by Jade James
The apocalypse was in full force, and evil reined in every corner of the earth. Humans possessed by that evil and marked by the beast wielded authority over other holdouts, promising death to any who refused to take the mark. And still, there were those that preferred death to hell, knowing that taking the mark meant eternal torture of their souls.
Rafe took everything in and wondered why people still doubted the existence of a heaven and hell. Daily battles were waged for the souls of innocents. And still people were blind to the obvious. While demon possession wasn’t an easy thing to do when the beasts remained locked in their prison, it was now an uncomplicated task to just leap into the souls of the doubtful.
Rescuing them had to come from both the archangel and the unmarked one. If that chosen one had doubt about who he or she should accept, the demon could then take the advantage and forge its way into the chosen’s heart. The demon would feed on that doubt until guilt grew and turned the person’s life into such a bleak existence, a soul lost forever.
Since the apocalypse, the Higher Power picked his angels to brave hell on earth to rescue the chosen ones. No one questioned the way God worked. Tonight, Rafe got his assignment. But he also got a surprise, the revelation that he would find his mate on earth.
Rafe didn’t know how to feel about that. Angels have always known of their purpose. Their job since creation was to protect the humans, using various powers and strengths God had given them. Rafe excelled at the job and was thoroughly humbled at having such an honorable task placed on his shoulders.
Rafe assumed he was destined to be alone, not because he couldn’t find anyone, but more because of choice.
He had fought side by side with some of the best archangels, and even thought he had found love at one point. Emma Sacred was one of the best angelic warriors, one of the reasons why Rafe admired her so much. They got along in battle, and the attraction they experienced encouraged them to seek the next step in their relationship.
Apparently the hand that wielded fate didn’t agree. Emma became one of the fallen angels deceived by Damien. Thrown out of heaven for believing in his lies, Emma now roamed the world, causing destruction along with Satan and his minions.
Rafe prided himself on never making mistakes, so Emma’s deception caused a deep burning sensation in his gut. Hurt. Disappointment. Loss. Yet, he wasn’t surprised by his reaction. He despised nothing more than deception.
Since then, he purposely stayed away from all females, and instead threw himself into every task that came his way. When he did go to battle and needed someone there with him, he always requested a male, deliberately avoiding contact with another woman. Avoiding the possibility of a painful experience, which didn’t need repeating. He knew the Higher Power saw right through him. Rafe was grateful that it had never been brought up in conversation. He considered it a blessing that his Lord allowed him this concession for so long.
His mind flitted back to an hour ago when God revealed to him his ultimate destiny.
“Everyone is created for a purpose, Rafe. You have done your job well, but it is time for you to leave heaven and seek your destiny. The past will stay buried. Remember everything happens for a reason. You are to find your wife and convince her to join forces with us against the evil plaguing earth. Her name is Melina Soar and her soul is pure, Rafe, but her life is in danger. Find her and convince her before it is too late.”
Rafe walked carefully, aware of the demonic slime clinging onto the brick walls and ground, while his thoughts remained on the conversation he had with his Father at the same time.
Rafe knelt before the Father, showing him the respect due him. Temporarily speechless that he was chosen for this life-altering mission, Rafe quoted the sacred passage that would explain his feelings thoroughly. “Worthy are you, my creator, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created! I will do as you say, Father.”
“Look at me, my son,” the Lord exclaimed in his thunderous voice. Rafe jerked his head up and beheld the wondrous eyes of his Lord. “You will succeed. It is written in the scriptures that I am coming soon, but it is your job to make sure Satan and his minions do not get to the chosen ones. Deaths and plague surround earth. Stay strong in your faith. You will live amongst the humans, but I will leave the powers bestowed upon you since your creation. You know Melina is yours, so you must never cease guarding her.”
Rafe adjusted his long, white coat, hiding the golden sword beneath it as he recalled his Lord’s words. Stay strong in your faith. He supposed everyone created by the Lord would have his ultimate belief tested.
Rafe had no doubts. He trusted and believed in him, but he instinctively knew that convincing Melina Soar to do so wasn’t going to be easy. And convincing her that they were destined to be together would certainly be more difficult. A test handed to you by the Creator was never an easy one, but always a life changing one.
Living on earth didn’t bother him. Rafe knew the apocalypse wasn’t going to last forever, which meant the ruined planet would go through a great change, once the destruction was over.
“Oh, God. Someone help me!”
Rafe tensed, his mind shifting into battle mode. Those words—that voice—made him instinctively remove his golden sword and race down the street.
Turning the corner, Rafe saw two demons holding a woman, each of their sharp claws clutching an arm. Rafe’s gut clenched at the sight as he silently wondered why she wasn’t indoors at this time of the night. He held his sword raised high, ready to swing.
Everyone stilled. The stench of the night weighed as heavy and thick as a sheet of fog. All Rafe could hear were the rapid breaths coming from the woman.
Frightened crystalline blue eyes rounded in shock, staring at him warily. Rafe smiled, already knowing who she was.
God has a way of showing us our paths, he thought. Sometimes placing us right in front of our destinies.
Silence stretched while time stood still, and a visible spark of fire flew between them, igniting a longing in the pit of his stomach. Her eyes rounded in shock, as surprised as he was at the intensity of the energy flowing back and forth between them.
Rafe willed the reaction to disappear. They had plenty of time to get to know each other and the passion that lay beneath. For now, however, he must concentrate on the monsters holding his eternal mate.
His eyes traced the spawns clutching her and, in that instant, Rafe felt something he had never felt before. Anger. He struggled to overcome it and face the task at hand. He had never felt such a strong emotion when going into battle. He knew the outcome of the fight would be his victory. And yet, the fury he felt at the demons clutching his soon-to-be wife stunned him. He tamped down the need to rush the creatures through with his sword. Assessing the situation was always top priority. Moving in for the kill came in second.
The night did nothing to cover the hideousness of the creatures. The demon to her right had long, black, straggly hair, glowing red eyes, and piercing talons that dug into her arm. Its skin was encased in warts and the areas that weren’t covered by the bumps were scarred with hard tissue. The one to her left watched him silently and looked just as repulsive as his counterpart.
Melina stared at him, rapidly blinking. Rafe knew what she saw...what she was probably thinking. Dressed in a white coat, pants, and boots to match, Rafe was a sight to behold. He looked every bit like the archangel he was. And the glowing gold sword only emphasized the image he wanted to present. An image of good arriving when others fought to believe there was still hope.
The foul beasts eyed him with such hatred. Rafe faced their hostility, while he hid his own emotions behind a stoic veneer.
“This isn’t your fight, angel,” one of the demons spewed. His foul breath caused Melina to cough, and she turned her face away from him, continuing her struggle.
“That’s where your wrong, demon. This is my fight in every way possible. Let her go, and
your death will be a quick one.”
“Fuck you,” the demon yelled. “You take one more step in this direction, and I will break her neck. Back off now, puppet, and I will let you live long enough to watch while I take my pleasure in defiling her body.”
“Do you know who you’re talking to? I come in the name of the King,” proclaimed Rafe in a loud voice. “And you’ve had your final chance, demon.”
With the power that was bestowed him, Rafe leaped into the air too fast for the demons to react. He swung his sword at the monster’s neck. The sound of bone crunching testified to the beheading of the monster in mere seconds.
Its counterpart screeched as he threw Melina in front of him, using her as a shield.
“Fucking angel,” the surviving demon shrieked. “Stay back or I’ll snap her head off.”
“You don’t have too many options here,” Rafe growled heatedly, the adrenaline racing through his body. “Let her go, and perhaps I won’t choose to make your death a slow one.”
Just as Rafe issued his threat, Melina’s body went slack, forcing the demon to lose his grip as she dropped and rolled away.
Rafe took the opportunity she provided, and ran with lightning speed, piercing the demons black heart.
“Fuck!” the demon screamed as Rafe removed the sword slowly, taking delight in the sight of the beast’s heart on the tip of his golden blade. Within seconds, the heart disintegrated, and the demon’s body followed, bursting into flames.
Rafe sheathed his sword, walking over to Melina who still lay sprawled on the ground, with a surprised look etched on her beautiful face. Rafe bent, taking her by the shoulders, hauling her up and against his body.
“Are you okay?” he asked, pleasantly surprised at the way her luscious form fit against his. He released her shoulders, only to wrap an arm around her waist, fitting her even closer to him. He plunged his other hand into her hair, forcing her to stare at him. He could feel her heart beating rapidly against his, and was unsure if her rapid pulse was caused by nervousness or fear of him. Regardless, Rafe couldn’t separate himself from her just yet.
Now that he was face to face with his mate, and the immediate danger averted, Rafe took his time to explore her extraordinary features.
Waist-length hair the color of a sunset and crystal-like blue eyes, shaped like a feline’s, hinted of her mixed race. Her mouth was slightly parted, the bottom lip fuller than the top. Her nose had a cute bend, a small imperfection that only added to her delightful features. Dressed in a tan shorts and a white t-shirt, she was perhaps the most beautiful human he’d ever seen.
No one had ever made him lose control like she did. He was tempted to run his hands over her body, to feel the voluptuous curves he knew were hidden underneath the clothing. Her light lilac scent flew to his head, making him hunger for more of her. Rafe tightened his hold on her. Soft was one of the words he would use to describe her. Her skin radiated a healthy smooth glow, almost like silk. She was how he envisioned all women should be, silky soft and rounded.
Through his peripheral vision, Rafe could see a few of the zombies walking by with sluggish steps. He paid the sickly humans no heed. None of that affected the instant attraction to the woman in his arms, a strong pull racing through him.
He could swear the air sizzled with a sexual aura surrounding them. Rafe released her hair, and let his hand travel down to her neck as he took his time savoring her skin against his. He skimmed the top curve of her breasts then paused at her nipple. With his thumb, he flicked the hardened tip. Hot white sparks shot through him as Melina released a whimper in reaction to his touch, her eyes fiery with passionate arousal.
“I asked if you are okay?” he said once more as he held her nipple between thumb and finger.
He meant for the touch to awaken her from the web of desire that lingered around them. Instead, it fueled the fire already burning through his veins.
