by Renee George
David flashed a satisfied smile. “Very.”
I, on the other hand, had a real problem with the angel calling me a tainted woman. “Hey! You may be ancient, but these days, women aren’t considered tainted just because they enjoy sex outside of marriage. Females like orgasms, too.”
The angel Afriel lifted his hands in a placating gesture. “No offense. I was talking about your soul. It’s filthy, and through copulation, David has absorbed some of that filth onto his own.”
I didn’t like that idea at all. The last thing I wanted was to transfer my evil to David. “Well, give me a metaphysical broom, and I’ll sweep it off of him.”
“Hah!” Afriel rolled his eyes. “You think it’s that easy?”
“It’s not your choice, Pops,” David said as he handed me my underwear. “Go away.”
The angel shook his head. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” White light flashed, and the guy disappeared.
Pops? “David, do you have more stuff you want to tell me?”
Before I could get my pants up, he tackled me against the wall and kissed me with an intense ferocity. When he finished, and I was sufficiently lust-dazed, he said, “I would gladly blacken my soul a thousand times if it meant I get to do this.” He kissed me again. “And this.” His hand cupped my breast, his thumb brushing the nipple. “And this.” He reached behind me and caressed my ass. He pressed his lips against my ear. “I would do anything for you, Olivia. Even trade my soul.”
I exhaled a cry of protest. “No.” I shook my head. I thought I could do it. I thought I could trade David for my sisters, but it was an impossible choice.
“Moloch will never let me go,” I whispered.
“Then Moloch and I have more in common than I thought. I won’t let you go, either.” He stroked my cheek, holding me tightly.
“You don’t understand, David. He is threatening to isolate my sisters. To keep them from me until my contract is fulfilled unless...”
“Unless?”
“Unless I get him a contract on your soul.”
“That’s twisty,” David said. “Why would he want me?”
“I don’t know. Other than to punish me, but that seems extreme, even for Moloch.”
“Is that what you were keeping from me after he showed up here?” He stroked my shoulder and kissed my neck.
I gulped and nodded. “You should be angry. You should hate me for what I am. Why don’t you?”
“I could never hate you.” He met my gaze, his mouth set in a grim line. “How much time do we have?”
“Three days,” I replied somberly. “If I don’t get him a soul in the next couple of days, I will have broken my contract with him. At that point, Moloch will simply take my sisters and me to Hell.” Misery clutched at me. “And if I don’t get him your soul, my sisters will spend the next fifty years as his prisoners.”
David frowned as he studied me for a moment, nodded, then said, “That’s not a lot of time to find another solution. Still, I will give the demon lord what he wants if it comes down to it. I’ll do anything for you, Liv.”
“No.” I shook my head. “You can’t give yourself to that monster. I won’t trade you for my sisters. It would be like trading half my heart for the other half. There has to be another way.”
“We have less than seventy-two hours to save your sisters. And I won’t you let you forfeit your bargain. You’ve suffered enough at Moloch’s hands.”
Seventy-two hours. That’s the all the time I had with David. The minute we saved my sisters, David’s angel bargain would be met. And then he would die again and ride off to Heaven with Afriel. We would never be together again.
“How did you manage to find an angel?” I could have used one a hundred and fifty years ago. I hadn’t known angel deals were an option, damn it.
“Afriel’s my grandfather, with more than a dozen greats tacked on.” He studied my stunned expression. “I was surprised, too. He came to me right after I died—you know, in the tunnel of light people with near death experiences talk about? Only the Nephilim can only offer bargains, or a what they call a final favor, to their descendants, the Anunnaki, and the deal must include an act of selflessness.”
Pops. Oh. Now I got it. “Aren’t the Nephilim fallen angels?”
“Most mythology has it all wrong. They didn’t fall to Hell with Lucifer, who was cast out of Heaven. Nephilim fell to Earth willingly to protect humans. Unlike demons, Nephilim kept their angel grace. And some decided to mate with humans—and the results of those unions were the Anunnaki.”
“Moloch mentioned the accords demons have with angels.”
David grimaced. “Yes. Afriel told me about the accords, too. He said it was the only way to keep demons from wiping out entire nations overnight.”
“Don’t you find it ironic that you are descended from an angel, and you fell for a minion?”
David wiggled his brows. “Poetic, right?”
“If you’re into Shakespearian tragedies,” I said. “Or West Side Story.”
“The only thing I’m into is Olivia Madder.”
“Be serious.”
“I’m deadly serious.” He kissed the side of my neck. The heat of his lips on my skin aroused me once again, and my breath became shallow and ragged.
“You can’t give up your life for mine,” I protested.
“My life was already off the table.”
I stopped walking up the stairs and turned to him. I stood two steps higher than David, and it placed me at eye level with him. “You soul isn’t,” I said.
“My soul is yours,” he said softly. “Just like my heart is, too.”
I kissed him, sealing a promise I couldn’t verbalize. I wouldn’t lose my sisters to Hell or David to Moloch. I would do anything to save them all.
Anything.
Chapter 9
For the rest of the night, we made love and held each other as we talked like old friends—like new lovers. For a few hours, I pretended it all wouldn’t end horribly in less than three days.
Which is why I panicked when I woke up the next morning in an empty bed. I patted the covers as if I’d find David hidden in the tangled mess. “David?” I ran to the door, sliding on the hardwood floor out into the hallway. “David!”
“I’m here!” he hollered back from the bottom stair. He was wearing jeans and a forest green apron. No shirt. And day-amn, he looked handsome as all get out. He waved a spatula. “Making breakfast.”
“Next time leave me a note,” I said crossly. My heartbeat started to settle, and in the aftermath of my panic, I realized my reaction to his absence embarrassed me. “What are you cooking?”
“Pancakes, sausage links, scrambled eggs.” He pointed up at me. “Though if you keep standing there without any clothes on, I’m afraid I’m going to find it impossible to finish.”
“Food first, sex later. I’m starving.” I smirked. “Now, get to cookin’, mister. I’ll be down in a minute.”
I put on my panties and one of David’s tee-shirts before running a washcloth over my face, a comb through my hair, and toothbrush over my teeth. I took a deep breath to prevent myself from rushing down to him. A lady didn’t chase. Even so, I was a little breathless when I rounded the corner into the kitchen.
“Mmm mmm,” I said with a little too much exaggeration. I salivated at the pile of pancakes and sausage links sitting in the middle of the table. “That looks positively yummy.”
“It sure does,” David said, staring straight at me. “God, you’re beautiful, Liv.”
“Careful or I might pour syrup on you instead of my pancakes,” I said, basking in his compliment.”
“We’re definitely saving some syrup,” he said as he offered me a chair, and I sat down. David put four buttered pancakes on my plate, eggs on one side and sausage on the other, and he poured maple syrup over the whole thing. I smiled. “You remembered.”
“That you like a little breakfast with your syrup? Yeah, that’s not something I
’m likely to forget.” He sat a mug of coffee down as well and put the sugar bowl next to it with a spoon. “I know you stir your sugar ten times to the right and ten times to left. I won’t deprive you of the ritual.”
Christ, this man really did know me or, at least, my habits. And speaking of habits, Moloch didn’t make a practice of micromanaging me. His appearance at the diner last night smacked of something I’d never experienced with the demon lord—worry. Moloch was worried. Something in that book had him spooked, which meant, “We really have to figure out the real translation of Moloch’s book. He is freaked out about something in it.”
“Well, it’s definitely about him.” David sat down next to me and fixed his own plate.
“Afriel gave you that book, didn’t he? And he blessed it so that Moloch couldn’t have it. Why can’t he just tell us what it says?”
“Because he can’t interfere that way. It goes against the accords they made with the demons,” said David. “I wish it were easier.” He gave me an apologetic frown. “Some of the languages in there are so old, no trace of them exists. And the symbols are a mix of demonic and angelic—at least that’s what Ray figured out.”
“Ray Walters? Is he still around?” Ray had been part of the PSPR, and he was always good at finding out information, even before technology made it much easier. I took a bite of pancakes with a little egg and a piece of sausage and felt my blood sugar rise to a normal level.
“Ray is still around. He’s got cancer, but he’s fighting it hard.”
“That’s horrible. I’m so sorry.” I put my fork down. “Does he know about...”
“About me coming back from the dead? Yeah, he does. Ennis Rutherford and Frank Fowler, know, too. Ennis is living with his daughter in Bonne Terre, and Frank and Ray have a place together at the Sanctum Senior Apartments.” He hesitated. “I told them everything—about you, your sisters, Afriel, Moloch, the Nephilim, and of course, about the Shedim. I didn’t want to die again without them knowing the truth. And if I failed, Liv, I wanted you to have backup to fight Moloch. And friends you could turn to…if only for a little while.” David shook his head as a deep sadness settled into his expression. “Getting old sucks.”
What could I say to that? I hadn’t aged since the day I struck the bargain with Moloch. As I sat here, regretting for the millionth time making that damned deal, I realized that if I hadn’t become a minion, I would’ve never met David. It seemed I weirdly owed Moloch a thank you.
David. Sweet, sweet, beautiful David.
This man had made an angel bargain to save my sisters, given me his farm and all his worldly possessions, and then made sure I had people who could help me after he finally left this world. Emotions knotted my throat and tears threatened. No one had ever, ever, loved me like he did.
And I didn’t deserve him.
“Moloch prides himself on being in control of everything and everyone—especially me.” I thought about how many times he’d put me on my knees and forced me to call him master. Revulsion shuddered through me. I bit my lower lip then met David’s gaze. “Is Tristan safe?”
David nodded. “Afriel has made sure Moloch will never find him.”
“What about Ray, Ennis, and Frank? They’re not protected.”
“They know the risks, Liv. They’ve been in the PSPR for longer than I’ve known you, remember? Besides, Moloch doesn’t know they know…at least not yet.”
Honk. Honk. Honk.
“What is that?” I asked. “It sounds like someone is murdering a goose.”
“More like someone stole a van,” muttered David. He stood up and hurried outside.
I followed him onto the porch. We watched as a huge van or a small bus, depending on your take, roared up the gravel drive, dust kicking up everywhere, as it continued to blast its dying-goose horn. It slid to halt in front of the railroad ties. Emblazoned on the side of the white vehicle was: Sanctum Senior Apartments Transport.
David groaned. “What is that fool man up to now?”
An elderly man with snow-white hair, long, thin legs, and stooped shoulders, slowly made his way out the side door. Next, the driver, another old guy, this one shorter, with a rounded belly, mostly bald, and glasses as thick as the bottom of Coke bottles, limped down after him.
“Who are they?” I asked.
“Frank and Ennis.”
I did a double-take. I knew David’s friends had aged, but I was still shocked by their appearance.
“Damn it. Frank stole the apartment transit van again.”
“Again?”
“He has a habit of borrowing the van. Last time he took it because Ray wanted a cowboy burger and sweet potato fries from the Burger Bar.” David tilted his head. “That was about a month ago. The Burger Bar doesn’t deliver—and the chemo messes with Ray’s appetite. Him hankering for real food was enough incentive for Frank to commit a felony.”
“Doesn’t Sanctum have Lyft? Or a cab service?”
“Frank’s a stubborn ass. The man doesn’t even have a driver’s license. The state wouldn’t renew his license because he couldn’t pass the eye exam. He’s going to kill his damn self.” Both men walked at a snail’s pace and hadn’t even made it halfway to the house. David shook his head. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’m going with you.”
David took my hands. “Darling, those two have survived a lot in their long lives but seeing you in nothing, but my tee-shirt, and looking like you did all those years ago, may raise their blood pressure and give them strokes.” He kissed me. “You go on and get dressed. I’ll help the boys inside. Frank has trouble navigating steps these days. He’s got arthritis in his knees pretty bad so it will take a minute. I can fill them in on the way.”
Damn, I forgot I was barely dressed. “Fine.” I ran upstairs, taking three steps at a time. I rummaged my clothes and threw on a pair of black jeans, a bra, and a gray silk-blend shirt with a turned-down collar. I slid a pair of gray heels on to match. I debated for about two seconds before I grabbed my toiletries and headed to the bathroom for a quick hair and makeup fix. I don’t know why I cared how I looked for Frank and Ennis, but I did. They hadn’t seen me in a long time, and I suddenly felt nervous about how they’d react. It was one thing for David to tell them I was a minion who didn’t age and quite another to see me for themselves.
When I made my way back to the ground floor, Ennis and Frank were sitting at the kitchen table with David. Ennis sipped a cup of coffee and Frank chewed on a sausage link as they waited for me to join them.
“I’ll be,” Ennis said. “Girlie, you are still as pretty as the day you left.” He tilted his head toward Frank. “This one dragged me out of bed this morning. Damn near gave my daughter a heart attack.”
“It’s Ray,” said David. “He’s—“
“Missing,” finished Ray. He pointed his fork at me. “He was at the hospital for chemo and last night, he was kidnapped. Because of you.”
“Me?” The accusation sliced right through me, especially given the level of hostility in Frank’s tone.
“It’s not her fault, Frank,” said David.
“I know, I know.” Frank looked down at his plate and pierced another sausage. “Ray’s son called me at four in the morning right after he was notified by the police.” Frank dropped the fork without even trying to eat the second sausage. “Chemo can make Ray loopy, and when he disappeared from his room last night, the hospital staff assumed he was wandering around. After hours of searching, they finally checked the security cameras and saw the kidnapping. The police will investigate, but what can they do? Ray is gone.”
“Show her the note, Frank,” said Ennis gently. He sent me an remorseful look. “He’s beside himself with worry. We all are.”
Frank pulled a folded piece of paper from his front pocket and handed it to me. “I left the house right after Pete called and found this taped to the front door.”
The vellum paper had a certain demonic flair, and when I opened it, I immedia
tely recognized Moloch’s handwriting.
Frank,
Ray is in my care and will remain so until Olivia Madder fulfills her promise to me. If you wish to blame anyone for Ray’s disappearance, blame her. If you want Ray returned to you alive, I suggest you contact her at David’s farm and tell her to give me what I want.
~M.
“I figured the M was for Moloch. So, I borrowed the nursing home’s van, drove to Bonne Terre and got Ennis from his daughter’s, and headed to the only place we know that bastard can’t get us and to the only people who could help.”
David’s expression was a mixture of rage, guilt, and devastation. “I should have brought you all here yesterday.” He stared at me, and I knew he was thinking about our night of passion. We’d both been consumed with each other. No one else had mattered.
“Now, don’t go borrowing guilt,” Ennis said. “There’s plenty to go around for all of us.”
“I should’ve been at the hospital with him,” said Frank. “I should’ve never let him talk me into staying at home.”
David, worry etching lines in his brow. I took his hand and gave it a squeeze. “We’ll get Ray back, and we’ll make Moloch pay for taking him, for taking my sisters, for everything.”
Two frail hands with age spots and gnarled knuckles covered mine and David’s as Ennis and Frank joined the pact.
“Moloch’s going down,” I promised.
“Hard,” added David.
“So hard, his ass bone will break,” said Ennis.
“So hard,” said Frank, his voice filled with hatred, “that his balls will fall off—and we’ll stomp them into the ground.”
Chapter 10
David insisted that Frank and Ennis stay at the farm. It was the safest place for both men, considering Moloch’s kidnapping of Ray. He was met with vehement resistance. Ennis gave in after I offered him my iPad. Even without the internet, the tablet might be useful since I had various translation and research apps on it. Frank was not as easily dissuaded. I thought we were going to have to tie him to a chair to keep him from leading the charge to rescue Ray.
