Chapter Eight
“Nah.”
Killian shook his head, his brawny arms crossed. “You gotta talk to us first before Ethan is involved, if we ever allow you near him at all.”
Raziel chewed the side of his mouth, still enraged by Zymore’s presence. There weren’t enough favors or excuses in the universe that would sway Raziel to give the angel even an ounce of forgiveness.
If the opportunity presented itself again, Raziel would put everything into testing the theory that an angel couldn’t die. But as long as his son was under this roof, he would back off.
“Do you plan on taking him from us?”
Stewart blurted out, his eyes begging Raziel to see reason.
Killian and his family weren’t going to plead for shit. It was in their powerful stances, in their I-dare-you-to-even-try-motherfucker glares. They stood united, clearly forgetting that Raziel could flash his son, Cody, and himself out of here before they were even aware anything had happened.
But Raziel had been fucked every which way imaginable, and he wasn’t going to pay back the family who was taking care of his son in such a foul way.
“No.”
It was a short answer with no emotion behind it. It held that numbness trying to sink over him. He felt like he had just denied his son, like that single word had severed his bond with Ethan.
“How do we know you’re telling the truth?”
Quinton looked Raziel in the eye, one man asking another if he had enough honor to stand by his word.
Raziel gave a derisive laugh. “I’m being hunted. I have nothing to offer him, not even a home. The only thing I had to give him was some of my powers, which I placed inside his bear to keep him protected.”
“ That’s why he has a meltdown if he doesn’t have it with him!”
Stewart looked both relieved for an explanation to Ethan’s sudden attachment to the toy and pissed that Raziel had unleashed the toddler’s tantrums.
“I’m not going to apologize for protecting him.”
Raziel’s gaze flicked between Quinton, Killian, and Ryker, who had just joined them. “No offense, but the tiny bit of power inside that stuffed animal is more potent than the combined brawn of three bear shifters.”
“Seriously?”
Ryker curled his lip and stepped forward, but Quinton held out a hand to stop him.
“As much as it pisses you off, the truth is the truth, son.”
Quinton gazed at Raziel the entire time. “But the delivery needs improvement.”
Raziel wasn’t fooled by Quinton’s calm demeanor. Barely contained rage simmered just under the surface, waiting for an excuse to be unleashed. One wrong move, one toe out of line, and Papa Everhart was ready to sacrifice his life to keep Ethan safe, ending whoever threatened the “cub.”
If the bears weren’t radiating such hostility, like they were raring for a fight, Raziel probably wouldn’t come off as such a prick. He actually liked this family. Just not at the moment.
He could also sense Cody’s unease in the storm brewing in front of them. From the way Stewart edged closer to Killian, the human mate wasn’t comfortable with it either.
Someone had to stand down or the four of them would remain this way. And how was that going to help anyone?
I can’t believe I’m doing this. But for Ethan, Cody, and even Stewart, Raziel would go against his instincts and be the first to offer an olive branch.
“I’m not here to take him from anyone.”
Raziel placed his hands on his hips, glancing at the rug Ethan so often played on. “ To tell the truth, I wouldn’t know how to give him half the love your family shows him, and I couldn’t give him nearly as much as he deserves.”
Cody’s hand touched his back, and for the first time, Raziel had someone in his corner. His mate had no idea how precious a gift that was to him. He might as well have placed the universe at Raziel’s feet.
“But you want to be a part of his life,”
Quinton stated.
Why was this so fucking hard? It was easier when they were snarling at each other. Raziel didn’t know how to be humble, how to be civil when faced with such a difficult situation. He was used to lashing out like an animal, like he’d tried to do upstairs.
In his mind, making Cody hate him was better than hoping his mate loved him. One was easy. The other involved trust and vulnerability, two things he never had the luxury of giving.
“If you’ll let me”—Raziel cleared his throat—“I could teach him how to control his powers and how to conceal them.”
Cody curled his fingers into the back waistband of Raziel’s pants, stepping closer. Did his kitten think he didn’t want him there?
Well, jackass, in under twenty seconds, you had him convinced you didn’t want him as your mate.
If there was one thing he was good at, it was pushing people away. He slid his arm around Cody’s waist, a little embarrassed at the public show of affection.
“Looks to me like you’re learning how to show love.”
The side of Quinton’s mouth curled upward.
The side of Killian’s curled downward.
“I’ll have to talk with my mate about the lessons.”
Killian scowled. Was he really that hostile over this? And the bear had seemed so nice when Raziel had spied on him.
“And the next time you throw me out of my own bedroom, it’s you and me. I was just trying to figure out why things were going crazy.”
Killian glanced at Cody before quickly looking away. “I’ll keep my other threat to myself.”
The threat about using his bed for sex. “You’re the one who offered us the room,”
Raziel reminded him, unable to pass up poking the bear.
“To talk. Not to bang your—”
Killian scowled.
Cody stiffened, his gaze darting away. Heat and color infused his face and he looked at the door as if wondering how fast he could get out of it.
Oh, hell no. Raziel’s wings shot out, careful not to strike Cody. “Embarrass my mate again and it really will be you and me, bear.”
His eyes swirled and his fangs lengthened, the need to smite causing his hand to itch.
Next to the bear, Stewart stood, his mouth slightly open in shock. “Killian,”
he whispered. “Apologize! That was totally uncalled for.”
Quinton looked amused. Ryker simply observed him. Killian appeared remorseful.
“I’m really sorry about that dickhead comment and for embarrassing your mate.”
Raziel forgot all about the incident when Nate walked into the room, a plate piled high with food.
The demon Ethan had helped Ryker to save. The same demon who was mated to his rescuer.
Nate set everything down then glanced over at Raziel. Ryker moved closer to his mate. “Whoever ordered an angel, your delivery is late. Christmas has already come and gone.”
As badly as Raziel wanted to bare his fangs, the demon was a mate. Even he wouldn’t cross that line, though his instincts begged him to.
“I have plenty of food if you want some,”
Nate offered as he grabbed the remote, seeming unfazed he was in the same room as a heavenly being.
“Did you poison it?”
Raziel groused.
Ryker snarled.
Cody yanked sharply on the back of his black leather pants, a silent warning to shut his mouth. What did his mate expect? Angels and demons didn’t play nice together.
Nate chuckled in dismissal, which made Raziel clench his jaw. “I was locked up in a motel for a century, hanging in limbo with absolutely no one to talk to. I don’t care that you’re an angel. I’m just interested in delicious food and good conversation.”
Ryker sat next to Nate on the couch, curling his beefy arm around the small man. The glare he shot Raziel was clear. Don’t mess with his mate or suffer his wrath.
Stewart said, “I’ll be right back,”
and left the room.
Raziel glanced down at Cody. I’m really trying to prove that being locked in a cage doesn’t mean I’m gonna piss on their carpet. But they are not making it easy. He pushed the words inside his mate’s mind.
Cody’s eyes grew wide as his lips parted, his gaze darting around the room. Did he think he was hearing voices? He was, but Cody knew his damn voice.
His mate narrowed his eyes, locking gazes with Raziel. What was he doing? He would have thought his mate was pissed at him if his cute nose wasn’t twitching. Then it struck him.
Baby steps. I have to teach you telepathy first, and then you can try out your training wheels.
Cody let out a breath Raziel hadn’t been aware he was holding.
Are you trying to pop a blood vessel?
“Apparently I was going for a migraine.”
Cody rubbed his forehead. “That’s tiring and hurts my brain.”
Babe, let’s keep the telepathic thing to ourselves, okay?
As far as Raziel knew, the bears were unaware of his ability. He’d told Killian earlier that Ethan had sucked him into his head. But the telepathic ability was a secret weapon he wanted to keep in his pocket.
Cody slowly rubbed the back of his neck, giving a subtle nod.
You don’t have to act like we’re spies infiltrating their home. Simply nod.
His mate crossed his arms and rubbed his jaw, while nonchalantly giving Raziel a thumbs-up. The redhead was too damn funny.
Playing along, Raziel scratched his beard, giving one in return, then curled the same thumb around his index finger on the opposite hand and pushed it in and out, using his hair as a veil.
Cody’s brows shot up as a slow smile spread. “When?”
If Killian hadn’t had a fit about how his bed was used, Raziel would take his mate upstairs for round two.
Cody glanced down, and Raziel felt his son’s presence right next to him, their bond humming like an electrical current between them.
“I pomus,”
Ethan said, letting Raziel know he’d stayed away from the dark corner.
“What’s he talking about?”
Stewart frowned.
Amoretto, I think we should keep that between us. No one will understand, and they might become upset, scared for you. Deal?
Hugging the stuffed bear to his chest, the toddler looked as if he was mulling it over. He might not have the communication skills just yet, but he understood far more than the people in this room knew.
Ethan gave a slight nod. The subtlety around here was going to give them all away.
“Badass!”
Ethan giggled.
“Buddy, we’ve talked about this,”
Stewart gently chastised.
But his son had taken the spotlight off of the “promise” question.
He really was a badass.
Raziel hunkered down and held out his hand. They’d already touched, so there was no use keeping their distance. “Hi, Ethan. I’m Raziel.”
He heard the minute Stewart let go of his breath. Raziel wasn’t going to introduce himself as Ethan’s father. Only because it would confuse his son.
Ethan hesitated, his emerald eyes locking onto the extended hand. Then, with deliberate care, the tiny boy slid his hand into Raziel’s, his small fingers wrapping around his much larger ones. The touch was warm, impossibly soft, and it pierced through Raziel’s defenses like a blade.
This time, it wasn’t an accident. It was a choice.
Raziel’s breath hitched. The fragile trust in Ethan’s gesture threatened to undo him. His son’s hand was so delicate, so innocent, yet it held a strength that defied reason—a strength Raziel could feel resonating through their connection.
The edges of his wings twitched, an instinctive response to the flood of emotions rushing through him. How could something so small make him feel so profoundly? The ache in his chest deepened, sharp and bittersweet, as he realized this was the first moment he truly felt like a father.
“Razzy!”
Ethan grinned.
His arms ached to pick up his son and high-five his little hand. Reluctantly, he let it go. He felt Killian watching him closely. Raziel scratched his beard, flipping the bear off.
Killian chuckled. “Not even in your dreams.”
Ignoring him, Raziel pulled Cody down next to him. “Ethan, this is my mate, Cody.”
He might have been rushing the introduction with his mate, but he wanted his son to know who Cody was, to know he was family and that Ethan could trust him. But more importantly, he wanted Ethan to know he could go to Cody for help if he ever needed to.
Ethan gazed at him then reached out and touched his flaming-red hair. “Fire.”
Raziel didn’t have to look to see everyone watching them, including the demon, who rested his chin in his hand as he bent over the arm of the couch, a happy smile on his face.
“Yes, I have red hair.”
Cody nodded, seeming self-conscious that attention was being drawn to his hair.
The guy really was insane if he thought he wasn’t gorgeous.
Ethan gently touched Cody’s hair, seeming fascinated. “You hair yaffa .”
“Now that one I’m having a hard time understanding.”
Stewart smiled.
Raziel froze, the word hitting him like a strike to the chest. His son had spoken in their language—a piece of their heritage Raziel hadn’t expected to hear so soon. Pride swelled, fierce and overwhelming, momentarily stealing his breath. For the first time, he felt the weight of their connection, not just as a father but as a part of Ethan’s world.
Yes, it is beautiful, amoretto. Can you tell Cody that in his language?
Ethan frowned, as if trying to figure out how to say it. “You hair bu-wa-foo.”
He nodded, smiling at his accomplishment, his pretty white teeth showing, his dimples on display.
Cody looked at Raziel.
Raziel shrugged. “Swear it didn’t come from me.”
Ethan touched Cody’s cheek with his small hand. “Cody.”
Stewart playfully frowned. “You can say his name flawlessly, but all of us were renamed, tater tot?”
He hadn’t just said it flawlessly. Ethan had said it clearly. Raziel quickly yanked his mate away, causing Cody to fall on his ass.
Pull me in now, Ethan!
Raziel was yanked inside Ethan’s head. His wings immediately shot out, his swords manifesting. His son lay huddled, his hands over his head.
“Back away now!”
he snarled at the Sollis, which was bloated and writhing. The damn thing was too active, which led Raziel to believe that Ryker’s past use of Ethan’s mind as a passageway for his own purposes weakened the natural barriers that might have otherwise kept the Sollis dormant. This act unintentionally awakened and fed the entity.
Damn fool should have never used a child’s mind to begin with.
“What’s going on?”
Stewart sounded alarmed. “You said you weren’t going to take him! What are you doing in there!”
“Once you’re out, I’m killing you,”
Killian snarled close to Raziel’s ear.
“He wouldn’t harm his son!”
Cody shouted. “There has to be a reason, so step back, everyone!”
For the second time in less than five minutes, Raziel felt pride swell, fierce and overwhelming. He was stuck in Ethan’s mind, unable to divert his attention to tell them anything, and Cody had furiously protected his vulnerable back.
At this rate, Raziel just might grow a heart.
The Sollis pulsed forward, as if testing him.
“You will not win,”
he snarled, brandishing his swords, the steel echoing as the metal clashed together.
The Sollis jerked forward slightly then retracted, as though it was taunting Raziel, telling him that he couldn’t kill it so long as it dwelled in Ethan’s mind.
And it would be right.
But it backed down, rippling, and then a thrum sounded before it stilled.
Raziel spun and pulled Ethan to his feet, breathing heavily as he searched the toddler’s face. “Did you go near it, son?”
Ethan shook his head. “Bad men poke. Bad men say Coby name.”
Fuck. He yanked Ethan into his arms, holding on to him as he gazed at the quiet darkness. That explained why Bashar hadn’t attacked them yet. He wasn’t going to do it from the outside but from within.