Zagan kicked out with his shiny new boot, as a naked ass fell too close to his knee. On any other day there would be a queue lining up to ride his dick, but today his cock and everything from his neck down was covered. Swigging from a bottle of his underworld-famous rum, Zagan tried to pinpoint the source of his apathy.
The orgy going strong in his throne room was a common enough occurrence. Hell, it kept his demons busy and stopped them fighting other legions. Not that Zagan was averse to fighting. It’s just unprovoked attacks resulted in Lucifer stepping in and Zagan was doing his best to avoid his feisty boss. Unfortunately, his mere presence meant some of his demons considered him fair game. His growl was deep and menacing as one of his many demons dared to lick up his pant leg. Belching a mouthful of flames at the cheeky individual he disappeared to his private quarters.
Now flat on his back on his custom-sized bed, Zagan idly caressed his red satin sheets. He was both old enough and wise enough to realize he had a problem. Sex was used more commonly than gold in demon transactions. He screwed people for information, gossip, punishment, and as a reward for services well executed. Demons, paranormals, humans. It made no difference to him. His cock was in a constant state of readiness and he used it often.
Or he used to. Glaring at his soft package, Zagan quickly opened his pants and pulled out his dick. Thick, red, long, uncut…and limp. It stirred slightly under Zagan’s fingers and resting his head back on his mountain of pillows Zagan tried to recall specific scenes from the orgy in the hall below. Nothing. He brought to mind the burly biker he screwed hard and bareback the week before behind his bar. That was a satisfying fuck; more so because the man fought him at every turn even when his dick was leaking. Stroking his length, Zagan tried to remember how good the man’s ass felt around him. Nothing.
Giving up, Zagan rested his hands behind his head. It’s not as though he got any pleasure out of masturbating anyway. To him it was a waste of energy, especially when he could shove his cock in a willing hole anytime he wanted. Enjoying a brief moment of peace and quiet, Zagan closed his eyes and let his mind wander. He was due at his club later and no doubt there would be a dozen things there to keep him busy.
As it often did when Zagan wasn’t keeping a tight rein on his control, his thoughts drifted to Anael. The feisty little angel who claimed friendship with Lucifer and yet had a pure heart and a powerful desire to see everyone connected. He didn’t even realize his cock hardened until he felt a damp mess on his shirt. Letting out a moan, Zagan grabbed his errant cock and tugged on it, replaying the image of Anael dancing in the forefront of his mind.
Every detail was burned in his brain. The slinky moves; Anael’s pert ass. The way his curls lit up under the lights like a halo. The perfect combination of innocence and sex appeal. In his mind’s eye, Zagan pushed the scene further; Anael lowering his zipper and then slowly nudging the denim down over the swell of his naked ass….
“Argh,” Zagan yelled at the ceiling as his balls throbbed and emptied; his hands sticky with a week’s worth of release. Panting, Zagan glared ruefully at the scorch mark left on his ceiling from his roar. His heart was pounding out of his chest and his legs were heavy on the bed. “Fucking ass,” Zagan cursed once more, peeling himself off the bed and heading for the bathroom. His cock and balls made the situation perfectly clear. They were on strike for anyone but the sweet little angel he’d run out on. He just didn’t know what he was going to do about it.
/~/~/~/~/
“Botis and I were at the club last night. I thought you were working and was going to give you a lift home. We haven’t seen you since the dinner with Zagan.” Raziel’s voice over the phone had an edge of concern Anael found hard to ignore.
“I needed some time off,” Anael said forcing cheer into his tone. “You know, I’m not sure I’m cut out for dancing anymore. I thought I’d try my luck at some of the restaurants in town. See if any of them are looking for waiters.”
“Is this Zagan’s doing?” Raziel growled. “He might be your mate but he’s got no right to interfere with….”
“I haven’t seen Zagan.” Just saying the words broke Anael’s heart. “He doesn’t want to be my mate. I told him what we were to each other and he zapped out of my room faster than a bullet. I haven’t seen him since. I guess Head Office gave him someone else, just like you said they would.”
“No, they haven’t. They wouldn’t do that until they’d talked to both sides first. And besides, Lucifer was here this morning claiming the only reason he hadn’t seen Zagan was because he figured the two of you were shacked up together.”
“Well, he’s not here so clearly he’s shacked up with someone else.” Anael’s eyes filled with tears and he struggled to keep his pain from his voice. “Now if you don’t mind I have things to do.”
“Anael. Stop. Hold on a minute. Are you okay?”
“I’m the angel of love and I’ve been rejected by my one true mate. What the hell do you think?” Raziel’s gasp was the last thing he heard as Anael disconnected the call. Sometimes he wished everyone hadn’t adapted to new technologies so quickly. Slamming down the receiver from a landline was so much more satisfying than clicking a red handset button on a screen. He wanted to smash something. He wanted the sound of breaking glass to fill his ears so he couldn’t hear the breaking of his heart.
Throwing his phone on the covers, Anael grabbed his pillow – the same one Zagan’s head had rested on a week before – and clutched it close. If he closed his eyes tight he could almost imagine he could smell Zagan’s scent. He was trying; lord knows he was trying. But sometimes faith just wasn’t enough in the face of bald hard facts.
/~/~/~/~/
“This is serious,” Raziel said, slipping his phone back in his pocket. “Head Office has been grumbling about the lack of connections Anael’s been completing and I’ve been putting them off because I thought he and Zagan hadn’t got out of bed yet.”
“Like us you mean,” Botis purred and stretched out his naked body, knowing exactly what the sight did to Raziel. Sure enough, the comets in Raziel’s eyes flickered faster but the angel didn’t take the bait offered.
“You don’t understand how serious this is. No one’s seen Anael for a week. The effects among humans are starting to show. You saw how many fights there were at the club last night.”
“Well, yeah, I noticed, but what has that got to do with Anael?”
“Anael is the angel of love, passion and sexuality,” Raziel explained patiently. “No one in Head Office thought he was needed for centuries upon centuries. Humans could call on Uriel who acted as a muse and Gabriel, the Archangel if they wanted more than mere survival. But during the renaissance period society changed; people changed, and they started thinking about and celebrating love. After a lot of discussion, Anael came into being and Uriel and I were the ones charged with watching over him.”
“I still don’t see why his absence is causing problems now. So, a few human couples have to wait a while before they get their connection? It’s not going to do any harm, is it?”
“Anael does more than just nudge connections.” Sometimes Raziel wanted to slap his sexy mate, but a demon couldn’t help being clueless about the impact of angels. “Like all of us, he creates a ripple effect. His smiles which he gives to everyone; his sheer presence when he walks down the street. He exudes love and happiness. Humans pick up on that and instead of bashing their neighbor over the head for playing their music too loud, they ask them nicely to turn it down. Instead of getting into a rage when two cars collide, people exchange details and apologize. He’s as necessary as air and without him, things are getting chaotic.”
“Which demons will thrive on, thereby upsetting the balance and making things worse.” Botis glowered as he got to his feet. A click of his fingers and he was dressed. “Who do we tackle first? Anael, Zagan or Lucifer?”
“Coping with this should be Gabriel’s job. I’m not cut out for this, but we can’t afford to let this ride until he comes back.” Raziel ran his hands through his unruly hair. “We’ll go and talk to Anael first, see if we can’t convince him he needs to be out among humans again. Then, we’ll head down and find your friend and kick some sense into him. We’ll use Lucifer as a last resort.”
“That’s why they call you Archangel Kickass,” Botis leaned over and licked along Raziel’s cheek. “It makes me hot when you go all feisty in the Underworld.”
“Well, if you demons weren’t so thick it wouldn’t be necessary,” Raziel laughed to show he was teasing and holding hands, the mated pair zapped themselves to Anael’s.