Underworld Lover (A Guardian Angel Romance #2)

by haron Hamilton

  “And no more winged creatures. At least not in the earthly realm,” Father said to her back.

  “Agreed.”

  “No more RedEcstasy.”

  “Only in moderation, and only down below.” she said.

  “Fine,” Father quickly agreed.

  Josh had a lingering question. “What about the angels who escaped?”

  “Let them be a lesson. I need them to tell everyone how Peter died at the hands of Father himself.” Audray said. “Besides, without their wings, their fire is non-existent.”

  “Wise, very wise, my dear,” Father said.

  Audray stepped to face Josh. He could smell her intoxicating scent, the heat of her need for power and passion. “My debt to you is ended. Our next meeting won’t be healthy for you. Stay away from us. Enjoy your mortality, and your future death. I won’t be the one to end it, of that you have my word. But, stay away all the same.”

  Josh nodded his head and gave her a little smile. She was the most remarkable dark woman in the universe, but she did not hold his heart. She turned and walked toward Peter’s home, disappearing through his front door. Josh looked for Jonas, and a frown covered his face as he realized Jonas had not lifted a finger.

  Where the hell is he? What game is he playing?

  Melanie came running towards him. Reaching him, she slammed into his body full force, almost sending them to the ground.

  “For such a delicate package, you…” he started to say.

  “Shut up and kiss me.”

  Chapter 42

  Claire, Daniel, Doris, James, and Angela joined Josh and Melanie in the gravel clearing next to Father. Josh looked at Father’s face, his azure blue eyes clear and bright. He felt self-conscious that the old man had watched the way Josh’s body responded to Melanie, the way he kissed her, the inner joy she brought him. Father seemed to take it all in without notice. The crowd did not rush up to give him the hugs Josh got. Except Claire.

  The little blond former Guardian practically leapt into Father’s arms. She kissed him on the cheek, which seemed to take him aback.

  “Sorry, couldn’t help myself. Thank you, sir,” Claire said after being carefully extricated by Father’s long arms.

  “Yes, well, you’ll get yourself all dirtied,” he responded, looking down at his bloody robes. Everyone laughed at him and his odd choice of words.

  At first Josh thought Father would take offense, as his face turned down in a frown, but then his expression changed into a smile. Josh saw the kind blue eyes rest on him and felt a sense of warmth and calm with Father’s gaze.

  Father clapped his hands together. “Come, come. We’d best get this part done with before things change again. The universe is always in flux, you know.”

  He separated James, Angela, and Josh from the group, pulling them one by one into a smaller circle. He held hands with James and Josh and motioned for them to take Angela’s hands.

  “I confer the blessing of humanity upon all of you,” Father said as he raised his face to the Heavens. A bright white light bathed the four figures that stood with hands clasped together. Angela’s golden hair began to lift out around her head as if it were a halo. The light shower continued for a few minutes, then faded, leaving only Father with remnants of the glow. “May you never take for granted your human lives again,” he finished as he looked at each of them, one by one. And then he released his hands.

  Father looked down. He smoothed his palms over his chest, covered with brilliant white spotless robes.

  “I amaze myself sometimes,” Father said to the group.

  Josh felt a tingling in his hands and feet. He felt it move up his limbs and zip up his spine. The energy pulsing through him released the tension in his neck and shoulders, and for the first time he realized he had been feeling pain there, probably for centuries, and that the pain was no longer present. He felt healthy for the first time in his immortal life.

  Angela and James had been looking at their hands, their eyes wide, until they found each other’s gaze, and were instantly locked in a deep embrace, kissing passionately. Josh searched for Melanie, who found him and buried herself in his chest. She took a deep breath. As she released it, he felt her body melt into his. The pleasure and passion, from a fire deep within his soul, returned to him.

  The group congratulated each other and shook hands. Father was having a private conversation with Doris, pointing to the flamethrower. Josh could see she was not happy.

  “I think she’s going to lose her toy,” Claire whispered.

  Josh cocked his head. “I’m not so sure. Perhaps it will come in handy. I’m afraid I no longer can protect us with my laser.”

  The group laughed. Doris grinned from ear to ear and shook Father’s hand, then placed the device and the goggles back in the trunk of her transport and closed the lid. It registered with Josh that, for all his apparent strength and wisdom, Father was indeed a softie when it came to women. He knew the two of them had this in common.

  “You all run along,” Father said. “Go bring Joshua his gas guzzling vehicle,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “I need to have a private word with him.”

  Melanie had planned to stay at Josh’s side.

  “Go, my child. You can have him in just a few minutes. Please go. Now.” He was gentle, but the firmness in his voice was not something anyone would argue with. Melanie hugged Josh, shook Father’s hand, thanked him again, and left with the others.

  Josh and Father watched the little transport spin off down the gravel road between buildings, a trail of grey dust in its wake. Father sighed.

  “Ah, such an unlikely force of superheroes to undo the most powerful and evil director the Underworld has ever had.”

  “You knew him?” Josh asked.

  “Yes. An experiment.”

  “You created him?” Josh’s mind raced with questions.

  “Uh, in a way.” It was Father’s turn to roll his shoulders. “He was more flawed than I realized. The dark winged angels were his undoing. Especially when he gave them the gift of fire. He crossed the line.”

  “What are they going to think about all of this?”

  “By ‘they,’ you mean the human world?”

  “Yes.”

  “You think anyone will believe the reports of black-winged creatures flying through the sky?” Father shook his head and chuckled under his breath. “No, they write stories of alien babies and abductions. The Underworld and its creatures are not hot press. Nobody believes it anymore.”

  Josh had to agree.

  “Father, I am concerned about my friend Jonas. I heard him come here, but he has disappeared again. Did one of the things get him?”

  “No. He is quite safe. He has another destiny, Josh. You have nothing to fear from him. He has an interesting path to follow, in the grand experiment.”

  Josh nodded his head and waited for some sign Father was ready to discuss what was really on his mind. Another question popped up.

  “Melanie…what happened there?”

  “Oh, I felt the suicide coming. You were actually quite right. If her death had been allowed to complete, she would have been a candidate for the Guardianship.” Father began walking slowly away from the transport station toward the street that lead back to town. “Ah, it’s complicated, and I am weary. I could have made her a Guardian, but I have the feeling I’d be turning her human in no time, just like Claire. I decided to save myself the trouble. I reversed the effects of the pill, brought her soul back, and made her whole.” He tilted his head and looked at Josh. “I raised the dead. That’s all.” He winked.

  “Didn’t know that’s how it worked,” Josh remarked.

  “Neither did I! I make it up as I go sometimes.” Father shrugged and looked down at his feet. “I rather like walking on gravel. Reminds me of the crushed diamond dust in Heaven. Has Angie told you the stories?”

  “No. I never gave her the chance.”

  “Interesting.” After a pause, the soft crunching so
unds of their walking became a peaceful rhythm. Father continued, saying, “You are a strange combination of forces, Joshua, a welcome distraction.”

  “That mean I have a shot at redemption, a chance to become a Guardian?” Josh smiled at the older man.

  “Everyone does. One of my rules. Haven’t you heard?”

  Josh nodded. It seemed so natural to be walking side by side with Father, like they had been friends for generations, or perhaps were family. This last thought brought on a little panic. Josh cleared his throat.

  Father laughed softly. “Don’t be afraid of your destiny, Joshua. I’m glad to see you back in the fold, where you always belonged.”

  Josh felt his brows furrow. He didn’t think there was room in Father’s world for predestination.

  Father stopped walking as they came to the paved street. There was a bus stop bench nearby and he sat down, motioning Joshua to join him.

  “I want to ask a favor of you, Joshua,” Father said, looking deep into his eyes. “And you have the right to say no, if that is what you really want.”

  Josh could feel the honesty in Father’s gaze, but also knew he would not be able to refuse his request. He nodded and hoped it would not be another battle involving fire and brimstone, or ripping wings off evil creatures.

  “Help me bring back my lost Guardians. Can you do this for me, as a personal favor?”

  Josh didn’t know how he would manage such a request. With his now limited resources as a human, he wasn’t quite sure he was capable of such a feat.

  “Find a way,” Father said as if he read Joshua’s mind.

  “How soon must this be done?” Josh asked.

  “How about within your lifetime? I see a long, fruitful future for you, in case you wanted to know.” Father smiled at him.

  “It would be my honor then, sir.”

  “Good. Then it’s settled.” Father sighed.

  They waited in silence as Josh’s black Hummer came into view, Melanie at the wheel. Father leaned into him and whispered, “Safer if you drive.”

  “This I already knew.” Josh smiled and shook Father’s hand again.

  Father waived to Melanie and began walking down the lonely street. Before Josh could get into the vehicle, Father’s image disappeared, without fanfare. Josh thought it was the most elegant exit he had ever seen, and missed the old man already.

  Chapter 43

  Audray stood in the living room of Peter’s former home, staring out the tall windows at the gathering of good people. No dark angels left among them.

  Time to start re-filling the vacancies.

  And now that the former Underworld chief had been eliminated, the first vacancy she was going to fill was the Directorship, a job she felt completely suited for.

  She noticed the burly biker angel in the shadows and wondered why he didn’t say good-bye to Joshua. Perhaps his loyalty has changed.

  When the crowd dispersed, she opened the sliding glass door to the metal balcony and looked out over the landscape of rusted buildings and railroad tracks. And of course there was that hunk of a man in his blue shirt and tight jeans, who walked out into the center and stood, staring up at her with a grin. It had been awhile since someone looked at her that way. Someone who didn’t have fetishes and kinky thoughts. He looks at me like a man is supposed to look at a woman. A woman he could worship not from his damaged side, but from his strong side. A warrior’s side.

  Her red boots were hurting her, but she liked how tall they made her feel. She would need help getting them peeled off. Or maybe she should leave them on, but then she’d have to cut off her favorite pair of pants.

  Choices, choices. Too many choices.

  It was shaping up to be a warm day, finally, as she glanced around the yard. She heard the rumble of a truck as it arrived. Its doors opened and closed, and then it left. It sounded like Josh’s Hummer.

  Goodbye, you little devil. Enjoy your human life. And thank you for your gift of immortality. I will work very hard to fill your shoes.

  She smiled and looked down on the face of the still-waiting Jonas. She liked seeing him there, waiting for instructions. Waiting for a command. She liked watching his fully packed chest muscles rise and fall with each breath. She could smell his muskiness. The place between her legs was starting to get wet. She suddenly wanted to feel his thin moustache against the lips of her sex.

  She sighed. One hand rested on the railing as she leaned over, her other hand curled up in front of her face as she motioned to him slowly with her index finger. Then she blew him a kiss, for some strange reason. It was a young girl’s action, but he made her feel giddy and almost virginal and she liked it.

  Hot with anticipation, she came back inside, closing the door to await his arrival.

  He appeared at the top of the stairway and hesitated before entering the living room, as if waiting for an invite. She liked that, too.

  “I have a few things in mind to reward you for your intelligence. You will find pleasing me not a difficult task—as long as you perform.”

  He made just one step into the room and again, she liked it. “Oh, I can perform. Nothing wrong with my equipment.”

  Audray’s peach quivered. For the first time in her life, immortal or human, she hoped a man saw how much she needed his attention. She was rewarded with the lazy glance he gave her as his eyes went from her crotch, slowly up her waist, and over her breasts, like he could see through all her clothes. He followed that look with a tilt of his head and a slight grin. He drew a hand over his chin and then down as his thumb found a belt loop toward the right side of his package.

  Though they were nearly twenty feet apart, Audray could feel his heat mingling with hers already.

  “Where’s your bike?” she asked.

  “You like to ride?” His voice was husky, his eyes hungry.

  “I think I might.” She let him wait. The sight of him was too delicious for words. He broke the silence at last.

  “It’s stowed in your garage next to your red car.”

  She liked that he divined her plan without her saying so, and liked the sound of it coming off his tongue. She was fairly sure his tongue would be one of his best features. She also hoped he liked to talk during sex. She needed to hear him say things to her she had not heard before.

  “Want to ride now, or later?” He had crossed his arms and legs and was leaning against the metal railing of the stairway landing. The package was prominently tenting in front of him, growing larger by the minute. She didn’t mind showing him she noticed it.

  “Later.” Audray smiled with what she hoped looked like a sweet smile. She tried to feel demure, fresh and doe-like. It was a thrilling fantasy.

  “I’ve heard you like to cause men pain and torment,” he said, then grinned.

  “Forewarned is forearmed.”

  “I’m okay with just watching. The view in this room is rather nice.”

  “Yes, it is.” Audray crossed over to the window again, turning sideways so she could show him her flat tummy and enormous breasts. She leaned into the glass of the window and pressed her flesh against it, then rolled back to face him.

  “How’s this view?”

  His eyes grew wide. She would have expected traces of red there, but nothing like that showed up. She watched him lick his lips and stand straight, untangling his arms and legs, adjusting his junk.

  “I like it when you do that,” she said.

  “Do what?” he said in mock confusion.

  “Where you put your hands.”

  “I’d rather you did it with your hands.” His eyes bored into her. Another wave of moisture slowly drizzled from her peach.

  “I didn’t ask you what you wanted.”

  “I know. But I’m going to tell you anyway, if you’ll permit me. Or maybe I’ll have to die trying.” He walked slowly across the room to her and stopped before the tips of her nipples could touch his chest. They knotted into tight little fists. Audray’s breathing was ragged and shallow. Her body
craved the heat of his, knowing he was feeling the same.

  His eyes must have been blue at one time, she guessed. His light brown hair was prematurely tinged with silver at the temples. He would look rugged if he was bloody and wet with mud, but today he looked like a man with strong desires who needed satisfaction. His deep pink lips were full and exposed under the thin neatly trimmed moustache of his upper lip. The muscles of his shoulders gave way to a smooth bronzed neck. A vein pulsed on the right side.

  He opened his mouth to speak, and she watched as his lips and tongue hesitated, and then formed another one of those grins. He didn’t reach out to touch her, but he did with his eyes, which wandered all over her chest and neck to land on her mouth.

  In a surprise move, he knelt before her. “I have worshipped you from the first moment I saw you. It is you I think about all day and all night.” His eyes were clear and sparkled with mirth.

  It’s an oath.

  “Reward me,” he begged. “By letting me pleasure you. You are my queen.”

  Queen? Audray had never thought of herself as a queen. But one thing was clear. She had a loyal subject, and she wouldn’t deny him his gift of devotion. She saw he was perhaps a very old angel, perhaps a queen’s warrior at one time.

  A partner in every sense. Someone to help me exact my revenge upon my enemies. Get that bastard, Burt.

  But that would be for another day. Today was a day of celebration. A day for passion.

  Audray took her hands, which suddenly felt tiny and delicate against the hot skin of his flushed cheeks, and pressed them to the sides of his face. The instant she touched him, she knew there was something more, some history between them she was yet to discover.

  “Your wish is granted, noble knight. You are the keeper of my flame.”

  Jonas encircled her waist and pulled her torso against his face. She felt the need to wrap her arms around his buried head. His lips began seeking flesh under her red sweater. His tongue found her belly button and she thought she would come undone.

  He stood, picked her up with powerful arms. She felt lighter than air. She looked up into his eyes, watching how intently he carried out his mission of desire. Her thigh felt the muscles of his abdomen flex as he leaned over and gently placed her on the fur coverlet as if she was a maiden in a field of daisies, waiting to be ravished by a dark knight she only dared to dream about.