by ML Guida
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“No, I won’t.”
But there was a glint of mischief in her eyes, and Cupid prayed her sister would think twice about playing a joke on the humorless archangel. She decided to change the subject. “Will you be all right here? I’ve my assignment, and I want to go straight away.”
“Before your Mr. Equal Rights Mate finds out?”
Cupid ignored her. “I want to bring love to Kristyn and Bobby, that’s all.”
“You’re not worried about Balthazar?”
Cupid instinctively reached for her bow and put it on her shoulder. It always gave her comfort against evil, as if she were a two year old and it was her blanket. “I’ll be careful. I’ll be there and back before he knows it.”
“Balthazar has spies.”
“Now you’re beginning to sound like Lethal.”
She patted Cupid’s thigh. “If he does come, you have to believe in yourself. If you don’t, I fear you will lose.”
A big foreshadowing of ‘don’t go’ bore into Cupid’s chest, and she gripped her bow tighter. She had a job to do, and hiding like a frightened squirrel wasn’t her. “I promise. It will be quick.” She stood and gathered her quiver, then pulled the strap over her shoulder. “You’ll not tell Lethal.”
“Ah, no. I’m not a fan of the Lethal club. He wouldn’t dare come in here.”
Cupid wasn’t too sure. So far, her mate didn’t let anything stop him, and a gentleman’s code of ethics would definitely not deter him.
She left Venus, who made her promise for the thirty-third time to be careful and trust in herself. She didn’t think trusting in herself would defeat Balthazar. Not many angels could go against him and survive. She only knew of one who’d defeated him, but he had been second in command beneath Michael and didn’t walk away unscathed. Balthazar had been defeated, not killed.
She quickly exited heaven without her mate locking her up in a heaven’s cell. Where was he? Uneasiness settled in her spine, and warning signals pulsed in her tight nerves. She kept looking over her shoulder to see if she was being followed. She never saw anyone but couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being pursued. She could feel a pair of vigilant eyes watching her every move. The presence didn’t feel evil. It was strong and overpowering.
Stop it.
Venus had messed with her head, that’s all. Got her all twitter tied over Balthazar. She still couldn’t believe he wanted her power. He wanted to go tip-toeing through the rose gardens shooting arrows of love? Hardly. She frowned. He said he’d make sure her precious arrows turned into arrows of hate. Didn’t he realize love was more powerful? The arrows had been made by Gabriel himself. He might not be as powerful as Michael, but Balthazar would be an idiot to dismiss his power. One thing for sure, she didn’t think Lucifer’s second in command would make that miscalculation.
Forget him. Concentrate.
Getting back to her mission, Cupid flew toward a high school that was having a Valentine’s Dance. She cherished it when true love was ignited with the young. High school sweethearts were her favorite bullseyes. To be together for a lifetime made her heart melt.
She hovered in a darkened corner of a gymnasium. Red and pink streams of crepe paper were intertwined and crisscrossed diagonally from one corner to the next. In the center hung a large strobe light silver ball that cast diamond shapes everywhere. A local band played a slow dance. Perfect timing.
Kristyn sat on a chair against the wall by herself, watching the couples gather on the dance floor. She looked so pretty in her little black dress and studded headband that swept her blond hair back. Her intended love was across the hall, talking with his friends. They were total opposites. His dark hair hung in his eyes, and he had on jeans and a leather jacket. A ladies’ man, but not for long.
Cupid pulled an arrow out of her quiver. She had made sure these were the right arrows and had Gabriel check himself, so she knew there were no aversion arrows mixed in this time. She clasped her bow and pulled back on the string back to her mouth, ready to fire.
She inhaled something rotting, as if vegetables had been left in a garbage disposal for weeks without running. It was getting stronger, and her stomach turned queasy. The teens on the dance floor and along the sides were looking around, and she knew they must have smelled it, too.
A bright flash rang out, and the gym shook as if in an earthquake. The couples on the dance floor tumbled into each other. Some girls fell on their butts while others crashed into dancers. Screams and chaos erupted. A large crack split down the wooden floor. The ball came crashing down, barely missing a young man. Sparks burst into the air. Streams of twisted paper fell off the walls, and the speakers on the stage crashed onto the floor. People turned into a wild stampede, fighting to save themselves, and dashed for the double doors.
It happened so fast Cupid didn’t have time to shoot. She placed her arrow back into the quiver. Kristyn fell out of her chair, onto her hands and knees. The poor girl was going to be trampled. Cupid flew down and lifted a startled, screaming Kristyn into the air, her legs and arms flailing. People wouldn’t see Cupid, only Kristyn flying through the air. Maybe they would think it was a blast.
When she lowered her to the ground, Bobby was the person who ran to her side. Maybe these two didn’t need the arrows.
More people cried out. Determined to help, Cupid soared back inside. The doors slammed shut, and people vanished as if by magic. The lights went out. A blaze of fire shot into the middle of the dance floor. She shielded her eyes. The flames flickered all the way to the ceiling. She could feel the heat and broke out in a hot sweat. Fear pooled inside her. Without hesitation, she pulled out her arrow and clasped her bow, her hands shaking.
Balthazar stepped out of the flames and smiled up at her. “Ah, Cupid, so we met again?” He beckoned to her. “Do come down here.”
Her heart pounding hard, she struggled to resist, but an unbelievable force propelled her to go toward him. He held out his hand.
She aimed her bow at his black heart.
He smirked. “Really? There’s no need for violence.”
Holding her head high, she floated toward him like she owned the gym. “You just destroyed a Valentine’s Dance.”
“True. Just think, they’ll remember it for a lifetime.”
His soft tone veiled the menace bubbling inside him. He might be rock star dashing in his dark leather pants and snug boots and wearing a white shirt opened to belly button, but only evil brewed inside him. She couldn’t detect a single shred of goodness. “What do you want?”
“Why you, my dear. Or wasn’t I clear the last time we met?”
The presence that had been following her came at them like a Mac truck. A loud pop made her jump. Lethal stood in front of her like an angel shield.
“You were crystal clear, demon,” he said.
She’d been right about the mysterious presence. It hadn’t been Balthazar trailing her but her angel mate. She should have known he’d never let her come alone. For once, she was glad he’d followed and had an urge to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him deeply. He’d never abandon her, would always find her. She’d never experienced this before and something awakened in her. It was powerful and strong. She’d glimpsed it with her targets. Was this love?
Lethal was the exact opposite of Balthazar. Instead of a rock concert, he looked like he’d left Wall Street with his dark blue suit and hair pulled back into a neat queue. He was a CEO with a deadly sword strapped to his belt.
Balthazar circled them. “Excellent. You’ve mated, haven’t you? How delicious.”
Lethal stepped back and clasped Cupid’s arm in a death grip. “Go back to heaven. Now.”
Deathly growls and howls emitted from the darkness. Hell hounds. Cupid hadn’t ever encountered one, but the stories of them ripping humans and angels apart were legendary.
The demon lifted his arm and gestured around the gym. “It’s not just hell hounds, sweet Cupid, but ghos
t demons. You’ve heard of those, have you not? Or do you live quite the sheltered life?”
Cupid’s breath caught in her threat. Ghost demons were worse than the hell hounds. What they did to angels would make the strongest Angel of Death shudder. They could rip the flesh off the bone, tear off wings. Worse, they were difficult to kill. One was hard enough, but a horde was nearly impossible. She was way over her head. Terror drilled into her beating heart. What good were desirable arrows against a horde of ghost demons and hell hounds?
“Balthazar, you unleashed your army,” Lethal said. “Afraid, are you?”
“Watch your tongue, boy,” Balthazar said. “All I have to do is say the word, and they’ll attack.”
“Lethal,” Cupid finally managed to say.
He glanced over his shoulder. “Stay behind me,” he said, as he unsheathed Judgment. It gleamed blue in the darkness, exposing black, shapeless ghost demons. Their yellow glowing eyes glared at her and Lethal with pure hatred. They swiped their long sharp claws in the air, and Cupid put her hand on her throat, terrified of being ripped to pieces. She trembled, her heart nearly stopping. She’d never seen anything so terrifying.
Hell hounds came up alongside them, gnashing their teeth, drool dripping onto the floor. They were larger than wolves, and their hackles were standing up. One word, and they’d attack. Cupid had never used her weapons to kill. She had no idea what kind of effect they’d have on pure evil.
A hellish sword magically materialized into Balthazar’s hand. He pointed it at Cupid. “To the victor goes the spoils.”
“Never,” Lethal said, as he slashed into the air.
Cupid looked at the creatures surrounding them. Even if Balthazar lost, this wouldn’t end well. Lethal would die trying to protect her. She had to do something.
Quicker than a flash of light, Balthazar lunged forward, thrusting with the point of his blade, stabbing Lethal’s thigh. Lethal hissed. Blood flowed down the deadly wound, and Cupid gasped. The ghouls howled as if in triumphant laughter, chilling Cupid’s soul. Before Lethal could retaliate, Balthazar came again, striking and jabbing in a series of parries and ripostes that compelled Lethal to guard and block during every step of a desperate retreat, forcing Cupid to back up and edge closer to the bellowing and snarling demons.
As instantaneously as the attack had erupted, the furor ended, with Balthazar pulling away and circling again, smirking as he admired the afflictions he’d created. Cupid stepped aside to see what he was smiling about. Besides his pierced thigh, there was a crimson stripe high on Lethal’s arm, another slash on the wrist of his left hand, and a third ugly gash on his knuckles that gripped Judgment. She wanted to cry out and run over to him, but doing so would put them both in danger. He’d die trying to protect her, and then what? He needed help.
She closed her eyes. Dear Lord, we need help. Gabriel, if you can hear me, please answer.
Her prayer was met with silence. Disappointment filled her, but she had to have faith.
The demon didn’t have a scratch. He charged again, lunging, thrusting. Steel clanged again and again as Lethal thwarted and parried and this time held his turf, ending the aggression with a masterful twist of his wrist that crossed their blades and linked the points downward, a threat to nothing, but to scrape the gym floor. Cupid couldn’t help but marvel at the way Lethal’s muscles bulged and contracted as he fought. He was an expert swordsman and her hero.
“You’re good,” Balthazar said. “But not good enough to defeat me.”
“Is that a challenge?” Lethal asked.
Balthazar slightly bowed. “To the death?”
“It’s your funeral.”
This time, Lethal moved first. He twisted his wrist to unlock the crossed swords. He pivoted to the side, dodging left, and when Balthazar moved to block the thrust, he slashed on the right instead, hacking through the demon’s silk shirt and leaving a deep red scratch across his upper torso. He wheeled around and hacked down in a forehand ward, edging close enough to Balthazar’s ear to nick it and sever a lock of hair.
Balthazar grabbed his bleeding ear. “You’ll pay for that, angel.”
He attacked with a vengeance. Slashing and hitting, forcing Lethal to give up his victory.
Cupid stared at Lethal’s sweating face. He was legendary in circles and had killed many rogue angels and demons, but this was Balthazar. Only Lucifer possessed more power. Balthazar.
Ghost demons and hell hounds encroached on their tight circle. The hounds nipped at Lethal’s calves; their hot breath smelled like rotting flesh, and she fought not to gag. This wouldn’t help Lethal. He’d be worried about her, and any hesitation could send him to an early grave.
A ghost demon swiped its claw and scratched the back of Lethal’s neck, undoing his perfect queue. His hair tumbled over his shoulders. He was about to be ripped to shreds. Since her pleas had gone unanswered, she had to do something. He was her mate, and she refused to let him turn into another of Balthazar’s trophy kills.
She pulled out an arrow and tugged back the bowstring, then fired. The arrow twanged through the air and hit Balthazar in the arm. He faltered, giving Lethal time to go on the offensive. It wouldn’t last long.
Balthazar whipped the arrow out of his arm and tossed it onto the wooden floor. Nothing changed in his demeanor. “I like an angel with fire.”
Lethal howled and charged, hacking and slicing. Balthazar blocked his attack, then in a sudden move, raised his sword and plunged it into Lethal’s mid-section. The blade protruded through his lower back. He fell to his knees and dropped Judgment on the floor with a loud clank.
A hell hound crept closer to him, its jaws brought back into a sneer.
Cupid screamed. “No!” Lethal couldn’t die. Her thumping heart threatened to shatter, and a loss greater than she’d ever experienced flowed through her. It was as if the other half of her was withering into a scrunched-up leaf. She rushed over to Lethal and clasped his arm. She could feel the strength slowly drifting away from him. “Lethal, Lethal.”
His eyes fluttered shut and his head drooped onto her shoulder. She patted his cheek. It was cold, and fear closed in on her heart. The unusual feeling swelled within her, and she admitted the truth she couldn’t deny. Yes, she loved him, and she’d fight to protect him like he had done for her.
Balthazar yanked out the sword and wiped the blood on his thigh. “Now that the riffraff will soon be dead, you and I have some unfinished business.”
Lethal gasped for breath. “Cupid, run.” His voice was barely a whisper.
She didn’t care if he was an overgrown brute, bent on telling her what to do or interfering in her life to get his way. She choked on her own tears. “I won’t leave you. I love you.”
He looked up at her, the light fading from his silver eyes. “About time you admitted it. Go, now, while you still have time.”
Even facing death, her angel was arrogant, but he wasn’t dead yet.
Balthazar held out his hand. “Leave him. He’s hell hound puppy food.”
Cupid glared. She wanted to summon all the hate inside her, but she couldn’t do it. It wasn’t in her. She was full of love and compassion, and Lethal was gasping for breath and held his stomach, blood seeping through his fingers. She’d healed him before, but she needed time.
Two more hell hounds stood on either side of Lethal, their eyes greedy for angel flesh.
As despair closed in on her, something whizzed through the air. One of the hell hounds yelped and fell onto its side, an arrow embedded in its thick neck.
Up on the bleachers sat Arrow, another arrow already primed in his bow. She’d never been so glad to see anyone in her life. Her prayers had been answered!
Balthazar pointed at him. “Kill him, you fools!”
Cupid detected a hint of fear in his words. Was he afraid of Arrow?
The creatures descended upon Arrow, moving away from Lethal. Arrows whizzed through the air. Hell hounds howled, and ghost demons screeched. Balthazar
was distracted, watching Arrow kill his pets. He was a one-man army. She’d never seen anyone like him wield death blows.
Hate flared in the demon’s eyes. “You’re coming with me, Cupid.” He lifted his sword to cut Lethal in two, and Cupid tried to shield Lethal’s mangled body with her own.
Venus’ words popped into her mind. She had to believe in herself or evil would defeat her. God said that love was the most powerful gift of all. Time to believe in his word rather than quoting it. She drew on the love inside her, smothering the fear and hate, and scampered to her feet, blocking Lethal from Balthazar’s sword. “No, I won’t go with you.”
Balthazar eyed her suspiciously and lowered his sword. “What’s happening to you?”
Tingles swept over her skin. They grew stronger and stronger, seeping into her flesh. Her heart swelled and pumped energy into her veins, something she’d never experienced. She glanced at her bow. It glowed blue like Lethal’s sword, Judgment.
The demon followed her gaze and lurched toward the bow, reaching it before her. He grabbed it, and his hand shook. The bow brightened in color, turning from bright blue to dark red to pure white, chasing away the darkness.
He staggered. “What the hell?”
Lethal grabbed her gown with his bloody hand. “You did it. You’ve unleashed your hidden power.”
The demon arched his back and cried out like a wounded wildcat caught in a bear trap.
Ghost demons and hell hounds shrieked like a high-pitched birds of prey and scurried away from Arrow and Cupid, retreating further into the shadows and melting into blackness.
The bow flew out of his hands and into hers. When she clasped it, an overwhelming power of love, forgiveness, and compassion ballooned through her as if it had been dormant for too long. Her body shook, and energy flowed out of her fingertips. Images flashed through her mind: her and Lethal intertwined together laughing; Venus and her mother-in-law close again; Balthazar’s hand burned and scarred permanently. Other images of Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael engaging in battles she didn’t understand. Were these true or illusions?
