The Demon of Angels (Bk. 2)

CRACKS OF LIGHTNING clapped in time with the roaring thunder, echoing along with the skies above our heads. I gritted my teeth, clenching my hands into tight fists as orbs of swirling blues and purples encased themselves around them. Michael soared to the sky, my eyes training themselves on the Archangel as his expression remained blank, revealing nothing.

Growling, I bolted to the nearest tree, rapidly climbing and launching myself into the air. Throwing my arms forward, I shot my power forth aimed directly at the Archangel’s chest. My body began its rapid descent toward the hard ground, but my gaze remained on Michael. Just before my shot of power collided with his chest, he swerved to the left, avoiding it completely.

A frown marred my expression as I descended, ignoring Michael’s smug face. Lowering my hands to my waist, I shot rays below to slow my body from plummeting. Michael landed a yard away when my feet touched down, tucking his wings into his back. We’ve been training all morning, and I haven’t been able to land a single prickle of power on his grinning Archangel ass.

“Yeah, yeah.” I waved him off. “I know I suck.”

Michael frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. “You don’t suck, Celeste. You’re a very strong, powerful, and capable Hybrid.”

I snorted, walking past him to head back to the house. “Then what’s wrong with me?” I asked obnoxiously, swinging my arms out at my sides as I turned around, walking backward. “Why is it every time I’m faced with danger, I’m always the one that needs saving.” The last of my words left my mouth in a snarl, heavily barricaded emotions I’ve kept under lock and key threatening to resurface.

Michael turned, raising an eyebrow. “During training, you’re unfocused. In real life,” Michael shrugged. “You’re caught off guard every time, unable to keep your feet underneath you, but it’s too late by then.” I opened my mouth to counter him, but the Archangel waved a dismissive hand, silencing me. “But from what I’ve seen most, it’s nothing to do with your lack of power, strength, or ability to wield either– it’s your lack of focus that your enemies use against you.”

Michael’s wise words struck a chord within me, but I refused to let the emotion show. Instead, I gave a playful eye roll, swinging back around. “I’m plenty focused.”

Denial.

Michael’s footfalls echoed my own as we trekked back through the forest. “Not enough,” he emphasized. “On top of that, you’re hardly sleeping, barely eating, and your grades are slipping.”

Growling, I stopped walking and whipped around. “What do you suggest I do, pretend that the last month never happened? That I don’t have three Hellhounds taking nightly walks in my backyard?” Michael’s eyes softened, but that was the last thing I wanted to see. Snorting, I turned back around and continued walking. “Easier said than done,” I ground out, my jaw set.

“When was the last time you talked to them?” Michael called out.

Once more, I stopped moving with a frown on my face. “You know when,” I called back, refusing to look over my shoulder. It was Friday night, the evening before Prom, and the dance I had promised to attend with Zeke. I saw the boys every day, and it felt like a hand wrapped around my heart and squeezing each time I saw them.

Zeke was back to his cold exterior, avoiding eye contact but whenever my back was turned, I felt the heat of his eyes on me wherever I stood. Evan made eye contact with me frequently, so much so that I started avoiding his gaze. His bright blue eyes held a darker pit within them as if he were drowning in something within himself. Noah seemed the worst off; he was quiet, not quite his normal loud and obnoxiously loud self, more reserved. The bags were dark and heavy under his chocolate brown eyes. The spark I often found within their depths had dulled, and now I saw nothing.

If I hadn’t found out the truth shortly after that night, I would have given them Oscars for their appearance.

Josh and Kayla have kept me by my side, almost like glue. They noticed my sorrow immediately, and without asking questions, helped me take my mind off of the mental images of that night. But they weren’t my boys; no matter how hard I tried to fill that gap in my heart where they once were, nothing ever came close.

Michael’s silent footsteps brought up the rear until he was standing in front of me with that all-knowing look on his face. “Have you tried?”

I shook my head. “No, but neither have they.”

The Archangel snorted. “Well, maybe that’s because you accused them of working with your father.”

I rolled my eyes, my stubbornness shooting through my system. After my panic attack that following morning, I explained to Michael what happened. He did some digging of his own, more for my benefit than his, but I soon discovered I had been wrong. None of them were working for my father, it had all been a weird inconvenience and a heavy misunderstanding.

A lump formed in the hollow point of my throat, restricting my air as their faces flashed within a blink behind my eyes. My heart was torn, I couldn’t find it within myself to forgive and forget so easily. They lied to me, but Michael was quick to remind me it was a two-way street– I had lied to them too. My heart wanted them back but was also terrified of what would become of it. My head was just as confused, but my gut told me I was safe with them. If any of Michael’s words have stuck with me over the years, it was one of his first lessons: always follow your gut instinct.

With a sigh, my shoulders slumped. “I know,” I admitted, hating every second of it. Michael’s smug expression contorted his features perfectly, his teeth shining brightly. Snorted, I shook my head and continued on the path home with the endless trail of thoughts pounding through my head.

I’ve received countless text messages and phone calls from Noah, Evan, and even Hannah, but I’d be lying if I said my heart didn’t pinch whenever there were none from Zeke.

Despite the boys not working for my father, their betrayal was still buried deep within me, something I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to forgive so easily. But I also knew Michael was right, I was being hypocritical, and sooner or later I’d have to face them and speak about what happened between us all. Thankfully, for my heart’s well-being, that day was not today.

Michael and I have been training every day since, focusing my time and energy on when Daddy Dearest would show his face again. I haven’t heard or seen anything from my father since my nightmare, but that was enough in itself. After revealing bits and pieces of that lovely dream, Michael suspected he would be coming soon, ready to take what he wanted and felt he was owed.

Me.

Hands flexed down at my sides, my jaw tightening until my teeth nearly shattered under the pressure. Whatever my father wanted to throw at me, I knew I’d be ready. I had to be because I’m not so sure the Earth could take it if I wasn’t. Nerves threatened to break through my emotional bundle box, but I shoved them back inside, slamming the door shut and locking it.

The Archangel and I walked back in silence, only breaking it when he told me dinner would be ready in twenty minutes. I thanked him and proceeded up to my room, shutting the bedroom door behind me with a soft click. Without much thought, I collapsed on my bed, glancing at the digital clock on my nightstand. With thirty seconds to spare, I closed my eyes and waited.

A soft breeze through my open window kissed my sweat-ridden cheeks, cooling my skin to the touch. I parted my eyelids, peaking out my window. Birds chirped and crickets sang their song as the sun began to set, pooling along the horizon in beautiful swirls of orange, blue, pink, and purple. I sighed, relaxing in the last few minutes of its warmth.

Then it started. It was soft at first, barely audible, but then it grew as the others joined in. Their howls tore at my heart as if they were a cry for help, for a lost member of their pack to find their way back home.

Tears blurred my vision, my throat swelling with that damned emotional lump once more. It took longer, but I found the strength to blink and swallow back the emotions threatening to drown me under its ferocity. The hybrid within me growled, hating our distress. I mentally patted the beast, soothing her in an attempt to calm us both.

Soon, my Hybrid and I would be one as Michael finally released the hold on her– on me, and merge us as one immortal being. That day couldn’t come soon enough. Even though he was reluctant to do so, Michael knew to give me full access to my abilities was my best chance, but the protective father within himself hated putting me in danger, even if he could do nothing to prevent what was to come.

The Archangel has expressed the changes I would experience more than once he released the hold on my Hybrid and gave me access to the full extent of my abilities. Unfortunately, while he did know a few things, he was still unsure and hesitant about what all I would be capable of, and how deep my father’s blood ran within me. I wanted to say I wasn’t worried, but that would be a lie.

For now, that thin invisible barrier that held her firmly back within my soul kept its hold. I couldn’t fully reach her, nor her I. I was powerful just as I was, but it never seemed like enough, as if I were forcibly holding back my strength and power against my will. At times, it was suffocating, and I couldn’t wait to be released from these invisible chains.

Unfortunately, once my Hybrid was released from her cage, my father would be able to track me, wherever I went. But part of me felt that was useless and hardly mattered, Daddy Dearest knew exactly where I currently stood, he was just biding his time.

Grumbling with the indefinite feeling of it all, I pulled out my phone and began reading through my messages. I hadn’t opened any of them, but when they were first delivered to my phone I glanced at a couple before swiping away the notification completely. Messages from Evan, Noah, and Hannah crowded my phone. With a reluctant sigh, I opened Evan’s first, quickly reading through them.

Evan:

Hey angel, wya?

You're with Zeke, aren't you?;)

Noah is trying to find you, where are you??

Celeste???

Noah says he can't find you, are you okay???

Text me back asap!!

This doesn't change anything. I'll be picking you up at 7:20

Picking you up in 5

Here, wya

Celeste, please answer me.

You aren't talking to Noah, either?

Celeste, please Angel, answer me. I know you're mad at us for lying, but we can explain. We know you're different too why can't we work this out?

Don't forget you lied to us too. I'll be here when you're ready to talk.

His messages tugged at the heartstrings in my chest, souring my mood with a permanent frown on my face. He was right, echoing what Michael had already told me, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to confront them. A sigh parted my lips, my hand running through my hair as I opened Noah’s messages next.

Noah:

Hey, Cupcake, are you busy? Evan and I were thinking about going bowling.

I had texted back that I was Zeke, but that was the last I messaged him since.

Noah:

Tell Zeke I said hi!!;)

I'm headed your way, don't go anywhere!

Cupcake wya? I can't find you.

ANSWER YOUR PHONE WOMAN!

I'm sorry, but we had no choice. If you were human and they had found out, they would hunt us and use you as bait. We couldn't risk your safety.

Please tell me why you're mad at us?

Dammit Celeste, answer your fucking phone.

Who's your father, and why did you think we worked for him? At least answer me that. You owe us that much.

I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth, rereading Noah’s messages as worry creased my brow line. Who were they hiding from? I shook my head, telling myself I’d get back to his messages later. With a heavy heart, I pulled up Hannah’s messages, quickly looking through them.

Hannah:

The boys told me what happened. I'm sorry we lied to you but we had no choice. It was for your protection and our own. Please forgive us, we can't really imagine our lives without you in it, Celeste.

You can't be mad at us forever, hun. You lied to us, too. Imagine how we feel.

I know who you are, Celeste and I know who Michael is.

Her message’s struck me hard and I found it difficult to breathe again. Each of them were laying it on thick with the guilt-card, but part of me couldn’t blame them. I’d have to face them soon, maybe even tomorrow night at Prom, but for now I had time to drown in my aching heart.

Clearing the emotional lump in my throat, I set my phone back on the nightstand and stood to my feet. My head and chest felt heavy as I made my way downstairs for dinner. Michael had just placed our plates down on the counter, full of steaming hot and juicy chicken, mashed potatoes, and buttered corn.

“Thank you for dinner, Michael,” I murmured, giving him a soft smile.

The Archangel nodded, meeting my gaze with a knowing look. I bit back a wince, praying he wouldn’t bring up the boys or our previous conversation in general. “You’re welcome.” He returned my smile, my shoulders visibly sagging from the relief. But that relief was short-lived. “Are you going to prom tomorrow night?”

The piece of chicken I had cut into was halfway to my mouth when his question poured out of his. Swallowing back the emotional lump clogging my throat, I gave a quick nod. “Probably, I didn’t get to go to the one in California, might as well make this one count for something.” I lifted my shoulders in an indifferent shrug, but the truth was my anxiety was all over the place.

The original plan was for me to attend with Zeke, but now that the cat was out of the bag, I highly doubted that was going to happen. Still, the thought of seeing Morgan draped over Zeke flared the beast inside me to life, my vision blurring red in rage. Clearing my throat, I pushed my Hybrid back into its cage, taking back the control I’ve worked extremely hard to keep.

“Good, are you going to wear that dress you got? The emerald green one?”

I nodded, a small smile gracing my lips. “Yes.” And I couldn’t wait to see the boys and Morgan’s reaction when they see me in it. Jaws were going to drop, and I was going to love every minute of it.