Chapter 43 Ruckus, Chaos, and Handcuffs #2
Glenda pushed past the others and, with a deep fortifying breath, knocked firmly on the door.
She clasped her hands demurely in front of her body while she glanced around casually, studying the empty landing with idle curiosity.
After a few moments without response, she frowned and knocked again.
Still, no answer. Glancing over her shoulder, she widened her eyes at Malachi in a silent, ‘now what?’
Stepping forward, Malachi dissolved his body into ash and shadow, slipping slowly under the door, wary of any traps.
He faintly heard Jaxon and Nathan’s quiet exclamations of surprise at this ability.
Ignoring them, he tuned in to the interior of the darkened living space.
Casting his senses, he realized no one was home.
Huffing out a disappointed sigh, he quickly ran through the rooms and double checked there was nothing amiss before returning to the front door to open it for his friends.
“She’s not here,” he announced flatly, trying not to let his anger show.
Turning away, he stalked back through the home to search it more thoroughly.
This time, for any indication of where or what Amaryllis was up to.
“Look for clues, I guess,” he threw over his shoulder.
Standing in the small single bedroom, he glanced around at the minimal furniture in the space—no homey touches like pictures or plants.
No artwork graced the walls. Peeking in the closet, he found no clothing.
The place was sterile, bland, staged. Huffing out an irritated breath, he clenched his fists and had to bite his tongue until he tasted blood to keep from punching the wall.
A pair of arms slipped around his waist as Chuck moved beside him and stood quietly. She seemed to understand his frustration and was offering her silent support when he was ready for it. Shoulders drooping in defeat, he shimmered back into his human form and pulled her closer.
“Dammit,” he cursed softly. “This was just a setup to get Jaxon up here so she could use him to distract us.” Shaking his head and holding her tightly, he bent his lips to Chuck’s ear. “Why, Kelly? What are we missing?”
“I don’t know, Malachi, but come to the living room with the others and let’s see if we can come up with anything together.”
Nodding, he turned to follow her when something caught his gaze under the edge of the bed.
“Be right there,” he murmured. “I just want to check the bathroom.” He watched her head back to the front, where the rest of the group was gathering.
As soon as she was out of sight, he reached down and snatched the object.
A quick glance confirmed his suspicion, and his gut filled with a sickening sense of betrayal.
Shoving it in his pocket, he hurried back to the living room with the others to hear their theories.
In the car, Malachi sat in brooding silence.
He wasn’t sure whether his concerns were correct or another wild lead.
Staring out the window, watching the streetlights pass in a hazy blur, he concentrated instead on how his breath fogged the glass.
Wiping the condensation, he breathed on it again and used his finger to sketch a row of question marks in the haze before growling low in frustration.
“What’s eating you, Malachi?” Glenda interrupted his musing.
“Just… frustrated.” He sighed and glanced at the witch in the backseat.
“Wondering how many more false trails we have to go down while people keep making threats on her life.” He turned his gaze towards Kelly.
The woman who loved him, in spite of being a demon.
“I don’t know what my next step is here. I need…” He swallowed heavily. “Help.”
Nodding wisely, Glenda quietly added, “And you aren’t used to asking for it. But you did once. You prayed, and it was answered. There’s no shame in asking, Malachi. In fact, I think it makes you smarter and braver to recognize your limitations and speak up.”
After pondering her words, Malachi sighed. “Thanks, Glenda. Speaking of helping, do you think Jaxon’s okay with everything now?”
After the disappointing end to their search of the upstairs neighboring apartment, they’d returned to Jaxon’s and filled him in on the rest of the details about Chuck’s dad being an angel and her half-angel status.
They left out the revelation that Nathan killed Roger for now.
Only sharing that Nathan’s son was corrupted by the demon, thus his involvement.
“He’ll be fine,” Nathan quietly huffed in his mustache. “Kid’s made of stronger stuff than he seems.”
The headlights of Chuck’s car lit up the front of her house as she pulled into the driveway. “Alright, it’s late. Why don’t we all get some sleep and hit this again tomorrow? You want to come over after breakfast?” she offered quietly, fatigue clear in her voice.
Glenda and Nathan agreed and made their way to their own vehicles, waving as they left. Chuck stood on the front porch watching their taillights disappear down the road before turning to Malachi and leaning against his chest.
Automatically, his arms went around her and held her tightly. “I know,” he said. “I’ve got you. Let’s get ready for bed. Go on, you first, and I’ll check the perimeter and make sure everything is cleaned up and safe. I’ll feed Reena, then join you.”
“I thought you wanted me to handcuff you?” she smirked.
“I’ll be quick!” he responded with a leer.