The Demon of Angels (Bk. 2)

I STOOD IN stunned silence, staring at Zeke in a new light. My Hybrid purred, welcoming the claim.

Michael stepped forward. “I had my suspicions,” he told me as Zeke slowly pushed his Hybrid back, and he blinked, eyes returning to their stormy grey. “But I didn’t want to voice them until I knew for sure.” The Archangel motioned to Zeke. “He’s the mate that your prophecy mentions.”

My mouth popped open, and for a moment, I had no words, but slowly as they awaited my reaction, a shit-eating grin morphed into my expression, and Zeke’s shoulders seemed to sag in relief that I wasn’t going to reject him. My cheeks heated, but I couldn’t stop myself before launching into Zeke’s arms.

Zeke made an oomph sound, but his arms wrapped tightly, burrowing his head in my hair and neck. “I wanted it so badly to be true,” he murmured, and I could only nod my agreement in response, tears of overwhelming emotion brimming along my tear line.

My heart thundered in my chest as my Hybrid internally roared her approval. Everything I felt for Zeke came roaring to the surface. The adoration and awe I held for his Hybrid and the family he’s brought together; the utter respect I had for him after everything he’s been through; and the sheer lov-

No, wait. I didn’t love Zeke. It was far too soon to feel something so extreme for him. The emotions I held for Zeke were strong, but they couldn’t quite be that strong.

Could they?

I pulled away, red staining my cheeks. Zeke kissed the crown of my head and whipped me around, pinning my back to his chest and wrapping his arms around my middle possessively. I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped from my lips.

Noah and Evan advanced with smiles, but Zeke let out a warning growl. They each halted, confusion marring their features. I frowned, looking up at Zeke as he cleared his throat.

Michael stepped into our inner circle. “His Hybrid will be extremely possessive for the first week or so. Naturally, after finding their mate.” The boys nodded, easing the tension in their shoulders.

I, on the other hand, was confused again and frustrated all the more by it. “I thought Zeke was only my mate because of the prophecy?”

Michael shook his head. “Yes, but no. Mates can be chosen, but Soulmates are once in a lifetime.”

My eyes widened as Zeke tensed against my back. “Soulmates?” he echoed.

The Archangel nodded knowingly. “Soulmates are a gift and can be bound in two ways through any breed. For humans, it’s less… in your face in a way and extremely rare because of their nature.”

I nodded along as Michael spoke, then pointed to the other two. “They could have soulmates as well?”

Michael nodded again. “Yes, and probably very likely.”

Evan interjected then. “Could purebreds be soulmates with a human?”

The Archangel frowned, taking a moment to think on it as we waited anxiously for his response. I knew why he was asking; Kayla meant a lot to him, and their relationship seemed to grow each day. With a sigh, Michael shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure, I would say no, but I don’t know that for sure either. If it is possible, it’s rare.”

“How would I know?” Evan asked immediately.

“Well, you can’t exactly bond with them, so finding your soulmate would be through the other option.”

“What’s the other option?” Noah pipped up, scratching at his chin and eyeing his anxiously awaiting brother.

Michael’s face turned crimson. “Lovemaking.”

I coughed to cover my laugh at the Archangel’s embarrassment, then quickly shut my mouth as he shot me a glare.

Evan nodded, pleased with the answer with his brows furrowed in through. “Okay,” he murmured.

We were all satisfied with the answers, then Michael jerked his chin toward our house. While we were out last night, Michael had a new frame and door installed. It was bare and needed some paint, but it was as good as an actual doorway as any. We had also informed Michael of what happened during the encounter with the Royal High Demons, but Michael shrugged. Told us that this war had been a long time coming, and not all demons side with my father and preferred the order already in place.

“Let’s head inside and eat, then rest,” Michael spoke, and everyone nodded, following suit. Zeke went to move and began tugging me with him, but I rooted my feet in place as I eyed the Archangel.

“Wait,” I murmured. Their retreating forms halted, hearing my soft voice as I called out to them. “We’re not done yet,” I spoke louder this time, meeting Michael’s eyes as he turned and faced me with a furrowed expression. I swallowed, then nodded in his direction. “I think it’s time.”

The Archangel frowned, knowing what I was referring to instantly. However, Noah, Evan, and Zeke had no idea what I was referring to. Michael hesitated, a possible argument forming on his lips, but I beat him before he could utter a single word.

“No more waiting. I’m running out of time and have yet to train with my full abilities.” Plus, I wanted my wings, but I didn’t say that out loud. I hadn’t been able to make them return since Noah’s… accident.

There were a couple of beats of silence, and I then started to think he was going to fight me on it. But he slowly started to nod, reluctantly agreeing with me. My shoulders sagged with relief as I walked toward him. I closed my eyes, flexed my hands, and took deep breaths as anxiety churned in my gut.

Michael’s eyes were apprehensive as he motioned for the boys to take a step back. Zeke frowned but did as he was told. He stayed as close to me as possible, or rather, as close as Michael would allow him to.

Noah and Evan stood a few feet back, eyeing me with uncertainty. “What’s going on, Cupcake?” Noah asked, his back nearly fully healed now, but there was still a slight wince when he walked.

As Michael stood in front of me, he placed his hands on my shoulders and then replied to the Hellhound’s question. “I’m going to release her powers and give her full immortality.”

Noah’s eyes widened, and Evan didn’t respond. Zeke’s astonishment at the statement could be felt through the bond.

Michael swallowed, eyeing me with apprehension and awe. I tilted my head, and he responded to my confusion immediately. “That night with your father and Noah,” he jerked his head toward the Hellhound. “You broke through the wall I had around your immortality, which should be impossible,” he laughed, shaking his head as he stared down at me, a smile toying with his lips. “I managed to rebuild it as soon as I got back here, but the amount of power you were able to pull to break through that wall and those chains you have around your demon and still remain in control is outright remarkable and should be downright impossible.

I swallowed in partial awe at myself. I felt the same emotions filter through each of my bonds with the boys. My eyes scanned until they found Zeke, and he stared right back at me. He nodded, grinning. My chest swelled as I turned back to Michael.

I hadn’t realized it before, or maybe I refused to let myself. Zeke was my strength, my rock, and the shoulder I could lean on. I was leaning on him more than ever to get through what came next.

Michael nodded, clearing his throat. “You ready?”

I mimicked his head movement. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Okay. You might feel some pain, but once your Hybrid breaks free, you’ll have a tremendous flush of power, and you’ll have to immediately riel her in and take control.” He didn’t bother erasing the concern from his voice, which did nothing for my rising anxiety.

“Okay,” I croaked, palms damp as I rubbed them against my shorts.

Michael closed his eyes, and I watched. A beat of silence followed his steady breathing.

The boys all kept their gazes on us; Zeke’s shoulders were tense. I could tell that even if he weren’t supposed to, he’d jump right in and stop the entire thing if he thought I was going to get seriously hurt. I knew he wouldn’t allow that if he could prevent it. If he jumped in, I knew there was nothing I could do to stop him. He was often more stubborn than I was.

Well, kind of.

Relaxing my body, I bowed my head and waited for the inevitable. It wasn’t long until I felt it: a slow rhythmic pulse. It started in the center of my core, then traveled its way through my body like the blood in my veins, using it as a pathway. From my arms and legs to my fingers and toes, and then finally to my brain.

Once the pulse hit my head, what felt like a hammer started slamming inside my skull. Gasping, I faltered a bit, but Michael’s solid grip on my shoulders kept me from staggering. His eyes were now squeezed shut in concentration. The chains around my Hybrid started to wane, and her head shot up, eyes bright and glowing.

Gritting my teeth, I tried not to whimper as the pounding in my head increased tenfold. Foreign energy oozed through my core, seeping through, latching on, and heaving at an invisible wall. I grunted at the grip it had on me.

Taking deep breaths, I straightened up and squeezed my eyes shut. The hair on my arms stood on end, while the pulses of energy continued to travel like blood cells through my veins. Soon, it picked up the pace, and I felt more start to dribble out through my core and embed into my soul.

Once I steadied my breathing and adjusted to the pulse, the latch on my center wrenched free. Anything and everything that existed within me poured through at once, crashing down on me. Hard.

I cried out, my knees nearly giving out. The amount of energy that pounded into my body was overwhelming. My head felt heavy, cramped up as if I was in a small box and its walls were shrinking in on me.

I thought of a black hole then, but instead of everything being pulled into the void, it was being pushed outward. As Michael stepped away, I placed my hands on my head, sinking to the ground. I heard him reel back from me, his purpose having been fulfilled. Now it was up to me to take control.

Sickening dark energy felt like it was wrapping around my throat; the light suddenly shoved too far from my grasp. Gasping, I could feel tears forming in my eyes. A voice in the distance was screaming my name just as I was crying out, but all of it was drowned out by the relentless pounding in my skull.

Dark and light chords whipped around my center, patching the gaping hole that once was with its own desolating power. Bolts of purple lightning, and rays of angel fire sparked to life, eradicating any emptiness within me.

I attempted to grasp at control of my Hybrid as she shot to the surface, using my voice to growl out, loud and haunting. The control I desperately clung to slipped, too brief for me to recognize it was gone before stopping it.

I couldn’t even recognize the scream that echoed from my vocal cords as it surged from my lips. Black and white rays and sparks of lightning bolts sputtered from my hands. Angel fire burned hot within me, spreading outward and covering my body in molten fire.

Everything hurt, my body felt as if it was drowning in lava, and a hammer was trying to break through each layer of my skin. Through my head.

It all became too much; without warning, my body relented and bowed down to it. My Hybrid grasped at it eagerly, my body willingly letting it consume me. It took my submission greedily, seeping through every manageable pore left in my body for the taking.

And then, all at once, it stopped. Whatever part of me that was keeping me awake faltered, barely managing to spot the gold and black veins glowing deep within my hands and arms. My body collapsed, my head hung low, and I knew I was now at its mercy. With a single thought running through my head, it pulled me deep into unconsciousness.

My Hybrid was in complete control.