Repent in Love

by J. Hali Steele

  A smile tugged at his lips and his heart became lighter.

  Uri held in his hand the ties that bound him and Morta together.

  * * * * *

  “Why, Nona? You’ve risked our lives.” Morta paced the length of the room and back. Nervously, her fingers pushed at her hair.

  “Sister, calm down. I only spin what the Father allows. I don’t have the power to create a life’s bond on my own.” The spinning wheel sat quietly while she bit on the tip of her nail. “I truly believed it would only serve to keep you warm.”

  A sharp, wind buffeted the door, flinging it open. The thick wood creaked as it banged against the wall with a thud. Decima floated into the room, her feet never touching the floor. “Can’t I leave the two of you alone for a single minute?” She glared coldly at Nona. “What were you thinking?”

  “For goodness’ sake, it’s not that bad.”

  Sarcasm dripped from Decima’s lips. “No, it’s not so bad. Let’s bind every archangel in Heaven to a Fate or a human. Gee, what’s the worst that could happen?” She jerked around to face Mort. “Maybe Hell will freeze over!”

  Pinpoints of fiery light danced around the walls. Mort’s hand rose automatically to shield her eyes. Decima hadn’t been this pissed in a long, long time.

  “First we need to calm down.” Morta stopped pacing and flounced into a nearby chair. “If we work together, we can keep this between us.”

  “Oh for Chrissakes, do you really think Uriel will leave it alone?” The light died from her sister’s eyes. “He’s been hell bent on having you since the day he first laid eyes on you, Morta. Uri is unstable, causes trouble everywhere he goes and he’s no longer favored by the Father.”

  Decima’s words hit her like a ton of bricks. Air whooshed from her lungs, forming ice shards on the windowpanes. Uri would never let her go—and Mort didn’t want to be free of him. “I don’t want him to let me go.”

  Lightning bolts blazed from the sky and slammed into the lawn outside the window, thunder boomed above them, shaking the foundation of their home, the vase beside Mort fell to the floor and shattered into a million pieces sending a spray of water around her feet. She bent to pick up the purple flowers. Violets.

  “Dec, Nony…I’m so sorry. I—” Her body tensed in the chair. She peered at her hand and watched the blossoms become transparent. Uri’s beautiful homage to her was gone. Her body writhed painfully in the chair and she was sucked once again into blackness. When she opened her eyes, she stood before Michael, and Morta didn’t have to look around to know Ramiel and Marmaroth sat at her back. At least the air brushing past the curtains of the open window warmed her.

  “Give me the ties.” The angel general’s words were firm and brooked no argument.

  “I don’t have them.” Blinking, she let her mind sweep over every minute she’d spent with Uri. Where were they?

  Tell them I have them.

  Uri, don’t.

  She stood stock-still trapped in a room with three of the strongest archangels in Heaven. Could they read her mind?

  No, focus only on me. They can’t harm us, baby. Trust me, Morta.

  Why should I? You lied to me.

  I didn’t lie. I never had time to tell you. I didn’t understand what happened myself. She heard his chuckle. I don’t mesh every day. It’s once in a lifetime, honey, and I won’t lose you.

  What should I do?

  Tell them I have the ties.

  “Uri has the ties.”

  Marmaroth’s teeth grated loudly behind her.

  Michael’s hand flashed up, indicating silence. “Where is he?”

  Tell them.

  “In the Valley of Elah.”

  “Son of a bitch.” Ramiel was either crazy or had a death wish. His laughter filled the room. Blue lights bounced from every surface.

  Michael’s eyes were steely glints as he twisted his head to peer past Morta. “You find this humorous?”

  Clearing his throat, Marmaroth asked, “How did you get the ties?” Her shirt billowed through the open window like a black cloud and floated down on Michael’s desk. It no longer glinted with silver threads. “You left that in my desert domain,” Marmaroth growled. “No one can enter there without my permission.”

  “Guess you’re wrong, buddy.” Ramiel chuckled.

  “The firebird,” Morta whispered.

  “What?” The general’s brow furrowed.

  “Son of a bitch!”

  “For crying out loud, Ram, can’t you say something else?” Michael tipped his chair over when he stood and strode around the desk. “You’re all beginning to piss me off.”

  “Hey, that one is Luke’s problem. I told you to recruit him to our side.”

  “Ahh, the beastly vampyre. I thought he was being watched?”

  “I kind of think he’s beyond being watched at this point.” Ram’s smile disappeared as he stroked his chin. He moved to look out the window. “Perhaps that would be a swell new job for the Fate handler. He sure isn’t doing his current assignment well. The grass is still smoldering over at Decima’s palace, by the way.” Lightning left a mark in front of the Fate’s home.

  “Damn you, Ram.” Marmaroth flew through the air and knocked Morta sideways in an attempt to reach Ramiel. A hurricane force of air gusted through the window and sent Marmaroth flying back on his ass into the chair he’d vacated. The sky grew gray and thunder boomed overhead. Evidently God wasn’t finished here.

  “Enough,” Michael shouted.

  Morta’s chest rose and fell with each breath of air she sucked in. The room stank with testosterone. Shit, can this get any worse? The snortin her head didn’t belong to Uriel.

  Only if your boyfriend decides to show up.

  Ramiel? Now Uri was back in her head.

  Yeah. You didn’t think you could hide from hope, did you? We work hand in hand, man.

  If they harm her or the boy, Ram, I’ll tear their world apart. Uri’s words sent a shiver down Morta’s spine.

  Stay put. Morta will be safe with Yael.

  A deep sigh reverberated around the walls. “None of this has gone unnoticed. For now we have a reprieve. Marmaroth, go home and wait.” Michael’s eyes darkened when he turned to Ram. “I think I know where you’re going. And Morta, I believe you’re paying a visit to Yael?”

  “Uhh, yes.” Not sure she could handle flashing anywhere right now, Morta backed slowly toward the open door. Before she passed through, Ramiel skittered by in a blaze of blue light followed by his derisive laughter. Her body shuddered at the sound.

  He knew what she’d guessed at.

  Michael had been in their heads the whole time.

  Yael greeted her at the gates of her and Ram’s domain with a serene smile on her lips. “Men are like children. Let’s walk by the lake.”

  “I’m not sure why I’m here.”

  “Because you’ll be safe. Samael won’t come uninvited to Ramiel’s domain.”

  “What will happen to Uri?”

  “That’s up to the Father, and he’ll make the right decision. He always has.”

  She glanced at Yael. “His scar is gone. Do you know what that means?”

  “No. I don’t think it will do any of us any good to guess at it.”

  Stopping to gaze across the water, Morta stated flatly. “I love him, Yael. I don’t want to live without him.”

  Yael patted her shoulder and they walked in silence for a distance.

  Mort had given lots of thought to life lately. She had never questioned the Father’s plan for her life or the souls she carried to Him. People around the world prayed for forgiveness and repented for their sins every second of every day. They were filled with hope and protected from vile creatures that could harm them. These creatures were a part of the world too. Did they have His blessing also?

  “Yes, he cares for every living organism and has a plan for them all.”

  “You read my mind so easily.”

  With Uri’s power you can read min
e if you try.

  “I never thought of it. It seems like such an invasion of privacy.”

  Yael spoke aloud. “I won’t promise not to read yours if I feel it necessary.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “You seem much closer to God than I am. Does he allow do-overs?” Mort stopped and stared straight at Yael. “I want the child to go home to his parents. I want him to have a chance at life.” Her head bowed. “Maybe just this once.”

  “Anything is possible.”

  Hearing the laughter of children, Morta turned to see Jayel running across the sand. The specter of the boy trundled along behind her. He looked so happy. Another larger shadowy figure followed in their wake. “Who…”

  “Don’t ask. I will only tell you it involves Gabriel and Lucifer creating those damn vampyres who in turn created their own monsters—bloodthirsty animals who can walk as men on Earth. They will answer for that one.” A soft sigh escaped Yael’s lips. “He is the son of the prophet, Ezekiel. I hope they find love as we have.”

  Morta turned to face her and planted a soft kiss on Yael’s cheek. “Thank you.”

  Melding with the atmosphere, Morta headed for Uri’s domain.

  Whatever happened, she was ready for it.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “You guys don’t give up do you?” Samael’s scythe thudded to the ground as he plopped down on the grassy knoll beside Uri and Ram. “But it’s good to see you together again. Sort of like the old days.”

  Uri gazed across the lake at nothing in particular. “In the old days we understood what we did and why. How did things change so much?”

  “Because the world changes.” Sam lay back with his hands laced behind his head and chewed on a blade of grass. “It’s all part of the plan, you know.”

  Ramiel burst into laughter and a flock of birds twittered from a nearby copse of trees. Uri glanced sideways and laughter sputtered from him too.

  “What’s so fucking funny?” Sam asked.

  “We were picturing Death in love.” Uri’s body shook with mirth.

  “Oh. Hell. No. You can get that little clip of video out of your pea-sized brains right now.” Sam sat up hunching his shoulders with a shudder. “Unlike you bastards, I don’t have a masochistic bone in my body.”

  Uri stopped shaking. “It does hurt like hell sometimes.”

  “Yeah, it does.” Ram chimed in.

  The Grim Reaper flipped from the ground and his tool of death slipped easily into his hand. “Well, gotta go gather souls and there’s a football game on later.” His eyes glazed over. “Think I’ll grab that new bigger, better Sanyo widescreen I’ve had my eye on.”

  He turned to leave and the tip of his scythe hooked into Uri’s left hip. “Ouch, you asshole, watch it with that thing.” Uri flew up, rubbing the side of his butt. “You’re a clumsy fucker.”

  Sam chuckled, “Thought you two were into pain. By the way, I miss that ugly scar on your face. It gave you character.” His look turned thoughtful and his eyes darkened. “Uri, I’ll see you at midnight.”

  “What?” Glaring at Sam, he pulled at the seam of his slacks which had grown slick from the blood seeping through.

  “Midnight, brother. It ends then.” A shower of sparks wafted to the ground where Sam had stood.

  He swiveled around to look at Ram still seated in the grass. “So, guess that’s it, huh?”

  “I’ll be watching your back, man.”

  “Thanks, Ram. I think I’ll head home. Morta’s waiting.”

  Ram stood and faced him with hooded eyes. “Hold her tight. And, Uri—”

  “Yeah?”

  “Tell her you love her—it hurts less that way.”

  Uri blinked, and the angel of hope was gone. Sunlight shimmered around his trembling body.

  “Wish you’d stop the filling-me-with-hope crap.”

  Screw you.

  Uriel smiled and headed to the only place in the world he wanted to be. Beside Morta.

  “Hey.” He waited just inside the door for her to turn. Uri wanted to see her beautiful eyes.

  “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Me too.”

  Long strides carried him across the room and nothing could stem his joy when she jumped into his arms.

  “Make love to me,” Morta purred.

  “Forever, baby.”

  His heart somersaulted when he gazed at the shadow of sorrow in her eyes. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “I need you to understand about Osce.”

  “He doesn’t matter.”

  “He’s been a wonderful friend and I don’t want to lose him.”

  “Don’t ruin this moment.”

  Her bare feet slapped lightly on the floor when she dropped from his arms and returned to the seat he’d found her in. “It matters to me.”

  Uri was tired and the chair creaked when his body settled heavily into it. “Talk to me.”

  “Where’s Marcan?”

  “Only his father knows. I set him free.” Uri touched his face. “I lost my giant-hunting radar, remember.” His hip throbbed a bit and he absently rubbed it to soothe the pain.

  “I’m glad you released him.”

  “So am I. Babysitting Nephilim is a pain in the ass.” His head hit the back of the seat and his hands latched on to the arms. His knuckles were white from the grip he had on the chair. The idea that Osce had ever touched her burned a hole through his heart. Uri closed his eyes, kicked his shoes off and crossed his ankles. “This could be real easy.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Open your mind and let me in so we can get this over with.”

  “No, I could have done that a long time ago. I want you to hear me, see me.”

  “Fine.” Muscles jumped in his stomach and his jaw twitched. Relax. His nostrils flared with each indrawn breath. “And I could have taken the information a long time ago. I didn’t.” He opened his eyes and stared at her. “Loving you for so long and being unable to have you hurt enough without adding to it.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. Morta, talk or forget it.” He didn’t want to hear this, didn’t want to know.

  “It was just one kiss and it was my fault, not his. I intended to use him to try and forget you. You walked into the room and found me in his arms but nothing else happened, Uri.” Lowering her head she examined her fingernails. “There were others for me. But never Osce.” Morta’s tear-filled eyes rose to meet his. “He’s been there for me to talk to, as a shoulder to lean on.” Her chin lifted higher, “After you mentally fucked me in Michael’s office, no one else ever touched me.”

  “Mort…”

  “Now do you want to see in my mind?” Her lips trembled. “Look at what I’ve lived with all these years.”

  She slammed into him with a kaleidoscope of pictures, all with long icy blonde hair. Each one tall and slender—the spitting image of her. Uri’s heart pounded so hard and loud that surely she heard it. Blood skidded to a halt in his veins and the searing pain was unbearable. Years of pain.

  Hers.

  Tears washed down his face as words sputtered from his mouth. “I’m so fucking sorry.” Struggling from the seat, he fell to his knees in front of her. “You were so cruel and cold. You never let me in except to play games with me. All I ever wanted was you. I tried to find you over and over, but not one of them had your beautiful eyes or your heart. None of them touched my soul the way you did.” Burying his head in her lap, he begged, “Please forgive me, Morta. I love you. I’ve always loved only you.”

  “And through it all—I never stopped loving you.” She ran her fingers through his hair and held him pressed against her thighs.

  She removed their clothes and whisked them to bed in his room. Kneeling beside him, Mort rolled him onto his belly. Her soft hands kneaded his back and pushed at his thighs. Her sure touch moved down his calves and plied and stretched his toes. Every inch of his body was ministered to.

  His head bowed from the pillow
when he felt a cool liquid drip down his spine. “Jesus, what are you doing?”

  “Loving you.”

  The oil heated up and tingled on his skin. Slender fingers poked and prodded every sore muscle, lulling him into a trance. He couldn’t pry his eyes open and his arms wouldn’t move. “You found my potion,” he sighed.

  “Yes.” She continued to cover his body with soft, firm touches.

  “Nice,” he moaned against the pillow. When a hand moved between his legs and massaged his balls, Uri grunted and wriggled. “Don’t stop, baby.” His cock bulged between his body and the mattress.

  Sliding one finger into the crease of his ass, Mort stopped to play at his anus and it ignited a fire that only she would be able to extinguish. When he felt the tip slip into the tight hole, he ground his hips farther into the bed. Pre-cum slipped from his erection, wetting the sheet beneath him.

  Uri’s body jerked out of control when she pushed all the way inside. His breath hitched in his throat when she pulled out and slid back in. Over and over she invaded his dark passage, reaching for the gland that would send him over the edge. Each time she touched it, his hips rose off the mattress, giving her a better angle to satisfy him.

  Grunts rolled from his lips and he jutted his ass back to get more and more.

  “Shit, Mort, you’re going to make me come.”

  “Do it, come for me so I can taste you.”

  “You want to taste it, baby, then take it.”

  He mustered every ounce of strength he had left to pull away from her and turn over. Raising his knees and parting his legs, he grasped his cock and pulled on it to tease her.

  Mort smiled and moved between his thighs. “Keep doing that.” She began to roll and pinch the hard buds of her nipples. Hair draped over his erection when she threw her head forward. It tangled around his hand as he stroked his hardness up and down.