Dark Angel Ch. 13

Ashriel stood by their side listening attentively, knowing that soon he would need to return to plead another case...the one of his reaper daughter growing in Anniel's womb. When the hierarchy of priests on Seraphia felt the power of a newborn reaper entering this realm, they would demand he turn her over to them. Since he'd been cast out for being a fallen reaper, he would not see her for many siglons. The pain of it tightened his chest. Anniel would be heartbroken at having another child removed from her.

Taking a deep breath as the familiar hull of Alpha 7 came into view, he knew he needed to act to prevent his daughter from being taken from his and her mother's side. He'd train her to be a holy warrior himself. If she chose to follow her vocation then so be it, but she wouldn't be forced, as he had been. It would ultimately be her choice.

The presence of legions of Vipers swarmed around Alpha 7. Ashriel frowned, leaning closer to the view screen.

"There are more Dark Angles guarding our home."

Ashriel turned to Devon. "More?"

The bioluminescence of his eyes seemed dimmer to Ashriel, making him wonder at its cause. Devon smiled. "We're pretty well protected. They're being trained by holographic replicas of Seth, Lucien, and me."

Ashriel gaped at Devon. "Lucien?"

Devon nodded. "Lucien was one of our best trainers. As soon as he's better, I have hopes he can integrate back into the group. He'll always be an Alpha Angel no matter what."

Ashriel nodded, turning back to the view screen.

Devon asked, "Are you still going to investigate what started the galactic war?"

Ashriel thought for a moment and finally answered. "I think it's important."

Devon touched Ashriel's shoulder. "I want to help."

"I appreciate your help." He looked at his boots before turning to face Devon fully. "I apologize for the way I've acted toward you and the others."

"It was your duty, Ashriel. I understand and hold no grudge."

Ashriel felt humbled by Devon's benevolence. Remembering the strange transformation he beheld on Rhylos, Ashriel reached out and cupped Devon's face, staring deep into those eyes of blue fire.

The vision shook him to the core.

Falling. They were falling. Beings made of pure energy. They traversed from Ainrodonel, the edges of this realm covering them in a smothering layer. Crashing together when they hit the physical realm, they merged and then there was nothing...

Ashriel stumbled back, shaken. Devon reached out, gripping his arms. "Are you okay, Ash?"

For a moment he could not speak. He knew they were divine angels, trapped in mortal flesh, but seeing them in their natural form had shaken him to the core. There were four with the essence of maleness about them. Davariel, Devon, Jazriel—Devon's son...but one was still missing. Was the last one still buried within Devon's baby? Would this angel be the one to open the gates of Hell and set Lucifer free as the prophesy warned?

Jazriel must never mate with a reaper. But how to avoid that when Alpha 7 swarmed with fallen reapers? The angel that sets Lucifer free was foretold to have hair of gold and wings of jet.

"Ash?"

Devon's worried stare had Ashriel breaking out of his reverie.

They were entering the airlocks that led them into Alpha 7's hangar in the underbelly of the space station.

Vipers, Fire Chariots, and a few Silver Comets filled the once empty hangar. Alpha 7 was bustling with life once again.

Remi, who'd left the second day they were at the LOS, stood, looking angry, in the hangar.

Devon, Seth, Zak and the reapers that had accompanied them exited the starcruiser.

"Dev, you've got to do something."

"What's the problem?" Devon asked the red weredragon as Ashriel stepped next to them.

"It's the reapers. They're blocking the entrance to the envirolevel. As soon as I finished healing Lucien, they took him out of the stasis cylinder and moved him to the envirolevel. They've got him on a fucking blanket by the lake."

"Easy, Rem," Devon said putting his hand on the riled weredragon's shoulder.

"Easy my ass," Remi snarled, shaking Devon's hand off, green-gold eyes flashing dangerously. "Why wasn't he taken to his quarters? They've got him sleeping out in the woods like some fucking animal."

Devon opened his mouth, but it was Ashriel who responded. "We thought it best that Lucien remain in the enviro-level until we're sure he awakens in the right state of mind."

Remien looked at Ashriel clearly baffled. "What the fuck?"

"He'll be safer there," Ashriel added as Devon nodded.

"Safer? Safer from what?"

"Rem, the demons will try to take him back if he still harbors darkness in his soul," Devon tried to explain.

Remi's jaw dropped even as his brows drew tighter together. He suddenly summoned his divine sword, brandishing it angrily. "Well, then put him in my room with Row and me. I'd like to see some fucking demon try to make off with him."

Devon smiled, but Ashriel rolled his eyes.

"Remi," Devon began again, "I know you want to protect him, but you're forgetting your babies ravenous appetite for blood. Having Lucien's scent around will having them crying around the clock. Which in turn will upset the other babies, not to mention the mothers, aboard Alpha 7."

Remi's shoulders slumped.

"He'll be fine, dragon," Ashriel said. "Where is Anniel?"

Remi's eyes sparkled again, a grin growing on his face. "Last I saw her, she was trying to convince the reapers guarding the entrance to the enviro-level to let her in to see Luke."

Ashriel's chest tightened, but he pushed the uneasy feeling away.

Remi's eyes narrowed. "You know, you never really did thank me for getting you guys together."

Ashriel scowled at him. "Don't push your luck, Remien Fyre. Your method was poorly formulated, stupidly executed, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was under the influence of alcohol."

Remi blinked at him for two seconds before shrugging. "Hey, it got you two together, and you're going to be a daddy, so I say I'm a fucking genius." He folded his arms over his chest, his golden Alpha Angels insignia glinting on his solid black uniform as one tawny brow rose beneath strands of wild red hair. "An unappreciated one as always."

Ashriel turned on his heel, striding toward the nearest exit.

***

Anniel glared at Amadashiel and the two dark angels whose names she as of yet did not know. There were so many of them now, it was virtually impossible to know them all.

"He shouldn't be alone all the time," she argued. "He needs to feel the love of his brothers and sisters."

Amadashiel grinned, batting her lashes. "Well if it's love he needs, I can give him plenty. He's absolutely gorgeous."

Anniel scowled at her. "That's not the type of love I mean. And he's still unconscious so don't you dare molest him. He doesn't know you and has been through allot."

The reaper only snickered making Anniel's temper rise.

A thickly muscled arm circled her waist, making her jump.

Ashriel leaned down over her shoulder and kissed her cheek.

Anniel gasped and turned, almost knocking him over when she jumped into his arms. "Baby. When did you get back?"

He held her a moment, his nose in her hair. She'd had her hygiene unit smooth out the curls until it fell in a satiny mass of gold to her backside.

"Scarcely a few minutes ago. We no longer have a bounty on our heads, but the LOS refuses to extend their protection to Alpha 7. We are on our own."

Anniel closed her eyes, her finger sieving through his silky hair before stroking the tops of his wings behind his shoulders. "That's okay. Dev will keep us safe."

He flinched and slowly moved back enough to look at her face without letting her go. "I can keep you safe too, Anniel."

She pouted up at him. "Of course you can, sweetheart. I... I'm sorry if I—"

He put his finger over her lips, staring deep into her eyes. When he leaned forward to claim her mouth, Anniel stiffened, feeling the stares of the three reapers at her back. These were people she did not know or trust or like, in Amadashiel's case.

Ashriel stopped and looked behind her. His expression hardened as he straightened. Taking her hand, he approached the reapers blocking the doors to the envirolevel.

"Step aside," he commanded, sharp steel in his tone.

The three reapers seemed to jump away, their eyes huge.

The enormous metal doors hissed open letting out the last rays of simulated sunlight.

Hand in hand, Anniel and Ashriel stepped into the envirolevel. The sun was a fiery display of gold dipping behind the far mountains on the other side of the ten-mile wide tropical forest. The lake in the middle gleamed like a jewel, beckoning them closer.

Anniel let her power out, stripping them of their clothing, because to cover oneself in such a sanctuary of natural beauty, simulated or not, was an insult to its purity. Ashriel stumbled when he looked at her, but Anniel only giggled and tugged him after her as she headed toward the lake.

The warm air played with her hair and the soft grass tickled her feet. Laughing as they stepped through palms fronds and flowery boughs, Anniel playfully skittered away from Ashriel's attempts to pinch her butt cheeks. His eyes were dark, stormy grey, promising to unleash a torrent of passion upon her willing body. She bit her lip and gave him her most coquettish smile. He growled at her making her inner wolf want to pant and turn her tail up in submission.

But later. First she needed to see to Lucien, or Luke as they usually almost always called him.

Lucien lay peacefully on a thick blanket layered over a mattress. His hair shimmered bright gold over the fleecy white blanket, and his body bulged with muscle.

The breeze coming off the lake was warm. Still, she felt the need to swaddle him in something, wondering if the night might become cool. Every maternal instinct in her wanted to cuddle up next to him, to give him warmth and reassurance.

Ashriel surprised her by leading her onto the makeshift bed.

They both knelt and then sat by Lucien's unconscious body.

"He looks much better," Ashriel commented reaching out to touch him.

When Ashriel's fingertips brushed Lucien's sculpted abs, Lucien stiffened and cried out. His head thrashed against the pillows while his fingers gripped the blanket in terror.

Ashriel recoiled as if burned, his eyes wide in confusion.

Anniel understood—the feel of another male's touch was never welcomed by Lucien. Somehow, even unconscious, he could feel or sense the difference.

Acting on instinct, she covered him with her own body, fighting to calm his shuddering and terror.

"Luke. Luke, honey, calm-calm," she pleaded smoothing her hands over his face and chest as he twitched and panted. "Baby, it's me. Annie."

She continued to stroke him and murmur reassurances until he stopped thrashing, his lashes twitching as if trying to open. He moaned, trying to say her name. One tear rolled out from the corner of his closed lid.

"Yes, sweetie. Annie. You're going to be all right. We brought you back home." She kissed his cheeks, his forehead, let him take in her scent.

"Uuunnn..." He arched weakly against her and Anniel gasped when she felt his erection pressing against her hip.

Heart breaking, she backed away and looked at Ashriel.

He eyes were still on Lucien, taking in his state of arousal before slowly moving to Anniel's face.

She saw his vulnerability, this regal death angel, and her chest tightened further. She loved Lucien, but Ashriel was...Ashriel was her true-mate. The love she had for him on a whole other level and scale.

"I would not make you chose, my love, but seeing your flesh pressed so intimately against another male..." He raised his hand to his chest. "It hurts me here," he whispered at last.

Blinking back the wetness that stung her eyes, she moved into his arms. "Oh, Ashriel. I don't want to hurt you."

She kissed him then, her tongue stroking his with possessiveness.

Softly, she reached to his mind and felt the fragile wall he'd erected to keep the others at a distance. Feeling her presence, he opened to her, his soul unfurling like a sun-kissed rose.

Anniel held tight to her Alpha Angel brothers and sisters, letting the love she felt for them flood Ashriel. His wings jerked open and he broke the kiss to stare at her in wonder.

"God almighty," he whispered, understanding lighting his bright grey eyes.

She smiled enjoying his awestruck expression. He now understood. Still, she felt when he withdrew mentally.

"That's fine, but I do not feel comfortable with the spiritual intimacy with Remien Fyre."

Remi's telepathic chuckling made Anniel need to bite the insides of her cheeks to keep from giggling with him. That Red was such a rascal.

And sexy too—he growled in her head. The statement was quickly followed by Zak's sniggering and Seth's snort.

She could feel Devon's amusement as well as Rowie, Alluna, and Angel's, though they remained quiet, continuing their individual tasks like normal.

Reaching for Ashriel again, she cupped his face. You don't have to link to all of us if it makes you feel uncomfortable."

He circled her waist with his arms, his wings coming forward to embrace her as well. "I would not have you unlink to them either. I know you are a family. I promise I will try to become a little closer to all of them...eventually." He frowned. "Even the crazy one."

Remi's insulted feelings skittered through her before she shut him down and out of her mind. She wanted to concentrate on her man...this beautiful Seraph before her.

Taking one last look at Lucien who'd finally settled down, she led Ashriel off his bed.

They tumbled to the soft grassy ground, fusing their mouths again.

Anniel loved kissing him, the softness of his firm, lush lips. He sucked her tongue into his mouth before spearing hers with his, mimicking what he wanted to do to her with another part of his anatomy. Anniel groaned and arched against him when he nudged her legs apart with his own. She sighed and rubbed herself against his firm, hot flesh as her hands ran over his strong arms. The feel of him was glorious and when his wings began to spread, her eyes grew unfocused at the magnificence of the sight. God help her—she was so Ashriel-struck.

He leaned away, letting his hand slide down to her rounded belly, caressing it reverently.

"So beautiful," he crooned.

The breeze played with the dark strands of his hair, as if unable to resist its luxuriant texture. The dying rays of sunlight created a halo behind his head and wings, taking her breath away. His dark beauty mesmerized her...her dark angel.

She sucked in a harsh breath when his hand slipped between her legs.

Immediately, she spread them wider in invitation. He grinned seductively as he pet her wet folds. Anniel groaned and bucked her hips slowly, in tandem to his lazy thrusts.

He bent his head to one of her dark nipples, licking the taut nub first before sucking it and a generous portion of her breast into his hot mouth.

His fingers thrust deeper, bringing his thumb into play against her clit. Anniel clutched his bulky shoulders, spreading her legs like a wanton as she mewled her delight.

Ashriel nipped his way to the other nipple that also begged for attention. Her back left the ground as he tugged fiercely on her nipple.

His thick fingers plumbed her engorged depths, still, she fucked her cunt hard against the invading digits.

"Oh, Ashriel, yes," she panted. "Yes, baby. Fuck me...just like that." With a shout of completion, she surprised them both by splashing her bliss almost up his arm.

Panting, she watched him sit up looking a little baffled by what he'd made her body do. She knew she used to come this way when she was in heat, but she felt none of the clawing pain that accompanied her heat cycle. Ashriel brought his fingers to his face, closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Anniel felt her pussy convulse at the sight, and almost came again when he popped his glistening fingers into his mouth, groaning with obvious pleasure at her taste.

"Well, that's no fair," she panted. "I want a taste of you too."

With little resistance, she put him on his back and decided to attack his nipples first. He had a gorgeous chest, bulging with meaty, squared out pectorals. His dusky nipples were mere points, which she took pleasure in tormenting, making him twitch and squirm beneath her. She tested the firmness of his pecs with her teeth, but the sight of his rippling abs tempted her to lick lower. Kissing her way past his delineated ribs and tightly packed abdominal muscles, she toyed a bit with his navel. He had a sweet 'innie'—a ticklish one from the way he gasped and tried to steer her head away. It made her laugh and want to tease him a bit more. He made a tight tormented sound when she nibbled his hipbone, his mouth-watering thighs pulling up a bit. The movement made his long, thick cock hit her cheek wetly.

Rearing up a bit, feeling quite naughty, she snaked her hand between his thighs to cup his heavy balls. Ashriel's ass left the ground as he sucked in a harsh breath. The moan that rushed immediately afterward made Anniel feel powerful.

She fondled his sack, marveling at the smooth tightness of the skin. They were pulled up against his quivering shaft. Her eyes traveled the length of the curved flesh of Ashriel's cock so long, so thick, so yummy-looking. His belly was already wet with the fluid that dripped from the swollen head.

"Annie," he breathed, his hips moving restlessly.

Sliding her hand up his straining length, she gripped him gently. He clenched his fists when she pressed her nose against his balls. His scent was crisp, clean, pure, and sweet.

"Oh-god," he cried when she licked one testicle and then the other before taking the first into her mouth to savor it.

Anniel dug the nails of her right hand into the meat of his thigh while her left hand gently pulled his shaft higher, making the balls she sucked tenderly tighten further. She could feel his precum anointing her fingers. A long low moan was her reward when she licked a slow path up the length of him. His taste was sublime and she lapped at his cumhole hungrily making him hiss and whimper.

He rose on his elbows, his thighs beginning to tremble, "Annie-Annie-please."

When she slid her mouth down his length, he dropped back, his head thumping the ground forcefully. "Fuck," he cried out, slapping his hands over his face.

Fighting the urge to grin, she hollowed out her cheeks, sealing her lips around his girth and sucked.

Again, his ass left the ground as he arched in sexual agony.

The feel of his pulsing dick in her mouth was the best aphrodisiac. She suckled it ravenously, closing her teeth around the bottom of the ruddy head to roll her tongue around his cumhole, swallowing the copious amounts of fluid he oozed. She was, after all, very thirsty. But the taste of his cock made her hungry for more. She wanted to feel him come in her mouth, swallow him down until her very pores exuded his essence. Fucking his cumhole with her tongue made him jerk his hips and grow frantic, so she stopped tormenting him to enjoy the taste and feel of his flesh as it slid along her tongue and palate.

Anniel bobbed her head quickly, taking his length as far back as she could and still be able to breathe. What she couldn't fit she stroked with her hand, because Ashriel was a mighty big boy.

"Anniel," he gasped in desperation, his hand going into her hair.

Let me, baby—she moaned into his mind. Let me taste all of you.

His fingers tangled in her long locks and she almost recoiled when he pushed her harder, making her take more of him as he fucked her mouth without restraint.

Her pussy clenched, juices flooding her folds to wet her thighs, surprised to find she enjoyed his rough dominance. His moans grew sharper, his thrusts more insistent until with a strangled cry, he flooded her mouth and throat with hot semen. She almost choked on it, but swallowed as fast as it jetted out. He let her go, shuddering, but still she sucked and licked, getting every last drop as he continued to moan loudly in satisfaction. After a while, he whimpered and curled away obviously growing too sensitive.