“You look fabulous by the way,” he remarked, glancing over his shoulder. “That’s a great color on you.”
“Thank you. When I moved into the room, there were boxes of clothing waiting to be opened. It’s all designer labels I shudder to think of the cost.”
Elijah waved a dismissive hand. “You’re one of them now, enjoy the privileges that come with it.”
“It’s not that easy when you’re not born into it. I’m terrified I’ll break a glass, or bump into a statue that costs more than I earn in a year.”
Elijah nodded. “How are you coping with all that’s happened?”
Reba’s hand stilled on the buckle of her shoe and she sighed, she hoped he wouldn’t drill her about the dreamscape episode. “I find it difficult to sleep, but with all the warriors around me, all I have to do is scream, I guess.” She stood and wiggled her gold polished toes as she settled her feet into the sandals.
“Just remember Reba, a problem shared is a problem halved,” Elijah said.
“My problems started the moment I woke up and found myself back in this city.”
“And you think this creature won’t hunt you down and find you out there?” He waved a hand in the air.
“He’d have to catch me first,” she replied. “I’m not a distressed damsel you know. How do you think I survived these past ten years?”
Elijah’s brows shot up in surprise. “So this creature has been chasing you for years?”
“No,” she huffed, “I just meant, I know how to take care of myself.”
Elijah pursed his lips as he studied her face. “You’d be wise to underestimate his power Reba,” he shrugged. “But anyway, it’s your life.” He reached into his jacket pocket. “I have something for you.”
“For me?” Reba spread her fingers over her chest. “What is it?” She bent forwards, examining his closed hand. “Is it one of those old magic tricks you used to do to make me smile?”
Elijah smiled mysteriously and tapped her shoulder, making a circular motion with his fingers. “Face the mirror please.”
Reba did as he asked, holding her breath in anticipation. She half expected him to produce a blue rose to match her jumpsuit. Instead, she gasped as cool metal dropped about her neck. “Elijah, what is this?” she reached to touch the chain.
“Don’t you look yet.” He swotted at her hand. “You’ll spoil your surprise.”
“Okay, okay,” she laughed as his fingers worked the clasp.
“Now,” he touched her shoulders before he stepped away from her.
Reba sucked back a sharp breath. “OMG where did you find this?” Her fingers flew to her lips as she stared in total disbelief at the gold sunflower nestled in the notch at the base of her throat. “I never thought I’d ever see it again.” Her fingers caressed the petals of the pendant she’d not seen since she’d left David's Town.
“I found it in my bed.” Elijah slid his hands into his pockets as their eyes met before he looked away.
“And you kept it all these years?” She turned to face him, her voice a mere whisper as memories of her last months in David's Town returned.
Elijah shrugged. “Had I known where you’d fled, I’d have sent it to you. I knew you loved it as much as the man who gave it to you.”
“I’m sorry Elijah.” She bit her lip and moved towards him. “I didn’t deserve the love you gave me.” She touched the sleeve of his jacket.
“There’s no reason to apologize for the past Reba,” he covered her hand with his and squeezed gently.
Tears gathered in her eyes. “I couldn’t give you what you wanted.” She wiped a tear with her finger.
“Your heart, or the truth about who you were?” Elijah asked.
He deserved her honesty, but it was hard when she’d built her walls so high.
“My heart.” She drew in a deep, contemplative breath. “I was too broken to give to anyone, and the truth about me,” her laugh was derisive, “was something not even I knew. I ran from my demons and David's Town to find myself.”
“And did you?” He cocked his head.
“I did,” she admitted. “But I also told lies and destroyed relationships trying to protect my secrets. It turned in to a vicious circle, one I trapped myself in.”
Elijah pulled her into his arms, and she sagged against him.
“You can’t build a life on a foundation of lies.”
“I know.” She wrapped her arms about his waist. “You know who gave me the pendant.”
“It was obvious.” He placed a chaste kiss on her head.
“And yet you said nothing.”
“Reba.” He pulled out of her arms. “You were like a bird with shattered wings, and I was arrogant enough to think I could help you heal and win your heart from the ashes of his dead memory.”
“Our love was taboo,” she whispered. “I was human, and he is angel.”
“Well perhaps your chance has come. Don’t fuck it up with lies and secrets again, Reba. Second chances are a rare commodity in this world.”
“But he doesn’t remember me!” She swung away from Elijah
“Then get down there and make him fall for you again. Don’t sit up here wringing your hands and wasting time. Life is too short for this bullshit game you’re playing with him,” he chastised. “Be honest with him, tell him everything. You really haven’t got anything to lose.”
“Fuck you, Elijah!” She spun back to face him, a smile on her lips. “I might just do that.”
Reba and Elijah descended the stairs as Kathleen sounded the dinner bell. They followed the guests making their way to the dining. The medieval theme here was much like the rest of the house. The floorboards gleamed, and the old timber furniture smelled of lemon polish. A long dining table was situated in the center of the room and above it hung an enormous wrought iron chandelier. White candles burned in glass holders effectively lighting up the room as Kathleen walked around lighting the wall sconces.
“Looks like Danjal has a pretty good turnout tonight.” Elijah glanced around. “I see Munro of the Wolves and his wife Rhona.” Munro was a striking man in his mid-forties with a mane of golden hair. “And the redhead with Roharn is my High Priestess, Erica.” He nodded in their direction.
Roharn smiled and waved.
“She’s pretty.” Reba waved back.
“Yes, and the good doctor didn’t fail to notice either. At least he isn’t as bad as his twin, Satchel, when it comes to women.”
“Roharn has a twin?” That was a surprise to Reba.
“Yes, twins are pretty common among the warriors. Speaking of which, see the ladies with Noah?”
Reba nodded.
“They are the seven matriarchs of the angel clans.” Elijah said.
“The Sisters of Eve?” She studied the regal middle-aged women with interest.
“Not the original ones, of course, but yes, that’s what we still call them today. Let's sit together, so I can tell you who’s who in the zoo.”
Once seated, Reba scanned the room. There was no sign of Danjal, and she wondered why he wasn’t present to greet his guests. Instead, Roharn and Shaiton acted as hosts in his stead.
The chairs filled up quickly as the unit leaders took their seats. Reba admired how well they all scrubbed up in their collared shirts and dinner jackets. There were two empty seats opposite her, and she assumed one was Danjal’s, but the other was a mystery.
“The coup of the evening just arrived!” Elijah stage whispered as the room fell silent. “And on Danjal’s arm to boot.”
Danjal stood in the doorway and Reba’s heart somersaulted. The rapid release of adrenaline into her bloodstream left her momentarily dizzy as her blood pressure soared. He was positively gorgeous. Dressed in black pants and matching waist coat, under which he wore a white shirt. At his side, a tall woman, her hand tucked into the crook of his arm.
“Lady Green!” Elijah said for Reba’s benefit.
“It’s a vampire!” Reba muttered furiousl
y. “What’s he doing with a bloody vampire?” She looked about the table noticing the smiles of welcome on the faces of the other leaders.
“Reba, it’s okay, she’s not the enemy.”
Elijah placed a hand over her shaking one.
“She’s different; we believe she has good intentions by being here tonight.”
“No vampire has good intentions,” Reba hissed between gritted teeth.
Red-hot pokers of jealousy stabbed at her heart when Danjal smiled down at the beautiful creature. “How can he walk in here parading her like she’s a fucking trophy?”
“The vampires live here in David's Town, Reba. Noah and Isiah signed a treaty permitting them to stay. It’s an experiment, their food source is pig blood and they’re carefully monitored by the warriors. The goal is to prove vampires don’t need to kill humans to survive.”
Reba pursed her lips tightly as Danjal led Lady Green to one of the empty chairs and waited for her to be seated before he took his own beside hers. Danjal introduced her as Gigi and the table erupted into excited chatter as the leaders introduced themselves.
“She is the Beta of the Lantern coven,” Elijah said. “Danjal is encountering trouble with Prince Sebastian. It seems he’s selling vampire blood to the citizens of Basildon. Sebastian hates Danjal and hasn’t been cooperative of late, so having her ear is vital to the angels.”
Reba wasn’t sure what pissed her off more, the fact that Gigi was a vampire, or the way Danjal smiled and laughed with her.
“Are you going to introduce me to this ravishingly beautiful woman, Elijah, or do you plan to keep her all to yourself?” A dark-haired male with soulful eyes admired Reba openly from across the table.
“My apologies, Sinclair,” Elijah rolled his eyes at the flirtatious man, “This is Reba, Isiah’s long-lost daughter.”
“Yes, so we’ve heard,” Sinclair drawled, and a slow, appreciative smile spread across his lips. His accent of the sort that could blow a woman’s panties right off her body.
Reba appreciated his sharp wolverine features, framed by thick shaggy shoulder-length black hair. His playful smile was a welcome distraction from Danjal and the vampire.
“Reba, this arrogant rake is Sinclair Robinson. He’s the Beta of the Arcadian wolf pack. Just be aware, he uses that Irish accent to lure unsuspecting women.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
“Welcome to the madness that is David's Town.” Sinclair winked and raised his beer glass to her.
“Cheers.” Reba clinked glasses with him and caught sight of the thick silver band on his left hand. “I’ve never met a wolf shifter before.” She returned his smile, her interest wanning. She wasn’t interested in flirting with a man that was already claimed. Been there, done that.
“Then best I make a good first impression.” Sinclair brought the glass to his lips, his eyes danced over the rim and Reba found it hard not to return his engaging smile.
Dinner proceeded and the conversation was light. Anecdotes of the city were exchanged, and gaudy jokes thrown across the table. Reba battled to focus on the surrounding conversation, but her gaze kept returning to Danjal.
He was deep in an exchange with Munro and the vampire bitch. Reba struggled to deal with him being so captivated by the woman. She might be beautiful, but so was the one who’d ripped Betty’s throat out.
Above the table the chandeliers metal links rattled softly, and Reba looked up. The flames of the candles sputtered in their glass holders as if caught in a breeze.
“Shit!” she muttered as gooseflesh covered her body. “Not again!”
“Reba, what’s wrong?” Elijah asked.
“He’s back,” she whispered.
Tilting her head, she strained to listen. The chandelier swayed noisily in the breezeless room. Guests stirred and shifted, alerted that something was amiss.
“Who is here?” Sinclair asked, the growl of his wolf deepening his voice.
“That blasted creature that won’t leave me alone.” Her voice trembled and her skin crawled. She gripped the edge of the table fighting off the fear which draped itself over her like a wet blanket.
“I thought you put up wards, Elijah?” Danjal demanded.
“Clearly he’s managed to find a way around them,” Elijah bit back.
“If that creature blows out more of the Convent windows, it’s going to fry in hell by the time I’m done with it,” Danjal vowed.
“Nobody move!” Elijah stood and took Reba’s hand. “Erica, join us. Let’s move away from the table slowly.” Reba gripped Elijah’s hand. Her blood ran cold, and her insides turned to lead.
“Whatever power you have hiding inside of you Reba, it’s time to haul it out and use it,” Elijah said.
“I smell smoke.” Sinclair angled his head and sniffed at the air.
“All witches leave a signature behind when they use magic, it’s unavoidable,” Elijah explained, “That’s why I suspect the creature that plagues our city is one too.”
Danjal stood. “Show yourself so we can be done with this bullshit!”
Lady Green rose beside him hissing, her head flicking this way and that.
At Danjal’s challenge, a large oil painting of an angel crashed to the floor.
“Bastard!” Reba shouted and another painting crashed to the floor.
“Show yourself instead of hiding behind your cowardly magic.” Danjal pushed away from the table and paced furiously around the perimeter of the room.
The table shook. Plates, glasses, and cutlery clashed together, and the diners pushed away in their chairs as the table rose and levitated.
“Danjal, Elijah, over there beside the hearth.” Reba pointed to the fireside at a ghostly figure. “Can you see that? I think it’s a nun?”
“That’s Mother Superior’s ghost,” Danjal called.
The specter of Mother Superior held a wooden cross in her hand, from which a beam of light erupted.
“Your religious artifacts don’t frighten me,” a disembodied voice screeched.
The light from the crucifix shifted and highlighted a misshapen creature. It stood a foot high, the head of a goat on its crooked shoulders, and arms so long its hands dragged upon the floor.
“My master demands your presence at his side, tonight,” It waved a bony finger at Reba.
“Your master will not make demands of me.” Reba drew herself to her full height and straightened her shoulders.
A strange sensation quickened in her blood, one she’d not experienced before but instinctively trusted as the timbre of her voice altered when she called out. “Leave this house, now, and tell your master, I will not be summoned to him like a dog.”
“You have no choice!” it hissed.
The familiar burn began at the base of her spine, stronger, more potent than ever, and Reba braced herself as stream of energy raced upwards and flooded her neural pathways. Her hands tingled and glowed like coals in a fire.
“Reba is not leaving this house!” Danjal moved up behind it.
“I will not leave without her!” Using its arms, it swung its body forward and launched itself into the air.
“Reba, watch out!” Danjal shouted.
But Reba stood her ground, raised her arms, palms facing the creature that flew towards her. Small orange balls of fire blasted from the center of her palms and slammed into the body of her attacker. Its shrill screams cracked glass, and the chandelier exploded. Candles fell onto the table, and the guests rushed to put out the flames.
“Get out of the way, Reba!” Elijah bellowed, but his warning came too late as the creature crashed into her; its momentum pushing them both to the floor.
Pain like she’d never known before washed over. She pushed and grabbed desperately at the monster wrapping itself around her but to no avail. Once again, she burrowed deep inside and conjured the light that was her only weapon. Black shadows blotted her vision and the air in her lungs froze. She gasped for another breath, but her throat constricted. Pain. S
o much pain. Her world grew dim, and her surroundings faded.
Danjal
Danjal set upon the creature trying to rip it off Reba while Elijah fell to his knees chanting, his hands moving frantically above her. Silver sparks flew from his fingers in a circle formation.
“Danjal stop, brute strength won’t get it off her,” he said as his high priestess joined him.
“Let them work,” Roharn grabbed Danjal’s arm to pull him away, “You cannot help her.”
“Thank you for setting me free.” The creature whispered and disintegrated to fine mustard particles that settled around Reba and seeped into her skin, rendering her unconscious.
“Reba!” Panicked Danjal shrugged Roharn off and grasped her shoulders shaking her limp body, “Reba speak to me!” he pleaded. But her body lolled like a rag doll beneath his hands. “Reba!” he slapped her cheek, “Reba for God’s sake wake up.”
Her eyes were wide open, her pupils constricted to pinpoint, he pressed his fingers into her neck searching for a pulse that would assure him she wasn’t dead. “What’s going on with her Elijah, why won’t she wake?”
“Let Elijah see Danjal,” Roharn’s commanding voice cut through the cloud of his panic and he let her sink to the floor.
“We can’t help her,” Roharn whispered, “Allow Elijah and Erica to do what witches do best.”
Reluctantly Danjal made way for Elijah and Erica but he paced the small area, his boots smacking the wooden floors with every step. They called for salt, sage, and rosemary along with other herbs from the kitchen. Erica lit candles, placing one at both of Reba’s hands, feet and one above her head, and then she poured the salt around them forming a wall of protection.
It felt like an eternity before Reba stirred.
“Danjal,” Elijah sat on the floor exhausted, “We have to get her to the Oracle; she’s the only one who can free her from that entity. Our spell won’t last long, and I can’t use a portal to transport her.”
“Why not!” Danjal demanded.
“The turbulence will disrupt the spell,” Elijah replied.
Run Angel Run: A Steamy Dark Fantasy Romance (The Angels of David's Town Book 1) Page 12
