Chapter Eight
CAM
Cam ignored the tightening in his stomach as he flew to Zak's office.
He had spent the past four days pacing in his quarters, bored out of his brain and wondering what Thea was doing. Being in her presence, touching her and seeing her again only to be forced to stay away, was like torture. But he understood what Zak had said and there was no way he was going to cause his relationship with her to degrade any more than it already had. At least he would see her now that Elyon was available to accompany them to the human world. He wasn't sure how the other Power was going to react to him after he had basically pounded in his face.
Cam landed lightly on Zak's balcony and knocked on the door.
"Come in," Zak called.
Elyon was already inside, standing in front of Zak's desk next to the chair, his hands clasped before him. He lifted his head and nodded at Cam. So, he was going to be civil. Cam nodded in greeting as he moved to stand next to him in front of Zak's desk, a chair between them.
"I've asked you both here before Thea arrives because I want to talk to you about conduct," Zak said, his voice stern as he leaned on his desk. "Whatever issues you have with each other, they do not belong on this assignment. Thea is sensitive and will be greatly impacted by any negativity between the two of you." He looked between them. “Anything you need to say to each other, say it now."
Cam turned to Elyon. "Thea is my natural mate. I won’t tolerate you engaging her in an unprofessional manner. Your conduct toward her previously was unacceptable. You touched her without her invitation and without knowing whether she was mated or not. If you’re able to control yourself, I have no problem with you accompanying us to the human world on this assignment."
Elyon was quiet for a long moment as he regarded Cam with a cool expression. "I recognize that my behavior was unprofessional, however, I was not on an assignment at that time. You’re right, Thea did not invite me to touch her and it was wrong of me to do so, however, your reaction and subsequent assault was excessive considering you have not yet mated her."
Cam struggled with the anger rising in him. He had been reasonable in his request, but Elyon seemed to be trying to make some kind of ridiculous point. Elyon could choose to behave in his usual sleazy way around which ever women welcomed that attention. But not his Nephilim.
"Your attack caused me to give up an assignment that I was looking forward to completing,” he continued harshly. “You’re not the only Power who is capable of great feats, Camael, and just because I didn’t take it any further, doesn’t mean that I will indulge your commands. As far as I'm aware, you don’t have a choice as to whether I accompany you on this assignment. As long as you stay out of my way, I will stay out of yours. Thea is welcome to engage me however she wants, and I will not touch her or treat her unprofessionally in any way… unless she wants that too."
Cam's fists clenched automatically but he noticed Zak watching him with another look of warning. He nodded at Elyon and turned back to Zak stiffly. Although Thea would never be interested in such an idiot, the fact that Elyon was not honorable enough to stay the fuck out of the way pissed him off.
"In terms of this assignment, it’s recommended that Thea conducts the interrogation. Both of you should support her, however if necessary, only Elyon is to step in. If it gets completely out of hand with multiple demons involved, then you are permitted to get involved Cam, but only if it is completely out of hand." Zak raised a brow as he repeated himself. "Do you understand?"
"Yes. I will only get involved if Elyon is unable to handle the situation."
Elyon stiffened and Cam held in a grim smile.
"Good," Zak said, nodding his head in agreement.
Thea arrived a few minutes later and took the chair in front of Zak's desk.
"I don't have a file to give you, Thea," Zak said. "I don't have any records of where your mother was living after she Fell. The only place that makes sense for you to start is the area where you grew up. That was the last place your mother moved to and the local demons will most likely be able to tell you something if you're able to find one that knew of her."
Cam watched Thea from where he stood, behind her and slightly to her left. Her shoulders dropped slightly at the mention that there was no file.
"Do you have any recommendation of how I should… interrogate them?" she asked hesitantly.
Zak glanced at both Cam and Elyon behind her. "Do either of you have any suggestions?"
"I think we should trap them in an alley," Elyon said, quickly. "If they can't escape, then it is easier to torture them into giving us the information we need."
Zak looked at Cam.
"Trapping them in an alley will make them feel desperate," Cam said. "They will fight us to escape and that will be their main focus. Also, we are trying to locate specific demons, not to randomly trap one that happens to be in the area. Elyon's plan would require us to maneuver the demons to a specific place."
"And what is your suggestion?" Elyon asked, glaring at Cam.
"There are two ways we can do this. Thea could approach the demons and suggest that they speak to her willingly, but with the threat of two Powers who are willing to kill them at her command. Or, we capture them and bring them to Thea."
There was a short silence after he spoke. As far as he was concerned, both of his suggestions made sense, but he would prefer Thea not to get involved in the physical act of fighting or torturing a demon. Although she was completely capable, she was vulnerable right now.
"Thea, what would you like to do?" Zak asked.
"I think it's a good idea for me to give the demons a chance to speak to me with no violence," Thea said thoughtfully.
Cam resisted shaking his head. Of course she would think that.
"Okay," Zak said. He looked over them all. "I trust you will be careful and look after each other. You’re only permitted to be in the human world for three days. If you are unable to find a useful demon in that time, you need to return. Everyone understand?"
They all nodded.
***
During the first day on their assignment, it became clear to Cam that Elyon was trying to piss him off. He constantly tried to engage Thea in conversation and stood way too close to her than was completely necessary. Cam kept his annoyance in check, choosing to focus only on Thea's behavior. She seemed somewhat like her normal self, talking to both him and Elyon, asking questions, and making suggestions. He even saw the hint of a smile when he asked her about her friend, Amber. But she was still withdrawn, and he didn't know how to nudge out that humor and wittiness he had always loved about her.
They traveled to the neighborhood where Thea grew up; a dirty, rundown area lined with bars and bail bondsmen, ammo stores, and gambling houses. They questioned Spectra demons, who were scared enough to answer them without too much trouble, and traveled through the dingy residential back alleys and along the strip of fluorescent businesses. They checked as many places as possible gathering information without drawing too much suspicion. Cam could sense the presence of many demons around them, both lower- and higher-class. Somewhere in this neighborhood lurked at least one Legion. Cam felt the demonic energy wafting through the air and he was glad he had come along with Thea.
After returning to the Angel Realm, he walked her to her door and asked her if she minded him coming in. She looked unsure, but allowed it. They spent the evening together in comfortable silence as they ate and then discussed their notes. He didn’t ask her any difficult questions, choosing to just be in her presence. Whenever he had the chance, he brushed against her and touched her, and she didn’t seem to mind. As the evening wore on, she seemed to be returning to her normal self. The only thing that worried him was her sudden tiredness.
“Thea,” he said, following her into the bedroom after she got ready for bed. “Are you okay?”
“I just have a headache,” She muttered, crawling over the bed and dropping heavily onto her pillow.
“You don’t look well,” he said softly, studying her face. She looked exhausted. For some reason, he hadn’t noticed it before.
“I just haven’t been sleeping very well.” Thea sighed, her eyes already closed. “I just need some sleep, Cam.”
He stared at her for a long moment then nodded. “I’ll go back to my quarters.”
“Thank you, Cam,” Thea murmured.
Before he could respond, she was already asleep. He watched her for a while noticing that she tossed and turned restlessly, her eyelids twitching. She looked completely worn out, and he suddenly wondered if her withdrawn nature was because she hadn’t been sleeping and was simply stressed. She had only just recovered from her long-term injury and was now on a stressful assignment with him. It wouldn’t be surprising if she couldn’t relax.
As she turned restlessly, he knelt beside her bed and stroked her cheek, ran his fingers through her hair as he watched her. After a short while, she began to thrash and he watched her eyes darting wildly under her eyelids.
“Thea,” he said, holding her to still her. “Thea.”
She gasped awake, fighting against him.
“Elithea, it’s me. You’re awake,” Cam said, placing a palm on her cheek.
Her eyes connected with his and she immediately calmed. “Cam,” she breathed, her eyes wide.
The intensity of fear in her eyes gave him pause. He moved away slowly, trying not to frighten her further, but she threaded her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
“Cam,” she murmured into his neck.
He propped himself upon his elbows and stared into her eyes. “What’s wrong, Thea?”
She pulled him closer and kissed him. He kissed her back, relishing her soft mouth, the mouth he had missed for so long. He sucked her bottom lip gently and pressed his tongue into her mouth, breathing in her scent and savoring her taste. She pulled him on top of her and the feel of her enticed him to lower his face into her neck and breathe her in. She still smelled delicious and unique and utterly Thea. He kissed her neck and she shuddered and sighed, the sound and smell of her hardening him to rock. He placed little kisses up her neck and along her jawline. She placed her palms on either side of his head and delved her tongue deep into his mouth and sucked gently, their mouths locked together as she grounded her hips up to him.
He pulled away. “Thea, what happened? Why are—”
Her hand reached down between them, into his pants and stroked his length.
Cam breathed heavily as pleasure rippled through him, all thoughts gone from his mind. He leaned onto one elbow as she pulled him closer for another kiss, giving her room to stroke him. They kissed slow and long, while she caressed his cock and gently ran the pads of her fingers over his balls. He groaned into her mouth and dipped a hand under her nightie, ran it over her stomach up to her breasts. She was always covering up her gorgeous body with these unnecessary clothes. He resisted the urge to rip it to shreds so he could see her properly. He palmed and squeezed her breasts, rubbing tiny circles on her nipples, a moan escaped her as she undid his pants.
He slipped his hand down her back and into her panties, cupping and squeezing her ass, before pulling them down and off. He almost rolled his eyes that she was wearing underwear to bed. If he ever got to be with her fully, he would fucking ban them. As he lay back beside her, she threw a leg over his hip. He treaded a hand through her hair, scratching her scalp, and reached down with his other hand to stroke her wet clit.
She whimpered and placed a warm hand on his chest. “I missed you, Cam.”
“I missed you too, Elithea.” His voice sounded so course and rough compared to hers. “I missed you so much.”
Her stroking increased, and he bit back another groan as the pleasure heightened. He hadn’t had her in so long, there was no way he’d last long. However, he didn’t have to wait. She guided him into her and tilted her pelvis so he sunk in deep.
They both groaned and immediately began moving against one another. He had to concentrate so he didn’t come straight away. The tight squeeze around him couldn’t compare to the memories he’d had to be content with all this time.
She tucked her head into his chest, as he plunged in and out of her and thrust her hips harder against him.
He drew in a sharp breath as his climax approached. “Look at me.”
She lifted her head and he was pleased to see her eyes were focused on him, although there was none of her usual fire. He gripped her ass cheeks with both hands and slammed into her, repeatedly. She lifted her knee, spreading wider for him, and dug her nails into his chest as she cried out his name. She came in shuddering convulsions, her face contorting with pleasure, which sparked his own orgasm. It took over his whole body, blazing through him as he squirted into her.
As their breathing calmed, they lay staring at each other, in each other’s arms. Thea looked sleepy and relaxed, but she didn’t smile as she ran her fingers over his mouth and traced his jaw.
Cam watched her closely. “You’re not sleeping well.”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Is it… what happened with me… that caused it?”
Her eyes ran down his face, rested on his lips and then darted back up to his eyes. “I don’t know.”
Cam pulled her to closer into him. “I won’t stay the night, Thea,” he said, tucking her into him and stroking every inch of her he could reach. “I just want you to sleep well. I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”
She sighed into his chest. “Okay.”
He held her until she fell into a deep sleep, this time completely undisturbed. He gently untangled himself from her, fixing her clothing and duvet as he left the bed.
He stood and watched her for a moment, wishing he could strip her and delve his tongue into her pussy and taste her, pure and potent. He had already gotten hard again before she fell asleep. He kissed her forehead lightly and murmured good night to her before heading back to his quarters.
***
On the second day, they located four demons that could potentially answer their questions. While Elyon was on the other side of the square watching one of the demons they were following, Cam took advantage of the time alone with Thea. She had been acting reserved all day, barely looking at him, and it put him on edge. Maybe she regretted last night, or maybe she wished she didn’t have to see him again so soon.
"What's wrong, Thea?" he asked as they stood behind a group of teenagers loitering on a bench. "Something's wrong, and it's not just about this assignment. Would you prefer I wasn't here?"
Thea frowned at him. "No, I want you here, Cam."
"So what is it?"
"I'm just a little bit nervous working with you and Elyon. I know you don't like him." She lifted her shoulders sheepishly, and he got another slight smile. "I keep waiting for something to happen."
"Nothing is going to happen," Cam said, firmly. "We have an understanding. As long as you are not interested in him, in that way, I won’t be breaking his nose again." He smiled at her before adding under his breath, "At least not today."
Thea broke into a full smile and even giggled a little.
He sobered at the beauty of her smile. "I want you to be comfortable around me, Thea," he said, seriously. "I really want you to forgive me. I know I don't have the right to ask that of you, but we don't have much time on this assignment."
Thea’s smile faltered, and he almost regretted speaking. She swallowed. "I do forgive you, Cam."
The weight that had been pressing on him since that moment in the alley when he realized she was hurt, lifted. Suddenly he could breathe easier. He kept his eyes on her, knowing she wanted to say more.
"I don't want you to Fall. I don't think you deserve that, but I also don't know about us. I don't know if I want to be here anymore, following the orders of the Dominion League—they don’t care about me. I came to the Angel Realm for you and… you let me down. Amber and my dad and Amber's daughter are here in the human world, and I feel like I should be with them. I don't feel the same way about our relationship now." She lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry."
Cam couldn't speak for a long moment. She had spent too long away from him and had lost her feelings for him. It was what Zak had warned him about after the attack. Last night had been goodbye, not a rekindling of her feelings for him. As he studied her, he realized he didn’t see the love in her gaze that he had always seen before, the tenderness that Thea normally had when she watched him with her beautiful blue eyes. Now, they were full of indecision and distress, and Cam was helpless to do anything about it. Thea already saw him as her past, someone who used to be important to her; it was something he richly deserved, but that didn’t make it hurt any less to see the lack of passion in her gaze. His mood dropped so low it was difficult not to let it affect his manner.
He tried to smile. "Thea, I don't blame you. I hurt you in a way that no mate ever should hurt the one they love. You don't have to apologize for the way you feel now. Everything that has happened has been my fault; I brought you to the Realm without proper information, I took the job to destroy the Legion task force, I didn't connect to the Stream when you asked me to, and I attacked you. I should have looked after you better. I only want you to feel true forgiveness for me before I Fall."
Thea's eyes filled with tears. "I do. I only wish we had more time to say goodbye."
"If we had more time, I wouldn’t allow you to give up on us," Cam said, with a wry smile. "There won't be anybody that will love you the way I love you, Thea. And I don't believe that anyone will love me the way you do. And you still do, you just need to remember that. It’s not fair for me to try and persuade you when I’m going to Fall, but we’re still natural mates. That hasn’t changed."
Thea lowered her eyes, blinking away her tears and causing them to trickle down her cheeks.
“Can I touch you?” Cam asked softly, unable to help himself from moving before she answered. Thea’s eyes grew wide and she licked her bottom lip, her eyes following Cam’s hand as he lifted it to touch her face. He stroked her cheek lightly with his thumb and for a moment, she leaned into his hand, closing her eyes and breathing deeply. Every muscle in his body wanted to pull her close, to kiss her until she couldn't remember her name, to remind her she belonged to him. But he knew he was lucky to even be touching her.
She opened her eyes and looked back up at him. "Do you forgive the Creator?"
"Yes," Cam said immediately. "She gave me you. Then she allowed me to revel in thoughts of you while I was imprisoned. I cannot continue to hold a grudge against her."
"Why did you blame her in the first place?"
Cam sighed and lowered his hand. He glanced at the demon they were supposed to be watching and noticed that he was leaving the square. "I'll tell you as we walk," he said, gesturing to the demon. They fell into a comfortable walk, side by side as they followed the demon out of the square and down a busy street. Cam took in everything about the surroundings; where Elyon was, the positioning of other demons in the area, the behavior of the humans they were passing.
"Kara and I argued about how we were going to deal with the Legion task force," Cam began. "Kara was an excellent strategist. She researched everything there was to know about their headquarters and what was going on in and around the entire area. She even considered the season and time of the year for humans and had good judgment on the best time to attack. I just wanted to storm the place, but obviously Zak went with her plan.
"We breached their headquarters and cut them down until we got to the center of the building they were using. We fought in almost perfect sync, almost like the way we fight together," Cam said, smiling down at Thea, "but then I felt something change. Kara began to fight strangely—she missed hits and moved too slow. I couldn't figure out what was happening. She shouted to me that she couldn't draw any energy from the Stream. She kept shouting that. I couldn't figure out what she meant. I didn't understand how she wasn't able to draw energy from the Stream—all angels can draw from it. She was fighting in their central control room, while I was fighting at the entrance, just outside. Every time I looked over she was struggling more and more, until she was overpowered by the Legion demons."
The demon they were following walked at a slow pace, stopping to speak to other demons and humans he knew. Thea and Cam walked even slower behind him, trying not to make it obvious they were tailing him.
“How did you get out of there?” Thea asked.
Cam took a breath as the memories flooded him. “As they tore her apart, I continued to fight as though it wasn’t happening. The demons expected me to help her, to save her but I didn’t. She was screaming for the Creator when she died.”
They continued walking in silence for a long while. The demons turned down a side road and entered a building through the side door. Thea and Cam stopped opposite the door and waited.
“So you blamed the Creator because the Creator didn’t help her?” Thea asked.
“No,” Cam said. "I blamed the Creator because she didn’t allow Kara to draw energy from the Stream at the time when she needed it the most."
Thea leaned against the wall, her arms crossed against her chest as she looked down and thought. "Maybe there was a good reason. Have you ever heard of any instance of that happening before?"
"No," Cam said, his voice firm. "I searched the libraries looking for any explanation as to what might have happened, but I found nothing that would explain why the Creator turned her back on Kara."
"What did Zak say?"
"I've never told anybody else but you, Thea," Cam said, turning to face her.
"Why?"
"Because I failed too," Cam said, trying to keep his guilt out of his voice. "I didn't save her."
"But you would have died as well, Cam," Thea said softly. "You did the right thing."
Cam shook his head. "But I didn't even try, Thea. I did what I was supposed to do, what I was trained to do as a Power, but as her friend and her arranged mate, I should have been willing to die to save her."
Thea watched him, her eyes troubled.
"I couldn't share that with anyone, Thea,” he admitted. “Not even Zak."
"So your rage wasn't just about being angry at the Creator," Thea said, almost under her breath. "You were also angry at yourself."
Cam didn't answer. It was the first time he had ever spoken about it since it happened, and weirdly he didn't feel like any less of a Power talking about it with Thea. Maybe it was because she had already seen his failings. Maybe it was because she had already decided that she did not want to be with him anymore—what was the point in hiding one more mistake?
"He's upstairs alone," Elyon said, as he approached. He turned to Thea. "Do you want to do it now? According to what I heard him say to the others, he should be alone for the next hour or so."
Thea pushed up off the wall. "Where will the both of you be?"
"I’ll be right behind you," Cam said, before Elyon had the chance to say anything stupid.
Elyon glanced at him, irritated. "I'll be downstairs in the same building. If I feel you shift, Cam, I’ll come up."
Thea took a deep breath and began walking towards the building. "Okay, let's do it."