Her climax came in a hot rush, her muscles tightening down on him, gripping and squeezing.
He bucked his hips, driving into her. “Sweet heaven!”
His muscles tensed and his fingers dug into her hips. Then the tension eased and she melted against him, warm and satisfied.
After a couple of deep breaths, she asked, “Is that how a guardian swears?”
Laughter rumbled in his chest. “It is when an Earth woman is pulling his cock out by the root.”
He’d told her he was a guardian working for the warrior angels, but surely he wasn’t from heaven. “Where are you from? A galaxy far, far away?”
“That’s as good a description as any.”
Disappointed, Kela raised her head and looked at him. She wanted heaven to exist, because she had seen hell in Roland’s eyes. “I’m serious. Where are you from?”
“I wasn’t joking. Thasia is the mystical galaxy of the warrior angels. It’s not only far away it exists in a parallel universe where good reigns.”
“Thasia is heaven?”
“Thasia is where the warrior angels reside and where I was trained. Think of it as warrior headquarters. My archangel sent me here here to prevent Vakkar from building a vampire army on Earth.”
“He can’t rule the Earth with a handful of blood-sucking women with big tits.”
Ansara cupped her face. “The handful will grow into dozens, then hundreds, then thousands and if he has the Thasian cross his status will advance and his power will increase.”
“If he wanted the cross, why didn’t he just come after me and take it?”
“The cross is powerful magic. He wanted to corrupt you and make you his supplicant. If you had gifted it to him, Vakkar would have been able to wear the cross and use its power for evil. He’d be capable of becoming an archdemon. If he takes it from you, the cross is nothing more than a trophy.”
A thought slammed through her brain. “That’s why he bought the painting.”
“What painting?”
“Roland painted a picture of me with my cross. Karr bought it. That’s when he became interested in Roland’s work.”
“Tell me about the painting.”
“Roland and I were at the beach. He was always sketching. When we got home, he asked me to pose for him. In the final painting, I was sitting on the sand, wearing nothing but my cross. Karr hadn’t shown much interest in Roland’s work before, but he bought the painting of me on the spot. It wasn’t about Roland. It was my cross.”
“Vakkar would recognize a Thasian cross and he’d do anything to get it.”
“If he wants the cross we can use it to lure him into a trap.”
“Even if he can’t access its power, possessing a Thasian cross is a major trophy. Vakkar knows I’m here and he’s desperate enough to kill you to get his hands on the cross.” Ansara caressed her cheek. “I’m not letting anything happen to you.”
“Can’t you use your magic mist to protect me?”
“The mist is a guardian defensive weapon. It works if I’m within it. How can I fight Vakkar with a protective barrier surrounding us? The only way to destroy him is to put my sword through his heart.”
“How will you get to him? If I were Vakkar I’d stay away from you. The only way to draw him out and to confront him on your terms is to use the cross as bait.”
“It’s too dangerous. If I’m fighting Vakkar, I can’t protect you.”
“If you hadn’t saved me last night, the cross would be in his hands. Is the fate of the Earth really at stake?”
“Yes.”
“Then we fight him on our terms and at the time of our choosing.”
Ansara cupped her head and drew her face close to his. “You have such courage. I find it sexy.”
He kissed her, lush and deep, a languorous meeting of lips and tongue that made her heart race.
When they came up for air, Kela looked him in the eye. “I’m not courageous, but you make me feel sexy. I could spend the rest of the day in bed.”
“I can’t imagine a more pleasant way to spend the day, but the angels wouldn’t approve. We need to get to work.”
“Then let’s go kick some demon ass.”
He kissed her on the tip of her nose. “Okay, but first I need to eat. I’m famished.”
“Do you like pizza?”
Ansara liked pizza, consuming most of the large pie Kela had ordered. The patrons of the eating establishment were looking at him and he preferred keeping a low profile.
He pushed his empty plate away and looked at Kela. “I need new clothes. Everyone is staring.”
“It’s the crosses. They’re trying to decide if you’re a biker, a wrestler or a threat. If you hadn’t concealed the sword they’d be calling the police.”
He’d shrunk his sheathed sword. To the unaware, it looked like an ornament on his belt. This wasn’t Ansara’s first visit to Earth and no matter the time or place the local authorities paid attention to armed strangers. “I need clothing. Will you help me?”
“There’s a store down the street.”
The store was large and filled with racks of clothing. He chose jeans that covered the tops of his boots and a comfortable, long-sleeve blue shirt that hid his wristbands and weapon belt.
“Just one more thing,” Kela said. She gathered his long hair and tied it back with a stretchy band. “You’ll draw less attention.”
When they walked back to her vehicle no one stared at him, but men noticed Kela who looked good in her tight jeans and a red top that clung to her curves.
Ansara settled into the passenger seat. “Do you know where Andre Karr lives? If Vakkar’s been using his place, I can smell his stench.”
“Karr lives above his gallery in the theater district.”
“Take me there.”
After a short drive, Kela pulled over and parked. She pointed at the four-story building across the street. “He lives on the top floor of the building with the gargoyles on the corners. Those ugly faces have always made me uneasy.”
Ansara looked at the gargoyles. “With good reason.”
“Roland’s apartment is on the third floor. He might be home.”
“It’s likely he’s in a low, dark place hanging by his toes with the rest of his friends.”
“What about Vakkar?”
“He’s not a vampire. Demons can inhabit a human body and take over the mind. They don’t like bright sun, but using Karr’s body, he can move around the city day or night.”
“Is Karr dead?”
“Not as long as Vakkar has need of him.” Ansara looked at Kela. “Let’s see if he’s home.”
They climbed out of the vehicle and crossed the street. Ansara glanced at the gargoyles. The large stone heads moved. Ansara couldn’t blow them up without drawing attention, but the lesser demons inhabiting them had to be destroyed.
Kela had great instincts. Most humans wouldn’t have sensed the demons skulking in the gargoyles.
They walked into the gallery. A thin young woman with a shaved head and long dangling earrings greeted him with a brilliant smile framed by blood-red lips. “Welcome to the Karr Gallery. I’m Elisa.”
Ansara stepped up to the shiny black counter. “Is Andre available?”
“Mr. Karr isn’t in today. May I take a message?”
Ansara noted a doorway leading to the back. He lifted his hand and flicked his fingers, showering Elisa’s face with tiny flashes of white light. “Is there a back stairwell leading to the penthouse?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll just go up the back way.”
Elisa blinked. “Okay.”
He and Kela hustled up the four flights, stopping at the back entrance to the penthouse. Ansara focused on the door, hitting it with a blast of white light. The door flew open, banging against the interior wall.
“Wow. I guess guardians don’t knock,” Kela said.
“It’s best to destroy any energy protecting the door before entering a demon’s lair. That’s why I chose not to use the street entrance to the apartment.”
Ansara clenched his right fist. With a flick of his wrist, he opened his hand and shot a ball of light into the corridor. The ball exploded into a million diamond-like light particles. The bright particles dispersed, filling the hallway.
“What’s with the fairy dust?”
“Fairy dust?”
Kela pointed at the flashing light particles.
Ansara opened the two doors accessing the apartment. The particles flashed and spread. Within seconds every inch of Karr’s penthouse would be purified. “Demons leave traps for the unexpected.”
“What kind of traps?”
“Hellfire that will burn off your hair and sear your skin,” Ansara said, stepping into the apartment. “I’ve destroyed the traps. It’s safe.”
Wrinkling her nose from the stench, Kela followed him inside. “Smells awful.”
Ansara moved through the kitchen and dining areas, following the stench of blood and demon. He entered the living area and looked around. The furniture was stained with dark splotches that explained the stench of blood. The walls were painted red.
“Let’s take a look around and see what Vakkar’s been up to.”
He crossed the room and turned down a hallway. The door at the far end was marked with a pitchfork demon sign. He lifted his arms and focused his energy, white flame shot out of his fingertips, hitting the door. The demon sign disappeared.
“What’s that smell?” Kela asked, gagging and holding her nose.
“Demon, death and brimstone.”
He opened the door and Kela gasped. “What is it?”
In the center of the bedroom was a swirling vortex of black fire. “It’s a demon gateway. Vakkar is bringing more of his kind to Earth.”
Ansara had to destroy the vortex or he’d be fighting a demon army. In the far corner of the room a blond man sat in a high-backed chair. His skin was deathly pale and his clothing was rumpled and stained. The man stood.
Kela gasped. “It’s Karr. He looks like shit.”
Ansara raised his hand to destroy the thing occupying the gallery owner’s body but before he released his cleansing fire, the lesser demon jumped into the swirling fire. Vakkar was occupying another body.
“I want you to bring your vehicle to the front entrance of the gallery, but don’t turn off the engine. Get out of the building, Kela. Don’t stop for anything or anyone. As soon as I get in the car, I want you to drive away as fast as you can without calling attention to us.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Destroy this gateway before more demons come to Earth. Go, and watch out for those gargoyles. Don’t turn your back on them.”
Kela’s eyes widened.
“Go, Kela. Run for the car. Things are going to get hot.”
Kela took off and Ansara gathered his energy. He clasped his hands, forming an energy ball in his palms. As the ball gained power, he opened his hands and released it. The spinning silver ball was charged and all it needed was the power of Sacred Fire. Ansara removed the tiny sword from his belt and expanded the blade to its full length.
He sank the blade’s point into the spinning ball and it burst into white flames. Wielding his sword, Ansara flung the fiery ball into the vortex. Then he spun on his heel and ran.
He raced through the apartment and down the stairs. Thunder cracked as he burst into the gallery. He ran up to the bald receptionist and grabbed her around the waist. She screamed, cursing at him all the way to the sidewalk.
“The place is going to blow. Run!”
Elisa looked at the sword in his hand and took off down the street, stumbling in her bright-green high heels. Ansara jumped into the passenger seat of Kela’s vehicle. “Go! Go! Go!”
Kela stomped on the gas pedal and the vehicle shot into traffic. A truck slammed on its brakes and the driver blasted his horn. Elisa, still running, was dodging cars.
“Faster!”
Ansara watched out the rear window, waiting for the vortex to blow. Thunder cracked, then the top of the building lit up.
“What the fuck was that?”
“The gateway imploded.” Ansara grinned. “That should piss off Vakkar.”
“Vakkar isn’t the only one,” Kela said, accelerating around a convertible. “Every cop in the city is going to be looking for my car, looking for us. You’re blowing up things and running around with a sword. They’ll think we’re crazy or terrorists.”
A loud thump sounded on the roof.
Kela’s eyes widened. “What the fuck!”
Another bang and the roof caved in.
“Gargoyles.”
Ansara shoved his hand against the vehicle roof and focused his energy, blasting a hole through the roof. The gargoyle exploded.
Car horns blared and tires screeched.
Bang! Another gargoyle attacked the roof. Ansara pointed his finger and shot the gargoyle with a stream of white fire. The stone figure blew into fragments.
“I hear sirens,” Kela yelled.
Ansara swore when she blew through a traffic signal. An oncoming taxi swerved and slammed into a delivery van. Sirens wailed. They had to get off the street. Ansara spotted a multilevel parking lot. “Turn into the public parking. Now!”
Kela turned in, stopped at a gate and yanked a ticket out of the dispenser.
“Drive up the ramp.”
On the third level Ansara saw an open spot near a dark corner. He pointed to the spot and instructed Kela to pull in.
She switched off the engine and looked at him. “Now what?”
Ansara climbed out of the vehicle, sheathed his sword and shrank the weapon. “Get out of the car and move back.”
“You’re not going blow up my car?”
“Trust me.”
Kela climbed out of the vehicle and shut the door.
“Keep watch.”
Ansara waited until Kela walked a few car lengths away, then raised his open palm. His energy focused, he popped the caved-in roof back into place and sealed the holes. He clenched his hand and flicked his wrist, releasing a swirl of light from his palm. The light enveloped Kela’s vehicle. The black SUV changed to silver and the dents and scratches disappeared.
He turned and looked at Kela.
She stood, mouth agape, staring at her car. “That’s impossible.”
“I just imploded a demon vortex. Bending light is easy.”
She walked up to her car and ran her hand over the door. “You’re good.”
Ansara grinned and reached out for Kela. Nothing stirred his juices like a beautiful woman, blowing up stuff and killing demons. His blood running hot, he yanked her against him and kissed her, hard and fast. “Let’s go home.”
“Just like a man to think of sex when every cop in the city, a pissed-off demon and a pack of vampires are after us.”
He cupped her ass and squeezed. “It’s the danger and the sexiest partner I’ve ever had that gets me going.”
Ansara was so proud of her. She hadn’t screamed or lost her head and when needed, she would stand and fight. He wanted her and when it came time to leave Earth he would feel the loss. “We’re good together.”
Kela stood on her tiptoes and cupped the back of his head. “We’re very good together, but shouldn’t we be chasing down Vakkar?”
He eased her back against the side of the vehicle. “He can wait.”
“It’s almost sundown. Isn’t there something we should be doing? Setting a trap? Sharpening our weapons?”
“Our task is critical, but so is living.” He popped open the clasp of her jeans. “Home is too far away and you’ve got my blood up.”
Kela saw the fire in his eyes. “Here? You can’t be serious.”
“Dead serious.”
She glanced around. “What if someone drives up that ramp?”
Ansara lifted his arms and flung out his hands, sending a swirling mist into the air. The mist surrounded them, forming an opaque curtain.
“No one can see us?”
He unzipped her jeans. “No one human.”
“I keep thinking this can’t be happening. That you and your magic can’t be real.”
He took her hand and placed it on his cock. Even through his jeans, his erection was prominent. “Too bad you can’t make our clothes disappear.”
He slipped his hands inside her underpants. “I could,” he said, cupping her ass. “But I like undressing you. It’s like opening a present.”
Kela unbuttoned his jeans and slid them off his hips. His erection popped free and her heart rate kicked up a few notches. She slid to her knees. “I like my present.”
Kela licked the broad, silky head.
“It’s yours to enjoy.” His voice was deep and raspy. “All of it.”
She swirled her tongue around the tip, then took him into her mouth.
He gasped.
Using lips and tongue, she worked her way along his length. Hard and hot, he filled her mouth. She licked and sucked him, loving his gasps and groans of pleasure.
He grabbed her by the hair, gently tugging as his hips rocked and his thighs slicked with perspiration. His cock jerked.
Realizing he was close, she cupped his balls.
“Sweet heaven!”
He stepped back, pulling his cock out of her mouth. Grasping her upper arms, he pulled her to her feet. Then he yanked her jeans and underpants down to her ankles.
Kneeling before her, Ansara stared at her pussy. “I owe you one,” he said, pulling off her shoes.