by Owner
“Taking a walk on the wrong side of the tracks, rebelling against Big Daddy.” She waved a hand wildly.
“No. Why do you think so lowly of yourself?” His brow drew down to a point.
“Are you going to pretend your brethren would welcome me, freak that I am, with open arms.” Bitterness welled inside her as old hurts surfaced.
“Some yes, some no, just like people each of us possesses our own individual views.” He covered her hand with his and she shook it off.
“And your Father?”
“Loves everything in creation. You are not as hard to love as you think. I—.”
“Please don’t finish that sentence.” She thrust her hand, palm open out at him.
“I don’t understand.” His voice wobbled.
Shit, now she’d hurt his feelings. “Wait okay. Until you’re well, and we’ve had more time together, because I couldn’t stand it if you took it back later.” No one other than her mother had every uttered those there words.
“I see it distresses you so I’ll do as you ask.”
“Thank you.” Reaching over the console she squeezed his hand. The energy that coursed between them pulsed. Skin on skin contact connected them. His grace reached out, latching on to him and she became a conduit. Tiny bubbles of pleasure flowing over every inch of her body, causing tiny earthquakes with every pop. Her pussy wept and she shifted in her seat, pressing her thighs tight together. Grateful when her turn came up she moved her hand away. Parking the car she scanned the area, tasting the air with her borrowed powers. Sensing no threat she gestured with her head toward the building that was her pride and joy. The space was a renovated warehouse that sat back off the road. Wards woven around the place kept humans out and those who meant harm. There were no weapons allowed, except for the ones located behind the bar.
“Come on Blue, I’ll show you the ropes while I set up and you can try your hand at bartending.”
They’d bricked up the inside of the warehouse and put in wood flooring. Pool tables lined the back. Comfortable black chairs and couches filled the space along with black picnic tables and benches. Inside the distinct clink of bottles greeted them.
“Hello?”
The distinct clink of bottles turned their attention to the bar that spanned almost the entire length of the warehouse.
“Over here honey, finishing up the restocking I didn’t get to finish last night. The place was packed. I think the vultures were trying to get a glimpse of the newly fallen.”
As they moved closer she spotted her mother behind the bar restocking the wells. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as power built inside her.
“Lailah.” The sound of her mother’s angelic name on Angel Mans’ tongue gave her shivers.
It was rare she was referred to anything other than her humanized name, Layla. Even with his grace inside her she could sense the awesome power he held at his fingertips. Her mother turned, her eyes glowing a brilliant amber.
“You know me?”
“Yes, Night, I remember you. Don’t you not know me?” Night, the literal translation of her mother’s name sounded poetic.
Her mother shook her head. “Not in this form. My abilities have faded over time and some things I was all too happy to forget.”
“You’re happy here?”
“Yes.” Her mother looked toward her. “I am.”
“It’s good to be in your company once more sister.”
She frowned at his wording. Bloodlines didn’t work the same up there but it still creeped her out. “Okay first rule you two can’t go around calling one another brother and sister anymore.
Mom this is Blue… Blue my mom, Layla.”
“Welcome to Earth. Blue.”
“Thank you Layla.” He grinned and her stomach flipped like a pancake. He’s making her soft. “I’m going to show him around.”
“Okay, I’ll be here.”
“Come on, I’ll show you around.”
***
He was stunned by how many of his brethren had chosen to fall. Cherubs and warriors alike.
Most seemed nice, relatively friendly, and happy. He’d never have come down here if it weren’t for Heavenleigh. His eye caressed her form as she served up a drink to a vampire. Dressed in a black mini skirt and a black scoop neck tank top she was sex personified. His dick hardened and he swallowed. All he could think of was taking her in front of the bar, staking his claim, showing everyone she belonged to him. The world narrowed as a conversation pushed to the forefront of his brain.
“Things will be different down there. Your feelings will be extreme at first. We don’t experience emotions the way they do. You’ll feel overwhelmed, especially when it comes to Heavenleigh. Do not ignore the urges brother, it’ll end in disaster.” The fair haired angel with the round face and pale blue eyes frowned. “Promise me. I don’t want to see you end up like the others who’ve gone down and gotten lost. We’re sanctioning this because the entire world will be in danger if the gates of hell open.”
“I understand Michael. I’ll guard her with my life.”
“I know you will. You love her in your own way, at least as much as we can love.” Michael pressed his hand over his heart. “Go with God Yophiel, make her understand her role, stand beside her for what’s to come.” The next memory was of pain as his grace was ripped from him and he began to fall.
“Blue?” He blinked and peered over at a concerned Heavenleigh.
“I remember.” The weight of duty pressed down on him.
“Hey, Julie, cover for me, Blue and I are taking a break.”
Hooking her finger in his wallet chain, she guided him to the break room in the back. The door shit behind him and she turned to face him. “What did you remember?”
“Everything. Cupping her face in his hands he leaned in and inhaled her scent. She smelled like the two of them mixed together. He rubbed his face along hers and whispered into her ear.
“Thank you for keeping my grace safe.”
She swallowed hard. “Do you want it back?”
“No. you’ll need it.” The thought of anything happening to her made his stomach
plummeted. He tensed.
“Angel Man?” Worry laced her words.
“Yophiel,” he whispered.Her lower lip trembled and her eyes dulled.
“No, don’t pull away from. I yearned for you up there, and I didn’t understand why. There was no name for it. I should not have been able to feel it, yet I did. Now I want to hear you say my name, scream it while I come inside you, and mark you with my protection.” Capturing her lips he lifted her into his arms. She wrapped her legs around him and he carried her to the bathroom. He could taste his grace on her lips and her tongue. Mixed with her demon heritage it toned down the sting. His cock grew. Reaching in for his powers he imagined a swirling circle of light where he entwined their names in angelic language. She gasped, shaking.
“Yophiel, what are you doing?”
“Protecting you, my grace isn’t my own anymore it’s ours.”
“Yophiel.”
He growled. “Say it again.” Balancing her on the sink he spread her legs wide and hit his knees.
“Y-Yophiel.”
Shoving her skirt up to her waist he ripped off her panties. “Oh, God.”
“Not quite.” Her musky scent called to him and he leaned in and licked a path down her slit.
He swirled her salty sweet taste around in his mouth feeling like a wine coinsurer. “You taste heavenly.”
“S-Smart ass.”
Smirking, he held her gaze as he flicked her clit. They weren’t blind in heaven. They saw what went on, they just didn’t get why or what the humans got out of it. He understood now.
“Oh Angel Man, you sure you haven’t done this before?”
“Your pussy is the only one I ever wanted to play with.” He pushed a finger inside and she cried out. “Now it’s my turn to lead.” Bending down he continued to flick her clit with his tong
ue as he pumped her wet core. He added another finger and she hissed. Curling his fingers he hit a spot inside that made her jerk.
“Oh!”
The walls of her pussy clamped down and he swallowed her down. When her quaking
stopped he rose to his feet, undid his pants, and freed his cock. Fisting his base he eased in his tip and thrust home.
“Oh, God!”
Closing his eyes he gritted his teeth to keep from coming on the spot. Gripping the edge of the counter she tilted her hips.
“Fuck me Angel Man. Give it to me, I can take it.”
“Heav—.”
She flexed her muscles and he lost his tentative hold on the powerful emotions sweeping through him. He let out a guttural roar and drove his hips forward, plowing inside of her. The loud smack of skin on skin echoed in the room. Every pass he made buried him deeper. Shrill screams echoed in his ear. His cock twitched, his balls grew heavy.
“I’m going to come Angel Man, are you going to come with me?”
“Yes.”
Arching her back she screamed, hurtling over the edge and pulling him with her. He grunted giving her everything he had. He rested his head on her shoulder, relishing the feel of her arms around him as they came down together.
“You made a mess of me, I rather like is.” Her breath tickled his ear.
“Good cause I plan on doing it frequently.” Pulling out he sighed as reality reared its ugly head.
“Let me fix us up.” She waved her hands over them, cleaning, and righting ripped clothing.
A pang of regret hit him when his scent faded from her skin. “Don’t worry the best part is getting dirty all over again.” The joy drained from her face like a power out of charge. “Now we have things to talk about. You shouldn’t have done what you did. Change it back.”
“No.”
“That’s your ticket home from the wasteland. I don’t want you caught out in the cold when you get sick of this place because of some misplaced sense of duty.”
“I won’t want to be without you.” He gripped her shoulders, and starred into her eyes.
“You’re new to all this Yophiel. This intensity you’re feeling will fade.” Sighing she pulled away.
“How old are you Heavenleigh?”
She wrinkled he brow and her lips curved downward. “I’m sixty.”
“In sixty years my feelings, which I shouldn’t have been able to experience, have only grown stronger. Do you honestly think for one moment they’ll leave now that I’m here with you?”
“Yes! You have me on a pedal stool I can’t possibly remain on.”
“I see who you truly are beneath the wall you’ve been forced to build around your heart to protect yourself, how misunderstood and ostracized you’ve been. It makes me want to rip out throats and break spleens.” He took a shaky breath. “I’m not used to that sort of rage. It’s a slippery slope. If I start down it, I might not come back. You’re my anchor. If I go off the rails I know you’ll do what’s necessary.”
She opened her mouth protest and he rushed ahead. “Look inside yourself. I live in you. My grace is woven into your soul. There’s nothing about me you won’t know if you seek the answer.”
“What have you gotten me into Angel Man? And to think, I thought I was the dangerous one in this pairing.”
A knock sounded on the door.
“I hate to break up whatever is going on in there, but I have to piss and we’re starting to get slammed.” Julie’s muffled voice obliterated the moment.
“Tonight we’ll get deep, right now it’s time to get paper.”
“Money?” He never understood why they constantly changed the meaning of things.
“Yes you clueless cutie, monetary funds.” Patting his cheek she hopped down from the counter musing his hair, and he nodded.
“Can’t have you looking too perfect, she’ll think I wasted my trip in here.” Winking she took his hand, unlocked the bathroom, and led him out the door way.
“It’s all yours Julie.”
The stunned expression on her face made him smile, and he winked. She was rubbing off on him all ready.
Chapter Five
They sat side by side at the empty bar, a bottle of whiskey, and two shot glasses rested between them. For once in her long life, Heavenleigh didn’t know what to say. This amazing being truly loved her. Not what she was, or what she could do, just her. The insecure, smart mouthed, half-breed who pretended to be big and bad to hide the gooey soft center vulnerable to those she cared about. “You want to start?” She poured herself a shot and turned to look at the tranquil looking man beside her.
“What would you like me to say?” He tilted his head.
“Why you’re here.” Tracing the rim of her glass with her finger she braced herself.
“You’ve always known you were different, but you were mistaken by thinking it made you a freak. Inside you is the key to heaven and hell.” The back of his knuckles stroked her cheek.
“I’m sorry what?” She croaked.
“Part angel, part demon you have a foot in both worlds. You can travel between them, and open the gates locked long ago.” His soft spoken words blew her world apart.
“To hell!” Her scream echoed through the empty space. How is this even possible?
“Yes.” He nodded.
“Does anyone know?” It’s a wonder I made it to be sixty. This is like having a giant red target on my back.
“Yes, the scroll was lost until recently.” Reaching between them he took her hands in his.
“What happened?” She turned her body toward him.
“A free agent reaper discovered it and auctioned if off to the highest bidder.” He shook his head. “Scavenger.”
“Let me guess, it was a demon.” She scowled.
“Yes, a higher up.” His lips twisted up into a sneer.
“Fan-fucking-tastic. So you decide to come down and play Prince Charming.” She tugged her hand away. The loss of control infuriated her. For sixty years she’d been on her own. Now they realized she could help them and everyone wanted to stake their claim. Fuck that.
“My father offered the position.”
She gasped. “Wait, your fall was sanctioned?”
“Yes, this is far too important to leave up to chance.” He trailed a finger down her hand.
Her stomach twisted. “So you plan on going back?” Fear stiffened her limbs. In just a few days this man had literally engrained himself on her soul, life without him would be a living hell.
“No, I told you before I’m not going anywhere without you.” His eyes flickered amber and she shivered. He gained more confidence and command of his powers with every minute that passed.
“What do we do?”
“Remain vigilant, and wait. They can’t force you to open the gate. It must be done of your own free will, and even then it would only be possible after they’ve broken the proper seal.”
“Seal?” Intrigued she arched an eyebrow.
“Hmm...safeguards to keep the demons below.” There was a gentle nudge in her mind accompanied by an explanation of seals. She had a walking encyclopedia of ancient, angelic , history in her head thanks to Yophiel.
“Makes sense. What is the seal?”
“No one knows. That scroll was scattered in many pieces all over the world, and all memory was stricken from the collective.” His jaw clenched and she sensed his anger.
“Collective?”
“All of those who dwell in heaven.”
“So… only God knows?” Her eyes widened.
He looked upward, calculating “Essentially, yes.”
“And he won’t tell because…?” A headache began to form between her eyes as she
struggled to untangle the messy angelic reasoning.
“Once spoken, the information is no longer secured.”
“You guys make everything way too complex… I need another drink.” Pouring another shot she tossed it back and slammed the shot glass o
n the table. “So we just sit tight, and hang out at Purgatory?”
His lips twitched upward. “When you say it like that it sounds like a very witty metaphorical joke.”
She rolled her eyes. “He chooses now to gain a sense of humor.”
“What’ s the human colloquial? You’ve become a bad influence.” The sly smile that lined his lips coaxed a smile. It was impossible to be irritated with him when he was so damned adorable.
“Hmmph. Not the kind of wicked thing I want to be teaching you Angel Man.” Winking she squeezed his thigh.
His lips twitched. “I look forward to that.” Tucking her hair behind his ear he leaned in a placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “I took the only precaution I knew of by sharing my grace with you. It will give you an extra edge if you’re ever in trouble, and I will always be able to find you.”
“From what you said me being at risk is a distant possibility, why send you here?” She whispered the words against his mouth, needing the closeness.
“There have been pieces of the scroll uncovered by an archeology team in Israel.”
“So it’s begun?” She closed her eyes and sighed.
“I’m afraid so Heavenleigh, but I promise, no harm will come to you as long as I am here.”
Scooping her up he lifted her into his lap. His arms wrapped around her waist and she relished the silent support. “Well… at least I know what I’m up against. We’ll tell my Mom, tighten security and ride it out. I refuse to cower in a corner.” He nuzzled her neck.
“There’s one more thing, but I think you should talk to your Mother.”
“It’s about my Father isn’t it?”
“Mhmm.”
“It’ll keep for another night. Right now I have a question I’ve been dying to ask…. Did you retain your wings?”
“Shall we find out together?” His eyes illuminated and she held her breath as power rose in the room. A few moments later a pair of pale gray wings burst from his back. Her hungry gaze drank in the sight.
“I think we need to break these in Angel Man.” Enchanted she stroked the soft plumes, grinning when he shivered.
“Have you ever made love among the stars?” The deepened timber of his voice did funny things to her stomach. Remembering changed him, made him more commanding and masculine.
