Chapter 14

After some much-needed sleep and rest, the band was back on the road the next day. They wanted to put distance between them and the half-breed gang. They also couldn't forget that they weren't the only ones after them. So before the last few gigs of their tour, they could use this break to go to California for the ceremony.

Although Matt was far from well, he definitely looked a bit better after last night and that amazing mating with Corey. The memories made him blush a bit and smile to himself. His body was still littered with bruises and bite and scratch marks, but they were healing nicely. Not as fast as in the past, but he wasn't complaining. Especially because probably after the ceremony they will be visible for an even shorter time.

The curly angel-breed would've lied if he said he wasn't nervous about it. Corey didn't tell much about the ceremony, but this time Matt was the one who didn't ask a million questions about it, because he didn't want to overthink it and knew that he'll know everything in time. Still, waves of nervousness swept over him time after time and he was sure if his wings were out, the remaining feathers would've bristled up a bit.

But on the other hand he was very curious about this bathhouse and its owners. Paolo's ex-masters. He just hoped that the reunion would go okay. Matt grew to like the bald guardian a lot and already considered him his friend. But he had no doubt the whole band would protect him without thinking, if something came up. Though Matt was pretty sure that Corey's presence was going to help them a lot.

"Don't worry, they are nice. A little weird and maybe silly... But very powerful and strong," Corey looked at Matt's thinking face. "I think you will enjoy the sun and sea too. Any questions in your pretty head you care to share with me?" he smiled and stroked Matt's thigh.

"Of course, I'm a bit worried... and maybe scared a bit too. I just hope the ceremony will go well. I want to get stronger for both of us," he smiled at Corey and took Corey's hand.

"Is that bathhouse only for the supernatural or humans too? Is it popular?" he mused. "And how long have you guys been together? And will Paolo be okay? And will you be okay seeing them again? And yes, some sun and swimming in the sea sounds very nice..." he blushed a bit from all the questions which just flowed out of him the second he opened his mouth.

Corey laughed and pecked his pair's lips. "Okay... So... Hmm... We were not together actually. They were at my ceremony when I was a kid. And our paths crossed a few times afterwards too. Mainly because such bathhouses are good to hide away and lay low. And honestly, I like them. They are good to be around and fun. And very, very skilled... You know... Errrm... The place is in a pocket dimension. A place between the other dimensions. Looks neat and nice but much bigger on the inside. All demons know about it and those who ever been at some similar neutral places too. So angels and some humans too. And Goldie will be fine. For me... I think it will be weird a bit going there with my mate… But I'm looking forward to introducing you to them. I have learned a lot from them and staying at that place among various races. Hmm… I think I answered all... Oh… And yes, for educational reasons and many areas it is popular."

"Fascinating, really," Matt chuckled a bit. "I'll try not to be jealous, but I guess if they are as easygoing like you say, I doubt there would be any problems. Also... just so you know, I might get more tense there because of why we go there and ask for their help and not because of your history with them..." he patted Corey's hand with a half-smile.

"I know. You always trying to forget how longer a history I got. Plus have no human side, so such... things are more common to me... But you are my pair," Corey smiled and held Matt's hand, caressing it with his thumb. "Are you sure about the half-demon thing?" he asked a little worried.

"I just wanted to make sure you know why you will feel more tenseness coming from me," Matt shrugged then looked Corey in the eye. "I am. After all, that's part of what I was supposed to become. And I want to become a worthy pair, a suitable one for the badass Prince of Hell you are," he giggled and kissed into Corey's neck.

"Oh geez, just fuck already, you lovebirds, before I puke rainbows! We're two hours from our destination. Use it well!" Paolo suddenly chimed in from behind the wheel. It seemed he could keep silent only for this long, which made Matt laugh in the back where he was with Corey.

***

After that two and a little more hours the band was standing on the beach of California. The two vans were behind them and they all stood there in one line and faced a modest, if not simply-looking small beach shack.

"I feel like I am in Scooby-Doo and we are about to catch the villain..." Joe mused and earned a chuckle from Brent. The scene was a little awkward, to say the least.

"Okay… Let's do this," Corey took a deep breath and led the group to the door.

The wind bells chimed as the wooden door opened. It showed that Corey was a usual guest because he only nodded to the human sitting there at a bar... as if it would be a normal human bar on the beach. But he led the others to the back and opened a door to a portal.

"Okay... Let's do this..." This time Paolo sighed and went into the swirling energies first.

Well... so far it was nothing like Matt expected. Even if he didn't really know what to expect. Maybe an old building with a bathhouse underground. But definitely not such a shack, but he knew it was just a facade and the real bathhouse lay beyond that portal in that other pocket dimension.

It was kinda funny to Matt how first Corey then Paolo used the same expression and took deep breaths. Or maybe Matt should be worried because of that? Well... one way to find out... Taking Corey's warm hand in his, he nodded and followed Paolo, Brent and Joe closing the line.

Once the picture cleared up for Matt, he found himself standing in a lobby-like room with the others. It even had... a reception desk/bar thing nearby. Also some staff members and guests – the latter fully dressed or just in towels – passed them. Some without a glimpse, others outright staring at them. Matt was already impressed by the black and red decor and the huge and lush green potted plants. He also noticed that the demon behind the desk seemed to recognize them. Well, either Corey or Paolo. As they walked closer, he didn't let Corey's hand go. Not because of fear, but because he wanted everyone to know that they were together. Not that they weren't covered in the other's scent.

The place looked better than what Paolo remembered. But it was no surprise. The owner pair always upgraded the place and paid close attention to the details, in decoration too.

"Hello. I’d like to see Mr. J and Mr. M. We will wait in my room and inform them about Paolo and my pair," Corey said with higher coldness in his tone, perfectly behaving like royalty should in such a place – if anyone asked Paolo. Of course, he was too much in awe of the Prince.

"Of course, My Lord," the demon behind the desk bowed.

"Follow me, guys," the king said low to the others and led them to said room.

The corridor opened to a more apartment house-like area. Servants were running around with trays and towels. The rich aroma of scented steam mixed into the air. Just like the high temperature from the private baths, and the whole dimension was probably closer to Hell too.

"It's quite convenient that you have rooms at such places, your royal highness," Matt teased Corey quietly and rubbed his thumb against the back of his hand affectionately. "This place is massive... and hot," he then added as he let his black Asian eyes take in the details.

The rich scent of the steam had a relaxing effect on his tenseness and also made his clothes start to stick to his lean body a bit.

Needless to say, Joe and Brent had wide eyes and were looking around in awe, but stayed quiet and dropped their eyes when other demons walked past them. Though there were other creatures around too, not just demons.

"Hmm-hmm... You know who I am," Corey smirked and squeezed Matt's hand in his big one.

The private rooms part looked like a motel's front. Open corridors, five levels high, many doors to said rooms side by side. And as the levels went up, the doors got further apart. Clearly meaning the rooms behind them got bigger.

"Saw that there are no stairs or elevator? We teleport. Brent, hold onto Joe, please," the prince went with his pair to the silver fog levitating at the building's side. He just simply stepped into it and they stepped out at the top floor on the corridor.

"This place is wickedly cool, man..." Matt murmured looking back at the fog while walking. "For a moment I thought we were going to have to fly up here. But this was better."

"A little stomach-turning, but I agree," Joe chuckled from somewhere behind the unusually quiet Paolo.

Matt took a better look at the bald guardian. He felt a bit tense, but quickly sent a big smirk at him when he noticed Matt watching him. "It's easier this way for guests who doesn't have means of flying."

"Speaking of the guests. I didn't fail to notice that there are many kinds of creatures, I can even see humans from up here," Matt said stepping to the railing. And true to his words, he spotted one or two among other angels, demons, even some fairy folk. "As you said, the owners seem to welcome all kinds of customers..."

"Yes. This place is Switzerland," Corey chuckled looking down too. "No one can fight or hate the other here. Also the other part is a trading place for such reasons," he glimpsed at the little bit pale Paolo. "You belong to me now," he said with some tenderness in his deep voice.

"That's a relief, boss," the guardian tried a light giggle but his heart wasn't fully in it.

Matt had to smile from Corey's comment. It was very true. The taller half-angel let his pair's hand go and stepped to Paolo. Putting a marked up arm around his shoulders, he leaned closer to his ear.

"And kinda to me too. More once the ceremony is done. But only if you want to, brother," he murmured and tipped the shorter man's head up to peck his lips.

After that he smiled and winked at him and went back to Corey's side. "Okay, prince charming, show that room of yours. I could use some cool drinks and less clothes on me," Matt chuckled.

"You'll get a towel around your waist, like the rest of us. Maybe a silk robe if you're shy," Corey turned at the first door as he slapped Matt's small ass. Placing his hand on the door the lock clicked and opened.

"Enter, my loves... and my musicians," he added laughing. "It's strange to be here with just friends."

"Yeah, it's okay king," Brent said but looked around carefully as he walked in.

That talk on the roof with Matt kept coming back to him about finding someone special to get close to. And being in such a place, and how the threesome acted made his being long for such a closeness, too.

"It's... a nice room... considering I haven't seen much rooms in bathhouses before..." he said as he walked around, Joe following him closely behind.

The room was big and bright. It had big plants and many richly decorated sofas and armchairs. There was a bar packed with all kinds of drinks, and in the middle there was a big bowl of a bath tub half-sunk into the floor.

"Just friends?!" Matt pretended to be offended and slapped Corey's arm then grinned, heading towards a pile of neatly folded towels, already taking off his T-shirt, showing off his marks even more. "And who do you call shy?" he pouted and he was the first to get his cool beer only in a towel.

"And I agree with Brent. This room is awesome. Just like the rest of it. Heaven Upside Down is a fitting name for it too, I think," Matt said and took a sip from his drink, letting himself relax a bit but kept his eyes on the others and felt the anticipation building in him. Maybe because of the waiting, or because of all the energies around them. But probably especially because two strong forces seemed to emerge a bit from all that energy mass his angel senses could feel outside. And they were getting closer. Judging by Paolo's closed up face and tense body, Matt was sure he could feel them too. And he knew exactly who they were...

"Hey, Paolo, come sit with me here," Matt patted the sofa onto which he sat down meanwhile. He wanted to show some support for their helpful guardian. Especially in a situation when he looked like he needed some.

The bald guy just nodded with a smile and in a silk robe (!!!) he sat next to Matt looking up at the others.

Source: Somewhere in this jungle :D

"They are coming. It's okay, Goldie," Corey said as he took off his clothes too and put a towel around his wide hips. Of course the prince knew how shy the short angel got all of a sudden. His marks were barely shown to anyone outside the band. And the people he left behind were coming closer…

And followed by a pair of knocks on the door they stepped in. A tall pale demon with dark straight hair that reached to his chin, and a shorter and browner man with a short mustache and beard, and slightly wavy light brown half-long hair.

 
Marilyn Manson: Say10

They just stood there in silence for a few seconds, looking at the others. Especially Paolo who got redder and redder under the heavy gazes.

Then the shorter demon made a dramatic sigh...

"After all the love and care... We raised you and kept you close to our nest. And you run away without a word, Paolo! You can ask M how much you broke my heart... Been devastated for days and weeks..." J – as Brent and Joe figured – said in a very theatric way. At the end he even 'dropped' himself onto his tall demon pair's chest, hiding and sighing which sounded like soft cries.

"Now look what you have done…" M only said that while he soothingly caressed the back of his pair and sent cold killer eyes at the very embarrassed angel.

If you asked Joe, he was sure the pair was high as a kite...

"I'm sorry... I had to..." Paolo said very embarrassed and red as a tomato, but also gave Matt a grateful glimpse for the reassuring slender hand on his silk-covered thigh.

But the other half-angel's attention wasn't on Paolo or even the 'crying' shorter male. He was zoomed in on the taller pale one. Of all the places, he had to finally meet face-to-face with the 'Mephistopheles of Los Angeles,' as the ancient demon shaman was often called, here. Matt and his "brothers" used to try and track – or rather hunt – him down in the past, but usually only got legends and false leads about the pale tall demon.

And now here he was, going by the name of M and holding his kinda shaken up, equally powerful mate. And they were going to help Matt to transform. Or so he hoped. It's funny how life can turn around, right?

"You could've at least written a few lines or something. I had to put up with this hot mess here for so long because of you..." he finally sighed shaking his head and caressed the back of his pair again. "Such an ungrateful little puppy, right?" he murmured more to Mr. J.

Needless to say, Brent and Joe were just blinking at them with wide eyes and surprise all over their faces as they were sitting on another sofa a bit shocked. And the more the pair talked, the more Joe felt that they were stoned, indeed.

"Sorry...." Paolo said devastated and the honest pain and regret were showing on his face.

J finally turned around and sighed faking a sniff. "You were a bad little puppy, Paolo. But I can't hate you... At least king is reliable..." he walked to hug Corey and kiss his face.

"Come here, puppy..." M said shaking his head and Paolo ran into the long hugging arms like a good puppy.

"I am J, and he is M, and this is HEAVEN UPSIDE DOWN!" J announced again with great dramatics and smiled at everyone.

"Shamans, this is my pair, Matt," Corey stepped back from the shorter demon's hug and offered his hand for Matt to stand for the introduction.

Some chuckling went around the room from that introduction, and it was mixed with some tender feelings in Matt from seeing the reunion. It was kinda moving, if someone asked him. He could clearly feel Paolo's relief and it made him smile as he rose to his feet, making sure that his towel wasn't going to fall off. Though as he saw, the shamans were more interested in the considerable amount of his marks which were showing on his bare skin.

Swallowing a little bit nervously, he walked over to his pair and looked at the other two, M's arm still around Paolo's shoulder, who seemed to have decided to plaster himself against his side. Like a puppy to his long-lost master.

"Nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you. Your place is amazing," he said, offering his hand for a shake. As the marked and heavily ringed fingers of J touched his skin, he could feel a surge of energy running up on his arm, making it numb a bit. It only showed that behind the goofy look there was immense power lurking under the surface. Which already became obvious once the pair stepped into the room, oozing it.

"Nice to meet you too, Matt," J said on a very calm deep and – after the scene before – strangely normal voice.

The pair exchanged a look and totally in sync with the head and face movements looked over Matt's marks. M signaled to Matt with his finger to turn around. Corey hoped his pair wouldn't find it too strange.

"It seems you are ready. And you're very young and don't have possession over your powers and skills. What a tsk, no M? He would be powerful…" J examined the half-breed.

"I also brought a demon breed, Brent, and a human I helped out and now play music with, Joe," Corey said after M nodded as a reply to the shorter shaman.

"I send servants to pamper you both. My lord... we have business to talk over, I think," M said and still hugging Paolo like his own turned to walk out. And he did too...

"Oh, forgive him. He likes to be dramatic," J giggled, his small brown eyes sparkling with love and energy as he grabbed Corey's hand and waved to Matt to follow too.

It took Matt to bite down on his tongue not to let the "Think you both like to be dramatic" comment in, but Corey probably still got it through their bond. Either way, he smiled at Brent and Joe and followed the strange pair like Corey and Paolo.

Well, Matt knew that shamans – especially demon shamans – were usually strange or unusual for most. Also, Matt's head was filled with the short conversation about him. Though nothing new was revealed to him yet as he all knew these. He came here to fully embrace what he was born to be, including his powers. Learning to own them was probably going to take some time and practice, but he was determined and ready. Knowing that the shamans thought the same was a relief to him.

***

Not objecting about J still holding Corey's hand, he kept following them towards the shaman residence. He even noticed how M and Paolo were quietly talking about something at the front while J kept chatting about everything that has been changed since the last time Corey had fun here. Matt could imagine what kind... And frankly, who could blame him? The shamans were... let's just say, unique and exciting. Or at least that's how Matt was feeling about them now.

All the past emotions rushed through Corey as he was pulled along by the hyper ancient demon while being shown around. He glimpsed back at Matt a few times, smiling. He will tell some stories sometime about all the 'fun' and education he had at the place.

"Come and be comfy with us. And we will listen," M said on his deep gloomy voice as he opened the door to their residence.

It was similar to the one Corey had, maybe bigger a bit. And there was much more booze and... other stuff all around.

"Yes, yes. Drop those towels and join us for some drinks," J chimed in and started to throw the clothes off his own marked and toned body.

Matt smiled back at Corey and once J let his hand go, he stepped to his mate and pressed a kiss against his bearded face. He was much more open than ever before, because he wanted this to work between them as a pair and also to evolve to the next level of his existence.

The place was just as he expected from the way the shaman pair acted. Eclectic, a bit messy but also classy. With lots of booze and some... substances lying around. No surprise there. And Matt wasn't surprised either that the free-spirited shamans were throwing off their clothes without thinking. He got the idea about this place. Everyone could be free and relaxed and who they were without having to hide.

That spirit of the place seemed to help on Matt too and while M and Paolo were making them drinks, he pulled first Corey's then his own towel off, letting them drop on the floor. His cheeks were a bit flushed, but otherwise he wasn't acting shy or anything. He showed all his marks off proudly. They meant that he belonged to Corey and that he's been through a lot of changes to reach his level and be a fitting pair to the demon prince.

"Thanks," he smiled at Paolo, who brought a bottle of beer, luckily from the strong kind. Then it was time to sink into the scented water with some herbs floating on the surface.

He took his place next to his pair and waited until the others got comfortable too. "Hmm... this is nice after being on the road for so long," he sighed satisfied, submerged till his chest then took a few long sips from his beer, even more satisfied.

"Oh, I like him a lot," M hummed looking over at the all relaxed Matt in the water.

"He is cool. I've told you, master," Paolo said as they sat in the water too next to J and Corey.

The king was sipping on a beer too, and drowned a shot of vodka with J, who kept his piercing eyes roaming on them all. As if he was thinking and sensing ahead of the present time and follow things much faster than the rest of them. Corey and Paolo knew that was the exact case with the shorter shaman.

"Great Ones, we came here to ask for help. With Matt's sleeping skills and changing him to be more like me…" Corey spoke up.

"Yes," J said with a nod and hummed a few times to himself without any more words or looking at them.

"Not speaking again, babe," M told his pair with a soft smile.

"Oh... OHH... Sorry ‘bout that. So... Hmm... It all is possible. But he was spelled, so we cannot be sure what is still hiding there and what would hurt him. I suggest we do the changing first. Then a usual demon initiation for the powers."

Chuckling a bit to himself, Matt watched Mr. J's brown eyes moving around and some strange expressions he made, but he understood that he was probably hearing and seeing things on a different level. One he would never understand since he wasn't born a shaman like him.

"I'd appreciate the help and also want to get rid of the spells that may remain on me. As I understood, I broke most of them during my time with Corey, but still... I would like to become a worthy pair for him. Also, if you could, I'd like to get the possible remaining spells off me. I don't know how these things work as I was mostly raised by the same half-breeds who put those spells on me and taught me false things to believe in... Anyways, I'd like to know about this ritual or ceremony. I don't care if it's going to be painful. Getting the marks has prepared me to take that kind of pain, I think. So please... If you can help me, I'd really appreciate. Name your prize and I'm sure we can come up with a solution that will satisfy everyone..." Matt said, hoping that he wasn't making a fool of himself.

"I am sure we can work something out," J flashed a dirty smile at them as he drank from his beer too.

"The ceremony is easy. It needs us and the king's blood and a bit of magic. It's easier to change you. What do you know about the origin of your race, Matt?" he asked while in the far end M and Paolo pulled away more and got closer to each other in a very suspicious way…

"Oh..." Matt hummed thinking that he understood what J meant. He also noticed what seemed to be going on in the background, but didn't comment on that as he wanted Paolo to have some fun – especially after today.

"Not much. Just that cherubs were close to God and did his bidding obediently. Obviously that had changed for those who sided with Satan," he hummed. "They all were very powerful and later mingled with humans too, creating half-breeds like me. Otherwise I don't know what you mean..." Matt added and slid a bit lower into the water until it reached his shoulders. Keeping a marked arm on the edge of the tub and holding onto his bottle of beer, the other went to rest on Corey's thigh.

"Yes, yes. They followed Lucifer and sucked the darkness into their beings too. That's why you have dark eyes and feathers. And don't be surprised by me knowing things hidden in you," J chuckled. "Some changed to dark cherubs, more demons than angels. You can be changed into that by such a powerful demon as the king. I like Corey too... I'm happy you picked that up. He IS a Corey, don't you think so?" he asked Matt revealing from where the human name came from for the Hell prince.

Meanwhile said typical Corey just smiled and hummed watching Paolo making out with M and his free hand started to get lost on his own pair too under the hot water.

"I'm not surprised at all. You, like your pair, are a high demon shaman. Even I can tell that. The funny thing is that I used to try hunting down your pair. After everything that's happened in my life since then makes me want to giggle on that. Wow, we were way out of our league," Matt chuckled and drank from his beer.

Thinking through what J was saying, Matt just connected the dots and realized that it was probably J who named his pair Corey as he knew that the buff demon on his side was named king by Lucifer. "Yes, it's a fitting name..." Matt murmured and looked at his man, eyes softening and lips parting on a soft sigh from the touches on him.

"Maybe we should try something stronger this time, don't you think?" Matt slid closer to his pair, practically nuzzling to him. "After all... I have to celebrate my last night as a half-breed, no?" he smirked at his pair.

"I can assure you my young little thing that this is the exact place where celebration was invented," Corey chuckled and pulled the vodka bottle closer and offered it to Matt.

"You care to share and have master J drink with us?" he asked picking up some vibes and how his still half-breed pair looked over the shaman.

"Oh, I don't doubt that," Matt grinned at Corey and took the offered bottle to take a long swig from it. Finally he started to feel the booze. Probably the warm water and the steam were helping. As well as the nice visuals in the background with Paolo already climbing onto M's lap to let himself completely get lost in their nice making out (and making up) session.

"Sure he can join us," he glimpsed at J, who was smiling to himself then sat closer to them in the water.

"Ask away, young one. I can tell you have questions," he giggled a bit and drank too from the bottle which Matt offered to him.

"I was just wondering that... turning into this dark cherub with the help of Corey's blood... what should I expect? I believe more marks will appear? Also, when will we do the ceremony and how long will it take?"

Corey started giggling too as his eyes got glued to the tall pale and short bald guys’ heated activities.

"We can do it here and now... Goldie just started it," he said with a grumble from his throat as Paolo got into his well-missed place on M and both the creatures moaned loud.

"I bring my... stuff," J said with a giggle and hurried to bring some herbs and more booze along with an old ceremonial dagger.

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