“I don’t know,” Cam growled back. “It’s like their playing frigging ring around the rosy. They keep moving. I can’t get a steady fix on them.”
The nine angels formed a circle, their backs to each other. As the wind started to finally die down, Abdiel gripped his sword tight as he waited for the inevitable attack. They all stared into the forest, tense and ready. The only sound now was their ragged breathing.
Suddenly, a swarm of black snakes started slithering at them from all directions at a supernatural speed. The things had glowing red eyes and hissed in demon talk. When they slithered, they almost looked like tendrils of smoke. The smell from them was so strong and vile that Abdiel could taste the bile in the back of his throat.
The red-haired empath let out a shriek of fear as she hid behind Ramiel. Gabi let out a hiss of disgust as she moved forward to stand equal with Abdiel. He felt pride welling up in him. She was not going to shame him by showing how much the snakes disgusted her.
“I really, really hate snakes,” she muttered low enough so that only he heard. “I had a bad experience with one once.” He gave her a small, reassuring smile before he turned back to the demons.
The snakes formed several withering piles. As the serpents slithered around in circles, faster and faster, they grew larger. The demons pulsated and glowed a dark green color as the smell of burnt reptile drifted up making their eyes water. All this took place in a matter of seconds. When it was all over, the groups of snakes had formed into the shapes of hideous eight-foot tall demons.
The demons still had the heads of snakes, but their tall, muscular bodies were that of males. Scales covered their black skin, along with some disgusting greasy matter. Their hands ended with a set of razor sharp, six-inch talons. Abdiel was half tempted to call them Wolverine from X-Men.
Their hideous bodies were dressed in the style of an ancient Egyptian. They even had gold arm cuffs on and breastplates. On each of their waists was a small, black dagger. However, none of the demons moved to draw them.
“Presto Change-o,” Cam snapped out, not even the sight of dozens of demons morphing could shut him up. “Hey Mom, look what I can do.”
“Neat little parlor trick they got going there,” Ramiel said with a low whistle.
“You think they do birthday parties?” Cam drawled back. Abdiel let out a bark of laughter. Leave it to the Lehor brothers to keep shooting off their mouths even when they’re getting ready to go into battle.
At that moment, the demons attacked en mass. He brought his sword up to strike at the demon that charged him even as he saw Cam and Gabi out of the corner of his eye engaged in battles.
Abdiel swung his sword sideways and sliced at the demon’s belly leaving a deep gash. The beast swung at his head with its razor sharp claws. He ducked just in time. Coming up, he stabbed it in the heart. With an ear-shattering yell, it vanished.
As soon as he finished off the demon, another joined its place. None of the beasts used their weapons. Their claws and teeth were lethal enough all by themselves. The fact that Daniel already was bleeding from three vertical slashes on his cheek was proof of that.
Ramiel’s female empath was knocked to the ground by one of the demons. She went to strike at it with her whip, but the monster slapped her arm, and the weapon was knocked out of her hand. As the beast loomed over her, she lay there letting out a squeak of fear, totally helpless. It raised its claw, ready to strike her.
Before Abdiel or Ramiel could go to her aid, Cam was there. He placed his body between the female and the demon, his tonfa flashing as he struck the monster. The female rolled out of the way of their feet so that she wouldn’t get trampled on.
The battle between the empath and the demon happened so fast it was almost impossible to follow. Every time the demon lunged at Cam, the angel dodged and struck back with his tonfa, leaving behind a bloody wound. Cam moved with a skill and grace that put most archangels to shame.
When it looked like the demon had had him pinned to a tree, Abdiel got worried. However, Cam used the tree to launch himself into a backward flip. He flew over the demon and landed behind it.
The demon let out a shriek of frustration as it turned and attacked the young angel again. Cam dodged the demon’s claws and blows as he continued to hit the demon time and time again with his tonfa. Finally, he wounded the demon enough, and it disappeared, sent back to Hell.
Abdiel let out a grunt of approval even as he continued to fight his own demon. His arms ached from the many blows that he parried from the beast. He had been right. There was no way Haniel and Derel could have stood a chance fighting these powerful minions from Hell with just the two of them. Not only were these strong demons, but there were so many of them.
Luckily for the angels, they had more warriors on their side this time, and they were stronger. It was difficult, but the nine angels were finally able to defeat all the demons and dispatch them back to Hell. After the last little beastie vanished, they all stood there trying to catch their breath.
“That was fun,” Cam said as he shot an evil grin to his brothers.
“So what do you think of our little Cammie, Nathaniel?” Ramiel asked the other blond archangel.
“Ooh lookie wookie at Cammie Wammie,” Nathaniel teased, pulling Cam into the classic big brother tortures little brother noogie. “He can fightie wightie now.”
“Oh come on, knock it off,” Cam groused as he pushed him off.
“You know,” Ramiel said with mock seriousness. “It’s going to be impossible to live with him now. He actually beat me in sparring.”
Nathaniel let out a bark of laughter as he patted Cam on the back. Cam smiled, obviously proud that he had finally been able to impress his brothers. He wasn’t considered a baby anymore.
“Let’s see you take on Mael, then I’ll really be impressed,” Nathaniel challenged. Mael was by far the toughest Lehor brother. He fought the dirtiest too.
“Ooh, I’m shaking in my boots.” Cam held his hands out to his side and shook them. When the female empath giggled at his actions he turned and gave her his most charming smile.
“You’re a cocky, little bastard all of the sudden.” Nathaniel put Cam in a headlock and tried to pull him to the ground. Ramiel joined in and helped take their little punk brother down.
After several moments tussling, the brothers got up and Nathaniel pulled Cam into a hug. Nathaniel was a few inches shorter than Ramiel but he was just as muscular. His blond hair was cut collar length in the back and the front was long. Unlike Cam, he did not spike his hair up. He let it fall in soft waves instead.
“I’m Nathaniel.” The older brother offered his hand to Abdiel. “This is my empath, Donel, and my healer, Miel. I don’t know how you managed, but, my hats off to you for showing this smart-ass some moves.”
“I’m Abdiel,” he said, laughing as he shook hands. “Actually, it has been a pleasure working with Cam. I have never had a pupil catch on so fast.”
At his words Nathaniel and Hamiel exchanged guilty looks and he wondered what else there was that they weren’t telling him. All of the sudden his head started to pound. This family was going to drive him crazy.
Gabi let out another bored sigh and shifted her aching butt. She had been stuck sitting on this rock for the better part of an hour while the archangels continued to scour the jungle for a clue that would tell them why the demons had attacked the orphanage in the first place. Ramiel’s female empath was obviously sick of waiting too because she got up and sauntered over to Abdiel.
“So you’re the Dark Angel,” she cooed. “My name is Anfial.”
Gabi bristled as Anfial looked over Abdiel like she wanted to devour him. That little strumpet actually licked her lips. All of the sudden, Gabi had the childish urge to grab Abdiel by the arm and say, “Mine” like a kid claiming the last cookie.
Gabi was thrilled when Abdiel barely looked at the female. “I prefer to be called Abdiel, thank you.”
Anifial’s smile faded. She
recovered and turned to Cam. “Thank you for saving me during the battle.”
“No problem,” Cam muttered, turning red.
“I’ve never seen an empath fight that well before. If I didn’t know better, I would have sworn it was an archangel that defeated that demon.”
“Nope, I’m just a plain old empath like you.”
Gabi gave him a little frown when he said that. After what she had seen him do today she had a nagging suspicion that there was something different with Cam. No empath that she knew would have been able to touch an object and tell the past like he had done earlier with Haniel’s sword.
Anfial walked over to him and placed a hand on his arm. “There is nothing plain about you, Cam.” She swayed her body so her breasts brushed against him.
Oh no. She likes him, Gabi thought. The day that Ana had been dreading had finally come. All the older Lehor brothers attracted females like bees to honey. Like humans, female angels were drawn to the bad boy type, and that definitely was what the brothers were. Up until now, Cam had always been in the shadows of his brothers and was ignored by females. Now that he was showing some serious battle skills of his own, that was obviously going to change.
Ramiel seemed to notice the same thing that Gabi did. He frowned and let out a low growl before he jerked Cam over with him. As the males continued to talk, Anfial sidled up to her.
“Now I know why you’re serving with those two,” Anfial whispered as she pointed at Cam and Abdiel.
“Whatever do you mean?” Gabi snapped back.
“Please, everybody knows you are the Ice Queen. Why else would Michael put you in the same house as two hot males?”
“Please,” Gabi let her see the disgust on her face. “Cam is young enough to be my son.”
“What about Abdiel? Only someone as cold as you would let a male like that walk around unclaimed. Maybe I’ll show him how a real female appreciates a warrior like him. He is more than an archangel—he is the archangel. I wonder what it would be like to kiss those fine lips of his.”
“Don’t you dare touch him,” Gabi hissed out.
“Ooh, looks like the Ice Queen does have feelings after all. All right, I’ll be nice. Cam it is. Abdiel is much too old for me anyhow. I like my males young and eager.”
“You’re nothing but a pit viper.” Gabi realized what type of female Anfial was. She wanted to see how many male warriors she could get to fall for her. The female empath only wanted to add another notch to her belt. Gabi had seen countless females like her before.
Gabi stood there fuming as Anfial walked away. She was no ice queen. She just kept her emotions in check. Just because she didn’t throw herself at any good-looking male didn’t mean she was some cold fish.
Or did it? No! She wasn’t like her parents and Raphael. She had a heart. They didn’t and never would.
She felt like scratching the female empath’s eyes out. How dare she make me doubt myself?
“Gabi, you okay?” Abdiel walked over to her, his dark eyes filled with concern.
“Fine,” she replied with a smile. Just the sight of him warmed her heart. The anger and frustration she had felt before melted away. How was it that he made her so happy?
“That was sweet what you did for Cam. He loves his new toys,” she told him. “Is that where you’ve been disappearing off to lately, getting them ready at the armory?”
“Yes, but it’s no big deal. He’s earned them and then some.”
“Still,” she argued, resisting the urge to brush that dark lock of hair back from his eyes. “It was so nice, I could just kiss you.”
“Well, why don’t you?” He asked evilly, teasing her. He immediately seemed to catch himself. “Sorry, Gabi, I shouldn’t have said that.”
She thought about what Ana had told her. She did deserve a second chance, and she was no ice queen regardless of what anyone thought. Before she could change her mind, she stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his.
Abdiel seemed shocked at first, but he brought his arms around her and pulled her close. With a growl, he deepened the kiss.
She let out a gasp and he used the opportunity to slip his tongue past her lips. He stroked the inside of her mouth, and she let out a whimper. When he started to run his hands down her back, dangerously close to her rump, she was hard pressed to remember they had an audience.
Finally the two of them pulled away, their breathing labored. Looking deep into her green eyes, he gently brushed a loose piece of hair away from her face.
“Do you and the laser need a room, Mini Me?” Cam asked in his best Dr. Evil voice.
“Shut up, Cam!” Abdiel and Gabi said in unison.
Cam laughed as he bent down to touch one of the daggers left behind by the demons. He sucked in his breath and dropped the weapon like it had burned him.
“We have to get to the orphanage, now!” he barked out.
“Are you sure Cam?” Ramiel asked.
Cam nodded his head as his light blue eyes grew wide with panic. Gabi felt a wave of confusion wash over her all over again. Cam had always been a good empath, but he had never shown skills this advanced before. She darted a glance over at Ramiel and Nathaniel, but they refused to meet her eyes. Those dirty dogs knew something.
“The demons were just to distract us. They have sent humans in to kill the children,” Cam announced.
“How does he know that?” Anfial asked with awe.
“Good question. I wouldn’t mind knowing the answer to that one myself,” Gabi said to herself.
“The humans are evil to begin with. With demons urging them on, they’ll stop at nothing.” Cam looked over at Abdiel. “They’re on their way now. When the humans are done, not one child will be left alive.”
Chapter Six
When all nine angels flashed themselves to the orphanage, nothing looked out of the ordinary. There was no sign of danger. All looked safe.
The yellow lights softly shone through the window of the building, illuminating the night. Children’s laughter could be heard echoing from inside. A radio played music. The notes floated through the air, giving the entire area a homey feel. There was no telltale demon scent, just the warm aroma of the jungle.
But, Abdiel did not doubt Cam for a minute. If Cam said trouble was coming, well then, trouble was coming.
“They’ll be here,” Cam said when some of angels started shooting him glares. “Trust me.”
“Where are they, then?” Daniel shot back, obviously still smarting from their earlier argument.
“The humans are coming this way,” Anfial snapped at the male healer. “I can feel them now that we’re here. I couldn’t feel them before though. You have awesome skills there Cam.”
“It’s no big deal,” Cam drawled out. He looked up at her from under his lashes. The “come hither” look worked well. Anfial actually took several steps forward before Ramiel grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back.
“You wanna give me some lessons on how to improve my skills?” she asked Cam coyly, completely ignoring her archangel.
“Anfial!” Ramiel barked. “Stay away from my brother. He’s a bad influence.”
Suddenly the calm of the night was interrupted by the sounds of jeeps and trucks driving, off in the distance, toward the orphanage. Abdiel cursed softly under his breath when he saw what they were carrying. In addition to several hardened soldiers, the vehicles were loaded down with guns and machetes. In short, the humans were armed to the teeth.
“What do you want to do, Abdiel?” Gabi asked, her bright green eyes wide with panic. Angels fought demons not humans.
“Empaths,” he commanded. “Use your powers and urge the humans to leave.”
The three empaths closed their eyes and went into a trance. However, the soldiers continued to move forward. Cam let out a curse as they opened their eyes.
“The demon power has closed their minds off to us we can’t get through!” Anfial called out.
Abdiel weighed his options. If only t
hey could squash the humans, but Michael would have his hide. The council had forbidden any archangel from physically hurting any human let alone engaging them in battle. The warriors were there to protect their mortals, not interfere with their lives. Humans were not even supposed to know that angels existed. If Abdiel and his crew so much as touched a hair on any of the soldier’s heads, the justice angels would be on them like white on rice.
Why does everything have to be so difficult?
An idea struck Abdiel. Maybe we can scare off the humans without even having to lift a hand. “Show yourselves and your weapons,” he ordered the others.
“Are you sure?” Ramiel asked, doubt lacing his voice.
“Do you have any better ideas?” Abdiel asked him.
“No,” Ramiel admitted with a mischievous grin. “I just want to be able to tell Michael I tried to change your mind in case this bright idea of yours goes into the pisser.”
“Just do as he says,” Gabi snapped. “I trust Abdiel. He would never lead us astray.”
“I trust him too,” Cam chimed in.
Abdiel looked over at his crew, a smile of gratitude on his face. It looked like the two of them had decided to keep him. It kind of made him feel like a stray puppy though. He reached out and grabbed Gabi’s hand. His heart sped up when she gave him a tender smile.
“I don’t know, Nathaniel,” Ramiel drawled out. “Should we trust Cam? He’s been wrong in the past.”
“You’re probably right,” Nathaniel shot back as Cam gave him a murderous look. “Remember when he was a kid and thought that chocolate milk came from brown cows?”
“Don’t forget he was the one who was afraid that if he sat on the toilet an alligator would come up and bite him in the butt, too.”
“Don’t listen to either one of them,” Cam said to Anfial as he gave her a flirtatious smile. “Just remember that at the end of the night they are nothing more than two psychos with bad haircuts.”
Anfial let out a girlish giggle even as the two brothers bombarded Cam with rude hand gestures.
“I think I just vomited a little in the back of my throat,” Gabi whispered to Abdiel.
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