by Nina Bangs
Edge figured he’d better clue Passion in. “These are Bourne’s deadliest troublemakers.”
“Where’s Sparkle?” Passion looked uneasy as she glanced around.
“My sweetie’s the best at what she does, but this job is going to need more of the physical stuff.” Ganymede sat on the arm of the couch, still in cat form.
Passion didn’t look convinced. “I’d put my money on Sparkle. I saw what she could do. There’re different kinds of ‘physical stuff.’”
No one paid any attention to her.
Bourne walked over to stand in front of Hope and Kemp. “Now. Let’s have a talk. Where is Archangel Ted?”
Hope’s eyes widened. “I don’t know. I don’t know anything.” Her gaze skittered to Kemp. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you might’ve told her.” Kemp sent Passion a glare that said traitor.
Bourne’s voice softened a little. “You did know Kemp was one of the avenging angels, didn’t you?”
Hope nodded and then looked down at her clasped hands. “I just thought Archangel Ted had sent him to check up on us, to make sure we were really trying to save souls.”
“I believe you, Hope.”
Bourne patted her hand, and she visibly relaxed.
He turned his attention to Kemp. “Where is Ted?”
Kemp said nothing.
“How many angels does he have?”
More silence.
“When will he attack?”
Silence.
“Want me to twist his balls, Boss?” This from one of the troublemakers standing in the crowd.
Kemp winced, but Edge gave him credit for not putting his hands over the body parts in question.
“Torture won’t make me tell you anything.”
Kemp sounded calm, but Edge watched him swallow hard.
Bourne didn’t address the ball-twisting offer. “Kemp, why do you want to overthrow me?” He seemed sincerely interested.
“Archangel Ted told us about all the evil you’ve visited on humanity. It’s our duty to destroy you so he can redeem your misguided followers and bring peace and goodwill to the world.”
A smile tugged at Bourne’s mouth. “Wow. Anyone who thinks they can do all that doesn’t really understand the situation. And I hate to break this to you, but he’s no more an angel than I am. He’s just another power-hungry immortal hoping to take over my job. Oh, and you’re not an angel either. Sorry.”
Kemp glowered. “I am an angel. He told us you were the voice of the devil, that you’d try to turn us against him.”
“Kemp, Kemp, we’ve talked to several real angels. None of them have ever heard of an Archangel Ted.” Bourne looked as though his patience was wearing thin. “And what self-respecting angel would admit to the name of Ted?” He waved the comment away. “Never mind about that.”
“Are you going to kill us?” Kemp seemed resigned to martyr status.
Hope gulped. She stared at Passion. “Please help me. I forgive you for going over to the dark side. I’ll go too, but I don’t want to die.”
Kemp shot her a poisonous glare.
“Neither of you are going to die.” Bourne glanced at the still-open portal. “Unfortunately, I don’t have time to convince you you’re wrong, so I’m just going to take you out of the equation until I’m finished with Ted.”
Everyone’s gaze shifted to the portal.
“When you go through, you’ll be in my house. There’s plenty of food. And if you use the Fantasy Fulfiller, make sure the fantasy is something you won’t mind my neighbors seeing.” Bourne waved them toward the portal.
Neither Hope nor Kemp moved.
Bourne exhaled wearily. “Why must I do everything myself?” He beckoned to them.
An unseen force lifted both Hope and Kemp from the couch and floated them over to and through the portal. Hope’s screams were the last thing Edge heard as Bourne closed it.
Passion stated the obvious. “Kemp didn’t answer any of your questions.”
Bourne smiled. “Oh, but he did. Every time I asked a question, he thought the answer. And I was in his head to hear them.”
“And?” Edge was starting to feel claustrophobic with all the power pressing in on every side.
“He doesn’t know where Ted is. His leader has been communicating in the same way he did with Hope and Passion. So no mental picture.”
“How many of the bastards are there?” Now that the couch was empty, Ganymede leaped down and stretched out on it.
Bourne didn’t look concerned. “About fifty avenging angels, along with the office staff that worked with Passion. The office staff won’t be a threat.”
Edge could see Passion bristle.
“Excuse me? Everyone in that office has skills.” She narrowed her eyes. “Have you forgotten what I can do?”
Bourne smiled. “I apologize. Of course you have amazing talent, but I’m thinking in terms of the ones who could rip our heads off.”
“Fifty doesn’t seem like much of an army.” A female troublemaker Edge didn’t recognize, but who had to be at least six-five, spoke for the first time.
“There only have to be enough to keep you at bay while Ted kills me. I’m sure he thinks that’s more than enough to take care of twenty-five of you. Of course, his fifty haven’t been forged in the fires of chaos, destruction, and general crappy attitudes. They’ll be way out of their league.” Bourne’s smile turned into something much darker. “And so will Archangel Asshole.”
“Since Ted didn’t have any luck getting Murmur’s help, do you think he found someone else to pad his forces?” Edge couldn’t imagine who he’d get on short notice.
“No vampires. No demons. No fey. What’s left?” Bourne shrugged. “Maybe a few dumbass shifters.”
“How do you know none of those beings will be helping him?” The voice of doubt came from the middle of the troublemaker mob.
“My last fortune cookie?”
No one had the nerve to call Bourne on his nonanswer.
“When’s the attack coming?” Ganymede didn’t seem to be experiencing any kind of adrenaline rush. The cat yawned, his eyes slowly drifting shut.
“Ted told Kemp to be ready at seven tomorrow morning. If they strike at dawn, they take away any help Dacian could give us. And there won’t be a bunch of humans up to get in the way.”
Passion widened her eyes. “We have to get the humans to safety.”
Before being drawn into Passion’s angelic orbit, Edge wouldn’t have given a damn about human collateral damage. But this was his woman—jeez, had he just thought that—and he needed to back her up. “Humans will be a distraction. Passion’s right.”
Ganymede opened one eye. “Sparkle can take care of that. She’s good at those kinds of things.”
Bourne glanced at his watch. “I want all of you to get a good night’s sleep. I’ll call you in time to eat before the battle.”
Ganymede gave a cat snort. “This is too civilized for me. Why aren’t we rampaging through the castle dragging the freaking winged wusses out of their hiding places and sending them to their real maker?”
There was a rumble of agreement from most of the other troublemakers.
Bourne cast Ganymede a stare guaranteed to drill a hole right through his fuzzy head. “Because the ‘winged wusses’ aren’t here yet. I’d know. Besides, your goal will be to disable, not kill them. They honestly believe the lies Ted has fed them.”
“Not kill?” Ganymede’s disbelief was echoed by the rest of the troublemakers.
“Feel free to pummel, pound, and punish. But no killing.” Bourne’s tone said he was throwing a bone to the bloodthirsty masses.
Ganymede didn’t look appeased.
Edge was enjoying Bourne’s put-down of Ganymede, but he had to ask a question. “When he realizes Hope and Kemp are gone, won’t Ted suspect you know about his plans and change them?”
“Probably not. He’s overconfident or else he wouldn’t even be attempting th
is. He can’t do anything until his forces are here, and he still won’t want to take a chance of Dacian weighing in. So he won’t attack before dawn.” Bourne thought for a moment. “As soon as you leave, I’m calling in Holgarth and Zane. They can wake the gargoyles and command them to stop any incoming nonhumans. I suspect Ted has enough power to shut them down, but not before they sound a warning.”
Passion looked doubtful. “Good luck getting Holgarth and Zane to work together.”
Bourne smiled. “Oh, they’ll work together.” His smile didn’t bode well for Holgarth and his son. “They’ll also be warding all of your rooms. No one will get in while you’re sleeping.” He turned to Edge. “You’ll have to stay in Passion’s room tonight. I’ve put three of the men in your apartment.”
And that was that. Everyone left his suite, but Passion held Edge back till last. She wanted to ask Bourne something.
“Edge has said he doesn’t know who created him. Do you know?” She felt Edge’s surprise at the question.
Bourne dropped onto the couch. “No. I found each of them wandering the cosmos like lost children. They were primal and savage, and like children, they had no focus for their power. I gave them that.”
She took a deep breath. Now for the scary question. “Why guide them along the path to chaos? Why not turn them into agents for good?” Passion hoped he wouldn’t use her body to open a new portal.
But all he did was shrug. “Their power was what it was. I couldn’t change it, only channel it into less destructive paths.”
Edge finally spoke up. “Less destructive? Have you looked at what Ganymede’s been doing for the last few millennia?”
“Change takes time. Ganymede’s power is under control.” He frowned. “Except for sporadic outbursts.”
“What if one of us wanted to change, to be something other than what we’ve always been?”
Edge sounded casual, but Passion could feel tension thrumming through him.
Bourne raised one brow. “Like into an angel?”
Edge looked horrified. “Crap, no.”
“Then I guess he’d have to talk to me about it. After we eliminate Archangel Ted.” Bourne closed his eyes, signaling that the conversation was over.
Edge paused once they’d left Bourne’s suite. “I have to get some clothes and things from my apartment. Go right to your room and lock your door behind you.”
“Is that an order?” Passion forced the frown from her face. He just wanted to keep her safe. That was endearing in a bossy kind of way.
He laughed. “It’s a suggestion. I’m not stupid. But Ted’s out there somewhere, and I don’t want you taking any chances.”
She dismissed his worry. “I’ll be careful. But Ted won’t be focusing on me. I don’t have any fighting skills, so I won’t be a danger to him.” Passion did want Edge to know where she’d be, though. “I have to talk to Sparkle for a few minutes, and then I’ll go to my room.” She smiled. “We’ll call room service and eat in. Then…” Passion let the possibilities simmer.
“Got it.”
Without warning, he pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with his. He tasted of elemental male and sensual promises. She deepened the kiss and hoped he sensed how much she wanted him. When he finally broke the kiss, he was breathing hard.
She watched him walk away, and then went in search of Sparkle. Passion found her in Sweet Indulgence, yawning as she leaned on her candy counter. Sparkle’s eyes lit up when she saw Passion.
“You’ve saved me from terminal boredom. I can count my customers on one hand tonight. What’s up?” Sparkle narrowed her gaze on Passion’s hands. “Chipped nails. We’ll take care of those tomorrow.”
Passion perched on a stool across the counter from Sparkle. “I have a problem.”
Sparkle’s smile was so potent that Passion was surprised it didn’t send out sex signals to all males within a ten-mile radius.
“Dare I hope you’re coming to me for advice on how to drive Edge into an erotic frenzy?” She slid the tip of her tongue across her bottom lip.
“No.”
“No?” Sparkle didn’t try to hide her disappointment. “But I have so much to offer.” It was just shy of a whine.
“Maybe some other time.” Passion knew she had a lot to learn about all that was sensual, and she had no problem with sitting at the designer-clad feet of the mistress of sex and sin. But just not tonight.
“First, did Ganymede tell you that Ted will probably launch his attack tomorrow morning?”
Sparkle frowned. “No. He has a nasty habit of assuming I don’t have any interest in ‘manly’ things. Usually he acts like a jerk when he’s in cat form. I wonder why?”
Passion forced Sparkle out of her musing about cat-versus-golden-god forms. “Can you do something that will get rid of the humans in the castle? Once the fighting begins, I’m afraid no one will care if they die.”
“I’m on it.” She pulled out her cell phone. “Holgarth, take care of something for me. Have Bill notify every human guest that a massive bedbug infestation is about to overrun the castle.” She listened for a moment. “I don’t care what you say. Improvise. Tell them bedbugs ate the guy in room 140. Warn them to get out of the castle now. We’ll refund all their money.”
Sparkle made a face as she listened to Holgarth. “It isn’t stupid. No one wants to take home hitchhikers who bite.” She thought about that for a moment. “Unless they’re superheated gorgeous vampires.”
Finally she sighed. “Just do it.” And she hung up.
She smiled at Passion. “Done.”
“Thanks. One more thing.” Passion hesitated.
Did she have the right to ask this of Sparkle? What would Edge say if he found out she was doing this? Okay, so he’d be ticked. But she cared enough to want him to have a shot at something other than being Death for the rest of his existence.
“Has Bourne ever released any of the cosmic troublemakers from their assignments?”
Sparkle didn’t answer immediately. “A few have been destroyed like Rabid. And some have been busted down to less important jobs because they weren’t good at what they were doing.” She shook her head. “But I don’t remember anyone asking for a different position and getting it.”
Passion wouldn’t give up that easily. She got right to the point. “If Edge didn’t want to be Death anymore, what would give him the best chance of convincing Bourne to go along with it?”
“Does Edge know you’re doing this?”
“No.” Passion held her breath.
“Good for you. I love women who take control. It’s sexy. Let me think.” She pushed a box of chocolates across the counter to Passion.
And while Passion waited for Sparkle’s thoughts, she scarfed down the candy.
Finally, Sparkle spoke. Good thing. Passion was well on her way to devouring every chocolate and then starting on the box.
“I think Bourne might be open to switching Edge with someone else. If I can come up with the name of someone who’d do a good job as Death and who wants out of their assignment, Edge might be able to make a deal.” Sparkle looked motivated. “Now, in return for my help, you have to learn a new sensual skill.”
Uh–oh. “I really don’t have time to—”
“Sure you do. This is just a little foreplay thing. You’ll learn it in a few minutes.”
Passion sighed. “Fine. Show me.”
When the first panicked evacuee from the bedbug invasion drove past Sweet Indulgence a half hour later, Passion was still practicing Sparkle’s Dance of the Seven Hershey’s Kisses. Who knew the things you could do with a Hershey’s Kiss.
A short time later, Passion was in the hall headed toward her room with a gift bag of Kisses from Sparkle in her hand. She was smiling. Sparkle had jump-started her sexual creativity.
Suddenly, one of the doors opened and a woman sporting a halo of white hair stepped out. Passion recognized her. This was the woman Edge had terrified when he’d lost control. She’d
returned to the hotel after Ganymede’s power surge, and Passion had seen her once more outside the castle’s restaurant. She remembered the woman telling her she should be helping people who deserve it. Obviously, the woman hadn’t meant cosmic troublemakers.
She looked frightened, and Passion figured if Edge and Ganymede hadn’t scared her away, then whatever was happening now must be a biggie. “What’s the matter?”
The woman’s hand shook as she reached out to Passion. “There’s a huge bug in my room. I’ve never seen anything like it. Will you come in and kill it?”
Passion frowned. After all she’d survived, an insect was scaring her? Suspicion touched Passion for a moment, but then she dismissed it. Different fears for different folks. She stepped into the woman’s room. “Where is it?”
The woman pointed into the bathroom.
Passion sighed as she walked into the bathroom. She looked around. “I don’t see it.”
“Sit down on the floor, Passion.” The voice was angry, dangerous, and familiar.
“Ted?” She couldn’t even turn to look at him. As her mind screamed for her to turn, to fight, to run, her body obeyed his command. She sat on the floor.
“You may look at me, but that’s all.”
Passion raised her gaze to meet his, but she couldn’t speak.
“If you could talk, I’m sure you’d ask where the sweet old lady went.” His smile chilled her. “She’s still here.” Too fast for Passion’s eyes to follow, Ted became the old woman. “I can be whatever I need to be. You never suspected.” Triumph filled his gaze as she changed back to Ted’s form.
There was nothing angelic about him now. The black swirling around him was just as dark as what surrounded Edge. His brown eyes had always seemed filled with love for everyone. Now? They gleamed hard and cruel. He looked bigger, menacing.
“I won’t need to tie you up, Passion, because I’m powerful enough to hold you here until I’ve finished with Bourne. You’ve been a great disappointment to me.”
“You too, jerk.” Passion wondered if he could read her thoughts. He hadn’t when he’d made his nightly mental visits to Hope.
Passion got her answer in a startling way. Without warning, something slammed into her mind. It was the equivalent of taking a battering ram to a castle gate. If she could have moved, she would’ve pressed her hands to her temples to keep her brain from leaking out, because she just knew there had to be a giant hole in her head.
