Run Angel Run: A Steamy Dark Fantasy Romance (The Angels of David's Town Book 1)

by Karen Van Der Poll

  “Stay down everyone,” he said, as he rose, and drew runes in the air with the silvery light from his fingertips. He threw each symbol into the four corners of the room, muttering enchantments, as he did. It took a few minutes before the oppressive atmosphere lightened, and he sank to the floor, panting.

  “I can’t fight this alone,” he gasped. “No one in my coven is skilled enough to help me. I’m not even sure, I know anyone skilled enough.”

  “Start digging deep, Elijah. Some witch out there has got to know how we can fight this.” Danjal kneeled beside the warlock, placing a reassuring hand on the man’s shoulder.

  “Fuck,” Munro groaned, “I hate that I have to go home, and tell this kid’s mother that she doesn’t even have a body to bury,” the big wolf shook his head sadly.

  “I’m sorry Munro, that corpse would have continued screaming profanities,” Elijah stumbled to his feet. “The undead will keep going, even when their flesh rots from their bodies. That’s something no mother should have to endure.”

  “You did what you had to do,” Munro shook his hand. “Those kids were just having fun, partying, making out, and smoking pot no doubt.”

  “This part of the city is derelict, and I’m sure that makes it more exciting for them too,” Sinclair added. “It’s a sin the kids can’t be kids anymore.”

  “I remember being a handful at that age.” Danjal put his hands on his hips, and looked up at the building. “But that’s not something I ever want to witness again. You may have to clip their wings, and keep them home. We’ve all suffered enough, at the hands of this bastard.”

  Sinclair’s shoulders hunched, “I hate feeling powerless, there must be something we can do to help.” He scratched the back of his head, “our youth are restless, they need to blow off steam.”

  “We are turning every building inside out, and it’s a tedious process, but we can only do so much.”

  “We can help,” Munro offered, “we can search Central Park, it’s only ten minutes from here, and may be a good place to start in our search for him.”

  “If you wolves are willing to do that, I’d be grateful.” Danjal nodded. “The sooner we get this bastard, the better. Perhaps Elijah can supply you with a witch for extra protection.”

  * * *

  “We should just flatten the entire place; I’ll bring in a couple of bulldozer’s and level it.” Munro said.

  “You can tear up the park, just don’t destroy the statues. They’re heritage, like these buildings, and Noah will chew my arse, if they suffer further damage.”

  “My pack will be here at daybreak.” Munro reached out, and shook Danjal’s hand. “We’re going to beat this together.”

  “I’ll let Noah know about your offer, I’m sure he will be happy for your help too.”

  “You know Danjal, when Noah and Isiah, first rolled back into town. I wasn’t too happy to hear of their big plans. We blamed them for David's Town’s destruction. The commander they instated before you, didn’t strike a chord with any of us. He concentrated on fixing up the Churchlands, and we watched as the angel troops moved in. He didn’t care if he united this city or not. To him, it was going to be the new City of Angels, and to hell with what the rest of us thought.”

  “Well, my approach didn’t help the cause much,” Danjal said, “I got every door I knocked on slammed shut in my face.”

  “Yes, but you made us pay attention. We listened, and watched from the distance. We saw you cleaning up the streets. When Isiah was murdered, we thought you’d go on a witch hunt. Look for someone to be the scapegoat, but despite your grief, you’ve not done that. I think Sebastian is disappointed, he’s been saying, that you’ll prove no better than Isiah.” Munro said.

  “Sebastian is a thorn in my side.” Danjal rolled his eyes impatiently, “at least his Beta Gigi, has shown some common sense in this matter.”

  “Well, as of tonight, I’m pledging my allegiance to David’s Town’s angels. We want to help you find this killer. We will stand with you, and we will raise this city together.” Munro vowed, and reached to shake Danjal’s hand.

  Reba

  The sun had risen from its slumber, when Reba ventured downstairs. The convent was quiet this morning, after the flurry of activity last night. Vehicles entered, and left the grounds in a convoy of hurried revs, and squealing tires. She’d assumed it was to do with Noah’s arrival.

  She’d waited patiently for Danjal, but he’d not returned.

  Perhaps he’d changed his mind? Reba’s heart sank at the thought.

  Her head throbbed with the fogginess of sleep deprivation. She’d replayed their heated tryst over and over in her head until she was breathless and longing for his touch. Many times during the night, her fingers slipped between her drenched folds and rubbed against her wanton nub. She clutched the sweater to her quivering abdomen, the scent of his sex driving her to explosive heights.

  Reba rolled over and kicked off the sheets. She desperately hoped to run into him this morning. That first meeting after the fact was always an awkward one, especially if you didn’t know where you stood with the other person. But first a shower.

  Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the kitchen door.

  Sophie sat at the table, a cup of tea in hand, her gaze dark and the spot between her brows furrowed.

  “Hey Soph, what’s up? It’s so quiet around here this morning?” Reba tried for upbeat and easy.

  Sophie shrugged, her gaze flittered toward a figure in the corner. Reba turned and paused. Her first reaction was to leap into Danjal’s arms and then she froze.

  “Oh shit!” and quickly put her hand over her mouth.

  The man pushed away from where he leaned against the wall, coming to his full height. “Now most would say that behind my back.” He smiled indulgently at her and placed his mug on the table.

  “I am so sorry,” she stammered. “For a second there, I thought you were Danjal.”

  “Oh, don’t apologize.” Noah waved off her apology. “Danjal and I are often mistaken for the other. It annoys him more than me,” he laughed, “It’s good being mistaken for someone half my age.”

  “I can understand why.” She gawked at him. “You could be his twin instead of his father.”

  A shadow flittered across Noah’s face, and his smile faded, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, at last Rebecca.” His hand was big, and it engulfed hers. “I’ve been looking forward to this moment for some time now.” He held her hand in his firm grip for several moments as he studied her features. “You’re even more beautiful than your mother.”

  “You knew my mother?” her heart leapt to her throat. “The documents you left for me to read held nothing about her.”

  “We met briefly in South Africa,” Noah released her hand. “But to be honest she fell off the planet, after she gave you to Isiah to care for.”

  “I have no memory of her…”

  “You were only two years old.”

  “But…”

  “Presently, I don’t have time to talk with you,” Noah brushed past her, “there was another murder last night, and Danjal is still not home. I’m afraid I’m manning the command station, but later this afternoon, I will find you, as there is a great deal we need to talk about.”

  “Oh… my God,” Reba stuttered, and rocked back on her heels, as icy fingers gripped at her spine. “Who, who,” she licked her suddenly dry lips. “Who was the victim?”

  “A teenaged Wolf,” Noah’s jaw tightened. “Barely seventeen I’m told. They were partying in the derelict part of the CBD.”

  Reba hunched her shoulders and dropped her gaze to the floor.“Did Danjal say he mentioned me again?” She asked quietly.

  “Unfortunately, he did,” Noah gave her a tight-lipped smile. “So be in the library around three. We can discuss your future then.” He then walked away with no further explanation, leaving Reba anxious about what he meant, about her future. She didn’t want to leave the convent now, not when she, and Danj
al were finding each other again.

  Reba loved the library, though she hadn’t been in here since the necromancer blew out its windows. So it was with some trepidation, that she pushed open the doors, and entered.

  Finding the books she desired, she curled up on a sofa beside the unlit fire. Trying not to think about that murderous creature sending another minion after her, she opened the leather-bound book, and began reading.

  So engrossed was she, she didn’t notice the time until Noah called her name. “Oh, how long have you been there?” She sat up clutching the book to her chest.

  Noah leaned against the fireplace, his arms folded looking down at her. “That was your father’s favorite chair. Oftentimes, I’d find him sitting there reading, just as you are.”

  Reba closed the book. “The origins of David’s Town make riveting reading.”

  “Isiah was a voracious reader,” he looked up at the tall bookshelves. “I suspect he’d read almost every book and journal in here.” He was silent for a moment, and Reba saw him wince as if in pain. “We were friends since childhood you know, we shared everything. Got into so much trouble too,” he laughed, and deep lines formed beside his eyes, and dimples popped beside his mouth.

  “You must miss him.”

  Inhaling deeply Noah’s lips tightened. “Something will happen, and I’ll think I need to call Isiah, and I reach for my phone,” he shrugged. “Yeah, it’s hard.”

  And Reba could have sworn she saw a glitter in the corner of his eye, but he looked over her, disturbed by the sound of the door opening.

  Reba looked over her shoulder, and saw a warrior, dressed in black leather from his head to his lace-up boots. His fine platinum braids fell about his shoulders, framing his smooth angular face. He reminded Reba of snow wolf, his white hair, and pale skin appeared iridescent in the overhead lights.

  “Ahh, Malakai!” Noah beamed, his mood lifting instantly. “You got here at last!”

  The newcomer reached for the hand Noah proffered, his stern face breaking into a warm smile. “I arrived several hours ago. I’ve been down at the barracks with Danjal meeting my unit, and getting an update on last night’s murder.”

  “Yes,” Noah nodded. “A dastardly business, I hope you can shed some light on this creature we are dealing with.”

  “Bad witches are my specialty,” Malakai winked. “I look forward to the challenge this hunt will bring.” he looked at Reba, his icy green eyes scrutinizing her face. “You must be Rebecca, the lady at the center of this mystery.”

  Reba placed her book on the table beside her chair, and rose to greet Malakai. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Malakai tipped his head, his braids falling forward. “Danjal omitted to mention how beautiful you are, Rebecca. It’s no wonder this necromancer desires you so, you’d be a gold bullion amongst his collection of decaying minions, and rotting puppets.”

  “Please call me Reba,” she felt her cheeks burn at his compliment. Malakai moved forward, and took her hand, brushing his lips across her knuckles. His touch sent chills up her arm, and she bit her lip, as a feeling of apprehension kicked off a flutter of butterflies in her gut.

  “And I am Kai,” he studied her face for long moments before he released her hand, and grunted. “She’s a fire elemental alright,” he bent his head, and sniffed the air around Reba. “What species is her mother?”

  “To the best of my knowledge, she was human,” Noah replied. “But she hasn’t been seen for years now.”

  Reba’s hands prickled as a rush of anger poured fire into her veins. She didn’t like being spoken about as if she weren’t present. “Are you an angel warrior?” She sensed there was something different about Malakai. It felt as though his pale eyes saw right through her walls, right into the secrets she kept.

  “Kai is one of us, but we all have different specialties, his is hunting rogue witches.” Noah explained. “He is here to assist us in the search for this murderous bastard.”

  “Elijah will need to school her,” Kai spoke as if she weren’t there again, and Reba bristled. “She is untrained, and I sense a cache of unleased power within her, which will prove dangerous in inexperienced hands such as hers. The sooner she begins her training the better.”

  “Elijah has tracked down a young, but powerful Fire Witch, who will work with Reba, she arrives tonight. That was something I was going to discuss with you this afternoon,” Noah told Reba, when he saw the surprise on her face. “She will move into the convent, and her duties will include teaching you, and assisting us with your personal safety.”

  The idea of female companionship lifted Reba’s spirits. It got dull around here, with her being under house arrest. “Some female company would be lovely.”

  “Elijah also wanted you to know, he chose someone you had a lot in common with, he mentioned I may need to lock up the good wine.”

  “Did he tell you her name?” Kai asked.

  “Monique Moffatt. She’s not one I’m familiar with.”

  “Nique!” Kai exclaimed his dark brows rising, “Dear God, that one is trouble alright,” he chuckled. “But yes, Nique is incredibly gifted, a great choice in teacher, and protector. I’ve worked with her over the years. Reba will be in good hands.”

  “I look forward to meeting her then,” Reba replied.

  “Have you given thought to the possibility it was Isiah, who employed a witch to hex Reba, to keep her safe from our Warrior Assassins?”

  “Unfortunately,” Noah nodded. “That thought has laid heavily on my mind since I heard of this Hex, and the possibility that the necromancer, is the one who placed the spell for him.”

  “And that the spell caster is now desperate to get to her, before it disintegrates, and we discover what it is he wants with her,” Kai added as he paced away, and swung back around. “This stuff you do with the souls Reba, is rather interesting, given he might be the one responsible for our missing warriors, and Isiah’s soul.”

  “I don’t understand,” Reba hunched her shoulders, talking about her abilities made her uncomfortable. They’d been her secret for years, sharing them with strangers, especially Kai made her apprehensive.

  “I saw Blue’s bodycam footage, and I suspect you are also the kind of witch we call a Soul Shepard. They are incredibly rare, and in the olden times, they worked closely with the angels of the heavenly realm. They can coax a soul from a body, and put it into a new host. They can also preserve a soul, until a suitable body can be found.”

  “This is all a little overwhelming,” Reba looked down her bare feet. “I sometimes wish I could go back to just being me.” the daily grind didn’t seem so bad now, as she thought about her little flat, and the life she’d left behind in South Africa.

  “You were never given the chance to be you, Reba,” Noah said. “And I’m sure all of this is what Isiah may have uncovered about you. It’s your birthright to become what you were meant to, and now that we know you aren’t of a demonic line, we’d like to help you.”

  “However Reba, I’d like to hear your version of events the night you arrived in David's Town.” Kai said.

  “Of course,” she pursed her lips, as a feeling of dread washed over her, and she plastered on her sincerest smile. Malakai would pick her lies. There was just something about him that set her nerves on edge.

  “Ahh Danjal,” Noah called out.

  Reba’s heart bounced at the sound of his name, and she looked past Kai to see an exhausted-looking Danjal walking towards them. He wasn’t alone though, beside him walked Elijah, and a rather beautiful woman. Who Reba suspected was her new teacher, and companion.

  There were dark purple bruises beneath Danjal’s eyes, and Reba stopped herself from racing to him, and flinging herself into his arms. She wanted nothing more than to kiss the tight line of his unshaven jaw, and thread her fingers into his dark velvety hair.

  He looked at her, and she caught the spark of heat that glittered in his eyes. She knew he felt the same, but now wasn’t th
e time. He was in Commander mode, as he walked stiffly towards his father, the general.

  “Good afternoon General,” he saluted Noah, “I apologize I wasn’t at the barracks to greet you yesterday sir.”

  “At ease Commander,” Noah replied gruffly, straightening his shoulders. “Duty will always come before pomp, and ceremony. Besides, I’ve enjoyed being commander for the day, brought back memories of some good times I shared with Isiah, years ago.”

  Seeing them together, their resemblance was as disturbing as their strained interaction. Reba could never recall seeing a father and son so damned alike, nor so estranged.

  “And this rather beautiful young lady,” Noah focused on the dark-haired woman who stood beside Elijah, “would have to be the Fire Elemental you promised us.”

  “Indeed, she is.” Elijah stepped forward, and shook Noah’s hand. “May I present Monique Moffatt, Fire Elemental witch, extraordinaire.”

  “Welcome to the Convent Monique, a pleasure to meet you.”

  Reba took the time to study the attractive witch, while Noah took her hand in an elaborate bow, and kissed her knuckles. Her swarthy features were framed by a tumble of thick black hair, which swung loosely about her slim waist as she moved. Her curvaceous hourglass figure was poured into well fitted black jeans, tucked into sturdy lace-up platform boots that Reba guessed, were at least nine inches high.

  “Thank you General,” Monique smiled, and her red painted lips pulled back to reveal a row of even white teeth. She had a charming cleft in her chin, a strong jawline and long swanlike neck. With her tanned skin, her race was indeterminable, but Reba put her money on there being a strong Latino gene in her blood.

  “Now I’m sure you’re eager to meet your student,” Noah beckoned Reba forward.

  Monique’s dark brows arched over thickly lashed eyes. She silently held out her hands, and Reba reached out, and grasped them in hers. The instant their palms touched, a flame erupted around their conjoined hands.