when you touched her?" Abe said.

"Yeah, it did. So then why specifically me? Why specifically the Devil?"

Abe shrugged, "I don't have any answer to that from any of my books. My best guess? I think her father and the priest just decided that it would be impossible for the Devil to break it. They might've thought the Devil wasn't real at all."

Hellboy was silent.

"Keep in mind Hellboy, your touch caused her pain. It might be so strong that it could kill her just to release her from the bracelet."

Hellboy let out a rattled breath. He didn't want that. He didn't want to be the one to kill another woman. He looked at Abe.

"Thanks. I need to go see her and explain all this. Would you keep this to yourself? The Bureau doesn't need to know. She needs to stay away from here."

Abe nodded, "Of course."

Hellboy turned and left the library. As he left, he thumbed a text to Angel.

I'm coming over.