Chapter 10 #2
Seeming grateful for the change in subject, Chuck sat up and crossed her legs, toying with a leaf.
Starting at it while lost in thought, she began to tell him about growing up in rural Wyoming, watching the seasons change, and romping through the wide-open spaces.
She was a bit of a tomboy. Her mother, Carla, was quiet and kind, a gentle woman.
She’d always wanted Chuck to follow in her footsteps and become a teacher like her, but Chuck was stubborn and feisty, the near opposite.
Her dad, Gavin Charles, had always been the steadfast stoic one.
Her mother died of cancer when Chuck was eight, so her dad moved them away from the area, claiming the sight of the flowers and the fields was too painful.
“So, we ended up here. My dad joined the force and would take me to the station to see the guys. His partner, Roger, was always bringing me treats and presents. They were both there to see me off on my first date, to Homecoming, Prom. Even to graduate. A lot of the guys in the squad came to see me graduate from college as well. I’ve always been part of that family, and my dad was this larger-than-life hero to me.
I looked up to him so much because even being a single parent with a wild little girl, he always made sure I felt loved and cared for while balancing his strong sense of justice.
” She sighed wistfully and twirled the leaf in her fingers absently.
“I know everyone processes death differently, and people tell me I should let it go. Maybe it’s just me grieving, but I can’t shake the feeling that my dad and Roger were set up.
I mean… the timing, the weird smudges, the feathers…
” She shook her head. “It doesn’t make sense. ”
Feathers? Malachi tilted his head as a cold wave washed through him.
“Oh yeah, it was weird. When the responding officers arrived, there was a large pile of gray feathers under my dad. They don’t know how he fell on them without scattering them, or where they came from.
I don’t think they could even tell what kind of bird they came from.
But there was a large ring of soot around him, and he was lying on those feathers.
Honestly, it sounded like some kind of ritual. ”
Quietly, Malachi sat next to her and trained his gaze on Reena, who was now chasing a leaf that was blowing across the grass.
He didn’t want Chuck to see how much this news affected him.
He’d assumed one of her parents was an angel, but he thought it was her mother.
Now he was absolutely certain it was her father, and he never told her his heritage.
The feathers and soot were from his wings when his grace left his corporeal form.
Furthermore, whoever killed him was someone who knew how to destroy an angel because they couldn’t be killed through normal means.
A gunshot wouldn’t be fatal, a knife to the heart would just tickle.
Angels had to be stabbed with a forsaken blade, and there weren’t too many of those lingering on Earth.
Stomach churning, Malachi stole a glance at Chuck from the corner of his eye.
She was still lost in her memories, her nose scrunched, eyebrows furrowed.
She suspected there was more to her dad’s passing than what the investigation showed, and she was correct.
He’d been targeted. Malachi was certain of it.
There’s no way some random street criminal had a forsaken blade just lying around in case an angel just happened to show up.
Acid rose in his throat, and for one horrifying moment, he thought he might puke.
“Reena!” came Chuck’s sharp snap.
Eyes flying to his companion, Malachi noted with amusement that she was snarling and growling at another dog easily ten times her size.
The bored Doberman was staring down at her with his head tilted in irritation.
He gave one mighty bark, no doubt intended to warn her off.
That only served to send Reena into a circling frenzy of yowls and yips.
Malachi realized the larger dog was standing on her leaf and didn’t seem to care that she wanted it back.
I got her, Malachi sighed wearily to Chuck as she watched nervously.
He stood and stretched lazily before making his way over to the pair, taking his time with a leisurely pace.
A whimper escaped Reena then as the other dog bared his teeth and snapped like he was going to bite her.
Launching himself like a rocket, Malachi barreled into the other dog at top speed.
Back the fuck off, my Chuglet, you cock sucking piece of horse shit! he growled. The Doberman fell over hard and yelped in surprise at the sudden attack. Not one to back down, though, he quickly gained his feet and spun to growl at Malachi.
Glancing over his shoulder and noting Chuck now staring in alarm, Malachi made sure his back was to her.
His lips peeled back in a display of fangs, and his eyes glowed red with Hellfire as he glared at the other dog.
With a yelp and tail tucking whimper, the Doberman spun and hurried away, crying.
Just like the little bitch you are! Malachi taunted him.
Chuckling, he turned to Reena, who was mourning the status of her leaf, which was now crushed beyond repair.
C’mon, Re-re, Chuck has a new one for you, he reassured her while also relaying the message to Chuck.
Escorting Reena over to Chuck, where she received her new leaf with a piggy snort of happiness, Malachi rolled his eyes at his companion. She would indeed be a fantastic demon, but she needed to learn to stand up for herself. He would need to teach her a few things.
“Hey!” came a loud, aggressive hail from behind him.
Turning, Malachi spotted a blond muscle-bound man who spent too much time in the tanning bed and probably peaked in high school.
He glanced around and sure enough, spotted an IROC Z-28 Camaro with peeling paint in the parking lot nearby.
“Your dog attacked my dog, lady! I’m reporting that!
” he waggled a giant meaty finger at her.
Slowly, Chuck stood, dusting off her pants and regarded the man with a mild smile. “Is that so? I assume you missed the part where your dog was attacking my other dog first?” She lazily gestured at Reena, who was happily trotting in circles, leaf held high in her underbite.
The man squinted at Reena and sneered. “That’s a dog?
I thought that was a river rat!” A booming laugh erupted from his chest as if he’d just told the world’s funniest joke.
“C’mon now, Spike wasn’t going to hurt it, he was just saying hello.
But your other dog actually did attack my boy!
” his gaze turned on Malachi and glared, baring his teeth.
Malachi glared right back and bared his own fangs in response.
“See!” the man shouted, pointing his other meaty finger at Malachi now. “He’s vicious! He needs to be reported!”
“You’re right.” Chuck nodded seriously, widening her eyes.
“He is vicious. You know why?” She leaned in with a sly smile.
“I’ll let you in on a secret. Malachi is trained to be vicious.
His favorite treat is balls. But he’s not a fan of those filled with steroids.
Those little shriveled sacks just don’t hold that juicy squish he’s so fond of. ”
The man blinked in confusion, trying to understand her reference while Malachi wheezed with laughter. He counted down until the meathead got it. Three… two… one…
“Fuck you bitch!” he screamed, spit spraying from his lips as his face turned so red he might have been suffering a stroke. He took one step forward, and before he could lift his other foot, Chuck closed the distance. Now the man stared at her in confusion as she shoved her badge in his face.
“Here’s my problem, Bobby. Or Larry. Or Daryl.
Whatever your name is. I’m a police officer, and that dog right there?
Malachi? He’s my partner. My K-9 partner.
So, ask yourself, Jimbo. Do you know what the charges are for assaulting an officer?
Human or canine? Because I’m happy to explain them both.
” She arched an eyebrow and waited while the large muppet of a man slowly processed her words.
Fortunately for Timmy, or whatever his name was, he stepped back. “S-sorry,” he stuttered. “I didn’t know.”
Shaking her head, Chuck snorted in disgust. “Does it make a difference? When you didn’t know I could shoot your ass or set my K-9 on you, it was all fun and games.
You were ready to pound on what you thought was a defenseless woman.
Or intimidate me. Now that you know better, I bet it was all just a great joke, wasn’t it?
” Nodding at his terrified expression, she huffed a wry laugh.
“What I thought. So, here’s the deal. You’re going to turn around, walk away, and I won’t write this up.
Or stick around, and I’ll show you just how tight I can get my cuffs.
After Malachi retrieves you, of course.”
Malachi lifted his lip and curled it slightly, a low warning rumble in his throat.
“My apologies for disturbing you, officer. Have a lovely evening.” Beefcake turned on his heel and marched away with what little dignity he had left. His dog hurried after him, tail still between his legs.
Malachi punched a little darkness towards him and was rewarded by watching the Doberman haul ass to the car, sprinkling pee the whole way. Poor Spike, Malachi laughed.
Bright bubbling laughter echoed his as Chuck plopped back on the grass and scratched Reena’s wiggling behind. “Alright, Malachi. What do you say we go see a witch?”