AN: Quuuick note here. There's some mildly graphic descriptions of violence/gore in this chapter, and if that's not your thing, I guess just be prepared? Thank you for reading!
"I told you using your powers was a bad idea!"
Devery whirled and fired, the bullet flying inches past Gabriel's cheek to slam into the face of an 8-ball, dropping it before it had a chance to slide its deadly looking blade into his back.
His eyes bulged and he flinched away from the percussive sound of the bullet firing, "Are you crazy?!" he shouted, lifting a hand to his cheek, checking for damage.
Devery snorted in dry amusement and ignored him, turning to check the hole in the roof where the 8-balls had been streaming in from, peering through the murky light to see if any more were coming to attack them.
She had gotten better at sensing the 8-balls, but though she didn't feel any now, she still sensed something wasn't right…
"Do you feel that?" she murmured, glancing at Gabriel over her shoulder, her brows furrowed in confusion. What is it?
Gabriel paused in his reconnaissance, turning from the windows to glare at her, "Feel what?" he demanded, "The ringing in my ears from where you nearly shot me?" he snarled.
Devery rolled her eyes, "Oh fucking grow up. You tortured me. I died because of you. I think we're gonna have to call this one even after I saved you, huh?" she snapped, her eyes blazing with annoyance.
Gabriel instantly backed down, turning back to the window, shifting his shoulders uncomfortably. She was right of course. "Sorry," he muttered.
Her laughter was bright and unexpected, "Did you just apologize?" she asked incredulously.
"Don't get used to it," he replied wryly, glancing over at her to give her a sly wink, his lips curving up in a slow smile. She shook her head and smiled softly, her eyes warming as she ran her gaze over him, assessing him.
"You okay?" she asked, her voice softer this time, a hint of worry tingeing it…or maybe that was just what he wanted to hear. "You're not injured are you?" she murmured, lifting a questioning brow.
He smirked and turned from the window, sauntering over to her slowly, watching as her eyes followed the sleek, predatory movements of his body. Taking a few large steps, he boxed her in against what remained of the cash register in the gas station they had taken refuge in when the 8-balls had attacked and laid his hands on the counter behind her, smirking lasciviously at her.
"Why don't you check?" he offered, leaning in until his hips pressed firmly against hers and he heard her inhale sharply.
Her hand ran up his chest, moving slowly, tracing over the armor he wore to where it tied to his shoulders, and he saw a gleam of interest in her eyes. Leaning in he brushed aside the loose tendrils of hair that had slipped from her bun and curled around her neck so he could run his mouth over her skin.
Devery tilted her head back, enjoying the sensation of Gabriel's mouth on her skin, her breath coming in excited pants as his hands tightened on her hips and his teeth nipped against her.
Darkness…fury…lethal power…brimstone…
Pure power slammed into Devery's consciousness, making her stagger in Gabriel's arms, gasping and crying out in pain.
"S-something is coming," she whispered, blinking up at him, pushing away the pain, trying to remain clear headed. She had never experienced a presence like this before. It was pure evil.
Gabriel felt the darkness then, the hate and need to destroy and began to understand what it was that was coming for them. Gazing down at her he saw how drained of color she was from fear and knew what he had to say wasn't going to make her feel any better.
"We need to get to higher ground," he murmured, taking her hand to guide her outside, ignoring her protests. Spreading his wings he lifted them to the roof of the gas station and set her down, handing her his gun before taking off abruptly, going back for all of their supplies.
They would need every bullet and blade they had if they wanted to survive this night.
Devery watched from the rooftop as Gabriel ferried their supplies up, load after load, before moving the truck to a corner of the lot where other broken down vehicles were left. When he rejoined her on the roof she could only stare in astonishment as he began setting up the sniper rifle they had brought, his hands sure and steady.
"What in the hell is coming for us?" she demanded.
He paused briefly and looked over at her before pointing to the other rifle, "Get that one ready," he ordered softly.
She moved to do what he said, knowing he was serious about what was coming, but as she assembled the gun she asked again, "What's coming?"
For a long time she didn't think he was going to answer he remained so quiet, but finally he spoke.
"Hellhounds. Led by demons. Not 8-balls. But actual demons from hell. Lucifer has opened a portal to Hell and released the demons who control the Hellhounds. He's going to try and kill us using them, since his 8-balls can't," he whispered.
Devery's hands stilled and she felt her mouth grow dry with terror.
"And…" she struggled to speak against the desert in her mouth. Swallowing, she tried again, "And if I use my powers against them?" she asked.
Gabriel shrugged, "I have no idea. We've seen that they can track us somehow, so I don't think it's a good idea unless it's a last resort. We've got enough ammo here to outlast a small army," he said, giving her a weak smile.
She nodded and tried to muster up her own smile, but fear made her mouth tremble. Gabriel set aside his gun and reached out, wrapping his hand around her neck and pulled her to him roughly. His mouth landed on hers in a warm, firm kiss; his hand grasping her waist and holding her close, allowing her to feel the pounding of his heart.
He was just as scared as she was.
Her hands furrowed into his hair, holding him firmly against her, taking from him the strength she needed and giving to him the hope he needed. They broke apart abruptly, this battle cry of theirs silent, a promise unspoken yet heard clearly.
A stench began to fill the air, poisoning the sky. Devery looked down at the snowy terrain, looking for an approaching enemy, but saw nothing.
The night grew eerily silent as their enemy grew closer, yet still unseen. Devery peered through the scope of the rifle, determined to find the Hellhounds, pausing when she saw movement on the crest of the hill nearly a thousand feet away.
"Top of the hill, thousand feet, you see it?" she whispered to Gabriel.
A moment passed and then, "It's them," he confirmed. They had both already loaded bullets into the chamber, preparing themselves for the shots they would need to take. Gabriel had assured her that with bullets dipped in holy water (hers were, always) and with a quick extra blessing by an archangel, they would kill just about anything.
"Wait for a clear shot," he whispered.
She exhaled slowly and watched the line of creatures advance, a frown spreading across her face as she studied the way they moved.
"What's wrong with them?" she whispered, her gut turning at the sight of their twisted unnatural bodies churning through the snow.
"The Hounds are tortured for sport by the demons. The demons enjoy torturing and inflicting pain upon each other. After millennia of doing so they look…"
"Like monsters," she finished for him.
He hummed softly in agreement and she closed her eyes for a moment, a wave of nausea rolling through her at the intense smell of rotting flesh, brimstone, and blood that surrounded these creatures.
Opening her eyes she sighted on one of the demons, a large creature that stood probably a foot taller than Gabriel with a high, ridged forehead that had three metal rings piercing the skin and long, drooping arms that hung nearly to its knees, its nails silvery and razor sharp.
She watched as it reached out and slashed the rump of one of the Hellhounds, eliciting a high, pained shriek from the animal and a look of lustful pleasure passed over the demon's face. Disgust rippled through her and she trained on its forehead, slowly squeezing the trigger.
A breath later the quiet night air erupted in gunfire and the demon's head exploded in a spatter of red and black as it stumbled and then dropped to the ground. The line of Hell monsters paused, looking for the source of the fire, and then began charging.
Gabriel and Devery fired, wounding or killing as many as they could, their hands steady. Still, the demons charged forward, screeching for blood.
Devery rolled from the sniper rifle and grabbed the M4 carbine, kneeling on the edge of the building and aimed for the demons, sending short bursts of automatic fire into their midst. Blood sprayed and the screams of the demons reached an unearthly pitch as she continued to fire, cutting down their number.
"Get back Devery!" Gabriel shouted above the sound of gunfire.
She looked up and saw three demons scaling the side of the building, their hateful eyes locked on her. Scrambling back she knelt in front of Gabriel and angled the M4 directly down the building, firing into the faces of the demons.
Blood sprayed on the charred ruin of the building and two of the demons fell away, brushing past the third. The last lunged upwards, its long claws raking at the M4 and Devery's arm, slashing through her coat and into her tender skin beneath.
With a low cry she stumbled back, still firing, the bullets slamming into the demon's skull, shattering it into a messy pulp. The husk of the body slumped over the edge of the building, remaining limp.
The furious shrieks of the remaining demons and Hellhounds on the ground grew louder.
Gabriel grabbed Devery's arm and tore apart the shredded sleeve of her jacket, inspecting the wound before pulling out bacterial spray and a bandage, quickly applying both. Devery winced at his rough touch but murmured soft thanks, knowing how close she had come to something much worse.
They peered over the edge of the building to see the demons gathering behind the broken down vehicles, out of range and seemingly commiserating over something.
"What are they doing?" Devery whispered.
Gabriel shook his head, "I don't know, but they've taken shelter, and they're planning something," he replied.
"Planning?" she hissed incredulously. "They can do that?"
He nodded, "They might be demons, but they occasionally show moments of intelligence." He watched them for another moment and shook his head, "We should flank them," he told her softly.
"What about the Hellhounds?" she asked in return.
"If you drop into the building through the hole in the roof, we can lure them in through the front door. It's a choke point. I'll fly off like I'm abandoning you, but in reality, I'll flank them," he explained.
Devery's eyes met his and he saw the hesitation there. She was weighing whether or not she trusted him, whether or not he would actually come back for her. After a moment she nodded, "Okay, let's do it," she whispered.
He nodded and they silently began loading up on extra clips of ammo, strapping guns and blades onto every available holster and scabbard. When they were done Gabriel lowered her down the hole in the roof and took flight, going directly over the spot where the demons and Hellhounds were taking refuge.
With three well placed shots he was able to kill two hounds and wound one of the demons before one of the hounds lunged for him, nearly grasping his boot in its teeth. With a derisive chuckle he flew higher, "The human is in the building. You can have her, just tell my brother I've nothing against him, yea?" he shouted, knowing how dumb the creatures could be.
Flapping away, he watched as the Hellhounds lunged for the doorway, only to be met with automatic fire. He fought every urge to go back for her, letting long minutes pass, watching from the crest of the hill on his belly as she cut down four Hellhounds before they began to hold back.
In a powerful thrust of his wings he flew forward, his swords drawn. His blood pumped in his veins; he wanted the close quarters, to feel the brush of teeth and claws raking past him. His boots slammed down as his sword sliced through the spine of a demon, cutting it in two with a solid, wet sound.
A Hellhound lunged for him, maw wide in a snarl, its hot brimstone breath washing over his face as its paws slammed into his chest, knocking him to the ground. Slobber dripped onto his face and burned like acid where it touched his skin.
Rotating his sword he shoved it straight up, through the belly and sliced down, grimacing as the innards splashed out against him, steaming in the cold night. The Hound shrieked and whimpered once before slumping against him heavily.
Grunting at the sudden weight, Gabriel shoved the corpse off him and stumbled to his feet, looking for another foe, surprised when he only found Devery standing in the doorway, an annoyed look on her face.
"What?" he gasped, out of breath from adrenaline and exertion.
She shook her head, her brows furrowed and said nothing, instead walking stiffly over to the truck, starting the engine and pulling it around to the front of the building. Peering out the driver side window she waved a hand, "Let's go," she ordered.
With a weak laugh Gabriel flew to the roof and carried down the supplies, loading the truck quickly. By the time he sank in the passenger seat the blood on his chest and legs had dried, stiffening the material of his pants and staining his armor.
Devery drove at nearly dangerous speeds away from the gas station, grateful that they had been able to refill the tank and their supply tanks in the back before they had been attacked. She wasn't stopping until they were empty.
Gabriel pushed the door open to the supply house that Devery had pulled over at and nodded in satisfaction. This was one of the places that she and Miles had turned into a supply house and had also kept as an alternate location to live in case the bunkers were ever compromised, and from what he could see, it hadn't ever been found.
Steel shutters sealed the windows tightly, keeping out the elements and the possibility of angelic or demonic attack, and the frame was steel and concrete reinforced from what Devery had told him. Each room was its own panic room and the house had a solar grid that supplied electricity, which meant running hot water.
The front door shut with a solid sound a moment later the locks engaged, three along each seam. Devery sighed in relief and shifted her bag on her shoulder, "I'm taking a shower," she muttered. Not bothering to wait for a response from Gabriel she walked slowly upstairs to the room she had used previously and tossed her bag on the floor.
Turning the shower on she sighed in pleasure, running her fingers under the stream as it heated. She was quick to remove her clothing, after being on the road for eight days and suffering demon attacks, hypothermia, and injuries she was eager for the luxury of a shower.
Unwinding her greasy hair she stepped into the shower, shutting the glass door behind her, sighing as the scalding water sprayed against her cold and aching limbs. Carefully she cleaned out the wound the demon had given her, wincing as the newly healed tissue tugged and ached.
The warm scent of apples and cinnamon filled the shower as she scrubbed her body, watching as blood and dirt washed away, leaving her pink and clean. Her scalp ached by the time she was done scrubbing it, but her hair felt silky and clean and smelled like vanilla and spice.
Wrapping a towel around her hair and a clean bandage around her arm, she wiped off the condensation on the mirror and stared at herself, at the brand marks that covered nearly every inch of her body.
Her fingers ran over them, as usual trying to understand them, trying to determine a pattern or a message. There was no rhyme or reason to them, at least none that she had been able to determine.
He fingers paused on her abdomen.
There was a blank patch.
Right where there was a scar on Gabriel's stomach.
Her mind raced…could she have lost her brand marks after dying to save Gabriel? It made a sort of sense. She had gained the marks after dying the first time, and hadn't used her powers to save anyone from death in such a manner that she in turn had died for them…so this had to mean it was because she had saved Gabriel.
But what in turn did that mean?
What did losing her marks mean?
God had told her that dying shortened her life; did losing her marks indicate the same?
Shaking her head she turned away from the mirror and pulled the towel off her hair and wrapped it around her body, hiding the blank spot on her body that was raising so many questions.
Quickly she dressed; pulling on her favorite pair of threadbare sweatpants and a worn sweatshirt with the neck cut open, the name of some long forgotten college emblazoned on the front, the letters half washed away.
Braiding her hair as she walked downstairs she sniffed the air appreciatively, turning into the kitchen to find Gabriel at the stove, his hair slicked back and still wet from his shower. A pale blue t shirt clung to his damp body, showing her the strong muscles in his shoulders and along his back where the sweatpants he wore clung loosely to his hips.
Heat curled through her belly and Devery bit her lip, leaning against the doorway, silently enjoying the view.
"You gonna stand there all day and stare at my ass love?"
She bit back a laugh and smirked, shaking her head. Of course he knew she was there. She hadn't been quiet coming down the stairs, and he had angelic hearing. Walking slowly across the hardwood floors she nestled herself against him, sliding her hands slowly under his shirt, letting her fingers explore the muscles along his waist before sliding higher, reaching up to his waist to pull him against her firmly.
He let out a noise of satisfaction, "Hello to you too," he whispered.
She smirked against his spine and shook her head faintly. He was always so glib. Her memory flitted back to the moment she had seen the Hellhound pin him to the ground and she hadn't been sure he had gotten his sword up in time…
Her heart had constricted so tightly in her chest it had been impossible to breathe.
"That Hellhound almost ate your face," she whispered, squeezing her fingers against his chest.
"Not at all darlin, I had it handled," he replied lightly, stirring whatever he was cooking.
"Didn't look like it from where I was," she replied, and this time he heard the worry in her voice.
He paused a moment and then asked softly, "You worried about me love?"
She remained silent for so long he thought she wasn't going to answer. Then he felt her nod and her nails dug into his chest, "I happen to like that face the way it is," she replied softly.
He smiled softly, fighting the warmth in his chest, the feeling that told him she was telling him something important here, because after all, he was the one who had feelings for her against all odds, not her.
Clearing his throat, he nodded, "As do I love, as do I," he quipped, keeping his tone light.
Devery could feel something between her and Gabriel shift, as though he was purposely stepping away from her words, even though neither of them had moved an inch, and hurt spiked in her. Didn't he realize how scared she had been? Didn't he care?
Running her fingers over his chest she traced a lazy pattern, "I know you care, you vain creature," she teased. His chuckle rumbled through her chest and she smiled, "But I care too," she whispered softly, urgently.
Her fingers scraped down his abdomen, her nails digging in hard enough to leave him shuddering against her and she felt the heat within her grow, her hips shifting against his.
"I care if something happens to you Gabriel. You're a pain in the ass, and you're sarcastic, and a little loose with a moral code, but I care," she whispered, running her fingers down to his waistband and sliding her hands underneath, biting back a moan when she found nothing underneath but his smooth, hot skin.
His chest expanded rapidly against hers, and the sensation of his powerful body against hers, excited and under her control turned her on like she hadn't been expecting. She slid her hands from his hips slowly down to his groin, enjoying his soft groan of pleasure.
Her palm cupped him and he bucked into her hand with a soft noise of bliss, his body tight against hers. Her other hand slid down to caress his balls, her fingers running over them steadily, stroking the skin until he was groaning and shuddering.
When she began to stroke his hardening length Gabriel's hands lashed out to steady himself against the counter, his knees growing weak.
"I saw that Hellhound knock you down," Devery whispered, running her thumb over his engorged tip, spreading the cum he was leaking over his shaft. "I couldn't get a clear shot and I felt something inside me screaming," she breathed, twisting her hand down as she stroked, "screaming to do something."
Gabriel panted and groaned, his eyes furrowed shut in pleasure, his heart pounding as he listened to her whisper.
"When you stood up and looked at me like it was no big deal," she paused and her hands slipped away, leaving him aching and alone. His eyes fluttered open, searching for her. Devery tugged on his shirt, turning him around so he could see her face, see the pain there.
They stared at each other in a silence that was tense with possibilities until she reached out and grasped the hem of his shirt and pulled at it, tugging it over his head. Gabriel watched her as she stepped close, her hands sliding up his chest, rising on her toes to bring her lips close to his.
"You looked like you were dead again," she whispered, her throat working hard and her breath brushed against his lips. She dropped away suddenly and sank to her knees, tugging on his sweatpants until they were on the floor, leaving him exposed.
She rose slightly on her knees and came to eye level with his erection. Reaching out she grasped it tightly, almost roughly and Gabriel shuddered, reaching blindly behind him for support. She began pumping him quickly, her grip so tight it made him cry out.
He knew if she continued like this he wouldn't last. Her hand broke away and her mouth closed on him, sliding up and down, her tongue lashing against him like she wanted to devour him. He groaned and shuddered, feeling a fiery pleasure building.
Her teeth nipped at the head of his cock and he cried out, the pained pleasure had him shuddering so hard he nearly fell to his knees.
To his surprise she reached up and slapped his ass, "Don't you dare fall," she whispered hoarsely, "I'm not done."
His hips jerked in pleasure and when her mouth closed around him again a moment later his hips began thrusting against her, unable to stop. She clasped his balls in her hand and squeezed, her nails digging in softly before she rubbed away the pain, sending spasms of pleasure through him.
Gabriel moaned loudly, desperate for release.
Devery pulled away and stood pressing a sharp kiss to his neck as he panted, "We're not done," she whispered. Gabriel's brain struggled to keep up as she stepped back and stripped off her clothing, tugging on his hand until he sank to the ground, watching as she straddled him slowly, his erection nestled between them.
Devery leaned forward to kiss his neck, shifting so her wet pussy would drag against his erection, torturing both of them, but mostly him. His hands at her waist were tight, desperate. He made soft noises of pleasure, begging her for more.
Slowly she moved her hips in a rhythm that had her panting; her clit was grinding against him and was building the tension in her body. Her lips trembled against his and she shifted to align herself to slide down his shaft.
Grasping his chin she caught his gaze with hers, "Don't you ever scare me like that again, understand?" she whispered.
He nodded and she leaned in to kiss him as she took him in with a quick thrust. "Oh! Ah fuck," she whispered against his lips, shaking her head faintly. Gabriel groaned and arched against her, his hips already moving, seeking more.
Leaning back she braced her hands on his chest and began rocking against him, the fire within her building quickly. "Touch me," she ordered Gabriel, her breath coming in gasps as she rode him, her chest gleaming with sweat and her nipples pearled with desire.
He moaned softly at the authority in her voice and ran a hand from her thigh to her stomach, caressing her soft skin, his fingers sampling the lush underside of her breasts before taking a nipple between his thumb and forefingers and rolling it, pinching it until she cried out in pleasure, arching against him.
Lavishing attention between breasts, he soon had her panting aching for his hands elsewhere. Devery grabbed one of his strong hands and guided it down to where their bodies met, moaning when his fingers began stroking her clit, her body tightening around him.
Gabriel groaned, his cock was already painfully hard…the sensation of her body tightening around him was almost too much to bear. Rubbing harder on her clit he thrust harder into her, grunting and gasping out her name, every inch of him desperate for release within her.
He needed to cum like he hadn't ever needed it before, and he wanted her to cum so badly it hurt, watching as she sat astride him, her breasts bouncing softly, her hair falling in loose tendrils from her braid, and loud moans falling from her open mouth.
Her nails scraped into his shoulder, "Gabriel! Oh! Come on, oh!" she cried, rocking against him harder as he pressed against her clit, his thrusts growing harder as he felt his release approaching. Her thighs clamped around his hips and she arched on top him, her eyes rolling back in her head as she came, gasps wrenching from her throat he stroked her clit, still thrusting for his own release.
She grew tighter around him, her body capturing him until he came, his hips stuttering against her as he ground out a cry of her name. As she relaxed against him, his arms wrapped around her, cupping her spine gently.
Her quick breaths panted against his ear for long moments and he felt her fingers tighten against his chest, a sure indication she had something else to say. Turning his head he caught her lips with his, effectively cutting her off.
When he pulled away he stared at her, his gaze solemn. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his fingers trailing over her back.
Devery sighed, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment and he could see the fine veins under her skin, and it struck him just how delicate and human she really was. Her eyes opened and she smiled faintly, "I'm not good with telling people how I feel," she murmured, "but, I-I want you to know, I feel strongly about you," she whispered, her fingers digging into his shoulder.
For once in his life, Gabriel didn't make a sarcastic or wry remark. Instead he nodded and kissed her, lingering for long moments until they were both breathless.
"I've been sleepwalking a long time, trying to take what was lost and broken and make it right. I didn't know until I met you that I needed help. I didn't want help." He smiled softly at her and kissed her again, "But I do now. I want you," he murmured.
Devery smiled and buried her face into the crook of his neck, her cheeks flushing. Her heart pounded from the rush of emotions, but to her surprise she felt not exposed, but protected, lying here naked, but in Gabriel's embrace.
A few moments later Gabriel nudged her and tried to sit up, "If we don't get up, the food will burn and I don't think you'll like me so much love," he murmured, chuckling softly.
Devery laughed and rolled off him, quickly pulling on her clothing again, watching with appreciation as he did the same. Gabriel quickly rescued their dinner and when she complimented him as they ate, he lifted a brow and gave her a salacious look, "Do you want dessert?" he whispered.