Fallen: Celeste

  Fallen: Celeste

  Tiffany Aaron

  Published 2004

  ISBN 1-59578-046-7

  Published by Liquid Silver Books, imprint of Atlantic Bridge Publishing, 10509 Sedgegrass Dr, Indianapolis, Indiana 46235. Copyright © 2004, Tiffany Aaron. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

  Manufactured in the United States of America

  Liquid Silver Books

  http://lsbooks.com

  Email:

  raven@lsbooks.com

  Cover Art

  by Fabiano Fabris

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

  Dedication

  Chris, you are the hero all others are compared to. Mom, you are my definition of survivor. Dad, you’ve always been on my case about sending my stories to someone. Jody, you’ve taught me how to live life with courage. Jenn, you encouraged me and pushed me to finish it. Then you gave me advice on what to do with it once I got it done. Thanks. To Char and Tina, your input helped bring Celeste and Adam to life. Shelby and all the ladies on RRR, your laughter and comfort have always brightened my day. Even though I can’t list you all, you are all in my thoughts.

  Thanks to all of you and this one is dedicated to you.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Celeste stared at the skyline of Detroit. She was bone-tired. When was the torment going to end? She didn’t expect an answer since God had turned His back on her a long, long time ago. The moment she had chosen to forsake Heaven and rebel against Him, she’d condemned herself to living without His touch in her life.

  Just once, she thought, leaning her head against the window, she’d like to know there was someone out there thinking about her. Tapping her forehead against the glass, she grimaced, knowing it would never happen.

  She brought her thoughts back to the problem facing her. For two weeks, a cunning hunter had stalked the city of Detroit preying on young women. The third body had been found twenty-four hours ago and while the police had searched for clues, none had been found. They were now desperate to find something that would reveal who the killer was. Celeste knew who had committed the crimes. Tomas was the reason she had moved to Detroit ten years ago.

  At that time she had tried to connect with him, but the fallen angel had become wary down through the centuries and had learned ways to hide from humans and Enforcers alike. Now, he was finally beginning his game, a game she hoped to stop before he killed too many.

  Stalking into the office, one of her best agents growled, “It’s like he fucking vanished, Celeste. Not one damn clue.” Al Risen slumped in his chair and glared at her. He had joined Celeste’s investigation and security company seven years ago. The company had become known for getting the impossible done and keeping order in the Motor City with his expertise.

  “Of course he vanished.” She didn’t turn to look at him. “We have a serial killer on our hands.”

  Al groaned. “Do we have to deal with him?”

  “You don’t. I will.”

  “Hell, Montgomery has been trying to fuck you for months now. You’re playing right into his fantasies, Celeste. How do we know he isn’t committing these murders?”

  “Why would he, Al? So I would have to beg for help?” Celeste laughed. “He doesn’t want me that badly.”

  Al snorted in disbelief. “Honey, he would do anything to have you. Trust me. I’ve seen it in his eyes.”

  Celeste had met Adam Montgomery at the Mayor’s office several months ago. Before even walking into the office she had smelled the musky scent of leather, power and man. Her skin had flushed and she had felt her pussy grow wet. Then she saw him standing by the desk.

  Adam was taller than she was. Broad shouldered and lean-hipped, his skin was tanned from hours spent in the sun. His unusual light green eyes focused on her. His lips were thin and slightly cruel. His light brown hair, streaked with golden highlights, barely brushed his shoulders. He wore his three-piece dark blue suit like he had been raised with money instead of on the streets as rumored.

  Her thighs had clenched and the throbbing in her clit increased as her jeans rubbed against it. She tried to stay calm, but she couldn’t control her body’s reaction. Her breasts grew heavy and her nipples tightened to little pebbles. Celeste had never been this aroused, not even after an hour of foreplay and Adam had known it. She had seen his own arousal flare in his eyes. The instant attraction scared her.

  He had asked her out that day and she had turned him down. No matter how many times he had asked since, she had said no. There was a danger in lusting after him. It would be suicide to love him. Celeste feared if she were to share his bed, she would lose her heart and she couldn’t afford to lose any more of it.

  Celeste put the memory away when Al cleared his throat. She said softly, “I’ve already set up a meeting.”

  “I’ll go with you.”

  Celeste shook her head. “I have to go alone, Al. There have been three women killed. I’m willing to do whatever I have to do to catch him.” Celeste pulled her coat on and walked from the office.

  “Even play the whore for a demon,” Al whispered into the silence.

  As Celeste walked to her car, she reviewed all the information she had found on Adam Montgomery. It didn’t hurt to know everything she could about the man who was going to be her partner on this case.

  Adam Montgomery was the leader of the Demons, a gang that owned the Detroit streets. The Demons knew everything happening in the city, crime related or not, and they had a hand in almost every crime. Celeste had heard the rumors that there were some things Adam wouldn’t allow in his city. Some crimes were too terrible for even the leader of the Demons to contemplate.

  Adam controlled most of Detroit by virtue of the fear that the Demons inspired. Unfortunately—or maybe fortunately—Adam didn’t know the extent of the evil lurking in the shadows of the city. She did know the evil and it scared her.

  * * * *

  Adam stared at the tall blonde waiting for him at the bar. Damn, she was gorgeous. At almost six feet tall, she was still a few inches shorter than he was. She curved in all the right places with a great set of tits and a long pair of legs. Her dark blonde hair was long, reaching the middle of her back in subtle waves. She had a heart-stopping face with full lips and a strong nose. She rarely smiled or even laughed and she wore a “don’t mess with me” attitude like armor.

  There was something about Celeste Young that made Adam think of diamonds. She was tough but brilliant and her facets gleamed brightly in the dull world she occupied. Looking deep into her eyes, Adam could see there was an icy fire burning deep in her. Whether it was righteous anger or plain madness, he didn’t want to know.

  Every day for a month after he’d first met her, he had called her for a date. He wasn’t used to being turned down. Usually if a woman said no, he would back off and move on to the next but there was something about Celeste that haunted him. She was never far from his thoughts.

  When he realized his fascination with the leggy blonde wasn’t going away, he had Jakar, his assistant, look into her past. Oddly enough, she didn’t seem to exist before ten years ago when she showed up in Detroit. Her business had opened up one day in an office building downtown. Before that day, Jakar couldn’t find anything. His right hand man thought he was an idiot to chase after a woman who didn’t want him but the mystery surrounding her drew him like a moth to a flame. Finally tired of g
etting turned down, he told her to call him when she was ready.

  He knew why she had finally called him. While he was excited to be getting a taste of Celeste Young, he was raging about the killer. How could he have gotten into the city without one of Adam’s employees knowing about it? He had already sent his men out looking for him. He was willing to help Celeste find the killer, but he wondered if she was willing to pay the price he would ask.

  His cock stood at painful attention and he grinned. This spawn of the devil was going to get a taste of heaven tonight.

  “Celeste,” he murmured in her ear as he came up behind her. She was tall, but he still had to bend his neck to nuzzle her soft skin. “Even in a smoky bar, you manage to smell good.” He pressed closer to her, grinding his erection against her jean-covered ass.

  He knew she was trying as hard as she could to stop her body from relaxing. She rubbed herself hard against him.

  He groaned softly. “Careful, baby. I’m riding a thin line right now.”

  “Don’t call me baby. That’s what you call a petite blonde chewing bubble gum. I’m not the cheerleader type.” Celeste smiled. He could tell she was pleased to see how she affected him.

  “Thank God for that, Celeste. I don’t want to clean gum off my cock.”

  Celeste laughed. “What makes you think my mouth will be getting anywhere near your cock?”

  “Just call it a hunch.” Adam backed off and grabbed her arm. “Let’s get out of here. This isn’t a safe place for you.” He noticed the stares they were getting.

  She turned on Adam. “I can take care of myself, Adam. I don’t need some macho man protecting me. Besides, I have a friend.” She tenderly stroked the 9 mm Glock she had strapped to her side.

  Adam’s cock twitched. The only thought in his head at the moment was that he hoped she’d caress him just as gently when it was his turn.

  “Are we clear, Adam?” Her smirk told him she knew what she was doing to him.

  He snapped out of his daydream as a bottle broke behind them. “Celeste, the only reason you’re still standing and not spread out on the bar is because you’re with me. Every person in this bar knows what will happen if they mess with what’s mine.”

  “You’re pretty possessive for a man who hasn’t even fucked me yet.”

  “After I do, you won’t want another man,” Adam promised.

  “And you won’t want another woman.” Celeste sauntered out of the bar.

  “I’m betting on that, Celeste,” Adam whispered under his breath as he followed her swaying hips out.

  * * * *

  “Where are we going?” Celeste asked as Adam started his truck.

  “Somewhere we can talk.” Adam stared out the window. He couldn’t look at her or he’d drive them off the road. Her white t-shirt was tight enough for him to know she wasn’t wearing a bra; her nipples were pebbled against the cotton material. Surrendering to the urge, he reached over and caught her left nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Squeezing and pulling on it, he listened to her gasp in surprise then moan in delight. His cock was growing. Good thing he was wearing loose pants or he would have burst the zipper by now. The sound of Handel’s Hallelujah chorus interrupted the moment.

  “That’s mine,” Celeste muttered as she reached for her phone.

  Adam groaned.

  “Yeah … what is it?” Celeste threw a smile at Adam. She had heard the frustration in his groan. “Ok, where was it found?”

  Adam glanced at her. He slowed and pulled into an empty parking lot. Putting the truck in park, he watched her.

  “We’ll be right there … yeah, Montgomery’s with me.” Celeste hung up.

  “Where?” he asked. He had a feeling another body had been found somewhere.

  “A vacant lot just off Grand River Avenue. Al says the body’s been there a while. So this isn’t a fresh kill.”

  “This makes it the fourth one though.”

  “Unfortunately it looks like he’s been killing for longer than we thought. What’s worse is he’s starting to kill more often.”

  They were silent, letting the hockey game on the radio fill the quiet.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Celeste reached deep inside her well of power as they pulled up to the lot. Even though the body had been there for a while, she might still be able to get some trace on Tomas. A death this violent would always leave some sort of mark on the energy around it for weeks afterwards.

  Celeste moved towards the crowd of police officers. She knew the body hadn’t been moved yet; the stench of decay filled the air. She swallowed hard, trying to beat down the overwhelming feeling of fear clinging to the air in the lot. She was at full strength and she was getting the residue from the victim’s last moments. The burning sensation in her chest warned her that she was going to find a message here.

  The officers parted for her. Most of them had at some point worked with Celeste on various cases. She nodded to the ones she knew, but she kept her eyes on the corpse on the ground. The marks still visible in the flesh told her this was the work of the same serial killer. The cross burned into the woman’s chest ensured that Celeste would recognize the killer. She waved to the coroner to come and bag the body. She had seen all she needed.

  “Who could do this?” Adam’s face was contorted with disgust. He was breathing though his mouth, trying not to get sick from the smell.

  “His name is Tomas. I’ve been following him for years now. I’ve always known he was capable of this, but until now, he’s never killed. What made him decide to start now?” Celeste stared into the shadows surrounding them.

  Surprise tainted Adam’s voice. “You know him?”

  Celeste nodded. She was tuning into an angry feeling coming from the farthest corner of the lot. She headed in that direction. “Tomas has been moving about the country for years now, never stopping anywhere for very long. I’ve been keeping tabs on him for a while now. He came to Detroit about ten years ago and seemed to make it a permanent stop. I came here, set up shop and kept an eye on him. Now, he’s starting to kill and it will only get worse from here on.”

  Holding up her hand, she stopped Adam’s next question. She closed her eyes and connected with the tendrils of anger she felt vibrating in the air. The vision taking over her mind made her chest feel like it was going to burst into flame.

  A woman knelt in front of Celeste. She was naked and begging for mercy. Celeste felt fierce pleasure swamping the man whose eyes she looked out of. He was enjoying the woman’s fear. Like a rabid dog, he fell upon the woman. While the blood flowed, the woman’s cries became weaker and Tomas’ pleasure soared into ecstasy. Celeste wanted to pull out of the vision, but she knew she had to see it to the end. There might be some clue to Tomas’ whereabouts visible in the event.

  As Tomas burned the brand into the woman’s chest, Celeste felt him focusing inside himself. There was the lightest touch on her mind. Tomas had known she would try to use the emotion around the woman’s death to connect with him. She felt his triumph and his taunting of her. For some reason, Tomas had always felt she was the only Enforcer who could compete with him. In the end, that was all this was to Tomas—a competition to see who was smarter. Celeste heard his voice say That’s the first.

  A touch on her shoulder pulled her out of the vision. She turned to see Adam staring at her, worry shading his green eyes. He started to say something. She shook her head. She didn’t want to talk here where the woman’s fear still threatened to overwhelm her. She couldn’t take the chance of being pulled under by the pain. It could destroy her.

  “Where do we go now?” Adam asked as they climbed into his truck.

  “Take me home. There isn’t anything we can do tonight. She’s been dead a while. The body won’t give the police a lot of clues. We just have to hope that the people she was last with will know something.”

  “But you doubt it. Who is this Tomas?”

  “A killer you don’t want to tangle with, Adam. He is highly intellig
ent and he has abilities no one here has ever seen.” Celeste didn’t think Adam was ready to hear the truth about Tomas.

  “What about our talk? You wanted to discuss something with me tonight.” The gleam in Adam’s eyes told Celeste he had figured out what she wanted.

  She looked out her window. Focusing on the homeless people dotting the sidewalk, she managed to get her lust under control. “Yes, we do have something to discuss, but not tonight. Things have changed. I need to rethink my plans.”

  His disappointment filled his eyes for a moment before he wiped them blank. She knew he didn’t want her to know just how much he lusted after her. It would give her an unfair advantage. She chuckled quietly. She had more advantages than just knowing he was lusting after her.

  * * * *

  She shut her door as Adam drove off. Sighing, Celeste walked through the darkness to her bedroom. She stripped her clothes off and started the water for a bath, lighting the candles lining every space in her bathroom with a wave of her hand. The cleansing scent of cinnamon filled the air as she tried to forget about the vision, but she knew it wouldn’t leave her mind anytime soon. Once she had a vision, she would be haunted by it until she caught the person who caused them. She wouldn’t be getting much sleep until the case was solved.

  Sliding into the warm water, she leaned her head back. The flickering flames of the candles teased her mind. She saw shapes in the shadows. But were they the shades of the victims or the hints of ghosts to come? The only one who could have answered had been lost to her.

  Laughing ruefully, she admitted her rebellion had been the worst idea in her entire life. What had possessed her to turn her back on the very person who had created her? Lucifer’s voice had been so tempting and she had been so gullible. It was only after her banishment that she had realized what he had cost her. Others had figured it out as well. They had begged God to let them come back, but He had turned away as surely as they had turned from Him.

  The water cooled as she tried to remember what Heaven looked like. It wouldn’t appear in her mind anymore, the memory having been wiped clean by her turning away. Being a fallen angel wasn’t what Lucifer had claimed it would be. She had powers beyond mortal reckoning, but she was alone in the world. For an angel, being banished from the mind of God was a horrible thing. It felt like death, even though it took a lot for angels to die. It was even worse now that she was an Enforcer. She had to hunt down those fallen that preyed upon the mortals.