ANGEL'S KISS (A Dark Angel's Novel)

by Lynne Stevie

  “You seriously know the way to my heart.” I took my shoes off. Zeke zipped over to his giant water bowl and slurped from it, managing to get more on the floor then in his mouth.

  “Damn it, Lex! That thing is a menace,” Alan shouted when he saw the puddle of water. His voice was like a wave of dread that hit me directly in my heart, and his expression scared me. I took a step back before I realized what I’d done. I had to remind myself that this was my Alan. Zeke growled.

  I grabbed the paper towels from the counter.

  “It’s no big deal, Alan,” I said, trying to shake off the unusual harshness of Alan’s tone. “I’ll get it.” And when I’d cleaned up the water, I saw that Alan was back to normal.

  “Alan?” I asked as I watched him putting the toast on the plates.

  “Come on, Lex. Your french toast is getting cold.” His lips twitched up into the boyish smile that I loved. He patted the seat next to him. I shook off the feeling of dread and forced myself to sit down, but my appetite was gone. Alan slipped into normal morning chit-chat as I worked to forget his outburst.

  “Can you finish cleaning up?” he asked. “I’ve got to get back to my research.” He took his dishes to the sink.

  “Sure, hon.” He gave me a quick peck on the cheek and headed off to his office. As I watched him leave, I heard Zeke huff and lie down. Men.

  ****

  The next couple of days were routine, except for Ottie. He avoided me at the office. I avoided him, too. Not talking to him felt strange. But if I talked to him, even if it made me feel better, I’d put him in danger. And I didn’t want that.

  Even stranger than not talking to Ottie was the fact that no one mentioned the Janeck case. I also worried about Detective Maloran. I tried calling the station. They said he was on vacation. Maybe he was. I tried to keep busy with mundane tasks and cases.

  My nights continued in much the same way, with short visits from Ellasar followed by restful childhood dreams. I was thankful that my face had slowed the reverse aging thing, because it was getting hard to explain. My body, however, continued to get stronger and leaner. At least that was easier to hide, since it was fall and I could wear jeans and sweaters.

  Halloween was just a few days away. No one had tried to kill me lately, so I decided that we should have some fun. Alan was all for the costumes I’d chosen. Tweedledum and Tweedledee were easy to make and wear for us. Zeke’s Alice in Wonderland costume was the challenge. I think Alan agreed to the idea only because Zeke had to wear the dress.

  Alan left after dinner to go to the library to look at some old maps or archives or something. With time on my hands, I decided to put the finishing touches on our costumes. I had to repress a laugh. Zeke, in all his huge mastiff glory, looked so funny in the blonde wig and blue dress. Just as I started to lose control, my phone vibrated on the table.

  “Come on, Zeke,” I said, trying to cheer him up as I stepped over my mess to get my phone. “Be a sport. You’ll make a great Alice and we’ll be sure to win.”

  I had a text. “‘Meet me at Janecks—Maloran in trouble.’” I read out loud. “It’s from Ottie.” Zeke was already on his feet, shaking off his blonde wig and tearing at his costume.

  “Wait, wait! I got it. Damn it, I went to a lot of trouble to make that fit. Just a second!” I got the costume off and Zeke tore off toward the front door.

  “Zeke, wait!” I yelled, running after him. Something was wrong. Ottie never used text messaging. I didn’t think he even knew how.

  Zeke growled.

  “No. Something’s not right, Zeke, Ottie wouldn’t text me. I have to think for a minute.”

  “Wrrrooof.” Zeke whimpered. He seemed anxious to get into action.

  “There’s time, Zeke, let me think.”

  He sat by the door and I paced. Ottie and Maloran. Why would Ottie text me about Maloran? He’d told me that the police chief had forced Maloran to take a vacation because he was pressing the issue about the Janecks. Was Maloran still trying to dig into this case? If so, he was in way over his head—and so was Ottie. Crap.

  “Zeke, get Ben. I’m sure he’s out there, and I need some backup that knows what’s going on.” See, I know how to ask for help! Alan would be so surprised. If I made it back alive, I’d tell him. I decided in that moment, I would tell Alan everything. He deserved to know and I needed him to know.

  “Woof, growl.” Zeke shook his whole body; he seemed to hate the idea.

  “Look, I hate to ask for help as much as you do. But he’s there and he’ll follow us anyway. Maybe he has an idea about what this all means. Now go get him.”

  The big mastiff grudgingly got up and trotted down the steps, barking loudly. Within a few minutes Ben and Zeke trotted through the door.

  “There better be something wrong. I don’t appreciate being fetched by Lassie.” Ben pointed to Zeke.

  Zeke growled. He must have made Ben run the whole way, because the two-legged guy seemed out of breath. I wonder how far away he’d been.

  “I’m not sure yet, but I just got a text from Ottie to go to the Janecks,” I said, pacing in the kitchen, thinking. “Ottie never texts. I tried to call him while Zeke got you. He didn’t answer. So I want to go over there, and I want you to go with us.”

  “Whoa, whoa, hold it right there. What are you talking about? What happened?”

  “I just told you! Ottie texted me to meet him at the Janecks. They were the clients who were murdered, and now no one remembers them.”

  Ben reached out and stopped my pacing. “You’re not going anywhere until I’ve checked this out.”

  I looked down where his hand squeezed my arm and he released me.

  “Alex, I’m serious. No way am I letting you go out to some remote house because of some bogus text.”

  “I think you’ve misunderstood your involvement here. I’m not asking your permission. And do not ever put your hands on me again.” Why do men think they’re allowed to hold women in place like that? It really Pisses. Me. Off.

  “Look, you and I both know that this is a setup. No way are you going.”

  “Of course it’s a setup, and that’s why I sent for you. No one will be ready for all of us.” I looked from him to Zeke and back again.

  “You’re kidding, right? A girl, a dog, and me. In what universe does that add up to a sufficient force to take on anything immortal?”

  “Well, this girl and her pet held their own the other day. If you’re afraid, you can just handle cleanup again.”

  “I didn’t say I was afraid, but we need to contact your grandmother.” He still blocked the way.

  I pushed under his arm and yelled over my shoulder. “You can call on the way. Let’s go!” Zeke and I headed for the Jeep. Ben caught us before we got in.

  “I’ve got the Hummer. Let’s take it.” He headed down the drive.

  “I need some stuff from the Jeep.” Zeke waited with me while I opened the tailgate and retrieved my duffle bags.

  After the second attempt on my life, I’d decided to do a little shopping because I never wanted to be caught without a weapon again. So I’d stockpiled some really nifty items, although nothing that would bring the ATF down on me—at least, I didn’t think so. And I’d decided to use my conceal carry license. What’s the point of having it if I don’t use it? Now, I don’t go anywhere without my Archangel strapped in my new ankle glove holster. At seven ounces it may be a tiny pistol, but it carries a good supply of 9mm power. I customized the holster so that it would hold the slim-profile out the front automatic knife too.

  The effort had been some work, but it was worth it. I love the warm fuzzy feeling I get knowing they're with me. Of course, these weapons weren’t even on the market yet, but it’s amazing what you can get done with a lot of money and Ottie’s name. I’d done a little research after his big confession. He wasn’t bragging—he is as bad-ass as he’d said. His name opened a few doors and got me a prototype. I hoped I’d get to thank him later.

  The bag
s were heavy, but with my new strength I managed. As Zeke and I ran to the Hummer, I noticed that the sun was setting, which made me feel much less guilty about buying the expensive holographic weapon sight for the new Kel-Tec KSG shotgun. Ben screeched the Hummer to a halt at the end of our drive. I opened the back, let Zeke jump in, and threw in my supplies.

  “Do you want me to drive? I know the way.”

  “No. I know where it is, and I want you to talk to your grandmother.”

  I climbed in front and slammed the door. “Thanks, but I was hoping that you’d talk to her.” I buckled my belt as Ben took off.

  “I’m stupid enough to go with you; I’m not crazy.”

  Ben drove way too fast through the residential streets as I dialed B. I wasn’t looking forward to this call. I listened to it ring, gripping the Hummer’s handholds to stay in the seat. William answered after the fourth ring.

  “Sera Haven, this is William. Ben? Do you have something to report?”

  “William, it’s me, Lexie.”

  “Miss Alexandria, where’s Ben? Are you all right?” Straight to business, that’s William.

  “We’re fine. Ben’s with me and Zeke. We’re heading to the Janeck residence. Remember, you took me there the other day?”

  “Yes, I remember the house. Why are you going back there? The authorities have closed that case.” He said it as though he’d had the case closed. I wondered who he knew.

  “I think my partner Ottie and one of the police detectives are in trouble. I got a strange message and… Is B there?” I didn’t want to have to repeat all this to her.

  “Your grandmother had a meeting this evening. She’s not in, but I know she would never allow you to go to that house under any circumstances.”

  Does no one but Zeke understand me? “Yeah, well…I’m not calling for permission.”

  Ben was smiling so big I thought I could see “I told you so” written on his face. He braked the Hummer and looked for a place to turn around.

  “No, you don’t, Ben. Keep going; Ottie needs me. He wouldn’t stop if I was in trouble, and I won’t let him down, either.”

  Ben shook his head, but he obeyed my order. I liked that; he just went up a notch in my book.

  “Now, listen, William. I called B for advice. Since she isn’t there, you’ll do. What am I up against?”

  “Put Ben on the phone. Your grandmother will have his head if he does not turn that car around.” I had never heard William sound so deadly. It was scary, though I’d never admit it.

  “No. Now, do you have any advice for me, or is this conversation over?”

  “Miss Alexandria, please don’t go to that house; you have no experience or understanding of what you might find there.”

  “So tell me!” My head started to itch and I looked up. We had only another mile or so before we’d be at the house.

  I held my hand over the phone and whispered to Ben. “Find a place to pull over and hide the Hummer.” I was glad he’d insisted on driving it. With its new black matte paint job, it bled into the shadows.

  “Listen to me!” William demanded. “You are in serious danger. You won’t be going up against some young lackey. This will be either a team or very powerful assassin. They used your friends as bait, and now they’re probably dead. Your enemies are planning a more involved ritualized killing—or worse—for you.”

  “Are you trying to scare me William?” My mind scrambled. What’s worse than a ritualistic killing?

  “Yes. Am I succeeding?”

  “Doesn’t matter, William, I have to try.” I scratched my forehead and Zeke fretted in the back seat as Ben stopped the Hummer. “I brought some weapons— Glocks with Black Talon ammo, a couple shotguns, and Daddy’s rifles. Will any of these kill them?”

  William sounded resigned. “I doubt it, but they might slow them down. If you had had the time to train and learn your new strengths, maybe you could have bested them one on one. However, you will most likely be outnumbered. You will be taken.”

  He paused and I almost asked if he was still there. “Be ruthless. Do not hesitate, Alexandria, go for the kill. No matter what they look like or say. You must decapitate them or burn them to be sure they will not reanimate. Do not let them taste your blood. They will go into a frenzy, and the more they taste, the stronger they will become.”

  I think he heard me swallow.

  “I can have some men there within the hour. Would you wait for us?” Zeke’s ears were pinned back and he banged his head on the door.

  “Zeke says there’s no time, William. Thanks for the advice.” I hit the end button and opened my door. Ben stopped me before I could get out.

  “If we’re going in, we need a plan.”

  “Cool.” I breathed a sigh of relief. Thank god he seemed to have some experience with this kind of thing, because I was totally flying by the seat of my pants. “What’s the plan?”

  He shook his head. “I was hoping that you had one.”

  “Shit,” we both said it at the same time.

  “Woof!” Zeke’s bark was almost a whisper, but loud enough to get our attention.

  Ben and I looked at Zeke and then back at each other.

  “What have we got to lose?” Ben shrugged in answer to my question.

  “Zeke, you can lead the way,” I said. Zeke nudged the door, so we all exited the Hummer as quietly as possible. Zeke walked around the car to the opposite passenger door, reminding me of the weapons I’d stashed.

  “Yes! Thanks Zeke.” In response, Zeke shook his huge head and sent slobber flying.

  Ben opened the door. “Lexie, we should really wait for William.”

  “Stop it!” I whispered with as much force as possible. “I’m not waiting while my friends are in trouble. Now help me get my bags out.” We each grabbed one and I could tell he was surprised at the weight.

  “What the hell, Alex?”

  I opened the first bag. The zipper seemed loud in the quiet night. I shoved apart the sides and looked up. “What do you want?”

  “Lexie, shit, woman, where… when did you start preparing for a war?” He rummaged through the bag. “Oooo, you have good taste, though.”

  His eyes lit up with an evil grin as he picked up my purple leather shoulder rig and pulled out my new FN Five-SeveN with the extended mag.

  “That’s mine.” I said holding out my hand. “Keep digging. I’ve got a couple of Glocks in there, too.”

  As I took off my jacket and adjusted my shoulder holster, he chose the Glock 17 9mm and a Kel-Tec KSG bullpup shotgun. “There’s a new holographic sight for the KSG in the other bag,” I added.

  I watched him load each weapon expertly and shove extra clips into his pockets. “Ben, since you’re a bodyguard, why don’t you carry a gun of your own?”

  He shoved the 9mm in his waistband at the small of his back and laid the KSG on the ground at his feet. Then he pulled up one leg of his jeans. There, strapped to his calf, was the largest knife I’d ever seen. As he removed it from its sheath, I noticed that it was double-edged like a sword and longer than my forearm. He put the knife back and re-strapped the sheath over his pant leg.

  “My specialty is blades; I’m best-suited to close contact work. But don’t worry; I know how to use these.”

  “Talk about being prepared,” I said with a raised eyebrow. “You’ll have to show me how to use that thing when this is over.” I showed him my ankle holster and my own knife. “Yours makes mine look like a butter knife.”

  “It’s like the old saying,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “Size doesn’t matter as long as you know what to do with it.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” I rolled my eyes. “Ben, will any of this kill them? William didn’t think it would.”

  “Honestly, I’ve seen more action in the last two weeks then in the last 40 years. I know about as much as you. I heard William, but I’m betting that this—” he held the KSG up to the moonlight, “—will slow them down. And maybe it’ll be enough to stop t
hem altogether.” He didn’t seem too sure of our chances.

  I stuffed my pockets with extra SS190LE ammo for my Five-SeveN and ammo for the AK-47 I’d bought yesterday. I hadn’t even shot it yet; I hoped it would fire.

  Hmm, the last 40 years. I had to ask.

  “Ben, how old are you, really?”

  He stayed silent.

  “We’re on our way to fight immortal beings. If you can’t trust me with your age, I think we have a problem.”

  “Alex, it’s not for me to explain.” The indecision that played on his face was evident even in the dim light.

  He saw my angry expression and held up his hands. “Let’s just say I’m old enough to be in the ground and happy that I still have this young mind and body. Come on, keep your head in the game. Think of it as a reward. If we make it out of this, I’ll give you all the details.”

  Fully prepared now, we waited for Zeke to lead the way. Zeke wasn’t ready, though. He nudged the duffle bag.

  “What? Zeke, I couldn’t strap another pack of ammo on my body even if we had more.”

  He kept at it. I looked at Ben. He just shrugged.

  “Let’s go, Zeke!” I started to take off toward the house, but Zeke got in front of me and shoved me back.

  “What?” I whispered. Then he pushed me so hard that I lost my balance. I put my hand down to stop myself from falling on my ass and it landed on the open duffle bag.

  “Zeke, do you want me to shoot you by accident?” I hissed.

  “Stop messing around! Are we doing this, or not?” Ben was sick of Zeke’s games, too.

  “Ow! What...” Through the bag I could feel something hard, and my hand burned. I stumbled off the bag and rubbed my hand on my jeans. Kneeling, I opened the flap, careful not to touch what had zapped me a moment ago.

  Ben stood as sentry scanning the area. “Hurry, Alex, I don’t like this. It’s too quiet.”

  I paused to listen. He was right. Not even a no-see-um was buzzing around. I looked into the bag.

  “Why would that be in here?” I whispered. There in the folds of the bag was the old garden tool I’d saved from my burned-out porch. I reached in tentatively, not wanting to be shocked again. Of course, when I touched it, a jolt of energy zipped through me. I dropped the old tool on the ground and rubbed my hands together. I looked at my hand, expecting to see it glowing or burnt, but it was fine.