The Demon of Angels (Bk. 2)

SCROLLING THROUGH UNREAD messages, I came upon a message from Josh that he sent just a few minutes ago. Frowning, I opened it and quickly read through his short text.

Picking you up in 20.

Gnawing on my bottom lip, my thumbs hovered above the keyboard. The original plan was for Josh to bring me to Prom. He offered after I turned him down to go as dates. I felt terrible and hadn’t anticipated such a turn of events back then.

Footsteps padded up the stairs to my bedroom. My lips were painted crimson, my eyes smokey with liner along my eyelids. Thinking of what to reply to Josh, warmth spread through my back as a large male came up behind me, wrapping their arms around my waist.

“I’m about to go put on my suit. Do you need any-”

The muscles at my back tensed as Zeke read over my shoulder. A growl ripped from his throat, vibrating his chest. “Fuck no,” he hissed, voice rich with venom.

Another pair of footsteps hauled up the stairs. I turned in Zeke’s tight embrace as Evan came around the corner with a worried expression. “What happened?”

Another growl poured from the Hybrid. I patted his chest with a roll of my eyes. “He’s overreacting.”

“Apparently, our little friend–” Zeke spat. “Had planned on taking Celeste to Prom tonight.”

Evan’s expression flattened, then quickly morphed into one of great amusement. He snorted, choking on his own saliva while he burst into a fit of laughter. With a shake of his head, he waved the Hybrid off. “Well, now he’s not, so no big deal.” He shrugged. My shoulders loosened.

Thank Grandpa for Evan.

But Zeke wasn’t listening, his eyes flitting from me to the text lit up on my phone screen. “Stay away from him,” he growled, eyes bright amber with gold and crimson lining his irises. If I weren’t so frustrated, I’d stare in awe and appreciation.

Frowning, I stuck my finger out and poked the hot head in the chest. “You don’t get to tell me what to do,” I snapped. Wrenching myself from his arms, I turned and walked around him. I went to head out the bedroom door, but his hand gently caught my wrist and pulled me back into his chest.

I huffed, but the frustration ebbed as Zeke wrapped his arms back around me, holding me tightly as if he were to let me go; I’d slip away forever. Evan was no longer anywhere in sight, probably giving us some privacy as Zeke tucked his nose in the crook of my neck.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured into my hair, his words shaken.

After another moment’s pause, I gave in, wrapped my arms around his waist, and rested my cheek against his chest and shoulder.

“I don’t trust him,” Zeke told me, pulling away slightly and locking our gazes with a soft caress of his grey eyes. “He’s not who you think he is, and he’s sure as hell not an innocent human.”

I frowned, my brows furrowing. “Then what is he?”

“He’s a Hellhound. He has no pack, he’s on his own agenda, and that means he’s dangerous.”

I tried to mask the shock that overtook me, but by the frown marring Zeke’s expression, it was safe to say I had failed.

“How couldn’t I sense him?” I whispered, eyes downcast as I lost myself in all of our encounters. “I should’ve been able to; I’m still reeling that I couldn’t with any of you, either.”

Zeke’s angered eyes morphed into ones of amusement. “We made sure no one could. Don’t feel too bad.”

My brows furrowed. “How?”

The Hybrid shrugged. “The same way Michael hid you, with Celestial energy. In a way, it’s like hiding your own energy against any evil or untrustworthy being around you. But with the help of Evan, he and I were able to combine our powers and mask our group entirely.”

My mouth formed an O shape as I echoed the letter. “I see,” I murmured. “I thought you did trust me?”

Zeke swallowed. “I was going to remove the mask that night and tell you, but then…” He trailed off. I nodded, understanding where he was going. “I just had to make sure you meant no harm to my family; we’ve had to fight too many demons hunting us to get where we are today.”

“Why are they hunting you?”

His expression flattened. “Because of what I am,” he murmured. “I– We are not supposed to exist. It’s considered the highest crime in both Heaven and Hell to reproduce and make Hybrids because of how powerful we can become. Celestials don’t touch us until we commit a crime or harm innocents. They’re all about free will and innocent until proven guilty. Lucifer, however, despises us and our very existence. We could very one day rival his power and strength, and he knows it. He’ll send a few of his creations after us for fun, to try and weaken us– weaken me. But other than that, he leaves us alone as long as we don’t make an attempt at him or his throne. I don’t think Lucifer cares too much, especially with your father constantly on our ass. But I’m not so sure he knows what your father is up to.”

I shook my head, my mind reeling. “So we could very well be hunted our entire lives…”

Zeke gave me a solemn nod. “Unfortunately. But as long as we stick together, there’s nothing that could come between us.”

His words melted my heart. “Agreed,” I whispered, then straightened immediately. “If it takes Celestial energy to hide someone’s true self, how is Josh able to do it?”

The Hybrid’s frown deepened. “I’m not sure, but that means he’s not alone after all, and that makes him an even bigger threat.”

I nodded. “Okay, I trust you,” I told him truthfully.

Zeke’s shoulders loosened, eyes heavy with a thicket of emotion I wasn’t ready to unpack yet. His embrace tightened. “And I, you.” Lowering his head, he pressed a soft kiss to the crown of my head. My eyes fluttered, embracing the lightness it made me feel. Like I could walk on air, the weight of the world as soft as feathers as it rested upon my shoulders.

Zeke pulled away, dropping his arms and jerking his head toward the bed where my emerald green prom dress lay. “Get dressed. We leave in ten minutes.”

I snorted, rolling my eyes at his Alpha-toned demand. I gave him the finger and saluted. “Yes, sir,” I mocked.

Zeke swatted me on the ass. “Smartass,” he grumbled. He closed the door behind him, my chuckle echoing through the now empty room. With a shake of my head, I pulled the dress from the bed and turned it over in my hands. I went to undo the zipper when a light knock sounded at my door.

The door parted, Hannah poking her head through the open doorway. “Want some help?”

I smiled softly. “Yes, please,” I moaned, my arms going slack. Trying to get myself into a long dress by myself would be mayhem.

Hannah stepped through, closing the door behind her, and ushered me forward, snatching the dress from my hands. I quickly got undressed, showing her my back as I slipped off my bra. Hannah kept to herself while I did so, only ordering me around once I could step through the dress’s center.

I obeyed, happy to have help. She blow-dried my hair, brushed it, and put it in an updo with jeweled barrettes. Once she was finished, she took a step back with a small smile. “Done,” she announced.

I returned the smile, apprehensive. “How do I look?”

Hannah smirked, then motioned to the mirror to my right. “See for yourself.”

I palmed my dress with my sweaty hands, moving toward the mirror. A small gasp parted my lips as I looked at the person staring back at me. Soft brunette ringlets of my hair framed my face, as the rest was tied on the top of my head. My soft makeup angled my jaw exquisitely, while the blush highly gave a soft glow to the high cheekbones. My lips were painted crimson, soft, and plush. The v-neck dipped to the center of my chest, and the spaghetti straps light along my shoulders. The straight dress pooled at my feet while my right leg was visible to mid-thigh from the long slit.

I met Hannah’s gaze in the mirror. “Thank you.”

She returned my smile, nodding with a wink. “You’re welcome.” Voices and footsteps met my eardrums as an anxious and exciting thrill went through me. “Time to show the boys.”

The smile on my lips widened, then faltered. “Is Noah coming?” I hadn’t seen him all day and was anxious to see him. I was told he was feeling a lot better, but a part of me wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t see him safe and okay with my own eyes.

Hannah nodded. “He’s downstairs.”

Relief rocked my body hard, my legs nearly giving out. Hannah shot forward and latched on to my bicep. “You okay?”

I nodded, gracing her with another smile. “Definitely okay.”

Hannah returned the gesture, her eyes growing misty as she cleared her throat. “I never thanked you for what you did; I can’t even begin to express my gratitude–”

I cut her off with a wave of my hand. “And I would do it again. Noah is family to me too.”

The redhead nodded, sniffling with a soft smile. “Okay,” she cleared her throat again. “Let’s go.”

Hannah opened the door, and I followed her out into the hall. Once I reached the stairwell, I stopped dead in my tracks to openly stare and drool at the three males down below in my living room.

All three were wearing a black tux, black shirts, and different colored ties. Evan wore a blue tie, Noah’s red tie was loose around his neck, and Zeke’s emerald green tie was undone, hanging around his neck. I breathed in deeply, unable to tear my eyes from them, but my gaze kept getting trapped on Zeke and how he filled his tux in all the right ways.

The man must have felt my eyes. A second later, his gaze rose and snapped with mine, immediately flashing their hybrid gold. The chatter stopped as all of their eyes lifted and met mine.

Noah was the first to break the silence with a loud whistle. “Damn, girl,” he chuckled, but there was some awe in his voice. My eyes grew misty as I tore them from Zeke and met Noah’s gaze.

“Noah,” I choked. The Hellhound smiled genuinely, his deep chocolate brown eyes soft as water began to line his eyelids. I turned and sprinted down the stairs, and Noah met me halfway until I crashed into his arms. He held me tightly, burrowing his face into the crook of my neck as I laid my cheek against his chest.

He ran a hand down my back, over and over again, soothing the tension. “Hey, Cupcake.”

I snorted out a laugh, my arms around his neck tightening. “I’m so happy you’re okay.”

He placed a soft kiss on the crown of my head. “Only because of you.”

I choked on a sob, smiling into his chest. After a few more seconds, a growl sounded a few feet behind me. I chuckled, pulling away from Noah. A second hadn’t passed, and I was already back in Zeke’s embrace, his arms wrapped around my middle with my back to his chest. The Hybrid tucked his chin between my neck and shoulder; the room let soft laughs escape.

I clapped my hands together, suddenly eager to go to Prom and let loose, forgetting the world on my shoulders for a night. “We ready?” The room nodded, and Hannah waved as she exited the open doorway.

“I’ll see you when you guys get home.”

Home.

My throat swelled. I couldn’t trust my words to be steady, so I only nodded in response. Zeke gently snatched my hand as we all followed out the door.

“I’ll hitch a ride with Noah on the way there,” Noah stated, jogging up to Evan’s black Jeep. Evan hopped in and waited for Noah, the engine purring as he turned it over. Zeke nodded as we walked up to his sleek black GT.

He opened the door for me, and I paused, glancing over at the boys parked behind us. “Race you there,” I taunted with a smirk.

“You’re on Cupcake,” Noah grinned, his voice only slightly muffled behind the windshield. Evan revved his engine, both of their competitiveness lurking behind their chocolate and ocean-colored eyes.

Without a second more hesitation, Zeke rounded to the driver’s seat and turned the ignition. Evan took off down the street, and I hopped in, not bothering to buckle up, considering the High School was only a few minutes from here.

Zeke took off the moment my ass hit his leather seats, racing down the street after Evan’s bright red taillights. I giggled gleefully as the engine roared under Zeke’s control, Evan’s car becoming more focused as he hit 110mph.

The smile that spread across my face was wholehearted. I felt light as we flew down the street, down an empty straightaway. My eyes watched Zeke as an easy grin took over his face. His hand slid from the shifter to my thigh and squeezed.

As we reached their bumper, Zeke kissed the tail end, nudging it forward. Noah flipped us the finger from the passenger seat while Evan stepped on the accelerator and pulled away.

“Get him,” I demanded, grinning deviously.

Zeke snickered, eyeing the white vehicle like it was new prey. “With pleasure.” The car lurched forward as Zeke pressed harder on the gas, pulling into the left lane right beside Noah and Evan.

Evan shook his head with a grin on his face but kept his focus on the road. Noah leaned forward, catching my eye, and winked. I puckered my lips, teasingly blowing him a kiss.

I wanted that moment to last. The rush as the car sped down the street, the thrill of being around Zeke and the boys. I’ve never felt more alive, freer, and loved by these boys than in that moment.

But it took only a second for it all to wash away.

Three dark figures flashed in front of the road, blocking our pathway. Their different-colored eyes stained an image in my brain as Zeke cursed, slamming on the breaks as Evan pulled forward to give us room to move over, but it didn’t matter. All three figures held steady blocking the entire roadway. In that second, both of our vehicles crashed into the bodies going over sixty miles per hour, and it felt like we slammed into a semi-truck.

My screams pierced the quiet night as I flew forward, my body at the car’s mercy as it began to roll. Zeke’s arms wrapped around me then something slammed into my head. The car finally came to a stop on all fours as my vision swam, blinking back the haziness as the figures trekked with purpose toward our wrecked vehicles.

That one second changed everything.