The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2

by Trisha Telep

  “Reed.” A stunningly large diamond graced an engagement ring covered in tiny champagne bubbles. It was the kind of ring women turned pea green over; it shouted the wealth of the man who’d given it and the value he placed on the woman wearing it. The ostentatious piece was totally Reed, a man known as much for his Lamborghinis and Ferraris as he was for the calibre of his work.

  The ferocity of her response was enough to rock her backward a few steps. The last few months of confusion coalesced into one shining moment of perfect clarity. She felt a similar jolt of reality startling him before rippling across the connection between them.

  He spoke too quickly. “Zaphiel is here to investigate the recent death of a seraph. He wants you to assume a cover and move into one of Raguel’s resort communities as a resident.”

  “O-kay . . . How is that supposed to work? The Infernals will smell me coming.” Infernals reeked of rotting souls; Marks smelled sickly sweet. Alec said it was similar to deer smelling the wolves coming – it was “fair”. Eve called it a “what-the-fuck”. She couldn’t understand why God would draft an unwilling army of sinners to fight his battles against demons, only to announce their arrival by making them stick out in a crowd.

  “We’re not dealing with Infernals,” Reed said. “But we’ll get to that in a minute. Raguel wants you undercover as part of a team, not solo, which means you’ll need a husband. Hence the ring.”

  Relief flooded her. “Oh, gotcha. Geez, you scared me for a minute. The whole champagne and music—”

  “When Raguel explained the assignment to me, I realized the idea of marrying you had some merit.” He shifted on his feet and shoved his hands into the pockets of his Versace slacks. “So, why propose twice when I can do it right the first time?”

  Eve gaped. “We’re not even dating at this point!”

  “Because you’re hung up on Alec,” he shot back.

  “And you’re a commitment-phobe.”

  “Bullshit.” Reed glared down at her. “You know I want more than you’re giving me. You’re the one holding back.”

  “The moment I saw the ring in the glass, I felt you freak out. I did, too.” She’d also wanted, with every fibre of her being, to love him the way he deserved to be loved, but that wasn’t something she could control.

  “Because it was me offering the ring,” he accused. “Alec’s a dead-end. You know that.”

  Eve wished she was wearing something more substantial than a robe while having this conversation. “Everything about being a Mark is a dead-end, Reed. I don’t see the point of trying to have a relationship when everyone is pursuing conflicting goals. You and Alec want to advance; I want to find a way back to my old life. There’s no way to make it work.”

  He rocked back on heels. His jaw set at a stubborn angle. “I want you. That works.”

  Her mouth curved with wry affection. “Sexual attraction has never been our problem. You won’t hear me saying there’s anything wrong with really great sex with someone you admire and like spending time with.”

  “But . . . ?”

  “But that’s not enough for me to commit to the life of a Mark, and that’s exactly what I’d be doing by committing to someone inside the system.”

  “It could be hundreds of years before you earn off the Mark,” he said coldly, knowing she refused to accept that possibility. “No way are you going to be celibate that whole time and you’re not the casual sex type.”

  “So marriage is your solution to getting into my pants?”

  Reed shrugged. “Yours are the only pants I want to get into.”

  She set her flute down on her glass-topped coffee table. “Putting the whole demon-hunting lifestyle aside, we’ve got other issues. I’ve never been to your house. I don’t even know if you live in Orange County, or if you shift to some other continent for a change of clothes. We’ve never gone anywhere together that wasn’t work related; you come to my place and that’s it. You join my life when it suits you and you disappear when it doesn’t. What we had was a working relationship with benefits.”

  “Whatever, babe,” he scoffed, running a hand through his precisely cut hair. “You wouldn’t let it be more than that. Playing house is just what we need.”

  Noting the sullen set of his mouth, Eve knew it was time to change the subject or argue pointlessly for hours. She took a seat on one of her cream-coloured down-filled sofas. “About playing house . . . Explain what’s going on to me. Since when are vampyres not Infernals any more?”

  There was no outward show of it, but she felt the relief that moved through him. “Vampyres with a ‘Y’ are demons, yes. Vampires with an ‘I’ aren’t. You weren’t trained about the second kind, because Marks aren’t supposed to deal with them. You’ll be the first.”

  All Marks went through a comprehensive training program, something like a boot camp for recruits. Every classification of demon was discussed in depth, with a focus on how best to kill them.

  “Of course,” she said dryly, not at all surprised that she was getting stuck with another crap-tas-tic assignment. Jerking her around was Entertainment #1 for angels of all ranks. “If vampires-with-an-I aren’t demons, what are they?”

  Reed adjusted his slacks and sat beside her. “You’ve been taking a crash course in the Bible since you were Marked. Remember reading about the Watcher angels?”

  “Two hundred angels were sent to observe human behaviour but they started fraternizing and doing other naughty things, including breeding children called Nephalim, etcetera.”

  “That’s the ones. Once Jehovah saw what was going on, he sent an elite team of seraphim warriors – the Sentinels – down to punish the fallen Watchers. The Watchers lost their wings and became known as the Fallen. Wings and souls are connected, so without one they lost the other. Following?”

  “Soulless, wingless fallen angels. Got it.”

  He nodded. “Seraphim rely on their souls to survive. They don’t eat or drink the way mortals do. They absorb energy from the life-forces on earth.”

  “So they starved to death?”

  “I wish. No, they discovered they could feed from life in a more direct manner—”

  “They started drinking blood,” she finished. “Okay. So there are two kinds of vamps – those who are demons and those who were angels? That’s why Adrian lives on earth? To hunt and kill the Fallen angels?”

  “Jehovah has never ordered the death of an angel. Sammael wouldn’t be alive otherwise.”

  “True . . .” Satan was thriving. And she often wondered why, but that was a question no one seemed to have an answer for.

  “The Sentinels are supposed to contain the Fallen to areas where they can’t get into too much trouble.”

  “And Southern California is trouble galore. How many Sentinels are there?”

  “Not enough.”

  “Why send in just two of us undercover then? Wouldn’t more Marks be merrier?”

  “I would think so, but this isn’t my call. Marks can’t sniff out the Fallen.”

  “No souls translates into no smell?”

  “You got it. We can’t afford to have too many Marks tied up indefinitely, plus the cost of housing, a decent cover story, and so on. Our resources aren’t limitless.”

  “So we’re hunting someone who blends perfectly into the surroundings with nothing to give them away.” She made a frustrated noise. “What’s our cover?”

  “We’re Mr and Mrs Kline. We’re renting the resort space because I have to be in town on business and you’re a trophy wife.”

  She shot him an arch glance. “You’re a bit high profile for undercover work, aren’t you?”

  “I’m a travelling businessman, babe. Aside from a car in the driveway at night, I won’t be seen.”

  Basically, he wasn’t assuming a cover at all then. As long as she’d known him, he was always popping in and out. He came when she called, but otherwise, seeing him was a random thing.

  Using his mal’akh gifts, Reed shifted the rin
g from the bottom of her glass into his hand, then slid it on to her finger. “This could be real, Eve. Think about it.”

  He left without warning, disappearing before her eyes.

  Eve collapsed into the sofa back with a groan.

  Alec exhaled harshly and sank to the floor with his legs stretched out before him. He leaned into the shared wall between his condo and Eve’s, and closed his eyes.

  Reed’s half-assed proposal had been too close for comfort.

  When Eve had come knocking on Alec’s door earlier in the evening, he’d known about it even though he was far from home. She could have spoken to him through the connection between them, but she’d wanted to see him face-to-face. Ignoring that need had damn-near killed him, but he’d been deep into a negotiation he couldn’t interrupt. He’d bargained with the only thing he had of value – his willingness to do the dirty jobs no one wanted to be associated with – so he could have what he wanted most.

  His hand rubbed at the numbness in the centre of his chest. Every day it became more difficult to remember how loving Eve felt. She’d been the only joy and comfort in his life and she still was, but he was hollow without the ability to love her back. Lust and admiration were there, but being “just friends” with her was killing him. It was killing her, too. She was closing herself off from everyone in the Marked system, avoiding building connections in the hope that she would find the leverage to shed the Mark. He’d once intended to help her, but now . . .

  “Now, you can’t walk away,” he whispered. She couldn’t turn her back on unsuspecting mortals being preyed upon by demons and she’d never be able to send her children to school with Infernals she couldn’t smell or identify. Reluctant as she was – and he didn’t blame her for that – she was too big-hearted to leave any underdog unprotected. No, she’d seen the darkness behind the veil and she could never un-see it.

  Alec pushed to his feet. Be careful what you wish for . . . He’d wanted to advance to archangel and helm his own firm, but he hadn’t considered what that goal would cost him.

  His humanity was slipping from him every minute and if he didn’t get Eve back, he was afraid of what he would become without her.

  Three

  Eve stood on the patio of her new resort condominium and watched two undercover Marks offload boxes of household goods that didn’t belong to her. Gadara had provided the furnishings from one of Arcadia Falls’ model homes for her use while undercover. The pieces were tropical in style – lots of wicker and floral patterns – which wouldn’t have been her choice but weren’t offensive either.

  The condo was the middle unit of three adjacent properties. It was two-storeyed and sported the same red tile roof as all the other homes in the housing community. There were four available floor plans and a strict set of CC&Rs that ensured a uniform look over the entire property. The decorative lawns were all beautifully landscaped and maintained, and the streetlights resembled bamboo, which she thought was an interesting touch.

  Grabbing a duffle bag out of the back of a Gadara Enterprises-owned Jeep Wrangler Limited, Eve wondered how the hell she was supposed to find a vampire who didn’t smell and wasn’t affected by sunlight. He or she could be anyone living in any of the 100 condos around her. She didn’t even know if she was looking for one vamp or a coven. She didn’t know how long she was expected to stay in Arcadia Falls or what she was supposed to do when she identified her quarry. And Reed wasn’t talking. He’d been notably silent in her mind all day. It wasn’t a great start to their front as a happily married couple.

  “Hello!”

  Eve straightened from the back of the Jeep and caught sight of a petite blond approaching from the sidewalk. “Hi.”

  “Welcome to Arcadia!” The woman extended a hand tipped with french-manicured acrylic nails. Dressed in khaki cargo pants and a white tank top, she showed off a great tan along with her youthful fashion sense. “I’m Terri Anderson, president of the homeowner’s association and your next door neighbour.”

  “Hi, Terri.” Eve returned the handshake. “Eve Kline.”

  “Angel?”

  Evangeline. Eve. Angel. It was a pet name only Alec ever used.

  She turned to find him. He came from the direction of the house, his long legs eating up the distance between them with his familiar sultry stride.

  “Hi,” he said, in the deep voice that could turn a reading of A Brief History of Time into an erotic experience. “Alec Kline.”

  He gifted Terri with one of his easy, sexy smiles and she flushed as she introduced herself in return. It was a reaction Eve recalled all too well, even though the Mark now negated her physical reactions to most stimuli.

  Alec Cain was prime grade eye candy. Deliciously defined biceps were showcased in a semi-fitted white tank, and long, muscular legs made his knee-length Dickies shorts look really damned good. His glossy black hair was slightly overlong, giving him a bad boy look that drew women like bees to honey.

  What are you doing here? she asked.

  You have to ask? You’re mine, angel. He winked, radiating confidence and predatory anticipation. The thrill of the hunt was in his blood, and his favourite prey lately was her.

  She was in so much trouble.

  Terri rocked back on her heels. “I’m having a barbeque tonight with some of our neighbours. We’d love to have you join us.”

  How lucky are we? Alec asked.

  We’re not. This isn’t going to work, she argued. You’re the poster boy for the Celestial team. Everyone knows who you are!

  “Do you have children?” Terri asked.

  Alec replied. “Not yet.”

  Eve winced. One of the driving forces behind her desire to get her old life back was because she wanted a family. A husband, two and a half kids, a dog and a white picket fence. Considering the Mark’s side-effect of sterility, she had no chance of having children unless she found a way out of the Marked system.

  “We don’t have any either, so we’ll have drinks, too.” Terri rubbed her hands together. “Six o’clock work for you?”

  Alec nodded and tossed his arm over Eve’s shoulder. “Sounds perfect.”

  Pretending to be married to him was going to be excruciating. Playing house with Reed didn’t have near the amount of baggage. All these years later, Alec’s affect on her was the same – she saw him and something inside her said “mine”. Something that couldn’t let go, even though it was best for both of them.

  Terri pointed across their lawn. “There’s your other neighbour now.”

  Eve turned her head as a late-model Camaro pulled into the driveway next door. A tall brunette male unfolded from the low front seat, then waved.

  He reached them and extended his hand to Eve first. “Tim Cotler. Great to meet you.”

  Alec growled. I can’t believe he looked at you like that when I’m standing right here.

  It was nothing.

  The two men introduced themselves, with Alec making a point of staking his claim.

  He was so possessive, which was an impossible situation when she was so crazy about him. Her unrequited love left her too vulnerable, too hopeful. Not to mention all the trouble it caused Alec, who felt guilty and responsible for her, forcing him to concede, bargain and negotiate away his talents in order to protect her.

  Terri waved over another set of neighbours and made the introductions. “These are the Mullanys – Pam and her daughter Jesse. They live in the next building over. You’ll want to know where that is, because Pam is our resident Avon cosmetics lady. And the guy helping your movers unload is Gary Reynolds. He lives on the other side of Pam.”

  Alec went to say hi to Gary, while Eve extended her hand to Pam.

  It didn’t escape Eve’s notice that everyone was exceptionally attractive. Gary was blond, tanned and notably strong and agile, as evidenced by his quick save of a heavy box tumbling from the back of the moving truck. Pam Mullany was a lovely redhead with brilliant emerald eyes and gorgeous skin. Eve couldn’t see a freckle
on her, which was rare for natural redheads. Jesse Mullany was a girl of about sixteen, with dyed black hair and visible red roots. She had a pierced nose and red-stained lips, and when she returned Eve’s smile she displayed a perfect pair of pearly white fangs.

  “Love the fangs,” Alec said, returning with a grin sure to disarm any female.

  Pam toyed with one of her short red curls and sighed behind her daughter’s back. “Her dad bought her veneers on her birthday. Scared me to death when she came home.”

  “Leave it alone,” Jesse said sharply, her smile fading. She looked at Tim and rolled her eyes.

  “He could have asked,” Pam argued.

  “How? You’re not talking to him. Besides, he doesn’t need your permission.”

  Ah, the joys of teenagers, Alec murmured.

  One of the Marks shouted for Eve’s attention. Alec went to deal with him, but Eve decided to go too use the excuse while it was available. She wanted to know just what, exactly, Alec thought he was going to accomplish here. Besides blowing her cover and driving her crazy . . .

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’ve got to give these guys some direction so they can get out of here. What should I bring tonight?”

  Terri shook her head. “Just yourselves. You’ve got enough to worry about just moving in.”

  Tim backed away. “I’ve got some stuff to take care of before I can call it a day. I’ll catch up with you all over dinner.”

  Eve waved goodbye and made her way over to Alec, who was signing a paper on the Mark’s clipboard. Their cover had been so carefully crafted – new car, boxes of stuff that didn’t belong to them, rental papers on the breakfast bar . . . All that prep work seemed pointless now that Alec had stepped in.

  As soon as the moving truck backed up and pulled away, they moved into the house.

  They crossed the threshold of their open double front doors and she dug in. “Listen . . . unless the Fallen have been living under a rock on Mars, they’re going to know who you are the moment they see you. You can’t go undercover if everyone knows your real identity.”