Ayil

by Brenda Trim

  Ayil

  Dark Warrior Alliance Book 18

  Brenda Trim

  Tami Julka

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Authors’ Note

  Other Works By Trim And Julka

  FREE eBook!

  Copyright © March 2019 by Brenda Trim and Tami Julka

  Editor: Amanda Fitzpatrick

  Cover Art by Trish Schmitt (Pickyme Covers)

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writers’ imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction of this work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the authors.

  Created with Vellum

  The best love story is when you fall in love with the most unexpected person at the most unexpected time.

  * * *

  Chapter 1

  “Damn sand is everywhere,” Kennex muttered as she coughed and waved her hand in front of her face when a volleyball slammed into the sand next to her and sent the evil grains exploding into her eyes. Laughter erupted as a group of humans jumped around, chasing the ball and hitting it back and forth over a net.

  “Sorry about that. Jack can’t hold his alcohol,” a male said with a chuckle. “That serve wasn’t even in the right direction,” the male called over his shoulder as Kennex glanced up through gritty eyes and looked at the human. He stood looking at her with a ridiculous smile on his handsome face.

  Kennex didn’t understand humans. What was the purpose of their activity? It didn’t remotely look fun, yet they appeared to be enjoying themselves. She’d rather be in the desert surrounded by heat while mapping out quests and challenges and the characters that hoped to conquer it all.

  Her golden eyes scanned the mundane in front of her and reluctantly she acknowledged he had gorgeous blue eyes, as well as, a great smile. It was easy going and made her want to return the gesture, which was absurd. Kennex wasn’t prone to silly facial expressions. Hadn’t been since she was a very young Phoenix.

  No surprise there since she learned firsthand that trauma ripped every shred of joy and happiness from a being’s life. It robbed you of the ability to experience cheerfulness, let alone smile. It wasn’t right that something as simple as a lift of her lips was impossible. And, that just pissed her off even more while it also reinforced the vow she made to herself twenty years ago.

  Her hands balled into fists and a familiar heat surged beneath her skin. Her Phoenix was close to the surface. Shaking her head, she chastised herself. Losing control at that moment would cost her life.

  Calm down before you burst into flames, Keni. That piece of shit is not worth the death sentence for exposure.

  “Why is he even playing when he can barely stand up?” she asked the human as she stuffed unpleasant memories back into the lockbox in her mind. She watched this Jack person take a couple wobbly steps forward before another friend grabbed his shoulder to stabilize him.

  The male next to her rubbed the back of his neck and his smile disappeared. What struck her as even more absurd was that she missed the levity. For a brief moment while she stared at him, she could almost forget that not only was he different from her, but most importantly where her scars came from and why her life must always remain focused on her mission.

  “He, uh, isn’t normally that bad. I’d say it’s the combination of sun and beer. The game doesn’t really matter anyway. We’re just here to have some fun.” The way he shrugged his shoulders practically shouted that should have been obvious. Like many supernaturals, Kennex didn’t truly know what it felt like to be intoxicated, let alone having fun while being inebriated.

  Alcohol didn’t affect paranormal beings like it did humans. It took a great deal more to get them drunk and it never lasted long. As far as she knew the only drug that got them high was Angel’s Kiss, but that was more rumor as far as she was concerned.

  She wouldn’t touch anything tainted with Angel blood even if her life depended on it.

  Kennex tossed the ball to the male and muttered, “Enjoy your game.” The male took off like she’d bitten his backside. She blanked her face and tried to remove the scowl curling her lips. It was impossible since one was permanently fixed to her features.

  Thank the Gods she maintained enough control and didn’t flare her wings or allow the fire to rise in her eyes in a display of irritation. Being around so many humans was foreign to her. Letting her freak fly wasn’t normally something she censured, but out in the world she had no choice but to keep her otherness hidden. Her interactions with humans were primarily done through online messaging and email for her job.

  Having to watch not only her words, but also her eyes, her wings and everything else was exhausting. Her back and shoulders ached from being constantly on alert. The past few weeks were miserable. So many times, over the past month she’d questioned why the supernaturals kept their existence a secret. Watching the evening news was enough to remind her why humans couldn’t discover them.

  It wasn’t only the mortals that Kennex hated about living in San Diego. It was also the moderate climate. She wanted to throat punch the narrator on those commercials peddling the perfect weather in Southern California. The entire idea was total bullshit. It was too cold, too crowded, and riddled with crime. What was so great about any of that?

  Watching humanity unfold around her these past weeks made her sure of one thing. The Angels needed to police human neighborhoods and leave her clan the fuck alone. There were so many vile people running amok while the Angels wasted their time on her kind. Mundanes needed policing, not Phoenixes.

  Heaving a sigh, Kennex sat up and rested her arms on her knees. Exhaustion weighed down her body. It had been over a decade since she’d slept more than a few hours a night. At least in Arizona the heat revitalized her.

  She wanted to soak up some rays and provide her body the heat it craved, but she found no peace at the beach. It only left her jealous of those that found solace in the sun, sand and water near their new home. Unfortunately, for her it provided her nothing close to comfort.

  Admittedly, the sunshine was her favorite part about the area even if she needed the bright orb about fifty degrees hotter. Having it shining was better than living in a place like London or Seattle where it was always overcast and gloomy. Still, there was no denying how badly her inner Phoenix craved the sweltering heat like they had in Arizona. The need made her restless.

  Kennex let her gaze wander from the humans playing their game to her nearby clan mates. Despite the fact that they looked as out of place as she did, she considered joining them. At least they understood her plight and were dressed like her. Along with the odd looks their big sweaters and leggings garnered, the humans didn’t like them trying to start a fire in the middle of the day. Their attempt to light the t
ower of logs was the first time the lifeguard, a good-looking human male, came down from his high tower to threaten the clan leader. Apparently, there were laws preventing such activities outside a containment ring.

  Kennex didn’t understand the prohibition. There was nothing on the sandy beach to catch fire. Not that the humans knew this, but even dead trees surrounded them nothing would go up in blazes. With the Phoenix’s ability to control fire, they would have no problems keeping the mundane flames from spreading. Unless a demon popped up on the beach and unleashed hellfire, they were good.

  As the cold increased, her body began to shiver. She hugged her knees closer to her chest, keeping her body heat close to the flames at her core. Her eyes went back to the lifeguard and the urge to use his stand as a bonfire was nearly overwhelming. The temperature didn’t deter the humans, but for a Phoenix it was like standing naked in the South Pole. Icy, wet spears seeped into her bones and threatened to douse her inner flames. She could lift her pinkie finger and send flames to the wood before her and create the warmth she needed.

  Clearly, it was time to go home if she was contemplating suicide. And, that’s exactly what she’d be doing if she acted on her desire.

  A broad male chest glistened in the afternoon sun, snagging her attention. The chest disappeared as his body dropped below the waves. Now only his head was above the water’s surface. Yum. He could warm me up. Kennex thought. Her body heated a few degrees from simply contemplating sex with the stranger.

  She didn’t typically get intimate with humans, but a brief glimpse of his massive muscular torso had her mind agreeing to an exception with this one. He was far enough out that even with her preternatural vision she couldn’t make out his exact features. Instinct told her with a body like that he was gorgeous, as well.

  Something niggled at the back of her mind. It was impossible to tell if she knew him from this distance, but she doubted it. She hadn’t lived in San Diego long and she would remember those muscles. She was riveted as he headed toward shore. Muscular arms broke the surface as he swam. His movements made it seem as if he had wings just under the surface the way it rippled.

  As the thought of wings crossed her mind, her ardor cooled while her anger threatened to burst free again. Ignoring everything but the male’s arms, she focused on the pleasant view before her. It had been too long since she’d been with a male and felt arms like that wrap around her. Her stomach clenched and her core throbbed with need.

  Her jaw dropped when he stood in the water about twenty from her. That warning sensation became a screeching alarm throughout her head. She knew the arrogant fucker alright, and those probably were wings she’d seen in the water. Glancing away from his sexy body, she looked to his face, but her gaze skittered away before she got caught in his green eyes. She hoped to never see this being again in her life. It hadn’t been long since he and his brothers destroyed life as she knew it.

  Ayil. Warrior Angel and sexier than any Angel had any right to be.

  How could this Angel be swimming in the surf of Southern California? Was he following their clan to make sure they weren’t siding with demons? Fuckers probably were tracking them. She jumped to her feet with her fists clenched at her side as she tried to stop her body’s reaction to him.

  The way he shook the water from his wavy black curls wasn’t the least attractive. And the water dripping down a chest sculpted of marble was repulsive. Liar, her inner Phoenix chided.

  Kennex was struck between the absurd desire to run and stay and light the disgusting Angel on fire. She wanted to summon her Phoenix fire, but not the fire with the magic of rebirth and life. She wanted to extinguish his sickening angelic glow. She had absolutely no desire to press her lips to his and see if his flesh was as soft as it looked.

  That internal fire roared and had her sweating in an instant, calling her bluff. She’d never experienced this type of surge before. It had to be from her burning hatred of anything angelic.

  Female giggling drew her gaze away from temptation. And, it was the temptation to immolate his being down to his green eyes, giving them a reason to smolder. There was a group of human females tittering behind their hands and gawking at Ayil. The arrogant ass of an Angel shot them a come-hither smile and like flies flocking to a dead carcass the females practically ran to his side. The large surfboard under his arm was no barrier to the females as they practically crawled up his body.

  Ayil’s deep voice grated on Kennex’s every nerve. She wanted to unleash her talons and claw his stupid gorgeous eyes out as he asked the females where he could find a bite to eat.

  Kennex didn’t realize she’d growled until his head swiveled her way. Ayil scanned her from head to toe. That one look screamed disdain, suspicion, anger, and lust. No one had ever confused her more with a single look. It was only the certainty that she’d be a pile of ashes without the ability to rise that kept her mouth shut and her feet rooted to the ground.

  Ayil dismissed the barnacles he’d picked up and strode toward Kennex. The way his lips pinched, and his fists clenched had her hackles rising despite her earlier realization. She didn’t give a flying fuck what kind of sword the warrior wielded. She had done nothing to earn his ire and refused to sit by and allow an uppity Angel to treat her as if she was nothing ever again.

  “What are you doing here?” he accused at the same moment she blurted “Why the hell are you following us?”

  Ayil’s head reared back and a furrow formed between the dark slash of his eyebrows as he shoved one end of the board into the sand next to them. “I’m not following you anywhere. I spend a lot of time in the area.”

  “Bullshit. I don’t believe that for one minute. Why would a warrior Angel spend time at a beach on Earth?”

  “I like to surf, obviously.” The way he said the last word screamed she was an imbecile for missing that fact. Ayil’s tone was clearly annoyed and she’d bet he hadn’t given her a second thought since the incident in Arizona.

  Arrogance wasn’t her strong suit, but Kennex wrapped it around her shoulders like a cloak and thrust her chin into the air. “The idea of a warrior Angel surfing mundane oceans when he could dip in the River of Life is absurd. Now, tell me why you are following my clan?” she demanded.

  “The River of Life isn’t for recreational purposes. I don’t imagine having it filled with sweat and God only knows what else would lend to its purpose. What brings your clan to San Diego? I assumed you’d resettle in the desert.”

  “You and your brothers made living anywhere near our clan home impossible. If I had known you would find us here so easily, I would never have agreed to settle in Southern California. It’s not like we had many options with the way humans have expanded across the continents and taken up nearly every available parcel of land.”

  “You say that as if that’s my fault.”

  Kennex placed her hands on her hips and glared at the angel. “Of course, it’s your fault. You had to interfere with my clan when we never asked for your help.”

  “So, you were in on the agreement with the demons. I knew it. That’s why you threatened me,” Ayil spat and closed the distance between them. His body heat radiated like the sun next to her but paled in comparison to the furnace of her rage.

  Kennex knew the humans around them would be able to see her eyes as they glowed bright gold, but she couldn’t quell her frustration. “My statement to you was no threat, but more a fact. You and your brothers go rushing into situations without clear plans and that will cost you your life someday. And, while demons make a tempting offer, I refuse to allow another being inside my body.”

  “Then you’re missing out, Candle. I can show you how good it can be,” Ayil purred from his position so close to her that his voice vibrated through her chest and down to her core. Thankfully, her repulsion for anything angelic kicked in before her scent could betray her body’s reaction, and her insides went cold.

  “Not if you were the last male left in every realm, Tiger. Leave my clan alone
, Ayil. We cooperated, but don’t mistake that for weakness,” Kennex said before she turned and walked away. The hair on the back of her neck prickled, telling her she was being watched. The low growl that washed over her from behind made her smile, and she put a little extra swing in her hips.

  It was the little things in life that mattered and at that moment short of accomplishing her life’s goal, knowing she irritated the Angel was extremely satisfying.

  * * *

  Chapter 2

  The vodka went down with pleasant warmth as Ayil downed the rest of his drink. For the hundredth time since Kennex walked away from him the day before, Ayil was reminded of the fiery Phoenix with even the hint of warmth. Embracing his annoyance, Ayil grabbed his dagger and flipped it in his hands while he watched his brother, Abraxos, croon one of his favorite songs to a nearby female Fae. The Seelie was beautiful with her flawless, light blue skin and wide silver eyes.

  “Ready for an ass-whooping?”

  Ayil shook his head at his younger brother, Araton. The male was driven by the need to win and create chaos. Ayil swore he was born an imp rather than a warrior angel. The massive red wings had to be a form of glamour.

  “The real question is how will you ever show your face when I trounce you again,” Ayil replied as the blade twirled through his fingers.

  “We’ll see about that, asshole,” Araton growled as he grabbed a rack and pulled pool balls from the slot under the billiard table.