by J. Ashburn
A few moments later Micah noticed Caleb was just sitting and staring at him, a smile on his face. Micah returned his smile.
“We wait him out,” Micah said. “We stay quiet with the engine and lights off.”
“How am I going to keep you quiet?”
Micah chuckled. “I’m sure you can find a way.”
Caleb leaned over a kissed him, caressing his face and hair.
The flutter of wings sounded in the distance. Both lovers froze and listened. Treetops thrashed. Cracking echoed through the marshland. Night birds called and scattered.
They waited and waited until the swamp settled down. Silence eventually took over and the air was still. They stared at the fog swirling around the car windows, holding hands.
Micah’s cell rang and both he and Caleb jumped. “Hello? Nick… oh my God…we’re in trouble. Real trouble.”
“Are you and Caleb okay?”
“We’re okay right now. It’s an angel, Nick.”
“An angel?”
“Yes…an angel from Heaven. He’s after Caleb. He won’t stop until he destroys him.”
“I’m at Jake’s. Come here. We’ll help protect you. I’ll text you the address, come as soon as you can.”
“We’re hiding out at Hummer Rock Swamp but we’ll be there as soon as we can.”
“Okay. We’ll be here. We won’t let him find Caleb.”
“Thank you, Nick.”
“Let’s give it another hour,” Micah said to Caleb. “Then lift the fog and we’ll head straight to Jake’s.”
“Okay.” Caleb’s voice was soft.
“We’ll figure this out.” Micah put his arms around him. “See, our friends are here for us, like always. Safety in numbers.”
Caleb kissed his cheek and leaned his head on his shoulder. “I’m lucky to have you.”
“We’re lucky to have each other.”
###
Jake stared at the piece of paper with the sigil on it before slipping it into his pocket before Nick stepped into the kitchen. It has been nearly an hour since Nick had finally connected with Micah.
Nick walked up and put his hands on Jake’s shoulders, rubbing them gently. “Thank you for letting them come here. I know it wasn’t an easy decision.”
“Sure. No problem.” He poured he and Nick some wine. Jake turned around and handed Nick his glass, “God knows I have plenty of guest rooms. Huh…. saying that takes on a whole new meaning now. God and angels and demons.”
“Yeah, I know it must be weird for you. It was for me too before…you know…I was mauled by a Hell Hound.”
Jake snickered and touched Nick’s shoulder. “I remember that night. You scared the hell out of me. Out of everyone.”
“But you healed me.”
“I did what I could.”
“Don’t be so modest.” Nick took a sip of the wine. “You’re a great doctor.”
Jake was quiet. Nick made eye contact with him.
“There’s just one more thing,” Nick said.
“What?”
“I can see things.”
“Things?”
“Yeah, um… the scars the Hell Hounds left let me see things from the other side from time to time. I can see Caleb’s true form. I can see demons in our world, demons that no one else can see.”
Jake blinked a few times and set down his wine. “That’s incredible.” The words came out reluctantly. “What else?”
“That’s all I know.”
“What are you seeing right now?”
“Well nothing. I mean I can’t really control it. It sort of happens randomly. Although, I have to make a conscious effort not to see Caleb’s true form.”
“You mean it’s like he’s in disguise? Like an illusion.”
“No, not really. His human body is real on this plane of existence…I can just see through it to the form he has in order to exist in…um…”
“Hell?”
“It does bother you.”
“No, you could never bother me.” Jake put his arms around Nick.
“But Caleb bothers you. That he’s a demon, I mean.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“He’s different, Jake. You know that. He’s a fallen angel not really a demon. He regrets what he did and wants to make up for it. He loves Micah. He loves all of us.”
“I’m sure he does. But you know, it’s sort of like a serial killer saying “I’m sorry” after he’s been caught.”
“You don’t really believe that do you? C’mon, after all we’ve been through you can’t really—”
The sound of the doorbell cut Nick off. He turned in its direction before saying to Jake: “They’re here. We can talk about this later.”
Together they headed to the front door to let them in.
4.
“Thank you again, Jake,” Micah said. “We appreciate you taking us in. Our house is compromised.”
“It’s okay, really. I’m glad I could help.”
“Our house,” Nick said. “I need to get a hold of Rick. He’ll be heading back there too…what if this psycho angel goes back there…”
“He is not a psycho,” Caleb said. “He’s doing his duty.”
“No,” Micah said. “He’s wrong. He’s following blindly. We need to make him see who you really are.”
“It doesn’t work that way.”
“I’m calling my brother,” Nick said. He left the room, quickly tapping his phone’s screen.
“There must be something we can do?” Micah continued. “A protective circle, barriers, something. Can angels be sent back to Heaven?”
“No, it’s not like banishing demons. They are sent or called back by the Arch Angel Michael or by our Father himself. There is one thing… it’s only temporary.”
“What is it?”
“Again, it can only be performed by humans. It’s another safeguard set up by Heaven and the Hosts. You can use your blood to hide locations from angelic senses. You would need to dab the blood around all windows and doors in the home.”
“Let’s do it.”
“It would help if the home’s owner added their blood,” Caleb said.
All eyes turned to Jake who stood staring from the room’s threshold. He parted his lips to speak but no words came out.
“Jake,” Micah walked slowly over to him. “Will that be okay with you? “
He looked Micah in the eye then glanced down at the floor. “Yes.”
Micah hugged him and whispered into his ear. “Thank you for helping us.”
“It’s okay,” Jake whispered back, offering a half smile as he held Micah a little longer than expected.
“We should do this now,” Caleb said. “Before Nehemiah picks up our trail.”
“Okay,” Micah said turning back to his lover. “Let’s get a knife.”
###
Jake ran the water so no one would hear him. He reached into his medicine chest above the sink and pulled out a bottle of pills with a blank label. He popped a few into his mouth, cupped water into his hands and swallowed them down.
Steam rose up and clouded the mirror. He looked into it anyway, glimpsing splinters of his face, the stubble on his cheeks and chin, the bright blue of his eyes, the wisps of blonde hair at his temples. He stuffed the bottle of pills into his pocket and stuck his hands under the hot water, ignoring how extreme the heat really was. He thought of Micah. His mind’s eye conjured them embracing, kissing, spread out on his bed, licking every inch of each other before he blinked it way. He scrubbed his hands with sanitizing soap before turning the faucet off and exiting the room.
“Okay, I’m ready,” he said aloud.
Micah and Caleb approached him, side by side. Caleb held the knife and brought the blade slowly to Micah’s hand. “I hate hurting you.”
“You’re not hurting me. You’re protecting me.” Micah kissed him on the cheek as the blade pricked his finger.
“Jake, quickly now. Give your hand.”
; Jake sucked in some air and held out his hand. Caleb glanced at him, and their eyes met briefly before he drew the blade across Jake’s finger.
“The surgeon isn’t afraid of a flesh wound?” Micah joked, obviously trying to lighten the mood.
“More like afraid of infection.”
“Sorry. I was just kidding.”
“I know.”
They exchanged smiles before looking to Caleb for instructions. “Dab your blood above every entrance and window in the house. Repeat Obscura as you do.”
“We can do this quicker if we split up,” Micah said.
“Okay, yes, I’ll go do all the bedrooms upstairs and I’ll meet you down here.” Jake headed upstairs.
He climbed up to each window, stretching above them and pressing his wounded finger to each frame. “Obscura.”
“Obscura. Obscura. Obscura.”
Why the Hell am I doing this? I don’t want Caleb here. I wish that angel would find him and take him away. Then maybe Micah would…shit…
Jake knew the only reason he was doing this was to make Micah happy and to show him that he cared. He hoped once his relationship with Caleb fell apart, and it surely would, he’d be there to help him pick up the pieces.
After he finished he walked back and stood at the top of the stairs. He watched Micah finish up in the living room.
“Obscura,” Micah said as he stood up on his tiptoes and smacked the top of the front door’s frame. He lost his balance and slipped. Caleb rushed to catch him. Micah fell into his waiting arms and as soon as they did the two kissed. Smiles brightened their faces.
“That should be me,” Jake said under his breath.
Both Micah and Caleb turned to look at him. Jake froze, wanting to say something else when the doorbell rang.
“It’s just Rick!” Nick called as he rushed to the front door. “Don’t worry.”
Rick waited on the other side of the door until Nick pulled him inside. The twin brothers embraced then Rick greeted the others with hugs as well.
“What is going on?”
“Sit down,” Micah said. “We have a lot to tell you.”
###
“So now angels from Heaven are after Caleb?” Rick asked not really wanting an answer.
“Yeah, like ticks on a hound dog,” Jake said. “We should have seen this coming, I mean, you are a demon.” He looked toward Caleb.
“It’s not his fault,” Micah said. “He’s trying to do good.”
“I though that angels didn’t interfere with what demons did on the Earth?” asked Rick
“Until we wear out our welcome,” replied Caleb. “Or we break the rules.”
“There are rules?”
“Ones dating back to the dawn of time. Demons spread destruction and the angels inspire man to do good and repair the damage. The demons have their time on Earth to do their worst and the angels do not interfere. They trust in mankind to rise to the occasion. There is a very delicate balance. Angels will put right those that step over their bounds, keeping everything equal. Then there’s me. A demon doing good? A demon falling in love? It can’t be allowed. Everything could crumble. Everything. At least that’s the belief.”
“Who’d ever thought love could crumble all of Heaven and Hell,” Rick replied.
Micah bowed his head. “Yeah.”
“So what now,” Rick continued. “We can’t just stay here at Jake’s forever.”
“We won’t stay hidden forever,” Caleb said. “The blood loses its power then we will be exposed again.”
“We’re gonna need to figure something out,” Micah said. “Don’t know what yet but we will.” He smiled at Caleb.
“Well, this angel doesn’t know me yet,” Rick said, standing up. “Who’s hungry? We gotta eat. I’ll go out and get us something.”
“You buying?” Nick said.
Rick laughed. “This time, bro, this time.”
“That sounds great, thanks Rick.” Micah pulled out his cell. “I’m going to give Nicki a call and let her know what’s going on.”
“I’ll open up some more wine,” Jake said as he went into the kitchen. Nick followed right behind.
Micah furrowed his brow. Caleb slid over next to him. “What is it?”
“She isn’t answering again. I’m worried about her. I had to send her home from work because she still wasn’t feeling well.”
“I am sure she is just sleeping.”
“Hope so.”
###
No one heard the crying from inside of the condo or the mad laughter it devolved into next. No one except for Nicki.
She lay on the floor next to her upturned bed. Her limbs contorted and her head hurt unimaginably as if someone was splitting the back of it open with a pickaxe.
I’m not going back, Nicki. They all thought they’d won. But they were wrong. I enjoyed my time here on the Earth. Why should I leave? If that traitor, Caleb, isn’t leaving then neither am I.
“Get out…. get out me…get out!”
It’s not that easy, you stinking primate.
Nicki rolled across the floor but not of her own free will. It felt like she was being pulled across the room by unseen hands. She sat up and yanked her hair, tearing it at the roots, tufts of it in the palms of her hand.
Maybe I’ll pull it all out. Every last bit. Won’t that be fun, Nicki?
“Let me go, you son of a bitch!”
Laughter mocked her. The temperature in the room dropped. Nicki’s breath puffed into the air.
Pretty soon I’ll have full control of you and go anywhere I please.
“Fuck you!” She spotted her cell on the nightstand on the other side of the bedroom. “Micah…” she crawled toward it but it sailed into the air and through the condo out of sight.
Nicki screamed and crawled toward the doorway until the bedroom door slammed shut.
Stay awhile…I’m just getting started.
###
The guest room in Jake’s home added a change of scenery and some excitement for Micah. It reminded him of being away on a romantic getaway with Caleb. Both of them secluded in a quaint bed and breakfast somewhere in Vermont or Maine. The fireplace in the room was warm and inviting with a rustic flair that was fitting for the room’s décor. The bed was large and comfortable with plenty of pillows, blankets and throws, enough to make anyone want to spend the entire day there and take nap after nap. There were scenic photographs of woodland around the state and wildlife in their natural habitat. The entire room was an homage to New England life.
Micah had always wanted to go away somewhere with Caleb, do something romantic, show him the thrill of escaping all of their troubles for just a little while. But all that seemed so distant now. They’d managed to overcome one threat only to be faced with another. There was no rest, no time to be together. They were fighting again. Now all Micah could hope for were stolen moments like this one.
“Are you okay?” Micah asked.
“Whenever I am with you I am well,” Caleb said. “There is nothing else I need.”
“Me too.” Micah laid his head across Caleb’s bare chest. He pulled the sheets over both of them and kissed Caleb on the lips. He closed his eyes and felt Caleb’s warm lips against his own, lingering there as long as he could. He felt his lover’s heartbeat as he stretched across him. The clean smell of Caleb’s body filled his senses and the heat of him enveloped Micah. Before long he found himself working his way down Caleb’s chest, to his belly and his thighs.
Their two bodies fit perfectly together, every motion was easy and gentle. Hands, fingers glided over smooth flesh. They exchanged passionate glances, eyes meeting in a wordless connection. Micah pleasured Caleb, licking and teasing, taking his dick in and out of his mouth slowly.
Micah listened to Caleb sigh and gasp. He felt every flinch and squirm, holding onto his lover’s legs tightly as he succored every moment. Micah took hold of his own dick and stroked it, waves of pleasure rushing through him. His lips dove from Cal
eb’s dick to his balls and then even lower to his ass.
After rimming him, Micah eased inside of Caleb, thrusting in rhythm with Caleb’s breathing and his accommodating body. They made love in the quiet of the room, the only two awake in the house, the fireplace offering the only light as they clamored for each other.
Micah breath’s came quick and his muscles tightened. He was lost in Caleb, every inch of him from his broad shoulders and heaving chest to his tight abs and thick thighs. He looked up into Caleb’s eyes and they practically glowed in the shallow light.
Caleb groaned then trembled. He climaxed seconds from Micah who slipped beside him so they could be side by side and kiss the entire time.
“Thank you,” Caleb whispered to him.
Micah laughed. “You don’t need to thank me. It’s a partnership. This is us…being together.”
“It’s not just that. I mean… this helps. Helps distract me from the dangers outside if only temporary.”
Micah caressed his cheek. “Hey, we’ll get through this.” Caleb bowed his head and Micah cradled him in his arms, stroking his hair. “We will. We’ll figure something out.”
“I pray we do. Can you believe that? I’m praying to our Father. The Father that rejected me. Praying for him to save me from one my holiest of brothers.”
“He’ll hear you.”
“Do you really think so?”
“I do.”
“Thank you, Micah.”
“Stop thanking me. Now let’s go use the guest bathroom.”
“Okay.”
Micah led Caleb out of the bedroom and into the hall, hoping not to disturb anyone else in the house.
5.
After breakfast Micah fished the keys out of his pocket and headed for the door. “I’m going to check on Nicki,” he said. “I still can’t reach her. Something doesn’t feel right.”
Jake stood up, pushed his chair in then piled his breakfast dishes and the frying pan he made everyone bacon in into the sink. “I need to go too,” Jake said, glancing at Micah then over at Nick. “I have rounds to do.” He went over to Nick and kissed him.
Micah held the door for Jake and the two headed outside. “Thank you again for letting us crash with you.”
Jake smiled. “It’s okay.”
