“I ran into demons. Don’t worry. I’m fine. I just need to wash up.”
“You know the rule.”
When he sounded accusatory, I gave him the evil eyes. “I know the rule. Never leave alone. But you know what? I wanted to be alone. I wanted to be able to walk like a normal human being.”
“But you’re not.” He frowned.
I took out my key and opened the door. Daniel followed me in and dumped his bag on the counter.
“What’s in the bag?” I took off my boots and tossed them in the trashcan. Then I started to take off my shirt and stopped.
“Uh...I can close my eyes if you want. I promise not to look.” His cheeks turned slightly pink.
Daniel had seen me in a bikini. Stripping down to nothing but my underwear and bra would be the same. “Fine. Close your eyes and tell me what’s in the bag.”
As I took off my shirt and pants, he said with a nervous note in his tone, “I knew you were upset so I thought I’d come over to cheer you up. I’m making you dinner. If that’s okay.”
I dumped my clothes in the trash, and as I headed to my bathroom I said, “You’re the best, Daniel. You can open your eyes now. And sorry about the mess. I haven’t washed the dishes yet. I’m going to put them in the dishwasher.”
Hopefully he would ignore the other mess. Sofa cushions in disarray. Ezekiel’s laundry piled on the sofa. Being out practically all day, seven days a week, I hadn’t had time to tidy up.
As pots and pans banged and oil sizzled, I got into the shower. I would have preferred a bath, but Daniel being here had changed my plan.
I stood under the hot water, taking in the warmth and the security of my own space. Crimson liquid painted the white bathtub until the water ran clear. My muscles eased and I inhaled deep breaths. But the girl who had helped me and claimed she hadn’t invaded my thoughts. Who was she? What had she been doing there? Had she followed me?
After I got out and dressed in sweats, I went to the kitchen to help Daniel. But dinner was ready and set on the dining table.
“You’re late. Have a seat.” Daniel snorted.
I smiled and sat across from him. “Thank you. This is very sweet of you.” I picked up a fork, jabbed it through noodles and chicken, and shoved them in my mouth.
Oh...it tasted so good. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until the first bite. It had been weeks since I’d last eaten. Nephilim didn’t have to eat as often as humans, and nephilim with archangel blood like me could even go longer without food, so sometimes I forgot to feed myself.
“Not bad, right?”
“It’s delicious.” I gulped down water.
“I made extra for Ezekiel.”
“He’s coming home late tonight.” I blushed at those words.
It’s just Daniel. Stop acting nervous. He didn’t come to ask you to be his girlfriend.
“I mean. The same time as usual. He goes back to the police station to study the missing profiles and hangs out with his buddies. He’ll probably go out to dinner with them. Besides, he’s not obligated to look after me just because he adopted me. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
“Yes, you certainly can. Apparently even around demons. On your own.”
I scowled and stuck out my tongue.
“Even when you make a hideous face, you’re beautiful.”
I turned my attention to my plate as my cheeks blazed. “What do you know about the demons?”
Daniel quickly chewed and swallowed. “Probably as much as you. Why?”
“Well. I saw a weird one today.”
“Weird?” Daniel chuckled. “Scary and ugly as hell, yes, but never have I heard weird before.”
“Just hear me out, okay.”
Daniel gulped his soda and nodded.
“This one didn’t attack me. It was only interested in devouring its meal. It even winked at me.”
Daniel stopped moving his jaw. “It was dark, right?”
I furrowed my brow. “I can see in the dark, remember?”
Daniel grinned. “I’m just teasing. But I have no idea. Did it look like the other demons? I mean, they all look the same.”
“Funny thing is, it had hair. Red hair.” I snorted and shook my head. “I know. Sounds ridiculous.”
Daniel shrugged and forked noodles into his mouth. “Not really, if you think about it. We are all evolving and breeding with other kinds. You might see one that’s part human, demon, angel, and archangel.”
I pointed a fork at him. “Don’t forget part witch.”
“Do they still exist?” Daniel wiped his mouth with a paper napkin.
“Ezekiel told me they were exiled centuries ago from Trinity Order, but that wouldn’t stop them from reproducing.”
Daniel regarded me for a moment and narrowed his eyes. “You don’t know, do you?”
“Know what?” I took another bite.
“It isn’t written in Trinity Order scroll, but rumor has it that the witches were tricked to gather in one place. It was supposed to be for a peace treaty, but instead they were all burned. Supposedly witchcraft died with them. If there were any survivors, none surfaced publicly.”
I shrugged. “I would hide until a perfect opportunity for revenge arose, wouldn’t you?”
Daniel leaned back into his chair, shoulders relaxed. “Nope. I would ride the waves on the beach. Be lazy. Drink. And be comfortable. I’m tired of the war. It started centuries ago and it’s only been a decade for me.”
“So then, why don’t you settle down? Leave NU. Get married, have kids, and find a normal job.”
He hiked an eyebrow. “I don’t know. I think I’ll be bored.”
I laughed and threw a noodle at him.
He jerked to his left and caught it in his mouth. “Thanks.”
I had planned to throw more, but I bristled when the doorknob turned. Ezekiel entered and shut the door.
“Keira. Daniel.” He walked toward his bedroom and stopped to face Daniel. “Daniel? What are you doing here?”
I frowned at his tone. No matter that Daniel was my partner, no matter how long he’d known him, the fact was Daniel was a male. Ezekiel narrowed his eyes in accusation, taking in the dinner on the table.
“Daniel cooked...for you.” I stood before Ezekiel would say something he would regret.
“Oh, yes.”
Daniel agreed when I gave him a sideways glance and a follow-my-lead face.
“I made dinner for everyone. Because...Keira...wasn’t feeling well...and she wanted me to go to the market for her. So I offered to stay and cook, and here we are.”
Please. Please. Don’t give me hard time today. Not after what I’ve been through.
Daniel quickly placed a plate for Ezekiel on the table. For a second, I’d thought he was going to kick Daniel out. He had tossed my date out the door once before and I’d never brought anyone home after that. But instead, he grinned. A small one, but nonetheless, it appeared.
“I ate a hamburger at the station, but it does smell good.” Ezekiel dug right in.
I dismissed my hurt feelings from earlier. Just because Ezekiel had stared at me hard didn’t mean he had been judging me when Kelly had accused me of being a gatekeeper or knowing the gatekeeper or whatever. I had to give him the benefit of the doubt and I also had to stop thinking. I couldn’t read minds.
Ezekiel smiled as he ate and relaxed his shoulders. He even cracked a joke.
“This is delicious. You should come over more often. Keira can’t cook.”
“Hey. At least I try.” I tossed my used napkin at him.
“True. It’s edible at least.” He chuckled.
I shrugged. “You didn’t adopt me for my cooking, that’s for sure.”
Ezekiel pressed his lips together, but lifted them to a quick smile. “No, I didn’t. You are my best friend’s child, and I’m honored to be your adopted father.”
Sweet tender moments like that one, though rare, softened my heart. Sure, I occasionally wonde
red what my life would have been like had my parents lived, but Ezekiel had raised me well, and I was the lucky one. So many that had been adopted had poor relationships with their foster parents. At least Ezekiel had known my parents, and that made me feel closer to him.
When I was little, I used to imagine my mom teaching me how to bake. My father would make me watch sports with him. They would come to my parent teacher conferences and watch my band performances. I would go out with friends and have a steady boyfriend. I would never know that I was half-blooded, and the life I had now would not exist.
But fate was a strange thing. I’d always believed one would be what one was meant to be.
“You’re not only my father, but my mother as well. Thank you for taking my parents’ responsibility and giving them your word to raise me.” I smiled as I gently placed my hand over his.
Comfortable silence filled the room until Daniel said, “How about dessert?”
“I never say no to dessert.” Ezekiel’s eyes gleamed. “What did you make?”
Daniel reached into his bag and took out a box. “I didn’t have time to make dessert. I brought Sophie’s pie.”
I rose to help Daniel and opened the box. Cream outlined the top edges. I scooped a finger full and snuck a bite. Daniel slapped my hand. I giggled and nudged him with my shoulder.
“So, did Kelly confess anything worth noting?” I asked, slicing a piece and placing it gently on a plate Daniel had handed me.
“No,” Ezekiel said somberly, shaking his head. “I wish she had.” He sighed through his nose and scrunched up his face, the line on his forehead deepening. “We need to find Enoch before the demons or the watchers. We’re running out of time.”
“I have his address.” Daniel placed a plate and a fork in front of Ezekiel. “Enjoy.”
Ezekiel twisted at his waist to watch Daniel stroll back to me. “Good work. We need to work fast because we have a problem. The word is Marcus took Enoch’s mother hostage.”
I stopped slicing my piece and froze. “His mother?”
“Yes. I assume they’re going to use her as bait. Unless she has something they need. I was told she collected valuable treasures.”
I chewed the inside of my mouth. My parents were killed by watchers. Why did supernatural beings pick on humans? Cowards. That’s what they all were to pick on the helpless and the weak.
“We’ve got this,” I said. “Tomorrow.”
Chapter 25
Happy Family
Malum
I tossed and turned all night. My unwanted, unexpected brother showing up had me frazzled and cranky. My goal of being the head of Trinity Order had gone out the door. Dom wanted to bring Trinity Order to their knees. That meant war. Death. Perhaps the end of us all.
Usually I woke up with women in my bed, but I’d kept to myself last night. I needed to think. Figure out how to kick my brother out. Perhaps even lock him away for good.
I would speak to Lotus and find out what her plans were. If she shared Dom’s, she would not be one of my key players. If she didn’t approve of his plan, well...we could work together and lock him up for good.
One might think me cold to execute a plan against my own blood, but I had to do everything in my power to keep the demons alive. We had to show Trinity Order we were capable of being civilized and that we could follow rules.
We’d come out of hiding once the archangels somehow mysteriously disappeared. It was our chance to be part of this world. I had to find Enoch before the watchers did. Killing Enoch would ensure we would not go extinct. If Enoch was forced to open the book, no one knew the consequences. Why change things? I liked our world in its current state. Corrupted. Stained with sin.
Feeling optimistic, I strode, whistling, to my office at the nightclub. When I opened the door, I frowned.
“What are you doing here?” My nostrils flared as I flexed my fingers.
Dom’s hands were on my desk chair as he gazed out the tinted window. He looked ever the dashing brother in a form-fitted dark gray suit. “You really fixed up our business. I’m proud of you. By the way, good evening.”
I hiked up my brow. “What are you doing here? Planning to come back to work? You start from the bottom.”
I shouldn’t be speaking to my brother with such a harsh tone, but he deserved it. He didn’t get to just meander back in and think he could take over after all the hard work I’d put in to create the booming business it was today.
Dom gave me his back and faced the bookcase. He picked up a few of my collection of globes to examine them, and put them back. I stiffened when he picked up the globe with one feather inside. When he shook it, gold glitter dispersed and the white feather turned with the water.
“Put that down.” I marched toward him.
He raised an eyebrow and did as I demanded. “Why? You didn’t seem to care when I touched the others. What’s so special about this one?”
“Nothing. It’s not. I don’t like anyone touching my things.” I lightly shoved him, placed my suit jacket over the chair, and sat. “I have work to do. If you have a question, ask me. If not, then leave.”
Dom chuckled and went to the bar. After he poured himself a drink, he asked if I wanted one. I checked my emails without answering. He sat on the sofa, propped up his feet, and leaned back as if he had no care in the world.
I scrolled through messages and kept my eyes rooted to the screen. “Are you going to stare at me all day? ‘Cause if you have nothing to do, I could use someone at the bar. We’re one short today.”
“Why?”
“You don’t need to know. We just are.”
I flicked a glance toward the bar. Liana would fill in the shift. I thought about telling him never mind, but I knew he wouldn’t agree, anyway. His ego would prevent him from working with lower class demons.
He laughed again, spinning the ice inside his glass. I was beginning to hate the sound.
“One of your demons ate him, right? We should just get rid of all those that can’t control their appetite.”
I put the computer to sleep and met his gaze. “You can eliminate your kind so easily? I hired them so they would stay out of trouble. If they had enough money to live properly, then they wouldn’t have to give in to their animal instincts.”
He put his feet down and leaned forward. “It would kill me to have to kill my own kind. I would lose sleep over it. I might not eat for weeks.”
I rolled my eyes, wanting to smack that mocking smirk off his face. “If you’re serious, then you need to start with Paymon. Can you kill your own brother?”
A hard thump caused me to shift my attention to the door. Paymon planted his hands on either side of the door frame. With baggy eyes, disheveled hair, and a beard that looked like a bird’s nest, he stumbled in.
“Did anyone...say m’name?” He snorted and stopped when he saw Dom. He tripped on his own feet and dropped on the sofa. “Dom.” He patted Dom’s face. “Are you real or am I dreaming?” Paymon craned his neck to me. “Hey, Malum, do you see Dom?”
“Paymon. You stink. Have you been swimming in the dumpster?” Dom rolled his shoulder and angled his head to the ceiling. “And stop touching me.”
“It...ssss...peaks.” Saliva spat out of his mouth and he slapped Dom’s chest.
Dom shoved him. Paymon fell flat on his ass, his grin disappearing. His eyes darkened.
“Why? Why’d you push me, brother? I haven’t seen you in years and this is how you greet me?”
Dom stood and straightened his tie. “Well, that is how Malum greeted me. I learned it from him. Blame him.”
I scoffed. “Where were you last night and the night before? Or rather, where were you this whole week?” I tried to sound concerned and not accusatory. But having two pain in the ass brothers in one room, my tolerance dipped low.
Paymon ruffled his ruddy hair, his green eyes softening. “I was...having fun.”
I punched my desk, but not hard enough to break it. “Damn it, Paymon. H
ow many times must I remind you, you can’t eat humans in the open.”
“Not just me.” He rose and dumped his body on the sofa opposite Dom. Hooking one leg over the armrest, he leaned lazily back and closed his eyes. “Don’t raise your voice. It’s too loud.”
I ran my hand down my face and grunted. “You weren’t alone, were you? How many?”
“Many. Not my fault. They invited me,” Paymon whined. “You can ask Liana. She was there.”
I’d kept my rage at bay, but when he brought Liana into his story, I lost it. “What the hell do you mean? Liana would never disobey me. You tell me the truth, Paymon, or so help me, I will—”
“Temper, brother.” Dom curled his lips. “Why don’t you ask Liana? We can compare stories. I would love to hear what she has to say.”
Dom would enjoy seeing Liana betray me. He would be disappointed. I knew my Liana. I had forbidden her to be around those savage demons. She would never disobey me.
“Fine. I will.” I gave him the same grin back.
“Liana, I need to see you. Come to my office.”
A few seconds later, she appeared at the door. “Father. You wanted to see me?” Her eyes darted from Dom, Paymon, and to me.
“Where were you last night?” I asked, calming my voice to neutral. But almost lost it when Dom couldn’t stop staring at her with lustful eyes.
“Why?” She sauntered in and sat. “I was out with my friends. We had dinner, had drinks at the bar, and I went home. You can call them. You know who they are.”
Good sign. Had she been with him last night, she wouldn’t be sitting next to him.
“Paymon said he saw you last night.”
Paymon grinned at her. He truly believed his words to be true.
Liana angled her body to face him. “You saw me at dinner, Paymon? Why didn’t you come say hello? I didn’t see you.”
Paymon pinched his eyebrows together and moved in closer to her to meet her gaze. “Nooo. Not at dinner. At the feast party.”
“At the feast party?” Her tone rose to a higher pitch. “Why would I be there? Father would disown me.” She patted his face. “Poor uncle. You really shouldn’t get drunk. You know why you thought I was there? Because you missed me. You should spend more time with the family instead of doing things you’re not supposed to do. You’re my favorite uncle.” She glanced over his shoulder to Dom and back to Paymon. “At least you were around when I was growing up.”