Gates of Death Read online

  "Gimme," I said. He smiled at me in relief, glad to hand off the job.

  Gabe walked in a while later, toweling his hair. "What about The Scythe?" he asked. I turned from the stove with the spatula in my hand and watched Lucifer's face light up.

  "That's an idea," he said. "But it's so hard to get to."

  The Scythe was the weapon Cain used to kill Abel. It marked the beginning of the end for Mankind, and Cain became the first demon in Abaddon upon his death many years later.

  He now controlled one of the lower levels of Abaddon and helped with rehabilitation, but the weapon he'd used to murder his brother had been imbibed with a significant amount of magic during the act.

  Dark magic.

  "It's not easy to use," I said.

  Michael shook his head. "I can't. Neither can Gabe. But it has Abel blood on the handle to this day. If we can get to it, it will tell us where to find Ariel, I'm sure of it."

  Lucifer sent Michael an appraising look as he added his two cents. "I hadn't considered that. I thought we'd find a witch to do a location spell. The Scythe would be much more reliable and accurate. Cain's Scythe was found many years later and passed among the world's leaders until Raphael found it and hid it.”

  "Why didn't he put it with the rest of the Relics in Heaven?" I asked. "I never was clear on that."

  With a smile of thanks, Gabe took the first plate of sandwiches from me and set them on the table. "It's too powerful. Attempts were made to break it, and lessen its power.”" he said.

  "Do you know where it is?" Lucifer asked. "I don't."

  "No, you wouldn't. Raphael didn't want any Fallen or demons getting ahold of it. The temptation is too great," Michael said.

  Luc gave him a dark look, but Michael shrugged. "I don't know either, don't get your panties in a twist."

  I chuckled before I could stop myself, then cut it short and shot Lucifer a look to see if he was going to blow up again.

  But he was also laughing. Lucian's influence was still helping to temper the anger inside him. I only hoped when he returned to his ethereal body, which was far more capable of handling all his power, he would keep part of Lucian with him.

  "Who knows where it is?" I buttered more bread and put in the skillet. These guys ate like teenage boys sometimes.

  Michael's face went from somewhat jolly, chuckling with his friends, to forlorn. "I'm not sure. Raph chose one angel to hold the key to the location, and nobody but that angel and Raph knows where it is.

  "Why do you say it'll be difficult to get to?" I asked. I didn't know much about Relics, most of them being created and captured by the angels long after Luc and I Fell. Contrary to popular belief, demons and Fallen spent relatively little time in the Earth realm, except for our Earth cycles, but that was in human bodies. We didn't have much opportunity to harass and tempt humans. They did a good job of that all on their own.

  "It's almost certain Raphael has the Scythe behind traps," Michael said. "Once the layers of spells are removed, we still need a key to get to it. There could be angels guarding it for all I know. Raph is a pretty inventive dude."

  I sighed and put the second plate of sandwiches on the table, snagging one for myself. "Are there any other options? What about the Relics the humans have?"

  They went quiet and chewed. "Mostly fake," Luc said. "The Lignum Crucis you used on me is probably their most powerful. What did you do with it?"

  "Put it back," Michael replied. "The humans don't have much like it, not real, anyway. I felt bad taking it from them."

  And that was a big reason I loved him. He thought about stuff like that when most would've left the fake with the humans and not worried about it.

  I reached out for Michael’s hand and squeezed it. "What else?"

  "There's still the witches," Luc suggested. "They're not to be discounted."

  Witches existed and used the limited magic in the world for good or evil. For the most part, they were nothing more than herbalists with a sweet, honorable religion, but a small handful existed in the world that were real. They had something in them that let them connect to magic, whether it was the everyday magic that coursed through everyone's veins, that no scientist was capable of detecting, testing or measuring, or the magic of the Earth itself, that traced back to the origins, which even the angels argued over. I was of the belief that God caused the Big Bang, myself, but that was a debate I didn't have time to think about.

  "If we can convince a witch to help, their magic can be volatile," I said. "It can react in ways that have serious consequences." I didn't know much about relics, but witches I knew. Many of them worshipped me as the Earth mother, however incorrect that was. I still loved them and cherished their prayers, occasionally intervening when I could.

  "If anyone has a chance, it's you, Lil," Lucifer said. "But not in a human body. They'll think it's a trick."

  He was right, unfortunately.

  "They are unlikely to help an angel. Followers of God are too outspoken against them," Gabe said. "But I could try." He smiled. "I used to have a witch friend, but she's been dead for many hundreds of years." He seemed to come to a decision and nodded. "But her descendants may have her magic. I'll try."

  "And I'll begin the process of finding the Scythe," Michael said. "If it works to find Ariel, it might also work to kill you two," he said. "And Gabe and I can take care of our sweet girl until you both fix Abaddon and return for Ariel."

  Gabe jumped up. "Okay, wish me luck." Michael and Lucifer nodded gravely at him, their version of a goodbye.

  I followed him out of the room to say goodbye. He wrapped his arms around me. "You're not quite yourself in this body, but it's so nice to be able to hold you again."

  My sweet, funny Gabe. "I missed you, too."

  He laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest. "You did not."

  Unfortunately, he was right. "Well, when you weren't around after you unlocked my memories, I missed you."

  "I'll take it." He stepped back and took my face in his hands, cupping my cheeks. "I love you. Don't worry about me, I don't think I'm going to be in a lot of danger, okay?"

  He couldn't know that. "Witches can be unpredictable. I wish I could go with you."

  "Hell." He chuckled at his use of the word. "I wish you could, too. But this is the situation we're in and we'll figure it out like we always do, okay?"

  I nodded and smiled up at him. "Go. Find us a witch."

  "Yes, ma'am." With a cheeky salute, he disappeared.

  "I should go soon," Michael said behind me. I didn't know how long he'd been standing there, but I didn't mind. "But I'm reluctant to leave you."

  He worried about me more than anyone else. The world knew the Archangel Michael as the warrior, the general. I knew him as my protector and confidante.

  Luc stuck his head in the living room. "I need air. I feel like I'm suffocating in this body. I'm going to take Jellybean for a walk."

  He looked from me to Michael and nodded without waiting for our response. The back door clicked closed a few minutes later.

  Oh, Lucifer. He'd been my first love, my most passionate. That was what had hurt most over the last few hundred years. We'd never been the sweet, affectionate couple that Gabe and I were or the loving, deep couple that Michael and I were. Lucifer and I were fire and ice. Passion, flames, rebellion.

  He'd become cruel, and the appearance of Lucian had changed him. Now, to see if he remained aloof or regained his passion, his fervor and drive.

  Michael moved toward me with a hand out. I took it gladly. Part of me wanted him to rush off to begin his work to find Ariel, but I'd meant what I told Gabe. I'd missed them while they were gone.

  A moment in Michael's arms was a moment I desperately needed.

  When my hands touched his arm, I realized he still wore Luc's old pajamas. Gabe had left in them. He'd have to stop at his home in Heaven, or ours in purgatory. He could conjure clothes if he didn't want to take the time to go change.

  "Come upsta
irs," I said. "I'll find you something more appropriate to wear."

  Michael chuckled, but took my hand and let me lead him to my bedroom. I walked into the closet and came out with one of Lucian's suits that might be broad enough in the shoulders for Michael.

  He stripped immediately, slipping the pajama pants down. I couldn't help but look at his body as he changed. He was the leanest of my mates, with sculpted abs and an ass that begged to be squeezed.

  When he noticed my gaze on him, he grinned, and almost instantly, his soft dick began to harden and grow.

  I hadn't been thinking about sex, not really. Just admiring the view as he changed. He must've thought my gaze of appreciation was one of desire.

  And it normally would have been. "Michael," I whispered, but the look in his eyes stopped me. He was hungry. Starved.

  It had been several weeks. Of course, he'd gone much longer when he was in his human body, abstaining since he remembered he was spoken for. But his eyes begged me, and the look he gave me ignited my desire. My core tingled with anticipation, blood rushing to my pussy.

  I grabbed the hem of my nightgown and dragged it over my head. I hadn't bothered with a bra after my shower this morning, so my nipples puckered as the cool air from the room kissed them.

  Michael staring at them hungrily didn't hurt, either.

  Michael walked across the bedroom and grabbed me by the hips, picking me up, barely giving me time to grab his shoulders and spread my legs.

  Within seconds, I was flat on my back on the bed, Michael's hands yanking my panties off.

  He pulled me to the edge of the bed and pressed himself against me without any foreplay. That was fine with me. I wanted him to hurry. As much as I wanted him to get this release, and one for me, he needed to hit the road. Besides that I was already wet enough to put out a fire.

  He rubbed his cock against my clit making me tremble, he was in a rush so it only lasted as long as it took to get himself lubed up enough to thrust himself inside me without a warning. As soon as it was inside, he pushed all the way. This time there was no pain.

  Michael's initial thrust was nothing but pleasure. I cried out, always loving the first filling. For some reason, it gave me such a feeling of relief, as if I'd been missing something that was returned to me.

  He pushed deep and held there for a second, gazing down at me. "I love you," he whispered. "I will find a way to fix this and remove that dark pit from your eyes."

  I hadn't realized they saw it. I hovered over it every second without my Ariel. "Thank you," I whispered. "I love you, too."

  He leaned forward and gathered me in his arms, using the bed as leverage to pin me. Michael, my lover. Even in a hurry, moving fast and hard, he made love to me, stroking my hair and kissing my shoulder as his hips did all the moving.

  An orgasm built slowly, and I began to wonder if he'd finish before I did, a rare occurrence in my life. All three always made sure I got off, too.

  I should’ve known better.

  He kept one arm around me, holding me tight, then slipped his other hand between us and pressed his thumb to my clit. He didn't move his hand, he let the movement of our bodies do the work as he thrust his cock faster.

  Moaning, I threw my head back and held on for dear life as the orgasm crashed over me, exploding at my core. He didn't move his hand, but I knew he was close. Pressing his thumb harder, he forced the orgasm to continue as moans and cries slipped from my open mouth.

  By the time he came, deep inside me, my climax had crested. I was ready for him to finish. The pleasure had become too intense and was in danger of creating pain.

  But he stopped at the perfect moment as if he'd sensed exactly how much I wanted and needed and finished accordingly.

  I grabbed my shirt off the bed and slipped it between us so he could pull out without any mess following him.

  He kissed me, slow and sweet. "I'll be back as fast as I can." One more press of his lips to mine, then he grabbed the suit and walked into the bathroom.

  By the time I got upright and used the shirt to clean up a little, I knew he was gone. The bathroom was silent.

  With a sigh, I threw the shirt in the hamper and turned on the tap.

  After putting on a pair of pajamas—what was the point of dressing, after all—I returned to the kitchen to clean up our lunch. Lucifer came in as I started the dishwasher a few minutes later. Jellybean bounded into the room and nudged my hands until I stopped and told him what a good boy he was. After a few pets, he was happy and wandered into the house.

  "I don't mean to be cold." Lucifer hung the leash on the hook by the back door and turned to me. "Or angry. My only child is missing, and I can't do anything. Nothing. I've never been powerless, ever, in my life. And when it really counts, when it matters most, I can do nothing."

  His shoulders slumped. "And my wife, my mate, is in more pain than I've ever felt from her, ever. And again, I'm powerless to fix it. I have to wait on Gabriel and Michael to save the day while I walk the dog."

  My heart broke for my husband. My mate. Lucifer, the fire of my heart. He was never helpless. Never morose. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "For my part in this."

  He shook his head. "It's not your fault. You could be right. She could be pure human and nothing more. But I have Lucian's memories. I love her as much as he did. He was so excited for her birth, to be a dad. I think in that, he had my emotions. Because I would've been thrilled. I am thrilled"

  My jaw dropped. "Really? You've never said that."

  He walked forward getting close, but it was awkward. Did we hug? Comfort each other? In some ways, we felt like strangers. "I knew you couldn't have children, and anyone with half a heart could tell how much you wanted them. What was I to do, add to your pain with my own?"

  "Oh, Luc." I threw my arms around his neck, standing on tiptoe to press my body against his. I wanted to comfort him, thank him for trying to protect me.

  He stood stiff for a few seconds, but then wrapped his arms around me and lifted me, pressing me into him as he buried his face in my neck. He didn't cry, but he breathed long and deep as we held each other.

  "We'll find her," he whispered. "We have to."

  He may not have cried, but I sure did. He shifted, scooping me up as I cried on his shoulder, thankful to have him with me and terrified about what my little girl might be going through. We sat on the couch, me on his lap until my tears ran dry, then he asked me about her.

  I spent the next several hours telling him every single detail I could remember, which was substantial. Everything I'd hidden from him when he was Lucian and couldn't know the details.

  He listened, reacted, and kept his hands on me. We stayed close, touching, comforting.

  When I described how hard it was to leave her, he hid his face in my neck again. I kept going, telling him all the details.

  "I can't wait to meet her," he said. "My sweet Ariel."

  Damn it. I sent all my love to Gabriel and Michael. They were our only hope.

  3

  Once Lucifer and I broke apart from our sweet moment on the couch, he went back to his solitude. I'd never seen him take to any animal, but he and Jellybean bonded, and Luc spent more time outdoors with the hound than inside with me.

  I preferred that to being beside him without him truly being with me. His mind was gone, lost to the heartache and helplessness.

  We didn't hear a word from Michael for three days. Gabe sent a few messages, popping in for a kiss and a sandwich. He was doing recon on the family of the witch he'd once known, trying to figure out if any of them had true magic this many generations later.

  When I thought I'd go out of my mind with worry, late in the evening on the third day, he popped in and collapsed on the couch beside me. "I'm convinced they have no magic," he said.

  I took his hand, and he leaned into me, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to my lips. "I missed you," he said.

  Lucifer must've heard him because he walked into my office seconds later. "Well? Any
news?"

  Gabe shot him a dirty look. "No. But Michael has made some progress. That's why I'm here."

  I sat up instantly, ready to roll. "Is he okay?"

  Gabe nodded. "He is. He found the angel Raphael trusted with the location of the Scythe."

  "How?" I asked. That would've been the most tedious part, I would've thought.

  "He held a meeting in Heaven and simply asked." Gabe shrugged. "He told them what Raph has done, what we're trying to do, and asked if anyone knew where the Scythe was. I also asked for any ideas for how to kill Luc to be sent our way. Everyone in attendance was aghast at what Raphael did. And nobody knows why. He kept his own counsel, or if he told anyone, they're not talking."

  "Then, let's go," Lucifer said. "What are we waiting for?"

  Gabe stood. "Now hang on. We don't know where we might be going after this. The only thing we know is the general vicinity. Plus, you two are human. If you have any weapons, it's time to get them. Michael said he had a few rifles in the house next door from when he was Adam. And, you need to dress to go anywhere in the world. Layers, at the least."

  I nodded. "Gabe, go get the guns next door. I'll get ours and change."

  He ran from the room with me hot on his tail, but he went toward the back door, and I thundered toward my room. Lucian was right behind me. We pulled on jeans and hiking boots, thermal shirts, and long sleeves. I grabbed a backpack and stuffed both of our thick winter coats inside, then Luc grabbed another and filled it with ammo. He threw my holsters to me, and I had to nearly undress to put the bra holster on, but my small revolver fit perfectly in it. We'd been something of gun enthusiasts as humans, enjoying time at the shooting range. Lucian was an occasional hunter as well. He pulled all his rifles out of the gun cabinet in the back of the closet. "We can't carry all of these," he said. He had to have had a dozen. He chose the four he thought might be most beneficial and then put his holsters on.

  "I'm ready," I said, putting a jean jacket on to conceal my shoulder holsters. I had four guns on, and Luc had three. We each put on a backpack and grabbed a rifle.