Fallen Angels (12 page)

After tucking her in, I went to the kitchen for some coffee. I glared at Devlin, who was sitting at the table reading a book. “I told you to leave. I know you did something to me that night,” I said.

“I showed you what a loving relationship should be. I showed you what you can never have with her,” he replied with a smug grin.

His phone started ringing, but he just stared at me with that damn grin. “Answer your goddamn phone,” I barked.

“What!” he snapped into the phone. His eyes widened with excitement. “Stall, I’m on my way.” He hung up and rushed out of the kitchen.

“Hey! What’s going on?” I called to him.

“I have to go out of town, business,” he shouted on his way up the stairs.

I had never seen him so frantic over business, nor had he ever rushed to work. I doubted his response. Angela and Abby followed him downstairs, both with small bags packed. “What is going on? Are these two your business partners now?” I said, scowling.

“Be back in a couple of days sweetie,” Angela said. They shuffled out the front door without so much as a goodbye.

“What the hell?” I whispered while locking the front door. Nebiros stood at the top of the stairs. “Do you know what that was all about?”

“I know enough to shake my head at the foolishness taking place over you,” he said, slowly walking down the stairs toward me.

“What are you talking about?” I asked. He handed me his cell phone as he walked past me into the kitchen. 

I read the open text message from Jeanie. “Ravyn entered the Arena. Wheel of death, to all challengers! WTF?”

Nebiros had responded with, “Kara and Devlin almost happened.”

“That was not my fault Nebiros!” I shouted. “You didn't have to tell Jeanie. Why the hell is she so worried about Ravyn anyway?”

“Jeanie deserves to know. She is Ravyn’s business manager.”

“Wait! What is the arena? Please tell me this is not the business she built, and what in the world is the wheel of death?” I asked, on the verge of panic.

“Ravyn has tapped into the violence of my kind, creating a sort of gladiator arena. You don’t want to know what the wheel is,” he said, pouring himself a tall glass of whiskey.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, and then it dawned on me. That was the reason she returned from Seattle in such a relaxed state, and why she was always so calm. “She fights when she goes out there.”

“She did when it first opened. She fought for three months then retired, because she didn’t want to lose you. Right now, she believes she has lost you,” Nebiros said.

“I was upset, she doesn’t even know the whole story! I’ll tell her right now.”

“Don’t! You will distract her. All we can do is wait.”

“Devlin didn’t go to stop her, did he?” He didn’t have to say anything when he refilled his glass and started chugging it. “Nebiros? Tell me he’s not going to be that stupid?” I plopped into the seat next to him. When he didn’t say anything, I pushed his phone to his hand. “Tell them to come home. You know she will kill him.”  

“He has a good chance. In the arena, you cannot release your demon. He could very well kill her, if she is still alive when he gets there.” His words did little to ease my worries. 

“Damn it Nebiros, that is not helping me here! Call Jeanie and tell her to stop this craziness!” Mom heard the commotion and rushed into the kitchen, looking at me in curiosity. Surprisingly her appearance did little to stop Nebiros in defending Devlin.

“Kara, do you really think Devlin drugged you? You always rely on him. You flirt with him, you let him care for Chloe and Abby. Why would he do that to you?”

“Nebiros that is enough,” Mom demanded.

His hurtful words had me taken aback, but I wasn’t going to let Mom handle this for me. “I rely on all of my friends, who are like family. I joke with him, I don’t flirt. He was a good friend and nothing more. He’s been pouting ever since Ravyn returned. And yes, he did something to me that night, because I don’t have any feelings for him! Have you forgotten that I have been working things out with Ravyn? I would never, ever betray her like that and you know it,” I said.

Nebiros looked at me funny. I could feel him digging through my mind, searching for the events of that night. “You know I hate it when you do this. You could at least ask before you go digging through my thoughts,” I said before opening my mind to him. I showed him the fuzzy events of that night, events that never should have gone that far.

Nebiros shook his head with disappointment. “I had to see for myself. I apologize for doubting you. I’m afraid all we can do now is wait and hope they don’t kill each other.” He squeezed my hand tenderly. “We shall wait for news together.” 

The night dragged on forever while I nervously glanced at the clock too many times. Mom stayed at the table with us after we filled her in. She cozied up with Nebiros which wasn’t helping the pit in my stomach at all. Finally at twelve-fifteen his phone buzzed. Nebiros grabbed it, silently reading the message, then his fingers moved frantically to text back. 

When he was done he passed me the phone, and I quickly read the message from Jeanie. “20 rounds, 20 kills.” Nebiros typed, “Let her get it out of her system.” I nodded, agreeing with his message.

Mom went to bed after Nebiros whispered in her ear. I knew he told her that their cuddling was making me feel even worse. I smiled and sent him a silent thank you. Then we waited in silence, neither of us knowing what to say about the current situation. How far would Ravyn go? Two and a half hours later his phone buzzed. This time I was allowed to read the message with him.

Jeanie wrote, “50 rounds, 50 kills. The competition is getting stronger.”

Nebiros replied, “She is searching for an opponent who can end her suffering.” 

His message cracked my mended heart. I had caused this again. I always caused her pain, just like she caused me pain. I wish she would have just talked to me, but I should have known better than to talk to her over the phone. “Why did Angie and Abby go with Devlin? They aren’t going to fight Ravyn too, are they?” I asked.

“Ravyn would never fight them. I’m guessing it was Angie’s idea to take Abby, since she is so close to Ravyn. A sort of last resort,” Nebiros explained.

“She shouldn’t be there. Devlin has truly done it this time. How could he betray my trust after everything? He can’t stay here anymore, Nebiros. Am I being too harsh?”

“No. He is at fault, it is time he goes.”

I was glad to have Nebiros in my corner for this one. We might not have to even deal with Devlin, since there was a very real possibility that he might not make it through the night. I began to pace around the kitchen, silently praying that Ravyn was still alive.

“Jeanie will notify us if anything happens,” Nebiros said with a chuckle. No sooner did he finish when his phone buzzed, and my heart skipped a beat, fearing the worst.

Nebiros read Jeanie’s message aloud this time. “Sixty rounds, sixty kills. Her wounds aren’t healing fast enough. She is facing both of the O’lafe brothers next.”

I could hear the fear in his voice when he read the last line. “Two people at the same time? What is she thinking?” I shouted.

He laughed. “She knows this is her best shot at finding death. The O’lafe twins are as brutal as she is. They live for battles like these, and neither the twins nor Ravyn have ever given mercy in the arena.”

“Wait, how long have you known about this arena business? Why the hell didn’t you tell me she was doing this stuff?”

“The arena was a much better option, Kara. Unless you would have preferred her to continue her deadly killing spree on the human population?” he asked seriously.

“I don’t want to know what she’s been doing, Nebiros. I just don’t want her to die, again.” I sighed loudly. Then I sat down, resting my tired head on the table. 

“You could have stopped this a long time ago, Kara. You are all she wants. She has overcome many things in order to remain so calm around you and Chloe,” he said.

“She’s never been around Chloe, Nebiros.”

“You think she can’t smell Chloe in her room? Her lingering scent on you? Ravyn has done everything you have asked of her and more. Still you refuse to trust her, even now when you know the truth about who saved you and Chloe. When are you going to cut her some slack?”

“How can I cut her any slack when she flat out said she wanted to kill Chloe when I was pregnant? Oh, and then there is the little fact that every time I think she is here to stay, she leaves. So don’t you dare defend her this time Nebiros. Ravyn has caused me enough heartache, so if I feel like laying down some rules for her than I have every right.”

“I think you two need to have a long talk if she makes it home.”

“If? You do realize it’s Ravyn we are talking about? Anyone who steps in that ring with her deserves to be carried out for being so damn stupid.”

“Now you defend her? You need to decide if you are going to be on her side all of the time or just when it suits your needs,” Nebiros said.

I didn’t have anything to say after that, because he was right and I didn’t want to admit it. I either wanted her here or I didn’t. After the crap with Devlin, I had serious doubts that she would come back.

The time ticked by without any new messages, and just as my eyes started to close the phone bounced around the table as it buzzed loudly, jerking me awake. I turned to find the clock, squinting with my waking eyes; it was four-thirty in the morning. By the time I looked at Nebiros he had placed his phone in front of me to read.

Jeanie wrote, “62 rounds, 3 mercies. Her wounds r not healing. Devlin stabbed her 17 times, he lives thx to a teen girl. Ravyn = Genius = $112 million! Ur friends will heal, old man.”

“Seventeen times! He is in so much trouble when he gets back!” I shouted.

“He is lucky Abigail was there to save him. Would you feel the same if she had ended his life?” Nebiros asked before I could exit.

I paused. “I don’t know, but he proved he is no better than she is the minute he decided to fight. I won’t tolerate any more of this craziness. I have a daughter to raise! I can’t have her around demons who behave like bullies on a playground.”

“I agree. Chloe is a special case, and those around her have to be particularly careful. I, however, am relieved that my friends still live, and I can only hope this night has allowed them a chance at friendship again,” Nebiros said.

“Me too. Good night Nebiros, thank you for telling me the truth.” I smiled and kissed his cheek before heading up to my room.

After two hours of sleep I was up at eight, warming Chloe’s breakfast, refusing to let her feed from me. I tried to get her to drink the warm demon blood; she wasn’t happy about it, but she was truly trying. I felt bad, but with little sleep and my mind buzzing with anger at Devlin and Ravyn, I didn’t want Chloe to get in my mind today.

Mommy? Are you upset with me? You look upset.

“No, of course not, sweetie. Mommy just had a rough night, I couldn’t sleep.” I kissed the top of her head while keeping my mind focused on tossing and turning this morning, letting her see the truth.

“I didn’t sleep good either. I dreamt that Uncle Devlin got hurt. Is he hurt?” Chloe asked, introducing me to yet another of her powers.

“I’m sure he’s fine. He went out of town on business, but he will be home tomorrow. We can call him later, all right?” I said.

Chloe suddenly froze, and her eyes turned to the foyer; seconds later, three hard knocks echoed from that direction. “I wonder who that is?” I said, trying to calm my own nerves while I headed to the front door. Looking through the peephole, I exhaled with relief when I saw an old friend’s familiar face.

I pulled the door open with a smile. “Hey stranger.”

“Kara, my sweet, you are looking quite delicious these days,” Lokie replied. His eyes swept over my body and his charming grin appeared.

“What brings you here, Lokie?” I asked. He stepped aside, revealing his lookalike father, Peter, standing at the bottom of the stairs. “Peter?”

“Hello child,” Peter said as he suddenly appeared directly in front of me. I stumbled back against the stair post. “My apologies. We would like to meet your child.”

“Oh, well, come in. Can I get you guys something?”

I walked ahead of them, pulling Chloe off the chair into my arms.
Do not speak to them Chloe. You must close your mind when they touch you. Close your mind, and do not let them in
, I instructed Chloe, holding her tightly. “Peter, Lokie. This is my Chloe.” I watched Peter’s face light up with joy while Lokie looked at her with curiosity. 

“Gentleman, what business does the Vatican have in our home?” Nebiros asked firmly, approaching them from behind. I tried desperately to keep my panicked mind clear of any dangerous thoughts.

“Hello Nebiros. We have no quarrels here, only a friendly visit,” Peter said. 

Nebiros motioned to the table in the kitchen. Waiting for our guests to be seated, he retrieved a bottle of wine and three glasses. I knew Nebiros had told Emma to remain upstairs, which made me worry even more as I plastered a fake smile on my face.

“Where are the others?” Lokie asked.

I didn’t trust Peter and my gut was telling me this wasn’t a friendly visit. “Oh, they just stepped out for a bit. They should be back shortly.” I blatantly lied to the two men while taking a seat, placing Chloe on my lap, and wrapping my arms protectively around her. Watching Lokie’s smile widen made me want to run.

“I heard otherwise, my sweet,” Lokie said with a wink.

“What exactly did you hear?”

“I heard that your lovers gave each other quite the beating in ‘The Arena’ last night.”  Lokie chuckled.

“Devlin is not and never will be my lover, Lokie. However, they did have it out, so, I guess we have no need for further mind games.”

“This is your child?” Peter asked, pulling my eyes away from Lokie.

“Yes, this is Chloe. Chloe, say hello to Peter.” She waved before hiding her face against my neck. “She’s shy.”

“How old is she?” Peter asked.

“She’s one, but she grows like a bean. She is very smart and incredibly gentle,” I said with a smile.