Page 8

After picking up a new phone and transferring all his data over, Danny discovered that he did indeed have several messages from his supervisor.

Oopsie.

While Malachi drove them to his apartment in a massive SUV from the safe house available for everyone’s use, Danny called his boss to announce that he was eloping and wouldn’t be coming back. After a string of colorful language, Danny hung up and let out a satisfied sigh.

New life, here I come.

He wiggled in his seat as the other messages nagged at him. The ones from his friends could be handled through Messenger. Eventually, he would just drift out of their lives, let his social media go dormant. The sad part was that his connections were primarily party ones. His parents had chased off his bestie when he was growing up for being a bad influence. This time it wasn’t because Tony was too gay. Just too poor.

However, the messages that really nagged at him were from his parents. What the hell should he do about that? Their need for control would demand they search high and low for him, and they definitely had epic resources with which to pursue such an endeavor. The last thing he and his new cohorts needed was Danny’s parents creating a big fuss and calling attention to him.

He straightened in the seat as a diabolical idea hit him.

“Dude.”

Malachi glanced his way before facing forward again. “What?”

“Huh?”

Danny shook his head, chuckling. “I wasn’t saying that directly. It’s that the most amazing idea struck me on how to get my parents off my back.

“But wouldn’t they simply forget about you after a while? You said they don’t care.”

“Ouch. Way to stir up those pesky triggers.”

Malachi’s expression fell. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

“No, you’re probably right in the long run.”

The truth was painful to face, but part of him always knew they’d eventually give up on him anyway. However, perhaps he could speed it along. “But let’s get them out of my life for good right now.”

“How? You can’t tell them the truth, that you’re part angel.”

A sobering thought filled him. “Wait a minute. Are they my biological parents? Because if they aren’t, it would explain soooo much.”

“I’m sure they’re your real parents. I’ve received no intel that suggests otherwise.”

Danny stuck out his bottom lip. “Then they’re part angel, too? And Emma? Blech. How is that possible? She’s so mean.”

“The angel gene remains dormant until it is ready to be awakened.”

“Oh.”

So much of what he’d learned the past couple of days seemed impossible, so dormant angel genes shouldn’t be that far of a reach. “Then it was being passed down for a zillion years until it was ready to pop up in me?”

Malachi gave him a crooked smile. “Something like that.”

He pointed ahead. “Is that you’re building?”

“Yeah, but try to park on the street. I don’t have my parking pass for the garage.”

“That was with the stuff?”

Danny nodded. “Yup.”

He held up his purple holographic phone. “Thanks again for my new phone, though. I adore it.”

When he told Malachi his dream phone was too expensive, his generous mate insisted on buying it for him. “Anyway, here’s the plan. I grab my photos, my skiing medals, a bag of my best designer shirts and jeans, then I take you to meet the parents.”

Malachi shook his head. “That’s a bad idea. They mustn’t know who I am.”

“Duh. I don’t mean go full gargoyle on them. I’m talking about introducing you as my fiancé, and announcing that we’re getting married tomorrow. Ooh, and that you’re a car mechanic.”

Danny burst into laughter. “That’ll send them over the edge. Oh, wait. I’ll add that we went shopping for a gown today, and I found a gorgeous Oscar de la Renta Cinderella dress. I’ll say I need some money to pay for it.”

He choked and snorted, wiping away tears. “Oh fuck me, this is awesome. They’ll lose their minds and order me out of their lives forever.”

Malachi expertly pulled into a parking space. “You think that‘ll work?”

Danny squeezed Malachi’s knee. “Like a charm. Let’s grab my shit, then I’ll call and make sure they’re home. With luck, my sister will be there, too.”

For the first time in forever, he couldn’t wait to see his family.

However, Danny’s nerves started getting the better of him the closer they drew to his family home. His stomach churned, his body shook, and barfing wasn’t out of the question.

“Hey, baby.”

Malachi reached over and patted his hand. “I’m here with you, no matter what. If you find yourself becoming too stressed out, we can leave. This doesn’t all have to be resolved today.”

“Thanks. You’re the best.”

He smiled at his perfect mate. As far as he was concerned, Malachi really was his fiancé, so that part wouldn’t be a lie. “Man, I wish we had an old Chevy, but not like a cool one. It would be two different faded neutral colors, like you had to replace one of the doors with one from a junkyard. A cracked windshield and rust would be excellent as well.”

“Everything will be fine, sweetheart. I promise.”

Danny sucked in a deep breath and reminded himself that he wasn’t alone anymore. Maybe danger still nipped at their heels, but he had someone who cared about and would do anything for him. Everything else could be handled as long as he had Malachi by his side.

After being allowed to pass through the gates and traveling up the long driveway to his parents’ stately home, they reached the imposing front doors. If all went according to plan, he’d never have to see them or his childhood abode again.

As Malachi helped him out of the truck, he whispered, “You weren’t exaggerating their wealth. The Slayers possess some of the most luxurious homes in the world, but this one even rivals those.”

Danny regarded the European Manor home that had been his prison as he grew up. The grand house was constructed of pale limestone with soaring arches and a steeply pitched slate roof. The manicured grounds stretched for acres, with formal gardens and fountains that had always felt more like a museum display than a place where children should play.

“Yeah, it’s obscene.”

Danny grunted. “Lumber money plus real estate equals this monstrosity.”

He took a deep breath and squeezed Malachi’s hand before pressing the doorbell. The chimes echoed inside, and Danny’s heart hammered against his ribs. He’d rehearsed what he would say in the car, but now his mouth felt dry as sandpaper.

The massive oak door swung open to reveal Henderson, the family butler, whose perpetually pinched expression softened slightly at the sight of Danny.

“Master Daniel,”

he said with a slight bow. “Your parents are expecting you.”

He held in a giggle. They’re not expecting this.

“Henderson, my good man. A pleasure, as always.”

Danny had nothing against the man. Out of everyone employed by his parents, Henderson had never ratted on him.

Henderson’s gaze darted to Malachi before he extended a gloved hand toward the drawing room. Danny tugged on Malachi, leading the way across the crystal chandelier-lit, marble foyer. The familiar scent of lemon polish and expensive floral arrangements hit him like a blow to the chest, bringing back memories he’d tried to bury.

“Try to look a little rougher,”

Danny whispered. “Like you’ve spent the day under a car, wielding a greasy wrench.”

Malachi ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, mussing it slightly, and hunched his shoulders in a way that diminished his regal bearing. Danny bit back a laugh—it was like watching a lion try to impersonate a house cat.

The drawing room doors were already open, revealing his parents seated like royalty receiving their subjects. His father, Richard Rutherford, occupied his usual leather wingback chair, newspaper folded precisely in his lap. His mother, Victoria, perched on the edge of an antique settee, her posture as rigid as her smile. Both wore expressions of barely concealed displeasure.

“Daniel.”

His mother’s icy tone was as abrasive as ever. Victoria's gaze slid from Danny to Malachi, her lips twisting as if she’d just sniffed a piece of shit. “I see you've brought a... friend.”

“Dearest Mother, Father.”

Danny grinned, clutching Malachi’s arm as he pressed himself against his mate’s side. “This is Malachi, my fiancé. We’re getting married tomorrow.”

His father’s newspaper crumpled in his grip. “I beg your pardon?”

“Fiancé,”

Danny corrected. “We’re madly in love. It was love at first sight, wasn’t it, honey bunny?”

Malachi cleared his throat, adopting a rougher accent than his usual cultured tone. “Sure was, babe. Knew the moment I saw him standin’ there at the garage that he was the one.”

Victoria’s perfectly plucked eyebrows arched toward her hairline. “Garage?”

She practically spat the word. “Daniel, surely this is one of your tasteless jokes.”

“No joke, Mother." Danny beamed, sliding his arm around Malachi’s waist. “Mal here is the best mechanic in Aspen. You should see what he can do with his hands.”

Richard slapped his newspaper down on the side table. “That’s quite enough. I won’t tolerate this vulgar display in my home.”

“Whatever.”

Danny waved his hand dismissively. “We just stopped by to share our wonderful news. Oh! And to ask for a teensy wedding present.”

He batted his eyelashes. “I found the most divine designer gown. It’s absolutely me. And the veil?”

He pressed a hand to his chest. “It dusts the floor, cascading from a rhinestone, seed pearl crown.”

His father’s face turned an alarming shade of purple, his knuckles white as he gripped the armrests of his chair.

“Have you completely lost your mind?”

Richard shot to his feet. “This goes beyond your usual rebellious nonsense, Daniel. This is—”

“Fabulous?" Danny fought to keep a straight face. “Romantic? The happiest day of my life?”

Victoria dabbed at the corner of her eye with a monogrammed handkerchief. “Richard, I told you that allowing him to attend a public university would end in disaster. All those horrible influences.”

She looked Malachi up and down like he was something she’d found stuck to her designer heel. Her gaze sliced toward Malachi. “And you. I don’t know what my son has promised you, but there will be no money forthcoming.”

“That’s correct.”

His father sneered at him. “If you don’t abandon this revolting plan right now, you’ll be disinherited immediately.”

He shook a finger at him as if he were reprimanding a naughty puppy who had just peed on the rug. “Tell this beast to leave this instance, or get out of my house forever and never come back!”

“Father, be careful you don’t hurt yourself.”

Danny was growing tired of his charade. As far as he was concerned, he’d achieved his goal, and it was time to get the fuck out of there. Right as he was about to give them his final goodbye, Emma came rushing into the room.

“Oh my god!”

she squealed. “Is my baby brother getting married?”

She gasped as her gaze roamed Malachi’s frame before she elbowed Danny. “You lucky bastard.”

Emma turned to Malachi, using her kissy lips to speak to him. “I don’t suppose you have a straight brother looking for a good time?”

Victoria gasped. “Emma Josephine Rutherford, bite your tongue! This… person is a car mechanic. I’m sure his siblings indulge in equally repulsive professions.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Oh, mother. Don’t bust your girdle. I wouldn’t marry anyone like that.”

She nibbled the end of her finger as she regarded Malachi with hooded eyes. “But a rough fuck or two isn’t off the table.”

Their mother let out an even more dramatic gasp and fell to the sofa as if she’d fainted. It was one of her signature moves. Danny had never had to question where his flair for theatrics came from.

Malachi leaned down and whispered. “Too bad I can’t release my gargoyle.”

Danny snorted. “Yeah, no kidding.”

Emma hooked her arm through his, tugging him away from Malachi. “Can I be your maid of honor?”

“Err…”

He hadn’t expected Emma to be home, or for that matter, to give a shit. “Actually, we’re eloping. Mal is a big Elvis fan, and we want to seal the deal with an Elvis impersonator presiding over the nuptials.”

“Aww…”

She made a pouty face. “Can I at least give you a wedding present?”

“Uh…”

He’d never been at such a loss for words before. He glanced up at Malachi, who shrugged. He glanced in the direction of his parents, noting that his father was shaking his mother, trying to get her to stop putting on a show.

Danny turned to Emma. “Sure. But we’re in a hurry.”

She dropped her jaw. “That’s not very nice. Now I’m not so certain I want you to have it.”

“That’s okay, I understand.”

His sister being cordial to him was way too disconcerting. He’d get over losing out on whatever her gift was. “We have to get going anyway.”

She playfully smacked his shoulder. “Kidding! Don’t be such a baby. Come on, you’ll love it.”

Emma tugged on his hand, but he dug in his heels. The tingling sensation he’d felt the day Gideon kidnapped him came to life, not strong, but enough to make him pause.

“You!”

His father yelled, pointing to Malachi. “I need some help here.”

Malachi hesitated as if he felt the same thing, and Danny grabbed his arm. The strange sensation was now spreading down his spine like ice water. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

“Actually, we really do need to leave.”

Danny’s voice came out sharper than intended. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as Emma’s grip tightened.

“Oh, come on,”

Emma cooed, her voice taking on an oddly melodic quality that made Danny’s skin crawl. “It’ll just take a second. I promise you’ll be very surprised.”

Malachi’s green eyes suddenly blazed with amber light. “Danny, step away from her. Now.”

“What?”

Emma’s laugh was too bright, too perfect. “Don’t be silly. I’m his sister.”

But as Danny tried to pull free, Emma dug her fingers into his flesh.

“Ow! Damn, Emma.”

Danny twisted his arm to try and escape her punishing hold. “Let go of me!”

“Yes,”

growled Malachi through gritted teeth. “Let go of him.”

“Hey!”

His father’s booming voice echoed in the large room. “I said I need some help! She’s actually fainted this time.”

Emma scowled at him, her eyes blazing red. “Shut up, Father. I’ll deal with you later.”

Their father fell into a heap on the floor, and Danny almost choked on his tongue.

“Holy shit, Emma. The fuck?”

Malachi’s body exploded into his gargoyle form before Danny could take another breath. Emma shrieked, yanking Danny in front of her. From her wide-leg designer pants, she whipped out an obsidian dagger that seemed familiar, yet Danny couldn’t remember why. With an inhuman snarl, she held it tight against Danny’s throat.

“Don’t come near me or I’ll open him up. No one denies me the jewel.”

“I’ll buy you a super bitchen one for Christmas,”

Danny croaked.

“Shut up, you pathetic loser.”

Her disgusting breath fanned across his cheek. “I’ve always been the special one, but now I’m more than that. I’m a creature of the underworld, and all I have to do to get the Great Mughal diamond is hand you over to a secret society.”

“That’s no society, they are rogue demons. They have poisoned your mind!”

Malachi roared. “You would sacrifice your flesh and blood for a bauble?”

“Uh, yeah.”

She gave a loud snort. “A two hundred and eighty carat diamond is hardly a bauble. I’d do it for half that.”

Danny’s jaw dropped. “You wench!”

She pressed the pointy end of the dagger into his flesh. “Tell whatever that thing is you’re marrying to back the fuck off, or I'll slice into you like a Christmas ham.”

Malachi let out a low, throaty growl that would’ve scared his pants off if he were on the receiving end of it. Danny’s mind raced as the blade bit into his skin. This couldn’t be happening. His own spoiled, vapid influencer of a sister was working with the same creatures that had tried to sacrifice him a couple of days ago.

“Emma, listen to me.”

He was careful to keep his voice calm and steady. “You don’t understand what you’re dealing with. These aren’t merely some rich collectors. They’re demons. They’ll kill you the second they get what they want.”

“I’m not fooled by your lies!”

She pressed the blade harder, and Danny felt a warm trickle of blood trail down his throat. “The jewel will be mine tonight, no matter what. Trying to talk me out of it is useless.”

Malachi’s blazing eyes never left Emma’s face, his massive form coiled and ready to strike, his wings spread wide and tail raised high.

“You can’t win, Emma. I won’t let you hurt him.”

Malachi’s resounding voice filled the room, and Danny wondered where Henderson and the rest of the staff were. If they had any sense, they would be running for their lives.

Emma laughed. “Guess what? I think I’ll give my wedding gift to you both right now.”

Her laughter took on a sickening edge, like the dying cries of tortured souls. “Surprise! I’m not alone.”

A shadow fell across the room as three grotesque creatures, which Danny assumed were corrupted gargoyles, burst through the bay windows, sending glass shards flying in all directions.

Malachi lunged at the creatures with his fangs bared, talons extended, and a spiked club at the end of his tail.

Even his wings bore a large thorn at their fold.

Emma backed away from the fight, dragging Danny with her, knife still pressed to his throat.

He watched in horror as Malachi battled the creatures with terrifying efficiency, his stony form a blur of motion as he tore apart the first beast.

Its screeching wail echoed through the drawing room as it dissolved into black ash.

“You see?”

Emma hissed in Danny’s ear, still dragging him backward toward the hallway. “Your darling fiancé is as monstrous as they are."

Danny struggled against her hold. “He’s nothing like them! Let me go, you psycho!”

The remaining shadow gargoyles circled Malachi, their ruby eyes gleaming with malice.

One lunged at him from behind while the other attacked from the front.

Malachi caught the front attacker by its throat, crushing its windpipe with a sickening crunch before whipping his tail around to impale the other through its chest.

Emma’s grip faltered slightly when Malachi dispatched the final shadow gargoyle.

But before he could cry victory, five more shadows rushed in from all sides, crashing through the remaining windows and the French doors leading to the garden.

These creatures were larger, more vicious-looking than the first wave, their inky, twisted forms rippling with dark energy.

“Mal!”

Danny shouted, his voice cracking as he struggled against Emma, battling her attempt to drag him away.

Malachi’s head snapped toward them, his glare burning with fury. The sound that erupted from him was pure rage—a battle cry that shook the crystal chandelier above.

“You made a mistake touching what’s mine!”

Malachi snarled.

Right as the group of hideous shadows rushed Malachi, Emma’s laugh turned shriller, more unhinged. “Oh, this is even better than I hoped! Watch your precious gargoyle get ripped to shreds, brother dear.”

But Malachi moved with deadly grace, his centuries of battle experience evident in every calculated strike.

He seized one shadow gargoyle by its wing and used it as a weapon to bludgeon another, both dissolving into ash.

His tail lashed out, taking the head clean off a third creature.

Danny’s throat closed up as the remaining two attacked Malachi, one on either side of him.

Malachi roared in defiance, but exhaustion was beginning to show in his mate’s less precise movements.

Danny was thrown to the floor by an unknown Slayer, with Emma still clutching him, but the force of the blow ejected the knife from her hand.

They both landed with an oomph, and Danny quickly rolled away from his deranged sister.

She lunged for him while scrambling to her feet, making it easier for him to throw her off balance with a volley of kicks from where he lay on the floor.

“Get the fuck away from me, you sibling disaster!”

She snarled and shrieked like a rabid weasel, clambering toward him with jerky movements, her mouth frothing.

Yikes.

Danny crab-walked away from her, and right as his back hit the wall, a Slayer plucked her from the floor by the back of the neck as if she weighed no more than a feather.

Danny squinted at the gargoyle, something vaguely familiar about its eyes.

Cassiel. His memory returned in a flash, remembering her face when he’d stared up at her as she flew him to safety.

“Danny!”

Malachi’s voice cut through the chaos as he dispatched the last shadow gargoyle, its body crumbling to ash. “Are you hurt?”

“Mal!”

He scrambled to his feet, rushing toward his mate, overpowering relief filling him that Malachi hadn’t been killed.

Malachi caught him easily, one stony arm wrapping around Danny’s waist while keeping his lethal talons angled away. As his mate inspected him, a rumble vibrated in Malachi’s chest.

“She nicked your throat.”

His lips pulled back in a snarl. “She’ll pay.”

Cassiel held the thrashing Emma at arm’s length, her gargoyle strength making his sister’s struggles appear pathetic. Emma’s perfect makeup was smeared across her face, mascara running down her cheeks in inky rivers.

“Careful with this one,”

Cassiel called out, her amber eyes fixed on Emma. “She’s on the verge of completely turning.”

“You don’t understand!”

Emma screamed, her voice cracking. “They promised me power! Influencer fame beyond anything I’ve achieved! The diamond was only the beginning!”

Cassiel grunted. “Hate to break it to you, sister. But that diamond was chopped up a long time ago. Those demons lie like snakes.”

Danny balled his fists. “You were going to sacrifice me for Instagram followers? Seriously?”

Emma’s eyes flashed red again, confirming she was no longer just his shallow sister but something corrupted.

“You’re nothing. Nothing! I’m special, unlike most of the losers on this planet. All I needed was a little push in the right direction.”

Danny tried to pull away from Mal to get to Emma. “I’ll give you a push in the right direction. Ever visit the Grand Canyon?”

Malachi held onto Danny, fighting against his mate’s strength as pointless as Emma struggling with Cassiel. “Don’t, Danny. Her fate is sealed, and her judgment awaits. Cassiel will take her to the peak where she will pay for her crimes.”

Danny buried his face against Malachi’s chest, his sister’s unholy cries like more daggers threatening to pierce his skin.

As the other Slayers worked on clearing away all the ash, Malachi held him gently and rubbed his back, whispering soft words of comfort.

Danny allowed his emotions to break free, to weep for the loss of his old life, to accept that they never loved him, and would gladly discard him like trash.

Even in his angriest moments, he hadn’t wished for them to be harmed.

Danny sniffed, opening his eyes.

He caught sight of his parents lying unconscious on the floor, his mother sprawled across the settee with his father crumpled nearby.

“Are they...”

Danny couldn’t finish the question.

“Just unconscious.”

Malachi shifted back to his human form. “We’ll make sure all the evidence of the shadows is removed. It will appear that they were vandalized and attacked by mysterious intruders. However, it’s possible that they’ll recall we were here and blame you for everything.”

Danny tensed. “Henderson will for sure remember we were here. What happens if the police come looking for us?”

“Even if they did, we’ll be in the Rockies lair where no human can touch us.”

Malachi gave him a jostle. “Don’t worry about Henderson or the rest of the staff. They saw the Slayers in their human forms approaching the mansion as they ran. They’ll likely blame the attack on a bunch of ruffians when the investigators interview them.”

“Speak for yourself.”

Ronen brushed his palms together as he approached them. “You’re the only ruffian I see here.”

Malachi ignored the dig. “Are you done?”

Ronen chuckled. “I think we’re good to go. Michael will want a full report at the safe house.”

Malachi gave a sharp nod. “We’ll drive back. I have to get the SUV out of here.”

As they left Danny’s now mutilated childhood home, he glanced over his shoulder to look at his parents one last time.

Danny shook his head in awe at the unbelievable aftermath of the battle. “Man. It’s a good thing the other Slayers showed up when they did.”

He halted abruptly. “Wait. How did they know we needed them?”

Malachi opened the passenger door of the truck and held out his hand. “I sent a telepathic call of distress.”

“Of course you did.”

Danny accepted Malachi’s offer, his mate helping him into the seat of the tall vehicle.

He could only imagine what else he was still clueless about when it came to his new world.

As they traveled back to downtown Aspen, they passed police cars with sirens racing toward the estate. Danny hunched down in his seat.

“They have no idea we were involved, baby. I promise you.”

“Sorry. I think I’m getting paranoid after everything that’s happened.”

Malachi laid his hand on Danny’s thigh. “It breaks my heart that you’ve had to endure so much these past few days. But I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

“Aww, you’re the best.”

He really was. Danny pressed a hand to his stomach. “I could use some ice cream, though.”

He licked his lips. “With lots of fudge and whipped cream.”

Danny arched his eyebrows. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had anything as carby as that, but suddenly, it was all he could think about. “Do you think there’s ice cream back at the safe house?”

“If there isn’t, I’ll make sure you have some before the night is over.”

“Thanks, Mal.”

Danny relaxed in the cushy leather seat, finally letting go of some of the crippling tension from the attack. His anxiety came back as his thoughts drifted to his sister. He didn’t know how to feel about her betrayal other than really sad. Even if they never liked each other, she was willing to resort to sacrificing him? Brutal.

“Soooo… Emma’s judgment. What’s that going to be exactly? Clearly, you guys aren’t turning her over to the authorities.”

Malachi paused, as if weighing what he should say. “No. Not the human authorities. But in extreme situations like this, she’ll be getting a personal escort from Lucifer himself.”

Danny’s eyes went wide, and he let out a low whistle. “Do they have social media in hell?”

Malachi’s brow creased. “Not that I’m aware of.”

Danny grinned. “Excellent.”