by L. A. Long
Ren laughs. “Everyone’s curious about you.”
I walk over to the angel and reaper. In front of them several spreadsheets taunt me. “You do spreadsheets?”
Syn nods. “It’s more civilized with us.”
Ren hands me a glass of water. “We don’t need burns into our skin to tell us our next job.”
I sit down quickly and nibble on my lip as I remember Peter and his wife. Or what he let Bast do to his wife and unborn—
Ren gasps. “His wife was pregnant?”
Syn stares at me like he’s reading what happened. He puts his hand on my arm. “You tried to convince him to do the right thing.”
I look down and nod. “I saw how he turned his life around. How could he sacrifice his wife and unborn child for just a few more years?”
Ren folds his hands and chants something barely above a whisper.
I look to Syn.
“Praying for their souls,” he whispers.
“Good. They’ll need it.”
Ren sighs. “His wife and unborn daughter are innocent, but …” he reaches into his shirt and grabs a gold cross. “Peter Young’s soul is beyond our reach now. He will suffer greatly.” He looks at me with tears in his eyes.
I flinch when I think how Makus seemed to get a thrill out of Janey’s killing, but Ren has such sympathy.
Syn takes a deep breath and gently folds the spreadsheets perfectly. “He’s a demon, and the warlock is one of the worst we’ve ever encountered.”
My heart starts to race as I look at the angel and reaper. “But I chose them over you?”
Ren looks at Syn and then grabs his cross tighter. “There were circumstances.”
Syn clears his throat. “What we do …” He hesitates. “You had some issues with a case.”
I try to figure out what I would have an issue with. “So, their job is to send souls back to hell or first to hell or whatever. And yours is to protect the pure souls?” I look at the angel and reaper. That would fit since they look so pure and innocent.
Ren laughs a bit. “I’m not quite that innocent.”
I shrug. “After being cooped up with the demon and warlock, I’ll settle for no games. No lying. No lifting me to the counter and trying to …” I get a buzz just thinking about them. Their fingers. Their tongues. I stop when the temperature in the room plummets. “Sorry. I made a rule for no touching.”
Ren and Syn both blow out a breath. “That’s a relief,” they say in unison.
I jump up and don’t know why but find myself at the kitchen counter. Such great memories. I turn around, and Ren and Syn are right there.
“Am I known for kitchen counters or something cause it’s super weird.”
Ren lifts me to the counter. “Did you think we didn’t see what they did to you?”
I bite my bottom lip. “Seriously? You’re going to do exactly what they did?” I don’t know why I think an angel couldn’t, but maybe I need proof.
Ren smiles and pulls me towards him. “I think it’s only fair to properly compare the two groups. Don’t you Syn?”
Syn nods. “Oh, yeah. It’s only fair to Cassandra. Is that what you want us to do?”
I nod.
“Are you sure?” Ren asks. He grins and holds up two fingers. “Care to do the honors?”
I open my mouth, and he puts his fingers inside. He takes a deep breath as he slowly draws his fingers out as my tongue glides across them.
Quick as a flash, he unzips my jeans and slips his fingers down and barely inside me. “Let me know when you’re ready.
I arch my back instantly. “You can feel I’m ready.”
“I am trying to be polite.” He slips his fingers completely inside me.
“Damn, you are super skilled for an angel.”
Syn gently moves my head to face him. “We’ve missed you so much.”
“How much?” I ask.
He grins and kisses me.
Ren reaches further inside as he pulls my top up and my bra down and sucks on my nipple.
I gasp. “Do not know why I insist on wearing a bra.”
Ren controls my hips and moves in sync with his rhythm. I’m impressed I don’t have to do anything but feel how good this is. I just want this. Only this.
Ren pushes as far inside me as he can. His touch is strong but not forceful. Just the right speed.
“Perfect.” I rock my hips with his movements as we get faster and faster until my eyes roll in the back of my head, and I gasp.
Ren’s movements slow, and he pulls his fingers out.
Just as quickly, Syn slides his fingers inside.
“You’ve done this before, haven’t you, reaper?”
Syn smiles. “Only a thousand times with you. Do you like this?”
I nod as Ren kisses my neck and then finds my mouth.
Syn pulls me closer to him. “Put your legs around me like you did that filthy warlock.”
I comply and tighten my grip on him as I clench around his fingers.
They take turns kissing me in with the best choreography I’ve ever seen.
“Aren’t we better than they are?” Syn groans.
I’m not sure of anything at the moment, but I nod. “Don’t stop.”
“Not until you want us to,” Ren whispers.
That makes me want to do more with them than I did with Team Hellion, but I know what that would mean when I return to them.
Syn circles his thumb in just the right place to send me right to the edge before he pauses giving me torturous time to slow my breathing until his thumb finds the spot again, and I’m pushed right to the edge again. He does this over and over until I think I’ll scream.
When he stops again, I clench tighter, and he takes a deep breath. “You want me to finish?”
I bite my lip and nod. I don’t think any intelligent sound would come out of me.
This time he doesn’t stop until my entire body arches. I grasp the edges of the counter and blow out the breath I didn’t know I’d been holding in. I ache when he slowly pulls his fingers out.
Syn puts my legs together and zips up my pants. “We can only do what each other does and no more. No matter how much more I want, I won’t let them take advantage of that.”
Ren gently kisses me. “We won’t let that happen.”
I sit on the counter for awhile as I recover. “Do not know why I thought that would be pervy. I mean maybe it’s pervy with two guys at the same time, but totally worth the perv mileage.”
When I think I can actually make sense of my thoughts, I decide to ask them some questions. I climb down off the counter, pat it like I’m thanking it and join them back at the table. “So, what was the issue I had?”
Ren and Syn squirm in their chairs. Each one starts to say something and stops and looks at the other.
I hold up my hand. “Look, I’m not into games or secrets. I just want to know. I’m not going to beg you to tell me. I’m not going to get all sniffly and stomp around and pout. You’re just going to trust me enough to tell me the truth.”
Syn smiles. “I have missed you. Did I tell you that?”
I look into his green eyes and push one of his curls back behind his ear before I stop myself. “Sorry. I don’t know why I did that.”
He blushes. “It’s fine.”
“No. I can’t be expecting everyone to not touch me and then be all grab ass with you.”
He touches my hand before I can jump up from the table. “You didn’t exactly grab my ass which you can do at any time.”
I relax a little and fold my hands tightly just to prevent them from wandering into the naughty. “Truth.”
Ren takes a deep breath. “It was a hard case.”
I nod. “I expect they’re not all mice saving eagles and friendly wolves.” I motion for him to continue. “Wait.”
They look at me as if I’m about to implode.
“Were those wolves?”
Ren’s eyes widen. “What did you think they were?”
I
shake my head. Okay, I can’t expect to be all dodgy with them but expect them to spill everything with me. “Shifters?”
Syn puts his hand over his mouth, but some laughter does spill out. “Sorry.”
“They are wolves,” Ren says, with a very devious but playful grin. “Pure wolves.”
I nod and motion for him to continue. “Hard case.”
Ren’s grin quickly disappears as his eyes fill with remorse. “Young girl.” He quickly looks at me.
I’m not sure if he’s waiting for me to stop him or to suddenly remember.
I nod for him to continue. “Hard case. Young girl.”
Syn jumps up and walks to the kitchen sink but doesn’t turn on the faucet or anything. He drops his head.
Ren watches Syn but continues. “Nine years old. Her attackers …”
My blood stops as my mind spins in a thousand different directions. Nine years old. They broke her. What they did to her. Cretins. Bastards. Five of them. They laughed and taunted and high-fived each other while she cried and begged and pleaded with them to stop.
Before I know it, I want to leap from the table. Ren gingerly places his hands over mine. “It’s okay,” he says.
I look into his eyes. “You pleaded with me. I wanted to kill them. Kill them all.”
He nods.
Syn walks back to the table and sits down. “I never… we never wanted that.”
Ren shakes his head. “It was our orders. If we didn’t …”
I look at them. “You gave them her soul, didn’t you? Makus and Bast got her soul. And her attackers were allowed to live. To get away with what they did.”
Ren bows his head and nods. “It’s the worst case we ever had. And we lost you because of it.”
“What did she ever do to have her soul sent to hell?”
Syn clears his throat. “She was pure. It was a deal made.”
“We didn’t know about it at the time,” Ren says. “It wasn’t our decision.”
“But you allowed them to take her?”
Ren and Syn look down at the table as they nod.
“And I went to Makus and Bast, and they gave me what I wanted.”
Ren nods. “They allowed you to kill them. Send their souls to hell.”
“You remember all that?” Syn asks.
I shake my head. “Not all of it, but I’m beginning to know myself enough to know what I would have done. Why did she have to be sent to hell?”
Ren looks at me with such remorse that I know he’s trying so hard not to say something.
I open my mouth to ask more, but I can’t find the words. I put my head to the table and cry.
Both of them touch my shoulder, and I feel their strength, but I can’t stop myself from crying. I don’t know why I’m crying. Something about that case, but I’m not sure I have all the pieces. I feel the anguish I must have had that day.
After what seems like hours and so many tears I think I can fill up all the oceans three times, I raise my head. “She was like me, wasn’t she?”
Ren nods.
Syn wipes my tears away.
“I’m half-good half-evil, aren’t I?”
Ren’s glance at Syn tells me I’m right.
I feel my heart. “Half my soul was created in heaven, and half forged in hell.”
Chapter 9
“I need it back. My soul.”
The angel nods. “When you decide.”
“That’s fair. I wouldn’t need it if I worked for Team Hellion.” I look around the cabin. “They have an RV. How do you get to your jobs?”
Syn motions to Ren. “Angels arrive at locations just by thinking about them.”
“That’s handy.” Then I think about all of it. “Can demons?”
Ren presses his lips together. “They can.”
“Then why the RV?” I know the answer even before the words leave my mouth. “It’s their lair. I get it.” I don’t want to know more about that or my role in it.
“It’s different with you.” I look at both of them. “When I was with them, I thought about you. I missed both of you even though I don’t remember.”
Ren leans closer to me. “And now that you’re with us … do you miss them?”
“Parts of me miss them.” I shake my head quickly. “That’s not what I mean. Not body parts or anything. Being with them is …” I shrug. “They’re very—”
“Sexual?” Syn asks.
I nod. “You noticed. Yeah, I mean even at the job. At first I thought they were going to be professional, but then they veer right back into the perv lane. They don’t seem to have an off switch. Not that I’m complaining.” I notice they both flinch, so I get up and walk around the room. “It’s so peaceful here.” Then I glance around. Sofas. Chairs. “Did we actually do the deed here?”
Ren laughs. “Yes, we actually had sex here.”
I wish I could remember more about myself. “Is that how I was? Just throw down with anyone?”
“No,” Syn says quickly. “Not anyone. You’re connected with us. Unfortunately, you’re connected with them.”
“Because I’m half-evil and half-good?”
Syn nods. “Plus, you’re part of us.”
I try to figure that out. “How?”
Syn takes a deep breath and walks closer to me. “Ren and I are the best of our kind.”
I glance over at Ren who watches me closely. “Top of the angel and reaper teams or top of your soul saving group?”
Syn contemplates my question. “Both?” He glances at Ren who nods his agreement.
“Let me guess …” I say. “Team Hellion are the top of the demons and warlocks class.”
Ren nods and gets up and stands beside Syn. I notice how close they are to me. “Are you afraid I’m going to get upset? Try to find those wolves? Have that friendly eagle fly me to freedom?”
Ren takes my hands in his. I flinch at the contact. I can’t imagine Team Hellion ever doing that unless it was to guide my hand someplace naughty. I shake my head to try to quiet my own mind.
“You’re different with us.”
“Because I had my soul?” I think about it. “Do I get the whole soul? Good and bad parts or just good when I’m with you so I’m literally half a being?”
Syn blows out a breath. “I don’t remember you quite so inquisitive.” He closes his eyes. “They have a job for us.”
They go over to the table and gather more papers together.
“So, how am I part of you? Was I part of your class?”
Ren puts his hand out to me. “Grab my hand and Syn’s, and I’ll get us to the location.”
I start to reach out to him but stop myself. “Are you going to answer my questions?”
Ren hesitates. “I’m afraid of how it will sound.”
I shrug my shoulders. “Won’t know until you cough out the words.”
“You were created for us,” Syn says as quickly as he can.
I look down at the ground. “Am I even my own person or just some chew toy to be fought over?”
Ren grabs my hand.
In a flash, we’re standing in an alley. I look around. Dumpsters. Trash. It’s an alley. “Okay, I guess all alleys are the same. Where are we?”
“Baton Rouge,” Ren says while looking around. He looks at Syn. “What’s the name?”
Syn closes his eyes like he’s listening. “Dashonda Wilkers. Deacon at her church. Choir leader. She’s opened her home to runaways, the homeless, addicts.”
“That’s not smart.” I catch myself. “Why would I say that? Because it’s true?” I shake my head. Now I’m questioning and answering myself like my own private interrogation.
Ren and Syn look at each other. They don’t say anything, but their expressions are tinged with worry.
Ren waits. “Are we in the right alley?”
Syn looks around. “Why are we always just shy of our location?”
A woman screams, and I follow Ren and Syn who run down one alley and head into another.
When we arrive, a woman, mid-60s, is backing away from three men.
She hands them her purse. “Take it. You look like you need it more than me.”
“Come on,” I say. “No good deed goes unpunished.” I put my hand over my heart. “What is happening to me?”
Ren and Syn reach the three men who have turned around and faced them.
One of the men looks strung out. He’s practically drooling. His movements are jerky, and, oh good, he has a knife. “This ain’t your problem, man.”
Ren holds his hand up. “Steady your heart, Dashonda. It’s going to be okay.”
She frowns. “How do you know me?”
“Everyone knows Miss Dashonda,” one of the other men says. “We don’t want to do this, but I got to get something.” He scratches at his arms which look like bloody pincushions.
I have to stop myself from lunging at him and throwing him across the alley. I so want to hurt him. I want to watch him bleed. Watch his soul flee his body.
Syn glances at me with wide eyes. “We are not here to hurt anyone. Why don’t we try to talk this out.”
Totally deserve that. Have I always been this violent?
Ren looks at me and shakes his head.
Great. A new development. How nice.
The knife man shakes. He starts to lower his weapon and then raises it again quickly. “Who are you?”
Gad, this guy’s slow. Then I realize he’s not looking at us. He’s looking down the alley. I don’t want to look. I know who it is.
“Hello, my soulless one.”
I close my eyes. “Fuck.”
Ren blocks their way. “What are you doing here, Makus?”
Makus leers at me. “Had a job.”
Bast looks me up and down and lifts up his arm. “Read this, Caz.”
The symbols merge into words and images. I read everything while Bast gently pushes my hair back behind my ear. “No.” I move in front of Dashonda. “You will not take her.”
Makus puts his hand over his heart. “Oh, Caz. I love it when you go all dominatrix. Makes my insides all swirly.”
The one with the knife lunges for Makus. In one swoop, the man is turned into ash and then disappears. The other two men with him jump back and run into themselves trying to get away.
Makus casually steps out of their escape, but Bast manages to slyly put his foot out just in time to trip one while the other escapes. The man face plants and hits his head while Makus and Bast laugh like fiends.
