The Demon of Angels (Bk. 2)

MY CONSCIOUSNESS FADED in and out, and I was only able to remember little snippets of what had gone on while the Hybrid took control.

I remembered Noah standing over me, screaming, then a flash of white light and Michael appeared, taking his place. I remembered Zeke’s terrified face hovering over me, ordering me to wake up and take back control of my body. Evan’s fear-strucken face and then Hannah had appeared, tears streaming down her face.

There were flashes of a hard chest pressed against me and the swift scent of pine. One moment I was in the middle of the field, and the next, I was lying on the couch in the living room.

Now, a soft sheet blanketed me, the fabric clutched in my heavy fists. There were soft voices in the background, murmuring things I couldn’t understand. My head felt like a rock, and nothing that came through my senses made sense.

A faint whimper fleeted from my lips as I tried to focus. My body felt restless and utterly exhausted. I began to feel frustration bubble to the surface and started condescending myself for being a damn baby, but nothing came out when I wanted to scream.

“–much longer?” a voice demanded, words hazy, but I managed to comprehend the words enough to understand them.

Finally, I sighed to myself.

“I don’t know,” Michael responded. His voice sounded stronger than it had been previously. Warmth bloomed in my chest as Michael’s full strength restored, no longer holding my demon at bay.

“Why not?” Zeke growled. I could hear his patience wearing thin from here. It wasn’t that he was mad at Michael. I could feel through the bond that he was rather stressed with his anxiety through the roof. I wanted to reach out to him then, but something was holding me back.

“Patience, brother,” Evan scolded. “We all want her to wake up just as much as you do.” A deep warning growl reverberated in the hybrid’s chest, but he didn’t respond.

“What happened to her?” Noah whispered.

Michael sighed. “You saw her eyes, child. Take a guess.”

“But that’s not possible,” Zeke snapped. “She’s a hybrid, not a High Demon.”

I whimpered again. Flashes of my Hybrid taking control of my body flew behind my eyes. I’m no saint, but I am no High Demon.

“She’s still whimpering,” he growled. There was a hard pinch at my heart, and I bit back a cry. It wasn’t even my own pain that I was feeling. It was theirs.

Nothing in my body wanted to move, but I forced it. Slowly, my cracked lips parted, and I pushed my voice out. “Zeke.”

There was a loud burst of several pairs of feet shuffling, rushing toward me. Acting on instinct, I curled into a ball and cried out.

A possessive growl erupted from Zeke’s throat. “Get back,” he ordered. A deafening silence followed his demand, but there were no protests.

Slowly, I uncurled myself from my cocoon of safety and peeked open my eyes. Zeke was kneeling in front of me, relief gracing his features. Noah and Evan stood a couple of feet behind him to the right, Michael on his left. Each of them wore different expressions of worry, relief, and deep concern.

My eyes found Zeke’s again as his hand lifted and cupped my face. “Hi,” I croaked.

He couldn’t help the small relieved chuckle that escaped his lips. “How are you feeling?” His eyes searched mine as if trying to find any hint of something being off.

“I’m alright,” I answered honestly. Zeke frowned, knowing my words went deeper than they would initially intend.

Zeke glanced over his shoulder. “I’m bringing her up to her room.” His words had an edge to them. He had meant it as a statement, not a request. Michael and the boys made no move to stop him.

Sliding an arm around my shoulders and another under my legs, he gently lifted me and cradled me to his chest. I sunk into his hold, letting my head and hand rest against his chest. I breathed him in and released a sigh of contentment as he sped upstairs and into my bedroom.

Zeke didn’t hesitate as he laid me down on my bed, lifting the sheets so I could slip in, then crawled in with me. He let the soft fabric drape over our bodies as he cupped my thigh and pulled me into his chest, resting my leg over his hip.

We stayed like this for a few minutes, breathing each other in and slowly relaxing our tense bodies into each other. But soon enough, I got restless with all the questions running through my head at a million miles an hour.

“What happened?”

I heard Zeke swallow as he thought about my question. “Which part?” he asked. He didn’t give me a chance to reply when he said: “The part where you dropped like a lifeless ragdoll or the part where you wouldn’t stop screaming, and I couldn’t do anything to stop it?” Heartbreaking silence descended upon us as I sorted through his words, not able to unhear the crack in his voice.

Tears pricked at my eyes as my heart wrenched for Zeke. If the roles had been reversed and I had to witness him going through that, I would have lost my mind. “I’m sorry,” the words escaped before I could even think about it.

Zeke pulled me tighter, and I burrowed myself further into his hold. “Don’t apologize,” he murmured, kissing the top of my head. “Just promise me that it’ll never happen again.”

My head bobbed in agreement, unwilling to make a promise I probably wouldn’t be able to keep. I lost control severely today, something that hadn’t happened in months now. But Zeke caught my wordless reply and quickly repositioned himself so he was now hovering over me. His eyes told me he was hurt and angry.

“Don’t do that, Celeste,” he snapped lightly. “Don’t hide from me, don’t push me away, and don’t you dare think that we aren’t in this together.” His voice growled out the last part, emphasizing the point he was trying to make.

His words held an edge to them, but I felt that it was from pure worry and deep care for me. I knew I was falling in love with him right then, but my instincts to protect him, protect them all, won over.

“But I can’t see you get hurt,” I choked, blinking back the tears. My heart was opening up to him, letting him hold on to my bleeding heart without hesitation. I was letting him see my worst fears, something I refused to show Michael.

“And you think I can?” he barked. His voice was pinched with hurt, and it pinched me right back. I didn’t respond and turned my head to the side so I didn’t have to see that look in his eyes. One full of pain, concern, anger, and remorse.

Leaning on one arm, he used the other to grasp my chin and pull it toward him. “Look at me, Celeste,” he commanded.

I squeezed my eyes shut but let him guide my chin. A deep growl thrummed through his chest, and my eyes flashed open in response. His eyes were bright yellow.

“Together,” he stated. “Do you understand me?”

I swallowed back the lump in my throat. He was right, even if I didn’t want him to be. I had to face it sooner or later. I needed him and those boys now more than ever. The High Demons had pressed as much last night. If I were selfish, my boys would die.

Slowly, I nodded up at him. “Together.”

Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Zeke leaned down and captured my lips with his. I gasped, unexpecting the show of affection, but I relaxed into it. The kiss wasn’t hungry or dominating like the others had been in the past. No, it was full of warmth, adoration, and pure need for each other. He was opening up to me just as I was, him.

Pulling away, I looked up into his now silver eyes that I’ve come to love. “But what actually happened?” I croaked, the tears now coming back full force.

Zeke pulled me against him, flipped us over, and I was on top. He brushed my hair out of my fash and hushed me, kissing my forehead. “Whatever you’re thinking, get it out of your head,” he demanded softly. “There’s no darkness inside of you, Celeste. Hybrid or not.”

But wasn’t there? I had seen the black and gold veins through the skin of my hands before I passed out, and I’d never seen anything like it before.

“But–,” I tried to argue, but the words were stolen from my throat in a hushed whimper. I didn’t feel completely different than normal, but my body didn’t feel as hot as normal. It was a cool comfort, and I knew the power that lay beneath my skin. It was unexpected, unsatisfied, hungry, and deadly.

“You’re pure, Celeste. Just because your Hybrid took control doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.”

I didn’t say anything in response. His words struck my heart, and the tears slowly started to cease. Zeke had been exactly like me once, lost to the Hybrid and its power. Yet here he was, speaking like an angel and protecting me like a guardian. He wasn’t evil, let alone a monster trapped in the dark.

A certain someone came to mind, then. His bright chocolate eyes were always twinkling with mischief. He was a purebred demon, yet there wasn’t an ounce of evil in him. That was something I needed to remember.

Resting my chin on his chest, I saw myself looking into his eyes. We were both prisoners of the darkness that lurked within, but we would never let it swallow us whole. We weren’t controlled by it, and an equal part of us shinned Angel bright. “Thank you,” I murmured.

His fingers ran through the strands of my hair. “You’re welcome,” he said.

I let my head rest comfortably on his chest and evened out my breathing. My eyes fluttered closed, and I let his warmth blanket me in a net of safety.

“Sleep, Celeste,” he ordered.

A snort was released from my throat. “I just woke up,” I replied stubbornly.

“Your body still needs time to regenerate.”

I peeked through a hooded eyelid. “But I’m not tired.” The yawn that followed betrayed my attempted lie. Zeke lifted an annoying eyebrow.

“Liar,” he smirked lazily. “Sleep, Celeste.”

My eyes rolled to the back of my head, but I reluctantly obeyed. I nestled back into his warmth. “Night night,” I yawned.

Zeke relaxed beside me, running his fingers along my backside. “Night, Celeste.”

As exhaustion crept up on me, lulling me to sleep, something became apparent to me. Whether or not I knew it then, I knew it now: These boys were saving me from myself.

My guardian angels– and demons.

★★★

WHEN MY EYES fluttered open, and a hard, bare chest stared right back at me, I nearly had a panic attack. His soft breathing fanned my face, and his slow rhythmic heart calmed my nerves immediately. Our legs were tangled over and under one another, his arms wrapped securely around my waist, and I was tucked into his chest.

Tilting my chin up, I was met with a pair of soothing grey eyes. I watched in fascination as his stormy gaze intermingled with a bright amber. “Your eyes are doing that thing again,” I murmured breathlessly.

His hands skimmed along my waist and latched onto my hips. His fingers twirled circles along my skin, setting every inch of my body on fire with passion and need. The curve of his lips twitched as he seemed to memorize every inch of my face.

Without my command, my fingers trailed over his chest and entangled themselves in his hair. His eyes flashed to molten lava, a low growl rumbling in his throat. My lips twitched, knowing my eyes were a scorching bright gold. I frowned when I noticed they weren’t as black.

Zeke noticed my train of thought. His hand reached up and smoothed the creased lines of my forehead. “They’re gold and black,” he murmured. His gaze swept through both of my eyes, a small grin tugging at the corner of his lips. “They’re beautiful and one hundred percent you,” Zeke paused, his expression turning serious. “And I love them.”

My breath hitched in my throat, unable to form a response. But the emotions swelling in my chest was enough of a response for him. Not taking his eyes off of me, he trailed his fingers from my jaw to my hip and then my collarbone. His free hand cupped my face, his thumb resting under my chin while his fingers rested behind my ear and around my neck.

Dipping his chin, my eyes fluttered closed as his lips brushed against mine with a feather-like touch. Zeke’s hand on my hip tightened, pulling my body flush against his. My center heated as it felt how excited he was, sending lustful shivers through my skin.

Not wasting another second, I lowered my hand from his hair to his neck and pulled him down, crushing my lips to his. He responded instantly, parting his lips so our tongues could dance together.

My fingers slid back up and played with the strands of his hair, loving the feeling of it between my fingers. Raising my knee to border his body, Zeke slid between my legs, careful not to put too much of his weight on top of me.

His skillful hand slipped from my jaw to my hip, clutching them both in his grasp. His thumbs ran circles over my hip bones, toying with the waistband of my shorts.

His lips traveled to my jaw, neck, collarbone, and back again. I arched my back into him. He released a low groan from the back of his throat, biting my bottom lip. I gasped in pleasure, and he took advantage of the access I was giving him with my mouth.

A hard knock on my bedroom door had our bodies jumping in unison, our eyes wild and frantic. “Hey, stop being naughty and get down here.” Hannah’s smug voice wasn’t even muffled from behind the door.

Grumbling, I threw my pillow at the door. She laughed as her footsteps faded down the hall and eventually downstairs. Sighing, I fell back on my bed with a frustrated huff.

Zeke chuckled, shaking his head. He leaned down and planted a kiss on my forehead, then stood from the bed and stretched. Holy Mother of all things holy. Zeke stood shirtless; jeans hung low on his hips. Each of his muscles moved in sync as he did, and I thought my mouth might have been watering.

What a man.

He must have felt my stare because he glanced over his shoulder, smirking when he saw the drooling expression on my face. “The back isn’t as good as the front, Princess,” he chuckled. “Want a look?” he taunted.

“Nope,” words started pouring from my mouth before I could stop them. “I don’t need to see ugly from all angles.” My nose scrunched, feigning disgust as laughter built up in my throat.

Zeke turned anyways, dismissing my comment like the shithead he was, and slowly stretched with his arms over his head. He lowered them a moment later, resting his hands behind his neck. “Are you sure about that?” His muscles rippled, and my eyes followed each movement.

Blinking out of my daze, I glared at him. “Shut up,” I spat, crossing my arms. Zeke tipped his head back and laughed, tossing a shirt that had previously been on the ground over his head.

Rubbing my eyes, I yawned. “What time is it?”

Zeke’s eyebrows scrunched together, then picked up his phone off my nightstand. My alarm clock was blank, so I assumed it somehow got unplugged. “Six-thirty,” he said.

My eyes widened. “In the morning?” I shrieked.

His eyebrow ticked. “Evening, babe,” he clamped his lips together to keep from laughing. I gave him the dirtiest glare I could muster and shot from the bed.

“Asshole,” I grumbled, reaching for my door handle. My fingers managed to brush against the cool metal before his arm snaked around my middle.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he growled, any sign of playfulness vacant from his tone.

“Downstairs,” I squeaked.

“Not in that outfit, you’re not. Put on some damn pants and a t-shirt,” he grumbled, spinning me around and pinning me against the wall. The air in my lungs vanished. I couldn’t help my hormones and the way he made me feel when he was like this, all bossy and sexy and shit.

Zeke’s eyelids lowered, eyeing my lips, and I was ready for him. But the smug bastard maneuvered last second and pecked my forehead instead, walking away and out the door with a shit-eating grin. I rolled my eyes, grumbling to myself about hotheaded Hybrids and how one of these days I was going to punch that pretty face of his.

The Hybrid shut the door behind him as he headed downstairs. As much as I’m sure he was reluctant to, he left before I had the chance to undress. I smiled to myself, appreciating his respect for my modesty. Even if I also had wanted him to stay.

Quickly changing into a pair of sweats, I followed after Zeke. It was the pair I wore when the boys showed up and greeted Michael and me as our new neighbors. The crop sweater was still a favorite, plus I wanted to get a rise out of Zeke.

As soon as my bare foot planted itself on the main floor, Zeke’s eyes lifted from his spot at the kitchen counter, eyes over his coffee mug and ran over my outfit. His jaw twitched while his eyes sparked gold. He rose from his slouched position, glaring down at me.

I paid him no mind as I passed by, pouring my own cup with a smug look on my face. He’s the one that told me to change, but he never stayed to make sure I followed his demand to a T.

Noah and Evan sat on a stool, watching us with bemused expressions. Hannah was leaning against the back of the couch, a mug in hand and a mischievous look in her eyes. “Cute outfit, babes,” she smirked.

I stood next to Zeke behind the counter, ignoring his heated stare. “Thank ya,” I chirped happily. Evan, followed by Noah, stood from their seats with wide eyes and suppressed smiles.

“I’m not in this,” Evan laughed, raising his hands, coffee cup in one, and back peddled toward the living room.

“Nope,” Noah snickered, following Evan. “Not today.”

“Pansies,” I mumbled into my mug, glaring as the boys plopped themselves on the couch. Evan sent me a wink over his shoulder while Noah threw a peace sign over his head.

Just when I thought playtime was over, Hannah spoke up. “You should wear that more often,” she winked. I felt Zeke’s anger and possessiveness spike through the bond.

The boys must have been paying attention because Noah choked on his own saliva, and Evan quietly chuckled to himself. I smiled into my mug while Zeke growled at Hannah.

“Yeah, that’s not happening,” he snapped.

Hannah pouted. “But she looks so good in it,” she whined, emphasizing the word good. I set my mug down and turned my head, trying to hide my amusement and the tears pricking my eyes with uncontrolled laughter.

“I know how good she looks in it, Hannah,” he ground his teeth together. When I turned back to face the livid Hybrid, my eyes fluttered down to Zeke’s death grip on the counter.

Finally relenting, I snaked my hand around his center, pressing my chest to his back as he leaned over the countertop. “We’re just teasing,” I giggled into his shirt. The tense muscles underneath me slowly relax with my touch.

Assuming it was now safe, I placed my coffee mug down and tucked myself under his arm and stood in front of him, my back to the counter. His eyes softened when I gave him a small smile. “I know,” he smirked, his arrogance back on full display as he winked at me.

I pat his chest like the good boy he sometimes was and roll my eyes. “Mhmm,” I mumbled, weaving my way around him. I snatch my mug off the counter and head toward the others in the living. Just before I could plant my ass in between Noah and Evan on the couch, an arm snaked its way around my middle. I squealed as the arm dragged me back and placed me on their lap. I giggled, holding my mug high so none of the precious contents could pour out. Once settled, I glared at Zeke over my shoulder.

He chuckled, pressing me against him so my back was flush to his chest. When my glare doesn’t cease, he gives me an innocent expression and pulls out the puppy dog eyes. “What?” I almost couldn’t resist them.

Almost.

“You almost made me spill my coffee,” I snapped.

Zeke shook his head and rolled his eyes, attempting and failing to suppress a smile. “That sucks for you,” he bit back.

My eyebrow raised, my face changing to a you-really-wanna-play-that-game expression. “It’s about to suck for you in a second,” I mumbled the last part into my mug as I turned back around.

“We’ll see about that, Princess,” he breathed against my neck. Against all of my willpower, I shivered. He chuckled, knowing exactly how he affects me.

Damn him.

Hannah took the spot next between the boys, waited two seconds, then popped back up with her eyes wild. “Shit,” she muttered. My eyebrow raised, and I’m thankful that Michael wasn’t in the room.

Speaking of. “Where’s Michael?” I asked, ignoring Hannah’s tangent as she surged upstairs.

“He got called in,” Evan answers, his eyes glued to the T.V.

I scowled as I heard a door shut upstairs. Noah was staring up the stairs in the direction his sister went, a curious expression on his features. Knowing him, however, he wasn’t going to bother checking on her.

Sighing, I mumbled, “be right back,” and followed the crazy redhead. I sped upstairs, stopping in my tracks, when I found her in the middle of my room, hands on her hips and an expectant look on her face.

“Took you long enough.”

Scowling, I stepped into the room with caution. Hannah rolled her eyes, snatched my wrist, and pulled me the rest of the way in. When she slammed my bedroom door shut behind me, I jumped.

“Calm down, spaz,” she snickered.

I eyed her wearily. “Whatcha doin’?”

Hannah parted her mouth to respond, a mischievous glint in her eyes, but stopped short when I felt a pinch in my chest and my focus was directed to the floor with a frown on my face. My body tensed immediately, knowing it was one of the bonds attached to the boys.

Hannah saw the sudden shift. “What is it?”

“It’s one of the boys,” I whispered. “Something’s wrong.” I’ve never, in my life, experienced such a drastic mood change. Hannah and I shared a fearful expression, speeding downstairs immediately.

Pulling my phone from my back pocket, I glanced over the boys in one full swoop, but nothing was amiss besides their confused and worrisome eyes as they took Hannah and I’s frantic expressions. Bringing my phone to my face, I went to unlock it as if something within me was urging me to do so. As soon as the cool surface met my fingertips, it started to ring.

Frowning, I glanced down at the screen. It was Kayla. The display of her name caused a new surge of panic to run through my body.

Something was terribly wrong.

Before answering, I looked at Evan. “Kayla,” I whispered. Evan shot up from his seat, rushing to my side and gazing down at my phone.

The air in his lungs hitched as he hesitated but shook himself from the daze. “Answer it.”

Fumbling with my phone, I quickly answered the incoming call.

“Hello?”

Her hysterical voice had the hairs on the back of my neck sticking up. Something was very wrong, and I was now on high alert, as was the rest of the room. My eyes fluttered to each of them, their expressions matching the horrified and worried ones on my face.

As soon as she heard my voice, Kayla started rambling on like a sloppy drunk, obviously in tears and sobbing. I couldn’t make out a single word. “Woah, Kayla, slow down. What’s going on? What happened?” I tried to soothe her, asking the questions as gently as I could.

“Noah,” she sobbed.

Okay, that didn’t answer my questions. Exhaling, I tried again. “What about Noah?” I glanced up at the Hellhound with furrowed brows. He shrugged his shoulders, unsure what she was going on about. With her mumbling, I knew trying to get information from her was going to be like pulling teeth.

And just like that, she broke out sobbing again. Fuck. “Where are you?”

“Behind– the– school building,” she managed to squeak out between her sobs. She started sniffling into the phone before I could ask more. “Can you come and get me? I’m scared.”

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I exhaled.

Fuck. This had to be a trap.

“Of course,” I soothed. “I’ll be right there.”

“Thank you,” she sniffled like she was rubbing the snot from her nose.

“On my way,” I told her gently. Hanging up, I stuffed my phone in my back pocket and glanced up at the boys.

Zeke was the first to react, shaking his head. “It’s a trap.”

I nodded. “I know.”

“We have to help her,” Evan interjected, anxiety churning his gut heavy enough to be felt through our bond.

As the last word left his mouth, my phone vibrated with a new text message. We all looked down at the device, reading the text from an unknown number. I knew immediately who it was.

Come alone, or she dies.

Without waiting for a reaction, I took off at a dead Hybrid speed sprint. Zeke bellowed my name, but I knew he saw the text message. If he was smart enough, and cared about how his brother adored Kayla, he would stay until he knew I needed him.

The roads were vacant, dimly lit from the small crest of moonlight. I hated the dark. I ignored that trail of thought, rather focusing my attention on getting to Kayla and figuring out what the hell my father wanted this time.

I stumbled when a light bulb went off in my head; I’m immortal.

“You have something I need, something in your blood that will help me when the time comes.”

My father’s past words echoed loudly through my memories, nearly drowning out the beating heart in my chest. The keys to Hell’s gates, I slowly began to understand, they’re infused with my blood, probably when I was a newborn. My father couldn’t physically use them himself because he was banished, and it would reject his entry.

I let out a low growl as I rounded the street that led to the school building.

That sick bastard.

I flew through the parking lot, eyeing the football stadium as I surged passed it. It hadn’t been long since Jamison had attacked me behind those bleachers, controlled in the mind by my father. The power my father had terrified me, but if the murmurs I heard the others speak earlier were true, then he wasn’t the only High Demon here tonight.

If my father was the Death Scythe, then I was the damn Grim Reaper.

Picking up the pace, I hightailed it to the back of the building. Determination chilled my bones as I rounded the final corner. My heels were beginning to sink into the dirt as my pace slowed, the grass damp from the evening fog.

“Kayla,” I called as I came to a sudden halt at the back of the building. I tried to call her name again, but there was no answer.

Growling to myself, I pulled out my phone from my back pocket with the intent of calling her and finding her myself. I stopped when I heard my name.

“Celeste,” a soft whisper came from behind me to the right. Whipping around, I squinted through the fog, and thank fuck; Kayla stepped out of the shadows and into view. Relief sagged my shoulders as I started toward her.

“Hey, are you okay? What happened?” I asked as I got closer. I had an idea of what happened, the girl was probably traumatized, but I kept up the act to hopefully soothe her.

When I was within arm’s reach of her, I noticed her eyes, and I halted my movements. There was a glossy haze over her eyes like she was looking through me, yet not all at once. I knew that look; I had witnessed it twice before. Turning, I began eyeing her and everything around us wearily as a rock plummeted to the bottom of my stomach.

She didn’t answer me, but the voice that did had my blood running cold, then molten hot as rage seized control of me.

“Very good, Kayla. An excellent performance.” The owner of the voice stepped out into the open, revealing a face I’ve grown to loathe more than anyone else on the planet. I didn’t give him the chance to speak or make his move. Once he released the hold on Kayla and her body crumpled to the ground, I made mine.

“Hello, Father,” I said sweetly. His eyes met mine with appreciation, but the moment our gazes locked, I charged.