by Brenda Trim
It wasn’t a task she’d taken seriously. She immediately fell in love with New York City and never left. The city’s vitality spoke to her in a way she hadn’t experienced when she resided in Hell. It offered the freedom she craved.
From that love, she realized she didn’t want Lucifer to come rushing in on his dark horse, destroying the planet and its inhabitants. Sure, there were some asshats that she wouldn’t mind eliminating, but long as they stayed out of her way, she was content to ignore them. Her disobedience to the Dark Lord was something he didn’t tolerate, and she didn’t want him hunting her down for insubordination. The punishment would be severe.
Zakara liked her life the way it was. She enjoyed her freedom, her bar, the nightlife of New York, and her numerous partners. She was a lusty being and enjoyed calling the shots in every facet of her life. If Lucifer ruled over Earth, she would lose all that. She couldn’t allow him to escape the frozen lake.
For a split second, she had the urge to take Rami into Hell. Shaking her head, she poured a shot of vodka and threw it back. No way was she going to help him infiltrate Lucifer’s realm and rescue the child. No, she resolved. The consequence of taking Rami through the one crossover she knew remained active was inconceivable.
Put it out of your head. Nothing you can do she reiterated as she walked into her kitchen and pulled the perfectly baked goodie from the oven. A sweet piece of pie would sate her hunger, for the time being, she thought, as fiery red eyes filled her mind.
* * *
Chapter Five
A frozen lake and countless Behemoth demons surrounded Rami. Where the fuck was he? Had he gotten into Hell after all? The haziness told him it was a dream. He quieted his rioting mind and clutched the bond to Izzy. Somehow, she was showing him where she was. Elsie mentioned Zander having dream-walking power. Izzy must’ve inherited her father’s ability.
Ramiel glanced around and his gaze snagged on the massive creature trapped in the lake. His wings beat furiously, sending a breeze cold enough to ice the blood in his veins. If Izzy were human, she would’ve suffered frostbite and been dead by now. After three long days, Rami still hadn’t rescued Izzy.
Izzy stood on rocky ground at the edge of the lake, her hair flying around her head in the wind. She looked right at him. He could feel Izzy’s joy even though her expression remained stone-cold. She was a brilliant child, and Rami’s panic eased but only a small amount because he could also feel her terror.
What was missing in the tableau before him was Crocell, and her nasty sister, Cresil. Ramiel wondered if she’d already been reborn. But if that were the case, they wouldn’t need to return to Earth now that Izzy was captive. He expected to find one or both there. It was odd that they weren’t within sight.
“Stop hurting my mom. I can’t let you go. You’ll hurt too many people,” Izzy whispered as she wrapped her tiny arms around her waist.
Ramiel shook his head and mouthed her parents and family were safe, not sure she could understand. The way her shoulders sagged told him she comprehended his meaning. He had no idea what Lucifer was doing but guessed the demon was infiltrating her mind.
Ramiel tried to take a step toward her but found he couldn’t move. Unable to do anything, he watched as Lucifer growled. The roar of an awful beast overhead immediately followed, both sounds making rocks fell from the tall cliffs behind Rami. It was disturbing to watch large boulders fall and be unable to stop them from heading directly toward Izzy. Thankfully, the frozen lake made them spin out and scatter in wild directions.
Rami’s blood boiled when he heard Lucifer order, “Grab the child. Show her why it is unwise to disobey me.”
Two large demons turned and looked at one another then nodded their horned heads before walking toward Izzy. She gave Rami a slight nod before she dropped her arms to her sides, allowing the demons to grab her.
“You’d look much better if you were pink and sparkly,” Izzy informed the demons. “Too bad I can only do this.” Her tiny hands touched the arms of each demon, and they instantly turned to stone. The transition was instantaneous, and by the time Rami looked back to Izzy, she was smiling.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” Lucifer warned, and Izzy grabbed her head with both hands shouting, “Noooo! Stop!”
Rami fought against the invisible bonds, thrashing and pounding at thin air. He was going to eviscerate Lucifer, slowly cutting off his wings into tiny pieces with his sword. He was reaching for Izzy when the image disappeared. In the next breath, he sat up in his bed, shouting her name.
Sweat dampened his skin, blood trickled from wounds on his palms, and his blankets were in a heap on the floor. The last image he had before waking was of Izzy dropping her hands as she shook her head from side to side. Knowing his Izzy, she imagined she was playing a game with Pepper or putting glitter on Lucifer’s wings to distract from whatever he was doing to her mind.
It was bittersweet seeing her. Yes, she was alive and appeared unharmed physically, but Rami couldn’t stand the thought of the demon mentally abusing her. She was a strong little girl, and it was apparent the Goddess didn’t leave her without the ability to protect herself from her enemies. Hell, Ramiel would love to kill demons so easily.
He had to do something, especially now that he knew what Izzy was facing. Maybe one more try with the Warrior angels. Ramiel dressed and headed to Bladz where he found Ayil, Abraxos, and Araton drinking a beer at the jewel-encrusted bar.
“Yo. What’s up?” Ramiel asked, taking note of their somewhat somber mood.
Where were Abraxos’ softly sung tunes or the females clamoring for a position on his lap? Invariably, he was the one brother that convinced female angels to forego their virtue and go for a ride on his train of love. He had no doubt the male could give him advice on seducing the sexy Zakara. That was, if he were interested, which he wasn’t.
She might have woken his dormant libido, but he had no desire to pursue a woman as vile as Lucifer. Was that being harsh? Maybe, but it was the truth. She shunned her life as an angel and chose her path with the Lord of Darkness.
Locking away thoughts of the Fallen, Ramiel approached the brothers. “Has something happened to Illianna?” he asked.
“No. Illianna’s happy as ever with her cambion,” Ayil replied as he tapped the side of his frosty mug.
The bar was busy today with red and black wings scattered throughout. He couldn’t help notice the smattering of silver. Apparently, the Angels of Salvation let loose when they relaxed.
Rami took the stool next to Ayil and Thorne blurted, “The usual?” before Rami could open his mouth.
“Yeah. And, I’m gonna need a tequila chaser with it,” Rami replied as he turned to the brothers.
“Looks like your night was as bad as ours,” Ayil observed, and Rami looked at the skin on his knuckles. The cuts and burns from the Fear demon were healing but still raw and aching.
“Thanks,” Rami said to Thorne when he placed his mug and shot glass in front of him on the bar. His scarred wings rustled as he moved to the bar area.
“Yeah, token from my date tonight,” Rami replied, and his thoughts immediately went to Zakara.
Why did he find her so attractive? Her tiny black horns and ample cleavage had him rock hard. Her tight top and leggings left little to the imagination, and he envisioned her writhing beneath him. Nipples that begged for attention while he pounded into her quivering flesh.
Where the fuck did that thought come from? That wasn’t going to happen. Ever.
“What’d you kill this time?” Ayil asked, interrupting his erotic fantasy.
“Fear demon,” Rami shared and threw back the shot of tequila.
“Get any useful information?” Araton asked as his red wings fluttered behind his back. Rami understood the warrior angel was restless.
“Led me to Seven Lively Sinz. You ever heard of the place?”
“Yeah. Zakara’s place. Something ‘bout the way your hair falls in your face. I love the shape you
take when crawling towards the pillowcase,” Abraxos crooned as he set down his empty mug and motioned to Thorne for a refill.
There were the song lyrics that Rami typically found entertaining. Except he was singing about intercourse with Zakara.
“You know her?” Rami asked incredulously.
His hands fisted as he fought the urge to punch the angel. He didn’t want to fight Abraxos. Still, he sat forward and met the angel’s blue eyes, waiting for his response.
“Of course. Zakara was a Joybringer before she fell. But she belonged to Jared, so no one else got a taste of her. Shit went sideways between them when she caught him cheating, and that’s when she fell with Lucifer. Rumor has it neither of them has been the same since their breakup,” Ayil explained. Despite wanting distance from Kara, Rami was fascinated about her past.
“I can’t imagine her a Joybringer. She’s the most selfish creature I’ve ever met. Not to mention, brash and offensive,” Rami admitted.
“She’s changed a lot since she fell. They say she’s made up for her centuries of loyalty to Jared by fucking anything and everything. The saddest part is she lost her wings. No one knows exactly why. The Fallen usually keep their wings. Anyway, I wouldn’t visit her if you want to keep your balls intact,” Ayil advised.
“She can grab my balls,” Abraxos muttered with a waggle of his eyebrows.
“Would serve you right for all the angels you’ve deflowered,” Araton chided with a chuckle.
“I can’t help if the females find me irresistible. Chain chain chain. Chain of fools,” Abraxos belted and stood up to strut around the bar.
Rami shook his head and turned to Ayil. “If you know about her and her bar, why is it still open?” Rami asked, confused why the warriors hadn’t targeted her den of demons.
“Look,” Ayil replied, and his green eyes pinned Rami, “demons will always roam Earth. Putting aside the fact that Lucifer has temporarily sealed every crack, demons are constantly crossing to wreck havoc with the supernaturals and humans. We are busy enough with our tasks. Chasing down each demon and sending them home isn’t our top priority. Kara provides a place for demons to go and let off steam without harm to humans or supernaturals.”
Rami’s mind reeled. “It sounds as if you condone her establishment.”
“We do,” Ayil added. “Much as I wish we could keep all demons off Earth, that isn’t realistic. She keeps them in line, at least in her territory. Hell, it would be great if we could clone her and put one in each major city.”
Abraxos walked back over and joined their conversation, all the while making eyes at a nearby Angel of Salvation. The guy never stopped.
“I can understand that,” Rami replied as he considered what Ayil said. He was right. If the demons weren’t drinking and fighting in her bar, they were preying on innocents. Unfortunately, he didn’t want to see anything positive about her. She was a Fallen. A demon, and his enemy.
“I’m surprised she let you live,” Ayil observed as he cocked his head and eyed him.
“Why wouldn’t she?” he asked.
She’d shown him her homemade weapon but hadn’t made a move to attack him. In fact, threatened was the last thing he felt. He wouldn’t be so out of sorts if he’d felt his life on the line. Instead, his attraction was making him crazy and pissing him off.
“Uh, well. Let’s see,” Araton murmured tapping a finger on his chin. “Because she killed every angel Jared has sent her way. And she used to live and work with those angels. Granted she chose a different side, but what are you to her? You should be a smear on her floor right now,” he added.
“Wow. I’m feeling the love, guys. No need to get mushy,” Rami said with a roll of his eyes.
“Why did you go see her?’ Araton asked as he grabbed a handful of the best bar nuts Rami had ever tasted. They were spicy with a hint of sweet.
“I heard through the grapevine that she might have a way into Hell.”
“Did she?” all three asked at the same time as they sat straight with their wings back.
“She said even if she could get into the Underworld she couldn’t help me. And now that my only lead is dead…” Rami said as his conversation with Zakara played through his mind.
“Typical behavior from those selfish bastards,” Araton snarled as his hands curled around his mug, threatening to break the glass. “Can’t be bothered to help an innocent little girl.”
Rami stood up, knocking over his stool as understanding dawned. “She said secret entrance, implying she knew of one others didn’t. Zakara does know a way to get in and rescue Izzy. I know she does. And she had the nerve to tell me to accept Izzy’s loss. I’m going to turn her over my knee when I see her again,” Rami blurted and acknowledged he liked the idea of spanking her firm ass.
“Trust me. You don’t want to do that with Zakara. She will eat you for lunch. Literally. And Izzy needs you,” Abraxos informed him with a slap on the back.
“We will continue to work all of our leads and push for information about this secret entrance,” Ayil added.
“Unless they are high-level, it’s pointless. Every demon I spoke to told me there was no way in Hell. It seems to me if she knows of a way in, she’s the only one with that knowledge,” Rami countered.
“Well, don’t take the chance of asking her again. You got away with your life the first time. Going again will be playing with hellfire,” Abraxos warned him.
“I won’t do anything stupid,” Rami promised.
Oh, but he was going back. And he would force the information from Zakara, no matter what he had to do.
* * *
Chapter Six
“So, when is Brianne arriving?” Tristan asked.
Cailyn tried to silence Tristan’s thoughts bombarding her brain. It was a blessing and a curse to read the minds of others. Typically, the musings of supernaturals were fuzzy compared to humans, and she appreciated the blurry haze regarding Jace and the others living at Zeum. Unfortunately, Tristan’s emotions were on hyper-drive with his transition, and she could read him like a book.
She’d never met a supernatural with so much doubt. It was the total opposite of where Tristan had been a couple of days ago. That cocky, self-assured guy was gone, and now he was questioning everything about himself. It was precisely how Cailyn remembered feeling when she was a teenager. Wondering if a boy would kiss her and if he’d like her kiss. Then there was the insecurity about her weight. She was never skinny like Elsie, and growing up she felt like every guy saw her as a heifer. Luckily, she outgrew her self-criticism and learned to appreciate her curves.
Cailyn didn’t expect supernaturals to have the same uncertainties as humans and it was comforting to know their species weren’t so different, after all. She wondered what to expect after Tristan’s transition was complete. Would he be taller, more developed and with a matured personality when it was all said and done? Or worse, would he be more arrogant and boastful than before? She hoped not because he would be impossible to live with if that were the case.
“Calm doon. Brianne is set to arrive soon,” Zander informed Tristan.
Cailyn looked at Zander. The black circles under his eyes were more prominent with every day. Izzy’s absence was slowly killing him. In fact, it was affecting every member of the household. There was a dark cloud looming overhead, and she knew it wouldn’t go away until Isobel was home, safe and sound, where she belonged.
With Zander’s words, Tristan’s thoughts immediately shifted to sex, and the images running through his head had Cailyn flushing and cursing at the same time. His erotic musings were outlandish and extreme, but she couldn’t deny her own need. She craved her mate in the worst way, yet Jace remained unavailable to her.
Shaking off her thoughts, Cailyn glanced to Elsie. Her sister was standing by the stove, cooking dinner on autopilot. Only Elsie could make a meal as complicated as beef Wellington without paying one ounce of attention to what she was doing.
Elsie’s silence reminded
Cailyn of another time her sister was devastated. It was after a skirm murdered Dalton, and Elsie refused to speak to anyone. Cailyn recalled that period in her sister’s life. Elsie was in a very dark place, and it took weeks before she wanted to discuss anything. She hoped that Zander was having better luck because Cailyn couldn’t get her to talk about her feelings regarding Izzy.
She tried for the thousandth time over the past few days to read her sister’s thoughts, and all she got was the same prayer Elsie recited from the moment Isobel disappeared. Her sister wasn’t super religious, but she prayed non-stop to the Goddess for her daughter’s safe return. Elsie even offered to take her place in the Underworld to save her daughter.
“Brianne will remain with you for two weeks. After that, we will have to renegotiate if you need more time. Aurora indicated that Brianne’s sister could act as her proxy if the transition hasn’t completed,” Zander continued as he paced the kitchen.
All this talk about sex had Cailyn’s lust ramping. She wanted to be up in their bedroom riding her sorcerer instead of discussing Tristan’s sex life. It was beyond frustrating to stand around talking about the stripling’s budding sex life when she was so deprived.
Although the thoughts of the men at Zeum were hazy, Cailyn knew their minds revolved around intercourse. When they could corner their mates and sneak away for a quickie, or the single guys wanting to head over to Confetti Too and find a partner for a few hours. All but Jace. His mind as far from sex as it could get.
She didn’t make it a habit of peeking into his head, but the few times she had, Jace was going over patrols, his hospital shifts, or ways to get into Hell and rescue Izzy. It was enough to make Cailyn worry the honeymoon had passed.
Growing up, she’d heard her mom’s friends talking about how the passion eventually died between spouses. Because of that, Cailyn assumed every married couple hit a point where they were more friends and roommates than lovers. Lust invariably faded after so many years with the same partner.