Page 43 of Beyond the Storm
The door opened before Michael walked into the house. Once upon a time, he had grated on my nerves with his impeccably good looks: short dark hair, chestnut-brown eyes, muscles for days, and the tall stature to match. I had also disliked having my authority questioned when he’d stepped in to help during the war. Our relationship now was a lot better.
“Morning,” Michael greeted us. “I knocked this time.”
“Congrats on having manners,” I said. Too many times, the archangel had come barging into our home unannounced. He’d learned to be more aware of his lack of personal space, especially after the one time on the island when he’d walked in to find Lazarus naked.
Lazarus kissed me goodbye before he and Michael left.
I stepped out onto the back porch and sat overlooking the lake while I ate breakfast and drank my morning tea. The surface of the lake glistened beneath the sun and gold-and-pink sky. A waterfall rushed off to one side, coming off the mountain that stretched so high up I couldn’t see the top. Our home was like a paradise amongst the clouds, the weather frozen in that space between autumn and winter.
The celestial realm had a land for every season. It had been strange at first, but now it had become my norm. It was nice to experience whatever season I wanted by a simple journey through the lands.
After I went back inside the house, I noticed a notification on my phone. A text that was sent nearly twenty minutes before.
Konnar:Are you still alive up there?
I noted the time. He would just be lying down for bed right about now. Well, he could wait for a few more minutes. I called him.
“So youarealive,” Konnar answered on the third ring.
“Apologies for not checking in lately,” I told him, guilt weighing in my chest. We used to call each other every day, but it had been about four days since we’d last talked. Two weeks since we’d seen each other in person. “How are you, old friend?”
He sighed. “That word again. You’re fortunate to be one of my favorite people. As to how I’ve been, well,busyfits fairly well. The club has seen an increase in activity.”
“How so?”
“More reapers and Fae. Several demons as well.” Rustling sounded on his end of the phone, as though he was in bed and shifting position in the sheets. “Don’t misunderstand me. I’m pleased by the new customers. But some needed reminders about my club rules.”
Konnar had only one rule, really: no violence. Supernatural beings visited Krave to be themselves without the fear of discovery among humans. The nightclub gave them a safe place to dance, fuck, drink, and be free. It was a safe place for them to indulge in their cravings regardless of whether they were vampires, demons, or werewolves. Once you stepped through the front door, you were agreeing not to harm anyone inside. Doing so would result in you being thrown out. And sometimes, depending on the severity of the offense, Konnar took matters into his own hands.
“Did you have to kill anyone?” I asked, hoping that wasn’t the case. He despised harming anyone but sometimes had to if the person inflicted too much damage.
“Fortunately, no,” he answered. “However, I had to lecture a demon. I caught one trying to set a reaper on fire. The reaper teleported before they were hit, but it was a close call. Any guesses as to what the fight was about?”
“The reaper stuck his cock where it didn’t belong?” I suggested.
Konnar chuckled. “Do you speak to your angel with that filthy mouth?”
“All the time. I do other things with my mouth too.”
“Well, your filthy mouth is correct,” he said, still with amusement ringing in his tone. “The reaper seduced a female the demon had just slept with earlier in the evening. They fought over her. Meanwhile, while they tried to kill each other, she forgot about both of them and bedded a female wolf.” He sighed again. “Should you ever have an opening in the celestial realm for a young and handsome vampire, I will gladly move from this realm and live there instead.”
“No you wouldn’t,” I told him. “You may complain, but you love your club and all the beings in it.”
“Perhaps.” More rustling, followed by a soft yawn. “I do believe it’s time for bed.”
“How does tomorrow sound?” I asked.
“For what?”
“For you to host me for dinner. Or at least for tea and crumpets.”
A short pause. “I’d enjoy that very much.” Warmth filled his voice.
I smiled. “As would I.”
Time was of no consequence. Whether I talked to Konnar every day or only once a month, he was my closest friend and always would be.
“Sleep well, old friend,” I said.
