Rori stared blankly for a full minute. Clearly this man was suffering from dementia. The clean clothes and tidy appearance didn’t hide the crazy inside. Backing away with pity now, she said, “I have no idea what you mean by that. Has April passed away or not?”
“Possibly. Though as I said, she doesn’t do dead well. Let’s simply say she’s moved on.”
Aisling raised her palm to stop Rori’s next words. Narrowing her eyes, she studied the man for a few seconds before saying, “What aren’t you telling us?” She moved forward, crowding him closer to the doorframe. “There’s more to this story.”
“Smart girl.” His entire demeanor shifted just like that—one second he was a kind, but nutty, little old man—the next second he was not. The warm chuckle turned cold; the harsh tone sending a chill of warning across the back of her neck; his cloudy eyes sharpened like a hawk; his mouth twisted to an angry grimace. An energy that hadn’t been there before now surrounded him, shimmering over his form. The heat blasted them with the force of an open furnace.
Aisling jumped backwards with both hands held in front of her. “Stop right there! Don’t come any closer!” Her voice softened to almost a hiss. “I know what you are. Stay away from us or I’ll send you straight back to Hell.”
“No, thanks. I know the way.” With one last tight smile, he added, “Keep up the good work, Rori,” and shimmered out.
Chapter 15: Escape from New York
RORI WAS SHAKING with fury as they rematerialized inside the hotel room. The second they were solid, she flung Aisling’s hand away and rounded on her. “What the hell was he?”
Aisling’s confused expression didn’t make Rori feel any better. “I’m out of loop these days, but I’m pretty sure that was a minor demon. A foot soldier of sorts. He was possessing that human versus creating his own personal façade.”
“Why didn’t you sense him the second we saw him? Isn’t that your job? You’re the Primani, not me. How could you not know what he was? He probably killed April!”
“Whoa! Hold up! Don’t jump down my throat! This isn’t my fault. First of all, I wasn’t expecting to find a demon in your old lady friend’s apartment. Second of all, he’s cloaked to avoid discovery. It’s not like he’s wearing a neon sign.”
Her blue eyes darkened with an anger of her own and she added tightly, “And thirdly, if what he’s alluding to is true, your sweet little friend is rotten to the core. You heard what he said, right?”
Yeah. She’d heard him. She didn’t want to believe it though. If April wasn’t human . . . If she was really a demon . . . Was their entire relationship a fantasy? What was she doing here? Spying on her? Why?
“The more important question is who asked her to watch over you?”
“Has anyone ever told you it’s rude to read minds?”
Aisling snorted with amusement and squeezed Rori’s shoulder with sympathy. “Chill. I’m not reading your mind. I’m only stating the obvious. If the cute little old man is a demon and he’s best buds with your sweet little old lady friend, then it stands to reason she’s also a demon. So, why is she in your life?”
Angry tears sprung to her eyes and she dashed them away with the back of her hand. “Damn it! I just can’t believe this.”
“At least it explains that smell. He must’ve been tailing us.”
Rori choked on a strangled laugh and ranted, “This sucks! I can’t believe April wasn’t human! I’ve poured my heart out to her, trusted her. She was my family. We talked about everything. She was my rock before I met Dec.”
Aisling hugged her and handed her a tissue. “I know, sweetie. It’s crazy. I don’t know what to say.”
“Neither do I. All this time, she was lying to me. Pretending to care. Acting like she gave a shit about me, but she was nothing but a shell. A demon.”
Her mind was blown; it stumbled over memories and created one conspiracy theory after another as she stood perfectly still, staring off into space. There was really only one conclusion that passed the logic test. Someone wanted to monitor her. The list of demons who had her on their radar was short, but not too sweet. As far as she knew, the list only had two names on it, and one of them was very dead thanks to her powerful Primani boyfriend. That only left one creature with motive. It could only be one demon.
Azrael.
But why?
The burgundy-striped wallpaper was beginning to feel like prison bars as the clock ticked off the minutes. The suite was luxurious by anyone’s standards, yet it might as well be a concrete cell. She paced the length of the living room while her thoughts ran in circles. Outside, the sunlight faded, turning grey with storm clouds that hung lower and lower over the skyscrapers. Why would Azrael want to monitor her? The deal for her soul was null and void. He had no claim on her anymore. Even if he was still pissed about losing her, he wouldn’t dare come for her again. Sure, he was a powerful demon, but she was protected by Uriel and Raphael. Even more importantly, Uriel had granted her immortality so her human body should be safe from demonic possession. To make doubly sure of that, she knew exactly how to recognize the typical probing tactics that demons preferred. She was neither hopeless nor despairing any longer. She was in a good place emotionally and physically. Her life was moving along smoothly with the exception of Af’s disruption. No. There were no weaknesses for a demon to probe; no opening for them to gradually wear away at her defenses. She was strong. More importantly, she was happy. Bottom line was she was protected from possession—Azrael had no access to her soul—or her body.
What could he possibly want with her now?
“Rori? What are you thinking? You’ve been quiet for a while.” Aisling glanced up from the couch. She’d been quiet while Rori paced, giving her time to get her thoughts together and calm down.
“I’m thinking about demons.” She grinned and smoothed her hands over her butt. “This is some crazy bullshit. I’m sorry I snapped your head off earlier. I’m a wreck.” Flopping down on an uncomfortable armchair, she continued, “I don’t know whether to cry or go on a bloody rampage. Why is nothing in my life ever easy? I just want to marry Dec and live a mostly normal life with a job, a dog, and eventually a couple of magical kids. Is that too much to ask?”
Aisling smiled with understanding. “You’ve got a right to be mad. Don’t worry about me. I’m not exactly the poster child of calm, cool, and collected. I get it. No idea why you’d have a demon keeping an eye on you?”
“Nope. None. I’m so pissed I can’t even feel sad right now. It’s as if the woman I knew never existed. After all this time . . . I just don’t get it. Why pretend to be my friend? Why would she show up week after week?”
“And why would she suddenly disappear?”
Good question. What had changed in the past two weeks?
“I should call Dec and let him know what happened.”
Aisling nodded. “Yeah, and make sure he and Sean are going to be back for the ceremony. They’ve got less than 24 hours to finish this op and get their butts back here if they’re going to make it on time.”
“They won’t be late. Not Dec. He promised.” She dialed his number.
It went straight to voicemail.
Despite the magical barrier that kept him locked inside, Af’s angelic powers still worked at peak performance. Oh, he could use them all; he just couldn’t leave the penthouse. This arrangement wasn’t working for him. After trying to find a weakness in every door and window, he’d resigned himself to being stuck here until someone from the Archangel ranks decided to release him. He’d broken his hands and feet more than once trying to break out, but the windows would not shatter. He’d healed himself and tried again and again before finally giving up on using brute force. After his last tantrum, he amused himself by using his powers to eavesdrop on the humans living in the surrounding buildings and came to one conclusion; humans were idiots. Too much television. Too much mindless gaming. World of Warcraft? What the fuck was an orc? People were becoming disconnected w
ith reality thanks to the lure of their shiny technology. And he was astounded at how many men were completely oblivious to even their most basic urges. For fuck’s sake, one thing that had always been true was the rule of reproduction. In every other century, man was driven by his need to procreate and further his line. In simpler terms, he was controlled by his cock. Af trailed his fingers over his own flesh and shook his head. It seemed this thing called an Xbox has taken the place of a woman’s vagina.
Yes, the 21st century was going to start mankind’s slow slide to oblivion. Disconnection from each other was only the beginning. When the time came, the angels wouldn’t need to do much to return the earth to its primal essence. Humans would ensure their own extinction soon enough. Idiots.
Pacing back and forth, he closed his eyes and called the rage that simmered in his blood, urging it to build into a great wave of fury that would set him free. Glorious white hot pain lanced his muscles as energy rose from his core, coiling deep inside and spreading ever outward, filling his veins, bowing his spine. Splaying his fingers to release the tension, he tipped his head back and let the roar rise to the crescendo he craved. Power arced from fingertip to fingertip, outlining his human body in a shimmering aura of silver. The metallic haze pulsed with every beat of his heart until he nearly ignited into a solitary flame. As his body simmered, his mind raced.
How dare they lock him up? He was an angel with a purpose more noble than most angels in the vastness of Heaven. He was devoted to his father. Devoted to the point of blindness! He couldn’t stand this isolation any longer. He had to get out of here. He wasn’t a creature of buildings. He was a creature of the skies! He ached to spread his wings and soar. The fact that his wings were pinned didn’t mean he didn’t crave his freedom. He would blow up this continent if he stayed here much longer. He would take a taxi, a subway, or walk if he had to. It didn’t matter how he traveled. He only wanted to get out of this prison. And when he did . . . He would track down Seth and rip him to shreds. He’d have the upper hand. The demon wouldn’t know he was coming. Seth would die one scale at a time.
There had to be a way.
Kneeling on one knee, he spread his arms in supplication before lifting his face to the ceiling. “Father, please. Release me from this prison. You know I never ask for your interference, but this time, I’m begging. I need to be free. I can’t breathe.”
No response. Not a surprise. Their conversations were usually one-way, but that didn’t mean He hadn’t heard Af. Putting his faith in his father’s compassion, he bowed his head, saying, “Thank you.”
Almost immediately he got his miracle. He heard Rori long before she got to the front door. Clearly upset about something, she didn’t bother to keep her voice down as she ascended in the elevator. As she approached the penthouse, her words were clear. “Every time I turn around, there’s another friggin’ supernatural pain in the ass showing up in my damn life! Seriously, what’s wrong with me? Do I have some kind of friggin’ homing beacon on my forehead? How many other people end up surrounded by nosy, sneaky, geriatric angels and creepy demons with stalker tendencies?”
The distinct sound of another female voice was cut off by Rori’s tirade. “First Arthur and now April! Don’t even get me started on those two asshole demons who destroyed my entire childhood. Oh, and let’s not forget the douchebag who just ruined my wedding! Having it in Central Park is not my first choice.”
The other female finally asked just outside the door, “Did Dec finally find Arthur for you? I thought the jury was still out about his being an angel.”
Rori barked, “Ha! Of course he did! My hero always saves the day, doesn’t he? Turned out dear, sweet Arthur was only around to help me resist Ikini’s influence. When his job was done, he faked his death and left me heartbroken. Has he been back to visit? Noooo. Just popped in and out of my life just like he’s done with God knows how many other victims. He didn’t care at all about me. I was just another assignment to him. Jerk of an angel! And now April’s not human? I am so through with this good versus evil crap! I am done being nice. Screw it.”
Well, now. Wasn’t this interesting? Blinking to clear his hazy vision, he drew the coil of energy back into his core, shaking his fingers to release the heat and lingering light. Rori wasn’t supposed to be around him. Did she forget Raphael’s warning? He could take her will before she could blink. Before her mouth could utter a cry for help, he could drain the life from her. Or he could simply possess her and walk out the door.
All she had to do was come inside.
His energy was confined to the apartment, but his powers weren’t bound now that no one shared it with him. Raphael would regret that uncharacteristic mercy and no doubt come after him with blood in his eye. Shrugging at the image of the furious Archangel, he gazed across the skyline again, letting his vision blur as he looked inward. The slight snick of the lock releasing tore his thoughts away from plans he probably shouldn’t be making. His lips curled into a satisfied smile. He’d piss off pretty much everyone. Aaaand, they could all go fuck themselves. He didn’t owe them shit.
With a cheery wink at the sky, he said, “Thanks, Father.”
Yeah, this plan would work just fine. He threaded his fingers through his shaggy bangs and pushed them away from his face. Better get dressed for the ladies. With a snap of his fingers, he was dressed in jeans, boots, and a black t-shirt. Looking down at his clothes, he changed his mind. Not jeans. He was out for blood. He needed something else. With that thought, he changed the jeans for black cammies and his favorite combat boots. Another snap and a knife materialized in his fist. Not his first choice of weapons, but it would have to do for now. Another snap and he had a handy sheath for the blade. Strapping it onto his calf, he let the pants conceal it. Perfect. He was armed and dangerous. Uriel would probably lose his shit, but that was a gamble he was willing to take.
Bustling into the foyer with the other woman at her side, Rori was deep in conversation when she spotted him standing inside the French doors. She stopped so abruptly the other woman ran into her from behind. Her soft growl of annoyance almost made him smile.
“Oh, damn.”
The quick drain of blood from her cheeks did make him smile. Ah, Rori, Rori, Rori. How transparent you are.
Tilting his head slightly, he greeted his company with a nice, even, friendly sort of tone that almost, but not quite, disguised the excitement racing through him. “Rori. How nice to see you. And you brought a friend.” Not human . . . Another Primani? This was getting more and more interesting by the second; but not more interesting than gutting his favorite demon. No time for fucking around with these twits. He had more important matters to attend to.
Escape. Revenge. Annihilation.
Not necessarily in that order.
“Shove it, Af. I’m not here for you. I need my shoes for the wedding and then we’re out of here.” Rori replied sharply, but avoided passing too closely on her way to the bedroom.
She talked tough enough, but he caught her watching him from over her shoulder as she turned the corner. She was afraid. She should be. He could snuff out her life in the blink of an eye and feel no remorse. The weak often died. That’s how the universe worked.
The ginger opened her mouth to speak, but she didn’t get the chance to form a single word. With barely a thought from him, her eyes rolled back in her head and she slid down the wall, coming to rest in a nice, cozy unconscious pile. In that fraction of a second of connection, he knew everything about her.
Aisling Andersson. Gabrielian Primani. Mother of Sean Michael. Pregnant with another. Lover of Sean O’Cahan. Cohort of Irku, Slayer of Angels. Broken. Healed. Damaged. Just another jacked up soul looking for purpose.
Little did she know how much purpose her existence really had. That boy was the future. One day, he’d move humanity towards an end they’d not appreciate. But that was not Af’s concern. Mankind would wither and die for all eternity and he would be one of those driving that destruction. Tha
t was his job, wasn’t it? Destroy those who craved destruction. Destroy the faithless. Destroy the arrogant. Destroy the weak. Destroy the strong if they got in his way—but not this mother. She’d need to go on living if the future was to play out the way his father wanted. Bending down, he untangled Aisling’s legs so they wouldn’t fall asleep and tilted her head back to a more comfortable angle.
Good luck to you, mother of Sean Michael, for he shall surely try your grace.
He started to walk away but stopped and looked down at the Primani. Well, and why not? Cradling her belly between his palms, he pressed his cheek against her, listening intently. After a few seconds, he dropped a lingering kiss over the baby and stood. That’s all I can do for you. You owe me.
All right. Time to go. Patiently waiting outside of the entrance to the hallway, he listened to Rori mutter under her breath as she jammed the box of shoes into a bag. Bracing himself as she approached, he attacked the second she rounded the corner. His hand was around her throat so quickly she didn’t have time to gasp before she was completely immobile. Just like that. Too easy.
Drilling his will through her frightened eyes, he murmured, “Open the door, Rori. When I’m gone, you will close it and lock it. Then you will lie down on the couch and go to sleep for six hours. When you awake, you won’t remember this. Do you understand?”
He released some of the pressure on her neck so she could move. With blank eyes, she nodded woodenly and whispered, “I understand.”
Her pulse thudded hard enough to make the vein in her temple throb. It purpled and swelled with pressure as the sound of her heart beating drowned out his harsh breathing. Spasms shook her arms almost the moment he connected to her. Her back arched with a convulsion that lifted her off of her feet. Damn it. She was going under too quickly. When her teeth started to chatter, he felt the first tingle of alarm. This wasn’t the typical response. What in the hell was going on here? Automatically drawing back some of his energy, he studied her features one more time. She looked so normal.
Saol Mates (Primani Book Six) Page 17