52.

“So umm, do I have to draw that symbol thingy with my blood like Ricky does every time he summons Luc?” I asked uneasily, mimicking a small grimace as the thought of actually cutting myself and practically forcing Azrael to come back after everything that transpired in these last few hours seemed so...unappealing.

After all, he strongly expressed his desire to get away from me as quick as possible only moments ago...

I bitterly reminisced, watching Raph roll his eyes in annoyance before quickly responding in “duh” tone,

“You guys have a bond, remember? So how about you just use that instead?”

“Oh that...” I weakly mumbled, my eyes reluctantly lowering to the fiercely glowing symbol on the inside of my wrist.

“Yeah that,” Raph’s retort reached my ears as my gaze still remained trained on the visible proof of the said bond, uncertainty flickering deep within me.

Is it still there though?

And if it is, is it still strong enough to call him right back to me?

I wondered, my gaze trailing a