Chapter 3
MALICIOUS
My lips curl into a little mischievous smile as I enter the small shop. The smell of coffee almost overwhelms the scent of books as I make my way to the back of the bookstore. I find myself making unnecessarily wide turns around bookshelves, leaving room for the wings that aren’t there. Every time I slip this glamour on, my back aches from missing the weight of my black-tipped bronze metal wings. But it’s worth it to be here right now.
Yesterday … I felt something. There was a tingling on my skin, an awareness brushing against my brain. Like a memory that won’t quite solidify, or like a name you know but can’t recall. It lasted just a few moments, but it was enough to pique my interest. So, I decided to come to the human realm to … investigate if for no other reason than it’s something to do—something to dull the never-ending boredom.
A chuckle hovers behind my lips as I pass the people browsing the shelves, sitting in chairs, sipping on overpriced drinks …
Stupid prey. They have no idea there’s a predator amongst them.
Is The Divide down? No. Do I give a flying fuck? Also, no. It eats through my magic, but with it being so close to the summer solstice, I’m powerful enough to push through and hold myself here.
My kind, the nepha, have always been one of the few species able to cross The Divide close to or during a time of power—winter and summer solstice, vernal and autumnal equinox, all hallow’s eve, and a few others.
I haven’t found the source of the unease from yesterday, but a different thread of magic has drawn me to this shop. It continues to pull me towards the back of the store until I round a floor-to-ceiling bookcase. A small reading nook greets me. It’s enclosed by two walls painted a deep blue and two “walls” made of bookshelves. Thick rugs blanket the creaky wood floor, and I step over one of the many large pillows scattered about. As I sink into one of the four overstuffed chairs, I cross my legs and wait for the only other person in this little space to acknowledge me.
Resting my chin on my hand, I read the spines of some of the books. I’ll wait for her to speak first. This is a power play—everything is between monsters. I’m patient enough to win. That’s how I’ve risen to the top.
But oh, how lonely it is all the way up here. No, not lonely. I’m not lonely. I’m bored.
And that’s why I’m here. There’s something going on in this town, and I want to know what. A little mystery to solve, something to pull me from my deepening apathy.
The little chandelier overhead casts broken light from its stained glass. A poor fixture to read by, but the addition of adjustable lamps curved over each chair makes up for it.
The way the fractured light of the pendent spills over the white-blond hair of the woman reading in the chair opposite me makes her look like a Picasso painting.
I conjure a steaming cup of tea, the scent of apples and cinnamon wafting from the porcelain cup as I take a sip.
With a sigh, she closes her book with a soft thud. She uncrosses and re-crosses her long legs, her skirt flowing around her ankles. Setting the book on a side table, she taps her pointed nail on the arm of her chair. I smirk as that nail lengthens into a claw. I know she means it as a threat, but I only find it amusing that she’d try.
She tsks, drawing my gaze to her angelic face as she asks, “What brings the great Malicious to the human realm?”
“Hello, it’s nice to see you too, Galathiel.” My eyes flick to the Bible shelved in the middle of the bookcase behind her. With a flick of my power, the book tumbles to the floor, the thin, gold-foiled pages flopping open. “Or should I call you, Gabriel?”
She rolls her eyes. “I don’t do that anymore.” When I raise a brow, she sighs. “Not that often. You used to do it too, Archangel Michael.”
It’s a struggle to keep my chuckle contained. Ah, the glory days of appearing in the sky over a battlefield. Sometimes I wore my actual form, other times I’d add eyes, arms, extra wings … I’d often hover over a battle, wings flapping to reflect the sunlight just right. I never knew nor cared what the humans were fighting over, but more often than not, “god” was screamed in one language or another as they stabbed, sliced, beat, and trampled each other. Then later came the guns and bombs.
Humans are clever. I find them interesting. The multitude of ways they’ve come up with to kill each other is impressive. Humans are complicated, fascinating creatures.
I rub my hand over my lips to hide my smile from Galathiel as I recall how I used to just pick a side, tell them “god” was with them, then I’d “smite” their enemies. So many bodies, so many souls.
The humans started calling us angels, and our power only grew with each human soul consumed. We glutted ourselves, easily rising to the top of the monster hierarchy.
Ancients are the only ones with more power.
I’m pulled from my thoughts as Galathiel’s nails tap the wood surface of the small table to her right. A guarded expression makes her beautiful face seem frozen, her flat gaze holding mine as she asks, “Seriously, Malicious, why waste the magic to be here?”
I shrug, not about to share my suspicions. “I could ask you the same.”
Her eyes flick towards the main room beyond this little nook before she drops her gaze and shrugs. “It’s something to do.”
I understand that sentiment all too well. “Same. I just felt like getting out of the house.”
She snorts, re-crossing her legs again. “You mean that hideous castle you call home?”
I press my hand to my chest in feigned offense. “Hideous? I’ll have you know it’s known as the treasure of the mountain pass.”
“Yeah, by you.”
I smile, leaning forward slightly. I hold her gaze. Her eyes flash a luminous silver before turning back to a cold, ice blue. Parting her lips, her gaze travels down my body like she’s picturing me without my clothes. I’m sure she’s successful, and not just because most of our kind don’t bother with clothing unless we’re mingling with the gullible humans. Galathiel and I have known each other … intimately. But that was a long, long time ago.
When I remain silent, my mocking smile firmly in place, she shifts in her chair, and I can practically feel her anxiety rising. Wicked intent fills my eyes, and she sinks deeper into the cushions as I say, “So you’re breaking your boredom by coming here to … read.” I push my magic into the small space around us. Her shiver of fear makes my toes curl.
She glances towards the main part of the shop again before dropping her gaze, her nails nearly punching holes in the arms of her chair. “Are you claiming this territory? I heard the dremar, Paine, laid claim here to protect his mate.”
Again, her eyes flick over my shoulder.
Interesting. What has her so interested in this particular place?
With a slow inhale, I take another sip of my tea before vanishing it with my magic
I sit back and cross my ankle over my knee, grinning. “Yes. I am.”
Her head stays bowed, but her hands clench and she grits her teeth before she disappears.
Hmm. Very interesting. Galathiel is up to something. Is it the same thing I’m here for? Tilting my head back, my eyes unfocus on the stained-glass fixture above me. What is it about this location in the human realm? Fated mates are rare enough, but to be mated with a human …?
I’ve searched for so long. I’m so lone?—
No! I’m just bored. Mind numbingly, eternally bored.
Something is going on in this seemingly inconsequential town where not one, but two human mates have been found. First, Paine, the dremar found his human woman. Just like the humans call my kind angels, they call Paine’s kind gargoyles, and well … close enough.
Then, the little poisonous anza, Vex, found their human male.
Both monster’s mates just happen to live on the same street in this town.
I rise from the chair to leave, and a female voice brings me out of my thoughts. “This is my favorite shop. Great coffee. Good selection of books, and they are always happy to order anything for you if they don’t have it.”
I step out of the reading nook only to have a little human female bounce off my chest. She stumbles back, hitting a bookcase. Her eyes widen as she looks at me, and … something familiar tickles my brain. That same sensation from yesterday. Before I can delve deeper into the sensation, another woman at her side exclaims, “Oh! Are you okay?”
I can’t peel my gaze from the small female who ran into me. Her dark hair is shaved on the sides, the longer velvety strands on top falling over her emerald eyes as she ducks her face. Her tank top shows off toned, tanned arms leading to delicate fingers. Despite her small size, her legs seem to go on forever, revealed by her short shorts.
Fuck. She’s delicious.
She pushes off the bookcase she fell against with a nervous smile, and her voice caresses me like a hug as she says to the other woman, “I’m fine. I’m not normally this clumsy, I swear.”
The other woman chuckles as the pixie-like female lifts her eyes to me. “Are you okay?”
Both women face me, and I cross my arms. “No harm done.”
From the corner of my eye, I see the other woman cross her arms, mirroring me like I’m not the most powerful being she’s ever been in contact with. How do humans have so little ingrained self-preservation?
The woman who ran into me does look slightly … spooked. She darts her gaze around before visibly calming herself with a deep breath. Is there something else besides me that scared this little creature?
The other woman snorts. “You shouldn’t apologize, Summer. He ran into you.”
Summer. Summer. Summer.
The name floats and dances in my mind.
Summer’s face loses some of the tension it was holding, and the prettiest smile lifts her cheeks. “I think it was a mutual running-into.”
I smile back at her. “A fated collision, if you will.”
She blinks at me, and I wonder at my own choice of words. Summer’s eyes focus over my shoulder, her expression turning startled, then she looks at the other woman, who just looks mildly annoyed. Summer turns back to me, her eyes tracing over my body before she drops her gaze with a little shake of her head.
I have no idea what’s going through her mind, but before I’m able to come up with something else to say to hear her voice again, my attention snaps behind the two women.
Magic punches into me, but I don’t budge, not even an inch. What appears to be a human man comes around a corner, the two drinks in his hands vanishing with a pulse of power. I’m reaching for Summer before I can think about it, but the man comes up behind the other one, wrapping an arm around her chest, pulling her against him with a possessive growl. Ah. So, this is Paine’s mate. I was so focused on Summer, I didn’t recognize her. And honestly, I probably wouldn’t have recognized her anyway. I don’t concern myself with the particulars of humans … usually.
But my heart definitely sunk into my stomach when I thought Paine was coming for Summer.
Without his blue skin, horns, wings, and tail, Paine looks, well, painfully human. But his magic is rolling off him in an obvious warning. The mate bond must dull one’s self-preservation, because even though this dremar is powerful, very powerful, he’s nothing compared to me. And despite knowing this, he’s still threatening me.
Though, I guess if I had my own mate, I’d do anything for them. My eyes drift to Summer. I’d hunt down the last glimmer of light from the farthest star for my mate.
With his eyes on me, Paine leans down, whispering in his female’s ear. I hear the word nepha, and I sneer as her eyes go wide before she schools her features. Fate has gifted Paine a brave mate. She grabs Summer’s hand, pulling her towards the exit … away from me. I have the sudden urge to seal every door and window in this book shop to keep Summer from escaping.
With great effort, I pull my attention away from the retreating women as Paine crowds my space. I give him some grace, not immediately draining his magic at his impudence. Cocking a brow at him, I nod over his shoulder. “Congratulations on finding your mate.”
He blinks at me before crossing his arms. “This is my territory, Malicious. Go hunt somewhere else.”
I pat his cheek like he’s a child, and to his credit, he doesn’t flinch. “It was your territory. It’s mine now.”
The intentional sting of my magic makes his face twitch, and when I drop my arm, he gives in and takes a step back. “Why? Why here? It’s a big planet. Find somewhere else. I won’t let you endanger my mate.”
Why here indeed?
I shift my weight, cocking my hip. “Are you willing to fight for this territory? You and your mate could move somewhere else. In fact, that is exactly what you should do. As you said, it’s a big planet.”
Paine shakes his head. “Mira’s home is here. Her job. Her life.”
The fact that Paine doesn’t want to take his mate and run even though he should, supports my theory that there’s something about this place. This town. I smile to myself. I’m definitely not bored. In fact, this mystery is turning out to be quite fun.
Looking at Paine, something deep in my chest aches.
Mate. To have a bond that deep, a love so perfectly matched …
Shifting, I turn and head back into the cozy reading nook. Paine follows me without a word. I don’t sit, but turn to face the dremar, crossing my arms. My magic surrounds us, making us invisible while keeping humans away so we can have a private discussion.
“Okay, dremar, I have a proposition for you.”
His lips curl at the insult of me calling him by his species and not his name. “Go on then, nepha.”
I raise a brow with a malicious smile. “I will concede that I’ve encroached on what used to be your territory. And I’m sure your mate bond is driving you hard right now—all those animalistic protective instincts telling you to take me out, even knowing how outmatched you are.” Paine growls but dips his head in the slightest show of submission. “Unfortunately, if you do stay here, you’ll have to figure out how to reign in that gnawing instinct. Going against me will lead to your death. Then where will your pretty mate be?”
His magic shimmers, his wings flaring wide, his horns spiraling from his head, his tail whipping out. A second later, he gets himself back under control, fixing his human appearance. I chuckle, enjoying his struggle, but before I push him too far, I hold up a hand. “I will offer you payment for the territory.”
Paine stares at me for a solid minute, no doubt trying to figure out the catch. Finally, he asks, “Payment?”
“Mmm. I’m feeling generous, so I’ll allow you as well as Vex to remain.”
Paine tries to hide his shock, but I catch it before he smooths his features and crosses his arms again. “And?”
I laugh at his audacity, but I must admit, I’m enjoying myself, and that’s fucking fantastic. “And”—I hold out my hand—“I’ll give you a three-second hit of my magic every, let’s say, every four months or until I lose interest and move on.”
His eyes dip to my hand before coming back to my face. “Every week.”
“Three months.”
“Once a month. And Vex gets a hit too.”
Interesting. Are the mated pair working together? Are they … friends?
Fascinating.
“But if I ever call you, no matter when or for what, you will come.”
Paine waits a beat before nodding.
I nod back, holding out my arm. “Deal.”
Paine clasps his hand around my forearm. I release my magic, letting him pull it inside himself for the count of three. I assumed I’d have to rip my arm from his grip, but as soon as the three seconds are up, Paine releases me. He rolls his shoulders with a shudder.
Yes, I know. He certainly got the better end of this deal. But not if I find what I want. What I’ve wanted for so, so long. My someone. My only one.
Paine turns to leave, and I drop the magic shield around us. Before he steps out of the nook, he looks over his shoulder at me. “Why? Why here? Why now?”
I shrug with a smirk. “Why not? It seems to have worked out for you and Vex.”
Paine looks me up and down, and I know I’ve said too much, but he doesn’t say anything. He turns and leaves, but I swear I catch his lips twitching with the beginnings of a smile.
As soon as the dremar’s magical presence fades, my thoughts shift. I’m intrigued. I’m … entertained. I hadn’t really thought it through, but I think I’ll set up what the humans call a base of operations. I won’t stay in the human realm all the time; I won’t drain my magic unnecessarily, but being here will make it easier to investigate, and maybe find …
Summer’s green eyes flash through my mind.
I shake off the memory of the tempting female.
I clench my hands in frustration. My power continues to syphon away as I fight The Divide to stay in the human realm, yet Paine and Vex can stay here all the time if they wish at no cost to their magic.
It’s a well-guarded secret that the strength of a true mate bond snaps the magic of the veil of The Divide that keeps monsters and humans separated. Not many monsters know this, but I’ve done my research.
I roll my shoulders, once again missing the weight of my wings. What type of dwelling should I go with this time? Maybe something modern. A small house, open and spacious. To avoid prying eyes, I’ll wait for The Divide to fall tonight. While the humans are all locked behind their precious blood-carvings, I’ll use my magic to construct a house nearby—close enough to keep an eye on things, but far enough to give Paine, Vex, and their mates the perception of space.
In contrast with my other homes, I think this time I’ll create something with stark white walls where I can showcase some art. Picasso jumps to mind, but then, Summer’s face flashes through my thoughts, and Picasso seems wrong. No. I need Vangogh’s Vase with Twelve Sunflowers. I need his A Meadow in The Mountains. I need Renoir’s Bal du moulin de la Galette. And on second thought, I will add a Picasso. His Two Women Running on a Beach.
And just for fun, in my bedroom, I’ll add Raphael’s piece, St. Michael Vanquishing Satan. The archangel in the famous painting doesn’t look all that much like me, but I find it amusing.
I laugh as I step outside, and the sun warms my human skin. How I long to unfurl my wings and let my black-tipped bronze feathers glint in the light. We don’t have a sun in our realm, and I’ve always found our world of perpetual night darkly beautiful. But now, something about the summer sun makes me want to take to the skies and dance through the puffy clouds.