Obsessions: A Monster Squad Novel 7 (6 page)

“No, I just meant that, I dunno, it’s like you calm my wolf. And when he’s calm, I’m just not…I mean. I just don’t…” He sighed heavily and leaned against the counter. “I just don’t want anything else.”

She gave him a wicked smile then handed him a tray. “Eat up, big boy. You keep talking like that and you just might need your strength built up.”

*****

Mick sat alone in the tiny chapel that served the squads. A fine layer of dust covered the few pews inside, and the altar had assorted bric-a-brac stacked on it. The candles had all been burned to nubs and the place had obviously been forgotten.

He sat quietly and stared at the crucifix hanging on the wall behind the altar and noted how it had been knocked crooked. His first impression was that somebody had purposely thrown something in the tiny chapel, knocking the crucifix to the side, but not off the wall.

He continued to stare at the image of the son of God hanging broken on the cross and he dropped to his knees. He wasn’t sure if he was simply begging to the universe or if he were praying to God. He had never really prayed before, even though he believed that there was a god. He wasn’t sure which god might be the real god, but he knew that something had to have created everything. The very idea that the universe and all life was all some cosmic accident was just too big a leap of faith for him. It was much easier to believe that a much higher power, an all knowing being created everything.

Mick felt his heart break and he cried out softly. “Please, don’t let her stay here with this buffoon. She deserves so much more. She deserves someone who knows her. She deserves someone who can truly love her for who she is. Not someone who is
told
they have to love her because some unseen force says so…” Mick suddenly realized what he was saying.

Here he was praying to an unseen force and begging for the girl he loved, all the while claiming that her being with her Fated Mate shouldn’t happen because it was dictated by an unseen force. Could the two be the same? He collapsed in the floor and sobbed. Were the cards stacked so firmly against him? Would she ever forgive him?

Mick slowly pulled himself to his knees and stared at the crucifix again. “Can’t you do something?” 

The crucifix didn’t answer no matter how much he willed it to do so. Mick hung his head and felt the sting of hot tears run down his cheeks.

*****

Bigby woke with a start. The banging had increased in volume, and he rolled from the chair he had been sleeping in. He slipped to the window and spread the blinds ever so carefully. Outside, workers were constructing a fence around the front of the property he was currently in. He watched carefully and was about to slip back to another part of the house when a black SUV pulled to the front of the house and into the driveway. The vehicle stopped, and a man in a business suit stepped out, followed by a young couple.

Bigby cursed to himself as the trio walked to the front of the house and he heard the jingling of keys. “They’ll have the fence done shortly, but this is just a model home. You’ll be able to see the layout and pick and choose exactly how you want your own unit finished out.”

Bigby slipped down the hallway and into a bedroom. He contemplated his options. He could exit from a bedroom window and work his way around the rear of the green field to another area where he might be able to steal another vehicle. He could kill the trio, take the SUV and pray that none of the work crew outside noticed. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine the outcome of each option. He knew that even if he evaded the invaders, it was only a matter of time before they looked in the garage and saw his stolen car.

Bigby heard the trio walk through the living area and into the kitchen. If he were going to make a break for it, he’d have to cross to the other side of the house now, while they were preoccupied.

Big glanced out the bedroom door then slipped silently to the bedroom across from where he was. He shut the door behind himself and went to the window. Lifting the glass, he pushed the screen out and slipped out to the back yard. He pulled the window shut then replaced the screen. Keeping low, he made his way to the corner of the house.

Bigby stepped out from behind the house and walked purposefully toward the road. He glanced back once and noted that nobody came running from the property, no shouts of alarm. He paused by one of the trucks parked by the front of the property and waited. After about five minutes, the trio walked out, and the three talked, the salesman pointing out different aspects of the property. Big watched from his vantage and wondered if they had ever entered the garage. Had they not seen his stolen car?

He shook his head at the unwitting trio as they stepped back into the SUV and backed out of the driveway. He stood near the back of the truck and watched as the black vehicle drove away. Did he dare risk going back for the car? What if they got the plate and reported it? What if they returned with the authorities? If he’d had his weapons, he wouldn’t care.

Bigby sighed heavily and leaned against the truck. He considered possibly stealing one of the numerous work trucks parked around the site, but construction workers tended to keep a close eye on their tools and those tools were stored in their trucks.

“Looks like I’m walking.”

He turned and worked his way back toward the main road. He’d find a stop and go gas station or fast food place to pick up his next ride. He glanced at his watch and realized, he’d better do it quickly. He still had to scout out a new base of operation.

*****

Kalen pressed his ear to the door and listened intently. Once he was assured that there was no movement in the hall and that Brooke was still asleep, he pulled the door open and stepped out. He was nearly knocked over by her returning from the ladies showers, her dark hair still dripping and her robe pulled tight around her pale body.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t…” Kalen stammered as he tried to step to the side.

Brooke paused and lowered her eyes to the floor, her hand clutching the ends of her robe and pulling it tighter to herself. “Excuse me.” Her voice was like a whisper, but seemed to echo in the empty corridor.

Kalen stepped aside and allowed her to pass. He tried not to watch her as she walked quickly to her room and slipped inside. He released the breath he had been holding and felt faint. He leaned against the wall and stared after her.

“Are you okay? You look pale.”

Kalen spun to see Azrael and Gnat staring at him, concern etched across their features. He nodded absently. “Yes, I am fine. I just…” He turned and stared down the hallway again. “I was just wondering if we should bother to get Raven for morning meal.”

Azrael shrugged. “She is vampire. I doubt they serve fresh blood at the banquet hall.”

Kalen nodded absently, his eyes still glued to her door. “Perhaps you are right.” He felt Azrael lay a hand on his shoulder and pull him gently toward the stairs.

“Come, dine with us and regale us with tales of your conquests on the battlefield.”

Kalen turned to him and gave him a confused look. “Yes, and you as well.”

Gnat grunted as the two took the lead. “Nobody cares about my conquests. I may as well stay under the table and eat the crumbs you two drop.”

Azrael nodded. “As you wish, Gnome.” He pushed open the doors to the stairwell and held it for the two others. “It might be best if you did. I doubt they have chairs tall enough for you to reach the table.”

Gnat drew a dagger as the two larger warriors disappeared into the darkness of the stairs. “Perhaps I’ll start with a slab of Gargoyle.”

*****

Lilith slid her robes over her shoulders and stepped out to the warehouse. She felt Samael’s presence more than saw him. His shadow covered her from behind and she felt comforted by his closeness.

The pair watched as scores of demons entered the large overhead doors and milled about, preparing to be addressed by their queen. Many had begun to form up in ranks, lining up in columns and rows while others stayed in small groups, making small talk.

Lilith began to step forward when she noticed that the demons seemed to be frozen in place, none speaking. None were moving. None so much as blinked their eyes as they stood at attention. She turned back to Samael who was staring upward.

“What’s happening?” A cold chill settled upon her as an unearthly green glow began shining throughout the warehouse. “What’s going on, Samael?”

“My brother.” His face curled into a grimace as his hands clenched into fists and he set his feet. She noted that his great muscles were taunt as if ready to strike and she felt that familiar tugging in her loins. His arm shot forward and pulled her back behind him. “Do not look directly at him until he has made himself known.”

“Why would—” A brilliant flash of green light reflected off of all of the metallic surfaces, intensifying the magnificence of it. She slid behind Samael’s wing and hid her face in his back. “Tell me when it’s over.”

A strange voice boomed throughout the warehouse. “It is over. You may come out now, little mouse.”

“State your purpose, brother.” Samael stiffened even more as he held Lilith behind him.

She cast a furtive glance from around Samael’s arm and her eyes went wide with wonder. She spied the most brilliant of creatures…one that rivaled Samael in beauty and size, his armor glimmering as if aglow in the dim interior of the warehouse. The large, white feathered wings stretched out and flexed silently as the creature stepped toward her lover.

“I have come to warn you, brother. Nothing more.”

“Then state your warning and be gone.” Samael puffed out his chest and flexed his own wings, spreading them out behind him like a large black dragon.

“Oh, brother. What has become of you?” The angel tsk’d as he stepped closer. He paused and cast a disapproving eye at the Samael.

“Nothing for you to concern yourself with, I assure you.” Samael pushed Lilith further behind him, blocking her view. “Say what you intend to say, Azazel.”

The large angel sighed and Lilith could smell the most heavenly of scents, as if fresh breads were baking, smothered in honey and cinnamon. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, letting her ears cherish the sound of his voice as he spoke.

“Samael, you and your little war party are in danger.”

“I highly doubt that,
brother
.”

Azazel sighed and stepped closer. “While you may have chosen to stand against the Father, you were, and are still, my brother, Samael. He may have disowned you, but that doesn’t change who we are.”

“It changes what we stand for.”

Azazel shook his head and leaned against a large concrete pillar supporting the roof. “Samael, whether you believe me or not, it is so. Abaddon has seen it.”

Samael snapped to attention, his brows knitted in worry as he studied Azazel. “Swear it.”

“Do I have to, brother? I came all this way to carry his word to you.”

“Swear it or it isn’t so!” Samael growled, his fists clenched so tight that Lilith started with fright.

“I swear it. By the Father, by Abaddon’s word, by my love for you, I swear it to be so.” The look of pain and dejection on Azazel’s face told Samael more than his words ever did.

“Then tell me Abaddon’s vision.” His body relaxed and he stepped away from Lilith, his wings draping off of her as he moved forward.

The two stepped to the far end of the warehouse, and Lilith slowly moved closer, tilting her head to listen to the conversation. “Abaddon has seen the upcoming battle and your attempt at placing your whore at the throne of Earth. It will fail.”

“It cannot fail. I have given her a legion of demons.” Samael stood tall, his shoulders squared.

“Aye brother, you have. But your efforts will fail. You will achieve only in being banished from this realm once more and having your lovely demoness torn to shreds once again. Your legion will be killed and…”

“Impossible! They are demons. They cannot be killed!” Samael crossed his arms in defiance and glared at Azazel.

Azazel sighed heavily and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. “Aye, brother, they
can
be killed. And they will be.”

“How? I tell you, it is impossible.”

“Angelic weapons. From the Battle of the Fall. They are stored here on Earth. And Gabriel has told a non-human where they are stored. She has put in place a team of warriors, young at heart…”

“No…” Samael’s eyes widened. “The prophecy.”

“Yes, my brother. The prophecy. Warriors five, young at heart, with angel swords and armor marked…”

Samael swallowed hard and nodded. “They’ll hunt by night with all their might, ‘til the lands be cleansed of the Darkness’ plight.” He turned and faced Azazel once more. “Have these warriors laid claim to the angelic weapons yet?”

“I honestly do not know, but Abaddon has seen that their location will be revealed to their benefactor.” Azazel crossed his arms and studied Samael. “And since none but Gabriel and Rafael know where the weapons cache are…”

“And neither are likely to tell either of us,” Samael growled in frustration.