The Lost Soul Trilogy (Primani Book 5) (58 page)

It was my turn to shiver. It was uncanny how much she knew without even knowing anything about him. My mind was running in circles. James was Primani. He’d been good when we met. Primani were warriors, yes. They could be arrogant, crude, and obnoxious.

But they were essentially good at their cores.

They were soldier angels and got their powers from God’s own archangels. Primani were ruthless demon killers, but they were spiritually good beings with human survival at the heart of their existence. James had been acting mysteriously for over a year and we’d been watching him. Even though he’d gradually hardened into something less righteous, less good, he hadn’t led us to anything concrete yet. We had nothing to charge him with. He’d been too clever. James was creepy, sneaky, and a complete dick, but was he evil? That seemed impossible.

How would that happen?

“Mica? Mica? What are you thinking?”

Shaking my head to clear it, I said, “I’m thinking about James. I’m not convinced he’s evil. It doesn’t make sense to me. Do you have any other ideas?”

She snapped as only a mother could. “Damn it! He’s touching my daughter with his filthy evil hands and whispering lies like the devil himself into her brainwashed little ears! He tells her she’s special. He loves her. He wants her. But where is he? He sneaks into the house in the middle of the night. He leaves before the sun comes up so no one sees him. What kind of love is that?” She threw herself to her feet and paced angrily.

“He’s using her. But for what, I don’t know. And every day, my baby grows cold and the light dims in her beautiful stormy eyes.” Exhausted by the force of her anger, she started to cry.

I wrapped an arm around her and tried to soothe her misery. Dani was clearly in trouble. I had a niggling suspicion that was freaking me out. I needed to get to Sean now. I couldn’t share my theory with Dani’s mom. It would destroy her.

If I was right, it was about to destroy Dani.

“I have to go. I need to see someone about this.” I held her away from me and gave her a little shake. When she looked up at me with tear-soaked eyes, my heart squeezed painfully. Her pain was palpable, and I felt it all the way to my toes.

“Promise me you won’t confront James? He’s dangerous and I think he’d hurt you. I’ll come back as soon as I can and tell you what we’ve found out.”

She nodded miserably and squeezed me hard enough to crack a rib. “I would tell you to be careful too, but I think you have all the protection you need.” Her fingers brushed the rune on my hand and she smiled wistfully.

I slammed the door in my rush to get inside the house. Domino broke into a fit of barking at the interruption and I heard boots crossing heavily across the wooden floor. Killian. Perfect. I needed to talk to all of them.

“Yes, I had to slam the door. Yes, I think I’m the only one who lives here. And yes, I’m gloating because I can totally read your mind.” I threw this at him on my way into the living room. After peeling off my gloves and tossing them onto the coffee table, I finally turned around to match his mocking smile.

“Touché.” He bowed elegantly to the floor.

“Where’s everyone?  I want to call a family meeting.”

He pressed his lips together and considered my request and my mood. He said, “You’re vibrating. I can feel you from here. What’s got your anger up?”

“Is there anything you don’t know about me?”

Smiling lazily, he said, “No, not really. Though there are times I tune you out just to keep my sanity. You’re a little intense.”

I was incredulous. “I’m intense? Look who’s talking! Geez.”

A shadow clouded his face and his smile faded. Turning towards a window, he said seriously, “Sean is snooping on the feds and Dec is snooping on Dani. Guess we’re all in the spook business now. The CIA’s got nothing on us.”

“And what about James? Any news on him? I have a theory you’re not going to like.”

“Shoot,” he ordered.

“Okay, I think he’s turned evil. I think he’s working with Dagin and working against us...like a double agent. And I think he’s trying to get Dani pregnant.” I blurted this out and left it in a pile at Killian’s booted feet.

There, the ball’s in his court.

I was hoping he’d laugh at me and tell me this wasn’t possible. I didn’t want this to be true. Time slowed to a crawl while he thought about my theory. I could hear the hands on the clock moving and my own heartbeat racing in my chest.  I knew better than to prod him. He was doing what he did best. I’d just have to be patient. My eyes rested on his tense shoulders, and I rolled my own to release the tension. After all these years, he hadn’t changed at all. He was still tall and bulky with muscle. If anything, he’d gotten leaner and harder. Even relaxed, every muscle was defined and beautiful. His hair was still military short. Unlike Sean and Dec, he never let it grow out to curl around his ears. The proud set of his head showed the confidence that comes from knowing your blood runs with a power so ancient that there are no others who share it. He had a right to that pride. Once he’d told me he’d earned his ego. I agreed; though I’d never admit that to him.

His head might explode.

With three strides, he was back at my side. I managed a squeak of protest before he dragged me over to the couch and sat me down. He pushed too hard and I bounced up again.

“Hey! Stop manhandling me! I have ears. Do you think you could learn to use your words?”

His mouth opened in surprise and he blinked a couple of times. Breaking into a rare smile, he apologized. “I didn’t realize it, but you’re right. I’m sorry, babe. I get wrapped up in my head and it’s just easier to move you myself…saves time.”

“
Saves time
? Wow, you’re a caveman! You just take what you want. I just love that about you.” I said the words flippantly, but they unlocked a poignant image that stunned us both.

Like a photograph inside my head, I saw him with an arm draped around me as we watched the tide come in on a rocky shore. My head rested against his shoulder. We were naked.

He sucked in his breath with a sharp hiss.

Just like that, the image was gone, almost as if it didn’t happen. The image was gone but the lingering feeling of loving him settled around me like a fine mist. I felt the weight of it against my skin and inside my heart. But my brain denied all such ideas. I searched for some memory that supported my feelings but nothing appeared. I remembered Killian helping me train, helping me grieve, and helping me heal. Nothing in his actions had been romantic. I had no memories of us as lovers…and yet…there was something between us that I couldn’t see now.

He cleared his throat and prompted, “James?” He stood just out of reach and eyed me like I was dangerous.

I was suddenly acutely aware of the heat and scent of him and stepped back even further. Flushing, I started to ask him about this feeling but stopped. He looked coolly at me now as if daring me to give voice to my thoughts. I could push the issue, but I wasn’t sure what I would get from it.

What did I want to get from it?

The rational part of my brain said I needed to know what was happening so I could deal with it and put it behind me. The irrational part of my brain, aka my heart, shied away because it knew there was only pain to be found. For once I was siding with my irrational nature--now wasn’t the time for this conversation. I was more concerned with Dani than my own screwed up memories.

With a businesslike attitude, I pushed these thoughts out of my head. I’d play along with Killian for now. I said, “James. Okay, tell me I’m wrong. Please.”

“I wish I could, but I’d be lying to you. It’s probably worse than you think too.” His expression was grave as he spoke. “We have a word for Primani who slip into darkness...who choose evil over good and who use their powers to do harm.”

“You’re freaking me out a little now. What happened to James?”

“He’s fallen.” Choking on the word, he cleared his throat.

Surprised by the word, I asked, “As in fallen angels?”

It seemed so….well, biblical.

I struggled to apply it to a situation happening in front of me.

Smiling grimly at my surprise, he nodded. “Yes, as in fallen angel. The term is appropriate; if James has turned to evil, he’ll be stripped of his powers and he’ll be barred from Heaven for eternity. He’ll be trapped on earth until his body gives out and then he’ll spend eternity with his new friends in Hell.” His eyes gleamed as his mouth spit out the words that seemed to burn his tongue. He was controlled as usual but his eyes gave away his fury and his pain.

“I feel sad for him. I should be mad, but I’m only feeling sorry for him. Is there any redemption for him at all? Can’t we do something for him before it’s too late?”

“Listen to me carefully, Mica. James is not a human who can simply be led down a path by a tricky demon. He’s Primani and used to be a damn talented one. Primani don’t get tricked or coerced into switching sides. When they go, they go with full knowledge of the choice they’re making.” He wrapped his long fingers around my arm and squeezed to get my full attention. “There is no turning back. There is no redemption. He’s damned and he will be destroyed by his choice.”

I covered his hand with mine and peered into his burning eyes. “And that troubles you? You’re not just angry; you’re sad for him, too. Aren’t you?”

Tilting his head to look down at me, he answered coolly, “You’re projecting again. The only thing I’m feeling is pissed off. I can’t stand traitors. I’m going to have to see Alex about this, and we’ll end up bringing him in for a talk. It’ll be ugly and I’m looking forward to it. As far as I’m concerned, James is dead already.”

I started to reply when I felt him coming. “Hold that thought. Here comes Sean. Right…over…there.” I pointed to the living room doorway just as Sean rematerialized.

Startled, Killian gaped at me. “You’re getting scary, you know that?”

“What’s up? You two look intense,” Sean asked as he crossed to me for a hello kiss.

I leaned into him and clung for a second longer than usual, reluctant to break the contact. I really needed to feel his arms around me, anchoring me to this crazy place.  “I’m so glad to see you. I’m totally freaked out.”

Placing a kiss on the top of my head, he glanced over at Killian’s hard expression. “It looks pretty important. Want to fill me in?”

Killian filled him in on what we’d already discussed and when he was finished, Sean was grim too. He was quiet for a few minutes soaking it in and finally looked at Killian and said, “When do we leave? I need to call Dec back for this. He’ll kill us if we leave him out.”

I asked, “What happens now?”

Sean answered, “Like Killian told you, we need to let Alex know and then go bring James in. He’ll have to report to Michael himself for sentencing. If Michael decrees it, James will be stripped of his Primani powers and banished from Heaven.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t see how any of this is going to solve our problem. He’ll still be alive, right? He can still see Dani and do whatever he’s trying to do now. He’ll still be able to work with Dagin and cause trouble for everyone.”

“But without his powers, he can’t travel, he can’t influence Dani’s mind, and he can’t spy on us. So some things will be better. Plus, he’ll be more vulnerable and could die an accidental human death.” He grinned wolfishly at the idea.

“But…what if he’s become demonic? Won’t he have demon powers? What if he fights us?”

It was Killian’s turn to bare his teeth. “Oh, I’m counting on that.”

Sean interjected, “Mica, you can’t go with us. The rules are strict on this. Only Primani can bring in The Fallen. You’ll have to sit this one out.”

Killian spent the next few hours planning the mission with Sean and I made dinner. It was nice to work in the kitchen for a change. I had my iPod hooked to the speakers and sung along with my Linkin Park play list. I made a Thai stir-fry with shrimp and rice. It was after 8:00 when were all finished eating. Sean was about to get up from the table when I spoke up.

“Hey, I need to talk to you about something. Can you make it to bed early?”

Killian shrugged and said, “We’re pretty much done, Sean. Why don’t you just go hang out? We can finish up in the morning.”

A few minutes later, Sean tapped on the door and let himself inside. His eyes darkened to midnight as I twirled in front of him. I was barely covered by an amethyst-colored satin negligee. Backless and strapless, the pushup bustier ended with a flounce of fabric that just covered my butt. I’d even invested in a pair of black thigh high stockings. Candlelight reflected off of the locket at my throat and the twin stones on my finger. I’d piled my waves of hair on top of my head and let just a few heavy tendrils curl around my face.

Never taking his eyes off of me, he moved instantly to my side and dragged me against him with one arm around my waist. I wrapped my hands around his face and guided his mouth to mine and kissed him until his breathing was ragged.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he groaned against my throat. I arched against him in invitation and he followed me to the bed. I posed across the sheets and watched with sleepy eyes as he pulled off his clothes and threw them in a pile. Standing in nothing but his glorious skin, he drank in the sight of me and I smiled at his reaction.