Page 22 of The Bell’s Toll (Wanderlust Emporium Presents, Season One)

chapter Fourteen

Nasiah

D espite my lack of sleep and the aches in my joints, I was happy. Today I was heading back to work.

Last night and this morning, Raziel turned me every way but loose. He was determined to remind me of what I had at home. I know he was feeling skeptical about allowing me back to work, thinking I would run. However, I was honest with him yesterday. I have nothing to go back to.

I’d moved out of my apartment in preparation to move in with Jamieson after the wedding, so there was no home to go to. Lord knows I wasn’t going back to J’s. Hell, I didn’t even want to see my mama right now. I was still pissed at her for all this. The only person I could have gone to was Tanisha.

The speaker to my car rings. I look at the display screen and smile. Using the hands-free option I answer the call.

“I literally just left the house.”

His laughter pours through my speakers. The deep chuckle has me biting my lip. There is no way I could still be horny. Raziel has had me on every surface of his house. I shouldn’t still want him as bad as I do. I guess years of repressed orgasms will do that to you.

“I wanted to make sure you were safe.”

I laugh. Who knew that the forsaken angel that kidnapped me would be the one person who truly saw me.

“I am safe. I’m pulling into my parking spot now.”

“Erazel will be with you. He’s watching you from the void. If you call out to him, he will appear.”

“We went through this already. I don’t even understand the need for the bodyguard. I’m not running.”

I pull into the small shopping plaza where Diva’s Beauty Bar is located. Parking in the back of the lot under a light pole, I turn off my car and place my attention on my screen.

“He’s not there to keep you from running….”

I was about to call bullshit on that statement, but he spoke first.

“Well, he is, but not only for that.”

I laugh out loud.

“I have a lot of enemies, Beauty. And for the first time, I have something important to me that needs to be protected. So yes, it’s important that Erazel stays with you.”

For as rough around the edges as Raziel is, he has a lot of softness to him. He could never be considered kind or sweet, though.

“I’m not arguing. I’m just glad I’m able to get back to my regular life. Your home is nice, but it was still a prison.”

He’s quiet for a moment. “Our home,” he says somberly.

I don’t argue with him.

“I have to go,” I say.

“Have a good day at work.”

“You too.”

We both wait a few seconds, listening to each other. I’m not sure what we are waiting for, but whatever it is we both wait.

“Alright,” he finally says. “See you later.”

“See ya.” I press the end call button on the screen.

Grabbing my bag from the passenger seat, I get out the car and make my way over to the front door of my shop.

I started Diva’s three years ago. After going back to school and getting my esthetician and beauty licenses, I opened up the business.

We’ve been the number one beauty spot in the area since I opened my doors.

On site are two masseuses, five nail techs, three lash and brow techs and two waxers. It’s a one stop shop.

Before I could walk into the building, the screeching of tires stops me in my tracks as I turn to face the parking lot. Tanisha’s dark blue Altima pulls into the parking lot like a bat out of hell.

Her car isn’t even at a full stop before she jumps out. She runs up to me and immediately wraps her arms around me.

“I knew you’d come back to work. I’ve been looking all over the city for you,” she says, pulling back from the hug.

Her eyes are bloodshot, with dark circles under them. She looks as if she hasn’t slept in days.

“I’m okay, Nisha. I swear. Come inside.”

She quickly turns off her car and locks it up before I escort her into the shop.

As the owner, I’m always the first to arrive. We make our way back to my office. As soon as we enter, she wraps her arms around me again.

“Did he hurt you?” she asks, pulling back.

“No, actually….” I stop speaking as she pulls stuff out of her bag.

“I’ve been doing my research,” she says, placing a bunch of different items down on my desk.

“I have holy water, a cross, a Bible, and some rosary beads blessed by a priest. These crystals I have were charged by a girl that claims to be a witch. And I even got herbs from a shaman. One of these should work against that fucker.”

Seeing my cousin pull out a plethora of spiritual things has me cracking up. I hold my stomach as I laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Tanisha pouts, placing her hands on her hips.

“Nisha, I’m sorry, but girl you went to every religion and asked them for a relic?”

“Hell yeah. I even went and knocked on Mrs. Betty’s door. You know Mama always said she practiced root work. She didn’t answer, but if none of this works, I will sit outside her house until she comes home.”

I shake my head, feeling honored she went through the trouble. “I doubt any of this will work. Raziel is a forsaken angel, not a demon.” I place my bag down and take a seat in my desk chair. Tanisha is quiet for a moment. Her brown eyes narrow as she watches me.

“What?” I ask when her staring makes me uncomfortable.

“Your lips are swollen, your skin is glowing, and your roots are sweated out.”

I pat my fresh silk press. It took me two hours this morning to get my natural curls straight.

“You’re fucking him,” Tanisha gasps.

I jump to my feet. “Keep your voice down.” There is no one else in the shop, but that doesn’t mean I want her shouting my business.

“Biiiiitttcccchhhh,” she says looking at me side-eyed. “Are you suffering from Stokholm?”

Probably, but I don’t tell her that.

“No. It’s a little more complicated than that.”

She pulls out the chair across from my desk and plops down in it. “I called off today because I thought we were going to be fighting demons, so I have time.”

Rolling my eyes, I retake my seat behind my desk. In as much detail as I can, I fill my cousin in on the last two weeks.

I explain the bond that Raziel created with me as an infant. We talked about the time I ran and called Jamieson. She swooned when I told her about the library he created for me. I even briefly explain what he is. After I tell her about how I caught Jamieson and Rochelle, she sits back in her seat.

“So that’s why he was in the hospital with a concussion and a fractured vertebra.” She shakes her head.

I didn’t know the outcome of the damage Raziel did.

I figured he was injured, but I knew he wasn’t dead.

Razzy explained that there is a lot of red tape involved in killing a human.

The only way he could have killed Jamieson without repercussions is if I had offered him up to take my place for the debt.

Despite being pissed at him, I still couldn’t see myself allowing him to die just so I could go free.

“Part of me was shocked that Chelle would do that to me, but part of me wasn’t,” I admit as I think about the hate in her eyes as she wished for my death.

Tanisha waves her hand through the air. “I’ve always known that bitch was grimy. Every time we got together to figure out how to rescue you, she was acting so clingy. Asking him if he needs something to drink or telling him he needs to eat. She was acting like we were at your repast or something.”

It was strange to hear what was happening with my family since I was taken.

I assumed everyone just went back to normal.

That wasn’t a hard assumption to make, because my parents have always been lost in their own world, not caring about what was going on with me. I figured this time was no different.

“You guys were trying to rescue me?”

Tanisha tilts her head to the side. “Of course. I mean, don’t get too excited. It hasn’t been that successful. When we’re together, everyone mostly argues.

“Uncle Rolling Stone and Mommy blame Aunt Angie. I agree with them. But Mrs. Vanessa mostly blames Romeo. She even asked for a divorce, and this time I think she’s going to go through with it.

Told him she’s going to move back home and find her a man who wants only her.

I think your dad believes her this time too.

He’s been up her ass since it all went down. ”

Damn. Don’t get me wrong, Vanessa has screamed divorce multiple times. However, threatening to move out of state and find a man is new. And Daddy, abandoning his sweet Angie to be with Vanessa, proves she might be for real. I still won’t believe it until I see it.

“And Mommy?” I ask.

Tanisha shakes her head. “She’s been inconsolable. Mama went over there to check on her yesterday because she’s been locked in the house for the last three days.”

It feels weird hearing how much this is affecting my mother. I didn’t doubt that she loved me, I just knew I was never a priority. However, it seems as if this is really bothering her.

Maybe I should pay her a visit soon. We have a lot to discuss, and I’m still not quite ready to forgive her. But I also don’t want everyone dogpiling on her.

“Do you really like this guy?” Tanisha’s question catches me off guard.

There is a genuine connection between me and Raziel. Most of it, I’m sure, comes from the bond he formed with me many years ago. But he’s also different from any other man I’ve been with.

The way he pays attention to me, even when all I wanted to do was get away from him. He listens to my concerns. He doesn’t like the idea of me being back at work, but he knows I need this. And sex isn’t everything, but damn the dick is good.

“I’m willing to see where it goes.” I shrug. “But let’s be honest, it’s not like I have an option to leave. He’s still owed a debt.”

Whether I liked the man or not, he wasn’t letting me go. Yes, lucky for me, I’m enjoying him.

Tanisha and I spent another thirty minutes catching up and laughing. I got to work after she left. My day was pretty busy. I had about ten clients; all were ready for me to come back from my honeymoon.

My employees held the shop down for those two weeks. Since all of them got to attend my wedding, they knew I was not really on a honeymoon. I did have to assure them I was fine and safe.

When the day ends, I lock up the shop and head to my car.

The one light post cast only a slight glow over the parking lot.

I worked later than usual today, leaving my car the only one on this side of the small shopping plaza.

Further down, there are a few empty cars at the Chinese restaurant.

But most likely, those are the employees.

I pull my keys out of my bag as I make my way toward my car.

An icy wind blows through the parking lot sending a chill up my spine. Weird. It’s not a chilly night. A slow growl floats through the air. I pause and glance around. I don’t see a dog, but the growl sounded close by. This time when I walk toward the car, I move a little faster.

A howl pierces the air, and right along with it, another growl. This time, I don’t turn around to see if anything is there. I ran to my car. Fumbling with the keys, I try to get the door unlocked.

Snarling behind me has me turning around.

I nearly piss myself. Standing in front of me is what I would consider a fucking werewolf.

It’s way too big to be a dog. Its body is as long as a human, but it’s so emaciated and malnourished you can see its ribs through the thin furless skin.

Razor-sharp teeth protrude through a long dog like snout.

Spikes run down its back like some type of dinosaur.

And at the ends of its feet are long talons like falcons.

“Erazel,” I whisper, too afraid to shout in case the damn thing startles.

The creature lowers its head and growls.

I swallow as my heart knocks against my chest.

“Erazel,” I call out once more, this time a little louder than before.

The sharp red eyes of the creature narrow. It drops its head and charges.

“Raziel!” I scream as I turn to scramble for the door of my car.

Hot breath hits me before I’m knocked to the ground.

I roll across the pavement. When I stop and look up, I find Raziel standing by my car.

He has his hands wrapped around the creature’s body from behind like a bear hug.

The monster is clawing and fighting to get out of his arms. Although Razzy is the one holding the damn thing, those red beady eyes are on me.

Strong arms lift me off the ground. I turn to find a light brown skin man with a low fade standing over me.

“Are you alright?” he has an unusual, deep voice.

“Yes,” I say, but I’m not sure.

What sounds like a dog’s cry has me turning back to the creature. Raziel crushes the monster’s ribs until the beast stops moving.

When it’s dead, he drops it to the ground.

Right before my eyes, he seems to pull something out of thin air.

It looks like a simple stick. He flicks the stick, and it turns into a scythe.

He slashes the blade through the air. A black hole opens.

The screams coming from that hole are deafening, and the stench is unbearable.

Raziel picks the monster up and tosses its body through the hole before running the blade back through it to seal it up.

I watch in complete shock as the scythe disappears back into thin air. He walks up to me, his eyes pitch black.

“Are you hurt?” he asks.

I can’t speak. The adrenaline and the fear are waning, causing me to feel lightheaded. I nod my head. He looks me over as if he doesn’t believe me.

“Where the fuck is Erazel?” he shouts the question.

“I don’t know.” The black guy says beside me. “I’ll find him.”

Raziel nods. “I’m taking her home. As soon as you find Erazel, bring him to my office.”

“I’ll have a knight bring her car back to the house.”

“Thanks,” Razzy says, before lifting me into his arms like a bride.

I bury my face in his shoulder. My heart is still racing. What the hell was that, and why did it come after me?

“Close your eyes, Beauty. I’ll take you home.”

I follow his orders. I wasn’t going to argue with him about his condo not being my home. Because in this moment, it was the only place I wanted to be.