My Fallen Angel

"What about that one?"
"No." I wrinkled my nose. "Gross."
Ashlan chuckled, running his hand through my hair.
"This one?"
"Noo! Stop picking those," I giggled, taking the book from him. "Why can't you pick one like this?"
"Because who wants all that hair? No, this one is better."
I rolled my eyes.
"You guys are sickening," CC grumbled from the floor of the hotel room he and Ashley were sharing.
I had my own room down the hall, but I hadn't been in it yet.
"This one!" I declared, my finger touching down on the animal. "Look at its squished face!"
Ashlan frowned as he looked. "Why do you always pick weird shit?"
"She picked you," CC pointed out, a controller in his hand as he played a game.
Ashlan threw the book at him.
I chuckled, hearing CC squawk.
Ashlandil pulled me into his lap, wrapping his arms around me.
I glanced at the door as it opened, Andy walking inside. He ignored me and Ashley and flopped into the floor beside CC, taking the other controller.
"Whereve you been?"
"I was talking to Juliet," he grunted. "She's bitching. I forgot to call last night."
"Well," CC glanced back at Ashley, "we had some stuff to deal with. I'm sure she can forgive you.
"Yeah."
I hesitated, and pressed my face against Ashlandils shoulder.
"Why don't we go to my room?" I whispered, and his lips twitched.
I hopped to my feet, and started for the door, his hand latched in mine.
"Where are you two going?"
"Out."
I giggled, turning as we stepped into the empty hallway, pulling his face to mine, nibbling at his lips.
He chuckled, forcing me to walk backward a few steps toward my room, his hands slipping to my waist.
"Really? It's even more sickening to see then was rumored, seeing you two together."
I jerked away from Ashley, whirling to find the source.
What was Seraphine doing here?
We were states away from California.
She sent me a cocky grin. "Did you miss me?"
"What are you doing here?" I hissed, feeling Ashlandil step to my side protectively.
"What do you think? I came to watch the show," she laughed. "He does have a wonderful voice, doesn't he? And it's so nice to see you again, Ashlandil,though I like you better shirtless."
He huffed.
"Oh, and have you met my friend?" she asked, gesturing behind her.
We followed her hand, and I felt like someone had punched me.
"Theda?" I whispered.
She stepped into view, looking mutinous. Her hair was limp, and she wasn't wearing any of her extravagant makeup. Her eyes were red lined and bruised, and she looked like she hadn't slept in days.
I felt Ashlandil stiffen beside me, and his hand curled around my wrist, pulling me behind him slightly.
I glanced at him, seeing his clenched jaw.
"What are you doing with her?" I demanded. "Where are the others?"
"Razas dead," she bit out, her teeth already sharp and glinting in the low light.
"What?" I stared at her, stunned. "How?"
"He fucking killed him!" she snarled, stabbing her finger at Ashlandil. "I came home and found his fucking corpse! He tried to kill Cronus, too, but he didn't die! Razas gone," she half-sobbed. "And now I'm alone!"
"Ashlan...?" I stared up at him in shock, feeling my chest tighten.
"He tried to kill you," he said after a moment. "He deserved what he got."
"He was weak!" Theda almost shrieked, stepping forward. "If you'd just given me an hour I would've had him back to normal!"
"He fucking killed like thirty humans, there's no coming back from that," Ashlandil spat at her. "I did him a favor, putting him down! He'd gone too dark, Theda. Raza wasn't there anymore. And I didn't hurt Cronus; Raza bit him. I saved his ass."
Where was Cronus?
"Don't lie to her," Seraphine suddenly chirped. "He mightve been dark, but so am I, and I've always come back."
"You're just a crazy bitch, Seraphine," Ashlan looked at her in annoyance. "And no one gives two fucks about you. You've resorted to attacking other angels, your own kind, over petty nuances that no one even remembers or cares about."
"You would say that," she snorted. "Are we going to let him get away with this, Theda?"
"No!" she hissed, taking a step forward.
"Where's Cronus?" I demanded quickly. "He can sort this out!"
"He disappeared after the apartment," Theda glared. "I haven't seen him in weeks."
"You wanna fight, you pink haired fairy? Fine," Ashlandil glared at her. "But you should have the balls to attack me yourself, not be the pawn of someone else."
Theda gave an angry shriek, and Ashlan stiffened, bracing himself as she lunged forward.
I backhanded her.
She staggered back in shock, blood beading on her lips as she turned stunned eyes to me; even Seraphine looked surprised.
"Don't touch him," I hissed, stepping in front of him protectively. "Get ahold of yourself! Do you really think Ashlandil would have just killed Raza for the fun of it? I almost died, Theda! He ripped my throat out!"
"You look fine now!" she spat, black blood sizzling as it hit the ground.
"It's because her and her Ashlandil are fuck buddies," Seraphine told her dryly, arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. "Why do you think she's so glowy? She gets two angels and you get none. Sucks, right?"
Theda growled, pacing back and forth.
"Shut up, Seraphine!"
"Why?" she turned her cold black eyes to mine. "You get to fuck around with Andiel and Ashlandil, where Theda loses her mate and has to be alone for the rest of eternity. How does that not blow?"
I heard a door open down the hall, and glanced back anxiously.
We all quieted as a laughing human couple strode by, Theda watching them with longing in her eyes.
Poor Theda.
I wished I could make it better for her. But I didn't know how.
"Come, Theda, we'd better go. Can't wait for your show tomorrow," Seraphine wiggled her fingers at us, and then she and Theda disappeared into the elevator.
I looked at Ashlan worriedly, but his hand clamped on my wrist, and he continued down the hallway, dragging me to my room and slamming the door behind us.
"Motherfucker."
"What are we gonna do?" I asked, beginning to pace. "With Theda --- I can't fight both of them."
"You can't fight either of them," he muttered, rubbing his jaw. "You're weakening again; that smack should have broken her jaw as much force you put into it."
I glared at him.
"You're welcome."
Ashlan chuckled, and he slipped his hands onto my hips, anchoring me against him.
"Thank you, love. Now, what are your plans? I know you have some."
"A few." I bobbed my head, letting my fingers fiddle with one of the buttons on his shirt. "But I don't know if they'll work. We'll have to kill.Seraphine."
"No arguments here," he snorted, and I frowned at him.
"She'll disappear forever."
"She's dark, Kenali, she needs to go."
"We're all considered dark once we fall," I reminded him, and he sighed.
"We'll figure this out, Kenali, we always do."

Notes