Heavenly Desire

by J. L. Sheppard

  The jealous part of him wanted to tell her Jacob had friends and he didn’t need her, but it would be a foolish, cruel lie. Everyone, himself included, had seen a change in Jacob since Ashley and he had become friends. Jacob was no longer continually surrounded by his anger. Sometimes, albeit rarely, he controlled it, shielding it from others especially from her.

  “You know the first thing I noticed about him?”

  “His anger.”

  “Well, besides that.” She paused, giving him a chance to respond. When he didn’t, she said, “He never smiles.”

  “Do you know why?” he asked, wondering if the demon had confided in her.

  “No, I don’t, and I don’t need to know. I just want him to know no matter what happened in the past, you can always move forward.”

  Like she has, he thought.

  “You can always learn to appreciate the small things, the things you still have and smile and laugh. When I met him, I had the feeling it’d been a long time since he’d done either.”

  She said everything he knew she would, reaffirming she was a miracle on earth, an angel, his angel.

  He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her toward him. “My darling Ashley,” he whispered into her hair. “He smiles now,” he pointed out. “He smiles at you all the time, and every time he does I want to punch it off of his face.”

  She tilted her head to look him in the eye. “My, my, look at you all jealous.” She laughed softly.

  “Yes, I am. Always.”

  She smiled.

  “I know just the place,” he said, pressing the palm of his hand on her back guiding her forward.

  Stopping in front of a steak house two blocks away, they entered hand in hand, and the hostess sat them in a booth near the window.

  “This place is fancy. I feel underdressed,” she commented.

  Glancing around the restaurant, he noticed the attire of several patrons. The men wore long-sleeved collared shirts and black or khaki pants. Most of the women wore heels and dresses, but none compared to his Ashley. They needed the fancy dresses and pounds of make-up, his Ashley didn’t.

  “You don’t need to impress anyone,” he said simply.

  “Really, angel? Not even my mate?” She smiled.

  He took a deep breath then said, “Your mate will love you regardless. I suppose there’s nothing wrong with trying to impress him though, but trust me there will be no need. He’ll find it impossible to stay away from you.”

  As he spoke, the smile on her face faded. The meaning of her comment became clear. She had referred to him as her mate. He’d spoken like he wasn’t.

  Before he could muster the strength to reply, she pointed out, “How has he then, Clyde? We know I’ve met him otherwise I wouldn’t have my powers, so tell me, how he’s managed to stay away? I must not be that important to him after all.”

  She was important, the most important person in the world. Nothing mattered but her. Why her mate had chosen to stay away, he didn’t know. “You are important. Nothing is more important than you, Ashley,” he said firmly.

  Her shoulders relaxing, she leaned back against the booth.

  Once their meals arrived, they ate quietly. Despite the lack of words, her presence comforted him, and he wondered how many more meals they’d share together, just the two of them before the inevitable happened, before he was called to the heavens and reassigned. The Lords possessed control over summoning him, and he held no power to stop from going when he was called.

  He should prepare her. Now was as good a time as any. He waited until she finished eating before he spoke.

  “Ash,” he said, and immediately her eyes met his. “When the Lords summon me, I’ll have to go to them. I’ll have no choice. I have no control over it, and they will summon me. I don’t know when but eventually they will.”

  He watched as a pained expression flashed across her face. She turned her face away from his. Reaching over the table, he grabbed her hand, forcing her to look his way again.

  “I will be back for you, angel. I promise.”

  She nodded then exhaled. “Maybe you shouldn’t.”

  “What?” he asked, his tone clouded with anger. Several of the patrons in the restaurant turned toward them.

  She glanced around the restaurant, her cheeks flushing. “This is a big decision, Clyde. You should think about it.”

  “I have thought about it. It’s all I ever think about. You are all I ever think about,” he said firmly.

  “I don’t want you to give up heaven for me. It’s who you are, who you have been for two thousand years.”

  His anger heightened. What was she saying? That she didn’t want him if he wasn’t an angel, that she didn’t want him at all? Damn! “You don’t want me?”

  She squeezed his hand. “I love you, Clyde. Of course I want you, but I don’t want you to give up heaven for me.”

  Relief swelled inside him. “It’s done, Ashley. I am in love with you. I made love to you multiple times. My time as an angel ended the moment I met you.”

  “This is my fault,” she said sadly, shaking her head.

  “No. This was meant to be.” Even if I’m not your mate, even if letting you walk away kills me, I’ll love you, I’ll never regret it, he thought, leaving the words unspoken. “I made the decision. I want you more than I want heaven, more than I want to be an angel. I love you more than who I was created to be.” He paused letting his words sink in. “I’m not telling you this so you feel guilty. I’m telling you so you’ll be prepared when I’m summoned, so you’ll know I’ll be back for you, so you won’t worry.”

  “We still have time. Think about it,” she insisted.

  “There is nothing to think about,” he said with finality, ending the conversation.

  He paid, and they exited. Once outside, he took her hand in his and lifted it to his lips, kissing it. Leisurely, they walked down the streets until the crowds dissipated, and they were alone.

  A far off wail drew their attention south of their location. They paused. He closed his eyes and reached out with his superior senses, reading the auras of everyone within a two mile radius. He zoned in on three auras, black in color with a thin layer of deep gray and muddled red surrounding it. Malums. Black souls, gray thoughts coiled in rage.

  Another wail, Ashley took a step toward it. Immediately, he placed his arm over her chest. “No,” he said. “They’re Malums.”

  “We have to help.”

  “I’ll take you home first—”

  Before he finished his thought, she dashed ahead, nothing but a blur running at immortal speed. He did the only thing he could. He followed.

  He wanted to scream and beg her to stop, but he couldn’t. It would only announce their presence. He bit his tongue hard, drawing blood to prevent himself from doing so.

  She turned toward a street and stopped. He followed. Three Malums stood over a beaten and bloodied mortal.

  “Let him go!” she shouted fearlessly.

  Their eyes settled on Ashley. “Asher’s mate,” one snarled.

  Clyde’s chest tightened. Grasping her elbow, he pulled her behind him. Two of the three appeared before him and attacked. One struck him in the jaw as the other kicked him in the stomach. He barely flinched, instead he retaliated swinging his fists. Before his fist made contact with the Malum’s face, all three Malums flung backward, as an impenetrable layer of wind circled the mortal victim. He glanced in Ashley’s direction. Her eyes blazed silver as she used her power over the wind.

  His eyes pleaded with her to leave, hers fierce in her resolve. She wouldn’t cower. It was her fight.

  He turned and ran toward the Malums. The wind holding the Malums back dissipated. He launched himself at them swinging, kicking and fighting for his Ashley. They fought back and dirty. As two engaged him, the other reached for a weapon. He used his mind, telekinesis, to disarm him.

  The attack halted. With two Malums to his right and another to his left, his eyes trailed them, wond
ering why they’d paused, seemingly in awe.

  Then they attacked again, but Ashley used her power to hold back two of the three, giving him a chance to do what he needed. He materialized behind the remaining one and kicked his feet out from under him then leaned toward him and placed his hand over the Malum’s beating heart. He reached out with his mind and waited until the Malum’s dark soul left his body and shot downward, toward hell. The body turned to dust.

  He heard Ashley’s gasp and turned toward her, she hovered over the mortal, but her eyes were on him, wide in disbelief.

  “Watch out!” she screamed. Her eyes burned a deep crimson.

  He turned to find one of the other Malums on fire. My Ashley is brilliant, he thought briefly before the remaining immortal lunged at him. Clyde materialized behind him, pushed him down until his face landed hard on the concrete, cracking his head open. He turned the Malum face up, blood gushing out of the wound then he placed his hand over the immortal’s chest and waited until his soul floated below, where it belonged, and his body disintegrated.

  It was over.

  He took a deep breath then turned quickly, but it was too late.

  His Ashley was gone.

  A gut-wrenching, horror-filled scream pierced the air around him, burning his ears. It took him moments to realize the roar was his.

  Chapter 17

  Ashley watched Clyde use powers she never knew he possessed, powers she knew would astound seasoned immortals. She was sure no one knew of them just as she was sure he had never revealed them to anyone until now—until her.

  He fought impressively, swinging swiftly and precisely, moving quickly. None of the Malums had been able to injure him, and he was her mate, powerful, elusive and untouchable, her angel. Her heart swelled with pride as the realization struck her. He would always be safe.

  They lunged at him again and instinctively she’d reached out, holding two of the three attackers back, hoping to give Clyde the chance he needed to get them out of the predicament she’d recklessly placed them in. If only she knew how to control her power over fire, she could set them all on fire at once. Only then they could take the victim to safety. She hadn’t thought this through.

  Ashley held her breath. Her gaze glued to Clyde, who placed his hand over the Malum’s chest. A black spirit emerged from his body then dove into the ground disappearing as fast as it had appeared. She gasped and Clyde turned toward her, his expression unreadable.

  Having lost control over the wind, one of the Malums she’d held back appeared behind him. “Watch out!” she screamed, fear and dread knotting her stomach.

  He turned just as the Malum caught fire, shocking her. As Clyde leaned over the remaining Malum, an arm wrapped around her waist, a hand covered her mouth. Clyde along with their surroundings faded and new scenery appeared.

  Dark room, gray walls, no windows, only a dim bulb hung in the center of the ceiling. Fear slowly seeped into her.

  The hand draped over her mouth, and the arm squeezing her waist released her. She stood stone-still unwilling to move just yet.

  The man who’d taken her appeared in front of her seconds later, his body materializing slowly. Her eyes scanned his face and recognition set in. His blond hair was longer and in disarray, his eyes still as green as grass.

  Asher. Her former guardian angel, now fallen.

  “Ashley,” his voice low and menacing.

  “Asher,” she greeted, hoping her voice hadn’t portrayed the dread gnawing at her.

  “Your mate has come to claim you,” he said. “Have you missed me?”

  Clyde is my mate and no, she thought.

  “I know our first meeting didn’t go as planned, but I would like to start over. What do you say?”

  “You aren’t my mate.”

  “But I am.” He grinned then shrugged and said, “Either way, it doesn’t quite matter, now does it? The minute I mate you, you are as good as mine.”

  “I will never be yours, fallen,” she retorted, unsure where she’d mustered the courage.

  “You will, Elemental, because your angel didn’t have the courage to,” he said, snidely.

  She couldn’t understand. Clyde loved her. They’d made love. He’d told her he’d chosen her over heaven. He promised he’d return to her.

  “The minute I drink your blood, you are as good as mine.” He paused, his eyes roaming her face, studying her expression.

  Despite her hardest attempts to hide her confusion, she knew she looked as befuddled as she felt.

  “Did he not explain things to you? Did anyone explain anything to you?” He sighed in exasperation. “Lucky for you, you have me.”

  Yeah, lucky me, she thought sarcastically.

  “There are rules in the immortal world, universal to all immortals. No one can take an immortal’s mate.”

  But you aren’t my mate! Clyde is!

  “You’re so expressive. I wonder if you’re the same in bed. I suppose I’ll find out soon,” he said, chuckling.

  Her cheeks flushed embarrassed and surprised at his vulgarity.

  “I am your mate or will be soon. Matehood in the immortal world is recognized with the exchange of blood. Most males prefer bites, this way their females wear their marks on them. That mark is visible to all immortals. Once I take your blood no one can save you. Do you understand?”

  “But you aren’t my mate!”

  “That doesn’t matter much. The laws were simply written. There have been no revisions or exceptions added since the beginning of time; therefore, once I have your blood, you are mine whether I’m your true mate or not. Nothing can erase an immortal mating.” His evil laughter filled the room.

  She felt the color drain from her face.

  ****

  His Ashley was gone, plucked from right under his nose. He should’ve been more careful. He should’ve taken her to safety. Malums were searching for her, leaving him with no doubt of what they’d do. They’d take her to Asher and force her to mate the fallen.

  Fear, dread, horror, shock coursed through him, pumping his veins with adrenaline, anxiety, impulsiveness and irrationality taking over. He spread his wings, tearing his shirt from his body.

  I can’t lose her; I can’t lose her, he chanted, flapping his wings, flying fast.

  He’d spent weeks with her and knew he could find her. He, like any angel, had the ability to sense immortals he’d met before from miles away. The more familiar he became with each immortal, the easier it became to sense and find them. His fear was whether he’d find her in time.

  Five, ten, then fifteen minutes passed, but he hadn’t sensed her yet. His chest tightened, fearing the worst that he’d never find her, that she was already mated to a Malum or that she was already gone from this plane like in his dream.

  His dread escaladed with every breath, making the air around him seem like acid running through his nostrils and down his throat. Calm down, calm down, he begged himself. You’ll never find her in this state.

  Finally, light at the end of the tunnel, salvation, he sensed her. She was near. He swooped down letting his wings wield the air for his benefit. Before his feet planted on the ground, he reached out with his senses hoping to locate her aura.

  Breathing deeply, relieved, he’d found her. Her aura shimmered blue, as always, for she was a survivor, caring, loving and benevolent. A thin layer of red surrounded the blue, signaling her anger. He reached out once again focusing and counting all the auras in the building where she was held. Ten black souls.

  Ashley…I’m coming, angel. I’m coming. Hold on, for me.

  Without further thought, he appeared in front of the door to the building, unarmed.

  ****

  Asher’s laughter rang in her ears long after he’d stopped, his words replaying in her mind like a broken record.

  Instead of elevating her fear, lightning struck inside, sparking her anger—an anger deep and hateful. She felt it rumble inside and coil around her.

  Asher thought to take
her freedom, her sisters, her gifts, her Clyde. My angel. Her heart clenched in her chest. She couldn’t allow it to happen. She couldn’t live forever without him. Still no fear, no sadness, only anger seethed inside her.

  “I was going to wait until tomorrow, but you see, the thing is the Malum king wants you for himself, which I cannot allow. Do you see my predicament?” He paused for effect. “So tonight we will mate, Jade, but please fear not. I will make this as pleasurable as possible for you and myself, of course.”

  He laughed again infuriating her more.

  Screw this!

  Heat coursed through her, her pulse quickening, her temper spiking.

  He took a step toward her, unsheathed a blade from his back pocket slowly, then took another step toward her and another.

  Sweat beading on her forehead, she counted each step.

  Five.

  Four.

  Three.

  Two.

  One…

  Chapter 18

  Clyde was sure of only two things: tonight, he would kill every single Malum in the building, and he would find Ashley.

  One guard at the entrance. Too easy.

  He pulled the door open, punched the Malum in the throat, cracking bones and damaging vocal cords in the process. There would be no screaming tonight. He placed his hand over the Malum’s chest then watched impatiently as the evil soul drifted into the bowels of hell.

  One down, nine to go.

  He walked down the narrow corridor knowing there were three more on this floor. Ashley was on the fifth floor with another Malum. He would bet his life it was Asher. Filthy fallen, he thought. You will be, too, his conscience sneered.

  A Malum appeared before him, gun drawn and pointed at him. Wuss. He disarmed him with a thought, placed his hands on each side of his head and dislocated his neck with a snap. Releasing his soul, he then turned and caught a knife aimed at his heart. He pitched it back, striking the Malum in the heart. As the immortal turned to dust, the knife clattered on the floor.

  A figure headed toward the door, Clyde materialized in front of him. “Be still,” he demanded, his voice deadly. “It won’t even hurt.” The immortal complied, giving Clyde the chance to place his hand over the male’s heart to release his soul.