King of the Wicked (The Banished Series Book 1)

by T. R. Hamby

  Nora hesitated. Mel could see the wheels turning in her mind.

  She looked at Michael. “What does he do to them?” she asked, an edge to her voice.

  A dark shadow crossed his face. “He’s done different things. He strangled two, crushed one. This last one...he broke her back.”

  A chill went down Mel’s spine, and he felt a surge of anger. The depravity, the audacity...it was typical with Angel killers. They loved to play God, and it made him sick.

  Nora shivered, taking a step away, and Mel closed his eyes, trying to compose himself before his anger affected her any worse. When he felt a little calmer, he opened his eyes, and saw her studying him.

  She squeezed his hand again. “We can’t let it happen again,” she breathed. She cut him off as he opened his mouth to speak, “You can come with me. You can watch...all I have to do is ask a couple questions.”

  “No.”

  It was Michael who spoke this time, watching Nora calmly. “It’s too dangerous. We don’t need you dying too. Father would be furious.”

  “Funny that all you care about is what your Father thinks,” she snapped, and he glowered at her.

  “I watched the last victim die,” he growled. “It wasn’t a good death. She was about your age. If that happened to you--”

  “She was near my age?” she said suddenly, and Mel saw an idea forming.

  She looked at him, a pleading look on her face.

  “I can be her sister,” she said desperately. “I could be looking for her. They would want to help, especially if they knew her.”

  He ran a hand through his hair, swearing under his breath. The idea was becoming more and more enticing.

  But he shook his head. No. He wasn’t going to risk it. He had only just found her; he couldn’t risk losing her forever. She had remarked on the horror of the victims’ deaths. He didn’t want the same to happen to her.

  “No,” he said, with finality. “The Dark Web is good enough. Don’t look at me like that,” he said, as she looked pleading again, “don’t do that to me, Nora. Please.”

  There was a long silence. Nora sighed, nodding, drawing closer and squeezing his hand. Mel felt relief wash over him. He would have held her if not for Michael standing there.

  But Michael cleared his throat.

  “Stay out of it,” Mel said instantly, his voice dangerous.

  Michael raised an eyebrow. “We could all go,” he said, unimpressed by Mel’s warning. “You can be with her; I can be nearby. It would only take a few minutes.”

  “Goddammit, I’m not risking it,” he hissed, trying with every fiber of his being not to let his anger out.

  They were silent. He turned away, taking deep breaths, staring out the window at the skyline. His thoughts whirled around in his head--fear for Nora, anger at Michael, rage at this Angel killer. Lilith dead on the ground.

  His hands nearly shook. He went out to the balcony and leaned on the railing, closing his eyes.

  Nora was so fragile. The simplest thing could injure her--even kill her. He was suddenly overwhelmed with the finality of her existence, and how quickly time would go by for them. He didn’t think he could survive her death--now or later. He didn’t think he wanted to.

  He didn’t want to.

  He heard footsteps behind him, and he opened his eyes. Nora appeared at his side, her brown eyes wide with concern. She looked sheepish, and she took his hand and squeezed.

  “I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “This isn’t fair to you.”

  He studied her for a moment. His anger was fading, but his fear still remained.

  “You’re still going to do it?” he murmured.

  She hesitated, and he could see she was struggling for an answer.

  God, why was she doing this to him? She really had no idea what it was like for him, when he had lost Lilith? After all the nightmares she had woken him out of? After hearing him lose his head with Michael?

  She finally sighed, lifting her chin.

  “Mel, I have the chance to stop someone from doing horrific things. From hurting more people. Women. I’m not someone who has a hero complex or anything...but you saw how I was with Leo.”

  She paused, a dark look on her face. “I hate it. I hate men...women...creatures like that. It’s...unholy.”

  She looked at him. “I have to do this. But…” And she let out another sigh. “I won’t do it unless you go with me.”

  He studied her for a long moment. She had a resolute look on her face, waiting for his answer. He swore under his breath, holding his head in his hands. Lilith’s body flashed through his mind.

  But Nora’s words echoed in his head. He couldn’t help but be proud of her, wanting to protect the women being stalked by this Angel. Her hatred for monsters like that mirrored his own.

  And it would be so much faster--if it worked.

  He let out a large sigh, swearing again, and looked at her.

  “Okay,” he murmured. “We’ll go together.”

  She wasn’t excited. She nodded firmly.

  He felt a strong pain, and he held her hand. “If anything happened to you…” he whispered, trailing off as his throat got tight. Lilith appeared before his eyes again, cold and colorless, and he shook his head.

  “It won’t,” she said soothingly. She waited for him to look at her again. “You’ll be there. Right there. You can even touch me if you want...keep a hand on me. Nothing will happen. Nothing.”

  Nora

  Via di Castagna was a rundown street, stretching several blocks and bearing dilapidated shops and buildings. There was an alley near the intersection, and at the entrance was where the women worked.

  The three of them took a cab there--they didn’t want to risk being seen Traveling by Alessandro. Nora and Mel sat in the back, while Michael sat up front, looking brooding. He was nothing compared to Mel, though, who was positively stony. He was so tense he nearly crushed Nora’s fingers as he held her hand, and he kept looking out the windows. Nora could feel his pulse in his wrist; it was going too fast to count.

  “Breathe,” she whispered, and his head twitched. He didn’t respond.

  They got out on the next street, and Michael selected a stretch of wall to keep guard.

  “Be careful,” he said, looking at Nora.

  She gave him a look that said that she didn’t need anything from him, least of all his advice. She knew what he had done to Lilith, and she wasn’t about to forgive him, let alone like him.

  He seemed unmoved by her expression, and simply folded his arms and leaned against the wall, scanning the street.

  Mel and Nora started up the pavement. Mel had a firm hand on the small of her back, and kept glancing around.

  “If anything happens, run,” he breathed.

  She hated how scared he was. “Nothing will happen,” she replied soothingly.

  “Just promise me.”

  “Okay, I promise.”

  They finally reached Via di Castagna, and approached the alley. Three women were waiting by the No Parking sign. They studied the two warily.

  “Ciao,” Nora said, her voice shaky with nerves. Mel kept glancing around, and it was distracting her. She elbowed him in the ribs, and he let out an impatient sigh.

  A blonde-haired woman, who looked a little matronly, looked her over.

  “What do you need, tesoro?” she asked in Italian.

  She felt a little relieved, and held out the picture they had printed just an hour earlier.

  “I’m looking for my sister,” she said. “Angelica. I haven’t seen her in a few weeks…”

  “How do you know she’s been here, then?” a girl with blue hair asked.

  Nora faltered. “Has she been here?”

  The blonde woman hesitated, her eyes darting to Mel. “Who’s he?”

  Nora glanced at him; he hadn’t even noticed the exchange, but was still glancing around, his hand firm on her back.

  She looked back at the woman. “My boyfriend. He’s got anx
iety. Doesn’t like being around people.”

  “How’d you snag him, then?” the blue-haired woman asked, and the third woman snickered.

  The blonde woman folded her arms, looking Mel up and down. “Not happy here, tesoro?”

  He noticed her looking at him and said, in a perfect American accent, “No Italian.”

  “Oh, bless him,” the third woman said. She stepped forward; she had a pixie haircut and striking green eyes.

  “I knew Angelica,” she said, lowering her voice. “You’re really her sister?”

  Nora nodded, hoping she looked convincing. “Si. Have you seen her?”

  She contemplated the picture for a moment. Then she looked at the other two.

  “I told her not to go near him,” she said.

  “Go near who?” Nora asked quickly.

  “Alessandro,” the blue-haired woman whispered, a dark look on her face. “Don’t go spreading it around...he might hear.”

  “Our friend Bella went with him a few weeks ago,” the blonde woman said grimly. “We haven’t seen her either.”

  “He likes driving by and talking to us,” the woman with the green eyes said. “He’s not right...but he has money.”

  “He drives that stupid car,” the blue-haired girl said.

  Nora’s ears perked up. “What car?”

  “A Ferrari,” the blonde woman said. She hesitated, looking at Nora with sympathy in her eyes.

  “I have the license plate,” she said, “if that helps you.”

  Both Nora and Mel tensed.

  “Si, por favore,” she said, nodding rapidly.

  “I wouldn’t fuck with it,” the blue-haired woman said while Nora typed the number into the Notes app on her phone. “There’s something fucked about all this.”

  “It’s Angelica,” the blonde woman said. “No one even came for Bella. They need to be found.”

  The blue-haired woman didn’t reply, just shifted on the balls of her feet.

  “Thank you so much,” Nora breathed, as she and Mel turned to go.

  “Don’t tell him we said anything,” she replied worriedly. “If you run into him.”

  “No, of course not.”

  This time Mel wrapped his arm firmly around Nora’s shoulders, marching them back to where Michael was standing.

  “We’ll have to look for something on the Dark Web that’ll help us trace the license plate,” she whispered, feeling a rush that made her head spin.

  “Let’s get home first,” Mel said. He still sounded nervous, and his grip was strong on her shoulders.

  They made it to Michael, who looked inquisitive. But Mel wasn’t about to answer questions.

  “Let’s go,” he said, holding out a hand, and Michael grasped it.

  Mel took Nora’s hand. “Big step back, and hold on tight. It’s better if you close your eyes.”

  She squeezed her eyes shut and stepped backward, feeling a sudden rush. Her world jerked backward, and the ground seemed to fall away from her feet. She gripped Mel’s hand, and in a moment her feet brushed solid ground before she toppled onto the floor.

  “Ouch,” she said, opening her eyes. They were in Mel’s living room. Mel was also on the floor, sitting himself up, and Michael was standing over them, frowning.

  “Jesus,” Mel breathed, wincing. “I really hate feeling pain.”

  Then he looked at her, and, seeming to forget that Michael was there, tugged her into his arms. She slipped her arms around his neck, brushing at his hair soothingly. She could feel his heart racing in his chest, the beats still too quick to count.

  “You’re okay?” he murmured.

  “Yes,” she said softly. “I’m fine. Are you okay?”

  He chuckled, and she felt some relief hearing it.

  “I’m never letting you go,” he replied, and she smiled.

  “Did you...get anything?” Michael asked slowly.

  Nora looked up at him. He was standing off to the side, looking extremely awkward.

  “A license plate. Here--Mel, let me go--I saved it on my phone.”

  She read off the number, and Michael nodded, seeming to have memorized it instantly.

  “I’ll go--see what I can find. It can’t take long,” he said, apparently to himself.

  He didn’t wait for a goodbye--not that Nora was going to offer one. He stepped backward and vanished, leaving her to stare at the spot where he had been standing. She didn’t think she would ever get used to seeing that--let alone doing it.

  Mel wrapped his arms around her again, and she couldn’t help but chuckle.

  “Mel, I’m okay,” she said, rubbing his back.

  “Just give me a second,” he murmured.

  She felt a pang, and she held him tight. She had been selfish, she realized with a surge of guilt. She had put herself in danger, knowing what had happened to Mel’s first love. He was still haunted by her death--horrified by it--and yet she had been more than happy to throw herself in the path of a murderous Angel, and risk her own life. Would he have nightmares about her tonight?

  He finally pulled away. He was shaking slightly, and he looked pale.

  She took his hand. “Let’s go lie down,” she said gently.

  They lied down on the bed, facing each other, and Mel slipped his arm around her waist.

  She studied him worriedly. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I shouldn’t have done it. I wasn’t thinking about you.”

  “You wanted to help,” he replied softly. “Because you’re a good person. It’s kind of you.”

  “I hurt you in the process,” she said, horrible guilt washing over her again.

  “I’ll be fine. I just need a minute.”

  “You’ll have nightmares.”

  He hesitated. “I might.”

  She bit her lip, brushing at his hair. He finally took her hand, giving her a firm look.

  “I’ll be fine. You’re an adult; you’re bound to make decisions that’ll make me nervous. I have to accept that.”

  She nodded, relaxing, though she still felt a small trace of guilt. “Okay.”

  His lips twitched. “You were great, by the way.”

  She smiled. “Really?”

  “Of course. You’re a natural.”

  “Like an Angel?”

  He chuckled. “You are an angel.”

  “Nice line,” she murmured, pressing a hand to his chest. “Is your heart slowing down?”

  “Yes.”

  “It was so fast. I couldn’t count it.”

  “My heartbeat is naturally faster than a human’s, remember?” he said, putting his hand over hers. “When it’s elevated...it’s almost like a purr.”

  “That sounds painful.”

  He shrugged. She could see he was starting to fully relax; his shoulders weren’t as tense, and he was smiling.

  She drew closer, kissing him, and buried her head into his chest. “I’m right here.”

  “I know,” he murmured, squeezing her. “I know.”

  There was no news from Michael the next morning. Nora decided Mel needed a day out, so they went to the beach, then shopped at the Via Cola di Rienzo. He seemed refreshed when they got home, and didn’t seem preoccupied with yesterday’s events anymore. They spent the rest of the day packing up Nora’s things and driving it to her new apartment in Mel’s building.

  By the time they finished it was evening. Most of Nora’s dishware was still packed, but Mel was able to unearth a couple glasses. They opened a bottle of wine and sat on the couch, drinking and talking.

  “How do you like it?” Mel asked, squeezing her feet.

  Nora looked around, beaming. It was her first place on her own, and it was better than she could have imagined. Two bedrooms, with a spacious living room, and a good kitchen too. The furniture was comfortable. The art was bland, but she would fix that in time. Overall, it was perfect.

  Her smile seemed to be answer enough, because he chuckled. “Good.”

  She looked at him. “Are you happy?�
��

  He seemed amused by this question. He smiled and nodded. “Are you?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Absolutely.”

  Suddenly he frowned and sat up. He wasn’t even able to speak before Michael appeared, materializing right by the couch.

  “Alessandro Gallo,” he said instantly. “142 Via di Pesca.”

  Mel jumped to his feet.

  “What do you think?” he asked quietly, folding his arms, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “We go to his place? Interrogate him first?”

  “We have to kill him,” Michael said gravely. “As quickly as possible.”

  “We can’t sense what he is. He could pretend to be human--an innocent human.”

  Nora sat quietly, watching the exchange, her heart starting to beat faster and faster.

  The two were quiet, thinking. Mel’s jaw was tight, and he was frowning, almost troubled.

  “Let me go alone,” he said, “just at first. I’m less threatening. He might try to commiserate with me. One killer to another.”

  Nora sprang to her feet. “No, Mel--you can’t,” she exclaimed. She turned to Michael. “Tell him he can’t!”

  “He’s right,” Michael said quietly, avoiding her gaze. “We have to avoid killing a human, and Alessandro is more likely to confess to him.”

  She felt a little dizzy, and Mel rushed to her side, taking her hand.

  “It’ll be fine,” he said soothingly. “Trust me. I’m stronger than him.”

  “You’re being overconfident,” she insisted, tears burning her eyes. “You don’t know what he can do.”

  “Nora. I can do this.”

  “He could have a Blade!”

  “Nora. Please. Breathe. You’re not helping anything if you lose your head.”

  She felt a little stab of anger--didn’t he understand what she was feeling?--but she took some deep breaths anyway, gripping his hands.

  After a moment she looked up at him, pleading. “Don’t leave me, Mel.”

  “I won’t. Believe in me, love,” he whispered, and he cupped her face in his hand, kissing her brow. “Think of those women. Think of all the women he wants to hurt.”

  She gripped his arm, shaking a little. She knew he was right. He was the only one who could do this. And she had to trust that he would make it out safe.