[THIS IS THE SECOND PART OF THE CODEX SERIES. YOU NEED TO READ CODEX:THE STORY OF THE COMMANDER IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THIS PART]

Zoe ended up in hospital, not dead but in a very bad condition. She cut really deep in her wrists and the wound in her side was horrifying but the worst was the cut on the back of her head which made her bleed a lot; she needed blood transfusions and surgeries. Overall, it was as bad as it looked.

Ezekiel called her parents and told them that she got stabbed and tortured by a fanatic that broke into her apartment. Her mother instantly remembered the mysterious patient that her daughter mentioned before and her first thought was to call the police but Ezekiel convinced her that the fan committed suicide soon after. Even if Mrs. Lestrade would go through all those formalities, there wouldn’t be any results.

Unlike what he expected, Zoe didn’t stay on as a ghost. She was in a coma and the chances for her to wake up were slim, or so the doctor said. Her parents were devastated but Ezekiel and Chen were waiting patiently for something to happen.

“She’s still asleep, isn’t she?”

Ezekiel went home for a few hours, mainly to change and take a shower, and came back. He couldn’t let her unprotected from her mother. If he learned something in the past months was that Mrs. Lestrade is far worse than any demon they have met and she is incredibly persistent.

“Yep,” Chen responded from his comfortable seat in the corner, across her bed.

They made themselves quite comfortable in her room. He and Chen were taking turns so they brought books and other things to get the time passing faster.

“I don’t know what’s going on, truthfully.” Ezekiel continued. “She should have woken up by now and I hoped at least Mehrdir will appear to tell us something, anything!”

Chen looked pitifully at his best friend before responding.

“Zek, it’s been 6 months. I’m sure if anything were to happen, it would have already. Mehrdir is gone too.”

The puppy human narrowed his eyes at Chen.

“She’s not dead!” Ezekiel snapped, taking Chen by surprise. “She’s not dead yet. She has to find the inheritor.”

Ezekiel really hoped he was right. He could still remember how awful that night was.

[Flashback]

Zoe collapsed in the hall with so much blood around her that she could have saved a few lives. It was coming from everywhere.

Ezekiel was ready to call for an ambulance when he remembered where he was and what kind of situation he was in. The house was hiding in itself and would move as soon as an ambulance arrived. He had to think of an alternative and it wasn’t looking like he had a better way than grabbing her bridal style and taking her to the closest hospital.

In the end, Ezekiel broke a lot of rules. With only the image of what he had seen at others and no clear idea how to drive, he turned on the engine and went to the hospital. Luckily, the streets were empty and he didn’t meet any police officer.

The nurses grabbed her out of his arms as soon as they saw her. She was in a horrible state. The doctor rushed to her and got her into surgery.

“You’re really pissing me off right now,” Ezekiel started when he noticed Mehrdir has appeared suddenly on the bench.

“Because I didn’t help you carry her?” The demon asked nonchalantly, “You did fine by yourself.”

Ezekiel scoffed loudly. He couldn’t be bothered with people hearing and watching him, he just wanted to make himself clear.

“Are you stupid? She’s in such a bad state that she might even die!”

Mehrdir narrowed his eyes at the human who was raising his voice to someone of a higher rank than he was.

“She will be fine.” The greed demon said firmly.

“No, she won’t. The best thing right now is for her to open her eyes and we both know that won’t happen. What if she gets to Neverland? What if she seriously dies?”

Mehrdir ran a hand through his hair and sighed.

“So what? She’s the commander. She can easily waltz out of there and even have tea with Asmodeus.”

Ezekiel glared at him and tried to punch him. Unfortunately, his form was ghostly so Ezekiel stumbled when his hand went right through Mehrdir’s face.

“Listen very closely, Ezekiel. Maybe it won’t be now, but she will die one day. You can’t change that.” He said and disappeared, leaving Ezekiel in a state of anger.

[End of Flashback]

Fortunately, she didn’t die but she wasn’t alive either. Ezekiel had to confront her parents and tell them that no matter what, she was going to wake up. That was 6 months ago, though. His hopes were getting smaller and smaller.

“Hey, Zek!”

The young guy turned around and smiled softly at the sight of Mark’s bright dinosaur face.

Mark returned the smile and ruffled Ezekiel’s hair in comfort. A few more people passed Ezekiel and walked straight to Zoe’s bed.

“So, how’s Sleeping Beauty? Still waiting for her prince to come and kiss her?” Gabriel asked as soon as he entered. “I think we should have Henry and Mark take turns. Maybe then we’ll finally find out who is Prince Charming.” Gabriel continued in a teasing manner getting a light hit from Alice before she walked to Ezekiel’s side.

“How is it? Did she move?” The response wasn’t positive so Alice grabbed Ezekiel’s hand and squeezed it before continuing, “I’m sure she will one day. We have to keep faith.”

“I think she’s been in this coma for a long time. If she doesn’t wake up soon she may not wake up at all.” Alice hit Gabriel again. “What? I’m only stating facts! I don’t want to see that happening either.” The boy added, his hands raising in surrender.

“She needs a miracle.” Mark started. “I wonder if there’s anything that could tell us where she is and if she’s in any pain.” The human wondered out loud.

Ezekiel glanced at Chen, a new sparkle brightening his eyes.

---------->

“You want to invoke a demon again?”

Ezekiel took a deep breath and nodded. They were at her apartment, in her bathroom more exactly.

“Last time, you asked for Hiset but you got Iaosur.” Chen stated in a sassy tone, making Ezekiel narrow his eyes at his friend.

“I’m not going to invoke anyone. I’m going to make a contract.” The puppy human answered.

“A pact with the devil, wonderful,” Chen repeated with irony.

Ezekiel grabbed Zoe’s dagger and put it next to the other things in front of him. He opened his worn out witchcraft book and enlightened the candles in the room, poured water in the bathtub and took a deep breath before getting his feet in.

Unlike in movies, once he cut his palm and let the blood cover the glass of a pocket mirror, he felt like he was going to die. His eyes widened and he felt his heart breaking in two.