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Balthion sat in his kitchen, sipping quietly at some Camomile tea, listening to voices in the hallway. Another fleeting goodbye with a following “I’ll call you later! ” drifted by his door as Stephen closed the door on yet another midnight caller. Balthion mentally totted up the score. Seven days, eight lovers. The boy was spiralling out of control. Sure, he attended lectures during the day but Balthion was not sure whether it was for the classes themselves or for the opportunity to pick up yet another sexual conquest.
The door clicked closed. Balthion looked over to see Nathalia leaning against it. Her hair was disorganised, messy. Her cheeks were red, not from a blush but from excitement. Her chest was rising and falling rapidly as she tried to catch her breath. The black dress she wore when she was not wearing a human guise was torn slightly, the slit rising higher than it had done when she left the room that morning to look in on Stephen. Balthion looked away again, leaving her a moment to compose herself as she leaned against the wood.
“Good night? ” Balthion asked absently.
He reckoned that he may as well get the question out of the way because otherwise she would spend the entire day bugging him until he asked it. Or at least that was what she had done for the past few days. He watched her out of the corner of his eye, still wary of the daemon who seemed to have moved in with him.
“The best! ”
She was still breathless as she walked over to the table, sliding onto the Formica surface just in front of him and letting her skirt part to show her nakedness underneath. Balthion was used to this as well. It seemed that she delighted in trying to make him uncomfortable. In truth, her very presence made him uncomfortable, but he would Fall before he ever admitted that to her. He shoved his chair back slightly, looking up at her face and those mischievous eyes looking down on him. With a hand he moved her slightly until he wasn’t looking directly up her skirt. The move was rewarded with what he was sure she considered an adorable pout.
“I don’t know how that boy does it but he managed to find twins. Identical, well almost identical twins. Both girls. ”
Balthion’s eyebrow raised a fraction of an inch as he looked up at her. Girls were not the usual type of guests that Stephen entertained in his room after hours, these days. He watched the smirk on Nathalia’s face as she caught his inquisitive look.
“I know. I was surprised too. But they were very definitely girls. I swear that boy took to sex faster than I ever expected. I didn’t even get a chance to influence him before he had his arms around them and was leading them out of the club. ”
Balthion moved away from the table, turning his back on the daemon for a few seconds as he washed out his cup and placed it upside down on the sink. He sighed. A quick prayer for guidance sped skyward as he tried to figure out his next move. He was again starting to get out of his depth. It was easy to deal with regular human problems. A family homeless after the bank foreclosed on their loan after both parents get laid off, solved with lining them up with someone who needed some work done. A child on the streets, stealing to survive, dealt with by introducing them to someone who would take care of them, take them in and love them. But how was he to approach this? The boy was handing in assignments and getting good marks for them. He was sitting his tests and still pulling in A’s. However, at night he was going to student bars, clubs, even coffee shops and picking up men and women to bring home and ravage until the early hours of the morning.
Perhaps it was time to talk to the boy. Try to address the issue to him directly. Turning back to the daemon, his mouth half opened to say something, he saw her lying down on the table, stretched out. One arm was above her head, holding onto the leg of the table. Her legs were apart, either side of a table leg on the opposite end of the table. Her other hand had pushed up her skirt and was again buried between her legs as she manipulated her clitoris, gasping and moaning gently as she sped towards yet another orgasm. Balthion sighed.
“Didn’t you feed enough this morning, Nathalia? Must you do it on the kitchen table? ”
His voice came out almost exasperated. Her violet eyes sparkled as she smiled up at him.
“You don’t mind do you? ”She asked, her voice dripping with mock innocence.
“Knock yourself out… Please! ”
Balthion shook his head as he walked past her, going to the door. Stepping out into the hallway, he heard the first moans of her orgasm overtaking her as the door clicked closed. Why, in Heaven’s name had she decided to spend her free time with him? Could she not find some other poor soul to torment? As soon as the thoughts formed, Balthion felt guilty, instantly apologizing for even thinking such a thing.
Balthion stopped outside Stephen’s door. He knocked quickly on the door, waiting for Stephen to open it. It was a few moments before the door pulled back a crack, a sleepy boy looking out from the crack. Annoyance showed on his face for an instant before he realised who it was. The door was pulled open and the angel was invited in.
“Morning…”
Stephen turned his back on the man at the door, moving back into his room to sit on the bed. When he turned back he saw the man still at the door.
“Come in, Kevin wasn’t it? I don’t bite… much! ”
Balthion balked at the comment slightly but managed to suppress it as he stepped into the room. The room was hardly tidy by any definition of the word. Books and papers, along with clothing covered the floor. He stepped carefully over the floor, walking over to the desk and leaning against it. The boy was sitting on the bed, wearing just boxers. The outline of his genitals and the shadow of the dark hair surrounding them clearly showing through the thin white fabric. Out of the corner of his eye he noted that Stephen’s member was not quite flaccid. He was very careful to keep his eyes from travelling downwards.
Stephen sat on the bed, legs spread slightly to show off his assets at the best angle. He smiled up at the man in front of him. He leaned back slightly, trying to tempt the man to look down at his body instead of stubbornly looking him in the eye, but it did no good.
“So, what can I do for you? ”
A playful smile played at his lips as Stephen said the words, hoping for an answer that would result in him getting hot and sweaty with the man in front of him. He watched as Kevin folded his arms, biceps bulging and chest expanding as muscles twitched. Stephen’s tongue ran over his bottom lip as he conjured up images of sitting on the man’s thighs and sinking down onto his hopefully large cock and fucking him hard until he screamed in pleasure, screaming release.
Balthion watched the lip sneak out and retreat, his face impassive.
“There have been some complaints, Stephen about after hours activities in your room. ”
Stephen blinked, deciphering the words. His mind clicked realising what Kevin was on about.
“You mean people have been complaining about me having sex in my room? ”
Balthion nodded, fighting down the need to blush at the boy’s frankness. He had moderated his reactions with Nathalia, but for some reason he had not expected the boy to start talking with such candour.
“Yes. The, um, noise level has been quite high! ”
Stephen laughed, remembering the shrieks from the twins just hours before as he had pleasured them.
“That’s how you know you’re doing it right. ”Stephen answered, smiling.
Balthion moved closer to the boy, taking a seat on the bed. It was time for some serious talking.
“Look, Stephen. I have to admit that I have noticed the amount of late night guests that you have had over the past week. And living just two rooms down, I am very aware of the sorts of activities you have been involved in. I know it’s none of my business but it seems to me that you need to talk about something, and well, I’m here. ”
Stephen looked at the man sitting beside him on the bed. This was the second time that he had made the offer and this time he wasn’t standing on the threshold, he was sitting on his bed with Stephen almost naked beside him. Stephen smiled, remembering what happened the last time someone had offered him a listening ear. Stephen smirked.
“Well, you see, Kevin, up until last week, I was a virgin. I had never gone farther than kissing and holding hands, but then something came over me. I met this fantastic girl and we talked for hours. We went to a club and well, one thing led to another and we ended back here. It was wonderful. I didn’t know what I was missing until then and I wanted more. I went out again the next night and picked up a couple. Didn’t expect that to happen. Well, we got to dancing, all three of us and I went back to theirs and well, everything was so right. It was perfect. Nothing I had ever done before topped that sensation. Perfect A’s on my report cards weren’t ever close, you know what I mean? ”
Stephen’s voice was pouring out, words flying over each other as he told the story of the last week. His eyes darted between Kevin’s, and down over his chest before rising again.
“Then something happened, I’m not sure what, but everything changed. It wasn’t as much fun. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy it. The chase, the capture, the conquering… or being conquered. It’s fantastic, but well, it seems like there is something missing. ”
Balthion nodded, understandingly or at least pretending to understand. He thought back to a week ago and wondered if it had anything to do with the club. The timeframes were correct.
“I guess maybe I’m still looking for that special person. The one who will take me and claim me and make all my fantasies come true. ”
Stephen’s voice had dropped to a whisper as he moved slightly closer. His hand now rested lightly on Kevin’s knee. He felt the muscles tense under the trousers and looked into those beautiful brown eyes. Leaning forward, he kissed the man, letting his tongue flick out over those closed lips, asking entrance.
Balthion froze when the hand touched his leg. He watched in slow motion as Stephen closed the distance between them and kissed him. In that instant he was lost, completely unsure of what to do. Nothing like this had happened before… Well there was Nathalia who kept trying to grope him but well, that was to get his hackles up. The world started to revolve around him as he struggled to get his muscles moving. He pulled back abruptly, leaving Stephen to almost fall on top of him. He jumped to his feet, moving to the other side of the room.
“Look, Stephen…” Balthion started.
Stephen rose smoothly off the bed and moves after the man. He could already feel himself grow and swell, tenting his boxers. He made no effort to hide it from Kevin, instead letting his hand drop to rub the shaft through his boxers. He watched Kevin back away until he hit the wall.
“You can hardly deny that you don’t want me,” Stephen started, looking very pointedly at Kevin’s trousers.
Balthion noticed for the first time that he was hard. He closed his eyes quickly and dispersed the blood, sending it back to wherever it had come from.
“Well… um… you can’t just go around kissing people…” Balthion started, edging towards the doorway, trying to get a grip on his composure.
Stephen closed the distance, his arm flying out to stop Kevin’s progress towards the door. His second hand found the wall at the other side of his head, trapping him temporarily. He watched indecision cross the man’s face, for a second looking like a deer in the headlights before calm spread out over his features.
“Stop! ”
The single word made Stephen pause. A feeling of denial spread through him as he took his arms from the wall, leaving Kevin free to move. He took a step back, almost involuntarily, regarding the man in front of him. The features seemed slightly different, if anything more perfect than they were before.
Balthion made a choice. Tapping into his celestial powers, he filtered part of his essence into his physical body. The boy was acting like a crazed animal who could smell a bitch in heat. The single command was enough for the onslaught to stop. Balthion moved closer to the door, out of range of Stephen’s arms.
“Perhaps you should examine your lifestyle, Stephen. Not everyone is a trophy to add to a case. You would do well to remember that! ”
Stephen looked at the man, taking his words in at a deep level and nodding.
“My offer is still open. If you want to talk, and I mean talk, nothing more… You know where to find me! ”
With that, Balthion walked out the door, shutting it behind him. Once outside, he leaned against a wall, collecting himself and cancelling the celestial aura around his physical shell. The boy was on a road to destruction and Balthion didn’t know how to show him the slip road. Perhaps another meeting with Kheramite was called for.
Balthion was perfectly calm by the time he entered his apartment, the flush vanished from his cheeks. Nathalia was sitting at the table, sipping something out of a mug and looking over some papers. She saw him come in and held up a bright pink flyer.
“I was thinking about taking Stephen here tonight. What do you think? ”
Balthion skimmed the hideously pink piece of paper.
“Randy’s Boy Shack! How… original! ”
Balthion walked to the other side of the kitchen, leaning against the counter. The name and the colour both screamed gay bar. The images of guys wearing chaps and chains and peaked leather caps almost had him laughing.
“You want him to join a Village People tribute group? ”
Nathalia blinked, taking a second to realise that the angel was joking with her. She considered the piece of paper a moment longer before making it disappear.
“Maybe you’re right… A little too camp! ”
Balthion watched her for a second or two more before deciding to leave. He needed to talk to Kheramite and soon, before the boy was irredeemably lost. With little more than a hurried word to the daemon, he left the room again, making his way into the courtyard outside the building.
He sent out a silent request to Kheramite. Within moments he felt the world start to fade out around him. Darkness and light wafted around him as they fought for dominance before disappearing completely.
Balthion found himself on a street he had never seen before, facing a diner. The diner was old, 1950’s style. Following a hunch, he pulled the door open and entered. The place was done out with red leather booths and seats. Waitresses wandered around with a coffee pot in one hand and a menu in the other, snapping gum as they took orders and gave refills. At one end of the diner, he saw a familiar face. Kheramite was already waiting for him in booth in a quiet corner of the restaurant.
Balthion walked over and slipped into the seat opposite his mentor. He was about to open his mouth when a waitress appeared drawling out a not very courteous “Can I get ya anything? ”Balthion asked for a coffee and the waitress left.
Balthion smiled at Kheramite, “Nice place! ”
Kheramite smiled back. “It’s not a bad place. I like to stop by every so often. They make the best peach cobbler this side of Heaven, you know! ”
Balthion laughs easily. This time there was no doubt, no indecision in his mind. He knew who and what he was and apart from a few incidents over the past few days… He was comfortable with it. This meeting wasn’t for him, it was for Stephen.
“I’m worried about him,” Balthion said quietly.
Kheramite’s face grew more serious as fluffy topics like peach cobbler got left behind.
“He’s slipping away fast. If he goes on like this much longer, we’re going to lose him. ” Balthion sighed. “And I don’t know what to do. ”
Kheramite stayed silent for a moment, weighing up their options.
“Have you spoken to the boy yet? ”
Balthion nodded. “Yes, today. That is part of the reason that I am here. ”
Balthion laid out what had happened earlier with Stephen. He was tempted to gloss over the fact that Stephen had tried to bed him but decided against it. Kheramite needed to know the entire story if he was to come up with a plan.
“The boy no longer realises the difference between a friend and a potential lover. No only barely seems to make an impact. He thinks that everyone is conquerable. His lust knows no bounds, and I fear that it will only get worse. He is on a road to self-destruction. ”
Kheramite nods, “The daemon’s influence is strong indeed. ”
Balthion looks up at Kheramite, shaking his head slightly. “It is not the daemon anymore. It is Stephen himself. I have followed her, cancelling her essence when she tries to release it. The boy himself is driving himself along. The daemon is only on for the ride, it appears. ”
Kheramite’s brow furrowed. “This is indeed troubling. ”
Daemonic interference in matters of this nature were rare indeed and He rarely interfered in such matters. If it hadn’t been imperative to set the boy on his path to destiny…If so many lives had not depended on this one boys actions, they probably would have left him to the daemons. However, the reverse could also be true. Maybe their only interest in Stephen was the same reason that the angels were interested in him.
Kheramite spoke slowly. “We need an anchoring influence for him. You said that he thought that he was looking for ‘the one’. Possibly if we give him that…”
Balthion nodded slowly, considering what Kheramite said. style='mso-tab-count:1'> Could that be enough to ground the boy? Would that be enough to get him back on track? Balthion cast a silent prayer that it would at least be a start.
Balthion considered for a moment.
“But where…? ”
Kheramite held up his hand, stopping Balthion in mid sentence. A file appeared in the older man’s hand. He opened it, skimming over the contents with a finger. A smile spread over his face as he tapped the page.
Balthion frowned. “You know who…? ”
Again, Kheramite held up a hand, stopping Balthion.
“Through His power and his guidance, it is possible to know all things. ”
Balthion nodded, not completely convinced. He felt that Kheramite was holding something back but trusted that it was for a good reason.
“Now,” began Kheramite. “Let’s go see his one true love! ”
The world started to fade and Balthion braced himself for the transition. Again the lights pulsed and darkness crowded him. Then all at once he was standing on another street corner, Kheramite at his side.
“Any second now…” Kheramite’s voice was filled with patience.
A car pulled into a driveway of a house opposite. Balthion waited, his breath held as the car door opened. A leg appeared first, high heeled shoes hitting the pavement. The girl stepped out of the car fully. Time seemed to have slowed to a crawl. Long blonde hair was shaken out as she stepped away from the car. A floral dress, held up by two thin straps over the shoulders touched and caressed every curve of her body. A beautiful smile rested serenely on her face as she turned to talk to the other person stepping out of the car. Easy camaraderie flowed between the two. The other person, a tall brunet boy walked around and handed the girl the key before opening the back of the car to start unloading it. She moved close to him, touching his shoulder in a purely friendly way as she grabbed a bag from the back. An easy laugh was shared as she went from the car to the front door of the house, opening it and entering.
Once she had retreated from sight, Balthion turned to Kheramite. Doubt filled him. He had paid close attention to the girls, and guys, who Stephen had chosen before and she seemed entirely too innocent.
“Are you sure? I mean… Usually he goes for…”
Kheramite said one word. “Wait! ”
Balthion took a deep breath. The constant interruptions were starting to wear his patience. As soon as the thought crossed his mind he paled, immediately asking forgiveness. Closing his eyes, he centred himself again. He was an angel. Irritation was not supposed to be one of his key traits.
Across the street, the garage door opened and a transformed girl stood there. Instead of the floral dress, she stood there in harsh leathers. A one piece leather suit now hugged every curve. Two bikes were just about visible behind her. She called to the other person, telling him to hurry up. He carried the bags inside, closing the front door behind him. The girl kicked one of the bikes off it’s stand and walked it out of the garage and onto the pavement outside the house. She raised one of her legs, straddling the bike as she rolled up her hair into a loose bun and trapped it under her biker helmet.
Behind her, the boy reappeared, buttoning the last catch on his own leather trousers. He shrugged a padded leather jacket over the white t-shirt he wore, pulling up the zip as he went to the second bike. He quickly joined the woman outside, putting on his own helmet and straddling the second bike. A nod from one to the other and a vicious kick downwards and both bikes roared to life. The snapped their visors down and sped off down the street leaving black marks on the road behind them.
“Sam and Jamie Hutchinson. Brother and Sister. ”
Kheramite’s voice cut into his thoughts. Balthion stared after the retreated figures.
“How am I supposed to introduce Stephen to ‘his one true love’? ”Balthion asked, his brain returning to a questioning mode.
Kheramite smiled. “It will happen soon. You need not do anything but keep the daemon from interfering. I believe Jamie will do the rest, and Stephen, of course. ”
Balthion smiled. If that was what it took to get the lad back on track, he would gladly do it.
Nodding, he answered, “I will do my best, sir. ”
Kheramite reached out and clapped him on the back. “I know you will, boy. I know you will. ”
He turned, bringing Balthion with him.
“This will all work out. Trust in Him in all things and everything will work out perfectly. ”
Balthion smiled. Trust for an angel was not a hard thing, especially if it was in the One.
A disturbance clicked in his mind, making him instantly worried. He had left Stephen to Nathalia for too long. He cast a quick look at Kheramite and a hurried apology. Kheramite nodded and Balthion disappeared.
The world faded again and reformed around him. Testosterone assaulted his senses and he reeled. Men pushed around him in leather and denim. Balthion’s eyes searched the crowd searched for his counterpart or his charge. His eyes fell on Nathalia at the other side of the club. It wasn’t difficult… She was the only female in the place.
Balthion sighed. It seemed that Nathalia had carried through with her plan to bring the boy to a gay bar. Deep down, Balthion sighed. Something told him that this was going to an interesting night. He could already feel the disaster broaching the horizon. A quick prayer and he stepped into the fray.
The brightly coloured leaflet had been posted on a notice board in his apartment block. He wasn’t sure what had called his attention to it, perhaps it was the eye assaulting neon tones of the paper or the sixth sense that he seemed to have developed for all things interesting lately. The leaflet was now sticking out of his back pocket as he walked out of the building.
Giggling girls watched him as he strode by, the tight jeans cupped his ass accentuating the hard orbs as he walked. The red waistcoat, the only thing he wore over the jeans, parted slightly as he walked, showing his hard chest. His brown hair, less harshly styled than it had been when Nathalia had first seen the boy, was slightly messy in a just got out of bed way. Heads turned as he walked past and Stephen smiled.
The bar was only a few blocks away and the night was fresh so Stephen walked. The queue for the place was already long when he reached it but a voice in the back of his head told him to walk straight up to the door.
Nathalia whispered quietly in his ear as she walked beside him, wrapped in a short leather dress. A short strand of her essence wrapped around Stephen and stretched out to embrace one of the bouncers as he walked straight to the door.
“Bouncer’s kinda hot, isn’t he? ” The sweet voice wrapped around his ear, worming it’s way inside.
Stephen looked at the burly bouncer and smiled at him. The bouncer looked gruff but gave the boy a quick once over, eyes taking in everything from the sweetish smile to the tightness of the jeans around his crotch. The bouncer took a step forward, invading Stephen’s personal space.
“You got ID, pretty boy? ” Minty breath assaulted him.
Stephen smirked, looking up at the bouncer, one hand slipping into a back pocket and pulling out his University ID card. The bouncer looks over the card before handing it back. Stephen slid the card back into his pocket again as the bouncer stepped aside. Stephen winked at the bouncer, letting his hand reach out and caress the black trousers.
“Come find me later…” Stephen smiled as he walked past, a hint of promise in his voice.
Nathalia entered first, daemonic senses wide open as she bathed in the testosterone of the club. The club had naturally been her idea. New experiences were part of her mandate and she had figured it was time to get the boy properly out of the closet and this was the perfect way to do it. Wall to wall hunks ready and willing to claim the boy as one of their own and initiate him into their ranks. She stayed just a couple of steps ahead of the boy, making sure that the way was clear for him as he walked in. Her essence filled the air, attracting the attention of the men surrounding them and drawing attention to her charge. There was no way that he was getting out of here without getting nailed to the wall in some good old fashioned up against the wall, hard fucking! The boy wouldn’t know what hit him.
The bar inside was packed almost to capacity as he entered. Sidelong looks were cast at him as the crowd parted just in front of him, letting him progress to the bar to order a beer. Bottle in hand, he turned, surveying the talent in the bar. Dancers danced on platforms clad only in golden thongs. Men in leather and denim moved their asses on the dance floor, taking opportunity to wrap themselves around willing partners. Stephen nodded to the beat as he sipped the beer. A presence at his shoulder drew his attention, making him turn.
The eyes he looked into were darkest brown, almost black. Long hair, layered and with a wave, streamed over shoulders and caught at the back of his shirt, kinking it slightly. Every head movement released strands from captivity under shirt collar and trapped more. A beaded choker bobbed up and down as the man swallowed from the glass of amber liquid that rested at his lips. His lips, full and parted slightly, wet with a drop of alcohol. A small smile pulled at the lips as those dark eyes looked down on him. Muscular chest peeked out from under a white shirt, unbuttoned totally. Jeans clung tightly to narrow hips. Perfection embodied.
Nathalia slipped behind the bar, picking up a drink and suggestively sucking on a straw. She watched as Stephen stood there with that familiar look on his face. He liked to think that he was young and empowered, the hunter, but it was obvious to her that he was the prey, and if she was reading the other man’s expression correctly, the other man agreed. Lust filled the air as Nathalia added her essence to the mix.
Stephen swallowed, and tried to keep from babbling. He opened his lips to speak but a tapered finger pressed against them keeping the words from exiting as a strong hand took his wrist, dragging him out on the dance floor. He wraps his own hard around the wrist, uncomfortable but a better hold. Stephen thought about resisting for a second before remembering that he didn’t want to. People jostled against him, almost making him lose hold of the wrist that he was gripping. A jerk on his wrist made him almost fall forward. Arms enclosed him as he was pulled against the hard, hairless chest. Lips pressed against his own, claiming him as hips started to move with the music. Hard metal music was drowned out by the rush of blood in his ears. Stephen was captivated.
Hands swept down over his ass pushing his hips into his partners, hardness brushing against his own rising erection. He moaned, almost helpless against the onslaught of tongue and lips against the sensitive area under his earlobe. Nipping teeth made him throw his head back, giving more access to the area being licked and teased. The torturer pulled back, dark eyes looking him over again before attacking his Adam’s apple.
Stephen moaned louder as he was ravaged, any attempts at dancing forgotten as his feet stayed stationary on the floor, forearms pressed against the hard chest in front of him as he was explored and mapped. His knees were knocking together as he struggled to stay upright as a hand lowered to the crease of his jeans, rubbing between his legs. Eyes fluttered open before he realised that they had been closed and he saw the predatory look on his partners face. His insides quivered as he licked his dry lips. A smile, warm, almost reassuring settled on the other man’s face.
All at once, the man stepped back, breaking all holds on Stephen. Nathalia watched, seeing intent and sex drift off the man in dark waves. Confusion settled on Stephen’s face until he realised that the night had just started. Nathalia sent another wave of lust over the two boys, scrambling to get to the front door before the two men.
Again, the strong hand closed over Stephen’s as he found himself dragged from the dance floor again. The pace was fast, too fast as he was dragged from the door. A slight amount of fear percolated through Stephen but was quickly suppressed. Hell, it wasn’t like he wasn’t hard and in need of a good fuck.
The bouncers smiled knowingly as the man in front passed, wishing him good luck as he passed. A hand slammed down on Stephen’s ass, cruel laughter following him as the pair left the queue behind, ducking into a side alley.
Nathalia smiled as she slipped out and followed them. She could smell the anticipation in the air as one of the bouncers excused himself and made tracks to follow the dark haired man and his prize. Nathalia rubbed her hands together as she walked slightly faster, not wanting to miss a thing.
Beer crates lined the alley way, a rusty dumpster stacked against the wall. Water pooled fetidly on the cracked pavement and gravel lay in troughs along the side of the alley. Brick walls enclosed them as Stephen was momentarily overtaken by claustrophobia. Heartbeat sped up as terror clawed at his spine, eased only when warm lips pressed against his, a wet tongue licking his, duelling. Hands caressed him again, his jeans, his crotch, his ass, every part explored and touched. Buttons flew open and fabric was spread. A hand reached in, freeing Stephen from that sweet torment he had been feeling. He moaned as lips found his throat, nipping and then biting. Beautiful pain suffused him as he gave into the sensations, letting the practiced hands move and mould him.
Nathalia took a seat on a stack of beer crates watching, her skirt split apart, breasts bared as she started climbing the stairs to ecstasy with well practiced ease. She watched the not so subtle show of dominance as Stephen was slammed into a wall and ravaged. She saw the bouncer appear around the corner, his hand rubbing the crotch of his trousers hungrily.
Stephen’s waistcoat was ripped open savagely, buttons flying across the alley, rebounding off the opposite wall. Fingers played with hardened nipples as Stephen moaned and arched into every touch. He was so close to begging but the words would not come to his lips.
Suddenly, he found himself staring at the bricks. Close enough to make out the fine detail, his head was spinning. Hands grabbed his jeans and pulled them down, leaving them rest just around his hips. Rough fingers poked and prodded him, any appearance of gentleness gone as he was breached. Stephen cried out.
Nathalia stopped what she was doing, watching with wide eyes. Her brow furrowed. The bouncer stepped forward until he was close enough to the pair to touch either of them. He put a hand on the other man’s shoulder and when the man looked up at him, pressed a harsh kiss against his lips. Nathalia opened her daemonic senses wide, ignoring the lust in the air. Under the lust rested a layer of condensed violence. It interlinked well with the lust as the meaning became apparent to the daemon. She pushed herself off the crates, previous activities forgotten.
Stephen was aware of another presence beside them, a quick look told him that it was the bouncer. He relaxed, thinking that the bouncer would move them on. Obviously someone had complained about their activities…Or at least, that was what he had thought before he watched the deep passionate kiss between the two. A hand went to his hair and he found himself pulled away from the wall. Strong arms captured his, trapping him. He kicked out, trying to get free. He connected with something but the only result was a string of curses and a back-handed strike over his face. Kicking out again, he found his ankle caught and kept off the ground. Rational thought not the first thing on his mind, he kicked out again. His other ankle was caught. A quick transfer and both ankles were trapped between the bouncer’s arm and his tree-trunk sized leg. The free hand reached out and brutally caught his shaft and balls and squeezed tightly. Stephen’s cries could not be described as anything but agony embodied in a sound.
Nathalia panicked. Murderous intent flowed through the air and she couldn’t think of anything within her power that would help. Releasing lust would not help. Killing the lust would only enrage the situation… There was only one thing for it.
“BALTHION! I NEED YOU! ”
Her face pointed towards the sky, her lungs screaming as she shrieked out over the ambient noises. The beating of her heart counted time too quickly as she could do nothing but look on and try to consider a course of action that didn’t involve her just standing there.
The air shimmered and Balthion stepped out of the ether. Nathalia flew to him, clinging on, tears running down her cheeks. Balthion looked at her and then at the scene in front of him. A quick squeeze of her shoulders and he put her to one side. Closing his eyes he opened his mind in prayer asking for intervention and strength. He walked over to the fight and placed a well aimed kick against the knee of the bouncer. The bouncer stumbled, dropping Stephen’s legs.
Stephen was panicking, all sorts of terrible thoughts running through his mind as he fought. Then, suddenly, his legs were free. With a vicious swing, he stamped down hard on the instep of the man behind him. Another kick and he connected with shin. Still nothing. Leaning forward slightly, he slammed his head backwards, hearing a crunch. The arms loosened a fraction and Stephen shrugged free. One hand out, he pushed the bouncer into the wall as he ran.
Balthion and Nathalia watched their charge run. A shared look and they got moving themselves. Nathalia grabbed Balthion’s arm as she faded from corner to corner, shadow to shadow, trailing the boy by the smell of his panic.
Balthion’s skin crawled as he shimmered from place to place, passing through the very hell dimensions as they appeared and disappeared from place to place. Pushing it to the back of his mind, he concentrated on Stephen… and not the feeling of tentacles that caressed him every time they shimmered.
He didn’t think. He didn’t look. He didn’t feel. He just ran. One thought occupied his mind and that was getting as far away from that alley as possible. His heart was thumping and his lungs were burning but he didn’t let it get in his way. The only time he had slowed was to pull up his jeans and then he had resumed his high speed. Streets, alleys, parking lots… They faded into each other as he ran and ran and ran.
BANG!
Stephen found himself lying on the asphalt, winded and staring at the sky. Muscles burned as he struggled in vain to get them to respond. A figure stood over him, clad from head to toe in leather, a helmet on their head. Leather gloves were pulled off and cast aside as the now naked hand reached out to feel for a pulse and check for injury. Stephen shied away from the touch, wincing if it made contact, struggling to crawl away. The helmet was removed and blonde hair was shaken out. He watched lips moving but could make no sense of the sounds coming out. His eyes closed gently and he struggled to open them again, struggling to focus on the face in front of him, trying to track the movements. Darkness wormed its way into his vision, clouding everything. He blinked again, or tried to but nothing happened and unconsciousness claimed him, trapping him under it’s heavy cloak.
Bright lights assaulted his eyes. That was the first thing he was aware of as his eyes fluttered open. Machinery blipped and whispered voices found their way to his ears. White blandness surrounds him, supposedly reassuring him but realistically making him itch. A sound to his left sent him scuttering as far to the other side of the bed as physically possible. Steel railings bit into his side as the room wavered and coalesced into view, resolving itself until it was stationary again.
A girl, covered with a blanket sat uncomfortably in a chair, legs curled up under her. One hand was visibly wrapped in her hair, the other under the blanket, her blonde hair, straight and long covered part of her face. An angelic face rested on her arm, a smile resting easily on her face. Stephen relaxed a little, wincing as he moved, muscles screaming as he stretched.
A groan woke her and she stretched, purring as she contorted her body to straighten herself up on the chair. Pins and needles gripped her hand as blood returned to the reddened flesh. Blinking she looked over at the bed, checking up on the boy she had crashed into earlier. She saw brown eyes looking back down at her. She smiled, moving to stand.
"Hi! " she started. "I know that this is a little strange but well. . . I had to know that you were okay. I'm so sorry. I mean, I didn't even see you until you hit the bike and went flying. . . "
Stephen watched cautiously as the girl moved closer, until she was close enough to grab the bars at the other side of the bed. Stephen's knuckles whitened as his fingers tightened on the railing. A shiver started in his shoulder, spreading out and down until the rest of his body trembled. The girl backed away giving Stephen room.
He gasped for breath as panic overtook him, memories flooding his mind. The ghostly feeling of arms interlocking with his own, tightening and lifting, leaving him helpless. Stephen's hands closed over his own arm, tightening painfully.
She watched tears roll down Stephen's face as he dug his fingers into the flesh. Stepping forward, she held down the call button. The boy was worrying her. Blood ran down his arm from the half moon wounds that he was inflicting on himself. She moved to the door, flinging it open and yelling for help. White clad professionals ran towards her practically pushing her to the side as they pulled bottles and needles from trays. A quick injection and Stephen's grip loosened, letting him sink back down to the pristine white sheets. His eyes fluttered closed again as darkness claimed him again.
The next time he woke was when a bright light shone into his eyes. He twitched uncomfortably as he tried to focus on the world around him but a hand held his head in place. Bright circles danced in his vision as the light vanished, leaving him to see again. A dark haired doctor smiled down at him.
“How are you feeling? ” The doctor asked.
Stephen’s head swam as he tried to move, to sit up.
“Fine! ”
He looked around, seeing a chair with a blanket on it but no sign of the girl who had sat there previously. His brow furrowed as he tried to remember if it was dream or reality. He was only vaguely aware that he had woken up previously but only hazy recollections made themselves available to him.
“She was worried about you. ” The doctor’s soft voice filling the silence.
Stephen blinked, looking up at the man in his white coat as he wrote on a chart at the end of the bed.
“Pardon? ”
The doctor smiled, putting the chart away and coming to rest beside him on the side of the bed.
“I said that she was worried about you. You gave her quite a fright earlier, you know? She’s the one who brought you in here, well, called the ambulance anyway. You ran right out in front of her. She followed the ambulance in. ”
Stephen was only half paying attention to the words as his eyes watched the doctor’s hands, large and soft, clasped gently on the man’s lap. Dizziness still gripped Stephen making it hard to do more than one thing at once, and that one thing was holding onto the bed in case it had any ideas of not being stationary at any time in the future.
“Can you thank her for me? ” Stephen’s voice betrayed an amount of the nausea that he was feeling.
“You can do that yourself. She’s only down in the canteen grabbing whatever the staff’s substituting for coffee today. I’d offer you some, but I like to know what I’m prescribing for my patients. ”
Stephen laughed at the doctor’s easy nature, relaxing slightly. He shifted a little in the bed, wincing again as a web of pain shot through him. The doctor rose and hovered over him, concerned.
“So… Do you want to tell me what happened? ” A quiet question.
“No… I… I… I was attacked. ” Stephen turned to face away from the doctor, instantly regretting it as the world swam.
The doctor made an acknowledgement noise. Silence took over the room again.
“Look,” again those soft reassuring tones. “If you want to talk about it, here’s the number of a very good support group. I’ve worked with them in the past and they are good at what they do. ”
Stephen was aware of the card held out but made no move to take it. The doctor sighed and let the card fall on the hospital bedspread. He heard the door push open and turned to look. The blonde haired girl was back, coffee cup in her hand. A bright smile rested on her face as she saw him awake.
“Hi! ” she moved closer, cautiously this time.
She smiled at the doctor as he turned back to Stephen. “Well, my job’s done. I’ll leave you too alone while I go and look over my other patients. If you need anything, ring the bell. ”
Another smile and he left, leaving Stephen with the woman. Awkward silence filled the room for a few seconds before she started speaking again, although babbling would be a closer word for it.
“It’s good to see you awake. I was a little worried before. I really didn’t mean to hit you. I’m so sorry. If there is anything I can do…”
Stephen faded out the words, letting them wash over him as she apologized over and over again. He looked at the girl, taking in her features. The long blonde hair suited her perfectly, fanning out in long golden waves over her shoulders. Bright blue eyes, sparkling with her excitement warmed her face. Barest amounts of makeup on her eyes and lips highlighted rather than overpowered her features. Her voice, soft but excited. Leather jeans hugged her legs, her hips and a white t-shirt over it gave the faintest hint at the underwear underneath.
“It’s alright. ” Stephen started. “I wasn’t looking where I was going. It wasn’t your fault. ”
Stephen turned on his most winning smile, causing the girl to pause in her tracks. She smiled back at him, cheeks turning red. Stephen patted the bed beside him, putting his instinctive reaction on hold for a while. She smiled and very cautiously sat beside him.
Easy chatter flowed between the two as they talked about everything and anything until the doctor came back with the good news that he was going to be released. Stephen smiled. He couldn’t help but think that she reminded him a lot of Emily. He sobered at the thought. He now realised that he had been unspeakably cruel to the girl and was at a loss to figure out what had made him act like that. He resolved never to do anything like that again, he had been too close to the receiving end and it was not a place he wanted to revisit.
“Right then, it’s settled! ” The girls voice brought him out of his thoughts as he wondered what she had settled in his mental absence.
“Um… What? ”Stephen was mildly scared but mostly curious.
“You’re having dinner at our house tonight. All homemade, no takeout. ” Her face was a mask of mock resolve.
Stephen smiled. “Okay then… You’ve twisted my arm. I was hoping for some congealed hospital food that, I’m sure, moves when you’re not looking at it, but I suppose I can suffer some home-cooking… Just this once. ”
The girl laughed and went to wait outside while Stephen dressed. He looked at the clothes in front of him and almost wished that he could burn them, but instead he forced himself to put them on. He couldn’t very well go out into the world wearing a gown that opened down the back. He walked to the door, forcing it open and finding his companion waiting outside for him. An orderly put him in a wheelchair and rolled him down to the nurses station to sign forms. Stephen looked around for the very nice doctor but could not catch sight of him.
Stephen chatted easily with the girl as she helped him into her car. The drive to her house wasn’t long. It was mid afternoon by the time he had been released and he was actually starting to feel quite hungry.
The house they pulled up to was in the suburbs, a nice one story house with a decent garden. Two bikes sat in the driveway, well, one bike and one disassembled mess. Stephen flushed.
“I guess I wrecked your bike… Sorry! ”
She turned to him and smiled. “It’s okay. I’m just glad that you’re okay. ”
She helped him out of the car again, despite his insistence that he was fine and walked him to the door. She rummaged around her bag for keys.
“Crap! I must have forgotten them. My brother should be home. ”
Smiling, she puts her thumb on the doorbell and holds it down, melody flowing through the house on a continuous loop. Stephen hears some rather interesting curses from the other side of the door as footsteps pound through the house. Stephen smirks.
“Your brother? ”
She grins. “Yeah, sounds like him! ”
The door was pulled open and they were greeted with quite a sight. Soap suds ran from dark hair as shampoo migrated southwards, leaving wonderful water trails over the lightly haired chest. Strong muscles bulged and shifted as the man in front of them tried to hold onto the towel while hopping on one foot. Grey eyes looked out at him as a smile crossed the man’s face.
“Nice to see you up and about. ”
The voice, soft and reassuring, struck Stephen like an anvil. It was the doctor from this morning. He looked between the two and looked puzzled. The doctor moved back a little from the door and allowed the pair to enter.
“I believe you know my brother, Jamie. Jamie, you know Stephen! ”
Stephen could not focus on anything bar the grey eyes running over him. Earlier, he had dismissed the man as just his doctor. Okay, so it didn’t mean that he hadn’t looked him over and checked out his ass when he left the room, but he hadn’t expected to see him again, especially seeing as there had been no sign of the man when he had left the hospital. Stephen’s eyes leisurely crawled over the man’s body from the eyes, to the lips, down to the chest and lower, fingers itching to remove the towel and follow the trail of dark hair under the towel. The man in front of him, Jamie, had an amused look on his face as he noticed Stephen checking him out. Stephen blushed, instantly ashamed and glad that he had gotten caught.
Sam pushed past the two men and wandered into the kitchen, muttering about men under her breath.
Stephen’s hand moved out to brush a trail of suds currently running down Jamie’s forehead, catching the suds before it ran straight into the older man’s eye. Jamie smiled.
“I should…”The sentence hung in the air.
“Yeah…”Equally suspended.
Jamie stepped backwards, heading in a general sense towards the bathroom. He smiled and turned, only to find himself tripping over a small table. Another profanity coloured the air as Stephen laughed, going over to help the grounded doctor. He offered a hand and it was gladly taken. A quick hoist and both men were on their feet, face to face, hand still grasped. Their faces were mere inches apart. Just a little close and…
“Jamie… Shower! ”A voice shouted from the kitchen. “Stephen, you can help me in the kitchen. Flirting and soul searching can come after dinner! ”
The boys laughed and blushed. Jamie excused himself and ducked out of the sitting room. Stephen was left staring at the doorway that he had vanished through.
“Cute isn’t he? ”
Stephen looked over at the source of the voice, seeing Sam standing there with a huge grin on her face. He could feel his face reddening as he just nodded.
Somewhere, across town, Balthion felt a warm feeling and smiled. The Plan was perfectly on track again.
They had followed at a discrete distance, flowing from shadow to shadow as Stephen ran. Nathalia was panting when they finally came to a rest, leaning heavily against the stone wall as they looked on. Stephen was lying on the side of the road as two figures leaned over him. One had the quiet professionalism of someone who knew what they were doing, the other had the concerned look of someone who was genuinely worried about the consequences of their actions. Balthion wanted to step forward and simply cast a healing web around the boy but serious consequences would be broached if he did. He could feel the strands of the Plan winding around the scene.
The girl, he recognized her from earlier was speaking into a phone, summoning an ambulance and giving directions. Another quick phone call and the guards were summoned. Balthion kept a watchful eye on the situation from their slight distance. Nathalia couldn’t bring herself to watch as she tried to slink back into shadows. Balthion’s hand on her arm stopped her from fading out completely. She looked up at him with scared eyes. Balthion fought his comforting nature and simply watched. He reminded himself that this mess was the daemon’s fault. That everything that had happened today was her fault. Stephen’s moral decline, his libidinous nature, his almost fatal brush with two thugs.
They followed on to the hospital and Balthion’s heart soared to see the blonde woman taking a seat beside the boy, curled up in a hospital chair while her brother pulled some strings to swap shifts for the rest of the evening. Nathalia tried again and again to pull away from him but Balthion kept her tethered to him. He wanted a chat with her and he wasn’t going to wait until she felt in a mood to talk.
Finally satisfied, he left, shimmering between the hospital room and the small apartment that went with his mortal job. As soon as they appeared, he released Nathalia. She moved away from him, trying to shimmer out again but finding that she had neither the strength nor the inclination to run off into the night. She moved to the bed, sitting down and twisting so that her back was to the headboard, her knees tucked almost under her chin. She looked a completely pathetic sight.
Balthion sat beside her, head angled to look at her as he waited. Nothing was forthcoming as she simply started off into space, looking through the bed to the floor beneath if such a thing was possible. Night still enveloped the city.
Balthion reached out, putting his hand on her, getting her attention. She looked up. Strong, sympathetic eyes met her own and her world felt a little more right. She felt that she could talk to him, talk until words no longer came to her. She sighed. She was in trouble this time, there was no doubting that. She had called for help. That much was a fact, but instead of calling someone on her side, she had called the Angel. It hadn’t been a choice, it had been instinct, purely that. But she was looking at a severe reprimand for this if it was ever noticed. Prayer was not something that Nathalia believed in. In a way it was sacrilegious for her to even consider it. Instead she hoped, appealing to Fate to hide her indiscretion. She knew that Balthion was looking at her, she knew he wanted an explanation but she didn’t want to talk. She had watched her charge fly through the air as the wheel had struck him. She watched him struggle helplessly as two guys pinned him and attempted to claim him. For the first time since her creation, she wondered if she was fighting for the wrong side…
Balthion spoke softly. “What happened? ”
Nathalia sighed, looking up at the angel with wet eyes. She didn’t want to talk about it but something inside her compelled her and the words started falling from her lips.
“I screwed up again…”
Balthion smiled encouragingly, gently stroking her covered leg, transferring understanding and non-judgment through the touch.
She started again. “You were right… I shouldn’t have taken him out. It was a stupid idea although you have to know that I wouldn’t have interfered if I had known. Getting my charge killed was not on the agenda. I had no idea. I read the lust and worked with that, there was nothing else visible until they left the club. ”
Balthion looked at her, his face impassive for a moment before speaking. “I believe you! ”
Nathalia looked shocked at the three words, trying to take them in. On one hand she was heartened that he believed her but on the other… She was angry at herself that three words from the angel lifted her spirits higher than any of the feedings she had partaken of to date.
“I don’t care! ”She said, lying through her teeth and hoping that it was believable. “I have bigger issues now. ”
Balthion took her words in stride though curiosity pulled at his attention. A frown on his forehead he wordlessly asked for more information.
“I shouldn’t have called you. I should have called my superior. ”
Nathalia pulled her feet away from herself and stretched out on the bed. Balthion shifted slightly, making room for her.
“But you called me. Why? ”He pressed for more information.
“I don’t know. They would have just watched and laughed as the boy got his ass taken or got crap beaten out of him. Damnit, Wings, you’ve had a bad effect on me. ”She pouted.
Balthion couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ve had an equally bad effect on me, it would appear. ”
It was Nathalia’s turn to look confused. Balthion sighed.
“I used force against a human. ”
Nathalia’s jaw dropped. “You call those animals human? I think you need a better dictionary, Wings! ”
Balthion shook his head. “It does not matter what acts they perpetrate, at their core there is still good. I have His power at my hand but instead of simply diffusing the situation, I struck out. An unforgivable sin! ”
Balthion moved, starting to stand but a hand on his arm stopped him. For a second he stopped, remembering the first time she touched him. Corruption had spread over his skin making him feel impure. But now… It was still there but bearable. Was he tainted now? Was she influencing him? Separating him from his celestial core?
It was Nathalia’s turn to comfort Balthion. She moved until she was beside him on the bed. Her hand, not longer in a holding gesture, now rested lightly on his arm. He looked down at the hand as she moved beside him, turning your face to look at her.
“An angel’s spell only works if redemption is possible. It is not always the answer. You just nudged one of them, Balthion, you gave Stephen the chance to make the choice to stay and fight or to run. ”
While her words made logical sense, he still knew that what he had done was wrong. Acting on the spur of the moment and letting reaction govern rational decision. Kheramite could have his wings for this. And Balthion was still not sure whether he had been wrong or not.
He was still weighing the morality of his decision when soft lips pressed to his own. A questing tongue sneaked out, tasting, testing. Balthion opened his mouth to protest, pulling back slightly but Nathalia was ready for him, keeping the contact and letting her tongue enter his mouth. He tasted of strawberries and cream, innocence and hope. Her hand moved up to touch his bicep, holding him in place. Her eyes were closed, relaxing into the feelings when…
Balthion pulled backwards the instant he realised what was going on. He stood, leaving the daemon to fall face first onto the bed, or catching herself at the last moment.
“What in the seven Hells that you come from do you think you are doing? ”Balthion’s voice filled with shock and surprise as he stepped away from the bed completely.
He ran his hand through his hair as he tried to figure out what on Earth she had been doing. He couldn’t deny that the taste of blackberries was inviting but he was an Angel. She was a daemon. This was extraordinarily wrong! He paced around the kitchen, not even daring to look at her. She had suckered him in. She had played him. She didn’t care about the fact that he had been thinking about the end of his career, a long and prosperous career as long as she pulled something out of the air to forgive her previous indiscretion of calling an Angel at a time of crisis. He was raging. Rage was not acceptable. He would have to… He didn’t know. He would have to do something.
He slammed open the door and stormed out without even sparing a glance behind him. He would go… He would make a confession. He would do anything. Just getting out of her realm of influence was a start. He stormed around the city, stopping in at the hospital briefly to discover that Stephen was still unconscious.
Meanwhile back at the apartment, Nathalia stared at the door. She did not move for the longest time. Part of her expected Balthion to walk back in, take her in his arms and finish what she had started, but the rest of her knew better. She didn’t know what had come over her. Another instinct? She sighed, closing her eyes and lying back down on the bed. It seemed that she could do nothing right today.
A sound pulled at the corner of her mind and she looked up. A small black card floated down from the ceiling, falling to land beside her head on the pillow. Her finger brushed over the black card as she tilted it so the red lettering caught the light.
“Your presence is requested immediately. Come alone! – Dominion”
Nathalia’s heart fell. The Fates had not spared her. Rising, she cast a glamour over herself, instantly changing her mood. She knew that it would not stand up under Dominion’s scrutiny but perhaps if he didn’t look closely…
Nathalia stood around the corner from Dominion’s nightclub. Her hands trembled as her thumb ran over the black card between her fingertips. She’d been standing there for a few minutes now, trying to work up the courage to round the corner and enter the club. It had never been so difficult for her before. All it took was one step in front of another. Taking a deep breath, she took a step and then another. Without realising it she had walked up to the front door. Looking up she saw wide smiles on the bouncers faces. She could already tell they were laughing at her, or maybe she was just being paranoid.
She moved past them without as much as a pleasantry, slipping inside the club. Leather and lace filled her vision as she pushed by daemons to get to the bar. She needed some daemon strength courage if she was going to pull this off. She pointed at a bottle behind the bar and the bartender looked at her. The murderous look on her face was enough to make him reconsider any questioning that he had planned on doing. He poured out a large measure. Eyes widened when she gestured for more but he complied. Shaking his head, he walked away, replacing the bottle.
Nathalia rolled the glass between her hands, warming the liquid slightly. She smiled as she remembered the name of it. Angel’s Demise, a fine blend of sin and evil brewed for 500 years in Hell’s deepest, darkest corners. She supped from the frosty glass and felt the concentrated evil slide down her throat. She felt slightly better, slightly more whole. She took another drink. Again, liquid fire poured down her throat, warming her and returning the flush to her cheeks.
A hand touched her shoulder and she turned, fire blazing in her eyes until she found herself looking straight into the face of Dominion. Internally, she paled but externally, she stayed strong. Looking back defiantly, she smiled up at Dominion, greeting him. He took her glass from her hand and sniffed. Smiling, he returned the glass to her.
“So, you’ve heard then? ” Dominion said in that oily voice of his, words sliding over her.
Nathalia said nothing. She wasn’t going to admit to anything and not in the middle of the nightclub anyway.
“They’ve interfered again, gotten the boy a soul-mate! ”
Dominion’s eyes played over her own, reading the lack of expression that she set there, looking for some clues without probing her mind again. Nathalia did not even flinch. Dominion moved in closer, trapping her between his body and the bar. A sneer rested on his lips. Nathalia tried to keep a cold look on her face but she could tell that he was spreading his essence at that moment. She was slightly puzzled.
Dominion leaned in closer, smelling the lesser daemon. An unfamiliar scent filled his nostrils and he smiled. Goodness and hope fluttered upwards off of his childe as he smelled. The daemon had been close to the angel. The aroma was a pure turn on to him. He leaned in extra close and licked Nathalia from neck to ear, savouring the taste of the angel’s scent. He felt her flinch beneath him and it just turned him on more. He pushed his body against her, letting her feel his arousal as he ground it against her hip.
Nathalia wanted to climb out of her skin and run, anything to get away from the feeling of sickness and decay festering on her skin. She was trapped though, caught between bar stools and the bar. She felt him push against her, a solid lump grinding against her thigh. The daemon’s saliva burned where it touched her skin, making her whimper slightly.
Dominion’s hands formed into claws as he took hold of Nathalia’s dress. Cutting a nick in the fabric, he pulled. The black material ripped with a satisfying sound as it fell away from her body, leaving her standing there with nothing on but her heels. She fought him but he held her firm, releasing more of his essence to please the crowd around him and get them interested.
Nathalia felt her dress rip and fall away with little more than a thought. A hand pushed its way between her legs, forcing her to readjust her stance. She smelt pure lust in the air. Dominion’s scent. He had to know that it had no effect on her, didn’t he? Why was he releasing it? She looked around, shaking her hair madly as she struggled. Daemon’s looked on, revelling in the evenings entertainment. She was still looking around when Dominion spun her, turning her to face the bar. The bartender looked on from his spot behind the bar. Her eyes pleaded with him, for what she didn’t know.
Fingers probed her from behind, opening her up and delving deep into her. She cried out in pain at the sudden entry. She had never known anything besides her own fingers. These, in comparison felt huge. She tried to rise, to get herself away from them but a hand now holding her hair, held her in place. A zipping noise could be heard and a cheer from the crowd. Nathalia froze, dreading what she thought would be coming next.
Pain ran through her as she screamed out in agony, closing her eyes reflexively. Tears forced their way between closed eyes, leaving streams down her cheeks. Her nether regions felt as if they were on fire. Sound refused to come from her mouth as she screamed silent screams instead. She felt something against her cheek. Opening her eyes, she saw the bartender catching her tears in a small glass vial. Nathalia cursed loudly as she tried to fight her way free again, but to no avail. Dominion had her pinned and that was the end of it. She was just about to submit, to stop fighting when she felt Dominion pull out. Liquid spurted onto her back, blazing hot. She screamed again as it seared her flesh. Dominion dropped her, leaving her sprawled against the bar. Nathalia forced herself up on shaky legs.
The bartender added another liquid to the vial, shaking it up before pouring it into a cocktail and handing it to Dominion. Nathalia glared at him as he sat on a barstool beside her, smiling down at her, sipping his drink.
“Daemon’s tears always add that touch of bitterness to the mix. Thank you, daughter, for providing the flavouring! ”
Nathalia stepped away, bitter and enraged. The angel had been nothing like this. He had been sweet and understanding. He wouldn’t simply use her to flavour a drink! She started to cast out her essence to re-clothe herself again but found that it was dispelled before it could be completed. A slight gesture to some daemons and she found herself grabbed and lifted. A cold surface pressed against her back as something snapped around her wrists and ankles. She struggled again but again, her efforts were in vain. Dominion moved in close, until his mouth was just over her ear.
“Now, as I was saying… The angels have introduced an ace card. They’ve introduced Stephen to his soul mate and it appears that the boy has fallen hook, line and sinker. This causes us a problem, as I’m sure you can guess… Oh, you don’t mind if the boys have a little fun do you? ”
Nathalia cursed the elder daemon with every word or phrase that she could think of. Insults spewed from her lips as he laughs and nods to the daemons. Nathalia watched the crowd swell and vie for position as the first hand reached out and touched her. Delicate fingers moved over her body, touching stomach and breast with gentle strokes. It traced around her nipple gently as she started to relax. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad…
Dominion leaned in again. “Anyway, back to the soul mate issue. It shall be your job to nit pick to Stephen about him. You know what to do there, don’t you? ”
Nathalia smiled and nodded, barely registering his words. The hand was brushing between her legs, flicking and coaxing the enflamed flesh there. She writhed against her bonds as she tried to move the hand to the right area, to touch her where she needed to be touched, but to no avail.
Dominion’s hand on her shoulder almost ruined the moment.
“Remember, do whatever you have to. That boy must be ours! ”
Nathalia looked up with him, pupils dilated with pleasure and nodded. The fingers dropped inside her, brushing and searching for that certain something that only came with mortal bodies. They brushed against it making Nathalia arch her back, straining the chains. Nathalia screamed out as the first wave of orgasmic lust flowed over her. She collapsed downwards again as she gasped for her breath. She felt the fingers thicken, filling her more but keep up their pace, rubbing over her clit as they moved slowly in and out of her willing body. It wasn’t long before she was riding on another wave of ecstasy. Again the fingers grew, widening and fattening, stretching her. It was uncomfortable now, but there was no let up in the pace. Faster and faster they moved in and out of her. Other fingers took hold of her nipples and started to pinch and pull on the aroused nubs.
Another screaming orgasm and the same follow on. Nathalia could feel flesh tear as the fingers widened again. The fingers moved away from her nipples and a warm mouth replaced them. Teeth brushed against sensitive skin lightly before closing tightly on the area. Nathalia screamed out. The teeth sharpened as they bit in, leaving Nathalia with the impression that her nipples would be bitten clear off. She thrashed and fought but the chains kept her still. She felt blood being drawn from her nipple, the warm suction at once erotic and painful. The huge fingers, still moving in and out kept growing. The world around her descended into one great scream and more people moved in to touch and feel and pinch. Her voice ran out, leaving her unable to speak. Her eyes poured out endless streams of salt water as she sobs uncontrollably.
Why was Dominion doing this to her? Why? She hadn’t done anything…He hadn’t said that he had found out…
The line of questioning continued in her mind as she tried to block out what was happening to her body. As she closed her eyes she thought back, picturing a beautiful face surrounded with brown hair, soft to the touch. Dimples settled on cheeks as she remembered his laughing face. Brown eyes, soft and understanding looked back at her from her fantasy. She imagined being picked up and carried away from this place, kissed into oblivion, to be held in those arms forever.
Daybreak came before she knew it and she felt the chains being released, leaving her free to stand, if she could. Her body protested as she attempted to move. Pain shot through her as she stumbled to her feet. She was drenched in more substances than she cared to imagine. She used a fraction of her power to clothe herself. No one cast so much as a second glance at her. She stumbled behind the bar, grabbing a bottle of the strongest liquorthat they kept on the premises and shimmered out of the club.
She appeared back in Balthion’s apartment. Nathalia was surprised. She hadn’t been thinking of any specific place, just away from the club. Again, she dropped into Balthion’s bed and pulling the covers over herself. She let exhaustion claim her. style='mso-tab-count:1'>
Balthion returned to his apartment, head clear from the walk he had taken around the city. His reaction to the daemon had worried him. Why was he letting her get under his skin? Why in Heaven’s name had she kissed him? What was she hoping to gain from him? It hurt him to think that she may be doing it just to distract him. The thought was unconscionable to him and his way of thinking. Goodness and hope filled him. He had recognized that he wanted to save her, he wanted to reform her but part of him knew that it would not, could not happen. He was angel and she was daemon, polar opposites, enemies in the grand scheme. His eyes were downcast as he entered his apartment, morning breaking over the cityscape.
Light filled the apartment casting almost ethereal light over anything it touched. He smiled as he went to the kettle, putting it on to boil. A noise sat on the corner of his hearing, making him turn. The bed moved slightly, as black hair spread over the pillow. He sighed, walking over. His brow furrowed as he approached. He could now make out the sobbing noises almost muffled by the bedding. He sat on the edge of the bed, pulling back the covers. Sure enough, Nathalia was curled up into a foetal position under the covers. Balthion reached out a hand but pulled it back just before it touched her. The events of the last time played over in his mind. Would she do it again?
Comforting senses overcame caution and his reached out, attracting her attention. She turned, trying at once to appear that she hadn’t been crying but she failed. Reddish eyes, wet and shiny looked up at him. Her mouth, set in a hard line, gave her face a hate-filled expression. She didn’t say a word. She didn’t have to. Balthion pulled her up and embraced her. She buried her head into his shoulder, letting her weep openly and not saying a word. Understanding flowed from him as he took in her battered appearance. A healing wave passed over her, returning her to her former glory. He could not stay mad at the daemon. He could not stay mad at any creature in need. It was not in his nature. A protective feeling embraced him before he realised it. Violent thoughts infringed on his celestial peacefulness, frightening him. He struggled to suppress it, afraid to ask for help from above.
His hand moved in soothing circles on the daemon’s back, skin touching skin. His skin no longer crawled, it no longer itched. A concept that worried Balthion intensely. Body wrenching sobs quieted to barely audible whimpers. Soon, she stilled and deep regular breathing was the only noise that he could hear. And still he held her. His hand still touched her back as his arms embraced her. Content, he stayed, unmoving, waiting, watching, protecting. His own eyes closed as he drifted off.
Nathalia stirred first. A warm feeling surrounded her and she snuggled in closer. Arms embraced her holding her to a hard chest. She revelled in the feeling, not worrying at the moment who or what was holding her. Her eyes flickered open, getting blinded by sunlight peeking in the gap under the blinds. The arms holding her twitched, tightening lightly and then releasing again. Her head angles upwards and her eyes meet with smiling brown eyes. She moves a little and the arms part to allow her to sit up again. The warmth of sleep released her and her rubbed her eyes, clearing her vision. Balthion was already moving towards the kitchen. He held up the teapot and with a wordless question asked her if she wanted some. She shook her head, comfortable silence settling between them.
Balthion turned, leaning against the counter. He wondered how to broach the subject of last night. The last time he had done this she had ended up trying to stick her tongue down his throat. The time before that she had stormed out on him. He took a deep breath.
“Nathalia…Can you talk about it? ”His voice was soft, understanding.
Nathalia looked up. The smile vanished from her face. She sighed and reached down to grab the comforter, wrapping it around herself. She shivered a little, the events of last night playing over in her mind. She grabbed the comforter tighter as she tried to decide whether to tell him or not.
She started, trying to get the words out. “I… I… It’s nothing! It’s just… Something happened but there isn’t anything that you can do about it. There’s nothing that can be gained by telling you or rehashing what he… they did. ”
Balthion moved back towards her, moving to comfort her. She held out a hand, keeping him at a distance. He stopped, giving her the space that she needed. He watches her eyes drop to examine the wooden floor.
“The first thing you have to understand is that we work differently, Balthion. ”
The use of his name and not the name that she had attached to him from the start worried him a little but he stood patiently in front of her, waiting and not pushing.
“I don’t know what you know about us but we are created for an assignment. Our father calls us from the ether and casts us into being. After this, we either move on to another department or we are returned to await calling again. Our father, Dominion, has complete power over us. This is not in question. He calls and we come running. He has called twice. You’ve seen what happened the first time. I brought Stephen. I was foolish in that and I know it now. I was so desperate to win, to keep you away from the boy that I didn’t want to let him out of my sight. Dominion claims only one rule. Everything that is his is shared equally among his children, his friends, anyone he invites to partake of his hospitality. I thought that he would not include Stephen in that but…I was wrong. He took the boy and talked him into pissing off a metamorphosising daemon. They took him and used him until they were too tired to do anything else to him and then opened him up to anyone who wanted a shot. ”
She looked up, directly at Balthion. His frown was entrenched as horror was written all over his face. She smiled up at him but it was cold and humourless, chilling him more. All the time, her voice had been flat, leeched of emotion.
“I couldn’t help him. I tried but I was being held back. Dominion made sure that I could see it. I was standing on a platform overlooking the dance floor. They were… They were doing things to me, making sure that I was aroused while I watched. I’ve never felt so helpless in my existence. You have to believe me, Balthion. I never meant it to happen. I wouldn’t wish it on a daemon, let alone a charge. I should have known better but I didn’t. ”
A tear crawled down from her eye, marring her perfect looks. Balthion moved closer, scooping her up in his arms. She folded, leaning into him for a moment before pushing back again. Her story wasn’t finished yet. Balthion’s hand rested on her back, rubbing in circles. His angelic side screamed for him to comfort but still something deep inside reminded him that she was a daemon and inherently untrustworthy. Centuries of angelic experience knocked down the inner mistrust as sympathy reigned.
“Last night… It was different. I was summoned again. There was news and Dominion demanded my presence. I had no choice but to go, but I… After what happened before I would have done anything to get out of it, but an Elder Daemon is not one to be ignored. He… He wanted a cocktail. He wanted a cocktail. ”
Her voice was hard, disdainful, hate filled. Balthion moved slightly closer, trying to do something but coming up with nothing bar holding the daemon.
“Did you know that a daemon’s tears, un-freely given are bitter and prized as an ingredient in daemonic cocktails? ” Her eyebrows rise as she asks, waiting for his answer which is of course, negative. “It is. Dominion… Dominion wanted one of these cocktails and he’d chosen me to provide the final ingredient. ”
Nathalia pulled back the comforter and raised the hem of her skirt a little. Black and purple marks lay in tracks on her skin, finger patterns clearly visible. Her wrists and ankles were a web of cuts, some deep, some not, over vivid purple and red. Balthion’s hand was reaching out before he realised, touching her abused flesh. How could they do that to one of their own? Was there no depths to which they would not sink? His hand brushed over her skin, healing as it went. Purple faded out, leaving unmarked skin. He took her hand in his and closed his eyes. Concentrating, he sent wave after wave of healing energy through her.
Nathalia watched in awe as her marks disappeared, leaving her as untouched as when she was dragged from the ether. Something washed over her. Something unfamiliar. She tried to pin it down but it was like nothing that she had ever felt before. It was like lust but … warmer, deeper. She wasn’t entirely comfortable with the feeling. It was contrary to her nature. She wasn’t sure what to do. She couldn’t act on her feelings, that would send him scurrying again and that was not what she needed right at this moment of time. So, tucking them away into a small corner of her mind, she ignored the feeling.
“Dominion… You have to understand. ” She continues on, trying to ignore the feelings inside her. “His very touch makes you want to skin yourself and crawl away, but you can’t. He won’t let you. ”
She buried her head back into his chest, taking shelter there as his arms wrapped around her again. She looks up again, her face mere inches from the angel’s. Her eyes locked on his lips, seeing them growing larger as she looked at them. Suddenly realising that she was moving closer, she pulled back, looking down again. She needed a topic of conversation and fast. Her mind latched onto something that Dominion had said.
“He said that you had introduced Stephen to his one true love. Was he right? ” Her voice was unreadable.
Balthion took a deep breath. He wasn’t sure where this was going but part of him worried that it would cause an outburst again, however, he could not lie.
“No. I did not do it. Fate took a hand. The bike that hit him. That was his soul mate. She sat in the hospital beside him as he lay there. It was…” He smiled. “It was truly touching. ”
Nathalia looked up at the angel and the peaceful look on his face. She returned the smile, not quite forcing it but not far off.
“Good. Good. I’m glad! ”
Balthion blinked. To say the statement surprised him was an understatement.
“Can we…I mean… Would it be alright if we went to see him? ” Her words were hesitant.
Balthion nodded, a little wary but something in her voice made him want to trust her, to believe that she was sincere.
“He should be happy…” True sadness filled her voice as she stood, turning to face the angel again, waiting for him to stand.
Balthion spoke simply, “Yes, he should be. ”
Standing, he held out his hand. “Shall we go? ”
Nathalia reached out, taking his hand in hers and stepping in close. The familiar feeling of shimmering momentarily out of existence wracked her body before she reappeared. Wonderfully easy conversation filled her ears as laughter echoed around a dining room table and she saw a wide smile on her charges face. Again, that warm and deep feeling filled her as she watched, a warm pressure against her back as she leaned into Balthion’s chest.
It was going against her mission, her training and Dominion, but for the first time, the daemon rooted for the opposite team. Since she had appeared, she had messed him around so many times, influencing him again and again until he did exactly what she wanted him to do. The darker side of lust and sex had been his playground and though satisfaction had embraced him and ridden him to the point of ecstasy so many times, she had never seen him as soul warmingly happy as he was at this moment. Her demonic spectrum showed the hidden signals of something more than lust as he bantered back and forth.
“They will make a wonderful couple,” she remarked.
Balthion nodded.
“Our files were woefully incomplete at the beginning, you know,” Nathalia continued. “There was absolutely no indication that he was gay or even bisexual, but he seems to have embraced it whole-heartedly. ”
Balthion’s brow furrowed. He was a little lost with the conversation. Why on earth was she bringing it up now?
A female voice rung out clearly. “Right who’s for seconds? Jamie? Stephen? ”
Balthion’s jaw dropped. Nathalia turned, catching the look of utter shock on the angel’s face and laughing softly.
“It seems that our files aren’t the only ones who are incomplete! ”
Balthion’s shock spread to his voice as his mouth opened and closed in a manner closely resembling that of a fish.
“But… But… At the hospital. She was by his bedside. She was there for the entire night. Why would she…? ”
Balthion could almost hear Kheramite’s first lecture back when he was but a fledge. “Assumptions are to be avoided. Mortals never act as we expect. That is the beauty of free will. ”
He sighed. Mortals could still surprise him and so, it appeared, could daemons. But… He looked down on Nathalia. But maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing after all.