Redemption

Heaven and Hell 2: Redemption Emma Ray Garrett All rights reserved. Copyright ©2006 Emma Ray Garrett No part of this...

Author: Garrett Emma Ray

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Heaven and Hell 2: Redemption Emma Ray Garrett All rights reserved.

Copyright ©2006 Emma Ray Garrett

No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical

means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior

written permission from Changeling Press LLC.

ISBN (10) 1-59596-380-4

ISBN (13) 978-1-59596-380-2

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Publisher:

Changeling Press LLC

PO Box 1561

Shepherdstown, WV 25443-1561

www.ChangelingPress.com

Editor: Crystal Esau

Cover Artist: Bryan Keller

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

This book is dedicated to my Gpa. He might not have thought much of my take on the Holy Host, but he certainly would have been bursting with pride over the fact that I’d made my own dream come true. I miss you terribly and I love you even more! Go Cubbies! Also, many, many thanks to the real life Gemma Joyce. You have the best ideas I’ve ever heard! Thanks for letting me vent and hey… where are my furries?

Prologue “Let’s get right down to it, shall we?” Lucifer settled himself behind his massive desk and motioned The Almighty One to make Herself comfortable. “You were always one to skip the small talk.” A slight smile curved God’s mouth. “Well, no matter that we have eternity, I hate to waste time.” Lucifer touched the tip of his finger to the cigar hanging from his lips. It flared with flame and Lucifer puffed the stinking thing until the end glowed a deep red. God stopped herself from coughing, knowing her once favorite angel smoked just to irritate her. “So, Lucifer, what is it you needed to speak to me about so urgently?” God settled Herself deeper into the dark-brown leather of the chair. “You know what it’s about. Malina and Gabriel. And don’t give me any bullshit either. Falling from Your grace might have sucked, but it also made me just as omnipotent and omnipresent as You are. The way they’re going along, Malina will never meet her destiny and Your now favorite angel won’t find salvation either.” He leaned back in his own chair, slowly exhaling a cloud of sweet-smelling smoke. One virtue Lucifer had, in spades, was patience. He’d wait forever for Her answer. God sighed so softly that it might have been imagined, but Lucifer noticed anyway. “Gabriel is being a bit more obstinate than I thought. I’m open to suggestions at this point.” She folded Her hands in Her lap and leveled Her gaze at him. Lucifer nodded slightly, then flicked his wrist and sent the cigar into oblivion. He leaned his thick forearms against the desktop, his focus intent. “We’re gonna have to meddle some more. You realize that?” When She nodded, he looked away for a moment. “It’s time to bring out the Deadlies.” “I had hoped no more of My Archangels suffered from those.”

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Heaven and Hell 2: Redemption

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A light of humor danced in Her benevolent eyes and Lucifer couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, well, I’m sure Gabriel and I won’t be the last. Do you know which ones he’s susceptible to or should I tell you?” “Pride and Wrath.” “Lust too.” “You know, I could never figure out why that made it on the short list.” They dissolved into laughter, needing the tension breaker and the feeling of camaraderie. “What about Envy? We both know he’d be on fire with jealousy if…” Lucifer let his words trail off, not wanting to suggest what was on the tip of his tongue. The only way he could maintain his fatherly distance in this situation was if he thought of Gabriel and Malina as pieces in the Eternal Game, and not as his beloved daughter and her lover. Otherwise, he might go full on demonic all over Gabriel’s ass for being just that: an ass. “I think Pride and Wrath are good for now. I have the feeling Envy will show its ugly face without our help.” Her perfect lips pursed in a frown and a cloak of sadness fell over Her shoulders. Lucifer understood Her sorrow; he felt it himself in this instance. Nevertheless, letting emotions get in the way could cause a disaster the likes of which the writers of the Bible had never imagined. The destinies of both Holy and Hellish beings were laid out long before the creation of man or Earth. Each being was designed to fulfill a purpose. A purpose found beyond God or himself, beyond mankind and its trials and tribulations. Unlike the mythology, man wasn’t the only being God gave free will. She imbued all Her creations with it. However, the path of destiny for those beings born of Her light or his darkness were special. They had, imbedded along the road to the end, certain points that had to happen. One of Malina’s was but a few days away, and if he and God couldn’t get her to where she needed to be, all Hell would break loose, literally. “You know the master plan for the lives of angels, demons, and all the mixtures thereof has some serious flaws.”

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God jerked Her gaze to his and for a moment he thought She might reprimand him for his words. However, Wrath wasn’t something God took lightly. The spark of anger left Her eyes almost instantly. It flashed long enough to remind Lucifer that it wasn’t a good idea to piss Her off, ever. “Yes, I suppose it does. The plan was laid long before either of us existed. However we don’t have time to discuss history right now. Release the Deadlies, do your part, and I shall do whatever is necessary to make certain Malina is where she needs to be five days hence. Even if I have to take her there myself. It isn’t your time to reign.” Lucifer held his hands up in the universal sign of surrender. “I know, I know. I don’t want to yet anyway, for Chr… Sorry. I apologize.” God raised a delicate eyebrow at his almost blasphemous curse. “Hmmph. If we have to take this further, I will contact you in three days.” With a clap of thunder that nearly ruptured his eardrums, God was gone. “Damn it! I hate when She does that.” He shook his head to clear the ringing and stood from his seat. He moved to the locked cupboard behind the desk and said the spell to open the door. Lucifer reached inside the cabinet and selected what he needed. With a thought, he sent out Wrath and Pride, and said a silent prayer that this worked.

Chapter 1 Michael’s last class of the day was finally finished. When Raphael had taken over the Music and Magical Studies classes, Michael had offered to assume teaching Raph’s old courses. Thankfully, the Beings Identification class was the last one of the day. Teaching new cadets about the plethora of creatures out there was taxing, to say the least. As he gathered up his homework, he noted that the penmanship of most of his students left something to be desired. With a rueful shake of his head, God’s Beloved tucked his students’ work into a folder, picked up an eraser, and began clearing off the chalkboard. “Archangel.” Malina’s husky voice did things to Michael that he knew he should ignore. “Malina? What are you still doing here? Gabriel’s expecting you, I’m sure.” Michael set down the eraser and turned to face her. Malina was in his last class every day and always on time. She was an excellent student, though none of her classmates, or anyone else, knew it. He looked at Malina, taking in both her beautiful form and the sharp flash of intelligence in her eyes. Gabriel was a lucky man, of that Michael had no doubt. Today, she wore her bold, red mane loose around her shoulders, the strands curling slightly into thick ringlets. A bit of curiosity rose inside him, wondering why she’d curled her arrow straight hair, but he pushed it aside. The plain white T-shirt and blue jeans she wore were sexier on her voluptuous frame than the slinkiest lingerie, in Michael’s opinion. Realizing he needed to veer off the track his thoughts were moving along, he took a deep, calming breath. He focused on Malina’s face and tempered his body’s lusty response to his brother’s woman.

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“I wanted to give you my essay.” Her long-fingered hand held three sheets of paper out to him. Michael took the work from her and set it on his desk. Leaning a hip against the corner, he crossed his arms over his chest and met her clear blue gaze. “Do I even need to check it?” A hint of humor laced his tone, though Michael was serious. “I don’t want you to think I treat your class as a joke, Archangel.” “Why do you call me that? Michael would be fine.” “It’s your designation, isn’t it? I don’t want to appear too familiar with you. It’s probably in everyone’s best interests.” She smiled slightly, humor glittering in her eyes. “Since I want to show respect, I think Archangel sounds better than Teacher, Sir, or Mr. Michael.” Her smile grew, flashing perfect white teeth. Without being obvious, Malina took in the mouth-watering body in front of her. Where Gabriel was pale, Michael was dark. In fact, the two Archangels couldn’t be more different. Although she found Michael extremely appealing, and she was certain he felt the same about her, she couldn’t imagine acting on those feelings. Gabriel had claimed her heart and soul, and where those two went, the body followed. She couldn’t imagine a life without Gabriel, not even if it meant she could feel Michael’s hard body wrapped around her. What a body it was! Michael’s skin was the warm brown of Native Americans. It stretched tautly over his broad, muscled chest, flowing over his biceps, which bulged beneath the tunic style shirt he wore. His milk-chocolate hair was straight and long, pulled back in a queue that reached almost to his perfect ass. Malina should know. She’d eyeballed his posterior enough over the last several weeks. His eyes were also in opposition to Gabriel’s, a blue so sharp and light it seemed translucent. She stared into those piercing eyes and quelled her thoughts, aware of the angelic ability to glean thoughts from others. Malina knew her demonic side provided a buffer of sorts, but better safe than sorry. Gabriel wouldn’t appreciate her approval of Michael’s form. “I suppose it is better than the other options.” Michael gave a small laugh before standing straight again. “Would you like me to walk you to meet Gabriel? I imagine

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he’s finishing his battle class.” “That’d be great. Let me grab my bag.” Malina hurried to her chair, bending over to pick up her bag. She couldn’t help but giggle when she heard Michael’s sigh. “Sorry, Archangel.” “I really should learn to be quieter. Let’s get it out in the open then.” “Archangel, there isn’t anything to say. It’s perfectly normal for us to find each other attractive. However, nothing will come of it because I know you’d never do anything to hurt Gabriel, and you must know that neither would I.” Michael felt a twinge, knowing he had hurt Gabriel deeply once, long ago. Pushing aside his sad thoughts, he nodded to her. “You’re absolutely right. Besides, the more time I spend with you, the more I feel like we’d never be good lovers, but we could certainly be great friends.” Malina beamed up at him, and the lust simmering between them dissipated. He returned her smile fully before turning the conversation to a more pertinent topic. “Have you convinced him to let you join yet?” Michael was sorry he’d asked because her smile fell and her stance grew rigid. “No, but I’m going to do the work anyway. I can’t stand for people to see me as a woman placated. I’m serious about joining and I will, one way or another.” He watched her full lips thin with determination. He had to give her credit. Malina had the determination to accomplish anything she set her mind on. Michael knew getting Gabriel to agree to let Malina join the Protectorate was going to take a lot of patience and manipulation. “He’ll come around, eventually.” He placed his hand on her arm, letting her know he was on her side, but Malina sighed and shrugged him off. Michael let her. “We’d better get moving. It wouldn’t be a good idea to put The Hammer in a bad mood.” Tension strained her laugh. Michael tried for a reassuring smile, but failed as well. “Yeah, let’s go. I want to ask him a question myself.” Malina tossed her bag over her shoulder, and he tucked his papers beneath an

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arm. They left the room and made their way to the Training Center in silence. A few Protectorate cadets lingered outside Gabriel’s room, probably wanting to pick his mind for all the information they could, or worse, suck up in the hopes of getting off easy. Michael and Malina eyed the group then shared a smile, both of them thinking the same thing. Gabriel would fail God Herself if She couldn’t keep up with training. “Excuse us, cadets.” The small group parted to let them pass. Gabriel’s head came up when Malina entered the room. The student he was speaking to continued on, oblivious to the fact that his teacher’s thoughts had gone somewhere else. Michael watched the byplay between the woman at his side and the man he loved above all others, trying hard to keep the smile off his face and mirth out of his eyes. He cleared his throat. The cadet’s chatter stopped and Gabriel blinked, coming back to the present. “That’s all for now, Malachi. I’ll see you tomorrow.” “Yes, sir.” Malachi gathered his things and left the room, ushering the waiting crowd away as well. “Hey.” Malina walked up to Gabriel, leaving little space between their bodies, her voice pitched low. “Hey, yourself. Did you have a good day?” Gabriel’s arms encircled her back, bringing them so close their bodies touched. “It was all right, I guess. Are you ready to go home?” Her question sounded benign, but Gabriel flashed her a naughty smile before releasing her. “Just about. Hello, Michael.” The two men clasped arms and embraced warmly. “Gabriel, I wanted to ask you a couple of questions, if that’s okay.” “Sure. Malina, why don’t you go get yourself a snack while I speak with Michael?”

Chapter 2 Malina fumed silently as she made her way to the cafeteria. She couldn’t take much more of Gabriel’s attitude. Enough was enough. She’d thought that by giving herself over to him, by acquiescing to his wants, she could use a woman’s power to make him see things her way. She thought he cared for her, but in moments like those just past, she was certain nothing had really changed. He saw her as an object, his object. He could fool her smitten heart when they were alone and he took her in his arms and made sweet love to her, but in the harsh light of day, the truth was plain. The more time passed, the more certain she became that Gabriel would never allow her any freedom. Her frustration mounted, curling and changing within her heart, slowly metamorphosing into rage. If he pulls this shit one more time, that’s it! She stomped into the beverage line and angrily crossed her arms over her chest. Malina knew Gabriel was hiding something from her, something terrible and shameful he wouldn’t, or couldn’t, share with her. She felt it in her gut. Whatever his secret might be, it played a significant role in making him into the tortured Archangel he was. The secret was a festering wound that showed in the darkness she saw and sensed in his soul, and in the way he treated her. He had to be in control always, as if surrendering to anyone or anything would destroy what light remained in him. It wasn’t just with her that he acted in such a manner. He led his classes with the same ruthless control, pushing the cadets to their limits and sometimes beyond them. He wasn’t cruel, per se, but his demanding nature forced those around him to bow to his will or suffer the consequences. Gabriel showed his dissatisfaction in different ways: a failing grade, a cold and uninterested attitude, or disdain. Each response guaranteed to get his point across and make the subject of the punishment suffer the most. Gabriel’s

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disappointment was the kind of thing that people who cared about him, or cared about his opinion, couldn’t stand. The strong part of Malina reared its head, whispering dark thoughts. You’re good enough to fuck, but not good enough to be given soft words or love. You’re not good enough to join his precious Protectorate. He’s worried you’ll find someone else, or that his property might be damaged. Malina curled her lip, her anger seething and her sense of self screaming. There had to be some way to make Gabriel understand she loved him and that she’d do everything possible to keep herself safe. What enraged her even more than his attitude was that Gabriel didn’t think about how his position in the Protectorate affected her. She worried incessantly when he was gone on an assignment, terrified that he wouldn’t come back to her the same man who left. Yet she accepted the dangers and cherished the time she had with him more so for it. She was beginning to think the only things Gabriel cherished were her obedience and her skills in the bedroom. Her silent musings continued as she collected a soda and left the cafeteria, until she found herself outside Gabriel’s classroom again. Taking control of herself, calming her mind and anger, she took a deep breath and brought her chin up. She was about to enter when Michael’s voice drifted out to her. “You didn’t need to send her away, Gabriel. Nothing I have to ask is top secret or anything.” Malina heard him sigh. “She’s mine, Michael. She does as I command.” Gabriel’s arrogant response sparked her anger again but she suppressed it, listening intently. “Gabriel, she’s a living being, not a slave or a machine! Can’t you see what a wonderful gift you have in her?” Michael’s kind words warmed her, until she heard Gabriel’s response. “You want her, don’t you?” The menace in her lover’s voice was vivid and unmistakable. “A man would have to be a eunuch not to want her, you fool! Even so, she has no interest in me. It’s you she wants.”

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She managed a smile at Michael’s irritated reply. For a moment, she imagined the dark Archangel smacking Gabriel upside the head, trying to knock some sense into him. “You’re treading a thin line here, Gabriel. No matter how much she wants you, no one will suffer being treated as an object for long. Remember this.” Malina heard the rustle of feathers and backed away from the door quickly, not wanting either man to know she’d overheard them. Michael tromped out the door and turned back toward his classroom. His shoulders tensed after only a few feet and he turned back. Realization flashed across his face and Malina gave him a sad smile. His strong body slumped a bit. “I’m sorry you had to hear that, God knows, I really am.” He pitched his voice low, praying Gabriel wouldn’t overhear them. “It’s all right, Archangel. It’s better to go in with eyes wide open than blind to the obvious.” She raised her drink to him in a silent salute and proudly entered Gabriel’s room. Michael ran a hand roughly through his hair and spun on his heels, putting needed distance between himself and the couple.

*** Gabriel tried to cool his jealousy as he watched Malina come back into his room. Michael’s words had managed to shatter any happiness he might have felt. His meddlesome brother thought he could give advice on how Gabriel should take care of his woman. The idea that Michael had any clue how to deal with a half demon, Lucifer’s own daughter no less, was as amusing as it was infuriating. Gabriel knew how to deal with demons better than anyone did. “Are you ready to go now?” Her sultry voice stoked his jealousy into lust, and Gabriel decided he needed to reassure himself that he had Malina well in hand. “Not quite. Come here.” His command sounded rough and husky to his own ears. He watched as his meaning became clear to her. Her vibrant blue eyes grew smoky and her nipples peaked beneath her T-shirt.

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“Mmm, yes, Master.” Her throaty response filled his cock with blood and set his beastly desires to rattling their cages. He grunted in response to her words, each beat of his heart echoing into his pulsing hard on. He watched her with hooded eyes as she slowly descended the last few steps, bringing her into arm’s reach. She paused briefly, setting her glass on a nearby desk, before she brought her hands to curl around the bottom of her shirt. “Take it off, slowly, and release your tits. I want you to suck your nipples for me, Malina.” His hungry growl made her body shiver with anticipation as she did his bidding, even though her mind fumed at his treatment. Ever so deliberately, she peeled the top off, tossing it aside. Her long fingers reached behind her back, thrusting her heavy breasts upward as she undid the bindings of her bra. The pink satin straps slid down her arms, the cups catching on her ruby nipples. “Show them to me and do what I said.” Gabriel stroked a hand over the front of his pants, teasing his cock and soothing his lust at the same time. His hands itched to touch her, but he unzipped his fly instead, taking his rock hard cock into his hand and stroking its length slowly. She removed the bra and stepped closer to him, close enough that he could smell her arousal and see the pulse beat at the base of her throat. Malina cupped her right breast in her hand and brought the straining tip to her mouth. She kept her gaze locked on his obsidian orbs as she delicately flicked her pink tongue across the aching peak. His eyes closed as a soft grunt escaped his lips. A small measure of control flooded through her at his unbidden response, and she grabbed that feeling like a lifeline. It was time to show her Archangel her special gift.

Chapter 3 Malina had kept her secret from everyone, save her father. No one in Heaven or Hell knew about her ability to call the darkness within a soul. She could call it to her, like a pet, and unleash it to do her bidding or bend it to her will. She could have used this gift against Gabriel during their battle for control of this relationship, but her honor kept her from doing something she felt was akin to cheating. Now, though, after hearing his conversation with Michael, fury and ego welled up inside of her. If he thought she was a puppet, well, she’d show him just what a puppet was! Malina drew back her anger, careful not to let it overwhelm her and make her do something she’d regret. She had to tread lightly here, manipulate Gabriel’s darkness in such a fashion that he’d overlook the process for what it was. Her own darkness raged at her to hurt him as his words had wounded her, but the love she held in her heart refused to allow it. However, she could push him beyond his control, break him of his ever-present restraint for a moment, reaping all the wonderfully decadent effects and finding satisfaction in the knowledge that she controlled him for once. She knew beyond any doubt that, while Gabriel had taken her savagely before, he’d always held a bit of himself back. This time, though, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself. The idea of having a ravenous Gabriel between her thighs made her pussy swell and flood with juice. Her nipples hardened impossibly more and a flush colored her skin. Her breathing became ragged as she lifted her other hand to cup her left breast and laved her tongue across the turgid peak. Lust roared through her as she watched him stroke his cock until a drop of pearly moisture appeared at its tip. She spoke, careful to pitch her voice low and allow the sultry tone to mask her magic. “Is this what you want, Master?”

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The tendrils of her gift wound their way into Gabriel. She felt the connection like an electric shock, the moment she had him. It took her breath, the savagery inside him. Her pussy clenched and her mind spun. She gasped aloud at the sensations, her head falling back. For the first time, she almost lost control of her power as wave after wave of tormenting lust crashed through her. “Should I pull at them, Master?” Thicker she wove the strands of her gift. “Should I lie down and plunge my fingers into my hot, wet cunt? Tell me what you want of me.” Malina shuddered at her own words, wanting to abandon her throbbing breasts in order to rub furiously at her vibrating clit. She heard the beginnings of a growl rumble from Gabriel, and she met his gaze. She drew a harsh breath, stunned at the fire burning from his eyes, watching as her gift forced him past the edge. Malina’s voice did things to Gabriel that he couldn’t control. The sound of it wound through him, beckoning the beast within. He struggled against her alluring pose, against the savage thing inside that wanted to conquer her. Her questions burned into him, flooding his mind with vivid images and finally bringing the shadows within him to brilliant life. The sight of her pink tongue caressing her hot little nipples had pushed him to the edge of his restraint. Her wanton gasp and the smell of her liquid heat hung heavy in the air. Malina’s responses pulled a low, deep growl from his belly. She met his eyes once more and pressed her fingertips to her nipples. When she pinched them hard and pulled them slightly away from her body, he lost it. The darkness welled up and brought with it the beast he kept under lock and key. Gabriel’s massive body shuddered and rippled, a collage of black scales erupting over his skin in patches along his shoulders and rock hard belly. His wings shook furiously, shedding their feathers and growing a thick, leathery skin. His fingers lengthened, razor sharp talons exploding from their tips. His entire body expanded, becoming a full foot taller and twice as muscular. His cock grew thicker and longer, the shaft deepening to a dark purple, the head becoming a vibrant crimson. Malina gasped, lust pushed aside for a moment as icy fear danced up her spine.

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What have I done? The man before her was a terrifying mix of wicked virtue, still angelic but tainted with the marks of Hell. She stood transfixed as Gabriel threw his head back and roared, his bellow shaking the very floor beneath her feet. “Malina.” That one word, spoken in the tones of Hell, flooded her with raw need. The sexual longing in his voice, the strength of his lust, poured into the way he said her name, flowing from his darkness, down the lines of her power, and straight into her dripping pussy. Malina’s knees buckled, her body sliding to the floor, on the verge of orgasm just from the force of his craving. Never had she felt so much power, her connection to his darkness making her vulnerable to his all-consuming emotions. “Come to me!” Each word he spoke sent a pulse of heat into her body, contracting her pussy and releasing sizzling liquid desire from her body. She had to get control before he sucked her in so far she couldn’t find her way back out. When she failed to move, he took a step toward her. His movements made her skitter backward. “No! Do not run. Malina, I have no control over this side of myself. If you run, I will hunt you. I don’t want to hurt you. Do as I commanded and come to me.” What remained of the Archangel inside of Gabriel helped to push back the haze of animalistic intent long enough for him to warn Malina against her actions. The clarity he had wouldn’t last long. Certainly not long enough to push aside his perverse desire to chase her down and mount her, to claim her harshly for her tormenting actions. She felt his light fight for control. As he gave her the warning, her head stopped spinning and gave her the time she needed to regain her composure. She tightened the lines of her power, shuddering with the effort, but she maintained command of her magic. Malina looked down the curves of her body, from her swollen breasts to the obvious dampness on the denim covering her pussy. She thought the rest of her clothes away and spread her legs, showing Gabriel her wetness, flagrantly displaying her pussy before reaching a hand between her thighs. She raised her eyes to his, electric blue to

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inky black, and parted her folds. She flicked her tongue out to dampen her dry lips, then, without warning, she plunged two fingers past her slick folds and deep into her aching cunt. “Ah, Master! Ah, it feels so good! I’m going to make myself come, Master, and then you are going to come and lick me clean!” Her words held him immobile, her gift doing what his dominion would not allow. Without breaking eye contact, she plumbed her depths over and over. She brought her other hand into play, rubbing her clit roughly back and forth in a hard strumming motion. Her pussy contracted, so close to the ultimate goal. She added a third finger to her cunt, then a fourth, pounding into herself with a fury to match the lust in Gabriel’s body. Dropping her eyes to his cock, she imagined the now monstrous member plowing into her, fucking her hard and deep and fast, and her orgasm burst. She cried out, moaning loudly as she ground her hips down on her hand, forcing her juices out with each clench of her body. Gabriel wanted to punish her for disobeying him and worship her at the same time. A tiny part of his brain wondered why he hadn’t gone to her and fallen on her like the beast he was, but lust and need squashed any thoughts besides those of pounding into her body. His cock throbbed, bobbing up and down, pre-come slowly dripping from its tip as he watched her take her fingers from her own body and lick them clean. He could see aftershocks fluttering the wet, red opening of her cunt, but he still couldn’t go to her, as if he were held immobile by an unseen hand. “Oh, Master. I taste so good. Please come and run your tongue over me. Taste me, Master, please.” Finally goaded into movement, he stalked to her, lowering himself to the floor, shuddering when his naked belly brushed the cool stones. Her long fingers threaded through his silken, white hair as she guided his face between her legs. The first pass of his tongue between her lips made Malina buck. Strong hands grasped her hips, holding her still as Gabriel did exactly as she bade. His lips, teeth, and tongue danced over her pussy, gathering every drop of her release. His talons pricked

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her flesh as he kept her immobile for his ministrations. She felt a new orgasm building, bigger and more furious than the last, and still he lapped up her juices. He relished each flood of fluid from her body, pulling back each time she neared the edge, until her body screamed at her to finish this. She had total control now; she had to tell him what she needed. “Master, do you want to fuck me?” A low grunt and the nip of his teeth against her sensitive lips made her cry out. “Master, I need your cock! Master, please!” Unable to maintain focus any longer, Malina severed the tendrils of her magic, releasing Gabriel from her control. Gabriel felt something snap inside him, settling back into place. Malina’s breathless questions and her pleading tone shook him to the core, clearing his mind. He loved hearing her voice that way, filled with need and dependent on him to give her the release she craved. He reared up from between her legs, his face coated with her juice. Releasing her hip, he took his monstrous cock in hand, sliding the copious pre-come down its length. He had to finish this with her as he was, and he knew the size of his cock would stretch her to the point of pain. He shoved her legs back, bent at the knees, and spread them wide. “Open yourself to me, Malina.” He watched as her fingers spread her lower lips apart, watched as he pushed the now crimson head of his demonic cock against her dripping opening. He placed his hands on her thighs, tilting her hips just a little. He met her gaze, saw what she wanted painted clearly on her face, and he gave it to her. “Fuck yes! Take me!” Gabriel plunged his cock into her cunt, no slow glide or careful penetration, but a burning, savage conquest. He pulled the massive length out slowly before ramming into her deeper than before. She grunted as he butted up against her cervix, the pain intense but wiped away by the overwhelming feeling of being stuffed full of him. “Yes, Master!” Gabriel continued his onslaught, pounding his cock deep into her welcoming

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body. The tight grip of her pussy stroking him, the heat of her juices searing him, her uninhibited response spurring him on, harder and faster. The sucking sounds of hard fucking filled the room, and Gabriel watched her greedy little cunt take all of him and beg for more. He moved his left hand down to the apex of her thighs, careful to place the pad of his thumb against her clit. He pressed against the tiny, swollen nub, calling out when her body contracted along his length. “Yes! Come for me, Malina!” Her scream of release made him want to pound his chest with savage satisfaction, but instead he thrust deep, holding himself still, leaning over her to clutch her shoulders as she thrashed and bucked. She came apart in his arms and he relished it. When she had begun to relax, the aftershocks slowing, Gabriel eased off her, dragging his heavily engorged cock from between her sensitive lips. She shuddered, whimpering at his retreat. Carefully, he lifted her into his arms. She was nearly asleep as he said the words to take them to his lair. He wasn’t done with her yet, but he needed to jail the beast before he found his own release in her welcoming depths.

Chapter 4 “You’re such a fucking weirdo, Luc.” “Thanks, Lil. You’re making me feel all warm and cozy inside.” He sneered and stalked away from his best friend, Lily. He felt alone for the first time in his life, finally abandoned by the one person who had always been there for him. “Luc, wait!” He didn’t turn back, but he slowed his steps when he heard hers pounding to catch up with him. “Hey, I’m sorry. You know I didn’t really mean that, but shit! You can’t go telling me you summoned a demon and expect me to just buy it. Do I look stupid or something?” Lily’s small hand wrapped around his forearm and Luc felt the unsettling rush of blood to his dick. In the last year, being near Lily had become torture but he refused to fuck up their lifelong friendship with sex. The fact that he wanted her until his sixteen-, almost seventeen-year-old, teeth ached was just something he had to deal with. “You think I’m making it up? Lily, when have I ever lied to you?” He turned his head, his moss green eyes connecting with her warm brown ones. She flushed a little, a soft pink hue coloring her face. The blush made Luc’s blood pound with the overwhelming urge to press his mouth to hers. “Never. I mean, I know you have psychic powers.” A nervous giggle escaped her. “Remember when you had that fit in the woods when we were eight? You tore full grown pine trees from the ground and tossed them about like toothpicks with your mind. But this is scary, Luc. It’s dangerous.” “No, Lil. That’s what I was trying to tell you. It’s like they have to do what I say.” A few weeks ago, after yet another beating from his foster father, Luc Seraph had run from his house, down the hill behind it, and into the woods. He’d raged at the unfairness of it all and had wished for a moment that he’d had the power to strike back

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at the man who had made his life a living hell for as long as he could remember. His bitch of a foster mother didn’t help, egging the asshole on just to watch him kick the shit out of Luc. He didn’t know what he’d said, but suddenly a creature from out of a nightmare had appeared before his eyes. He’d been terrified, yelling at it to get away from him, to go back where it came from. Amazingly, the thing had disappeared as quickly as it had arrived. After he’d calmed down and had time to think about what had happened, an idea had formed. He’d tried for hours to repeat whatever he had done, but finally he had given up and snuck back into the house. That night he’d made a decision. He wasn’t going to take another moment of this shit. He’d rather die than spend another night there. Subsequently, he’d packed what little he could call his, and he hadn’t been back since. He’d gone to Lil’s house and had hoped the welcome he always received there would hold true when he needed it most. Lily’s mother, Aurora, had taken him in. She’d never asked questions about his cuts and bruises. She’d always welcomed him into her home before, this last time for good. The love and safety he felt in Aurora’s presence made his growing lust for Lily even more difficult to bear. He didn’t know how much longer he could stay there, but he had to try. Not only for the sake of his friendship with Lily, but also for the security their home gave him. Lil’s voice brought him back to the present. “I don’t care what you think! You shouldn’t be messing around with that shit.” Luc thinned his lips, but kept his comments to himself. Since that first night, Luc had been practicing calling a demon, and last evening he’d finally succeeded. He’d called a demon and told it to stand on its head. It had complied without a hitch. So, he’d tried a few more things, all with success. By the time he’d sent it back to where it came from, energy filled him. A dark power for sure, an evil that part of him rebelled against and warned him not to succumb to, not to be swayed by. But he’d ignored that voice, certain he had control of things and overjoyed at the idea of finally having the ability to strike back at those who tormented him. To finally have control of his life was a heady

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thing indeed. He looked at Lily and felt the shadow within him rise. Shocking thoughts and images flooded his mind, erotic and depraved things he wanted to do to Lily, with her. Luc stumbled back from her, his disgust pushing the shadow back. “Luc, what’s wrong?” The concern in her voice moved him, soothing him and making him want to reassure her. “Nothing. Hey, don’t worry. I’ll be careful, Lil.” She pursed her lush, pink lips at him, before grinning and shaking her head. “Okay. Hey, you want to go to the park? I heard Slay Them All is doing a free concert this afternoon.” In that moment, Luc couldn’t have denied her anything. “Sure, let’s go.” She smiled broadly and linked her arm through his. Happiness and contentment filled Luc, and he almost forgot the dark images he’d had. Almost.

*** Gemma Joyce watched the two teens stroll down the street toward the park. If she hadn’t gotten the call from Aurora Charity, she might have overlooked the boy. He wasn’t the typical foundling, abandoned on the street or in the woods to die. He wasn’t a typical vampire either. If he could call and control demons, one or both of his parents were extraordinarily powerful. It was a most interesting twist, a vampire with such amazing gifts, received at such a volatile age. Vampire. Gemma laughed to herself. If mankind had any idea just how wrong Mr. Stoker had been, there’d be panic in the streets. A vampire wasn’t some night creature, cursed by God and soulless. Well, at least not at first. A vampire was a half-breed, the result of a fertile union between the unholy and the holy. Half demon, half angel, vampires walked in the sun, they ate garlic, and crossed running water. Religious artifacts had no effect on those vampires who embraced their angelic half, and little effect on those who embraced the demon within.

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Silver bullets didn’t mean shit; neither did a stake through the heart. The only way to kill a vampire was to release their soul, either by magic or through faith. Vampires could ‘die’ anytime they liked, simply by releasing their soul into the arms of the Almighty or Lucifer. In order to kill one, you had to tear their soul from their body and do the liberation through magical means. Gemma knew all about that, having lived more than three thousand years as a vampire. She’d sent too many of her brethren to their rest to count, but she refused to go yet. Her life’s goal was to find foundlings, the children cast aside by their biological parents to live or die as fate decided. It infuriated her to think how callously some creatures could toss away an innocent life. Gemma found the forgotten ones, her foundlings, took them to her compound, and taught them who and what they were. Giving them the gift of knowledge, something she’d had to gain on her own. She helped the foundlings, regardless of whether they chose to follow a light path or dark, to discover and wield their powers and to understand their past. Moreover, she provided them with comfort and security. After three millennia, she had more money than could be imagined and she put every penny of it to good use. Gemma focused on the retreating couple once again. Pulling out her cell phone, she started to dial Aurora, then stopped. This one might end up being a bigger problem than even Gemma could handle. After all, how did one who was half demon fight against something that could control such beings? All vampires shared certain superhuman gifts. They all had near immortal longevity, psychic powers, and the ability to use magic. Every vampire was born with a certain amount of magical gifts which grew as they aged, as well as exceptional eyesight, hearing, and freakish strength. Vampires born of upper level demons and Archangels received unique powers called Singularities. Her own father was Remiel, the Angel of Hope, and her mother was Lilith. The first wife of Adam, the woman who’d told God she wanted out of the relationship because Adam was a crappy lay. Lilith had gotten her way; God had cast her out of Eden. She’d left and hooked

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up with some demon, but she’d grown bored and had sought out a lover. She’d found Remiel, seduced him, and Gemma was the result of their one night together. Her mother had kept Gemma for seven years before the demon Lilith called husband forced her to abandon her baby. Gemma spoke to her mother every now and then, but she’d never met her father. By the time she’d thought to ask her mother about him, Lilith had told her that Remiel resided only in Heaven, having removed himself from the temptation of Earth some five hundred years after her birth. Remiel knew he had a daughter, but he wouldn’t come to Earth to see her. The long buried child within her wept at that, but Gemma refused to think about her father. Eventually she’d see the being who’d fathered her, but not until some things changed on Earth. Not until the Protectorate joined her bandwagon and took over the duties she’d shouldered alone for so long. Thoughts of the Protectorate sent anger thrumming through her blood. She’d only go to those bastards if she had no choice. Heaven and Hell knew what she did on Earth, but no one had ever tried to help her in her quest nor had vampires stopped being born. Time and again, she’d contacted the Protectorate to ask for help, but she’d never received a reply. It was as if no other soul alive could be bothered to help and care for vampires. Gemma knew her opinion wasn’t wholly true; some angels and demons raised their half breed children, but the number who did were far outweighed by those who left the children like seeds to be carried as the wind wishes. Her logical side reared its ugly head, whispering that she might need the Protectorate’s help this time. The boy's power might well be beyond even her substantial gifts. Gemma pushed aside logic, letting the old pain in her heart lead her. With a snort, she finished dialing Aurora’s number and waited for the woman to answer.

Chapter 5 Malina awoke in the bed she shared with Gabriel, as warm and satisfied as a cat that got the canary. Her body was still deliciously sore, though she knew any damage had healed. Without opening her eyes, she stretched her arm out, searching for Gabriel’s strong body. Only soft blankets and the remnants of his body heat greeted her searching hand. She opened her eyes and sat up slowly, pushing her thick red hair out of her face. Scanning the room, she found her lover sitting at the small table on the opposite side of the room, staring intently at her. “What are you doing?” Gabriel sat straighter in his chair, crossing his arms over his massive, naked chest. “Thinking,” he replied without emotion. Anger flared inside her that he could be so cold whenever he wished. “About what?” She kept her voice calm, though she couldn’t hide her irritation as well as he. “What you saw and what I did. That beast has been with me for a long time, but I have never lost control like that and allowed it to take over.” “I wasn’t afraid, Gabriel. You didn’t hurt me. Do you want to talk about it?” Her hesitant question hung in the space between them. “No.” His face grew hard for a moment, before his body relaxed. Passion flared in his obsidian eyes. “I want to fuck you.” Malina couldn’t stop the answering clench of her body, the instantaneous need that readied her for his domination. She murmured something incoherent as Gabriel rose from his seat and strode toward her, his cock rigid and his eyes hooded. She tossed the covers aside, spreading her arms and her thighs, beckoning him to

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her. Gabriel sank down over her, settling himself between her legs. He lowered his mouth to hers, softly claiming the plump flesh before sliding his tongue along the seam. She opened to him and he swept inside, tasting her need, reveling in the sweet and hot flavor unique to Malina. He craved her like a drug, though he fought his need with everything in him. He had given part of himself to her that he couldn’t get back, but he refused to allow her to rule him. He couldn’t let himself be vulnerable to her, to anyone ever again. Pushing his disturbing thoughts aside, he slid his mouth from hers and down the silken line of her throat. He nipped the curve of her neck, smiling against her skin when she shuddered and lifted her hips toward him. Finally, he took one blood red nipple, rolling it against his teeth and stroking it with his tongue. She arched her back, trying to shove her breast into his mouth, and he obliged her. Suckling strongly on the rigid tip, he drew more of her luscious flesh into his mouth, biting down just hard enough to ride the line between pleasure and pain. He felt a rush of moisture bathe the head of his cock as he abandoned the first nipple and moved to the other. Malina writhed beneath him, moans and whimpers spilling from her lips, her breath coming in ragged gulps. When her need reached a fevered pitch, he levered himself up onto his forearms and slowly slid home. The deliberate thrust of his cock into her body both teased and satisfied Malina’s desire. He felt so good buried to the balls in her pussy. As if he were made for her and she for him. She opened her eyes to look into his, to see the power their joining had over him. He held his body just above her, the tiny buds of his nipples scraping against her own, and the bone of his pelvis creating luscious friction against her clit. He withdrew his whole cock from her before gliding back in, slow, sweet, and hard. The care he showed her, the intensity firing in his eyes, forced her love for him to swell her heart. She closed her eyes and turned her head, not wanting him to see the devastating effect this lovemaking had on her. For that’s what it felt like, it felt like Gabriel was making love to her. She couldn’t bear for him to see her feelings in her eyes if he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, reciprocate them.

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“Look at me, Malina. I need to see your beautiful blue eyes flash when I make you come.” He punctuated his request with a harder thrust, a deeper thrust. Her eyes flew open, her face turned toward him again. He held her gaze trapped as he quickened his pace. Soon he was plunging in and out of her wet pussy, his balls smacking her ass, her cunt rippling around him. An emotion he couldn’t identify flashed in her eyes before he felt her let go, a warmth and acceptance he’d never thought he’d see. He pounded into her as hard and as fast as he could, never releasing her gaze. He felt the first contraction ripple through her, a gush of her juices bathed his balls, and her mouth opened in a soundless scream. “God, yes! I’m going to come, Malina. I’m going to fill you with my seed!” He reared back from her, looping his arms under her knees and spreading her wider. He watched his cock pound into her, saw it shine, coated with her juices. He stared as her lips engulfed him, felt her cunt throb with each hard plunge of his cock. When the fluid of turned creamy and she bore down on his cock as if to capture it forever within her, Gabriel gave up the ghost and howled as he came. Ramming his cock deep, he relished the near painful throb of his balls as his come shot deep into Malina. He pulled out of her, entranced by the spill of their mingled fluids from her opening, before plunging back in for two, three, four more strokes and the final enormous ejaculation from his cock. He collapsed on top of her, drained and sated, content and at peace. Her fingers sifted through his curls, and he thought he heard her whisper something just before he drifted off. He thought she’d said, “I love you, Gabriel.”

Chapter 6 “Michael, thank you for coming so quickly.” God embraced one of Her most beloved Archangels warmly, then motioned for him to make himself comfortable. God’s office looked nothing like Lucifer’s library. She’d decorated it with a soft palette of pastel pinks, blues, and greens. What furniture She had was large and overstuffed, covered in supple fabrics that relaxed the visitor and welcomed him as well. Everything in God’s space was serene, from the subtle scent of myrrh floating in the air to the muted strains of angelic music that tickled the ear. Coming here reminded Michael of being in Her embrace, blessed, loved, and at home. He sat himself across from God on a long couch, careful to sit close but not too close. Listening to Her voice was uncomfortable for everyone, even an Archangel. “Michael, how is Malina doing?” Warm-hearted Michael couldn’t keep the sadness from his face. “She is a spectacular student, both academically and in combat maneuvers. However…” He stopped. “Yes, I know. Gabriel. I am looking into matters as we speak. Do you think she is ready for a field test?” “Yes. Why?” Curiosity flashed in his eyes, belying the level tone of his question. “That doesn’t matter right now. What matters is that we have a problem I’d like you to look into. Aurora Charity contacted me today.” “The Virtue? How’s she doing?” “Fine. Becoming the living embodiment of a virtue can be a little tough on humans, but she took it all in stride. She’s raising her daughter on Earth, as a human. I wish…” God’s sigh sent a ping of hurt through Michael. “I know, Almighty One. I

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understand why some classes of angels abandon their children, but when Archangels do it, it’s upsetting for me as well.” Michael’s ire rose with each word. He took a deep breath, calming himself before speaking again. “What did she want?” “To tell me that the boy in her home is a vampire and that his gifts are considerable.” “How old is he?” “The same age as her daughter, sixteen mortal years, almost seventeen. It seems he has manifested a Singularity.” “Are you serious?” She nodded. “Obviously, this boy has powerful parents. Aurora told me his name is Luc Seraph. She said he is the spitting image of Lucifer.” “Lucifer’s child? How can this be?” Michael absorbed what God told him for a moment, part of the boy’s name sparking an idea. “You said his name is Luc Seraph? Seraph can only be one thing.” “Yes, Michael. His mother is a Seraphim.” God took a deep breath. “I’ll tell you how this happened, but you must keep it to yourself. Ten years after Isobel died, I realized Lucifer was taking her passing much harder than I’d anticipated. Oh, he loved Malina with all he had and he did the best he could for her, but things in Hell had started to slip. Demons were getting out of control; some of the most powerful were talking about a mutiny.” God looked away from Michael, not wanting to show how much the turmoil in Hell had disturbed her. “I remember.” Michael nodded at Her to continue. “I wanted to send Isobel back to him, again, if only to relieve his grief. However, she cautioned me against it. Losing her the first time had been extremely hard for him. When I sent her back to visit when Malina was 10, it was even worse. Isobel told me if I sent her ever again, he’d be out of control when she had to return to Heaven. Instead, Isobel suggested I send a Seraphim. The idea was that the Seraphim would go to him, fill him with hope and heal his heart, and that things in Hell would get back to normal. “So I sent the Seraphim to Lucifer. It wasn’t long before things settled down and

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I was pleased. I only recently learned that the Seraphim had given birth and abandoned the child in an orphanage on Earth. I wanted to tell Lucifer immediately, but I didn’t want to upset the peace between us. Besides, by the time I found out, the child was sixteen mortal years old. Time is so different here.” She laughed to ease the tension. “So how did You find out about him, if I may be so bold? And how was the Seraphim able to hide her child from Your omnipresence and Lucifer’s, for that matter?” “The hiding of it was easy enough, I suppose. I recognized the baby and blessed him, but with so many being born every moment, I no longer record each child’s family line in my mind. I leave that to Peter, as you know, and I’m sure he thought nothing of Lucifer planting his seed and walking away. I tell you, my Son’s Apostles can be a serious pain in the rear.” Michael laughed heartily, in one hundred percent agreement with God on that point. God smiled beatifically and relaxed. “Aurora,” She continued, “contacted me a little over a mortal year ago. She told me about a boy who’d been best friends with her daughter since the two were small children. She told me what she knew of his story. His foster parents have been physically abusive since the boy came to their home. It was a sad story, but not unlike the tale of many vampires. It wasn’t until she told me she’d seen him use his psychic gifts at age six that I became intrigued. Aurora said he was enormously talented, gifted far beyond any vampire she’d seen. “Moreover, he’d come into his gifts years before the onset of puberty, when they normally become apparent. She’d never said anything to the boy about what she’d seen. No, she did what I created her to do. She took him into her heart and home. One other thing she noted was that the boy was the spitting image of The Prince of Darkness. When those words left her lips, I immediately sought out the boy’s soul and the truth was plain to see. He is Lucifer’s son.” Michael remained quiet and allowed God to explain Herself at her pace. He sensed Her disappointment in Herself, but he refrained from trying to make Her feel

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better. It wasn’t his place to console the Almighty; it was his place to do Her will. “Anyway, Aurora has kept me apprised throughout the last year. I hadn’t heard from her in nearly five mortal months when she called on me a few weeks ago. She feared the boy had come into his Singularity.” Michael couldn’t hold back his gasp, his eyes widening in shock. “Vampires don’t come into a Singularity until they first take blood! That doesn’t happen until after they’ve finished going through puberty. She must have been mistaken, my Lord. That isn’t possible!” God shook Her head and finished the story. “You know Singularities appear alongside the need for blood, after puberty, for a reason. The vampire is then fully mature and hopefully beyond the emotional and hormonal imbalance of pubescence. If Aurora was right and our young vampire was indeed gaining his Singularity so young, well, I don’t have to tell you that not all Singularities are good.” Michael grinned as his surprise waned and laughed softly. “No, You don’t have to tell me that.” “I knew Aurora Charity couldn’t watch the boy night and day, so I asked her if she knew of someone who might be able to do so. She said she did, and I told her to obtain this being’s services and to keep me updated. I spoke with her before I summoned you. The news isn’t good. The boy has indeed come into his Singularity and his gift is terrifying. He can call and control demons.” Michael’s eyes flashed as understanding dawned. None but Lucifer himself could direct demons against their will. The repercussions of a vampire still in the throes of human adolescence, with that same ability, were indeed nightmarish. He could conceivably unleash Hell on Earth, provoked into doing so by the harsh turn of a phrase or the bullying human teenagers visited upon one another. “And Lucifer? What does he know?” “Nothing yet. To answer your earlier question, I imagine the boy slipped beneath his radar much as he did my own. There are so many things demonic on Earth, it’s quite possible that Lucifer simply hasn’t had the need to recognize him. However, when the

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child uses his gift and uses it in a big way, it’ll register. Then I am going to have one pissed off Prince of Darkness on my hands.” God smiled wistfully and Michael sighed. “We have to find him, stop him. We can’t let a hotheaded boy bring about Armageddon. I’m sure that’s why You summoned me here.” Michael rose from his seat and began to pace the room. “Michael, do you know about the Line of Ahura Mazda?” “Yes. It’s the web of destiny all holy or unholy creations follow, willingly or no. A misstep can upset the balance of virtue and sin, light and dark, in man’s world and in ours.” “Exactly. Humans would never understand that predestination is not a solid thing, but a mutable one. They believe either they control destiny or I do, when in fact it’s both. But I have little control over which destiny humans seek.” God laughed humorlessly. “I don’t have much control over the destinies of any creature. That’s the only problem with The Line. Those of you who are not fully human have an impact on the universe beyond even my power. If you’ll remember, Azriel’s refusal to follow my suggestions in the nineteen thirties led to The Holocaust on Earth.” “What has the Line got to do with Luc Seraph and his gifts?” “Do you remember what I asked you when you first arrived here?” Michael’s head spun. He thought back over their conversation, the faint thread of the beginning growing brighter in his mind. “You asked about Malina.” God was proud beyond measure when she saw the light of understanding fill her most logical Archangel’s warm, blue eyes. “She’s the key to this situation, isn’t she?” “Yes. If she isn’t in place in three days time, Lucifer will begin his reign on Earth, a full three millennia early.” “I see.” “Yes, well, right now, I see her getting there one of two ways. Either Gabriel gives in or Malina lashes out. I hope for the first, but I’m more certain of the second. Either way, if I have to physically take her there myself, she will be where she must be.”

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“Then what do You need from me? It seems like You have it all worked out.” Michael was cautious in his wording. Only those who were stupid, or Lucifer, questioned The Almighty’s motives. “A lot can happen in three days. Keep in mind that Luc has to be there in three days as well. Otherwise, yet another complication will arise. If he’s tempted or pushed to use his gift before that time… Well, I need you to be on Earth, in Detroit, Michigan in fact, to help prevent it. Keep an eye on him. Try not to interfere with him, just keep watch. I want you to make contact with Gemma Joyce. She’s the one who’s been tracking the boy. Gemma’s an ancient vampire, one of the first.” “Remiel and Lilith’s daughter?” Michael had seen the woman once, and her image still burned in his mind. “You know her?” God arched a brow. “Not like that, Almighty One.” Michael laughed even as arousal pulsed to his cock. “I’ll go to her immediately. Don’t worry, I’ll help keep the boy safe and untested until the time comes.” “I wish you all my speed and patience. Teenagers are no picnic.” God’s soft laughter followed Michael from Her office and down the Hallway of Immortality. He had a feeling he had his work cut out for him.

Chapter 7 “Archangel.” Michael stopped gearing up and turned at the soft voice. “Malina! What are you doing here?” “I have to speak with you. About Gabriel.” Malina crossed the threshold into Michael’s personal chambers, her movements certain but her eyes wary. “Malina, I really don’t think you should be here. If Gabriel finds you here, there’ll be Hell to pay.” Her full lips curved in a small smile. “Yeah, well there’s gonna be Hell to pay either way. Where are your wings?” “I have to go to Earth. They stand out a bit.” Malina tried for another smile, but failed. Michael sighed and placed the boots he had been in the middle of putting on, back on the floor. He motioned for her to sit in the comfortable blue chair at the end of the bed. Moving to the footboard, Michael perched himself atop the heavy wooden cross bar and folded his hands in his lap. “What do you want to know?” “I want to know what happened to create a semi demon to live in his soul.” Malina leaned back in the chair, gently stroking her hands along the luxurious covering, refusing to look away from him. “I can’t tell you that.” Michael avoided her gaze, wishing she’d asked him anything but that, the one thing he couldn’t share. “I can see it taints you as well. Please tell me. I love him. I want to heal him, I want his love, and I can’t have those things without your help.” “Please understand, Malina, it is not my place to discuss this with you. You’ll have to ask Gabriel. I’m sorry.” Michael slid from the bed frame and went back to his

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boots. The conversation was over as far as he was concerned. “Michael.” His name on her lips for the first time shook him. “Malina, I can’t. I gave my word.” “Please, do not make me force you to do this.” Her voice and body language implored him, but he couldn’t bend on this matter. Malina stood. She moved to the Archangel’s side and waited for him to respond. She knew she was on a precipice and that Michael might never forgive her. The thought saddened her, but was inconsequential in the scheme of things. After the lovemaking she’d shared with Gabriel just hours before, she’d made some decisions. She couldn’t hide how she felt from him anymore. She couldn’t allow him to relegate her to object status, save for when they were in bed. She couldn’t continue to leave herself open to pain without knowing why. Michael’s head snapped up. His blue eyes narrowed, and he shoved his feet into his boots. “You can do no such thing, Malina. Just let it go.” “I can’t! Damn it, don’t you see? I’ve subjugated myself to him, given him everything he needs and desires, and still he doesn’t see me! I’ve tried everything, gone the hard way and the easy one. I have to know why he is this way. Why he won’t listen to me, why he won’t let me follow my dreams, why he seems to love me when his cock’s buried deep inside my body but not when we are anywhere else, at any other time! Why? Why?!” Her eyes flashed with pain, the shine of tears apparent. She refused to cry, closing her eyes until the moisture disappeared. Strong arms wrapped around her, the smell of earth and hope surrounding her. Malina held herself stiff in Michael’s embrace, knowing if she gave in, the tears she’d fought back would flow from her uncontrollably. She opened her eyes and looked into his, searching for a glimpse of Michael’s thoughts. His warm eyes showed compassion, but also strong resolve. Malina laid her forehead against his strong chest. “Forgive me,” she whispered. Her words threaded through him, burrowing into the small dark place within

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him that hid Gabriel’s secret. She brought her hands up to Michael’s chest, slowly sliding them into his thick brown hair, before lifting her head and locking her sapphire eyes to his. “What have you done?” Michael tried to pull away from her, but he couldn’t. “Show me, Michael. Tell me what I need to know.” Malina’s power took control of Michael and, too late, he realized he had underestimated her. She had a gift he couldn’t fathom and she was going to pull the memories from his mind. No, that wasn’t right, he was going to give them to her. He couldn’t refuse her command. Images poured from his mind to hers and his mouth opened as he began to speak of the private hell Gabriel had endured, breaking his vow to never speak of it to anyone. As his words poured forth, the images in his mind burned Malina. Seeing Gabriel broken, demonic underlings of the demon Set torturing him. She saw him beaten relentlessly, heard his bones snap, saw his glorious wings destroyed. It was almost too much. When she heard him forsake God, she wanted to stop, but she kept going. Watching and listening, absorbing all the pain and truth she could bear from Michael. The images suddenly changed into a conversation with God, a story about a boy, Malina, and Lucifer. Disjointed pictures flooded her mind, confusing and out of order. Amidst the mystifying impressions, Malina saw one thing clearly. She had a destiny to meet, and if she let Gabriel continue to dictate her life, she would be partially responsible for the loss of many innocents. After a moment more, she couldn’t continue. She tore away from Michael, taking her magic with her, and collapsed to the floor. As the reality of what had happened to Gabriel solidified in her mind, anguished sobs exploded from her chest, her own heart breaking at the horrifying things the demons had done to him. Her soul ached at what he had done to himself. How could she fix what he refused to acknowledge? How could she heal him when he rejected any thought of being vulnerable again?

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Now she understood. Now she saw what was wrong inside Gabriel’s soul. Despair took hold of her as she realized he would never allow her close enough to him that her love might repair the damage done. She had thought she could be what he needed, that in time he’d want nothing but her happiness, and perhaps in time he would. A month wasn’t very long. Not long enough to expect Gabriel to have become comfortable enough to change. How can you continue to put up with his shit? He hasn’t even attempted to give you what you want, outside of bed. If he hasn’t done that in a month, what in Hell makes you think more time will matter? He won’t admit he loves you, he won’t admit you have your own dreams. He won’t allow you a life away from him! Wake up! Her logical mind tried to tell her to keep hope, but her pride and her anger reared up and overcame her love. She had a purpose to fulfill, with or without Gabriel. The last part of the knowledge she’d taken from Michael filled her and she made her decision. Malina dried her tears and shook away the pain. She stood and bumped into Michael’s warm body. He enveloped her and she relished it, his small sign of forgiveness and acceptance. If her heart didn’t already belong to Gabriel, she’d have gladly given it to Michael then. “I’m sorry, Malina. More sorry than you can know.” His large hands caressed her back and she wrapped her arms around his waist, snuggling closer to his compassion and strength. “So this is where you ran off to? I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that Lucifer’s Daughter doesn’t know the meaning of faithfulness, but, Michael? I’m surprised at you.”

Chapter 8 The fury in Gabriel’s voice was so thick it literally hung in the air. A vibration of pure rage and hate. “This isn’t what you think.” Michael shifted Malina behind his bulk, protecting her from Gabriel. “Isn’t it? Your hands are on my woman, her arms are wrapped around you. I doubt it was anything else.” Gabriel’s hands balled into fists at his side. “Malina came here to ask me a question. The answer upset her and I was offering her comfort, Gabriel.” Michael clenched his fists at his side, furious his brother would be so disrespectful and saddened that Gabriel could only see the negative in things. “Right,” Gabriel sneered, “well, you can have her. The bitch is a good fuck, but I don’t need the headache.” Michael felt Malina jerk against him, as if struck. Her rapid indrawn breath was obvious as well. Gabriel’s reaction was understandable, given his history, but Michael refused to allow him to demean Malina in his presence again. “That was uncalled for, brother. Apologize, now.” “I don’t think so.” Gabriel turned to leave, refusing to accept the pressure in his chest as anything but rage. He was too preoccupied with fighting himself to see his brother coming. Michael jerked Gabriel around by the arm and struck him, fast and hard. His fist connected with Gabriel’s jaw solidly enough to send Gabriel to his knees. Gabriel raised a hand to his bloody lip, then turned his head to meet Michael’s gaze. “You shouldn’t have done that.” Gabriel growled the words at Michael. Michael arched a brow and held his ground, waiting for Gabriel’s attack. He didn’t have to wait long. In the blink of an eye, Gabriel launched himself at Michael.

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Their locked bodies rolled away from Malina, across the floor, each Archangel taking turns on top. The sounds of fists pummeling muscle, of teeth crashing together, and the sight of blood flowing tore Malina from her grief. She couldn’t allow this to happen. Calling on her demonic side, Malina transformed herself. Gabriel and Michael heard the bone breaking sounds of Malina’s change and halted their fight to watch. Enormous black wings tore from her back, spreading wide behind her. Her forked tail lashed the air, Hellfire pulsing through her body and setting it aglow. Her hair whipped, her muscles rippled, her teeth lengthened. She roared her pain and rage, the sound separating the men. “Enough! I have had enough!” Her demonic voice slithered into the Archangels, bringing them under her power. “Do you feel that, Gabriel? That is my power, my true power. I held it back before, sure it would be like cheating to use your darkness against you. Now, I don’t care. You will listen to me! And for once, you will answer me! “Do you feel anything for me, Gabriel? Any emotion beyond the need to possess me, beyond a desire to bed me? When you touch me, is it my skin you feel or could it be anyone’s?” She waited for him to respond, felt him fight her. He was strong, rage and betrayal giving him the ability to deny her what she wanted most, his response. “I thought we were past this. I thought if I bent myself to your will, if I used the strength born in every woman to be malleable and to adapt, you’d see me for what I am, not as what you want. I hoped you would want me to be happy and fulfilled. However, that isn’t going to happen is it? You’ll never admit you care for me. Never say you want my happiness above your own. Why do you refuse to open yourself up to me?” She sent a surge of power into him, but only a growl escaped his lips. Malina shook her head at his stoic countenance. Not a muscle twitched on his beautiful face, no movement to betray emotion. “I have a purpose in this eternity, a purpose you’ve decided I shouldn’t fulfill. You can ask Michael about it later, though I’m sure you are already aware of what it is. I told you from the beginning I could be an asset to the Protectorate, yet you refused to

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allow me my dream. Because of that, you’ve tried to stop destiny from unfolding. Why? Why can’t you let me follow the path I’ve been given? Are you so worried I’ll take up with another male, or that I’ll be too busy to see to your desires?” She spat the words at him, her dismay washing away in the growing swell of her fury. Gabriel fought the compulsion to answer her. He had no idea what she was talking about, but he wouldn’t admit to caring for her. He refused to allow her that much control. She’d already hurt him more than he’d ever hurt before. Seeing her in Michael’s arms had been excruciating beyond even forsaking God. His eyes met hers, but he kept his mouth closed tight. Even now, bent to her will, Gabriel wouldn’t give her the words she needed. Trying to take control from him didn’t work. She’d learned that well once before, and the scene before her reminded her of that lesson. Bowing to him hadn’t produced the results she wanted either. A feeling of impotence churned in her gut, feeding the rage coursing through her veins, and riotous emotions forced her to do the one thing she’d sworn she wouldn’t do: break her word. “I rescind my vow to obey you in all things. I…” She hesitated, searching his face for any sign of acknowledgement. A flicker of light sparked from the depths of his black eyes, so fleeting she might have imagined it. “I know what happened to you. I know what tore your soul. If I thought by continuing on I could mend it, I would do so. I would cast aside my destiny to see you whole. Do you know why? Because, Gabriel, I love you. I love you so much it’s tearing me apart. It’s killing me. You give me such passion when we come together but that heat never lasts, and the distance you force between us is more than I can bear. I like pain, but I’m only part demon.” Malina’s lips quivered in a half-hearted smile. She refused to break down in front of him. “I can’t take anymore pain. No more,” she said, giving him the words she’d refused to utter that first day, so many weeks ago. Still, Gabriel snubbed her. A single tear trekked down her cheek as she regained her human form. She released her hold over the men and slowly walked toward them. She knelt in front of Gabriel, laying her soft white hand aside his angelic cheek and

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placing a warm, moist kiss upon his lips. Her fingers trailed along his skin as she walked away. “Goodbye, Gabriel. I love you.” A few chanted words and Malina disappeared from Michael’s chambers in a puff of smoke. Gabriel could do nothing to stop her.

Chapter 9 “Brother, you really messed that up.” Michael stood and moved to his bureau. He took out the shoulder holster and nine millimeter handgun, equipped with Holy water filled bullets, blessed by God’s hands. They wouldn’t kill a demon, but they would slow one down. Snagging his utility belt from the top shelf, he made sure the small Apocryphal book of spells was intact; after his last vampiric battle, it’d been slightly burned. He slid it into a special sheath on the belt, then strapped it around his waist. After settling the belt in place, he made sure his cell phone was charged and that he had American currency. As a last measure, he slid an electrical stun gun into his jeans at the small of his back. It was specially designed to be small but extremely effective, working off his angelic power instead of a battery. The scientist who had created it was brilliant and thankfully worked for the good guys. Michael wanted to leave, to ignore Gabriel and his mistakes and get on with his mission, but he couldn’t. He moved back toward Gabriel, who was still kneeling on the floor. Michael placed his palm on his brother’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “I have to go. In two days time, Malina will fulfill her destiny. Perhaps by then, you will realize what is important and what isn’t. She wants you regardless of your faults. She accepts you as you are and that, my brother, is love. Pure and unconditional. All she asks is that you return it.” “I don’t know how, Michael. I don’t know if I can.” Gabriel’s voice broke and his shoulders fell. “What have I done?” He’d posed the question to no one, and Michael had no answer for him anyway. With a sigh, Michael left the room, turning his thoughts to his assignment and away from a pain he couldn’t ease.

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***

A loud knock resounded through Gemma’s home in downtown Detroit. With a sigh she pushed a lock of short platinum hair out of her eyes with her left shoulder. Soap bubbles covered her hands, as she was up to her elbows in a sink full of dirty dishes. “Damn it, who the hell is that?” Grumbling to herself, Gemma withdrew her wet, wrinkled hands from the water, drying them first on the front of her shirt and then across the ass of her jeans as she headed to the front door. She didn’t bother with the peephole, figuring it was probably a foundling or maybe one of her interesting neighbors. She swung open the door and gave her normal greeting. “Yeah, what the fuck do you want?” The man at her door was neither vampire nor interesting, per se. He was the one and only Archangel Michael. Gemma felt her eyes widen in shock and her jaw go slack. “What the hell are you doing here?” She managed to regain her composure, but the question still came out a bit squeaky. “Ms. Joyce? Gemma Joyce?” His voice was a calm, smooth baritone. Warm and comforting. Gemma disliked him even more. “Yeah, that’s me. Are you lost or something?” Sarcasm dripped from her words and she didn’t bother trying to hide it with a smile. Goddamn angels.

“Ms. Joyce, may I come in?” Michael remained congenial and polite, despite her obvious distaste. He had no idea how such a stunning woman became so derisive, but at the moment he was willing to overlook her quick, and vile, tongue. She was just as gorgeous now as she been the first time he’d seen her more than a millennia ago, and Michael felt a hard kick of lust flood his body. Gemma Joyce was built like a Rubenesque goddess. Full, heavy breasts sat high on her chest. Her long torso curved in delicately at the waist only to bloom out again into wonderfully rounded hips and a beautifully plump ass. Her arms were lithe and feminine, and her legs long. She was all woman, obviously uncaring about what the

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times said was fashionable. She knew she was a sensual, attractive woman and she was comfortable in her own skin. Michael finally noticed the hand cocked against her hip and brought his gaze back to hers. She had the darkest blue eyes he’d ever seen, much darker than his own. A white blond halo of riotous curls fell in one length to just above the nape of her neck, framing her expressive heart-shaped face. Eyebrows of faint, pale gold slashed above her exotic eyes, the right one arched in irritation. “You done? I got shit to do here.” “Is this a bad time?” Michael remained calm, although irritation was beginning to build. He had never done anything to this woman and, sexy or no, she really needed to learn some manners. “It’s always a bad time when it comes to you assholes.” “Excuse me?” He couldn’t keep the ire from his tone. Her pouty lips curved into a smirk, and evil mischief lit her eyes. “I doubt it.” “Ms. Joyce, I am the Archangel Mich --” She cut him off. “Yeah, I know who you are, Mike.”

Chapter 10 Gemma spun away from him with an irreverent grunt and Michael couldn’t help but drop his gaze to her ass, anger at her mocking rudeness dismissed. Faded handprints marred the seat of her jeans and he felt an unwelcome slash of jealousy. Curbing his base instincts, he followed her into her home, closing the door behind him. Michael took a moment to survey the area. Her apartment was small and decorated with a mismatched set of furniture. A short, plain loveseat faced an old wooden rocking chair. A low table separated the only two pieces of furniture capable of holding a person. Bookshelves lined three of the walls, and worn yet colorful rugs covered the wooden floors. The sound of clanging metal drew him further into her unique, but small, home. He moved past the loveseat, noticing some of the titles on the nearest bookshelf. Nietzsche, Dante, and Amy Tan popped out at him, as well as a biography on Abraham Lincoln. Eclectic taste. A muttered curse brought him back to the present and he crossed the threshold to his right, entering her minuscule kitchen.

“… no idea what the hell he’s doing here. Like I need this right now!” Gemma continued to take out her frustration on her favorite cast iron skillet, oblivious to her audience. She slammed the pan into the porcelain rinse sink and moved on to washing her silverware. Who cares why he’s here? Did you see him? My God, he is a twelve on the fuckable scale. Her libido had a point, but Gemma was not going to acknowledge it now. She seriously disliked angels of any kind, and the fact that her body had stood up and applauded this one pissed her off.

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While her mind cussed her body, a niggling fantasy began to build. She had a sneaky suspicion that later, when she was safe in her room with her favorite dildo, she’d recount all his glorious attributes and how he could use them on her. Right now, she pushed the disturbing thoughts away, using anger to buffer her attraction. “What are you doing?” His smooth voice danced along her skin, pebbling her nipples and making her lonely cunt clutch. It had been an eternity since hard, hot flesh had slid against her. Damn it! She cast him a skeptical look, ignoring her body. “What does it look like I’m doing?” She didn’t bother turning to face him. “If I were to guess, I’d say cleaning your dishes.” “Holy fuck, you’re a genius.”

The mock surprise of her response grated on Michael. Another loud clang followed her retort as a handful of knives joined the skillet, waiting to be rinsed. “Ms. Joyce, as a powerful vampire, you must know simple magic would do that for you in a minimal amount of time.” Although his response was polite and genial, Gemma felt her hackles rise. “Now why would I waste magic on something so trivial? Call me strange, but when good old fashioned elbow grease will do, it’s just laziness to cut corners by using magic.” She spat the words at him, irked that an angel was in her house. She was more irritated with herself and her reaction, but that he’d suggest something so ridiculous didn’t help matters. “May I help you?” Gemma’s head swung around, surprise flickering across her face before she could conceal it. “Do you know how to dry dishes?” She raised a brow and waited for him to answer. Michael looked at her somewhat sheepishly and shrugged his massive shoulders. “It can’t be all that difficult.” Gemma smothered a laugh at the brawny man standing beside her before jerking

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her head toward the dishtowel lying on the tiny table. “Use that. Put the wet dish in the towel, rub it with the towel until it’s dry, then put it on the table. Got it? And don’t break anything.” Michael nodded his head and retrieved the towel. The two of them finished the dishes in an uneasy truce. Michael fumbled a couple of plates, but everything remained intact at the end. She put the dishes away while he sat at one of the two chairs available at the table. “You want some coffee?” Her abrasive personality was vexing, but Michael remained polite. “Yes, thank you.” Gemma made quick work of the coffee, setting a steaming hot cup of dark brew in front of him in a few short minutes. “Tell me what you want, Mike, then get the fuck out of my house.” A flare of annoyance flashed in his kind blue eyes. So much for the truce. Her sharp tongue was back with a vengeance. “My name is Michael. Archangel, if you prefer. It is not, nor has it ever been, Mike.” His voice remained smooth, despite the fact that his annoyance was quickly becoming exasperation. “Uh huh. Whatever you say, Mike.” He grunted but let it pass. If she wanted to be a pain in the ass, he’d let her. For now. “God sent me.” She snorted at his words, but he ignored it. “To help you keep an eye on Luc Seraph. We can’t let him use his gift for another two days. Otherwise, Lucifer will take over on Earth earlier than planned.” “Then you’re a little late, Mike. I heard the kid clearly say he’d already summoned a demon.” Michael mulled over her information, recalling his conversation with God. “It must not have been a big enough use of his power, otherwise what could come to pass would have already.” “What’s so special about this kid? Not once in the nearly three thousand years I’ve been doing this has any holy being, let alone an Archangel, ever come calling or

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offering help.” Gemma stared into her cup, picking up the sugar and pouring in a healthy amount before adding an equally large dollop of cream. She stirred slowly, waiting for his answer and unable to believe she couldn’t keep her big mouth shut. “I’m not sure what you mean, Ms. Joyce.” Again, he ignored her snort, wishing he knew what it was that caused her to have such an intense distaste for angels, and seemingly him in particular. “It isn’t just you.” Michael couldn’t cover his shocked expression. “You can read my thoughts?” “Yep.” “Have you no manners whatsoever?” “Not where your kind are concerned.” She flashed her teeth in an ornery smile and a soft laugh escaped her lips. She enjoyed baiting him. “Why is that, if I may be so bold?” He watched her smile fade and she clenched her jaw. He waited for an answer. “You can be as bold as you please, Mike. Doesn’t mean you’ll get what you want.” Her dark indigo eyes flashed a challenge. Michael suppressed a smile, positive she wouldn’t appreciate his amusement or the hot beat of arousal sparring with her caused. “Then I suppose you won’t mind if I return the favor? You’re half Archangel, aren’t you?” When the challenge in her eyes turned to ire, Michael felt blood rush to his cock. He’d been hard before, but seeing anger flash in her beautiful eyes turned his cock to stone. Gemma pushed back from the table, taking her cup with her, and stalked to the sink. Turning around to face Michael, she crossed her arms under her breasts and leaned the small of her back against the rim of the sink. “Give it a whirl, Mike. You can’t get anything from me I don’t want to give.”

Chapter 11 Malina lifted her hand to the knob of her father’s luxury suite at the Ritz. For once, she was thankful her father kept homes on Earth. It was convenient for him when he needed to do business with Earth bound demons, and it was perfect for her now, when she needed a place to escape to. Thanks to the information she’d taken from Michael, Malina knew this hotel was near the place her destiny would come to pass. The Ritz in Dearborn, Michigan was as close to downtown Detroit as Malina could get without giving away her presence to the demons of the city. Ignoring the opulence of the room, Malina made her way to the king size bed. She shed the human clothes she’d concocted to help her blend, leaving them in a disorganized string from the foot of the bed to the head. She hadn’t bothered with lights when she’d come in, and she hadn’t the strength to deal with them if they were on. Pulling back the covers, Malina slid her nude body between the sheets and curled into a ball. Knees tucked to her chest, arms wrapped tightly about them, Malina laid unmoving for what seemed like hours, trying to get her mind around what she’d done, how much she hurt, and the extent to which her soul cried out for Gabriel. Deep in her heart she knew she’d done the right thing, but her conscience poked at her regardless. You’ve let anger and pride rule you again, and this time the consequences are beyond your imagining. The tears began to fall, pooling in the strands of fiery hair caught beneath her body. Faster and faster the glittering shards of her broken heart fell, incomprehensible sobs poured from her mouth. She wanted to go to him, but she knew that this time she couldn’t. Gabriel had to come to her. He had to show her that he valued her as a person,

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and that he could be vulnerable to her. More than anything else, Malina had to know that he loved her. However, understanding she must wait didn’t ease the terrible throbbing in her chest. “Oh, God. I need my mother!” A soft, warm hand caressed her cheek and the smell of roses filled her lungs. “Cara Mia, I am here.” Malina opened her sore, hot eyes, and looked in awe upon the shining face of her mother, Isobel. She hesitated only a moment before throwing herself into her mother’s open arms. “Oh, Mama, what have I done? I’m so stubborn and stupid! I should have given him more time, I should have…” “Now, Malina. None of that ‘should have, would have’. What’s done is done, and, Cara, you did the right thing. Your Gabriel, he has so much rage, guilt, and fear in him. You had to shake him up.” Isobel stroked her baby’s crimson locks and cradled Malina close. Too long, she had been away. Isobel silently thanked The Almighty for giving her this time with her child. “That’s it, cry it out.” Isobel soothed Malina, flooded with that indefinable feeling all mothers have the first time they soothe the pain of a broken heart. She hushed Malina, stroking her back and rocking side to side, slowly. “Let it all go, Cara. Then we have plans to make. You have a destiny to meet and I have something important to tell you.” Malina wept, safe in the arms of her mother, until the only thing she could do was sleep. Isobel tucked her under the covers and sat next to her sleeping child, wondering how to tell Malina that the boy in Michael’s vision was her brother.

*** Gabriel lifted his head from the small table in his chambers. He couldn’t remember how he’d gotten home. The moments after Malina had left Michael’s room had blurred into a barrage of pain and rage. And regret, that most of all. He tried to swallow past the lump in his throat, the overwhelming rush of emotion so powerful it brought him close to tears. It was all he could do to hold them back.

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His black eyes took in the room. In his fury, he’d torn the place apart. The only things untouched were the table and chair he sat at. He’d destroyed the bed and all its accoutrements. The shackles in which he’d first chained Malina lay in pieces. Large chunks of rock and debris littered the floor where he’d torn the restraints from the wall. Feathers from their pillows lay scattered like confetti upon the floor. When he’d picked up her pillow, the hot scent of Malina’s skin had assailed him and he’d ruined the soft bolster, ripping through it with thick black claws. He’d given over to the beast within him, venting his anguish on the inanimate objects around him instead of on the person he wanted to punish. He’d finally realized it wasn’t Malina he’d needed to exact revenge upon, but himself. When comprehension dawned, the beast had gone back to its cage and Gabriel had staggered to the single chair his tantrum had left whole. With anger gone, all that remained was pain. It wasn’t all from Malina’s leaving either. The remnant ache from his torn soul beat a rhythm deep inside. “Dear God, I’m so lost, my spirit seems ever weary. All of this difficulty burdens me, endlessly. I need You, My Lord. I need Your strength and guidance. I can’t do this alone.” The tears he’d fought began to fall, slowly. With each crystalline bead, his frozen heart melted and Gabriel stopped trying to ignore his emotions. He cried for what he’d lost, all of it. He cried for the hurt he’d inflicted on those who loved him. He wept for what had happened to him at the hands of Set’s minions, for the guilt he knew Michael carried inside because he hadn’t arrived sooner. Gabriel finally let go of the bitterness, the blame he carried, the weight he shouldered. “Gabriel, my child.” The blanket of peace, of grace and love incarnate, that signified The Almighty wrapped around his shuddering form. In Her power, She raised him up from his seat and brought him to the acceptance of Her embrace. Gabriel opened his eyes and rejoiced at the Light. This was God in Her resplendence, full of all things good and right, holding him as Mother. He felt the brush of her lips on his crown, the warmth of Her forgiveness starting to heal his battered spirit.

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“I forgave you long ago, child. It was you who could not forgive. Redemption is yours, if only you will embrace it.” “Will I ever be whole again?” His voice was weak, the immensity of the truth he hadn’t been able to accept staggering Gabriel. “That is not for me to say, Gabriel. Your will is your own. What you should ask yourself is ‘Can I lay myself open to she who offers salvation? Can I show Malina all that I am?’ When you have that answer, Gabriel, then you will know.” His body shuddered, tired and drawn into knots. What if he was too late? What if Malina refused to see him again? What if, when the moment came, he couldn’t make himself vulnerable to her? He loved Malina, all of her, from her demonic power to her honor. He loved her intelligence, her humor, her light. He couldn’t imagine a life without her in it, and he admitted he couldn’t imagine a Protectorate without her either. His only uncertainty lay with himself. Could he push aside his defenses and take the chance that Malina would reject him? “That’s what love between a man and a woman is, Gabriel. It’s about becoming one spirit, one heart, one breath. If you want to heal, you must do what you are terrified of doing.” God’s warmth flooded Gabriel’s body, lulling him into a peaceful sleep. She returned the bed to its original condition and then laid the resting form of Her General upon the cool sheets. God shouldn’t have favorites and, in truth, she didn’t. However, God had many faces, and the one most human-like felt an enormous amount of partiality toward a few of her creatures. Her hand stroked his brow and she bent to lay a kiss at his temple. “Rest now, my child. The next two days will be long.” With one last gesture, she covered his form and returned to her place in Heaven.

Chapter 12 Michael stared at Gemma, her defiant pose sending an electric spark of desire through his body. Then he did something he’d probably regret later. He deliberately goaded her. “Look, Ms. Joyce. I’m sure you’re extremely powerful, but you’re no match for an Archangel. We have other things to do right now, beyond sparring and one upmanship. If you’d just tell me what your problem is, maybe we can get to work.” Michael took sadistic delight in her growl. She was an absolute joy to tease, but Michael felt an unrelenting need to get to the heart of this woman. “My problem is that I know someone up there,” she pointed one finger skyward, “knows what I’ve spent most of my life doing down here. Yet no one has ever offered to give me a hand. Until now. I’ve been cleaning up your messes for almost three millennia! For fuck’s sake, can’t God give out some birth control or something?” “God doesn’t have anything to do with how holy creatures deal with their offspring. For that matter, other than Archangels, none of the rest of the Angelic Host is even remotely human of mind. Most of them are a physical shell that carries Her will. I’d think a vampire of your great age and gifts would know this.” Michael could feel the waves of frustration and, buried deeper, hurt emanating from her as she spoke. His last dig had struck bone. Lightning flashed in her eyes and rage poured off her in waves. “That’s it! I don’t need some uppity ass Archangel coming into my home and calling me stupid or uninformed. Get the fuck out of my house! Now!” Spittle flew from Gemma’s mouth and her arm lashed out, one finger pointing in the direction of the door. His retort struck much deeper than she’d ever let him know. The small, tiny child within her had always wondered if she had been better, smarter, more powerful would her angelic father have come to take her when her mother had been forced to

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abandon Gemma. She refused to give voice to that child and she refused to give Michael the satisfaction of knowing how much pain his remark caused. No matter how much of a hunk the chocolate-haired, pale blue-eyed Archangel was, she’d had enough of his presence. Mr. Gorgeous needed to go. “By all means, Ms. Joyce. I’m sorry if you felt I was calling you stupid. I meant no offense. Now, if you’d please direct me to the nearest hotel, I’ll gladly get out of your home.” He stood from his seat, and despite the seriousness of the situation, he couldn’t hold back a chuckle when she squeaked in rage and stormed from the kitchen. She returned a moment later with a thick book filled with yellow pages. “Take it with you.” “What is it?” Michael looked at the enormous text, unsure what to do with the book. “Are you shitting me? You have a cell phone on your belt. Don’t tell me you don’t know what a phone book is for!” When he shook his head, Gemma snapped, certain the Archangel was jerking her around for his own amusement. Her ire overran any hurt feelings. She let it storm through her system, forgetting Michael’s painful comments. She needed him out of her house before she did something she’d regret. Like break down and cry, or ask him what she did wrong and why no one cared about her or others like her. His soft voice and caring eyes were getting to her. “For Christ’s sake! You’re wearing a gun too! You’ve got plenty of modern conveniences, so stop playing games and get out. Get OUT!” she screamed at him, a hairsbreadth away from slamming her fist into his perfect nose. “Ms. Joyce, calm down!” Both Michael and Gemma were taken aback by his powerful command. His sexy baritone reverberated through her home like a clap of thunder. “Now you’ve gone and done it. I never yell!” Michael’s bellow made Gemma flinch, which just pushed her anger higher. She wasn’t scared of some Archangel! “How dare you raise your voice to m…hmmph!” Michael couldn’t think of any other way to shut her up. More than that, the flash of fear in her eyes made him want to take her in his arms and ease her hurt. So, he

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grabbed her around the waist, pulled her close to his body, and covered her mouth with his. Gemma was stunned for a moment, astounded that Michael would kiss her. Then logic came back, and she curled her hands into fists, pummeling his broad shoulders. She brought her knee up toward his groin, but he evaded her thrust. Strong hands encircled her wrists as Michael drove their bodies into the wall beside the table. The impact startled Gemma more than it hurt her, and in that moment of confusion, the powerful man holding her jammed his body between her legs. He released her wrists, cupping her lush ass and lifting Gemma into a better position along the wall. Well, better in a decadent and extremely sexual fashion. “What do you think you’re doing? Get off of me!” Gemma tried to push him away, but Michael used his angelic strength to capture her wrists once again. He pressed them to the wall beside her head before thrusting his pelvis into hers, letting her feel his powerful cock as it rubbed against the sensitive flesh of her cunt. Through her jeans, the length of him burned her, flooding her pussy with cream and dragging a lusty moan from her mouth. She continued to struggle, and she could tell he was working hard to keep her still. If she’d really wanted to escape, she might have been able to, but the scorching slide of his cock against her pussy stole her reason. She stopped trying to get away as Michael began a slow grind against her body. Besides, it’d been so long since someone overlooked her shitty attitude and showed interest, Gemma couldn’t make herself push him away. Despite who he was, Gemma wanted to feel him more than she wanted her next breath. They stayed that way for several moments, his hips gently undulating, her body quivering, both of them breathing hard and loud. Ice blue orbs clashed with eyes the color of the night sky, both of them held suspended in the passion raging between them. Gemma felt like Michael was looking as far into her as he could. She sensed he knew there was more to her story than she’d shared, and the flare of need in his eyes told her he wanted to know more. Her heart pounded at the thought, though neither

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passion nor desire were to blame, but the truth was she wanted to tell him everything, wanted to pour her secrets out to him. Michael watched emotions chase across her strong features. This complex and fiery woman called to him on so many levels. Right now, he ached to fill her, to watch her lose herself in his arms. Michael leaned into Gemma, grunting when her pink tongue darted between cherry lips, wetting the plump flesh. His mouth touched hers, softly conquering. Fire burned through him, his cock swelling, jerking. Her taste was pure sin. It was sex, excitement, need and power all rolled into one. His tongue pressed against the seam of her mouth and he groaned when she opened wide and let him in. Gemma moaned at the first sweep of his tongue. Oh, my God! He tastes better than he looks! Michael’s flavor was so different from any she’d known before, and she’d sampled many flavors. It was fresh, like mint, bold like her favorite coffee, and addictive. Their teeth clashed as she pressed her head forward, trying to get more of him. She wanted to swallow his tongue, his cock, anything she could, just to be able to relish his taste. Michael was quickly losing control. Gemma obviously did everything with equal fervor. He nearly let his body tell him to forget his assignment, forget everything that didn’t involve stripping her naked and plunging his massive erection into her slippery pussy and taking them both on a fast, hard, and explosive ride. Realizing if he didn’t pull away now, he might never, Michael gently ended the kiss. She felt him pulling away and wanted to scream. No! He can’t do this! I’m so close! Indeed, Gemma was but a few precious thrusts of his hips away from completion. Her body convulsed, juices leaking from her core, one shuddering step from detonation. She whimpered. His teeth nipped her lower lip in reply. Her breath heaved and she felt moisture gather in her eyes. “Don’t you dare leave me like this! You make me come, or I swear by all that’s holy, I will kill you!” Her vehemence shocked Michael and sent a powerful surge to his cock. He took a moment to look at her, the flushed skin, dilated pupils, her rapid breathing. When the scent of her arousal assailed his nostrils, he breathed deep. Through his slacks and hers,

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he could feel the throbbing of her body. Michael released her wrists. “No, God damn it!” Gemma curled her right hand into a fist, trying to get her riotous body under control enough to slug him but good. Instead of hitting him, though, she gasped aloud when his long-fingered hands grabbed the collar of her shirt. He rent the fabric easily, doing the same to her bra. Her large breasts, free from confinement, began to ache. The rose colored nipples were hard to begin with, but with his icy eyes taking in every inch of her exposed skin, they tightened to painful points. “Gemma.” The rough quality of his voice danced along her nerves, drawing her need higher. “I’m going to taste your nipples. I’m going to kiss them, lick them, suck them. I’m going to make you come. Do you understand?” Gemma had never before found dominant men attractive in bed, but Michael’s voice assured her that she would indeed come and a tiny part of her shouted with joy that he told her what was going to happen. That he took away her choices. His eyes met hers again and he saw the turbulence in them. Such an alpha woman wouldn’t take easily to being led, but Michael knew what she needed. His cock pulsed, reminding him what he needed as well. But this time, he’d see to her. If, when all this was over, she was still interested, then he’d show her the joy to be had in allowing someone else to take control. “Gemma, answer me.” He plucked her right nipple lightly, taking pleasure in her soft moan. Her eyes slid shut and he pinched the nipple tight. “Ah! Yes, yes, I understand.” “What do you understand?” He brought his other hand to her left breast. Softly, he rolled the nipple with his thumb. He pressed it down, watching it pop back up and beg for attention. She tightened her legs around his hips, grinding her sex against his. “Answer me!” Gemma couldn’t ignore his command. “You’re going to taste my nipples. You’ll lick them and suck them and kiss them until I come!” Gemma keened when he twisted both nipples, the sensation shooting straight to her sopping cunt. “Good.” Michael released her left nipple, drawing the flesh deeply into his

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mouth, laving it with his hot tongue, grazing it with strong teeth. All the while, Gemma continued to gyrate, grinding her crotch against him, seeking the epiphany just out of her reach. Michael released the first nipple and moved to the second, applying more pressure with his teeth, biting it first gently then harder. He felt her body still, caught on the brink of release. He circled the nipple with his mouth and slid his hands down her body to cup her ass. Squeezing the pliant flesh in his hands, he lifted her away from him. She whimpered, begging him with incoherent sounds to take her over. He did. He pushed himself between her legs and used some of his own power to make her feel him, deep inside her body. He sent thoughts and images into her mind, the sensation of being stretched by his cock, pictures of how he imagined it would look to see her creaming pussy impaled by his massive erection. He felt her hands plunged into his hair, tearing it from its queue. Her nails dug into his scalp, her fists tightened painfully, but still he thrust against her. Gemma broke. “Fuck yes! I… I! Michael!” When she screamed his name, Michael almost lost it. The rapture in her voice, the vise like grip of her thighs, the pulsing he could feel against his cock was overwhelming. He held her close while she quaked, his powerful arms wrapped around her, his mouth against her ear, whispering hot words. He told her how hard he was, how good she felt coming against him, how much he wanted to drive into her until they were both sloppy wet and satisfied. Gemma couldn’t take anymore. His lascivious words, the feel of his cock between her legs, the images he’d shown her, sent her over the edge again. When the last shudders left her body, Gemma was exhausted. It had been a long time since she’d orgasmed like that, in fact she might never have in her life. Her body was limp as Michael carried her down the short hall to her bed. Her eyes closed instantly, and she sighed with contentment when she felt him join her on the bed. His large body cradled hers, her back to his front. She’d worry

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Chapter 13 Malina awoke with the last rays of daylight. When she’d woken this morning, the tears had come again. Her mother had softly soothed her back to sleep. As Malina looked around the room, she realized she was alone now. Sad that Isobel had left but feeling better for her comfort, Malina made her way to the bathroom. She quickly washed and brushed her teeth. She created appropriate clothing by magic and dressed. Unsure what to do or where to go, Malina called room service and ordered coffee and strawberry topped crepes, thankful the kitchen still served breakfast. “There you are, Cara Mia.” Malina leapt from the bed and whirled on the invader. “Mama! You scared me to death.” She placed her palm over her racing heart and took a couple of deep breaths. “I’m sorry. I had to run an errand. Did you order something to eat?” Isobel took one of Malina’s hands between both of hers. When Malina nodded, Isobel gave her fingers a squeeze and sat down on the bed. “I don’t have much time left, and there’s something you must know. You know why you have to be on Earth tomorrow?” “It has something to do with destiny, doesn’t it?” “Yes, in part, although not necessarily your own as much as the destiny of men. And one boy in particular. The Line of Ahura Mazda cannot be denied. I know you don’t understand that term, and please forgive me for not explaining it better.” “I’m a little confused but I get the gist, Mama.” “You always were a bright girl. The boy you must meet, the boy you must stop, Malina, he is your brother. He is your father’s son.” “What? How can that be? Daddy hasn’t been with anyone since you died!” Malina couldn’t believe what her mother was saying. How could her father have betrayed Isobel’s memory in such a way?

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“Malina, he didn’t betray me. I told God to send your father a Seraphim. You were still a child; you can’t know how deeply he hurt inside, after my death. I did and so did God, and neither of us could allow him to suffer any longer. Lucifer took solace in the Seraphim’s goodness and hope, and they begat a son. A son the Seraphim abandoned, as is their way. A boy who has known so little love in his short life. A vampire who is coming into his Singularity years early, and who, if you don’t stop him, will begin your father’s reign on Earth, tomorrow.” Malina closed her eyes, the rush of information vast and weighted. She took a deep breath, pushing her scarlet hair behind her ears and running her hands over her face. She had a brother, her father had a son, and she had a destiny to meet. Malina raised her bright blue eyes to her mother. “What do I have to do?” “Cara Mia, that isn’t for me to tell you. I shouldn’t have told you anything, but I wanted you to know who the boy was, Malina.” The door buzzed then, signaling the arrival of breakfast. Malina’s appetite had disappeared, but she still wanted the coffee. She made her way to the door, admitting the waiter and signing for the food. She poured a cup of the hot liquid, added a cube of sugar, and stirred before turning back to her mother. “Okay, Mama. Tell me about my brother.”

*** Gemma and Michael had carefully avoided talking about their intense combustion the night before. They’d both told themselves they were too busy following Luc and making sure he didn’t do anything big before tomorrow, but the fact was that neither of them wanted to re-ignite the powder keg smoldering between them. They both knew when they came together again, bare flesh would be against bare flesh until neither of them had the energy to move. “He seems to be doing okay, so far.” Michael’s voice was pitched low, his hand cupped around a large soda from the fast food place where they’d stopped to get a bite to eat. Luc and the young lady with him sat four tables over, obviously engaged in an intimate conversation. The lovely girl was gesturing wildly, her face plainly telling all

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she wasn’t pleased with what Luc had told her. “Will you shut up!? I can’t eavesdrop on them with you chattering away.” Gemma scowled at Michael before closing her eyes and focusing on the conversation between the target and his friend. “Luc, I’m serious! It’s not worth it! Why won’t you let it go?” “Lil, it’s important to me. It won’t take me but a minute to pop in and get it. I’ll go tonight, after he’s left for his shift at the plant. I’ll be fine.” “No, you won’t. I can feel it, Luc. Don’t worry about the pendant. Really, it isn’t a big deal.” “Lily, I want it back. You gave it to me for my sixth birthday. It’s important to me. Now drop it. I’m not gonna change my mind.” The tiny, golden angel charm was his most cherished possession. He refused to let the bastards who had used him as a meal ticket keep it. His foster mother had taken it a few weeks back, right after the fight that had sent him into the woods, conjuring demons. She’d ripped the necklace from his body and told him if he didn’t fall in line, she’d pawn it. Then his foster father had proceeded to beat the shit out of him, just to make sure he’d gotten the point. He knew where the bitch had hidden it; it wouldn’t take more than two minutes to retrieve the bauble and get out. Then he’d be free of them forever. “I’m going with you, Luc. I know this isn’t going to be good.” “No!” “Yes, damn it. You can’t talk me out of coming, so forget it!” “Fine. Stay out of my way then!” Irritation at Lily and lust for her warred inside Luc. He pushed both aside and stood, cleaning up their trash quickly before turning back to his friend. “You want to go check out the shops in Dearborn?” The small suburb of Detroit was well known for its clubs and its Middle-Eastern residents. The air fairly shimmered with red dust from the curry powder suspended in it. There were several notable restaurants in the area, and both Lily and Luc enjoyed wandering the streets and looking at wares, the exotic music of the desert tickling their

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ears. “Sure.” Lily smiled at Luc and rose from the table. They made their way out of the restaurant and down the street. Gemma and Michael waited until the teenagers were out of sight before exiting the restaurant. Careful not to touch each other, they ambled along the street, keeping the kids in sight.

Chapter 14 “Did you catch all of the conversation, Gemma?” Michael curled his hands into fists, fighting the urge to take her smaller hand in his own. Her release yesterday was magnificent, but he found himself more moved by how peaceful he felt sleeping in her bed, her voluptuous body pressed to his. He wanted this vampire, this woman with the bad attitude and the quiet, unassuming grace. Gemma looked at Michael. Her name on his lips shook her to her core. The way he said it, with warmth and compassion and interest, pushed at her resolve. No matter how much she wanted to pretend nothing happened between them, no matter how much she wished she could work up a good hate for him, Michael was under her skin. His warm smile, his gentle nature, his politeness woke something long dormant inside. Archangel or no, he was one of the good guys. “Yeah. He’s heading to the foster parents’ house tonight to pick up a pendant the girl gave him. My bet is that’s when whatever is going to happen will.” “I wasn’t given a time, but I’d wager you’re right. Do you do this often?” “Do what?” “Follow vampires?” “No.” Gemma’s flat response plainly stated she didn’t want to discuss what she did, but Michael’s curiosity pushed him to forge ahead. “Then what do you do?” “If you’re trying to piss me off, you’re accomplishing the goal.” Gemma scowled at him, moving off the sidewalk and into the alcove of an empty storefront. “Drop the act, Mike. You don’t need to butter me up or get to know me to get in my pants. I think you proved that yesterday.” “Hey! I’m not putting on an act. Woman, you’d try the patience of a saint, and I’ll

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remind you, a saint I’m not!” “Whatever, Mike. We’re gonna lose them. Just drop it and let’s go.” Gemma pushed past his bulk, the impressive bulge of his upper arm brushing against her full breasts. Her body tightened, reacting as if he’d touched her naked flesh with his own. She swallowed a groan as a wave of need crashed through her. His large hand closed around her forearm, halting her. “I want to know why you hate us so much. Give up your façade and tell me the truth, Gemma.” “The truth? Fine, you want the truth, here it is: How can Heaven abandon its children? Do we mean so little to you?” Gemma’s eyes glittered with pain, disappointment, and anger. “Gemma, I don’t know how to ease you. I can only assure you that what I told you last night is true. Most of the Host look human, but they aren’t in any fashion. They are the living Spirit of God. If a life comes to be while they are following Her will, then they leave it to Her will to decide whether the child lives or dies. The closest Earth definition for them would be a plant. And like plants, the lower orders of angels may propagate, but they aren’t capable of caring for their young as humans do. They simply are not human.” “Great, so that explains shitty parents. It still doesn’t explain your kind ignoring my requests for help.” “What are you talking about?” “For the love of God! Fine, you want to play it that way I’ll humor you. About twenty-five hundred years ago, I contacted Gabriel and asked him to step up and give me a hand in finding and caring for foundlings. The funny thing is, I had to leave a message. One that he never returned.” “Twenty-five hundred years ago? You never ‘called’ back?” “Of course I did, you ass! That was only the first time! I can’t come to Heaven and beat down the doors there, now can I? I left hundreds of messages over the centuries, until finally I just stopped. Obviously, your precious Protectorate was too damn busy! Besides, you know what I’m doing here! Didn’t it ever occur to anyone that

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I needed some help? Even if you never got the messages?” Michael released Gemma’s arm and spun away from her, shame filling him. What can I say to her? Nothing, because I have no answer and ‘I didn’t know’ just won’t work. He raked a hand through his long hair, releasing it from its restraint. With a sigh, Michael headed in the direction of the boy. He’d deal with Gemma’s questions later. She had a right to be angry, but he couldn’t do anything to resolve those issues now. He had a mission, and his emotions for the vampire striding up behind him were getting in the way. Well, that ought to shut him up. Gemma quickened her pace to catch up with Michael. She tried to feel superior, sure that Michael had simply forgotten her long ago plea for help. But his reaction niggled at her; he seemed more ashamed and irritated than chagrined. Could she have been wrong about the Protectorate all this time? The setting sun reflected off the windows of the businesses nearby. Each ray shattered into a prism of pinks, reds, and oranges. Gemma pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind. The boy was her priority, nothing else.

*** “What?! That manipulative bastard!” “Malina, please. You know he never meant to hurt you.” “No, Mama. I don’t want to hear it right now. Why couldn’t he have just told me what was going on? I cannot believe he released the Deadlies and sent them after me!” Malina stormed into the bedroom of the hotel suite. She flung the door open so hard it came unhinged. A flicker of magic repaired the damage to the door but didn’t come close to fixing the feelings of betrayal beating through her body. “Malina, I have broken so many rules in telling you all of this. I know God will forgive me, though your father may not. Know that he loves you, and neither he nor God could have made you do anything you hadn’t already decided to do.” Isobel wrung her hands together with worry, afraid she’d done something that couldn’t be undone. “Mama, I can’t talk about this now. I’m going for a walk.”

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“Cara Mia, I don’t think…” Malina pressed a kiss to her mother’s cheek, stopping the flow of words. “I’ll be fine. I’m Lucifer’s daughter after all.” With that, Malina left the suite, the quiet snick of the door terribly loud to Isobel’s ears.

*** “It is begun.” God’s voice soothed Isobel’s guilt, but not her fear. “Are You certain I had to do that? I don’t want her to turn against Lucifer.” “It was for the best. You know Lucifer and I can manipulate the situations, but we can’t blatantly interfere.” Her soft laughter took away the last of the pain from Isobel’s heart. “Don’t worry, Isobel. Lucifer knew this might be the route taken. He’ll deal with her wrath, once all of this is over. For now, let’s hope my dearest Gabriel pulls himself together. He has his own redemption to find.”

Chapter 15 Gabriel awoke with a terrible sense of urgency. He needed to be somewhere, and soon. As he leapt from the bed, he barely noticed that God had put the bed to rights. With long strides, he moved to the wall beside the remains of the shelf that held his torture devices. He mumbled a few words and the wall receded, creating a doorway. Gabriel entered the chamber, heading straight for the armoire on the far wall. He opened the doors on the wooden closet which contained the tools of his job. Human clothes, specialized weapons, and money lay neatly stacked on the shelves inside. “Celo mei pinnas.” The simple command hid his wings from sight. It wasn’t that they were gone altogether, but they existed in a place between realms, unseen, and unfelt by all but Gabriel. With quick, precise movements, Gabriel clothed himself in jeans and a black Tshirt. He could have conjured the clothing, but his magic wasn’t limitless and he preferred to go to Earth at full power. Once he was dressed and armed, he closed the cabinet and took a moment to center himself. As soon as his eyes closed, he saw Malina. She was walking slowly, without direction, along a dark street. He could feel the churning of her emotions, her distracted state. He wanted to go to her then, simply appear before her, but the voice of reason held him back. She might not be ready to see him yet, and he didn’t want to push her farther away. The street she walked was vaguely familiar, and with the name of the city clear in his mind, Gabriel took his leave of his chamber and his private room. He had to find Malina. A frisson of true fear skittered down his spine. Without reason, Gabriel knew if he didn’t reach her soon, he’d lose her forever.

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***

Malina made her way through the streets of Detroit. She was aware of the people shifting through the shadows; aware she stood out like a sore thumb. She didn’t care. Let them attack her. She could use a good fight. She couldn’t believe her father’s gall, sending out Wrath and Pride to assault her, to spur those feelings in her to an undeniable level. He’d done it with the express purpose of causing something to break between her and Gabriel. She loved her father, but she didn’t understand how he could do something so awful to her. Needing to escape, if only for a while, she shed the costume of humanity, savoring all the power of Hell as her body shifted shape. Razor sharp, obsidian talons tore through her fingertips and Malina flung her head back, releasing a scream like the sound of a rabbit dying. The terrible sound echoed in the still night. Taking a deep breath, she launched herself into the air, her black, leathery wings beating hard, carrying her away from the city’s center and out toward the suburbs.

Chapter 16 “Luc, I don’t like this. Your foster dad’s truck is in the drive.” Lily’s whispered voice trembled, matching the fear shivering through Luc. He was sure the asshole would be at work, but obviously the loser had quit yet another job. Luc didn’t want to go in with that man at home, but he refused to look weak in front of Lily. “Fuck ‘em, Lil. I’ll check out the windows and go in through the bedroom. Chances are they’re both boozed up in front of the tube in the living room.” “Luc, please. I have an awful feeling about this. Let’s just go. We can do it another night.” Lily’s delicate hand clutched the back of Luc’s jacket. His sane mind told him to do what she asked, but the part of him tired of being pushed around refused to allow these people to strip him of anything else of value. “No, Lil. I have to do this now. Make a clean break and put all of this shit behind me. You stay here. I mean it, Lily. I can’t be worrying about whether or not you’re safe. I’ll be back in no time.” Luc couldn’t stop himself from pressing his mouth to hers. The contact was brief, but nonetheless Luc knew the feel of her silky soft mouth was forever burned into his flesh. Lily gasped, her fingers touching her lips as she watched Luc sprint toward the house. The boy she loved had just given her what she’d waited years for, and now he was running into what she knew was trouble. Lily wanted to go after him, but Luc was right. If his foster father found her sneaking around, he’d hurt her just to get at Luc. Memories of dark things the bastard had done haunted Lily, things she could never share with anyone, not her mother and certainly not Luc. Lily scolded herself for losing track of what was important. She moved slowly

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toward the unkempt bushes beside the front porch, settling in to wait for him to return. If Luc said he wouldn’t be long, then she believed him.

*** Luc’s heart beat a strong rhythm, steady and loud in his ears. His foster parents were in front of the television as he’d thought. Now all he had to do was get into the bedroom, under the mattress of their bed, grab the pendant and get out. That was easier said than done. He got the window open and in the room easily enough. He used the psychic skills he’d honed for years, opening the window with his mind and climbing silently inside. He quickly lifted the mattress, but the pendant was no longer there. Furious, Luc wanted to tear the room apart but he couldn’t afford to draw attention to himself. He whirled back to the window, pissed off and sure the bitch had pawned it for booze money. “Looking for this, you worthless piece of shit?” The drunken boom of his foster father’s voice turned Luc’s blood to ice. The painful clamp of a large hand on his shoulder made Luc wince as the asshole spun him around. Rod dangled the pendant in one meaty fist, the other digging into Luc’s shoulder. “I asked you a question, boy.” Luc turned his face away from the monster who had beaten him relentlessly since childhood. The sour smell of cheap liquor and unbrushed teeth made Luc’s stomach twist. Fear held him immobile and he waited for the first blow to come. “Lookie what I found, Rod. Little bitch was sneaking around outside. Looks like Luc-ie has a girlfriend.” His foster mother shoved Lily into the room. “Is that right? Oh, I know that one, Nina. Had a taste of her myself, haven’t I?” Luc’s eyes flew to Lily’s, where the truth of Rod’s words was clearly written in the shame on her face. A bright red welt stood out in vivid relief against Lily’s pale skin. It was too much for Luc to imagine, and all of his hatred and rage churned into a volatile mix that exploded from him in four words. “Baal, I summon thee!” Luc’s roar of fury shook the little house to its foundation. Lucifer’s son had come into his own.

Chapter 17 Gemma and Michael both shuddered as the impact of a tremendous spell echoed through the world. Looking at each other, they made the same decision. Michael took to the air in a blink, his magnificent wings carrying him to the small house they’d been watching in but four short beats. Gemma’s vampiric speed shot her to the same place just as quickly. “Fuck, Michael. He summoned Baal.” Baal was the captain of Lucifer’s guard and the sentinels of Hell, a high prince of the underworld. In short, one nasty ass, powerful demon. “I know. Go inside and get the boy and his young lady.” “What about the adults?” Gemma didn’t want to feel badly for those heartless beasts, but death at the hands of Baal was something that should be reserved for the completely, irrevocably evil. “They deserve whatever they get.” Michael’s face spoke of regret, but his tone brooked no argument. Gemma nodded and burst into the tiny house. What she saw almost made her turn around and go back out. In her long life, she’d seen atrocities most humans couldn’t begin to comprehend. The carnage that decorated the living room around her, though, took her breath and made her stomach twist into knots. The woman had been torn limb from limb. Gemma recognized a leg by a shabby couch and the woman’s head lay on its ear, facing a wall across the room. Gemma knew Baal. Gemma hoped, for the boy’s sake, he’d had Baal execute the woman efficiently. The demon enjoyed torture too much, and he gained power from pain. Gemma had no idea what Luc knew about the demon he’d summoned. She prayed he knew not to let the demon mass any strength because she wasn’t sure Luc

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had enough magic to control Baal, even if he were in a weakened state. The more pain, terror, and death Baal could sow, the more power he’d accrue. With a fully charged Baal, she knew Luc Seraph was playing a game he wouldn’t win. A terrible screech from the next room proved the boy wasn’t as learned as she’d hoped. Gemma carefully made her way toward the room from which the ear-piercing bleats had emanated. Baal was slowly eviscerating the man, while Luc directed his actions. Gemma had to look away; she couldn’t watch and remain sane. The image of spilled guts and an absent penis would come back to haunt her, she was certain. “Tear his soul from his body and take it to Hell. I want him tortured for eternity. Now go, go back to where you came from.” Throughout the demon’s rampage, Luc held Lily close, shielding her from the horrifying scene. Even watching the man he’d hated his entire life be tortured hadn’t relieved his wrath. He wanted to destroy the world, was in fact close to uttering a command to that effect when he heard a soft sob. “Lily, it’s done.” Luc smoothed the crown of her head, wishing he could take her pain. “I’m so sorry, Luc. I… he told me if I did what he said, he wouldn’t hurt you that day. I… I…” Her voice broke with more tears and Luc shushed her. “I don’t blame you. I’d never blame you.” “Isn’t this touching?” Luc spun around, the demonic hiss surprising him. “I gave you a command, now obey me! Go back to Hell!” “Ah, boy, I’d like to. In fact, I’m compelled to. However, you see, you haven’t learned perfect control over your Singularity. Moreover, boy, you have no idea who I am, not really. You could summon me, but it’s going to take a lot more than orders from you to send me back.” Luc shoved Lily behind him, toward an open window. “Run, Lily! Get out!”

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“Baal.” The woman’s voice barely registered in Luc’s ears. He rushed Lily to the window, practically shoving her outside. There was a man there, with huge white wings. An angel? The question resounded in Luc’s mind, but at that moment, he couldn’t afford curiosity. “Give her to me. I’ll keep her safe.” The man’s tone was compassionate and strong, and Luc trusted him immediately. He nodded. Baal’s attention fixed on Gemma. “Ah, my Lady. It’s been a long time.” “Cut the shit. Do as he says. Don’t make me kick your ass.” Gemma knew chances were better that Baal would kick her ass, but she’d never show trepidation. His demonic chuckle made it clear he didn’t see her as a threat. “Your mother may be Lilith, but you’re only a child compared to me. You don’t stand a chance. Walk away, Gemma. I’ve been waiting years to take out Lucifer’s brat. Lucky for me, I found one he didn’t even know about and can’t protect.” “What the fuck are you rambling about, Baal? I mean, demons are nuts, but you’re about to get the crown!” Gemma was careful not to relax, but Baal wasn’t making any sense. “Lucifer is too soft. He has been since he took a mortal wife. I knew taking Malina out of his life would push him over the edge, give me the opportunity I need to make my move. I think taking out his son, one he never knew he had, will be even better. My time has come.” “Ha! Baal, come on. The boy isn’t Lucifer’s.” Gemma herself had wondered about the boy’s parentage, but she’d never thought of Lucifer as a possible suspect. But with Baal’s words, something Michael said teased her memory. Something about if Luc used his powers early, Lucifer would take over on Earth earlier than planned. The shock of putting two and two together must have showed on her face. “Please! Don’t tell me you didn’t know the vampire was his? I could taste the Prince of Lies on the boy the first time he summoned me. It’s past time for some new leadership in Hell and I’m the perfect demon for the job.” Baal took a step toward

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Gemma, intent on getting her out of his way. He wouldn’t lose this chance. Gemma held her ground, keeping herself between the demon and his target. Stupid, maybe. Dangerous, no doubt. But she’d wouldn’t walk away and let the boy be slaughtered, no matter who his father was.

“Leave her alone.” Luc had no idea where he found the guts to take on the monstrous figure before him, but he couldn’t stand there and let someone else fight for him. Baal slowly faced Luc. His body was lizard like and covered with thick, scaly skin. Thousands of sores covered the flesh, oozing pus and the putrid scent of death. The demon’s head was enormous, huge black horns curling down from his skull. His eyes were opaque white, as if blind, and he had no nose or lips, just rotting flesh hanging from those places. Rows of yellowed, tangled, rotten teeth filled his mouth, but Luc was certain they were sharp enough to rend flesh from bone. A long, snakelike tail dragged along the ground behind him, the flesh split open and festering. “Finally going to fight your own fight instead of quivering like a little girl, are you?” Luc gave a primal yell and mentally threw the demon across the room. The force of his rage sent the evil being through the wall and out onto the front lawn. “Luc, get out of the house. Michael and I will hold him off.” The lovely platinum haired woman grabbed his arm and pushed him toward the window. He shrugged her off. “He’s right. It’s time I fight for myself. I called him here, it’s me who has to send him back.” “Damn, stubborn teenagers! Fine, but at least get out of the house. We’re sitting ducks in here.” Gemma grabbed him by the waist of his jeans and his upper right arm and literally pitched him through the window. As she followed him, she prayed to God that whoever was coming to the rescue would show up soon.

*** The ripples of power beat against Malina. Instinctively, she turned her body into

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the wake of the magic. She knew she had to hurry. The boy -- her brother -- was on the verge of changing the world. The minutes ticked by as she followed the path of the energy to a rundown subdivision on the outskirts of town. A flash of white caught her eye and she dove toward it, unsure what it was from her height in the sky, but knowing it was where she needed to be. She alighted on the ground a hundred yards from the white spot and recognized it as Michael. He had a small book in his left hand. By the look of it, it was a spell book. He recited incantations from it, casting them at a demon and trying to shelter a human girl at the same time. Malina’s gaze took in the scene, noting that a blond woman she didn’t know was shielding herself and a boy from blast after blast from… Dear God, the demon was Baal. What had her brother done? Baal was dangerous, unpredictable, and lacked any sort of goodness. Malina strode up behind Michael, revealing her presence to the Archangel. He nodded at her and continued to conjure spells to bind Baal, dropping the book to the ground and using spells from memory, but nothing worked. Though the women were unfamiliar, Malina knew the boy was her brother. She noted he was fighting the demon with everything he had, using his mind to throw Baal around like a ball, but nothing truly wounded the demon. “Baal.” Malina unleashed her magic, binding the demon’s darkness to her, trying to take control of him. “Princess Malina. How lovely to see you. This night couldn’t get better if Lucifer himself showed up and asked me to take the throne.” “Baal, stop. Go back home and resume your duties.” Her magic worked on him, but Baal was extremely powerful. She wouldn’t be able to hold him in her thrall long. As it was, he had only stopped attacking the others. His will was too great, and he refused to go back. She felt him struggling against her, aware of him cutting through the ribbons of her power as quickly as she wove them into his darkness.

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“You’re good, Princess. I didn’t know you had such a strong gift.” “Do as I command! Return to Hell!” Malina’s thick tail whipped through the night air, smashing into Baal’s decaying body, tearing an arm from its socket. The demon roared in agony, but still he refused to leave. He crumpled to the ground, his poisoned blood spilling out, killing everything it touched. Malina snapped her tail again, taking off his other arm. The demon howled in pain. “Go now and you might live.” The compulsion to obey her was strong, but Baal couldn’t pass up this opportunity to rid Hell of Lucifer’s half-breed offspring. He bowed his head as though defeated and waited. Malina stepped toward him, gathering her power to send him back without his agreement, but she came too close to Baal. “Malina!” Michael screamed the warning belatedly. “No!” Gemma tried to extend her protective bubble around Malina, but she was also too late. “What have I done?” Shame and guilt came crashing down on Luc as he watched the disgusting thing he’d called bury its tail into the belly of the other creature who had come to help. Baal had called it Princess, and Luc prayed she’d be all right. As the angel and the blond woman rushed to the Princess’ side, Luc gathered his strength and focused it on Baal, freezing the demon where he was. He couldn’t make what had happened right, but he could stop Baal from hurting anyone else. Gemma slid to her knees as she reached Malina’s side, tearing her shirt off and pressing it to the gaping wound in Malina’s gut. “Oh, fuck, this is bad. Can you heal it?” “No, those sores are filled with toxin.” Malina coughed and blood flew from her mouth. “It didn’t affect my tail, but my stomach is unprotected. Even if I could heal the damage, the venom will kill me first.” Luc fell to his knees beside the magnificent woman that lay dying. “I’m so sorry.

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I’m so sorry.” Malina reached a clawed hand out to Luc and he grabbed on tight. “Don’t worry, brother. I’ll be all right. You have to maintain control of him, Luc. Don’t lose your focus. You may not be able to send him back, but don’t release him from your power. Our father will be here soon.” Malina choked again on the blood filling her lungs. She slowed the beat of her heart, knowing she’d die anyway but needing those few extra moments. “Michael.” Her voice was weak and thready, but the Archangel was at her side in a moment. “Don’t worry, Malina. I’ll tell him. You really hurt Baal. I can handle it from here.” Malina heard the reassurance in his voice, but she wasn’t fooled. Only two beings might be able to defeat Baal, and she prayed with her last breaths that one of them would arrive in time. Her lids fluttered as she watched Michael and the woman exchange a glance. They both looked at Luc, whose eyes glittered with unshed tears. “Did you call me brother?”

Chapter 18 Malina nodded slowly and squeezed Luc’s hand as hard as she could. Her spirit was slipping from her as the horrible burn of Baal’s poison tore her apart on the inside. Gabriel, my love, I don’t know if you can hear me, but I’m dying. I forgive you. I love you. Always. Malina fought to draw in another breath, thankful for each sweet, painful gasp. No, you can’t die! I won’t let you! Sometimes you don’t get to choose, my love. The powerful sound of wings beating pulled Malina from the beckoning darkness long enough for her to open her eyes one last time. “NOOO!” A smile curved her lips as she watched her glorious Archangel release the darkness within his spirit. Gabriel’s body shifted, becoming both Heaven and Hell as he dove from the sky. He crashed into Baal with such force that the ground shook. “Back to Hell with you, Baal. Never will you leave again!” Gabriel’s black taloned hands tore the demon’s head from his shoulders in the blink of an eye. Rancid, black blood poured from Baal’s headless body, but Gabriel ignored it. “Boy, Son of Lucifer, come to me.” Luc was terrified of the creature holding the demon’s cranium, but he couldn’t refuse the summons. The half naked woman allowed him to pass through her protection, and he walked to the man. “Send him back to Hell.” The voice was so hard to listen to Luc nearly covered his ears. It was both soothing and grating, like whatever the man was, it wasn’t what he should be. “I tried, he wouldn’t go.”

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A harsh sigh heaved from the man, and Luc took a step back. “Imagine in your mind, a doorway into Hell. Will yourself to believe it’s real. Once you’ve conjured the door, open it and throw Baal’s head inside. Then seal the door against any who might try to break through it. Can you do that?” Luc wasn’t sure, but the last thing he wanted to do was disappoint the man in front of him. He did as instructed. He visualized a doorway into Hell and as the picture solidified in his mind, a door appeared in front of him. When the gateway was as real in the space in front of him as the picture was clear in his imagination, words he didn’t understand began to flow from his mouth. “Abzala incal finte. Gosoth feol Baal.” The door in his mind flew open, and the real one swung wide as well. Luc felt the slick, rotting tissue of Baal’s skull beneath his left palm. He grasped the flesh, ignoring the acid burn of its seeping fluids, and flung the head through the doorway. He slammed the door shut, both the true door and the imagined one, and placed an impenetrable wall over the threshold. With one last thought, he removed the door from the real world. Finished, Luc fell to his knees, exhausted beyond measure and overwhelmed by what had happened. “Luc, thank God you’re all right!” The soft smell of violets stirred Luc and he looked up at Lily. She was shaking with fear and Luc realized it wasn’t fear of Baal, but of himself. “Lily, don’t be afraid. I’m still the same old Luc.” He gave her a slight smile, which she tried to return. “I know you are. But, Luc, it’s one thing to think you’re a magician or something, it’s another to know you’re the son of the devil.” He understood her words, but pain lanced through his heart anyway. He sighed heavily, turning his head away from her. “I understand, Lily.” The warm embrace of Lily’s arms took him by surprise. “No, you don’t, but that’s okay. It’s gonna take me some time to get used to it, but I can’t walk away from you either. What kind of friend would I be, huh?” Her soft laugh took away the last of what remained of Luc’s tension. He folded his arms around her, pulling her close and burying his nose in her hair. For now, she

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was safe and he was at peace. An anguished sob brought Luc out of his thoughts. The man who’d flown in to his rescue was on his knees beside the body of the female demon that had tried to save him. The woman who’d called him brother. “No, no. Malina, don’t leave me!” Gabriel choked back the knot of tears in his throat. He felt her heart slow, felt her soul slipping away. “I love you, Gabriel. I wish…” Her voice trailed off and Gabriel hugged her closer to his chest. He blinked his red-rimmed eyes at Michael and Gemma. “Help me, please.” Michael shook his head. He knew her wounds were beyond his power to heal. A loud swallow from Gemma drew Michael’s attention. “I can send her into stasis, but that’s all I can do. I can’t heal her, but I can stop her from getting any worse. Can you heal her? Can you stop the poison?” Gabriel nodded and Gemma moved to his side. She placed her hand over Malina’s forehead and whispered the incantation. “It’s done, but I don’t know if it will work. She’s hanging on by a thread. The poison in her blood, from Baal, will kill her within seconds of coming out of stasis.” “I can heal her. Thank you, Gemma Joyce. I will repay you someday, I swear it.” Gemma nodded and turned away from the group. She knew Michael had to leave, and she refused to get emotional about it. They’d had fun, but it wasn’t permanent, no matter that she’d opened up to him more than anyone else, past or present. “Gemma, wait.” The honeyed baritone tugged at her heart. Gemma took a deep breath and waited for him to reach her. She refused to turn around and look at him. Somehow, in a matter of a few days, Michael had managed to make her question her long held opinion on the holy realm. He’d also shown her the heights of passion without taking anything for himself, and he’d given her nearly endless patience. He’d made her want to share her past and her pain with him, which shook her more than all the rest. She wished it was hate making her heart thump at his

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approach, but she was terrified it was the exact opposite. “Gemma, look at me.” She shook her head, for the first time in her life letting cowardice rule her. “Fine. You know this isn’t over between us. I’ll be back.” She hid the emotion filling her throat behind a flippant reply. “If you say so, Mike.” His large hand wrapped around her bicep as he whirled her to face him. “I do say.” Michael smashed his mouth against hers. It was a kiss of possession, laying claim to the only female that had ever tested his patience and his control. Gemma was his. She thrust her hands into his long, thick hair and returned his kiss just as powerfully. Their tongues dueled for dominance, teeth clicking as they both tried to devour the other. She shoved him off her, breaking the kiss, air bellowing in and out of lungs starved of oxygen. She swiped the back of her left hand across her mouth and turned away from him. “You’d better be ready when I come back.” His low shout set her hair on end, making her pussy convulse at the decadent implications his voice carried. She said nothing in reply, leaving him standing behind her, fighting the demands of his place in the world and the needs of his body, and heart.

Chapter 19 Gabriel collected Malina in his arms, then turned to the boy and the young woman in his arms. “Luc, it’s time you met your father. Take the girl home, then do what you did just now. Create a doorway in your mind to Hell. He’ll be waiting.” Gabriel waited until the boy acknowledged him, then took his love home. They arrived in his chambers in a swirl of angelic power. Gabriel laid Malina on the bed, careful of her wound. Once he sent her into REM sleep, her wounds would heal, but he had to get rid of the poison in her blood before he brought her out of the stasis or she’d die anyway. Setting aside his worries, he focused on the ritual ahead. He cleared his mind, breathing deep to center himself within the untainted Light of God that shone like a beacon inside his soul. He filled himself with that Benevolent Peace, bringing his hands together in a clap that shook the room. Opening his eyes, he brought his hands over Malina’s body and began to chant. Light poured from his eyes, mouth and fingertips. He sent the light into her broken body, directing it to seek out Baal’s poison and remove it. Malina’s form rose from the bed, lifted up by the power of his holy magic. His healing gift enfolded her, healing her, bringing her back to him. When Gabriel was certain no trace of the venom remained, he sent her into deep sleep, then pulled the power back and collapsed on the bed beside Malina’s healing human form.

*** Malina awoke, disoriented and lost. There was a pressure across her middle she was sure she wouldn’t feel if she were dead. Bits and pieces of the night before flashed through her mind, a jumbled puzzle of what had happened that didn’t quite fit together. Her head pounded, the remnants of a spell making her weary. She cast off the

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bits of magic, clearing her brain from its fog. She moved her hand to her belly, needing to relieve the pressure there. When her fingers connected with warm flesh, she gasped. Her hand stroked along the skin, knowing without question whose arms held her. “Gabriel.” The one word was whispered, but she felt him tense in response. “I love you, Malina.” Her heart clutched, the words she’d longed to hear making her soul shout with joy. Her mind, though, had a different response. “I know, Gabriel. What I don’t know is whether or not I can survive your love.” She felt him sigh, and she wanted to capitulate. For once, her pride was right. She couldn’t give in until she knew things were different. “How can I prove myself to you?” “You can give me all of yourself. Stop hiding from me, stop pushing me away.” He rolled from the bed then. She turned also, watching his magnificent nude form as he paced along the bedside. “I don’t know if I can! I don’t know how!” He ran a strong hand through his short, white-blond curls, his frustration evident in the tense lines of his body. “Let me show you how. Let me have control, Gabriel.” She could see him fighting with himself, but she said nothing more. This had to be his choice. “All right, Malina. I’ll put myself in your power.” Her pride did back flips at his admission, but her heart understood how difficult this would be for him. “First, Gabriel, you must show me your true form.” His black gaze clashed with her clear blue one, but she held her ground. She’d already seen the demonic side of him. She wasn’t afraid. He wanted to refuse, she could see it in his eyes. “My love, the only way for us to find happiness is if you can accept yourself as you are. You need to know that I do.” He growled, part anger and part fear, but in a blinding flash of smoke and light, the almost fallen Archangel stood before her. Malina rose from the bed and moved to stand in front of him. Her long fingered hands traced over the dark scales decorating his forehead and shoulders, along the

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leathery spine of his wings, and down the line of his chest. His extra height meant she had to stretch on tiptoe to do so, but she needed him to know she cherished him, all of him. She looked deeply into his eyes, letting him see her love and acceptance. “I know why this happened, Gabriel. If I could change it, I would. But we both know that isn’t possible. Do you know how proud Michael is of you that you even survived? Do you know how much guilt he carries because he didn’t get to you earlier? Questioning your faith didn’t do all of this. Being unable to forgive yourself did.” “I doubted my God. I should be in Hell.” Gabriel turned his head away from her, tears of regret and remorse filling his eyes. “God forgave you. It’s time for you to forgive yourself.” Malina laid her palm against his scaly cheek, then slid her hand around to his neck. “Give me your darkness.” She pulled his mouth to hers, opening wide to accept his tongue. She sucked it inside and swirled her own around it, telling him without words that she didn’t care what he looked like or what his soul held. She wasn’t afraid of him. Gabriel wrapped his clawed hands around her warm body, rejoicing in her approval of him, regardless of his tainted spirit. He actually felt her love filling him inside, and with her love, he found the strength to forgive himself. He tore his mouth from hers as the power of absolution poured through him. Stumbling, Gabriel fell to his knees and felt, for the first time, the Redemption of God. God filled him with Her love, and it exploded through his being, from the depths of his spirit out through the tips of his fingers. “Malina!” Tears of joy streamed down her face as she watched Gabriel’s resurrection from torment. His entire body glowed, golden rays of luminosity bursting from beneath his skin. She felt the tear in his soul heal. Her Archangel was again holy. The light dissipated and Gabriel dropped his head into his palms. Malina knelt at his side. She placed her warm palm on his cool, smooth shoulder. When he lifted his face to hers, she gasped. “Your eyes! Gabriel, your eyes! They’re

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golden!” “I’m whole, Malina. The darkness is still there, but my soul is my own.” He placed his hand over hers, squeezing gently. “Malina, I was wrong about you. I thought I didn’t need anyone to complete me. For so long nothing moved me, no one could make me change my mind. Then you came into my life and challenged everything I’d told myself was true. You took my heart. I offer you my soul.” Malina’s heart was so full of jubilation, it seemed the organ would burst. They threw their arms about each other, hugging their bodies as close as possible. The soft brush of his lips along the line of her neck gave Malina a shiver of desire, but after all that had happened she didn’t know if either of them had the energy to act on their passion. “I always have the energy for that, my love.” Gabriel’s smiled lustily at her shocked gasp. Some thoughts were easier read than others. She gave him a playful smack on the shoulder, and then pulled away. “Let’s go to bed.” As they neared the platform, he tugged on her hand. “Wait, before we lose our heads,” he paused to savor her soft laugh, “I want you to know something. I’m still jealous and worried, but I want your happiness more than my own. When you left, I wanted to die without you. Nothing in my life completes me the way you do. After seeing you last night, I know the Protectorate needs you too. Join me. Join us. Please, Malina.” “Yes, I’ll join you, for eternity! I love you so much!” She jumped into his arms, overwhelmed at his openness, overjoyed that he loved her. “Now, I want you to make love to me, my wife. I love you.” He carried her to the bed, then laid down on his back, completely vulnerable to her, putting himself in her care. Malina kissed his brow, then his nose and his lips. Soft, butterfly strokes of skin against skin. She skimmed the line of his throat with her tongue, moving slowly to his tight nipples. With a groan, Gabriel conjured his own bindings, unsure if he could let Malina

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go at her own pace without restraining himself. Her lush mouth teased the hard nubs of his nipples, bringing his erection to glorious life. The fingers of her right hand slid across his chest, finding the other bud and flicking it over and over. His cock bounced in time with her strokes and his hands tightened in his bonds when he felt her tongue glide over the nipple beneath her lips. She used her tongue and teeth, as he often did to her, and Malina reveled in her power. His body was hers for the taking, and she intended to enjoy every inch of it. His harsh moans of pleasure spurred her own, her white teeth nipping the hard flesh of his stomach until her hot mouth hovered over his massive cock. With the first stroke of her tongue against his rock hard flesh, Gabriel raised his head from the bed to watch her loving ministrations. Her clear azure gaze met his own, lust, need, and adoration shining in their depths. When she relaxed her jaw and slid him home, Gabriel’s arm bulged as his fists wrapped around the chains attached to his shackles. He wanted, so badly, to touch her, but he let her set the pace. The taste of his skin, light and fresh, liquefied her. Her pussy slickened as she imagined taking his hard cock into her pussy, riding him to glorious completion, taking them both to Heaven and back. She swirled her tongue around his bulbous head, slipping into the opening at its tip and tasting her influence in the salty fluid seeping from it. She pulled him from her mouth and purred. “Mmm, you taste so good, Gabriel.” Nibbling her way to the base of his cock, she took first one testicle and then the other into her mouth, rolling the delicate balls with her tongue. His hoarse shout thrilled her, tightening her nipples and sending a jolt of electricity to her already hard clit. She wanted to drag this out, but she needed to connect with him more. Slowly, she climbed her way back up his body until they were eye to eye. Pulling her knees alongside his hips, Malina lifted her aching, wet pussy over his raging cock. She met his eyes as she slid her fingers between his, their hands linked as tightly as their hearts and souls. With a thought, the chains were gone, her slight weight was all that kept him tied to the bed.

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“I love you,” she sighed as she slid herself down his length. The pressure, the wonderful pressure of his entry brought a smile to her lush mouth. Gabriel watched her face as she took him, awed by her openness, her total lack of any barriers. She showed him with her body what she’d told him with words, and Gabriel shook with ecstasy. Each delicate stroke of her slick walls, the sound of his cock plunging deep into her blazing, wet pussy taking him one step closer to his peak. “More, Malina. Give me more.” Her mouth opened in a glorious smile as she gave him what he needed, her strokes becoming faster, harder, deeper. Her full, red tipped breasts bounced with each thrust, tempting him beyond reason. Without releasing her hands, Gabriel sat up, carefully folding her arms and his behind her back so he could taste the cherry nipples that beckoned him. His cool mouth closed around her flesh, and Malina cried out. “Ah!” His lips on her nipples rocketed her to the next level, taking her within reach of orgasm. She began to rock on his cock even faster, the nip of his teeth taking her over the edge. “Gabriel!” She yelled out her orgasm, her pussy clenching along his shaft, her body flooded with juices, washing away any bitterness that might have remained. The feel of her release triggered his own as Gabriel buried his face in her neck and gave in. His cock pulsed with his powerful ejaculations, each one saturating her body. He continued to hold her close, even after the quivering and throbbing had ebbed away. At last, Gabriel had found his redemption, and though her name meant ‘dark tower,’ she was his Light. Malina.

Epilogue “Well, I’d say I couldn’t be happier, but we both know that isn’t exactly true.” Lucifer wasn’t sure what to say to Her Almightiness. In fact, he wasn’t sure he wanted to have anything to do with Her for quite some time. “I know, Lucifer. I’d offer you some souls,” She gave a soft laugh, “but I don’t think that would quite make things even.” “I’m overjoyed that I have a son and that my daughter has found her destiny. What I don’t understand is how You could keep him from me.” Lucifer was pissed off, and God knew he had good reason. She wouldn’t point out that he also hadn’t known about the boy, no matter that he could have. In this, She gladly took all blame. “Give your son the love he’s missed. Teach him what he needs to know.” She laid a comforting hand on Lucifer’s shoulder. He sighed and nodded. “Don’t think You’re forgiven so easily.” His voice carried menace, but also resignation. He couldn’t stay mad at Her forever; he’d tried that before. She’d found a way to circumvent his rage then, and he knew She’d do it again. “I don’t. How about we talk about the next item of business?” “Gemma Joyce, Lilith and Remiel’s daughter. Michael has his hands full with that one. She’s not exactly what I’d call cooperative or genial.” Lucifer grimaced and lifted an eyebrow sardonically. That woman had a nasty temper and an even nastier mouth. He shook his head, letting a memory of one of her lashings play through his mind. She hadn’t known she’d been berating him, but Lucifer didn’t think it would have mattered. The Holy Host might not want to be bothered with the role Gemma played in the lives of foundlings, but Lucifer had been intrigued by a vampire whose goal was to protect, nurture, and teach others like herself, regardless of whether they

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chose a good path or an evil one. Pushing aside his musing, he conjured a cigar and began puffing away, just to irritate Her. God turned away from him to hide her smile. She wasn’t sure what Lucifer had been thinking, but she was sure they’d be seeing each other again very soon. Leave it to Lucifer to only see the negative side of things. Gemma might be a handful, but she knew exactly whose hands to place her in.

Emma Ray Garrett Emma Ray says of herself: I took the road less traveled by, and let me tell you it’s a wild roller coaster, this life I live. Through it all, though, writing has kept me (moderately) sane. I’m the ultimate alpha female and my husband loves me anyway. I have three beautiful children who keep me busy but I always find time to get words on paper. Fans can contact me at [email protected] or visit my website at http://www.freewebs.com/emma_ray_garrett. I love reader feedback!

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