Hope in Love (8 page)

“Women and shopping. It’s quite a sight to see, isn’t it?”

Ram spun around at the sound of that silky voice, ready to commit
murder.

“This is your goddamned fault. What did you think you were
doing and why did you bring Patricia here?”

He watched the smile stretch wider across Raph’s face and he
wanted to smack it away.

“Oh come now, it’s not as bad as all that.”

“Raphael, you bastard. And turn your fucking head. Do
not
look at Yael.”

“My, my, we’ve become rather possessive of an exulted haven’t
we?”

“
We
are going to kick your ass. Get out now before I
tear you limb from limb.”

“For goodness sake, calm down, Ram. You’ll have a damned
aneurysm. They’re enjoying themselves. While you were hobnobbing with Michael,
I found the women in a bar. A nice one, but a bar nonetheless. I suggest that
if you’re going to give out these powers, you should make sure the recipient
knows how to use them.”

“They were where?” Ram’s face was apoplectic. The veins in
his neck protruded, his eyes swirled with blue fire.

“I’ve kept an eye on them so you don’t have to worry.”

He could no longer maintain his invisibility. Ram’s body
shimmered back and forth. His fists clenched and unclenched. He wanted to rip
Raphael’s head from his torso. He’d watched Yael try on clothes across the
whole fucking city. He couldn’t even shield his thoughts. Raphael’s raucous
laughter only enflamed him more.

“Raph—”

Ram saw Yael’s head tilt slightly as though she listened to
something. Shit! She either heard or felt his presence. The meshing. He turned
back to Raphael to see the light in his eyes and, too late, he realized he knew
what had happened between him and Yael.

“My, my. The great whore is meshing with an exulted…”

A blue light surrounded Ram and his eyes were filled with
the death of a hundred years. He snatched Raph by the front of his shirt and
they both slammed into the heat of the atmosphere. Wings unfurled from their
bodies, their spans dimmed the midday sun. Thunder crashed through the air and
lightning glanced across the otherwise brightly lit summer sky.

He dragged Raph down under the cover of the tall Spanish
moss that surrounded his domain. Here they would be unheard because of his
protective shields.

“I will kill you,” Ram growled.

“We both know you can’t do that. Shit, my wings are still
shorter from the last time. I’ll tell you one thing though. You are going to
stop brutalizing me. I’ve had enough of your bullshit. So what exactly are your
intentions?” Raph waited. “Then get your hands off me.”

“Stay away from Yael. I will
not
say this again.”

“What are you going to do? Michael will find out and you
know that. Look, I’m not your enemy here, Ram.”

“What do you want?”

“I want out of this ragtag assignment of following Luke’s
ass around, chasing his stinking demons. You can make Michael change that.”

“No one
makes
Michael do anything.”

“Well, you might suggest it.”

“And if I don’t?”

“You will, I have faith in you. Now, I suggest you get back
to Yael before she steals the city blind.” Raph disappeared and left a cloud of
sulfuric stench.

Ram stood in the shadows of the tall trees where shafts of
light ricocheted across his outstretched wings.

He raised his head and released a cry to the heavens that
shook his domain to the core.

“Patricia, thank you, I like to shop,” Yael said. “I’ve
enjoyed this very much, but the expenses must be taken care of tomorrow. I won’t
feel right until then.” She’d feel much better once their purchases were paid
for. What they’d done wasn’t right.

“No problem. As soon as you get money from Ram, we’ll return
and pay for everything.”

“I’d like to go now.” Intuition told Yael she should go
home. She wasn’t sure, but there was the feeling she’d been watched this
afternoon. The hair on the back of her neck had stood up when she tried on the
beautiful, red silk camisole in the lingerie shop. Someone was there. Ram
couldn’t have known where she was. He’d promised to stay out of her mind and
she hadn’t tried to contact him.

So why did she have the sinking sensation that something was
wrong. It was guilt at how they got the items. Patricia’s ability to enthrall
the employees worked great. They were very attentive and even helped them pick
things out.

Maybe she had spent too much. Her meager familiarity with
purchases came from conversations with other exulted above. Patricia imparted a
lot of information about styles and prices and she seemed to know all the best
designers. She also assured Yael that Ram could afford it, but she still felt
uncomfortable as her eyes darted around the store.

She had never seen so many beautiful colors as she had
today. The underwear was her favorite. Each piece she tried on, she tried to
imagine how Ram would see it on her. She blushed even now as she remembered how
good the silky things felt against her skin, how seductive she felt.

Until Deborah took her above, she made her own clothes. They
were simple, comfortable things that were durable, not sexy like the ones she
procured today.

Yael refused to have her hair cut but she did let the
stylist give her a new look. Her hair was thick and frizzy. Untamable in the
humid Florida climate. So she was given a mild relaxer. Mr. Max said it would
take away the puffiness. It was softer and easier to manage. Parted on one
side, it appeared longer and flowed around her shoulders with soft waves.

She couldn’t wait to shop again but next time she’d take
money.

After returning home, she donned a pair of black designer
jeans Patricia said she simply had to have. They fit like a second skin and
felt great hugging her hips. The thong she wore would take a little getting
used to though. Her low-cut silk top was a soft peach color that accented her
caramel complexion. The tan, strappy, five-inch Betsey Johnson Daker heels she
wore were all the new rage according to the advertisement in the store window.
She felt statuesque standing at her new height.

Would Ram like it? Yael remembered what Patricia said to
her—do not fall in love with him.

But she feared it was too late for that.

* * * * *

Ram waited patiently for Yael’s return.

He visited each store she shopped at and erased the security
videos that neither woman had considered. She would look fabulous for weeks on
end if the amount they spent was anything to go by.

His problem remained how to prevent this in the future. He
would, of course, see to it that she had all the money she wanted. But he also
needed to impress upon her the responsibility she carried in protecting the
power he’d given her. Nona’s words rattled incessantly through his mind.

Do not lose her to yourself
.

He feared he had created a monster. The remedy would be to
make her aware of the problems that could arise from her misuse of her new
ability.

Deep inside, Ram knew the real truth.

Yael needed to conceive. And soon.

“Did you enjoy your shopping?” he asked from a dark corner
of the patio.

She jumped at the sound of his voice.

“Uhh…yes. Ram, I…”

“It has been handled. You can wear your new finery without feeling
like a shoplifter.”

“I didn’t intend…”

“Yael, I should have made sure you had access to money. I’m
aware of its usefulness here and you were not. My apologies.” As he looked at
her, he forgot the sermon he should deliver on the woes of using her newly
acquired powers of dematerialization.

Yael was hot.

Ram’s eyes took in the total package. He wasn’t sure he
liked the hair. He would miss the ringlets that used to grace her round
shoulders. The black jeans fit her full hips so tight, he wondered how she got
into them by herself. And how
did
women stand on those skinny heels? But
damn, the shoes looked good on her.

The swell of breasts that peeked at him from above the
little top she wore made him want to reach in and set her nipples free. They
strained against the material and begged to be pinched. His hands curled into
fists to stop him from doing just that.

He did nothing to conceal the erection that filled the front
of his slacks. He wanted her, and he wanted her now. Screw his promise to give
her privacy, he pushed a mental picture to the forefront of her mind of exactly
what he wanted to do to her.

“Ramiel!”

He laughed at the way her voice squealed.

“I won’t apologize, Yael. Do you have any idea what you look
like standing there? Christ, what do you expect me to feel? You’re so damn sexy
I want to eat you up.”

“I…”

She saw the lust in his eyes and she must have liked the
vision of what he wanted to do to her. If the delicious scent emanating from
her body was anything to go by, she wanted it too. He thought about the act he
put in her mind. Her hips raised high and ready for him. His cock wanted to
storm her ass. Shit, he had to stop this or he’d rip the new jeans from her and
take her right here.

“Hi guys.” Patricia stepped onto the patio.

“Hello,” was the only word Yael could get past her lips. Ram
almost chuckled at the shocked look still gracing her face.

“So, Ram, how do you like her new look?”

“I, umm, I think she looks real good. But we do need to talk
about your little shopping extravaganza.”

“Yes, I know. We intend to go back tomorrow…”

“It’s been taken care of. In the future just let me know.
And until Yael is familiar with Miami, I would prefer she not use her ability
to vanish. It could pose a problem were she to turn up unexpectedly in the wrong
place. Like a bar.”

“Oh that. Don’t worry, I was aware of where we were. Raph
and I visited there many times. The people are great.”

“Patricia, please understand me. I don’t want Yael in those
sorts of places.”

“Ram, what sort of place
am
I allowed to frequent?”

“It’s just that bars attract a different type of crowd.”

“I’m not sure I understand. We had margaritas and something
called nachos with cheese. Everyone treated us very nice.”

“Yael, it’s difficult to explain.” Ram started to pace. He’d
never had to explain himself.

“Perhaps it would be easier if you gave me a list of the
places I can go?” The bite in her tone surprised him and it didn’t suit her.

“Wait,” Patricia said. “This is my fault and it won’t happen
again. You’re right. I forgot Yael isn’t familiar with the city or…this time. I
didn’t intend to abuse your hospitality.”

“It’s my home too, Patricia. You only did what I asked.
Perhaps Ramiel can suggest a new way for us to explore the city because I do
want to see more of it. Ram?” Her eyes bored into him and he couldn’t believe
she questioned him. She wouldn’t like his solution.

“In fact I do. I’ve procured the assistance of someone who’s
very familiar with the area. He has my complete trust and is at your disposal.”

“So I am to have a babysitter?”

“It’s not like that. I’m only concerned for your safety.”

“I see. So, I am to have a…guard?”

“You’re making this difficult, Yael, and it need not be. You
may travel anywhere you wish. I want to know where you are and that you’re safe
at all times.”

“And who is this person?”

Ram called for Osce. He watched the women’s reaction when he
appeared on the patio. Both stood stock-still.

Osce was tall and brown-skinned. His black hair braided in
one long, shiny plait touched his waist. He wore a plain white, button-down
shirt and leather pants with a belt that held a small brown leather pouch. His
soft-soled black shoes didn’t make a sound as he crossed the patio to where Ram
stood. The only adornment was a thick gold chain around his neck with a locket
attached.

His presence commanded attention. The light brown eyes didn’t
seem to move but they took in everything. That was why Ram had asked for his
assistance.

Osce had been born not far away and spent the majority of
his living life in Florida. He became exulted in 1838 but remained in his
homeland. The heavens couldn’t hold him. He refused to answer to anyone he didn’t
like, which was just about everyone.

This part of the country was known to him like no one else,
and he could move among the streets or the lofty houses of the rich and famous.
For all intents and purposes Osce was a ghost who could maintain a living form
when he chose to.

He was also deadly as hell and Ram considered him a friend.

“Osce, I’d like you to meet Yael and Patricia.”

He bowed and nodded to each woman. “Ladies,” he greeted them
in a low voice.

“And how do we get in and out of your swamp?” Yael asked.

“Osce, take the women wherever they’d like to go. I ask only
that you keep them safe.”

“I’m honored. Their wish will be my command.”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some things to take care
of. Enjoy yourselves.”

* * * * *

Ram thought the time might be right to visit Michael and ask
him to find something else for Raphael to do. He’d suggest that Raph keep his
eyes on the unrest in the Basque area. That would also keep him far from Yael.

He heard Michael’s acerbic voice before he fully
materialized.

“Ramiel, you had better have a good excuse for your folly or
that flag pole between your legs will never be at peace.”

“I couldn’t let her be alone in the Everglades without some
way to leave should an emergency arrive.” Michael was upset he’d given Yael the
ability to dematerialize.

“I see. Let’s not mention even I cannot enter your domain
there.” Ram watched Michael’s hand flutter in irritation. He had something else
on his mind. “So how did the shopping trip go?”

Ramiel couldn’t resist smiling.

“Michael, she is so beautiful and so happy.”

“Good. We will hear soon that she is with child?”

He wasn’t prepared for that question. But it reminded Ram of
his sore cock. It lived against his zipper nowadays. Had it not been for
Patricia, Yael would be facedown on his bed with him buried deep inside her. He
couldn’t wait to see how easily those jeans would slide down her thick thighs.
He pulled his attention back to Michael. He had to answer his question.

“Soon.”

“I suppose you had good reason to release Osce?”

“Yes, and before you ask, I told Uriel.”

“Is there anything else you need to tell me?”

“No.”

“Then I suggest you get busy.”

“Uhh, there is one other thing. With so much unrest in the
Basque region, perhaps Raphael could be of help there? I’ve been unable to give
it the attention it deserves.”

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact that you
wish to keep him from the exulted?”

“Perhaps a little.”

“I see. I’ll let him know immediately. I’m sure he can’t
wait to be rid of Lucifer. Ram, be careful. I’m not sure what you are playing
at but there are some things that just cannot be. Do I make myself clear?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Michael.”

“Have a nice day. Go procreate.”

“Goddammit,” Ramiel cursed. “Pisses me off when he does that
shit.” Instead of using his powers, he climbed soaking wet out of the swamp.
This wasn’t his domain and the alligator on his ass wasn’t friendly. He grinned
at the lumbering creature behind him. It stopped and turned back to his watery
abode.

Ram vanished back to his home to find it once again empty.

“Hell and damnation, haven’t they shopped enough? At this
rate I’ll never get to touch her again.”

Feeling the strong pull of the hopeless masses, he
disappeared.

* * * * *

“What are you doing here, Luke?” Ram asked as he arrived on
the rooftop.

“You’re going to need help with this one, plus I wanted to
catch up on how things were going with Cupid’s arrow and all that mushy shit.”

“Fuck you.” Ram didn’t have time for this. Blood literally
ran down the windows inside the convenience store. “Christ, what are they doing
to each other this time?”

“Seems the guy hiding behind the trash bin in the black
hoodie robbed the store, and the man lying in the street with the green shirt
tried to stop him. He’s shot in the back. Guess you’ll have to decide if he
makes it or not. There are two more inside. Not sure about them yet, but
Hoodie-man is definitely mine.”

“So why haven’t you snatched him up yet?”

“Watch and catch up, would you?”

Police sirens bleated as two cruisers careened down the
street and screeched to a halt. The officers jumped out and crouched beside
their vehicles. Their radios barked back and forth with information. No one saw
the culprit yet.

Ram saw the situation might get worse. Unlike Luke,
intervention could be used at his discretion. He froze the scene in front of
him.

“Damn, man, you’re no fun.” The devil frowned.

“Luke, grab Hoodie and get out of here. Now.” Ram wanted to
get home.

“All right already, no need to be snippy.”

Luke, attired in a sharp black suit, his hair impeccable as
always, jumped forty feet to the ground and landed in front of Hoodie. Ram was
sure the punk pissed himself by the way his eyes were stretched wide, his jaw
slack. But Hoodie still had some juice in him. He raised the gun, pointed it at
Luke’s head and pulled the trigger.