Echoes and Embers (Rebel Angels)

by Cyndi Friberg

  “We can show you splendor.” Paimon leaned in and Lailah turned her face away. “We can give you power like you’ve never imagined. Join us!”

  “Go back to Hell where you belong!” Lailah shouted.

  “There is no one quite as blind as one who will not see!” Paimon lunged for Lailah. Her hand pressed over the Rebel Angel’s eyes.

  Lailah screamed.

  Chapter Nine

  “Nay!” Alyssa shouted as she launched herself toward Paimon.

  Sariel and Enos arrived before her, their flaming swords impaled the demon, one from either side. Glaring at each other, the brothers flung Paimon to the stone floor and withdrew their swords at exactly the same time.

  Paimon jerked, her breath rasping. “Why?” She stared up at Enos as her energy dispersed and her body dissolved into ash.

  Alyssa rushed past the males and gently turned Lailah’s face toward the torch light. Lailah moaned and Alyssa cried out. “Oh dear God.” She sobbed brokenly. Lailah’s eyelids were seared black and sealed shut. “Undo this! Look what that creature did!”

  Sariel slammed his sword against one chain and then the other. Lailah collapsed into Alyssa’s arms. They sank to the floor together. Alyssa wept. Lailah was unconscious.

  Sariel spun and pressed his sword against Enos’ chest, directly over his heart. “My blow alone would not have killed her. Tell me why you struck.”

  Enos shrugged and glanced away. “Old habits die hard.”

  “Can you undo the damage?” Sariel nodded toward Lailah.

  Enos shook his head.

  “Did you defile Lady Catherine?”

  The question brought Alyssa’s head up, dread slicing through her grief. Enos was Rosalind’s grandfather?

  The demon looked at her, something akin to tenderness in his bright green eyes. “I don’t know how Catherine managed to conceal the truth from me, but when I sensed who you were at court… Oh child, I seduced your grandmother. I did not force her. I never even revealed what I was.”

  “Why?” Sariel demanded his brother’s attention with the point of his sword. Blood trickled down Enos’ chest. He didn’t struggle. He seemed resigned to die. “Isn’t that your favorite pleasure? Watching passion turn to terror as your victims realize what you are?”

  Enos stared into Sariel’s eyes. “Just as you’re fascinated by the darkness, I sometimes hunger for the light.”

  Enos disappeared and Alyssa cried out. “Why did you let him go?”

  Sariel sank to his knees, his sword dissolving as he opened his hand. “He saved Lailah’s life.”

  “You should have killed him,” Alyssa cried, rocking Lailah against her chest.

  Shaking his head, Sariel met her gaze, his expression utterly tormented. “If God wants him dead, another will have to be dispatched. Enos is my brother.”

  * * * * *

  Alyssa sat beside Lailah’s bed, tears streaming freely down her cheeks. The mists were vanquished. She remembered everything clearly, and she had never been more miserable.

  She had applied a healing salve to Lailah’s burns and covered them with clean bandages, but Alyssa knew without being told that her sister would never see again.

  Paimon had won!

  Bitterness surged within her and all of her angelic resolve couldn’t suppress her fury or frustration. How could Lailah find splendor in life if she couldn’t see!

  “That is her quest, not yours, Alyssa. You have your own wounds to heal.”

  Dragging her gaze away from Lailah’s bandaged face, Alyssa found Gabriel standing at the foot of the bed. Kind, patient Gabriel. A fresh rush of tears spilled from her eyes and she rushed into his outstretched arms. Warmth inundated her senses and she buried her face in his golden hair.

  “This isn’t right!” she cried. “How can she help but fail? How can she possibly…”

  He eased her away and placed his finger against her lips. “You must be strong for her. These negative thoughts will compound the darkness.”

  Wiping her tears on the back of her hand, Alyssa focused on her anger, driving back the pain. “She will know nothing but darkness now. Why was this allowed to happen?”

  “Why is generally a useless question,” Gabriel said firmly. “But you are mistaken about the darkness. Only Lailah’s corporeal eyes were damaged. Her angelic sight is still intact.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “I’ve been given permission to train her, to help her through this crisis.”

  Alyssa studied his angular features, his gold-speckled brown eyes. Hope shimmered on the fringes of her consciousness, but she was afraid to embrace it. She couldn’t bear another disappointment—another failure would destroy her.

  She turned from Gabriel and walked back to the bed. He hadn’t come to ask permission. He’d come to collect his newest assignment. Alyssa tried to find comfort in the thought. She couldn’t help Lailah, but perhaps Gabriel could.

  “What about her missions? Is this penance enough or will she still be expected—”

  “Lailah’s missions were never part of her penance. She is what she was created to be.”

  “But now… Can’t she be given some other task, something less…dismal?”

  “Lailah is an Angel of Death, but death is not always dismal. Death can be a joyous release from suffering. Death is as much a part of the cycle as birth. Lailah understands this.”

  Alyssa sat on the edge of the bed and brushed the hair back from her sister’s brow. Lailah had stayed by her side while the mists consumed her. Lailah had never lost hope. “Are you taking her with you now?”

  “Aye.”

  She’d known the answer before she asked the question, but a pang of loneliness still squeezed her heart. “Will I be allowed to visit her?”

  “Of course.” Gabriel smiled, his gaze warm and encouraging. “But your work here is not yet finished. You’ve one last task to complete.”

  She indulged in a heavy sigh. “Rosalind.”

  “Aye.” He paused, studying her silently for a moment. “Are you prepared to see this through?”

  Meeting his gaze directly, she said in a strong, sure voice, “I am through with lies!”

  * * * * *

  After searching for nearly an hour, Sariel found Alyssa in the high tower room, looking out at the castle compound far below. She had opened the window and a steady breeze rippled her long silver hair. Her true appearance had returned as the mist dissipated. He would miss her flame-red hair, but her silver locks made her look more…angelic.

  “Gideon set up this room as a scriptorium for Naomi,” she said without turning around. Sariel had materialized silently, but her angelic senses had returned full force. “He wanted her to be happy in her new life.”

  He stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “And did she find happiness?”

  “Aye.” She turned within the circle of his arms, leaning her bottom against the stone sill. Breathing out a little sigh, she looked into his eyes. “Gabriel came for Lailah.”

  He cupped the side of her face and pressed a light kiss to her forehead, tenderness tightened his chest. “Are you all right?”

  “I hate to be parted from her, but it gives me hope.” She wrapped her arms around his back and molded her body to his. “Where have you been?”

  “Gathering information.”

  She eased away and looked up again. “Regarding what?”

  “Options.” He smiled into her eyes. “Yours and mine, Gadrayel and Rosalind’s. None of us can make decisions until we understand what is permissible.”

  “What is permissible?” She returned his smile, her curiosity obvious in her expression.

  “Gadrayel and Rosalind will return with the dawn. I will explain what I’ve learned then. Tonight is for you and me. We can walk in the garden or cuddle before the fire. You have only to tell me what you want and it’s yours.”

  She closed her eyes for a long moment, her lips slightly pursed. When she looked at hi
m again her eyes sparkled with mischief. “I want to stay right here and join with you until it grows dark and no one can see us.”

  He glanced at the clear blue sky. “Are you challenging my stamina? Nightfall is a long way off.”

  “Are you not up for the challenge?”

  “I’m always up for the challenge. I have only to look at you and I’m up for anything.”

  She laughed. The light, musical sound soothed him as nothing else could. After all she had been through, he’d been terrified she’d pull away.

  “And once it grows dark and no one can see us,” she slid her hands up along his chest, “I want to soar across the sky at your side.”

  “Do you remember how to fly?” he asked carefully, not wanting to upset her.

  “I want to find out. Are you strong enough to catch me if I falter?”

  He lifted her effortlessly and kissed her full on the mouth. “I think I can manage.”

  Her lips parted sweetly beneath his and her tongue curled around him as he pushed past her teeth. Looping her arms around his neck, she relaxed, confident in the strength of his arms. He set her on the wide stone sill and reached behind her to close the window.

  “Nay, leave it open. I love to feel the wind in my hair.”

  “Someone could see you.”

  She worked the laces at the front of her cotehardie and smiled invitingly. “As long as we only rearrange my clothing, no one will be the wiser even if they do happen to glance this way.”

  Thrilled by her boldness, Sariel wasn’t about to argue. She still wanted him. Even after letting Enos escape, she still wanted him.

  Her fingers paused and she looked deeply into his eyes. “You were right not to kill him. Your brother’s blood should not be on your hands.”

  Surprised that she had read his thoughts so clearly, it took him a moment to respond. The tightness in his throat made the words difficult, but he wanted her to understand. “Thousands of years have passed and I am still tormented by what I did to—”

  She pressed her fingers to his lips. “You did what you were commanded to do to protect the world from evil. But you have suffered enough. You are not responsible for Enos. Someone else can bring him to justice.”

  He buried his face in her hair, filling his nose with her womanly scent. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, holding him tightly. “How have I survived so long without you?” He whispered the words into her silky hair.

  “I have no idea.” She eased away and smiled. “But you’ll never be without me again.” She guided his hand to her breast, her gaze gleaming with sensual invitation.

  He parted her gown and slipped his hand inside her chemise, cupping her full breast, skin to skin. She sighed, her eyelids drooping languidly. He stroked her with his thumb. Her nipple gathered beneath his insistent caress.

  “I think we should go to our bedchamber. I want you naked.”

  She shook her head. “I want you now.”

  “As you wish.” He ripped her chemise down the middle, baring her breasts. Her startled gasp turned to a giggle as he lavished attention on her nipples. She was so delightfully responsive. He would never tire of the sounds she made, her abandoned expression or the way her body felt when she surrendered to release.

  Kneeling on the floor in front of her, he lifted her skirts to her waist. She glanced over her shoulder but didn’t close the window.

  “Oh, you are in a naughty mood.” He chuckled, heat rushing to his groin.

  “You make me think naughty thoughts and want naughty things.”

  He draped her legs over his shoulders, teasing her inner thighs with featherlight kisses. “What naughty thing are you wanting right now?”

  “I want your mouth on me. I want you to lick me until the pleasure comes.”

  “As I said, I’m yours to command.” Parting her folds with his fingers, he breathed against her damp flesh. She leaned back on her elbows and canted her hips, offering herself brazenly. He watched her face as he settled his mouth against her, awed by the beauty of her response. Her lips parted and her tongue darted out, wetting her lips.

  His body throbbed in silent demand. They would definitely have to explore mutual pleasure once he had her back on a bed.

  He traced her feminine slit and flicked his tongue against her swollen nub. Each gasp, each pant assured him of her pleasure. Pulling her hips to the edge of the sill, he pushed two fingers into her slick core. She cried out sharply. Her head dropped back on her shoulders as her inner muscles rippled and pulsed.

  Grinning against her damp folds, he whispered, “You like that?”

  “You know I do.”

  Sliding his fingers in and out, he circled her with his tongue, establishing a new cycle of arousal as her legs trembled against his shoulders. She arched into the thrust of his hand and tangled her fingers in his hair, whimpering softly as her passion escalated.

  She was hot, wet, so ready to be taken, but he enjoyed her pleasure too much to stop. Dragging his fingers out, he cupped her butt and lifted her against his mouth. She gasped then groaned, abandoning herself to his carnal kiss.

  He caught her against him as her muscles relaxed, lowering her hips but keeping her legs draped over his arms. She braced herself against the sill, her hair wild about her face, her skin passion flushed and rosy.

  She had never looked more beautiful to him. He had never wanted her more. Frantically loosening his clothing, he positioned himself against her entrance and sank into her wet heat. She closed around him, squeezing him with firm pressure. Deeper he pushed, not stopping until he filled her completely. He held her close and enjoyed the intimacy of their joining.

  Pulling back just a bit, he insinuated his hand between their bodies and rubbed her firmly with his thumb. “Do it again,” he whispered. He stayed deep inside her, filling her, stretching her while his thumb stimulated her mercilessly. She tossed her head and her breasts quivered with her ragged breaths. “Do it now!”

  He pressed her nub between his thumb and forefinger. She shattered, her forceful spasms squeezing his cock so hard he nearly lost control.

  Finally satisfied that she was well pleasured, he moved within her tight center. His deep, driving thrusts made her gasp and arch. Her tight body caressed him with each forceful lunge. He threw back his head and trembled, desperate to make the pleasure last.

  “Do it,” she coaxed. “Do it now!”

  She tightened her inner muscles and Sariel was lost.

  Thrusting hilt deep into her heat, he shook violently with the force of his release. When his head cleared enough for coherent thought, he found her smiling up at him and his heart lurched within his chest.

  “I love you so much it frightens me,” he whispered.

  Her smile broadened and her eyes sparkled. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you. Keep you safe.”

  He laughed and pulled her up off the stone sill. She wrapped her legs around his waist, keeping him deep inside her. They kissed, slow, deep kisses filled with love and laughter. He turned in a slow circle, looking for some other place to set her down. “There is no furniture in this room.”

  She tightened her legs around his waist and wiggled enticingly. “We’ll just have to be creative.”

  “More challenges?”

  “Shock and thrill me until the sun goes down.”

  He chuckled deep in his throat. “I will shock and thrill you much longer than that.”

  * * * * *

  “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  Alyssa laughed nervously. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to do half of what we’ve done tonight, but you haven’t disappointed me yet.” He grinned with obvious pride and she slapped at him playfully. “Arrogant beast.”

  “You’re the one who held me captive in the tower room, demanding I appease your insatiable appetites.”

  “Do you have strength left enough for this lesson or do you need to recuperate? You are much older than I am after all.”

 
He grasped her waist and lifted her to stand beside him atop the crenellation surrounding the high tower. “I may be ancient, but it takes more than a lusty tumble to wear me out.”

  “One? I remember three.”

  Holding tightly to her hand, Sariel spread his wings. “Are we going to fly or find a room with furniture?”

  “Both,” she suggested, and unfurled her wings.

  “Don’t let go of my hand until you’re sure you remember how to do this.”

  She interlaced their fingers, but he shook his head and grasped her wrist. Rotating her arm, she grabbed his wrist as well and stared out into the night.

  “Are you frightened?” His voice was deep and caressing.

  “Not with you by my side.”

  “I won’t let go. I promise.”

  Pausing for one long, slow breath, Alyssa bent her knees and launched herself into the sky. She flapped her wings with a strong, sure rhythm that was only the faintest of memories. Sariel held tight to her wrist, matching his wing strokes to hers, following her lead.

  “It’s so beautiful.” She sighed.

  The wind caressed her face and streamed through her hair. Starlight lit their path, silvering the earth far below. Sariel’s hand remained steady and strong. Enjoying the tangible connection with her mate, Alyssa didn’t let go. She squeezed his wrist as they soared side by side.

  Chapter Ten

  The following morning they gathered in the counting room. Sariel and Alyssa shared a bench facing Gadrayel and Rosalind across the wooden table. Alyssa fidgeted. Anticipation and dread tightened her stomach with alternating turns.

  “What happened yesterday?” Rosalind asked after a prolonged period of silence.

  “We rescued Lailah,” Sariel began, “but not without a cost. Paimon burned Lailah’s eyes before we were able to destroy the demon.”

  “Nay!” Rosalind cried, her hand flew to her mouth and tears filled her eyes. “How badly was she burned? Is she…blind?”