The sounds they made as those children raced their cars up and down empty bean bags in imaginary race tracks were adorable.
The whole store was adorable, with a tiny coffee area for the parents as well as the reading-play area for the children. Currently, it was filled with children waiting for the owner to come out and read. She came out in a medieval outfit in light blue - including tower hat with fringe.
Children and adults began clapping excitedly and some of the younger parents sat in bean bags on even on the floor next to their children. As she sat in a chair preparing to read, she looked up and I discovered it was Amy.
It was amazing to me how the woman had changed with different makeup. A few hours ago, she was a badass I wouldn’t want to mess with, now to a beautiful, lady-like young lady. But considering what I had heard earlier, I wasn’t sure how old Amy was. She could be hundreds of years old. Her father was millennia old why not her?
I glanced at the expressions of expectation on every person's face, whether young or old. As Amy began to read the story, her voice changing with every character’s voice, whether masculine or feminine, I became enraptured by the story as it enfolded. Princesses, princes, dragons and swords. What could be better?
The bell chimed, forewarning someone’s entry. I absentmindedly glanced in that direction to see Caine’s large body cutting out some of the sunlight. His dark dreadlocks creating a halo about his face, his hazel eyes intense as his gaze skipped about the room until they settled on me. His eyes scrutinized me up and down with such hot intensity, I blushed from the heat.
No one had ever looked at me like that as if they desired me. In high school I had been called bean pole and other ugly names. They had made me believe that I was less of a person because of my looks.
The desire in Caine’s eyes made me feel strange. It was difficult to imagine I could be desirable. desirable to the Angel of Love?
That thought made me snort. I turned back to Amy for a quick glance to see she had noticed where my eyes had been fixated. She gave her father a big grin that split her face. Everything she did was cute. It was disgusting.
But Amy had turned her attention on me for a measuring hard look. I hoped she didn’t find me wanting like everyone else had.
I quietly stood and made my way over to the coffee station to join my mother and Devlin. They’d protect me from doing something stupid. Like throwing myself at Caine.
He had his back to me so that I could get a full view of the way his ass rounded out his jeans. What was wrong with me? I had never fixated on a man so much in my life. Not even as a teenager.
Caine turned to face me with a knowing smirk on his face. Mine bloomed beet red. How could he know? Holding his Styrofoam coffee cup, he continued his conversation with my mother and Devlin, holding my gaze captive while licking his lips.
My hand went to my throat, a lump the size of Colorado caught there. Breathing was impossible, my chest tight and full of an emotion I had no concept of. He was a temptation I was unsure whether I would survive.
5
At that moment, Devlin turned his upper body, a hip resting against the sturdy table, and glanced about the room, probably to check on Ben.
When his body faced mine, he stood fast, a furious expression darkening his face. He must have noticed my eyes locked with Caine’s. He reached past my mother with his arm and shoved Caine away from me; Caine stumbled forward.
Swinging around, Caine’s teeth ground together as he bared them at Devlin. I waited for the imminent fight to ensue, but Mom grabbed both by their shoulder sleeves and jerked them down to her level like the little boys they were acting like. She talked quietly and calming to them, not raising her voice as she scolded them.
It made me try to hide my smile. Angels probably had no mother to teach them. Well, shouldn’t they automatically know the way they should act? But being fallen and being in hell for who knew how long, maybe that had something to do with it.
Both men lowered their heads and I saw their lips move but heard not the words. They shuffled their feet while still giving the other a glare but separated to different parts. Devlin made his way over to Ben to sit on the floor next to him, his hand on Ben’s.
Caine still stood in the same spot turning the glare onto me as if it was my fault. My fault he was a jerk?
I stalked over to him ready to give him a piece of my mind, my pointer finger out to shake at him, my other hand fisted at my side but Mom held an arm out to hold me back. My mind blanked momentarily as I couldn’t imagine why she would do that.
She stroked down my forearm, I didn’t know how she was always able to do that to Ben and me. Calm us like that.
My anger releasing in a deep sigh, I made my way over to stand next to Caine making myself a coffee. Turning my body back in the direction of the reading area, but ignoring Caine, I stared unseen until I caught a glimpse of red that hadn’t been there before. What?
Shaking my head as I blinked rapidly at the same time, I squinted my eyes back to the spot I had seen the bit of red. And there it was, a tiny demon. Only two feet high, tiny horns on his forehead, sturdy short legs, red leathery skin. Check to all the above. Demon. And he was looking right at me with a wide smirk twisting his mouth.
Caine moved his upper body in the direction I was looking and poof. Demon gone.
My eyes went from Caine to where the demon had been and back again but Caine hadn’t seen him.
However, he appeared to sense his presence the way his eyes narrowed and hunted about the room.
Devlin’s head suddenly raised as if he sensed the presence as well. As I watched, his eyes went to Caine and they had a silent communication, all hostility between the two men gone. Caine nodded his head at Devlin and swiftly, his dark coat flaring out behind him left the store.
Hurriedly, Devlin weaved through the bodies around him to Amy, who he leaned down and spoke softly to. Her head jumped up and she smiled widely and clapped her hands together getting everyone’s attention.
“I’m sorry, we have to close early today. An emergency has come up. Thank you all for coming. Take a bookmark on your way out. Come back soon. We’ll have another story time next week. Date and time will be on our website and our window in a few days. Thanks for coming.”
Amy ushered parents and children out the door swiftly but orderly way. Mom and Ben stood to the side, confused as to why everything stopped so fast.
My eyes nervously stalked the room trying to sight the demon but at the last spot…there he was.
He had the same smirk on his face, he must know something I didn't and that worried me. The had to be a reason he was following me. Or…Devlin and Caine were outside; it could be them he was following.
Wanting him to leave us alone I chanted a montage…leave us alone, leave us alone, repeatedly, until it looked like a miracle might happen.
A deep frown appeared squishing them together as his black, lidless eyes clouded over in thought. He sat with his legs hanging off the edge of a table. He tapped a finger against thick lips while a black claw scratched at a head devoid of hair.
My jaw dropped as I remembered a few minutes ago about my brief wishes. He now looked through me as if I wasn’t there. As if none of us were there.
The entry door opened and I winced as I watched his reaction when the door chimes ringed. Nothing. His head didn’t turn at the sound. Couldn’t he hear them?
My head turned to see everyone return into the store but stared at the demon. Devlin and Caine after entering the store lifted their heads and acted like they were scenting the air like bloodhounds. Their heads turned in my direction as one to bolted where we stood but I held my hand up to halt them. If I’d had time to think about it, it would have been funny the way they skidded to a stop, their hands out to the other to stop their forward motion.
Caine put a hand out in my direction and I couldn’t imagine why he had such terror pasted on his face. The demon wasn’t doing anything to me.
The demon pulled his sturdy legs up underneath him to stand on the table that creaked when he did. His black eyes had pupils that glowed to gather as much light as possible. It must be dark in hell.
With his four fingered hands on his hips I watched as with lips pressed tightly together into a bitter smile, he tipped two fingers to his forehead to my direction and disappeared from my sight.
What the hell had just happened? He didn’t seem to see us and then he salutes me when he leaves?
Devlin and Caine gave each other bemused glances and slowly made their way over to where the demon had been a moment ago. They checked the area carefully before coming back to me. “He didn’t hurt you, did he? What did he want?”
I shrugged one shoulder and ducked my head down as Caine studied me. It made me uncomfortable. I wasn’t used to being noticed. “I don’t know, he suddenly showed up and then acted like he couldn’t see us and left.”
“Hmm.” Devlin exchanged a quick glance with Caine.
“What?”
“Has this ever happened before?” Caine asked, sidling closer to me.
I shook my head no.
“What?” I asked again more impatient this time.
They exchanged glances again before Caine answered this time. “Your father is known as the Angel of Deception.”
My eyebrows almost hit my hairline at this bit of news. “Is there such a thing as Angel of Deception?
Deception of what?”
“Illusion. Devlin can make things seem like they really aren’t. That’s probably why the demon left. You made him see that the store was empty, I assume.” His eyes glowed bluer as if the thought excited him.
“It really is a neat trick.” Amy interjected, adding to the conversation.
“Trick? Is your being an Angel of Love a neat trick, Amy? It’s our abilities. You should know that by now, after two hundred years.” Red rose up Devlin’s neck as his face flushed with being insulted.
“Hey, don’t talk to my daughter like that. She was just teasing you, man.“ Caine stepped close to Devlin, their faces close together as they bristled at each other.
“Children, children,” I chided, shaking my head at them and then I realized what Devlin had said. Amy was two hundred years old? How old would Ben and I get?
My eyes searched for my mother and brother and found them. She kept him occupied. She nodded her encouragement to me but with her eyes crinkling at the corners, I could see she was confused by what was going on.
“So…what kind of illusions? Can you make things appear? Or disappear?” My mind tried to think of things to ask but came up with few options.
“They’re not parlor tricks, Paige.” Devlin sighed, “Weren't you listening?”
“Well, Dev. They kind of are.” Caine disagreed. When Dev shook his head to disagree, Caine said earnestly, “Dev, they are. They’re not real.”
“But that doesn’t mean they’re parlor tricks. They can become real.” I could tell Devlin was offended by Caine’s words, whether he meant to or not. “It’s difficult to just show you. They can change your immediate reality. You can do it yourself. Think of something you want changed, or convince someone something isn’t there or different.”
Amy rolled her eyes at me as the two men went back and forth bickering about Devlin’s extra abilities. That brought another question to my mind.
“Do all angels have extra abilities? Devlin is the Angel of Deception and Caine the Angel of Love? What’s your ability Amy?”
Caine grinned and threw his head back making his golden locks shimmer with a glittery glint as he postured before us.
“The same as my father. If you’re half angel, if you get extra abilities, you get the same as your parent.” Amy threw Caine an arch look.
Huh. That was interesting. “In what way can we do illusions? Can we change our appearance? What we’re wearing?”
Devlin’s brows drew together in thought as he agreed slowly. He bit his bottom lip as he considered what to say to me. “Yes. To a degree. You can’t change your appearance daily or wardrobe.” My shoulders slumped in disappointment.
At my movement, Caine looked at me with wide eyes in surprise. “You want to change your appearance? Why? You’re beautiful just the way you are.”
I grunted at his comment. “What?” he asked. “You don’t believe me?”
Shrugging my shoulders noncommittally, I lowered my head and picked at my cuticles, pretending they were of great interest.
I heard the step of boots in my direction and a long finger attached to a manly wrist touched the bottom of my chin, lifting my head until my eyes met Caine’s.
“You don’t believe you’re beautiful? Who should I kill that made you believe that?” His expression was tight and fierce.
“I’ve been telling her that for years. She doesn’t believe me.” My mother called from across the room.
He held my chin tightly between his fingertips and lowered his face to mine until we were a mere inch apart. I drew my breath in and held it unable to release it as my chest became tight. His eyes settled on my lips for a moment before his blue eyes met mine steadily. “You are beautiful. Your gray eyes glow with your inner beauty,” his voice became husky as his lips kissed my now closed eyelids. His lips soft and warm against my eyelids. I melted inside a little, maybe soon becoming a puddle on the floor.
“Your black hair, so smooth that shines blue.” I opened my eyes again as his voice graveled lower, his hand reached out to smooth down my hair but not touching. I could feel static electricity emerging from that hand. My breath hitched in my throat again.
“Your body that makes the angels cry in jealousy.” My breath released in a huff, not being able to hold it in any longer. His hands skimmed down my sides, not touching, but the heat from his hands was scorching. They reached mine as he meshed our fingers together and held them close to his heart. “Hey, watch what you’re saying, Caine. Remember that’s my daughter and get. Your. Hands. Off. Her.” Devlin stepped forward aggressively, stance wide, his hands fisted at his sides, ready.
“Hey, Dad.” I rolled out sarcastically when I was able to speak again. When Caine had let me go, I had stumbled backward, I could see why he was called The Angel of Love. He had it all. So charismatic.
Caine snorted a laugh at Devlin’s discomfort.
Devlin’s brows drew together and glared at Caine.
“I’m not telling you again, Caine. Leave my daughter alone.” Caine was torn away from me, his hands on mine making me lurch forward, almost falling if Amy hadn’t rushed to stop my descent.
“Devlin!” My mother raised her voice. “What do you think you’re doing? You’re acting like a child that had his favorite toy taken away, not a grown man.” Mom got up from the floor where she was playing with Ben to stalk Devlin. This was not going to be pretty.
“You don’t know Caine. He’ll use her, then throw her away,” he protested in his defense. His hands reached out to Mom, but she wasn’t having any of that as she shook her head back and forth. We both stood before Devlin our hands on our hips daring him to go further.
“There is nothing for him to use or throw away.” He was not going to get away with trying to run my life. I was an adult. If I wanted to continue something more with Caine I would. Devlin’s opinion had no matter.
“Paige, you have no idea—”
“No, you have no idea.” I held my hand up to stop him from talking. “You have no right to say anything to me about anyone or anything. If you had been there for me as a father, then maybe, but instead you were a deadbeat dad, so don’t try to tell me what to do now.”
His face fell as if I had gutted him.
“Harsh girl,” Amy said quietly.
The silence in the room was deafening.
My mouth opened slightly, but no words emerged. I looked to Caine, but he only shook his head before looking away.
I turned my gaze in Devlin’s direction and saw a man standing as if a statue, his arms hangin
g at his sides, his head down against his chest. His head raised back up again, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed and nodded several times. But he didn’t say anything to me--just turned away with slumped shoulders.
6
I wasn’t sure what to do. Not everyone was making me feel guilty, make me the bad guy. He was the one who had never introduced himself to me. Why was I the bad guy?
My stomach was suddenly queasy, and my eyes darted about for the bathroom. It felt like accusing gazes were pinned on me where I stood.
Searching, I couldn’t find anyone that was so maybe it was the deep guilt that welled inside of me making me nauseous.
Devlin stood off to the side with slumped shoulders while Mom stood in front of him her arms surrounding him. But it was her eyes that stared back at me. The dark chocolate depths that stared steadily at me with loving but understanding from deep within.
A deep flush began at my throat and rose up until my whole body became so hot it felt like I could ignite from embarrassment.
I pushed the hood of my jacket up around my face where it was more comfortable for me and stumbled out the door to cries of my name.
My hands thrust into the familiar pockets; for the first time in my life, I wished I indulged in drinking. I searched for a bar or restaurant so that I could have some place to hide.
The clomping of my boots was the only sound echoing through the streets of our tiny town. I ran and ran until I couldn’t anymore, sweat beading on my brow to run down the sides of my face.
Bending over to catch my breath, I glanced around trying to decipher where I was and how far I had gone. Trees all around me, fingers stretching out in the darkness, trying to grab me, my imagination told me. But I knew now I was by the park and I knew where there were places for me to sit and think.
No car, no money. Not even a fuzzy piece of candy from my pockets, and believe me I turned them inside out.
No money even to buy myself a drink. That was when I thought myself completely alone.
Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels Page 173
