Disclaimer: (see chapter 1)

Chapter 3

"We HAVE to get rid of him!" An angry voice bellowed within the walls of the dark room before a wine glass exploded against a wall. The two minions in the room flinched at the sound and then looked apprehensively towards the owner of the voice. The voice belonged to none other than Reece, and he looked as menacing as he sounded as he ranted about Father Keirnan. "No doubt Araphim has his men around her now." Reece collapsed into his leather chair. "Tell me either of you have something to appease me!"

One minion dared stepped forward then, he was taller than his friend. "Perhaps, Sir, we could disguise ourselves as members of the movie set she is currently working at?"

Reece leaned forward, "Perhaps that is the best idea for now. See to it right away!" The two minions bowed and hurried from the room to put the plan in action. He leaned back again, idlely spinning in his chair. He longed to visit her again. He needed to see her again. He knew he wouldn't get her alone long enough to do as he wished…but just a simple visit would ease him for the moment. Reece's hand fell onto the small intercom at the lower edge of his desk, "Claire…please have my ride ready in fifteen minutes. I am going out on a little business."

"Yes, Sir!" Came the frail reply. He really appreciated having someone like Claire on his team. Many times she went out of her way to please him. Never once did he bed her though. No…he had to remain pure or else his whole dream would be ruined. Although it didn't really matter that she soiled herself with mortals, he was a bit irked that she had given herself away.

No matter. As long as I've done everything correctly so far, I shall be successful when the time comes. He drifted off in thought, losing track of time. His intercom buzzed, "Yes, Claire?"

"You're ride is ready, Sir." She got right to the point.

"Thank you Claire. I'll see a hefty reward left for you." He replied. He then heard a noise as if she had something else to add.

"Sir, if I made be so bold…"

"Go ahead Claire."

She seemed to hesitate, but that disappeared quickly, "Perhaps I can befriend her. Or maybe the daughter of the woman she stays with?" He was presently surprised.

"Claire, do that. Become friends with those Angel is acquainted with. Lord knows that dear little Megan would eagerly invite you to dinner." He added with a chuckle.

"Thank you, Sir." The conversation ended and Reece left his office.

The whole dinner was a complete opposite of the previous night. Tobias, Andrew and Finn eagerly conversed with Marie, Meg and Erik. Their goal was to learn of those Angel surrounded herself with. By the end of the conversation, the three priests mutually decided that Angel's acquaintances were indeed safe and only held the best interest for her.

"Father Keirnan…I don't mean to be rude but…"

He cut her off, "Go, child." Angel stole a wicked glance to Erik before snatching his hand and fleeing upstairs.

"She loves him a lot, doesn't she?" Tobias openly asked.

"That she does, Father Bennett." Marie nodded.

"I noticed a ring on her finger." Finn added.

Meg and Marie's face fell in surprise. Andrew set his wine glass down, "Perhaps we shall wait for the official news from them." They all nodded.

Erik eagerly followed his fiancée into their room. He caught up to her at the side of the bed and pulled her down onto it with him. She squealed in delight, shifting to face him. Before he could protest, she de-masked him. "None of this now, love." She assured him. Angel felt such contentment flow through her as his muscular arms encircled her. "Oh, Erik…" She mumbled. His lips pressed to her throat, drawing moans from her.

He pulled away momentarily, and at her pleading look he replied, "Clothes…off…now!" And that is exactly what happened next. He just hoped that tonight he would have her uninterrupted. He looked into her eyes and swore he saw the same thought within her.

Angel pulled his body to hers and trembled as his hands explored her flesh. Her insatiable wanting of him made his ego swell. Before she could protest, he again made love to her—inside and out. She relished the feel of his deformity against her skin. It was an eternity, and yet too quickly, but suddenly the height of ecstasy was upon them both. She cried out his name and clung to him tightly, so afraid to be lost in the crashing wave that struck her from the inside out. And just like feathers, they both floated back down into the reality of their bodies.

"Thank you for bringing me to Heaven." Erik mused once he had his breath. She was in too much awe to coherently respond. So instead, she settled her head on his sweaty chest.

As she traced lazy patterns on his chest, she let her mind wander. She was extremely grateful that he willingly remained with her with what he now knew. The last time she allowed a boy into her heart, Araphim appeared with intent to chase him off. That had chased her off as well. She was tired of Araphim and his insistent ways. She had a mind of her own by then, and had just started rebelling against her fate. There was also that small part of her that missed her father. Yet over those years under Araphim's tutelage, the more she learned of what Reece wanted from her, the more she feared him. The day Araphim told her that a simple touch from that man, or if she ever looked long enough into his eyes, that she would loose her free will forever, was something she NEVER wanted to happen.

Eventually she realized that Erik had drifted off to sleep. Slowly she disentangled from him, careful not to wake him. Angel slipped her favored purple silk pajamas on and deposited herself against the windowsill. She had an unobstructed view of the magnificent moonlight. Her eyes closed as she could literally feel the heat of the light. When her eyes opened, her gaze fell to the car in the street. Car in the street?! She stared longer at the car, her eyes caught by the movement of a figure leaning against the passenger side door. No! Immediately she was bounding down the stairs into the now darkened first floor of the house. Her destination was the living room, now used as an unofficial bedroom for the three priests.

Angel maneuvered her way to Andrews' sleeping form on the couch. Urgently she shook him. It took a few tries before even an annoyed sound escaped his lips. "Father Keirnan!" His eyes snapped open.

"Wha…?" He jerked upright, taking in the woman he is now sworn to protect. "What is it child?" He had spoken loud enough to disturb Tobias and Finn. They both sat up groggily.

"He's here." Angel frantically shouted in a whisper.

That had Tobias and Finn immediately alert. "Do you sense him?"

Angel turned to Finn, not knowing what he meant. "Sense him?"

"You don't know about that, do you?" Andrew comforted her. She shook her head. "We'll explain it later." The three priests slipped their robes on and motioned for her to point out where he was.

She led them to a window at the back of the house, and despite that there was a branch blocking most of their view, Reece and his car were still easily spotted. "There." Angel pointed.

Andrew took command then. "Father Bennett, you and Father Rashad sit with Angel in the living room. I'll go out and have a talk with our intruder."

"Come, Angel." Tobias gently placed his hand on her arm and led her back into the living room with Finn following behind. Just as they passed the back door, a figure entered.

"Get your filthy hands off her." Reece announced his presence. Andrew bounded into the room just as Tobias tucked her safely behind him and Finn. Finn worked attentively on keeping her attention away from her father.

"You've fallen to insanity." Andrew commented—referring to Reece's blatant arrival.

"Come off it, old man. Do you think you or your young protégés can keep her from me?" He turned to Angel's direction. "Angel love…tell them to stand aside."

She started turning to his voice, trying hard to fight the pull. Andrew shouted then, "For God sakes! Get her upstairs now." Tobias and Finn knew he meant 'into the safety of her lover'.

There was a struggle to get her up the stairs, while Reece and Andrew struggled against each other. "No, lemme go!" She yelled, straining against the hold Tobias and Finn had on her. Erik appeared at the top of the stairs, after being awakened by the muffled noise.

"Angel!" He bounded halfway down the steps, giving aid to Tobias and Finn. "Don't fight me, fight it!" With his help, they were able to get her to the top of the stairs. Andrew meanwhile had slammed Reece against the wall at the bottom of the stairs.

"Don't think I'm old now, do you?" Andrew taunted Reece.

With one last ounce of strength, Reece shoved himself free. "You'll all let your guard down sooner or later." And with that he fled out the front door. Andrew was about to give chase but Tobias stopped him.

Angel was now seated on the second step from the top of the stairs, trying to regain herself. That was twice now she was almost lost to them all.

"He's foolish, yet brave for charging in here like this." Erik mused.

"Get her to bed, Erik." Andrew commanded, helping her to her feet.

"Yes, Sir." Erik half heartedly mocked him, before scooping Angel into his arms and retreating back to their room. The moment her head hit the pillow, she was out.

Reece steamed in the backseat of his car as it drove away from her residence. "Blasted priests." He thrust his fist downward colliding it with the leather seat. The result was a thud that comforted him somewhat.

He had planned to only watch her. But when his eyes caught her figure at the second floor bedroom window, his feet took on a mind of their own. The moment her figured darted from the view of the window, he knew that she was going to alert her pitiful guardians. He reasoned that if they were aware he was here then he might as well try for her.

Reece was too busy reasoning out the earlier event to his favor when his driver signified their arrival back home. He sighed and exited the vehicle. "Let's just hope that Claire doesn't fail me." He was tired now, so he trudged to his quarters, falling willingly into bed.

She wondered how she ever managed to survive that first week with them. Them—they…that's how she always referred to them in her thoughts. But when she spoke to them, THEY always demanded that she use their names. THEY often used punishments to control her every time she even hinted toward disobeying their teachings. But not him—Father Andrew Keirnan—he was different. He was the only one that talked to her level—even when it became apparent that she was above them. Yet he would scorn her for her antics. Using her powers to briefly persuade or influence his brethren.

But when his friendship with her was discovered—Araphim frowned upon such a thing and immediately assigned Andrew far away from her. That was the start of her rebellion. After that, she noticed how much harder THEY pressured her. They were forceful yet fearful of her. She would never let them know that she'd never hurt them—at least not intentionally. She fled from their care before that could happen.

She had not a lick of experience in the world then, but she had mastered enough control of her powers to survive just fine. That is when she met Meg and her mother, Marie. They took her in with open arms, made her feel like a real member of their family. A month later she had met Erik. She learned that he had been traveling and was in the area. He visited Marie and Meg with intentions of getting right back to his travels until he saw her.

They denied the growing relationship for quite some time before admitting it. But she knew she loved him from the beginning. Many times she wanted to tell him her real story, especially after he shared his. But she always let the perfect opportunity go by.

There were a few times in the beginning that he seemed to know, but always bought her excuses. After a while, he seemed to not notice anymore. She was grateful yet sad for that.

There was that part of her she could NEVER share…until now…

Angel awoke from her dream to the morning sunlight. A slight turn of her head towards Erik and she noted him still asleep. Happily asleep, I might add. She propped herself up on her elbow and stared intently at his deformity.

There was no horror of it for her now. But she often didn't get to drink in her fill of his appearance. To her it was beauty. Gently she fingered the taught monstrous flesh of the right side of his face. She traced a path from his chin to his forehead, where a few straggly wispy strands of hair failed to cover. While she busily planted kisses to his sunken closed eyelid, she felt the familiar muscular hands wrap around her. She felt slight guilt for waking him up. That was not her intention, yet she couldn't resist kissing him.

"And a definite good way to wake up." She heard him mutter. She was the one with the powered voice, yet his made her melt on the spot.

Angel sat back enough to look into his eyes. "I'm sorry to wake you, my love."

His finger pressed against her lips, "I find I enjoy waking up this way." He pulled her down to his lips and ravaged her mercilessly. Her hands fell onto his firm stomach for support. Finally they broke for air.

Angel forced herself back to reality. "Since I have the day off today I planned to attend Meg's rehearsal. I would like to have you with me."

Erik frowned at the prospect of the public. But the look in her eyes caved him in, "Of course. I haven't seen her dance in quite a while, so it'll be nice to see how much she's improved."

A sly smile spread across her lips, "Admit it, Duran; you just wanna see the pretty ladies legs." She teased him with his last name as she lightly tapped his shoulder and drew a chuckle from him.

"Alas, I've been caught." He put his hand over his heart in playful dramatics. He internally protested as she rose from the bed and put distance between them. "I'll see about breakfast!" He called out to her as she shut the bathroom door behind her.

Tobias had been the first one awake. He entered the kitchen with intentions to make breakfast for the household. Soon his creation developed enticing smells that lured in Andrew and Finn, followed minutes after by Marie.

"Good morning!" Tobias cheerfully called out.

Marie appeared rather grateful to see another taking up duties in the kitchen. She had to repeatedly assure Tobias, though, that he wasn't out of line. Meg entered then, and distracted Tobias long enough to steal a small piece of bacon.

"Megan!" Marie wailed. But Tobias assured her it was ok.

"How does it taste?" He asked her.

"Almost as good as Mum's." Meg darted aside to avoid a playful swat from Marie. Finn and Andrew couldn't resist the chuckle. She took a seat across from Andrew as Erik entered the kitchen.

"Good morning, Erik!" Marie nodded to him.

"Where's Angel?" Andrew spoke up in concern upon not seeing her with him.

"In the shower." Erik replied and sat next to Meg. Andrew was immediately on his feet and out the door. "She'll be fine!" He called out uselessly.

"Don't mind him." Finn explained.

"He's a stickler for doing a great job." Tobias added, setting a plate of bacon on the table. Meg snatched another slice, this time without getting yelled at.

"Oh, Meg…Angel and I plan to see your rehearsals today." Erik struck up a conversation with her then.

Andrew knocked on Angel's bedroom door and waited patiently until he heard permission to enter. Her hair was still wet, but she was fully dressed. "What's wrong, Father Keirnan?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you privately." He assured her.

"I have as well." She admitted.

"Oh?" He was startled.

"What did Father Rashad mean last night?" She began. "I mean about me sensing Reece."

Andrew nodded in understanding. He motioned for her to sit next to him. "You have the ability to sense when he is nearby. You fled from us before we were able to train it." She caste her eyes downward, but Andrew pulled her gaze back up. "Consider it a preconceived awareness that shifts your body in readiness for the pull. We were set to train you to use it to know when to flee the area."

Angel remained silent as she thought it out. Andrew did just help to explain the slight twinges she felt just before Reece was always in the room with her. But she had always rid them from her thoughts, not really knowing what they meant. "Well, I'm really glad you explained this, Father. Maybe despite the lack of training, I can focus it the way you meant for it."

Andrew nodded. "We can consider it training in progress…skipping the controlled practices and harnessing it on the battlefield, per se."

"What was it that you wanted to talk to me about, Father?" She moved the conversation onwards.

"Oh it was nothing really. I was just uneasy leaving you up here alone." Andrew admitted.

"You needn't have worried, Father." They comfortingly hugged each other. "I was raised by that man, remember? I know him well enough that he wouldn't dare attempt to attack again THAT soon."

"It's just that…Chancellor Cheyvon seems rather distressed when it comes to Reece—as if he's hiding something from all of us."

Angel frowned and pulled away then. "Perhaps he is."

"What?"

Angel looked at Andrew, "Araphim is a descendant of the ancient tribe. He was part of the group that came for me and took me from Reece."

Andrew's eyes grew wide at the revelation. "What does this mean then?"

"I had always wondered." She spoke thoughtfully. "I remember that he seemed distressed and eager to get me away from Reece. Could it be that he knew then that Reece was dangerous?" The two sat in silence as they pondered such a thing. A knock on the door interrupted them.

Just as they turned, Meg opened the door. "You're breakfast is getting cold and or eaten, and it's almost time to leave, Angel."

"Thanks, Meg." Angel jumped to her feet. "I'll be down in a minute, just gotta dry my hair." Andrew followed Meg back to the kitchen. And just as promised, Angel joined them within minutes.

To Be Continued...