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

by Karen Van Der Poll

  “My Ember recognizes your Ember, as part of the Eternal Flame, which dwells within those of us who are descendent, of the people of the Fire Tribe.” She pulled Reba closer, until their foreheads touched, and looked directly into her eyes. “It’s my pleasure to welcome you into the circle of the Fire family.”

  “Thank you,” Reba whispered, not at all uncomfortable by the intimacy of Monique’s greeting. This seemed natural to her, as was the fire she saw dancing in the dark eyes of the other woman.

  Monique stepped back, and pulled her hands free of Reba’s. The flame around her fingers extinguished, as she brought her palms together in supplication, and bowed her head, remaining that way for several seconds.

  Reba followed suit, recognizing this to be some sort of ritual greeting. However, her flame continued to burn, and no matter how deeply she focused on extinguishing it, the flames persisted.

  “I see we have much work to do,” Monique wrapped her hands around Reba’s wrists. “Would you like to start now?”

  Reba nodded. “Yes…yes please,” she whispered. “The summoning is easy, the dousing part is always troublesome,” she admitted. “I usually make small fireballs, and throw them to the ground.”

  “Ah earthing,” Monique nodded, and covered Reba’s hands. “This time I will snuff it for you.” Reba felt the power surge through her, as Monique blew out the flames. “You need never fear me, as I was chosen by powers higher than those present, to guide you on this journey.”

  Reba felt no fear, just a sense of calm, and a burning excitement at the prospect of exploring a part of her, she never understood.

  “Well then, why don’t we leave you and Elijah with Reba? Kai, Danjal and I, can retire to the study to discuss the tragic death of the teenaged wolf,” Noah suggested.

  As the three men headed for the door, Danjal looked over his shoulder at Reba. His smile was intimate, his gaze filled with warmth. Reba could have sworn she saw pride in the way his eyes swept over her.

  Neither Monique nor Elijah missed the interaction. “Oh la la, now that’s one scorching flame,” she fanned her face with her hand. “Whew, I wish I had some hot alpha warrior looking at me that way!”

  “Monique, you set fire to the last poor sod’s arse,” Elijah reminded her.

  “Humph,” she pulled off her little electric blue leather jacket, and threw it on a chair. “And he deserved it too!” She huffed putting her hands on her hips.

  Reba giggled, imagining the unfortunate man, running down the street, with flames billowing out behind him. How nice would it be not to hide her abilities, and to be able to express her anger with flames if she wished? There was something liberating about the thought of putting a name to what she was.

  “Well,” Monique flopped down on one of the nearby couches, and stretched her legs, letting her feet hang over the arm. “Tell me your story, Reba?”

  Reba sat in the chair she’d previously occupied, not knowing where to start with her story. She looked down at her feet, and twisted her fingers together.

  “When did you first discover your flame?” Elijah asked, and Reba’s brows knotted together, as she thought back to that first time.

  “Ten years ago, in David's Town, when I,” she swallowed around the lump, that formed in her throat, “when I was attacked by a vampire.”

  Monique sat up straight, planting her booted feet on the ground, “did you fry him?”

  Reba nodded, as she fought down the horror that memory brought forth. Her knuckles blanched white, as she dug her fingers into her palms. She’s never spoken about that night, not to anyone. “He had his fangs in my neck, and I’d just watched his accomplice rip out my best friend, Betty’s throat. I was petrified, but I was furious too. I remember that it felt as if something inside me ripped apart, right here.” She touched her stomach. “I could feel the heat pouring into my body. And then I was on fire, and so was he. I held onto him, and he was screaming, but he was the only one burning. I was so strong at that moment, he couldn’t get away from me, and I held him down until I blacked out.”

  “The flame is yours Reba, and there is no shame in using it to protect yourself,” Elijah said, noticing her distress. “I just wish you’d trusted me enough back then to share this with me. I could have gotten you the help you needed.”

  “Have you used your flame much since?” Monique leaned forward, her elbows on her thighs. She searched Reba’s face, her black eyes intent.

  “Mostly just fireballs and lighting candles,” Reba trailed off, running her hands down her jean-clad thighs. “There was this guy. He broke into my flat about a year ago. I was asleep, but I woke up to a knife pressed under my breast.”

  “What did he want?” Monique asked. “Money, sex?”

  Reba bit her lip, and wrapped her arms about her waist. She rocked back and forth for several moments. “I think he was sent to murder me…”

  “By whom?” Elijah’s voice barked, as he hurried to her side, and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Who wanted you dead?”

  “A disgruntled colleague, I received a promotion, she thought she was entitled to.”

  “What happened?” He squeezed gently, encouraging her to speak. “Tell us…”

  “I put my hands on his chest,” she whispered her voice hoarse. “I was just trying to push him off me. He was saying disgusting things.” She shivered, as she remembered. “My eyes were closed, and I prayed so hard. Then he suddenly began screaming, and I felt him struggling. When I opened my eyes, I saw he was on fire. We rolled off the bed, onto the floor. Somehow I was on top, and I held him down. I blacked out afterwards, and I know I suffered a severe nosebleed, because there was blood everywhere, and I wasn’t injured. When I came too, he was nothing more than a pile of ashes, which I vacuumed up, and flushed down the toilet.”

  “You have the right to protect yourself,” Monique said, her voice gentle. “Never feel guilty for doing that.”

  “I’m not sure the angels see it that way,” Reba shrugged. “I’ve not told Danjal any of this. I don’t want him thinking I’m some murdering demon.”

  “It is up to you what you wish to share with Danjal,” Monique said. “Perhaps when you’re more secure in your relationship with him, and when he is more comfortable with your budding powers.”

  “Normally an Elemental has a greater ability, and for you that’s fire.” Elijah paced before Reba, “but they also have a minor ability too, which is with a different element. Have you explored this yet?”

  Reba shook her head, “No It’s just the stuff I can do with souls.”

  “Fair enough,” Monique said. “I can help you explore that aspect, the soul stuff is Kai’s department though, and he’d know who can help you with that.”

  “Reba. I wish you’d trusted me enough back then. We were close, or so I thought.”

  Reba heard the hurt in his tone, “Elijah, I’m sorry…I was afraid...” her voice hitched in her throat.

  “You lived at the coven with me Reba, and I could see the Hex around you. I told you it was there, but you’d shut me out every time I mentioned it. So much of this heartache,” he waved his hand in an impatient gesture, “could have been avoided.”

  “She had to make her own way Elijah, given it was the long way round, but she’s come full circle, and here we all are, working together for a common goal.” Monique soothed the suddenly tense atmosphere.

  “Well then,” Elijah rubbed his hands together, “perhaps I should leave you ladies to it.” He leaned down, and kissed Reba’s forehead. “I will always be here for you.” He straightened and headed for the door. “Best I see myself out. I don’t think Noah would appreciate me blowing out of here by portal.”

  Danjal

  Reba’s door stood ajar when Danjal reached it. Soft music poured from within, and the smell of cinnamon and cardamom, the perfume she favored, permeated the air.

  “Come in,” she called before he knocked.

  Danjal slipped into the room, and closed the door
behind him. Wearing the white shirt he’d loaned her that first day at the convent, Reba sat in an overstuffed chair, beside the crackling fire. The shirt pooled around her slim hips, and her crossed legs. A glass of wine dangled from her fingers, and the empty bottle lay on its side at her feet.

  Several candles burned in the old-fashioned wall sconces, and along with the lit hearth. They provided all the light needed.

  “You summoned me,” his voice rasped, as he took in the sultry expression on her face.

  “I did,” she purred, swinging the glass in her hand.

  “How did you, and Monique get along this evening? I noticed you missed dinner.”

  Reba took a sip from the glass. “We ate in the library, and Noah sent Kathleen with two bottles of this divine wine, David's Blood.” She wrinkled her nose. “Monique said it’s vintage, and has a drop of angel blood in it!”

  Danjal leaned against the door, “it is pretty good stuff,” he agreed. “The angel blood tale is a sort of legend among us. We don’t know how true it is.”

  “Monique and I like the romanticism of the idea,” she tugged her lower lip between her teeth. “She’s pretty cool, and I know, we are going to work well together.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  “Monique and I talked about honesty tonight, and it got me thinking, about you and me.”

  Danjal agreed, they did need to talk, but her dressed like that, he wondered how long he’d be able to keep his hands off her.

  “Shall we start with the past,” she touched the choker at her neck, and he nodded, there was something about that damned necklace that gnawed at him.

  “Ten years ago, when I tended your shoulder on the bridge, we began seeing each other.”

  “I suspected so,” he walked towards her.

  “We snuck around,” she tilted her head, and her fingers traced the hem of her shirt. “Because the photos of the kiss we shared went viral.” She laughed softly, “We were on the front page of every newspaper in the city.”

  “I’ve seen the pictures and read the stories.”

  “I understood that it was forbidden for us to be together, and that you were breaking your angelic laws.” She took a deep drink of her wine,” But I didn’t care. I was so intoxicated by you, addicted to the way you made me feel.”

  “What happened to us Reba?”

  “I got jealous.” She looked up at him. “Your intended Bathsheba…”

  “Fuck no!” He cursed, as anger surged through his body. “Fuck it Reba, she had no right,” he spat the words.

  “Mmm,” Reba pursed her lips, “she paid me a visit at my flat one afternoon, and filled me in on the things I didn’t know about you, and the angels of David's Town.”

  Danjal ran an unsteady hand through his hair, and walked towards the fireplace where he grasped the mantel in both hands, and stared into the flames. “She had no right to do that. It was never official. Our binding was just talked about. I never agreed to anything!”

  “You see Danjal, naïve little fool that I was, I never knew that warriors were expected to mate with a daughter of a descendant of the Sisters of Eve, before they turn twenty-seven.” She gave a disparaging laugh, “Because it’s essential the bloodline remains pure, and your intended assured me her blood was the color of the driven snow.”

  “I never agreed to bind with her!”

  “Danjal, you didn’t explain a thing to me. You were just so arrogant and cold.

  I realized then that your loyalty lay with your kind, and that angelic lore’s and values, were different from the humankind. So, I threw you out, and told you I never wanted to see your lying arse again.”

  “I’m sorry Reba.” He could believe he’d responded to her in that way. “I don’t have the easiest personality, and I know I don’t deal with emotional stuff too well.”

  “Yeah,” she nodded. “I chased you away because I was hurting Danjal.” Her voice grew soft, and he saw the tears glisten in her eyes.

  “I didn’t care about anyone or anything in those days,” he admitted.

  “Yeah, so I found out,” her shoulders slumped. “I didn’t hear from you for two weeks after that, and then I saw it on the news. You’d been shot dead by a priest.”

  “Babe!” Danjal heard the hitch in her voice, and hurried forward. “I had to die. It was the only way to stop me from self-destructing.” He reached for her, he wanted to pull her out of that chair, and hold her.

  “No!” She held up her hand stopping him, and he watched as she heaved a long shuddering sigh. Her breasts move unfettered beneath his shirt, and he felt a stirring in his loins. “I don’t want your pity Danjal, that ship sailed ten years ago, but I was wondering if you wanted to make new memories.” She slowly parted her shapely bronzed thighs, giving him a clear view of her full-lipped, naked pussy.

  “Oh baby,” he groaned, and blood filled his cock hardening it in an instant. “You truly are a bloody witch, weaving your sex magic around me. Yes,” he could barely speak as his brain turned to mush, “I’d love that.”

  “Then come a little closer,” she crooned, and spread her thighs wider, the flesh at her core was the color of ripe burgundy grapes, and breath hissed between Danjal’s teeth. “Because tonight, is not about regret,” she ran a hand up the inside of her thigh, and he loved the throaty rasp in her voice, “but a celebration of our coming together once again.”

  Not trusting himself to speak he nodded.

  “Do you smell that?” She raised her heavy-lidded silver eyes to meet his, but the only thing he could focus on, was the glistening triangle between her thighs. “That happens when I think of you.”

  “Christ.” He clenched his hands into fists. He had to stop himself from dragging the teasing wench from the chair, and taking her right there on the floor.

  She took another sip of wine, “you gave me a sample yesterday,” she leaned forward, and her dark nipples pebbled against the shirt’s fabric. “And it’s all I can think about now,” she reached out, and curled her hand around his thigh.

  Danjal froze, as she walked her fingers up over his buttock, and along the waistband of his jeans. She paused at his fly, and ran a single finger along the prominent outline of his cock, where it pressed against the faded material.

  “Do you want me Danjal?” She glanced up at him, and tugged her bottom lip between her teeth. “Because I know what you like.”

  “Yes,” the word hissed past his lips.

  “Then take off your shirt,” she urged, gesturing with her hand.

  He smiled down at her, as his excitement rose in anticipation of the pleasure she promised him. He yanked off his T-shirt and threw it aside.

  “Unfasten your jeans.”

  Danjal fumbled like a hormone riddled teenager in his haste to obey her. He barely managed to pull the zipper down without damaging his burgeoning sex.

  Reba hooked her fingers into his belt loops, and tugged them to his knees. “Tonight we have to be creative,” she pushed her face into his crotch, and inhaled. “No penetration, I lost my pills in the crash.”

  Danjal sank his fingers into her hair. “Sweetheart, Roharn keeps us all supplied, you should have told me. My bedside drawer is stocked.”

  She pulled his underwear down, and his cock sprang free, hard, and eager. It hovered inches from her lips, “and spoil the surprise I had planned for you?”

  “Fuck!” Danjal ground out, as she clamped her lips around his leaking tip, and drove her mouth down the length of his shaft. His fingers gripped her curls, holding her head still while he panted. His abdominal muscles quivered, as he fought the urge to thrust deeper into the wet heat that engulfed him. When his hands relaxed, she slowly pulled her lips back, swirling her tongue along his engorged length. Her movements were slow at first, as she explored him. Gradually she increased the tempo, as she took him in deeper.

  Danjal pushed her hair off her face so he had a clear view of her mouth, as it worked him. “Yes baby, just like that,” he hummed.
“I’m going to fuck you so good sweetheart,” he promised. “I’ll be dripping from your pussy for days.”

  She looked up at him, her eyes silver pools of desire, he was so close. “No, no not yet, you cursed fucking witch.” Every cell in his body tingled, as he felt the wave rising in his gut, his thighs tensed, and his hips thrust forward.

  “It’s too soon baby,” he gulped, but there was little he could do to hold back the surge of pleasure as it reached its peak.

  She circled his girth with one hand, and ran her fingernails over his balls with the other. Her cheeks hollowed, as she took him deeper, and sucked harder. Danjal was mindless, just a base creature living on its instincts. He didn’t recognize the animalistic noises that left his mouth, as he gripped her head, holding her in place. He exploded in her wicked mouth.

  His balls were empty sacks when she finally released him. Her swollen lips, red as berries, held his tip as her tongue made one final swirl, before she released him with a loud plop.

  “You make a teenage boy out of me, Reba. I don’t know when I last came that fast, or hard,” he pulled her to her feet. “Come lie with me,” he led her towards the fireplace. “There is nothing better, than making out on a shag rug, beside a lit fire.

  Reba

  Danjal pulled her down upon the thick pile of the luxurious rug, and stretched out beside her. “I love the way my shirt looks on you.” He reached for the button nestled between her breasts, but Reba caught his hand. He arched a brow, his violet eyes searched hers.

  “There is much more for us to speak about,” she explained.

  “How about after,” he grinned sliding his hand under the collar of the shirt. He caressed the skin above her breast, and across her shoulder murmuring. “Your skin is so soft.”

  “Danjal,” she cupped his jaw. “There never seemed to be time for talking with us before, it was all about sex.” She traced her finger across his lips, still moist from their kiss. “You said you had to die, to stop yourself from self-destructing. Did you really die that day?”