by L. M. Brown
“Michael,” Ardat said. “I must talk to you privately.”
Michael gestured toward a nearby alley, but the demon shook her head.
“It has to be somewhere no demon can see.”
“There’s no such place,” Michael replied.
“You lie.”
Michael sighed. “The only place I know is the realm of angels, and if you set foot there, you’ll be killed.”
“No, I won’t,” Ardat replied.
Michael raised an eyebrow in question, but Ardat stood her ground.
“Take me to your realm, in chains if you have to. I throw myself on the mercy of the archangels.”
“Do you realize what you’re saying?” Michael asked.
“Yes.” Ardat held out her hands, her wrists together.
Michael shook his head but did as she asked, binding her wrists together and also her ankles. Then he took her to the realm of angels, despite his reservations.
As soon as he arrived, Michael summoned the archangels to their chamber.
“I wished to speak to you alone,” Ardat complained.
“If you hope to leave this realm alive, you’ll speak in front of all the archangels,” Michael told her. “Should you be discovered alone with me in this realm your life would be forfeit immediately.”
Ardat took the seat in the center of the room as the rest of the archangels filed into the room, expressions of confusion on all their faces.
Michael took his own seat, facing Ardat. “For those who don’t know her, this is Ardat, leader of the succubi. She wishes to speak to us.”
“I wish to speak to you, alone,” Ardat corrected.
“Since you refused to tell me what you want on Earth, you have two choices. You speak to me here, or not at all.”
Ardat glared at him and Michael realized this was the first time he had been in her presence when she wasn’t using her powers on him. While he could still appreciate her beauty, he felt no sexual desire for her at all.
“I wish to be hidden from the demons,” Ardat said.
“You wish to come to the light?” Michael asked.
Ardat snorted and sneered. “Hardly. This isn’t something I want to do—it’s more of a necessity in my rather unique circumstances.”
“And what circumstances are those?”
Ardat stood and reached up awkwardly with her bound wrists to unfasten the tie of her cloak. The fabric dropped to the floor, revealing her usual attire beneath. The beaded gown left her breasts entirely exposed and did little to hide her modesty. They also revealed a secret the cloak had previously hidden.
“I’m carrying your child,” the demon declared.
Michael opened and closed his mouth several times while the archangels reacted in shock. Michael had only told Gabriel and Raphael about his relationship with Ardat. It was obvious from the gasps and exclamations they had kept his confidence in this matter.
“Lying demon,” Metatron shouted and the rest of the archangels echoed his words.
“Quiet!” Michael roared, bringing the room to order once more.
The archangels settled down immediately.
“Why do you believe the child is mine?” Michael asked.
Before Ardat could reply, Metatron interrupted again. “Are you saying this creature could be carrying your baby?”
Michael turned to Metatron, two seats away. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“I can’t see why anyone is surprised by this,” Raguel said. “Michael’s will has always been weak, and this is just another example of why he should never have resumed his position as our leader.”
Michael stared coldly at Raguel until he lapsed into silence. Turning back to Ardat, he gestured for her to speak.
“I have carried many children over the centuries,” Ardat said. “Some have been Irdu’s, some the spawn of other demons, others have been part mortal. After so many I know the signs to show what manner of being I carry in my womb. This time what I carry is different—I feel your aura inside me, just as surely as I felt your cock within me the night we came together.”
Gabriel approached Ardat and held out his hand toward her slightly rounded belly. “May I?”
The demon gave her consent and Gabriel touched her for several moments. When he stepped away he approached Michael.
“She speaks the truth,” Gabriel said, quietly so no one else in the room would hear him. “You know what this means?”
Michael nodded. A child born of a demon and an angel wasn’t entirely unheard of. There had been several born during the last few centuries. What made this different was that Michael wasn’t any lesser angel, he was an archangel, and Ardat was the leader of all female sex demons. The child would be in danger from the moment he or she was born.
“The Underworld won’t be safe for the child,” Michael said. “The aura will mark him or her as part angel, and a target.”
“I’m surprised they haven’t already realized what Ardat carries,” Gabriel commented.
“She and Irdu have been feeding on me for years,” Michael replied. “The angelic power boosts they have enjoyed will have helped to mask the child, but once it’s born that will no longer be the case.”
Michael faced Ardat once more. “Does Irdu know?”
“He’s aware of the pregnancy, but that’s all.”
“Where is he now?”
Ardat shrugged. “I’ve no idea. He has not been in my bed for a couple of months. He’s probably with one of his other lovers. He tends to crave men when I’m with child. He’ll come back to me in time.”
“What do you want from Michael?” Gabriel asked.
“I wish to be hidden from all demons until the birth, and afterwards I want Michael to take the child and keep it safe.”
“A child cannot live in this realm,” Gabriel said. “In the realm of angels no one ever ages, including children.”
“I don’t care where you send the child, as long as it is away from demonic dangers.”
“Don’t you wish to raise the child yourself?” Raphael asked. “If you were to come to the light, we could hide you both on Earth.”
Michael nodded. “Raphael is correct. While we cannot hide a demon on Earth, as a mortal we could shield you.”
“Demon is what I am,” Ardat replied. “I have no wish to come to the light.”
“Why not? You clearly care for the child you carry, and putting another before yourself is one of the first steps to being saved. Some might say it is the most important one.”
Ardat visibly recoiled. “Carrying the child of an angel, having so much goodness inside me, is making me weak.”
Michael turned to Gabriel. “Any suggestions?”
“Can’t I stay here?” Ardat asked. “Just until the birth?”
“You’ll not age while you’re here,” Michael told her. “If you were to remain in this realm, the child would never be born.”
“Then you can’t help me?” Ardat rose from her seat.
Michael halted her with a raise of his hand. “You cannot stay here, and we cannot shield a demon on Earth, but there is someone who can hide you.”
“Are you talking about God?” Ardat spat out the final word as though it left a foul taste in her mouth.
“He cannot help you unless you come back to the light,” Michael replied. “I’m talking about Lucifer.”
“Absolutely not.” Ardat looked as if she might bolt, but the chains preventing her from making a run for the doors also stopped her from exiting the realm with her powers.
“As you know, Lucifer is most adept at hiding. He’s also powerful enough to protect you from the demons in the Underworld.”
“Lucifer has grown weak over the centuries,” Ardat replied. “He is not the demon he once was.”
Michael smiled. “No, he isn’t, but he is a fallen angel, the only one of his kind, and his powers eclipse ours. He is the only one who can hide you.”
“And what do you think he’ll say when he d
iscovers I’m carrying your child?” Ardat asked. “I doubt he’ll be pleased.”
Michael shrugged. “Lucifer, if you’ll recall, was present at the conception. Since he doesn’t require a lesson on the birds and the bees, I doubt he’ll be as shocked as you seem to think.”
“Perhaps we should summon him here?” Raphael suggested. “I must admit I’m curious to see his reaction.”
Michael would rather have spoken to Lucifer privately, but with the rest of the archangels nodding he acknowledged it would be best to deal with the situation entirely openly.
Lucifer appeared in the room instantly after Michael called him. He glared at the archangels in front of him, though his expression softened when his eyes landed on Michael. “Whatever it is, I didn’t do it.”
Gabriel chuckled. “I think we’re all in agreement that, in this case, Michael is the one who did it.”
Michael glared at his best friend.
“Did what?” Lucifer asked.
Michael sighed and pointed behind Lucifer.
Lucifer made a choking noise as he took in the sight of the pregnant demon in the center of the room. When he turned back to Michael he gave him a smirk. “Congratulations, or is it commiserations?”
“I think we’ll stick with the former,” Michael replied. “Ardat is concerned for the safety of our child.”
Lucifer snorted. “I suspect her own skin is her primary concern.”
“Nevertheless, she has come to us for protection.”
“And what does that have to do with me?” Lucifer asked.
“The archangels cannot hide one demon from the others. It isn’t within our power. It is within yours.”
“You want me to hide her from the entire Underworld?”
“Yes.”
Lucifer shook his head. “Ardat is one of the most popular demons alive. Her disappearance will be noticed. In fact, I’d already heard rumors she hadn’t been seen at the usual functions. Now I see why.”
“Can you hide her or not?” Raphael asked. “If you can’t, say so now.”
“My chambers are shielded from any demonic spying. She could stay in them for the duration of the pregnancy.”
“I would be honored to share your bed again,” Ardat offered.
“I never said anything about that,” Lucifer snapped. “I have no intention of staying there with you. I’m sure I can find a cavern to hole up in for a few months.”
Michael didn’t like the sound of that at all. “Perhaps Lucifer could stay here with me until after the birth?”
“No!” Raguel shouted. “Demons have no place in this realm.”
Michael glared at the archangel and Gabriel placed a calming hand on his arm before facing Raguel. “If Lucifer gives up his home to Ardat, he’ll need somewhere to stay. I think he should stay with Michael.”
“He doesn’t have to leave his home,” Raguel said. “Who will keep an eye on this demon and assist her with the birth if Lucifer is lounging around on Michael’s beach?”
“Do I look like a damn midwife?” Lucifer snarled.
“I don’t need any man’s help with giving birth,” Ardat added. “I’ve managed perfectly well in the past with my attendants.”
“Where are they now?” Michael asked. “Do you trust them?”
“I only summon them when the time comes, and no, I don’t trust them. Perhaps you might provide a couple of angels to attend me?”
Gabriel nodded. “I’m sure that can be arranged. So, everything is agreed? Ardat will move into Lucifer’s shielded chambers in the Underworld, Lucifer will stay here with Michael, and we’ll provide a couple of angels to assist with the birth.”
“I don’t agree with Lucifer staying here,” Raguel reminded him.
“Yes, we know,” Gabriel replied. “Does anyone else have any objections?”
The room remained silent.
“Then it’s settled,” Gabriel said.
“There’s just one more thing we need to sort out,” Michael said. “Who’s going to raise the child?”
Lucifer shook his head. “Don’t look at me. I don’t do dirty nappies and midnight feeds. As soon as it’s born, I want it out of my chambers.”
Michael chuckled. “I’m sure no one would expect you to raise the child, even if it were safe for him or her to remain in the Underworld, which it isn’t.”
“I have an idea,” Raphael said quietly from his seat. “If you could come with me Michael, we need to pay someone a visit.”
Lucifer promised to escort Ardat to his chambers and return to Michael’s home. Michael agreed to meet him at his beach later and followed Raphael.
“Where are we going?” Michael asked.
“Earth. You might want to change into modern clothing.”
Michael did as Raphael suggested with merely a thought. “Can you be a little more specific about where?”
“Italy.”
Michael sighed. “Are you being deliberately evasive?”
Raphael laughed. “Sorry, but I thought you might enjoy the surprise.”
“You don’t think I’ve had enough surprises for one day?”
Raphael led him down the path toward a busy square. People milled about the place and a group of children played a game of tag. At first Michael didn’t see him, but then Tristan turned his head and the spark of recognition lit.
“Machidiel and his partners are living here?” Michael asked.
“For about a year now—Alastor’s work keeps them traveling around a lot.” Raphael glanced at his wristwatch. “Machidiel and Alastor should be here soon.”
“Have they had any more demon trouble?”
“No, not since we stepped in to send a certain nuisance packing ten years ago. They’ve been living good lives, though they aren’t as complete as they might like. Adoption is hard enough for two gay men—when there are three in the relationship, it creates an additional obstacle.”
Michael suddenly understood why they were here and what Raphael was suggesting.
“Two former demons and a former angel,” Raphael commented. “What better protection for such a unique child? And there is the added bonus of them being acquainted with you already, so they won’t mind you visiting. You could be a part of your child’s life, instead of simply watching events unfold from the sidelines.”
“They would do that for me?” Michael asked.
Raphael smiled. “Why don’t we go ask them?”
Michael saw that Alastor and Machidiel had arrived on the square, where they greeted Tristan with hugs and smiles. They seemed very happy together.
“Good afternoon,” Raphael greeted the three mortal men. “How are you enjoying Italy?”
“Raphael!” Machidiel gaped at the archangel. “And Michael, what are you doing here?”
“We’re here to see you, of course,” Raphael replied.
“Is there something wrong?” Machidiel asked.
“No,” Michael assured him quickly. “But Raphael believes we might be able to help each other.”
“Let’s go somewhere we can talk quietly,” Raphael said.
“Our villa isn’t far,” Machidiel said, pointing the way.
The five men drew plenty of stares as they walked down the street. Michael was pleased to see that neither Machidiel nor his lovers took any notice of the appreciative glances sent in their direction. Three in a relationship had to be tough, but they seemed to have things under control.
Once they arrived at the villa, Tristan poured them each a glass of wine and they sat in the garden, enjoying the evening sun.
“So, what’s this all about?” Machidiel asked.
Raphael smirked at Michael. “Do you want to tell them, or shall I?”
Michael rolled his eyes. “Go ahead, I can tell you’re just dying to blurt it out anyway.”
Raphael grinned and turned to the others. “Michael’s knocked up a demon.”
Michael nearly choked on his wine. Machidiel and his partners appeared as if they had swa
llowed their tongues.
“Um,” Machidiel stammered. “I thought you were with, er, Lucifer.”
“I am, but you’ll recall Ardat?”
“The leader of the succubi?”
“Yes, that’s her.”
“Then the demonic duo are still sharing a bed with you and Lucifer?” Machidiel asked, though Raphael’s revelation made the answer to the question obvious.
Alastor and Tristan remained quiet, probably because most of this was news to them. They had no memories of their lives as demons, although Machidiel had no doubt provided them with the essentials, which wouldn’t include details of Michael’s tangled mess of a love life.
“Ardat and her incubus counterpart, Irdu, shared our bed until earlier this year. It would appear that during our last night together, I managed to impregnate her. She carries a child that is part demon and part angel, a combination that makes him or her a target. Ardat is in hiding until after the birth, but she cannot raise my child in the Underworld. And, as you know, no one ages in the realm of angels. The only option, therefore, is for the child to be raised on Earth, by someone who knows of the existence of angels and demons, and the realms the rest of the human race live in ignorance of.”
“Are you asking what I think you are?” Machidiel asked.
“I’m asking if you, Alastor, and Tristan would consider raising my son or daughter.” Even as he spoke the words he felt his stomach sink. Could he give up his child so easily?
“And let Michael stop by to visit, of course,” Raphael added. “Because I think it’s a foregone conclusion he’ll lose his heart to this baby the moment he takes him or her in his arms.”
Machidiel took Michael’s hand and squeezed it. “My partners and I will need to discuss this, but I thank you for the honor, whatever we decide.”
“Thank you for even considering doing this,” Michael replied. “I promise I’ll provide whatever you need, official papers, funds, whatever you require.”
“I have a question,” Tristan said.
“Of course, what is it?”
“When you say this child is half demon, what sort of demonic powers are we talking about?”
It was a fair question, and Michael wasn’t sure he had all the answers. This was unprecedented. “I’m not sure the child will have any demonic powers, but if he or she does, they will no doubt be of a similar nature to those of Ardat—in other words, they’ll be of a sexual nature and will manifest when the child reaches maturity.”
