Ivory Guard

by Natalie Herzer

  “You said it, not me.”

  At least it had gotten a grin out of her, even if small. It hadn’t been intended but he had to admit he liked the sight and feel of it. “Go.”

  He heard her walk into the living room while he attacked the dishes. The faint click of his lighter let him know that she was lighting the candles since night was quickly settling and then she changed the music to classic rock again, something he didn’t mind to clear his head.

  The girl was different from his other students. Fearless. The others had shrank away from his scowl and done what he asked without thinking twice about it. She challenged him with her sharp mind and thirst for knowledge. And he liked the oh-so witty comments, liked teasing her into making more of those. That was new as well and he didn’t know how to handle that, or even if he needed to handle that. Was it really bad to have some fun while training as long as the lessons were learned?

  The first two weeks passed in a flash. The two of them quickly developed a rather comfortable routine in Lillian’s new world of clashing swords and aching muscles – oh, and music, of course. She was finally able to move her wings and was getting better with the sword, could even handle a crossbow fairly well, and liked the general awareness of her body that came with trying to shape it into a usable weapon.

  Once again they were out in the back yard taking a break from another fight out of which Raz had come bleeding at his side from a rather excellently executed attack of hers.

  They were sitting on the steps leading up to the back porch, catching their breath and soaking in the sun. While Lillian took a look at his wound, a nasty cut along his ribs, she tried to distract herself from the rather inappropriate thoughts filling her mind at seeing his upper body naked this close by asking questions.

  “What does that mean?” She pointed towards the tattoo of arcane symbols swirling across his pectorals and right upper arm.

  “It’s Angelic.”

  When he didn’t elaborate, Lillian didn’t push, sensing that for once it wasn’t right to do so, and changed the subject instead. “How come you bleed from my cut? I thought only a shade could do real damage.”

  God, his skin was tight and hot and his scent teased her nose. He always smelled of soap and man, and something entirely his, a mix that reminded her of rain and something earthy.

  “Angels can only heal in heaven. Here, on earth, the human realm, our bodies are submitted to its limits. We need to eat and sleep like humans do, though not as much and not as often.”

  “You’re more vulnerable down here.”

  “Yes.” He looked at her then in a way that made Lillian wonder whether they were still talking about wounds. But the spell vanished as soon as she drew away her hands and Raz suddenly stood, all business. “Thanks.”

  Without a backward glance he marched back onto the grass that was their training area.

  “Remember when we talked about the Ebonys’ shades, the shadow daggers?” When Lillian got up and nodded, he went on, “Angels, and therefore Ivorys as well, are creatures of light. So our weapon …is this.”

  He raised his sword that was suddenly engulfed in a dancing sheen of whitest, purest light she had ever seen and yet it didn’t blind her.

  “The angels’ famous sword of flames,” Lillian murmured under her breath, amazed and awed.

  “And yours. We’ll just have to find the light in you.”

  It turned out to be easier said than done. As always.

  Raz flipped purgatory’s light switch and Lillian found her world plunged into utter darkness for probably the hundredth time so that she couldn’t even see her hand right in front of her eyes.

  His deep voice drifted from somewhere behind her, “Now, concentrate. On everything that’s good inside of you, and…”

  “Let there be light, I know. Got the wrong person here though, I’m not God, just an Ivory.” He growled and she shrugged even though he couldn’t see her. “Sorry, the situation kinda asked for that.”

  She ducked and whirled around as she heard his sword sing close to her head.

  “The edge of your sword won’t be enough to kill the creatures you’re up against. Only the light will, so I suggest you better find it.”

  He was suddenly right behind her. She could sense his heat at her back and his warm breath fanning against her neck. A hot and cold shiver ran down her spine. Her heart jumped in her chest and accelerated, heat echoing and uncoiling inside of her until it spread through her body.

  Yeah, she suspected this was part of the problem.

  Unconsciously she liked being in the darkness with him a little too much to be able to make any kind of light. Liked him moving around her, fainting attacks and coming up out of nowhere. Though, when she was aware of it then it probably wasn’t her subconscious to be held responsible but she alone. God, her entire body tingled with awareness, her other senses heightened due to the lack of light.

  Suddenly pain exploded in her wrist and she let her weapon drop. Then she felt the blade of his sword at her throat. “Do I really have to chop off your head as an incentive?”

  Did she only imagine it or was his voice huskier?

  She mentally kicked herself. She had his sword to the throat and wondered whether he was as turned on as she was? Woman up!

  Fast as lightning Lillian moved her right arm in an up-and-over motion to bring it behind his right elbow to punch him in the face from the side. At the same time, using his momentary surprise and confusion, she grabbed the wrist holding the sword with her left hand and then twisted it sharply. His grip loosened and she whirled away, ducking down to pick up her sword in the same movement.

  The thrill of her successful defense danced through her veins and she was still gloating at seeing Raz scowl at her when his expression changed into one of smug satisfaction. She realized then that she was actually able to see him. Because a thin, white shimmer was stretching along her sword and illuminating the blackness around them. However, the moment she noticed it, it vanished.

  Her shoulders drooped. “Damn.”

  “Well, it’s better than nothing, isn’t it?” The unfamiliar voice had her head snapping up.

  Light flooded the world once more and Lillian was able to see the man who had appeared beside them in the yard and was exchanging friendly slaps with Raz.

  He looked rather…tousled. His hair, probably sandy in color outside of purgatory was messed up as if it hadn’t seen a brush in quite a while and his clothes, faded jeans torn at the knees and equally worn shirt, were crumpled. Maybe he had slept in them. Make that probably. Even his blinding white wings looked a bit ruffled. But his eyes twinkled with life and the smile in them made her smile as well.

  “Lillian, this is my brother Maion, angel of self-discipline.”

  Her gaze jumped between the two of them. “For real?” They were kidding, right? The guy looked about as self-disciplined as a day-old toddler.

  Raz chuckled – a beautiful and utterly rare sound by the way – while Maion walked over to her, draping one arm over her shoulder. She could smell alcohol on his breath.

  He sighed and explained in the serious voice of the jolly, “To be the angel of self-discipline you have to understand, and that means experience and, and…and just live, everything that might weaken or threaten it.”

  “Aha.” She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

  Together they walked over to the porch, Raz following and leaning against the railings as Maion sat down on the steps. “Why are you here?”

  Maion looked at Lillian. “I’m here to tell you that your guard has been mobilized and will soon be coming.”

  “Oh.”

  Her guard. She hadn’t thought about that, successfully pushing it away while training with Raz. But here it was now, right in her face. She would have to lead a team, take responsibility and watch out that they didn’t get themselves killed. Damn it. Her stomach clenched with dread and fear, turning into a leaden lump. Lillian swallowed, suddenly nauseous with the
crushing weight of her duty. Over Maion’s head she met Raz’s gray eyes and knew he saw all of the raw nerves and anxiety before she could hide them. Knew he saw right into her soul.

  Raz had to admit she had pulled a very nice move on him earlier and he was more than grateful Maion hadn’t witnessed it. He wouldn’t have been able to live that one down. His wrist was still smarting from when she had twisted it away from her throat as he took care of the dishes. Seeing that she had been the one to prepare them an excellent dinner once again he figured it was the least he could do. Especially since watching her cook was a treat in itself. It was like witnessing the creation of a masterpiece, every movement elegant and sensible; a fire in her purgatory gray eyes when she could already see what would come out of it while he had no idea. She was humming with the music he had turned on, her bare feet moving to it. She hadn’t been plump or anything before the training, but it certainly had helped shape her body, tone it. Whenever his gaze had traveled up to the curve of her hips he had yanked it away.

  He knew he was walking on dangerously thin ice here. A part of him was glad that the training in the dark was now over. Another part, the reckless half, wasn’t so sure and once again whispered about her scent, the feel of her body when he came up close to her.

  Very thin ice. He took a long pull from the beer he had placed beside the sink. Human emotions were forbidden to his kind. He had never felt this much before he had met Lillian, and what he felt was…marvelous, literally breathtaking. A deadly allure, since unless he wanted to end up rooting for the other side and move to warmer climates he had to pull himself together – and fast.

  When he was done cleaning the kitchen he grabbed two beers and turned towards the living room.

  She wasn’t there.

  His gaze traveled towards the door leading to the porch, half open. Fear gripped him, utterly foreign and unexpected and something he had no idea how to react to. He marched over, stopping in his tracks as he saw her leaning against the railing. Apparently she had played with her wings since they were visible, folded at her back, but now she was oblivious to the world around her as she gazed up at the few newborn stars that would soon be swallowed by ribbons of silvery clouds that were harbingers for the storm to come.

  The beauty of the picture in front of him wasn’t enough to calm his beating heart though. So he stayed in the shadows of the house and then said, “Hey stargazer.”

  Lillian jumped at his deep voice, startled out of her thoughts, and whirled around.

  That calmed him down somewhat. “Did I or did I not tell to stay inside of the salt line when I’m not around?”

  She frowned at him, anger rising in her eyes. “But you are here. And I’m only about two feet away from it.”

  “In your head it was far more than that and that’s what counts.”

  “Jesus Raz, I just needed some air, some time to think. Or isn’t that allowed?”

  He sensed her emotional turmoil and wished once more for Amber’s advice. He missed the other angel. She would have known how to handle this, all he could come up with was moving over to stand beside Lillian and hand her a beer, which he did.

  “What’s going on?” He had an idea but wanted to hear her say it. A fierce part in him that he shouldn’t be listening to wanted her to trust him enough to admit it to him.

  She grabbed the bottle with one hand and the old railings with the other and pushed out a long sigh before looking up at the sky again. The glossy, dark hair, for once loose and falling down her back, had a little wave to it, probably after having been up in a bun all day. Her face was lit with the unique light of the night, her features soft. Her eyes searching, but for what he didn’t know. It tugged at him and for a moment he wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms. Careful, Raz. Very dangerous territory, he reminded himself once again and took a hopefully calming swig of his beer. But the territory was unknown and therefore all the more tempting. Angels weren’t supposed to feel any more than a slight compassion for humans, or Ivorys, so he had no business feeling whatever the hell he was feeling. He didn’t need any extra trouble, since his wings were gray enough as it was, something that was inevitable however, giving his specialty. Universal knowledge wasn’t always illuminating and pretty. No, there were some damned dark corners in this world.

  “Nothing, really. Just exhausted, I guess.” She gave him a small smile, “This place isn’t exactly cheery.”

  He found himself smiling back. “No, it really isn’t. Except for the nights. Can’t get them better than this.”

  “Yeah, I guess purgatory having no electricity has its upside as well.”

  It was true. Around them was utter darkness, the only sources of light the stars and moon that would soon be swallowed by the clouds coming in. A light breeze brought her scent of warm vanilla to him. Curious that she never smelled as if she had been cooking, but rather baking.

  Beside him she took a deep breath, held it and then pushed it out before admitting, “I’m scared.”

  Warmth flooded through him at her words, surprising him more than her words had. “That just means you’ll be a good leader.”

  “I wish it were that easy.”

  Their gazes locked. “You aren’t alone in this. And believe me when I say I know you’ll be up to the task.” He wanted to touch her, reassure her.

  No, the only thing he really needed was to clear his fucking head. Succumbing to temptation was easy. He had thought admitting, deep down inside, to being tempted that was the hard part, however he had a feeling resisting it was going to be the worst.

  Turning his eyes away and breaking the connection he gazed out into the night. “Now go to bed. I need you rested for tomorrow.”

  When she arched an inquiring brow, he knew she wouldn’t leave until she had the information she wanted.

  “We’ll go out. Your first date with a hellhole.”

  Her jaw dropped open. “What? But I still can’t handle my sword of flames.”

  “Guess you’ll be highly motivated then.”

  She recovered quickly and retaliated drily. “Right, I’ll be sure to put my heart and soul into it.”

  He burst out laughing, nearly choking on his beer.

  III

  FIGHT OR FLIGHT

  “Those who live are those who fight.”

  - Victor Hugo

  NINE

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  Astonished Lillian climbed slowly out of the car, her gaze on the building in front of them. Then she stared back at Raz over the roof of the Chevelle. “A golf club? Seriously?”

  He shrugged. “They attract all sorts of people. Look around, it’s a breeding ground for sin and temptation.”

  A little stunned Lillian took in the banner showing the club’s services and announced, “But they even do weddings here.”

  “So?”

  She looked back at him. “So? Aren’t weddings supposed to be …I don’t know, a point for our team?”

  “Some, yeah. Others can be a downright buffet for hell. For instance when a demon scores the bride or groom, especially when the vows have already been exchanged. Or they tempt the guests into selling their soul for a better bridesmaid dress or whatever. Envy in particular, but also lust and loneliness are the top sellers.”

  Lillian still stared at him, incredulous.

  “Weddings can bring out the best or worst in people. Believe me it’s not always pretty to look at.”

  “No shit.”

  “Come on, stargazer, let’s have a look around.”

  Now she knew why Raz had asked her to wear something ‘sunny’ and yet snobby enough to meet a possible dress code. Her duffle bag didn’t leave her that much to choose from, but in her dark blue capris and short-sleeved, flowery white-and-coral top she managed to blend quite nicely. At least she didn’t look like an Ivory who was about to cleave someone’s head open. Raz had chucked his angel of death aura – well, tried was more like it – and gone for dark blue pants as w
ell, matching it with a polo shirt and deck shoes. Hands in his pockets he should have looked boringly normal, or at least tame. He really didn’t. There were guys who tried very hard to look strong and capable and then there were guys like Raz, who radiated it with every ounce of his being no matter what.

  “Will they know that we’re here?”

  “As long as my wings stay hidden I don’t give off any angelic vibes. You, thanks to the human part of you, don’t have to worry about such things. For them you’re just an ordinary girl.”

  As they started to walk and Lillian looked around she began to understand why demons would choose golf clubs. They attracted all kinds of people. Those who just wanted to have some fun, out in the sun. Then you had those who took this seriously as a sport, and focused on themselves. But the others, well, they thought golf made them some kind of superior being and looked upon the rest as if they were some nasty bugs. All kinds of people meant all kinds of souls, which according to Raz provided the demons several possibilities of attack and therefore a different kind of boost depending on the sin committed. Charming, huh?

  “And the demons? Can we sense them?”

  “No. Same goes for them, as long as they stay in human form we can’t see them.” He flashed her a wicked smile. “Makes it all the more fun.” More seriously he continued, “You have to watch closely. It’s all about subtlety.”

  Raz nodded towards a flagstone terrace, right before the green started to stretch out behind the clubhouse. She followed his gaze.

  A beautiful brunette, in her late twenties and with a good figure that showed she took great pride in and care of it, was standing beside a much older, yet carefully groomed and attractive, man.

  “She’s looking at that guy quite…hungrily. Now, it’s up to you to decide whether she’s just the gold digger type and only going after the man or a demon in disguise lusting after his soul.”

  Lillian took in the scene. Cocking her head after a moment she said, “Neither. She’s human.”