Ayil

by Brenda Trim

  Perhaps Kennex was being paranoid, but it was odd that Gina walked in a circle so Kennex could no longer see what she wrote. Kennex thought it looked a bit like angelic runes, but it was nothing she’d seen before.

  Of course, she was only able to catch glimpses over a decade ago when Jared healed the planet and sent messages to his fellow earth Angels. He’d written in the sand like Gina did. Aside from the symbols looking slightly different Jared’s images immediately disappeared after being written.

  Before she could ask any of her questions, Ash walked up the beach followed by a couple. The blood drained from Kennex’s face in a flash as several things registered at once.

  The smell of sulfur permeated the area and the council surrounded her as they watched Ash approach them. Kennex looked away from the current leader to the symbols behind her to discover they were black and glowing. It was as if they sunk into the soil.

  Kennex went to take a step outside the circle the council had formed, but Gina looped her arm around Kennex’s. Everything moved in slow motion after that, and Kennex remained rooted in place.

  She was a fucking coward she realized as she stood by and watched as Ash led the couple to the edge of the group. The human’s eyes were glazed over, and they followed like zombies when the council parted to allow them into the circle.

  Ash stopped them near the glowing symbols which were giving off energy that grated across Kennex’s nerves. For a split second, Kennex expected mustard-colored smoke to fill the area matching the brimstone smell that was overwhelming her at the moment.

  Her heart raced in her chest for an entirely different reason. It was as if she was trapped in her mind while screaming at herself to stop what she feared was coming. The council began chanting in a foreign language Kennex didn’t understand. Not that it mattered. Her overactive imagination translated the words as, “Rise, Lucifer, Lord of the Underworld and take over the Earth.”

  The sand beneath her feet developed a heartbeat and pounded against Kennex like a giant was trying to break through. Ash positioned the human male and female with their backs to Kennex. She noticed they clutched each other’s hands. Kennex hoped they weren’t aware of what was happening, but their white knuckles told a different story.

  Ash pulled a dagger out of the waistband of his jeans. The blade was easily twelve inches long. It reminded her of weapons she included in the video games she designed. This particular weapon was similar to a crusader dagger which was the quintessential medieval knight’s dagger. The knife dawned with the traditional wheel pommel and cruciform guard. The design spoke of ethereal origins, but the one Ash was holding wasn’t steel, but made from a metal that made the dagger pitch black.

  Screams filled Kennex’s ear the second the weapon was revealed. It hurt her ears and had tears springing to her eyes. Lifting her hand to cover her ears was like curling a fifty-pound weight.

  “We call to the Lord of the Underworld. We willingly sacrifice these humans to grant you passage, Lucifer,” Ash called out, confirming Kennex’s fears.

  Bodies crowded around Kennex as they shuffled forward. Ash’s hand was in motion and the black blade was slicing across the human male’s throat between one heartbeat and the next. The male fell to his knees as his hands flew to the gaping wound. Kennex expected blood to gush forth, but aside from a wide slash that revealed red muscle and bloody tendons beneath, there was no fluid spurting out. Time stood still.

  As she watched, the crimson fluid coating the blade soaked in and caused the weapon to brighten. Ash kicked the male forward and he landed on the glowing black infernal runes. It was then that his blood gushed out to cover the dirt and markings.

  Ash sliced the female’s throat just as rapidly, and Kennex watched as the dagger drank in her blood before she landed on the remaining black markings. Kennex blinked several times to clear her vision. Between the tears and the remaining nerve damage, Kennex had a front row seat to see the human’s lifeblood gushing forth into the markings.

  Instead of baby food yellow, the smoke that poured forth was midnight black and filled with writhing, horned faces. Kennex watched as the smoke billowed and boiled around them. Her skin stung where the smoke touched her. Red welts lifted along her forearms and her flesh blistered. She wasn’t a willing host. Surely, a demon would not be able to inhabit her body.

  Panic flared, making it difficult for Kennex to breathe. The demons in the smoke screamed and bounced around the circle, seeking entrance to one of the bodies, but couldn’t cross some invisible barrier.

  Gina cried out and sank to her knees. Kennex should’ve enjoyed seeing the council member covered in blackened pustules, but she felt sorry for the female. Without more information, Kennex couldn’t judge Gina’s decision to cooperate and call demons. For all Kennex knew Gina was forced to go along with this awful plan.

  Kennex’s mind swirled faster than the demonic smoke billowing from the runes. She needed to gather her wits. Otherwise, she would betray her revulsion to Ash. Kennex had enough on her plate dealing with Jared and his bullshit, but she could not live with herself if she kept her mouth closed about this.

  Ayil’s suspicious green eyes entered her mind in the next labored breath. The energy was sucking all of the oxygen with it. As the last of the human blood trickled into the runes, the black smoke reached its height before it disappeared again.

  Right before the last of the smelly clouds disappeared, Kennex saw a beautiful face push toward Ash. The clan leader lifted his arms out to his sides in welcome. The handsome male’s power made all that came before it feel like the breeze from a sneeze. It had to be Lucifer. Kennex should’ve expected God’s favorite son to be sexier than any supermodel, but it was extremely disconcerting to see.

  It was only a matter of time before that handsome face convinced some hapless soul to free him from the Underworld. As his piercing black eyes disappeared, time resumed and Kennex had to focus on the clan leader shouting at no one in particular.

  George rushed to Ash and helped him stand. “What happened? Did the humans not have enough power?”

  Ash shrugged off George’s assistance. She never liked the asshole and this catastrophe only served to fuel that hatred. Everyone was focused on the clan leader rather than the dead humans at his feet.

  Kennex clenched her hands into fists, ignoring the blisters that popped with the action. “Forget what happened,” she growled. “There are two dead humans lying on a popular beach. If someone doesn’t take care of them, you will be caught which will bring the attention of the Angels upon you guys.”

  Stalking off before anyone stopped her, Kennex focused on how she could get to Ayil rather than how she could make amends for the lives she failed to save. She silently vowed to inform Ayil what happened to keep any more lives from being lost and punish those responsible. But not before she gained access to Jared.

  That evil asshole was going to suffer for what he’d done.

  * * *

  Chapter 7

  Saturday night at Bog’s Place was kickin’ and it took all of Kennex’s willpower to venture inside. It was highly uncomfortable to be around so many beings. They bumped into her because there was no space between her and the sweaty bodies. Luckily, she’d made it through two more days without another visit from Jared.

  One for the win column, she thought, as she tried to ignore the body odor that mixed in a nauseating way with the scent of alcohol and sex. Kennex’s stomach quivered and her body shuddered as she made her way further into the establishment. Her gaze continuously scanned the room while she wrapped her arms around her chest, trying to keep any distance she could from those around her.

  Not that she hated crowds, but this many in such a small place made her skin itch. Or perhaps it was the lingering disgust from the failed ceremony on the beach two nights ago. Given that she was going against her typical routine to search for one particularly frustrating, yet sexy, warrior angel, she assumed the council took care of the human bodies like she suggested.


  She should’ve told them to ensure the bodies were found so their families could grieve. A dozen times over the past few days she’d picked up the phone to call Ash and ask, only to put it back down. Bringing more attention to the incident would only cause problems.

  Kennex clenched her jaw as she fought the inner voice that chastised her for being a selfish murderer. She rubbed her temples, trying to relieve the ache rattling around in her skull.

  A male shifter stepped into her path and unleashed a broad smile. “Hey, baby. Want to dance?”

  Kennex looked around, wondering who the shifter was talking to. She hadn’t asked Lexi to join her this time. No way did she want her friend around as she fumbled her way through flirting with a being that made her chest twist into knots. She had absolutely no skill with males and having one come onto her was even more foreign.

  “Not this time. I’m looking for someone,” Kennex replied regretfully.

  Several times since escaping Jared’s clutches all those years ago she forced herself to seek male companionship and sleep with them. It was as much an effort to take her life back as it was defiance.

  Jared declared when she was still a young Phoenix that she belonged to him, and after they had sex the first time, he forbid her from other males. Her rebellion was short-lived before she gave up and stopped seeking male company.

  Males were horny, handsy creatures with an insatiable appetite for sex. She liked the two she had been with, but there was no real connection on either side. For Kennex, having nothing beyond sex made her interest die quickly.

  Having a vile Angel introduce you to intimacy left little room for enjoyment. Especially considering her introduction was all about a revolting male’s pleasure. Focus, Nexie. Thinking about this anymore will only make it harder to hide your disgust when you find Ayil.

  The male shifter took a step closer to her and leaned in. “When you don’t find who you are looking for, let me know. I’ll save a dance for you.”

  Kennex chuckled and shook her head. “Don’t wait for me. I think that harpy over there is eyeing you. I’m certain she will agree to a dance if you ask her.”

  He shifted back to his heels and grimaced with a smile on his handsome face. “Ouch. That hurt. Come find me when you’re ready.”

  Kennex walked away, leaving the shifter to approach the harpy. The male was brave, she’d give him that. It wasn’t everyone willing to tangle with a harpy. They were notoriously vicious beings with sticky fingers.

  After shoving her way to the bar, Kennex took a seat and ordered a beer. Kennex realized she was still smiling as she sipped her drink. It was flattering to have a good-looking male interested in her. It was a completely foreign feeling, but it made her forget all the bullshit for a while. Perhaps, she needed to rethink being a hermit.

  Seemed like her days of bliss were already over. Instead of being on her new couch kicking some faerie ass in a video game, she was looking for an Angel in a bar. Speaking of, she swiveled in her chair.

  Holy mother of Gods, the bodies were even more dense from her current position. All she saw were chests and breasts. Too bad she didn’t see the perfect pectoral muscles of Ayil. His piercing green eyes were nowhere in the crowd.

  A distinctive tattoo caught Kennex’s eye as she turned around to finish her drink. The thick black lines were druidic in nature and instilled fear, awe and admiration in every supernatural. Her gaze traveled from the muscled forearm to shaggy brown hair that fell into piercing grey eyes. At first glance Kennex had no idea what kind of being the Dark Warrior was, but she she’d bet he was a cambion given the sexual desire flowing from him in waves.

  Everyone within ten feet of the warrior was rubbing on dates, barstools or strangers. Kennex felt the effect as her heart raced and her breath quickened. It was intoxicating and made Kennex glad the shifter hadn’t hit on her while she was sitting so close. She might have taken him to the alley out back to give into the building need.

  Not only was there intense lust surrounding the male, but admiration and respect. It was the first time Kennex was in the same vicinity as a Dark Warrior. Her parents told her about the realm protectors.

  Her dad told her how a group of Dark Warriors, including the Vampire King, saved his family from death when demons attacked their clan lands over a hundred and fifty years ago. Phoenixes weren’t part of the alliance, but that didn’t stop the Dark Warriors from protecting every being they could, according to her father.

  A few years ago, Kennex recalled hearing about the Dark Warriors saving a female of the Seattle clan when she was held captive by an archdemon and tortured. She had the urge to sit next to him and ask for fighting tips. Specifically, how to keep her wits and not freeze up when she was under attack. The self-defense classes she’d taken went completely out the window when Jared appeared in her house.

  Kennex tapped the bar to get the bar tender’s attention. “Another Fat Tire, please. And, can you tell me if you’ve seen the angel, Ayil?”

  The tall, slender male grabbed her empty glass and rinsed it out before putting it in a plastic bin and retrieving a frosted pint glass from the fridge. “I assume you’re talking about the Angel that was in here the other night with his brothers. I haven’t seen any of them tonight. And, I imagine they might not be back anytime soon. Bog was pissed about the one who started a fight and busted up a few tables.”

  Wrapping her fingers around the glass, Kennex tapped the tips in an agitated rhythm. Aside from running into Ayil on the beach and at the bar, she had no idea where to start looking for him.

  “If you happen to see him can you let him know Kennex is looking for him?”

  “Sure thing,” the bartender replied and continued down the bar to fill another order.

  The previous euphoria evaporated at the thought of not finding him. What the hell was she going to do if she couldn’t dupe Ayil into a brief affair? Aside from the fact that she was determined to make Jared pay, she needed help with her clan. There was no one she trusted, and she wasn’t entirely sure she could place her faith in Ayil with that, but the council was too powerful for her to stand against.

  Dammit, she silently cursed. Where was an Angel when she needed one?

  After Araton’s stunt two days before, Ayil didn’t expect to be back at the supernatural bar. He wasn’t certain why he was there now. Who cared if Kennex asked for him? She was caustic and angry, and he wanted nothing to do with her. But he couldn’t deny his curiosity when Caspien called and said she was looking for him. Thankfully, he was able to teleport so his chance of missing her was minimal.

  The crowded bar was somehow not Kennex’s scene with her t-shirts and ankle-high boots. Most females that frequented establishments like Bog’s dressed for sex. He’d seen her at the beach and club and her style never changed. She was all about comfort over sex appeal.

  Ayil glanced around as he pushed his way through the crowd. Several females gave him come hither smiles, tempting him. There was no time for that right now, but he should seek one of them out when he was done talking to Kennex.

  As he shouldered between two large males, he spotted the Phoenix sitting at the bar. Caspien was sitting a few seats away and was flanked by two females that were rubbing themselves wantonly on the cambion. Ayil nodded his acknowledgement to Caspien. The Dark Warrior lifted his chin and got up from his stool.

  Ayil approached Kennex and watched her drink her beer. “I hear that you’re looking for me.”

  Kennex startled and jumped from her seat. The action sent the stool teetering into the front of the bar and nearly knocked her glass over. Ayil reached out and steadied her by grabbing her elbow. He kept his face impassive when she flinched at his touch. That coupled with the bruises she suffered a few days before told him someone had indeed harmed her.

  “H…how did you find me?” she asked and looked at Dan, the bartender who threw his hands up.

  “Wasn’t me. I’ve been serving all night.”

  Ayil wasn’t g
oing to out Caspien. He needed to keep his informants secret, so they didn’t lose their effectiveness. “Tell me, Candle. Are you ready to tell me about what your clan is up to?” he asked, changing the subject.

  Kennex wrapped her arms around her middle, and despite the diminutive stance she glared at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was looking for you because…well, because I was rude to you.”

  The Phoenix lifted one corner of her mouth and shifted her hips as she put one foot in front of the other and rested her elbows on the counter behind her. Her words shocked him as much as the way she was standing did. If he wasn’t mistaken the female was trying to look sexy, but she fell short. It wasn’t a natural pose for her. It was forced and he wondered why.

  “Since when did you care if you were rude to me? You haven’t liked me from the second we met.”

  She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at the same moment her hands thrust onto her hips. “You don’t have to be rude about it. I’m extending an olive branch. Aren’t Angels supposed to be all about love? Not that I buy that load of crap, but that’s what they say.”

  He chuckled at her and took a step closer. He wanted to see if he sensed infernal energy again. “I’m a warrior angel, made to kill demons. You’re thinking of Joy Bringers.”

  “So, there are Angels that are all loving and shit?”

  “Grey Goose, please, Dan,” Ayil asked the bartender before answering Kennex. “There are Angels dedicated to bringing joy to those that are in need, as well as, many more. It seems odd to me that you wanted to tell me you’d been rude. Last time I saw you, you were battered and bruised.”

  Kennex lifted a finger to her cheek where she sported a nasty yellow-green mark. The female hunched her shoulders and lowered her eyes. No doubt someone had beaten her, but Ayil wasn’t going to push for more information. She wasn’t going to be honest with him and lies would do them no good.

  “I should have known there were good and bad Angels, too, as hard as that is to believe. So, do all Angels spend their time in bars and on beaches?”