Her Wicked Angel

by Felicity Heaton

  She went to the door and opened it. Romulus curled up on the floor beside his master. Remus followed her out into the pale living room.

  “He likes you,” Serenity said, her French accent thick with her amusement.

  Liora patted Remus on the head. “He’s a sage seven hundred year old puppy and my hero. He woke me up before the dragon could eat us.”

  “May I stroke him?” Serenity didn’t look certain.

  Apollyon looked outraged by the request. “No.”

  “Yes.” Liora frowned at him. He really needed to loosen up. Remus wouldn’t bite Serenity’s hand off. At least, she didn’t think he would. She caught him under his jaw and turned his head towards her, staring deep into his red eyes. “No bitey.”

  His jaws parted, his tongue lolled and he began panting.

  “That’s a green light.” She patted him between the ears and glanced at her cousin. Serenity nervously flicked her fair hair over her shoulders.

  “He understands?”

  “Sort of. He’s better with that demon language. I don’t speak it, but he always pants when he agrees to something.” She approached Serenity, keeping her arm around Remus’s neck. The hellhound made her feel small but Serenity looked even tinier next to him.

  Her cousin bravely reached out.

  Apollyon reached for the blade at his side.

  Liora rolled her eyes and felt an incredible rush when Remus proved her faith in him to be right and didn’t bite Serenity’s arm off. Her cousin clumsily patted him between his ears.

  Remus’s left ear drooped.

  “Oh!” Serenity said with a smile. “I broke him.”

  Liora fixed his ear for him, hiding her own smile. “We’re working on that, but it does help me tell them apart.”

  “We’re?” Apollyon said, his tone pure darkness. Now he sounded more evil than Asmodeus.

  “Yes. We are. As in, me and Asmodeus.” She gave him a fierce glare that challenged him to find a problem with that.

  He muttered something beneath his breath and stalked into the kitchen. Liora was surprised he didn’t drag Serenity with him. He was probably going in search of chocolate cake.

  “How is Asmodeus?”

  Liora’s eyebrows rose and she looked back at her cousin. “At least you call him by his name. I appreciate that. He’s asleep. His first dreams. I wished him doozies.”

  Serenity smiled.

  “Even when they come and go between the mortal and other realms as frequently as Apollyon had, there are still things that are new to them.” Her cousin sidled closer and dropped her voice to a whisper, “I, um… caffeine is new to him, no?”

  Liora blushed. “Yes, and it is still new to him. You seriously could have warned me about the stamina thing.”

  Serenity turned beetroot red. “I was not expecting you to fall for an angel… you have fallen for him, haven’t you?”

  Liora didn’t even try to deny that truth. Serenity sighed.

  “Apollyon will fight you on this.”

  “It’s none of his business… and you won’t?” Liora couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You wanted him the hell away from me before.”

  “He protected you, and I have always been able to see when angels have found love, and he has found the deepest sort with you. I feel more good in him now.”

  She did too. It was growing, coming to the fore as he accepted it and didn’t try to fight it.

  “He struggles at times.” Liora wanted to flop onto the couch and have a big girly chat but she was a complete mess and covered in black soot. She didn’t think her cousin would appreciate her wrecking her nice cream furniture. At least they could wash the dirt out of the pale bedclothes.

  Apollyon passed through from the kitchen, still grumbling under his breath, and headed into the other bedroom. Remus’s sharp red eyes followed his every move, his ears pricked and body tensed. As soon as Apollyon disappeared, Remus’s left ear flopped forwards and he began panting again.

  Had the hellhounds known of Asmodeus’s twin? They didn’t seem to like him, but then he had threatened their master and he probably reeked of Heaven. She imagined that didn’t go down well with any creature from Hell.

  Liora leaned on Remus and he didn’t budge, easily supporting her weight. She had never had a pet before, but she was beginning to think of him as hers too. She lazily stroked his sleek black fur.

  “I need a glass of wine,” Serenity said and those words were music to her ears. “You do too. Come on.”

  Liora followed Serenity into the small kitchen. Remus stuck to her like glue. Serenity poured two large glasses of white wine and handed one to her, and led her out on the balcony. Liora stepped out onto the terracotta tiles and sighed at the view. She never tired of looking out at the leafy park below her.

  Remus shot to the balcony railings. His head darted around, his eyes scanning and ears pricked. If a canine could frown in concentration, he was doing it. He looked back at her and she detected a flicker of uncertainty, and then his thick whip-like tail thumped against the side wall of the terrace.

  Liora sighed. “I don’t think Asmodeus would be happy if we took you for your first walkies in the park without him.”

  She could just imagine the horror that would show on people’s faces if they saw Remus galloping through the park with half a tree trailing behind him, bringing it to her to throw.

  “Perhaps when it’s dark?” Serenity put in and Liora nodded to back up the suggestion.

  Remus whined and wagged harder, catching her in the side. She flinched and almost spilled her wine.

  “You are hurt.” Serenity set her glass down on the small round wrought metal table.

  “Just a dragon bite. Nothing serious. It’ll heal. I’ll bandage it later when Asmodeus is awake.” She lifted her crimson top to show her cousin the small wound. It had already stopped bleeding thanks to whatever Asmodeus had done and was looking less angry around the edges.

  Liora lowered her top and stroked Remus again, trying to soothe him. He settled after a few minutes of petting, happily watching the people coming and going through the park. He ignored the dogs. Did he recognise the mortal realm variety of his breed?

  Serenity picked up her glass and brought it up to her lips. Liora sipped her wine and relaxed into her chair.

  A horse and rider passed along the path she could see through the trees.

  Remus barked at ear-splitting volume. It echoed around the park like thunder. He shifted restlessly, bouncing up and down the length of the railing, watching the black horse. He barked again and dropped his front, sticking his backside high in the air and wagging his tail. Liora held her arm out in front of her, blocking it and avoiding being assaulted.

  “Remus,” she said and he ignored her, still intent on initiating play with a horse. “Remus!”

  He shot up and knocked the glass of wine from Serenity’s hand. It shattered on the terracotta. Serenity cursed. Apollyon’s voice boomed from inside like the Devil himself and he appeared in the doorway, took one look at her cousin, saw the tiny cut on her palm and turned on Remus.

  She wasn’t sure what he said.

  It sounded nasty though and Remus cowered, his ears flattening against his head.

  Liora got to her feet and stood between Remus and Apollyon. “It was my fault. I shouted at him and he was just turning to look at me. He didn’t mean to knock the glass.”

  “I want him out,” Apollyon barked and she clutched Remus’s scruff for support when Apollyon’s power rose around her, pressing down on her. “Now!”

  “No.” Liora stood her ground, shielding Remus and weathering the force of Apollyon’s power. It grew stronger, a heavy weight on her shoulders, driving her downwards. “If he goes, we all go. I go with them.”

  “No, Liora,” Serenity said and turned to Apollyon. “Please, mon ange.”

  “Go where?” Apollyon snarled and Remus growled behind her. “Who in this world would take you in and have the power to protect you?�
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  Liora somehow managed to square her shoulders in spite of the oppressive force of Apollyon’s power and realised she didn’t have an answer to that question.

  An arm shot across Apollyon’s throat and Asmodeus loomed behind him, clutching his shoulder and grasping the back of his head with his other hand, pushing it forwards and choking him. The weight of his power decreased and she stared over his shoulder at Asmodeus.

  His red eyes locked on her.

  “The Devil’s daughter would.”

  CHAPTER 16

  Asmodeus’s first dream was a nightmare. He saw Liora battling the dragon, bloodied and beaten, one arm hanging limp at her side. Remus and Romulus were beside her, trying to protect her, launching themselves at the immense beast whenever it dared to near her. He tried to intervene but Apollyon held him back, blue fire in his eyes, twisted amusement that showed the intense pleasure he took from seeing her fighting for her life.

  Asmodeus had been like that once. Never again.

  Liora needed him. He took no pleasure in her suffering. He wanted to make her feel safe again, protected. He wanted to protect her.

  The scene whirled and he saw a closed white door, and then it shifted and he saw Serenity through a red haze. Liora was with him, standing above him. He looked up at her. He liked her. She was kind to him and his master. He had taken a vow to protect her together with his brother. He did not like when his master mated with her though. There were some things you could not unsee.

  His master?

  The Devil?

  Asmodeus saw a park. Green. Bright. Colourful. Small furry demons escorted mortals through it. They did not interest him. A big black dog with a male on his back did interest him though. His heart lifted and beat harder, pumping excitement through him. He wanted to play with the big black dog.

  Someone shouted at him and then someone called him a wretch that deserved to feel their wrath.

  Sweet Liora protected him. Strange. She was still taller than he was.

  Asmodeus bared his fangs at the other one, the one who looked like his master.

  Not his master. Apollyon looked like him. Not the Devil.

  Power. Pressing. Crushing. Protect Liora for his master.

  Master?

  Wake master.

  Something wet slapped his cheek and Asmodeus shot up in bed. Romulus whined and nudged him towards the white door. Door.

  Remus.

  Liora.

  Asmodeus burst from the room, his legs aching and protesting. He stumbled through the living room, looking for her. Remus had commanded Romulus to wake him. Apollyon had threatened Liora.

  He spotted the bastard angel with his back to him, vulnerable, open to attack.

  Saw Liora bravely facing him, holding out against his power and protecting Remus.

  “If he goes, we all go… I go with them.” Brave Liora. Sweet Liora.

  His focus swam and he grabbed the doorframe of the kitchen to steady himself. Serenity said something he missed.

  “Go where?” Apollyon snarled and Asmodeus heard Remus growl. “Who in this world would take you in and have the power to protect you?”

  Liora tipped her head up and squared her shoulders. She had no answer. He could see it in her eyes. She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t have to know. He would speak for them. She had made her intentions clear. She wanted to leave with him and he had an idea about who might take them in.

  He came up behind Apollyon, wrapped his arm around his throat before he could move, and shoved his other hand against the back of his head, choking him. The weight of Apollyon’s power decreased and Asmodeus stared over his shoulder at Liora.

  Her hazel eyes locked on his.

  “The Devil’s daughter would,” he said and she frowned. Serenity stood. Apollyon chuckled at the suggestion. Asmodeus shoved him harder against his arm, killing that mocking laughter.

  Erin was with child and the Devil had vowed to leave her and those who fell under her protection alone, unharmed, until she had given birth. It was a risk, but if he could convince her to extend her protection to him and Liora, she would be safe.

  He was willing to bet that the Devil wouldn’t dare launch a full-scale attack on Erin’s location in order to get to him and Liora.

  “Erin will take us in, and you know it.” Asmodeus shoved Apollyon behind him and released him, swiftly moving in front of Liora and Remus to protect them. His head turned again. Not good. How long had he slept? It didn’t feel like long enough.

  Apollyon went to rush him but Serenity stepped between them, her hands on her hips. The blood drained from Apollyon’s face. Scared of his petite witch?

  Romulus growled from behind Apollyon, his fangs close to his neck and his nose against his ear.

  Asmodeus smiled. It was nice to have the upper hand over his twin for once.

  “We will take you to her and you can speak with her,” Serenity said, the voice of reason. He appreciated her backing him up. It only added to his victory. Apollyon was alone. Asmodeus had everyone behind him. He could get used to this.

  Apollyon looked as if he wanted to speak out against that idea and then folded his arms across his chest. His wings shrank into his back and his armour disappeared, a white linen shirt and black cut-off jeans shorts replacing them.

  “Your mutts will have to stay.” Apollyon shoved past Romulus and walked into the house.

  “They’re coming with us,” Liora called after him. “I don’t leave anyone behind.”

  Asmodeus wanted to kiss her for that. He looked over his shoulder at her and Serenity tiptoed away, leaving them alone.

  Except for his hellhounds.

  He spoke to them in the demon tongue, mentioning that they may see some more things they couldn’t ‘unsee’ if they stuck around.

  Remus whined and glanced longingly at the park.

  Asmodeus added that it was a horse he had seen and while they were almost the same size, he did not think that the horse would play with him.

  That only made him whine more. Asmodeus rubbed his ears, feeling sorry for him. “I will take you down when it is dark and cloak us and you can play with your brother.”

  “We will take you down,” Liora said and hugged Remus. He wagged his tail and went inside, rubbing Romulus on his way past.

  “Did I thank you for saving me and my hellhounds before we became toast?” Asmodeus turned to Liora and she scrunched her nose up, wriggled it and then shook her head.

  “I remember you shouting at me about it.”

  “Ah.” He shrugged, leaned against the railing beside her and nudged her with his hip. “Thank you for saving us.”

  She nudged him back and smiled up at him. “No problem. I hope you like sand, sea and stars.”

  He frowned. “Why?”

  She stepped away from the railing and twirled to face him, a huge smile on her lips and a twinkle in her eye. “Erin lives on a tropical island. Margaritas! But not for you… because you’re a shitty drunk.”

  Asmodeus growled and tried to grab her. She spun beyond his reach, giggling as she followed his hellhounds back inside. He stared after them and then sighed and looked over his shoulder at the park. If Remus was excited by a park, how was he going to take sand and surf? He was going to end up spoiled by this world, just like his master.

  He followed them into the apartment and pretended not to see Apollyon in the kitchen or feel the force of his glare as he passed. He flipped him off over his shoulder at the doorway for good measure though.

  “Asmodeus, wait.”

  He really wanted to pretend he hadn’t heard that but the bastard angel had used his name and had spoken in a civilised tone. He turned around, leaned against the doorframe and folded his arms across his bare chest.

  “You ever threaten my hellhounds again and I will sic them on you.”

  “Serenity ended up cut. Tell me, how would you have reacted if it had been Liora and my animals that had harmed her?” Apollyon rested his backside against the
counter and his choice of clothing finally made sense to Asmodeus. Beachwear. He had zero experience of that but he would not dress like his twin.

  Asmodeus hated himself for it but he said, “The same. The threat still stands though.”

  “Noted. Liora was injured during your escape from Hell. You need to do a better job of protecting her.”

  Asmodeus glared at him, holding his swirling blue gaze and refusing to back down. Apollyon unleashed a fraction of his power and he countered him, allowing his to rise to match it, keeping them equal.

  “I did protect her. I shielded her from rock, fire and a fucking dragon.” Asmodeus growled as his power rose further, slipping beyond his grasp, stirred by the anger pumping through his veins.

  His claws extended and he flexed them, shoving his growing fatigue to the back of his mind together with the pain that still radiated through his bones. Pain that came from the injuries he had sustained while protecting Liora. He had done his best. He had saved his delicate mortal from being crushed by black stone and burned by dragon fire. How dare Apollyon overlook that in order to belittle him?

  Apollyon tipped his chin up, his blue eyes brightening, the darker and paler flakes in them shifting and revealing his growing anger.

  Asmodeus flexed his claws again. He wanted to beat his wings, shoot across the narrow room and rip his twin’s jugular out with those claws.

  “Do better,” Apollyon said in a low, cold voice. “If you do not want me coming down on your head… do better. You know you could have.”

  Asmodeus bared his fangs. He did know that but he wasn’t about to admit it. He should have cast a portal and pushed her through it together with Romulus and Remus, transporting them elsewhere within the castle. He had reacted on instinct though, and that instinct had demanded he shielded her fragile mortal body with his immortal one. He wasn’t used to having to protect someone. This was new to him and he didn’t want to make mistakes and place Liora in danger, but he was still learning. He would do better next time she was in danger. He knew without a doubt that there would be a next time. The Devil wasn’t going to give up. He wanted Liora and he was going to keep coming at them until either he had her or Asmodeus had put him down.