The Demon of Angels (Bk. 2)

SIX MONTHS LATER

GLISTENING WHITE FLAKES of snow shimmered against the cold ground, layering the once green grass in piles of frozen rain. My eyes glistened with tears as I watched the movers pack up Zeke and Evan’s home. The funerals had been hard enough, but watching the results play out, in reality, was a knife in the chest and churned my heart.

Evan’s death still haunted my dreams, and almost every night, one of us woke up with nightmares. It had been over six months since the war, and despite our best efforts, it seemed as if everything had still changed.

Noah had reacted the worst and was no longer the boy I had met on my first day of school all that time ago. He was now a temperamental Hellhound with pent-up frustrations, heartache, and guilt. I would hear his pained howls as they rang out into the cold air on a nightly basis. I felt his pain, but there wasn’t much he let me do about it.

My best friend hadn’t shown up for Morgan or Evan’s funerals. He told me he couldn’t bear to see their bodies, let alone watch as they were lowered six feet under. I understood, of course, but it didn’t erase the sadness from my Protector any more than it should have.

Zeke was doing better than I imagined, and when I asked why that was, he simply replied that it helped to have me. Noah didn’t have that special someone to coax his nightmares away or to ease the heartache buried deep within his chest.

After the war with my father, quite a few things happened. For one, I had died. Creating that vortex, and pushing that much power out of me had killed me.

If it weren’t for Zeke and Noah pushing their powers through their bond– for days– I wouldn’t have come back. Our bonds saved my life. I felt guilty we couldn’t do the same for Evan. His bond broke the moment when his life left his body, taking his soul with it.

As I watched the movers transfer Zeke’s items into our newly rebuilt house, a silent tug at my bond and the tingles that shot up my spine alerted me to my mate’s presence. A breathy sigh parted my lips as I turned around, my eyes resting on Zeke as he leaned up against my bedroom door frame.

“Hey,” I murmured, dipping my eyes from his knowing gaze.

“I don’t like it either,” he told me, referencing what was going on downstairs and next door. We had been putting off going through their house for months, and Zeke had finally stepped up and made the call this morning.

“I know,” I replied, running a shaky hand through my hair. None of us could believe that he was truly gone, but the constant sharp pain in my soul from his broken bond reminded me of that truth.

Zeke stood to his full height, walking his way over to me. I turned and gazed out my window again, his arms encircling themselves around my middle. I leaned into his embrace, resting my head back on his shoulder.

“How’s Noah?” I whispered the question, already knowing the answer to that question.

Zeke sighed heavily. “He could be better, but he could be worse.” I nodded my head, expecting as much.

Several thuds and movement from downstairs were the only things that weren’t drowned out by the silence that followed. Zeke and I lost ourselves in our thoughts, emotion clogging any rational or positive concept that came to mind.

Evan and Zeke’s house was going to be up for sale in about a month’s time. I was trying to get Noah to move in with Zeke and I, but he pushed my offer to the side and told me that Hardin and possibly even Axel were going to move in with him. Hannah had moved out two months ago, and lived on compass now at the University she was attending, and the same one we would all be attending next fall.

Axel would take the spare bedroom upstairs, while Hardin took Hannah’s old room. He was going to have a lot of repainting to do.

Charlie and Bragden had stuck around for a few weeks after the war, not leaving until they knew everyone would be okay. Or at least would be in time. We offered for them to stay, but they said they had things back home they needed to take care of but would keep our offer in mind.

Maddie didn’t stick around at all, leaving almost immediately when she got the chance. She was living with Hannah on campus.

Raphael hadn’t been around when we arrived back at the safe house. I had been unconscious when we got back as well as the following week, so that was only what I heard.

Arriving back in Belleville was something no one had been ready for. Especially when it was just the three of us returning home instead of the four. I had expected Michael to be there, waiting for us when we arrived. I had not expected him to be gone, his bedroom completely cleaned out, and a note on my bed upstairs.

It had been signed by Michael himself and dated the day after the war. In the six months that I’ve had the letter, I haven’t read a single word. It sat in the top drawer of my nightstand, unopened. Zeke told me I should read it, but I just couldn’t. Not yet, at least.

I caught an unknown movement within the tree line from the corner of my eye. It caught my attention, and I startled, waiting for whatever it was to come out. Zeke instinctively tightened his arms around me.

When Noah walked out of the tree line, shirtless with a pair of blue basketball shorts on, both of our bodies relaxed. His hair no longer had an ounce of red in it but raven black– his natural hair color. His five o’clock shadow was evident from where we stood, and the dark circles under his eyes and the few new tattoos covering an arm and a spot on his chest.

A few of the movers caught sight of him, their eyes widening. I couldn’t tell if it was from the fact that he was only wearing shorts in the winter or that he randomly appeared from the forest.

I sighed, then stepped out of Zeke’s arms, motioning downstairs. “Let’s go see what he’s up to.” Zeke nodded, following close behind as I walked downstairs. I would have used my speed if it weren’t for the human movers.

Several cardboard boxes lined the living room wall underneath the windows. Labeled with black Sharpie, they all read something of Zeke’s. It brought a warm feeling to my chest, but it quickly vanished as Noah walked in the door. I blinked, watching as he headed straight for the T.V.

“Noah, what are you-”

“Shh,” he hushed me, and my mouth closed. My eyebrows pinched together as he snatched the remote on the coffee table, turned on the television, and turned to a news channel. A blonde woman stood outside, wearing a white winter coat and black gloves with a microphone in hand and our town’s graveyard behind her.

Below her was a red headline bolded in black: MISSING TEENAGE GIRL FOUND IN CEMETARY

Noah stared at the screen, seemingly captivated as the newswoman started to speak.

“A year and a half ago, a family was torn apart as sixteen-year-old Layni Oliver and her little brother, Max, were kidnapped late at night in our town of Belleville. Her mother later killed herself by hanging. Today, one of the two siblings was found unconscious in the graveyard.” The woman paused, then a picture of who I assumed was Layni, popped up on the screen. Noah sucked in a breath, and I started to question if he knew her.

The picture of the girl, a couple of years younger than me, had beautiful blonde hair and deep sea green eyes. Freckles spotted her nose, and her dimples were on full display as she smiled. I assumed it was a school picture that was taken before she was kidnapped.

“When police–” The woman was cut off as it switched to another broadcast, this one titled with “EMERGENCY.”

“We apologize for interrupting your news network, but a crime has been reported in the same place Ms. Oliver was found this morning.” The man on the screen paused, reading from his notes with a furrowed brow. “Police has reported that the body of Evan Maxwell, an eighteen year-old-boy who had died in a severe car accident six months ago, was dug from his burial sight sometime late last night…”

The words were drowned out by my heart hammering in my ears. Noah’s nose flared as he chucked the remote to the side, the plastic slamming against the far wall and shattering. My eyes widened and shock took over and rooted my feet in place. Noah began to pace, and Zeke was just as shocked as I was.

Words died on my tongue as I opened my mouth to speak, mulling over the words from the reporter as they slowly settled into my brain.

Evan’s body was stolen.

ONE MONTH LATER

MY THROAT CLOGGED with emotion as my fingers skimmed the wooden drawer of my nightstand. It’s been over seven months since Michael wrote me that letter, and after Zeke’s lecturing me for the hundredth time, I knew it was time to open it.

The house was peacefully silent for the first time in a month. Since Layni’s arrival last month, and the news of Evan’s body missing, Noah had gone through a whirlwind of emotions. Axel and Hardin kept him in check when I couldn’t.

Every night, I was stuck staring at the damn nightstand drawer. Michael had been my father growing up, without a doubt. He was the man that raised me and deserved that title. I had never been so mad or upset at him until I arrived home, and he had left without saying goodbye, but I no longer felt that anger. I knew he was home.

Zeke and the guys were watching college basketball all over at Noah’s. It was Saturday night, so I let them be while I got things done around the house. I enjoyed the times I got to myself. Except when I ended up in front of my nightstand, staring at the drawer that held Michael’s letter.

Sighing, I vigorously rubbed my hands over my face and stifled a groan. I might as well rip off the band aid.

Taking a deep breath, I tore open the wooden drawer and snatched the letter inside. Without hesitating, I ripped open the letter. Swallowing a lump in my chest at the sight of Michael’s handwriting, I started reading.

Paulo Daemonium,

I am sorry for leaving so soon, I had no choice in the matter, thus why I wasn’t here when you arrived home. I wanted to say goodbye, but my responsibilities at home were stacking up, and I had to sort through them as soon as possible.

As I’m sure you know now, Raphael is your grandfather. I am sorry I did not tell you sooner, but it was for your safety and protection. When my little brother first asked me to watch over you, I nearly refused and demanded he do it himself. That changed when I realized a few things. One, that no one besides myself, including your grandfather, was strong enough to take care of you and keep you safe until your time. Two, when I saw the bright light inside your heart and soul, even with the dominance of the demon half. Three, when I had a vision of who and what you would become. Not only to this world but to me.

Celeste, you have forever changed my life. I was hesitant at first after your mother had given birth to you, to hold you in my arms. But after Christy, the stubborn woman she was, insisted, I relented. When your beautiful newborn baby blue eyes looked up at me, I knew in my heart that you were my daughter. Not the Death Scythe’s, but mine. Blood or not.

Watching you grow since your birth has been a pleasure I would never trade for anything. From your little temper tantrums, your stubborn fits, and your loving and loyal personality, I grew to love it all.

You are my greatest treasure in life, Celeste, and I would never hesitate to do anything for you. Please do not ever wait to ask. All you have to do is call or text my cell, and I will be there within a heartbeat.

I am so proud of you and the woman you have become.

I love you always,

Michael.

p.s. Keep those boys by your side at all times. They need you– all of them.

The tears flowed freely down my face as I read the last few words of his letter. I gently set the piece of paper on Zeke and I’s bed, then tugged my phone out of my back pocket. Opening Michael’s messages, I sent him the first text I had in months. I poured my love into the message, saying all I needed to with a smile on my face.

You were the father I needed,

and the man I choose to be my father now.

Blood or not.

Thank you for sacrificing a part of your life for mine.

I love you always,

-Your Daughter.

★★★

END OF BOOK TWO.