“Sorry!” she yelped, snatching her hands back. “I didn’t mean to—”
“No,” he reassured her quickly. “It didn’t hurt. In fact, it felt good. Really good. I’ve never had anyone touch my wings before. Chuck…” He trailed off, not wanting to ask her what she was thinking, but slowly dying inside, not knowing.
Her footsteps sounded as she finished her circuit and stood in front of him again. “Malachi, you’re beautiful.”
Mouth dropping open in a near comical fashion, he stared, unable to formulate any words. “Uh… I… um…” he sputtered. Taking a deep breath, he shook his large head and smiled ruefully at the tiny woman staring at him defiantly now, hands on her hips, ready to take him down with the slightest provocation. “Wow, that was intelligent. Chuck, I think you need your eyes checked. I’m not beautiful.” He snorted as she started to disagree. “I’m Hellspawn. A demon. Dark and brooding. Monstrous. You should be terrified.”
Shaking her head fiercely, refuting his words, she threw her hands in the air. “Yeah, okay, maybe. To be honest, I probably would be if I didn’t know you. But I’m not, Mal. Because Idoknow you, and I know I trust you with my life. You saved me again tonight. And you are beautiful. Your wings are gorgeous! You look like an oncoming storm, a harbinger of the fury within. But you’re still you, just… bigger. And darker.” Stepping closer, she whispered, “Malachi, you’re my storm.” Her hands landed on his shoulders, and she leaned in, placing her small lips to his while carefully avoiding his fangs as she kissed him gently.
When she backed up, he couldn’t find the words to say what he wanted. He didn’t understand the emotions coursing through him. They were new, shiny, and warm. She wasn’t scared of him! Shelikedhis demon form. Tilting his head, he studied her smile for any sign of duplicity but only found straightforward acceptance and trust. Finally, he smiled at her. “Thank you, Kelly. You might be crazy, but I’m glad you are. I… I feel… shit. I don’t know how to say those words and mean them. I never have before, and I don’t know if I’m able. I feel… I’m…” He stared forlornly into her eyes. Raising a claw, he gently rubbed it down her cheek.
Chuck smiled softly, and he hoped it meant she understood what he couldn’t say. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, rubbing her face against his massive palm. “Mal…” she breathed.
A choked, sputtering cough broke the spell they held over each other as they glanced down at the man under Malachi’s foot. He’d been suffocating as the demon subconsciously leaned towards Chuck. They both studied him disinterestedly until the man’s lips turned blue.
“So, what do I do with this?” Malachi inquired as he pulled the man to his feet, chuckling at his ragged gasps. Shrinking back into human form, he shook the captive again, still strong enough to lift him off the ground.
“First, I want to know his name,” Chuck declared darkly, her cheeks flushing and her eyebrows bunching together like thunderclouds. “And why he killed my father!” Her eyelashes fluttered at this, as if trying to hold back angry tears that were no doubt boiling hot.
“I’m not telling you anything!” the captive shouted. “You’ll kill me!”
Malachi shook him. “She won’t, but I will if you don’t start talking.”
The man cackled, a crazed braying. “A demon in love with an angel. What world am I living in?”
“You heard the lady, you miserable piece of shit. Answer her before I make you taste pain,” Malachi growled. He picked up the forsaken blade and waved it under the man’s nose threateningly. When the man merely clenched his lips together tighter, Malachi flashed Hellfire in his eyes and shook the creep so hard his neck nearly snapped. “Or I’ll just take your soul now and find out everything I need to know.” He inhaled hard and tugged lightly at the edge of the dark, tainted soul, just enough so his prisoner could feel the searing pain of it.
“B-B-Blake!” the would-be assassin shouted. “Please! Stop! My name’s Blake. Blake Bennett.”
Chuck froze, and all color drained from her face, leaving her pale and sickly appearing. She swayed on her feet, then grabbed the wall for support as her knees almost gave out. “No,” she cried. “Not Nathan’s son.”
Demons Drive Offensively
Red and blue lights bounced dizzily off the brick behind the bar like some disco circus that was high on LSD. Malachi studied the strobing pulses of color with detached interest as he remained crouched next to Chuck, refusing to leave her side. He steadily rubbed his hand in circles over her back, offering comfort, trying to soothe her. The revelation that her attacker was her co-worker’s son had rocked her world. She was staring blindly at the ground, occasionally a ripple of something shook her small frame as some memory or recollection made her shudder.
“Chuck,” he whispered, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders. “I know this is a bad time to think about it, and I know they need to take the sword into evidence, but we must get it back. I need to know where it came from so I can figure out who’s behind this.” She nodded stiffly, almost mechanically, at his words, and he was unsure if she truly comprehended him.
Glancing over toward the sound of a car door opening, he watched as an officer shoved a meek, compliant, and now handcuffed Blake into the back of the squad car. His father stood by, expressionless and motionless,his hands tightly clenched in front of him. His fingers were turning white from how hard they were clenched. If not for the occasional rise and fall of his chest, one might think he was a statue. His eyes were blazing with fury and disgust as he watched his son being driven away.
Once the taillights were out of sight, Bennett’s hands abruptly dropped to his sides. He flexed his fingers, stretching them to return blood flow, and turned slowly towards Chuck. His steps wooden and dragging, he made his way to her side before squatting in front of her. “Kelly,” he called softly.
Her eyes jerked up to his.
“I’m so sorry,” Bennett blurted, his voice thick with emotion. Betrayal, fear, sadness, so many different feelings were wrapped up in his words. He shook his head. “I… I don’t know what else to say. I didn’t even know he was in town, much less…” Blowing out a sharp breath, he stared over her head. His eyes were fixed on the brick wall behind her, as if the consistency of the mortar was of the utmost importance.
Finally, his gaze snapped back to hers. “Chuck, I didn’t know Blake was here. I haven’t seen him for months. He hasn’t forgiven me for his mother leaving me, so we aren’t that close. I promise, if I had known he was—sick—like that…” he sighed heavily. “Please, believe me. I never would have let him out of my sight.”
“Nathan,” she responded tiredly. “He’s a grown adult. There’s nothing you could have done. I just… I need to know Nathan. I need to know if he killed my father. He seemed to think I was evil.”
“I promise you, Kelly. We will find out. If he killed your dad…” he choked up. Clearing his throat and shaking his head, he started again. “If he did it, I promise, I will stand with you and make sure he’s punished to the full extent of the law.” He squeezed her hands tightly for a moment before turning to Malachi. “Evan, thank you. Thank you for being there for her.”
Nodding, not trusting himself to speak without giving his opinion on Nathan’s parenting skills, Malachi pulled Chuck to her feet. “C’mon, sweetheart, let’s get you home and tucked in bed. I’m sure Malachi will cuddle up with you if you want.”
At this, Chuck clapped a hand over her mouth and burst into giggles. She leaned against him, her shoulders shaking with laughter as she tried to rein in her hysteria. Finally, the laughing turned to sobbing, and Malachi scooped her up in his arms, cradling her against his chest.
Turning to the others, he gave an apologetic smile. “Gonna take her home. Been a long day. Nice meeting you all, see you ‘round I hope.” He tilted his chin up in what he hoped was a convincing and reassuring manner before turning swiftly and carrying her to the car. Fishing the keys from her purse, he unlocked it and then settled her gently into the passenger seat. Fastening her seatbelt, he pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. “I’ve got you,” he whispered.
Hurrying around to the driver’s side, he slid behind the wheel and huffed softly before starting the vehicle. “Here’s hoping I can figure out how to drive between here and your house.”
