Kassern (Archangels Creed)

by Azure Boone

  The makeup and hair looked well-done, and the teeth revealed by the broad smile were perfect. The jewelry wasn't all that cheap, either, and what Devyn had first thought were plastic rhinestones adorning the perfect nails looked like Austrian crystals instead. A high priced whore.

  The bitch came even closer, moving that hand to brush across Troy's chest. He stepped back, but she followed. "I just bet a big strong man like yourself is always rescuing damsels in distress." Her fingers, the crystals on the nails reflecting shafts of light, trailed across his chest slowly, and when she reached his nipple, she deliberately flicked it. "I just love a true gentleman!"

  Devyn was torn between choking on the woman's audacity and choking the woman. But she didn't want to appear threatened by her either. Troy didn't seem threatened, for sure, he sort of just stood there like a victim, not wanting to hurt her feelings. Fury boiled her blood at the idea he'd care about that instead of this bitch insulting her. He closed his eyes for a second when she stepped even closer, body nearly touching his.

  Devyn eyed a man in a car next to them, watching the whole show. She suddenly felt like a third leg or a second-hand slut with Troy standing there so fucking torn and clueless.

  Enough was enough. "Look, Sis, he's taken. So get your fucking skank-ass away, before I move you." Giving a warning before snatching the bitch and dragging her away by her hair was real progress for Devyn.

  The whore looked at Devyn with narrowed eyes and made a show of moving closer to Troy. "Baby, he don't act like he's taken!" A woman returning to her car at the pump behind them snatched up her toddler and hurried past, eyeing them warily.

  Troy stepped back. Finally. "I, um, think you misunderstood."

  She tried to push closer, but he shifted, using his bags as a shield.

  "Baby, I don't mind sharing." Her gaze flicked over Devyn, sharp and assessing. "I'll even do her for you." She licked her lip. "Just imagine –"

  Devyn grabbed the whore's nice hair and jerked hard. The bitch came away from Troy, stumbling on her high heels, and dug her nails into Devyn's arm to try to free herself.

  Devyn pulled harder, bending her sideways and twisting her neck. With the other hand, she took hold of the fingers trying to send sharp nails into her flesh.

  The whore snarled, showing those perfect teeth. "Skank, I'm going to kill you!" She suddenly went still, and something changed. Her eyes went odd-looking, blank, color-less. The nails dug into Devyn's arm deeper as her head enlarged and her forehead lengthened and her jaws grew heavier. Devyn jerked her arm back as the thing snapped with serrated teeth and the huge fangs barely missed her skin.

  What the FUCK!

  A woman shrieked just before a car alarm blared.

  Before Devyn could act Troy dropped his bags and flung out his hand. A thin red cord glittered from his palm, snaking endlessly around the whore/creature. It cut into the flesh of the neck and continued downward, wrapping around shoulders, torso, binding arms to sides, even tying the legs together.

  On impulse, Devyn let her fist fly with a punch like the one she'd used to knock Randy Jenkins out in the ninth grade when he tried to grope her boob. Instead of her knuckles connecting with the thing's nose, thin blood-colored blades sprang forth and embedded in its eye, throat and chest. With a flash of light and foul-smelling smoke, it dis-a-fucking-ppeared!

  Troy snatched up the bags and pushed Devyn toward the car. "Let's go. Now."

  Chapter Nineteen

  Five miles of silence later, a jealous fury began to consume Devyn's gut. Why did Troy behave so complacently with that woman’s advances? She was some kind of demon, but he didn’t know that at first.

  Devyn gritted her teeth recalling Karly's naked body pressed into Troy's that day in the bathroom. What was his fucking problem that he just couldn't deny a woman's advances? Couldn't put his foot down and say back the fuck up? He didn't want to maybe?

  ****

  Karly occupied herself with Kassern while they rode in silence, all still shaken and shocked over the whore creature from the station. What was going on? Was the world ending? Karly had so many questions and no answers. She needed to find a way to wake Kassern. Devyn and Troy wanted direction but Karly just wanted to be sure he was okay.

  With his head against the seatback next to her, his amazing hair spilled to one side and flowed across her knee. Most of the time they'd travelled, she stroked those strands, willing life and energy through them and into her angel. That's how she thought of him. Hers.

  Karly hadn't been hungry but she'd taken the food that was offered in the interest of building her strength in case Kassern needed her.

  They continued to travel, while waves of tension rolled off Devyn. That girl needed to get a serious handle on her temper. Karly knew it had everything to do with that whore before she turned animal. Devyn didn't realize how obviously jealous she was when it came to Troy. Karly stroked the white pale skin of Kassern's forehead, wanting to kiss it. Guess she couldn't blame her.

  ****

  Troy couldn't wait for Kassern to wake up and give him more information about that thing back at the gas station. All he'd managed telepathically was RUN!

  Troy lost no time following that order.

  Troy tried to get Kassern to reveal where they were headed, but either the telepathic link was too weak, or the archangel just didn't know, because resounding silence was the only reply. Apparently, they were supposed to just keep driving around until Kassern woke up and filled them in.

  On another note, Troy wanted to beat himself for how he behaved back there with that woman. Women like her, or like he’d thought she was, were hard for him to reject. And they all seemed to sense his weakness and used it. He figured women like that probably accounted for more men getting into trouble with wives or girlfriends than any other cause. They knew about, and used, their irresistibility, and other women were equally aware, and on guard against them, ready to smack down any man who paid too much attention. Like Devyn had done. He couldn't help but feel proud that she'd been so insulted. That meant she really liked him.

  In the middle of the afternoon, Troy decided to stop. He needed to stretch his legs and back, have a hot meal, and sit on something besides the foam of his car seat. Halfway between the lunch rush and evening commuters, he pulled into a little drive-in diner with only one car pulled into a serving space. The place looked like something left over from the 1960s.

  “What are you guys hungry for?” He waited for Devyn and Karly to answer while he scanned the deserted restaurant. “There should be a bathroom inside.” He glanced in the rearview mirror and ran into Devyn’s glare. Again. She was so damn pissed. He wasn’t exactly sure why, but everything in him said it was over the same thing that had been driving him nuts with guilt.

  “I’ll have the number six with a large coke and a large chocolate shake.” Kassern's groggy request caught them all unprepared.

  A moment of stunned silence passed. “You eat?” Troy asked.

  He slid a hand over his face. “Apparently, because I’m starving. Another human perk.” His head snapped back and he looked at Karly. Immediately he sighed before groaning lightly. “I think I have a blessed headache to go with that.” Karly’s hand moved to Kassern’s right shoulder. Something was going on with her and him. And Troy wasn’t sure he liked it. No, he was sure he didn’t like the thought of a junkie prostitute getting too close to the archangel. Of course he shouldn't think of it like that, or think of Karly in those terms.

  But when he got right down to it, that's what she was. Certainly not the sort of person one would expect to associate with an angel. He ignored the little voice that asked exactly what other type of person should become close with an angel if not someone who needed support toward salvation. Kassern didn’t seem to be bothered with Karly's interest, though, or try and dissuade it.

  Just as he thought it, Kassern reached and removed her hand. Karly's disappointment showed in the downward turn of her mouth, but she complied.

/>   Troy glanced in the rearview mirror to see if Devyn noticed it too. All he got was her glaring gray eyes. That situation seemed to be getting worse, and he really needed to talk to her. “How about I walk you to the bathroom?” He met her gaze in the mirror.

  “What-the-fuck-ever.”

  Troy cringed inwardly, but opened the window and pressed the intercom button to place Kassern’s order. “What about you Karly? You want anything?”

  “I’m still full. Maybe a medium coke. Extra ice.”

  He finished the order and handed Karly the money before opening the door and reaching in to help Devyn out.

  “I got it.”

  Her cold tone caused his chest to clench, surprising him. No one in his adult life had the power to hurt him with words. Except Devyn.

  As soon as they made it to the little hallway that led to the bathroom inside, Troy took a deep breath, preparing to walk unarmed into the lioness' den. He reached for her arm and stopped her. “Devyn,” he whispered.

  She turned those hard gray eyes on him.

  He shook his head. “What? Why are you so pissed at me?”

  Her mouth opened with a sarcastic gasp. “Oh, so it’s back to the innocent preacher act, huh? Hitting on whores and pretending you want to save their souls while getting a hard-on?”

  The tears filling her furious eyes hurt him. He never wanted to hurt her. “Baby, I did not get a hard-on."

  His assurance fell on deaf ears. “Well you sure seemed to have a difficult time pushing her away.” Rage rolled off her in palpable waves and her lower lip quivered, threatening sobs.

  “Devyn, I…I’m sorry, it’s just I’m used to—”

  “Letting whores reach in your pants and play with your shit? Preacher boy?”

  The vulgarity and nasty insults pouring from her mouth were supposed to make him uncomfortable. The technique proved highly effective. “Stop it Devyn. If you didn’t notice, my hands were sort of full. What did you want me to do, kick her?”

  “Yes, that would’ve been better than standing there. How about move out of her fucking way rather than letting her paw all over you.”

  This was one fight he wasn't going to win. “You’re right, I should’ve. I’m so sorry, I love you.” Troy noticed she trembled. He pulled her in his embrace and she fought him. “God, please Devyn, stop, I love you.” He pressed his head to hers and held her close. She finally stopped struggling, but she didn’t return the embrace. Troy stroked her back, feeling how tense she was. “You’re the only woman I want, I promise. Forever. Please don’t hate me. I’m learning how not to be a minister and how to be a husband.”

  A few seconds later, she gasped and her arms wrapped him tight. Troy sighed in relief, leaning his head and kissing her head until she looked up. He claimed her lips hungrily and Devyn’s own need seemed to explode.

  She broke the kiss and turned to the bathroom door and knocked. When there was no answer, she opened it and pulled him inside and locked the door. She pushed him against the door and began undoing his pants with trembling fingers. “I need you, please.”

  The whimper in her tone undid Troy and he jerked his pants and boxers down while helping Devyn get out of hers. The second she was free of her jeans, he pulled her into his body and slid his hand in her panties, groaning in her mouth when his fingers plunged deep into her moist heat. She clutched his shoulders, gasping.

  “Please, fuck me. Now.”

  Troy lifted her onto his waist and positioned her. The second she was in place, his hands latched onto her shoulders and pulled her onto his painful erection. Her fingernails raked his scalp as her cry filled his mouth and her legs squeezed his waist tight. His back against the door, he looked down and watched her riding him, holding her waist. His heated gaze rose to find her mouth open and her eyes closed in abandon.

  Made him so damn hungry.

  He turned and placed her back against the door, pulling her down lower for deep penetration. Holding her waist, he moved her over him, flicking his hips when deep inside her.

  “God yes, yes, fuck me.”

  Her desperate plea fueled that animal urge in him and he gave in to it, bucking his hips and yanking her T-shirt up. She pulled his hair as he sucked her nipple, his groans getting more feral with his approaching orgasm. He gasped and jerked her head back by her hair and sucked her neck hard while the wave of heat surged into his groin until there was nothing but the taste of her in his mouth and her heat wrapping his cock, sucking the orgasm right out of him. His hand slammed the door and his lips found hers, their cries and gasps mingling in the explosion.

  The second he was done he dropped to his knees and shoved one of her legs up high and pinned it to the door. He used his other hand to pin her upper body the same while he sucked her clit and full lips greedily.

  “Troy, yes, suck me.”

  He groaned at the way she gasped the words, at the way she pulled his hair and rocked her hips against his mouth.

  He flicked her clit erratically and mercilessly, commanding her orgasm with his lips and tongue. He felt it answer, trembling in her thighs, rising in her desperate moans.

  “Oh God, oh God, I’m coming, I’m coming.”

  He pinned her harder, wanting to feel every shudder passing through her body. He created a tight suction over her clit and turned up the intensity. Just hearing her, feeling her, had Troy hard all over again.

  He stood poised to enter her again while her body still vibrated from her orgasm. Troy! Kassern's voice echoed through his head. With a deep shuddering breath, he ignored it.

  TROY! The bastard's roar shot painfully into his skull, the equivalent of being hit in the head by a baseball bat.

  His hard-on waned. What! He gave the words a mental kick, hoping it was enough to make the bastard's headache worse.

  "What's wrong, Troy?" Devyn's legs slid to the floor.

  We have to move! NOW! The concussion of the words sent him reeling, nearly making him fall. His cock decided it had no further interest in anything and shrunk.

  Troy kissed her, mourning that he had to stop. Her hands gripped his face, kissing him back as though she too wanted more. God, he couldn’t wait to get her someplace where they could do that for hours. “We have to go. Quick. Kassern.” The words were breathless and filled with an unquenchable need.

  She nodded, kissing him a few more times before they both dressed. Devyn pulled him by the hand as they exited the bathroom still straightening their clothing. Troy's cheeks flushed with heat as he tried to ignore the hostile glare from the heavyset woman at the cash register. Damn. She must’ve heard them.

  In the car, they found Kassern in the back with Karly. “Figured you needed a break from the back seat,” Kassern said to Devyn.

  Troy stared at Kassern, aware that his worry over Karly showed clearly on his face.

  The archangel arched a brow at him. “Would you like Devyn back here instead?”

  Troy shook his head and dropped into the driver seat.

  “We’ve got company coming. Five miles behind us.”

  Troy started the car and pulled out. “Another scout?”

  “No. A swarm.”

  “A swarm?” Devyn’s voice trembled. In fear, or from the aftermath of that amazing orgasm?

  “Yes,” Kassern muttered. “As in a large group.”

  “How large?” Troy wondered.

  “About a hundred.”

  Jesus. Troy met Kassern’s ruby gaze in the rear view mirror. “You’re all better?”

  His brows rose. “Yes. Now that you two are.”

  Troy and Devyn exchanged glances. Did she hear the meaning behind his words like he did? From the look on her face, yes. Kassern gained strength when they made love. Troy couldn’t help but really appreciate that aspect of their little threesome.

  Chapter Twenty

  Kassern couldn’t decide which was more difficult. Shutting off Troy’s voice or shutting out Karly’s…everything. Why did he have such a strong connection with her
? Because he'd intervened in her suicide attempt? Or maybe it was rescuing her from Jake. Was it because he’d healed her while their little triumvirate was still processing? He heard her every need and thought, felt her feelings and…why in Father’s name didn’t Uriel warn him of this? He was not equipped to handle this woman. Her needs went far beyond his angelic duties and there was no way he could help. He just could not give her what she needed. No matter how badly his human weaknesses wanted. Or needed even.

  He hated it, but he had to distance himself from Karly. And that was proving to be difficult in this tic-tac car, especially when he needed Devyn and Troy close, keeping their connection strong. Their last spat nearly put him in a coma. Another unanticipated conundrum in their little tri-germathon that could result in the whole damn mission failing.

  Karly laid her head on his shoulder and the need in her heart stole his angelic breath. Her soul literally shuddered with ache to be comforted. His eyes closed with a deep sigh as he stroked her head once, praying it was enough for her. Enough for him. Every human part of him demanded he ease her pain and fill her needs while the angel in him insisted that would take actions far beyond his capabilities.

  His heart and body eased as joy flooded her system and overflowed into him from just his touch.

  “Where to? Did you get word from your boss about where we’re headed yet?”

  “Ah yes, good news on that,” Kassern said dryly, yet grateful for the distraction. “Uriel contacted me in a dream and reminded me. One of the triumvirate is unclean and cannot enter the holy sanctuary until said sins are absolved.”

  “What?” Devyn spun to him. “How is that good news?”

  “It was a joke.” Sarcasm dried his words. “Thanks to my new humanity, I’d forgotten that important part. One of you has issues that need tending before my transformation can complete. Until then, my angelic strength and abilities are at your mercy. So, if you don’t mind, our next stop needs to include a little soul-searching.”