by Brenda Trim
Cambree flushed and glanced at the line. “Well, thank you. I usually have my wallet in hand, but you distracted me.”
“So, I distract you?” he asked with a lift to his brow.
“Um, that’s not what I meant,” she stuttered and looked away.
Lorne chuckled. “I’m just teasing.”
“Oh, yeah. I knew that,” Cambree mumbled and turned red again. It was quite adorable how easily he flustered her.
“Look, when I saw you waltzing around with your guard down, I nearly drug you back to your office. So, back to my initial question. What are you doing out here without Finn? It. Is. Not. Safe,” he said, slowly enunciating each word.
Cambree rolled her eyes at him. “The walk from the office is only a block, and it’s the busiest street in Duamutef. I’m fine, Lorne.”
“And, if you’d gone into heat while waiting in line? What then? Nolan couldn’t stop the males from reacting. Hell, he’d be all over you, too. And, let me be clear about something. The only reason you were safe that day in the palace was because Angus was there. He used his power to dampen the urges of every male in the room. Even I wanted to take you,” Lorne explained as he crowded close to her body.
Cambree’s gasp told him she understood the severity of his words.
The mere mention of her heat cycle reminded Lorne of the mindless lust that wracked him for days afterward. The only solution was to bring himself to climax again and again until his urges ceased.
“I’m not in heat now,” she whispered.
“No, but that can change without warning. I’m sure your mother and the queen explained there is no pattern to your cycles.”
Cambree swallowed hard then took a sip of her drink. “Yes, they did. I hope they learn something from studying me.”
That shocked Lorne. “They’re studying you?”
“Yes. I volunteered so other females like me would have more information. Relying on folklore and knowledge from a million years ago is dreadful. Our realm has changed, and so have we,” Cambree explained.
“That’s pretty fucking brave, shy girl,” he confessed and smiled at her.
“Not brave. Desperate to understand,” Cambree corrected, but he noticed the slight lift at the corner of her mouth. She enjoyed his compliment whether she admitted it, or not.
“True courage is acting despite your fear. Now, while I admire your boldness, I don’t want you going out alone. Give me your communicator,” Lorne ordered and stuck out his hand.
Cambree eyed him warily, but he didn’t budge. Finally, she heaved a sigh then pulled the small device from an outside pocket on her purse. He’d never understand females. All those compartments in their handbags, but could never find their wallet or keys.
“What are you doing?” she asked as he entered his name and number.
“Listen, I know Finn isn’t with you every second of the day, and you seem to attract every horny dragon on Khoth. Until we can predict when you will go into heat, I do not want you to leave your house without one of us,” he commanded as he handed the device back to her.
“That’s really not necessary,” she objected and stuffed the communicator in her purse.
He wished she had an assigned knight with her twenty-four-seven, but that wasn’t feasible. This was the only solution.
“Cambree, I haven’t forgotten what happened. I failed you, and that will haunt me for the rest of my days. I cannot allow anyone to harm you again. Ever,” he professed and met her gaze. He wanted her to see he meant every word. When she looked down, he lifted her chin. “I want you to call me if you want to go somewhere, and Finn isn’t around. I’ll be there within minutes, no matter what,” he promised and stroked her cheek.
Cambree gulped then her gaze darted to the crowded room. Lorne sensed her discomfort and put his hand on the small of her back, guiding her from the coffee shop.
“Thank you, but I doubt I’ll need to call,” she replied as soon as they were outside.
They walked side by side toward her office, and Lorne couldn’t deny how comfortable it was with her. It felt natural with Cambree. “Just promise you’ll call if Finn isn’t available. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you.”
“You’re a confusing male,” she muttered, and Lorne opened the office door for her.
“Nothing confusing about taking my role as a dragon knight of Khoth seriously,” he replied then glared at Finn as the male marched up to Cambree and laid into her with a speech of his own.
When Lorne didn’t come to her defense, Cambree threw her arms in defeat and glowered at him. “Thanks a lot,” she spat.
Lorne chuckled and waved, “Hey, you asked for it. And, don’t forget our little chat,” he added, placing his thumb and pinky to his ear in a call me motion.
Lorne had no idea where the overprotective urges came from with regards to Cambree. He felt like her older brother, ready to beat the crap out of anyone who looked at his baby sister and wished fervently he’d had a smidgeon of that when he was first assigned to protect her. Maybe then he could’ve saved her from the trauma she endured. Lesson fucking learned, he told himself. And he’d be damned before he allowed it to happen again.
* * *
Chapter 3
Ayil wiped sweat off his brow and looked to his wilted wings. Michael must hate them to force them to Arizona on this infernal assignment. He was still surprised they were investigating a Phoenix clan. Akin to the Fae, Phoenixes were neutral and stayed to themselves for the most part. Typically Ayil and his brothers protected humans from demons, but ever since Illianna joined the Tehrex Realm the warrior angels had been involved with the supernatural community on Earth.
“Why the fuck are we standing behind a bunch of trees like creeping stalkers?” Araton growled as he bounced on the balls of his feet. Ayil watched his younger brother and didn’t know if he wanted to laugh at his eagerness or throat punch him because he was threatening their cover.
Araton’s grey eyes darkened like a storm about to break, and Ayil decided against the latter. Any response from either him or their older brother, Abraxos, would only incite Araton. His baby brother was a massive pain in Ayil’s ass, and most days he wanted to throttle the immature male.
Abraxos lifted his lip and snarled in response. The action would have been more frightening if his distinct red wings weren’t limp from the blistering heat. All Ayil’s mind could muster was, I hear you, bro. Angels weren’t made for this shit.
Unlike their current location, the weather in Heaven never changed. Ayil’s home realm was beautiful year ‘round. Sunny and seventy-five degrees was a typical day. The only time they encountered the different seasons was when they visited Earth. Each angel was assigned to a different realm, and Ayil and his brothers had been responsible for eradicating demon activity on Earth for long as they’d been warrior angels.
Ayil clenched his fists as he recalled the time he’d begged the archangel Michael for reassignment to Hell when their sister, Illianna, went missing. They knew she was alive, or their parents would have felt her passing, but time was of the essence. The sting of Michael’s refusal still pissed off Ayil.
Everyone, including his brothers, thought Ayil was crazy for believing so staunchly she was in the Underworld. After all, it wasn’t possible to abduct an angel and force them into Hell. And yet, it happened.
To this day, Ayil’s rage shook him at the thought of what his precious sister suffered at the hands of the vile creatures for over a hundred years. He had to remind himself she was safe and sound. Rhys, a cambion, of all beings, ventured into the Underworld and risked his life to save Illianna.
“We should go see Illy after we’re done here,” Ayil blurted.
Both brothers turned and gave him a look that said they, too, continuously relived the trauma of her disappearance. He wondered how long before they didn’t go down that rabbit hole every time her name was mentioned. As it was, he was getting sick and damn tired of the guilt that swamped him ev
ery time he thought of his sister because it brought to mind what he’d done in his desperation to find her. How he wished he could go back in time and change his decision. So many lives would be saved if he could.
“Let’s march in there and demand answers now, so we can get the fuck out of here. I’m sweating my ass off,” Araton agreed.
Abraxos rolled his eyes at that and shook his head. “In case you two have forgotten, we’re here on an assignment. We must find out if the Phoenixes are making deals with demons. We will teleport to Seattle after we obtain information.”
“It’s so damn hot, I think my boots melted to the rocks. I wish that spell of yours came with air conditioning,” Araton complained to Abraxos.
Abraxos lifted his wings, and they fluttered rapidly. It was a sure sign that he was irritated and ready to pummel someone. Ayil’s money was on Araton. He was the wild card of the group, and always up for a brawl.
“Love…is a burning thing. And it makes…a fiery ring,” Abraxos crooned the Johnny Cash lyrics, and Araton quickly punched him in the gut.
“Don’t start with the fucking singing. My balls are swimming in sweat, and I can’t deal with your God-awful warbling,” Araton barked.
“Stop it, both of you. You’re acting like children. We have a job to do, and we’re not leaving until it’s done. We have a reputation to uphold,” Ayil scolded, reminding them why they were deemed the best in their unit.
“You’re right, brother. Let’s focus and get this done,” Abraxos stated and clapped Araton on the shoulder.
As the oldest, Abraxos set the stage for them. He was a legend on many fronts. Abraxos could coax any female to his bed, but he was by far the best warrior in Heaven.
“Fine, but where are those fuckers? I thought they loved the heat. If they’re working with demons, why aren’t they at least preparing?” Araton asked. That was the question of the day. It seemed the scorching Arizona temperatures made even sun-loving Phoenixes stay inside.
“We have no idea what’s going on in that building. We’ve seen at least twenty go in, yet none have left,” Ayil acknowledged.
“You’re right, but our patience will pay off. You can’t deny that something is going on. Why else would so many have entered throughout the day? We know it isn’t a dining hall. That’s on the other side of the compound.”
Ayil glanced to the left when his brother mentioned eating. The only other building on the property that had as many visitors was a large old house that smelled strongly of garlic and onions. The aroma had teased Ayil all day. They’d eaten the night before, and he devoured the protein bar in his pocket hours ago, but Abraxos insisted they stay, so they didn’t miss anything.
“If they’re performing Dark magic, why can’t we feel anything?” Ayil grumbled as his hunger intensified, making him irritable.
“Yeah. Are we sure Rhys’s source is accurate?” Araton inquired.
Their brother-in-law was a lucky sonovabitch. If not for Illianna, the demon would be dead. Technically he was a half-breed, but his human genes didn’t outweigh the demonic ones he inherited from his father. The fact that his father had tricked and raped one of the Goddess Morrigan’s handmaidens pissed the angels off to no end. That was no fault of Rhys’s, but usually, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
The only reason the cambion was still breathing was his devotion to their sister, and the fact he found and rescued Illianna from the Underworld. But God help Rhys if he ever hurt Illy. Nothing would save him from Ayil and his brothers.
“The intelligence appears legit. Even Zakara confirmed the demon that sold Rhys the information is a selfish bastard with no allegiances. He was slippery enough to have evaded Lucifer’s reach for thousands of years, yet maintained connections to multiple sources in the Underworld. That takes talent,” Abraxos shared as he stared at the building.
Hence the reason Ayil and his brothers were standing in a hundred-and-fifteen-degree heat looking for evidence that angelic intervention was needed.
The intel better be solid. If they acted against the Phoenix without reason, Michael would have their asses and their wings. Not that the archangel could unmake an angel, but he could kick them from the Warrior’s Guild. Ayil might make it as a JoyBringer or Angel of Forgiveness, but his brothers wouldn’t last a day before their mouths got them in trouble. They were far too obnoxious while Ayil kept his mouth shut and head down most days.
“These pieces of shit are almost as bad as oracles,” Araton grumbled. “Why can’t anyone say these assholes are doing the ritual at three o’clock on the tenth during the football game? We’ve been sitting here all damn day doing nothing. I need to kill something,” his brother added.
“At least the sun is going down. Maybe it will get cooler,” Ayil said as he watched the bright ball dip behind the skyline, leaving the world cloaked in an orange-pink hue.
“It’ll probably go down to about a hundred degrees by midnight. Yay,” Abraxos replied sarcastically.
“Asshole,” Ayil muttered.
“Dickhead,” Abraxos countered. Ayil’s laugh was cut short as the double doors of the building finally opened.
Several pairs of Phoenixes left the building first. It was difficult to see what they carried in the twilight, but Ayil’s eyes widened when he saw one pair walk to a spot along the outskirts of an open area and set a large black candle on the ground. Four other pairs did the same thing with one of them lighting the wick.
Ayil looked to Abraxos for instruction. He was their de facto leader and, most times, he and Araton deferred to their older brother’s judgment. They relied on his ability to rapidly assess a situation and devise the best strategy to maximize demon deaths and minimize innocent casualties.
Movement suddenly caught his attention as dozens of Phoenixes exited their homes, as well as, the main dining hall.
Not usually the one to get distracted by a female, Ayil was shocked to find his eyes riveted to a tall, sultry Phoenix with deep-red hair. Her wings of fire fanned wide, indicating she was an adult. Phoenixes didn’t develop their wings until they reached their full power, and only then were they considered adults. He couldn’t help but notice she had legs for miles and an ample chest that males appreciated. Curves in all the right places and an attitude to boot if the cock of her hip was any indication. He expected her to ignite at any moment with the fury she directed at the center of her village. There was no way this alluring female was collaborating with the demons.
Why Ayil was relieved by that conclusion, he had no idea. He knew absolutely nothing about the female. And, he wasn’t going to use the looking glass in the archangel temple to find out. Nope. That would get him punished severely. He needed to accept that he wouldn’t meet her, or feel her naked body against his.
He ran a hand over his mouth and narrowed his eyes, trying to mask his attraction to the potential enemy. Her appearance made Ayil pause and question his assumption about innocents. No doubt Abraxos had already devised a plan, which was why he took the lead, and they let him. Ayil noted that very few of those that had come out of their houses were joining the others in a circle around the candles.
“Without being in the air to see if they’ve formed a pentagram with their candles, we must assume they’re starting the ritual. As soon as the energy signature confirms their intent, we go in. Ayil, you take the east. Araton, you take the west, and I’ll come in from the south. The building is to the north and will stop most from fleeing. I know it seems like the bystanders aren’t innocent, but appearances are deceiving. See how they’re standing off to the side, and not engaging. They aren’t all part of this,” Abraxos explained.
“Weapons of Light, or steel?” Ayil asked, wanting clarification on their edict from Michael. Rarely were all three of them present during meetings with the archangel because they worked as a seamless unit, so they took turns answering his summons. Before they were sent on this mission, it was Araton’s turn.
“Use your Light, brother. Obliterate the
se motherfuckers,” Araton grated. “Michael doesn’t want them returning to Hell,” he added. Ayil knew exactly what his brother meant. Demon souls could go to Hell and be reborn. They didn’t want them coming back to finish their mission.
“Thank fuck,” Abraxos muttered as he called his blade to his hand.
Each warrior angel had a unique weapon, and Abraxos’s sword was fashioned from the Light of his soul and held the purest of flames. It would burn anything it touched to cinders. Ayil called his weapon and admired the curved length of white fire. He was proud that the ancient Egyptians fashioned their khopesh after his blade. Araton’s was arched at the end of his longsword much like those used during ancient Greece.
Ayil stalked away from his brothers and took a moment to trace an angelic rune to silence the air surrounding his body. Taking the Phoenixes by surprise was their best chance at victory.
Ayil suddenly froze in his tracks when he stepped on a stick that cracked so loud he swore it broke through his shield. To make matters worse, his heart pounded a drum beat in his chest when the female he’d been eyeing turned her head in his direction.
He watched light brown eyes narrow as she scanned the area. Cursing, he drew another invisibility rune in the air in front of his face. Admittedly, part of him was tempted to wave and ask her name. Luckily, chanting drew the female’s attention back to the group. He listened carefully, hoping to hear helpful information regarding the demons.
“What’s wrong, Kennex?” he heard another female asked the red-headed beauty.
“I thought I felt a presence, but it’s probably just my nerves. I can’t believe they’re going through with this,” Kennex replied. Ayil wondered what the female was talking about, but at least it seemed she wasn’t in agreement about the ritual.
On swift feet, Ayil made his way through the trees and ducked between two houses. As he passed between the buildings, he stepped over small wooden soldiers and a rocking horse. He glanced through a window and spotted two small children, a male, and a female.
