The first disapproving expression crossed Lesedi's face only to be quickly hidden. "What do you mean, sell? Exactly?" He glanced at Miya again and the horror and anger in his eyes froze her breath.
Tyler took a deep breath and gave Lesedi a look that said he could hardly believe anyone could be so ignorant. "They would bring us into a room for other people to look at. They took our clothes and those people would come and look and give them money for the ones they wanted." His cheeks flushed dark. "One of the older boys told me what they were selling us for, what the people would do to us. He said if you were sick they didn't want you, or if you were stupid. I threw up on a rich man."
"That was good thinking." Lesedi's brow was drawn to a tight line of fury but he kept his voice light and gentle.
The boy nodded. "The day they brought Kassie they took us to be looked at again but before anyone asked to look at me, these guys came in and messed it all up and took some stuff they were selling too." He grinned broadly, eyes flashing. "I don't know what those guys did, but it really scared the ones keeping us. Some of them grabbed a few of us and ran to the truck and got away while the others stayed to fight the ones who came. Those ones never came back."
"You know who they were? The ones who came?"
"No, I never saw them. But there was a lot of noise and light and the ones who ran with us kept talking about men flying and monsters and angels. I think they were smoking crack."
Lesedi choked back a laugh and Kassie came out of the guest room at the same time, looking flushed and disheveled.
She paused a moment then came on into the living room. "Sorry to interrupt. Lyght asked me to apologize for keeping you waiting but he had to take care of something. He'll be here soon and said he has to talk to us all about something important."
So that was how he was going to approach it, a huge emergency that had to be dealt with right away. And of course, he'd need money to take care of things and save someone. Despite herself, Miya glanced at Tyler. None of them knew the boy and he certainly wasn't too young to be involved in a scam. Was his whole story cooked up, a way to get money? There had to be a catch somewhere.
Well, she, for one, wasn't going to just sit there and blithely let some con artist take advantage of both Kassie and Lesedi. But she didn't want to say anything to them in front of the child and give him time to tip off his accomplice or mentor or whatever they called it.
Outside the window, a lean form darted across the yard, inspiring her. "Tyler, do you like cats?"
"Yeah, sure. Doesn't everybody?" He tilted his head a little and regarded her with those serious eyes. He might be working a con, but there was no doubt in her mind the kid had been through some bad shit.
"I thought so, but you never know. If you look out the door there, my cat, Fluff, just came up for her breakfast. Think you could feed her for me?" She silently thanked the stray for coming early to get its daily snack. She was the perfect distraction for the boy.
"Sure!" Tyler hopped off the couch with a huge grin. "Can I pet her?"
Miya shrugged, trying for nonchalant. "Maybe. She's pretty shy though. Let her eat first while you stay nearby but out of reach. Let her learn to trust you just a bit before you ask, then move slowly and talk to her gently." Hopefully the skittish creature would have one of its rare social moments and keep Tyler occupied for a few minutes.
After she told him where to find the cat food, he nearly danced off to do the little chore, his excitement bringing a flush to his pale cheeks.
Miya waited until he was safely out of earshot before saying anything else. "How well do either of you know Tyler or that guy?"
Lesedi's brow furrowed but Kassie was the one to speak. "Why? Is something wrong?"
Miya sighed. The last thing she wanted to do was mess things up for Kassie with the guy, but she couldn't sit by and watch her be taken advantage of. She shook her head. "Nothing specific that I can point to. I just have a feeling he's up to something. Like he has some ulterior motive for showing up here."
Kassie stood, scowling. "Honey, you better rethink that. Lyght came and carried Tyler and me out of the middle of Hell. I was gang raped, nothing fake about that, and poor little Tyler was next in line. There's things about him you don't know and it's not my place to tell, but I promise you, he couldn't be further from what you're thinking." She sat back down. "I don't want to hear any more making him seem like a criminal."
"Thank you Kassie. I appreciate your trust." Lyght strode in from the guest room. "Miya, I understand your misgivings. You caution is wise. But I'm not what you've been thinking. Can we all sit, please, so I can explain why I'm here."
His commanding demeanor rubbed Miya the wrong way, but she nodded and sat on the couch between Lesedi and Kassie. The least she could do was listen, especially if he'd actually saved Kassie and Tyler.
"First of all, Kassie and Lesedi already know this part, but I need you to understand it as well. I am not a human." He paused for a second and Miya couldn't contain her snort of derision. "I am an archangel, on Earth as part of a mission of monumental importance to save mankind from evil."
Holy fuck, he wasn't a just a con, he was a kook. Miya's blood boiled. Religious nuts were her pet peeve. "Riigghhht. You and every other crack-pot in the country."
An odd sound, like a crystal chandelier being violently shaken, erupted and blinding rays of light surrounded him as part of some massive construction just at his back. She looked closer. Wings? How the hell did he managed that one?
With more crystalline tinkling, he lifted the wings and spread them. Tip to tip, they spanned her entire living room in a magnificent display of what looked like crystal and refracted light.
"They're diamond." He folded the wings and turned before spreading them again for her to inspect the point of attachment to his back.
A low level of trembling set up in Miya's frame as she studied them. They certainly seemed real. She couldn't find any signs of fakery, no matter how she looked. The oddest question found its way out. "Diamond? Why?"
The…man lowered the wings and turned back around. "Not exactly the earthly diamond you're familiar with. My Commander, Uriel, constructed armor for all the Brothers, using supernatural gems."
She didn't hear anything after the word 'Brothers'. "There are more like you?"
"Yes." He grinned a little. "Twelve archangels make up the Brotherhood of War under Uriel's command." His expression went serious. "Now, the mission, and your part in it." Those massive wings lowered a little in a tinkling racket. "We've learned of a new tactic Satan is using to turn people away from God. And his demons have created genetically engineered creatures, monsters, to further his plot. I and my Brothers have been sent to deal with it."
He continued on with more fantastic details straight out of the Bible. "And that's where you come in. Part of our plan includes using the power of a couple's passion to create a Holy Warrior capable of combating the demons in this realm."
End of Bible right there.
Miya sat shocked at the blasphemous sounding plan. "So, you're forming holy warriors via fucking?" Her blood went to boiling again as her mother's old saying came to her. There's a demon behind every con. And as nuts as it was, that would mean she wasn't dealing with a con, per-se, but a demon con? It explained his freaky look and his freaky plan. "You've come to the wrong house mister. There are no passionate couples in love here, and even if there were, we'd not be stupid enough to think you're from God."
Lyght turned a dazzling smile on her. "In case you haven't noticed, you and Lesedi are intensely attracted to one another. Soon you will consummate that attraction and I will use the power generated by the union to bind the three of us into a powerful unit to combat evil. And at that point, Kassie will join the plan, becoming my mate." He crossed his arms, seeming relieved to have it out, unaware of the stunned consternation of his audience.
Miya barely regained the power of speech when she considered what he'd just said. She shot to her feet. "You mean to tell me that you
… created this attraction between Lesedi and me? That we wouldn't have even noticed one another if you hadn't interfered?" Anger rolled through her like a tank, crushing anything in its path. "It didn't occur to you—" Suddenly her vocal chords just froze!
"Forgive me for silencing you." Lyght said. "But you were off on the wrong bloody path. You and Lesedi would have come together in any circumstances. The only thing that changes is that I will harvest the power of your consummation."
Lesedi rose and stood at Miya's side, his arm going around her waist. "In case you have not noticed, the thought of you having anything to do with our… consummation sounds incredibly perverted. If it happens, it will be private, shared with no one."
Lyght's brows drew together in anger. "Of course I'm not suggesting I gaze on at the two of you. And I understand you need time to become accustomed to the idea—"
"It has nothing to do with becoming accustomed." Kassie's quiet voice silenced him immediately and he gave her a near devoted attention. "It's that you made all these decisions, plans, without considering how any of us might feel about it, without asking if we wanted to be part of your big mission."
Lyght shook his head, looking amazed that they could possibly question what he wanted. "I apologize. However, it really isn't a matter of whether you want to be part of the mission. You already are." He lifted his hand. "Let me rephrase. I can't force you since you possess free will. I can direct the will that you have already chosen. I chose you based on who you already are, not on if you may be good. And I happen to know without a doubt that any one of you in this room who have the ability to save countless others from suffering unspeakable atrocities would do so."
Miya shook her head. "I need some time to think about this." She turned to Lesedi. "You already knew?"
He nodded. "Some of it."
Really. "So what, you looked around and picked me out of the line-up? Why me? You wanted a little white or something? Or was I the only option? Because a guy like you sure as hell wouldn't just pick a small-town nothing like me out of the blue." The more she considered it all, the angrier she became. That two men planned her first sexual experience without consulting her put a burning knot in her belly
Lesedi shook his head. "No, no. That is not what happened. I knew nothing about any of it until after we arrived here. My attraction to you was before all of this." His mouth softened to the verge of a smile. "I do not need anyone to tell me I want you and that will not change."
His words sent a little thrill of heat through her but she resolutely smothered it. She couldn't afford the distraction. "I need some fresh air." Maybe she should talk with Lesedi, see how he felt about the whole thing.
Before she could ask if Lesedi would like to join her for a walk, Lyght interrupted. "I'm sorry, I need you to stay within twenty feet of the house. I have reason to believe you are both in imminent danger. The enemy has learned our location, and will do whatever necessary to prevent our forming the Holy Warrior. You must not go out of the shield I've placed around your home or they will attack."
Chapter Nine
Lesedi watched Miya's eyes flash with emotion, perhaps fear. "So you let Tyler go out on his own?"
"I've put a sort of leash on him to ensure he doesn't stray too far."
"Like a dog?" Miya shook her head. "No offense, Kassie, I know he rescued you and all, but this angel is really… stretching things. He's making some…I mean, hello!" She threw out her arms. "Am I the only person here that finds him a tad unorthodox? No blasphemy intended but he's… Look at him. He's like a screaming Hollywood billboard, for crying out loud." Her lovely cheeks flushed dark and Lesedi could make out the flutter of her pulse at the base of her throat.
The angel's eyes popped with the drop of his jaw. He suddenly pinned Lesedi with a silent plea for help along with perhaps utter shock at Miya's conclusions. Lesedi fought a grin, not wanting to incur the angel's wrath either, but God, this woman was a blast of fresh air.
Lesedi shook his head. "Do not think I will help you. I do quite well enough on my own making females angry."
Miya glared at him as if just by speaking he offered aid to the enemy.
Lyght looked up to the heavens, arms spread wide. "Why the bloody hell can they not just be like our lovely sister Mary, 'do unto me according to thy will.'" He looked at Miya. "It is just as my Brothers warned. Modern human females argue every minor point as if the fate of the world hinges upon the outcome of their debate."
Lesedi felt the sudden urge to dive for cover. The angel seemed to realize the folly of his remark as soon as he closed his mouth and sparkling tension filled the air. The next two minutes should prove interesting as Lyght dealt with the fallout of his… What did Americans call it? Foot-in-mouth disease. Hopefully Miya would not cross the line. Lesedi did not want to risk whatever he might have with her, but he would have to find a way to get her to agree to do her part. Even though he didn't have many details beyond the most basic, he felt certain the Archangels' plan, as Lyght had explained it to him, was true and likely to be humankind's best chance. He felt unsure when it happened, but at some point, Lyght had gained his trust. He needed to do as Lyght bade and he needed Miya to be his partner.
Miya's expression cleared, brows level, mouth thin. The only readable signal of her fury came from her eyes and the slight flaring of her delicate nostrils. "I'm going to pretend that you didn't just say that because what I'd like to tell you right now would likely get me struck the hell down." She turned and marched out to her little glassed-in studio.
Lyght stared after her, mouth open, those fair cheeks flushed, partially folded wings an ugly mud brown. He looked to Lesedi questioningly, waiting for an explanation.
Lesedi widened his eyes and shook his head, tapping his temple, hoping to direct the angel to tune in to his thoughts as he'd done several times before. When the angel seemed to understand, Lesedi began speaking in careful thought-whispers, If we are key players in this power struggle between good and evil as you say, and if this so-called mission's outcome depends on the success of my relationship with Miya, my wisest course is to separate myself from you at this point. Our romance is doomed if I so much as hint to aid you in any known way. Lesedi placed emphasis on the word known.
Judging by the slow concern morphing the angel's face, Lyght received the message loud and clear. Lesedi turned and gave Kassie a courteous nod and raised a brow to Lyght. "I suggest you begin your fence mending here."
He followed after Miya, hoping to calm her. Entering the sun room, he closed the sliding glass door behind him.
She stood with her back to him, head bowed so the ebony silk of her hair cascaded temptingly into an exotic screen hiding her face.
His hands ached to touch, to sweep hair aside and stroke the column of her neck, but the anger that still stiffened her slim form would not welcome his touch. He could wait.
"Are you—"
Tyler ran through the back door with a scream of unmitigated terror bursting from his throat, a tiny bit of gray fluff clutched to his chest.
The young man's cries brought Lyght and Kassie in an instant. Miya and Kassie attempted to comfort him while Lyght placed himself between them and the door, head angled as though listening.
Lesedi looked around Miya's little back yard. He found the brown tufts of an ornamental grass eerily still, in contrast to the plant's natural inclination to constantly sway and shift.
All clumsiness gone in favor of a deadly warrior, Lyght's ominous announcement hit him like a punch. "They're here."
They who? Lesedi discerned some of the words Tyler spoke to the women, the panicked rambling was similar to monsters under the bed or in the closet.
Sudden movement caught his attention. A dark form darted the few yards from one decorative shrub to another and disappeared.
"Bloody Hell!" Lyght grabbed Lesedi's arm and moved back to where Kassie and Miya still comforted Tyler. "All of you, touch me, now!" When they didn't respond quickly enough, the angel growled. "
Seriously, people. I know I'm not your favorite angel right now, but we have to get out of here this instant. We're about to be attacked. Please!" He reached toward them with his arms outstretched.
Tyler grabbed onto the angel's waist and tucking himself under his arm while still clutching the little wild-eyed cat to his chest. Lesedi shook his head and followed the boy's lead, danger prickling along his skin. Kassie was next, lacing her fingers into the angel's, a new kind of terror in her eyes.
Lesedi reached for Miya but she shook her head. "Not happening."
Glass shattered at the side of the studio and a fur-covered monkey/man/monster thing with hellacious teeth and mis-matched features stepped through the window frame. "Waiting for me?" The voice sounded garbled, as if speech were not natural for the thing.
Miya froze for half an instant then slapped her hand onto the angel's arm. "Get us out—"
Everything tilted sideways for an instant and a heavy wind buffeted them. Hit by a wave of motion sickness, Lesedi clenched his eyes closed until Miya stumbled hard against him as their feet hit solid ground again.
Chapter Ten
Lesedi braced with Miya pressed tight to him as the world tilted off its axis. The instant the universe stopped spinning, he opened his eyes to life in motion, as though an invisible stage crew had rushed in and changed worlds while he was stuck in psychedelic blinders.
Miya's plea to vacate the premises had hardly left her lips, before she voiced further exclamations. "What the fuck was that thing?" Colorful exclamations. "Oh my God! Are you really an angel, oh my God, what did you just do? Shit! This is really happening?"
"Ouch!" Lyght fought a losing battle to un-embed the cat's claws from the flesh of his inner forearm. "Bloody creature! It scratched me!"
Miya assisted, unintentionally no doubt, and grasped the cat's scruff and lifted it away to hang the way a mother cat carries her kittens. Miya quickly examined the creature then set it on the floor where it hissed and darted under a chair. "Of course she scratched you, you just zapped her through the universe!"
Summon Lyght (Archangels Creed) Page 8
