Several of the enforcers are circling around the angel’s massive black wings, ribboned with hellfire, as if they are at least making an effort to do something. “Stand down,” I order, taking note of each member who followed Thana’s lead by not coming to my aid, even though it was unneeded.
The female vampire’s brows furrow deeply. “You know him?” Her tone is slightly accusatory.
“You seem disappointed. Were you hoping for another outcome, Thana?” It’s rather strange to be having this confrontation around the giant figure in front of me. He’s even taller and broader than Modeus, and maybe I’m using Thana as a distraction, but she needs to be dealt with anyway.
She crosses her arms over her chest. “Never.” She exaggerates the word. “I just know how competent you are at taking care of yourself.”
The angel finally shifts, pivoting so he’s standing in front of me and acting as a barrier between me and my father’s sergeant. I watch her eyes shift up so she can look at his face.
“You could have just told us you were expecting company and saved us the trip.”
I’m not going to admit the truth that I’m more surprised than her about his arrival. Instead, I step to the side and scan the riders who stood with her while I faced an unknown danger. “Let’s just say it was an exercise in fealty, and some of you failed.” A few heads swivel to look around, measuring each other. “Get the fuck out of my face, or I’ll be needing a new sergeant a lot sooner than anticipated.”
“You should thank me for making sure you’re up for the job.” Thana doesn’t back down, and I can at least respect her for her reply. “We need a real leader, one we can rely on. Areyoueven sure that’s you?”
My hair whips back from my face, and then the fallen is standing in front of Thana. His massive form dwarfs hers, concealing her completely from my line of sight. The riders near her erupt in shouts and movement. “Stop,” I demand calmly, but it’s too late. An Obsidian Angel enforcer crumples to the ground with a gaping wet cavity in his chest.
The fallen didn’t even turn his head in the direction of the attack, but his dark claws still clutch the beating heart of Thana’s would-be savior. The sounds coming from the fallen shifter as he tries in vain to breathe through the hole in his chest are what nightmares are made of.
Modeus brushes his hand down my back as he comes to my side and mutters, “A worthy protector.” Even though I don’t need one, I can’t disagree with his assessment.
The heart splats to the ground with a wet plop, forgotten just like the body near the fallen’s feet.
“Don’t move,” I warn the others and slowly make my way over to the dark angel. As if sensing my approach, his head turns, and he watches me with eyes so black, it’s like looking into an abyss.
“Release the vampire,” I instruct.
Thana jumps backward the moment his claws unwrap from her throat, creating distance that wouldn’t matter between her and the fallen.
“Thank you,” I tell him, and he continues to watch me without giving a response. To Thana, I say, “His death is on your hands. Your disrespect will not be tolerated. The next time you fuck up, I will wear your fangs as earrings.”
Miraculously, she keeps her mouth shut as she stomps over to her bike. The red ring around her throat looks swollen and angry. I wonder if the fallen used a little hellfire to scorch her.
“Go.” I nod my head to the others. One or two hesitate, as if they are concerned to leave me here with such a beast, but after a quick nod in the direction of their bikes, they follow orders.
Once the rumble of their engines cannot be heard, I address the newcomer. “I’m Lore.” He doesn’t even blink. I’m starting to think he’s not firing on all cylinders. “Do you have a name?” I ask gently.
Instead of speaking, he takes a single step closer to me and points at my chest, then points at himself, keeping his finger locked against his bare torso. I nod to show my acceptance, even though he seems perfectly capable of hearing and understanding.
With my eyes locked on the fallen, I beckon Modeus over. I don’t want to play favorites here, but I need to make sure the angel isn’t going to try to attack my demon. I’ve grown quite fond of him in such a short time.
“This is Modeus, my mate.” My eyes roam over the golden markings on his neck before turning to watch the fallen’s reaction to the news. He’s observing the high demon with interest. There’s no familiarity in his gaze, but there is some recognition. A fallen such as this one would have been charged with making sure Hell’s inhabitants didn’t escape, but I don’t know if that would include Modeus and his siblings or not.
At least they are not at each other’s throats—for now.
Egan
I feel the sentries’approach long before I hear or see them, but I’m expecting them, so it comes as no surprise. I could have worked to go unnoticed, but that might have taken effort, and I can’t be bothered.
I still don’t know why I’m being drawn to this place, but the feeling hasn’t yet abated. If anything, it’s grown stronger the longer I walk. The road before me is empty, until a squadron of riders crests the hill. My heart quickens with a long forgotten feeling, and a mixture of bloodthirst and the savage desire for flesh stirs in my gut.
With a mile still between myself and the pack, I tip my head back and welcome the rush, pulling long draughts of air into my chest. My wings shudder to take to the air, but then the skirmish may be over too soon, so I keep my feet on the ground, taking measured steps closer to what could be my doom. Why else would the hunger of battle be upon me, other than self-preservation, which I have no intention of answering.
As the roar of the motors grows louder, the tremble in my wings becomes wilder, and then it’s nearly impossible to keep myself grounded. Hellfire blazes on my wings without my call as a flag of dark purple catches my eye, and then everything stops—time, my heart, the world, everything.
I stand motionless and completely helpless for the long seconds it takes for her to approach.
The soft little thing who controls the very air in my lungs gazes upon me without an ounce of fear in her pale yellow eyes. One of the others speaks, but it’s easy to disregard. Unable to ignore her call, I allow my wings to carry me to her. More shouts ensue, but none come from her.
