An Angel's Torment

by Valerie Twombly

  “Because when I came to you, it was as a man not an angel. I have never once showed you my divine energy. What you feel, Ana, is real. What we have is rare and special.”

  Chapter 4

  Tegan and Ana talked far into the night. As the storm outside turned fierce, he’d told her everything. Laid the cards on the table. She knew how human females were chosen to birth the Nephilim and understood she’d been selected to raise an angel’s mate. Tegan had also tried hard to make sure she knew she could say no, and that nothing would change between them. He would still love her, still want her.

  “So you can tell my body to become pregnant?”

  “I can.”

  “Do you take her away when she’s born?”

  “Never. You would raise her to know who she is. She will be special, our daughter.”

  “Then why don’t they allow the father to assist? A child needs both parents and even more so in this case.” Her eyes lit with determination.

  “Our jobs are dangerous. I’m what is called an elite. I command an army of bounty hunters whose main job is to bring back those that fall into the darkness.” He explained about these angels who were evil and a threat to everyone. He didn’t want to scare her by telling her that when he had to go away, he would have guards placed on her. His enemies were many.

  “You’re tired and need some sleep.” He kissed her forehead. “Go to bed and take time to think about what I’ve said. I will give you all the time you need and will not return until I hear from you. When you’re ready to talk again, you only need to call my name, and I’ll be here.” He stood and pulled her to her feet.

  “I have a lot to absorb, but it hasn’t changed how I feel about you. I’m just confused. Things between us have happened so fast, and then this on top of it.” She shook her head. “I think sleep is what I need.” She brushed a kiss across his lips. “Night, Tegan.”

  Tegan stepped outside. As soon as the door closed behind him, he summoned his wings.

  Eli!

  Within seconds, his best hunter stood in front of him. “What’s up?”

  “You are to watch this house and be sure no demons come within a hundred miles from here,” Tegan ordered.

  Eli looked around him and studied the wooden structure. “Who’s inside?”

  “A human.”

  Eli lifted a brow. “No fucking shit. Who is she?”

  “It’s advisable to not ask me questions.”

  “Well, you should know better than to summon me then.” Yeah, in many ways Eli was like Tegan. He followed his own rules but was the best at his job.

  “Look, I’m asking as a friend. All I can tell you is she’s important and must be protected.”

  Eli studied him for a moment. “As your friend, I will guard her with my life. Leave without a worry, I’ll call if I need you.”

  Tegan touched Eli on the shoulder. “Thanks,” he said before he vanished. He had work that had been neglected for far too long and prayed the Seven didn’t summon him.

  Ana tossed and turned for several hours before she finally gave up the idea of sleep and crawled out of bed. The storm had passed, and the sun would come up shortly. She padded across the carpet to the kitchen and stuck a K-cup in the coffee maker. Setting her favorite mug on the platform—the white one that said Best Sister Ever in bright pink letters––she pressed the button. Within a minute, she had a steaming cup of hazelnut with a little cream and sugar. Heading for the living room, she pulled open the curtains on the picture window and stared through the glass. Was he out there somewhere?

  The sun finally climbed high enough to peek over the hillside. Today the forecast called for mild temperatures and sunshine. Ana sipped her coffee and decided to get dressed. There was no reason she shouldn't keep her normal routine and go to the park. “Normal,” she laughed. Normal had been breakfast every morning with Tegan for the past several months. Today it would only be her. She lifted her chin and reminded herself it would be good to get some fresh air; it would help her think.

  After donning jeans, a sweater, her boots, and a coat, she headed out the door. As usual, she had her bag of nuts for the squirrels and made her way across the fresh layer of snow and down the sidewalk of her sleepy little town. After a block, she stepped onto the path that led back into the woods. The walk usually took her about twenty minutes, but today the snow slowed her down. With the crisp air helping to clear her mind, Ana reflected on the talk she had Tegan with last night. He vowed he loved her. There was no doubt how she felt about him, but things were so confusing. As she approached her bench, a woman sat there tossing bread to the birds. She thought about turning back but was compelled to continue forward. Taking a seat, the woman turned and gave her a warm smile.

  “Good morning, Ana. I wondered if you’d ever come.”

  She startled. “How do you know my name?” She studied the woman who looked to be no older than herself. Beautiful, brunette hair was pulled back into a braid, and warm eyes stared back at her.

  “My name is Ambriel. You could say I’m a friend of Tegan’s.” She tossed another crumb.

  “I see.”

  “No, he didn’t ask me to come. I’m here on my own.”

  Ana wondered if she was human or angel. She was certainly beautiful enough to be divine, but she didn’t know how to ask.

  “No, Ana. I am not of your world.” Ambriel’s smile put her at ease.

  “You’re an angel, too?” She pulled out a handful of nuts and tossed them to the waiting squirrels.

  “Yes. Before we continue, I have to ask you not to speak of my visit to anyone.” Ambriel placed a hand on Ana’s arm and warmth spread through her body. “Not even Tegan must know. I’m afraid he’d be angry with me, plus what I’m about to tell you is forbidden. I could get into a lot of trouble.”

  Ana certainly didn’t want the angel to get into any kind of trouble, and her curiosity was peaked. “All right. What is it you want to tell me?”

  “The final choice is yours of course, but I thought you should know he really does love you. He’s even placed his best hunter to watch over you.” She turned to face Ana. “Of course, right now he only sees you sitting here talking to the animals,” she giggled.

  Ana looked around but, of course, saw nothing. “So is that what you came to tell me?”

  Ambriel shook her head. “No. I came to tell you that your daughter’s birth has been awaited for a long time.”

  “I-I don’t understand.”

  Ambriel shifted her weight and took Ana’s hand, giving it a light squeeze before letting go. “I will not lie to you. Your daughter, Ashley, will one day bring balance to the chaos.”

  “Ashley?” she whispered.

  “Yes, that is the name you will both choose for her.”

  Ana felt her own smile widen. “It’s a beautiful name.”

  “She will be a beautiful woman. Ashley’s life will not be an easy one, but it will be those hardships that will prepare her.”

  Ana’s heart raced as fear coursed through her. “What do you mean by hardships? What will happen to her?”

  The woman remained calm. “I can’t tell you everything, even I don’t know what paths Ashley will choose. I do know she means a lot to humanity. I also know that you may continue your life as it is, seek a human husband, and have many children.” She smiled.

  Ana rubbed her arms, more out of comfort than coldness. “Why?” She knew there had to be more. “What happens if I walk away and never call Tegan’s name?” The thought of never seeing him again tore at her heart.

  With a heavy sigh the angel continued, “The best way I know is to show you what will happen if Ashley is never born.” She held out her hand. “May I?”

  She swallowed down her fear. It tasted bitter, but she reached for Ambriel’s hand. Her fear wasn’t of the woman in front of her. Her gut said what she was about to witness wouldn’t be good.

  Bright light encompassed them. She had to squint until it turned a smoky grey, and she w
as able to open her eyes again. She wished she hadn’t. “Tell me this isn’t what I think it is? Please.”

  “I wish I could, but it has already begun. Evil is gaining the upper hand.”

  Ana couldn’t look anymore. Her stomach rolled at all the blood. Everything was coated with the sticky substance; the smell so foul her stomach threatened to spill its contents. “No more.” As quickly as the scene appeared it was gone, and she was sitting next to Ambriel, the sun’s warmth on her skin. “Why me? Why does it have to be my daughter who has to bear this burden?”

  The angel focused an intent gaze on Ana. “Only a daughter born from true love between an angel and a human will bring peace.” Ambriel looked to the east. “Her mate watches over you now.”

  “The hunter?”

  “She will choose him, and she will sacrifice for him.” Ambriel rose. “I must go now. Remember, you cannot speak a word of this. You will have to make your choice soon, or it will be too late.” She started to fade away.

  “Wait!” The woman reappeared. “Will she be happy? Ashley? You said she’d sacrifice for him. Does she give up her life for his?”

  Her smile returned. “I can only tell you her inner strength will be tested through the course of her life. Will she survive? In the end, that will be up to her.” Then the angel was gone.

  Chapter 5

  Tegan wiped blood from his blade, the silence in the room almost deafening. Most of his hunters knew when he was in a foul mood to steer clear. Except for one.

  “What demon crawled up your ass and died?” Eli questioned. The others in the room jumped up and vacated.

  “You should follow your brethren and leave,” he growled.

  Eli looked up from cleaning his own blade. “And miss the opportunity to have you kick my ass? Not a chance, so what gives? You’ve been in a shit mood since that girl.” He set his dagger aside. “Who is she, by the way?”

  Tegan worked his jaw. “She is someone you need not concern yourself with. Speaking of, shouldn’t you be keeping an eye on her?”

  Eli stood and pulled off his bloody shirt. “I have a guard on her. I’m not a full-time babysitter, you know. Besides, you just told me she wasn’t my concern. Make up your fucking mind.”

  “You’re whatever the hell I tell you to be.”

  The hunter produced a clean shirt. “Fine. I’ll be heading back to my post in Maine should you have need of me.”

  “How does she look?” Tegan asked.

  Eli grabbed his dagger and strapped it to his leg. “She looks depressed if you ask me.”

  Tegan hated the sound of that. It was all because of him, he’d done this to her. “Thanks for everything.” Eli nodded then disappeared, leaving Tegan alone with his thoughts. It had been a month since he’d seen Ana. He expected to give her a few days, maybe even a week, but a month? Several times he thought about checking in on her but if he saw her, there would be no way to stop himself from pulling her into his arms and kissing the hell out of her. He had to allow her space and time to think. A lot of information had been dumped on her. Of course, there was the chance she’d never want anything to do with him again. He tried not to think about it, because when he did he wanted to go on a killing spree. He was actually happy demons were misbehaving as it gave him an outlet for his frustration.

  He did a quick change of clothes and flashed himself to the bar where the others were hanging out for the night. A stiff drink or maybe a good drunk was exactly what he needed to numb his loneliness.

  Ana trod through the heavy snow and headed for home. The large flakes had started earlier that morning and continued throughout the day, piling up to several inches. The children at the daycare had been excited to don their suits and play in the first significant snow of the season. They had built a snowman and made snow angels, one of her favorites. Afterward, they’d gone back inside and had hot cocoa with mini marshmallows. She loved her part-time job taking care of the children, but the past few weeks had been difficult. Not only did she miss Tegan, but every time she looked at the children she thought of what Ambriel had shown her.

  Evil. The stench of it had been everywhere, and the innocent suffered. How could she allow the children to suffer? If her daughter was destined to somehow stop this from happening, she would have to follow the fate had laid before her.

  Her house was on the next block so she picked up the pace. Making her way up her sidewalk, she eyed the fresh snow in the front yard and an urge struck her. She dropped backward and began to make a snow angel. As she lay there, flakes falling on her face, she mulled around her earlier decision. She’d put it off long enough.

  “Tegan,” she whispered, not expecting anything to happen. She counted the seconds as they ticked by, her heartbeat the only thing she could hear.

  “Ana? What are you doing?”

  She sat up and looked toward the deep, sexy voice. “Making a snow angel.”

  He leaned against the porch column, looking like sex dressed in black. “I see that.” He pushed off and strode toward her. When he stopped, he held out his hand and she accepted. He helped her to her feet. Desperation and desire lingered in his eyes, seconds before he pulled her to his hard chest and planted his lips on hers.

  She opened. Their tongues did an erotic dance and her skin pimpled. Not from the cold, she no longer felt that. Matter of fact, she was so hot she wanted to strip right there in the snow, but Tegan held her so tight there would be no getting away until he released her.

  Finally, he broke the kiss with a nip to her bottom lip and looked down at her. “I know I shouldn’t have done that, but I’ve missed you so much.” Before she could reply, she found herself standing in her living room.

  “Oh my, how did you do that?”

  He grinned. “I can do many things.”

  She pulled her jacket off and tossed it on the couch. “I wasn’t sure if you’d come.”

  “I will always come to you unless I’m unable.” His green eyes danced with desire, making her even hotter.

  “I’ve made my decision. There is no denying how I feel about you.”

  He stepped closer. “I love you, Ana.” He shook his head. “I’m not supposed to but I do, and you’re all I want. I’ll ask the Tribunal to make you my mate.”

  She took his hands in hers and marveled at their warmth. “They can do that?” She wondered if that would change their daughter’s destiny. Ambriel hadn’t mentioned it.

  “They can do whatever they wish. Would you like me to ask? Would you be mine for eternity, Ana?” He cupped her ass and slid her up his body until their eyes met. The thought of belonging to him, seeing Tegan everyday when she woke up and went to bed, made her shiver with desire.

  “I’m already yours Tegan, so the answer is yes.” She kissed his neck. “I also want to have your child.”

  He pulled back slightly and looked at her. “Are you sure? I mean, it doesn’t have to happen now.”

  She felt herself beaming with happiness. “Yes, I’m sure and can think of no better time. Can you?”

  “You honor me, Ana,” he whispered, and the love that shown in his eyes caught her breath.

  “Good,” she managed through peppered kisses. “Take me to bed.” She leaned back and touched his cheek.

  Chapter 6

  The thought of her belly round with his child settled in his chest and filled him with pride. Damn, he loved this woman so much it almost hurt. He wasn’t deserving of her, but he would cherish every moment. Right now, he wanted Ana, wanted to bury himself inside her and forget the outside world. He carried her to the bedroom, set her on her feet, and kissed her as if his life depended on it. He’d been nothing but an empty shell the past month. A cold killer and she made him feel alive again.

  Grabbing the hem of her sweater, he lifted it over her head and grinned at the black lace bra that molded to her breasts. “Perfection.”

  “My turn.” She pulled at his jacket until she had it off and tossed into a nearby chair. Working on his tee, she
had it over his head and on the floor in a matter of seconds. A smile curved her lips.

  “Perfection.”

  He laughed, something he rarely did, but Ana always made him smile. The only time she hadn’t was during the past month when he’d waited for her to decide their fate. “I was beginning to think I’d scared you off,” he said as she reached for his belt. He grabbed her hands. “My turn again.”

  She giggled. “You can’t scare me off. I’ve never been a believer in love at first sight, and it felt like that’s what we had. I needed to make sure it was still there when you weren’t.”

  “Smart woman.” He unbuttoned her jeans and pushed them down her curvy hips, not surprised to find matching black panties. Kneeling, he pulled off one boot at a time before the jeans followed, and she was standing in only black lace.

  “Back to me again.” She chewed her bottom lip as she tugged on his belt. She wasn’t quite as nimble getting his jeans unfastened, but he still enjoyed her undressing him. The feel of her soft, warm hands on his flesh was a slice of heaven. His cock was so hard he wasn’t sure he could get his pants off without breaking his erection in half. Somehow, she managed to push the jeans downward and release his throbbing shaft. She licked her lips and looked as if she’d devour him. He almost came on the spot.

  “Let me help.” He groaned then toed off his boots while she tugged his jeans the rest of the way. Kneeling in front of him, she looked up, a wide grin on her face before she flicked out her tongue and licked the tip of his cock.

  He hissed and laced his fingers through her hair, offering encouragement. Seduction filled her eyes and she sucked him in, nearly taking his entire length. His knees locked, and he dropped his chin down so he could watch her. “Damn that feels good. You’re so fucking sexy.”

  She moaned around him, and he nearly came again. This woman was going to test his willpower to its fullest limit. Especially when she cupped his balls and pulled back to swirl her tongue over the tip while still trying to suck his eyes out of his head. He was desperate to touch her. Make her scream his name.