Darkened (15 page)

“Uh, no thanks. I don’t do geek work. That’s Luke’s job and apparently Jared’s,” Hash said with a snicker.

“Come on, Caru. I’ll get you something to eat,” Jared said as he stood up next to me.

We walked into the kitchen.

“Do you call all women Caru? I noticed you don’t call any of the guys that.”

“I have never called another woman Caru.”

“Why not? You said it was an expression. Like calling someone man or dude.”

“It is not quite the same.”

“How is it different?”

“That name is reserved for only you.”

“Why?”

Before he could answer my cell started ringing.

“Avery,” I said.

“Hello, my lovely Angel. I just received a call from a colleague of mine. It seems a man matching your Fallen’s description just placed an order with him.”

“What kind of order? When is he supposed to be back to pick it up?”

“My friend owns a shop for the more adventurous sexual partners. He said the man paid extra for overnight shipping
, and that he is supposed to return for his items tomorrow after eleven am.”

“What? Your saying Jael went into a fetish shop and bought some sex toys?”

“I’m not sure what he actually bought, but yes, that sounds correct.”

“Holy shit. Alright. He didn’t pay by credit card by chance
, did he?”

“I’m afraid it was a cash purchase. I have the address for the shop if you would like it.”

“Yeah, give it to me.”

Jared stuck a pen and notepad in my face. I wrote down the address
, and he nodded like he knew the place. That is definitely more information than I need to know.

“Alright. Thanks, Craven.”

“Angel, I would like you to visit me once this Fallen is taken care of. It worries me to know you are hunting him alone. Will you do this for me?”

“Absolutely. If this tip pans out
, I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“I will count the minutes.”

“Bye, Craven.”

“Goodbye, Angel.”

I hung up the phone to see Jared pissed again.

“What?”

“Why do you let him talk to you like that?”

“Like what? Craven talks to all women like that, and he has given me a lot of information on perps in the last six months.”

“Is that the only thing he’s given you?”

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that because what I do is none of your business.”

“It is my business, Caru. You just haven’t realized it yet.”

“No, Jared, it isn’t.
You
just haven’t realized it yet.”

“You will know the truth soon enough.”

I ignored him and headed back upstairs to have Luke look up the address.

Turns out the fetish shop is only six blocks away from where Mr. Jones’ car was stolen. The entire area was mostly middle class suburbs with a few strip malls mixed in. Hash offered him and Sam to go check out the location, and Zach told them there was no way they were going to a sex shop without him.

Soon after they left, Jared offered to spar with me in an attempt to teach me some of the moves Angels are capable of. I accepted his offer. It would give me a chance to find out what they could really do. Everyone had their weakness, and I intended to find out what an Angel’s is. I wasn’t arrogant enough to think I could best Jael again. I had gotten a lucky shot with my stiletto, and it was only because he had already injured me that I managed that.

“Alright, amaze me with your mad skills,” I told him. We were in a room next to the four car garage that had been turned into your basic gym. There were all kinds of weights and other workout paraphernalia.

“We would need to retire to my room for me to be able to provide you with the full assortment of my skills,” Jared said with bedroom eyes.

“You can save that for another woman. I’m more interested in your fighting skills.”

“That’s only because I haven’t had you in my bed before.”

“I was just there earlier today. I didn’t see any particular skills.”

“B
ecause you were injured. After we finish here, I will take you there and show what skills I’m talking about. Unless, you would prefer to go now.”

“I think I’ll pass. If you could get on with the fighting though, that would be great.”

“If that is your wish, Caru.”

Then he attacked. He moved in somewhat slow motion. At least slow for him. I was still hard pressed to block the attack, and he had me laying on the mat in under ten seconds.

“All Angels are taught Silat fighting style as children. Most later study other styles
, but usually, they incorporate those styles into their original studies.”

“Silat is ancient Islamic. Why that fighting style?”

He shrugged. “It works well with our speed, and is what our race original taught. We later passed it to the Humans of this plane.”

“Alright. Since it’s obvious I won’t be able to keep up, could you run through some of the motions while I watch. At a speed I can actually see I mean.”

“You like to watch. I guess you are into kink.”

“Ha
, ha.”

I walked over to the side and had a seat on the floor. He pulled a dummy out of the corner, and latched it to a hook hanging from the ceiling. Then he proceeded to beat the crap out of it. I’m really glad I decided to just watch. Even with him slowing down so that I could see, the moves were so fast that they actually blurred. He never attacked with just one limb. He would kick with one leg while hitting with one fist. Or, he would do a combination of hits or a combination of kicks. It was awe inspiring and at the same time scary. I imagine Jael is close to as skilled as Jared and if he is, I didn’t stand a chance.

After a while, he stopped and looked at me.

“I would offer to teach you but we would need more than one day
, and I don’t want to hurt you before we go after Jael tomorrow. I can start training you in the arts of Silat once this is over if you’d like.”

“Oh, you mean you’re actually going to let me go with you?”

I figured I would have to threaten castration in order to go.

“You have fought him once and managed to inflict a major wound. I am hoping it will slow him down.” He looked away for a moment before looking back at me. “You were right. I shouldn’t have tried to stop you last night. I apologized.”

“Wow, the mighty Jared actually admitted he was wrong. I don’t know what to say.”

“That you forgive me and will offer your body as reward for my honesty?”

“Not going to happen. You were a total jerk. You are a total jerk.”

“I know. I’m trying to be better though.”

“Well, you have a long way to go.” I decided it would be a good time for a subject change. “Jael said you were once like Bart. Is that true?”

He took a deep breat
h. “Yes, I was once one of the First Lord’s retrievers.”

“What did you do exactly?”

“When Angels were first banished to the Human realm, it was in an attempt to teach the Angel the error of their ways. The hope was that once an Angel has lived among the Humans, they will learn to love them as our First Lord does. Unfortunately, several of those banished use the opportunity to go on killing sprees so the First Lord chose a few to find those offenders, retrieve their essence, and return it to our Lord.”

“And
, you were one of those chosen. Why?”

“I
was raised as a warrior in the First Lord’s army, and I was good at it. It was considered a great honor to be chosen by our Lord for retrieving.”

“What did the F
irst Lord need an army for?”

“To battle Lucifer’s Demon. Angels and Demon are almost always at war.”

“Where do you usually battle? It’s not this plane is it?”

“No, Caru. Usually
, the Angelic army stays in the Kingdom, and only battle the Demon stupid enough to attack. It is rare that the Angels have to travel to Hell for a battle. The Human plane is off limits for fighting.”

I nodded. “You’re still not going to tell me why you were kicked out?”

He shook his head. “I will tell you that I have only killed one Human in my entire existence, and it was after I was already banished. It was unavoidable, and he deserved far worse than the quick death I gave him.”

“Alright. I can accept that. If you didn’t kill a Human to get kicked out, what did you do that was worthy of not only losing your home
, but losing your title as retriever?”

He looked away again and I knew he wouldn’t tell me.

“Fine, whatever. I’m going back to bed. I need to get a good night’s sleep so I can be at the top of my game tomorrow. Which reminds me. You said a wound created by an Angelic weapon wouldn’t heal unless treated. What did you have to do because it feels like I was never
injured? There’s not even a red area where the wound was.”

“I made sure it was completely healed. You should not feel any pain from the wound.”

“But what did you do?”

He smiled. “It’s an Angel thing. You wouldn’t understand.” Then he chuckled a little.

I rolled my eyes. “Again, whatever.”

I turned and went back into the house. Jared caught up to me as I was passing through the living area headed for my room.

“You could change your mind about coming to my room. I liked having you lay in my bed
, and I doubt I will sleep a wink tonight with your smell all over my sheets.”

“No thanks.”

He moved right up behind me and whispered in my ear, “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.” Then he lightly kissed my ear.

By the time I turned around in outrage
, he was across the room opening his own bedroom door. He winked at me then entered the room, and shut the door. Gods, I need to get out of here because even though he pissed me off most of the time, I really wanted to follow him into that room.

“Wow, I have got to visit that place more often. You should see some of the stuff I bought,” Zach said.

We were in the ops room
, and Luke had pulled a surveillance feed of the fetish shop up on the smart board.

“No one is interested in your sex toys, Zach,” Jared told him.

“Speak for yourself. I’m sure Avery would be,” Zach replied.

Jared shot him an evil look.

“Actually, I have no interest in your sex toys either. Sorry to disappoint. Luke, have you seen anything of our perp?”

“Not yet. The owner said he could pick up after eleven right?”

“Yeah, me and Jared are about to head that way. I’d like to be there by ten thirty just in case.” I directed that last part to Jared.

“Alright, Caru. We can take my car. That will get us there with plenty of time to spare.”

“I think it would be a better idea to borrow Luke’s. It will fit in better than your hussy-getter.”

Zach and Hash laughed.

“I assure you I have never picked up a hussy in my car. Unless, of course, you refer to yourself in which case I would have to disagree with you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Luke
, can we borrow your SUV?”

“Sure thing BGF.”

I smiled. “Great. Let’s go, Jared.”

I took the keys from Luke and gave him a peck on the cheek. When I turned, Jared was giving Luke a dirty look. He can just get over it. Luke’s my friend, and given his curse, I’m sure he appreciates all the contact he can get.

Jared followed me out the door and to the garage.

“Are you sure you can drive this? It’s a little bigger than your average car,” Jared said.

“I think I can handle it. Just buckle up.”

“Worried about my well-being?
That’s touching.”

I ignored him and we headed out toward Silver Hills.

The fetish shop was in a large strip mall. It was surrounded by subdivisions that any number of which Jael could be staying in. We parked in front of a small restaurant that was two stores down from the Lucky Lady adult store.

“What do you suggest we do to pass the time, Caru?” Jared asked.

“I’m fine just watching for Jael
, but if you want to do something to occupy yourself, go for it.”

He smiled
, and I knew I had screwed up.

“As long as it doesn’t involve me,” I clarified.

“You are no fun. You know, there is plenty of room for us in the back seat.” He waggled his brows.

“Ew!
First of all, this is your friend’s truck. You don’t have sex in the back seat of your friend’s vehicle. Second, we are sitting outside of a fetish shop waiting on a serial killer to pick up his sex toys. It doesn’t exactly put me in the mood, and the fact that it does put you in the mood is, quite frankly, disturbing.”

“Caru, with you I am always in the mood. We could be trekking through the sewers
, and I would still be in the mood. A fetish shop and serial killer aren’t nearly enough to keep my libido down. Not with you sitting next to me.”

“Uh...okay. Well
, it’s still a no.”

“I am eagerly waiting for the day it becomes a yes.”

“I honestly don’t think that day is going to come, Jared. I’m attracted to you, but just when I think I might give in, you go and open your mouth, and I remember why it is I don’t want to be involved with you.”

“I promise you, Caru. Once I have made love to you
, you will no longer care what I say.”

“Ha. What, you think I’ll be so enamored that I won’t care that you
’re a dickhead.”

“That was rather cold. I think you will be able to overlook my faults.”

“You call them faults. I call them being a dickhead.”

“I have apologized for the other night. When else have I wronged you?”

“This whole situation was wrong from the beginning. If you hadn’t intervened, I would have gotten this guy days ago.”

“No, Caru. It is more likely that he would have gotten you days ago
, and I could not have that. I’m sorry you are unhappy with me about forcing my protection, but I am not sorry I protected you. I can’t allow you to be in danger.”

“I’m a detective with the Human’s Rights task force. It’s a dangerous job, Jared. You can’t force protection on me all the time.”

“That is true. But, you will not usually be going after an Angel. I know you can handle Demon and your other run of the mill evil. Just know that I will always be willing to help you or offer protection if you need it.”

He was looking at me seriously so I nodded. “Thanks, Jared.”

“You’re welcome, Caru.”

He started to lean forward so I turned to look out the front window in an attempt to avoid him.

A Cadillac parked in front of the Lucky Lady
, and Jael stepped out.

“There’s our boy,” I said.

“Let’s wait here and follow him back to his place. It will be safer for the Humans that way.”

“Sounds good.”

It only took a few minutes for Jael to return with a sack in hand. He got in the car and pulled out. I waited until he reached the highway to pull out behind him. We followed several cars back. He pulled into one of the neighboring subdivisions
, and we drove past the entrance.

“What are you
doing? We’re going to lose him,” Jared said.

I made a U turn and followed into the neighborhood just as Jael took a right two streets up. I slowly drove past the road
, and saw he took a left at the first intersecting street. I continued straight and turned right at the next street. One thing about subdivisions, most of the streets intersect, and if they don’t, there’s a sign letting you know there is no outlet. Jared watched for Jael through the backyards and as we came to the intersection of the road Jael had turned left on, we watched him pull into a driveway three houses down. We continued straight then turned right on the next street over.

“Pull into that house that’s for sale,” Jared said.

I did as directed.

“Give me a moment,” he told me.

He got out and walked up to the front door. A moment later he walked inside then stepped back out and motioned for me to follow. I got out and walked into the house. It was obviously vacant. I followed Jared up the stairs to the back of the house. He was standing at a balcony door looking at Jael’s house. I called Luke on my cell.

“Hello,” he said.

“Hey, I need you to look up an address for me.”

“Shoot.”

I gave him Jael’s address.

“Says it belongs to Tammy and Richard Douglas. Do you need more specifics?”

“Has anyone seen Mr. and Mrs. Douglas recently?”

I could hear him typing.

“No missing persons filed. I’m sending the other guys for backup if you want to wait.”

“Alright. Thanks Luke.”

“You’re welcome, Ave.”

I hung up.

“That was a waste of time,” Jared said with attitude.

Was he bipolar?

“I wanted to know if he was possibly holding them hostage. With the home owners possibly in there
, we need to do this as quickly and quietly as possible.”

“No, I thought we would just call in an airstrike.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. Once again, dickhead Jared had arrived.

“If you have a problem with the way I work, I can always do this without you.”

“No chance. Although if you don’t want to work with me, you can stay here, and I will take care of Jael. Actually, I like that option best.”

I smiled
at him. “Are we doing this now or waiting for the others?”

He smiled back. “No time like the present.”

I started for the door, and he grabbed me and pulled me to him before kissing me long and hard. When he finished, we were both breathing heavy. I raised a brow at him.

“I’d like to say it was for luck but really it was just because I wanted to.”

I smiled. Hey, at least he’s honest.

“Let’s just go.”

We decided to come at the house by the side, enter through the garage
, and work our way in through there. Jared picked the lock on the side garage door, and we entered quickly. The smell almost knocked me back out. Now I know why he didn’t park the car in the garage. What I assume is Mr. and Mrs. Douglas were laying in a heap in the corner. Based on the smell, they had been dead for at least a few days, maybe a week. I hurried past and went to the door entering the house. We stopped and listened for a moment. Before continuing, I pulled my katana out then opened the door, and entered the house while Jared followed.

In the kitchen, I still heard no one. Maybe he needed a nap after his trip to the sex shop or, given what he just bought, he’s in the bathroom. I wouldn’t mind catching him with his pants down. Hey, it’s hard to fight someone with your pants around your ankles. I could tell Jared was listening too because he closed his eyes and tilted his head then he looked at me and pointed down. Down? Did this house have a basement? I looked around for a door and found it behind the stairs in the hallway. I slowly opened the door and Jared slipped past me to enter the stairway leading down. I grabbed his shoulder.

I’ve been thinking about how to gain the advantage with Jael, and the way I first managed to hurt him seemed like the best route. His underestimating us would be the only way. I mean, Jared could go in there and possible take him out, but they would fight, and there’s a good chance Jael could gain the upper hand. But, if I go in first, he will think he has the advantage then Jared could take him out when he least expects it.

I pointed to myself then to the bottom of the stairs then I pointed at Jared and the floor at my feet. He shook his head. I pleaded with my eyes and held up five fingers. He shook his head and held up two fingers. Wow. I really didn’t expect him to agree.

I nodded and started down the stairs. When I reached the bottom, I had to stop. There was a bed in the middle of the room with black bedding. There were all kinds of torture devices on the walls surrounding the bed. Some I recognized while others, the purpose alluded me.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Jael walked out from under the stairs.

“I...how did you do all this so fast?”

He laughed. “Oh, this was Mr. Douglas’ play room. I just took it over, and added some of my own embellishments. I’m sure you will like them. I have envisioned you on that bed ever since I first saw it.”

He moved closer to me
, and I pointed my sword to stop him.

“Jael, the Fallen, you have been found guilty of the murders of four Humans
, and it is my duty to pass sentencing.”

He smiled at me. “You really are beautiful. I have wondered about you. How could such a beautiful child be abandoned here? Where did you come from? Where are your parents? Then it hit me.
” He pointed to his head to prove his point. “How could I have missed it? It was so obvious. I can understand you not claiming him as father. He is the enemy after all. The ultimate evil. And, you. You beautiful creature, you, are his only child.”

“Shut the fuck up. You don’t know anything about me. You think you are righteous because you’re an Angel. You’re nothing but a murdering psycho that needs to be put down.”

I went on the offensive. This asshole wants to throw my heritage in my face like he’s better than me. Fuck him. I lunged for him and he parried. I immediately came back at him from the right, slicing at a diagonal. When he parried
, I used my left hand to punch him in the face. In a blink, he had me pushed against the wall, and then Jared was pulling him off of me. He threw him across the room, and faster than I could see, Jael flew back. The sound was deafening as their swords clashed. I couldn’t really keep up with the strikes because they were moving too fast. After a few minutes, Jared had Jael against the wall on the other side of the room. Jael had blood dripping from his mouth yet he laughed.

“You killed my only child. He was troubled, and instead of offering him help, you took his life. You think she is your
Caryad
. She will become stronger than both of us. Do you really think she will want you then? You, who went against your Lord’s command because you could not control your urges. I will take her and she will bare me another son. She will beg me for more.”

Jared punched him in the face. “She is mine. I knew it the moment I laid eyes on her
, and you will not touch her. Your son was an insane killer that deserved to die. Just like you.”