The Demon of Angels (Bk. 2)

SUNDAY.

A day that’s supposed to be one of the highlights of your week. Sleeping in, wearing comfy clothes, homemade breakfast, watching T.V., and staying in bed all day like a lazy bum just because you can.

Unfortunately for me, that wasn’t the case.

“Focus, Celeste!” Michael barked, his hands folded behind his back. Sweat poured down my forehead as my hands clenched at my sides. The five of us were all standing behind my house in the open field. We had been training since dawn.

“I’m trying!” I snapped back at the Archangel.

Michael had been trying to get me to master some techniques against demons using more of my celestial magic all morning. At first, he had tried to make me train with Zeke, but I had refused. Unfortunately for me and fortunately for her, Morgan wasn’t here– a good thing for all of our sakes in the scheme of things– so that left Noah.

Grinding my teeth together, I spared a glance to Michael’s left. Zeke’s eyes met mine, and gave a slight nod. Taking a deep breath, I focused on the Hellhound in front of me.

Noah stood roughly twenty feet from me, shirtless and dripping in sweat. With my heightened vision, I could see the droplets of sweat slither down his chiseled abs and dip between the V at his naval, disappearing into the waistband of his black athletic shorts. His eyes were glowing blood red, and his forehead was lined in concentration.

Zeke growled, noticing where my attention was at. My gaze flickered over and fixated itself on Zeke. There was a deep scowl embedded in his features, and I smirked. Winking, I focused back on the task at hand.

My energy soared, pushing my celestial half forth, igniting the power within me. White hot orbs of sunlight materialized around my fists, sputtering like a rage of pure power. My eyes glowed as they locked onto the shifting form in front of me. A deep growl sputtered from my lips while Noah was mid-shift, his bones cracking.

He’s already done this so many times today; who knew how much more he could take. Hellhounds couldn’t shift so often in a day without proper rest and nutrition. The more they shifted, the longer it took to do so, and the more dangerous it was to them. Typically, I wouldn’t care, but this was Noah.

Knowing it was now or never, I leaned my body forward and took off at a dead sprint. I didn’t wait for Noah to finish shifting, even when he let out a whimper of torment. Michael wasn’t going to stop pushing us until we got this right.

Thankfully, Noah managed to shift into his full hound form, raven black fur with four paws and all. However, he barely had a second to breathe before I was tackling his oversized pup to the ground.

Noah’s jaws snapped at me as we rolled, barely nicking my skin when I wrapped my arms around his thick neck. My orbs shot sunlit bolts through him, sizzling his skin and burning his fur. Noah yelped, bucking me off of him. His hind legs shot out at the right moment, shoving me in the chest without an ounce of remorse.

I flew backward, tumbling to the ground with a few grunts and groans.

Ow.

Grinding my teeth together, I rose to my feet as heavy paws pounded against the open field. My orbs molded around my hands once more, pulsating with hot rays that began to travel the length of my arm as thunder clapped in the distance. The blue sky churned grey as my frustration grew. Clapping my hands together out in front of me, a thin white beam blasted forward and shot the oncoming hound in the chest.

Noah howled, tumbling back. He managed to land on all fours, growling as he lowered his snout to the ground. His short tail stood on end, his hackles raising as his burning crimson eyes locked on me as if I were his prey.

His demon loved the thrill of the hunt, pursuing its prey and toying with it for fun. I could see it in his watchful gaze; he was an expert and always conquered what he hunted.

Then Noah lunged, claws outstretched for my throat with the look of death in his blood-red eyes. The orbs resurfaced on my palms, crawling up my arms as they hung loosely at my side, waiting for the right moment.

When his front paw was less than a foot from my heart, I lifted my hand and swung. The orb smashed into the Hound’s head, pulverizing him with pure light energy. Lesson one of celestial magic: It doesn’t mix well with demons.

Noah’s form was flung to the side from my defensive strike, but not before his other paw slashed across my face. I hissed upon impact; the three new claw marks trickled with blood, oozing down my flushed face. I didn’t bother whipping it away, knowing this wasn’t over yet.

The Hellhound quickly shot to his feet, growling at me in what seemed like a warning. When he snarled, I got his message loud and clear: game on.

Simultaneously, the hound and I took off at full speed. When we managed to reach within five feet of one another, I leaped up into the air, my feet to the sky as I flew over his head. Grunting, I turned mid-jump and jerked my hands out, blasting Noah in the back with an orb and ray of white and blue Celestial sunrays.

The Hellhound shrieked, whining as his skin started to boil on the surface. Noah whimpered, limping to the side, and laid himself down. I landed and then rolled with a soft thud behind him, sympathy for the poor wolf and my best friend pouring from me.

As he shifted back, I slowly made my way over to Noah’s crumpled body. I shielded my eyes from his man parts as Zeke jogged over with a pair of athletic shorts.

The oxygen flowing from my lungs came out in short, ragged pants. I was physically exhausted from trying to perfect those skills and techniques over and over again. If Michael had Noah do it again, I would put my foot down and make sure that didn’t happen. Noah needed a break.

Groaning, Noah thanked Zeke as he was helped to his feet and quickly pulled the new shorts on. I stepped forward and placed a hand on Noah’s bare shoulder, my protective instinct kicking in as Michael made his way over. The Archangel gave me a small nod, indicating it was time. There was more than one reason Michael had chosen Noah as my training partner.

He had informed me of what to do earlier in the day about completing the bond in the prophecy between Noah and I, and I knew it was now or never.

My eyes flashed their signature Hybrid hue and brightened. I wasted no time while pulsing my power outward toward the Hellhound. The energy within me knew what to do as if with its own mind.

What felt like strings attached to my soul, they stretched outward and wrapped themselves around Noah like unbreakable vines. I knew the bond required powerful purebred energy, but I was hoping his demon wouldn’t reject me when he felt the invasion.

Noah was a very dominant Hellhound, thus why he was Zeke’s second– in more correct terminology, beta– but my Hybrid was stronger than his. Dominant in more ways than one, and I knew I could overpower if necessary. I could only hope that his submitted to mine and let the bond form. I didn’t want to push him or his demon over the edge.

Noah gasped once he felt my power, clutching his abdomen and bending over. My hand tightened on his shoulder, my jaw clenching in concentration. His demon was weak from training and unable to fight my power from initial entry through his physical form. I guided it forward through Noah and into the powerful being that rested inside of him. With a gasp, I felt the surge of demonic energy pulsing with dominance and power. Grunting with effort, I surged forward with my power and wrapped my energy– my soul, around his and began entwining the two.

“Let it happen, Noah,” I whispered. He groaned, falling to one knee with his head bowed. Standing over him, I could see the red from his eyes reflecting off the ground, bright as if on fire.

What felt like a dark wall suddenly snapped into place, pushing back against me. I stumbled beside him, my brow beading with sweat and gasping as Noah’s shoulders sagged like a weight was being lifted off of him. My hand dropped from his shoulder as agony rocked my chest.

Damn, the Hound has more juice than I thought. If I didn’t complete the bond, I could permanently damage Noah and I’s souls. My energy was still wrapped around and through his physical being, but his soul was heavily blockaded now.

Gritting my teeth, I charged forward and snatched Noah’s shoulder in my grasp once more. I jerked him to an upright position, letting him feel the power and dominance surging inside of me. His eyes were still red, and mine hadn’t ceased from glowing either. His face sagged with exhaustion, but I pushed on.

Gathering all I could muster from within, I thrust it at Noah, leaving me feeling nearly empty as I thrust it at him. I was beginning to burn, the force needed to complete the bond almost too much. Unable to help the urge, I parted my lips and screamed.

Noah’s head jerked up, the beings within us surging forward to the forefront. Our gazes locked in a fight for dominance as the strings tied to my soul wrapped around and through Noah possessively. When I felt a tinge of hesitation from within him, I growled at the uneasy Hellhound. “Submit,” I demanded, my voice no longer quite my own.

As if on instinct, Noah snarled in defiance. Zeke stepped forward to take charge, but Michael placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. “She has to do it herself,” he murmured. The hybrid nodded with a frown of worry, taking a half step back. He didn’t like it, but Zeke knew he couldn’t interfere without harming Noah or myself.

I got in Noah’s face then, keeping my eyes locked on his for the battle of power and to find the superior demon. “Submittere, daemonium.” The Latin words curled my lips, demanding that he submit to me. Noah’s nose flared, and he growled, unwilling to relent.

My eyes narrowed as the energy poured from my burning core, trying to find an opening in Noah’s wall. When nothing broke through, I huffed and decided to go for my last resort option. Pulling at the chains of my Hybrid from within its cage, I let it rush forth and take control to show superiority.

Mentally I was drained and sat back, letting my Hybrid shake my body with unwavering power and an unholy growl. When my mouth opened, it wasn’t my voice that vibrated my vocal cords.

“You will submit to me, canis.” My Hybrid spat, its voice gravely and several octaves lower than my own. The golden glow from my eyes churned, dimming until Noah’s face was a void of light. It was then that something darker took place.

Noah’s eyes widened, fear flashing through his gaze as he shuddered. His walls cracked then, and with my energy finally able to locate a hole, it greedily seeped through. Noah didn’t fight against it or resist. Instead, openly welcoming it.

Welcoming me.

My essence entangled itself in Noah’s core, burrowing deep and anchoring there like another home to reside in. An additional string attached to my soul, marking me as a protector for its packmate and vice versa.

We were one.

Sighing in relief, I took a step back and Noah sagged his shoulders. We both breathed heavily, physically and mentally drained to the point of exhaustion and dehydration.

Reigning in my Hybrid, I pushed my other half aside and took back control. I lazily smirked at Noah and patted him lightly on the shoulder. “You’re strong, Noah.” Then I winced. “Almost too damn strong.”

He laughed halfheartedly, shaking his head. “Thanks, Cupcake.”

I felt Noah deeply within me, the power he held, and their overall well-being. There was a slight pinch coming from Noah’s chord attaching our souls together, but looking at my best friend, I understood why. Welts from where I had burned him covered his back and neck, the skin sizzling. I’d be rushing him to the hospital if he had been human.

Michael stepped forward, and although he didn’t visibly show it or verbally say it, his eyes shined with pride. “Well done,” he commended.

I nodded lazily. “Now what?”

The Archangel turned to Zeke with a raised brow. “Are you a real alpha, or are you just the most dominant?”

Zeke furrowed his eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

Michael frowned. “I’ll take that as a no.” He ran a hand down his face. “I think it would be smart to make your pack– a pack officially. Do as Celeste did to Noah, but without the resistance. Noah’s demon will feel yours, a fellow Hellhound, and welcome you as his Alpha.”

Zeke’s eyes widened. “I didn’t think that was possible.”

Michael nodded, motioning to Noah. “Try it out; there should be no pain.”

Hesitantly, Zeke stepped forward and mimicked my motions from earlier. Placing a hand on his brother’s shoulder, Zeke locked eyes with Noah as they burned gold. After a moment, Zeke’s forehead creased in concentration, the staggered backward, a look of shock on his face.

“It worked,” he breathed.

Noah looked equally stunned, swallowing as he looked at Zeke in a new light with his glowing crimson. The Hellhound blinked, the eyes returning to their milk chocolate brown with a satisfied smile. “It did,” he added, turning to Michael. “It worked.”

Michael nodded with a small knowing smile, then turned to Evan, who stood a few feet away with a furrowed expression and murmured something I couldn’t comprehend. “Who are your parents?”

Evan raised his eyebrows. “David and Josie Maxwell are Guardians working for your father directly.”

My eyebrows shot up to my hairline. His parents worked directly under Grandpa? That’s insane; that also must mean he’s extremely powerful with those as his parents. But as the thought occurred to me, as did another. “Wait,” my hand shot out, and my forehead furrowed. “I thought you were a half breed, a Nephilim.”

Evan smirked. “That’s what I let everyone believe,” he said with a smug look of satisfaction. “I’m strong enough to mask my energy completely from anyone I wish. Now, I only mask half of it whenever I’m around you all.”

Holy shit balls, Evan is a purebred Celestial and extremely powerful.

I turned to Zeke and Noah, their expressions a mirror of my own. Did they not know either?

Evan turned to them and shrugged. “Don’t like the attention it brings, but I also knew if I didn’t mask myself, it would irritate your demons.” Evan motioned to Zeke. “Even yours.”

Michael looked equally surprised, then nodded and motioned toward our little group huddled together. “Then it’s your turn.”

Noah winced but nodded. “Let’s do it.”

Evan stepped forward, placing a hand on either shoulder of his brothers, then closed his eyes. For one second, everything was quiet and felt normal. The next, Evan seemed to have removed his mask completely, and my God. I’d never felt something so powerful, from pure light and Celestial energy in my life. I could see Michael’s eyebrows shoot up in stunned silence from the corner of my eye, but the Archangel was nonetheless pleased with the outcome.

Evan’s forehead creased in concentration, and a moment later, removed his arms from the boys. “Done,” he murmured.

My mouth popped open; he hadn’t even broken a sweat. “What– how?” I asked, stunned.

The Celestial turned his head to me and wore a smug expression. I’m a lot more dominant than you think,” he winked.

Michael nodded, then motioned to me. “Now bond with Celeste, then Zeke will follow and do the same. We will rest afterward.”

Evan stepped toward me, and I swallowed. “Okay,” I mumbled, gnawing on my bottom lip.

The Celestial raised in hands with palms outward. “I won’t hurt you. Your Hybrid should welcome me as Zeke’s did.” Evan chuckled then. “Well, sort of.”

“Sort of?!” I shrieked, inching back a step.

“I’m kidding, Celeste,” he chuckled.

I scowled, mumbling an “Asshole” but returning to Evan’s outstretched hand.

The Archangel to my right cleared his throat. I whipped my head in his direction, and he gave me that stern parenting look. Watch your mouth, it said. I gave him a one-handed salute, and Michael snorted.

Evan placed both hands on my shoulders, closing his eyes, and I followed suit. Nothing happened initially, but then I felt it. His Celestial was stronger than I could have imagined. It wrapped around me in a bright light of pure energy and angel fire. I swallowed, opening my mind and self to let him in. Evan felt the opening and surged forward with his power, vine-like ropes of his soul and essence wrapped around mine. My Hybrid felt the intrusion and growled, but I mentally patted the beast on the head and commanded it to settle. Reluctantly, it did as it was told, groveling in its corner and cage. I smiled to myself, feeling the bond slowly form, then snap into place.

I gasped as Evan removed his hands from my shoulders, and I staggered back a step. “Woah,” I mumbled.

Evan’s eyes widened. “You’re stronger than I thought,” he whispered, eyeing me with adoration and awe.

My cheeks reddened, and I bit at my bottom lip. “Thanks?”

Michael motioned to Zeke, and without hesitation, Zeke stepped forward and mimicked our previous motions. I welcomed him, preparing for another invasion. Zeke went to work quickly, and I felt his energy immediately. The pure chaos of Zeke was enthralling. A heavenly and hellish mix of his Hybrid felt like a drug as it wrapped around my physical body. I bit my lip to suppress a moan, my eyes widening before snapping them shut. Zeke’s hybrid power shot forth, invading my body and soul in a quick snap, snagging there as a direct chord linked to both of our souls. My Hybrid had practically purred at his, happily accepting the bond. But this one felt different from Noah and Evan’s, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. It felt stronger, deeper than the others.

Zeke and I opened our eyes simultaneously, but neither of our eyes were their normal color. Gold reflected off of our features, our hybrids brimming on the surface as something pinched at my heart, entwining and embedded itself there.

Another bond– a bond of heart and soul.

My brows furrowed as confusion took hold. I swept my gaze to Michael, his smile only confusing me more.

“It was as I suspected,” he commented all too happily.

“What?” I asked. Noah and Evan had similar expressions written across their features as they awaited a response, clearly just as in the dark as I was. But the answer never came.

Zeke’s voice snatched my attention back to him, but his voice wasn’t his own. His hybrid speaking for itself. A possessive growl was released from his throat as he spoke, and it seemed to have an effect on my Hybrid as she shot forward, practically panting at the edges of her cage.

“Mine,” Zeke growled, his eyes predatory and possessive.

My eyebrows shot to my hairline, but I never got to speak before another word left his throat in a guttural growl from deep within his chest.

“Mate.”