by Vivian Wood
“What’s downstairs?” Vesper asked, nodding to a set of stairs.
“A spa, a few vehicles. Laundry and servants’ quarters,” Ezra said. “That’s all I can remember, I’ve only stayed here once.”
“Interesting. Well… at least the bedrooms are beautiful.”
When he stuck his head inside, Ezra saw that the bathroom had adjoining doors to both bedrooms. A disaster waiting to happen, if he wasn’t careful…
Back in the hallway, Aurora finished her inspection with a shrug.
“Do you care which one is yours?” Aurora asked, nodding to the bedrooms.
“No,” Ezra shook his head.
“Okay,” she said. “I’m going to take the one that looks out over the gardens.”
She unclipped her backpack from her body and slipped out of it. Picking a room, she stepped inside to set the backpack on a chair. She unstrapped her sword and placed it beside her pack, then sat on the edge of the bed with a sigh.
“There should be towels and some basic clothing in the dresser,” Ezra said, watching her from the doorway.
“Okay.”
“I’m going to make contact with the others, then go get groceries,” he said. “Do you need anything specific? Are you hungry?”
Aurora glanced at him, then shook her head. “I think the adrenaline’s starting to wear off. I might just take a shower and crash. I have a lot of planning to do tomorrow.”
“Fine.” Ezra paused. “Don’t leave.”
“Hmm?” she asked, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“While I’m gone. I won’t lock you in, but I don’t want you to run, either.”
Her lips flattened. “I bet you don’t.”
“For your safety, Aurora.”
“Sure,” she said, waving him off. “Just go. I’m too tired to go anywhere.”
“Not the first time I’ve heard that tonight,” he pointed out.
“Yeah, well. There’s no window to climb out this time, and no escape plan in place.”
He watched her for another few seconds, then nodded. “All right.”
Closing the bedroom door to give her privacy, he moved to the living room. He booted up the laptop and sent a couple encrypted emails to Kirael and Mere Marie. When that was done, Ezra looked at the time.
If he hurried, he could still get a few things from the corner store. He didn’t want to leave Aurora here for too long, though he wasn’t sure if he feared her running or getting attacked more.
Aurora was a handful, there was no doubt about that. He wasn’t quite sure what he was going to do with her. The story she’d mentioned, about finding her family members dead…
He’d need to dig deeper, find out the circumstances. Just because she was a Null didn’t mean that he had to turn her over to Heaven… Of course, it would be best for him if he did… probably safer for Aurora, too, given her level of paranoia.
But what if her fears were justified? She certainly seemed to think they were…
Mind occupied with contrary thoughts, he stepped out into the evening gloom and headed for the store.
4
Ezra
Ezra stepped back into the palace, blinking at the dim moonlight filtering in. He’d only been gone less than an hour, but apparently the sun had set since then, the moon rising high in the night sky.
He carried two brown paper bags through the living area and into the kitchen, sticking them both straight into the huge refrigerator.
When he turned around, his heart nearly stopped.
Standing only a few feet away in the living room was a tall, elegantly-suited gentleman with ebony skin and a terrifying grin. People called him Le Medcin, some obscure reference to the fact that he was the neutral party in the war between Heaven and Hell.
Something about the demi-god made sweat break out all over Ezra’s skin. Perhaps it was just that when Le Medcin moved toward him, Ezra could see flashes of white bone, as if the man’s skin was thin and brittle.
“Why are you here?” Ezra asked, watching him closely.
“You’re very casual with me, angel,” Le Medcin purred in his deep voice, his French-tinged accent hinting at Haitian roots.
“I will assume that you are following Aurora?” Ezra asked. “You heard that she’s in the city, and tracked her here?”
Le Medcin’s bony grin widened. “Not at all. I always know where she is. She’s a very rare bird, you know.”
Ezra suddenly realized that Le Medcin’s mouth didn’t move as he spoke. His permanent grin was chilling.
“I’m starting to understand that now,” Ezra said, looking Le Medcin up and down.
“It is prophesied,” Le Medcin continued. “She must side with Heaven, or humanity will be doomed in the final days. Lucifer will consume the earth with his immoral greed.”
Ezra raised his brows. “Well, it seems as though she’s fairly afraid of Heaven. Apparently she thinks someone up there killed her mother.”
“She must be convinced,” Le Medcin said, raising a skeletal hand and jabbing a finger toward Ezra. “To allow her to fall to Hell would be unthinkable.”
Ezra watched him for a moment. Then, a light bulb went on.
“You want me to convince her?” he asked, astounded. “You know I’m a Fallen angel, right?”
“I know that you are many things. Angel, Fallen, and mere fallible man… and yet I see now, you are the one to protect her. Sway her.”
Ezra didn’t have a response for that.
“You must keep her out of Hell’s hands, no matter the cost,” Le Medcin said. “Death before betrayal of our cause, angel.”
“For me, or for Aurora?”
“Neither, if you carry out your duty.”
“And this will earn me, what? Redemption?”
“The continued existence of humanity is all the reward you need, angel. You are an honorable man, it is known.” Le Medcin tilted his head. “Guardian, you understand? Protector. From everyone, even yourself. Do not think to give her over to Heaven or Hell, angel. I will scorch you from existence myself, if I discover any treachery.”
When Ezra said nothing, only stared at Le Medcin, the demi-god seemed pleased. He turned, filling the room with the soft clink of rattling bones.
Le Medcin strode out of the room, presumably leaving the bolt-hole to conduct more midnight business in New Orleans. The second he was gone, Ezra scrubbed a hand over his face and sighed.
He moved over to sit on the ledge of the open living room window, looking out over the desert. The sand was washed white under the moonlight, lying before him shimmering and vast.
Protector. Guardian.
Heavy words, entrenched in obligation. Nothing new to him, of course; allegiance and obedience had been expected of him from the moment he’d begun to exist. Honor drove him to the very edge, from Heaven to Hell, and then to this very moment on the mortal plane.
Heavier still for the commandment to guard Aurora, who’d already proven to be stubbornly independent. Though Ezra had easily predicted that she’d try to escape her apartment, he still found her mysterious.
Her claims about the death of her mother and brother were no doubt disturbing, but Ezra had trouble believing the part about an angel killing her mother. Not that angels weren’t deadly, but… they were usually so far above something like killing a single human.
Null or not, no angel would murder someone in cold blood just to win their war against Hell… would they?
With his innate sense of truth and lie, he could tell that Aurora believed her words. Believed them deeply and irrefutably, down to her very soul.
Still, there was no evidence except Aurora’s version of the events. He didn’t know Aurora well, but he understood the inner workings of Heaven intimately…
If only he could get the story straight from Aurora, without any of the angry tension that had already started to build between them. She hated him simply for being an angel, which would necessarily complicate any intentions he had about guar
ding her from harm.
But how to change it? One look at Aurora’s fiercely shining blue eyes, the stubborn set of her lush, curved lips…
She would challenge him every step of the way, no matter what. He would have to challenge himself, force himself to resist the temptation to get closer, find out what made her tick. Find out what made her so… magnetic.
Brooding, Ezra leaned back and closed his eyes.
Tomorrow, he’d seek a solution to the issues between them.
Tonight, he needed rest.
Aurora woke in the morning, infinitely more refreshed than she’d expected. She didn’t know if it was the fact that the place was so heavily warded by a powerful witch, or Ezra’s promise of a night’s safety, but… she’d drifted right off and slept straight through.
Sitting up, she remembered that she’d barricaded both doors with chairs and pulled a face.
Okay, so maybe she had a few trust issues. When Vesper implied that Aurora was carrying around a heavy weight…
Well, she hadn’t been so far off base. Paranoia was Aurora’s new normal, the way she made herself feel safe.
Paranoia makes you feel safe? she thought to herself.
Flipping back the covers and rolling her eyes, she crawled out of bed. The bed was enormous and oh so comfy, thick white linens. All smelling like sunshine, as if they’d just come in off the laundry line.
“Why would anyone ever leave here?” she wondered as she pulled the chair from under the bathroom doorknob.
She opened the door, blinking in surprise when she came almost face-to-face with Ezra. Shirtless, still-dripping-from-the-shower Ezra, wearing nothing but a low-slung white towel that clung to his muscular hips.
Her mouth formed a surprised O. Her eyes went from his damp hair, down to his sculpted chest, bulging biceps. His chest and shoulders were covered with tattoos, intricate and heavy swirls of black and color. A flaming sword on one collarbone, a nest of thorny roses on the other side. There was more, but Aurora could barely take it all in before her eyes were drawn lower.
His abs… damn, he had so many abs, so perfectly defined. Aurora self-consciously sucked in her own stomach just looking at him, standing up a little straighter.
But her eyes just kept going. Lower, lower… until she fixated on the tight vee of muscle at his hips, and the neat trail of dark hair that led downward beneath his towel.
He was only inches away, close enough that she could’ve raised her hand and touch the bead of water snaking its way down his collarbone to his pec.
“Morning,” he rumbled, a brow arching. “You need the shower?”
“I… I…” she stammered, going red as a tomato. “Sorry!”
Whirling, she started back into her room. Ezra caught her wrist, halting her. His fingers were searingly hot, sending a chill down her spine.
“Wait.”
She turned her eyes back toward him, alarmed.
“I wanted to talk, when you’re dressed,” he said. He glanced at the baggy pajamas she’d borrowed from the dresser in her bedroom, and she flushed harder. “I was thinking we could have breakfast together.”
Her mouth opened, but for a second nothing came out. She was flustered, and it was embarrassing as Hell.
“O-okay,” Aurora finally managed.
“Great,” he said, releasing her. The spot on her wrist where he’d touched her throbbed like crazy. “See you in the kitchen.”
He gave her one last look, his eyes darkening for a moment. Then he gave a near-imperceptible shake of his head, turned, and headed back through the open doorway to his room.
Giving her a downright magnificent view of his ass as he went, of course.
Get a grip! she growled to herself. You’re like a werewolf in heat right now.
After returning to her room for a towel, she carefully locked and relocked both bathroom doors. Still apprehensive, she turned on the water in the huge tiled walk-in shower.
A few minutes under the hottest water she could stand took the edge off, but she was unable to really relax. The comfort she’d felt upon waking was all but gone.
At least he can’t read thoughts. Otherwise he’d know that you dreamed about him last night…
Blushing, she laughed to herself. It was true, she had… but she’d dreamed that he took her flying. Spread his wings, soared into the clouds, both of them grinning and pointing at tiny landmarks below.
Silly, she thought, rolling her eyes. But at least it wasn’t the usual nightmares…
Not wanting to stray into dark memories, she turned her thoughts to breakfast. She finished her shower and dressed quickly. At the last moment, she glanced in the mirror of the vanity desk in the far corner of her room.
For a ridiculous moment, she wished she had the small but treasured bag of makeup she’d slowly collected over the last nine months. Nothing too flashy, but it wouldn’t hurt to put on a little mascara, would it?
Seriously?? One peek at a stranger with a lot of abs, and you’re wanting to wear mascara for him??
She truly needed to rein in whatever was going on here. Yeah, she hadn’t slept with anyone for a long time. Not since before she left Maine. A good while before that, actually.
Being on the run didn’t exactly afford a lot of safe, attractive opportunities.
And as much as she liked being a sword-carrying, butt-kicking badass on the battle field, Aurora was sort of… traditional.
Embarrassingly traditional. Like… flowers and candy and first date at a movie, traditional. She liked her men boring and reliable, not so… so…
Well, not like Ezra, that was for sure.
With a last glance at her dark jeans and navy t-shirt, Aurora forced herself out of the room. When she walked into the kitchen, Ezra was sitting at the counter. Sipping coffee and rustling through the newspaper, like he was some kind of sitcom father and not a Fallen angel.
“Hey,” he said. He folded the paper neatly and set it aside. “I went out for croissants and all the accoutrements. And coffee, of course.”
Aurora pursed her lips. “Any chance of tea?”
Ezra nodded and rose.
He wore nearly the same outfit as her, a royal blue shirt and dark jeans, though he wore heavy boots. Aurora wouldn’t be caught dead in anything but Converse shoes, at least if she had any choice about it. On Ezra, though, the black motorcycle boots were perfectly fitting.
He moved around the kitchen, putting on a kettle and searching the cabinets. He pulled down a blue porcelain mug and a small box, placing them on the counter. Aurora took a seat at the counter and opened the box, pleased to find a variety of looseleaf tea bags inside.
“Whoever chose these must be a tea drinker,” Aurora said. “These are all great blends.”
“All credit to Mere Marie, or someone who works for her,” Ezra said. “I can’t say that I’ve had tea since… well, since the invention of coffee. It’s been true love ever since.”
She chose a sachet of rooibos red tea, nodding. “Yeah. I know people love it, I just never liked the taste much. Too bitter.”
Ezra nodded noncommittally, seeming preoccupied. The kettle whistled, and he poured steaming water into the mug before her. Aurora dropped the tea bag in, watching him curiously as he came around to sit beside her at the bar.
“Croissant? Regular, chocolate, jam…” he said, setting the plate between them.
“Mmm…” she said, hesitating. It’d only just occurred to her to be paranoid about this kind gesture. Which was unfortunate, because she was starving.
“I didn’t drug the croissants,” Ezra said, guessing her thoughts. “That’s sort of why I wanted us to talk this morning. I was hoping we could start over. I think we started off all wrong.”
Aurora canted her head. “The moment where I displayed my abilities as a Null, that’s where I parted ways with all angels. Or was it the moment when one killed my mother? I guess it depends on whether you believe in predestination.”
Ezra’s brows lifted
. “I believe in free will.”
“Even after working for Heaven?” she asked, skeptical.
It took him a moment, but he nodded. “Mankind does, at least.”
“And angels?”
Ezra frowned, then shrugged. “Less so.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“I’m not an angel. I’m not a Fallen angel anymore, either. I’m… something else.”
“A Sainted Sinner, I heard.”
He snorted. “The name doesn’t even make sense. Saints start out as mortals.”
Aurora gave him a look, then picked up a chocolate croissant. Tearing off the smallest bite, she nibbled on it.
“Told you I wasn’t trying to kill you,” Ezra sighed.
“Yet.”
His gaze narrowed. “Actually, I’ve been assigned to protect you.”
Aurora swallowed, then put the croissant down.
“Heaven sent you to trap me,” she said. “I knew it.”
“No. Not Heaven.”
“Hell sent you?” Aurora asked, her heart rate picking up speed.
“No. Le Medcin. He’s sort of the referee of the gods. He’s also every bit as neutral as you are,” Ezra explained. He seemed calm and forthright, but maybe he was just a really good liar.
“What do you mean, referee?” she asked.
“Le Medcin functions to keep Heaven and Hell from upsetting the natural balance of things on earth. Given the chance, either side would probably cheat if it meant winning their divine war. I assume you know about that part?”
“The war for the souls of the planet,” she said, nodding. “My mom kept up to date on a lot of that. Me, not so much. I try to stay hidden.”
“Right. So… I work for him, at the moment. Totally neutral, only interested in protecting you so that you can make your decision,” he said. His expression tightened a little at the last, making her wonder what he wasn’t sharing.
“Uh huh.”
“While I’m guarding you, I can’t go do anything else. I’m going to follow you and do my duty, whether you want it or not. That part isn’t negotiable.”