Zoey ran her fingers through her hair nervously as she sat in her room anticipating the call on her cell phone. It had been weeks since her last incident and her control over her powers had grown significantly better, but she still was afraid to live on her own. She sat in her cozy room decorated to her liking. Minimalistic decor was her preference. Her twin bed was in the corner with the nightstand next to it and a small reading lamp. In the center of the room was a small table with two chairs, and a couch facing a mounted television on the wall touched the other end of the room. It was small, yet cozy. She felt safe here.

Zoey was half angle and half demon, and due to her unfortunate past circumstances, the demon side reared its ugly head to cause destruction much more often than the Angle side. She was getting better, but still lived in the Coils of Nehushtan in her confined room. She had free access to go and leave as she pleased, but if she should ever lose control of her powers the facility was designed to lock down until the transformation ended.

The phone buzzed in her lap, the words “MacBeth” displayed on her screen. The call she was waiting for had arrived.

“Hello?” She said as she answered the call, still nervous. She hadn’t heard from the Doctor in almost a month. His secretary said he was “away on business” and she knew pressing further to find the Doctor’s whereabouts was a lost cause.

“Nice to hear your voice Zoey” his kind voice played through the phone. He was the only person in the world that sent chills down Zoeys spine yet still made her feel safe.

“When is she coming?” Zoey asked, growing impatient.

“She should be there soon, in fact I’ve sent Val to go get you. You and Dante can tell Cindy anything you like. I’m not concerned with the media’s views of Nehushtan, and I trust anything you tell the reporter will be positive.”

“Of course” Zoey responded. “Anything specific you want me to say?”

“I am in no position to tell you what you think of the organization. Simply remember that the media growing interested in us is a good way for us to help more people, so you being a key member means your opinion holds high relevance in the world. You’ll do fine.” He said. “Val will be there shortly, and later this week you and I will talk more personally. It’s been a busy month.”

“I understand, we’ll talk later.” She said as the call ended. A few minutes later the bell at her door rang, and she unlocked the door for Val to enter. She held a tray of food and smiled warmly at Zoey.

“I hope you slept well hun,” She said. She put the tray down and placed the bowl of pasta on the table with the glass of soda. “I went out and got you your favorite dish.”
“Val you are my favorite person ever.” Zoey said as she hugged her from behind as the familiar aroma hit her nose.

“I know dear.” Val said with a smile, touching her arm that was around her neck gently to return the affection. “You have about half an hour before Cindy would like to interview you.”

“Is Cindy famous? I’ve never heard of her.” Zoey said, twirling the noodles with her fork.

“Cindy Shepherd is relatively well known as a journalist of this area. Shes young, but shows ambition and is very interested in what we do here at Nehushtan. There’s very little we keep secret here, so feel free to tell her whatever you like.” Val said. “Now I have patients to attend to, it’s been slow recently, but there’s always work to do here. When you finish up your meal you can head down to the lobby with Dante until she’s ready to see you. Sound good?”

“Mm-hm” She said with a thumbs up and a mouthful of noodles. Val smiled and took the empty tray with her and left Zoey’s room. Zoey enjoyed the rest of her meal and downed the Dr.Pepper before leaving the room. The door clicked behind her as she walked down the hall and stepped into the elevator that took her down to the main floor.

Dante waited patiently in one of the chairs, his cybernetic metal arms folded. Zoey took a seat next to the dark haired man.

“Strange seeing you here Rockwell.” Zoey said with a devilish smile, knowing how to push his buttons.

“Zoey you call me that one more time I will slap you.” Dante responded coldly, not even looking at her.

“Why are you even here? Don’t you like to keep a low profile with the amount of enemies I’m sure you make with your charming personality.” Zoey asked sarcastically.

“I’m actually quite charming, you just simply aren’t my type.” He said.

“The hell you mean, I’m everyone’s type.” She said with a mocking flip of her hair. “You love this face.”

“Nope.” he said, still looking away, a smile tugging at his lips.

“Look at this, you looooove this.” She said, leaning into him teasingly. He edged his chair away from her.

“This is why I’m never around. This is harassment in the work environment.” He said, intentionally scooting his chair farther away from her on the tile floor with an obnoxious squeak. “I’ll report you to HR you scoundrel.”

“That’s fine ‘you’re not my type anyway’.” Zoey said mocking his tone.

“Bitch I’m everyone’s type.” He said with a wink. She rolled her eyes. “You loooooove this.” He aggressively scooted his chair back toward her.

“No stop that’s creepy!” She said, scooting herself away from him.

“Zoey?” The voice interrupted their friendly shenanigans and Zoey stood up to greet her.

“Hi, I’m Cindy,” The blonde woman said grinning pleasantly. She didn’t look any older than 25. “It’s nice to finally meet you Zoey!”

“Wait, why do you go first?” Dante protested from his chair that now faced an awkward angle, ruining the rest of the neat alignment. “I was here first!”

“Nobody loves you Dante.” Zoey said quickly back at him.

“I’ll see you right after her Dante.” Cindy said. He walked into the small office that Val had let her use for the day with Zoey close behind. She closed the door and sat down at the desk, scribbling into her notebook.

“So Zoey, I’m going to ask you a few simple questions. Answer them as honestly as you can, alright?”

“Yes ma'am.” Zoey responded.

“So what does The Coils of Nehushtan do? It’s a pretty shady name for a hospital.” She said, slightly catching Zoey off guard but kept her composure.

“I didn’t name the place, and all I know is that we’re dedicated to helping people.” Cindy scribbled onto her notepad.

“Interesting, alright. Well the Yelp reviews are astounding for patients that leave this place. They say the care is outstandingly helpful and personal. Can you confirm this?” She asked, looking up from her scribbles.

“Of course,” Zoey said, “Val is the head doctor of everyday patients that walk in and out, and her team does an incredible job of making sure everyone feels at home”

“And you? What is your job here?”

“Well,” She said, nervously playing with her hair. “I’m a patient first, for my…” she bit her lip as she struggled to find the right words, “...unique condition.”
j
“Might I ask what condition you have?” Cindy asked, still writing in the note pad. She licked her finger to turn the page in her notebook.

“Well, I’ll sound crazy if I tell you.” Zoey said. “It’s not really a disease of any sort.”

“Is it some sort of disability?” Cindy asked politely, trying not to pry but still wanting her question answered.

“At times it can be. See, My body is human, but I’m also half angel and half demon.” Zoey said with a shrug.

“I beg your pardon?” Cindy said raising an eyebrow. Her pen stopped scribbling on the paper.

“It’s... complicated. I still don’t really know how I do what I do or where I came from.”

“Is there anyway you can show me.” Cindy asked. Zoey’s eyes looked at the ground nervously.

“I suppose I could show you one thing.” Zoey said. She closed her eyes, focusing her energy on her powers. She took in a deep breath and sighed. A trickle of blood fell from her right eye, rolling down her face in a little red trail.

“You’re bleeding.” Cindy pointed out. “Are you alright Zoey?” She asked, but Zoey didn’t respond. A clear white aura formed around her and Cindy could feel power in the air swirl around the dark haired girl.

Zoey opened her eyes. Her left one was the same, piercing blue, but her other eye was a bright glowing white.

“Oh my.” Cindy said, clearly shocked. “I’m going to leave your...condition out of my notes and article for the time being. You’re right. Nobody would believe me.” Cindy said scribbling into her notebook.

Zoey sighed, breaking her concentration from her abilities and the aura faded away. She closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them again her eyes were back to normal.

Cindy opened a drawer from the desk she was sitting out, she pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to Zoey. She took it and wiped away the trickle of blood from her eye.

“Does it hurt to do that?” She asked, intrigued.

“No not the first stage. That simply enhances my movement, reflexes, and perception.” She smiled. “It’s useful for cooking or other multi-tasking activities.”

“Sounds like it.” Cindy said cheerfully. “Well Zoey that’s about all I wanted to ask you. Thank you so much for your time! The Coils appears to really help a lot of people.”

“It really does. The Head is a good man.” Zoey said, shaking the journalist's hand.

“I hope to meet him myself one day.” She replied. “Can you send your friend who’s in the lobby in? It’s his turn for an interview.”

“Of course.” She stood up and walked toward the door.

“Oh, one last thing Zoey.” Zoey stopped at the door and turned to hear her. “Can you show me your demon side too? I believe you, and frankly I’ve heard of angels and demons being real in these parts. They’re just rare to come by. How do I know you aren’t part of the Angelic council?”

Zoey’s blood ran cold. How did she know about the council? Even MacBeth didn’t know much of the council other than it was simply legend.

“Who told you about that?” Zoey said, suddenly regretting being in the same room as her alone. How did she not suspect she could be part of the council? Or an assassin sent by them to kill her. Her existence could start a war between Heaven and Hell if it became public to them. Thousands of innocent demons and angels would die in a war of that scale, and only because of what she was. As if she had any control of what she was.

“Zoey, my job is acquiring information.” She closed her notebook and slipped the pen into the binding by its clip. “And I’m good at what I do.”

“The only way you could know what I am is if you’re an…” Zoey started, but Cindy’s smile confirmed her suspicions.

“I really need to teach you how to use your powers better. In your Angelic state you should have seen through my disguise. Loser.” Cindy said with a wide grin. Zoey recognized that smile anywhere.

“Holy shit! Epith!?” She said, recognizing the Angel that helped her years ago.

The blonde girl sighed, and in a bright flash of light her regular features returned. She now looked like she was in her early twenties as her facial structure reverted to her normal self. Her voice slightly changed to her more girly easily excitable self.
“Oh my god how’ve you been?” Zoey said, immediately going around the desk and hugging the blonde angel in disguise. She returned the affection, holding her tightly before pulling away to speak.

“You have to be careful Zoey. Next time you reveal your powers, it won’t always be to a friend who’s checking up on you.” She said with a wink.

“I haven’t seen you in almost two years.” Zoey said.

“Well, it’s been two years of chaos in Heaven, let me tell ya.” She said with a chuckle. “They are livid that you disappeared.

“I never understood why the Angelic council hated me so much.” Zoey said, shaking her head.

“Hates,” She said, correcting her. “They still hate that they couldn’t use you as an excuse to wage war on hell.”

“Oh the irony.” she said with a roll of her eyes. “With the exception of you and Gabriel, I’ve yet to meet an angel that isn’t a pompous asshole.”

“Trust me, I’m aware. I’m only still an ascended angel because the pay is good and the works generally pretty easy.” She looked down. “But this assignment was different.”

“What did you have to kill someone?” Zoey asked.

“No, they asked me to find you and bring you in.”

The room went silent for a second. They stared into each others eyes, and Zoey slowly felt she had made a mistake trusting Epith when she suddenly smiled.

“Luckily, It appears my efforts haven’t been fruitful, and the lead of a girl matching your description at the Coils of Nehushtan was simply wrong information.” She winked at her. “You’re Zoey, a patient at the hospital grateful that this hospital can cure your…” She thought for a second, “Cancer.”

“So I’m a cancer patient now?” Zoey said. “I have my hair.”

“You didn’t do chemo, clearly the Coils have advanced medicine and techniques that you aren’t even fully aware of.” Epith sorted the notebooks on the desk. “You staying here is secret and safe with me, but try to keep a low profile and not tell random reporters about your origins. You don’t want heaven sending another assassin for you.

Zoey shuddered at the memory. Two years ago Zoey had fought an assassin that left her within inches of her life. Easily the most brutal fight she’d ever been in.

“Just...be careful.” Epith said with concern. “Tell your friend to get in here. I have a lot of interviews set up”

“I will be, and thank you.” Zoey smiled. “It was great seeing you Epith, visit more often.”

“I’ll try my friend.” She said warmly. Zoey exited and waved at Dante, who grumbled as he stood up from his seat.

“Taking your time huh?” He said with a playful glare.

“Oh shut up and get in there.” Zoey said as he walked by. She walked down the hall to her room and Dante closing the door behind him. Epith-- or Cindy, rather-- slid him a wad of money. All hundreds. He took the money and stuck it in his pocket.

“Thank you for the information Dante. She’s safe here.”

“Yeah, she’ll be fine here. This may look like a hospital, but it turns into a bunker in seconds. Even if Zoey did lose control, nobody would get hurt, and nobody would notice.”

“Perfect. Thank you for all your help. If anyone else offers you money for information on her, I’ll pay you double to keep quiet.”

“That’s a deal I can get behind. I like Zoey anyway, I would have rejected it.”

“Just making sure. Pleasure doing buisness with you.”