Camael's Battle
Angelic Hosts Series, Episode 6, Part 1
Chapter Six
Hannah was allowed to remain unbound for the time being. Dagon knew she had nowhere to go, and her natural instinct to protect her child would prevent her from doing anything stupid like jumping off the ledge in desperation. She sat on the far side of the cave trying to make herself comfortable, but a persistent ache in her back made that impossible.
Thirst and hunger gnawed at her from the inside, but she tried to ignore it. Finally, she spoke up knowing she couldn’t deprive her child of both.
“I need water.” Somehow, she had to convince this crazy angel to at least allow her water. She needed to keep up her strength in the event the opportunity arose for escape.
Dagon stopped pacing at the entrance and turned to glance in her direction. “I have no water here.”
Hannah felt anger bubble up inside. It spilled out in her next words. “Well, can’t you fly somewhere and get some? Aren’t you an angel? Why not just magically poof in some bottled water? And while you’re at it, some food might be nice!” Heat stung her cheeks and apprehension made her gut churn as she noted the expression on his face. She may have pushed him too far.
Suddenly, he laughed. “Did you just say ‘poof’ in some bottled water?”
She stayed quiet, looking away.
He continued talking. “We don’t need to drink or eat for that matter. We’re not slaves to our bodies in the ways that humans are. We don’t share your weaknesses.” He slid his sunglasses back down over his eyes and approached taking long, deliberate steps. Hannah curled herself into a tight ball and leaned into the rock wall trying to back away. She was afraid he was going to hurt her now. “But in answer to your question, yes.”
He stopped and stood three feet away. The silence stretched out awkwardly. Finally, she tilted her head and peeked up at him. “Yes, what?”
He leaned down, handing her a large bottle of Dasani. “Yes, I can, as you say, ‘poof’ in some water.”
Hannah’s eyes widened. As she reached for the water, he flexed his free hand and a basket of fruit suddenly appeared at her side. Oranges, apples, and bananas were piled atop each other looking like a miraculous gift. She twisted the lid off the bottle and gulped down the liquid. It slid over her throat, quenching her thirst. She drank nearly the entire bottle, but when she lifted it to take another drink, it was full again.
“Better?” Dagon marveled at her gusto. Her spirit intrigued him even as her scent made his nose wrinkle. Her time was drawing near. He knew that after she delivered the child, the whole smell problem and the blinding aura would no longer be an issue. It would be then that he wouldn’t mind getting to know this particular human a little better. Unfortunately, he knew that was impossible. Astarte’s plans for Hannah Adams didn’t include an after-birth scenario. There was also the fact that if Astarte knew he was the least bit interested in the human woman, she would destroy her. The goddess demanded absolute loyalty and she was a jealous woman. Hannah Adams was slated to die either way. It was a pity he wouldn’t be able to pursue his passing fancy. She was a feisty one, and he liked feisty.
“Yes.” Hannah eyed the basket of fruit and picked up an orange. She peeled the skin away and sank her teeth into the sweet, juicy flesh. As she chewed, a look of pure satisfaction showed on her lovely face. She shut her eyes enjoying the bliss of slaking her hunger. “Thank you.”
Dagon watched as some of the juice ran down her chin. He had a sudden urge to lick it off, to taste both the sweet nectar and her smooth skin. He shook himself and stepped back. “You’re welcome.” He turned to walk back to the entrance. Astarte would be arriving soon, and it wouldn’t do for her to catch him indulging the human.
As he peered outside, Onyx swooped in, his great bronze wings whipping up the dust inside the cave. He landed behind Dagon skidding to a halt.
Dagon swung back around. “Did you bring it?”
Onyx opened the burlap bag he carried and lifted out a large flower, petals still tightly curled together. It wasn’t plucked, but rather, still attached to its stem and roots. The sack was filled with the earth it was dug up from. “I have it. It has yet to bloom but will soon.” His deep voice reverberated around the cavern. “We still need the blade.”
“I’ve sent Helion and Piras to retrieve it.”
“Do they know its location yet?” Onyx put the corpse flower back into the sack and set it by the stone altar.
Hannah watched the two dark angels intently as she finished her orange and then ate a banana. When the burnished-skinned angel called Onyx asked that last question, Dagon’s uncovered eyes had glanced in her direction.
“Not yet, but they know who will have it.” He walked closer to the outside ledge, further away from Hannah. With the howling wind outside, and out of earshot, Dagon continued.
“Camael is looking for it. Indeed, my source informs me that a messenger from the Almighty himself delivered the information directly to him of its whereabouts. It won’t be long. As soon as he has it, we will take it from him.”
Onyx nodded, clasping his large hands behind his back. “And if he refuses to hand it over?”
Dagon glanced sideways at him. “Then we will kill him and take it anyway.”
“You know that will cause a war.”
“I’m not concerned. Once we have the blade, we have Lucifer. The Dark Ones will unite behind him, and we will have an army of our own to rival any in heaven.” Dagon looked out over the vista and down into the valley far below. He eyed the sky, and then looked back inside the cave. “Astarte will be here soon.”
“But we haven’t completed gathering all the materials.” Onyx’s face twisted with worry.
Dagon understood his meaning. Astarte was not known for her patience. She was beautiful, to be sure, but she could be most unpleasant if made to wait for anything. When she wanted something, she wanted it right then and there, and not later. She was demanding, vain, and cruel. This was not a problem at the beginning of their relationship as he found her exciting. But it had worn thin. Dagon tried to walk away from her many times, but the self-proclaimed goddess worked her wiles, manipulated him with both her body and her extreme cruelty. She’d appealed to his vanity and desire to hold power. Her promise to set him up as the high general of Lucifer’s army secured his continued allegiance. He insisted that the physical part of their relationship cease. He knew Lucifer would kill him if he discovered that he’d shared Astarte’s bedchamber. She, however, would have none of his suggestion, and had batted her lashes, pouted, purred, and seduced him. Her beauty was astounding and when she chose to be sweet, it was intoxicating. He became drunk on it, euphoric. His only out was in keeping his distance which was why, when he’d received a message of her impending arrival, he’d become anxious. Despite his insistence that she wait until all the necessary items were secured for the ritual before coming to the cave, she balked. Instead, she informed Dagon that she would be there before sundown, and she expected all to be in readiness. If anything delayed Helion and Piras, or if they failed in their mission, there would be hell to pay. He looked back again at Hannah Adams. She would be the first person Astarte would target in her rage. If that happened, the human woman would be torn apart. Somehow, he didn’t like that idea.
“Keep your eye on the sky, brother. Inform me immediately at the first sight of our goddess.”
Onyx offered a slight bow and turned, nervously watching the heavens for the gloriously beautiful yet amazingly frightening Astarte. Dagon walked back into the cave, dropping the Raybans down over his brown eyes. With deliberation, he headed for Hannah Adams who could only see herself reflected back in those shiny, mirrored lenses.
She tossed the banana peel into the basket and covered her belly protectively. “What is it? What do you want?”
The dark angel smiled slowly as he drew near. “You.”
Stay tuned until next week!
Missed last week’s episode? Catch up here.
Get caught up on the Angelic Hosts Series beginning with Book I, Camael’s Gift.
Reminder, the first 4 books in the Angelic Hosts series will be presented here FREE! We are currently in book II, Camael’s Battle. This is an epic fantasy/paranormal, action-adventure romance. And there will be more books beyond book 4… All you need to do is subscribe. New episodes every Monday.
