Angel Kin

by Tricia Skinner

  A cough interrupted her flight response. Ionie raised a second finger and arched an eyebrow. “Or two, you’re hiding something. Maybe not a lie, but something you’re afraid will color how we view you.”

  Katie felt like her body had been dunked in frigid water. If The Bound discovered she was a common thief, she was toast. Everything she’d learned about the imposing team pointed to them being not-quite cops who had principles. Was stealing one of the laws they enforced? Did their jurisdiction include humans?

  Ionie watched her as if she expected Katie to babble the missing details, so she turned her head to avoid the hopeful gleam in the reporter’s eyes. “Hon, if your secret won’t hurt my friends, then keep it. But I’ll let you in on some information about Cain.”

  Katie peeked at the woman. Despite her desire to avoid him, she couldn’t help wanting to learn something about the mysterious blond.

  “The four guys are like brothers, tighter in some ways, but none of them are related by blood. Each has a different story of how he became one of Tanis’s boys.” Her expression softened. “You haven’t met him, but Jarrid’s my man. He’s only shared slivers about their upbringing. All I know is that it was painful.”

  Katie adjusted her position on the chair and nodded.

  “Cain did have a brother. A twin.” Ionie lowered her voice to a respectful level. “He died when they were children.”

  Katie’s heart clamped tight in sympathy. So, that was what Tanis meant by “not anymore.” Losing a sibling was outside her experience, thank God, but the thought of losing one of her brothers? A shudder raced from scalp to toes. You didn’t grow up in a firefighting family and not expect that one day you’d answer a knock at the door and come face-to-face with a cop and a representative from the fire department bringing news no one wanted to hear.

  “Do you understand why they’re a little insistent about who you saw?”

  “I get it.”

  “Good, because Tanis ain’t the only one who’ll need answers.” The warmth in Ionie’s face leeched away, revealing a tightness around her almond-shaped eyes. “I love them all. Along with my grandma, they’re also my family. If there’s anything else they need to know to find the real killer, tell them. Help them, and they’ll help you.”

  Damn it, she was trying, but she didn’t want to get in any deeper.

  …

  I am coming for you.

  Each word seared itself into Cain’s jumbled mind, clashing with impossible facts, improbable odds, and impractical hope.

  Abel…had died.

  Centuries ago, when the Directorate had unleashed hell on Earth, he’d lost everything that had mattered to him. His father had fallen under four angel swords. His mother burned to death in their home. So had Abel.

  Jarrid crouched next to the corpse and removed his mobile phone. He held it over the markings and clicked several pictures. You think that chicken scratch means something?

  A sledgehammer pounded inside Cain’s chest.

  Abel lived.

  The realization seeped into him, cementing strands of hope into an unsettling lump. His blood brother had somehow survived the fire. He should be whooping for joy, passing out high fives like candy, but why hadn’t Abel tried to find him in the chaos afterward? Where had he been all this time? Why did he surface now?

  Does it mean something?

  No. Cain ground himself in the present. He pushed to his feet, grateful his legs didn’t give out and dump him on his ass. Jarrid rose beside him.

  I am coming for you.

  If The Bound confirmed Abel had survived, and that he likely worked with their enemies, the team would be forced to take him down. It wouldn’t be personal, but Renegades, and any fool who sided with them, earned an automatic death sentence.

  The Bound Ones would hunt Abel and then kill him.

  “No,” Cain said, his voice carrying grit that drew glances from the nearby law-enforcement officers. At Jarrid’s arched eyebrows, he lowered his voice. If he sensed the conversation was off… “There’s nothing here except a dead politician.” Cain shrugged. “At least tracking the killer will make the next few days interesting.”

  A guilt-ridden wave spiraled through Cain. He’d just lied to Jarrid, and he was prepared to lie to Tanis, Kas, and Nesty to save his twin. The realization left a lump in his throat.

  Abel lived.

  And he’d stay that way.

  This was the first secret Cain had ever kept from his brethren, the only family he’d had after the massacre at his village. Yet, the opportunity to see his twin again, to clasp Abel in his arms, was greater than his loyalty to The Bound.

  His brother had to have a solid reason to kill the snake shifter.

  Jarrid walked away, heading to the front of the house. Staring down at the carved message, Cain understood what he had to do. While he had no clue how to find his brother, he had a damn good guess who might. Time for her to fess up.

  I am coming for you.

  “That makes two of us, bro.”

  …

  After another tense Q-and-A session with Tanis and Nesty, Katie was ready to claw through the exposed brick walls of the massive warehouse The Bound Ones called home. She’d related her story again and again, sticking to the details she felt the team needed to catch the killer, minus the bits about her own involvement at Washington’s house. The longer she remained, the shorter her window to pawn the stolen goods and get to the band.

  “Let’s go over the details again,” Tanis said.

  “No,” Katie crossed her arms and met the angel’s gaze. “I’ve repeated myself a million times. You may want to relive this nightmare, but I don’t.”

  “I understand you’re tired, but we need to be thorough.”

  Oh, she knew they were being damn thorough, but they were also trying to make her slip up. Fatigue made her head spin. She couldn’t keep this up much longer.

  “Jarrid and Cain will be here soon.” Tanis sat on the edge of his desk. “We can wait until then to finish up.”

  Cain was coming back. No way she was sticking around to see him again.

  “I need to go to the bathroom,” Katie said carefully.

  Ionie stood and gestured to the door. “I’ll show you.”

  On the landing outside the study, the reporter pointed to a door near the end of the hall. Katie headed for it, relieved she was alone, but she felt Ionie’s gaze burning into her back.

  She entered a bedroom, closed the door, and then leaned her head against the wood. The Stronghold may as well have been Alcatraz, because she had no idea how to escape, or if they’d let her leave after Cain and Jarrid arrived. Slowly exhaling, she wondered how tonight could get any worse.

  She turned around. The bedroom clearly belonged to one of the team. The bed was twice the size of any king-size she’d seen and made her wish for her own room across town. She hadn’t slept in the last twenty-four hours. At this rate, she’d never sleep peacefully again.

  One bookshelf showed off a collection of comic books and various paperbacks. She crossed to a beautifully carved desk and picked up the sketch pad resting on top, then flipped the cover open.

  The illustrations were done in a fine pencil and showed exceptional skill. There were drawings of each member of The Bound Ones. Katie recognized Nestaron, Tanis, and Kasdeja immediately. The fourth image of a dark hottie with smoldering looks had to be Jarrid. She turned the page.

  “Wow.” The perfect depiction of Ionie filled her vision. The artist had captured everything, like a photograph traced in pencil.

  “Wait a sec.” She flipped to the last pages. No pictures of Cain. She ruffled loose papers on the desk to see if any held the Nephilim’s image. “Weird.” Her fingers glided over the sketch pad. “Don’t tell me you’re shy.”

  “I’m not,” came an annoyed voice behind her.

  Katie clutched the pad to her chest and spun in time to see Cain emerge from a shadowed corner of the bedroom. She hadn’t heard him enter, but th
e expression on his face told her he wasn’t happy to find her.

  Her burglar license should be revoked. She raised her chin and asked, “What are you doing here?”

  “You first.”

  Katie glanced uneasily at the sketch pad. He’d caught her, so she may as well admit to snooping. “Is this yours?”

  “Yes, it’s mine, as is everything else in my bedroom.” Cain stalked forward. “Now, you want to tell me why you’re riffling through my shit?”

  Her mouth dropped open, and she drew back. Heat flashed across her face and neck. “I wasn’t riffling. I was using the bathroom.”

  “And once you were done, you didn’t think to leave?”

  What a prick.

  She straightened her posture as she glared up at him. “I didn’t take anything, so back off.”

  Cain’s expression instantly turned suspicious. He stepped farther into the room. “Really? And why would I think you’d steal from me?”

  Way to go, mouth.

  Katie’s gaze darted away, but she forbade her legs from stepping back. “Are you always so touchy?”

  “I don’t touch things that don’t belong to me,” he replied with a grizzly bear’s tone—deep and rumbling and dangerous.

  His presence was an ocean swell, rolling waves of strength that radiated from a raging storm. Their eyes locked. She was close enough to memorize the short strands of hair curving behind Cain’s ears. His scent was as exotic as an undiscovered tropical island. With longer hair he could have been a surfer, riding a massive wave on a body board, hanging ten with nothing but a pair of Hawaiian shorts protecting his derriere from the elements.

  Katie channeled her exhausted brain to a safer topic. “Did you find out anything at the house?”

  Those silver eyes narrowed, and she worried he was also a lie detector like his boss.

  “I found the closet, checked the rest of the scene.” He took another step forward. “Washington’s still dead, and we don’t have any new leads.”

  Thank you, God. She hadn’t blundered and left clues of herself behind. The police might eventually notice some missing items, but they’d be gone if she could get the hell out of the half-angel’s HQ.

  Lost in her thoughts, she failed to avoid Cain as he raised his hand and brushed her hair with the back of his fingers. Heat shot past her neck and crashed into her cheeks.

  “I did find a few strands of red hair,” he said, eyes focused on the side of her head. He reached around her neck and scooped her thick braid into his hand. “Yours.”

  Katie didn’t dare move. She didn’t dare speak. Her eyes fluttered close, damn them, as her body slowly betrayed her, warming her chest and opening her senses.

  “Tanis is waiting for you in the study,” Cain said in a faraway tone.

  The pressure from his fingers smoothed her hair from her face. His heavy breathing filled her ears. His unique scent rolled over her. It was as if her brain had decided Cain was all right. She didn’t have to fear him. He wouldn’t hurt her, and…

  “God of All,” Cain whispered.

  She opened her eyes—and panicked.

  This isn’t me. Is he in my head? Is he making me…?

  “Oh my God.” Katie clamped her hands over her mouth.

  Cain lowered his hand.

  “Y-you did something to me.” She drew away, shaking her head. It was the only explanation for allowing him to even touch her. “You’re trying to make me trust you.”

  The half-angel lurched backward until he slammed into the wall. A bright glow outlined his narrowed eyes. “Get the hell out.”

  He didn’t have to tell Katie twice. One look at the hostile expression on his face and she took off down the hall.

  Chapter Six

  A-deen. Dva. Tree. Chye-tir-ye.

  Cain did a mental count. In Russian. Anything to keep from following Katie into the hallway, dragging her back inside his bedroom, and continuing their discussion.

  He’d planned how to handle her while driving back from the crime scene. First, find a neutral spot in the Stronghold like the kitchen and do a light interrogation. Second, persuade her to tell the truth and fill in the gaps in her story. Third, reassure the witness she would be protected for her assistance. That was the plan.

  One minute, they were having a conversation. Then he’d touched her hair, and her whole demeanor had changed. She hadn’t flinched away, and he’d stared in confusion as he watched her eyes closed. Then the hurled accusation that he’d controlled her mind.

  Cain cursed and punched the concrete. The woman had damned him twice in the same night, first for murder and now for his ability. He pushed off the wall and stomped through his bedroom to check for traces of her snooping.

  The closet door remained closed tight as he’d left it. Bookshelf looked fine, as did the desk. Only the sketch pad was different. He picked it up, flipped through the pages, and then set it down. In the bathroom, he saw nothing out of order. Satisfied she’d told the truth for the first time since they’d met, Cain rotated his shoulders to ease his tense muscles.

  I didn’t take anything so back off.

  Someone with nothing to hide would have reacted differently. They’d apologize for getting caught, or bluff. Not Katie. Her first reaction had been to claim she wasn’t a thief, which only proved she was overly dramatic. Women always made a big production out of every little thing.

  Cain skimmed his finger over the sketch-pad cover. She’d invaded his space and had liked his drawings. He had never shown his hobby to anyone outside his family, so he should be pissed she’d seen them. Vaguely, he realized he wasn’t.

  More proof he needed to get his head out of his ass. He leaned on the back of the desk chair and released a tired sigh. He was off his game, distracted, and unable to keep memories from tumbling into his brain.

  …

  The first shouts of warning reached Cain and Abel as they played near the pond. The sky filled with dark shapes swirling high above them.

  “My sons! To me.” Their mother’s frantic call spurred their legs into motion. His brother ran ahead, dust coughing up a cloud that stung Cain’s eyes. He kept pace, and when they reached their mother, she opened her arms wide.

  “We must hide.” She shoved Abel toward their house first and then him.

  “Mother, what causes you such fear?” Cain asked, unsure he wanted her to explain.

  “Later. Come quickly.”

  “Where is Father?” Abel stopped and circled to face their mother.

  “He and the others fight to keep us safe.” She glanced up.

  Angels, hundreds of angels were closer now, and he finally knew why their mother worried. All wore glittering silver armor and held swords. They’d come for war.

  “God of All, have mercy on us,” his mother said, her words a mere whisper.

  But their village was peaceful. His father and several other angels had chosen to live among humans, raising their families. They were warrior farmers, his mother often joked.

  If his father was at war, shouldn’t he help? Yes, he was only a boy, but he could use a sword. So could Abel.

  “Where will we go?” His twin gripped their mother’s hand.

  “Inside the house, quickly.”

  Cain didn’t pay attention. His eyes were glued to the clashing winged warriors above him. When he spotted his father squared off against four angels, he broke into a run.

  “No. Cain, come back,” Abel yelled behind him. “Cain!”

  …

  The strains of his brother’s voice faded, leaving a thin patch of sweat along Cain’s brow. Abel was back from only the God of All knew where. Katie—no, the murder witness—might be beautiful, but she was a stranger. And a bad liar. Cain gave his room another hard look. Why had Ionie chosen to show her to his room? Kas’s was closer to the study. How long had she been left alone?

  A hard knock at his door announced yet another visitor. His bedroom was damn popular tonight. He rubbed his neck, but the muscles
felt like a Monkey’s Fist. Sure enough, the door swung open, and Nesty’s hulking body blocked the doorway a moment later.

  “Meeting,” his brother said.

  Debriefing with the team sat low on his wish list. Lying to Jarrid was bad enough, but he’d managed. Serving up the same garbage to Tanis, the walking lie detector, wouldn’t be easy.

  “Problems?” Nesty cocked his head, his eyes narrowed.

  Cain tried to laugh, but the half cough came out strangled. “I should be out in the street, not dealing with that redhead.”

  One eyebrow rose on Nesty’s face.

  “I caught the witness alone in my room.” He crossed his arms. “Have you watched her? She’s wound up and ready to bolt.”

  “The murder.”

  Cain shook his head. “That’s not enough. I need to know what she does. Let’s get Kas to run a background check. Her fear makes it too hard for him to read her. Maybe her past will give some answers.”

  Katie’s description of the killer—of Abel—had reached a place in him he didn’t want to dwell. Cain and his adopted brothers had all lost loved ones at a young age, and the only solace came from leaving the past behind. But her words had shredded the wall protecting him from those memories. If he was careless, the team would sense it.

  Nesty and he walked in silence to Tanis’s study and joined the rest of the team. Ionie wasn’t in the room, but Katie appeared much calmer. As much as she intrigued him on one level, her appearance and the revelation about Abel meant Cain had to work extra-hard to keep his mind clear. If he slipped up about his brother, or pursued his curiosity about her…

  Jarrid began his debrief, and after every few words he spoke, Cain’s gaze slipped to Katie. To her mouth. The pulse throbbing at her neck. The slender lines of her shoulders. She looked up and their eyes locked, as if a force he couldn’t define wove threads of energy between them. He took deep breaths and lost sight of everyone except for her. She pulled her lower lip between her teeth, and his pulse raced when her gaze dipped under a sweep of red-brown lashes.

  “Hey, Cain, you’re up,” Jarrid said.

  Awareness of his surroundings stiffened his back. He dragged his attention from Katie and glanced at his brother. Every head in the room had turned in his direction.