Adam's Angel

by Adam's Angel (epub)

  “Good different or bad different?” he asked.

  “Very good.”

  A sonic boom went off at the other end of the club, cutting off their kiss in midstream. Screams filled the air along with a plume of smoke as the wall to the club crumbled, crushing patrons in the process. The enemy poured into the club, cutting through the humans as they went. It was easy to know they weren’t on the side of good. Aside from the fact they had a rather dramatic entrance, they radiated evil.

  Lars, Adam, Adira and Pike ran headfirst at the enemy. There were too many for them to stop. The enemy spilled forth onto the dance floor. Mass pandemonium broke out. Screams and fear filled the smoke-riddled air. Tori spun around wildly, getting her bearings.

  One of the men grabbed Roxy and Tori struck out fast, drawing on the strength she kept hidden from everyone in her life. She knocked the shifter clear of Roxy and stepped in front of her friend as the man extended claws from his fingertips.

  He snarled, sniffing the air. “I found her! The one who put our leader in prison!” His shouts drew the attention of the enemy. They looked at Tori and in the blink of an eye were charging her.

  There was a quick popping noise and suddenly Adam was there, putting his hands up and tossing power around them. He made a protective bubble of sorts. The bad guys slammed into it and bounced off.

  Adam glanced back at her. “Are you hurt?”

  “I’m fine.” Tori caught a glimpse of something flashing behind Adam and had a half a second to register what it was—the sword of Kanjana—a weapon capable of passing through any barrier, magikal or man-made.

  “Adam, no!” She pushed in front of Adam as the sword pierced his power and lodged into her chest. Pain seized hold of her and she staggered. Strong arms wrapped around her.

  “Tori! Oh, gods, hon, no.” Adam stared wide-eyed at the sword sticking out of her chest. “It was meant for me, Tori.”

  She touched his lips, silencing him as she fought to take a breath.

  “Ding dong, the bitch is dead,” a feminine voice said. “That should teach the humans not to interfere in our lives. They’re nothing in the scope of things. Little ants to be squashed under our shoe when they get in our way.”

  Adam’s blue gaze locked on Tori. His lips trembled as he put his hand on her chest. “I can try to heal this, Tori. I can try to—”

  “Pull it out,” she whispered.

  He hesitated and she winced.

  “I can’t shift if you don’t.”

  “Shift?” Something moved over his face and he took hold of the hilt, pulling the sword free from her.

  Tori let go of the power she kept hidden and closed her eyes as white light emanated from her body. She felt her clothing dissolving away from her, only to be replaced by an outfit of her power’s choosing. A sharp pinching in her upper shoulder blades told Tori her wings were forming. Her power lifted her, allowing white wings that spanned out seven feet in each direction to appear. Her already long, white-blonde hair lengthened dramatically. The wound healed over almost instantly and all traces of blood disappeared.

  Tori blinked and knew her normally hazel eyes were now golden, as was the light sheen on her skin. Gasps sounded all around her as she took a step forward.

  Adira looked up at her and shook her head. “You’re a…a…an angel.”

  Bending down, Tori retrieved the sword and glanced around the club, setting her sights on a tall, thin man with silver hair. “You,” she said, her voice sounding different than normal—deeper, almost as if many were speaking through her. “You dare to not only steal a guarded relic but to turn it upon your fellow man?”

  “Holy shit!” Lars shouted. “She’s not just an angel. She’s one of the Dominations. No wonder she was immune to Adam’s ability to enthrall. She was born to police supernaturals and immune to their powers.”

  “Not all their powers,” a burly man said, charging at Tori. “They can be killed by hand to hand combat!”

  Tori stared out from her supernatural eyes and smiled. The man hesitated and in the blink of an eye Adam was there, attacking the man, knocking him away from Tori. “You will not touch my mate!”

  His mate?

  Adira gasped. “Adam?”

  Adam pummeled the burly man to the point there was little question the man was no longer a threat. Tori put her hand out, allowing her power to trickle out and over Adam. He turned to face her, his blue eyes feral and his breathing irregular.

  “Adam.”

  Lars rushed up next to her. “Adam, buddy, you okay? You’re not going to act like Pike and be next to impossible to calm down when you’re pissed, are you?”

  “Hey, standing right here,” the raven-haired man with Adira said, a smirk on his face.

  Adam’s entire body heaved as he stared past Tori at the man he’d beaten past the point of death. “He hurt you, Tori. I’m going to bring him back to life just so I can kill him again.”

  As he lifted his arms, Tori knew he was serious. She also knew the repercussions for such an act were severe. His magik released and the man jerked back to life, sucking in a large breath.

  Adam’s fellow League members attempted to get to him but they weren’t fast enough. Adam struck out with his power, killing the man again. Fearing he’d repeat his actions, Tori slid her arms around Adam’s waist. She put her cheek to his shoulder and hugged him tight, wrapping her wings around him as well. She stared up at him, in the secluded area she’d created. He was so handsome and fierce about protecting her that she couldn’t help but hug him tighter.

  Adam stiffened and Tori went to pull away.

  “No. Don’t. I just don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Hurt me?” she asked, lifting her head a bit and locking gazes with him.

  He nodded towards her wings. “If I hug you and bump them, will it hurt you?”

  Unable to suppress a smile, Tori gave into it. “No. You won’t hurt me but thank you for asking.”

  Adam carefully wrapped his arms around her and Tori hated to admit just how good it felt to be hugged by him. On the verge of sighing, Tori drew back slightly, sensing the call of the others like her as she did.

  She touched his cheek and offered a soft smile. “You’re not going to bring him back and kill him again, are you?”

  Adam seemed to entertain the thought.

  Tori gasped and shook her head. “Adam, I can’t protect you from the Tribunal if you do.”

  He tipped his head. “I’d never ask you to.”

  “Adam, this is already bad enough. I’ll have to—”

  “Shit,” Lars said as gasps filled the nightclub.

  “Mask the humans’ minds, Adam and Adira,” said a soft feminine voice that Tori knew well.

  She knew without looking that the Tribunal had arrived mystically to oversee what had happened. With a sigh, Tori opened her wings, exposing not only herself but Adam to the Tribunal’s view. An image of six figures sitting at a semi-circular table filled the air. The Tribunal, as they were called by League members because at one point they had only had three judges, possessed great magik and even greater stealth capabilities.

  Nodding her head, Tori acknowledged them. Each wore a silver cloak, leaving all but their lips covered. Oracle, the female who had spoken, sat on the far left. She often was the representative for the group. Warrior, an alpha male shifter, piped in at random. His mood was often as unpredictable as he was. The others—Conjurer, Force, Illuminator and Nature—normally kept to themselves, silently observing and soaking everything in.

  Oracle lifted her hand as Adam’s magik coated the club. “Very good, thank you.”

  Warrior snorted. “Cut to the chase, Oracle. Don’t thank the man who is about to be put to the test for his actions.”

  Adam stood tall as his friends gathered protectively in front of him. Tori knew the fear the Tribunal put into the minds of everyone, the supernatural included. She also knew what they were and were not permitted to do. She rolled her eyes at the drama
of it all. They were putting on a show and she wasn’t in the mood for it.

  Warrior stiffened. “Something you wish to say, angel?”

  Adam put his hand out to her and much to her surprise she took it. “No. She has nothing to offer. It was my doing. I chose to take the life of the enemy,” he flashed a Cheshire cat smiled, “again. Not her.”

  Tori’s mouth dropped open. What was he thinking? Confessing crimes of that natural could be a death sentence. “Adam!”

  If she didn’t know better, she’d have sworn Warrior was shaking slightly, as if silently laughing. She crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a hard stare. “Enough from the peanut gallery.”

  Adam and his gang gasped. He shook his head. “Tori, don’t…”

  Oracle let out a soft laugh. “Adam, fear not. Tori and the Tribunal have a rather long history together. It is one she is not permitted to speak of, yet, but perhaps in time she will be able to reveal more to you.”

  Another boom sounded, this one bringing with it an urgent energy. In a flash, Adam was thrust away from her by an unseen force. Tori screamed and reached out for him as strong arms wrapped around her.

  “Victoria, what happened?” a deep voice asked. “I felt your pain. I sensed you struggling to shift forms.”

  This time she was sure Warrior was laughing. She pointed up at his image and spun her hand around, giving him the finger. It was far from elegant but completely called for. He was being a jerk. “If Adam’s hurt, I’m holding you personally responsible.”

  “Tori!” Adira said, drawing in a deep breath. “You’re flipping off a Tribunal member.”

  “Yeah, and the crazy one at that,” Lars added from across the club.

  Warrior cleared his throat. “Crazy one?”

  Oracle shook her head, appearing amused. “Stop. You know you love it when they assume you’re one card shy of a full deck.”

  Tori caught Lars’ gaze. “Is Adam okay?”

  The man holding her stiffened. “Adam? The League member? He’s the one who was next to you, the one who hurt you?”

  Twisting, she found herself staring into icy blue eyes set in a golden-colored face. “Kolbein, he never harmed me. He was trying to protect me and, yes, he’s the same Adam who is a League member. Now,” she pushed on the man’s large muscular arms, “stop mothering me and make sure you didn’t hurt him.”

  “Holy shit, Pike, did you hear what she called him?” Lars asked, shock evident in his voice.

  Pike appeared thoroughly unimpressed. “Yeah, Kolby something or other. Why?”

  “Kolbein. As in,” Lars’ eyes widened, “one of the generals for the Dominions Angels.”

  Kolbein grinned, amused his reputation proceeded him. He tilted his head just as another League team arrived mystically. “It’s about time. She would already be dead had Adam’s team not been in the area.” Kolbein stopped and stared at Tori. “Why exactly are they here with you, Tori?”

  Warrior laughed even harder now. Kolbein stared up at the Tribunal image. “Something funny, old friend?”

  Oracle tried to put her hand over Warrior’s mouth but he caught her wrist and flashed a wolfish smile. “Oh, yes. Something is fucking hilarious from where I’m sitting, old friend.”

  Kolbein stared between Tori and Lars. His nostrils flared. “You are to keep your distance from her. Understood?”

  Lars put his hands up, shaking his head vigorously. “Hey, it’s not me who’s been trying to get into her pants for the past year.” He pointed at Adam who was pushing to his feet looking a little worse for wear. “It’s him.”

  Adam stretched his neck and rotated his shoulder. “Ouch.”

  Kolbein pulled his arm back and Tori knew what he was going to do. She threw herself in front of him and extended her wings, blocking his shot at Adam. “You will not harm him!”

  “Victoria, you have no say in this matter. Go home. Stay there. I told you working this case wasn’t safe. In fact, I distinctly recall telling you working among humans was a bad idea. Father even objected to your choices but you never listen.”

  “I’m an angel of justice,” she stressed, her patience wearing even thinner. “I think practicing law among them is exactly what I should be doing.”

  Kolbein made a move to go around her and she slapped his forehead.

  Lars gasped. So did several others. “Did she just slap the head of a general for the Dominations?”

  “Oh,” Warrior said. “She most certainly did. Do it again, Tori. I always enjoyed watching Kolbein get his ass kicked by a woman.”

  “Tori, what’s going on?” Adira stepped closer to her and Pike tried to pull her back. She shook him off. “Tori?”

  Tori offered a soft smile to her friend. “Adira, I never did get to tell you everything I wanted to.”

  Adira nodded, surprise in her eyes. “Did you want to tell me how you were dating a head general for the Dominations?”

  Tori cringed and Warrior laughed harder. She pointed at him. “One more word and I will tell Kolbein what you were really doing the night he was attacked by forty gapainoe demons.”

  Warrior shut up instantly.

  Oracle inclined her head, clearly curious. “This is a story I wish to hear more of.”

  “No.” Warrior shifted in his seat. “You don’t.”

  Kolbein lurched towards the mystical protection of the Tribunal. “You better not have dared to touch her, Warrior!”

  Warrior pursed his lips.

  Tori came to his rescue. “Kolbein, please. Stop. Warrior has never been anything but like a brother to me. I’ll keep his secret, as I once promised. I want Adam cleared of any charges that might arise from what happened tonight. He was protecting me. The man had the sword of Kanjana and—”

  A chorus of gasps sounded. “How did he obtain a relic guarded by the—”

  Kolbein cut Oracle off. “The gates of the Holy Shrine fell to the other side this morning. It is why I put a summons out to speak with you.”

  “No summons arrived, Kolbein.” Oracle let out a long breath. She rarely seemed agitated. This was a twist in events that didn’t leave feeling of joy surging through Tori. “We attempted to call upon you as well. Word of a possible attack upon Victoria reached us at the last minute. Adam and his team were already with her but we had no way of communicating with them to alert them of what we had learned. Someone blocked our power.”

  Tori watched Kolbein’s features harden. She knew his temper was nearly impossible to keep in check. She rushed to his side and touched his cheek. “Look at me, Kolbein.”

  Adam growled, sounding jealous.

  Kolbein glared at him. “You. This is all because of you and your team! Victoria is a target because of you!” He tossed raw power at Adam and Tori threw herself in its path. It burned but would only cause her mild discomfort where it would more than likely kill Adam or one of the others.

  Adam rushed to her side. “Tori!”

  “Get your hands off my little sister!” Kolbein shouted.

  Lars moved in next to Adam. “Sister?” His bottom lip trembled and Tori knew he was trying not to laugh. “Oh, this is perfect, Adam. You fell head over heels for one of the biggest badass’ baby sister.”

  “Fell head over…?” Tori spun and stared at Adam.

  He blushed and shoved Lars hard enough to knock him over. “Ignore him.”

  “Adam,” Adira prompted. “Is it true? Do you really like Tori?”

  “Enough!” Kolbein slapped his chest. “I did not spend years keeping your senses blocked, preventing you from sensing his call to—” His mouth snapped shut and he rubbed the back of his neck.

  Tori rounded on her brother. “What did you do?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Kolbein.”

  He squirmed. “N-nothing.”

  “Fine. I’ll summon Mother and we’ll let her decide if you’re telling the truth.” She put her arms out and began to draw upon her powers to reach her mother.

  He paled
. “Dear gods, no! The woman will skin me alive if she finds out what I’ve done.”

  “And what,” Adam stroked her wing lightly, “exactly have you done?”

  “I do not have to answer to you.”

  Tori stared at her brother, her temper rising. “Yes, you do and you have to answer to me as well.”

  “I might have figured out who your mate might be, or at least what team he was on, shortly after your attack.” Kolbein whistled softly and glanced toward the ceiling. “And I might have assured you couldn’t respond to his mystical call.”

  Oracle yelped. “You did what? Do you understand that by blocking Adam’s ability to reach his mate, you left him in a state of un-fulfillment, a state of constant need, a state—”

  Lars spoke up. “A state of doing lots of other chicks to scratch the un-scratchable itch.”

  Tori stared at her brother and then Adam. A soft laugh broke free from her as she drew her power into herself, her hair, skin and eyes returning to that of a human. “Don’t be ridiculous, Kolbein. I’m not Adam’s… He’s not my… That’s absurd. I think I’d know if he was.”

  “Lift your power, Kolbein,” Oracle said, sounding pissed.

  Kolbein grumbled but did as he was instructed. It suddenly felt as if she’d been struck in the chest by something heavy. The urge to look in Adam’s direction was great. She gave in and found him staring at her with a look so hungry it actually worried her. What was worse was the overwhelming need to go to him, hold him in her arms and beg him to take her.

  She gasped. “Ohmygods, my mate is a man-whore!”

  Adam snapped out of his stupor and stared at her. “I am not a man-whore. And for your information, I’m not exactly thrilled to find out my mate is an uptight bitch who spends more time obsessing over her next win in court than paying any attention to a guy who was most certainly asking her out daily. Yeah, I’m real shocked you had next to no friends growing up. Who the hell would want to spend time with you? You’re a bitch.”