Humans, witches, shifters, and fae often fall into one of two categories. Either they offer deference—never meeting my eyes, and occasionally hitting their knees or bowing to show their respect—or they fawn and flirt and throw themselves at me because they want to fuck an angel.
It’s not strictly prohibited behavior to engage intimately with beings in the human realm, but it is looked down upon in angel culture. Giving in to your base desires shows a level of weakness. There’s also a much larger possibility of half breeds being born than there is when angels engage in sexual activity with one another. And while sentinels might be the descendants of my species, they’re not looked upon kindly by the vast majority of angels.
I hold no such ill will, and two of my closest friends in this realm are sentinels. Simon and Josiah are on the same quest to find the creature that killed Levi, but our paths have diverged for the moment.
“Okay, I get that you want to find this creature, as you called it. That would usually require one of their possessions, which you mentioned you don’t have.” Her voice comes out low and almost smoky. It’s a much more enjoyable tone than the high-pitched sputtering from earlier.
She’s clearly less alarmed, which must mean I’ve managed to set her at ease. That doesn’t mean she’ll be open to allowing me to show her my memory of the monster. It’s somewhat of an intimate exchange, even if it requires no sexual contact.
“What if I were to share a memory with you?” I ask, clearing my throat. “I believe you’ll be able to access the creature’s soul vibration pattern if I’m successful. Would you be able to use that in place of a physical representation?”
“I have no idea, but I don’t think so.” Her head shakes, making her long dark hair fall around her shoulders. She tucks it behind her ear, and her bright blue eyes meet mine. “That’snot really how my magic works. Maybe you could find an older witch or warlock who would be able to craft a spell to fit that, but I don’t have the skill or know-how to go about something like that.”
“Who else works here?” I ask, glancing around.
“The owner is Lisette.” Hazel offers a tight smile, like maybe she’s embarrassed she doesn’t have the power level necessary to meet my request. “I can leave a note for her to contact you when she comes in?”
I sigh, shaking my head. “No ill consequences will come to you from trying. Won’t you at least attempt what I’m suggesting? I’ll pay you handsomely.”
“It’s not about money,” she says with a firmness to her voice that she hasn’t shown yet. “I don’t think what you’re suggesting is even physically possible. Why don’t we try a card reading instead?” She reaches for the tarot deck, and I stretch across the table, placing my hand on top of hers.
My skin buzzes, a current passing between us that almost feels like I’ve been zapped with electricity.
Hazel’s eyes widen, and every cell in my being says that she experienced the shock too.
The bell above the door jingles.
My head whips to the side to check for threats, and my lip curls back at the sight of the incubus.
He siphons across the room and reappears behind Hazel’s chair. “Baby doll, are you standing me up to make googly eyes at an angel?”
Yanking my hand from the witch’s, I shove my seat back and stand.
Not all incubi have the ability to siphon, but this must be a High Lord of Hell.
Angels and demons have an almost clichéd distaste for one another, and I don’t like that he’s of a similar power level to me.
Even if we’re close in ranking, being an archangel is much more glamorous than being a High Lord of deviant sex demons.
At least in my humble opinion.
My hand shakes as I fight the urge to call my blade from the ether, but that would be a drastic overreaction.
The demon leans over Hazel’s shoulder, pulling her hair to the side and getting close to her ear. “Did you get caught up with work and forget about me?”
“What?” the little witch sputters.
That poor woman.
She’s easily confused. All she’s done since I’ve met her is stutter. She seems to lack the ability to keep up with what’s happening around her.
Could he be using his deviant sex magic to keep her docile and compliant?
“It’s okay. I forgive you.” The demon chuckles, planting an obnoxious kiss on her cheek. “Angels are always nice to look at. It’s the giant stick up their asses that makes them less than fun at a party.”
My eyes narrow.
Sending this waste of space back to Hell will do nothing to help me attain my goal of locating the monster that killed Levi.
