Page 2 of The Fallen
"Thank you." Jo leaned back and took a sip of his drink. "So, how do you think this meeting with the local demon clan is about to go?"
"Honestly, I have a positive feeling about it." We had a good chance of finding a way to build an alliance. "We will see for ourselves soon though."
"Did you do divination on it?" Jo knew I liked adding magic to almost every aspect of my life. I would consult my tarot before meetings and do a daily one-card draw to receive messages from our brothers and sisters based in the heavens.
"I did. Everything showed up positively."
"Do you ever feel odd using those tools?" Jo was still wary about angels using magic.
"Everyone can use magic." I leaned forward so my friend could see my eyes. "Magic is not good or evil. It's not black or white. It's neutral and can be used by all. Only if you can't respect the rules of energy should it be avoided."
"I know." Jo reached over and grabbed my hand. "I'm sorry, I'm still hanging on to the things they used to teach me growing up. The angels should do this, but refrain from that because only the demon kids dabbled in magic. I should be over that toxic kind of thinking after all this time."
"Don't sweat it." I patted Jo's hand and stood up. "It's time to head up to the meeting. Are you ready?"
"Yeah." Jo stood and threw his empty cup in the trash. "I'm glad we thought ahead and grabbed water for the meeting. I need something after all that sweetness and spice."
"You are such a weirdo." I laughed, handing him a water bottle. "The elevators are over there. Let's go."
Walking toward the bank of elevators, a slight tingle started at the base of my spine and crawled up my back, snaking its way around my body until every fiber buzzed with a new awareness. I turned as if commanded by an imaginary master and stood frozen once I saw who stood behind us.
I barely registered the deep intake of air coming from my best friend beside me and whispered, "It's him," as he nudged me. I barely recognized that one of the two men standing before us was the man my friend had been lusting after. All my focuswas on the other man and what this energy flowing between us meant.
Only one word managed to escape my lips. "Mate."
CHAPTER 2
ASMODEUS
"Did you hook up with anyone at Club Desire last night? I heard it got pretty wild after I left." I still felt a mild headache from the amount of alcohol we consumed. Demons usually don't feel the effects of such substances, but the club knew people who could get potions that could put anyone down for the count for a price.
"Nah." Malthus pulled out from our apartment complex and headed toward the expressway. “You know I don't do that anymore."
"I still don't understand why. You used to live for going out and getting laid. Now, you seem to never go out. When was the last time you hooked up with somebody?
"What time were we supposed to meet them?" Malthus shifted gears as we neared Hotel Gray.
"We have about fifteen minutes." I checked the email to verify the time and destination. "And the parking garage is coming up on your left. Stop avoiding the question."
"Do you think this meeting will go well?" Malthus turned into the large gray building and looked for an available space. "I had a strange sensation on my neck all morning—a premonition of what's to come from today's meeting."
"Fine. I'll drop it for now. But soon you will talk to me about what's happening with you. It’s not good to keep it all to yourself. The point of having friends is having people who are there to listen to your vents and worries. Now, about this feeling you got, is it good or bad?" I had learned to listen to my friend's gut instincts about situations. "Do you foresee a battle developing in there?" Both sides had promised a peaceful meeting, but when demons and angels met, there was always a chance for physical combat.
"No. It's not a warning of danger—at least not today." Malthus pulled into a compact space on the first floor and turned off the engine before looking at me. Something big is about to happen—a massive shift in energy and balance. I don't feel dread but hope."
"That's good, then." I patted my friend's hand and unbuckled my seat belt. "Let's get to this meeting. I think both sides could use a bit of hope after all these years."
The earthbound demons and angels had been toeing the line for centuries. We all feared one last step would turn our uneasy truce into a full-out war. If change was in the air, I was going to choose to believe that maybe we would finally find a path toward a reliable peace between our two factions. Our battles would not only harm us, but the humans we live among would be caught up in the mess. None of us wanted that.
Exiting the car, we found the hotel entrance from the attached parking garage and entered the lobby side. Quickly checking in with the front desk, we followed the staff's instructions to the meeting room.
Walking toward the bank of elevators, an imaginary rope was tied around my waist, pulling me forward. Time slowed, the surrounding noise muffled, and my vision zoned in on only one target. A beautiful man stood before the sizeable silver wall. Tall and slender, his sun-kissed blond locks flowed over his shoulders, and his sapphire eyes held me captive. I couldn't focus on anything but him.
Mal stopped abruptly and tugged my arm back, mumbling something to himself about hookups and fucking up. But none of that mattered to me at the moment. Standing right before me, looking just as lost in the connection as I felt, was the one man I had waited my whole life for but always doubted would show up. The one man who could complete my soul and love me fully. The one whom Fate had declared mine.
"Mate." The word left my mouth before my brain registered what my heart felt.
"Mate," the beautiful man responded, letting me know that this was, in fact, the initial meeting of two fated mates.
