Chapter One

Nichael perched on a tree branch of the old oak and watched the house. The magical energy encasing the house made it difficult for him to see what might be happening behind the closed blinds. He’d already been filled in on the potential danger of the man who lived here. As an angel of the Lower Order of Creation, Nichael had been left the task of deciding the ultimate fate of the mage tinkering with power beyond his understanding.

From across the street, another watched the same house. A black gaze drifted from the house to the oak then back to the house. A slow smile curled the lips holding a cigarette. As he cupped the lighter in front of the cigarette, Nias chuckled low. He took a slow drag and exhaled a moment later, lazily watching the gray smoke drift away in the stiff breeze.

Nichael was already aware of the other presence, and the movement of his wings rustled in faint agitation. Looking toward the street, he unerringly located the demon. Nichael wasn’t surprised, but he didn’t exactly welcome his fallen brother either.

A flash lit one of the front windows of the house, and Nias grinned. Silly fool of a mortal. Nias dropped the cigarette and ground it out on the sidewalk with the toe of his boot. Then he looked up, sensing attention from another. The corner of his mouth lifted in an amused grin and he pushed away from the lamppost, heading toward the house. As he passed beneath the boughs of the oak tree, he spared an upward glance. The angel in the tree was most certainly a nice one. Nias allowed a dark smile to cross his lips before he turned away.

The flash of light drew a disquieted sigh from Nichael. The mage truly was fooling with things that would go rapidly beyond his control. As he glanced back down, his gaze narrowed on Nias as the demon passed beneath him.

“You would be better off returning to where you belong.”

“And miss all the fun?” Nias shot back over his shoulder. When he reached the house, two massive wings spread out behind him. The moonlight flickered over the black feathers, bringing out their bluish hue. He rose into the air and settled onto the rooftop as his wings lowered. He looked back at Nichael, his smile almost taunting.

Nichael knew who Nias was. His own wings unfurled as he dropped from the tree. With a powerful upward surge, he landed a short distance from Nias. “You aren’t here for the fun, so why are you here?”

A deep chuckle resonated in the air between them. “Oh, but tearing a mortal to shreds is fun indeed,” Nias purred as his dark gaze slid over Nichael. “Or you could have the puny man inside, and I will ply my trade on you.”

“You will be doing neither.” Nichael spread his wings to their full length before tucking them against his back. “The man inside is none of your business.”

One dark eyebrow rose at that. “And who is going to stop me, oh ‘light one’? You?” Nias let out a short laugh and edged along the top of the roof, seeming to take his own sweet time in getting to the other side.

“At this point, I don’t think I have to stop you at all,” Nichael said.

When Nias disappeared off the roof, his laughter danced in the air around Nichael. Down below on the ground, Nias crept closer to a darkened window from which the bursts of light emanated. He could see nothing but the faintest outline of a figure. Then another flash lit up the room and Nias’ eyes widened slightly. He’d expected to see a single man, possibly young, playing with fire, so to speak. What he had not expected was to see a room full of people…and an older-looking mage. He started to rethink his plan of going about this alone.

Paying no more attention to Nias, Nichael created a pocket of energy around himself. Its cell structure began to blend with the energy field of the house as he sank downward. It left no trace of any disturbance to alert the mage of an intruder. He needed to get inside the house to investigate.

Grumbling, Nias dissolved into shadows and seeped into the ground. He emerged inside the house, in a darkened hallway. He could hear the chanting coming from down the hall, but before he could start toward the door, a familiar presence caught hold of his senses.

“Persistent, aren’t you, Nichael?”

An annoyed growl sounded from not too far away before Nichael came into view. He fell silent and stiffened before inching toward the door. A painful sensation began to burn him the closer he got to the door.

Nias rolled his eyes and shook his head. “It won’t get any better.”

No sooner had the words left Nias’ mouth than another brilliant flash lit up the room behind the door. Inside the house, the walls and doors shook violently and a deep growl echoed from the room.

“That…was not me,” Nias muttered.

Nichael expanded his sight to see beyond the walls and door. He caught the barest glimpse of the light within before he was completely blinded. Staggering back, he clawed at his eyes. He knew the power’s source like no other.

Nias caught Nichael before the angel could fall and alert everyone of their presence. When he realized his arms were wrapped around Nichael’s waist, he pushed the angel away. “Now that didn’t look fucking pleasant. What the hell did you see?”

Nichael didn’t look at Nias or even indicate he could no longer see. He reached out for the wall, and stared at what he hoped was the door. “I had only thought…” Trailing off, he shook his head. “He’s already tapped into the very source of all of our power. He’s twisted it.”

“What?” Nias turned the angel around and was startled to see the once-silver eyes were now milky-white. “No fucking way. We need to rethink our plans.”

Nichael reached out again, trying to grab hold of the demon. Being more sensitive to the power emanating from the room, he winced when its painful effects scorched through his body. “Get out of here now, Nias.”

“Not without you. Gonna need help with this one.” Nias growled and picked Nichael up, keeping a tight hold on him as shadows dissolved them both.

The warm sense of energy soothed over the searing pain, and Nichael closed his eyes. He couldn’t see Nias, but he could feel him. The demon had managed to surprise the hell out of him.

Nias let out an annoyed growl. This mission was already going to Hell, quite literally, it seemed. He stepped out of the shadows still cradling the blind angel and retreated farther into the cave. There he placed Nichael gently on the smooth stone floor.

“Now, what the hell did you see?”

Nichael needed a moment to regain his bearings while his sight returned. “The mage has managed to create a tear in the inner works of creation. The power… He’s accessed it. Just for that short time. That’s what I saw.” Bemused, Nichael tried to think of how to stop the mage. He’d been seriously caught off guard and didn’t plan to be again. “How is it that you were even anywhere near this, Nias?”

Nias’ brow wrinkled. “My master sent me to destroy the mage. Why?”

Nichael knew Nias was too young to be anywhere near this. He opened his mouth to say something then closed it. Why Lucifer would want one of his own creatures destroyed was beyond him. Finally he said, “I had thought you were drawn into this out of curiosity.”

“No. I managed to piss off the Big Guy by questioning an order. Next thing I know, I’m on a special mission.” Nias shrugged. “Guess it keeps me out of his hair for a bit, eh?” he asked, throwing Nichael a wry grin. “Now, how are we going to deal with this mage?”

“Nias, in your case, it might have meant to be permanently out of his hair. How am I going to deal with the mage? Very carefully.”

Nias narrowed his gaze. “Okay, two things. First, what do you mean by ‘permanently’? And second, I do believe you mean ‘we’.”

Nichael really didn’t feel up to spelling it out, but he tried anyway. “The only thing protecting you from what happened in the house was me. I absorbed the waves of power. If you had walked into it by yourself, you would have been destroyed. Very permanently destroyed. Not even your master could handle the power. And that is precisely why I mean I, and not we.”

Nias huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. “I was sent to destroy this guy,” he said. “I’m not going to back down now. I’ve been trailing him for some time, but never got close enough until now.”

“Did you understand anything I just said?” Nichael shot the demon an annoyed look.

Nias rolled his eyes and stood. “For the most part, yes.” He traced his fingers over faded drawings left by the ancient occupants of the cave. “You’re welcome, by the way,” he said dryly.

“You’re just not understanding the important parts.” Eyeing him with an arched brow, Nichael asked, “Welcome for what?”

“For getting you out of there. I got us both out before anything else could happen. Instead of getting a ‘thank you’, I’m getting a fucking lecture.”

“I’m supposed to thank you for being smart enough to figure you needed my help?”

Nias opened his mouth, but snapped it shut again. “Whatever,” he grumbled. “We still haven’t figured out what we’re going to do. And I’m still not quite clear on the whole ‘permanently destroyed’ bit. Why would my master do that?”

“You weren’t motivated as I was, Nias. But I can say thank you anyway. As for your master, I’m going to hazard a guess and say he seriously disliked being questioned.”

With a dejected sigh, Nias turned and slid down the wall to the cold stone floor. “Well, if Master’s intent was to do away with me completely then I guess I’m essentially stuck here.”

Nichael frowned. He hated to get involved with this one. It wasn’t his place to comfort a demon over losing his position in Hell. The irony was too undeniable. However, he did sense how utterly lost Nias felt. Getting up, he walked toward him and crouched in front of the demon. “You could always prove him wrong, Nias.”

“How? If he wants me gone then I’m gone. It’s obvious I’m not wanted.”

As young as Nias was, Nichael understood the implications of what Lucifer had done. “By helping me. But you have to promise to listen to me. The power the mage is playing with can destroy even me if enough of it is unleashed.”

Nias nodded. “I promise. Just be forewarned that I can be brash at times.”

“You can’t afford it right now because it could get us both destroyed. I could use the help. And I am very thankful you pulled me out of there.”

For a brief moment, a smile settled on Nias’ lips. He nodded. “I know, and I promise I’ll try not to be.”

Before Nichael could think better of it, his smile answered the demon’s. “Now we need a better place to plan out what has to be done.”

The signature of the angel’s power surrounded both of them, and in the blink of an eye they were situated in the small house he’d been using for his time here.

Nias blinked rapidly with the sudden change in scenery. “Shit. Warn me next time, will ya?” He stood and stretched his arms over his head. A few seconds later, his wings unfurled to flex the muscles within them. He took care not to disturb anything.

“I thought you’d be more comfortable here. Sorry.”

The house was small and sparsely furnished since Nichael didn’t require much. Nichael took a moment to study the demon. That Nias was very young was obvious. Twice Nichael had gone out of his way to help him. Yes, it was in his nature, but that didn’t account for the twinges he reacted to without thought.

“S’okay,” Nias muttered as he looked around. “This your place? Not bad. I never could understand mortals and their need for junk. Give me cigarettes, whiskey and the occasional male body, and I’m happy.” He walked over and fingered the cream-colored drapes over the window. His wings fluttered for a minute then settled. “It’s been a while since I’ve been inside a house,” he said absently. “Well, other than the mage’s.”

“Travel light, do you?” Nichael’s gaze followed him. Without a doubt, Nias was extremely attractive; Nichael just tried to ignore it. The demon’s wavy auburn hair contrasted beautifully with the black feathers of his wings. Apparently Nias preferred modern-day clothing as opposed to the white tunic and pants favored by Nichael. “It serves its purpose while I’m here in this area.”

Nias shrugged. “I usually stay in the cave. I have a few connections who supply me with cigarettes and alcohol in exchange for carnal pleasures.” He turned and flashed a wicked grin at Nichael. “I get the best of the whole deal, wouldn’t you say?”

Raising a brow, Nichael regarded Nias mildly. “I would assume there is more to existence than cigarettes, alcohol and sex. But then I wouldn’t be the one qualified to judge whether you are getting the best or not.”

“Hey, can’t complain when you’re shooting your load up some guy’s ass while swallowing another cock down your throat.” Nias flicked his tongue and licked his lips before he bent over to pick up a book off the top of a nearby stack.

“You must be easily amused. And you mention nothing of emotion. Why is that?”

“Why should I?” Nias mumbled as he flipped through the book. “I’ve never received any gesture of emotion, so why should I bother opening up?”

“Sometimes it takes the risk of opening up to receive, Nias.” While he viewed things dispassionately for the most part, Nichael still understood the give and take required within a meaningful relationship. He approached the demon slowly, looking down at the book in Nias’ hand then at him.

“I did,” Nias said quietly. “And then I find that my Father has betrayed me. To my connections, I’m nothing more than a body with a cock. There is nothing but physical sensations.”

Nichael knew Nias wasn’t old enough to be completely corrupt, nor was he influenced by the Fall itself. He also had the feeling Nias didn’t understand what could affect one who had suffered through the Fall.

Sighing quietly, he laid his hand on Nias’ shoulder. “Lucifer is driven by many things, Nias, and you can’t gauge all by what happened. There is more meaning to you than just a body with a cock.”

Nias tossed the book onto the floor and pulled away, settling into the armchair a few feet away. “It was merely stupidity on my part,” he said bitterly. “Stupidity for thinking I was favored, and stupidity for longing for something I’ll never feel with anyone.”

“Not stupid, Nias. You wanted something most long for. And something you had a right to expect from him.”

Nichael had never doubted the depth of love Michael held for him, but still he understood the impact it would have to have something trusted taken away. He wasn’t sure of his ability to reason with Nias, though. Somehow Nichael felt he was floundering over his head.

Nias’ head fell back and he closed his eyes. “Yeah, well. Not a fucking chance I’ll ever let it happen again. Best to be cold and alone than to have what little heart you have ripped out at the seams.”

“That isn’t the way to take what happened.” Nichael settled heavily into the other chair. It saddened him to listen to Nias, and wanting to reach out and help did him little good. It put him at a loss. “But it seems you’ll not listen to me. And in truth, I’m not certain I’m offering much good to you.”

“You’re listening to me,” Nias said. He looked over at Nichael. “That’s more than anyone else has ever bothered to do.”

Outside of his own complacent universe, Nichael thought little of any other existence. Hearing Nias’ words made him pause. “It is little enough, Nias. I understand how you would feel. In your place, I would be devastated.”

“I hide it well. Don’t suppose you have a shower, do you? Slinking around in that house made me feel…” Nias shivered. “I don’t know…odd.”

Nichael pointed toward the hall. “Second door on the left. There are towels in the small cupboard as well.”

Nichael didn’t say anything, but he wasn’t surprised by Nias’ “feeling odd” comment.