Dark Hauntings: A Paranormal Times Novel

by C C Solomon

  I backed my chair away from the table, ignoring her sloppy digs for now. I had news to share. “So, I spoke to my father and he agreed to help us take down the ward at St. Michaels.”

  Azrael tilted their head, raising their brows in surprise. “Really? That easy?”

  I shrugged. “I’m his daughter. He did say he couldn’t help us actually fight but we don’t need him for that.”

  “You sure he won’t help us fight? Yasmine’s a powerful demon.”

  “True, but maybe she isn’t that strong when Olivia isn’t there.” I avoided Felix’s eyes at that. I really didn’t want to talk about how my father planned to harm his mother if he did help us fight. “Anyway, we can pool a group together from here and get the angels. That should be enough to fight Yasmine’s wraiths and rescue her victims. We aren’t some low-level group. I’m the daughter of a demon king and fae queen, I’ve got power. Felix is stupid powerful, Azrael you’re a high-ranking angel and Faith’s a superpowered member of the Six. We can do this.”

  Azrael gave me a wink. “I like your confidence.”

  I pointed at him, acknowledging their compliment. “And, no big deal, but I got my memories back.”

  The three of them looked at me with shocked eyes.

  Faith leaned toward me from the couch. “Say what now?”

  I then began to replay my visit with Herrod. I shared some of my memories. Felix confirmed some of the ones he knew from our experiences together or things I’d shared before I lost my memories.

  Faith placed her hands on her face, squishing her cheeks. “How do we know he didn’t insert himself into your memories?”

  Azrael walked over to me and leaned forward, staring at my face as if searching for something. I looked back at them with questioning eyes. “Problem?”

  The angel stood up straight and nodded. “I don’t sense that you’re bespelled. That doesn’t mean you aren’t, though. We’ll keep an eye on you. If Herrod has a plan to use you, we won’t let it happen.”

  It was unusual that Azrael was so caring. Naturally, I was suspicious. I didn’t need my memories to know how untrustworthy angels were. What I did recall was that they were dangerous. Yet, Azrael had never made me feel threatened like my past encounters with angels. Maybe they weren’t all bad.

  I looked over to Felix who stared back at me with intense eyes. He looked like he was struggling with what to do. His hands were balled into tight fists and I could actually see the strain in his body. He was holding himself back from me, probably waiting until I gave him a sign that it was okay for him to come to me.

  I gave him a soft smile. “Felix, do you have time to talk back at your place?”

  “Absolutely,” he replied in a low voice. The baritone of the sound shook me slightly.

  Azrael rapped the table with their knuckles. “All right you crazy kids, go reconnect or whatever you call it. We’ll go rally the troops. I’ll get in touch with Carlos and tell him you’ve recovered. He’d be happy to hear that. Meet back here tomorrow morning. 6 am sharp.”

  I got up and glared at the angel. “Really, that early?”

  Azrael nodded with amused eyes. “I’d make it today but-” the angel glanced over to Felix who was walking over to me like a man possessed. “We do need to strategize. And I think he might explode if we don’t give you two some alone time.”

  And before I could reply with embarrassment, Felix grabbed my hand and whisked us out of there.

  We reappeared in Felix’s apartment and I looked around his clean space, noticing the drastic difference between Faith’s and his place. I’d always known he was neat but after coming from Faith’s, his place looked even more spotless. “How did I not know your place was so clean?”

  Felix squeezed my hand. “Francesca.”

  I looked up at him and saw that his eyes were almost fearful. Did he think I was lying? Perhaps he still thought I wouldn’t remember him. Why the hell wasn’t he speaking?

  I bit my lip, racking my brain on how to break the silence. I was the one who asked to speak to him separately after all. Why was I waiting on him? Then it hit me. I chuckled before talking, a memory coming to the front of my brain. “We would have the most mundane conversations when we were on stakeouts. The last one was about you wishing we could eat hot wings again. Then that went into a conversation about your favorite type of wings. I acted so annoyed but I wasn’t. I never was.” I avoided his eyes, nervous about the confession I was making. “I liked our talks. They always calmed me. You always calmed me. I’d never met a man who seemed so damn content with life. No matter what was going on. When we’d fight Alister’s enemies you did it smiling. I mean, that was a little psychotic but you were just always so happy. You were mostly why I broke it off with Alister. You were mostly why I wanted to retire from being an enforcer. It was you. It was always you.”

  I kept my head low, still too coward to look up at him. The longer his silence stretched the more embarrassed I felt about it all. Maybe he really wasn’t into me anymore.

  Felix let go of my hand and moved his own to my face, brushing my jaw with his thumb. His eyes had softened now, almost glistening. “Francesca. I’ve been waiting for you.” He dropped his shoulders as if letting go of a great weight. He must have been exhausted all this time waiting for me to remember him.

  I touched his hand. “I’m here.”

  He tapped his forehead to mine. “Can I kiss you?”

  “Please.”

  The right corner of his mouth turned up again and he leaned forward, pressing his lips to mine. The kiss was soft and slow, as if we had all the time in the world. But it wasn’t enough for me. “More,” I whispered into his mouth and raised a hand to rest on his chest.

  A short chuckle released from him that I felt vibrate into my fingers. He pressed a free hand to my lower back and brought me closer to him as our lips parted and tongues began an impassioned dance together. Each touch of his tongue awakened my core. I moved my hands, wrapping them around his neck so that I could press even closer to him, my breast mashing against his chest.

  He gently grazed my lower lip and I returned it with a nip of his upper lip. I could kiss, lick and bite his lips for eternity but right now I wanted something else. “More,” I whispered.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he growled back before moving his tongue to my neck, tracing an invisible pattern on my skin and sending me on the edge of control.

  A sudden gust of wind surrounded us, lifting my hair slightly and sending me out of sorts. Suddenly we were in his bedroom. Had he just teleported us there without warning? Show off. I liked it.

  He nibbled on the other side of my neck as if to remind me that he was there. Not that I needed it. My neck was a key zone for me so I was practically a puddle at that point and yet I wanted – “More.”

  “Can I take control?” he whispered, his mouth now near my collarbone. This too had me weak. At this point maybe my whole body was an erogenous zone with him.

  “Hell, yeah.”

  “Lift up your leg.”

  I did as he told me and wrapped a leg as near to his waist as I could lift it. My boot slipped off my foot but his hands were still on me. I raised a brow and looked down at my bare foot, puzzled. Now how had that happened?

  “Other leg,” Felix ordered. A hand was now under my shirt, thumb rubbing over my rib cage ever so lightly. Again, it sent tingles through me.

  I raised my other leg and did as I was told and my boot and socks also shot off all on their own. When I lowered my leg back down, I felt my jeans unbuckle, the zipper sliding down. I was sure Felix was doing this and it was damn impressive and sexy as hell.

  His large hand moved up to one of my bra covered breast and I threw my head back at the sudden sensation as my jeans and now soaked panties moved down my legs to my ankles.

  He brought his mouth to my right ear. “Jump on me,” he breathed out and I could have exploded right then and there.

  However, I did not. I wanted to see where this wa
s going. I jumped up and wrapped my legs around his waist. He kicked jeans and panties from his path and walked us to his bed. We leaned forward until my back was on his bed. He pointed his index and middle finger in an upwards motion and my shirt rose up and over my head. My bra unclasped and moved down my shoulders before floating away with the rest of my discarded clothes.

  Was he doing this with his angel magic or his demon magic? Did I care? “Neat trick,” I cracked.

  He gave me a devilish grin before taking his own shirt off the old fashioned away, kicking his shoes off at the same time. Once again, I was reminded of how damn fine he was. Broad, cut shoulders. Toned arms. He didn’t have a six-pack but that didn’t matter. It was close and I wanted to lick my way down his center but I stayed where I was. He was running this show and this was one time I didn’t mind falling back.

  He leaned over me again, licking the tips of my breast teasingly before placing his hands on my knees and spreading my legs apart. The air hit my center and I arched up and closed my eyes, tickled.

  “I’m going to taste you now.”

  My eyes popped open and I looked down. Felix was already on his knees in between my legs and then I felt his lips on mine. When his tongue licked me, I sighed. I actually sighed. His mouth felt like silk. I melted for him more, spreading my legs wider as he continued to bring me to climax.

  The feeling was more than I could have expected. My body felt weightless as I buzzed with ecstasy. I grasped at his covers, wrapping a leg around his back as I moved with the pace of his tongue. Soon the buildup met its end and I crashed, screaming as I was taken beyond my control.

  “Baby girl, you’re floating,” I heard Felix say.

  I opened my eyes to see him looking up at me, licking his lips. Just the sight of him doing that melted me again but something was off. The angle was wrong. I shouldn’t have been looking down at him. I looked around and sure enough I was floating. I was only a few inches above his bed but it was still something. I’d floated before, being fae and all that. However, I didn’t recall every doing so with sex.

  I allowed my body to float as I coasted in the afterglow. I wanted to say something but I was too speechless. Felix could be a silly, lovable oaf many occasions but he knew how to step up when the time was right.

  I glanced at him as he stood up. “More.” I smiled.

  He bit his lip as he undid his pants and stepped out of them. I turned my body so that I was in a kneeling position, still hovering over the bed. He seemed to understand what I wanted and he laid on the bed under me. I looked down at the length of him and let in a breath. I had to admit, I was slightly intimidated but I knew we were made for each other. We would fit.

  I floated down to him and let out a gasp as I felt him enter me. He breathed a soft curse as his hands found my hips. I started a slow grind, closing my eyes as I let my body take over. His hands moved to my breast. Massaging, tweaking. I felt a lick on my nipple and I scrunched my face, lost in pleasure.

  He brought his hands back down to my hips and took control, moving upwards to counter my moves as he set the pace. I let him, still happy to give up control. He quickened his movements then slowed down. I leaned forward and balanced my hands back on his chest. His skin was slick with sweat under my fingers but I knew I was glistening just as much. I grinned, catching his eyes as he looked up at me. He looked completely mesmerized. By me? My heart clenched and I moved forward, kissing him.

  Soon weightlessness returned and I felt him mumble something through my mouth. I pulled away slightly, glancing over his shoulder to see we were higher off the bed than I was earlier. Felix looked sideways to catch his bearings and I increased my pace to draw his attention back to me. He tilted his head back, swearing again and that was all the encouragement I needed. I quickened even more, giving my thighs a workout and soon felt his fingers on my center, bringing me along with him. I crashed again, trembling over him, but I kept moving until seconds later he joined me in an explosion of pleasure. He bucked up, rapidly, before gradually slowing down, cursing all the way. Funny, I hadn’t known Felix to curse much. I guess I now know what did it for him.

  I chuckled, falling into him as we continued to float and relax from our mutual high.

  He stroked my hair and kissed the top of my head. “Why are you laughing? Did I make a stupid face?”

  I laughed again. “No. I’m just happy.”

  He gave me a gentle squeeze before continuing to stroke my hair. I felt like a cat being petted but I loved it. “I’m happy too. I can’t believe this is real. Do you know how long I’ve loved you?”

  I closed my eyes, the squeeze on my heart returning. To hear him say those words. They were the words I was hoping to hear one day when I was finally free of Alister. They felt amazing. I knew I’d been bespelled with no memory but I still felt foolish for not having known how much I cared about this man from before. It made me hate the angels even more. It also made me a little annoyed at my father for not stepping in sooner to help me get away from Alister. However, I was no damsel. I supposed this journey had to happen like this.

  Felix kicked a leg down and it hung loosely in the air. “This is crazy but kind of cool. I’m not sure but I think floating made things more intense if you know what I mean.”

  I plucked at his chest. “Yes, it can do that. But you’re the one with the trickery.”

  His chest moved me up and down with a chuckle. “I did warn you months ago what I would do.”

  Yes, I remembered. When I had tried to make the moves on him, he had shot me down until my memory returned. He’d promised me it would be well worth the wait. And it sure as hell was.

  “I’ve got more secrets up my sleeve.”

  “Well, damn. Don’t tease me.”

  “Marry me.”

  I stiffened. I’d just gotten my memory back. I couldn’t wrap my mind around that concept. Marriage? After Alister, I didn’t think it would ever be for me. However, Felix was nothing like that asshole but, still, I needed time. Everything was still so fresh for me. Now that my mind was complete I needed to learn myself again and—Oh crap.

  I squeezed my eyes shut, cursing inside my brain. I’d told Marcus I’d agree to marry him. Even if it was just a business arrangement, it wouldn’t fly with Felix and me. I had to tell him. Maybe I could just go to Marcus and call the whole thing off. Things were different now that I had my memories and I knew the Felix I spoke to at Nadia’s wasn’t the real him. What would Marcus do if I fell back from that promise? Did I really care? What if we became enemies? The truth was, there was no way I would win that throne if Marcus was against me. What if I just gave it up and focused on the throne I deserved by lineage? That would be a fight with a brother I hadn’t seen in almost two decades.

  Sensing what he probably thought was my hesitation Felix spoke again. “Look at me.”

  I moved my head to see him better.

  He brushed my cheek with his thumb. “Take your time on giving me an answer but I am serious. We’ll work out everything with our parents. Don’t worry about that. And even if you become a fae Queen, we can navigate our way there too. I just want to be with you. That’s all that matters to me.”

  He was so sincere, so beautiful in every way. I couldn’t hurt him. I had to get out of this marriage arrangement. There was no need in telling him about something that wasn’t going to happen.

  Chapter 27

  The morning came faster than I wanted it to which was never surprising. I looked at the ceiling as I psyched myself up for the impending fight at St. Michaels. I never took a battle for granted. It was always possible that some or all of us wouldn’t make it out alive. I didn’t want to die with regrets but also didn’t want to die with any misunderstandings. If I told Felix the truth now without having it resolved with Marcus before our fight then our short-term love affair would end on a sour note if one of us died in battle. No, it was better to keep this hidden for now after such an amazing night.

  But my mind wandered all
night as I took in old memories and fretted about what to do with Marcus and what exactly I wanted to do with my life. I sat up, staring at Felix’s carpeted floor knowing I needed to get moving. I felt Felix move beside me and soon a light kiss on my shoulder.

  “Think we have time this morning?” He wiggled his brows with a devilish grin.

  I knew exactly what he was implying. We’d been up half the night doing what he was implying. As much as I wanted to, Azrael had us meeting them at stupid-early o’clock. I leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss. “I don’t think we have time. We better not have time.”

  Felix snorted. “You’re right, I like to take my time with you.” He grazed my shoulder with his teeth before getting up.

  An instant heat flushed my core remembering the night’s events and the selfish part of me wanted to rethink the whole being on time things when we heard a knock at the door.

  “That’s probably Azrael coming to light a fire under us,” Felix started slipping on his briefs and pants before heading to the door.

  I got dressed as well, soon hearing an exclamation from Felix that sounded like a happy surprise. He called my name a second later. I walked out to the front, fully dressed but wanting a shower and a toothbrush. This might be a fae magic cleaning kind of day.

  I paused at the entrance to the living room. Felix stood beside Carlos dressed in all white armor except for silver etchings that seemingly glowed. I always considered him a handsome older man and today he looked almost regal. It was a shame that he was going to have to get blood on it.

  “Carlos! You look fancy,” I exclaimed, opening my arms.

  Carlos quickly embraced me in a tight hug. “I heard you got your memories back. I’m so happy for you. And you met your father.”

  I nodded cautiously. The way he said it, the look in his eyes. Something made me suspicious. “Did you know Herrod was my father? Did all the angels know?”

  Felix cleared his throat. “I’m going to wash up quickly and let you guys talk.” He then walked down the hall to his bedroom and bath. I looked back at Carlos, expectedly.