Relic (The Brethren Series)

by Deena Remiel

  His wings fanned out, and he lifted the two of them off the ground, turning and rolling so that they were floating horizontally with Serena on top. Her hair dripped down, creating a curtain to hide their faces from the world. She gazed down upon him and spoke. “I’m yours forever, Raphael, and you are mine.”

  “I am yours forever, Serena. And you are mine.” He plunged inside her, and she met his urgency. Together, they rode the rapturous tide again and again until they heard each other shout, “Mine!” in a final climactic display of possession and ultimate love.

  Serena rested her head against his chest, eyes closed, and feathered light kisses across its expanse. Her hair brushed softly, tantalizingly against his stomach, sticking to it in places where it mingled with his sweat. She couldn’t get enough of him. The taste of him, the scent of him, the feel of his strength surrounding her, kept her at a heightened state of arousal. She couldn’t stop it or fight it, and instead decided to give in to it.

  “Mmm, you’re killin’ me, sweetheart,” Raphael mumbled drowsily.

  “Silly boy, I can’t kill you. I can only make you wish I could,” she retorted with mock cruelty. “Care for a demonstration?” Her hand crept down his rock hard stomach to parts very well known.

  He grabbed her hand and kissed its palm. “Let’s get out of here so you can kill me at home, in a soft, cushy bed.”

  “Mmm. Home, with you. I like that idea. A lot.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Raphael spent the next few days cloistered with Serena, away from everyone and everything, like a honeymoon before the wedding. But every morning he made creative excuses to tear himself away from her for a little while and work with Fred. To make sure she didn’t visit her father, he dropped her off at her shop first so she could plan a small wedding with Callie and catch up on the mountains of paperwork.

  The healing sessions with Serena’s father went spectacularly, and with Raphael’s charisma, he convinced the nursing home staff to keep any improvements secret from her. They thought it romantic that he came to help with his fiancée’s father’s rehabilitation. Everyone there rooted for him, amazed at his miraculous awakening. All of the therapists worked their tails off during his therapy sessions, wanting to see their severely stroke-damaged patient beat the odds and walk his daughter down the aisle.

  On the morning of the fifth day, Raphael got Fred walking without any assistance.

  “Come on, Fred, you can do it. I’ve completely healed your tendons, ligaments, and muscles. There’s no more atrophy. So it’s mind over matter now. Stand up and walk, just like you used to.”

  “I’m nervous. You sure about this?”

  “I’m absolutely positive. Healing is my business. I know what I’m doing. Now come on, stop stalling.”

  Fred put the brakes on his wheelchair and stood up. He bounced a little as if to check the fortitude of his legs. Raphael knew they were strong enough, but would he believe it? He hadn’t walked in so many years, so he understood his apprehension. Fred took one tentative step, then another, and another without hesitation. Staffers were stopping by the room to take a peek in on him, and an explosive cheer rang through the halls when they saw him walking. Hugs and tears, pats on the back, and words of encouragement were flying everywhere. When he reached the mighty savior, his eyes were glistening with tears.

  “In two day’s time, I’m walking my daughter down the aisle.” His voice broke with emotion. “To you. I couldn’t think of a better man to give her away to. You’ve given so much to our family. I’m forever grateful…son.” He hugged Raphael and patted him heartily on the back.

  “No thanks needed. In truth, you’re giving me so much more—the woman I love, and a family to call mine for the first time. So let me just say thanks…Dad.” Raphael cleared his throat and continued. “Well, I think it’s time to see a man about a tux.”

  Two days. Two days and Serena would be his wife, forever. Reality set in, and he liked it.

  ***

  “Two days! Two days, Callie!” Serena yelped, forgotten pencils flying like darts from her hair. “Let’s go over the list. Church, reserved. Hall, reserved. Caterer, reserved. Friends, invited. Ooh. Do we know if everyone from Brethren Security is coming?”

  “Yes, they are. I talked to Kemuel, who talked to Gabriel, who told him everyone’s coming. Well, except for their boss, E.L. He doesn’t do personal appearances. Whatever.” Callie scoffed.

  “Now, Callie…. All right, what else? Flowers, purchased. Wedding gown and veil, purchased. God Callie, isn’t it a beautiful gown?” Serena sighed wistfully.

  “Yeah, it sure is. Lucky for you you’re the perfect sample size.” Callie chuckled and nudged her.

  “I know, I know. Hey, looks like we’re all set.” Serena stopped and grasped Callie’s hand. “I don’t know what I’d have done without you. You know, you’re the closest thing I’ve got to a sister, and I thank God every day I have you in my life.”

  “Me, too.” Callie quietly sniffed and squeezed Serena’s hand. They both started bawling and hugging each other, when Raphael came sauntering into the office.

  “Hey, what’s going on here? We’re supposed to be happy, happy. What’s with the crying?”

  Callie and Serena both picked up one of the many squishy toys Serena had on her desk and flung them at him. He dodged them with ease.

  “We are happy! That’s why we’re crying!” Serena cried and laughed at the same time.

  “Oh. I guess it’s one of those woman things. Hey, let’s go sweetheart.” Raphael tapped his foot impatiently. “We’ve got things to do.” He walked over and grabbed her hand, pulling her up from her seat.

  “Yeah, I just bet you have ‘things’ to do,” Callie snorted and went back to work.

  “Bye, Callie! Talk to you tomorrow!” Serena shouted over her shoulder. “Raphael, what do we have to do?” She scurried to keep up with his long, strong legs. They reached his car, and he finally stopped, turning her into his arms with dancing flair and dipped her.

  “This….” He proceeded to consume her lips greedily in a scorching kiss. When he finished, he twirled her back up, sat her in her seat, and went to his side of the car, leaving Serena speechless and on fire.

  ***

  As he drove off with great speed, Raphael put the top down and heard her murmur, “Oh my,” and he preened like a peacock.

  “There’s more where that came from, sweetheart,” he teased as he moved his hand from the steering wheel, leisurely up her thigh, to rest between Serena’s legs. She’d worn a skirt, giving Raphael all sorts of wild fantasies, each one of them including a car and his woman, and doing the most erotic things to her in it.

  With the wind stirring her hair, the sun warming her skin, Raphael’s restless, seeking hand served to whip Serena into a sensual frenzy. He could tell by the way she panted and the way beads of perspiration dripped elegantly down the valley of her breasts that she was all but gone by the time they reached the house. He rushed around to her side, whisked her out of the car, and ran them both inside like teenagers.

  He knew they would have forever together, but he couldn’t quench the desire he felt here and now. And so he had her for lunch, and as a midday snack, and around dinnertime, he feasted again as though Serena were a ten-course meal.

  ***

  “You know, we can’t see each other tomorrow.” Serena stretched lazily, eyes closed and played with his thick fingers. “You’ll have to stay at the safe house. It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.” She and Raphael were dozing contentedly at last in the wee-small hours of the morning.

  “Well, I guess it couldn’t do any harm. I’ll putter around, finish up any last details. Anyone staying with you?” he asked.

  “No, I thought I’d spend the last day before we wed alone, since the rest of eternity I have to share it with you. It’s going to be such a hardship, you know.” She giggled. “Why? It’s okay, you know. It’s all over, honey. It’s been over. I’ll be fine.
”

  “I know. I guess I’m just being paranoid.” He lifted a stray lock of hair from her cheek. “I’m sure you understand why I’m a bit on the cautious side, but forget I mentioned anything. Roll over. You must be exhausted, and I wanna watch you sleep.” He smiled at her innocently, and she kissed him lightly before falling asleep almost immediately.

  His smile faded and he watched.

  ***

  It’s going to be a long day without Raphael, Serena thought, as she washed and dressed. But she carried on. With so many loose ends to tie up, final checks to be made, people and places to coordinate, she scarcely had time to think about anything else. Except for her father. In the quiet moments between the bedlam, she reflected upon him and her heart ached.

  She had arranged for a nursing home staffer to drive him and his wheelchair to the Chapel of the Holy Cross for the wedding. They didn’t usually allow weddings there, but somehow, Raphael swayed their decision. Kemuel promised to wheel her father down the aisle beside her, and she loved him instantly for that. But her dream was to have him walk her down that aisle. A sob caught in her throat, and she quickly shook her head to whisk it away. None of that nonsense, Serena. Don’t be greedy. At least he is alive and here to be a part of it all.

  As the day waxed on to evening, Serena felt unsettled. She hadn’t spoken to Raphael since the morning, even though her cell phone could attest to the fact that he had tried calling at least a hundred times. But a superstition was a superstition for a reason, so she stood firm. She decided to make a light supper for herself and watch TV. She had just gotten comfortable on the couch when the doorbell rang.

  “Uh, I just sat down. Coming!” she shouted out. Must be Callie with some last minute details to review. “Hey Cal…” she began, swinging the door open, and found herself grabbed roughly by the shirt and pushed inside. Before she could even scream for help, duct tape was slapped on her mouth, and she was shoved backward into the kitchen. Firmly planted on a chair, plastic ties were used to secure her hands behind the chair. She wriggled and fussed madly in her seat, but she couldn’t budge.

  “Well, Goddess, so we meet again, and for the last time. What? You thought I died back at the mad doctor’s mansion? I may be an easy target for your elbow or knee, but I’m certainly not an easy kill. So, how’s the touring business?” A smirk appeared on his face. A face that held new scars and appeared disfigured. Something familiar assaulted Serena’s memory.

  Wheezer. He’s alive! How is he still alive? And how the hell do I kill him? She looked around to see where her knives were. Too far, right now. He quickly got her attention by pulling out a gun.

  “So we need to have ourselves a little chat, my dear.” He waved his gun all around. “You’ve been a royal pain in the ass, you know? First Bull, then Steve and the doctor. You cause pain and death wherever you go. But I’m going to see to it you never wreak that kind of havoc ever again. I’m done playing sister, and so are you.”

  He aimed the gun and squeezed the trigger. She screamed, but the sound only got as far as her taped mouth. The bullet punctured her right above her left breast. Another quickly followed, hitting her above her right breast. Another scream of terror and tears streamed down her face as the pain engulfed her, but she noticed something strange after only a couple of moments. The pain disappeared. Her blood still stained her shirt, but there was no more seepage.

  Is this what it’s like to be immortal?

  In that instant, she’d come to understand that she knew so little about herself anymore, and promised when this was over, to find out.

  Raphael! Dear God, he can hear my thoughts. He must know Wheezer’s here, and he’s on his way right now. But how could she be sure? She’d only read his mind once, and with a lot of help from him.

  “Mmmf!” she groaned. Another bullet had struck her in the gut. Raphael, save me! she thought deep and hard, imagining a telephone line connecting the two of them.

  I’m coming, sweetheart! Hold on! he answered. Relief washed over her when she heard his voice clear as day in her mind.

  “Mmmf!” Yet another bullet pierced her right lung. She could barely breathe for a few moments, but things soon returned to normal, yet again. She kept the wounded act up, though, making sure Wheezer hadn’t caught on to her special ability. She looked around again for anything she could use to stop him.

  Well, there’s the chair I’m sitting on. I could rush him with it and send him off balance. She liked that idea, and without another thought just did it. Caught completely by surprise, not only was he knocked to the ground, but he broke the chair into splinters and the gun flew from his hand. Serena found herself nearly free. She relied on her fitness and a couple of defense classes to get over to the gun and kick it far away from the psycho. He already made moves to stand back up, so Serena roundhouse kicked him across the jaw. He twisted and fell to the floor as she ran to get something to free her hands. She found a small paring knife and went to working sawing her hands free. It only took a few a swipes of the blade to cut her hands loose. She ran to get the gun and pointed it at Wheezer. He stirred. She tore the tape away from her mouth.

  “Don’t you fucking move, asshole! Not one inch!” she shrieked. Raphael, I got him! I’ve got a gun pointed at him!

  Good girl! I’m flying up to the house right now. Keep it steady.

  Serena heard him blast through the front door and turned for an instant. Just enough time, for when she turned back, she found Wheezer lunging at her, and without a moment’s hesitation, she raised the gun and unloaded the remaining bullets into his chest.

  Raphael ran into the kitchen to find a very dead Wheezer on the floor and a very still Serena standing with a bloodied shirt and gun frozen in her hand.

  “It’s over, sweetheart. Now, it’s really over. Give me the gun, honey,” he coaxed gently.

  “I heard you coming in,” she said stoically, even though tears were tracking down her face. “I turned. Stupid. I was distracted and he lunged for me. Swiftly and permanently, Raphael. He’s gone. I did it. He won’t be back. Swiftly and permanently.” She gazed up at him and relinquished the gun. Shock drained from her body as soon as she saw his angelic face, and it changed to awe over the dawning realization that she had survived multiple gunshots to her body.

  “Come here, baby,” he soothed, as he took the gun from her hand and held her to him. “It’s all right. I’ll call the cleanup crew to clear away the filth. It’s all over now, for real. I’m so sorry. We thought for sure he died in the explosions. Jesus, I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he kept muttering into her hair.

  Serena stepped out of his grasp. “I’m all right, Raphael. Look at me. I’m alive. I’m full of holes, and I’m alive. It’s extraordinary! And that piece of scum is not worth wasting another moment’s thought. He got what he deserved: Brethren justice. Just not exactly handed down by a Brethren. But I think a Brethren’s soon-to-be wife should count for something. Don’t you?” She raised an eyebrow.

  Raphael sighed with relief upon hearing her sassy voice. “I think we can make provisions for that. Let me look at your wounds, okay?”

  She picked up her shirt, and he found no scarring at all from where the bullets had entered her. She lowered the straps of her tank top for him to check out her back.

  “Well that’s interesting. Nowhere on your belly or chest is there any scarring, but there is some back here by your shoulder blades. Jesus!” He took a step back and raked his hands through his hair.

  “What? What? You’re scaring me! What is it?”

  “It’s just that these scars…these scars look like a scepter…surrounded by a pair of…of angel’s wings. Call me crazy, but that’s what I’m seeing. Take a look!” He brought her to the bathroom mirror and turned her so she could see.

  “Holy shit! What the hell does that mean?”

  “I don’t really know. It could have something to do with gaining your immortality. We’ll have to ask E.L. Until then, I’d say we have a wedding to attend
tomorrow. And I’m telling you now, I’m staying here tonight. You can screw your superstitions!”

  “Don’t worry, honey.” Serena walked into his arms. “I’d rather screw you.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Serena awoke to the sound of birds chirping and the smell of fresh coffee brewing. She rolled over lazily, reaching out for Raphael, but the space was empty. With eyes still closed, she frowned. Where is that man? That man had probably been out of bed since the crack of dawn, beside himself with nerves for today’s big event, she thought regretfully.

  They were to be married today. Their lives intertwined for all of eternity. What man wouldn’t have cold feet at the prospect? And they’d known each other such a short time, too. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times, and frowned again.

  She had awakened at the safe house. She killed a man last night in her own home, and she knew she could never go back there ever again. She didn’t care how good the Brethren’s cleanup crew could restore her home. It would never erase the vivid memories and horrors of what had happened there. She and Raphael would have to find themselves a new home, together. Until such time, this place would be it, thanks to a late night call and the generosity of E.L. He had told them to consider it a wedding present.

  “Good morning, sunshine,” Raphael sang out while walking into the room. His smooth delivery impressed her.

  “Good morning, loverboy. Don’t you look all calm, cool, and collected this morning.”

  “And why shouldn’t I be? This promises to be one stellar day, my dear.” He sported the widest smile she’d ever seen on him.