by Amy Sumida
Being an angel wasn't all it was cracked up to be.
Chapter Forty
“We have two royals with us,” President Colton mused. “Two houses, both alike in dignity...”
“Are you seriously referencing Romeo and Juliet?” I asked in horror. “You know that's a tragedy, right?”
“Two warring races with royal children who seem to have...”—Colton waved a hand between Malik and me—“something intense brewing between them. There are worse ways to end wars.”
Landry made an amused sound and slapped the back of his hand on the President's bicep. “I called him Romeo once too. But that was because he was watching Mara's window like a lovesick teenager.”
“Really?” Colton lifted an eyebrow at Malik.
“Perhaps you should stick to running your country, President Colton,” Malik said in an even tone. “You're far better at it than at matchmaking.”
President Colton chuckled. “Fair enough, Prince Malik,” he conceded. “But don't tell me the thought didn't enter your mind. I saw that pensive expression cross your face.”
“A match between myself and a Triari royal may have the opposite effect of what you're suggesting,” Malik said with a dark glance my way. “It could aggravate tensions instead of alleviating them.”
So, that's what the look had been about. If Malik brought an angel girlfriend home to meet his demon daddy, all hell would break loose.
“Well, that's just too bad,” Davorin said with a smirk.
Malik narrowed his eyes at Dav, but Davorin met him glare for glare.
“There appears to be more than one suitor vying for the fair Juliet,” Colton noted. “Are you certain you wish to give up so quickly, Romeo?”
“I never said that I was giving up; just that it was none of your business,” Malik said in a low, deadly tone.
“Lady Amara belongs with a man of her own race,” Kyrian snapped. “Have some honor and step down, Malik.”
“My honor is none of your concern either, Arc.” Malik bared his sharp teeth at Kyrian, and Kyrian started to get out of his chair.
“Sit the fuck down and shut up; all of you!” I shouted.
The men froze and stared at me in shock.
“I am right here, in case you haven't noticed,” I snapped. “And, believe it or not, I may have an opinion about who I see romantically. At the moment, I want nothing to do with any of you imbeciles. If you'd like that to change, I suggest that you stop arguing over me like a pack of dogs with a piece of meat, and start helping the President of the United States stop a criminal who may or may not be trying to instigate war on Earth. President Colton endangered himself just to come into the Supermarket and talk to you nincompoops today, and all of you are behaving atrociously!”
“Bravo!” Lily started clapping.
Leo and Jason joined in. The secret service agents were trying to hold back their smirks, the Bleiten were scowling ferociously at me, Landry was laughing uproariously, and the men who had just been fighting over me looked as if they'd swallowed lemons.
“Well said, Amara!” President Colton nodded approvingly, even though he had been a bit of an instigator.
I gave him a knowing glare, and he cleared his throat self-consciously.
“Give my people a few hours to get the gas masks and organize a team to assist you, and then you can proceed with your mission,” President Colton said. “I'll be monitoring the situation from the White House, and I expect the highest success from such a powerful group. Thank you all for your willingness and efforts to help America.” He looked around the table at everyone there. “I deeply appreciate what you're about to do for this country, and I wish you the best of luck.”
“Thank you, Mr. President,” I said as I stood with him.
After Colton shook my hand, he shook hands with every member of our team and thanked them each personally.
I walked him to the door with his security team and leaned in to whisper, “Excellent motivational speech, Mr. President.”
Colton chuckled and glanced back at the others. “Good luck; for the mission and your suitors, Juliet.”
Chapter Forty-One
As the group began to hash out everyone's positions and objectives in the park, I went upstairs to Landry's little kitchen to see if there was enough food for all of us to have some lunch. If not, I was going to send someone across the street to Mama's Diner. While I was rooting through the refrigerator, Malik came in. I heard his heavy footsteps approaching down the hallway, and a side-glance showed me the edges of his unmistakable aura.
I stood as I turned to face him; noting that his aura was brimming with shades of rose—sexual attraction of the loving persuasion. My breath caught in my throat; it had been a long time since I'd seen those colors in a man's aura—at least directed toward me.
The fridge beeped to remind me that I'd left it open too long, and I flinched. I hadn't even noticed the cool air blasting around my body; I suppose it had tempered my flushed skin. I absently shut the door as Malik stepped closer.
“I've been clear with you from the start,” Malik said in a deep, velvety voice. “You know that I want you. You've always known, haven't you?”
Malik moved closer until his body was a mere breath away from mine. I could feel the warmth of his skin and smell his spicy-warm scent—like a whiff of incense on a summer's night.
“Yes; you've been clear.”
“Then you must also know how my affections have grown,” Malik said as he lightly drew one hand up my arm.
“I've gotten that impression,” I whispered as I looked up into his turbulent stare.
“I can't let go of this.” Malik lowered his face to hover over mine; his breath tickling my lips. “But I can't pursue you further without making it absolutely clear that a relationship with me would be dangerous for both of us and possibly catastrophic to the Triari and the Bleiten.”
“You make such a convincing argument,” I teased him breathlessly.
“I don't want to mislead you, Amara,” Malik said softly as his hand crept up to my cheek. “It will be rough on us, but you don't seem like the kind of woman who'd be bothered by a little adversity.”
“Hardly,” I said.
“Then there's just one more question we need answered.”
“What's that?”
“Are we worth it?” Malik asked as he lowered his lips to mine.
A flash of shivering desire shot through my body as Malik's mouth moved softly; urging me to respond. I slipped my hands up his wide chest; feeling the hard curves of his muscles and the steady beating of his heart. Malik pulled me closer, and our auras mingled; becoming one pulsing, rosy sunset of desire and something more. Something profound that I've never felt before. I closed my eyes tightly; blocking out the colors and focusing on the man.
Malik was tender at first, but soon his kiss became more insistent, and his hands clutched me tighter. I curled my fingers over his shoulders and pulled myself higher on his chest; pushing our lips together savagely. I hadn't realized how much my feelings had been growing for him as well, and how much I'd been denying those feelings. Now, they were coming out in full force.
Malik groaned and lifted me off my feet; holding me aloft with one arm as he slid his other hand into my hair. He curled his fingers over the nape of my neck and deepened our kiss roughly. My dangling legs curled around his, and I used them to pull our hips together. The hard, thick length of him pressed against me intimately, but it wasn't enough. I needed more.
We were practically clawing at each other when Malik pulled away to stare at me with burning intensity as heavy breaths pushed his chest into mine. His stare traveled over my face possessively and then fell on my swollen lips. Malik brushed a thumb across my mouth gently and then lightly kissed me once more before he slid me slowly down his body and set me on my feet.
“Well,” he said a little breathlessly, “I think we have our answer.”
Malik lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it linge
ringly as he held my stare. Then he turned around and strode back the way he'd come. I stared after him; trying desperately to remember that I didn't jump into bed with men who I barely knew... and that my foster father was downstairs with two other men who would be hurt if I gave in to my urge to lure Malik into my bedroom. It's one thing to be passed over for another guy, but it's quite another to have the woman you're interested in sleep with your competition mere feet away. And it would be rude. I wasn't rude, nor did I want to hurt Kyrian or Davorin. But it seemed as if my heart had made a decision.
Chapter Forty-Two
A Special Ops military unit was allowed into the Supermarket for the first time ever. But they came in dressed as civilians and drove civilian vehicles with no more than three to a car. Each car had a member of our team in it as well; to get them through the Supermarket's gate. Then we split up and took several different streets to Market Park.
The Bleiten, however, made their way to the park in their own manner. And they beat all of us there. They even made a sweep of the park before we arrived.
“Did you use your battle-forms to fly?” Kyrian asked Malik when we reconvened.
“We were discreet, but not too discreet,” Malik said with a smirk. “We wanted to make sure they saw us.”
“I think we're good on that account,” Kyrian huffed.
“Sir,” one of the U.S. soldiers came up to us carrying a large, green duffel bag. “The masks.”
The soldier handed out masks to each of the Bleiten. Malik and his men fitted the gas masks over their heads and then covered them with the hoods of their black jackets.
“You look positively apocalyptic,” I said to Malik.
“Thank you,” his voice sounded hollow behind the dual filters bracketing his mouth.
“We'll be nearby if you need any assistance,” the human soldier said before he spoke into a tiny comm unit pinned to his collar. “Everyone in position?”
He walked away as he confirmed that everyone was ready.
“Be careful,” I said to Malik. “This guy is smart and furious.”
Malik nodded, and I headed off with Kyrian. I knew that Malik thought I was worrying for nothing; the possibility of failure wouldn't even occur to him. It wasn't cockiness, it was simply confidence and determination. Malik knew that he would win because he wouldn't stop until he did. There was nothing wrong with that. In fact, it was undeniably attractive. But today, it only added to my concern. Too much confidence could kill a man.
Davorin and his group were spread out among the trees already, and Landry had practically become a part of the forest—I couldn't have found him if I tried. I ended up partnered with Kyrian because he refused to have it any other way. That conversation with King Jovan had intensified his determination to see to my safety.
“We have a couple guys coming up the main path,” a male voice came through my earpiece; it was one of the human soldiers.
All of us prepared to act, but it was just a couple of teenagers looking for a place to sit and smoke their stolen cigarettes. It went on like this for nearly two hours; with the Bleiten standing in a huddle like a demonic football team the entire time.
We had no warning of the attack because it came from above. A winged supernatural dropped a man in the center of the Bleiten circle. The Bleiten lurched back in surprise as the man removed his gloves and flung a thick substance around him at face-level. The gas masks began to sizzle and melt immediately and there were smoking holes in the hoods as well. As the Bleiten hurried to divest themselves of both coats and masks, and our entire team—including the human soldiers—leapt into action to apprehend the goo-some attacker, the flying supe swooped down and snatched him back up. As they flew away, Gooey Guy dropped something.
It was a slim canister that exploded when it hit the ground; shooting thick, white fumes out its top. The Bleiten instantly started to gag as they dropped to their knees. Shouting and the sound of gunfire erupted around me as the humans tried to bring down the escaping villains. I didn't care about the Alcantan anymore; I ran straight for Malik. Kyrian cursed violently as he slapped the gold pin on his chest, and a pair of massive, white, feathered wings appeared behind him. Correction; three pairs of wings.
One flap of those enormous wings took Kyrian several feet into the sky and he was soon flying swiftly after the murderers. But I was too intent on Malik to track Kyrian's progress. By the time I reached his side, Malik's skin had turned a deathly shade of gray, and he was breathing in short gasps.
“Malik!” I shouted as I dropped to the ground beside him. “Just hold on a little longer; I can help you.”
I worked at the colors around Malik; using orange to ease his breathing and red to combat the poison shooting through his body. I cast some yellow in him to clear away anything that might have made it to his stomach, and I was about to try a shot of suppressing white when his hand slipped into mine.
“Amara,” Malik whispered. “I'm sorry. I thought that we were destined for each other. I was so certain that nothing could touch us.”
And then he closed his eyes.
“No,” I gasped. “No!”
I racked my mind for something—anything—to help him, and then I remembered what Dr. Jeckeel had said about Bleiten being able to heal themselves with blood... and how perhaps that would be a way to access the elixir.
I could very well be making the biggest mistake of my life, but there was no way that I'd let Malik die if I had a chance of saving him.
“Bite down, Malik,” I said as I shoved my wrist between his teeth.
He didn't move.
“Malik, damn you to hell, you blasted demon! Bite me!” I slapped him hard.
Malik's jaw jerked closed, and his teeth impaled my wrist. I made a pained groan as the burn of his bite shot up my arm, but I kept my wrist where it was. My blood filled Malik's mouth, and then his lips closed—pressing tightly to my skin—and he began to drink in earnest. Suddenly, Malik's arm went around my waist, and he pulled me across his body as he sucked harder. I wish I could say that it was romantic or maybe even sexual; like how those vampire novels describe a bite. It was not either of those things. Malik's grasp felt more imprisoning than seductive—he was latched onto me as if he thought I might try to escape—and his mouth on my wrist was just plain painful. But the colors in his aura were brightening, and if his grip was any indication, his strength was returning as well. So, I breathed through the sting and let him drink his fill.
I knew that the other Bleiten were dead because no one was with them; everyone was gathered around Malik and I. They gaped at us like a bunch of children witnessing their first schoolyard brawl. But then Malik reared back and cried out; not a single drop of my blood on his lips. He released me as his body started to shake violently.
“Malik!” I took his head between my hands and held it still so that he wouldn't hurt himself. “Malik, don't fight it; just let it work.”
I was remembering my own experience with the elixir. My father had told me that it was medicine, but it had been so painful. I had gone through exactly what Malik was; terrible tremors taking over my body as I tried to fight the changes happening inside me—changes that seeped into my very bones. Then my father had said the same thing to me that I said to Malik; Don't fight it. As soon as I accepted the pain, it had disappeared.
Malik must have trusted me enough to heed my words because he went still and let out a long, relieved breath. I moved to his side and stroked the hair back from his face anxiously.
“Malik?” I whispered. “How are you feeling?”
Malik opened his eyes and smiled softly at me; an action that made me draw in a startled breath. Not because he was alive; although, that was truly miraculous. No, I was shocked by the color of his eyes; a shimmering, brilliant violet that was one shade lighter than mine.
“You sweet, beautiful, amazing, little liar,” Malik whispered to me just before he pulled me into a passionate, toe-curling kiss.
Chapter Forty-Three
“Can someone explain to me what just happened?” One of the human soldiers asked.
Davorin and Landry glanced at each other warily, but I handled it smoothly.
“I have healing abilities,” I said. Then I focused back on Malik. “I never lied to you. I'll explain it later.”
Malik smiled and said, “I don't care, Amara. You saved my life, and I'm grateful.”
Then Malik frowned and turned his head to look for the other Bleiten. His jaw clenched and he stood; drawing me up with him. I held his hand as he stared at the bodies of his men; his jaw clenching in fury.
“I'm so sorry,” I murmured. “I could barely save you.”
“I understand,” Malik said and then swallowed roughly. “But now this has become personal. I can't leave Earth until I have avenged my men.”
A great whooshing of air announced Kyrian's return. We all turned toward him as he touched down nearby and then came running over.
“They've taken the White House!” Kyrian shouted.
“What?” I gaped at him.
“That dripping monster and his friends have taken control of the White House,” Kyrian repeated. “The gooey guy himself is out on the President's balcony addressing the Press.”
“What?!” I screeched.
“He's holding the President hostage,” Kyrian went on. “I didn't stay to hear his demands.”
“How the fuck was he able to take the White House?” Davorin asked.
“It appears that Dr. Devlin had notes for other bioweapons,” Kyrian said grimly. “The lawn is riddled with dead humans who look as if they never even attempted to draw their guns.”
“Did you see how many of them infiltrated the White House?” Malik asked in a low growl.
Kyrian frowned and then blinked as he stared at Malik's eyes. Then he looked at the dead Bleiten around us, and, finally, at me.