by A L Williams
He shrugged and dragged me towards a store. I shook my head, following him inside. The obnoxious smell of cologne hit my nose, and I cringed at the strong odor. We moved further, passing an assortment of guys, glancing up and eyeing him seductively. He flashed his infamous smile. I watched their eyes switch from interest to desire. I shoved him forward. “Can you please focus and stop thinking with your dick?”
He shrugged. “A man’s gotta eat.”
I rolled my eyes. “Let’s just get this over with.” He stopped at a rack of designer shirts, all of them priced higher than anything I had ever bought. He picked up a shirt and held it up. I blinked. “What are you doing?”
He looked up at me, his green eyes twinkling. “You need better clothes.”
I backed away. “My wardrobe is fine.”
“Oh come on, it's on me,” he pouted. “It will look great.” I huffed and walked towards the entrance—I didn’t need this. “Andy!” He called, running up beside me. He followed me out of the store. “What’s up your ass?” he said. “You’re generally not this short.” I stopped, frowning down at the sleek tile.
“I’m sorry. I’ve had a lot going on.” He nodded with one of his rare frowns. He grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the food court.
We passed an assortment of specialty and fast food spots. He guided me to an empty booth. “Talk.”
I sat down and slumped on the hard seat. “I’m worried about him,” I said, biting down on the inside of my cheek.
“And?” He arched a brow.
“But I don’t know how to get him to trust me.” I paused, looking towards a couple clasping each other’s hand as they stood in line.
He cocked his head to the side. “Go talk to him.” He leaned back in his seat.
I frowned. “It’s not that simple.”
He sighed. “ If you want something, you fight for it. Life is short. For humans anyway. Don’t waste it.”
I continued to watch him as his voice grew serious and flat. "In my youth, my mother made all of my choices for me and I let her." I gazed at him as the brilliant green of his eyes dimmed.
Seconds later his face returned to it's usual amused mask. "Mr. Miller has a lot of issues. You sure you can handle it?”
Can I?
Do I want to?
He snickered. “Tá ár laigí againn go léir.” We all have our weaknesses. I laughed, the heaviness in my shoulders lifting. When James entered my mind, everything seemed better, somehow. Yes, he was hot, and I wanted to fuck him into my bed, but there was also something in him that wrapped around my heart. “I—” I started.
“You’ll figure it out.” He stretched. “I’m hungry. Let’s eat and go back to shopping.” He smirked. “Even if you refuse to make better fashion choices, I can at least add to my wardrobe.” I chuckled—he was ridiculous.
We ate and then continued shopping, slipping into night. He ended up getting me one shirt.
Chapter Seven
James
I strolled to my car, the hot wind whipping by, Hayley’s words replaying She didn’t understand. What if I set the school on fire? What would I do with a degree? I had to move around every few decades. School would serve me no purpose. My head throbbed and exhaustion settled over me. I walked past an alley and considered taking the shortcut. The attack invaded my thoughts and my heart sped up. I continued down the sidewalk.
A sudden yawn fell from my lips as my car came into view. The constant nightmares and stress was disrupting my sleep. Especially, after that man had shown up at my doorstep. When I opened my door and saw him, I wanted to slam it shut, but I froze instead. The moment Detective Scott and his partner arrived, relief washed over me. Part of me wanted to run away and the other wanted to curl into the detective, wrapping myself in his warmth. I stood there, watching the scene play out.
I hurried along the path. The trees swaying above me. My world had been flipped on its head and I wasn’t sure how to keep up. I pulled the keys out and reached for the door and hairs on the back of my neck stood. I froze, the clatter of steps growing near..
When I glanced back, The man from the alley stood before me. I recoiled, leaning into my car. “What do you— ” I started, clutching my keys in my hand, the ridges cutting into my flesh. He strode towards me, his white eyes erie in the shadow of night.
“Silence, he said, his voice void of expression.” I closed my mouth. “I need to speak with you.” His hair whisked to the side in the sudden gust of wind. I pressed further into the cool metal at my back.
What if I ran?
Would he chase me?
Would he try and kill me?
All of this spun in my brain as his ivory eyes burned my skin. The air grew thicker with tension, stealing my breath. My fingers began to tingle. “I will not hurt you.”
I narrowed my eyes, my heart slamming against my chest. Everything in me screamed at me to run, but I couldn’t. I needed to know what happened in the alley and why he was following me. “Okay.”
“Come,” he said. I trailed behind him, eyeing his hair as it swayed, noting his stiff posture. As we walked, regret filled my head. What if this was a trap? What if he tried to kill me? I chewed on my lip as all the outcomes of this encounter replayed in my mind. We crossed the street, passing groups of people as we approached a nearby restaurant.
Entering the establishment, a trendy chalkboard with specials written on it leaned against the hostess stand. The hostess sauntered over with a wide smile. I glanced down at her name tag with “Alice” printed on the plastic. She held a tack of menus. “Table for two?” she asked. Before I could respond he marched into the dinning area, ignoring her. She gaped as I dashed past her. ”Sorry, ” I said.
He stalked through the restaurant, passing booths filled with customers, an assortment of foods around them. I trailed behind him to the patio doors. I followed him out the doors, thunder rumbling in the distance. He lead us to a table in the corner of the patio. “Maybe we should sit inside,” I said and fidgeted with the keys in my pocket.
“Sit,” he said.
A waiter came out and took our order. I got two coffees, the man watching in silence. The breeze picked up, the smell of the nearing storm drifting closer. I tightened my denim jacket around myself. The waiter returned moments later with two hot cups, placing them on the table. “Is there anything else you need?” I shook my head, and he walked back inside.
I picked up my mug, taking a sip. I sighed, as warmth spread me, releasing some of the tension. “So, who are you?”
“My name is Lucifer.”
I furrowed my brow. “Um, okay.”
Great, a nut job.
I peered at the door. “Look, I have somewhere to be.” I stood.
“We don’t have time for this,” he said, his voice brimming with impatience. His hand cut across the air, sending a nearby rustic pot with jagged stems, twisting in every direction, up in flames. He waved his hand again and the blazing fire disappeared in a puff of smoke, the plant collapsing into ash. I gawked—unsure of what to do or say.
I turned to him, clamping my mouth shut. What the hell was going on? Why was this happening to me? My head started to throb. “You’re-you’re like me?”
Lucifer grunted. “There is no one like me.”
“So, you’re the devil?” I flopped back into the chair.
He glanced down at his coffee. “One of many names I have.”
“Okay… so, what do you want?” I asked. The muggy air wafted in my face.
He leaned back. “Gabriel wants you dead.”
I wrapped my hands around my mug, warmth spreading through my fingers. “That man that attacked me?”
He sighed. “The angel. They possessed that human.”
I straightened. “They? Gabriel? The archangel?”
“Yes. Gabriel has no gender. I think humans call that ‘non-binary’.”
The waiter peeked out. “You two should come in. It looks like a storm!”
“Okay, th
ank you,” I said. He slipped inside and I turned back. “And you have a gender?”
He nodded. “We all selected our gender when Father created us, but Gabriel chose not to have one.”
I narrowed my eyes. “And why would an angel want me dead?”
He met my eyes, lightning illuminating his face, followed by a loud rumble. A single drop hit my shoulder when he spoke. “Because I am your father,” he said as the sky boomed above, buckets of water cascading against the road and cars that passed. I gaped at him, the downpour drenching my locks and clothes.
My father.
The wind howled as he continued to watch me, unbothered by the storm. My stomach twisted. “Did I just walk into a bad science fiction movie?” I laughed, the sound bitter.
He frowned. “Father banished me for my transgressions.”
“I’m aware of the story.” I slumped in my chair, rain trailing down my face.
He thinned his lips. “During my time here, I met many people, but your mother was…,” he paused. “I never thought I would find your mother, let alone father a child.” Lightning flashed across his face. His expression unreadable. “You resemble her.”
I knitted my brows.“So I am half-demon?”
He glanced out at the wet streets, reflecting the flashing sky. “If you go by human text, then yes. A more accurate term would be half-angel.”
My head spun and I pinched the bridge of my nose. Was I supposed to believe this? Was this really happening? He was my father? I was half angel? I peeked at him and he met my gaze with a blank stare. I frowned. He couldn’t just show up two-hundred years later and dump this bullshit on me. Who the hell did he think he was?
Why didn’t you tell me, Mama?
“I have to go.” I stumbled to my feet and dashed to the back patio entrance.
“You can’t run from this.” Lucifer’s indifferent voice echoed as I rushed through the restaurant and darted out the doors. The sky flashed and I peered up, rain streaming down my face. A tremor rolled through my body and I ran. My world was as chaotic as the summer storm above. A haze of memories invaded my thoughts.
One of Thomas’ friends, dressed in a red waistcoat and black breeches, stepped forward and smacked my mom’s round face, sending her to the ground. “Get back to work, girl,” he said as he moved closer. She struggled to stand as he sneered down at her.
She glanced over at me with her strong jaw clenched, her eyes shimmering with an endless affection telling of a mother’s love. My stomach churned and my fingers started to tingle. I watched helplessly as he grabbed her by her headscarf. The fabric ripping, taking strands of hair with it.
Replaying the memory, I sprinted down the sidewalk hitting my door with a thud. I struggled to get my keys in the keyhole, my hands shaking. Nausea rose in my throat, and tears burned my eyes as the storm grew louder, palm trees whipping in the wind. Detective Scott’s voice penetrated my panicked mind. He took my keys from me as I stared at my door. A hand brushed my shoulder and I jerked away. I looked at him. He inspected me with an umbrella in his hand, shielding him from the rain. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
I backed into my door way. “Leave me alone.”
“Mr. Miller, what— ” he started, shifting closer.
“I said, leave me alone!” Flames ignited from my core, pushing him back against the pillar behind him. He dropped his umbrella, and it rolled out into the storm. The angled rain hit him hard, soaking him from head to toe. He stared at me, furrowing his brow. A swollen red burn tinted his arm, peeking through his scorched sleeve. My heart slammed against my chest as I gaped at his wound, my mother’s screams echoing in my skull. She flashed in my mind, her face covered in blisters and twisted in agony. He touched his arm and then looked back at me. I shook. “I’m sorry— ” Running inside and slamming the door behind me, I fell to my bed and wrapped my arms around my body.
I did it again.
I hurt someone else.
The room spun as I covered my face with my hands, my chest tightening with each breath. I curled into myself and closed my eyes, the sheets growing wet below me as my clothes soaked the bed. I lay there, shaking until my tired body succumbed to sleep.
~
When I woke, darkness surrounded me. I turned my head to my clock. 1 AM. I rolled onto my back, looking up at the ceiling as everything from last night rushed back. I ran my hands across my face and dragged myself out of bed, pulling off my damp clothes and wandered into the bathroom. Slumping against the cream-colored sink. I glanced up at the mirror, the bags under my eyes prominent. I ran my hand down my face and climbed in the shower.
After taking a much-needed shower and cutting my flesh, I meandered out, peering around the room.
I’m your father.
The door swung open and I jumped. Detective Scott strolled in, grocery bags hanging from his arms, He froze, running his eyes over my body. I glanced down at the towel wrapped around my hips and my skin warmed. He cleared his throat and walked into the kitchen, putting the bags down. “Are you okay?”
Was I?
“Are you okay?” he repeated.
I blinked and inched closer to the kitchen. “What are you doing here?” I peeked around the wall, finding him taking a variety of food from the bags.
He walked over to the stove and turned it on. “You must be hungry?”
I blinked again. “What are— ?”
He looked up at me. “Do you like burgers?” My stomach growled as I opened my mouth to tell him to leave. “Go get dressed and I will make a late dinner,” he said, returning to the food. I furrowed my brow and turned, grabbing my clothes and wandering into the bathroom. The aroma of beef followed me. Once dressed, I entered the kitchen. Two plates with juicy burgers sat on the dining table. “Sorry, it’s not fancier. I didn’t know what else to buy.”
I watched him move to the other side and sit down. He glanced at me. “Let’s eat.” I walked over and looked down at my plate as steam rose from the sandwich.
Sitting down, I peeked up. “Thank you.” He nodded.
The sound of sirens sailed through the window as we ate. When I was finished, I wiped my mouth with a napkin, sighing and leaning back. “That was delicious.”
He smiled, sending a flutter through my stomach. “You’re welcome.” I took a drink of my water, eyeing him over my glass, I spotted the burn that tinted his skin.
I furrowed my brow and played with my fingers in my lap, not wanting to see the fear on his face. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. You didn’t do it intentionally.” he said.
I peered up at him, finding him gazing at me with no trace of fear or disgust. I bit the inside of my cheek. “Why aren’t you freaked out?”
He shrugged. “I’ve seen a lot in my job.” I tilted my head. “Ben and I deal with cases in the supernatural. It’s nothing new.”
“Oh?” I said. He stood and took the empty paper plates in the kitchen and started washing the pans. “Let me do that.” I slipped in front of him and he backed away, leaning against the counter. My skin grew hot, finding him watching me from the corner of my eye. I rinsed off the pot and placed in the dishwasher.
“What happened?” he asked. I froze. I bit my lip and peered back at the sink.
Should I tell him?
“You can trust me,” he said. His voice was soft and reassuring. My chest grew tight. I turned to him, finding him studying me with gentle eyes. My shoulders shook and tears rushed out, trailing down my face. I collapsed against his warm chest and he wrapped his arms around me, squeezing me close. I melted into him, all my pain and agony rushing out, unable to stop it. I sobbed against him, unable to control the tremors racking my body. He whispered words of reassurance and rocked me as my world crumbled.
For years I had spent so much time alone. With no one. My mother was long gone, and I didn’t have a single person and that was fine. I had accepted it and did the best I could with my circumstances, but all these years later, Lucifer shows up and br
ings all this chaos with him. What was I supposed to do?
The shaking slowed and I fell silent, pressing into him and using his body as a cocoon of safety. I inhaled, his scent blanketing me in calmness. When I peered up, he was gazing at me as if I was the most important thing in the world. I shuddered and pressed further into him. He squeezed me and I sighed, dropping my face to his chest. Alarm bells went off in my head, but my body ignored it. I wanted to seep into his skin.
Just for a little while…
He moved and pulled me with him, lowering me onto the bed and sitting. I stared at the floor and I opened my mouth, everything pouring out. I told him about Lucifer and Gabriel. He listened, without a word. When I finished, I peered up at him. “Detective…” I started.
“Andrew. Call me Andrew,” he said.
“Andrew.” My stomach fluttered. “I don’t know what to do.”
He rubbed his jaw. “Maybe you should just talk to him,” he said.
I tensed as I looked at my hand on my knee. “I— ”
He leaned in, placing his hand over mine. “You don’t have to decide now. Give yourself time to process. I doubt he’s going anywhere.” I nodded, still looking at his fingers pressed to mine. “So Gabriel is your uncle?” he asked.
I shook my head. “They don’t have a gender.”
Andrew tilted his head. “They’re non-binary?” I nodded again. Heaviness fell over me, and all I wanted to do was to wrap myself around him and sleep. I stiffened, biting the inside of my cheek. What was wrong with me? I just met my father and I’m thinking of touching the Detective? I needed to get a grip. “You will get through this.” He touched my arm. Electricity followed the drag of his fingertips, my stomach flip-flopping.
“You don’t know that.” I murmured. Our eyes met and beats passed. Everything slowed as I squeezed my eyes shut, my head spinning. I leaned in, his breath wafting in my face. His lips brushed mine. I trembled.
My breath hitched as he licked, teasing the walls of my mouth with his tongue. Gripping my sides, the kiss grew deeper. I gasped, fisting his shirt and holding on for dear life. It went on and on. The force of the kiss knocked me off balance. I wrapped my arms around him as he pressed our bodies so close our clothed cocks rubbed together.