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Oh, yes They were stupid

Zacharel felt the pulse of Annabelle’s fear before she beat it back, deterry," he said, "and you do not want to ry"

All three boys snickered

"Why? Because you’ll turn into a hulking green beast?" one taunted

More snickers abounded

"Why don’t you beat it, before we beat you?" the leader said

Another added, "You can have your girl back e’re done with her," before laughing "Promise"

"Oh, you shouldn’t have said that," Annabelle said far uessed possible To him, she added, "Teach them a little, tiny lesson, Zacharel Please"

"Whatever you desire" Zacharel tugged Annabelle in front of him and wrapped his arms around her to protect her fros frohty wind Each boy soon found hiled to rise, but the wind pinned them in place He could have snapped their necks before they’d ever realized he’d moved He could have ripped open their chests and spilled their guts In fact, he just ht He could always revive the his harder, faster, and the wind increased in velocity, the whistle of it , Zacharel knew, about to crack bone and splatter organs

Buta human isn’t necessary That would make you no better than, well, Fitzpervert He hurt me just because he could Annabelle’s words came back to haunt hiuys seem to have as many faults as we do

No He would not do this He would not destroy these boys just because he could, and he would not give way to the urge to commit violent acts That would be a fault

Annabelle wrapped her fingers around his wrists and squeezed "Okay, enough You’ll get in trouble, and I kinda need you tonight And really, your well-being isthese boys what they deserve"

"Was already stopping," he ad the pressure

The boys re to say to her?" he demanded

"I’m sorry, man Real sorry" Snot ran down the speaker’s nose

"Won’t do it again, swear"

"Please, just let us go I’ll pay you I’ve got h!" Zacharel forced the boys to their feet First they flinched, then they wobbled "You will ht to the nearest police station and confess your crimes Fail to do so, and I will come back for you"

As much as Annabelle had doubted him lately, he halfway expected the boys to do the sa of truth the way he was used to, their eyes glazing over, their heads nodding No need to flash the visage of a hulking green beast, then

"Why are you still here?" he snarled "Go!"

They raced away from him

Annabelle patted him on the shoulder "Good job, Z Really ied Wonder"

He faced her and grinned "Thank you"

"Welcoed to a, revealed the depths of his attraction to her And he wasn’t afraid of such an ads for her

"You know, you’re pretty when you s the side of his cheek

"Fierce, woed her the rest of the way through the alley, pleased when she offered no protest At the end, he turned right, hustled down another alley then turned left, and no one else tried to stop him Finally the entrance to the club came into view

Two de down the street and hoping to get in Hard rock puh there was an underlying beat of sensuality One he nized before Annabelle Now he kne s when they ulped when they spotted hi Zacharel to stride past without incident He shouldered the doors apart

"Baby’s got street cred," Annabelle muttered, whatever that et in so easily when--" The doors whooshed closed, cutting off the rest of the colided past, a tray of drinks in her hand Males and feined,Atop the shoulders of several of the men and women were minions Most were sing tails

"Can you see the de into their ears?" he asked Annabelle "Influencing their thoughts and actions, trying to create a stronghold?"