The huskiness of his tone... Are you flirting with me?
He blinked with surprise. I think that I am.
The world spunbut not because she was feeling faint. Koldo had taken her by the waist and maneuvered her around to face him. She teetered forward, and had to balance her palms on his chest. His heart beat as hard and fast as hers.
Is it working?
It is.
Prove it.
He hoisted her up. Her legs wrapped around him as he lowered his head. Their mouths met in an explosive kiss that offered no preliminary exploration, only passion.
Just like that, she was a study of movement, her hands on his face, no, on his neck, no, kneading his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin. It was such a beautiful moment, so charged, two pieces of a puzzle being fit together.
Desire burned through her, and need, so much need. Want, so much want. As if she hadnt found satisfaction last night. The two drives were intertwined, indistinguishable, as tangible as Koldos body.
I have to have you, he said. All of you. If youre well enough to run the treadmill, youre well enough to be with me.
Yes.
Here. Now.
Yessss. This was happening. Finally. They would be together, and they would belong to each other, and they would stop worrying about what could go wrongeven though they werent supposed to be worrying about anything.
Uh, thats going to be a bit of a problem, another male said.
Growling, Koldo swung his head toward the door. Nicola followed his lead. A grinning Axel stood next to another male of equal strength. This one had black hair and blazing green eyes that utterly contrasted with his lips, which were set in an ice-cold line.
Zacharel, Koldo said, nodding his head in stiff deference. To Nicola, he added quietly, He always looks that way. Fear not.
Nicolas legs dropped to the floor. Her heart was hammering, but the beat was now steady, strong. Her clothes were in place, nothing disheveled, and yet she felt as though she were a teenager caught with her pants down.
The new guy looked her over. Youre thriving. Thats good.
You know me? she asked, surprised and confused. Shed never met this man. He wasnt the type of guy a girl would ever forget. No, he was the type of guy a girl dreamed about for the rest of her lifeeither sighing dreamily or sobbing with fear.
I noticed a certain warriors interest in you, and made it my business to learn everything possible. That glorious jade gaze slid to Koldo before she could comment. Not that she knew what to say. Your presence has been requested in the heavens.
A tense pause slid into a long, uncomfortable silence before Koldo gave another nod.
Axel and Zacharel walked away, leaving her alone with her warrior.
I must go, he said.
She reached up and cupped his cheeks, the soft hair on his jaw tickling her skin. I understand. Just make sure you hurry home. Ill still be here, and we can pick up where we left off.
He leaned down, placed a soft kiss against her lips. Youve just guaranteed Ill return at the soonest possible moment. And dont worry about evil invaders. Axel ensured other Sent Ones can come and go, but no one else can get through my cloud.
A second later, he vanished, startling Nicola. Then he reappeared, a look of wonder on his face.
I flashed, he said.
I know. I just watched you. He hadnt lost the ability, after all.
But I did it twice. Not just now, but before, to catch you when you fell off the treadmill. I was too consumed with what we were doing to realize I had done it until I appeared in the heavens.
His lips lifted in a slow, sensual smile, revealing perfect white teeth, lighting his entire face. She could only stare in amazement, her head practically spinning, her limbs definitely shaking.
I can protect you, he said.
I knew that, too.
Im not helpless.
Hoping to tease him, she said, Are we playing the Obvious Game? If so, guess what. I can run on a treadmill. I can wear my hair in a ponytail. Im a girl.
Laughing, he placed another kiss on her mouth. And then, for the second time that day, he flashed away. This time, she reeled. That laugh...it had been rusty, but hearty. Ragged, but gorgeous.
Would she ever get used to his magnetism?
Nicola snagged a glass of water before heading into her sisters bedroom, where she found Laila pacing. Still.
You didnt come to the workout room, she said.
Sorry, sorry, Laila replied. I lost track of time.
Nicola opened her mouth to respondbut caught sight of two little monkey faces peeking over Lailas shoulders. They spotted Nicola and grinned smugly.
She strode forward, but they ducked down. Laila seemed to have no idea. Nicola walked a circle around her, searching, but there was no longer any sign of the creatures.
A sense of urgency hit her. Pick something to do, La La. Anything at all. Ill do it with you. The constant anxiety has to end now.
I just... I need to think.
About what?
Everything! Were so weak, Nicola. Both of us.
Im stronger every day, and you could be, too. I mean, were on the winning team. We have warriors fighting for us. We have the power and protection of the Most High.
You say that, but.... Laila scrubbed at her face. What if He doesnt respond next time?
He will.
How can you be so sure?
I just know it, deep inside. Somehow, Nicola maneuvered her sister into the bed and tucked the covers around her. If you wont do something with me, I want you to rest and give your mind a break. And if you insist on thinking about anything, think about everything Ive said. Its the truth.
All right.
Promise?
Promise. Laila closed her eyes, and Nicola stroked her face the way their mother used to do to them. At first, her sisters expression was pinched, her body restless, unable to settle. But as one minute drifted into another, she settled down. When her breathing finally evened out, Nicola stood and strode to her own room.
She showered and dressed in a pink tee and jeans, wanting to look her best when Koldo returnedand give him a few new pieces of clothing to rip off her. But she waited...and waited...and he never showed up.
After a while, the rays of sunlight seeping from the windows lulled her into the backyard. The air was warm, perfect and scented with wildflowers, citrus and pine. She breathed deeply, savoring.
Bang. Bang.
A muffled female voice rang out. Frowning, Nicola hurried to the little shack Koldo and Axel had built. There were no windows, and seemed to be no doorway.
Help me. Please.
There was the voice again, clearer this timecoming from inside the shack. Her tone was...pure. Strong. Enough to give Nicola chills. It was a purity she recognized, since both Axel and the one named Zacharel possessed it.
Was this female a Sent One? The lover Nicola had been so certain Koldo didnt have?
Who are you? she called, palpating the walls for any kind of seam.
Help me. Please! Let me out.
Why had Koldo placed the woman in the shack? He wasnt a cruel man. Was he?
Nicola stilled, her mind whirling. He was a man who had never hurt herhad even beat the man who had. He was a man who had despaired over the fact that he might not be able to protect her. He was a man who made her feel safe in his arms.
He was a man she trusted.
But she didnt know or trust the woman.
Whats your name? she asked.
Once again the woman ignored her question, saying, Just let me out. All right? Yes?
The desperation was warranted. The evasion was not. Could she be a serial killer? Or working with the demons?
Let me out! Fists banged into the wall. Now!
Nicola nibbled on her bottom lip...and backed away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
KOLDO WATCHED as Zacharel landed at the edge of Germanuss cloudno, Clerici was the owner now.
Golden wings tucked into the warriors back, and an unexpected pang of envy hit Koldoas always. He had to stop feeling this way, but oh, what could have been. He wasnt someone who believed everything happened for a reason. Bad things happened because people had free will.
Of course, he did believe something bad could be worked to a persons good. The loss of his wings, however? He couldnt imagine anything good ever coming from that.
And the loss of his ability to flash? No. Nothing good could have come from that, either. How would he have traveled? How would he have survived? He was grateful he had healed.
Either Sirenas poison had faded on its own, or his joy at being with Nicola had helped him overcome it. Probably the latter. Every day he was tied a little more firmly to the delicate human. Needed her a little more fiercely.
Zacharel flowed into motion, saying, Clerici wishes to meet you.
Koldo kept pace with him, boots thudding against the cobbles that formed a path through the cloud to the temples dais. Flowers bloomed at each side, rivers as clear as crystals winding throughout. The sky was a bright blue, the sun throwing rays of gold and orange and twining them like ribbons.
You knew I wanted Nicola before you assigned me to guard her, he said.
Yes. But youve known that for a while.
I have. What I havent been able to figure out is how you knew.
Never one to reveal a sense of being uncomfortable, Zacharel shrugged as if he hadnt a care. The Most High opened my mind to a vision. I watched you return to the hospital. I listened to you speak to the girl in the elevator.
Koldo didnt mind having visions about others. But others having visions about him?
He wants you happy, Zacharel added.
I know. But did he really believe it? After everything Koldo had done... Is that why you placed Jamila at her office?
Yes. I wanted her well guarded while you were away. You were so unstable, Koldo. You know you were. You were a bomb too close to detonation, and everyone in your path would have felt the sting of your explosion. The girl has calmed you, and Im glad for it. Zacharel patted his shoulder.
Blue-winged angels pushed open the double doors.
Ill leave you to your meeting now, Zacharel said.
Very well. And thank you. Koldo stalked inside the building, his footsteps echoing. The corridor was empty. Before, it had been lined with antique furniture, and always burst at the seams with Sent Ones, movement and chatter. The demons must have defiled the furniture, and the Sent Ones must be waiting for a summons.
A summons Germanus should have been the one to make.
Hands fisting, Koldo stalked down the hall. The doors to the throne room were guarded by another set of angels and were already pushed open. Koldo passed, silent, and entered, noting that the walls were now bare, the murals of the Most Highs realm of the heavens painted over.
Had they been defaced?
He should be out there, hunting the culprits. Instead, he was playing naughty cat and recovering mouse with his father.
At last I meet the famous Koldo.
The deep voice came from the right, and Koldo turned. Clerici perched on the middle step of the dais, polishing a sword. He wore a flowing white T-shirt and pants, just as Koldo preferred. There was dirt on his hands, as well as his middle and calves.
Where Germanus had appeared aged, Clerici appeared young, even for their kind. He looked to be a mere twenty years old, with brown hair, brown eyes and an unassuming face. Plain, to be honest. But there was something about him that arrested Koldos attention. A magnetism. A gleam of...love, perhaps, shining brightly in those dark depths.
And like Koldo, he was without wings.
Im not what you expected, I know, Clerici said, running a rag over the length of a weapon.
I hadnt given you any thought.
A nod of that dark head. Brutal honesty. I like that.
You receive that from all of us.
Ah, but you arent bound by the ring of truth. You offer it willingly.
A defect all Sent Ones could sense in him. You have an assignment for me?
Clerici set the blade aside and looked up. Not currently, no.
Confused, he said, Why not? Hed thought that was why he was here.
You arent ready.
A lie, surely! How do you know that? he gritted out. He was a first-round pick, and that was that.
The new king of the Sent Ones offered a half smile and tapped the center of his chest. His heart. I just do.
And Im now brewing a rage just for you. Im strong, capable.
No. Youre enslaved by your emotions.
He popped his jaw. He wouldnt discuss his mother. Not with this stranger. And he knew thats where the male was headed. Why did you summon me?
Perhaps I wished to welcome you to my fold. Clericis head tilted to the side, and he perused Koldo with the same intensity hed received. Perhaps I wished to ask you if you miss your wings.
More than anything else in the world, but all he said was, Do you miss yours?
Who says I ever had a pair? Clerici stood and closed the distance between them, and it was then that Koldo felt the power crackling from his skin, lightning strikes against his own, burning him from the outside in.
Did you?
Ah, but that information isnt yours to collect, is it?
Privacy. That, Koldo understood and respected. He shook his head.
And now, on to our business, Clerici said. I offered each of the Elite Seven a reward for their dedicated service to Germanus. I expected requests for riches, clouds and other tangible items. But every warrior astonished me, I must say. And your Zacharel most of all.
There was no time to reply.
I have a gift for you, Clerici added. He lightly placed his hands on Koldos shoulders, but then, strength wasnt needed. At the moment of contact, a warm cascade of honey began to wash over Koldo, bathing him, empowering him. Not because you deserve it. You dont. Unlike the Merciful One, the Anointed One and the Mighty One, I cannot see into your heart and know the good you are capable of. Unless the Most High informs me otherwise, I can see only your actions. But Zacharel named you as the recipient of his reward, and I promised to deliver it.