Ashes of Angels (12 page)

“Please.” Her fingers to his chin softened Sam's stoic need to remain in charge and dismissive of the vamp. “Just go down to the bar. It's right below the AquaDom. You two can share a pint and stare at the fishes. I'll be right there.”

Sam kissed Cassandra's fingers and did not miss her sister's gasp of surprise. Her let go of her hand with reluctance.

He had wanted a few minutes alone with the bloodsucker. “Fine. Come on, vampire, I'll buy you a drink.”

“As long as it's mortal,” Zane said.

Sam gaped. As did Cassandra.

“Just kidding. A vampire joke, eh?” The vampire straightened his smirk. “You have cash? One thing I know about you Fallen sorts, you don't have two pence to your name. I'll buy.
See you in a bit, Coco. Nice to meet you, Cassandra. Gotta go make some face time with the winged one.”

Sam rolled his eyes. This one was going to try his every mortal nerve.

 

“Oh, Coco. A vampire?” Cassandra searched Coco's dark brown eyes, twins to her own, but couldn't find a reason to admonish. Though she'd like to punch her in the arm, not hard, but to show her disapproval. “Why didn't you tell me?”

Her sister plopped onto the bed and leaned back on her palms. “I figured the last thing you needed right now was to hear I'm in love with a vampire.”

“Love? Oh, my God.” She sat next to Coco, clasping for the rosary under her sweater.

Where had she gone wrong? All these years of training and taking her sister along for the ride…had she neglected to teach her what a real relationship was all about?

Like you know, Cassandra.

Coco said, “I adore him. He adores me. He spoils me, Caz. Always doing things for me, and we spend entire weekends making love.”

“Sounds blissful.” And creepy. “What's with the scar? I thought vampires healed instantly?”

“Oh, not instantly, but pretty fast. It's from the demon blade. He didn't give the demon chips in Las Vegas. That's just his story. In truth, he fought him for the blade.”

“Doesn't sound smart.”

“Zane is incredibly smart. He used to be a spy for the SRS before a vampire bit him.”

“Poor guy. So he hasn't always been a vampire.”

“Nope. And he wouldn't have asked for it if offered.”

“But I just met him so I don't know if he is trustworthy. Does he bite you? Oh, no, did he change you?”

“Don't be silly. The last thing Zane wants is to make me a
vampire. I love him for that.” She teased the collar of her turtleneck with a forefinger. “And he only bites me about once a week, and never takes too much. It's so incredible, Caz. You would never imagine it could be so good.”

Hell. Her sister was a vampire's blood bitch.

“I think I'll stick with not putting that image into my brain, if you don't mind. As long as he treats you right. And you trust him? You're sure he's not on the vampires' side?”

“Positive. He's former tribe Anakim—”

“What? But they're the ones we're after!”

“Don't worry. He genuinely hates that they are capturing muses and trying to mate them with Fallen. Zane is kind and he wants to make it stop. He's a good man to have on our side.”

“Don't you mean a good vampire?”

“Don't judge, Caz. It's not as if I woke one morning and said to myself, ‘Hey, I think I'm going to find myself a vampire lover today.' I met him the night I went looking for the halo,
for you,
if you recall. He rescued me from the big bad angel.”

“And now you feel you owe him?”

“Don't be absurd. Just because you've never been in love doesn't mean it can't possibly happen to me. You're jealous.”

Cassandra gaped, but shut her mouth abruptly.

Was she jealous? Neither of the sisters had ever been lucky in love. Coco had a quirky personality that most men read incorrectly as eccentric. Cassandra had always been too focused on her work. They'd ignored the prom to go to martial arts class, and dates had been few and far between ever since.

“I'm sorry, Coco. If you trust him, then I do. And if you love him, then I'm happy for you.”

They hugged and Coco squeezed her extra hard, which felt great. Come spring, she was definitely moving back to London. She could create her jewelry anywhere, and yet, be happier back at home near her sister.

“So tell me about your angel. I can't believe it. After all Granny taught us…”

Cassandra lay back on the bed, and her sister joined her. The two stared up at the ceiling, hands clasped. It had been too long since they'd taken the time to be next to each other and share their lives and secrets.

Way to start the convo with the big secret,
she thought of her sister. But then, she had her own.

“Sam is an outlaw Fallen.”

“An outlaw? Oh, that sounds sexy. He's got a halo strapped at his hip like some kind of gunslinger, and he hunts Fallen angels. That's so freakin' romantic.”

“When did you become a romantic?”

“I've always been one. You were too focused on kicking butt for romance. Too bad, too. My sister finally gets some lovin' and now she has the apocalypse to deal with.”

“It's not the apocalypse, just a small crisis.”

They both laughed because if they shared one thing in common regarding men, it was a self-destructive desire for the bad boy. “Sam abhors the Fallen who believe they've a right to abuse their muses any way they see fit.”

“Like raping them because that's why they Fell?”

“Yes. He would never harm me, Coco.”

“I believe you. You may not have had a lot of boyfriends, but you have a keen instinct about people. That's why I usually vet my boyfriends through you before the second date.”

“You have dated some real tossers.”

“But, thanks to you, not for long. So, what's sex with an angel like?”

“Coco!”

“Like we've never compared notes before.” She rolled onto her side and caught her head against her fist. “Dish, and I'll tell you about vampire sex.”

She wasn't at all interested in sex with fangs. “We haven't had sex.”

“Why not? Can't he? Is it true about angels having no sexual parts?”

“No, that's not true.” And she had the proof thanks to their snuggle in the van. Very nice parts.

“Oh, right. Only when he's in half form? But then, wouldn't he feel the compulsion Granny told us about? Oh, Caz, I'm worried about you getting too close to this Fallen. He's the one. Your destined Fallen.”

She grabbed the halo from the end of the bed and put it around Cassandra's wrist. “You keep this close. No matter how much you trust him.”

“Don't worry, Coco. I trust Sam. To a degree.” She took the halo in both hands and flipped it around before her. “He can have sex in the human form he is in now. We've kissed and cuddled, and, to tell the truth, I want him. I really want him.”

“Who wouldn't? The dude is ripped and handsome like a movie star.”

“You don't need to point that out to me. And he wants me, too, but it hasn't felt right yet. I'm learning to trust a man I've been taught wants to get me pregnant with a monster. You know?”

“I can't imagine how it must feel to have him be kind to you instead of mean. Poor Ophelia. Her Fallen was not kind to her. And now she's dead. I can't get the image of those tiny, bloody footprints from my brain.”

Cassandra curled against her sister's body and hugged her. “We'll stop it all,” she said, not feeling the truth in those words.

Because really? Who could stop something so innate and powerful as an angel wanting to mate with its intended muse? And the only way to stop the nephilim from being born would be to kill the muse before she had given birth. A cruelty of which Cassandra could not conceive.

There were yet too many angels who could be summoned to earth. And if the vampires had names and sigils, they could bring them, one after another, to this land.

Of course, they couldn't have names and sigils because she still had the book. Maybe. Why hadn't she checked the bathroom when she'd had a chance? It was where she'd hidden the original book.

“Let me go with Zane,” Coco said. “He's trying to get hold of a Council member, another vampire, who lives in Berlin. The more people we have tracking the vampires, the better. I've got the same martial skills as you do.”

“What is the Council?”

“It's a group of vampires, witches, werewolves, faeries and so on that kind of oversee the paranormals on earth.”

“Whew! You've surpassed my knowledge on all things not of this realm.”

“I don't know much beyond that. Zane gave me the fast and dirty version. He doesn't want me to get too enmeshed in the paranormal. I love him for that. Anyway, this guy—Ivan, I think is his name—might have connections to other vamps in the area, and maybe even the Anakim.”

“Then I'll leave that to Zane. Sam and I have to find the nephilim.”

“Please can I come along, Caz? Zane will protect me.”

“Protecting you will distract him from the task.”

“But the halo. I know how to use it.”

“I thought you wanted me to hold it? Besides, it's only an effective weapon in the hands of an angel. If you slashed with it, it would merely cut, never cause death.”

“I know. I forget these ooky-spooky things have weird rules that don't always apply to mortals.”

“Ooky-spooky? Would your boyfriend fall under that category?”

“Sometimes. But don't tell him that.”

“I won't.”

“His scar is so sexy.”

Cassandra smiled at her sister's admiring tone. She really was head over heels. What an awesome place to be. She wanted to talk about a man in that same way.

She already thought about Sam that way.
Hmm…

“Do you have a laptop?”

“Yes, why?”

“You can be our command central. Can you set up a city map and keep us all in contact through cell phones?”

“I should be able to.” She sighed. “I'll give my phone to Zane. But you know I'll be worrying a hole through the rug about you.”

“You wouldn't be Rococo Stevens if you weren't worried about something, sweetie. Do you think they're getting along, our boys?”

“Doubt it. Zane has an arrogant streak a mile thick.”

“Yeah? Well, Sam wears a divine attitude so cocky it'll knock your man's streak down to size.”

“Good thing we brought them together in a public venue.”

“Oh, yeah.”

S
am had accepted the pint the vampire bought for him, and was already on his second. It was much stronger than the beer he'd consumed earlier with Cassandra. He liked this stuff. It went down smooth, and it warmed his chest and gut. And for a guy who didn't normally feel cold and heat (unless it was Cassandra's skin) he enjoyed the experience.

The vampire tilted his beer to Sam. “Just so you know, instinctively, I want to slay you instead of share a drink with you.”

“Vampire, I could break your neck before you notice me flinch.” Sam burped, which was so new to him that he chuckled and did it again.

“True that.” Zane sucked down the entire beer. “But a broken neck won't kill me. Just piss me off and make me want to kill you all the more.”

“Then I'll be sure to use the fancy spring-action stake Cassandra owns.”

“She has one of those? Brilliant! Those things are hard to come by. I thought the Order of the Stake kept a tight grip on them.”

“And I once thought the Sinistari would never give up their blade, come death.”

Zane stroked the thick scar on his cheek. “It's a long story. Suffice, the deal was mutual.”

“Mutual, my arse.” Another burp. Sam smirked. “Heh. This beer is awesome.”

“And you are getting wasted on your second pint. Slow down, bloke, we've business to hand. Although…those fish are bloody fabulous.” The vampire gazed up at the massive aquarium, which served as the centerpiece of the hotel. The bar curved around the base of the tank. “You ever see a blue one like that before?”

“Yes, I've seen all animals across the world.” Sam ignored the fish in favor of watching the condensation trickling down the side of his glass mug. He blinked. His vision blurred. Odd. “So, business. Like following the pretty little muse all over this snowy wonderland as she traipses after the bad guys. What is it with that woman? How do mortal men do it?”

“I was once mortal. And I am a man.”

Sam grunted. “That's stretching things. You're a bloodsucking longtooth. Heh.” He liked the oath, and while normally he wouldn't use slang, the beer was working a number on his inhibitions. “I mean, how do men handle women? They're all tough and sexy and walk around in those tight shirts that show off their bouncing breasts.”

He squeezed the air before him, imagining Cassandra's soft pair in hand.

“She's so soft. I want to touch her. All the time! But how to do that without being lewd? And what's with calling me buddy all the time? My name is Samandiriel. Though she shortens it to Sam. I like that. It's like I'm hers. And she's mine.”

“Oh, bloke, you got it bad.”

“Got what? Have I picked up some mortal disease? Because let me tell you, my head is spinning and all I can see is Cassandra, Cassandra, Cassandra. And all that hair. Why are there ribbons in it? They are pretty, but I don't know how they can stay in there. Hey, I haven't seen that orange one before. Nice.”

The vampire chuckled. “Fish. Who'da thought?”

Sam lifted his mug and viewed the tank through the bottom of the thick glass. “My head is moving, but my body isn't. Is that normal?”

“Your head is bloody spinning because you can't hold your liquor, angel.”

“No, it's because of Cassandra. Cassandra. Cassandra. Cassandra.”

“You can't stop thinking about the pretty bird because you're in love.”

“Love?” Sam slapped the counter and gestured the bartender refill his mug. “That's ridiculous. Angels don't know how to love.”

“Wait a minute.” The vampire turned to face him, and Sam did not like the close proximity, but when he tried to move away, he only swayed and a silly grin clapped onto his face. “I thought you blokes were all about the love. Demons can't love and angels can't hate. What's up with that?”

“Oh, we exude love and all that crap. But to feel it?” Sam scoffed and reached for the fresh pint. “Bunch of bollocks. We wouldn't know love if it hit us smack in the face.”

“I wager Cassandra hasn't hit you in the face yet, but I do know you've received the blow to your heart. You are silly over that girl.”

“Men don't do silly. I am a man. We do macho and all that alpha stuff.”

“Right, and that works for show, but when you're alone with
your woman and she's snuggled in your arms, the best thing in the world is to breathe her in and hold her tight.”

“So true.” Sam stared at the massive aquarium. An elevator ran through the middle. He could see people in the glass elevator pointing at the sea life. “I'd need a soul to be able to love, though. Don't have one of those. Too costly.”

“How much are souls going for these days?”

“Sacrifice,” he slurred. “It would require staying here on earth. I want to go home.”

“Ah. I imagine Above is a might nicer place than here on earth. That is, if you're into pearly gates and heavenly choruses.”

“There's an entire tier of angels that only sing His praises,” Sam said. “They sing all colors of creation. You know Cassandra's voice is violet and pink? And your Coco's is blue.”

“Is that so? I think you'd better stop with that pint, mate. You're not a Sinistari. They're the ones who like to indulge.”

“You know it. I am an angel. Hear me roar.”

“Yeah, bloke, don't do that angel roary thing in here.”

Sam stopped before emitting his cry of myriad tongues. “Why not?”

“We paranormal sorts gotta remain inconspicuous, right?”

“Gotcha.”

They stared at the fish tank again. The dizzy wave in Sam's head began to lessen, and images of the colored fish grew sharper. One was the exact color of Cassandra's voice. Nice.

“So, does love make your chest warm and tingly?”

The vampire clapped a hand across Sam's shoulders, which he didn't mind so much now. “It does. It also makes you think about the girl all the time.”

“And what I want to do with her?”

“You bet.”

“Like touch her,” Sam said in a dreamy tone.

“Oh, yes, women are soft and curvy, and I like when they squirm if you touch them just so.”

“Right. Like when you touch her below the ear.”

“Or glide your tongue behind her knees.”

Sam nodded. “That sounds awesome. The knee, eh?”

The vampire agreed. “Try it sometime. Drives them silly.”

“Yeah, but I've the angelkiss. Can't lick my girl or I'll make her itch.”

“Oh, right. Forgot about that. But you can kiss her?”

“Those kisses.” Sam sighed. “They make my glass heart pulse.”

“Seriously?”

“No, but it feels that way. Like a phantom pulse.”

“Cool.”

They paused to observe the fish. Around them, morticians from the conference were chattering in a various languages.

“So look at us, chatting over a pint,” Zane said. “Getting to know more about each other than I care to stomach. Who'da thought angels could get drunk?”

“I'm not drunk.”

“Right.” The vamp shook a dismissive hand at the bartender and Sam inspected the bottom of his empty mug. “Tell me, Sam, why should I believe you want to kill the vampires to stop something you Fell to do?”

“Because I said so.” Straightening, Sam thrust back his shoulders. He'd assimilated the alcohol and his system was beginning to come out of the intoxicating effects. He didn't like having to explain himself to the longtooth. And he would not. “What about you? You're Anakim. The very tribe we're after.”

“Former Anakim, and brimming with secrets from the fold.”

“If you know so much, where are they?”

“They'll be underground because that is Antonio del Gado's MO. Close to the center of the city because it's easier to
dispatch drones from a central location and the mortal energy at the center is strongest. He needs the energy to summon the Fallen.”

“He summoned me.”

“And he won't stop until he's summoned as many as he's names for.”

“I dispatched Nazariah already. Does he have many names?”

“No. Probably less than three or four. So there's you, the dead angel, and I know of one other that he summoned to London, because I slew that wanker. But I've been told there is a book of sigils they've obtained from a muse in Paris.”

“But if they've no names, the sigils are useless.”

“There's also a book of names that matches them to the sigils. Cassandra owns it. You aware of that?”

Now clear and alert, Sam eyed the vampire warily.

“You do know about it. Is it in a safe place?”

“She's got it on her computer. I had her erase all the files.”

“But she's still got the original book. She'd never dispose of that. Coco says it's like her bible, along with a grimoire her grandmother gave her.”

“Is that so?”

Where had she hidden it? Must be in her home somewhere. If she was smart, she'd have stashed it in a security box at a bank.

Cassandra was incredibly smart. But would she part with an item she blasphemously considered her bible?

He should return to her house and tear it apart. Because he needed the book to return Above, but also because the vampires likely had the same plan. “You think del Gado will go after the book?”

“If he's not already got it in hand? Definitely.”

A cell phone rang and the vampire answered. “Ivan, yes? Good to hear from you.” He put up a finger for Sam to wait, and that aggravated him. Mortals had no sense of politeness
regarding their technological devices. They had been having a conversation.

“You've a bead on where Anakim may be hiding?”

On the other hand, this sounded interesting.

“How many vampires in Berlin do you think will help us?… Yes, I can meet you, but this is rather urgent. You know there's a nephilim terrorizing the city?…Yes, you're right. Are you close to the Radisson Blu?…Fine, I'll wait here for you.”

He snapped the phone shut. “That was Ivan Drake. He's a big shot in the vampire community and serves on the Council, which oversees all the paranormals in this mortal realm. He may have helpful information regarding tribe Anakim.”

“You go, vampire.” Sam clapped him across the shoulders as the vampire had previously done to him. A weird male bonding thing, but it seemed to offer some reassurance. “I have something I need to do.”

He stood and patted his pockets, but it was just a gesture—he didn't have money. “You said you were buying? Hold off on sending out the troops after Anakim until I return. We need to orchestrate our every move.”

“If that is true, why the hell are you taking off on your own? Are you listening to me? Bollocks!”

Sam smiled at the outburst. He did favor the Brit's tendency to spout colorful oaths.

 

“He had something to do?” Cassandra paced the floor before the bed in the hotel room. The vampire shrugged. “What were you two talking about before he left?”

“Er, you don't need to know all of it.”

“What? Are you hiding something from me?” She tugged out the titanium stake from her backpack and smacked it in her palm.

“Caz!”

The sisters exchanged admonishing glares.

“Fine.” Cassandra tucked the stake behind her back. “But he's holding out on me.”

“Not at all, love. It was just guy talk. We put back a few pints and watched the fishies. Oh, and we chatted about how the vampires have been summoning the Fallen.”

“And that made him leave?”

Zane shrugged. “Said he'd be right back. It'll give Coco time to plot out our moves on the map.” He leaned in to kiss Coco on the forehead. “Right, love?”

“I've entered the coordinates for the nephilim sighting, as well as all the places Caz said they've seen Fallen,” Coco said, clicking away at her laptop. “When's the other vampire going to arrive?”

“Ivan should be here any minute now.”

“I'm going down to get a drink,” Cassandra said. Then she added, because she didn't want them to suspect, “Can I bring something up for you, Coco?”

“Wine. White.” She focused on the computer screen. “A bottle!”

Cassandra closed the door, wishing she could have taken her coat, but she hadn't wanted them to suspect. She took the elevator to the lobby, used the phone in the bar and called a cab.

She suspected where Sam had gone, and he had a whole lot of explaining to do.