Ablaze Read online

  “Why are you doing this?” she asked.

  “I felt your pain, your sense of loneliness. It was more than I could bear.” He was gruff, and she could hear the uncomfortable uncertainty in his voice.

  “Thank you. I’ve never been an outcast… I don’t know how to deal with it all yet,” Hailey murmured against his neck.

  “There’s no going back, Hailey, not from this, so you learn to survive,” Penn said. “For yourself and for the boy. It doesn’t mean your duty has changed. You can still protect your charge, but you’ll do it in a different context. You’ll have to learn to fight.”

  She looked up at him and shook her head. “I can’t do that. I’m not from the warrior cast.”

  “Hailey, you don’t have a cast anymore, and you’ve cut down demons to save me and the boy in the past few weeks. So as time progresses, you learn how to fight better. We need it; if I’m going to have your back, you have to have mine, so we can protect the boy.” He cupped her cheek. “If not, all this is for nothing, and we gave it all up just to watch him die.”

  “Will you teach me?” Hailey asked.

  Penn kissed her soundly. “Anything you ask of me is yours.”

  Hailey sat up in his lap and put her hands on his chest. “Then teach me to give you my body the right way. I know the first time was not as good…”

  “What the fuck are you talking about? That night in the sky while the rain poured down was the best thing that ever happened to me,” Penn replied. “It was out of this world.”

  She smiled. “That’s just the heart binding talking. When you took me, it forced you to love me. Why do you think so few of your kind has ever even touched an angel?”

  “I understand that now, but it has gone past the binding when I’m with you,” he admitted gruffly. “I was thinking how coveted you would be in hell, and the thought of someone else touching you made me want to rip it apart rock by rock. I’m even jealous of the boy when you hold him. You’re what I want, what I need.”

  She held out her hand to him. “Then let’s become a unit, a pair in all ways.”

  “The boy…”

  “His name is Sam. You’ve really got to start using his name; we’re kind of a family now,” she said gently. She knew if he kept using the boy it would keep some distance between him and caring for a human. She didn’t want that; she needed him to care, to put his life on the line like she would for her charge.

  “Sam.” He used the name as if it was uncomfortable coming from his mouth. “He’s out front, and I don’t think I can take you and be quiet about it.”

  She waved her hand and a pulse went through the room like a shock wave. Hailey stood and took off her clothes without haste while he watched. She could see hunger in his eyes as his gaze roamed her body; he hadn’t even touched her and yet she felt breathless.

  “We are completely alone now; he can’t hear us. No one can,” she said as she stood between his legs. “Make love to me, Pennemuel.”

  “You say my name like a caress instead of a curse,” he moaned and pulled her to him.

  “To me you are no curse. You’re unique, and good lives inside you.” She bent and kissed the dark hair on his head. She wanted to comfort him.

  “There’s no good in me, Hailey. If you knew the things I’ve done, you would run screaming from the room,” he said huskily.

  “I may be naive about pleasures of the flesh, but I do know what happens in hell.” There was humor in Hailey’s voice. “I still care for you and find you a most redeemable individual. Now kiss me, Pennemuel, and show me how to fly without wings.”

  Hailey was tired of trying to find the right foothold in her new life. Instead she just wanted to feel and hold onto Penn. She kissed him softly, and he took control of the kiss, taking her lips ravenously. She felt his hand slip behind her neck, and then with a soft groan he pulled her onto his lap.

  “Take my shirt off and touch me,” Penn ordered against her lips.

  She did as he asked, and with nervous fingers she worked the buttons loose. His chest was just like she remembered, hard and contoured. She felt his hands slide up her thighs, to her waist and then farther to cup her breasts. The heat of his hand against the full globes of her breasts sent pleasure infusing through her body. Hailey arched, pressing herself more firmly into strong fingers, moaning softly against his lips. Penn used his fingers to bring her nipples to hardness, and each sensation just made her want more.

  Penn set her away from him and removed the rest of his clothes. His eyes never left hers as he slid the dark slacks down his muscular hips. His gaze was almost like a caress as it traveled along her body, as if he was visually remembering every curve. Hailey took his hand as he held it out to her. She knelt on the bed with him, and their upper bodies met in a heated rush. She returned his intense kisses and traced her hands along his body, memorizing the muscular contours. His cock was hard between them. Penn kissed his way down her neck and to her breasts. He took her nipple into his hot mouth, and Hailey trembled. The way he tasted her was hungry, and with a guttural sound, he filled his mouth with the smooth globe. He wrenched away from her and gave a harsh moan as he nuzzled her neck.

  “Let me touch you, Hailey,” Penn said roughly. “I want you to watch how I can please you.”

  “Yes, Penn do it,” she gasped. “I feel as if I’m on fire.”

  Her eyes followed his hand as he slid it down between her breasts and across her stomach to settle between her thighs. He cupped her sex, and she panted in anticipation. The first sensation of his fingers seeking her tender flesh caused her to jerk against his hand.

  “You’re so damn wet, it’s intoxicating,” he said gruffly.

  Hailey could feel him watching her as he slowly rubbed the tiny bud of her clit. He cupped the back of her neck and brought her to him for a deep, soulful kiss as he touched her with more insistence. Her mouth was swollen with his kisses and parted with little moaning pants. His fingers were making her feel delicious things, and she wanted more. She felt as if a knot in her body was being pulled tighter and tighter. She wanted the feeling to go on forever, but still it caused her to ache.

  “Penn, something’s happening,” Hailey whimpered.

  “You’re going to come; just feel and let go, my angel,” he said.

  “Oh mercy, yes!” she cried out.

  She felt it building inside her and was reaching for something she craved. He plunged two fingers inside her suddenly and worked them in and out of her body with fervor. His thumb was still pressed against her clit, and she bucked against his hand. She rode his finger and felt him shudder against her, whispering her name in a sensual chant. The tight knot inside her broke, and she came with a soft cry against his shoulder. Her body shook as Penn held her and kissed her.

  “Be inside me now,” she said. There was more to feel, and she wanted it all with him

  A groan escaped his lips as he lifted her slightly, and she lowered herself onto his thick, engorged rod. Her muscles contracted around his invading cock, taking him deeper while the muscles of his shoulders bunched beneath her fingers. They moved together slowly, and with each thrust of his hips, she felt herself flying to that place with passion. Desire was in every breath she took.

  “More, tell me what to do, Penn,” she said before she cried out in pleasure when he captured her nipple in his mouth.

  “Damn, yes, Hailey, ride me hard,” he moaned. “Pound your hips down onto me until we both come.”

  She lifted her hips and slammed down hard a few times. Penn threw his head back and practically roared.

  “Am I doing it right?” Hailey asked uncertainly. She didn’t know if it was pleasure or pain that caused him to yell.

  “Yes, yes,” Penn replied and grabbed her hips. “More, damn it, I want it all now!”

  She moaned low in her throat as he grabbed her hips and helped her feverish movements. She ground her hips, taking him even deeper, and the intensity grew while she rode him. Her fingers were tangled in
his hair, and he muttered her name while he gripped her hips, lifting her and pulling her down on him harder.

  Her head thrown back in ecstasy, she whispered, “I need to…I need to.”

  “Come, that’s what you need, Let me feel you come, my precious dove,” Penn said harshly.

  Once again she exploded like a new star being born in the heavens and all because of Penn who held her tight as she came. She felt him follow her into his own orgasm and spill his hot seed into her. Hailey collapsed against him, and he fell back onto the thin mattress. They lay tangled together until the racing desire inside them became a low hum once more. Without a doubt she knew if he touched her right at that moment, she would be ready again to feel his passion singe her skin. She rose up on her elbow across his chest and saw a small smile on his lips.

  “You actually know how to smile; it makes you quite handsome,” Hailey teased.

  “I doubt anyone could help grinning like a hyena after what we just did, but I don’t smile.” He tried to change his smile to his usual scowl.

  She bent down to kiss the corners of his lips. “Don’t. I like to see you smile.”

  “You go to sleep. I’ll listen for the boy and keep watch,” Penn murmured and pulled her head to his shoulder.

  “I don’t need to sleep; I’m not human, remember?” she reminded him.

  Penn sighed. “Well pretend and then relax for a bit. It’s customary after humans have mind-blowing sex to relax.”

  “Oh, okay.” Hailey laid her head against his muscled, broad chest, and after a moment she said, “This is nice.”

  Penn chuckled. “I love how everything is a new experience for you; wait until I introduce you to drinking.”

  “Oh, I drink water, and I like Sam’s orange soda,” Hailey replied.

  Penn laughed. “Not that kind of drinking. Wait and see.”

  They lay in silence, and she enjoyed trailing her fingers across his skin. It was soft and yet hard beneath, and while he made love to her, they bunched contorted in the most amazing ways. Before she could analyze her feelings more, the room began to shake slightly and then with ferocity. Penn was up and dressing in seconds, and she did the same. When they rushed out of the bedroom, Sam was sitting up in bed looking around with wide, frightened eyes.

  “Get dressed now; company is coming!” Penn snarled. A sword materialized in his hand and seemed to have flames glowing in the thin steal. “Get behind me, Hailey, and hold on to the boy.”

  “Can’t we just do that thing where you guys vanish?” Sam shouted.

  “No, they are already here; they are blocking us from leaving,” Hailey shouted. She grabbed Sam’s hand and pulled him close, hiding behind Penn’s massive frame. “We won’t let anything happen to you.”

  On one side of the room two angels appeared, and then two demons on the other. Everyone was ready for a fight. Hailey looked at the hard yet ethereal faces of angels she once knew. They barely glanced at her, and when one did, it was with disgust. The demons snarled, and their hands flamed as if they were dipped in hot, melted rock.

  “Neither side is taking her or him,” Penn snarled. He seemed to grow bigger in size as he spoke.

  “You’ve already soiled your grace by lying with this thing.” One of the angels directed the comment to her yet never took his eyes off his enemies. “Give us the boy and face the justice of on high.”

  Hailey lifted her head. “I refuse, if I’m to be damned for loving this child then so be it, but I will not hand him over to you or them.”

  “Then die with them,” his angel companion replied with no emotion in his voice.

  Is there no caring in them, just orders? Hailey thought sadly as the fight began. Penn moved with speed and precision. He cut down the demons with ease and then fought like a madman with the angels as they came forward. With a deft flick, he deflected their swords, but when he turned, the other sliced down his back. He cried out in anguish but never stopped fighting. The angel that called for her death was close enough to her, and she could reach out and grab him. It was not a move they expected, and as she pressed her hand against his chest her hand began to glow. She was willing to take a life if she had to, to protect a human boy and Penn. They were hers now. Nothing was just orders; people had choices, and she chose to follow the love in her heart. The fighting ceased as the other angel glared at her.

  “I will end him,” she said softly and with determination. “Let us leave and no one will be harmed.”

  “You would kill one of your own for this human and for a thing from the underworld?” The angel practically spat the words out in disbelief. She never thought she would see cruelty on the face of one of her own; now she did.

  “You were ready to damn me only a short time ago,” Hailey replied. “How can one young boy cause such chaos? He is a child. As for Penn, right now he fights for a good cause, a just one. I don’t see malice written on his face but yours. Please don’t make me hurt anyone. It’s not my way. But for them I will.”

  The two warrior angels looked at each other and nodded. “Release him and you can leave.”

  Hailey gave a sad smile. “I’m not that innocent. Remove the barrier from this room and step back.” She knew when the block came down, felt it when her body knew instinctively that they could leave. “Come beside me, Penn. I can take all three of us.”

  “No, you go. I’ll find you and the boy. I’ll stay here in case they try to follow,” Penn said. His back was bleeding badly.

  “Loyalty from a demon,” the angel she held captive snapped.

  Hailey paid him no attention. “Penn, you’re injured, and they won’t follow. Come on.”

  “I hate having you take me like I’m a weak human,” he said grudgingly.

  “Be quiet and enjoy the ride,” Sam said. “Listen to Hailey; you know she’s right.”

  She gave the angel a hard shove into the direction of the other. While he tried to catch his footing and his companion helped him, she wrapped her arm around Sam and took Penn’s hand. In a flash they were out of the room and standing in the middle of Central Park.

  “We need to find cover and fast,” Penn said looking around.

  “First I heal you,” Hailey said firmly. She lifted his shirt and saw the jagged gash that ran along his back. Hailey placed her hand over his wound and willed her gift into her hands to heal him. Penn gasped as the light from her hand seared his skin. The wound was closed, but because it was the blade of an angel, it left a scar on his skin.

  She kissed the scar and pulled his shirt down. “There you’re better now.”

  “Awww, she kissed the boo-boo; do you need a sticker too?” Sam teased.

  Penn gave the boy a shove. “Shut it, kid… I mean Sam.”

  He met her gaze, and she nodded. “Where should we go?”

  “Well they found us in a hovel, and I’m thinking they’re watching for anywhere we go. It’s time to think differently,” Penn said and flexed his shoulder. “Pretty good. It hardly hurts anymore.”

  “What do you mean think differently?” Sam asked. “If you’re thinking the sewer trust me, that’s no place you want to hide out.”

  Penn looked at him in surprise. “Damn, kid, we’re not going that low. Hold onto your hats, we’re heading to the suburbs.”

  “That’s worse than the sewers,” Sam moaned. “Weird preppy girls and cookie-cutter houses.”

  “Kid, you need to learn how to live; you don’t have to suffer in the dregs to say where you came from is hard. Being a good person having self-worth is harder than any of that,” Penn replied. “Holy crap, I’m preaching to the boy about pride in one’s self. Who the fuck am I?”

  “Then the suburbs it is,” Hailey announced with a smile. It was wonderful to watch the changes in him. She had more than one secret she could share with him, but the other he had to find on his own. “Lead the way, Penn.”

  They dematerialized from Central Park, and she followed Penn’s trail as they moved unseen through the night. How l
ong can we evade our tormentors? How long can we keep running, protect Sam and ourselves?

  Chapter Four

  He got them settled in a safe house he owned under an assumed name. It was a last resort to bring them there. No one knew about this place, and he had protected it so much that the runes and spells were imbedded in the cement of the foundation and in the brick walls. Even under the grass, a second thin layer of porous cement had been poured. It allowed water to drain from the soil when it rained or from the sprinklers, and yet more spells were etched. It kept anyone he didn’t want on the property off it. Everything was invisible to the naked eye, and to the neighborhood it just looked like another house on the block. The trio appeared down the block in the shadows.

  “Why not just put us in the middle of the house?” Sam asked as they walked. “I’m assuming we’re squatting?”

  “You assume wrong. I own the house,” Penn replied. “And we can’t go directly there; it’s protected.”

  Sam began laughing. “A demon owning a house in the ’burbs, that’s rich.”

  They stopped outside the two-story brick house, and when Sam tried to take a step forward nothing happened. He looked at Hailey, and she did the same, and again it was like they couldn’t move their feet.

  “I told you, there is no stepping foot on the property unless I want it.” He said a few words in a language not many knew under his breath. In a flourish, he invited them off the sidewalk. “Welcome to my sanctuary.”

  “How come you never brought us here in the first place if you knew you had a house that was safe,” Sam demanded to know.

  “Like I said, kid, it’s my sanctuary. I didn’t want anyone here.” He looked at Hailey, and his heart burned in his chest. “Until now.”

  He looked over as Sam rolled his eyes and walked up the driveway. “Oh jeez, get a room.”

  Penn unlocked the front door and led them into the living room. He flipped the light switch and flooded the room with light, showing off the expensive furnishing of the house. From the shiny, opulent fixtures of the lamps and the polished wood, to the soft leather sofas and armchairs, everything spoke of wealth, and he looked at Sam and Hailey who stood with their mouths agape.