When I saw them? Shock, amazement and confusion. “Could you be a little more specific?”
“Did they remind you of anything? Anyone?” Obviously it should have.
Pulling up that image of her in the doorway, I focus on the wings themselves. Huge, snowy white and glistening with starlight. I’m such a fucking idiot.
“Michael.” I shake my head, not believing that we hadn’t thought of it from the very beginning.
Grace’s death had blinded us all. He nods.
“She is a descendent of Michael.” He nods again. “But why now?”
“That’s why I wanted to talk to you alone.” Shifting and tucking my foot up under me, I lean close to him. His voice drops. “I think it’s the prophecy.”
Shit. Damn. Fuck.
“What did you do now?” This fucking prophecy is going to get us all killed.
“I didn’t do it,” he growls through clenched teeth.
“Sorry. You know what I meant. I’m worried for them all.”
“You think I’m not.” Fair enough. “Lillian told me when the wings appeared. Well she implied with her red cheeks.” He smiles, and I shake my head. “I think the dormant genes are activated when they find the other half of their souls.”
Torryn. The others.
“Evander.” There’s no way. “He will never. Grace was his other half. We will never fulfill the prophecy. They will win this war.”
“His role must be different, for there were only seven archangels.” True but it still worries me. “Of course we can’t be sure until we find the second one.”
Great.
“Do you have any information on the second or any of them?” He shakes his head. “We stumbled upon Lillian. I mean the fucking Fallen found her somehow. Did Grace ever tell you?” Head shake again.
“Just wonderful. Again they are one step ahead of us.” I want to destroy something, like a city or country. “I’m going back.”
I push up and take one last look at the painting as I turn and leave. Just as I pass the holy water fount, a nun stops and stares at me. Her face is deeply lined with wrinkles, but I can still see the young woman she was.
“You.” Crossing herself, she looks deeper into the church, eyes landing on a marble statue. “Are you?”
I shake my head, stopping her question. Crossing herself, she moves away as quickly as her body will let her. I glance back when I reach the door. One hand is on the foot of the statue as she watches me leave.
The statue is a reproduction the original somewhere in Europe. I remember when the artist had been asked to make it. Maybe I sat for him, tempted him to sculpt me in my true form. Won him over, made him understand. The church was not happy. I was and am completely okay with that.
I do hate that she was frightened. I try to not be seen, at least not more than once in their lives.
Night has fallen on the Quarter. I step into a deep shadow and fade away. Lillian’s excited voice is the first thing I hear.
“And then they hit the ground. Oh my God, it was so funny, and then after I was done and the wings went away, I cussed in front of them. I cussed in Heaven.” She drags the last word out.
Stopping in the doorway, I try not to interrupt, but they all turn their heads. They are sitting at the table, plates clean and pushed back from them. I smell chocolate and underneath that the distinctive spice of Cajun food. From the scraps on the plates, I’d have to say gumbo.
I do love the food in Louisiana. The food, and the people, oh, and of course, the music. Lillian pushes her chair back, standing before turning and crossing to the oven. She opens the door and pulls a cake from the heat. How long was I gone?
Turning, she leans against the counter, crossing one leg over the other and wiping her hands on a towel.
“So…” She locks eyes on mine.”Where did they come from?”
Shit, I like this girl. Torryn and Evander both look between us.
“We agree that the most likely explanation is your dormant genes are coming to life.” Evander and Torryn look at her with renewed interest.
“What genes?” I raise my brow, giving her a minute to work it out. “Angel genes?”
Torryn grins and says, “Archangel genes.”
Evander turns to me. “What else might happen to her? What other powers might manifest?”
“More?” She slides down the cabinets to the floor, pulling her knees into her chest.
Torryn is on his feet before her butt touches the floor, kneeling before her in seconds. “No worries, Angel. We got this. Whatever comes, I’ll be right here beside you.”
“Lillian, your ancestor was Michael, the most fierce of the Archangels. He was God’s favorite warrior. Any power coming from him will serve you well.” I hope my words can calm her fears a little.
“How will we know?” Her voice quivers.
“Like this time, I guess.” I know the answer leaves much to be desired, but it is the only one I can offer.
Eyes widening, she looks at Torryn, her cheeks pinkening. “I don’t think he meant the exact same way.” His voice is barely a whisper.
Evander and I look anywhere but at them.
She leans into him, her mouth right by his ear but we all can hear her words. “I mean we can try it that way. If you want.” A growl is his response, and a very feminine smile curves her lips.
“Should we go?” Evander grouses.
“Sorry.”
“Yes.”
A bark of laughter bursts from me at their simultaneous responses. Just as I’m rising to leave, Evander’s phone rings.
I hear Dagen on the other end start talking as soon as Evander picks up. We lock eyes for a moment then I run down the hall, taking the stairs two at a time to get to the office.
I hear their pounding steps behind me. The remote is on Torryn’s desk, and I grab it and push the power button. The screen flares to life. Pushing the channel button over and over, I search for a local channel. I’m still pushing it when Torryn pulls it from my hand, switching it to one.
Death and carnage fill the sixty-five inch screen in high definition. Lillian gasps and falls into a chair, one of her hands over her mouth and the other gripping Torryn’s hand tightly.
The reporter is saying that the police think a gang war has broken out, but we know differently. Those are no gang members lying dead in the streets. They are innocent people that were simply living their lives. Innocents.
“Oh, my God.” Lillian is pointing at the screen. “Seraphina.”
She’s right there in the background, the first Fallen, standing and smiling into the camera. The true war has begun. I watch as she turns and walks away, the others falling in behind her.
“I can’t sit here anymore.” Evander is out the door before I can stop him.
“Call Dagen and the others. Get them to the city, if they aren’t already there. If they are not within minutes, have them call me and I’ll get them here.” Spinning, I race out after my second in command, unwilling to let him get himself killed.
Reaching out with my power, I hold him frozen, half in his car. I climb in the passenger side and then let him go.
“Fuck you.” I don’t bother responding.
We are racing toward death in seconds.
40
Lillian
“Goddamnit.”
I almost fall out of the chair as my fucking wings pop out. Torryn tries not to laugh but fails. “It’s not funny.”
“It’s kinda funny.” But he does come and help me to my feet. “Maybe they are controlled by your emotions.”
It’s as good as any other idea we’ve had. The reporter is back on the television, and the death toll is climbing. Already it’s reached one hundred. One hundred innocent people -- men, women, and according to what the reporter just said, children.
Children. Tears stream down my cheeks as my anger grows. How dare they? Rage blossoms in my chest, years of their torture and my pain boiling over as I clench my fists.
&n
bsp; I hear Torryn as if from a distance as I try to focus on his words. His eyes flare red, and his heat hits me like an inferno.
“Calm down, Lillian.” My name pulls me from the blinding emotions.
His eyes glance down and mine follow. Are you fucking kidding me? A huge flaming sword is in my right hand.
“Michael’s sword.” Shit. You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
“A sword. How do I put it away?” He shrugs.
Flying helped me learn to fold the wings away, that is their purpose. Flying. Raising the sword, I look at it. What is a sword’s purpose? Killing. Justice. The flames flare brighter. Yes, justice.
“We need to get to Avalon.” He starts to argue, but I stop him. “It’s the sword’s purpose. My purpose.” No sooner than the words cross my lips, I know them as truth. “Trust me.”
“Always, Angel, but I will also always worry and try to protect you. “ He takes my hand. “Let’s get you there.”
He had already called the others. They should be in the city long before us. In minutes, we are on the highway, racing toward the fight. I lean over his back, my arms wrapped tightly around him. The sword had disappeared when the decision had been made.
I can feel it there, just waiting for me to call it. The power is there waiting to be used, to protect me, to protect us all.
To save us all.
Smoke billows from the tire as we stop. The others are all here standing outside the house. Dagen steps up beside me and helps me off.
I waste no time, marching straight up the walk, bracing for the barrier but finding none. Pushing open the door, I stand in the threshold, the others crowded behind me. Nothing. This is not Avalon.
“They’re gone.” I feel defeated.
“How do you know?” I look back at Dagen, noticing the others, taking them all in.
“I’ve lived inside the barrier all my life, felt it lick against my skin everyday. It’s gone. The is just the Brown Mansion.” I sit on the step and look up at them all.
Eight Princes of Hell and Lucifer, all gorgeous and brooding and all waiting for me to do something spectacular. I feel decidedly unspectacular.
“Back at fucking square one.” Dagen paces away.
“Not square one.” Lucifer smiles down at me. “We have our first descendent, and she’s amazing.”
I straighten from my slouched position. He’s right, I am. Wings, sword, and who knows what else.
“Even without all that, you’re amazing.” I look at Torryn beside me.
Did he just read my mind? “No, I didn’t.” Did it again. “It’s all over your face, Angel.” He leans in, kissing me quick and hard.
When he pulls back, I notice every Prince is watching us with envy. Longing. Letting my eyes turn to Lucifer, I see sadness and worry about those he cares for.
“The latest report is three hundred dead.” One that I haven’t met is speaking as he looks down at his phone. His voice reminds me of midnight. Torryn leans close again, his lips against my ear.
“Drayce.”
“Where are my manners?” Evander steps forward. “Let me introduce the others.” He crooks his finger, and they all step forward into a line.
Impressive. Knowing he’s their leader is different than understanding his quiet control. It hints at his true power and their respect for him. The first of them all.
“As Torryn said, this is Drayce.” The one in question nods his head once. “Arkyn.” Another polite nod. “Zeph.” A smile and a wink. “And last is Victor.” No response.
I smile at all of them, wishing I could do more than that. They found me by luck. How will we ever find the others? What good will the sword do me if we can’t find the Fallen or the descendants?
No sooner has the thought formed than the air is filled with the sound of music. A trumpet to be exact. Frowning, I look around trying to determine where it is coming from.
“What’s the matter, Lillian?” Lucifer’s question breaks the spell.
“Just trying to figure out where the music is coming from.” Continuing to look around, I don’t notice their faces for a minute. “What?”
“There is no music, Angel.” Torryn’s voice is filled with concern, and I look at him then the others.
“You can’t hear that beautiful song?” Raised brows and head shakes all around. “I don’t understand.”
“What does it sound like?” Lucifer moves in front of me, face close as he watches me closely.
What does it sound like? I don’t know. “It’s… I… beautiful. The most beautiful song I’ve ever heard.”
He shares a look with Evander. “Could it be, my lord?” The voice is like rolling thunder, and I look to see who had spoken. Victor is looking at Lucifer, who is looking embarrassed.
“For two thousand years, I’ve told you not to call me that. Just call me Luc.” Looking back at me, he continues. “Yes, Victor, I think it just might be.”
“Be what?” Frustration at their inside conversation sharpening my tone.
“Gabriel had a trumpet. He often used it to call the others to battle. What were you thinking before you heard it? Torryn said the sword appeared when you were angry about the killing. Maybe your new skills are attached to your emotions. The wings…”
He doesn’t finish, thankfully. “Well, yes, I was very angry. Anyway, just now…” I stop and glance around not wanting to embarrass them. “I just didn’t know how we would ever find the others.”
Torryn hugs me from behind, and Luc smiles, letting me get away with the half truth. Only Dagen might suspect I’m not saying everything. He stops pacing and turns to lock his topaz eyes on my face.
“Maybe the prophecy is trying to help us or God.” I shrug when they all huff. “Okay, maybe not. Maybe it’s the Archangels.”
More grumbling but it sounds less disbelieving. It could be God, couldn’t it? Maybe he’s not as indifferent as they all believe. If he is as they all say, wouldn’t he have seen this all happening just as it is?
Of course, if that’s true, then he could’ve stopped this all before it happened. I don’t know which is the worst scenario.
“Lillian?” Refocusing, I see them all staring at me. “I asked if you still hear it.”
“I’m sorry, Luc.” I stop myself from finishing his name just barely when Torryn squeezes me a little harder. “Um, yes, it isn’t as loud but it’s still there. Almost like background noise.”
“Maybe if she flies,” Victor murmurs.
“Fly?” I practically screech. “I’d be seen.”
I step out of Torryn’s arms and walk a short distance away. The music flares for a moment as I moved across the yard. I wonder. Turning on my heel, I pace the other way, the music quiets. Holy shit. I repeat my movements, same outcome.
I look to Torryn, who’s watching me closely as the others talk among themselves. He starts my way, stopping when he’s directly in front of me and taking my hands.
“What is it?” He leans close.
Sliding my hands up over his shoulders, I pull him down to me and press my lips against his. He deepens it instantly, and for a moment, I lose myself. Everything happening fades away, the prophecy, the Fallen, even the demons that surround us. There’s only us, him and me.
He finally pulls back then kisses me quick once more. “Are you trying to distract me?”
“No. I just needed you.”
“You always have me, Angel.” Pulling me tight against him he puts his lips to my ear. “Now, what’s wrong?”
I shake my head, letting the wings unfold. “Victor was right.”
He steps back as I begin to beat them and start my assent, calling out to Luc. “I hope you can hide me somehow. It’s coming from that way.”
I point West, the sun is getting low in the sky as I rise higher and higher, waving down at Torryn’s shocked face.
41
Torryn
The sunlight is shining on those wings, making them glitter like the crystal encrusted things women
love so much, like that song that was so popular a few years ago.
Like diamonds in the sky.
She is breathtaking and has stolen my heart. The organ stutters in my chest as the thought comes into my mind. It’s true I love her. She swoops away just as Luc joins her in the sky. I feel the touch of his magic wash over me.
I know he will keep her safe, but it makes no difference to me or my demon. Running to my bike, I get on and race away, keeping my eyes on both the road and the sky.
They fly for hours before finally landing somewhere just outside Houston. We had been going steadily West, and it is almost morning. I’m standing in a clearing waiting for them when they land. Her legs go out from under her, and I barely manage to catch her before she face plants into the ground.
“You pushed her too hard.” She moans quietly already asleep.
“Watch your tone, Torryn. I didn’t push her at all. I asked her to stop hours ago.” His hand brushes over her forehead and an ugly anger rushes through me. “Really, demon, I would never. She is dear to me, but I am happy for you. You know why she pushed so hard.”
I have no fucking clue, and apparently it shows on my face.
“Your brothers; she saw them watching you with her. She wants them to find some of the happiness you have, that she has.”
Looking down at her, I am again thankful for whatever or whoever brought her to me.
“She’s a fucking miracle.” Hugging her closer, I look at him. “Do you think it will be like this for all of them?”
“I hope so.” I don’t miss the longing in his voice.
As far as I know, there is nothing in the prophecy about the devil himself. It would take a miracle indeed to find a woman to look beyond the propaganda and see the man he is.
Even before his fall, he had been mostly alone, for favored by God often meant feared or shunned by others. I wonder if anyone truly knows Lucifer, the man?
He sees something on my face, and I watch as he shuts down. “I’ll take you both to a hotel so she can rest.”
Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels Page 87
