screaming from the room like a maniac. She watched the
shadows the closet cast shift as she approached it, her hands
aching to touch the polished wood yet at the same time terrified
of what she might find inside. Before her fingers could even
brush the handle the doors burst open wide and she jumped
backwards, her heart leaping into her throat as two little girls in
sparkling fairy costumes leapt out and ran for the door. Kailani
placed her hand against her chest in an attempt to calm her racing
heart, almost missing the chuckle that rang out around her. She
looked up to see Sergei standing in the doorway with a large
black suitcase at his feet. He smiled gently at her before lifting
his hand to bump his knuckles against the doorframe.
“May I enter?” He asked politely and she nodded, moving to sit
on the corner of the huge canopy bed and stare up at him. Her
heart still pounded painfully in her chest, to the point she thought
she might drop dead from a heart attack.
“Who were they?” She asked, watching him bend to lift the
suitcase and tote it into the room. Sergei didn’t answer at first,
placing the bag on the purple bedspread and unfastening it to
show her it’s contents. It was filled to the brim with brand new
clothes, underwear and even feminine hygiene products. Her eyes
widened as she cracked a grin. “I could kiss you right now.”
Sergei flashed her a smile.
“My wife wouldn’t appreciate that miss.” He said, throwing a
glance back at the door through which the little girls had gone.
“They belong to a servant here. Her name escapes me at the
moment. They were told not to play up here but like most
children their age, they suffer from selective memory loss.” He
winked at her and she chuckled.
“They’re adorable, though I’m pretty sure my heart stopped for a
second when they popped out.” She said and he smirked.
“You have nothing to be afraid of here miss. This castle is very
well protected. And if that doesn’t ease your mind, know that the
master would never let any harm befall you.” He said
reassuringly but his words only served to give her the chills. If
only it weren’t Ophanuel himself she feared. Sergei gave her a
final smile and turned to leave, only to be stopped as Kailani
leapt off the bed and grabbed the sleeve of his black jacket.
“Sergei…” She started and he turned towards her, a slight frown
on his face.
“Is there anything else I can get for you miss?” He asked and she
shook her head, releasing him in favor of crossing her arms over
her chest.
“No. I just wanted to know…how Jeremy was doing.” She met
his eyes and he frowned deeply, knowing instinctively what she
was talking about. Sergei sighed.
“About as fine as any man can be after he’s lost the only family
he’s ever had I suppose.” He said and it was her turn to frown.
“Can…I go see him?” She asked and he shook his head.
“Give him time. I have a feeling it will be Jeremy who finds you,
miss.” He gave her another smile before turning and leaving the
apartment. Kailani slumped onto the bed, her heart heavy as her
mind raced with thoughts she couldn’t control. She wanted
Jeremy to be okay. She wanted him to have his brother back,
even if he was mean. But most of all, she just wanted to go home.
“Where are you Leviathan?” She asked aloud, her lips twitching
as she moved to peer into the suitcase Sergei had left behind. It
was filled to the brim with expensive chiffon, taffeta and Peau de
soie dresses that lay nestled atop beautiful beaded blouses and
silky negligee of every color. Never had she seen more expensive
clothing in one place, it looked like Nordstrom’s and Neiman
Marcus had a baby and stuffed it into a suitcase! Reaching inside
she pulled out a pale pink teddy, her eyes widening as spread it
out on the bed before her. She felt her cheeks heat at what that
negligee implied, her hands reaching out to stroke the creamy
fabric as her mind danced with wild images of forbidden
pleasures she’d rather not acknowledge. Kailani never would
have guessed the Archangel would have her standing there
blushing like a virgin, especially not after what he’d done to poor
William and Jeremy. But as her cheeks colored she couldn’t help
but remember Leviathan, or more importantly what he’d said to
her.
The merging is a three-step process. It begins with a physical
connection, more often than not, sex.
Kailani couldn’t help but
sigh again, pushing the images from her brain as she flopped
back onto the bed. She couldn’t sleep with that murdering
bastard, but she also couldn’t return home until she was
technically no longer a Hellmouth. Just what in the hell was she
going to do?!
Chapter Sixteen
“I am not getting on that airplane!” Leviathan felt a slight
pressure manifest between his brows as what was likely to be his
worse headache ever set in. A profound sense of urgency had
encompassed them all, though for very different reasons. He was
sure the Chaplain and his ostiaries were anxious to return to their
wives and children, but Leviathan couldn’t bring himself to give
a damn. His mind was filled with images of Kailani suffering at
the hand of Ophanuel and it enraged him. He had to get to
Germany, and if she turned him away once he was there he could
to return to hell in peace, without the nagging little twit
constantly occupying his mind. It was an obligation to duty he
felt, he was certain of it. Once he assured himself she was fine he
could cut all ties with her and be on about his way. Or at least,
that’s what he kept telling himself. “No! I won’t go!” He watched
the Chaplain struggle against his supporters, recoiling in fear
against them as he tried his hardest to escape and take off running
into the night. Leviathan was beyond tired of dealing with them
but they were his assurances the angel would do what he told him
to, and vice versa. With a snarl ripping from his throat he stalked
over and grabbed the Chaplain by the front of his shirt and leaned
forward to growl menacingly in his face.
“You don’t seem to comprehend what’s going on here,” He said,
watching the human’s face contort in fear and anguish, “You’re
my hostages. Get on the plane now or I’ll start picking you off
one by one, starting with your son.” He turned and flung him
towards the stairs of the jet, watching him stumble as he climbed
upwards. The man paused only once to stare back at his son who
watched on in fear, his tearful glance turning to Leviathan who
made a move to grab him, narrowly missing as he jumped and
threw himself into the cavity of the plane.
“You sure have a way with words.” Pierre said as he sauntered up
next to him, his face and throat still baring bruises from the beat
down he’d taken not two hours ago. He didn’t know how the
bastard had procured the plane in such a short time but part of
him was thankful he had. Hell forbid he’d have to fly to Germany
on his scrawny back. But if he had to, he would. He spoke again
but Leviathan ignored him in favor of watching the human’s
board the plane, their hearts heavy and their faces streaked with
dried tears. He felt regret spring to life inside of him and quickly
squashed it. There was no time for regret or apologies and he
could question the state of his sanity later. “Why so quiet all of a
sudden? You don’t have any threats for me in that expansive
vocabulary of yours do you?” He taunted but still Leviathan
didn’t rise to the bait, grabbing him by the shoulder and dragging
him onto the plane behind him. Once inside he shoved him
towards the cockpit then turned to close and lock the hatch. The
humans whimpered and cried miserably inside but he did his best
to ignore them, giving them a final warning glare in hopes it
would shut them up. He was about to turn and join the angel in
the front of the plane when someone familiar caught his eye.
“What are you doing here?” He asked, watching James take his
seat in the back and snap his seatbelt into place. He looked like
any of the other humans; save the fact that he was a good fifty
pounds underweight and looked as if he hadn’t bathed in months.
His eyes sparkled with something Leviathan couldn’t identify but
was reminiscent of mischief and it amazed him that even amidst
this crowd of people he still couldn’t sense his presence. It was
almost as if he were a shade or a specter, like something that
existed once in the past but remained in the human realm as a
shadow or stain. But while his strange personality and inexistence
gave him pause, Leviathan still didn’t see him as a threat. How
could he be? Just looking at him made Leviathan want to shove a
sandwich down his throat. As if he’d heard his thoughts he gave
him a toothy grin.
“You don’t think I’d let my best mate go off on an adventure
without me do you? I’m here to make sure you get the girl.” He
continued to grin happily and Leviathan frowned. He didn’t see
any harm in him staying. He just didn’t want to be responsible for
yet another life. “Come on mate. I won’t be any trouble, scouts
honor.” He gave a lazy left-handed salute that had him cocking a
brow. He was right about that, he wouldn’t be any trouble. For
the simple fact that Leviathan was going to hang him from the
wing by his ankles if he made any wrong moves.
“Fine. But if you get yourself killed it’s your own damn fault.”
He told him gruffly, turning on his heel and storming into the
cockpit. He gave Pierre a look before taking his seat next to him,
watching him place his headset on and start the plane with a the
push of a button. “You can fly?” He asked drolly and Pierre gave
him what could only be described as a shit-eating grin.
“I don’t know what they teach you in Hell but angels aren’t
ignorant bumpkins. We’ve grown with the world as it evolved,
unlike you demons who sit around all day plotting its demise.”
He said and Leviathan snorted.
“Contrary to popular belief demons don’t give a damn about the
state of the world. They only care about what souls they can steal
and the hearts they can corrupt.”
“They?” Pierre cocked a brow over at him as he eased them off
the runway and into the sky, “You shouldn’t be so quick to
exclude yourself. There isn’t an angel alive who hasn’t heard
tales of your misdeeds.”
“Is that all you bastards do all day? Sit around and talk about me?
I’m flattered.” It was Pierre’s turn to snort.
“Don’t be. It isn’t as if we actually have a choice. We’ve all
heard the tales, are fed them as children by our parents as a tactic
to keep us in line. Face it, you’re the angelic boogeyman.” He
threw him another glance once they were at a safe altitude. “The
great sea serpent Leviathan; Dragon of the deep. You have many
titles and just as many horror stories to accompany them.”
Leviathan turned his head to stare out the window in an attempt
to ignore the angel. He knew what he’d gone through, the things
he’d done in the past, and he didn’t need a recap. “I wonder if the
Hellmouth knows about the ships you sank or the towns you
razed to the ground.”
“She doesn’t. It’s none of her business, just as it is none of
yours.” The angel smirked.
“Afraid she’ll turn tail and run the moment she realizes you’re
not the hero you’ve painted yourself to be?”
“Watch your mouth angel.” Leviathan felt himself involuntarily
tense. There was nothing more he’d like to do at that moment
than rip his head off, if only it would stop his incessant chatter.
“Or what? I don’t fear you and you know it.” He tapped the
autopilot button and turned to give Leviathan a stern look.
“Oh? Then why are you here?” He asked absentmindedly and the
Angel’s features turned dark.
“Because you’ve kidnapped a group of helpless humans. What
