Angel Kin

by Tricia Skinner

  The threat lit his Grace as easily as fire and gasoline. He snarled in the elf’s face as his power slammed through his body, demanding release. The Renegades had given the dark elf ultimate power with a simple warning to Abel—obey, or lose your brother.

  Cain was his blood. His brother would know loss and pain and doubt and fear, but those were Abel’s lessons to teach. If he didn’t obey Dravyn, the Renegades would take his vengeance from him and kill his brother. That they also understood how to hobble Nephilim powers, like The Bound were leashed with that Act of Contrition garbage, was also enough to keep him wary.

  He stalked toward the club’s entrance without reply. As he reached for the door, the bouncer broke out a toothy grin.

  “Hey, hey, hey. Hangin’ wit’ your boys tonight?”

  Dravyn’s footsteps stopped behind him. Abel’s body went rigid. He turned his head at the odd question. “No.”

  The bouncer threw back his head and howled what sounded like a laugh. “Shit, then you can let loose, Cain. Been a while since you threw a solid party without your bros keeping you in check.”

  Abel slanted his eyes at the smirking dark elf.

  “Yes, you do frequent this dump,” Dravyn said. “The possibilities…”

  The bouncer growled and crossed his thick, hairy arms. “Who dis, Cain? He wit you?”

  The idiot elf should have his tongue removed, but instead of seeing to that pleasurable task, Abel chose to flash a genuine smile at the werewolf shifter. “Remind me. What did I come up with last time?”

  The lycan scratched his head with a clawed finger. “For real? Man, you made everyone at the bar sink body shots before hitting the dance floor Gangnam Style.”

  Abel hadn’t a clue what that meant, but it sounded like his brother was a joke. Dravyn leaned close to the bouncer. “I’m sure he can do better this time.”

  The bouncer howled and slapped Abel’s shoulder. “Y’all get in trouble and Tanis will own your ass, fo sho.”

  He pictured the broken angel and fisted his hands. “I’m not concerned with the leader of The Bound Ones.”

  Dravyn groaned and the smile slipped from the shifter’s face. He narrowed his yellow eyes and sniffed the air. Abel slipped his hand to the dagger hidden at his back.

  The bouncer wrinkled his long nose. “Don’t take this wrong and shit, but you smell weird, Cain.”

  Damn lycanthropes.

  “I think I see someone I know. Excuse us a moment.” Dravyn yanked Abel toward the line of waiting humans. The chattering from their conversations would interfere with the werewolf’s heightened hearing. At the curve near the alley, he swung around. “You truly are an imbecile.”

  Before Abel could reply, the elven sorcerer raised his hands. Blue and green energy sparked and jumped over his fingers. “I will think for us both. The fool believed you were your brother. Now his dog nose tells him differently. Fix it.”

  “Fuck you, mercenary,” Abel spat back.

  “That wasn’t a suggestion, moron. Kill the lycan. Get rid of him before he ruins my evening.”

  Dravyn stomped off, heading back to the club. The bouncer frowned at his approach, but the elf was Other. He had a right to enter the nightclub. Then the piercing yellow gaze fell on Abel.

  Controlling werewolf shifters required more effort. Abel grinned. The elf expected the creature gone. So be it. He summoned his Grace, pooling the energy in his mind before sending his power into the bouncer.

  “Go to your pack. Do not return tonight.”

  He felt the werewolf’s will resist, pushing against the persuasion.

  “Go. Now.”

  The bouncer howled skyward, then turned and loped off into the night. As distance increased, Abel felt his hold grow fainter and fainter. He severed the connection and walked past the line and into the club.

  The smoky interior and its mingled smells of sweating humans and Others would cover him if another of his brother’s wolf acquaintances appeared. He slipped deeper into the dark interior, skimmed past all the bumping and grinding on the dance floor, and located a table near the back. Dravyn join him moments later.

  The elf sipped a martini. “The redhead is a human named Katie Logan. She has a juvie record for petty crime. Her family works in different fire departments around town.”

  Life savers. How charming.

  Dravyn swallowed another mouthful of clear liquid. “The human manages a local band. Her bank account is tipping on empty, and she has the usual extreme debt of most twentysomethings.”

  Katie Logan appeared to be a normal human in a city overrun with them. “What’s her connection to my brother?”

  Dravyn played with the olive pierced by a toothpick. “I didn’t get a whiff she even knew the guy. The Bound are regular Boy Scouts, helping local authorities on cases involving Others.”

  Abel frowned. “She’s a human.”

  Dravyn shrugged.

  “When did she arrive at his home?” Abel asked.

  “Day after your first mission.”

  Cain’s file hadn’t mentioned any female companions or lovers. “The records mentioned petty crime. What specifically?”

  Dravyn switched his attention to the crowded dance floor. “Burglary mostly. She’s on probation.”

  Katie’s appearance a single day after he’d killed Washington troubled him. The house had been empty, except for his target.

  “She’s nobody, half-breed,” the elf said.

  So it seemed. Abel tapped his fingers against the tabletop. A nobody female with a criminal record and The Bound Ones. If she was a suspect, Cain could have been escorting her to the authorities. Had he caught her committing a crime? Unlikely, given her race. The Bound dealt with Others almost exclusively.

  Who are you, Red?

  A tickle of annoyance spasmed his jaw muscles. He wanted to know everything about Cain’s life. Learning the basic facts, such as where his twin resided, bored him. He’d prefer if Katie was special to his brother like a current or former lover he still cared for. Wounding his brother’s heart would be a boon.

  He stopped tapping his fingers. Threatening this woman Cain knew might serve the same purpose.

  “See you around, Grumpy.” Dravyn stood and straightened his suit jacket.

  Abel followed the elf’s line of sight to a lycan female thrusting her hips to the booming music.

  “See if you can’t shake this place up a bit,” Dravyn said, a wide grin spreading his lips. “I’d hate to break a promise to our now-dead bouncer friend.” The elf left, melting into the crowd.

  Grim-faced, Abel fisted his hands and released them. Fisted. Released. The dark elf’s ridiculous orders had to stop, but this one would accomplish Abel’s personal goal, too. His brother’s reputation deserved a few scuffs, and he knew exactly how to leave a mark the club would not soon forget, minus an unnecessary body count.

  He rose from the table and caught Dravyn’s departure out a side exit, the woman he’d been drooling over trailing close behind. Abel made his way to the bar, three bodies deep on all sides with inebriated patrons. He towered over most of the mixed-species crowd, and easily drew the attention of a male bartender.

  “The usual, Cain?”

  He nodded, curious about his brother’s beverage choice. The bartender pulled a bottle off the shelf, poured, and then slid the glass to the side closest to Abel. He accepted the drink, sniffed, and then tasted it. Rum.

  “Drinking solo, or is it your turn to pick up a round?” The bartender’s purple elven eyes glittered.

  “Solo.” Abel swallowed the dark liquid before he summoned his power. “You should join me.”

  The elf stiffened. “What? I can’t. I’d lose my job.” He reached for another glass anyway and poured.

  “Then, by all means, we can’t have you drinking alone.”

  Abel’s power pulsed over a group of people standing near him. “Everyone is so thirsty. Throats parched beyond comprehension. They’ll die without a drink.”


  The throng surge, some scrambling over the bar, moaning and grabbing at liquor bottles.

  “What the fuck?” The bartender shoved a vampire off the counter. “What the hell is this shit?”

  No one paid attention. The stricken tide of bodies crashed over the counter and began drinking anything they could land hands on. The bartender was crushed under the desperate patrons.

  Abel turned and located three bouncers heading to control the crowd.

  “The Bound Ones want to see you fight.”

  The first werewolf howled and slashed his claws down the back of his coworker. The bear shifter growled his rage before barreling into his attacker. The third bouncer slammed his fist into an unlucky man seated near the ruckus.

  Abel strode forward and eyed the startled crowd. Most had run for the exits. The onlookers, however, refused to leave the free show. He drew on more of his Grace and raised his arms, palms splayed. A few observant heads turned to watch. Over the chest-battering technogarbage blaring from the sound system, he sent a large amount of power behind his next command.

  “Tear this place apart.”

  …

  Get in. Get out.

  The instructions flashed inside Katie’s head. Determination fueled her as she neared the front door of Fire Station 3. She stopped, smoothed her hair and checked her clothes, then turned to Cain. The Nephilim had insisted on taking her, literally, to her brother.

  “This is last shift, but someone might recognize you…him from the news,” she said.

  “They won’t.”

  Stubborn and reckless. She tossed her hands up. Cain’s eyes began to glow, but she stormed past him without asking what he was up to and entered the building.

  The chorus of wolf whistles began immediately, followed by a round of good-natured pickup lines. Katie groaned and gave Cain an embarrassed shrug. She’d forgotten her firehouse routine.

  “Can I borrow a quarter? My mom told me to call home when I fell in love,” one of the fireman said, pretending to fall out of his chair.

  Katie rolled her eyes, pressed her lips into a firm line, and increased her speed. The challenge had been in place since high school. The men and women who worked with her brother believed she should know all the stupid things boys would say to get in her pants. Now she couldn’t remember when it had turned into a test to get her to laugh at the worst one.

  A new suitor tried his luck.

  “Is it hot in here, or is that just you?” That one earned a few boos from the small group milling about the station.

  Cain leaned close as he walked beside her. “What the hell is going on?”

  Her lips parted, but she mashed them together. Just a few more steps and the gauntlet of firefighters would disappear. One brave soul yelled his best effort.

  “Baby, you so fine you make me stutter. Wha-wha-what’s your name?”

  Crap. Katie’s laughter bubbled out. Cheers sprang from all the guys on the night shift. She glanced at the winner, a probationary fireman who didn’t appear old enough to grow facial hair. He winked at her, eyes sparkling. Yep, he was new.

  Cain’s brow rose as he opened his mouth to speak.

  Katie cut him off. “Long, sordid, and stupid story.” She glanced around. No one had uttered a word about the strange blond giant in the room. In fact, as she watched, the men and women of Fire Station 3 put down their tools and equipment and zombie-walked to the back area that housed the kitchen and break room. “What did you do to them?”

  Cain shook his head. Beads of sweat sprinkled his face and his breathing sounded choppy.

  “Are you sick?” Katie had a weird sense of déjà vu. She’d seen this before. “Kas was sick like this at the Stronghold.”

  The Nephilim doubled over and crashed to his knees, arms tight around his midsection.

  “I-I’ll get Jon.” She turned and ran to her brother’s office, and then she threw the door open. “Help me.”

  Jon blew past her as soon as he left the office and beelined to Cain kneeling on the floor.

  “Who is this?” Her brother tried to pry Cain’s arms apart, but the hard muscles didn’t give. “What happened? Are you okay?”

  “He was fine and then he wasn’t,” she said. “I’m okay.”

  Cain groaned, sweat spots darkening the concrete under his shaking body.

  “Keep him upright. I need to get my bag.”

  As Jon moved, one thick arm shot out and clasped his wrist. It happened so fast she and her brother yelped in unison.

  “My…bad,” Cain said, his face lowered. “Too much juice.”

  Jon recovered from the shock first. He knelt closer and touched the hand on his wrist. “You must play b-ball. That grip’s solid, but I need my hand back so I can help you.”

  The Nephilim groaned but he let go. Katie stepped closer, her worry increased for her brother so near to the unpredictable half angel. A lock of Jon’s hair, streaked with early gray, fell on his forehead as he looked up at her and then Cain with confused eyes.

  “Who are you? Why are you laid out on my station floor?” Her brother glanced around. “And where is everybody? They should be on shift.”

  Katie grimaced. She had no idea how to explain. “Jon, this is my, er, friend, Cain.” She tried not to wince. “The gang is taking a break.”

  “All of them? That’s impossible, not to mention against regulations. What the hell is going on?”

  Cain chose that moment to struggle to his feet. Jon held his shoulders and took some of the other man’s weight. Head down, Cain made it halfway, bending at the waist and resting his hands against his thighs, and then he waved off further assistance.

  She read Jon’s lips as he silently mouthed, “Who is he?”

  “Cain is, uh, from The Bound Ones.”

  Her brother visibly relaxed his shoulders and stared at the back of Cain’s bowed head. “You’re part of Tanis’s team?”

  “I am.”

  Cain finally straightened, his height clearing a good three inches over her brother. “Good to meet you, Jon Logan.”

  The two stared at each other, and Katie’s heartbeat quadrupled. Green eyes locked onto silver ones, and then she saw the exact second when recognition dawned in her brother’s mind.

  “Oh, Jesus.” He stumbled back until his tall body blocked hers.

  Katie stepped around him and stood between her brother and Cain. “Jon, hang on. Let me explain.”

  “Explain what?” Jon reached to the side of the nearest fire truck and yanked off an ax. “Get away from him, Katherine.”

  “Easy, buddy.” Cain changed his relaxed posture and appeared ready for action.

  “Calm down, Jon!”

  Jon gripped his axe like a man trained to use it. “Get away from my sister.”

  The Nephilim smirked, a sight that unsettled Katie.

  “Jon, stop and listen to me.” She turned to face her brother. “The guy you think is the murderer is actually his twin, Abel.”

  “Cain and fucking Abel? Are you bullshitting me?”

  “Some stories are just that—stories,” Cain said. He slowly extended his arms from his body. Then he turned in a small arc. “I’m packing enough heat to smoke you and your entire engine company if I wanted to, but I’m not your enemy. Now, put down the brain cleaver.”

  Katie caught Jon’s hesitation. “Please, just listen. It’ll be okay, I promise.”

  Her brother’s face was full of turmoil, but his fingers eased the hold on his weapon. He set the ax down, but within reach.

  Cain straightened his jacket.

  Jon dragged his hands down his face. He looked so tired. “All right. A real-life Abel is alive, and he’s the guy Katie saw murder the councilman?”

  “He doesn’t know about her, and I intend to keep it that way.”

  Her brother crossed his arms. “You have my full attention because that’s exactly what I want.”

  “My face is all over the media. Keep her with you and out of sight.”

&nbs
p; Katie walked over to Jon and entwined her fingers with his. “The cops probably think Cain is a murder suspect. What Abel did was too public.”

  Jon glanced at her and nodded. “Sounds like a setup.”

  She bit her lip and looked at Cain. She wondered if he even had a clue what Abel was really after.

  “I’ll ask him when I take him down.” A ghost of emotion fluttered across the half angel’s tanned face, and the resulting pang of sympathy surprised her. “I love my brother. I have mourned him for centuries. Even so, I will stop him.”

  To her, it sounded like Cain was trying to convince himself. She glanced at Jon, squeezing his hand.

  “What if Abel finds out about Katie and comes after her?” Jon asked.

  Cain surveyed the room. “You’re going to need more than an ax and a fire hose to stop my brother. He can control minds, like me. Which is why we’re having this private conversation right now. However, he’s baiting me, targeting me, and probably doesn’t know she exists. I’m probably the only one who can figure out where he is, so I’ve got to get to him before he can get to me.”

  Those amazing eyes pinned her where she stood. His gaze dipped to her lips and stayed there. The attraction she’d felt in her apartment wasn’t a fluke, if the longing in Cain’s expression served as a clue.

  “I don’t expect Katie’s in any danger, but in any event, keep her out of sight. Don’t challenge him,” he said to Jon as he finished memorizing her features. “If you see him, run.”

  Her brother nodded. “No problem. We’ll call Tanis if we spot him.”

  “No.” Cain reached into his back pocket and pulled out a wrinkled business card. She peeked at the front and saw it contained only a phone number. “Call me. Only me.”

  He was on his own, which didn’t feel right to Katie.

  “Is there anything we can do to help?” Jon asked.

  Cain began to turn away, but stopped. “Know anyone on the police force I can trust?”

  Jon shook his head. “Sorry, man, but they’d probably ask questions after they’d put you in the hospital.”

  “Then just keep my visit quiet,” Cain replied. He spared her one last look before he turned on his heels and walked toward the exit.