Angel Magic (22 page)

 
“He came over last night and we talked a lot. He said Rahmiel is busy with Assembly business—they aren’t even taking breaks to sleep. Healers are giving them restoratives. He said those ladies were gossiping about things that happened thousands of years ago and no one knows how to remove a bond.”

 
“No one does?”

 
“No. He says Angels don’t even use bindings now days, so no one would bother learning how to erase one.”

 
Kari sat quietly for
awhile
. ”But the binding isn’t the same as being in love.”

 
“Kari, it was just gossip. I don’t think you should decide that Rahmiel wants things to be over between you from what those women said. Auriel said he’s been busy with meetings, that things are
kind of
crazy in the Overland. I’m sure he’ll come to see you soon.”

 
Kari took a healthy bite of her salad. After a few moments of quiet eating she smiled at her friend who’d been through so much with her. “Thanks, Amber. I’ve been just a little depressed about everything. But you are right. I shouldn’t panic over a little gossip.”

 
“That’s the right attitude.”

 
“So, how long did Auriel stay at your place last night?”

 
“Oh, we watched a couple of movies,” Amber said casually.

 
Too casually.
“Why are you wearing that sleeveless mock turtleneck? I thought you hated the way it emphasized your chest.”

 
Amber shrugged and avoided Kari’s eyes.

 
With a grin, her bad mood totally forgotten, Kari reached across the table and yanked Amber’s high neck down.

 
Amber squealed and yanked the neck back up, but not before Kari saw several bright red love bites on Amber’s neck. She laughed. “Watching movies, huh?”

 
Amber grinned. “Well,
there’s
just a lot of things about our culture he doesn’t know.
So last night he learned about making out.
Tonight we’re going to work on the alphabet.”

 
“Sure you are.”

 
“We are. I bought some kiddie work books. He’s going to learn how to read and write, plus numbers.” Amber’s cheeks were pink. “He’s very interested in becoming an Earth Liaison, and this will give him an edge.”

 
“Yeah, I can see that. And I bet his favorite number will be 69,” Kari teased.

 
Amber rolled her eyes. “We’ll see. I’m not sure how far I want to get involved. It could get very complicated.”

 
“Yeah, I know.” But the conversation had lifted her mood, and she ate her salad with relish.

Chapter Fifteen

 
Lisbet’s funeral was late in the afternoon. Kari, Amber and Mary Ellen went together.

 
As they got out of the car in the parking lot of the church, two suited men joined them.

 
Kari drew a sharp breath and her heart began pounding as she recognized Rahmiel and Auriel. Rahmiel was dressed in a grey suit, tailored so his shoulders looked even broader, his waist narrow. A light blue shirt picked up the color of his eyes, making them stand out on his tanned face. He had brushed his hair back but it hung loose around his shoulders. He moved to her and took her hands in his, and his lips curled into a small smile, while his eye met hers. Kari was suddenly conscious that they were squeezing each
others
hands.

 
“I thought you’d like some company,” Rahmiel said.

 
“I do,” she whispered, a smile forming on her lips.

 
Auriel was with him, dressed in black and grey, and he moved to Amber’s side.

 
“Thank you for coming, Rahmiel and Auriel,” Mary Ellen said.

 
Kari looked at Rahmiel in wide-eyed surprise. “How did you get the suits? And how did you know when the funeral would be?”

 
“Tressa. She pawned some Angeli jewelry and chains for money, too.” Rahmiel said.

 
“And Amber gave me a watch, set to Earth time, with an alarm. Very handy,”

 
Auriel said, thrusting his wrist out for her viewing pleasure. “Plus we went for a little flight last night, so I could see where it was being held.”

 
“You and Amber are quite the team,” she said.

 
Rahmiel held her hand as they entered the church. During the service he continued to hold her hand. Kari clung to him, her anchor in the proceedings.

 
The funeral was a sad one. The family buried Lisbet in her wedding gown, but there was no traditional viewing of her emaciated body. Kari felt uncomfortable with all the attention she got for her weight loss, so they left the small reception soon after speaking with Lisbet’s family. Kari was glad Rahmiel was there, holding her hand.

 
Auriel, she noticed, was acting very protective of Amber.

 
Mom invited everyone back to the house for a meal, but Amber and Auriel declined. There was a movie they both wanted to see and they would order pizza.

 
“Let’s eat with your mother, and then go to the Overland,” Rahmiel suggested. “Or maybe we can go to the island.” He traced her upper lip with one finger and she shivered.

 
“Yes.”

 
They had a meal of lasagna and salad, but Kari refused to eat more than a few bites of the pasta. The Angeli textile workers joined them for the meal. Kari was tempted to act possessive and hang onto Rahmiel, or run her fingers through his hair, but since her mom was there she restrained herself.

 
Rahmiel had no such restraint. He played with her hair, held her hand, even fed her bites of garlic toast.

 
She showed Rahmiel how to load the dishwasher, and then went to her room to pack a few items. “Mom, I’m going with Rahmiel. I’ll spend the night at Kaliel’s place and get home sometime tomorrow. Okay?”

 
“Call me on my cell when you get back. Give Kaliel my thanks for all the help with the house. It looks lovely.”

 
It did. The stains were gone and
the dining table had been replaced by an Angeli-made pedestal
table and six chairs with upholstered cushions, all carved in floral motifs. The Angeli women had decided to reupholster the couch and recliner instead of just spot cleaning them, and they were doing a lovely job of matching colors to what Mom already had in her living room.

 
“I’ll tell her. I’ll be back sometime tomorrow, but don’t worry if I’m late.”

 
She kissed her mom on the cheek.

 
Mom smiled a little and shook her head. “You know, when you were in junior high we got our first computer. I thought that changed the world. Now we have Angels in our lives, flying around and
phasing
everywhere. It is going to be even a bigger world change than computers.”

 
Rahmiel nodded. “You are right. A time of tremendous change is upon us.”

 
They phased to their room at Kaliel’s palace.

 
“So, will you be staying in the Overland?” she asked as she placed her overnight bag on the floor.

 
He grinned. “Maybe not. I might be an Earth liaison. Learn of Earth cultures, report to the Assembly, and assist when there is demon activity.” He pulled her onto the bed and spooned himself behind her. She could feel his rigid member press into the valley between her buttocks, through the denim shorts she wore.

 
“Really? They would send you to live on Earth?”

 
“Yes. I would need a little help from you, though. I would need to sell some Angeli jewelry for funds. So I would need help finding a buyer. Hmm. I need to learn to read Earth writing better.
And numbers and money.
I would need a place to live, and some help figuring out how to get around and live on Earth. Would you help me out, sweet one?” He turned her slightly toward him and his lips found her neck, then her lips.

 
She responded to the kiss, but then frowned. “How did Samuel read my ritual book?”

 
He grinned, “Samuel’s been conducting secret missions on Earth, keeping up with history and languages. He would do it mostly at night, and then sleep during the day with his students. Everyone assumed he was just getting old. But he thought it was a mistake to ignore Earth and try to live separately.” He kissed her again. The kiss was warm and pleasant. Arousing.

 
“No one’s going to come looking for you, to go to some meeting, are they?”

 
“I’m a hero now, didn’t you know? Don’t I deserve a reward?” He pulled off her tshirt and shorts. His eyes widened as he took in her mint green lace bra and panty set.

 
“I see. Staying out of the ice prison and getting a new position with the Guardians isn’t enough of a reward?”

 
“Well, none of those rewards comes from you. And these are very pretty, but they have to go.” She helped by unclasping her front hook bra, and he took care of the rest.

 
He moved so his cock was right between her legs pressing against her core.

 
“You’re already wet,” he rumbled into her ear before taking her lobe into his mouth and nibbling.

 
She squeezed her thighs together just a little, trapping his cock tight. “Well, it would be a little celebration.”

 
He slid in, slowly. One arm came over her and his fingers reached her clit. The other had, underneath her, cupped a breast. He was everywhere. “But mostly, I just want to be with you. Earth, Overland, even the Ether. I don’t care as long as we’re together.” His voice was a rough whisper.

 
“Rahmiel?” she pulled away and turned to face him. “Do you care for me? It’s not just the bond?”

 
“I feel the bond, but it does not make me love you.” He brushed her hair back from her face and looked deep into her eyes. “The bond can be an uncomfortable thing between couples if they do not care for each other.”

 
“I care for you. I love you, even though we haven’t known each other long.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, so she could see his eyes.

 
He smiled. “Then it is a good thing we have the bond. It enhances our love.”

 
He kissed her while his fingers found her nipples, which he gently rolled and tugged. “I think I need to fly.”

 
“Won’t people see?” she asked, breathless at the caresses to her breasts.

 
“Not where we’re going.”

 
He phased, and then they were over the ocean, in the starlight.

* * * *

 
“I will see justice served.”

 
Kari awoke at the sound of the harsh voice, but the words didn’t register. She looked through heavy eyelids in the starlit room. A Guardian stood over them, with some type of glowing restraint wrapped around Rahmiel and herself, since she had fallen asleep sprawled across Rahmiel’s chest. Rahmiel was also bleary-eyed. They had only been asleep for a short while, because they stayed on the beach for a long time, and above it, loving, talking.

 
Lemuel. She could see his face clearly now. Her heart pounded. They were in danger. He had some type of gag over Rahmiel’s mouth. Then he slapped something over hers so she couldn’t scream. In fact, she couldn’t move at all. The restraint covered their whole bodies.

 
Two other Angels with Lemuel pulled her and Rahmiel off the bed.

 
There was a dizzying blur and then there was cold.

 
Deep penetrating cold.

 
Deadly cold.