Crimson Storm

by V L Moon

  “The vampire king called. It seems, you left Rome without me against his orders.” The demon sank into an empty spot beside him. “The plane is about to land and we have to put the personal shit aside. We’ll do this together, angel. You and I. We’ll see to it that the Nephilim are given a home and anything else they need, but first, we need to find out where your mother had them based. It shouldn’t be too hard. Although, I have to admit when I dragged her to Hell, I had hoped to acquire the intel for you. However, it appears my father has other ideas where your mother’s concerned. None of them good.”

  “What do you mean? You, she’s…good God.” The silence between them grew in intensity; however, Bastian refused to look away. Holding Arial’s gaze, Bastian silently pleaded with him to see that his actions had been performed with good intent. He’d wanted to help. By ridding the Earth of his mother’s treachery, he’d hoped to show Arial the lengths he would go to in order to prove his loyalty as an Elder in Malachi’s court.

  “Thank you. I know the saying’s old, but I do hope she rots there. She’s where she belongs. And, you’re right, we have a job to do.” The captain’s voice came over the intercom. Beneath their feet, the landing gear lowered.

  “I will follow your lead,” Bastian promised. Arial gave a curt nod and buckled his seat belt.

  ~*~*~*~

  A vast array of wolves greeted them when they entered the pack land. Those who chose to stay in their human form eyed them warily as they worked their way in on foot. Bastian, thankfully, chose to remain silent. The wolves were tense, on guard. Arial expected the reaction. For some unknown reason, they felt uneasy in his presence. Not that he cared. He was there for the Nephilim.

  Unseen eyes watched their approach, Arial could feel their presence, their power. Attuned to the Earth, they were one with the passing of each season, changing the landscape around them. They were Mother Nature’s guardians, the first of the preternaturals if indeed that’s what they were. No one, not even Arial knew the true meaning of the Fae. But, they were there, ever watching, always waiting, maybe for the day when their power would once again reign over the world outside their hidden domains.

  “You feel them?” Bastian asked.

  Arial nodded instead of answering aloud, hoping to avoid further agitation. Nothing good would come of their working together. The tension would rise until one of them walked away. It was inevitable. There was too much water under that bridge, and no hope of regaining what had been lost between them. It was better that way. Separate, uncaring, it’s what got Arial through each day.

  The hike inland was long, the sun merciless as it reached its peak. After living within the enclave for as long as he had, it was a forgotten pleasure to feel the heat of the sun. He lifted his face up to the sky. For just a moment, he remembered what it was like to soar above the clouds and feel the wind rushing between his wings and lifting him up unto the heavens and the Creator’s embrace.

  “Now that’s impressive,” Bastian whispered. “Looks like the scales are tipping in Malachi’s favor.”

  Arial followed Bastian’s line of sight and felt a rush of awe swell within him. Nephilim filled the meadow beside the alpha’s home. Wings of varying size and color shimmered beneath the mid-day sun. Hundreds of eager eyes watched Arial’s approach in hopeful expectation. He had no idea how to handle the mass. He’d expected to find about a hundred Nephilim camping out within the wolves’ pack lands, but this…this was a mass exodus on a much grander scale than Arial deemed possible.

  How many of the Nephilim before him were kin? How many had been born from his own mother’s womb? Had she defiled their innocence, cursed them in the same way she’d cursed Arial? There were so many questions, none of them as important as the race spread out before him. He could feel their fear and taste their anger toward their former queen and her sickening regime.

  “Brothers and sisters, I am Arial, son of the fallen, Onoskelis. I stand here before you today sickened by betrayal, cursed by a mother fallen from my God’s grace and honored by your bravery to seek sanctuary in the hopes of a better life. As envoy and council to Malachi Denali’s court, I offer you his assurances of a safe home and training, whether it be as a soldier, a guard or other. We will do whatever it takes to assist you with your new life.

  “Any of you wishing to stay together will be able to do so. Leadership skills, skills of any ability will be assessed and each individual will be placed where they can be best put to use. What we will not tolerate is treachery, lies or infighting. And, by infighting, I mean among yourselves or the hosts that take you into their homes. Any problems, you are to bring them to Bastian or me. We will address your worries and treat you with the same respect you show us.

  “Those that are unwilling to pledge fealty to either Malachi or Jorn are welcome to take their leave. But be warned, there is a war brewing within our world. Please think hard about which side of the fence you choose to sit on as those that choose to do us harm will not ask but take what they want. They won’t forgive, and have no concerns for your safety or putting food in your belly. They will not aid you in healing any wounds or treat you with any form of respect. To the enemy, you are but vessels, expendable resources used to do their bidding.

  “Bastian and I will give you until this time tomorrow to make your choice. Until then, we will ask one thing of you. We believe there are others such as you, with aspirations of freedom or allying themselves with us. If this is so, we need to find them so we can help them. We need the location of your base.” With his request in place, Arial stepped aside. Bastian took his place before the assembled throng of waiting Nephilim.

  ~*~*~*~

  Bastian surveyed the gathered force of rebel Nephilim. Fear marked most faces, but a few bore the sparkle of hope given to them by their newly appointed Regent. He had not been prepared to address them, but he would without doubt cast his support behind Arial. He stepped forward and waited until each and every gaze had shifted to him.

  The change came with a ball of fire and brimstone. The stench of sulfur stifled the air. Wolves barked and howled in agitation while their human counterparts shouted in surprise. The Nephilim, used to demons and their depravity, sank into battle crouches. Weapons were trained on him, but Rhys gave them little thought.

  “My name is Dr. Bastian DeRhys, or Rhys in this form. I am the eldest begotten son of Lucifer.” Gasps rang out across the meadow at his pronouncement. A few of the Nephilim sprang into the air, wings beating as they hovered in indecision.

  “You have nothing to fear from me,” he shouted. “I merely wished to show you my true form so there is no deceit between us. Yes, I am demon, but I loathe my father and would have killed the bitch Onoskelis had he not interfered. My vendetta against her is personal. I would see all of your brethren free of her tyranny either by their choice or by her death. The vampire king has chosen Arial Nathanial as your Regent. There is none who would serve you better. I pledge myself to him and to this cause. I know you may not trust me given your recent past, but you only need call and I will assist you.”

  He shifted back to his human form. “I am a doctor, and I have treated every species including yours.” His throat got tight and his gaze fell. “Many of you know Clariel and Celix. Even with Laziel’s help, I wasn’t able to save them, but we tried. I will give you the same effort if you choose to stand with us. I have seen the worst Hell and Heaven can deliver. I’ve seen kingdoms rise and fall; I’ve seen monarchs triumph and fail miserably. Malachi Denali is a different breed, and I believe in his vision.”

  “He’s offering you peace, a place in his kingdom and his world. His friends, Jorn Chamberlin and the other wolf packs have resurrected the Treaties. Take this chance and fight with them. If you so choose, you’ll receive your new enclave assignments tomorrow as Arial said. There will be conflicts; there will be problems as both races try to put aside the atrocities committed in this war. It won’t be easy, but anything worth having never is. Your future is in your hands for
the first time ever.”

  Bastian stepped back to take his place at Arial’s side. The angel’s heavy gaze bore into him. Bastian turned and raised an eyebrow in question, but Arial didn’t speak. Instead, they both turned back to watch the milling crowd.

  He expected the Nephilim to disperse, but they stayed there in the meadow. A dull roar arose as they discussed the changes in their existence. The wolves drifted away a few at a time, but the unseen watchers remained. Curious and deadly. Bastian did not fear them as they posed little threat to him. Instead, he worried for the Nephilim who were unused to the deviousness of the Fae. A wish granted came with strings so tight they bound the unsuspecting for eternity.

  “We cannot leave them with the Fae lurking in the forest.” Arial’s words echoed his own thoughts.

  “I could get rid of them.”

  Arial frowned at him. “Malachi is trying to initiate peace not start a war with a race rife with unknown magic and long grudges.”

  “So why then did he take Lance under his dark wing?”

  “How the fuck would I know?” Arial growled. “You’ve got the wrong angel if you want those answers. His name’s Laziel, feathers on his back.” The big male rustled the appendages on his back, forcing Bastian to notice them. He blinked. Something looked different. He took a step closer. Arial retreated. And fuck if that didn’t piss him off. Bastian forgot about the wings as he crowded closer to his male.

  “Feathers do not an angel make. Clariel was everything good and pure; yet, he bore no wings of any kind.”

  “Do not speak his name,” Arial hissed.

  “Why? Because it’s my fault he’s dead?”

  Arial flushed although Bastian wasn’t sure if it was from anger or embarrassment. “You cannot help the actions of your father. I was angry and hurting. I lashed out at you.”

  Surprise had Bastian blinking and reassessing his response. “I will make him pay for killing those two. Somehow, I will get vengeance for them.”

  “We will.” Arial swept a hand out to encompass the gathered halflings. “With Malachi’s help, we will all seek vengeance for Clariel and Celix. We don’t need your help. I don’t know why Malachi insisted on sending you here.”

  “Maybe, the vampire king is playing matchmaker.”

  Arial glared at him. “Get your head out of your pants, demon. We’re here for one reason, and one reason only, those Nephilim.”

  ~*~*~*~

  Bastian materialized in the shadowed woods bordering the meadow and inhaled deeply. Fresh air filled his lungs chasing away the nastiness of Hell. He dreaded every foray into his father’s realm and ignored the fear that tightened his gut every time he slunk into the bowels of depravity. His father’s ability to trap him in the underworld terrified him; yet, he’d made promises to Malachi, but more importantly to Arial.

  Once again, he sensed the Fae. “I know not your reasons for being here,” he murmured low. “But, if you do not want a war with all of the spawn of Hell, you will leave Arial Nathanial alone. He is mine.”

  Wind whipped around him. Above him, the trees swayed and groaned in the sudden gale. Animals scattered from beneath the underbrush. Bastian threw his head back and laughed. “You’re going to have to do a lot more than play rock and roll with the forest to scare me, Aelfric. I played with Abaddon’s locusts in my nursery bed.” Abruptly, the wind died.

  “That’s what I thought, fucker.”

  “You have a habit of talking to yourself?”

  Bastian twisted around to see Arial standing at the edge of the trees. He fought the smile that threatened and gave a nonchalant shrug. “They say you only have to worry if you answer yourself, but the convo was one sided so I think I’m sane.”

  “You’ve never been sane a day in your life,” Arial shot back.

  “Yeah, yeah. I got daddy issues that are out of this world.”

  Arial barked out a laugh and then snapped his mouth closed. The small break in the angel’s hard demeanor heartened Bastian. He moved closer. When Arial didn’t immediately stalk away, Bastian took the opportunity to study his beloved’s face. Hard lines had replaced the youthfulness he’d remembered through the long years away from Arial. His angel had lost his innocence and his vitality. Where there had been light; there was dark. Bastian wanted to kill the bitch who had so cruelly scarred his perfect angel.

  “Arial.”

  The angel startled and shifted his gaze from the trees to Bastian’s face. “What happened?”

  Arial’s gaze fell away. He didn’t ask what Bastian meant. He knew. Big shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. “Does it matter? It can’t be changed.”

  “It matters to me.”

  Their eyes collided again before Arial twisted away. “They found out. My father stripped my wings from me and she cursed me to take the blood and souls of demons to survive.” Another dismissive shrug. “And so, I’ve existed here on Earth chasing your brethren into the shadows and devouring them. It’s a vile way to live, but I deserve it. I knew what came with falling.”

  “My father told me they killed you. I went crazy looking for you. Arial, I would have ripped this world apart to find you if you’d let me know where you were. Didn’t you trust my feelings for you?” Bastian circled his angel and forced the male to look at him. “I loved you, Arial. I still do.”

  “You can’t. I’m not the same. I’m cursed. And Fallen.”

  Bastian brought his hand up and stroked his thumb across Arial’s ripe bottom lip. “You’re wrong. I can and I do. You are the one that I want. I don’t care if you’re singing in God’s choir or swimming in Satan’s cesspool.”

  When Arial didn’t flinch from his touch, Bastian closed the small gap between them. He slid a tentative arm around Arial’s waist and aligned their bodies. His breath quickened as their bodies brushed. “You’re wrong about something else, too. If your mother cursed you and your father took your wings, you are not Fallen, Arial Nathanial. Only God can kick you out of Heaven.”

  Arial’s face went stone white. The big male stumbled back out of Bastian’s embrace. “You speak nonsense. What would a demon know of the workings of the Creator?”

  “A lot more than you think. I’m more than just a demon, motherfucker.” Bastian’s temper spiked. “My father is THE fallen angel. That means part of me is celestial. Part of my heritage is your heritage. But, you never saw that did you? All you ever saw was the demon. My love terrified you even then didn’t it? That’s why you run when I tell you that I love you.”

  Bastian backed away from Arial despite his desperate longing to hold the male in his arms. “Angels did this to you. People whose love you valued. I would never hurt you, Arial. Not like that. And, I wouldn’t have let them do this if I’d known.”

  Sadness pierced Bastian’s chest stirring his demon. “I’ll be here tomorrow for the Nephilim’s answer. Sleep peacefully. Whether you want it or not, I’ll be watching over you.”

  ~*~*~*~

  Chapter Fifty-One

  ~*~*~*~

  Virginia

  Seated upon the highest point in Jorn’s territory, Arial silently observed the birth of a brand new day. Its imminent arrival started slowly, advancing over the embrace of the night’s darkened skies to rise in a blaze of indigo and gold. Its caress rolled over Arial’s flesh, warming him from the outside and melting away the fear etched in his heart. He stood tall, stretching out his stiff aching limbs and drew in a huge breath of sweet morning air.

  He shuddered on the exhale when the cool breeze drifted over the remains of his wings. His skin between the bony appendages itched, a strange sensation, one that crawled over the mounts, making them lift. Arial’s breath caught in his throat. The peculiar sensation was most likely due to the sun drying up the dew that had gathered along his back during the night. It had been such a long time since he’d felt life in the ravaged remains, he was probably imagining it. His brain wasn’t working right and it was all Bastian’s fault.

  Hours had passed, but Arial
could still feel the heat from Bastian’s touch, could still smell the brimstone, and still hear those words. “I loved you, Arial. I still do.” Why? Why now after all this time? Why couldn’t DeRhys just stay the hell away? Because it’s the last thing you really want. Admit it, you idiot. You love the motherfucker too much to ever let him go.

  “Arghhhhhhh!” Arial roared. His anger and frustration echoed through the valley below. It wasn’t only the demon’s declaration of love driving him insane. It was something else Bastian had said that had kept Arial awake all night. He’d heard the same speech before, word for word, from none other than Laziel. Neither Bastian nor Laziel believed him to be fallen. If only it were true. However, the ruination of his wings contradicted their ardent validation. There was no point in denying or hiding what he was, or where his heart lay, however hard he tried to run away from it. He had loved Bastian, still did and most likely always would.

  With a heavy heart, Arial took his leave and made his way back to the meadow where the Nephilim were to meet. He wasn’t sure what to expect as far as their fealty and cooperation were concerned. After Rhys’ exhibition, Arial wouldn’t be surprised to find an empty field awaiting him. How wrong could he be?

  When he approached the meeting point, a wave of silence fell over the rows of waiting Nephilim. The weight of their stares and expectations would have been a heavy cross to bear, but for the male standing before him in all his red hot demon glory. His red flesh glistened. Light wisps of steam rose up from the dewy droplets anointing his skin. Arial gulped when the memory of his tongue traversing all that fiery flesh taunted his mind. His eyes drank in Rhys’ magnificent form.

  From his thick thighs up, over the prominent bulge of that gorgeously curved cock to the rippled valley of his stomach and the wide expanse of his bared chest, Rhys was the epitome of sex. His horns and come to bed looks topped off a body that had been made purely for sin. And, no one sinned as well as Rhys. Just looking at him made Arial’s cock stand at attention and his curse flare to life. He couldn’t even be near the demonic motherfucker without wanting to literally devour him.