Peace (8 page)

Relief surged through him. He’d never really doubted that the Horsemen would leave him on his own. Well, Gatian might, but Pierre would never let him do that. Yet hearing Baqir say that reassured him.

“I know, and truth be told, I don’t think Day will turn his back on me. Just getting freaked out, I guess.” He took a deep breath then knocked on the door.

Another touch to his back then Baqir took a spot not too far behind him. Lam swallowed before knocking again. Where was Paisley? She usually answered the door when the rest of the staff was gone. The others had to be away, or else Jones would’ve already had the door open and them inside by now.

He tried the doorknob, a little surprised when it turned easily in his grip. He shot a glance over his shoulder at Baqir.

“Why would he lock the door? He’s fucking Lucifer Daystar, the most powerful creature on Earth. He doesn’t have anything to fear from mortals, and I’m pretty sure angels could just come and go if they wanted.” Baqir lifted one of his shoulders in a halfhearted shrug.

“But he has rare and expensive things in here,” Lam stated as he eased his way into the foyer.

“And I’m sure he could get more of them if these go missing,” Baqir said. His eyes widened even more as the lights came on to reveal the furnishings that gave a hint at the over the top decorating of the rest of the house. “This is crazy. All of the stuff in his foyer wouldn’t fit in my entire house.”

Lam continued toward Day’s study. “Considering you live in a yurt, which isn’t much bigger than a hut? I’d be surprised if you have room for a chair, much less any of the rest of these items.”

“Hey, don’t knock the yurt. I happen to like living in it, and Russ certainly doesn’t complain.”

Looking back, Lam saw Baqir wandering from one object to another, keeping his hands in his pockets the entire time, like a little kid in a china shop. “I’m going to check the study. It’s usually where Day is when he’s home.”

He heard Baqir’s footsteps as he followed Lam down the hall. He didn’t bother looking back again. There was no way Baqir would leave him, not until they found Day and knew for sure that the fallen would accept Lam as a mortal.

I need to stop thinking like that
, Lam ordered silently.
I know he’s not going to push me away. He loves me. I’m more worried of what he’ll do when he sees what the Quad has done.

“Does Daystar do anything besides causing trouble among mortals?” Baqir rested his shoulder against the doorframe while Lam searched the room.

“He owns several companies and runs them from here. I’m worried that his assistant isn’t here. Usually Paisley is here to field calls and fill out reports for him.” Lam clasped his hands together and walked to the wall of windows. “Why isn’t she here?”

“Maybe he gave her time off. Does he have a staff to look after the house as well?”

“Yes.” He leaned his forehead against the cool glass. “They aren’t here either.”

“Maybe he planned on being gone for a while, so he sent them on vacation or something.” Baqir cleared his throat. “I’ll get the groceries from the car and start making dinner. We’ll stay here a day or two. Daystar might show up then we can figure out what’s going on.”

Lam closed his eyes, remembering the last time he’d been in this very study.

“What do you find so fascinating out there?” Lam asked Day as he walked into the study.

Day turned around to smile and said, “I love the violence of the waves crashing against the shore. I never thought lakes could be so forceful, yet this one is almost like a small sea. It has hurricane-type weather and violent storms that sink giant freighters. There is so much beauty and danger under the surface of the water.”

“Much like you,” Lam commented, moving closer.

“Do you think?” Day chuckled. “You might be right.”

Lam touched Day’s cheek, rubbing his thumb over Day’s lips. “Oh I am right. Your smooth, uncaring façade hides your violent tendencies. Lucky for mortals, you usually are willing to stay at peace because you know the damage you can do with your power. So in that way, you aren’t like the lake. The lake has no problem with destroying anything in its path, simply because it has no conscience.”

Day kissed Lam’s thumb. “The lake is not a sentient being. It doesn’t think or feel. It merely exists. To be honest, for more centuries than I care to count, I was much like that body of water. I only existed to wreak havoc on the Quad and ruin their plans.”

“What changed?” Lam stepped into Day’s personal space, their chests brushing—skin to skin.

“I met a certain messenger angel and my whole outlook on life was rearranged.”

He wasn’t given a chance to reply. Day encircled his waist then drew their naked bodies tight. Lam grunted and Day took advantage to crush their mouths together. Lam wasn’t about to resist Day, not when it was exactly what he wanted. They’d made love earlier and he was still sore from it, but he needed Day more than he needed to breathe.

The thought troubled Lam a little, but he shoved it to the back of his mind. He would examine it later when he was alone, back in the heavenly realm. This moment wasn’t for introspection or wondering why he was obsessed with the fallen angel.

Day grabbed Lam’s ass then dug his fingers into the muscle. Lam let his head fall back as he groaned.

“Are you hungry?”

Lam jerked away from the windows, shaking his head as he tried to come back to the present. His cock ached and his body thrummed with desire. He glanced over his shoulder to see Baqir standing just inside the room.

“What did you say?”

Baqir studied him for a moment then asked, “Are you hungry? I put some sandwiches together and made some coffee.”

Lam cleared his throat, willing his erection to go down before he turned around. “Yes, I am. I have to admit it’s weird needing to eat now instead of eating to make myself look mortal.”

“It takes getting used to, but you’ll get the hang of it soon enough.” Baqir motioned to the hallway. “I figure we can just eat in the kitchen. No point in messing up the dining room when it’s just us.”

“Right.” Lam strolled toward the kitchen. He didn’t look around him, not wanting any more memories to pop up right then. Considering most of them involved him and Day naked and having sex, he didn’t want to deal with another hard-on in Baqir’s presence. This one was strange enough as it was.

After pouring himself and Baqir some coffee, Lam sat then took a bite of his sandwich. Baqir leaned back in his chair and stared into his mug.

“How long do you think we’ll have to stay here?”

Lam thought about what he knew of Day’s patterns. “If he is out looking for me, eventually he’ll get tired and return. Day doesn’t like to be around mortals for long periods of time. They exhaust him and it’s a drain on his powers. He’ll come back here to rest and recharge before continuing the search.”

“You’re sure about that?” Baqir ran his finger around the rim of the cup.

“Yes. Day spends more time here than he does anywhere else. More than a home, it’s his sanctuary.” Lam met Baqir’s gaze. “You don’t understand how much he hates being on Earth. For all that the Judge took away his angelic powers and gave him something else in return, Lucifer Daystar is still a heavenly creature. He’ll always long for the realm he’s denied.”

Baqir curled his lip then said, “Can’t say I feel sorry for him. He did lead a rebellion and tried to overthrow the people in charge. They usually don’t award people medals for that kind of thing. Well, unless the leaders are bad.”

“And the Quad aren’t bad?”

Waving his hand in a vague circle, Baqir shrugged. “How am I supposed to know? I didn’t even know they existed. I thought angels were pretty much the same, though I did understand that archangels were higher on the hierarchy. Never knew they ran the show.”

Lam fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Of course not, because they don’t want anyone to know the truth. They were drunk on power and it’s only gotten worse since they banished Day.”

Before Baqir could reply, a door slammed open in the front of the house and Lam jumped to his feet then dashed down the hallway.

“Day?”

“Lam?”

He skidded around the corner before slamming into Day. He wrapped his arms around Day’s neck, crushing lips together—not giving Day a chance to say anything. His heart skipped a beat when he tasted the familiar spicy flavor of his lover. Day tightened his hold on Lam, dragging him so tight to his body, it was like their hearts began to beat as one.

When he couldn’t breathe anymore, he broke away, leaving a few inches between them. Day’s dark eyes traced over his face.

“I knew you were alive. The Judge wouldn’t allow them to kill you,” Day muttered.

“You know the Judge had nothing to do with my banishment,” Lam said.

Day sighed as he eased farther away. “I know. Gabriel told me as much when I saw him. He also warned me what would happen if I kept looking for you.”

Lam pursed his lips then smiled. “I hope you didn’t let him scare you off.”

“You know who I am, right?” Day chuckled. “Do you really think I would scare that easily? They can’t touch me and now that you’re mortal, they can’t touch you either.”

“So this is the infamous Lucifer Daystar?” Baqir spoke from behind them. “I’m rather disappointed. No horns or fangs. You’re not very scary at all.”

Grinning, Lam turned to face him. “See? He isn’t the monster you’ve been told he was. He’s not as bad as they say.”

“Not in some ways, at least. I’ve done things, and will do them again, most would think were terrible.” Day shrugged. “Lam has always looked at me through rose-colored glasses.”

Baqir nodded. “The ones who love us are the ones who see all our faults, but still think us to be good men.”

Lam watched as respect flashed in Day’s eyes before the fallen held out his hand.

“I am Lucifer Daystar. Who are you, and why are you in my house with Lam?”

“I’m Baqir. I used to be War, the Red Horseman. Lam helped me become mortal again.” Baqir shook his hand. “I’m just escorting Lam to your place. I wasn’t supposed to leave him until you arrived—or we found where you were.”

Day inclined his head. “Thank you for keeping him safe. He means more to me than anything in this world, and the other realms as well.”

Baqir turned to make his way back to the kitchen. “He’s been a good friend to us. We wouldn’t allow him to wander our world alone without help. Lam knows he can count on all of us.”

“Yes, he does,” Lam said, sick of being talked about like he wasn’t in the room. “Would you like a drink? Or we can have sandwiches?”

“I don’t eat. We’re going to have to remember to make sure you eat though, now that you’re mortal.” Day ran his hand over Lam’s back, tracing the wounds on his shoulder blades. “I can’t believe they took your wings.”

“Why should you be shocked by that? Look what they did to you.” Lam grabbed a hold of Day’s arm, pulling him along.

Day huffed. “Yes, but I angered them. Hell, I challenged their authority. I made them look bad in front of the very people they wanted to control. Of course they were going to be harsh with me. But you’ve done nothing except follow their orders.”

“He got into a relationship with the one creature they hate,” Baqir pointed out. “That’s not really being a good little angel.”

“He’s right.” Lam shoved Day down onto a chair in the kitchen.

Baqir took his seat then picked up his sandwich. “I’m going to finish up my meal before I take off.”

Lam shook his head. “No. You can stay the night. I’m not going to send you out in the dark. There’s not a city—or town, even—close to here. I don’t want anything to happen to you, simply because you helped me.”

Baqir shot Day a quick glance and the fallen nodded.

“He’s right. No point in you getting in an accident just so we can have some privacy, though I do have an alternative for you. I can send you wherever you want to go.” Day smiled.

“Are you sure?” Baqir met Lam’s gaze. “Are you okay with me leaving?”

Lam took a deep breath. Was he fine with it? Day’s reaction to seeing him seemed to say he was still very much interested in Lam, even though he wasn’t an angel anymore. He met Day’s gaze and his lover gave him a smile. He had to take a leap of faith. Heck, after being in some kind of relationship with Day for centuries, he shouldn’t doubt the guy now.

“I’ll be fine. I know how to get a hold of you if I need you again.”

Baqir nodded. “All right then. I’ll take you up on your offer. I guess you should probably send me to Paris. I’ll check in with Gatian and the others, then head home.”

Day stepped away from Lam before gesturing to Baqir. “Think about Gatian’s place. Focus on it as hard as you can. I believe it’ll be a lot like when you traveled as a Horseman. You’ll vanish here and materialize there.”

“Gatian would tell me I’m crazy for trusting you, but I figure you’re not going to mess with me. Not if it means pissing Lam off.” Baqir grinned. “Go ahead. I’ve got it in my head.”

Lam watched as Day waved his hand and Baqir disappeared. There was no surge like Lam used to feel whenever Day used his power. He grimaced. Apparently that was something else he was going to miss out on being mortal. He dropped into his chair then propped his chin on his hand and stared at Day.

“Are you all right?” Day crouched next to him, resting his hands on Lam’s knees. “I’ve been trying to figure out where the hell you went since I lost your presence in my mind.”

He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean, you lost my presence?”

“Before, I could always find you. It was like we were connected through our powers and no matter where you were in heaven—or on Earth—I could find you. Suddenly, you were gone and I had no way of knowing what happened. All I knew was that you weren’t dead.” Day snarled then said, “Believe me. If you were dead, there would’ve been nowhere for the Quad to hide. I would’ve destroyed them.”

“The Judge would’ve punished you even worse than he already has,” Lam pointed out.

Day shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. If you had died, I would’ve wanted to be gone as well. There’s no light for me here without you.”