Inflamed

by ML Guida

  She quickly left her apartment and headed for the secret door behind their apartment building that was known only to love angels. She was positive Lethal would be watching the Pearly Gates or have someone watching for him. She didn’t want her mate to find her and lock her up in a heaven’s cell that was five floors beneath the Grand Hall. Heaven’s cells made the bravest angels shiver.

  Huge red boulders were behind the apartment and one of them was shaped like a heart. She landed next to it and in a soft voice, she said, “Love.”

  A door magically appeared and Cupid opened it. She hurried inside. Her vision blurred and her gut clenched. She whisked through the barriers between heaven and earth at lightning speed. She stopped suddenly and the door softly closed. Her gut swished and bile rose up her throat. She clenched her teeth and took a deep breath. She didn’t like to this route, because more than once she’d gotten sick. But she didn’t have a choice. She had a mission.

  A rush of wind whisked around her and something gently stroked her hair.

  “Who’s there?” She whirled around, but only saw fluffy clouds.

  Uneasiness gripped her spine and warning signals pulsed in her tight nerves. Had she been followed? An angel of love would have answered. They weren’t secretive, but assassins and dark angels were another matter.

  She scanned the sky. She had a choice–go back through the door and be safe or shoot Bobby and Kristen at their Valentine Dance so they would fall in love. They were destined to be together and live a happy life. Without her, their fate would be different.

  She lifted her chin. “I don’t know if you’re here, but I’m not going back to heaven.”

  No one answered her, but she could feel a pair of vigilant eyes watching her every move. The presence didn’t feel evil. It was strong and overpowering and sent goosebumps over her arms, but it wouldn’t deter her.

  Without another hesitation, she flew toward Earth and headed for Arvada East High School, but she had a nagging feeling someone was right beside her

  Chapter 9

  Cupid whizzed toward Arvada East High School, but zig-zagged through the stars and clouds. She was determined to lose whoever was following her, even if she couldn’t spot anyone.

  Stop it.

  Venus had messed with her head, that’s all. No one was following her. Her sister got her all twitter tied over Balthazar and Lethal.

  She frowned. She still couldn’t believe Balthazar wanted her power. Did he want to go tip-toeing through the rose gardens shooting arrows of love? Hardly. He’d want to change her desire arrows into arrows of hate. Didn’t he realize love was more powerful? The arrows had been made by Gabriel himself. He might not be as powerful as Michael, but Balthazar would be an idiot to dismiss his power. One thing for sure, she didn’t think Lucifer’s second in command would make that miscalculation.

  Forget him. Concentrate.

  Cupid hovered over Arvada East High School. Moonlight glistened off the cars and trucks parked in the lot. Boys and girls were holding hands, or walking arm in arm toward the gymnasium. Groups of girls and boys checked each other out and whispered to each other. Cupid grinned. High school sweethearts were her favorite bullseyes. To be together for a lifetime made her heart melt.

  She flew over the kids who would feel nothing but a breeze. In the gymnasium, she lingered in a dark corner, waiting for her intended targets. Red and pink streams of crepe paper were intertwined and crisscrossed diagonally from one corner to the next. In the center hung a large twirling strobe light silver ball that cast diamond shapes everywhere. A local band played a slow dance. Perfect timing.

  Cupid smiled. Kristyn sat on a chair against the wall by herself, watching the couples gather on the dance floor. She looked so pretty in her little black dress and studded headband, sweeping her blond hair back. Her intended love was across the hall, talking with his friends. They were total opposites. His dark hair hung in his eyes, and he had on jeans and a leather jacket. A ladies’ man, but not for long.

  Cupid pulled an arrow out of her quiver. She had made sure these were the right arrows and had Gabriel check himself, so she knew there were no aversion arrows mixed in this time. She clasped her bow and pulled back on the string back to her mouth, ready to fire.

  She inhaled something rotting, as if vegetables had been left in a garbage disposal for weeks without running. It was getting stronger, and her stomach turned queasy. The teens on the dance floor and along the sides were looking around, and she knew they must have smelled it, too.

  A bright flash rang out. An earthquake shook the gym floor. The couples on the dance floor tumbled into each other. Some girls fell on their butts while others crashed into dancers. Screams and chaos erupted. A large crack split down the wooden floor. The ball came crashing down, barely missing a young man. Sparks burst into the air. Streams of twisted paper fell off the walls, and the speakers on the stage crashed onto the floor. People turned into a wild stampede, fighting to save themselves and dashed for the double doors.

  It happened so fast Cupid didn’t have time to shoot. She placed her arrow back into the quiver. Kristyn fell out of her chair onto her hands and knees. The poor girl was going to be trampled. Cupid flew down and snagged her. Kristyn screamed, her legs and arms flailing. People wouldn’t see Cupid, only Kristyn flying through the air. Maybe they would think it was a blast.

  When she lowered her to the ground, Bobby was the person who ran to her side. Maybe these two didn’t need the arrows.

  More people cried out. Determined to help, Cupid soared back inside. The doors slammed shut, and people vanished as if by magic. The lights went out. A blaze of fire shot into the middle of the dance floor. She shielded her eyes. The flames flickered all the way to the ceiling. She could feel the heat and broke out in a hot sweat. Fear pooled inside her. Without hesitation, she pulled out her arrow and clasped her bow, her hands shaking.

  Shitshitshitshitshit

  Balthazar stepped out of the flames, looking like a half-naked Rockstar. His black boots hugged his muscular calves. The light glistened off his muscles. His glowing red eyes froze Cupid’s blood.

  And he wasn’t alone.

  Vixen followed him. Her black shiny leather leotard hugged her slim legs and pushed up her bosoms. Her long purple hair hung down to her waist. She blew a kiss at Cupid who shuddered.

  Balthazar smiled. “Ah, Cupid, so we met again?” He beckoned to her. “Do come down here.”

  Her heart pounding hard, she flapped her wings harder, but an unbelievable force propelled her to go toward him. He held out his hand.

  She aimed her bow at his black heart.

  He smirked. “Really? There’s no need for violence.”

  Holding her head high, she floated toward him like she owned the gym. “You just destroyed a Valentine’s Dance.”

  “True. Just think, they’ll remember it for a lifetime.”

  His soft tone veiled the menace bubbling inside him. He might be handsome with glorious dark hair and heart melting smile, but only evil brewed inside him. She couldn’t detect a single shred of goodness.

  She narrowed her eyes. “What do you want?” She hoped her strong voice hid the fear smoldering inside her.

  He held out his hand. “Why you, my dear. Or wasn’t I clear the last time we met?”

  The presence that had been following her came at them like a Mac truck. A loud pop made her jump. Lethal stood in front of her like an angel shield.

  He unleashed Judgement. “You were crystal clear, Demon.” His booming voice eased some of the terror thumping through Cupid.

  “Why Lethal,” Vixen said. “You’ve mated.”

  Lethal growled. “Stay away from her.”

  Cupid forced herself to peek around Lethal’s broad back.

  Vixen laughed and put her hand on her chest. “I can’t believe you chose a curvy love angel over me. My, you must have been desperate.” Her sexy voice sliced into Cupid’s beating heart.

  Cupid blinked back tears pushin
g on the back of her eyelids.

  Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.

  “No, Vixen,” Lethal said, as he clasped Cupid’s hand and squeezed it. He kissed her wrist, sending chills down Cupid’s back. “I chose the Queen of Hearts over the Queen of Diamonds.”

  Cupid looked up at Lethal, who didn’t even glance at her.

  “Really?” Balthazar rolled his eyes. “Quoting an Eagles’ song?”

  “Why not? It’s the truth. She’s mine. And you can’t have her.”

  Balthazar glared. “We’ll see about that.”

  Lethal went into a wide stance. “Cupid get behind me.”

  Deathly growls and howls emitted from the darkness. Hell hounds. Cupid hadn’t ever encountered one, but the stories of them ripping humans and angels apart were legendary.

  As if reading her mind, the demon lifted his arm and gestured around the gym. “It’s not just hell hounds, sweet Cupid, but ghost demons. You’ve heard of those, haven’t you? Or do you live quite the sheltered life?”

  “She’s an angel of love,” Vixen said. “They’re absolutely clueless.”

  Cupid’s breath caught in her throat. She wanted to snap back at Vixen, but fear choked off her words. Ghost demons were worse than the hell hounds. They could rip the flesh off the bone, tear off wings. Worse, they were difficult to kill. One was hard enough, but a horde was nearly impossible. She was way over her head. Terror drilled into her beating heart. What good were desirable arrows against a horde of ghost demons and hell hounds?

  “Balthazar, you unleashed your army.” Lethal grinned. “Afraid, are you?”

  “Watch your tongue, boy.” Balthazar cracked his knuckles. “All I have to do is say the word, and they’ll attack.”

  “Lethal.” Cupid clasped his arm.

  They were trapped.

  “Stay behind me.” He aimed Judgment. It gleamed blue in the darkness, exposing black, shapeless ghost demons. Their yellow glowing eyes glared at her and Lethal with pure hatred. They swiped their long sharp claws in the air, and Cupid put her hand on her throat, terrified of being ripped to pieces. She trembled, her heart nearly stopping. She’d never seen anything so terrifying.

  Hell hounds came up alongside them, gnashing their teeth, drool dripping onto the floor. They were larger than wolves, and their hackles were standing up. One word, and they’d attack. Cupid had never used her weapons to kill. She had no idea what kind of effect they’d have on pure evil.

  A hellish sword magically materialized into Balthazar’s hand. He pointed it at Cupid. “To the victor goes the spoils.”

  “Never.” Lethal slashed his sword.

  Cupid looked at the creatures surrounding them. Even if Balthazar lost, this wouldn’t end well. Lethal would die trying to protect her. She had to do something.

  Vixen darted to the other side of Cupid. She held a hellish blade. “What are you going to do? Shoot me with your stupid arrows of love. You’ll be dead before you fire the first one.”

  “Do not kill her,” Balthazar said. “I want her alive.”

  Vixen shrugged. “As you wish.” The curves of her lips turned up into a sinister grin. “But he didn’t say what shape you’d be in.”

  Cupid held her gaze and spread her legs apart. She’d no idea how to fight, but she wouldn’t back down.

  Quicker than a flash of light, Balthazar lunged forward, thrusting with the point of his blade, stabbing Lethal’s thigh. Lethal hissed. Blood flowed down the deadly wound, and Cupid gasped.

  Vixen jabbed her sword. Cupid skidded to the right, barely avoiding the tip of the sword. The ghouls howled as if in triumphant laughter, chilling Cupid’s soul.

  “Put down your arrow and bow,” Vixen said. “And I’ll go easy on you.”

  Cupid shook her head. “No.”

  “Fine, I like doing it the hard way.”

  Beads of sweat broke out all over Cupid. The heat from the flames was like an inferno. She had her back to Lethal. She couldn’t take her eyes off Vixen. All she could hear was the clanging of swords and grunts between the two men.

  Vixen swiped the sword. “I’m going to carve you into tiny pieces.”

  Cupid held her arrow and bow firmly, but she couldn’t stop trembling. She’d never known pain. She remembered the cuts and bruises on Lethal and her gut tightened. But she wouldn’t go down without a fight.

  The leering ghosts demons and snarling hell hounds edged out of the flames, but didn’t attack. Cupid was sure they were waiting for a sign from Balthazar.

  Steel clanged again and again.

  “You’re good,” Balthazar said. “But not good enough to defeat me.”

  “Is that a challenge?” Lethal asked.

  Balthazar slightly bowed. “To the death?”

  “It’s your funeral.”

  Balthazar and Lethal clashed swords, forcing Vixen out of the way.

  Lethal twisted his wrist to unlock the crossed swords. He pivoted to the side, dodging left, and when Balthazar moved to block the thrust, he slashed on the right.

  Balthazar tilted his head and screamed. A deep red scratch ran down the side of his ribs.

  Lethal wheeled around and hacked off a lock of Balthazar’s dark hair. Maybe they could get out of her in one piece.

  Balthazar grabbed his bleeding ear. “You’ll pay for that, angel.”

  The hate in his eyes froze Cupid’s hope. She glanced up at Lethal. His face was slick with sweat. He was legendary in circles and had killed many rogue angels and demons, but this was Balthazar. Only Lucifer possessed more power.

  Vixen hurried over to Balthazar. “Are you okay?”

  Balthazar shoved her, pushing her back into the flames. “Leave me alone.”

  He attacked Lethal with a vengeance. Slashing and hitting, forcing Lethal to give up his victory.

  Ghost demons and hell hounds encroached on Lethal’s and Cupid’s tight circle. The hounds nipped at Lethal’s calves; their hot breath smelled like rotting flesh, and she fought not to gag. This wouldn’t help Lethal. He’d be worried about her, and any hesitation could send him to an early grave.

  Lethal’s hair fell out of his perfect queue. His hair tumbled over his shoulders. Balthazar was about to rip him to shreds. Cupid had to do something before Vixen returned.

  She pulled out an arrow and tugged back the bowstring, then fired. The arrow twanged through the air and hit Balthazar in the arm. He faltered, giving Lethal time to go on the offensive. It wouldn’t last long.

  Balthazar whipped the arrow out of his arm and tossed it onto the wooden floor. Nothing changed in his demeanor. “I like an angel with fire.”

  Lethal howled and charged, hacking and slicing. Balthazar blocked his attack, then in a sudden move, raised his sword and plunged it into Lethal’s mid-section. The blade protruded through his lower back.

  Lethal released a loud cry and fell on one knee. He fell over on his back, still gripping Judgment. Blood spread out from his chest. “Leave while you can.” His voice faded, and he closed his eyes.

  Cupid’s heart shattered into a million pieces. “Lethal, no.”

  Balthazar laughed. “He shouldn’t have taken his eyes off me. Now, he’ll lose what’s most precious to him––you.”

  “Stay back.” Cupid aimed her arrow at Balthazar, but then Vixen edged closer. She focused on Vixen.

  Balthazar motioned with his hand. “My pets, you can feast on the dark assassin.”

  Cupid’s face paled. “No!”

  A hell hound crept closer to Lethal who lay perfectly still. His chest rose up and down, so he was alive, but for how long? Drool dripped from the hound’s massive jaw. Hunger flared in its red eyes.

  Shoot the beast. A strong voice echoed in her ear.

  Cupid’s eyes widened. She jerked to the side, but no one was there. Something brewed in her chest, sending tingles through her.

  Not knowing what else to do, she fired the arrow. The beast yelped and spun around. It’s red eyes turned to silver, and the hell h
ound actually wagged its tail.

  Balthazar glared. “What did you do to my beast?”

  Vixen lunged, but the hound knocked her out of the way. She crashed into a table that had a bucket of roses. Water spilled onto top of her head and flowers fell around her.

  “You stupid beast.” She shoved her hair out of her face.

  Cupid immediately pulled out another arrow.

  Balthazar rubbed his chin. “Interesting. No other love angels’ arrows have ever had an effect on my beasts. You’re powerful Cupid. Show me more.”

  Cupid shook her head. “No, I’m not. I’m just a love angel.”

  “Ah, but you’re so much more,” Balthazar said. “Right now, I don’t know if your power comes from inside you or from your arrows, but I’m determined to find out which.”

  She closed her eyes. Dear Lord, we need help. Gabriel, if you can hear me, please answer.

  Her prayer was met with silence. Disappointment filled her, but she had to have faith.

  She knelt next to Lethal and put her hand on his cheek. “Lethal, can you hear me?”

  His cheek was cold and fear squeezed her lungs. She couldn’t lose him. He was her mate. Her heart swelled against her ribs. She had to admit the truth. She’d loved him.

  She met Balthazar’s sneering glare. “I won’t let you hurt him.”

  “I think you’re too late, my dear.”

  Cupid put her hand on Lethal’s chest and barely felt a heartbeat. She was losing him. “Lethal, please.”

  He gripped her wrist. “Cupid.” His voice was so low she had to tilt her head to hear him.

  “Believe in yourself. It’s…the only way…you can defeat him.”

  She frowned. “How do you know this?”

  His grip loosened. “Michael told me.”

  Her eyes widened. The Archangel Michael? Her head spun.

  Lethal’s arm fell to the side.

  “No, don’t leave me.” Tears blinded her. “I love you.”

  But he didn’t answer. Oh, God, he was dead.

  Balthazar yanked out the sword of Lethal’s lifeless body and wiped the blood on his thigh. “Now that the riffraff will soon be dead, you and I have some unfinished business.” She wasn’t sure but she thought she detected a quiver of fear in his voice.