Where to take him? Where to take him? Zagan might look like he knew what he was doing, but it was all a farce. He’d barely noticed Zoltus’s tirade, too busy worrying about his mate who’d gotten steadily paler and paler as the meeting progressed. Even the light from his wings, that Lucifer insisted any angel had to show when they visited his realm, had gotten dimmer especially after Lucifer started talking about Zoltus’s demise.
Anael’s place or even his earthly home would be the safest option. But Zagan hesitated. Gossip flourished in the underworld and news of his arrival with an angel would have already reached his troops. They would need a firm hand to handle this new development. Letting his wings free, Zagan curled them around his angel protectively as he strode to his compound. No one should see his precious in a weakened state.
“My Lord?” Porag, the guard on the gate quirked an eyebrow as Zagan approached. “You appear to be glowing. Have you captured an angel? Shall I summon the troops? Does Lord Lucifer know of this? Are we planning an uprising?”
And now it begins. Zagan hadn’t been under any illusions when he took Anael as a mate. He knew his troops were as loyal as any demon could be – which wasn’t saying much - but he thought he could get through the gates before the harassment started. “The angel Anael is my fated mate. He requires rest after a disagreement in the boss’s office. I’ll answer your questions when I’ve seen him settled in my quarters.”
“You didn’t get a warrior angel like Botis did? Damn boss. That sucks. How’s a piddly mini angel going to cope with being down here? Your men will tear him to shreds.”
“They won’t touch one feather on his wings!” Zagan’s anger which had started to boil the moment he sensed intruders in his house, threatened to blow. “He is mine to protect and care for and I will kill anyone who even looks at him the wrong way.”
“Don’t.” Anael’s whimper had Zagan opening his wings. “I couldn’t bear it if….” His words trailed off and Zagan was horrified to see tears trickling from the corners of his eyes. “Your friend is right. I am not strong enough to stand by your side. Excuse me.” There was a shimmer of light and then the weight in his arms disappeared.
“Now look what you’ve done you thoughtless oaf!” Zagan raged at Porag who’s eyes were blown at the sight of an angel. “Thanks to you, he’s never going to feel safe here.”
“Well he won’t be safe, will he?” Porag slapped the side of his head and shook it. “He’s tiny and he glows and he’s sweet – all the things your demons don’t like.” He shuddered again for emphasis. “Hey, I know your cock will work in anyone; sometimes ten times a night. He’s not going to be able to cope with that either and when your men hear about this, you’ll be too busy fighting to get anything done.”
Zagan wanted the shake the man until his teeth fell out. But it wouldn’t do any good. The only thing his demons knew was fighting and sex. It was time for a change. “Call a meeting,” he said tersely, striding through the gates. “Fifteen minutes I want everyone dressed, sober and in my hall or I’ll wipe out the lot of you.”
My precious will be fucking safe in my home if I have to flail the skin off every one of my demons. Fuck, I hope he’s okay.
/~/~/~/~/
Anael arrived in Raziel’s living room, immediately slumping to the floor. “Anael, baby angel, what’s wrong?” Raziel jumped to his feet and seconds later Anael relaxed into his comforting embrace. The love and warmth he felt from his friend immediately started working on his frazzled nerves and after a long moment, he managed to meet his friend’s concerned eyes.
“I don’t think I’m cut out for the Underworld,” he said as his tears started up again. Not that they’d really stopped. He felt bad enough in Lucifer’s office and then when that other demon started saying hateful things…well, they weren’t overly hateful. They were the truth and that’s what hurt Anael most of all. “I don’t know why I was paired with Zagan. He needs someone strong like you as a mate.”
“Let’s get you off this floor. I want to know what Zagan was thinking, taking you there in the first place,” Raziel said, helping Anael to his feet. “Botis, love, can you put the kettle on? I think a pot of herbal tea is needed.”
“Have you got a beer?” Anael asked. “I know I’m supposed to be responsible, but right now might be a good time for my first alcoholic binge session. My head’s in a mess; my heart’s in tatters and no, it’s not anything Zagan did. I can’t mess anything up worse than I have.”
“Beer, then,” Raziel said slowly, “but maybe you can explain what happened before you get to the crying, puking stage.”
Half an hour later, his second drink in hand, Anael waited for his friends’ responses. He’d laid it all out there. How drained and sick he’d felt when Zagan didn’t want him. The issues with Jared and Darren at the club and how Zagan had come in like a knight in shining armor to save him. He glossed over the details of his claiming, but said that Zagan had made him feel wonderful and went on to explain about the intruders, Lady Zoltus and what happened in Lucifer’s office.
When he told Raziel and Botis what Zagan’s guard had said, Botis shook his head. “I’m sorry, Anael, you know I don’t think of you that way, but that guard was right in one respect. It will be up to Zagan to keep his troops in line, just as it was mine when my legions learned about Raziel. Admittedly, he’s got his own powers when it comes to protecting himself, but surely you must have some too, otherwise demons would’ve already targeted you.”
“You do have powers,” Raziel agreed. “All angels were given the ability to protect themselves against demon attack. That’s why most demons turn the other way if they come across one of us. They can’t win.”
“But then I’d be hurting someone.” Anael’s lips trembled at the very idea. “I’m supposed to make people feel good about themselves, I can’t go around hurting anyone even if they hate me.”
“Making people feel good about themselves and helping them find love is your original purpose, yes,” Raziel leaned forward and rested his hand on Anael’s shoulder. “But you see all connections and you know life isn’t all rainbow dust and unicorns as much as you try and ignore the negative side of life. Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself. If not for you, then for Zagan.”
“Speaking of which,” Botis said with a sigh as he put down his beer bottle. “I’d better go and see if the reprobate needs a hand. Knowing Zagan he’s called all his demons together and is going to force them to accept you as his mate whether they like it or not. It’s likely to get ugly especially with you not there. Demon’s aren’t known for tact and diplomacy and they are likely to fight him and ask questions later.”
“Zagan could be hurt?” Anael sculled the rest of his bottle and stood up. “I’m going, too.”
“Me three,” Raziel said with a sigh, getting to his feet. “But when we’re finished Zagan and I are going to have a long chat about how to treat a fated one. You’ve barely been mated twenty-four hours; you hardly know each other. The pair of you should be focused on your relationship and not all this other drama. You’ve had nothing but hassle and a quick roll around the sheets to show for your mating so far.”
“It wasn’t that quick,” Anael muttered knowing his face was bright red.
“Are you sure you’re up to this? You were falling all over the place not half an hour ago?” Strangely enough it was Botis that asked. “Those vibes we’re heading into aren’t going to be friendly ones.”
Anael drew himself up to his full five feet six. “We’re never sent more than we can handle,” he said firmly. “It’s about time I put some faith in that. Lead on.”
“Let’s just even the odds a bit, shall we? After all, we want Anael to make a lasting impression,” Raziel grinned as he pulled a large scabbard complete with sword from the ether. Anael’s eyes almost fell out of his head and even Botis moved away. Handing the sword to Anael, Raziel grinned as he took his mate’s hand. “Let’s go kick some demon butt.”