by Michele Hauf
A part of her had always hoped it would not manifest in reality, that Granny had been a little off her rocker. Because monsters weren’t real and belonged underneath the bed, not on top of the bed trying to get into a girl’s business. Those were the worst kind of monsters. The ones who would harm women for their own pleasure.
Stopping before the building, Cassandra scanned over her third-floor window. Dark, it did not reveal the havoc inside. Dead vampires everywhere, which were now only dark ash, but she wasn’t sure about the blue blood spattering the white walls.
She winced, not wanting to go up but feeling a nudge inside her to man up, be a big girl and fight the good fight.
Problem was, the good fight was tough. It hurt. And it scared her.
But she had to stay strong for Coco. And for all the muses in the world who weren’t aware what the funny little brown mark on their arms meant. For Ophelia, who had discovered too late what her sigil meant.
“For yourself,” she whispered, stroking the sigil that did not flash blue right now because Sam was too far away. “You’re not going to let them defeat you. You’re twenty-seven freakin’ years old. You haven’t even begun to live.”
If taking out a few monsters who stood in the way of her enjoying life was required, then so be it.
Confidence giddied through her veins. Marching up the snowy front steps, Cassandra ran through the foyer and up the stairs. The iron railing hugging the last flight was bent, and she couldn’t force it back into shape. The landlord would never believe the truth—that a demon had landed on it while battling with an angel.
“Wonder why none of my neighbors heard the fight? Does no one notice when vampires break in and loot someone’s place?”
It was early evening. Most on her floor were still at work or just driving into rush-hour traffic now.
As she stepped around the hanging door into the loft, her cell phone rang. “Coco? You and Zane have any luck?”
“We did. Ivan Drake had information about a new influx of vampires within the last few days. We’re going to look for them later, but in the mean time I just got a call from Lucinda, the muse from Ireland.”
“Hell, I forgot about the others. They were all flying here together.”
“Yep, and their flight just landed. Zane and I are headed to the airport to put them back on flights.”
“Good thinking. Send them anywhere but here, Coco.”
“Will do. While we’re at it, Ivan said the Anakim may be found south of the Waldfriedhof.”
“That’s a cemetery.”
“It is? That makes no sense. Zane said vamps aren’t about the gruesome and coffins and things.”
“Yeah, but maybe those vampires are stuck in the dark like tribe Anakim are. We’ll check it out. You get those muses safe. Talk soon. Bye.”
She swept a look over the havoc in her flat. Holes were punched in the wall, and how had those ceiling tiles gotten smashed out? “I’ll definitely lose my deposit for this.”
Deciding she could not return to this tattered remnant of her life until after the vampires had been stopped, Cassandra made quick reconnaissance, gathering a change of clothes, the Taser, her bank info and the flash drive with all her important financial records. Granny’s grimoire and…
Cassandra’s heart dropped. The book of sigils and names was not behind the tiles beside the toilet tank, because that wall had been smashed open, likely by a vampire. That was not good on too many levels to imagine.
Hooking her backpack over a shoulder, she walked into the bedroom to see if she might have missed anything. Her eyes swept over the silver angel.
The wings were cool under her fingers, yet the sculpture warmed the more she maintained contact with the silver. “Just like Sam.”
Maybe that was the key? She needed to stay close to him, keep their connection strong, to maintain his humanity and keep him grounded in this mortal realm.
Maybe then he’d give up the idea of returning Above.
Because you want him to stay. “Worth a try.”
She sped down the stairs and met Sam at the front door.
“I’ve found them,” he said.
“Waldfriedhof?”
“I didn’t get the address, but there is a graveyard nearby.”
“That’s the place Coco verified with the vampire Council member.”
“I can lead you there.”
“They have the book, Sam. I’d hidden the book in the bathroom….”
“We’ll get it back. It’s imperative. Come on.”
Chapter 13
The cemetery Coco had directed them to was surrounded by a dense urban forest. They decided to park a ways off so as not to draw attention to their arrival. And Sam wanted to reconnoiter for guards along the way. He said he could home in on the vampires’ vibrations.
Cassandra plunged through the slushy snow after him. “How does that work? You homing in on vampires. You got super vampire senses? I thought vampires couldn’t tell if they were standing next to another vampire unless they actually touched?”
“I can sense them, as I sensed your sister’s boyfriend. It’s like their shimmer when touching.”
“Okay, but don’t call Zane that, please. I’m having a little trouble wrapping my head around Coco dating a man who bites her.”
“He bites her?”
She winced. “Yes.”
“Kinky.”
“And you know about kink, Mr. I’ve Only Been on Earth A Few Days?”
“I spent an hour in Las Vegas. I learned a lot there.”
She caught his smile, laced with sly memory. “A whole hour? And you must have spent a night walking the world, so that’s about six to eight hours.”
“Six, exactly.”
And he’d spent a sixth of that time in Vegas? Wow. “Learn any gambling tricks?”
“No, but do you know the showgirls walk around without anything to cover their breasts?”
“It is common knowledge. Did you enjoy that? Wait. Stupid question. Let’s move along, shall we? And you keep your showgirl fantasies to yourself.”
“Yes, let’s hurry. And I promise to keep my fetish for rhinestone-studded panties a secret. Oops.”
Shaking her head and laughing at his coy flirtations, Cassandra tracked close behind Sam.
He paused as they gained the train tracks hugging the urban forest that surrounded the cemetery. Heeling the track with his heavy boot, Sam closed his eyes and she thought he might be feeling for vibrations. She wasn’t sure what his angel powers were, beyond strength, but she had seen him move a vampire without touching him, so he had some kind of telepathic judo going on.
Tugging her hand, Sam led her down the tracks.
“We should have split up the angel ash,” she said, “in case we get separated and they run into the nephilim before we do.” Coco had commandeered the Ziploc bag with the ash. “I sure hope she brought it along.”
“If not, her vampire will protect her.”
“Yes, but they both seemed to have forgotten Coco was supposed to stay out of this.”
Sam stopped center of the tracks and pulled her into a surprising embrace. “Zane does love her.”
“How do you know? Did he tell you when you two were down at the bar? Because vampires lie.”
“Everyone lies, Cassandra. And it wasn’t that he told me, but I heard it in his voice. He adores your sister. And much as I’d prefer to stake him for the sake of taking out a vampire, I know he’s a good man.”
“But he’s from the very tribe who are attempting to capture the nephilim.”
“Which has its advantages. Trust me, I know your sister is in good hands.”
He kissed her then, and his lips quickly warmed against hers, and when she wanted to slip her hands under his shirt and melt against him, he nudged her onward.
Sighing, Cassandra wished her life would have tossed her this eligible bachelor before the world decided to end. And in human form, pretty please, one with a soul.
Antonio del Gado closed the red leather-bound journal and patted it reverently. He’d summoned another Fallen, and had plans to summon yet another after confirmation was received on the location of this one. He couldn’t go about willy-nilly bringing Fallen to earth unless his scout marked their landing. Otherwise the summons would be worthless.
Such a coup Westing had found this book. He deserved a promotion, and the man would have it. But what could he give a vampire who could already walk in the sun?
Perhaps a delicious blood slave. Or a witch. Yes! A witch from whom he could drain her magic and gain power. He’d see to locating one as Westing’s reward.
And when finally Antonio could walk in the light, he would take a witch for himself and gain earth, air and water magic. After centuries of shrinking from his enemies as the sun slashed the horizon, he would never again cower.
“There’s movement in the north, boss.” Bruce opened the laptop. “I think it’s the Fallen you just summoned. One of my men was able to tag him with the GPS gun Rovonsky made. Look at it move.”
The map on the screen showed a green dot moving from Germany to France, and toward Spain. That quickly.
“He’s walking the world,” Bruce confirmed. “We’ll nab him when he circles back to Berlin.”
“How do you know it’ll circle back?”
“I don’t, but there are a bunch of muses on their way here. He’ll find them sooner or later.”
“Good work, Westing. Now go out and see if you can tag Samandiriel. Or the muse. One or the other, and then we’ll be able to use them both.”
“I’m on it, boss.”
Even through her coat, Cassandra felt Sam’s hand on her shoulder as they walked side by side. He was always initially cold, but took on her heat quickly. She liked to think they made their own heat, and that one needed the other to flame such a fire.
Silly romantic stuff.
Coco had been right. Finally a handsome, interesting man lands—literally—in her life and she has to worry about saving the world instead of batting her lashes at him.
“I like you, Cassandra.”
Startled by the strange, breathy confession, she did a double take on the angel’s expression. Face forward, his eyes briefly darted to hers, and a boyish grin captured his sexy mouth.
“Is that okay to say?”
And here she’d been denying all the romantic silliness jiggling about in her brain. Very well, who said a girl couldn’t fight some monsters and have a little fun at the same time?
“Yes, it is,” she offered decidedly. “Do you know what like is?”
“Is it me wanting to be with you all the time, and when we’re not speaking, always wondering what you’ve got going on in your mind? And me unable to see any other woman when you are near me because your beauty distracts me?”
Wow. “Uh, sure. That sounds like like.”
“Do you like me, Cassandra?”
“What, no bunny?” The wind swept up snowflakes in a glitter before them. “I do. I wonder what goes on inside your head and want to know more about you. And I dreamed you before you came to me, so what’s that all about? I’ve never believed in destiny, but maybe there’s something to it. And you are incredible to look at.”
“I also admire your smart mouth.”
“Do you now?”
“It’s sexy. Better than a Las Vegas showgirl’s rhinestone-encrusted—”
“All right, buddy. Just know I don’t do rhinestones, so that’s a fantasy you’re going to have to keep close to the vest.”
“You outshine the cheap paste jewel. You could outshine silver.”
“I’m not sure about that.”
“I am. I like the ribbons in your hair, too. How do they stay in there?”
“They’re woven in. You really like them? They’re something that sets me apart from other women, but some guys assume I’m too edgy.”
“I like edgy. That means you know how to kick a vampire’s arse, right?”
She chuckled. “Oh, yeah. But my skills tend to threaten men who want a frilly little woman who looks sexy all the time and wouldn’t dream of showing them up in a fistfight.”
“I can relate to those men.”
“You can?” Here she’d thought Sam different than the others. “You’re starting to take on the ways of the world, I guess.” And her idea that staying close to him, always connecting, may just be helping.
“I said I can relate, but that doesn’t mean I prefer a weak woman. You’re perfect for me, bunny.”
She tugged the tie strings of her hat and beamed up at him.
“So what comes after like?”
“I’m not sure.” Oh, yes, she was. Love came next. Or was that infatuation? Worship? Tenderness? “A mix of things probably.”
“Such as? More than kissing?”
She ducked her head to hide a shy smile. The man did like to kiss. And how much did she like kissing him? Enough to stop the world and steal another kiss before the world stopped them?
Cassandra stepped out in front of Sam and threaded her arms about his neck when he walked into her embrace. “If you’re so curious as to what comes next, you should start exploring. You might find something you like.”
“I’m already at like, I want to go beyond.” His colorful eyes smiled wider than his mouth. Such a sexy, roguish smile. “Will you let me go beyond?”
“Yes.” She went on tiptoe and kissed him, wishing he weren’t so tall and she so short, because she couldn’t get a good connection. Then he lifted her and placed her on the rail track so she met his height.
Pausing amidst the chaos, they kissed sweetly at first, testing one another with glances and dotting their mouths together quickly, then slower, then quick again. The playful connection chased away her anxiety.
Cassandra surrendered to her desires, and with her guidance, Sam’s motions became more amorous and needy. The squeeze of his hand along her ribs claimed her. And for a moment she wanted to be one of those frilly women who looked to their man for protection.
She’d never had a man to protect her before and had always scoffed at the idea. She could take care of herself. Mostly. In a way, they were equals, both focused on a mission, yet Sam allowed her to wear her strength as the badge she’d earned. She’d never had that from previous lovers.
He pulled away from the kiss, his eyes darting back and forth between hers, and whispered wistfully, “Vampires.”
“Right.” She kissed his chin and his jaw, and lower to his neck. “We should go after them.”
“Uh-huh.” His fingers traced her jaw as they kissed on the mouth again, deepening the kiss with their tongues and tasting each other as if starved for something they could only get from the other. “Should go.”
His cool hand slid under the neck of her sweater and a finger almost managed to flick her nipple, but the tight neckline wouldn’t allow it.
Frustrated, Cassandra stepped back. “Right. Save the world, and all that rubbish. Rain check?”
“Rain? In the winter?”
“That means, can we put a bookmark in this embrace and save it for later?”
“Ah. Rain check. Yes, I can do that, so long as we don’t have to literally wait for the rain.”
“Come on, angel boy.” She clasped his hand and tugged him along the tracks.
“You’re holding my hand.”
“I’m leading you,” she corrected.
“So, it’s not like an official hand hold?”
“Uh…” She shrugged. “Why?”
“Just…nothing at all. Lead on, bunny.”
An oncoming train sounded its horn, and Sam lifted her and spun her away from the tracks to walk alongside the swiftly moving freight cars. Cassandra’s laughter was muted by the noise.
If Granny Stevens could see her now, she would clap, and up would bubble her infectious laughter celebrating Cassandra’s happiness.
Then she would rap Cassandra across the back of her hand for even speaking to a Fallen on
e, let alone kissing one.
A metallic thump sounded close by. Sam shoved her roughly. “Get away.”
“What?”
She felt the sweep of wing before she saw it. As she stumbled across the snow, she touched her cheek where it burned. Blood splattered on the dirty snow. Red blood. The wing had cut her.
Behind her, a Fallen angel leaped from the top of a freight car and collided with Sam, forcing them both to ground in a grapple of fists, legs and wings.
Wings of green glass?
“Jade,” she murmured, and shuffled farther away across the snow. The vampires had succeeded in summoning yet another Fallen. And it obviously recognized Sam as the outlaw.
The jade angel stretched out his arms and roared in that awful sound that had Cassandra scrambling to plug her ears. But before she did, she noticed the glowing blue sigil on the side of its neck.
“Hurry, Coco, this one is close to his muse.”
The Berlin airport was unusually crowded for the midnight hour. Coco clutched Zane’s hand as they scanned the arrival gates for the muses. “I don’t know what any of them looks like.”
Zane kissed her cheek. The scar that cut through his left eye and rendered it white didn’t disturb her at all. It never had. “Relax, love. Don’t panic.”
“I’m not panicking.”
“Oh, yes, you are. You’ve got that openmouthed, wide-eyed, I’m-freaked look going on right now. We’ll find them. Have I ever let you down?”
“No, you’re always there for me. When angels come after me, you slay them. When the neighborhood dog chased me down the street, you barked at it. Heh. That poor dog hasn’t barked or chased me since.”
He kissed her deeply, and Coco abandoned her panic. Just like that. Zane’s kisses always did that to her. “Whew! And when you kiss me, you make the world right.”
Another kiss and a squeeze of her hand. “Maybe just a small portion of it. Someone’s crying?”
He tugged her toward a sitting area where the crowd had backed away because a huddle of women stood around a loudly crying woman.