“Because, and this is just so delicious, you’re his little spy.”
The words fell like stones in her belly. Of course Frink would lie about something so terrible. He wanted to hurt her. To make her doubt herself.
“The man who can affect memories... it’s just pure fun, right? He can sneak into your room late at night, pull your memories from your mind, and leave without you even knowing he was there. He could find out all that you and your demons had done. And he could discover where you were keeping the Immortals.”
Nightmares came back to her, of Caine standing over her bed, of him pressing pain into her mind.
She wanted his words to be a lie, but they felt true.
Metal touched her throat. Her thoughts died away as she realized that a soul-blade threatened her. The angel behind her spoke in a low voice. “You shouldn’t have come here.”
A woman angel, then. Sometimes they were the most vicious. Surcy kept still and waited. She waited to lose her head, to be killed and returned to Caine with the knowledge that she’d failed these children, but nothing happened.
The woman’s voice came again, louder this time. “All of you rebels are the same, so certain you can defeat Caine and all his angels. I seriously don’t understand where you get your reckless faith.” She paused for a second. The voice lowered, just for Surcy. “Listen, I still don’t know what I believe, but I don’t believe in Caine. I won’t directly help you. I won’t put my own life at risk. But I can distract them.”
Her heart raced, filling her ears. She wanted to ask the angel why. Why would she help their cause?
But then, the blade was gone.
A second later, an angel stood in front of the ranks of soldiers. Her blonde hair fell down her back, and she wore a pale dress. “I saw them. The demons and farmer are trying to sneak through the back woods.”
Frink’s blade slipped slightly further from the children’s throats. “Alright, here’s the plan—“
Surcy called her soul-blade into her hand and teleported. Appearing just behind Frink, she sliced off his head, for what felt like the millionth time. Her arms wrapped around the children as his body fell between them, and she teleported away, erasing their path behind her.
When they reached just outside of the sanctuary, she sent her blade away.
The children turned to her, tears in their eyes.
“Where’s mom and dad?” the girl asked.
Her heart lurched. “Your mom is in a hospital. Your dad is helping to defeat the bad men.”
Tears tracked down their cheeks, and the boy touched his raw-looking throat. “What do we do now?”
She nibbled her lip. “Through these woods is a sanctuary of magic. Protected so that the angels can’t reach it. There are people like your father and you there. You’ll be safe. I could take you, but I think your dad and my demons need me.”
They stared at her for a long minute, and then took each other’s hands in a movement she knew gave them comfort.
“Just tell us which way to go,” the girl said.
The boy nodded. “My plants will help me find the way.”
Surcy hesitated only a moment and then pointed, praying that she was doing the right thing. The children gave her one last look, then turned and walked in the right direction. With each step, the plants bent to the side, making an easy path.
Please, please stay safe.
Taking a deep breath, she teleported away.
Chapter Eight
Daniel squared off with the farmer, his fists clenched in rage. “You’re going to do what we say or—“
“I won’t do a damned thing without my wife and children!” Clarence shouted, advancing on him.
Fuck this. As much as I want to punch him, there’s an easier way.
His fists unclenched. “They’re safe,” he whispered. Demon magic flowed through the words, and the effect of them was almost instant.
The anger drained from the farmer’s face. “Where?”
That’s right. Believe me. Do as I ask.
“Surcy has gone back for them. She’ll put them somewhere no one can hurt them.”
It took everything inside of Daniel to use his natural demon-ability to convince the farmer, because the truth was he was on the verge of something terrible. Surcy had dropped them on this fucking building and gone back to face unimaginable danger. And why? For a couple kids they didn’t know.
In his mind, he pictured the little boy and girl, and his stomach clenched. The angels would have no use for them as anything but pawns in their games. If no one came back for them...
He shuddered, imagining them lying bloodied and dead on the ground.
But still... either they all should have gone back or none of them. Tristan and Surcy might value the Immortals more than themselves, but if they lost Surcy, did he even care about Caine?
Maybe. A little.
“I want to see them,” the farmer said, and a little anger returned to his eyes.
Tristan took a step closer. “There is no more time for this. Clarence, did you see those creatures? Those angels who attacked us?”
The farmer nodded.
“Those creatures were disguising themselves as your farmhands to be close to you. They were waiting for a signal from a being known as Caine, The Judge of all living beings. And once they were given the signal, they were instructed to kill you and your family.”
His eyes widened. “Why?”
Tristan titled his head, in a very gargoyle-like way. “Because you are one of only ten beings powerful enough to stop Caine and his angels.”
Clarence began to shake his head. “I’m not—“
“You are. And if we don’t move quickly enough, Caine will win this war, and you and your family will never be safe again.”
The farmer studied him. “Do I have your word that my family is safe?”
Fuck. The damn gargoyle won’t lie.
“Yes,” Daniel rushed out. “They’re safe. We just need to hurry and find the rest of your kind, so we can stop that murderous bastard.”
The man exhaled loudly, and his hand shook as he ran fingers through his hair. “If I wasn’t just attacked by fucking angels... if I wasn’t here talking to a gargoyle and whatever the hell you are... I’d think you were both nuts. But, if my family is safe, and this stops them from being hurt again, I’ll go with you.”
Daniel hadn’t realized how worried he’d been that the guy would just keep refusing to help them until that moment. And while the farmer’s acceptance eased some of his fears, nothing would calm him until he saw Surcy again.
“So,” he turned to Tristan, “who are we looking for next?”
The gargoyle opened the paper and stared, frowning. “I thought we’d agreed to find the God of Sin next, but this place isn’t right.” He stared for a minute longer. “She brought us to the other Immortal first. The Goddess of Life.”
Daniel shrugged. “I guess she made a mistake.”
Tristan frowned down at the paper. “Perhaps.”
“Tick tock.”
Tristan looked at him and raised a brow. “Helpful.”
As they found the roof exit and climbed down the stairs, Daniel almost smiled. It wasn’t often the gargoyle was sarcastic. Hopefully that meant he wasn’t too worried about Surcy. The idea immediately calmed him. If Tristan, Mr. Natural Protector himself, was feeling confident, that meant Daniel should be too.
A weight lifted from his shoulders.
They moved through the town and continued walking, occasionally checking the address. Tristan could fly them there, but without knowing the area, travel by ground was easier.
To Daniel’s annoyance, the farmer peppered him with questions. Every. Single. Step of the way.
“What am I?”
“The God of Earth.”
“What does that mean?”
“You have powers.”
“How come I haven’t seen any before? Now my kids have some special abilities, but I've never noti
ced anything.”
“Caine wiped your memories.”
And on and on. When they reached the quiet suburban neighborhood, Daniel was ready to punch the shit out of the human. Normally, he didn't care, but they had things to do, bigger things than answering questions.
Maybe they should have dropped him at the sanctuary.
They reached the house, but it looked empty.
“So what now?” Daniel asked, not bothering to hide his annoyance.
Tristan opened his mouth, but a woman spoke instead.
“If you’re looking for the Carters, they won’t be home for a little while.”
Daniel spun around to see woman sitting on the porch next door. She was perhaps in her mind-forties and lovely in a quiet way. Her hair was in a messy bun on her head, she wore pajamas that said, “best mom ever,” and she didn’t have a drop of makeup on.
In other words, she was the kind of woman that any smart man would love.
“Hi,” Daniel greeted her, turning on his most charming smile and moving closer.
A blush darkened her cheeks. “Hi... uh, are you friends of the Carters?”
“College friends of her hubs,” he lied, hoping he’d made a good guess.
She set her coffee on her knee. “Oh, are you guys doctors too?”
He nodded. “The best in L.A. But we haven’t seen him in a while. We thought we’d drop in and surprise him.”
She stared down at her drink. “I’m sure Richard would love that, but he’s at a conference this weekend. It’s just Nichole.”
Well, that will make this lie easier.
“Oh, that’s too bad. Well, I guess at least we can visit with her. We’ve never actually met her.”
Her gaze swung back up to them. “Oh, you’ll love Nichole. She’s beautiful and smart and funny.” She sipped her drink and mumbled. “Not that Richard notices.”
Daniel’s ears perked up. “Would it be okay if we hung out with you just a few minutes? If she doesn’t come home, I guess we can try another time. We were just stopping by between flights, so we really hoped to see them and see their house. You know? Catch up.”
She patted her hair, looking flustered. “Uh, sure.”
Moving closer, he sat down on the porch steps next to her and leaned back, stretching his legs out. “So, tell us about Nichole. What does she do?”
“Well, uh, nothing right now. She stopped teaching when they decided to start having kids.”
He smiled. “Well, having kids is like having three jobs, so it makes sense.”
She laughed, shyly. “Yeah, if only they didn’t have infertility issues, I think it would’ve been wonderful.”
Oops.
“Richard mentioned something about that.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure he did. And I’m sure he just happened to mention that the issues are her fault. And he just happened to mention that she’s done IVF unsuccessfully ten times now, and how hard that’s been on him.”
Daniel’s heartbeat sped up. “You don’t sound like you like him much.”
She immediately hid her anger behind a mask. “I didn’t say that.”
Sighing, he rolled his neck. Demon-abilities, take two. “You can be honest with us. We know what an ass he can be sometimes.”
Instantly, she relaxed, but the effect was deeper on her than it had been on the farmer. Her eyes grew a little glassy, like she’d had one too many drinks. “Richard is the biggest dick in the world. We’ve been trying to convince her to leave him for years. I mean, he’s a fucking doctor. They aren’t hurting for money, but he gives her a god-damn allowance, like a child. I don’t mean a budget. I mean her name isn’t on any of the accounts. He gives her money and tells her that’s all she gets for food and gas. The woman hasn’t bought new clothes in years. She can never go out because she doesn’t have any money to do it.”
Daniel raised a brow. “Wow.”
“It’s fucking financial abuse!” She glared at all the men. “And then he tells her who she can and cannot speak to, who she can and cannot be friends with. She can’t talk to her family anymore, or most of her friends. He doesn’t even like me talking to her, but he can’t stop me, the asshole.”
“That’s... controlling.”
She nodded, looking like she wanted to shout yes! “But if all of that wasn’t bad enough, there’s the infertility stuff. He makes her feel like garbage just because she can’t have kids. I mean, she’s broken-hearted over it. She volunteers at a hospital, helping to take care of the babies in the NICU. She lavishes them with care, and they get so big and healthy. She’s... like a miracle worker. But then, she can’t have her own kids. Can you imagine the torture she must experience every day?”
The Goddess of Life can’t have kids. Caine, you’re a fucking monster.
“It would be pure torture.” Daniel looked up and met Tristan’s gaze, and he knew they were both thinking the same thing.
He watched as a car slowed and pulled into the Carter’s driveway.
Daniel turned to the woman and smiled. “It looks like she’s home. Thanks for talking with us.”
The woman nodded, her mouth twisting in disappointment. “No problem.”
Unable to walk away leaving the woman unhappy, he leaned closer. “I know this isn’t appropriate, but if I was single, well, you’re just my type.”
It was like sunshine blossomed behind her face. “Yeah, you into women who are complete disasters?”
“Nah, I’m into women who are naturally stunning.” He winked and rose.
Was he attracted to her? No, Surcy was it for him. She was the sun and the moon, and the only person he could ever want like that. But he’d known a lot of heartache and loneliness in his life, and this woman screamed of loneliness. She practically vibrated with a sense of worthlessness, and it broke his heart. No one should ever feel that way about themselves.
He looked back one last time at her star-struck expression and glanced at the stoic gargoyle and the farmer. Clarence looked confused as hell, but Tristan gave a sharp nod. His friend knew exactly what he was doing, and even though Tristan didn’t hit on women to brighten their days, he didn’t disapprove of what Daniel did either. Tristan knew Daniel's weakness for lost souls.
Chapter Nine
Tristan, Daniel, and Clarence moved to the Carter’s driveway as the woman climbed out of her car. To his surprise, she was young, perhaps her early twenties. Her long blonde hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, a pink sweater that looked worn, and white capri pants. When she closed her door, she turned around, looked at them, jumped slightly, and gave a nervous laugh.
“Sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
He gave a warm smile. “We’re friends of Richard’s. We came to visit with him between flights.”
A guarded look came over her face. “He went to a conference.”
“Oh,” he glanced at the farmer and Tristan. “That’s disappointing. He’s always talking about his beautiful wife and home. We thought we’d finally get a chance to meet you and see a little about his life after college.”
She picked nervously at the sleeve of her jacket. “Richard doesn’t like me around men without him.”
Daniel had to work like hell to keep his anger from showing. She looked terrified. No real man would scare a woman like this.
“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind the three of us, right?” he asked, using his demon-abilities.
Some of the nervousness left her expression. “I guess. Come in then. I can make coffee.”
They followed her inside, but not before Daniel paused at the door to look around. Why were there no angels guarding her?
He has to be the one creating this torture for the Goddess of Life, right? Or does he have nothing to do with it?
They walked through an immaculately clean home and to the little table inside a big kitchen. She immediately put a kettle on the stove, switching the flame on. He swallowed hard, pulling his gaze from the fire. It called to him, coaxing him
to connect with it, just a little.
Focus! “Nichole?”
The woman startled again, a reflex like an animal of prey. “Yes? Did you—did you need—I forgot snacks. Gosh, I’m so dumb. I’ll get them.”
Daniel rose from his chair, the wood legs scraping against the tile. “No, please, sit down.”
She shook her head and went to the fridge. “Richard always says how rude I can be. I’ll make a plate of cheese and—“
He had crossed the room without thinking and took her wrist. “Richard is an asshole. You don’t need to wait on us like a servant.”
Her eyes widened, but she said nothing.
We need to get her out of here, but if we can do it without freaking the hell out of her, we should.
Especially since we can’t just teleport away with her now.
“Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong in this world? Like it fit like a bad outfit.”
He didn’t know what he expected. Denial. Fear. Uncertainty.
But instead, she whispered. “Yes. Every moment.”
His heart clenched. “Well, that’s because you don’t belong here. You’re a goddess, Nichole. A creature meant for bigger and better things than a loveless marriage and a life without happiness.”
She stared. “I don’t... I don’t understand.”
He took a deep breath, knowing he was taking a risk. “Ever read any books about magic and other worlds?”
She nodded.
“Well, all of that exists.”
Her brows drew together. “I’m sorry, but is this a joke?”
“No,” he denied quickly.
“Because this feels like something Richard would do. All of this actually does. The last time I talked with a friendly man, Richard had paid him to do it, to show what a slut I am.”
“Holy fuck,” Daniel muttered, before he could stop himself. “No, we aren’t being paid by Richard to torture you. Actually, how would you like to never have to be around that asshole again?”
Tears sparkled in her eyes. “I can never escape him.”
He released her wrist. “Yes, you can. And we’re here to set you free. Come with us, Nichole.”
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