Heaven's Prisoners

by Matthew Angelo

  My Charger puttered to a stop, and the blazing heat hit me like a train when I opened the door. “Sweet Jesus, it’s fucking hot.”

  A few cars dotted the lot as the club was open twenty-four-seven. The business hours posted had a closing time of two A.M. but then what the cops don’t know was probably better. Axle and the rest of the PMS knew but turned a blind eye as Raiza helped them on a few cases and proved useful.

  The bouncer opened the door and waved me through. Like I said, I’ve been here a few times. He looked bigger than usual like he hit the gym regularly. I did my part at the gym as well, but his bicep stood bigger than my thigh, and that was without flexing — skinny and toned, story of my life. The gym helped, but gaining the muscle and weight proved hard for my wirey ass.

  I helped myself to a stool at the bar. “Shot of whiskey.”

  The bartender nodded. A flash of power emanated from her. Nothing extreme, but it got my attention. It didn’t feel unclean or positive for that matter, just neutral. Her power flowed naturally and with no intent. Good, sign in my book.

  She set the shot glass in front of me and poured. “Seven dollars, Mr. MacCaren.”

  I pulled a ten out and handed it to her. “Highway robbery.”

  “And you’re cheap.”

  A snarky bartender. I like her already. “I’ll drink to that!”

  I slammed the shot without a wince and waved her away with the change. The sarcastic comment she gave me deserved the tip. She wiggled the bottle at me, and I motioned her over. After the past day, I needed the whole bottle, but I needed to stay somewhat focused.

  She poured another shot. “This one’s on me.”

  See kids, treat a bartender right, and the alcohol flows freely.

  “Here to see, Raiza?”

  I tipped the last shot into my mouth, swallowing it down. “Yeah, is she available?”

  The bartender smiled and glanced past me. “For you, Rian, I’m always free.”

  I turned in the barstool to see Raiza striding toward me looking secretive as always. While short, perhaps on the five-foot side, she had a petite frame and a heaving bosom that threatened to spill out of the tight fitting green dress she wore.

  I slid the shot glass to the bartender. “Raiza, you’re looking lovely as always. I need your help.”

  She opened her clutch and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with a touch of her finger. “Of course you do. For once, I’d like to see you come here for fun and not business.”

  I shook my head. “Fun? I’m afraid if I did, bad things would happen. I’m sure a few here wouldn’t appreciate me being here as I play for the other team.”

  Raiza took a long drag of her smoke. “Rian, I thought you played for both teams?”

  I couldn’t ignore her mischievous smile. With love, I never chose sides, but for good and evil, I stood on one side. I may have broken a few rules, but never to harm. Stop lying to yourself, Rian. You know you ain’t no saint.

  “You know what I meant, Raiza. I’m pretty sure you never let such things bother you either.”

  She sighed then flashed me a spectacular grin. “My people don’t bother with such trivialities, Rian.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “You do more than you may think.”

  “I’m Seelie, Rian; we care more than the others. Not a lot more.”

  “You do care. I think being around me has softened your nature a little.”

  “Oh, Rian, nothing around me ever gets soft.”

  My face flushed and a familiar stirring in my pants made my breath quicken. I’d lie if I said there was no attraction between us. Her dark hair and green eyes drew me in. Most men would say Raiza was irresistible. Perhaps she was, but for me, I could see past the glamor of her magic.

  I shifted in my seat. “I’m here for business, Raiza.”

  She leaned against the bar and looked over the floor. “I know, Rian. It’s a shame you won’t let me work my magic on you.”

  “If I did that, you’d have me tied up in the basement for a week.”

  “Only a night. I know you have work to do.”

  I cleared my throat. “Speaking of work.”

  She nodded, but not without a smile that promised a night of unbearable pleasure. “Do you see what I see out there, Rian?”

  I scanned the room and saw only a few patrons and go-go dancers. Nothing stood out to me besides the club’s cleanliness. It even smelled good if you ignored the underlying odor of sweat and desperation. Even the neon lights shone brightly and had an excellent aesthetic to the overall club.

  “Anna, get us both a drink. Come with me, Rian, let’s have a seat at my booth.”

  She moved like a cat — one out for prey. Not necessarily to kill, but possibly to play with. While I trusted Raiza, deep down she was a dangerous woman. I had no doubts she had power, both magic and political that she hid from me. A woman in her position, especially in the court of Fae, took a lot to hold on to.

  She slid in one side of the booth as Anna; the bartender set down our drinks. “Have a seat, Rian. We have much to talk about.”

  I sat down on the other side and watched as Anna walked away. “What is she? She’s more than a woman, not fully human.”

  “Aren’t we curious? She has fairy blood in her. Enough to get the Court’s attention, but not enough to gain her any position in it. Anna prefers that. She wants to be a veterinarian.”

  “Ah, I didn’t know your people bred with humans.”

  “We do, more than we care to admit. Few offspring of such a union have any power. Most go through life not knowing who they are in that aspect. Anna is one of the few. She has an affinity to animals most humans don’t. Her teachers call her gifted. I call it magic. She’ll be an asset to me and others in this town with her knowledge.”

  I glanced at Raizacuriously taking a sip of the drink in front of me. “Asset?”

  “Doctors for people like us are rare. How many times have you skipped the doctor, Rian?”

  I clutched my side. It got better but still hurt. I healed faster than humans due to my angelic blood, not enough for my comfort. My ribs would hurt for a week. It could be worse; the troll could’ve fucked me up good.

  “Like I thought. She agrees, and I’m helping her pay for college. She helps me, and I help her.”

  I shifted in my seat. “Speaking of help, Raiza, I need to know what you’ve heard.”

  She took a drink before putting out her cigarette. “I hear a lot of things, Rian, but I can say, some of it pertains to you.”

  I grabbed her hand, and her power flowed into me. “What kind of stuff, and watch your power, Raiza.”

  She dampened her glamor and smiled. Raizausually didn’t talk around things, and I wondered what got her doing it today. I preferred her straight-forward like in the past. The Seelie and UnSeelie Court always spoke in riddles and dealt in what-ifs. Their politics and ways didn’t always pan out for those who dealt with them.

  “Besides the usual chatter. Some hate you, fear you, and even surprisingly, like you. There is a talk of a hit put out on you.”

  I leaned forward raising an eyebrow. “A hit? Like a mafia hit?”

  She snickered. “The mafia, here in Colorado, not likely. Good Italian food is hard to come by here. I’ve heard someone has asked questions about you. Like personal ones. There’s even talk of money being offered for your head.”

  I rubbed the back of my neck and sniffed. “I kind of like my head where it’s at.”

  “People talk when they’re drunk, and that includes the supernatural. A few have said a man similar to you has been asking questions and has paid some good money for any information about you.”

  Leaning back against the cushioned seat, I sighed. “A man like me? I wonder if it’s Markus.”

  “The half-incubus whose sister you killed a few months ago?”

  I nodded. “Yep, I got to see him earlier today in the Denver area. Let’s say; he’s not allowed to touch me.”

  “Now I�
��m intrigued.”

  “Not as much as I am. Any other chatter about contractors or others wanting me dead?”

  “Not that I’ve heard, but those contractors are hard to come by. I don’t know of any who would broadcast their dealings with devils or angels. They’re usually a quiet bunch until the killing starts.”

  “That’s what I figured. It’s possible Markus may have a hand in this, but after this morning, I’m not so sure. Thank you, Raiza.”

  Raiza stood to walk away then paused. “Be careful, Rian. I know what I’ve told you may not seem like much, but in my experience, things can go to hell real quick. Even if Markus can’t touch you, doesn’t mean he’ll listen to whoever’s holding his leash. You killed his sister after all. He’ll want revenge. Maybe not today, but eventually, his owner will let him off the leash.”

  I nodded in agreement and watched her walk away. She was right. Whoever was after me didn’t hide what they did, but then if a contractor was after me and not Markus, that means I pissed off a human enough to bargain with the supernatural to get revenge. My enemy list was long, and I had no way of narrowing it down anytime soon.

  Chapter Eight

  I headed home and tried catching a nap. Without knowing who owned the fingerprint and no word about the video feed, there wasn’t much for me to do. I hated helplessness, but it was the only feeling I had at the moment.

  A contractor had Jacob trapped in a grave with me possibly being next, and a group called the Fallen in hardcore recruitment status after my ass. I wanted to call Axle and see where he was at, but I’d have to wait. He’d call me if he found any information. The owner of the video feed specifically said I could not call the cops or Jacob dies and I’d be next.

  Somehow I doubted the contractor would wait for too long. This whole case screamed ‘trap’ but nothing I could do about it. Whoever started this knew me all too well. It ain’t easy knowing someone has manipulated you and you can’t do anything about it. Life isn’t easy, Rian. Being who you are; makes things more difficult.

  I could talk to myself all I wanted, but it all came down to the truth. Angelic blood made life hard for me. If my mother’s attempt at exorcism when I was eleven didn’t start it off, then I don’t know what did. Probably my birth began this shit.

  I parked my car and got out. The entrance of the building faced west, toward the foothills of the Rockies. A large shrill sound echoed from the alley to the south of the complex followed by a scream. Drawing my gun, I ran toward the alley and saw one man in a deep hoodie beating down another.

  I slowed to a walk and entered the alley. “Hey! Get off him.”

  I know I should mind my business, but I gotta help those in trouble. It’s in my nature. Everyone’s guardian angel so to speak. The bigger one stood up and puffed out his chest. Oh goodie, looks like negotiation won’t work. The smaller man took off. I couldn’t blame him. It was only afternoon — nothing like random violence to ruin a day.

  I holstered my gun — big mistake. As soon as I did, the man in the hoodie barreled into me knocking me off my feet. My ribs screamed at the impact, and a loud grunt escaped my lips. No matter how well you’re trained, falling hard onto concrete hurts like a bitch.

  Trying to get up, the man kicked me in the side sending bright lights to my eyes and pain ripping through me. I rolled in time to avoid another kick, and he slammed against a building as I got up. That’s going to leave a mark.

  I struck out and hit him in the face. A crunching sound rewarded me as I connected with his nose. He grunted and punched me in the gut. Air fled my lungs at once, and I bent over in pain. I dropped to my knee before springing up with an uppercut. He grunted hard as my fist cracked his jaw and I watched in satisfaction as his head rocked back. He fell backward into a garbage bin and didn’t move.

  I held my side and tried to steady my breathing. “Fuck, you’re an asshole.”

  After a few seconds, I stood up straight, but it hurt. I nudged him with my foot. He breathed. I could see his chest rise and fall, but I knocked him out with the uppercut. It could’ve been hitting the garbage bin, but I like to think it was my fighting skills.

  “Stay. Count yourself lucky; my dog would have ripped your throat out.”

  I staggered a little out of the alley. An old man stood terrified by his car. “Are you okay young man?”

  I glanced over not stopping. “Yeah, I need a drink. No need to call the cops. He’ll survive.”

  Each step up to my apartment hurt. My ribs burned and my back hurt. Is there anything on you that doesn’t hurt, Rian? Not really, but then the day isn’t over yet. I opened the door, home again. Fuck, I need a nap. Only an hour, God, please.

  A bark and the patter of feet greeted me as I closed the door. Jezebel jumped around and made it quite clear she missed me. I ran my hands through her fur, and she greeted me by licking my face. Reaching the couch, I sat down on the couch, and she jumped up next to me and lay down on my lap.

  I pet her. “You’re almost too big to be a lapdog.”

  She grunted and looked at me. If I didn’t know any better, my comment offended her.

  “Fine, you can be a lapdog.”

  She snuggled up against me. The pressure of her body against mine seemed to ease the pain. Who says dogs aren’t magical creatures? I kissed the top of her head, and she rewarded me by licking my face again. Dogs are better than humans in my book.

  I rested my head on the couch and yawned. My mind raced with everything going on. I’m no good to anyone if I can’t get any sleep. Just an hour is all I need. Better than nothing, right? It was my last thought before I drifted off to sleep. In hindsight, staying awake would have been better. My dreams were far from ordinary.

  The dreams stay the same. Nothing new and always horrific. On a good night, I can wake up and not remember them, but those times come at a rarity. No matter what, I wake up tired and my heart racing. Even sleeping pills don’t help. The alcohol does...

  I’m standing in the center of the city alone with my knife in one hand and my Sig in the other. The streets appear deserted, all the cars litter the streets from wrecks and graffiti covered the vehicles proclaiming the end of the world, or abandoned. The wind howls and a few pieces of trash blow across my path.

  It’s cold. Not the kind of jacket would fix, but the type that seeps into your soul. Not even a fire could banish the ice clinging to your veins. I shiver as the despair of the city crashes over me like a tsunami.

  An emptiness comes with it — a hollowness like an empty soul. I close my eyes and pray I’m not the only one. A loud cry resonates through the air. Scanning the horizon, their eyes watch me. I’m not alone, but none of the creatures near me offered any comfort or warmth for the soul.

  A shrill sound of steel on steel makes me cringe. It’s happening. A war in the heavens as the angels loyal to God fight those who fell to Earth with Lucifer. The Morning Star has sought a claim for the throne.

  The cries are the worst. More so than the drops of blood that fall from the sky. One hits my forehead and power washes over me — a bloody baptism and recruitment in a war between heaven and hell. Glancing up, the dark cloudy sky sparks with lightning illuminating the silhouettes of angels locked in battle with those they once called their brethren.

  If I stare long enough, someone falls, broken, shattered, their wings torn and eyes open, black as night. I step back not knowing what to do. I can’t fly, but it doesn’t matter. My battle is on the ground. As the angels fight in the sky, I fight alone in the city, against the owners of the eyes that watch me.

  They never reveal themselves. Perhaps it’s too soon, or the cries of the war in the heavens cripple them with fear. I don’t know. All I do know, is I sense their hunger — another crash near me.

  To my left, an angel lay dead, broken, on top of a car’s caved in roof. Relief washes over me as I see the burnt in the mark of the beast on his right hand. At least this time, it wasn’t one of the good guys. More will fall soon, from both
sides. Then the ones who hide in the distance watching me will come.

  And they are hungry...

  The sound of Jezebel whining and pawing at my chest woke me up. I turned my head to stare at the German shepherd, who became my new best friend a few months ago. She licked my face and whined more. After every dream like this, she’d wake me up, and always at the same spot.

  I didn’t mind as the prospect of finding out who the creatures in the distance frightened me more than the warring angels. Sometimes not knowing was better, but in this case, I wanted to know.

  Jezebel whined again, and I ran both my hands through her fur. Soft. “Don’t worry, girl. I’m okay and no longer in danger. You don’t dream of angels do you?”

  She tilted her head and perked her ears up. Dogs had an intelligence most people underestimated. At times, I wondered if Jezebel had more brains than me. She never went rushing into a fight with a mountain troll.

  She jumped off me and spun around barking. “Is it time to eat, Jez?”

  She barked again and ran into the kitchen. I got off the couch and plodded over after her. Jezebel sat in the middle of the kitchen floor, her tail wagging excitedly. Who doesn’t like a good meal, right? I need a drink though.

  I put some food in her bowl before standing back and watching her run over and start eating. Grabbing a glass from the sink, I poured some whiskey and took a sip. I sighed as the harsh, cool liquid burned my throat on the way down. Something’s gotta wash that fire and brimstone down.

  I toasted Jezebel. “Here’s to you, girl. With training, you’ll have other things to tear apart asides my couch and shoes. This town has bad guys galore just waiting for your playful bite.”

  I swallowed every drop, burped, and put down the glass like a boss. At least I’m a functioning alcoholic. I padded over to the fridge and looked inside. Let’s see, leftover pizza, some veggies, and half a jar of black olives.

  I glanced at my dog. “Hey, Jezebel, are olives in a jar supposed to be black?”

  She looked at me curiously. “You’re right; I should throw these away, sometime. Pizza it is.”