Crimson Reign (17 page)

He didn't know how long he slept, but the feel of fingers trailing over his face, and the soft sound of his name brought his sleep heavy eyes open. Loz still sat in his lap, but faced him now, the long curtain of hair hiding the ample swell of peaked naked breasts.

“Loz?” he questioned, his voice gravelly from sleep. Fingertips played over his lips and shushed him. Trusting the angel, Malachi closed his eyes again relaxing even more under the soothing feel of the female's warm touch. He heard the soft snap of a bottle opening, and then warm liquid and smooth palms. The minty fragrance filled his nose. Carefully, Loz massaged in the special oil meant to help heal the bruises that marred his flesh. From neck to toes, Malachi's angel caressed him, fingers kneading, stroking as she applied the liniment.

Finished, she stood framed in the dying firelight face turned away from him. Malachi stood and crossed to stand behind his angel and raised his hands up and placed them on her shoulders. Pulling Loz back to his chest, he brushed a tender kiss over her hair, but when he spoke, it was to the male counterpart. “If you wanted to be held, Laziel, you only had to ask. You don't have to change yourself for me. Don't you know I'd give my life for you?”

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

“Your life is my life. It’s why I exist…why I breathe, yet you still don’t see. I feel what you feel, see what you see. Bleeding for your survival is a gift bestowed by me…for you, only for you. You are the only one to truly see ME; the broken pieces of an existence hidden within these four walls. Lachi, this room is all the existence I have, the only place I can be me. Keep it that way…please.” With a long exhale, Loz’s female form sagged and leaned into the broad expanse of Lachi’s warm chest.

The angel smiled, somewhat contently, she heard the song of angelic blood as it pulsed in the veins of her male, strengthening him, empowering him with celestial purity and life. It ran through Lachi’s veins, nourishing him from the inside out. Loz sighed. Of its own accord, her heart skipped, and then altered so that its rhythmic pulse matched Lachi's heartbeat. They were joined for eternity by an irrevocable tie that nothing save death...their death could undo. Turning to face Lachi, Loz looked deeply into the fathomless pits of his ebony eyes and thanked the Creator for sealing their fates together and tying her to the male holding her so carefully.

“You should sleep. Tomorrow will no doubt serve up more of the same chaos fate seems to have in store for you.” Loz reached up to place her fingers over Lachi’s lips, hushing the King’s protest. She smiled, knowing the blood gifted to the male would ensure a restful sleep. The air around her brightened and sparkled and the full weight of a more masculine hand rested against Lachi's chest. The glow dissipated and Laziel stood revealed. Lachi’s eyes lit and his nostril’s flared. Laziel turned and leisurely guided the vampire King toward their connecting bed chamber, where they would rest wrapped in each other’s arms, flesh against flesh, touching intimately as their mouths sought the other’s taste.

The morning would bring a new day; a day to face the undeniable truth that there was a treasonous killer in their midst. Even as the vampire settled, Laziel lay awake. He hated the gift of foresight, knowing all before it happened, and though he could not directly intervene in the whims of Fate, the knowledge helped to keep the vampire King safe. He lazily stroked a hand down the hard contours of Lachi’s back. A murderer lurked within the King’s Council, a bastard whose treachery was soon going to be rewarded by the interment of his son into the Vatican enclave where Lachi ruled their race.

Great…just fucking great.

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

CHAPTER SEVEN

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

Two days later, the hatred and fury brought on by Arial’s disclosures still writhed like snakes in Malachi’s gut. The threat against Laziel consumed him. Afraid he’d sever Darklon’s head from his shoulders if he saw the bastard, he secluded himself either in his chambers or his office, avoiding any contact with the Elders. Tonight, the avoidance ended at the Elder’s Ball, and as much as Lachi did not want to attend, the angel’s reluctance was magnified tenfold.

“I’m not fucking doing it, Malachi Denali. You’ll be surrounded. All of Darklon’s get will be in attendance, not to mention, every henchman nestled in his filthy pocket.” Laziel scowled. “It’s too dangerous. Anything can happen. And I’ll be trapped in that body.” Defiant eyes bore into Malachi. The angel resumed his march back and forth across the office, wings out and on magnificent display while irritation rippled in waves through the room. Although Malachi wanted to rise and stroke those feathers until Laziel relaxed, their very presence indicated the strength of the celestial’s agitation.

“Laziel.” The name, spoken quietly, stopped the angel mid...stride. “If Loz doesn’t accompany me to the ball, I will have no choice but to accept Ms. Stroner’s generous offer to attend me for the evening. If you’re adamant about this, I need to call her now.” He lifted the phone receiver and brought it to his ear. The explosion was immediate and expected. He sighed when the phone crashed against the wall behind his head.

“Over my dead fucking body!” Laziel slammed both fists down on the desk and leaned down until they were face to face. Menace filled eyes gone emerald green. Malachi arched a brow and leaned back in his chair.

“I thought that would be your response, so the choice is made. I will pick Loz up at the apartment rented for her on the other side of the city.” Malachi rose from his chair and planted his fists on either side of the angel’s clenched hands. “Together, we will attend the fucking ball and shut down the bullshit Darklon is spreading about my reluctance to find a mate. And you know as well as I do, no matter your form, you are never trapped or defenseless. Now stop sulking.”

Their face off was interrupted when the heavy office door crashed open.

“Sire? Is everything okay?” Ms. Stroner’s refined voice floated into the silence.

Bent over the desk, midnight wings wrapped around to encompass Malachi from the intruder, Laziel hissed. Cocooned in the sea of feathers, Malachi caught the celestial’s chin between his fingers and kissed him hard before stepping clear and circling to stand at the angel’s back. His secretary stood by the door, her statuesque form overshadowed by the two guards glued to her back with guns drawn.

“Everything’s fine, Ms. Stroner. Saul, Jaku, I appreciate your quick response, but if you’ll excuse us, we were in the middle of something.” A brush of air over his cheek and the female’s widening eyes told him the angel now stood facing her. He could only image the ferocity of Laziel’s scowl. The angel’s jealousy amused him and quieted him at the same time. Slipping an arm behind his back, Lachi stroked his fingers down the angel’s bare stomach. Meant to soothe the angel, the contact immediately brought his own cock to attention. Ms. Stroner’s gaze faltered and she nodded.

“I’m sorry to have interrupted.” She stepped around Saul, the head of Laziel’s guard and moved toward the door, her movements jerky and stiff. Malachi cursed and strode toward her. Capturing her chin much the same as he had Laziel’s, Malachi peered into vacant eyes.

“Out.” His gaze flicked to the guards. A brow rose in question when Saul lingered, staying close to Ms. Stroner’s side. A low growl of warning came from behind him and finally lit the fuse under Saul’s feet. Reluctantly, he backed as far as the door, flicking another glance at Malachi’s secretary. He seemed worried. Malachi focused his attention on Kimberly. Tentatively, he eased into her. Dark and ominous, the other vampire’s taint blanketed her subconscious. His will dictated her actions.

“The bastard has her again,” he murmured low.

Behind him, Laziel let loose with a string of curses. Malachi crossed to where Ms. Stroner stood and placed his fingertips at his secretary’s temples. He caught her gaze ensnaring her with his mind. Meticulously, he unwound and eradicated every tendril of the other vampire’s influence. When he released her mind and dropped his hands to step away, she blinked confusion in her dark eyes for just a moment.

“Not again?” Desperation colored her words.

“I’m afraid so, but I’m getting better at recognizing the effects. Laziel would have known when you walked in, but our angel is a bit distracted with thoughts of the ball. It appears he’s been called away and will not be able to attend.” He didn’t miss her look of relief before she nodded. “Also, I, umm, I will need a new telephone, if you could please order one.”

“Yes, Sire.” She disappeared through the door followed closely by a grim looking Saul. His protective stance around the female did not go unnoticed.

“Two guards, one of them Saul, is to be with you when I’m not.” Malachi turned to find Laziel sporting a ferocious frown.

“If it makes you feel better, fine. However, it’s insulting that you think I need protection. Is your training so lacking that I cannot keep myself from harm.”

The angel gave him a haughty look. “My training is superior, as you well know. But, the guards will explain why I’m not at your side. You need to be ready with a response when asked.”

Malachi grimaced unwilling to concede the point. He rarely, if ever, went out without the angel.

“It’s none of their damned business, and that’s just what I’ll tell them. Now, go and remember to wear something sexy, Loz needs to stand out.” Malachi closed the distance and leaned forward to lick the angel’s pebbled nipples. “But cover these up; they are for my eyes only.” A heavy hand landed on his ass, the stinging blow sending more blood coursing into his already throbbing cock.

“Smartass vampire.” The exasperated tone belied the desire flashing in Laziel’s eyes.

“Hold on to the wicked thoughts I see churning in those eyes of yours. We’ll explore them after the ball.” Lachi kissed him hard pouring his arousal into the lip lock before pulling back, eyes glowing and possessive. “I’ll pick Loz up in an hour. Is that enough time?”

Coyly batting thick lashes, Laziel smirked. “Maybe, maybe not. You can’t rush beauty.” He brushed a thumb over Malachi’s lips. “Don’t forget your cape, Batman.” With a last saucy kiss on Malachi’s nose, Laziel disappeared.

Before heading to his chambers to change, Malachi rounded his desk and dropped heavily into the chair. Frustrated and tense, he tunneled his fingers through his hair. Danger lurked, casting a shadow over the entire Vatican enclave. The malice and venom bore down on his shoulders more heavily every hour that passed. Darkness twisted through the underground tunnels and dwellings, drawing power from the unrest created by Darklon’s machinations. The Elder had to be stopped, but due to the archaic policies he strived to change, Malachi’s hands remained tied. A fist slammed into the desk causing the loose pens and paper clips to bounce. As if on cue, the computer beside him chirped, a notification of an incoming email. He rolled the mouse and waited for the screen to wake.

The name on the email drew a frown. Copi Dane? Anchorage, Alaska? That was Caintook’s enclave. Lachi clicked on the missive and exhaled harshly when it opened.

“I’m okay. Tell the angel to kiss my ass. V.”

What the hell? The contact out of the blue threw him coming so close on the heels of Arial’s report on Darklon. The menace circling him seemed to tighten its grip cutting off his air. Quickly, he hit delete and shoved the keyboard away from him. Had the angel contacted Vischeral? Why? He knew the danger. Malachi rubbed a hand across the ache constricting his chest.

Vischeral and Laziel.

The only two beings he’d ever allowed close enough to inspire emotion and the two perfect reasons why he locked his feelings away from the world. He’d lost one to Darklon; hell would freeze over before he lost the other. Laziel’s face floated against his closed eyelids. In his chest, his heart constricted. Though he refused to acknowledge or declare his inner most desires, he loved Laziel, and not the sweet syrupy love the bards described in flowery prose. The angel owned him body and soul.

Malachi shoved away from the desk, his feet finding the path trod earlier by the celestial. As it had since the meeting with the Fallen, his mind churned. He knew without question, that if the choice ever came down to his angel or the race, his destiny would go unfulfilled. He remembered vividly, the first night of sexual exploration with Laziel. Wild and untamed, bordering on the edge of insanity, they’d come together like two stars colliding. It was in the early hours of the next morning as the angel lay spent and sleeping against his chest that he realized the one he held was the key to his demise. He would forsake everything to keep Laziel in his arms, in his bed and at his side. Even then, he refused to allow the word to evolve in his mind. To put voice to the emotion, to give credence to the thought gave it power. Power that could destroy them both.

He knew rumors abounded about their sexual proclivities, but vampires were famed for their sexual prowess. With pure, undiluted blood thrumming through his system, his lust surpassed the norm. But, it was the savagery of his vampiric nature that demanded pain and bloodshed. To keep from terrorizing his own race or the human populace, he’d had to find an outlet for the savagery that coursed thickly in his veins sometimes robbing him of the ability to think clearly. Hardcore, violent sex filled that need.

Before Laziel took up residence in his bed as a partner, hordes of partners had come and gone spreading tales of his wicked desires and sadistic nature. Therein, lay the safety of their physical intimacy. None questioned the connection, fearful they would be required to fill the angel’s role. Even Darklon paled at the thought of entering Malachi’s chamber of lust and depravity.

Sex aside, mentorship notwithstanding, Malachi’s sanity, his existence and his soul needed the angel and not just for the blood he so willingly provided. His large frame shuddered as the powerful emotion swamped him and he sank to his knees, head bowed, and arms hanging limply. All alone, he gave free rein to the despair. What he wanted most he could not have, what he fought to save meant nothing without the celestial at his side. Born to save his race, trapped in his fate, he mourned the one thing, the only thing he wanted. Tears tracked down his cheeks and for the first time ever, he reached out to Him. Laziel’s Creator.