xXx
She's starting to panic, they'd agreed to meet at the café at four but he's not there and it's almost five. Iggy's never been late before, she remembered him telling her that if he was ever late, run. But they couldn't have got him! They just couldn't, he was Iggy, he took every precaution imaginable. He had the largest collection of celestial weapons on earth for goodness sake!
No, he was only going to see Dylan, there was no way they had him. Dylan may be a Demon but he was trustworthy, they'd been dealing with him for seventy years and Selene had directed them to him so who knew how long she'd been dealing with him. Dylan would never hand Iggy over. Why was she dwelling on this? Iggy is fine, she's just delusional, her watch is probably wrong. She relaxes at the thought, yes that's it. She probably just has the wrong time. Taking a deep breath she walks back into the café to check the time and tenses when a hand closes on her shoulder.
She turns round slowly, ready to wrench herself out of whoever's grip and run for it if need be but her eyes widen in surprise.
"Dr Angelo." The private salutes.
Nudge gapes at him, unsure what to do or say. She recognised him, he was the soldier who'd followed Max round like a puppy. Walker was it? Sam or something like that.
"Uhm, can I help you?" She finally squeaks, clearing her throat embarrassedly.
Sam smiles at her, "If you wouldn't mind stepping outside for a moment, ma'am." He gestures out and a lump of panic grows in her throat. Her hand snakes up to her throat to take hold of the choker, ready to rip it off and use it if she had to.
Deciding it would be best if she got outside anyway so that she could run Nudge complied, cautiously exiting the café with Sam right behind her. she only realised her mistake when it was too late, he came up behind he and wrenched the choker back, cutting off her air supply. She tried to struggle but he was strong, stronger than a human should be.
Cold fear flooded her veins as she tried desperately to pull the choker back so she could breathe. "I've been looking for you," Sam growls in her ear, his cold breath on her neck sending shivers down her spine, "for a long, long time Tiffany."
Tears split over her eyes as he hauled her into the alley beside the café. No one besides Iggy had called her Tiffany in almost seventy years. "No." She chokes out, using up the last of her air supply. Memories flashed behind her lids, the five dead Betrayers sprawled across the park, their dead wings lying at strange angles.
"Yes." He chuckles darkly, "You're Angel isn't that powerful, little girl."
The darkness crept up, her lungs burning and she didn't have it in her to fight, she couldn't do anything to stop this. After sixty seven years of running they finally caught her.
xXx
Fang landed easily in a side alley near the café Iggy had told Nudge to meet him at, he quickly pulled on his glamour before quickly walking to the café hoping that Nudge was there.
He entered the cosy space, his eyes running over each and every person there for the familiar frizz of brown curls but he came up empty. She wasn't there.
He glanced down at his watch, quarter past five. Shit. She'd probably already guessed that something was wrong and left. Cursing he ran a hand through his hair. If anything happened to her Iggy would kill him. Hell, Max would kill him!
He stayed for an hour just to be sure she wouldn't arrive before heading back to the beach house, praying that she was there.
xXx
Linden placed the sword gingerly on the dining room table beside the other fifteen weapons he'd hauled out when I asked him to explain a couple of things.
"What about this one?" I ask, picking up a black sword with a beautiful golden hilt only to hiss and drop it back down, my hand clutched to my chest. "Ow! What the hell?" I snap, glaring at the offending dagger.
Linden frowns, "It burned you?" he enquired softly, cocking his head to the side.
I give him a 'no shit Sherlock' look but he doesn't seem to be paying that much attention.
His hand shoots out to take my injured on and opens my fist. Running across my palm is a very angry looking burn that's already begun to blister.
"What's going on here?" he hisses, dropping my hand and shooting up.
Mia's head lifts from her game of chess with Zephyr to find out what's upset Linden and she sucks in a breath.
I scowl, not understanding what's got them both so on edge until Zephyr sighs and stands.
"What are you?" Linden growls, brown eyes slitted at my hand.
"Linden calm down." Zephyr orders sternly but Linden shrugs off the hand he puts on his shoulder.
"I will not calm until you explain why Ezekiel's sword burns her!" He barks pointing at the sword I'd just picked up.
"Hey, what the hell? Seriously, it's just a burn." I snap defensively, wincing when I prod the burn.
"No, it is not just a burn." He insists, edging over to Mia whose hazel eyes are swimming with confusion.
"The sword of Ezekiel, the Archangel of Death was used to cast Lucifer from Heaven, it spilled his blood and burned him. No other will be harmed by it's blade." Mia whispers, letting Linden step in front of her protectively.
"What are you?" Linden demands.
Dylan chooses then to walk in with a bowl of what looks like custard in one hand and a plate of fish fingers in the other. "You know, I had my doubts about this combo but I have to admit, it's pretty good…whoa, who ruffled his feathers?" Dylan points a fish finger covered in custard at Linden whose expression only darkens at the Demon's blasé attitude.
"Linden, it is not what you think, I swear it. She is not a spawn of Lucifer." Zephyr states calmly and only then I realise why Linden looks like he's about to bolt.
"What other explanation is there, Zephyr?" he demands, "Do not say she does not hold the Devil's blood."
Zephyr pinches the bridge of his nose, "She is poisoned. The Betrayers attacked and she was hit by an arrow coated in his blood."
Linden takes a step back in shock, "They have the Blood of Lucifer?" he breathes.
Mia steps around Linden who reaches out to stop her but she swats his arms away, "She means us no harm, Linden." She waves him off and comes over to me, "How are you still alive?" She enquires, aiming the question at me.
"Uh, ask him, I was unconscious for most of it." I gesture to Dylan who's still standing halfway between Zephyr and Linden.
"A simple casting, it won't last but it gives her time." Dylan explains, dunking another fish finger in custard.
"I am sorry about Linden, I hope you can understand the worry." Mia smiles warmly at me and I nod.
"Where's that bloody Angel of yours? He should be back by now." Dylan demands, "And your sister," he turns to Zephyr, "Where's she?"
"Right here." Angela chimes skipping into the house with another pair of Nephilim and…an Angel? "Sorry we took so long but it takes time to fly to Paris and back without the use of wings."
Both Nephilim are tall, one with sandy-blond hair tied back in a loose ponytail and rich golden eyes and the other with slightly curled brown locks, his green eyes running over everyone and everything in the room.
The Angel, who might I add is only the third I've ever seen is absolutely beautiful, her hair is snow white and shimmers because of the light she's emitting. It's nowhere near as bright as Fang or Iggy but bright enough for me to need to squint because of it. Her hair tumbles all the way down her back with a few clips keeping it out of her liquid gold eyes, the exact same as the one Nephilim. She's petite with massive sandy wings stretched out behind her shoulders, the tips brushing the floor because of their size. She's dressed in a pair of silver harem pants a strappy silver top and no shoes.
"Dylan!" The Angel gasps and runs over to the Demon who's put down his fish fingers and custard to give her an enthusiastic hug.
"Lily!" He laughs returning her hug and spinning her round. When he puts her down she comes up to his shoulder and uses her head as an armrest.
She play-glares up at him and he grins at her lazily, "You haven't changed." She sighs, shaking her head, mussing up her hair.
"Neither have you, flower."
Lily rolls her eyes and shoves his arm away earning a pout from the Demon.
The blond Nephilim shakes his head, "Mother."
Lily looks over at him and smiles warmly, "Oh, I'm sorry, how rude of me." Her eyes move from me to Linden, Mia, Zephyr and back, "I am Lily and this is my son, Ryder." She gestures to the blond Nephilim who nods at us all.
"And this is Jason." Angela bounces up next to the second Nephilim and loops an arm around his waist.
He grins at us, and salutes, "Don't think I've seen so many of us in one room in well, ever really."
"Jason, Lily, Ryder this is Linden, Mia, Zephyr and Maximum."
Everyone agnowledged each other but like the last time they all end up staring at me. I'm really beginning to hate this.
"My, my, darling. You must be very special to have had him Fall for you." Lily let's out a tinkling laugh but it only confuses me more.
Seriously! Why was everyone saying that? I guess it was rather obvious what I was thinking because Lily's laugh cuts off and her head tips to the side, "She does not know?"
"No, apparently I don't." I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest. "Someone care to tell me?"
They all share a look before Zephyr gives a nod and Lily says, "My dear, the Angel that Fell for you was to become an Arch."
Soooooo….what do you think? Bet you weren't expecting the Sam bomb were you! Ahahahahahahahaha! I've actually been saving that for a while now and as for Fang being a would-be Archangel….yeah I've been keeping that up my sleeve for a while no too. It'll all make sense soon, don't worry.