Chapter 3
Samael
An hour had past since I had arrived at the mansion. I sat quietly listening to Maxwell divulge all the information he had on the Adarians when an unsettling feeling came over me. It was as if warm water was crawling under my skin. I shifted in my seat trying to regain my composure, when the door in the main entrance area smashed open.
Michael and Gabriel jumped to their feet and raced into the entrance area, while Uriel positioned Eleanore behind himself, ready to attack. My mind was telling me to move there was danger, but my body wouldn't respond, something was holding me down. I struggled to my feet a good ten seconds after everyone else and stumbled towards the entrance.
Azrael was bent over gasping for air covered in blood. Michael was trying to heal him but he keep refusing trying to take in enough oxygen to speak, something had him spooked.
If it was possible, silence roared in my ears. I knew Gabriel was screaming at Az to tell him what happened but I could hear nothing but the deafening silence, there was something within it, a whisper maybe. My head lowered as if it was not connected to my body, and my breathing took on a mind of it's own. I was pulling heavy lungs full of air as if I'd battled for hours, my mind was clouding over and the whisper became clearer, a females voice, but then one word from Azrael's mouth snapped me back to reality.
'Ezrael' he panted.
Michael's gaze snapped to my panicked eyes and he grabbed Azrael's shoulder healing him whether wanted it or not. In a few short seconds the Angel of Death was able to stand and speak clearly.
"We were feeding when Ezrael became agitated. She raced down a side street and I followed to find four Adarians, when they saw me they attacked. They kept demanding I tell them where Eleanore was. When I refused they fired one of those fucking shard guns at me, Ezrael rushed forward and took the bullet." said Azrael shaking his head as he reliving the scene.
Before he could continue I roared, 'Where is she?'.
Azrael locked eyes with me before he continued, panic danced dangerously across his golden gaze.
"Sam, she's gone postal. I couldn't stop her, I came to get you to see if you could stop her. She's taken five tranquilizer darts to the back and two shard bullets, nothing is slowing her down. Ezrael isn't there at the moment, it's some crazed blood hungry creature that's determined on killing everything in her path." he said quietly.
"How did you escape, if she's all big and scary?" asked Gabriel, showing concern for my Archess.
"That's the weird thing, Ezrael ripped open a door and shoved me through it, I don't know how she opened the portal, but she did." Azrael replied.
"And the blood?" asked Eleanore as she and Uriel entered the room.
"I got a piece of one of the Adarians, they're strong but they can still bleed." said Azrael as he elongated his fangs.
"She hasn't gone postal Az, she protecting something or someone's is protecting her." said Eleanore as she looked off into space.
"Protecting?" asked Maxwell.
"I could be wrong, but Gabriel's Archess is near by, Ezrael or someone being so close makes her presence known to me." replied Eleanore.
"Elle, how do you know all this?" asked Uriel, as he looked from his Archess to his brother Gabriel.
"I don't think it's now Ezrael, someone or something close to her is connecting us so I can hear her, or maybe read her, I don't know. But Ezrael's in pain. What ever it is, is helping protect another Archess and they'll give their lives before they let them take her." said Eleanore as her knee's buckled and she fell to the floor, panting.
My breath caught in my throat, I couldn't breathe. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I lowered in front of Eleanore, gasping her hands.
"Where, please tell me. Where is my Archess?" I begged.
"Sam she's in so much pain, I can feel it, please help her." wept Eleanore.
"Where?" I asked again, squeezing her hands tighter.
But I didn't need a response, in that moment, the whisper is no longer a whisper, someone was calling to my soul and it was loud and clear. I shot to my feet and raced for the door. Gabriel and Uriel were on my heals as I turned the door handle. We emerged into a dark street that had more lights out than on. The smell of blood filled my nose, to my left I saw the mangled body that had to be one of the Adarians, there was no way he was coming back from his injuries, without healing assistance.
Gabriel leant over the body and checked for a pulse.
"He's dead, that girl of yours has a fucking mean streak, I like it." said Gabriel as he straightened.
At any other time I would have smiled and shown him how proud I was of my Archess but now was not that time. We were a quarter of the way down the alley when Uriel rushed forward saying 'there'.
He was four maybe five steps from a blood stocked figure struggling to hold an unconscious body, he froze in his stride as Ezrael snarled with such menace that even I halted with my advance. In the shadows, I thought, I saw a flash of feathers shotting up into the sky. But may gaze shot to the left when Gabriel strode past us, one look at the unconscious female in Ezrael's arms and he rushed forward. Ezrael stopped snarling and let Gabriel take the woman from her grasp. He looked down at the sleeping face before he looked up and leant forward to kiss my Ezrael on her forehead.
"There are no words, but I'll start things with thanks you." he whispered.
"Ezrael are you ok? I asked as I took a step forward, she smelt different.
She didn't respond, she just retreated with a pained look on her face, something was different about her.
"It's ok, we're here now. Let me take care of you?" I said gently as I reached out my hand, hoping she take it.
She lowered her head and took a deep breath, just as I thought she was about look up and take my hand, her phone rang. I watched as she pulled it from her pocket and put it to her ear, she didn't uttered a word, she just stood in silence, before she shied and hung up.
"I hope Azrael and the female are ok, tell them I'm sorry." she said within my mind.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, you can check on Az when we return to the mansion, he's worried about you, we all are." I said.
"I can't not return, I should never have gone to you, it was a mistake, I'm a mistake, please forgive me." she said as she looked into my eyes and a single blood tear feel from her magical Lavender eyes.
I took another step forward but she turned as if she was about to run.
"Hey, Elle will have my hide if I don't make sure you get to where your going. Let me give you some company for the return trip. At least then I can return back to the mansion without getting the riot act read to me." said Uriel as he stepped forward and gave my shoulder a squeeze.
I knew what he was doing and I would be forever grateful. I gave Ezrael a soft smile and turned away with Gabriel to return to the mansion, giving her the room she needed, even though my heart was breaking. She was scared and I wouldn't be the cause of more distress.
Gabriel and I stood by the door and watched Uriel and Ezrael walked off into the night.
As expected everyone was waiting in the entrance area of the mansion when we returned, Michael assure Gabriel that his Archess was fine and would wake when her body had time to recover, it was thought her unconscious was from the tranquilizer.
I was happy that Gabriel's Archess would be fine, but my true concern was for my own mate.
"Where are Uriel and Ezrael?" asked Azrael.
"She would not return with us, something has her spooked. I was not permitted to approach her so Uriel is making sure she is safe." I said barely able to hear my own world.
"She blames herself?" said Eleanore.
"For what?" asked Maxwell.
"For Samael's fall from The Father's grace." replied Eleanore.
"WHAT?" I roared unable to process what I was hearing.
"She believes her creation, was your down fall. She's trying to keep her distance in fear she'll do you harm again." said Eleanore.
I was lost in a thousand thoughts, my beautiful, crazy, terrifying Archess. How wrong you are, it is I that should be struck down for my actions. If I had only keep my head we could have been together from the very beginning. As I stood thinking of ways to make her understand that none of this was her fault, my phone started vibrating in my pocket. I was going to let it go to voice mail, but as always I gave in and answered.
"Hey Sam." said Uriel.
"Did she make it back ok?" I asked.
"Don't freak, but I need you to come and get her, we didn't even make it two blocks when she collapsed." replied Uriel.
"That'll take too long, just bring her back to the mansion you're wasting time." I snapped.
"Hey, I tried that. But every time I try and pick her up her body goes stiff and her heart rate races, she fucking glowing Sam. I also have the issue of ever set of human eyes in the area looking at us." he replied in a tone I didn't appreciate at this very moment.
I kept him on the phone and raced through the portal back into the alley, asking for directions. I raced to my left from the alley and as Uriel said they where only a block and a half down the road. Uriel was standing over my Archess trying to block her from the human by standers, while scanning the area for trouble and doing his best to hide the soft glow that danced on her skin. I didn't even pause as I stopped in front of my Archess, bent down and picked her up, she smelled heavenly, better then before. She was feather light and that worried me, but the moment she moaned and turned her head into my chest and my soul sang, even unconscious she wanted me.
I looked over her bloody body and notice the five tranquilizers Azrael had mentioned, they still protruded from her right shoulder and mid back. I made sure not to knock them as I gave Uriel a nod and the two of us turned and hurried back down the street towards the alley for the still open portal to the mansion.
Michael made short work of removing the tranquilizers, stunned at the soft glow of her skin, he commented that the Adarians were careless due to the dose of tranquilizer flowing through my Archess's blood stream. It was apparently enough to kill and elephant. My brave, idiotic, magnificent Archess how will I ever become the Angel you deserve?
With Ezrael safely wrapped in my arms I walked over to the fire burning brightly in the lounge area to await her recovery, lost in her new scent, but that was all brought to a halt by a terrifying scream followed by stumbling steps in my direction. Gabriel's Archess was awake and not happy by her surrounding, but what was the most shocking was the moment she saw my face, she came racing towards me hiding herself behind my large frame, in seconds our bodies held the same space, our shadows became one.
"It's Samuel right?" asked the frightened Archess, as she pressed closer to me trying to hide from her Archangel Gabriel, who was following her closely.
"Yes." I replied.
"I don't know what the fuck is going on, but the woman in your arms and the other one saved my arse. Oh and speaking of he other one, she did some freaky Vulcan mind meld and showed me your face, so until she shows up or your girl wakes up, can you tell Mr Dark and Scary to, Back. The. Fuck. Up."
"He will not harm you, that I can promise." I said, was she still in shock, there wasn't anyone else in the alley.
"No offence but until wonder woman there is wide awake or super woman returns, I'll just stick with you ok and everyone can kindly step away." she replied.
"As you wish." I stated, and gave Gabriel a nod to back away, maybe she hit her head.
The frightened Archess wouldn't even let Eleanore approach her and I could tell she hadn't recovered fully from the tranquilizer or the hit to the head, she needed to sit and eat.
I hated doing it but I called Azrael over, asking him to take Ezrael. She needed to be held and I just knew in my heart she wouldn't mind Az doing it. Once my Archess was safely in the care of the Archangel of death, I noticed he to could smell the difference in her scent. I motioned for Gabriel's Archess to take a seat next to me on the coach and I turned towards her to talk.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Jennifer." she replied not giving any extra information.
"Jennifer, as you know my name is Samael, I want to reassure you no one within these walls is a threat to you."
"Hey, as I said, until your girlfriend or super woman tells me different I'm not moving from your shadow, alright." she replied.
""Then please at least have something to eat, you will feel better and maybe you and I can get to know each other, while we wait for Ezrael to wake up."
"What's there to know, your Samuel Lambert. Mr TV and your girlfriend and her friend are some freaky ninja's who saved my arse. For me, I'm all good not knowing any more at the moment." she answered, obviously still in shock.
"So you know who I am?"
"I was attacked, not declared brain dead. Your face as well as his is plastered everywhere, my melons not mush." she replied, looking a little angry.
I knew she meant Uriel when she said 'his' both he and I had the misfortune of having our faces on most of the buses in Seattle.
Azrael approached and whispered 'phone' looking down at Ezrael jeans. I reached up and pulled her buzzing phone out of her rear pocket and looked at the LED screen, not wanting the phone to buzz all night I answered it.
"Knight Slade I presume" I said, his name had came up on the screen.
"Who is this and where is Rae?"
"Your speaking with Samuel Lambert Mr Slade and I sorry to tell you Rae isn't feeling well, so she won't be available tonight." I replied.
"Bullshit, the girl's never sick. Now put her on the fucking phone Lambert, she with me." snapped Slade.
"Let me stop you right there before you make this hole your digging a lot bigger, Rae is not your girl nor is she with you and if I ever hear of you address her is such a manor again, you and I are going to have an issues. She isn't feeling well so she is unable to take this call, when she does feel better I'll advise her you called but until then, don't waste my time and yours by calling again."
And before he could respond, I hung up.
"Your girlfriend knows some major players ha. There's you, Christopher Daniels, super woman and now Knight Slade. Must be great being her, still can't believe what they did for me." said Jennifer.
"My Ezrael is an amazing creature." I took that moment to look over at my Archess unconscious in Az's arms, the constent mention of this second female had me concerned for Gabriel's Archess mental health.
"Az you look exhausted, why don't you take Ezrael upstairs and I'll find you both later. I only ask you don't leave her side until I arrive." I asked.
"I couldn't leave her if I wanted to brother, I will keep her close, I promise." said Azrael as he inhailed again and turned heading upstairs with my Archess for some much needed rest.
For the next two hours I sat and spoke with Gabriel's Archess, she was an interesting creature. A little hard spoken but her heart was pure and she will make a perfect match for Gabriel, after what felt like eternity she allowed Gabriel to sit with us and then felt comfortable enough for me to leave them on their own. I told her where to find me if she was in need, but to be honest I just wanted to hold my Ezrael and make sure she was safe.
I took the stair two at a time until I was in front of Az's bedroom door, I opened it quietly to find a magical sight. Azrael and Ezrael were a mixture of twisted arms and legs, Ezrael's back was press tight against Azrael's chest and he held her like his life depended on it, but the beautiful lavender eyes looking at me made everything about the scene in front of me perfect. I didn't even think twice as I kicked off my shoes, removed my shirt and climbed into bed so Ezrael and I were eye to eye.
"You scared me today, I've never felt scared before and baby I hope to never again." I said gently, her scent was returning to normal, I noticed.
"I knew you'd come for me." replied my Ezrael and I couldn't help but smile for two reasons, one she knew I find her and two she was speaking out aloud, the sound of her voice was the most magical sound, battles would be fought over that sound.
"You like being with Az don't you?" I asked.
"Yes, he's like me. I have a need for him as I do for you, it's no where near as strong but it's there all the same, do you wish me to move?"
"No, I like that you two can share a connection. But you are mine." I replied..
"Yes, Samael I am yours."
Those words stopped the earth spinning, for the first time since my creation I felt utter peace. It's strange how something as small as a few words can change your outlook on life.
"I can't lose you now I have you, move in with me. Stay with me always, be mine completely." I asked.
"Samael, I have a life as you do. People depend on me as they do you, I can't just walk away." replied Ezrael.
"But I want you, always."
"I am here Samael, whether it be right or not, I am here in this moment." replied my Archess.
I was about to have the talk about my fall with Ezrael but Az started to stir, he moaned pulling Ezrael tighter to his chest and kissed her shoulder, I noticed he to was becoming aware her scent was losing it's previous luster, don't get me wrong, she smelled wonderful, more then wonderful. But there was something about the scent she held before, it called to you, pulled you to it.
"You two aren't going to fight are you, because who ever ruins this moment for me is going to get a serious beat down, I haven't sleep this well, ever." mumble Az.
"We're not fighting brother, but you just gave me a wonderful idea. Ezrael if the pull of my bed alone is not enough, would you consider a bed with Azrael and I at my penthouse more to your liking." I purred lustfully.
Azrael eyes snapped open and I was finding his expression hard to read, but I knew that the idea of connecting further with my Archess was something he wanted very much, maybe not the way I was suggesting but he could feel a pull towards her as I could.
"What are you saying Sammy?" asked Az.
"I'm asking you and Ezrael to move in with me, for the three of us to explore the passion only three can bring."
"You would share your Archess?" asked Az.
"No Az, not share. But I will give her what she wants and needs, that's the two of us. The three of us can fulfill our greatest pleasures together. Do you want this Ezrael? It's not sharing you, it's accepting that you need both of us to be complete." I asked.
I keep her gaze locked on mine as I leant forward and claimed her mouth, Az needed no coaxing, he ran his hands over her ribs and cupped her full breasts squeezing gently while dragging his fangs over her bare shoulder. Ezrael moaned loudly and deepened our kiss. She lifted her right hand and tangled her long elegant finger in my hair pulling hard, the room was filled with hungry lustful moans from the three of us and things heated up quickly.
But just as quickly as we started, we had to stop. The soft knocking on Azrael's bedroom door, followed by my name being called softly was like a bucket of cool water. Azrael and Ezrael panted trying to catch their breaths as I choked out the words 'Come in'. We hadn't moved from our tangled mess of limbs and this got us a shocked look from Eleanore as she opened the door further to allow Gabriel, Jennifer and Uriel to follow her in. Azrael groaned as he rolled over and climbed from the bed, pissed at being interrupted.
"Come on Ez, let's see if I have something that isn't covered in blood that'll fit you." said Az as he held out his hand, liking his little nickname for her, most likely because it mirrored his own.
Ezrael kissed me on the cheek just before she took his hand and climbed from the bed, I moved into a sitting position and pulled one of the pillows onto my lap to hide my throbbing hard erection now painfully pressing against my pants.
"Are you going to explain what we just walked in on, or are you going to let us think the worst?" laughed Gabriel.
The two menacing snarls coming from for Azrael's walk in robe made me laugh as Gab flinched.
"Hey fang one and fang two, just keep those pointy white chompers under lock and keys, ok." said Gabriel, trying to act unaffected by their response.
"Ezrael needs a physical connection to fully relax, Gab. Nothing more, keep you mind out of the gutter." I replied.
"Fine, all the pointy twins had to say was they like to snuggle. But no it's snarls and fangs first with those two, good luck with that." joked Gab.
"I'll take my chances, was there something you needed?" I asked.
"We just wanted to check on Ezrael." replied Eleanore.
"She's recovering well, thank you." I said.
"Does she talk aloud with Az?" asked Uriel.
'Jealous' called Azrael from the walk in robe, which was followed by the musical laughter only Ezrael and Azrael could make.
"Well as a matter of fact, YES!" shouted back Uriel.
"Give her time, this is all so new to her." I replied, hoping i was right.
"No problem, there's also the matter of the living arrangements. We'd like for you and Ezrael to move into the mansion with the rest of us. Jennifer said she'd stay to get to know Gab better if Ezrael or her super woman were around." said Uriel as he took a set on the end of the bed, giving me a look to say, Jennifer had lost her freaking mind.
"Actually, Azrael and Ezrael are going to move into the penthouse with me." I replied.
And as if it was there cue, Ezrael and Azrael emerged from the walk in, Ezrael was wearing nothing but one of Az's white button down shirts, I groaned at the thought of her long silky white legs being wrapped around my waist. But thankfully Az pulled me out of my day dream by throwing his bag which he'd filled with clothes onto the bed hitting my foot.
"I'll just grab a few things from the bathroom and I'm ready when you guys are." said Azrael as he walked into his en-suite not looking at anyone else in the room.
I turned and lowered my legs off the beg pulling Ezrael who had positioned herself next to me into my embrace kissing the top of her head.
"Why are you leaving and the bigger question is why is Az going with you?" asked Eleanore.
"I have a media empire to run Elle, I can't do it from here." I replied.
"And Az?" she asked.
"He and Ezrael find comfort in each other, two pea's kind of thing." I replied.
"You got room for one more?" asked Jennifer.
Hurt flashed across Gabriel's eyes but he keep quite, just like my Archess, his needed time to come to terms with everything that was happening.
"Jennifer, as I said before you will be safe with Gab. But if you'd like to stay close to Ezrael you are more than welcome to join us. Or just food for thought, you could stay here with Gabriel but Ezrael could collect you daily and you could accompany her to work at Knight Slade's club allowing the two if you to spend time together." I replied.
I knew I was taking liberties, but Ezrael's words danced across mind mind.
"Very clever my Archangel"
"I try" I replied out load, getting looks from everyone in the room.
"What if I need her or the other one, you know, when we're not together?" said Jennifer, looking around the room concerned with the idea of being alone with supernatural creates, even though she was one.
"Az, Ezrael or myself are one phone call away, no matter what time day or night you can call and one of us will come and get you, I promise." I replied, if this phantom woman was still around tomorrow, i was making a point to get medical attention for Jennifer.
"I guess I should stick around and get to know everyone, ok I'll stay here."
Azrael returned from the bathroom and Ezrael and I took this as our cue to leave. Ezrael pulled away from me momentarily and walked over to Jennifer, giving her a kiss on her forehead and a sweet reassuring smile, strangely, she held her finger up to Jennifer's lips as if to tell her to keep quite, it was a strange guesture but i let it go.
"You'll come and get me tomorrow." asked Jennifer grabbing hold of Ezrael's hand.
"As soon as the sun sets." said Azrael on Ezrael's behalf.
"Ok." said Jennifer, giving Ezrael's hand a squeeze before she let it go and took at step back.
I reached out my hand for my Archess and as soon as she took it I pulled up my energy around Az, Ezrael and myself and teleported us out of the bedroom. I heard Gabriel shout 'SHOW OFF' milliseconds before we vanished from their sight and re appeared in my penthouse.