Wait, what?
“I know you’re a fallen angel, Rael, but when you fall, you really fall, don’t you?”
Bren could feel the blood draining from his face, the warm fuzzy feelings of joy and hope that he’d carried for the past ten minutes dying inside him. If he looked down, he might even see them writhing on the floor, stabbed through their little hearts with the daggers of duty and responsibility.
“Gabriel,” he said. “You’re looking well.”
Gabriel had always been the most beautiful of the angels when he took his human form, with his long ebony hair, perfect skin, and wings the colour of rose gold. His eyes, like Bren’s, were a startling sapphire blue, but with hints of something darker. It was ironic that Dev had often called Bren, Gabriel, as a joke. He could never come close to being anything like the real one. And the real one wouldn’t be seen dead playing the harp.
“And you’re looking… human.” From the way Gabriel said it, Bren guessed he didn’t consider that a good thing.
Even when he was an angel of death, Bren had been nothing compared to Gabriel. Now, as a human, the difference between them was even more pronounced. He could never quite understand how such a powerful angel had ever come to choose him as a lover in the first place.
Bren had always felt insecure, waiting for the inevitable, when Gabriel would move on to a more worthy mate. Before that could happen, Bren managed to get himself born into the mortal realm. At least it meant Gabriel never got the chance to officially discard him.
“Why are you here now?” Bren asked. “I haven’t had a visit from you in, how many years? Let me see…oh yeah, that’s right…never.”
“You know we discussed this before, and we decided it wouldn’t be helpful for us to see each other.” Gabriel’s voice was like silvery honey from a rare flower. “But I’ve received word that you’re on quite, how shall I say this, intimate terms with the soul you’re meant to be harvesting.”
“I was supposed to stay close to him at all times. That was the plan.”
“And was the plan to stick your tongue down his throat?” Gabriel snapped. “Because I seem to have forgotten that part.”
“Have you been spying on me?” Already, the best night of Bren’s mortal life was feeling tainted, somehow ruined, knowing that his moment with Dev had probably been watched by a host of feathered angel friends.
“More, checking up on you. And let’s say the most recent turn of events doesn’t give me great confidence that you will do what’s required of you when the time comes.”
Bren dropped his eyes to avoid Gabriel’s piercing look. That damn angel had always been able to see straight into his head. It was true all angels of death had that ability anyway, but Gabriel’s skills were on a different level altogether. It was like he could sense what Bren was thinking when he entered the same room, without even having to think about entering his mind.
“I hope you’re not considering anything foolish, Rael. You know why you were exiled here. It was not a punishment, although it may have served as one. Devin’s destiny was to die that day. And in doing what you did, the future of everyone he came into contact with became unwritten. You were here to minimise the damage he could inflict. To contain him, and avert any danger arising from his very existence.”
Bren had forgotten how much Gabriel liked to hear the sound of his own voice. And to think Devin accused him of mansplaining. He should try spending a few centuries listening to this.
“What do you think I’ve been doing for the past seven years? Being mortal? Hardly letting him out of my sight, sharing every moment with him? Never having a life of my own?”
“You were not here to live a life!” Gabriel’s eyes shone bright with poorly suppressed rage. One thing Bren had to admit, he was beautiful when he was angry. And he was starting to remember, that was a lot.
“You were here for one purpose, and you failed. If he had perished when it was ordained, he would never have grown to adulthood. And now, under your so-called watchful eye, he has summoned the ancient gods and called the evil ones to this place. All because you could not do the one thing expected of you—to make sure someone died at their appointed hour.”
Gabriel’s face suddenly softened, and he smiled, slowly and sadly.
“Your time here is nearly done, Rael. Don’t you miss us? Miss me?”
“Of course,” Bren choked. It was typical of Gabriel, to guilt-trip him about their separation when he hadn’t arranged so much as one angelic visitation the whole time Bren had been in the human world. But Gabriel and his honeyed voice were both masters when it came to manipulating him. He felt the puppet strings tightening on his hands and feet, even as he struggled to resist.
“Then finish this. The world will be back in balance. The gods will have nothing to keep them here, and they’ll take their enemies with them. And you’ll come back to us.”
For a long time, Bren had been bereft without the other angels, pining for his former existence. But he’d been put in the mortal realm as someone else, and somewhere along the line, he’d become that person. And funnily enough, he liked that person more than he’d ever liked his old angel self. He was much more Bren then he’d ever been Rael.
A small tendril of hope unfurled in his heart. All he needed was one chance, and he knew one chance was all he was likely to get. Gabriel’s visit had given him the opportunity to deliver his ultimatum, and it was time to seize it with both wings.
“Gabe, listen to me. I’m not going to harvest Devin’s soul. I couldn’t do it before, and I’m not going to do it now. He’s no ordinary mortal, and you know that as well as I do. It’s true he can’t stay here, not without unleashing chaos and maybe even Armageddon. But there’s nothing to stop him from joining me in the angel realm. I’ll take full responsibility for him. I intend to bring him home with me. Body and soul.”
“Is that so? An interesting proposal.” Gabriel’s face was unreadable, his voice like velvet. Bren could interpret that as encouraging or menacing. Both were equally possible. He took a deep breath and continued.
“That’s not all. The Sluagh is after his soul. Like they were the first time. I want your assurance that the heavenly host will help protect us on our journey, once the window to his soul opens.”
The silence seemed to last forever. Bren held himself tight, willing himself not to fidget, knowing how much it annoyed the other angel. This was not the right time to irritate him. Finally, when he’d already counted to ten, twice, Gabriel deigned to answer.
“You don’t ask a lot, do you, sweet one? There has never been a former mortal in the angel realm. And not only do you expect me to allow it, but you also want me to use all the resources at my disposal to achieve it. You have always had a fascination for the impossible.”
Bren shrugged. “You used to say you liked that about me.”
“Is that what you want, my dearest? Would it make you happy, if I made the impossible, possible?”
Bren pressed his hands hard against the sofa so Gabriel couldn’t see how much they were shaking. He couldn’t want it too much. Gabriel would sense it.
“It would make it easier for me to return and serve you again.”
“And if I were to refuse?”
“Then I’d have to consider changing my allegiances.”
“Those gods?” Gabriel sniffed. “You wouldn’t. You know they can’t be trusted.”
“I’d do anything to save Devin. I think I’ve already proved that.”
“If you abandon the angel realm, you will die.”
“If I have to harvest Devin’s soul, I may as well be dead.”
As the silence lengthened again, their eyes held each other, sapphire fire clashing with cobalt flame. Gabriel was the first to look away.
“In that case,” he said, stunning Bren with his sudden smile, “I will make it happen. For you. It’s time you came home. Your Devin is not the only one who needs you.” Something like regret rippled across Gabriel’s face, making
him look almost human for an instant. “In the meantime, I will arrange for your essence, and of course, your wings to return before dusk tomorrow. You’ll remain partly mortal, unfortunately, until we can remove your soul, but we’ll have to make do. Please ensure you’re not observed when your wings appear. You’ve wreaked enough havoc on this earth already.”
Bren felt Gabriel was being just the tiniest bit hypocritical. His former lover wasn’t known as the Angel of Annihilation for nothing. But there was no point arguing. Gabriel was already gone, leaving the subtle fragrance of fresh snowfall and crushed orchids behind him.
Bren was happy to let it slide. He had more important things to get worked up about, and a lot of planning to do before sunrise. If he somehow managed not to screw things up for one whole day, he and Dev could have much longer than that.
Chapter 28
Bren
“BREN!”
The teapot slipped from Bren’s hand and exploded on the tiles, splattering the kitchen cupboards with tea leaves. This was the second time he’d been startled by a surprise visitor in the space of an hour.
Does no-one knock anymore?
Spinning around, he saw Devin standing in the sitting room, shoulders shaking. The angry red marring his neck contrasted sharply with his face’s abnormal pallor. Even his freckles seemed paler than usual.
“Dev! You came back early.”
“I’m not sure what’s shocking me more right now,” Devin replied with quiet venom. “That you’re an angel, or that you’re a slutty angel.”
“Airech told you.”
It was a shame Bren’s angel-ness wasn’t returning until late the next day. Using even the slightest taste of his power on that smug, loose-lipped Egyptian prince slash god would have been immensely satisfying.
“Told me what?” Devin asked, his voice shaking. “That you used to have wings? Or that you fucked each other, along with some other dude? Yes. Yes to both.”
Bren steadied himself, reining in the panicked thoughts the first rush of adrenaline let loose. This wasn’t the disaster it seemed. He’d always planned on telling Devin the truth. Eventually. During their reunion on the cliff, he’d even considered coming clean about his angel past, right then and there. But something told him it might ruin the moment.
Now Airech had forced his hand, and Bren felt a peculiar sense of relief that Devin knew everything. Though he probably would have left out the whole threesome episode. Still, it could have been a lot worse. Really, Airech had done him a favour. He and his frenemies had already given Devin a crash course on hidden Ireland and its gods and angels, demons and shape-shifters. All Bren had to do was calm him down and keep him close. Not an impossible task for someone who basically had a masters degree in Devin Donovan mood management.
Bren smiled tentatively. “I’d offer you some tea, but the teapot appears to have disintegrated. How about a coffee?”
“Don’t bother.”
“It’s no bother.” Bren examined the shelf next to the kettle. “We’ve got Kenyan, Italian—”
“I mean, stop pretending everything’s grand between us. Because it isn’t.”
Stepping over the mess on the floor, Bren moved towards a glaring Devin. He was hovering close to the doorway, looking like he might take flight.
“Come on, Dev. There’s been so many visitors through your bedroom I’m surprised it doesn’t have its own listing with Tourism Ireland. And you’ve never had so much as a raised eyebrow from me. But one threesome and I’m a man whore?”
“I’m not slut-shaming you. It isn’t about that.”
“Then what? Is it the whole angel thing? You don’t have a problem with gods, but wings are a deal-breaker?” Bren took another step forward, and Devin darted behind the sofa, putting it between them.
“I think you’re missing the point here. We were almost like brothers. Maybe not like brothers,” Devin said, his face flushing. Bren felt his pulse racing, remembering Devin’s body pressed against his. Was that really only a couple of hours ago? Looking at Devin’s wary face and defensive stance, it seemed impossible. Almost like a fantasy conjured up by his wishful mind.
“I thought you were the closest friend I’d ever had, but you were… what? What are you?”
“I was your friend. I am your friend. I’m still me, for fuck’s sake.”
“And do angels of death often make friends with vulnerable teenage amnesiacs?”
The disgust on Devin’s face twisted Bren’s gut. He focused on the blond hair curling behind one ear instead.
“Dev, you have to understand, it wasn’t like that. Before I was human I didn’t have what we’d call a corporeal form. Angels, well, we’re pure essence—we’re not made of matter. We mimic the human form in the mortal world because that’s what you all expect to see.
But that’s not what this is.” Bren’s arms flung out to sweep the length of his body. “I’m not an angel who looks mortal. I actually became mortal, and when I did it was with a fourteen-year-old body and a fourteen-year-old soul. When we met in the back of that car, I was fourteen, the same as you. Before that, I didn’t have an age, because I’d never been human.”
“Uh, you’re not making it better.”
“I used to be one big ball of light, essentially. Timeless and ageless. I was created, not born, so I never had a soul.”
“Getting worse.”
“Maybe I’m not explaining it very well,” Bren admitted. “But I’m the only angel who ever had to go through puberty. That should count for something.”
His eyes shifted in time to catch a wisp of a smile flicker on Devin’s face.
“Airech told me you got to pick through someone’s brain when they died. I guess that explains a lot.”
Bren tried to suppress a grin. “You know me. Intellectually curious.”
“You mean a smart arse.”
“That’s one thing I’ve missed about being an angel. Google’s great, but it has its limitations.”
“I don’t even know what your name is,” Devin said softly. His tone didn’t match his eyes. They glistened as cold as gunmetal, strangely incongruous in his boyish face.
“It’s Bren.”
“Your real name.”
“It’s my human name.”
“Semantics.”
“Your vocabulary has definitely improved, thanks to me.” Bren grinned, properly this time, until Devin’s answering scowl smothered it.
“Tell me your name,” Devin demanded. “Or I’m leaving. Straight out that door, and you won’t see me again.”
Hurriedly Bren took a step back, putting himself between Devin and the doorway. “Alright! It was Azrael. They called me Rael. But I’m Bren now. That’s who I—”
“Okay, Rael. Let’s get your take on this.” Devin pulled himself to his full height, balling his fists as he squared up to Bren. “I nearly die. I lose my memory. And then an angel of death with a knack for wiping minds becomes a mortal my age and ends up in the same foster home. All a bit of a coincidence, don’t you think?”
Devin stare was so ruthlessly intense Bren thought their souls might accidentally touch. He looked away hastily.
“You’ve got me there. Coincidence, no. But it wasn’t some deliberate evil plan, either.”
“Were you there? The night I nearly drowned?”
“I was there, but I—”
“Did you take my memories from me, because you thought I was dying? Look at me! Did you?”
Bren reluctantly lifted his head. Devin’s jaw was clenched, his eyes unyielding steel.
“I… made a mistake. But I gave them back.”
“I was the one feeling sorry for you, this skinny, beaten up kid, making friends with you because we were both so messed up,” Devin spat out bitterly. “And the whole time, you were the one who left me like that!”
Bren winced, remembering the agonising pain of those first weeks adjusting to his imperfect mortal body, the pining for Gabriel, the savage regret. But he and Devin
had recovered together, and together they’d always been stronger. Until now.
“I told you. I. Gave. Them. Back.”
“Not all of them. And you’ve been hanging around me all these years, for what? Why did you do this to me?!”
The unfairness of Devin’s words lashed at Bren. When it came down to it, Devin was standing there, living and breathing, because of him. He’d had an extra seven years of a future he was never meant to have. And he’d been bitching and complaining and generally giving Bren a hard time for a considerable amount of it. Before running off with the first band of gods he came across.
“You know what, Devin?” Bren asked flatly, suddenly numb with weariness. “When I was an angel of death, I could never understand humanity. People are stupid. They do stupid shit. I’ve harvested millions of memories, and I’ve seen more stupid shit than you can even begin to imagine.
Before I was human I didn’t know how you people could keep repeating the same mistakes, make the wrong choices. Until one day, out of nowhere, I did the most irrational, illogical thing possible. I lost everything and became human because of it.
I never realised before how easy it is to screw up. Because, as I found out, you don’t always do the logical thing, the sensible thing, the smart thing, when your feelings are telling you to do something different. Most of the time, we don’t mean to hurt anybody, and I definitely didn’t plan on hurting you. It’s all those messy feelings that make us fuck up. Spectacularly.”
In the silence that followed, Devin frown subsided. He ran his hand nervously through his hair, and when he finally spoke, his voice was almost a whisper.
“I guess you’re not the only one to fuck up. Spectacularly.”
Bren, his breath catching, cautiously inched closer. This time Devin didn’t step away. He put a hand on Devin’s shoulder and though he didn’t respond, he didn’t shrug it away either.
Storm Boys Page 17
