The Demon of Angels (Bk. 2)

HANNAH SAT QUIETLY, expectantly even as we sat there in silence. I twirled my thoughts around in my head, battling with my head and my heart. A beat of silence later, another knock sounded at my door. I jolted, my eyes darting to the window to my left. Where the boys once sat was empty and vacant of their presence.

I shouldn’t have been surprised, but truthfully, I was. It wasn’t a question of what they were here for, surely they were tired of sitting on the sidelines while Hannah and I spoke. However, I wasn’t so sure I was ready to face them all again. My heart ached for them, but my head held me to keep my distance.

Hannah kept quiet, watching me with soft eyes and an understanding expression. Her fingers twirled in her lap, anxious about what I would decide. Truth be told, I was anxious as well. Letting them in meant more than welcoming them back into my home. I was torn with such a simple decision but knew the right answer. I had known all along but was too stubborn to see clearly enough to act on it.

With a deep intake of breath filling my heavy lungs, I stood from my position on the couch. Hannah startled, sitting upright and attempting a small smile. She was happy with my decision, that was evident enough, but was I?

Taking my time as I walked to the doorway, I reached out and grasped the door handle. A voice penetrated through the wooden door as my fingers brushed the cool metal.

“Open the door, baby,” Zeke murmured. His voice was rough, but not with anger, rather hurt and a soft eagerness.

Exhaling, I twisted that knob and opened the door, my lips parting in a small gasp at what lay before me. All three boys stood at my doorstep, eyes heavy with hurt, regret, part frustration, and hesitancy. Their hair was mops of disheveled messes atop of their heads, eyes sunken in and dark, clothes wrinkled with their arms limp at their sides. They looked defeated, and it rippled through my body like a shock wave, cracking open my heart and tearing down the walls around it once more.

Tears swelled along my tear line, blurring my vision until all three stepped forward, but only one was able to reach me first. His arms encased me in their warmth as if piecing me back together with his strength and gentleness as which he held me. I tucked my face into his neck, breathing in his scent and letting it engulf me.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, blinking back the tears. “I’m so sorry.”

Zeke brushed a hand down from the crown of my head to the small of my back, soothing me and that ache. “Shh, we’re okay; you’re okay; we understand.”

A separate hand came and cupped my cheek, gently pulling me away from the crook of Zeke’s neck. My vision cleared, locking on my favorite pair of chocolate brown eyes.

Noah gave me a small smile. “We’re sorry too, Cupcake.”

His nickname for me made my lip wobble, my eyes on the verge of spilling once more. I clung to Zeke tighter, arms wrapped around his neck as I gazed between Noah and Evan. The two shared gentle smiles with me, and I knew they had already forgiven me at that moment. I was ashamed of myself as Zeke held me, ashamed that I had been so quick to mistrust them, but part of me knew it had made perfect sense at the time, and my father had been tormenting me for weeks up until the point.

But those thoughts didn’t lessen the pain I felt.

Taking a deep breath, I inhaled Zeke’s scent once more and slowly loosened my grip. He let me, let me down but didn’t let me go. He pulled away enough to place a gentle kiss atop my head, swarming my insides with warmth.

Clearly my throat, I stepped back from Zeke’s embrace. He seemed reluctant to let me go but did so as if he knew I needed the space while I gathered myself. I placed my hands in my back pockets, biting my bottom lip as I raised my chin and met their gazes. “We need to talk,” I began, then motioned to the living room. “Come sit?”

They all nodded, Evan’s smile broadening while Noah’s signature smirk returned and lightened a touch. It warmed my heart to see, watching them take their places in my living room while smiling, regardless of how small. It felt peaceful; it felt right.

Zeke refused to leave my side. The stubborn ass insisted he sit against the corner of the couch and hauled me between his spread legs. I leaned back into his chest, bathing in his warmth and steady heartbeat for a beat longer until I knew I couldn’t keep holding off the inevitable.

I glanced over at Noah, noting the fading red on his red, and realizing for the first time why he continuously covered his natural black hair with red. He dyed it to look more like Hannah’s mother; his attempt to stop the abuse from his father. The revelation tore at my center, my heart hurting more than I thought was possible for the group around me.

Clearing my throat, I looked directly at the Demi Demon, removing my gaze from my best friend. “So, what do you know about Michael and I?” The urge to ask her that had been eating at me since I had read her text messages.

Hannah hesitated, looking anywhere in the room but me, and rolled her shoulders back, sitting straighter with her hands placed firmly in her lap. “Probably more than I should,” she murmured.

“Hannah,” I warned. “Spit it out, please.”

I felt the boys tense around me, seemingly eager or hesitant about what the redhead would reveal.

“I know that Michael is one of the Archangels, also referred to as Saint Archangel Michael, and leader or General of his father’s armies,” she started. “I also know he was sent to protect you, that for a long time, you were the first Hybrid known to exist. Your birth was the beginning of many legends and myths, as well as the torment your father caused on your mother, yourself, and on Hell.”

I nodded along, following. “Continue, please,” I added, knowing she knew more than just those simple facets.

Hannah licked her lips. “I also know your father is the Death Scythe, and he plans to come after you. He’s been toying with you off and on since murdering your mother with one of his pet Hellhounds, but it only got worse since you moved here. But, I also did some more digging and found a prophecy linked to you since before your birth.”

I immediately sat up in my seat, careful not to nudge Zeke in the process. I knew slim to none about this so-called prophecy, so I was eager to hear what Hannah had to say. “What do you know?”

The Demi Demon furrowed her brows. “You don’t know?”

I shook my head. “Michael has kept a lot of that from me. He’s waiting to give me full access to my powers and grant me my immortality beforehand.”

The group around me frowned consecutively. “Why?” Noah piped up.

Sighing, I rubbed my sweaty palms on my jeans. “In short, my father is coming after me. He knows where I am, but he needs me to be at full strength for what he wants. If I’m not immortal, he doesn’t get it, but he will sacrifice everyone I love and myself in the process. At least, that’s what Michael informed me. But considering the lengths my father had gone just to torment me, I believed Michael’s word.”

“So that night at the game? The club? Those were games set in motion by your father?” Evan asked, leaning forward in his chair, elbows on rested upon his knees.

Nodding, I looked down at my palms. “Yeah, fun isn’t he?” I gave a small dry laugh, but silence followed. Breathing in, I settled back against Zeke’s chest. “Michael’s supposed to release my powers and give me my immortality after prom, at least that’s what we last talked about, but that was a while ago and now I’m not so sure.” Shaking my head, I met Hannah’s eyes once more. “What else do you know of the prophecy?”

Hannah parted her lips but was cut off by the sound of wings flapping in the distance. Everyone in the room tensed, but I tried to bite down on the grin straining my lips. “Michael’s home,” I offered, laughing lightly when everyone relaxed back into their seats.

Within the next second, the back slider door parted and Michael strode in. “I can help with that part,” he added grimly, no doubt listening to the conversation on his way in.

My eyebrows furrowed. “The prophecy? I thought you said I wasn’t ready.”

Michael’s eyes softened as we walked up behind the couch. His eyes roamed the room, a small smile igniting his features. “You’re ready.”

It took me a moment to realize what he meant by that, but when I finally understood I rolled my eyes. Damn, Angels. Always one step ahead. Snorting, I shook my head. “How am I suddenly ready?” I argued, crossing my arms over my chest in a fit of anger and frustration.

The Archangel’s smile never wavered, then motioned to the group around me. “Because of them, and you’re acceptance of what they are. They play a bigger role than I think you realize.”

My eyes narrowed, in an attempt to hide my sudden fear of them being involved in my father’s plan of a massacre. “What kind of role?”

Michael grinned. “Why don’t I just tell you the prophecy?”

I motioned forward, eyes still narrowed to slits at the smug Archangel. “Please.”

He cleared his throat, eyes roaming around the room. “This prophecy has been around a long time, long before you were born. But it only came into fruition when you were a baby, and rumors of what you were reached Heaven and Hell. Your father made a lame attempt to hide it, but it was found.”

“What did it say?” Noah’s eagerness was evident, but I was there right along with him.

Michael nodded, then spoke.

“When the moment comes, and the first is born

A child marked by Life and Death will come forth

Bringing arise to a new evil

A War between worlds will begin.

The Prophet’s bonded protector and mate

Shall be the light that saves us all

Or the dark pathway to the Prophet’s self-destruction.

Before the rising of the First Solstice of the year

The Summer Equinox will be on the horizon

Days before, the Prophet will seal our fate

Restoring or destroying the home of mortal life.”

Michael finished by clearing his throat, watching me with his bright blue eyes full of attention and apprehension. My mouth hung open, unsure of what to say, but thankfully I wasn’t the first to speak on the prophecy.

Evan leaned forward once more, eyes heavy on the Archangel. “The Summer Solstice, that’s in two months.”

The Angel nodded. “You’re correct. Whatever Celeste’s father has planned, it happens days prior.”

“Bonded protector?” Noah asked.

“And mate?” Zeke interjected, tense beneath my back. My fingers instinctively began running circles along his thigh, soothing the tension. The muscles in his leg flexed, his body relaxing back into the cushions, but I could tell this bothered him. I wasn’t sure what it meant either. Of course, my mother and father had been mates as Michael once told me, so I wasn’t sure if the word bonded changed anything, let alone what it would entail.

Michael rested his hands upon the back of the couch, eyes focused solely on Noah. “That would be you,” he stated with finality.

Zeke shot forward, my body following. “What?!” He roared, fists clenched on his thighs as he glared down at the Archangel to his right.

Michael held up his hands. “Let me clarify, Ezekiel.” His voice was calm, attempting not to trigger the Hybrid’s anger more than he already has. I bit down the snicker that rose to my throat. I never thought I’d see the day Archangel Michael would be even remotely hesitant around another being. With a sigh, the Angel motioned to Noah. “I meant bonded protector.”

My brows furrowed. “What does that mean, and why Noah?”

“Ouch, Cupcake,” Noah drawled. I winced, glancing over at my best friend, but his eyes didn’t reveal any hurt. He simply gave me a wink, indicating he was just messing around. I relaxed, smiling.

“I wasn’t sure at first,” Michael continued. “I knew there was something off about your pack the moment we moved here,” he admitted, with a shake of his head. “I’m honestly surprised it took me so long to figure it out, but I’m sure it didn’t help I was suppressing both Celeste and my own powers.”

“On with it, Angel,” Zeke seethed. I patted the temperamental Hybrid, adjusting so I sat comfortably between his legs.

Michael gave Zeke a warning look, but Zeke wasn’t at all terrified of the Archangel. Always so arrogant. “It only makes sense,” he continued. “Everything happens for a reason. The fact that Celeste met you right before she is to go to war with her father is no coincidence.” Michael grumbled the last part, tipping his head back and shaking it at the ceiling as if at his father. I let the snicker free at that one. Grandpa always had something up his sleeve.

“I’m confused,” Hannah piped up. “Why Noah and not Evan?” Worry for her brother was evident in her eyes, and for that, I could not blame her after Michael spoke of war with a High Demon.

“Because Evan is a half-breed. Only purebreds can be bonded,” Michael replied solemnly, noting the sorrow and worry within her eyes.

“And this mate?” Zeke growled. I grinned, willing to admit I loved every second of his territorial nature toward me. I missed it; I missed him.

Michael’s eyes moved and rested upon the male seated behind me, then the arms wrapped protectively around my waist. I eyed Michael as well, curious and cautious of what he would say next. I was sure the house wouldn’t last another second if it didn’t play in Zeke’s favor.

“I’m not certain,” he admitted, initiating another growl from within Zeke’s throat. Michael held up a hand, halting his anger momentarily. He parted his lips to speak once more, but cut himself off. Michael shot to his full height, then sorrow took over his perfect features. He met my eyes then wings shot out from his back. “I’m sorry, Paulo Daemonium.” In a flash of light, Michael was gone from the room and we all shot to our feet.

“What the Hell?” I barked, eyes wide as they attempted to search for any trace of the Archangel.

“What was that about?” Evan asked, hesitant to move a step in any direction. Simultaneously, Noah and Zeke stiffened, their eyes igniting bright blood red and molten gold.

“Someone’s here,” Noah snarled. Zeke pulled me to his side, protectively wrapping an arm around me.

“Who?” I snapped, eager, tense, and apprehensive.

No one got the chance to answer; a voice filtered through the household as all the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. It was as if he was everywhere but nowhere, his words echoing across my home in all directions. As his words reached my ears, I knew who had come for a visit.

“Dear Daughter, is that any way to great your father?”