him he was a priest, a human tasked with thwarting Leviathan’s
kind. The thought of it made him laugh, the deep chuckles
ringing out in the room and inspiring trepidation in all those
present. This is who they sent to deal with him? Really? A
bumbling little Chaplain who didn’t know his Hail Mary’s from
the Hare Krishna? The priest’s brow furrowed as he reached into
his back pocket and pulled out a make shift book of scriptures.
“In the name of my God I command thee—!”
“You should stop there.” Leviathan said, rising to his full
intimidating height and forcing the crowd of humans to take a
step or two back, the ones who were armed went for their
weapons, the others just cowered in fear. “It won’t work.” The
priest had actually worked up a sweat, sensing the threat the
demon posed to him. “You know, if you actually had the power
to banish me I’d be thanking you right now.” His eyes went over
the small crowd of humans. This is what he had to work with? No
matter, he’d been in tighter spots before. “But it seems we’ll have
to do things the hard way. Who sent you? Who had you bring me
here?”
“I do not have to answer you serpent.” He barked in a final show
of power. Leviathan just cocked a brow down at him. He couldn’t
have been more than five foot five, with a beer belly and sweat
stains forming in the pits of his black shirt.
“Is that so? I’ll give you one last chance to answer me before I
murder you and your supporters. I’m afraid you’ve caught me at
a very bad time. You see,” He lowered his head, his blue eyes
flashing to a much darker, more sinister color, “I’m not in the
best of moods.” The smell of fear in the room was tangible. He
could see James grinning at him from the corner of the room, as
if watching a homicidal demon intimidate its prey was a daily
occurrence for him. The priest ignored his warning, lifting his
book and quickly spouting off scriptures from the Old Testament.
He didn’t understand why they continued to underestimate him.
Had he really been forgotten? Had the ‘church’ really written him
out of their records and tomes?
In a flash, Leviathan had the priest in his hands, gripping the
mans throat until his face was beet red. He ripped the book from
his sweating palms, giving it a cursory glance before tossing it
somewhere behind him. The others who served as the mans
guards lifted their weapons, an array of guns, Taser’s and knives,
but a strangled cry from the priest gave them all pause. “If you
value this mans life, I would think twice about what you’re
doing.” He warned but one man didn’t listen, clicking the safety
off his automatic pistol. Leviathan answered him by twisting the
priest’s arm behind his back, thoroughly enjoying his pain filled
screams as he doubled over in front of him. He continued to
scream as the demon applied more and more pressure, his joints
groaning and popping as he threatened to rip it right out of its
socket.
“Alright!” A younger man stepped forward and shouted. An
acolyte by the look of him. A clergyman in training. Leviathan
resisted the urge to scoff at the state of the ‘warriors’ they’d sent
to face him. Was this all they had? Surely this was a joke!
“Alright we’ll tell you what you wish to know, just don’t hurt my
father anymore.” The kid pleaded, tear filled brown eyes meeting
those as black as night. Leviathan felt a growl leave his throat,
remembering a time when he wouldn’t have hesitated to rip the
priests arm off then murder his son for the fun of it. He sighed,
releasing the man and sending him stumbling forward into his
son’s arms.
“Listen,” He growled lowly, “I’m old. And I’m exhausted. If you
play fair, so will I. You can start by telling me what I wish to
know. Who sent you after me and why am I here?”
“We will tell you nothing demon!” The priest tried, scattering
backwards as Leviathan took a step towards them.
“Father please!” The young man quieted him, turning his gaze
back up to Leviathan. “We are employed by the Archangel
Ophanuel. He is aware of your misdeeds and sent us to deal with
you.”
“And the woman?” He asked though he couldn’t really say why.
Kailani was exactly where she needed to be; he just didn’t know
why that thought sent a knot into the pit of his stomach. The boy
paused, obviously unsure of how much he should be giving away.
The others cast a disdainful eye on him that he ignored; he was
doing the right thing after all, for the sake of his father.
“The woman…” He began, once again interrupted by the
ignorant Chaplain.
“The woman was taken to Germany. If she is deemed fit to join
with the master he will strip away her dark power and the merger
will be complete. The Hellmouth woman will bare him many
children who will aid in the ongoing war against your kind
demon! And once her body is stretched beyond recognition he’ll
do away with her like he should have in the first place!” He spat,
once again finding himself drug forward into Leviathan’s hands.
Enraged at both his words and the venom behind them he held
the struggle man above his head, glaring into a face that was
mottled red as he suffocated.
“Take me to her.” The command was dark, his voice dropping
until it was nothing more than a demonic growl. Possessiveness
ignited inside of him at the thought of Ophanuel touching her.
Sure he’d known that a physical act would be required for the
merger but never did he think the bastard angel would actually be
sexually attracted to her! Not to
his
Hellmouth! Leviathan felt a
rage so potent envelop him he thought he’d set the room ablaze.
The humans huddled together in fear, watching the demon
strangle their leader. How dare he? How dare Ophanuel think to
lay claim to her?! “She’s mine!” His thoughts came to a
screeching halt inside his head as he finally realized what he’d
said and been thinking. The sudden realization had him releasing
the Chaplain, dropping the now unconscious man to the floor at
his feet.
She’s mine.
Had he really said those words? Had the
thought of keeping her really crossed his mind? When did Kailani
become
his
possession?
“We cannot. We’ve been instructed not to go anywhere near the
castle! If we show up there the angels will slaughter us on sight!”
The boy screamed, bringing him out of his torturous thoughts. He
had to get to her. He didn’t know why, his emotions were
jumbled and unclear but he knew that Ophanuel couldn’t have
her. Not over his dead body.
“Then I will go alone.” He moved towards the open bars only to
be stopped as another of their supporters grabbed his arm.
“You cannot simply walk out of this place!”
“And who will stop me?” He asked and the young man frowned,
knowing if their Chaplain had failed in his attempt to thwart the
demon he wouldn’t stand a chance.
“That would be me.” Leviathan stopped in his tracks as a familiar
voice filled the room.
“You.” He snarled as Pierre stepped into the cell, garbed in armor
forged from the finest of silver. His eyes were dark, feeding off
the rage that seeped off the demon and flooded the room. Before
the angel had time to react or even speak again Leviathan was on
him, slamming him into the bars and ripping at his throat.
“I was told you were beautiful, but that word just doesn’t
do you any justice now does it? You’re simply ravishing.”
Kailani watched his lips move as he spoke. He was a charming
beast, staring down that long nose at her, smirking as he waited
for her to react. The woman in her wanted to melt, to bat her
lashes and accept his compliment. But she just couldn’t.
“You didn’t have to send the three stooges to kidnap me you
know. I was already on my way here. And what’s with the
constant abuse? I have bruises from
this
jackass alone I’m sure
will never heal.” She growled, frowning up at the surprised
expression on his face. William had the nerve to shake his head
beside her. Ophanuel’s long, artistic fingers danced at his sides as
he let what she said sink in. He couldn’t tell if she was being
serious or if she were merely joking. “You really were expecting
a Disney Princess weren’t you? Someone who’d fall at your feet
and obey your every command? I think you’ve lived in this castle
too damn long. Welcome to the modern era, women everywhere
have been emancipated.” Silence fell around them to the extent
that for a second she actually feared he might strike her. His
facial expression had yet to change but his fingers still danced as
if he were searching for the proper way to react. Had her mouth
once again gotten her into something she couldn’t get herself out
of?
“You’re astoundingly beautiful and sharp as a blade.” She was
more than a little surprised when the angel spoke, his ringing
laughter suddenly enveloping her in a warmth that was startling
but hardly unpleasant. Even William dared to crack a smile
beside her. She didn’t take him as the type to laugh at anything,
let alone something that wasn’t meant to be funny. His jovial
laughter ended with a smile as he stared down at her. “I assure
you I was not expecting a
Disney Princess
as you called it. I’ve
been waiting for you Kailani and I was sure you’d make your
way to me, just not in this manner.” His eyes went to William
then who froze suddenly. Ophanuel moved, a symphony of sinew
and grace she would have attributed to a seasoned dancer. The
fallen next to her only appeared more nervous and fear stricken.
“And just how did you know I’d end up here? Other than sending
your goons in to kidnap me?” She asked and his eyes flicked
back to catch hers, a warm smile accompanying it.
“CNN.”
“CNN? Seriously?!” She stared at him and he chuckled.
“Yes. I saw you and that insufferable wretch of a demon on
television and, considering the fact that I am currently the only
Archangel on earth, I knew I’d be a natural choice for you. As a
plus, a friend of mine phoned ahead to tell me of your situation.
After I saw how utterly hopeless you looked with the demon, I
sent for you.”
“Phoned ahead? You angels use phones
and
watch the news?”
“Yes. It is the
modern era
, as you called it.” The twinkle in his
eye was nothing but mischievous and she suddenly felt as if she
were playing with fire. This man, this angel was a highly
intelligent being, one that could snap her in half like a toothpick
if he so chose. “But of course, I wont. You have nothing to fear
from me Kailani.” He said and she stiffened. How did she keep
forgetting that these assholes where mind readers?!
“My lord.” A familiar voice suddenly interrupted them and she
turned to see Jeremy and Fred burst through the throne room
doors, moving to stand next to William and bow deeply.
Ophanuel only showed the tiniest bit of annoyance at their
intrusion but they didn’t seem to notice it. “We trust the
Hellmouth was delivered to you safely.” Jeremy continued,
shooting her a quick glance to assure himself that she was indeed
safe. Ophanuel simply nodded.
“Without incident Jeremy. Although…” The deadly angel began
to move again, circling William with a gleam in his eye that gave
Kailani chills, “I was just about to address the ill-treatment of the
Hellmouth myself. William, what do you have to say for
yourself, my child?” He reached out to lay a heavy hand on his
shoulder, but whether it meant to convey affection or inflict fear
none of them could tell.
“My lord, she gave us nothing but trouble the entire time. We had
to subdue her or else she would have jumped off the plane, or
something equally as stupid.” He said quickly, casting the blame
on Kailani who frowned. She wouldn’t have jumped off the plane
that was just ludicrous. Although she had for the briefest of
seconds considered it…
“And what where your orders?” William once again stiffened at
the ice in Ophanuel’s tone.
