Ramiel

by Brenda Trim

  Fred fell from limp fingers, and Kara jumped to her feet, ignoring the searing pain. No time to waste, she threw her shoulder back, hoping to align shit right so she could heal. A grunt was all the satisfaction the motherfucker was going to get.

  “Humans don’t belong in my bar. And, you’re my message to the others. You can fight, fuck, and drink in my bar, but never with humans,” Zakara reminded him as her left fist met his face a few dozen times in rapid succession.

  Sitri swung and tried to hit her, but she’d stepped too close to it to do any real damage. A mild tingle told her that her shoulder was healing. Time to tango, she thought as she danced around him, landing kicks to his side and thigh and punches to his battered face.

  When the worst of her pain subsided, she swooped down and snatched Fred from the ground. Twirling, she swung the bat and stepped toward the demon. Nails embedded in his skull with a thud and stuck.

  “Cunt. I’m going to enjoy fucking you before I kill you,” the demon snarled.

  Cocking her head to the side, she pulled the nails free. The cracking sound echoed off the high walls. White covered in black surrounded some of the metal spikes. Lovely decorations, she thought.

  “Hmmm. Tempting offer, but sadly I’m going to have to decline the invitation. As much as I hate to admit this, you aren’t the one I want to fuck right now,” Kara admitted, thinking of a particularly sexy angel that was more than likely watching her altercation.

  It made her arousal surge hotter as she swung Fred around again. It needed bits of a skull on the other side. Had to have balance, after all.

  The Deumus demon staggered and she added a bit of bite to her next blow. Her power surged, and when the weapon pulled free, she saw the smoke billowing from Sitri’s skull while his body did its version of shake, rattle, and roll.

  One swift kick and the demon was down. Not enough flesh was missing over here. Kara’s boot took care of that as she stomped the dead demon’s temple, for good measure.

  “You can come out now,” she called out and waited. Her eyes scanned the rooftops nearby, but she didn’t see Ramiel.

  Figuring he wasn’t coming, she leaned down and grabbed Sitri’s collar. What good was an example if no one saw?

  A thud grabbed her attention. She didn’t jump when she heard the angel landing behind her.

  “Enjoy the show?” she asked curiously. “Or are you mad I didn’t leave this one for you?” Stories about an AOR on a rampage had spread quickly among demonkind, and she knew who the culprit was.

  “Trouble in paradise?” Ramiel asked, his deep voice settling deep into her bones. A glance over her shoulder had her breath hitching. He stood in the shadows of the barely lit alley, his massive black wings bristling behind him. His bronze chest was on display, and she itched to explore his muscular arms and shoulders. He was magnanimous, and she craved a taste.

  “That was foreplay. You here to finish me off?” Kara asked and released Sitri. She turned to face Ramiel and widened her stance as she lifted Fred to rest on the back of her shoulders. She watched as Rami’s gaze dropped to her breasts, and she arched, giving him an eyeful.

  “If that turns you on, you’re a disgusting creature. There is nothing attractive about death,” Rami snarled.

  This angel had yet to taste the pleasure in moments like this. In her experience, there were more of these moments than not, and her motto was to find fun as often as possible. To let a little blood and guts stop it was unthinkable.

  “Like I thought. You’re pure vanilla extract, Virgin,” she taunted and leaned over to grab Sitri again. She opened the back door to her bar and tossed Sitri’s body through the opening.

  Ramiel tried to regain control of his body. He’d snapped at the Fallen, hoping to distract her from her obsession with sex. She was starting to rub off on him. For that reason, he knew he was disgusted with himself. Elsie would have told him he was projecting his struggle onto Zakara. When had his mind twisted so horribly that all he could think of as he watched her kill the demon was how sexy her lithe body moved?

  At least his mockery hadn’t pissed her off, he thought. If her hooded eyes and blatant tease were anything to go by she was far from angry.

  “Admit it. Vanilla is your favorite ice cream,” Rami replied, surprised by his bold words.

  “True. I prefer simple foods like meat, potatoes, and vanilla ice cream, but that doesn’t extend beyond food. I want my sex rough, raw, and hot enough to burn the sheets. Best times were with those that actually set my sheets on fire,” she admitted.

  In an instant, Rami was in her face, pinning her to the wall in the back hallway. They’d been in the same position the night before, he thought. His breath sawed in and out as his aggression swelled the muscles in his back and shoulders. She was taunting him as if Izzy wasn’t in Hell suffering God only knew what, and his traitorous body didn’t give a shit.

  “For some reason, I saw you like a spicy food kind of woman. Proves that looks are deceiving. Anyway, you ever want to have marathon sex with your demon lovers again,” he murmured into her ear, and his gut churned over the thought of her fucking those vile being, “then you’d better help me get into the Underworld. You’re losing control of your domain, Salsa.”

  Her foot shot out and kicked the carcass down the empty hall. “That will get them back in line,” she replied.

  “You wouldn’t have to get them back in line if you helped me. C’mon, you know you want me…to help me, that is,” he cajoled as he gave into temptation and settled his hands on her hips. The erotic roll as she pressed her lower half against him was the signal his cock had been waiting for, and little Rami jumped and pulsed, trying to break free.

  Ramiel had to look away from the delectable sight of Kara with her head tilted back and her mouth slightly ajar as her pink tongue ran over her full bottom lip. The noise from the bar seemed miles away. The world around them receded to where he barely registered the demons gawking at the dead creature then into the hallway where they stood.

  “You won’t like what’s required of you to get into the Underworld,” Zakara husked, drawing his attention.

  He needed to focus on her words, but all he could see was her wet, shiny lips that begged for his kiss. Lowering his head, he tilted to the side and met her mouth in a clash of desire. For a moment, Ramiel allowed his arousal free reign as he pressed his lips to Kara’s. Their mouths meshed together and he licked and teased, seeking entrance.

  The moan that left her opened the way, and his tongue slid against hers as they tangled together in the erotic assimilation of what his body wanted to do with hers. It was utterly insane to be kissing this Fallen angel. To crave her as he did, but there was no denying his desire.

  Ramiel deepened the kiss and grabbed hold of her hair, fisting it in his hands. One of her legs wrapped around his hip and her hot core nearly melted him. She writhed against him as their mouths fought for dominance.

  Never had Rami been kissed like this and he never wanted it to end. Lust never consumed him like this. The taste of blueberry exploded in his mouth, making him wild with need. He wanted more. No, needed her like he needed to breathe.

  An image of Izzy suffering at the enemy’s hand broke through his haze of desire and Rami quickly broke the kiss. As much as he wanted this woman, Izzy came first.

  * * *

  Chapter Nine

  “Help me. I can’t get in without you,” Ramiel said as he peered into beautiful blue eyes.

  “You don’t know what you’re saying, Virgin,” Kara replied as she took a step back, putting space between their bodies.

  “Then tell me. All I ask is that you point the way. I’ll make my way to Hell and do the rest,” he countered.

  “Even if you could make your way into the Underworld, you’d be picked apart within seconds. You’d never find your way between the Circles to get to your precious Izzy. But, all that is a moot point given that you can’t cross any barrier unless you bond to Hell,” she explained with a s
atisfied smirk.

  “Bond to Hell? Are you saying that I need to give up my wings to save Izzy?” he asked, wondering if he would do it. Could he become a selfish creature like Zakara and the rest of the demon world? Do Lucifer’s bidding?

  “No. There’s no need to give up your wings. You can accompany a being of the Underworld if you a share bond with them. And, before you get any ideas, there are no demons you could torture into forming such a connection. It has to be a demon with enough standing to carry you through. Besides, you couldn’t handle it, Vanilla,” she said.

  “I like a good challenge. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to rescue Izzy, so I think you’ll find me on the winning side. And, you know you’re dying to taste my brand of vanilla,” he teased with his lips hovering over hers. That last kiss was a mistake that he vowed never to repeat. The problem was, his body wasn’t in agreement.

  “You’ve got this huge chip on your shoulder, and yet, you’re one of the most loyal beings I’ve ever met. I can see why you became an angel. The higher beings must love you in Heaven. I only recall them saying some of us weren’t loyal enough,” Zakara mumbled as she turned her back on him.

  What the fuck was she talking about? Tolerance wasn’t something he experienced in Heaven and Camael threatened to get rid of him on a weekly basis. Still, something she said resonated deep within, and Ramiel considered her words.

  “I might be loyal, but the archangels can’t stand me. In fact, they will likely kick me out for bonding to a demon, but I refuse to allow an innocent little girl to suffer,” Ramiel declared.

  “I haven’t agreed to anything so don’t get ahead of yourself,” Kara chided and wagged a finger at him. “There’s nothing in this deal for me. And, as you’ve pointed out, I’m selfish. Why would I risk my life for you or that child?”

  “Because you know your life is in danger. You failed to pursue your assignment which must’ve pissed off Lucifer. The way I hear it, he never forgets those who cross him. If you do nothing, he will eventually be free and will hunt you down then torture you for eternity. By helping me, you will ensure he can’t leave the Underworld,” Ramiel said as he leaned against the wall.

  Zakara walked over to the dead demon and yanked her nail-studded bat she called Fred from the creature’s skull. Rami couldn’t help but notice the white bits stuck to the end were bone. This demon wasn’t afraid of anything, and he admired that.

  “Shut the fuck up while I think,” she cursed and headed into the bar area.

  Ramiel followed but stopped at the entrance to the hall and watched as she lifted the dead creature’s face. She glanced around the room and locked eyes with another demon. Ramiel had seen him before and knew he helped Zakara run the bar.

  “Where are the humans, Joe?” she asked.

  Joe swiped his rag across a table. The towel soaked with black blood and Rami noticed there were fewer tables than the night before. He quickly scanned the room, searching for the humans, and saw the reason for the missing tables. The demons trashed the place.

  Rage surged through him, and he had to force his fists, and body, to stay put while Zakara dealt with the situation. No one should disrespect her or her bar, and he wanted to put a fist through the skulls of those that thought they could get away with it.

  “They’re here,” Joe responded as he walked behind the bar and disappeared below the scarred wood. When his horned head reappeared, three humans stood next to him. Two men and a woman. Their appearance immediately agitated the nearby demons.

  Before Ramiel could make a move, Zakara shouted, “Humans are not fucking allowed in my bar. This is not the place to toy with their lives. As I’ve told you before, I don’t care if you get your rocks off with each other, but bringing humans is unacceptable. Sitri here thought he could get away with breaking the rules. Take a good look at him. He’s now standing at the back of the line in Hell, waiting for reincarnation. He’ll be lucky if he doesn’t become one of Cerberus’s chew toys for the next century,” she roared, and the demons stilled.

  “Anyone else who thinks they can break my rules will be joining him,” she added and tossed the dead demon across the room.

  Demonic energy surged through the room and prickled against Ramiel’s skin. Zakara was more powerful than he realized.

  “Come,” he barked to the humans, allowing his angelic energy to rise closer to the surface. “I will get you to safety.” His phone was in his hand, and he had a message to Zander before he finished uttering his promise.

  “Take care of their memories,” Zakara instructed him.

  “Done,” he replied. “But our conversation isn’t over.”

  Eyes blazing, Kara marched over and got in Rami’s face while the humans ran from Joe and crouched behind Rami’s massive black wings.

  Ignoring the humans, the Fallen grabbed his shoulders. “To form this bond we need to be completely open to one another, Virgin. And, I’m not just talking physically. Are you prepared to let down all of your defenses and allow my Darkness inside?” she challenged.

  Ramiel hadn’t stopped to consider how bonding with her would affect either of them. But, if he had to accept her Darkness, that meant she would have to allow his Light in, as well.

  “I will be back as soon as I get them to safety,” he said and tilted his head toward the humans at his back.

  Izzy was worth the sacrifice. Besides, Zakara’s darkness couldn’t be much worse than his own. Just because he was an angel, didn’t mean he was one of the good guys.

  Zakara swallowed the lump in her throat when Ramiel barged through the back door of her bar. She closed the bar early in case he returned but questioned if the angel would go through with it. Now that he was in front of her, she wondered if she could do it.

  Ramiel kicked the door shut then stalked toward her, his red eyes blazing with heat. She opened her mouth to tell him to leave and that she had changed her mind about helping him, but then closed it. She was held captive by his penetrating gaze.

  Her mind spun out of control. Ramiel was determined to rescue this child, and despite her best efforts, he drew her. She found his loyalty and fierce determination incredibly appealing, and couldn’t turn her back on him. If she didn’t help him, there was another.

  Elle was the one other Fallen on Earth. She could get Rami into the Underworld. Zakara didn’t want this angel turning to anyone else for help. A part of her wanted to share this connection with him.

  She scarcely remembered what it felt like to be with an angel. It had been all-consuming with Jared. Their lovemaking was beyond her wildest dreams. But then he betrayed her in the worst way and broke her heart so she shoved those feelings deep inside where no one could reach them.

  “How do we do this?” he asked, bringing Kara out of her memories.

  She raised an eyebrow. “You have to ask, Virgin?”

  “Of course. Sex,” Rami murmured.

  Crossing to him, she watched his body’s reaction to her. The male was wound tight enough to turn coal into a diamond and probably wasn’t aware of the constant erection he sported around her.

  “This doesn’t mean anything. I’m nothing but a vile demon in your eyes, remember? I can’t do vanilla but don’t worry. You’ll enjoy what I have planned,” she purred and laid her hands on his pectoral muscles. The flesh flexed beneath her touch, making her question her comment. Maybe this meant something, after all.

  She hadn’t been this confused since Jared cheated on her. Kara’s emotions were all over the place. This bond would link them together forever. Could she trust Ramiel? The last male she trusted sliced off her wings and poured silver into the wounds. It was that betrayal that was what caused her to, ultimately, side with Lucifer. Sure, things were chaotic during the Great War, and she questioned God, but when Jared didn’t lose his standing with God, or the archangels, for what he did to her, she wanted nothing to do with them or Heaven. What Jared did was reprehensible and deserved punishment.

  Her pain and rage over her tr
eatment were just as fresh centuries later. There was a time when she saw a human therapist who told her to work through the betrayal and put it behind her, but nothing made the torture easier to handle. And, she held a grudge like nobody’s business. Her therapist told her it was toxic to hold onto so much anger, but she didn’t give a fuck. She wanted Jared to pay for what he’d done to her.

  “Doesn’t mean anything? Now’s not the time to lie, Salsa. Not if we’re going to do this right. And, from what you said a half hour ago, we need to open ourselves completely to each other. This means everything,” Ramiel replied, shocking her and stealing her breath, “We do this for Isobel. Without us, she will not survive, and neither will humanity.”

  He held her gaze for a split second before he leaned down, capturing her mouth in a tender kiss. It was soft, and sweet and any objection disappeared, replaced by erotic heat coursing through her veins. Breaking the kiss, he waited for her to deny him.

  “Not here. I’m not doing this here,” Kara told Rami and tugged him to a door that led to her basement apartment. A press of her thumb over a keypad opened the way, and they walked down the stairs in silence.

  “This is not what I expected,” Ramiel said when they entered her humble abode.

  She stood back and looked at the space through his eyes. Her home was simple. One bedroom with an attached bath and a living room that opened to the kitchen. Color filled the place, from the red couch to her purple lounge chair to the sea-green table that held her terrarium.

  “You have a bearded dragon?” he asked.

  “Yes. Meet Lucy. She’s badass, don’t you think?” Kara asked as she eyed her citric orange reptile.

  She loved Lucy. She’d been her companion for the past decade which was about nine and a half years longer than any relationship she’d experienced.