Awaken (Divine Hunter Series)

by L. J. Sealey

  But he couldn’t shake the feeling he had. It seemed he was to blame for everything she’d been through lately. If he’d just stayed away from her none of this would have happened. Yeah, instead of sticking to his normal routine of keeping his distance and getting on with the job he was there to do he’d weakened. It was an innocent slip that had materialised into something that was now way beyond his control. He cared for her, and knew she felt the same and wasn’t that just a ball ache?

  He had to stop it. There was no choice.

  He had to stick to his plan of Evo staying with her from now on. As soon as his buddy got back he’d inform him of the new plan then Michael would go to his place, pick up a few things and head over to the hospital. He didn’t think Nina was still in danger but wanted to be sure.

  His phone vibrated in his hand. A reply from Evo: ON MY WAY. WILL GET TAKE OUT.

  Michael exhaled hard. Now he had to prepare to give his friend the next bit of bad news: They’d left the MERC behind.

  * * *

  After fetching a fresh towel from the closet in the spare room, Lacy returned to her room to find Alethia sitting on the edge of the bed, eyes closed, head tilted back, and a rush of whispers coming from her lips. Lacy approached slowly, wondering what language it was that she was speaking. Not wanting to disturb the strange ritual, she quietly walked to the arm chair in the corner next to the window and placed the towel on it.

  “I was just talking with my father.” Alethia said unexpectedly.

  Lacy turned around to face her. “Wow. Impressive. Your cell phone bills must be nonexistent. Do you even need one at all?”

  Alethia smiled. “Not for our conversations. It’s one way my kind communicates with each other when we’re not together.”

  “I see. Like a form of telepathy?” Lacy asked, still trying to understand all the bizarre stuff that had happened in the last twenty-four hours.

  Alethia nodded. “Yes.”

  It was hard to see the deity as anything more than normal−human. If Lacy hadn’t witnessed her power first hand she would never have believed it. She was very pretty, in a sophisticated way; dark eyebrows framed unusual caramel coloured eyes. Her black hair hung straight with the slightest curl at the ends.

  “I brought you some clean towels in case you want a shower. Feel free to. The bathroom’s just across the hall.” Lacy paused as she noticed how off color Alethia looked. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes. Really, I am. It’s just. . . it’s been a while since I’ve used that much power.” Alethia shifted herself until she was lying down.

  As Lacy thought back to when she’d appeared from nowhere in the junk yard and used her powers the way she had, she remembered seeing how much the woman had struggled. Whoever, or whatever, that being was that had nearly killed Michael it was certainly very powerful, and to think that she’d been captured by such a thing brought the dread sweeping back over her. She worried for Michael−worried for all of them. If using her powers on such a creature when he was weak had drained Alethia as much as it had, she dreaded to think what would happen if Varesh was at full strength.

  She didn’t want to keep her any longer so she headed for the door. “Well, let me know if you need anything okay.” She was about to leave when. . .

  “He cares for you, you know.”

  Lacy paused with her fingers around the door handle as Alethia’s words surprised her. She turned around, a little taken aback. “I’m sorry?”

  “Michael. He has feelings for you. I sensed his sadness when we first met at the airport and I saw a vision of you in his mind. Then just now, his guilt over what happened to you.”

  Lacy walked back over to the bed not really sure what to say so she just sat on the edge. “You can read minds?”

  “Yes. Look, I try not to invade people’s thoughts but sometimes it just happens. He’s scared to let himself feel for you because of what he is and. . . ” she paused. “Shit. I just thought you should know. I’m sorry. Perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything. See this is exactly why I’m normally strict with myself when it comes to hearing people. I can’t ever keep my damn mouth shut.”

  Lacy placed her hand on Alethia’s arm and gave her a smile. “Hey. It’s fine. I kind of knew anyway. I kissed him last night and he told me then.” She didn’t know why she wanted to talk about this with someone she’d known for all of five minutes but the truth was she really did. She felt quite calm, strangely comfortable in her presence even though she was practically a stranger−Must be the goddess thing. “I just don’t know what to do about it. When I saw that. . . thing nearly killing him I wanted to run to him, to help him. I couldn’t bare it.” Oh, God. She’d fallen for him. Hard. Well wasn’t this a revelation?

  Alethia pulled herself up to a sitting position and Lacy saw genuine compassion in her face. “Can I give you some advice?”

  Lacy nodded.

  “Just be patient with him. I understand his concern about the two of you and if I were in his position I would feel the same. He isn’t human anymore.” She let out a sigh.

  “I know we don’t know each other but you need to know that I’m quite good at detecting when someone is pure of heart. I sensed it about you, even Evo.” She must have seen Lacy’s eyebrows rise because she laughed a little. “I know he’s a horny, womanising snake−Yes, I’ve been in his head too. Don’t judge me−but his heart is in the right place when it needs to be. With Michael though, I sensed it the most. I don’t know how to explain it, but I just feel that he’s here for a purpose. There’s a reason he came back from Hell. I don’t know why he’s been targeted by Varesh, and I don’t know why he was killed, but everything happens for a reason right?”

  It was a philosophy that Lacy wasn’t entirely on board with, at least she hadn’t been until now, but maybe Alethia was right. She didn’t really understand any of this, in fact her head was beginning to spin with the events from the past few weeks, but she knew Michael was a good man. She’d sensed it too, in her own way, and that’s why she felt the way she did about him.

  Why couldn’t she have met him when he’d been alive?

  The two of them sat in silence for a little while. Both of them clearly affected by this evening’s events but in very different ways. She was sitting next to a powerful goddess who had exhausted her powers on some evil demon, and in the other room, was a man (she refused to call him anything else) who had experienced severe tragic circumstances−resulting in that same demon hunting him down−who she now had feelings for.

  What a mess.

  Lacy looked up at Alethia who now had her eyes closed. “I’ll leave you to rest,” she said as she stood up. She headed for the door but before she opened it she turned back around. “Thank you, for the chat.”

  “Mmhmm.” Was all Alethia managed along with a slight nod of her head.

  Lacy closed the door behind her and when she returned to the living room, Michael wasn’t there. Before she thought anything of it, she heard movement coming from the kitchen. When she walked through the door he glanced at her over his shoulder and gave her a faint smile. “Thought I’d make coffee,” he said as he placed the jug that he’d just filled with water onto the machine.

  She walked over and leant against the counter watching him gather the cups and the sugar bowl from the cupboard above his head. He put one sugar in each of the two cups leaving the spoon inside the last one. He stood motionless with both hands on the counter, his head hanging low. He didn’t look at her as he spoke. “I’m sorry.”

  She straightened. “Sorry? What for?”

  He stayed with his back to her while the noise from the coffee machine increased in volume. “For everything. All of this is my fault. I should never have brought this to your door.”

  She thought about what he’d said to her in the living room when he’d confessed to what he was. “You told me you came here to help the students. To find whatever was killing them didn’t you?”

  “Yes,” he answered quie
tly.

  “And you had no idea that this demon was after you, and that he had something to do with what was happening on campus?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Then how is any of this your fault?”

  His voice rose slightly. “If I’d stayed away from you then you wouldn’t have been dragged into it. You wouldn’t have been abducted and almost killed.” He slammed his hand down on the counter.

  She didn’t say anything. Couldn’t. Instead her thoughts went back to being tied to that bed, terrified she would never see anyone again: her friends, her colleagues, but most of all Michael. The whole time she’d laid in the darkened warehouse she’d thought of him−the only reason she’d gotten through it.

  He turned around and took up the same position as she had, arms crossed over his chest. “I’m not used to this, Lacy. For the past year I’ve had nobody but myself to worry about. But now, I’ve somehow managed to drag Evo deeper into this shit than he was in the first place; Alethia, who Varesh now knows is involved as well; and worst of all you. . . I’ve put you in danger and it was purely because of my selfish actions.”

  “What do you mean selfish actions?”

  He seemed to hesitate as though he was finding it hard to say his next words.

  “Because I allowed myself to feel. I just wanted some normalcy, just to feel for a moment like I wasn’t the guy who’d been murdered, that I was just me. Because you, Lacy, you made me feel human again.” A tendon twitched as he tightened his jaw. “I put you in danger.”

  Lacy bit back the tears that were threatening to form and walked over to him. He looked her in the eye as she reached up and stroked her hand down his cheek. The coffee machine had run through its cycle leaving nothing but silence as the two of them stood and looked at each other.

  Michael tucked a stray hair behind her ear and surprised her when he reached up and placed both hands on her cheeks. “I’m sorry.” He whispered it this time, but before she had chance to tell him to stop apologising he bent his head and placed his soft lips on hers.

  Stunned at his unexpected kiss, she closed her eyes allowing herself to get lost in the feel of him. A warm flush filled her cheeks.

  He broke contact and pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her. His piercing blue eyes scanned her face and she couldn’t quite place his expression. Her heart began to race; her whole body had warmed with a sudden glow that soared through her veins as she stared back at him unable to speak. But she didn’t have to. He kissed her again, this time licking his tongue over her lips and pushing inside. She opened up to him and he moaned as their tongues met and began to twist around each other. His hand stroked through her hair to the back of her neck and he walked her backwards until her back hit the other counter top.

  She stroked her hands up his back. Oh, God. This was what she’d wanted, needed from him. Her body was filled with a rush of sensation as Michael’s tongue continued to massage hers, the taste of him making her head spin with desire. At that moment she wanted everything from him, she wanted to feel his flesh on hers, their bodies lying together with no barrier between them. The thought of it heated her core.

  Her thoughts were cut off when the door bell rang and Michael immediately broke contact and pulled away from her. He was panting in much the same way she was, and he swallowed hard before he eventually spoke.

  “That’ll be. . . ”−he cleared his throat−“That’ll be Evo.” His brows dipped slightly and then he was out of the door before she could blink.

  Lacy stood in the same spot while she heard Michael letting Evo in. Feeling bereft, she put her hand on her chest and felt the rapid beat of her heart. Even though she’d craved Michael’s kiss again, the glow quickly began to dissipate and she felt her chest tighten as a sudden sadness washed over her. For some reason she feared that that might be their last.

  * * *

  In Lacy’s bathroom, Michael had just finished splashing water over his face and was now towelling it off. He’d let Evo in with his big bag of takeout and made like he was desperate for the toilet, but not before catching the concerned expression on Evo’s face. Never missed a thing that man.

  Hands propped either side of the basin, he stared at his bruised reflection. He tried to replace what face he saw with his own but the truth was, the memory he had of his real self was fading. He’d been in this body for around ten months but with everything that had happened since then, all the battles he’d fought, it felt more like ten years.

  He thought back to how simple his life had been. Even though he’d been CEO of his own company, and it had been hard and very stressful at times dealing with the many staff who worked in his building and the general day to day responsibility of running things, his biggest worry right before he’d died had been whether he was going to be able to make it to his damn conference in Connecticut.

  Things couldn’t be more different for him now.

  Now, at this very moment, he was faced with the harsh reality that he was falling too hard for a woman he could never have, and didn’t deserve; a woman whose life he’d selfishly endangered and who, he suspected, felt the same for him despite now knowing what he really was. Part of him had hoped that when he’d confessed everything to her she’d have been so freaked out she’d have had no choice but to distance herself from him, but in fact it had done quite the opposite.

  And now, not only had he succeeded in making her feel sorry for him, with a moment of complete madness he’d just made things even worse.

  God, that kiss had damn near torn him apart. He closed his eyes and for a second allowed himself to remember it. Her lips had been so soft; her sweet floral scent had made his head spin with desire for her. He was surprised that he could feel all of those sensations given his situation, but feel them he had. The buzz of desire had run through his very core lighting him up, making him feel as real as he had before he’d died. In fact more real than he’d ever felt.

  He inhaled deeply and let his breath out in a long drawn out sigh. He had to get his head together. It had been lovely, had exhilarated him, but it was a moment of weakness that he couldn’t, and wouldn’t, allow to happen again.

  He flushed the chain for effect and went through to the kitchen where Evo and Lacy were playfully arguing over what looked like egg rolls?

  “You’ve got the extra bit of shrimp toast so it’s only fair that I get that extra roll.” Lacy snagged it from Evo’s plate before he could argue back.

  “You, woman, are a pain in my ass,” he grumbled. “You’re−HEY, buddy.”

  Michael managed a smile. “Hey.” He went over to the counter where all the plating up was happening.

  “We’ve shared it out equally.” That last word was said with gritted teeth and a look towards Lacy who shrugged her shoulder at him as she sat down at the dining table with her plate piled high. “Yours is over there,” he gestured. “I just shoved a bit of everything on your plate.”

  Michael wasn’t really in the mood but he grabbed the food anyway. “Cheers, man.” He went over and sat opposite Lacy who glanced at him briefly and gave him an awkward smile. She’d obviously sensed something was off with him. Not surprising since he’d practically run away from her just now. Better that she did. It was time for him to stop this nonsense. He would apologise to her for what happened and then move on. He had much more important things to do right now than battle with himself over a woman. Yes, he’d made up his mind and was determined to stick to it.

  Evo sat down next to him and before he spoke, his friend glanced at Lacy then back to him. He knew something was up but to Michael’s surprise he didn’t mention it. “So. . . You going to tell me what the hell happened over there?”

  * * *

  After they’d eaten and Michael had filled Evo in with all the details from Lacy’s rescue, Michael decided he needed to go back to his place. It wasn’t going to help his situation hanging around Lacy when he didn’t have to, so he and Evo had left pretty much straight away. Besides, he ha
d something else he needed to do.

  Alethia had agreed to stay behind. Going by what he’d seen so far Lacy would be very well protected by the deity should anything happen. There was no need to continue staking out the hospital because Lacy’s friend had informed her that an officer was now watching her room in case Jake returned, and the chances of Varesh or his sidekick bothering her now were very slim.

  Michael knew Evo wasn’t going to be happy when he found out what he was about to do but he had no choice, and had no idea how to do it on his own which was the only reason why he had to involve his friend, as much as he hated to.

  After retrieving Evo’s MERC−after the guy had insisted−and Lacy’s Focus from the breaker’s yard, they were now at Michael’s apartment. He grabbed a clean shirt from his closet and did a quick change, throwing the ripped and bloodied one in the trash. He returned to the sitting room where Evo was sat on the sofa fiddling with one of his guns. “So, what now?” His friend asked as he flicked the safety on one of his SIG SAUER pistols.

  “You help me.” Michael said as he watched Evo’s eyes narrow towards him.

  Evo placed his pistol on the table in front of him without looking away. “Help you with what?” His voice was thick with suspicion.

  Michael held his gaze. “First I want you to promise you’ll hear me out before you say anything, okay?”

  Now he frowned. “What is it?”

  “Evo,” he pressed.

  “I promise,” he said through gritted teeth. “What do you need me for man?”

  Michael paused. “I need your help. . . To get into Hell.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “Oh no. No! No way. . . Not happenin’ my man.” Evo said as he began to pace the length of the small living room.

  Michael wasn’t at all surprised by his reaction and the least he could do after dropping such a bombshell on him was keep quiet until he’d finished his rant. Not that Michael was paying much attention.