Night Angel (Angel Haven) (18 page)

His legs lengthened and widened as new muscles formed. His skin rippled, bones popping and cracking as they changed to resemble an animal’s back legs, claws sprouting from his toes, his skin darkening to a rich purple. He straightened, rising far above his human height to over seven feet. His arms thickened and his shoulders broadened to support the wings on his back. Claws extended from his fingers as the change continued. His hair grew longer, flowing down his back in an ebony wave between his wings and stopping just above his tail.

He turned to her, his face elongated just enough to distort his human features. His brow protruded over his eyes, the only part of him that hadn’t changed. They stared at her, sadness filling them as he watched her back away from him.

He pulled himself up to his full height. “See me, Karen, as I am in the night.”

His voice rumbled through her. Here was her night visitor. His naked body still magnificent, even though he was no longer human. His power sang in her, making her own answer with a surge she wouldn’t have expected.

She could feel the fairy magic hum around them, filling her up to the point where she thought she’d burst. Her vision grew sharper as the earth called to her. She wanted to dance with sudden joy as a feeling of welcome wrapped around her. The night sang in her veins as Randall’s power changed with his body. This, she knew, was what was exactly meant to be for them.

“You’re taller than I thought you’d be. What exactly are you?”

He took a step toward her. “I’m a human/gargoyle hybrid. By day, I’m Randall Dupré. At sundown, I become a guardian, protector of the fairy realm.”

Karen watched him take a few steps in her direction. “I should be really mad at you right now.”

He stopped. “I know.”

“Not for the reason you were so afraid of.” She smiled as his gaze shot to her face. “Troyington was right. I
am
a great detective.”

He frowned. “I don’t understand.”

She chuckled. “I figured out you were the guardian awhile ago. It just kills me I have to admit Troyington was right about something.”

“You’re not mad at me?”

She grinned. “I should be, considering you’d think I’d turn from you because at night you grow wings and turn purple. This isn’t even close to some of the things I’ve seen as a hero. I’d never leave you, Randall.” She let her gaze roam over his body. “Besides, no matter what form you’re in, you look really good naked.”

He smiled as he held his arms open and she ran to him. She held him tightly as his wings folded around them. She snuggled closer, letting the warmth of his body comfort her as she drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Fifteen

Karen blinked the sleep from her eyes and looked up to see Randall extending his hand to her. He was wide awake and dressed. He pulled her to her feet and she rocked her head from side to side, rubbing the back of her neck. “You’re really comfortable for a rock, but I shouldn’t have slept in one position all night.”

He turned her around, gently massaging her neck and shoulders. “Better?”

“Yes.” She turned in his arms. “I wish we had more time. I’d like to try that whole bonding thing again.”

Randall smiled and pulled her closer. “I know what you mean.”

She smoothed his hair off his forehead. “I want you to promise me something.”

“Anything.”

She gazed into his eyes. “I don’t want you to be afraid of telling me anything ever again. I’m your soul mate. I’ll always stand by you.”

Randall leaned closer to her. “I promise. Anything you want to know, I’ll tell you.”

“Good,” she whispered before brushing his lips with hers.

The locked clicked, and Randall moved in front of Karen as Troyington and his men entered. He stood in the doorway for a moment, staring at the two of them. A quick look of disbelief crossed his face, but then the familiar cold smile returned as he headed toward them.

“How was your night?”

Karen eyed him warily as he circled them. “It was all right but a little chilly. You should think about putting a heater in here. It would make the room a little more comfortable.”

Troyington frowned. “The people put here aren’t supposed to be comfortable.”

Karen tapped her chin. “Oh, yes. People you’re afraid of. People like Randall.”

He grabbed her arm, making her wince. “Dupré is a freak of nature. You saw that for yourself. You should be begging me to take you back.”

She yanked her arm from his grasp, stepping back to feel Randall’s arms go around her waist. “He might not be human, but at least he’s not you.”

Troyington’s face flushed a deep crimson and his eyes darkened. “Fine,” he said, his voice shaking with anger. “If that’s your choice, then his fate will be yours. I thought you would’ve had more sense than to choose a monster.”

“I didn’t,” she retorted. “I chose Randall.”

Troyington stormed out, his men behind him, slamming the door hard enough to make their ears ring. She sagged against Randall, feeling their power flare. She laid her head back and closed her eyes, seeing him the night before as the guardian, large and untouchable and deliciously naked.

Karen turned in his arms. “When we get out of this, I’m burning those pants.”

His hands went to her hips and he pulled her close. “Oh? Why?”

She hooked her fingers in his waistband. “They’ve got this annoying habit of obscuring my view of you.”

“I could say the same thing about yours.” She felt her power protest as his pushed their desire down. “When we get out of here, I’ll even light the match. But first, we have to get out.”

She sighed. “Got it.”

He led her to the door. “I can’t get close enough to hear anything. Can you?”

She laid her ear against the door, jumping back as the metal shocked her. “Ow!” She rubbed her ear and scowled at the door. “That didn’t happen yesterday.”

Randall turned her head to see if she was burned. “Yesterday, you touched the door before we bonded. When we shared power, you took part of me inside you.”

She winked. “More than one part.”

He grinned. “The
power
part must’ve given you a partial vulnerability to cold iron.”

“Maybe with the part of me you have, your vulnerability won’t be so bad.”

He eyed the door. “Let’s see.” He touched a finger to the door and jerked back with a yelp. He inspected his fingertip. It was red, but the blistering was almost nonexistent. It didn’t even feel like a burn any more, but like tiny pin pricks.

He looked at Karen as he held up his hand for inspection. “I think your power gives me a little bit of protection. It still hurts and makes my skin crawl, but not as bad.”

She held his hand, studying the burn. “There’s no bubbles. I’m glad my power does something for you.”

He gazed at her, curling his fingers around hers. “Yes, it does.”

She drew in a deep breath. “Stop looking at me like that, or we’ll never get out of here.” She leaned as close to the door as she dared. “I think I hear someone coming.”

Karen stood next to Randall and steadied her breathing. She focused her combat sense, preparing for a fight. She could feel Randall’s anger next her like a solid wall of granite. His power built inside her, darkening from light lavender to deep purple. She could almost taste his rage in her mouth. After so many years of keeping her emotions under control, she welcomed them and the strength they would give her.

Cray opened the door allowing Troyington to enter, followed by Edna and Harmon. He pushed the door shut and the group moved to confront them.

Troyington waved his men forward. “Hold him. He’s not going to like what’s going to happen.”

Cray reached for Randall, and Karen’s hand shot out, grabbing his arm. She bent his wrist at an unnatural angle. “Randall might not be able to fight you because of the contract you made him sign, but I’m not from his world. I can.” She bent his wrist a little further, making him cry out. “You won’t hurt him any more.”

Troyington stepped closer to her. “But, my dear, we’re here for you.”

She looked at him. “I’m not going.”

She jabbed Cray in the face with his own hand, knocking him to the floor. She threw a punch at Troyington, who blocked it easily. He blocked every punch from her in rapid succession, finally trapping her arms at her sides.

Randall grabbed Troyington around his neck from behind. “Let her go.” Troyington dropped his hold on Karen, and Randall threw him across the room.

Karen saw Cray surge to his feet, bringing his arm back to hit her. She crossed her arms in an X in front of her face. Pushing his fist out of the way, she hit his chest with an open palm strike. He staggered back, and she took him down with a low leg sweep.

Harmon grabbed Randall, throwing him against the concrete wall. Randall connected a solid punch to Harmon’s chin before Harmon drove his meaty fist in to Randall’s stomach, dropping him to the floor.

Karen faced off with Troyington when she felt an all too familiar stab at the back of her neck. Edna again stood behind her with an empty syringe.

Randall got to his knees as blood dripped from his head to the floor. “No!” Harmon grabbed his head and pushed him down before slamming him against the floor.

Karen blinked furiously trying to clear her vision. Troyington caught her as her legs gave out. She saw Randall lying unmoving on the floor, blood pooling under his head. His power dulled to a low light inside her, then nothing more.

****

Karen sat up, rubbed her head, and moaned. “I wish Edna would quit doing that.”

“Quit what?”

She carefully turned her head and squinted to make out the figure of a teenage boy sitting next to her on the floor. “Stabbing me with needles to knock me out. It’s getting old.” She stuck her hand out. “I’m Karen. James, right?”

He shook her hand, eyeing her warily. “Right. How do you know me?”

She stood up, taking a few wobbly steps as she brushed herself off. “I was there the day Edna took blood samples from you.” She pulled him to his feet. “I’m so sorry you’ve been hurt.”

He shrugged. “They haven’t done anything too bad to us yet, but I’ve got a feeling that’s about to change. The Oracle told us you’d be coming. She said, ‘When the dragon angel comes, the end will be near.’ I could smell the dragon power in you as soon as you got dumped here.”

Karen trembled as James’ words sank in. Had time run out? Was she going to be able to save the pack children? Could she get a message to the Angels? How was she going to let Randall know?

James’s eyes narrowed and he leaned closer to her, inhaling deeply. “You smell like the guardian,” he said, interrupting her thoughts.

“We’re soul mates.” Karen watched James. “He told me what you and the others are.”

Suspicion filled his face. “And that doesn’t frighten you?”

She shook her head. “No. One of my best friends is a shape-shifter, and my soul mate changes into a gargoyle at night. You guys are comparatively normal.”

He looked skeptical. “You make it a point to hang out with supernatural creatures?”

Karen nodded. “You could say that. I’m a member of a team of paranormals.”

“This team got a name?” he asked. “I mean, if you’re a ‘superhero,’ don’t all those teams have names?”

She nodded again. “Yes, they do. My team is the Angels.”

“That is so
cool
!” said an excited voice behind her. The girl had short brown hair, and she wore a shirt hanging loosely from her narrow shoulders, and her pants sagged around her tiny hips.

Karen noticed the bandage on the side of her neck. “Nikki, right?”

The teen nodded vigorously. “I follow everything you guys do. I wish there was more about you in the papers.”

Karen checked the girl’s wound. “I’m glad you weren’t seriously hurt the other day.”

Her joy immediately vanished. “The guardian was, and it’s all our fault.”

James stood behind her. “It’s his job to protect us.”

She whirled around to face him. “The guardian suffers so we won’t be hurt.”

“That’s what the guardians are trained for,” James said, his voice rising. “They’re the protectors of our realm.”

Nikki scowled at him, then dismissed him with a wave of her hand. “Whatever.”

Karen thought maybe James was trying a little too hard to convince Nikki. “James, we’re out of time. Troyington has plans to dissect some of you.”

The color drained from Nikki’s face. “What do we do?”

“We find a way out of here.” Karen looked around. “Where are we, anyway?”

“A cabin in the hills,” James said, his voice shaking. “We’ve checked it out. We’re not leaving until they let us.”

The cabin! Karen had found it and still had no idea where it was located. “Maybe a fresh pair of eyes can find something, and the wood folk know about this cabin.”

James shook his head. “The one they know about is a decoy. This one’s farther up in the hills and hidden somehow.”

The door crashed open and Cray and Harmon stood there.

Karen moved in front of the teens. “Go in the other room, guys. Stay there until I come for you. Understand?”

James nodded as he pushed Nikki into the back room. Karen faced the two men.

Cray curled his hands into large fists. “Mr. Troyington wants all the teenagers.”

Karen stepped back with her right foot, resting her weight on it. “Too bad.”

Harmon glared at her. “Your wishes make no difference to us. Stand aside.”

“It’s a funny thing about heroes.” She sprang forward, throwing punches at Harmon, staggering him back, then turned to Cray. “We don’t like kids being hurt. We frown even harder on them being dissected to give some greedy bastard more power.”

Karen blocked Cray’s wild swing, but her movements were sluggish from the drugs still running through her system. As she pulled her arm back, Harmon clouted her on the back of her head, and while she was reeling, spun her around to strike her.

Karen threw her arm up, but he clipped her chin before throwing her against the wall, stunning her for a second. She struggled to pull air into her lungs as she blocked his kick, before delivering one of her own. Cray jumped in and drove his fist down, knocking her to the floor.