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

by Karen Van Der Poll

  He sighed, and flopped onto his back, folding his arms behind his head. “As warriors we are bestowed the gift of three deaths. After that, we suffer true death.”

  “How many deaths do you have left?” She turned onto her side, and walked her fingers over the dips, and valleys created by his abdominal muscles.

  “That was my first…”

  “So, you get to die twice more?”

  “I do.”

  “Does it hurt?” She rested her chin on his chest, looking into his eyes.

  “Sweetheart,” his chest heaved, and he sank his fingers into her hair. “What do you think?’

  “I meant coming back to life. Your eyes are a different color now, so I just wondered if it was like shedding the old body you know, like a chrysalis.”

  Danjal shrugged, “when I woke to my second life, they were different, and my memories of the past year were gone. Our scientists and doctors cannot explain the phenomenon.” He lifted his head, and took her lips in yet another kiss. “Baby I want to make you come,” he coaxed her. “I’m all about reciprocation, and so far, it’s two to me, and zero to you,” his voice rasped. “I need to see you come.”

  His kiss was overwhelming, and her body responded to him as it always did. He turned onto his side, and slid his hand up her thigh, under her shirt, and over her ribcage. Where he cupped her breast, and gently dragged his thumb across her nipple.

  Reba moaned, as arrows of pleasure shot to her core, “Danjal wait.”

  “Baby no, save it for later, just feel now.” He lowered his head to capture her lips, but she turned her away, and his lips slid along her cheek. He pulled away, and looked down at her. “Baby, what now?” He exhaled, and frustration dripped from his voice.

  “The Necromancer,” the words tumbled from her mouth. “He paid Rupert to seduce me, and bring me to David's Town, on the premise of a holiday of a lifetime!”

  “What?” Danjal pulled his hand from her breast, and sat up abruptly. “Why for the love of God didn’t you tell me weeks ago?”

  “I was afraid and embarrassed. All Rupert told me that night, was that some rich dude paid him two million pounds to get me to the city. How did I know it wasn’t one of you that wanted to…you know, murder me!” she mumbled. “I think there was a drug in the champagne he’d put in the limo as my welcome to London surprise. I passed out and when I woke, he was in the cabin with me, and I was wearing handcuffs. I was petrified.”

  “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Danjal rose to his feet. “Christ Reba, this is vital information, how could you not tell me?” his voice held a sharp bite.

  “I was afraid…you have to understand. You warriors were the only people I knew who lived in David's Town. Rupert said this rich guy, knew all about me, and the magical things I can do,” she choked out.

  He held her gaze for a moment, his eyes stormy, and fear prickled beneath her scalp. “Danjal, please,” she couldn’t lose him now, not when they’d gotten this far. Knots formed in her belly twisting painfully, and she sucked back a breath.

  His eyes narrowed, and his dark brows pulled together. “You can’t keep things like this from me Reba, not when I’m doing my damnedest to protect you.”

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered, as she fought back the hot sting of tears, as they burned behind her lids.

  Danjal pulled her to her feet, and gathered her into his arms. “I can understand your fear.” He rubbed his hand along her spine. “But you have to tell me the truth.” He held her away from his body, and grasped her chin between his fingers, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Is that everything now?”

  Reba nodded, hating that she lied again, but she wasn’t ready to tell him she’d killed a human a year ago.

  “Okay,” he brushed her mussed hair off her face. “Let’s go to the kitchen, and get a couple of coffees. I can’t think with this,” he looked at his erection that bobbed between them. “I need to redirect the blood back here,” he touched his head, and his laugh sounded a little self-derisive to her.

  Reba watched while he picked up his jeans, and slid them up his long legs.

  “Perhaps I should put some underwear on too,” she hurried across the room to a chest of drawers.

  “Best you do, I wouldn’t want any of the horny bastards in the house seeing you dressed that way.”

  Reba giggled, as she pulled open a drawer where she selected panties and a bra, which she hastily pulled on.

  Danjal opened the door, and waited for Reba to walk through before following her. They were midway down the passage when the door to the room next to Reba’s opened, and Monique stepped out. Her long hair was messy, and she wore sleep shorts and a camisole top.

  “I take it my protective services are not presently required?” Her lips twitched, as her gaze took in Danjal’s bare chest. “Your warrior looks more than capable of taking care of you.”

  “I’m in good hands,” Reba replied as Danjal slipped an arm around her waist, and pulled her into his side, he pressed a possessive kiss to the top of her head.

  “So I see,” Monique folded her arms across her chest, and her lips pulled back in a mischievous grin. “Very well, I’ll head back to bed then, but remember we have a busy day of training to get through tomorrow, you may want to get a semblance of sleep at least.” She gave a small wave before disappearing into her room.

  Danjal flicked on the lights as they entered the kitchen. Reba headed for the coffee machine, and pulled out two mugs, while Danjal found the milk in the fridge.

  Reba admired the beauty of his shirtless, barefoot form. The way his hair stood at all angles, all mussed and sexy, as he rummaged in the various tins on a shelf above the microwave. She remembered, he’d always been ravenous after sex, and many times he’d raided the fridge in her tiny kitchen. When he was seated, she handed him his coffee, and took the chair opposite him.

  “So, I did some reading in the library yesterday,” she decided now was as good a time as any to broach the subject, which had gnawed at the back of her mind.

  Danjal nodded, as he chewed a mouthful of muffin.

  “It’s about the wings you warriors are born with,” she paused, and wrapped her hands around her mug. “They’re deformed at birth correct, and they look a bit like chicken wings?”

  “Yeah,” he shrugged, “just useless appendages.”

  “So they are tied off, like we do the umbilical cord?”

  “Yes,” he nodded, “they fall away just like the excess cord does.”

  “And the scars they leave are faint, barely visible?”

  He nodded.

  “Yet yours are not like that.” She brought her mug to her mouth, and studied him over the rim.

  Danjal kept his eyes averted from her, and toyed with the muffin in his hand.

  “Yet yours are deep and angry, and the scar tissue is knotted and red.”

  Danjal didn’t answer, and Reba watched a muscle jump in his cheek, as he pressed his lips together.

  “Danjal,” she inhaled deeply, as an awful thought settled in her mind. “Did you kill Garry Cullen that night we argued, and you stormed off?”

  “They said it was me, didn’t they?” His tone was clipped, as he stared her down. “That French girl who took the photos swore on a bible it was me.”

  “I felt the pictures weren’t clear enough to be certain,” Reba said “And then of course the killer was demonic in appearance, he had these massive wings.” She held her arms out at her sides.

  Danjal’s mouth twisted as he looked over his shoulder, and examined his back. “Have you seen wings on me?” He looked at her, his violet eyes stormy as he shoved the last of the muffin into his mouth.

  “I’m sorry Danjal,” she let out a hard sigh. “You took the blame for it, and paid a high price too. I never doubted your innocence back then, but it was such a crazy and unsettling time.”

  Nodding, he reached for his coffee and took a sip, “I know you went through hell too Reba, I’m just sorry I wasn’t there for you.” />
  Reba rubbed the side of her neck, her fingers running over the pinprick scars, she didn’t want to remember the horror of her ordeal, “Tell me about Malakai?” She changed the subject.

  “He unsettles you, doesn’t he?” The side of Danjal’s mouth quirked upwards.

  “I guess,” she admitted. “He does have that mysterious, but scary vibe about him.”

  “I’ve known Kai for many years, if anyone can catch this bad witch, Malakai can.”

  Reba shivered at the mention of the Necromancer, “I wish I knew what he wanted with me.”

  “You’re a fire witch sweetheart, and they are powerful beings. Once you learn to use your powers, you will be a one-man army. If I were him, I’d want you on my side too.”

  “I am on your side Danjal,” she whispered. “I want to help avenge my father and brother.”

  Danjal pushed his empty mug to the center of the table, and rose from the chair. “Then you have to learn to master your flame babe,” he walked around the table, and pulled her from her seat. “You’re a rare one, my sweet,” he picked her up and sat her on the table. “And I intend to not only protect you, but serve in any way I possibly can.” He pushed her thighs open, and slid between them. “You should see Roharn soon, and get that contraception thing sorted. I get horny around you, and I don’t think clearly.

  Reba agreed, she knew if they continued this way they would slip up, and neither of them was ready for the consequences. She closed her eyes, as he stroked her thighs, his calloused hands rough on her skin.

  “You’re so soft and smooth,” he buried his face in the crook of her neck. “I could eat you on this table.”

  She felt him suck on her skin, his teeth nibbling at her, and she sighed winding her arms around his neck.

  “Danjal, I thought you would have made better use of your downtime, than midnight trysts in the kitchen with Isiah’s daughter.” Noah’s voice full of disapproval boomed around the kitchen, wrenching them apart like guilty teenagers necking on the front porch.

  Danjal squared his shoulders, and faced his father, “I didn’t realize I needed your consent on what to do with my off-duty time, or with whom I spent it.”

  “I’d like a word in private with the commander, Rebecca.” The ice in Noah’s tone set Reba’s nerves on edge, as he dropped his arms to his sides, his fingers flexing as his hands formed white-knuckled fists. “Now!” he grated, when she hesitated.

  She looked at Danjal, his jaw was a hard line of fury, and his nostrils flared. “I’ll see you soon,” he helped her from the table, though his hand was gentle on her hips, she felt the fury pouring from his body.

  Reba hastily pulled the shirt down around her thighs, thankful she’d worn underwear. She headed for the doorway where Noah stood impatiently, holding it open. He didn’t look at her. His rage was focused on his son.

  When she reached the great staircase, she heard the kitchen door slam shut. Pausing she fought down an overwhelming urge to go back, and listen at the door. From where she stood, she could hear their raised voices, but not what was said.

  “Eavesdroppers never hear good things about themselves.”

  Malakai stood at the top of the staircase, looking down at her. Dressed all in black, he carried a leather backpack, draped over one shoulder. Fuck, she’d not noticed him up there. Shaking her head, Reba took the stairs two at a time, passing him without a word. Danjal would be up soon enough, to tell her what Noah’s beef was.

  Returning to her room Reba paced before her bed, wringing her hands. Why was Noah so angry at finding them together? They’d done nothing wrong. It wasn’t as if Danjal was on duty, and they were fucking over his desk!

  God, she needed to clear her head, her heart was pounding so hard. She could hear the blood rushing in her ears. She marched towards the French doors, and wrenched them open. Icy-cold air poured inside, making her gasp, as it soaked through the flimsy material of Danjal’s shirt. Her nipples pebbled painfully, and she wrapped her arms about herself.

  Fuck, this city was always so damned cold, she hissed as she stepped onto the freezing stone tiles, and padded towards the railing. The sky was clear of clouds, and she could see thousands of stars, scattered across the heavens. A half-moon hung low over the gardens, dappling the statues, and flowers with its weak light.

  Tonight, the fury that passed between Noah and Danjal, as they stared each other down, had been chilling. Leaving her wondering if there was more going on between them, than Noah’s disapproval of finding them together.

  Her pensive reverie was broken by the roar of an engine, the driveway below her lit up, as the headlights of a dark truck sped around the side of the Convent. From above she read the large white letters printed on its roof.

  Angel one.

  “Danjal?” She whispered, it made sense that as the commander, his car would be Angel One. She watched as the red brake lights flickered in the distance, as it approached the enormous gates at the end of the drive. Her hands gripped the railing, as she watched the lights turn left, and speed away, until she couldn’t see them anymore.

  Fear sank its fingers around her heart, perhaps there’d been another murder, another poor soul captured by this monstrous creature. Innocents were dying out there, while she sat here in her ivory tower, protected by warriors and a personal bodyguard.

  No wonder Noah was pissed, but how were they to know something terrible had happened out there. She walked back into her room, and pulled the doors closed. Looking at her clock, it was just gone three. She needed to get some sleep. Monique had warned her last night, they’d a lot of work to get through, if she wanted to do her part for David's Town.

  Later that morning after breakfast, Reba and Monique were downstairs in the gym. Monique deemed it a good place to practice her flame, as it was a big space, with a lot of metal that her magic wouldn’t harm, if it went astray.

  “I think there was another murder last night.” Reba rolled a tiny fireball between her hands, and tried to concentrate on the flame.

  “Really. Why?”

  “Well Noah found Danjal and me in the kitchen, and he was pretty pissed off about us being together.”

  Monique frowned, giving a one-shoulder shrug, “It’s not his business, you’re both adults.”

  “I agree,” Reba chewed her lip, “but he was furious, and he and Danjal had a face-off. I thought there was going to be a punch up between them. Noah threw me out because he wanted a private word with the commander.” She made inverted comas with her fingers. “I could hear their raised voices, but not what was said. Then Kai caught me eaves dropping, he was at the top of the stairs, and I hadn’t noticed him there. So I had to go back to my room. But I was out on my balcony freaking out about Noah’s reaction to us, when I saw Danjal’s truck come flying up the drive, and out the main gates.”

  “And Danjal hasn’t contacted you, and explained?”

  “I don’t have a phone,” Reba’s shoulders slumped. “Mine was destroyed in the accident, and I’ve never asked for a replacement. I saw Sophie this morning, and she said Danjal wasn’t at early breakfast with his team either.”

  “Well, we may have to wait till dinner to find out what’s going on, or perhaps he’ll be back before then.”

  Reba nodded, “I hope it wasn’t about another murder.”

  “I’m sure it wasn’t Reba,” Monique gave a dismissive wave of her hand, “but we have a lot of work to get through, so let’s focus okay.”

  Though it still nagged at her, Reba put her troubled thoughts to the back of her mind. She listened to Monique’s instructions, and rolled the orange ball of fire between her hands.

  “That’s right,” Monique praised her. “Imagine that you’ve found the necromancer’s lair, and this is your chance to firebomb it.”

  At that thought, the power surged through her body, and the ball turned white with heat.

  “Good, now let’s imagine you’ve discovered the lair is full of hostages, and you don’t want to hurt
them. Pull that flame back into yourself. You don’t want to waste all the energy. Pull it back inside you.”

  Static crackled between Reba’s hands, as she concentrated on retracting the flame.

  “Imagine your hands are two ravenous dragons biting chunks off the flame, and swallowing it, taking the heat into their bodies.”

  Reba concentrated on her hands, forming the image of two dragons in her mind.

  “Now cup your hands around the ball, moving them closer, and pulling them gently apart.”

  Try as Reba may, the size of the fireball didn’t change, and she couldn’t get the imaginary dragons to eat the flames.

  “Do not give up. You have to pull it back into you,” Monique insisted.

  Reba’s arms shook beneath the strain, and a fine sheen of perspiration formed on her forehead. “Monique!” She cried out, “I can taste blood in my mouth…please...put it out. I can’t...I can’t hold on anymore.” The room was turning gray, and black spots blurred her vision. Her legs turned to jelly, and her body crumbled, splintering as she sank to the floor. Monique was calling her name, but she couldn’t answer, the sudden darkness, and silence was all-encompassing.

  “Well, hello sleepy head,” Roharn’s voice called from beside her, and Reba squinted up at him. “I thought you were never going to wake up.”

  She was lying on the gym floor, a pillow beneath her head, and a blanket tucked around her body.

  “Christ Reba,” Monique was on her other side, holding her hand. “You bloody scared me half to death.”

  “Oh my head,” Reba winced, rubbing her gritty eyes.

  “Elijah warned me about your seizures, but wow, I still wasn’t prepared for seeing it. And your nose,” she rubbed her hand up Reba’s forearm, “it gushes blood like a bloody tap.”

  “The fireball?” Reba looked up at her, “did you get the fireball.”

  “Don’t worry, I got to it and put it out, but you’re going to be tired, you lost a great deal of power by not reabsorbing it.”