The woman answered, “Some Angel chick.” I sighed and looked at Valentina grumbling, “That’s not very Angel-like behavior of said chick.” Valentina shrugged, “They judge us Demons, but they are insane. Who the hell cares if Angelique isa partial? We were always taught a partial would be crazed, but that’s not even true. Angelique is sane.”
The Bounty Hunter laughed, “Partial Angel and Demon mixes don’t tend to last long, little girl. They either kill the mother carrying the child, or the child soon after.” I frowned asking, “There’s more than Angelique?”
I snorted and answered my own question, “Of course there are. It’s forbidden… by Michael… which is insane, since Angelique is his granddaughter. What teenager doesn’t like to try the forbidden on either side?” The Bounty Hunter smiled, “You’re smart.”
I scoffed, “I would have to lose over TWENTY I.Q. points to be smart, you jerk!” Valentina shot her. My friend smiled and told me, “I figured you were done asking questions and she insulted you.” Freya snickered in my head.
I nodded, “I was done… because she wasn’t going to tell us if she had anyone else on her list. Plus… she’s seen Angelique’s picture.” I picked up Angelique’s burner and crushed it. Valentina set the place on fire, and we left.
Valentina and I shimmered to all the places I’d pre-arranged to meet Angelique if something went wrong, but she wasn’t at any of them. I sat down and thought about it. Where would she go if not to these places? Charles wasn’t up yet… so it wasn’t to him.
It hit me like lightning because it was obvious. Angelique would go where I was, she was in Black Mountain. I growled, “Son of a gun! She’s in our territory, Val.” Valentina asked, “Where am I shimmering?”
I said, “She’d have asked for me… she’s likely in EJ and Alexander’s office. They would figure out what she was and want to get out of the open.” Valentina nodded and grabbed me. She just happened to shimmer in behind a Bounty Hunter, who I killed quickly. Angelique smirked at me.
Freya told me, “No to nag, but I’m hungry. All you’ve had is coffee today.” That was true. EJ stared at me incredulously when I mentioned food. What? We were all going to eat a lot of food tomorrow. I couldn’t get a head start?
I was annoyed that I didn't figure out Angelique was here sooner. It should’ve been obvious. I needed to talk to Xander about whatever was bothering him because… it was dulling my senses. Freya snickered, “You checked all the places you should’ve.” My wolf was right.
I was just annoyed Xander hadn’t told me what was bothering him, and I was hungry. So, I was irritable. I was pulled out of those thoughts by a thundering declaration coming from the doorway. Angelique gasped, but I didn’t look at the doorway because I knew who it was. Freya said, “You are right by the way.” I knew that.
I grabbed Angelique. I urged, “Stay… it’s ok.” Angelique looked at me, panicked. My friend whispered, “I can’t do this to him. He’ll be hunted.” I disagreed, “No… he will be HUNTING whoever comes for you. Trust me. No one in their right mind would hunt him. It would end… so, SO badly for them.”
Angelique studied me. Haley said, “My husband has Supernatural hearing even though I don't, which is bullshit. Because I need to have the Supernatural hearing everyone else does, but NOOO my damn Fairy side got in the way of that.”
Haley waved her hands, “That’s not the point. I was going to say that you can’t leave by Supernatural means since I’m temporarily keeping you here. You at least owe my nephew an explanation or some shit. I think it’s more than an explanation because he’s a good man.”
I felt someone behind me. Angelique’s eyes were wide with fright. She was a tough woman, but she told me she’d always been told she’d never have a mate because she was forbidden. I told her, “You always deserved to be happy, Angelique. He canhelp you… probably better than I can, because he can take you to a whole other realm. No Bounty Hunter will come after you again… it would be a death sentence.”
Gabe’s voice was deadly when he asked, “Why the fuck would someone come after my mate? Let alone a goddamn Bounty Hunter.” I stepped out of his way. Xander popped behind me. I linked him, “You should call Hastein. Cayden always said he and Gabe are close.” Xander quickly sent a text on his phone.
Angelique whispered, “I’m sorry. It’s just that my life is complicated and I never stay anywhere too long. Honestly, until I met Melanie and her gang of misfits….” Xander growled and my friend trailed off. Angelique looked over at him and smirked.
Angelique chuckled, “Melanie and her friends did not belong where they were. I bet they even stand out here.” I blushed. Angelique turned back to Gabe, “I honestly didn’t look for you because my whole life I’ve been told there’s no one out for me. I’m a partial Demon and Angel mix.”
Gabe said, “Yeah, I got that. I don’t fucking care. You are mine and NO ONE comes after what is mine.” I said, “You’ll be needing to kill an Angel then. If I go get my laptop I could tell you which one.” Gabe said, “Easily done.”
Angelique gasped, “You can’t just kill an Angel. Particularly not the one after me.” I hummed because she was wrong. If it was her aunt… well the one I thought it was… then that aunt was not of Michael’s line. I’d checked.
Gabe argued, “I can and will. No one threatens my mate.” I whispered, “Ask him his name, Angelique.” Angelique shot me a glare, and I bit my lip. Angelique rolled her eyes as a portal opened. Hastein walked through with his dad.
Both shot me a look. What? What did I do? I was clearly helping. Freya agreed, “We definitely are.” I knew thattheyappeared not to. Freya chuckled, “They do know that.” Then what was with the looks?
Angelique asked, “So, what is your name? I’m Angelique.” Gabe asked, “Is there a last name with that?” I winced and Gabe’s eyes narrowed on me. Angelique answered, “Nope. No last name. It’s just Angelique.”
Gabe looked at me asking, “And why is that?” Angelique said, “Well, that’s….” Gabe interrupted, “Oh, I was actually asking my cousin's mate. She’s a terrible liar who knows why you don’t have a last name.”
I blushed, “Umm… I was going… to get… my laptop… and get you an Angel’s name so you could kill her. She’s a bad Angel anyway… sending people after Angelique to kill her…. so… I’ll just go… and get the name you want.”
Gabe argued, “No, you will not. You can go after you answer my question. You are very good at getting away with not answering questions. I’ll even give you a pass on most of them, but not this one. Not about my mate’s safety.”
I frowned, “A’s lack of last name isn’t about her safety. It’s about the idiocy and prejudice of two groups of people. I mean… well… that’s… just my opinion… kind of… not really… actually it’s completely true… oh my god I’m going to get my laptop.”
Gabe blocked my path stating, “You know a lot about the Hackura.” I nodded because that was very obvious at this point. Gabe continued, “You know I will never hurt you.” I nodded again because that was never a thought, or question, of anyone in this room. Gabe would protect me from anything and I knew it.
Gabe pointed out, “You suspected when you told me to stick around that your friend over there was mine.” I said, “I thought that before… like a while ago but… it’s hard to… that was complicated… to explain but maybe….”
Gabe interjected, “Tell me why my mate doesn’t have a last name and what the fuck being prejudiced has to do with it.Because I will paint the streets red with those people’s blood if they hurt her. I think you want that too.” He was right, I did.
