Splendor and Darkness (Rebel Angels) (4 page)

All he could see in the darkness was the cloud of her silvery hair and the silhouette of her lissome body. He wanted to watch her expression as he gave her release. He wanted to look into her eyes as he joined their bodies. But her nipple hardened against his tongue and her rippling core massaged his fingers. He pulled nearly out then thrust back in.

“Aye!
Fill me.”

Determination surged through him at her plaintive cry. He explored her belly with his lips and pushed his fingers deeper. She arched. He thrust, offering her a teasing glimpse of what they both wanted. Maintaining a steady rhythm with his fingers, he found her swollen nub with his tongue.

She gasped.
“Oh aye!”
Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer.

He circled her again and again as his fingers moved steadily. Her body responded, coating his hand and tantalizing his tongue. Pushing deep, he concentrated on her nub, flicking and sucking until her inner muscles clenched his fingers. She shuddered and sighed, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted to devour her, to hear her cries of pleasure.

Climbing onto the bed, he knelt between her thighs. She opened for him, the invitation unmistakable. He trembled. What sort of man seduced an angel?

“I’m not an angel, and I seduced you.”

Her whispered words scattered his hesitation. He positioned his cock at her entrance and sank into her slick passage. She wrapped her legs around his waist, drawing him deeper. He gritted his teeth. She felt so good! He pulled back. She tightened around him, heightening the pleasure and building the need.

Again and again he filled her. She arched, stroking his arms and chest as he thrust faster, deeper.

Passion.

Pleasure.

Hope.

Joy welled within him. He covered her mouth with his, infusing the kiss with tenderness and gratitude. Wrapping his arms around her, he clutched her to his chest as he thrust to the hilt and surrendered to desire.

Pleasure inundated his senses, washing over him in languid waves. She clung to him, whispering his name. Peace swept in on the heels of desire, leaving him trembling and sated.

They slept for a time, her head pillowed on his shoulder, his arms holding her close. He woke to her lips teasing his skin, her warm hands caressing, reawakening his arousal. He ceased to care if insanity had claimed him. She was the sweetest delusion anyone could invent.

Straddling his hips, she slowly sank onto his hardened cock. She moved with hypnotic grace, her features lost in shadow. Her hair streamed down her back, teasing his thighs as she took him deep over and over.

Release came gently the second time. She collapsed across his chest and kissed his mouth as waves of pleasure bathed them in warmth and contentment.

He lay sprawled on his back, breathless and replete as she silently slipped from his bed. His sluggish brain refused to comprehend she was leaving until she was fully dressed.

“Wait.” His heart lurched. Fantasies weren’t meant to last, but this had felt so real. “Will I ever see you again?”

Silhouetted by the moon, she paused and looked back at him. A golden glow emanated from her body, revealing her face. Dazzled by her beauty, he couldn’t move, couldn’t speak.

“It’s time, Nathaniel. You’ve regained your strength. You don’t need me anymore.”

Before he could reply, her wings unfurled, knocking the breath from his lungs. Delicately scalloped, translucent and shimmering, her wings muddled his thoughts. She arched her back, her wings rippling, showering the room with sparkles of light. He reached out to touch her, but she disappeared, leaving him alone in the dark
.

“You’ve been unable to learn anything?” Lailah tried to keep the disappointment from her tone, but no mystery had ever been this important to her. And Daniel had never failed before.

“He was attacked by paid assassins. I’m sure that comes as no surprise. I don’t know who hired them. If you hadn’t waited so long to confide in me, I might have been more use to you.” He paused. Leather creaked as he shifted position, most likely uncrossing and re-crossing his legs. “I’ve learned who he is, and I think I understand why he can see you.”

She hesitated. Leaving Nate had been one of the hardest things she’d ever done. If she knew where to find him, would she be able to stay away? Did she want to stay away? Releasing an exasperated sigh, she squared her shoulders and focused on the facts. Her interaction with Nate was over. She must concentrate on her quest.

“Can you explain why he could see me without divulging his identity?”

Daniel chuckled. “Don’t trust yourself?”

Smiling, she turned her face toward the fire.

“Perhaps you were meant to be with this man. I’ve never known you to—”

“It doesn’t matter.” She crossed her arms over her chest and buried her hands in her sleeves. “What role would I play in his life?
Mistress?
Wife?
It’s impossible. I would only complicate things and he’s suffered enough.”

Kneeling before her, Daniel gathered her hands between his. “What about you? Haven’t you suffered enough? Shouldn’t you claim what happiness you can find? Your quest is to rediscover life’s splendor. Perhaps you can find it with this man.”

Longing crashed over Lailah in tormenting waves. She clenched her fists, angry and conflicted. She wanted Nate with physical intensity, but Daniel’s suggestion made no sense. Their quests were about sacrifice, overcoming personal challenges and reassessing priorities.

Daniel shot to his feet. She lifted her head, her instincts engaging an instant after his.

“I hear wings.” He moved across the room, leaving her seated before the hearth.

A lump formed in her throat. Had they come to judge her? Would she be damned for seducing a mortal? Pushing to her feet, Lailah gathered defiance around her like a suit of armor. Nate had needed her. If comforting him was wrong…

“We have visitors.” Amusement tinged Daniel’s tone, halting the downward spiral of her thoughts.

Lailah heard him open the door. Cool air swept into the room, fresh with the scent of flowers.
Flowers?
It was autumn.

Why was Daniel silent? Tension built again. Lailah prepared to unfurl her wings then warm, gentle fingers closed around her hand. Awareness jolted her. “Alyssa? Is that really you?”

“It’s me.” Alyssa wrapped her arms around Lailah, squeezing so tight Lailah laughed. “I’m so glad to see you.”

One of the stipulations of their exile discouraged them from interacting with other Rebel Angels. Lailah had disregarded the dictate while Alyssa was lost in lies, as Daniel ignored the stipulation now that she had lost her sight. Still, Alyssa’s visit was unexpected and welcome. Alyssa had successfully completed her quest for truth and now resided in the fifth level of Heaven with her husband Sariel.

Easing away from Alyssa, Lailah smiled. “Is Sariel here with you?”

“I am.” His deep voice came from beside her.

She turned toward him and his strong arms enfolded her. Sariel had been her friend since time began. His responsibilities as Prince of the Order of Grigori left him little opportunity for anything else. There was no possibility this was a social call. “What brings you to my humble domicile?”

It was during Alyssa’s quest for truth that Lailah had lost her sight. Her friends now lived together in blissful peace while Lailah struggled on in darkness. Even as Nate made love to her, she’d been unable to see his face. Resentment bubbled from deep within her. She’d believed herself beyond these feelings. Apparently the wounds were not yet healed.

“Why don’t we sit?” Alyssa touched her arm. “This could be a lengthy conversation.”

There were only two chairs before the fire, so Lailah led her guests to the table across the room. Daniel sat in his usual chair across from her. Alyssa chose the one at her side, leaving Sariel to sit beside Daniel.

“Even before my exile, I belonged to the Order of Dominions. What brings the Prince of the Grigori to my door?”

“I need your help.”

Sariel sounded casual, relaxed, but Lailah remained wary. “
You
need my help?” She chuckled at the irony. “How can that be?” Authority had never set well with Lailah and her decision to end her interaction with Nate had left her feisty.

“The Council has requested that I find someone else to undertake this assignment. For some reason, they doubt my objectivity. You and Daniel are uniquely qualified.” Was that amusement in Sariel’s tone? She wasn’t sure if she should be encouraged or intimidated. Few things amused Sariel.

“What is the assignment?”

“Ever since Rosalind and
Gadrayel
were allowed to marry, the Council has been observing their descendants. It is believed that the unusual blending of angelic, demonic and human natures found in their offspring will result in a being of immense power.”

The Order of Grigori was the oldest and most powerful group of angels. They possessed the one ability others did not. They were able to procreate. The Daughters of Man were forbidden to the Grigori, yet the lines blurred where Rebel Angels were concerned.

Gadrayel
was a Grigori hunter and one of his missions led him to Rosalind. Their attraction had been instantaneous and powerful. Not knowing what price they would ultimately pay for loving each other, they had abandoned themselves to the bliss.

Rosalind’s lineage was even more complicated than
Gadrayel’s
. Her grandfather had been a Fallen Grigori and farther back in her ancestry had been Gideon, one of the Rebel Angels.

“I didn’t follow their progress closely, but they seemed to do well for themselves.” Lailah drew her thoughts away from the convoluted past.

“Rosalind lived a long and happy life,” Alyssa said. “The demonic element in her nature created conflict from time to time, but
Gadrayel
was there to help her drive back the darkness.”

“Several generations have passed since they departed the mortal realm.” Lailah’s injury had taken her life in a different direction from the occupants of Monthamn Castle. “If such a person existed, shouldn’t they have surfaced by now?”

“The Council believes they have. The current Earl of Monthamn is an
acquaintance
of yours.”

Lailah’s eyes widened. He couldn’t mean… Did he mean…?

“That’s what I was trying to tell you before,” Daniel said. “Nate is a descendent of Rosalind and
Gadrayel
.”

“A demonic horde is hunting Nate,” Sariel announced casually. “
Gadrayel
and his men concealed Nate’s location during his convalescence. Now that he has returned to Monthamn Castle, hiding him is no longer an option.”

“What do you want us to do?” Staggered by Sariel’s revelation, she could barely form the words. Not once during her time with Nate had she sensed either angelic or demonic entities. Had she really become so powerless? “
Gadrayel
is better equipped to protect him than I.”

“Protecting Nate is not the assignment. It has always been
Gadrayel’s
responsibility to guard his progeny.”

“Where was
Gadrayel
that night in the forest?” She leaned forward, her hands flat on the table. “Four innocent people were slaughtered. Two were
Gadrayel’s
progeny. Not only were they murdered, but a vicious little demon tortured them before I arrived.”

Alyssa cupped Lailah’s shoulder, drawing her back. “When each Monthamn child is born, someone is dispatched to assess their potential.”

Lailah released a mirthless laugh. “That scenario sounds a bit familiar.” Judging Rosalind’s nature had been the catalyst that brought Sariel and Alyssa together.

“The current generation of descendants showed no aptitude toward unusual abilities, so
Gadrayel
was given other duties,” Sariel continued.

“Well, apparently one of the master demons made a different assessment.”

“We can spend the rest of the night reviewing the tragedy or we can work out the details of our plan.” There was no mistaking the authority in Sariel’s tone. It was the only warning she was likely to get. “Humans ambushed the travelers. That much we know. It is possible that the attack drew the attention of the master demon or that demonic influence could have resulted in the ambush.”

“Do you know who hired the assassins?” Daniel hadn’t been able to find out, but surely the Council of Ancients knew.

“I was not given that information. They want nothing to influence your impressions.”

Lailah moved her hands to her lap, trying to relax. “I still don’t understand what you want us to do.”

“We know Nate has visions, but the Council is not sure he’s the one. You are to assess the entire family, search for untapped potential and latent abilities. Angelic sensitivity has been ineffective in judging their nature. We need someone who is able to interact with them directly.”

Lailah bit her lip to keep from laughing. Had
Gadrayel
reported her misconduct? Did Sariel realize the nature of her acquaintance with Nate?

“It’s because of your relationship with Nate that I chose you for this task.”

She’d forgotten how effortlessly Sariel could read others’ thoughts. She needed to be more careful.

“A man will reveal things to a lover that he will hide from the rest of the world.”

“Is there a lovely Monthamn female for me to assess?” Daniel’s wit eased the anxiety twisting inside Lailah.

“The mission objective is not seduction,” Alyssa said. “Behave yourself.”

“What happens if we find a person, or persons, bursting with untapped potential?” Daniel asked, ignoring her playful reprimand.

“They will be trained. The Council is waiting for a champion, a protector, an emissary unlike any other. They have taken to calling them the Empowered One.”

Sariel’s explanation confused Lailah. “If angelic sensitivity has been unable to identify this Empowered One, how does the Council expect us to locate them?”

“The
Monthamns
are unique. Because a Fallen angel contributed to their physiology, the Council believes…”

“It takes a semi-Fallen angel to assess a semi-Fallen angel?” The smirk was back in Daniel’s tone.

“Frankly, aye.”

“And how shall we present ourselves?” Lailah tucked her hair behind her ear, keeping the long strands off her face. “We can’t just ride up to the castle unannounced. There is a possibility Nate will not even realize who I am.”

Laughter erupted around her and Lailah’s cheeks burned.

“He’ll know who you are,” Alyssa predicted. “Have you told him what you are?”

“He believes I’m a dream.”

Sariel cleared his throat, obviously anxious to refocus the conversation. “It’s my suggestion that Daniel claim an association with William, Nate’s younger brother. No one will be able to refute such a claim. I’ll implant memories that will make his role believable. You can explain your connection to Daniel however you choose.”

“Surely you aren’t instructing us to lie,” Lailah challenged with the hint of a smile.