Redeeming Angel

by JL Weil

“There have been whispers. Alastair is on his way.” A breeze suddenly blew through the timbers, kicking up the ends of her cloak and shaking the dried leaves off the branches. They frolicked eerily in the air. “He’s gathered his army, and he isn’t looking to use you. He wants you very, very dead.” She circled me like she was dancing, and I turned to follow, keeping my eyes glued to her.

  Funny…that was exactly how I wanted him—dead—body and spirit.

  My chin tipped up as the mighty wind teased strands of my hair, thrashing them over my face. “Tell me something I don’t already know.”

  “I plan on it, Lucerna.”

  I raised my brows. I wasn’t fond of being called names I couldn’t pronounce. “Just to be clear, I’m not making a deal with you.”

  And with a snap, the wind died, but the dark clouds above remained. “Consider this a gesture of goodwill.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “There is such a power to destroy not just the flesh of a demon, but the soul.”

  “Chase was right; it’s possible,” I muttered.

  She nodded, but I could tell by the seriousness in her eyes, there was a catch, as there always was with Hell. “It is, but there hasn’t been a demon slayer in centuries.”

  “A demon slayer?” I echoed.

  “It takes a unique individual to have the skills necessary to extinguish a demon. Even then, sometimes it’s not enough.”

  I wasn’t going to be discouraged, not when the first real seed of hope took root inside me, just waiting to bloom. All it needed was a little rain and sunshine. “Where do we find one?”

  “You think you are the first to seek such knowledge? There have been many over the decades who sought out the legends of slayers, but they remained a myth…to most.”

  And like that my bubble burst. How the hell were we going to find someone who essentially didn’t exist? If there hadn’t been a slayer in centuries, we were doomed.

  Then Kira said, “But you already have a slayer.”

  Umm. Say what? Elation trekked through my veins. If she was screwing with me, I was going to light her on fire. Somehow. I rummaged my brain. “Do we know them? Who is it?” Immediately, I thought of Emma. I didn’t know anyone more badass—Chase excluded of course. “Emma?”

  “Not even close.”

  Okay. Then who?

  “It’s you, Lucerna,” Kira said.

  “Me?” I shrieked. “Are you insane? I’m not a slayer. I can barely use a knife. I trip over my own feet. And the sight of blood makes me squeamish. There’s no way I’m a slayer of anything. You’ve got your facts screwed up.”

  “The fire you conjure is not just heat and flames. It’s every demon’s greatest fear.”

  I stumbled back a step, pressing a hand to my throat where my heart had leapt. “I don’t believe it. The only reason I can even produce fire is because of Alastair. Why would he give me something that could ultimately destroy him?” It didn’t make sense.

  “If only the universe was so cut and dry. There are consequences, checks and balances, a way to level the field. When you and Chase defied the laws of death, it forged your first bond and also triggered Alastair’s immediate interest in both of you. As you already know, the two of you really fumbled the whole Triplici. For Alastair to get what he wanted, the two of you had to complete the three bonds, each one securing your link directly to Alastair. Only then was he so close to what every demon in Hell wants—freedom—so close he could taste it.”

  “Oh God,” I muttered.

  She nodded. “Pretty surreal. There hasn’t been a tie between Earth and Hell like yours in centuries, but what Alastair didn’t account for was how far Chase was willing to go to save you. Or me,” she added, a half grin on her lips. “When Chase broke the connection Hell had over you, severing any chance at invading this realm, Alastair probably realized the fatal flaw in his plan—his own son. I can’t help but be amused by the irony of it all. The three bonds that connect you to Chase are complex, as I am sure you’ve figured out. His natural need to protect you is part of the bond. I’m sure you’ve sensed it.”

  Have I ever. There was nothing I wouldn’t do to protect him. Our relationship was anything but normal and healthy.

  “For Chase to save you,” she said, shifting her weight as eagerness filled her gaze, “he had to overcome the ingrain obligation to never hurt you. But the only way to cut the tie was to do just that. In theory, it might sound possible, driving a knife into the person you love to banish the darkness. But, the type of love and affection you share forbids such harm. It is part of the laws of the Triplici. I don’t know how he managed to do it.” Her voice grew soft at the end and filled with wonder.

  My heart skipped. “You don’t know Chase. Nothing stands in his way. Not Hell. Not the universe. Nothing.”

  “I imagine it caused him severe pain,” she said.

  The thought of him hurting sent a dull ache to my chest. I could recall the torment I’d felt after the blade pierced my skin in sort of a murky perspective. I knew it was my body, but the screams in my head where so much louder than those I actually voiced. My soul had felt as if it was being ripped in half. “He’s never said.”

  “Well for you and the rest of the planet, it was a good thing he did, but having that much blackness extracted from your body all at once leaves scars.”

  “I’ve noticed,” I murmured.

  “You’re a smart girl. Those leftover remains of Hell are what give you the ability to destroy demons.”

  I shoved a hand through my hair. “It doesn’t make sense. I’m no one special. I’m not a fighter.”

  “That’s just how the cookie crumbles, Lucerna.”

  “Why do you keep calling me that?” I barked.

  “It means candlelight. It’s what demons call someone like you.”

  Someone like me. A slayer. I couldn’t begin to fathom what that meant. “I don’t know how to be a slayer,” I mumbled more to myself than her.

  Kira sent me a dry look. “Well, sweetheart, you better figure it out soon. Alastair is coming. And you’re the only chance we have at surviving. The way I see it, your biggest problem isn’t learning to control your skills; it’s Chase.”

  My pulse began to level. “What do you mean?”

  “That boy will protect you fiercely. He would give up his life before he let you put yourself voluntarily in harm. Some of that is the bond you’ve created, but I am guessing most of it is his nature. To do what must be done, you will use a great amount of energy. Destroying a demon as old and as powerful of Alastair will be no easy feat. Your body will be depleted—physically and emotionally.”

  “So you are saying if I do this, I could possibly die?”

  A little light went out of her scarlet eyes. “There is always that chance. It could also separate the ties between Chase and you. Nothing is guaranteed, and the power you have is unpredictable.”

  “I don’t understand. Why tell me all of this? Aren’t you afraid I will turn you to ash now that I know what I can do?”

  There wasn’t any fear or concern in her expression, just an abundance of cockiness. “Is that your plan? To set me aflame?”

  I didn’t say anything. I let the idea dangle in the air, neither confirming nor denying.

  Her lips twitched. “I think you and I both know it would be foolish to kill the only demon on your side. I’ve proven that I’m invaluable in keeping you alive.” She crossed her arms. “Actually, I’m still waiting for a thank-you.”

  Don’t hold your breath. “Release Chase from his deal and I won’t incinerate you,” I countered, working an angle to my advantage.

  Energy crackled through the air surrounding us. I’m guessing she didn’t like my proposal. She was a schemer at heart. “I could call your bluff.”

  God, please let this work—just this one time. Pretty please, with a cherry on top.

  I closed my eyes, focusing all my attention on the fragment of darkness that dwelled inside me, summoning i
t, yet still staying in control. I was beginning to recognize the signature feeling right before my hands became a torch. As I opened my eyes, I let out a small laugh. Orangey-red flames tipped with a touch of blue flared at my fingertips. “Try me.” I was loaded and I had the ammunition to do it.

  For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel powerless—just the opposite. I could take on the world…or Hell.

  “Have it your way, slayer.”

  I let out a whoosh of air, the flames burning out.

  “But…” Kira said.

  Oh, of course there was a but. There was always a but.

  “The only way to undo a deal is with anther deal. A trade,” she said.

  “You want me to make a deal with you?”

  “It’s the only way. The authority that binds a deal is above my rank. I can make them and enforce them, but I can’t break them.”

  “What kind of crap is that?”

  “The laws of the underworld. Never said they were fair. So what is your answer? We’re running out of time.” Her eyes moved behind me. “Your other half stirs.”

  I didn’t even question how she knew. The thought of Chase waking up and finding me gone sent me into a tizzy. “Give me the deets. What kind of deal are we talking?”

  “I’ll make it simple. The deal is, if I ever need you to zap a demon, you do it. No questions asked.”

  Great. She wanted me to be her demon hitman. I thought about what she was asking for two whole seconds before I said, “You got yourself a deal.” The way I saw it, it was a win-win. I didn’t really have a problem taking out a demon and making the world a little safer.

  Before I realized what her intent was, Kira grabbed my wrist and made an incision with one of her razor-tipped nails.

  “Hey!” I protested, attempting to pull my hand away.

  Her grasp only tightened. “We’re not done yet.” She squeezed a few drops of her blood on the wound before it healed. There was this intense heat that burned and sizzled. I snapped back and rubbed at my wrist in an attempt to lessen the sting. “Was that necessary?”

  “Unfortunately, it is. Demon rules. Anyway, we’re practically family.”

  I never thought I would have to put my trust in a demon. She better be right, or we were all screwed. “It’s done? Chase owes you nothing?” I asked to make things crystal clear.

  She smeared the pad of her thumb over her bottom lip and then licked the drops of blood. “The deal’s been sealed.”

  Good, because I really needed to get back inside before Chase awoke and became ballistic. I nodded, my eyes lifting to my second-story window. The light was still out, but a sense of urgency tore through me.

  I had only taken a few steps toward the house when Kira called, “I’m hoping my wedding invite won’t get lost in the mail—that is, if we survive.”

  I had been unconsciously twirling the ring as I walked back. My movements paused for a split second, until I continued on, shaking my head and hurrying my stride.

  Damn demons.

  Chapter 25

  {Chase}

  I woke up with the acidic taste of panic in my mouth. Beads of sweat gathered at the back of my neck, and I knew without turning my head Angel was no longer lying in the bed beside me. My stomach plummeted as I jolted upright. “Angel,” I called into the darkness.

  I didn’t really expect an answer, but I couldn’t prevent her name from tumbling from my lips.

  Tossing the covers aside, my feet hit the ground as the tingles amplified. I lifted my eyes, and her shadow darkened the doorway.

  “You’re up,” she said, sounding a little breathy.

  I flashed across the room, grasping her face in both hands and backed her into a wall. “Are you trying to scare me to death?”

  “No,” she stated.

  “Where did you go?”

  “To get a drink,” she said, but the inflection in her voice posed it more as a question.

  My brow shot up.

  Eventually she sighed, realizing I wasn’t going to be brushed off. “I saw Kira. Happy now?”

  Happy? Not in the least. “Do you have a death wish?” I rasped. “Why would you sneak off and see her alone?”

  “It wasn’t something I planned. It just happened,” she answered softly.

  “How did it happen?”

  Her head bent back, resting on the wall. “I woke up with this feeling something was outside, watching, and I got up to look out the window. Even as I was leaving the house, I knew it was a demon prowling in the woods. And you don’t need to tell me it was reckless and stupid to go out there alone.”

  My chest rose. I didn’t know who I wanted to strangle more. Angel or Kira. Why were all the women in my life so utterly troublesome? Maybe it was just women in general. It didn’t matter, because I could feel the brim of a fight in our imminent future.

  She leaned into me, pressing her hands on my shirt. “Before you start puffing your chest, I’m fine. We just talked. Nothing happened.”

  I ground my teeth, a hard gleam in my eyes. “I’m trying not to lose my cool. I’m trying to keep you safe, but you keep putting yourself in danger. Angel, I can’t—”

  “I’m sorry,” she interrupted, raising her voice. “I know I’m making things harder. Christ, since the day we met, I’ve done nothing but make your life more difficult.”

  I started to tell her she was wrong, couldn’t be more wrong, but she wasn’t ready to listen.

  She shook her head, a soft glint of amber in her irises. “Don’t deny it. We both know it’s true. If you had stayed away from me, if I hadn’t been so curious and nosy, none of this would matter. You would be far safer if we’d never met.”

  My heart pounded, beating rapidly in time with hers. I framed her face, forcing her to look at me. Her eyes were bright with anger and emotion. “You. Saved. Me.”

  She snorted. “You have a funny definition of being saved.”

  “Maybe,” I agreed. “But I would rather have known what it feels like to love than be safe. We both know I’ve never been safe a day in my life. What you gave me was so much more.”

  She pressed her forehead against my chest. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. It’s possible the threat of the end of the world is getting to me, or maybe it’s the stress of knowing it’s up to me to save the world.” Her shoulders slumped, and the weight of her body rested on mine.

  I linked my hands around her waist. “Kira told you, didn’t she?” I asked softly, my cheek brushing her hair. In my mind, it was just another reason to despise my so-called aunt. She hadn’t given me a chance to tell Angel myself. Enraged at Kira, my fists clenched at Angel’s lower back. “I wanted to be the one who told you.”

  Her head lifted, bringing the tip of our noses together. “You know?”

  I softened the lines on my face. “Kira told me a few nights ago.”

  Her brows drew together, and I could see the inner workings of her mind as she tried to put together when I’d found out. “When did you see her?”

  “Travis and I went looking for her the night she showed up at the house.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  I moved hand from her waist and lifted her wrist. I twirled the ring I’d put on her finger, a symbol of my love. “Because I had other plans, and I didn’t want to darken them with thoughts of demons.”

  She glanced down at the stormy purplish-blue stone. “Do you believe her?”

  I lifted her hand to my lips. “There is only one way to find out. We test her theory.”

  “You want me to kill a demon?”

  “Everyone’s got to start somewhere,” I replied.

  The expression on her face was a cross of being on the verge of panic and the need to prove herself. “And after that? What are we going to do?”

  She didn’t talk about what happened to her often—the darkness and being possessed by it— but I knew it preyed on her. And now this…

  “We’re going to roll with it,” I s
aid.

  There was doubt written all over her face. She might not believe in herself, but I sure as hell did. A red mark on her wrist caught my gaze. I twisted her hand around so I could get a better look, and I felt as if I’d been sucker punched. “You made a deal with Kira?” I hissed.

  She snatched her wrist out of my grasp. “I had to.”

  In the dark, I raised my hand and groaned. The mark I’d received when I’d made a deal with Kira was no longer branded on my skin. “What did you do?”

  “I did what had to be done. Just as you,” she rationalized, which in my mind was a lame rationalization.

  “Angel,” I growled.

  “You’re making a mountain out of a mole hill. It’s not a big deal. I traded your freedom for a deal.”

  “What did you promise her?” I demanded.

  She shrugged. “Nothing I’m not willing to do. She asked me to destroy a demon of her choice, no questions asked.”

  “That’s all, huh?”

  She let out a small yawn. “See, I told you it was no biggie.”

  Yeah. We’d see about that. There was no reason to get all huffy, because there was nothing I could do about. The deal was done. “I know I should thank you, but I’d rather be the one indebted to a demon.”

  Her eyes fought to stay open, and she swayed slightly. “You’re welcome.”

  I shook my head, and before she fell asleep on her feet, I grabbed her hand and crawled back into the bed. She didn’t hesitate and moved into my arms, situating her head on my chest. The scent of her warmed my mood. “I know it’s a waste of breath, but I’m going to say it anyway. Don’t ever do that again,” I whispered.

  She yawned a second time. “What? Scare the crap out of you, or have secret meetings with demons?”

  “All of the above.”

  As she lay snuggled in my arms, I thought about hog-tying her to the bed. How else was I going to ensure she stayed put? I’d rather avoid having another heart attack, but realistically, I knew there were plenty more times ahead that were going to stop my heart.

  She’d been chosen. She was the weapon.

  Angel was the demon slayer.