Starfire Angels (Starfire Angels: Dark Angel Chronicles Book 1)

by Melanie Nilles

  No. Hanging from the overhead floor supports was Raea, her head forward between her arms. His fears lumped in his throat. She'd better be alive. How cruel could Pallin be? What had he done?

  Elis started down the stairs.

  A black-clad figure stepped into sight and put an arm around Raea. Golden yellow wings opened for a moment. Pallin. He was Shirukan. And he held the rod-like weapon of his kind in one gloved hand, ready for use.

  With his other hand, Pallin traced a line across Raea's cheek, a menacing smile on his face. ["So, you came for her. So soon, too. She must be more important to you than I thought. For someone she doesn't consider a boyfriend, you sure are protective. But I'm sure you hope to bond with her. She is lovely."] He continued to caress her, his hand sliding down over her breasts to below her waist.

  Anger rose hot in Elis. No one touched her like that, least of all Pallin. He didn't deserve to. Elis wanted to take out the Shirukan. But he couldn't fire at Pallin so close to Raea, unless he kept the power low, a distraction to give him a chance to rush in for an accurate shot. Pallin knew it too.

  ["I'll bet you're considering exactly what to do. Let me help."]

  In a flash, Pallin brought the weapon up.

  Elis jumped back as a shot burned past and into the wall behind him. Another smoldered into the steps where he had fallen, but he rolled away.

  On instinct, Elis called on the resonance and fired a weak blast from one hand. The shots stopped for a second, long enough to see that Pallin ducked behind Raea.

  Pallin fired again, this time wide. Encouraged, Elis let another blast of energy go. This time it hit Raea and Pallin, who stumbled back.

  His chance. Elis took it and sprang down the stairs at the Shirukan.

  As Pallin brought his weapon up, Elis grabbed the other man's wrist. His Starburst marks glowed.

  Pallin clenched his teeth and Elis removed his restraint on the power.

  The hatred on the Shirukan's face contorted into pain and fear. He grasped at Elis's hand with his free hand, but Elis let the energy surge.

  Pallin howled in pain and dropped the weapon. Elis shoved him into a stack of boxes until Pallin stumbled and knocked his head on the wall.

  No more. Pallin represented everything Elis hated. The Shirukan had killed his family and this one threatened Raea, not only his charge but also one he loved.

  No more. He wouldn't allow anyone to hurt her. This Shirukan would pay for what his kind had done.

  The resonance warmed through him, ready at his call.

  ["You're kind don't kill."]

  ["How would you know?"] Elis hesitated, recalling his teachings and the values of his family and the majority of Inari. Keepers helped. They didn't kill. It was what set them apart from the Shirukan and their supporters. Killing Pallin went against everything he had been taught and would make him no better.

  But his anger and his grief rose up after two years of mourning. The justification was there. He could have his revenge and rid Inar'Ahben and Earth of one more demon.

  ["It's forbidden by the Keeper code and your precious Starfire."]

  Elis wanted too. For all the pain that ripped through him, Elis wanted to end it.

  But ending Pallin's life wouldn't bring back his family. He knew that.

  He would ensure the Shirukan wouldn't bother them again.

  In Elis's hesitation, Pallin shoved him back. Elis bumped against Raea and stepped on the weapon, which slipped out from under his foot. He tumbled backwards, tightening his hold on Pallin for balance. The Shirukan freed a hand as Elis landed.

  Faster than he could blink, pain slashed across his side.

  Elis released his hold on Pallin's wrist and looked down to the rip in his coat and the faint trickle of blood. Black and gold feathers littered the floor, a spattering of crimson on them.

  Pallin backed up and searched for his weapon.

  Wincing in pain but determined to escape alive, Elis called on the resonance.

  Pallin froze, a hint of fear on his face. ["You wouldn't dare."]

  Without a word, Elis released the energy. The Shirukan fell back, stumbling over the tumbled boxes and grabbing at a set of shelves on the wall. They gave under his weight and dropped their contents onto him, knocking him down. He lay still.

  Crystal Fire. Elis hurt. Everywhere. But especially the wound. Luckily, Pallin hadn't stabbed him. He had only slashed across his side.

  The Shirukan didn't move, but he was alive. The shelf and boxes had caused more injury than his small release of energy. Now was a good chance to free Raea and get her to safety.

  He end this now, guaranteeing Pallin would be no more threat to them. His hands glowed with the resonance, but he couldn't do it. As much as he wanted to, as easy as it would be for him, he let the resonance fade and turned his attention to Raea. There were other ways on that world that would stop Pallin, and he had injured him. While Pallin recovered, the police could lock the Shirukan away.

  He turned his attention to Raea. Elis untied the rope binding her wrists and cradled her close. She didn't move, but she breathed. She still lived, because Pallin needed her alive. But what had he done to her? Elis should have been there sooner, should have stopped her. This might not have happened if he had acted against Pallin sooner.

  Tears trickled down his cheeks. ["You're safe now."] He kissed her cheek and held her close. This was his fault. Maybe if he had warned her about alcohol, he might have prevented Pallin from taking her. He could have done so much more. ["I'm sorry."]

  A glance aside showed Pallin still unconscious. Elis had to get out of there. The use of energy tired him, and the wound stung. He needed to get them home, where they both could recover.

  With Raea in his arms, he climbed the stairs. Each step made him wince, but he couldn't afford to let the pain stop him.

  Outside in the cold night, he spread his wings. Pain wracked through the left wing, and he saw it—the blood at the leading edge from burned flesh. He hadn't noticed in the scuffle.

  It didn't matter. He had to fly.

  It hurt, but he worked through it. Carrying Raea didn't help, although it was easier without her wings, which would have made it awkward. But he would do anything for her.

  He passed over where he had left the SUV. From high up, he saw it in the moonlight still there, but didn't know if anyone serviced it. The tires on one side would both be burned out. They'd have to be replaced. The occupants—whether Nina Russet or some other Dark Angel watcher—would have to find another ride. That would keep them busy for a while. Hopefully long enough for him to recover.

  In the meantime, he just wanted to reach Evelyn's. Luckily, or maybe not if Debbie had any influence, he saw no sign of Linds or anyone else from high above.

  Relief carried him down to the backyard, where he nearly fell to his knees on landing but caught himself and kept Raea from hitting the ground. Now to hide.

  He hurried to the back door and squeezed through with Raea. Once inside, he closed both doors and caught his breath.

  After a few seconds, he continued through the kitchen and dining room to the stairs. Curse the pain. His whole body ached from the fight and his stumble, and the cut. Soon he could rest, though.

  Upstairs, he laid Raea in bed and covered her. In the light, he saw no signs of physical harm, except for the bruising on her wrists, but that didn't mean Pallin hadn't done something.

  Although Elis needed strength to heal himself, she came first. He wouldn't let her suffer. He couldn't let her suffer, and took her hands in his and called on the resonance one last time. The healing power flowed differently than a simple release of energy, tingling down his arms like warm water. The crystal pendant glowed with their hands. Odd, but welcome. The Starfire entities helped.

  For a moment, he thought he heard the voices of the Starfire. But only for a moment. It faded with his focus on the resonance.

  Raea was safe, for now. He couldn't guess how long that would last. In the morning, he could c
all his cousin. Maybe she could visit and help.

  Yes. Nare. She hadn't responded the other day. Hopefully she would this time.

  Elis laid down on top of the blankets next to Raea, the wound crusted with dried blood. He could wait until morning. Inari healed fast.

  * * *

  ["My little Raea. Momma's here."] Padina gently lifted her to sit up.

  Raea cried after crashing her bike and hurting her leg. Blood pooled at her knee and ran down her bare leg in a rivulet of red. It hurt so much.

  Padina put her hands on Raea's leg and straightened it. Raea sniffed and winced. ["It hurts. Ow!"]

  ["Easy. There."] The marks on Padina's hands glowed briefly.

  The pain faded, until Raea tried to stand. "Ow."

  ["It doesn't heal all at once. It'll take a little time, but this way is faster."]

  Raea sniffed and reached up. Padina took her in her arms and carried her into the house.

  ["Momma..."]

  The sound of her voice stirred Raea from the scene. She rolled over, aware of another body close to her. The faint musky smell generated thoughts of Elis and warm feelings. She snuggled closer to the warmth and relaxed. If only it was real...

  The Good, the Bad, and the Wounded

  Elis stretched, aware of something close to him. Not something. Someone.

  Raea. How he wanted to believe she would. But she had rejected him. She always would. For a moment, he let himself believe she knew what she did, that she had closed the gap on purpose.

  Only for a moment.

  His hopes faded with further awakening, and the aches and stinging of his wounds. He had to get up and clean them.

  Slowly, he rolled away, hoping not to disturb her and biting his tongue on a groan. She needed her rest. Who knew what Pallin had done or drugged her with. The wine might have only been a start.

  Pain, mostly in his side but aching through his body. Movement hurt. Elis sat up and slid from the bed. Raea made no move. He'd let her continue to sleep.

  Wincing with each movement, he grabbed a clean change of clothes from the closet and headed to the bathroom next to his room to clean up. He'd have to cut off the shirt and coat, though. He hadn't the strength to tolerate the transformation of his wings. Besides, he needed his wings out to heal properly.

  But he could use some help. Hopefully Evelyn would be up to get ready for her Sunday mass.

  The floor boards creaked with each agonizing step.

  "Elis?"

  Thank his timing, and her hearing. She was up for the day.

  He stepped out to the rail. "Up here."

  "Lord have mercy." The tap of her cane stopped at the bottom of the stairs. "I was afraid—" She gasped. "Oh, Dear God! What happened?"

  "Pallin." He ducked into the bathroom. She'd be there soon enough. In the meantime, he had to pry off the blood-crusted jacket and shirt. The wound had scabbed over, but it would need cleaning and a bandage, as would his wing. The aches would subside in time, and they weren't bad. These two bloody wounds would be the worst of his troubles.

  Not bad against a Shirukan. But this one was an arrogant bastard. And there was only one. He'd been lucky in that respect.

  Evelyn stopped at the bathroom door. "The First-Aid kit is under the sink. Let me, dear."

  He stepped aside as she knelt down and pulled out the plastic kit. Wincing, he helped her to her feet.

  "Thanks, dear. Now, let's have a look."

  He lowered the wing. Not a scrape, but a burn. Pallin's weapon had gotten him, and he hadn't noticed. He'd been too busy fighting.

  But he had come out alive. That counted for something.

  * * *

  Nina woke up after a restless sleep. Too many questions had circled her head last night to sleep well and she wanted answers today.

  What the hell was going on? Why had the Dark Angel attacked? Luckily, he had only disabled the SUV. But they had to wait for a ride back to town and couldn't follow. The rental company would be furious.

  Screw them. She lost her opportunity.

  Where had the angel gone? What about his flight back? What had happened in between?

  What did this have to do with Pallin?

  That she could check on. Where had Pallin gone last night?

  After a shower and a fresh change of clothes, she walked through the hotel to his room and knocked. "Pallin. Are you there?"

  "Go...away."

  He was there. "I need to talk to you."

  "No."

  No need to lash at her. "Come on, Pallin. Open up. It's me—Nina."

  "I know you are. I need rest."

  What was going on around here? Why wouldn't anyone give her an answer?

  Well, she could wait. Sooner or later Pallin would have to come out. She would return for an explanation.

  In the meantime, she wanted a quick breakfast and some information. But first, she wanted to review that tape. If the Dark Angel was Elis, she would know exactly where to go for all her answers.

  * * *

  Raea shivered and buried her face in the covers. Mmm...They smelled different but familiar, like Elis.

  Didn't he ever leave her mind? No. She wanted to think of him.

  Whatever reminded her she welcomed, but...

  Raea opened her eyes. This wasn't her room but she recognized it. She laid on the bed in Elis's room.? How had she gotten there? The last thing she remembered was Pallin and seeing the hotel room blur around her. It had to be a dream.

  No. This made no sense. What happened?

  She lifted the covers. At least she wore her clothes, but the same clothes she had worn yesterday.

  What day was it? Where was Elis?

  She sat up, and noticed a blood stain on the comforter near her. Where had that come from?

  Had she— A quick check reassured her she was all right.

  But who? One thought stopped her heart.

  No! "Elis?" Raea threw off the covers and sprinted for the door. Please, please be all right. "Elis!" She hesitated at the rail over the stairs. Where had he gone?

  "Elis. Oh—" She almost collided with him when he emerged from the bathroom bare-chested and caught her.

  "Easy."

  A bandage across his ribs? No, the muscling was all wrong, not like any human; but he wasn't human. Another on his wing? "Are you all right?" She reached toward the gauze taped to his side. "What happened to you?"

  He pushed her hand away before she could touch him. "Pallin."

  "Pallin?" She didn't believe it and looked up for confirmation. His cheek twitched. "What happened?"

  "He made his move. He is Shirukan, and he's after the Starfire."

  Raea covered the crystal with her hand. It still hung at her chest. "I don't understand."

  "You were drugged unconscious the whole time."

  Raea thought back to yesterday's events—leaving Josh's with Linds and arriving in Pallin's room, where he offered her wine. After a few sips, nothing made sense. "The wine."

  A faint smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "We don't tolerate alcohol. He used it against you."

  "What about Linds?"

  "She's okay. I found her awake, but he used a neutralizer to jolt her unconscious. She should be home, safe."

  "Oh, thank God. But what about you? What happened to you?" She followed his eyes down to the wound on his side.

  "We fought. I was lucky that's all he did."

  "And your wing?"

  He stretched it around where he could see it. "That too."

  None of this would have happened if she hadn't gone to see Pallin. She should have never let him charm her. "It's all my fault."

  "No. He came for you. He planned it like this. One way or another, he would have come after you. It's him, Raea. Not you. It's his mission."

  "But if I hadn't asked Linds to take me to see him, none of this would have happened." How could she have been so stupid? Now, she couldn't even look Elis in the eye. "If I had listened to you...I'm sorry." All along sh
e had liked him but resisted. If she had listened to the Starfire and let them guide her, she would have been safe. They had known all along. More than ever, she wished he would hold her, to make everything right the way it should have been. She was such an idiot. She needed him more than she could admit, but only because of her schoolmates—and Chad's teasing—did she hold back. Josh had been right all along.

  "I'm sorry for everything." For saying negative things. For not letting herself see the truth. For never giving him a chance. Her eyes burned. No tears. Not now. "You saved my life from Pallin, and I don't deserve it." She'd been rude and ignorant. He'd always been patient and giving. How could he forgive her? She had ruined her chance. Forget her feelings and the Starfire. He'd never accept her now.

  She wiped her eyes and glanced down the stairs. She couldn't do anything there but cause trouble. "I should probably get home. I'm sure Debbie's worried."

  "She knows."

  "Oh. Okay. Then I'll quit bothering you, so you can rest." And she could cry like she needed to, without anyone watching. Raea pushed past him. Being close for that moment, his bare chest, made her pulse race. Oh, man. She had developed a real attraction for him. The desire to be close almost overwhelmed her. Worse, it sent her emotions spinning out of control. If she didn't hurry, she'd never get away without breaking down from the pain in her heart.

  "You're not a bother."

  She halted at the top of the stairs. Was he saying what she hoped he said without saying or was it just to make her feel better? She so wanted him to mean he liked her and wanted her to stay. But if he was only trying to make her feel better, it wasn't fair. She couldn't face that option.

  She gave him a brief smile and hurried down the stairs. Her heart pounded. She couldn't take this. Go home. Clean up. Everything will look different with time away. Yes. That's what she needed. Time to think. Alone.

  He said nothing more, but his eyes could have burned a hole in her back. He watched her. She felt it. She slipped on her shoes without tying them and grabbed her jacket and rushed out.