Kore's Angel: Angel Shifters

by Serena Simpson

  “We all have something that motivates us. The parents who get up every day to go to a job they hate just so that they will have money to feed their children and keep a roof over their heads.”

  “Your right, money isn’t evil; it’s what people do with it or will do for it.” She picked up her fork and reluctantly took a bite. “What would you do with a lot of money?”

  “I have money, and I don’t need a lot of it as long as my needs are met, but I guess I would help out a few people I know who are in need.”

  She nodded and ate another bite. There were a couple of charities she wanted to help also, but she fell sick before she got a chance.

  “I wonder how I got sick.”

  “Do you think that your fiancé had anything to do with it?”

  “How could he? I went to every doctor, and they couldn’t find anything.”

  They ate in silence; when they were done Kore paid the bill and left Lian a healthy tip.

  “I think the stores are open.”

  She gave him a bright smile before she walked over to a woman taking off a great hat. It looked like a dog with awesome ears and a brim that would hide her face.

  “Hi, I’m Eden, and I don’t want to be forward, but I was wondering if you would be willing to sell me that hat. It’s perfect.”

  The woman looked up, and Eden stumbled back a little, her eyes were white on white.

  “I wore this hat just for you. Enjoy your shopping trip.” She leaned into Eden and whispered in her ear. “He’s hot isn’t he and he deserves love.”

  She handed Eden the hat and turned back to her companions at her table.

  In a daze, Eden walked back to Kore. “She just gave me the hat.” “That was nice.”

  “She said she wore it for me. Do you think she wants something?”

  “No, everyone doesn’t do things wanting something in return.”

  “It must be nice to live in a world like that,” she whispered as she followed him out of the diner.

  They walked silently across the parking lot; he helped her back into the front seat before getting in.

  “Where are we going?”

  “It’s up to you. We can go to the mall, or there are several boutiques on the main street.”

  Mall or boutique, she thought, as a new layer of snow fell silently from the sky reminding her that she was experiencing something new to her.

  “I would like to go to the mall.”

  “The mall it is.”

  His jeep purred silently as he pulled it out of the parking spot.

  “Kore, can I ask you a question?”

  “Shoot.”

  “What is Lian? There’s no way she could be human with eyes like that.”

  “She’s a tiger shifter.”

  “Tiger shifter?”

  “She turns furry and runs around on four legs.”

  She started to laugh when she realized he wasn’t joking. “You're serious?”

  “Yeah. Eden, the world is filled with more than you can conceive. Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

  “Why do you hide from the world?”

  “Your fiancé let a little bit of money drive him crazy. Can you imagine what the world would do if they knew that humans like them but different existed?”

  “I can, and it wouldn’t be pleasant. I wouldn’t want to let everyone know either. Thank you for allowing me to know your secret.”

  “You’re welcome, Eden.”

  It hadn’t dawned on her that he didn’t have to let her see him or take her with him. She’d been so desperate, all she knew was he had to help her. He took her with him, but he could have left her. Her angel had a good heart.

  “I was wondering if you would want...” Eden fell silent as a voice started to speak.

  “Breaking news.” The music was interrupted as a newscaster came over the radio excitement in his voice. “It has been confirmed that the heiress to the Blake fortune has been kidnapped. There hasn’t been any demand from the kidnappers; it is thought she may have died before they could get her to sign over her fortune.

  “The police have a full task force looking for her and her fiancé has hired a private detective agency. The police are doing everything they can to find her. Pictures are being posted of her, if you see someone fitting her image, please give your local authorities a call.

  “Heiress Blake’s fiancé believes that we may have all the answers we need by the New Year. It is being said that her body has been found and they are simply waiting for the confirmation of her death before the Will is read in January.”

  Eden felt a hand twist her insides as she waited for Kore to say something to her. Marcus must have people out searching for her body.

  He didn’t say anything he was watching the road.

  “Kore,” she said his name, her voice shaking.

  His hand came out to rest on her leg. “It’s been a day, Eden. No one should tell all their secrets to a stranger in a day.”

  Her shoulders relaxed, and she sank into the seat. Why couldn’t she have met him first?

  Chapter Six

  Kore pulled into a parking spot at the mall that felt like it was miles from the nearest entrance. Every available space seemed to be taken with cars that were crammed into spaces that didn’t seem like they were big enough to hold them.

  Plows must have come by earlier taking the snow and pushing it up on the sides which crowded the already limited spaces. Eden shook her head. She was use to shopping in specialty stores that catered to the needs of the rich so she never saw anything like this except on television. Instead of being appalled, she was amazed at how everyone seemed to be laughing as they walked around.

  “This place is packed.” She looked around at the cars, some with harried people moving in and out of them loading packages and bags.

  “It’s nine days before Christmas. I have it on great authority that this is the busiest time of year. I can get us closer if you don’t want to walk.” His eyes sparkled, the green of them lighting up.

  She was fascinated with how his eyes glowed. She could look at them every day and not get tired. Sexy angel.

  “How can you do that?” She looked around to see if anyone was looking in their direction.

  “Come here.” He was leaning against the front of the jeep, his jeans pulling tight and his jacket stopping at his waist. He bent one finger and called her forward.

  She moved like she was under a spell, utterly unable to resist the slow smile that was tugging at his lips showing a hint of a dimple. Could she have him on a calendar all twelve months, please? Never mind, she’d rather have the real thing. Moving a little too fast to seem casual, she stopped when she was in front of him. He wrapped his arms around her bringing her closer to his body.

  His scent surrounded her making her pussy flood in longing. How long had it been since she last made love? Marcus didn’t count although he hadn’t touched her since she got sick. Making love to him hadn’t been the earth shattering experience she was looking for, he was proficient, but she wanted mind blowing.

  Kore would be mind blowing. His wings wrapped around her; she hadn’t realized he could still use them in his human form.

  “No one can see us,” he whispered in her ear.

  Like she was worried about being seen. His scent was now invading her body, and his wings were claiming her as his own. She was losing her mind because she was tying herself to a male she didn’t know on the basis of a couple of meals and the fact that he saved her life. Stop Eden; she whispered to herself even as she snuggled against his chest and felt them leave the ground.

  The flight was short. He came to rest in a corner near the door that no one was monitoring.

  “We're here.” He smiled at her and stepped back.

  “Thanks.” Her head was too muddled to say anything else.

  He held out his hand, and she took it almost reluctantly. She was scared that he was tying her to him with every nice gestur
e and the truth was she couldn’t stay with him even if she wanted to. They came from different worlds and eventually her world would demand she return. She had companies to oversee.

  Yes, she had a board of directors and people she hired to deal with the day to day minutia. That didn’t mean she wasn’t involved with her companies because she was, or she had been before she got sick. Now that she was feeling better, she felt a pang in the bottom of her stomach as she wondered what had happened to them without her being there as overseer.

  She gripped his hand a little tighter as they went through the door, she better enjoy this time as much as possible because it would come to an end.

  “Where do you want to go first?”

  They were standing by the railing in the middle of the mall. If she looked over, she could see the people on the bottom level going in and out of stores.

  On this level, she was focused on the sound of the teenagers laughing and parents shaking their heads as they walked past.

  “Can we go into Victoria’s Secret?” Who could resist the soft pink and the lights that twinkled inviting every woman to walk into the store and walk out feeling even prettier than she did when she walked in?

  “Lead the way.” She walked in still holding his hand.

  “How may I help you?” one of the saleswomen asked with a nice smile on her face.

  “I was looking for lingerie; I’ve come into a recent need to replace mine.”

  “We have a sale going on. Our bras are buy one get one…” The sales lady led Eden around the store showing her the deals while Kore followed watching. There were only two other males in the store and they each gave him that secret male look that said as long as I get to see her in it and take it off of her I’m not about to complain.

  How his world had changed because he knew exactly what they were saying with those small eye movements and subtle head nods. The saleswoman picked up a pair of royal blue panties with a bralette to match. He watched as Eden went back and forth on if she wanted them. Finally, he reached out and plucked them out the sales woman’s hand and put them into the basket she was carrying.

  “Debate over,” Eden said with a laugh. “I’ll be taking those. I think I have enough; I’m ready to check out. Thank you for your help.”

  “Anytime, please let them know Miranda helped you.”

  “I will.” She turned to get in line feeling Kore standing by her side.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to take so much time or buy so many things.”

  He looked over into her basket. “That doesn’t look like a lot to me, and you didn’t take too long. I thought you might be hours in here.”

  She gave him a smile. “At one time you may have been right, but I’ve learned to make rather fast decisions and not to play around too long.”

  She moved closer to his side and snaked her arm around his. The pretty blonde in front of her grimaced and turned back around.

  Mine, Eden hissed to herself. She knew she couldn’t keep him, but she wasn’t giving him up either. Did that make any sense? She didn’t care, that was how it was going to be.

  The line moved slow giving her time to enjoy Kore’s company. When they finally reached the cashier, she paid even though Kore wanted to pay.

  “Where to now?” he asked as they walked out the store.

  “How about there?” She pointed to a place across from them. There was a bell-ringing Santa close to the entrance, so she reached into her purse and pulled out a couple of bills.

  “Thank you,” he called out when he noticed how much she placed in his tin.

  “What is this place?”

  “It’s a big department store. One of the ones where you can find almost anything.”

  They walked until they got to the furniture section. She went to walk past, but he pulled her towards a sectional.

  “You can’t just walk past the furniture without sitting on it. I think that might even be sacrilegious.”

  She looked at him mouth gaping before she saw the laughter in his eyes.

  “Well, we better sit quickly.” She sat primly on the edge of the couch and looked at him trying not to laugh.

  “Hmm, you’re doing it all wrong.” He sat back getting comfortable on the couch while he patted the space next to him tempting her to get closer.”

  She looked at him out of the corner of her eye before she finally slid over to him and sat all the way back on the couch.

  “Now aren’t you happy you stopped? The store loves it when you stop because you become a potential customer.”

  “Well the couch is pretty, and it feels good. I think I could picture this in a nice room.”

  “Perfect. Let’s go, that sleek black couch is calling my name.” He helped her up. “I bet I can get there before you.” He took off walking fast.

  “No fair,” she called chasing after him. “Your legs are longer than mine.”

  “Excuses, excuses.”

  She laughed and sat down heavily against him on the couch.

  “Do you like this one?”

  She puckered her lips in a thoughtful frown until she took her lower lip between her teeth and began gently chewing on it.

  “I liked the other one better. I think the black is too dark. It would make a room feel dreary, and the material doesn’t make me want to rub my hands over it, besides it’s not as comfortable as the first couch.”

  “Can I help you?” A stately looking older man came over dressed in a suit minus the jacket. He had on a discreet name tag that identified him as being employed by the store.

  “Not right now,” Kore said pulling her to his side. “My girlfriend and I are decorating our first home together and we’re looking for some furniture pieces. Right now were thinking how would it feel to get home and snuggle up on this couch to watch whatever is on late night television.”

  Eden felt a pang in her heart as the scene he just described was played out in front of her. She could see it. They would have a big screen television, he probably already had one. A bowl of popcorn between them, the lights of the Christmas tree twinkling in the dark—its only competition the brightness of the screen and his lips on her neck.

  “Eden?”

  She pulled herself out of her fantasy pretending she never blanked out in the first place.

  “I like the other couch better,” she said, “but I think we need to look some more before we make a decision.”

  “You’re right. We better get a move on it.”

  She waved at the salesman and looked at the sectional with longing in her eyes.

  They left the store and went into a couple of clothing stores where she was able to buy jeans and shirts as well as a couple of dresses. They stopped so she could pick up several pairs of shoes and accessories.

  “Why don’t I take these to the car and then meet you back here.”

  “Okay, I’ll wait right here.”

  He leaned over and kissed her. “You don’t have to; I’ll find you no matter where you go.”

  Her hand went up to her lips as he walked away.

  “That’s one fine man you have there. I wouldn’t let him get away.”

  Eden looked at the woman talking to her. Her eyes flashed red before she walked away.

  “Is everybody in this mall other?” She murmured low before taking the escalator down to the first floor.

  She walked around and stopped at the Santa who was sitting in a big chair inside of Santa’s workshop. Children were coming and going telling him what they wanted for Christmas.

  “What about you, young lady? What do you want for Christmas?” She looked around, but his finger and gaze were on her.

  “Come on; Santa doesn’t have all day.”

  Her feet reluctantly took her to him. She looked him over; his suit was more expensive than she would have thought. Unless she missed her guess, the beard was real but what worried her was the sparkle in his eyes. It almost looked like lightning going from one eye to another.

  “If you can be
living with an angel, why can’t I be real?”

  “I’m not sitting on your lap.”

  “You’re right, that angel can get jealous. Now, what do you want for

  Christmas?”

  “I want to keep my Christmas angel even though I don’t know him

  yet.”

  “Spend some time getting to know him and then I’ll consider your request. Are you sure there’s nothing else you want?”

  She looked at him feeling like the darkness and pain in her heart were about to explode. “I want Marcus to pay for what he did to my family and me.”

  “One wish for justice being added to the list.”

  Chapter Seven

  Eden was sitting in the food court watching all the families move in and out. It brought up memories from when she was younger, going out with her parents before they made it big when life was simpler for them. Now she was wondering how she could have forgotten those days. Money sometimes made life harder but not always. Sitting here waiting for Kore, she realized money was just a tool to get her the things she wanted in life, but it wasn’t her life.

  Justice. It was such a grown up Christmas wish, one she had never thought to wish for. Now she wanted justice and so much more. She wanted to be more than the woman she had been when she met Marcus, kind of shallow while thinking she was deep and interesting. No wonder he was able to take advantage of her, she didn’t have a good grasp on reality. How was it living differently for a day, well almost two days now, made her see things differently? Didn’t it take years for people to change?

  A smile touched her lips as she watched Kore walk into the food court. People naturally moved out of his way. He was tall with a slightly intimidating look on his face. He was sexy, and all the women turned around to watch him walk past them. She felt a growl in the back of her throat but cut it off. She was acting like an animal. Let one of them touch him, she thought. I’ll show them just how fierce a human can be.

  “Hi, did you get bored of shopping?” He dropped down in the seat next to her casually pulling her chair closer to his.