Fallen: Celeste Read online

  “Where are you going?”

  Celeste shrugged. “I’m driving around for a little bit. I have a slight trace on him, but I need to be closer to get a better direction.”

  “You mean the blowjob didn’t do the trick?” He said nastily.

  Celeste quirked an eyebrow at him. “Are we going to be bitchy about this whole thing? I can’t tell you I’m sorry. You would know I was lying to you. I need the power sex can give me. I am sorry if you don’t understand how it works. I can’t explain it to you.”

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  “Both. You’re human. You have no right and no need to hear about the power the fallen have.” Celeste started the car.

  “Why not?”

  “The workings of angels, even fallen angels, are far above the minds of men. There are places you don’t want to go, Adam.” Celeste’s voice was quiet as she stared out the windshield of the car.

  Adam laughed harshly. “What can you do to me that any human couldn’t?”

  Celeste’s eyes filled with tears and a bitter knowledge. “I’ve seen the loss of Heaven, Adam. I’ve seen what it can do to angels and humans alike. I’ve heard the screams of those who have lost their souls. I’ve watched them slowly understand and accept their banishment, not from Heaven, which is bad enough, but from the very presence of Him.” Tears seeped down Celeste’s face. “I can take you to the place, Adam. I can show you Hell. There is no rest for the wicked or the weary, Adam. I’ve figured that out on my own.”

  Adam felt his anger weaken. There was an emptiness shining in Celeste’s eyes. A sorrow hung heavy in her heart. How could an angel live outside the presence of God without going mad? He was afraid to look too closely at her soul. He found he held a hope in his heart that she would somehow see her way to staying with him. Could an angel who would always wish for Heaven and the presence of God be happy with a mortal?

  His heart grew heavy. Celeste Young had lived for centuries longing for the one thing she would never have again. Did he have what it took to fill that emptiness in her heart? Did he want to try filling it?

  He shook his head. “I’ll catch a cab back to my house, Celeste. I can’t deal with this right now and I need to check the rest of my businesses. If I’m not visible, there are others who will try to take over and they aren’t men I would want running my city.”

  “And you are?” Celeste asked.

  “Yes, I am. There are things I won’t do, just as there are a lot of things that happen I am willing to allow. As long as the city doesn’t burn and the dead don’t start walking, I’m doing my job. There is a balance that must be kept.”

  “Jakar did say he was here to help you do that. True Demons fear unbalance.”

  “True Demons? What rabbit hole have I fallen down? I can’t believe this. Not only have I slept with a fallen angel, my right hand man is a fucking demon.” Adam shook his head in disbelief. Angels and demons weren’t part of his normal daily routine.

  “Just keep an eye on Jakar. So far, you are doing what he wants. If you upset him, he could kill you.”

  “Jakar wouldn’t touch me. Not if I threaten him with you.” Adam grinned.

  “I’m just as dangerous as your pet demon, Adam. I could kill you with a simple thought. Do you have enough confidence in yourself to be able to deal with that? Will you trust me enough to believe I would never hurt you willingly?”

  Adam watched Celeste drive away from him. He flagged down a cab. Instead of heading home, he went to the only place he knew of to find some answers.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  It had been a long time since Adam had set foot in a church. He stood in the vestibule and stared up at the large stained glass window behind the altar. The light from the setting sun caused the colors to flare in streaming reds and yellows down the aisles. There was a feeling of timelessness about the old church. Adam could almost feel the prayers of the people who came every Sunday to talk to God. He turned as a door opened to his left.

  An elderly man dressed in black with a white collar greeted him. “How are you today, sir?”

  Adam shook the man’s hand. “I’m fine, Father.”

  “You are not one of my regular worshippers. I would remember a face like yours. Why do you come here?”

  “I have some questions, Father. This church is on my way home and I thought I could ask you for the answers.”

  “Ask me if you must. I can’t promise to have the answers for you. There are some things that defy explanation. I am Father Michael.” The priest gestured for Adam to follow him into his small office. “Can I offer you coffee, my young friend?”

  Adam wanted something stronger, but didn’t think the priest would have any whiskey. “Coffee will be fine, Father.”

  “I would offer you a stronger drink, but we are here in the church and He tends to frown upon His priests getting sloshed.” Michael’s wrinkled face broke into a grin while his brilliant gray eyes sparkled at Adam.

  Adam wondered if the priest had read his thoughts. He took the mug when it was offered to him. Michael had fixed it the way Adam liked it. He narrowed his eyes and wondered if he had ever seen the man before.

  “I don’t know you from Adam,” the old man said, chuckling.

  “How did you know my name?” Adam started to stand. He was getting nervous.

  The priest waved him back to his seat. “Even an old priest who rarely leaves his church knows the name of the leader of the Demons. It pays to know your enemies.”

  Adam was puzzled. “Enemies? I haven’t done anything to this church or you before. How can I be your enemy?”

  “You condone violence against your fellow man. You live the old adage, an eye for an eye. Every night, my parishioners hear those words and they seek to take vengeance on those who have harmed them. How can you not be my enemy?”

  “Then why allow me to come in here? Why talk to me and treat me as a guest?” Adam demanded.

  “Even Jesus sat down with Judas, Adam.” Father Michael studied him. He seemed to know how his words were affecting Adam. “Sit and talk to me a while. Tell me what it is you wish to know.”

  Adam took a deep drink of coffee. He stared at the cross on the wall behind the priest. He wouldn’t feel guilty for what he had done to survive. The world was a hard place and he’d had to be strong to make it as far as he had.

  “I’ve met someone.”

  The priest looked a little surprised. “Have you come here asking for relationship advice?” He chuckled. “I must admit I would have thought that a man like you would have no problems with women.”

  “You would have to meet Celeste to understand why I need some answers.”

  “Miss Celeste Young?” The gleam in the priest’s eyes suggested that he knew Celeste quite well.

  “Yes. Do you know her?”

  Michael nodded slightly. “Let’s just say I know of her. What has she done to confuse you?”

  “It’s what she says she is that’s confusing.”

  The priest didn’t say a word, just lifted an eyebrow in question.

  “She tells me that she’s a fallen angel.” Adam ducked his head. He couldn’t believe he was actually contemplating accepting her story.

  “There are more things under heaven and earth than we will ever know,” Father Michael said. “Excuse me for paraphrasing Shakespeare, but the bard was right. Why do you think she’s lying?”

  “I don’t believe in angels, fallen or otherwise.”

  “And yet you are willing to accept demons?”

  “I can deal with demons. I’ve dealt with human ones all my life. I’ve never had anything to do with angels.” Adam stood and moved to the window in the office.

  “True. Your line of work doesn’t lend itself to dealing with good people.” Michael stared into the fire burning cheerfully in the fireplace. “What do you want to know?”

  “Is she crazy?”

  “Celeste?” Michael laughed. “No, my son, she isn’t crazy. At least not yet. She has
managed to keep her mind through all these years.”

  “Then you think she is an angel?”

  “Yes, Adam. I know she’s an angel. But not a card carrying, flaming sword and golden winged angel. All that was taken from her the moment she left Heaven.” There was a melancholy tone in the priest’s voice. “Now in many ways, she is no different than you or I.”

  Adam didn’t say anything. He stared at the old man, trying to decide if he could believe him.

  “I can tell you the legend of the Fall of Lucifer if you wish. Maybe it would help you to decide.”

  “Tell me, Father. Of course, then I’ll have to decide if I truly believe in Heaven.” Adam reclaimed his seat by the fire.

  Father Michael stared into the flames for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts. Sighing, he said, “I can’t convince you of the reality of Heaven, Adam. You will have to see it for yourself. But know this—Celeste Young will never see Heaven again. She forfeited her right when she listened to the lies of the Daystar.”

  “Daystar?”

  Father Michael didn’t acknowledge his question. “Lucifer or the Daystar was the most beloved of the angels. He was even more beloved than God’s own archangels.”

  “Bet that caused some jealousy,” Adam muttered, thinking of how his men fought amongst each other to gain his favor.

  “Why would it? They were created to adore God. The archangels were made to perform His requests and enforce His laws. They weren’t made to be jealous or angry over any favor that He might bestow on another.”

  “Seems something went wrong if Lucifer decided he wasn’t happy with things.”

  “It went horribly wrong. Lucifer became jealous of the power that God gave to Jesus. He also hated the love the Father had for the fragile mortals He had created. Lucifer was truly the first creature who ever thought about himself. He thought what he wanted was the most important thing. He cared nothing for others, only what he could get. He wanted the power that God had, so he decided to take it from Him. He raised an army and tried to overthrow God. The battle between the Host of Heaven and Lucifer’s army was fierce, but in the end the Host won. Lucifer and his followers were cast out of Heaven, never to return. They were given dominion over the earth. The fallen ease their torment by hurting the mortals God loves so much.”

  “What about Celeste? She says she’s a fallen who has repented, but for some reason, God won’t let her back. She says that she’s an Enforcer, one of those who hunt down the fallen that have turned and killed mortals. Who are the Enforcers and why won’t God let them back into Heaven?”

  Father Michael looked at Adam with sorrow hidden deep in his gray eyes. A sorrow that told Adam the priest had a deep understanding of how the loss had affected Celeste. “The Enforcers are merely legends as far as the church is concerned. We have no real proof that they exist.”

  “But if the Enforcers don’t exist, how do you know that the fallen do?”

  The priest laughed. “You’re right. We don’t have proof that the fallen exist at all. Maybe they are all legends made up to make easy the explanations for evil and cruelty that exist in the world.”

  “The Enforcers?”

  “The legends state that there were some of the rebellious angels who repented after the fall. They begged God to allow them back.”

  “And God said no. Why would He do that? If God is supposed to be forgiving and loving, why would He turn His back on those who begged forgiveness?”

  Again, there was a flash of sorrow and puzzlement in the priest’s eyes. Shrugging, he said, “I don’t know. Only God knows what our purpose here in the world is. He must have a reason to deny them. So, they set out to right the wrongs they’ve created by hunting down the fallen who have gone over the edge. They hunt to get rid of the killers and rapists. Only the Enforcers have enough power to end the fallen angels’ reign.”

  “Okay. Where are her wings?”

  Father Michael laughed. “If you check her shoulder blades closely, Adam, I’m sure you will find two small scars. Those scars are all that’s left of her wings.”

  “Do you believe all of this? I suppose you must because you’re a priest.” Adam still wasn’t sure whether he believed any of it.

  “It doesn’t matter what I believe, Adam. It only matters what you choose to do with the knowledge. You could walk away from her and have nothing to do with her ever again which would be easier on both of you. Or you can choose to stay, believing she’s crazy, and enjoy what time you have together.” Father Michael stood, indicating that the meeting was over. “Now, if you will excuse me, it’s way past this old man’s bed time. I’ll walk with you to the door.”

  Adam thanked the priest and followed him out into the vestibule. He turned to hand Father Michael a donation. A beam of moonlight drifted through the stained glass window behind the altar. It landed on the priest’s face. Suddenly, the old slightly stooped man was transformed into a tall, eternally young man with brilliant silver eyes and a stern countenance. Adam felt awe-struck as he looked at him.

  “One last word, my son. Don’t allow your doubts and fears to hide the urgency. Tomas must be stopped. With each woman he kills, his power grows. Celeste knows this and she will do what she must to end it. Be her strength.”

  Adam nodded. He swung around to leave the church. Then he remembered the money in his hand. Turning back, he gasped. The priest had disappeared. There hadn’t been enough time for him to get out of sight.

  Adam stumbled from the church and waved down a cab. What a strange experience. Maybe that was why he never went to church.

  * * * *

  Jakar met him at the door. The demon studied his boss. He saw the confusion in Adam’s eyes.

  “Have you learned anything?” Jakar asked as he followed Adam into the study.

  Adam flung himself down onto the leather sofa in front of the fireplace. “We can’t be together because she’s an angel and I’m mortal. She’ll slowly drive me mad. It’s just sex and the glamour of fucking an angel.”

  “Trust me. Don’t make the mistake of falling in love with her. Loving a fallen isn’t easy. Celeste knows that. She has seen other fallen try to live a ‘normal’ life. A life she wishes with all her heart she could have, but knows she can’t. There is madness haunting her soul and she feels its grip grow tighter every day.” Jakar poured Adam a glass of whiskey.

  “What does a demon know about the torment of a fallen angel?” At Jakar’s start of surprise, Adam grinned. He accepted the glass. Staring down into the amber liquid, he searched for answers he knew he would never find at the bottom of the glass. “She warned me not to trust you. You warn me not to trust her. It’s a good thing I don’t trust anyone.”

  “I’m a True Demon. I have been around since the beginning of time, Montgomery. When the angels were banished from Heaven, many of them turned into demons. They took Lucifer as their king and decided that tormenting humans would make their miserable lives better. They made it hard for us.

  “Angels have always existed. So have demons. There is a balance in everything. We’ve always managed to keep it that way. But with the fallen, the balance isn’t there. There is truly nothing to keep them in check except for those marked with the brand of Cain.”

  Adam remembered the brand on Celeste’s breast. “She told me about that. So she has decided to help save humans from the fallen. Why would she choose to do that? Why would she put herself at risk for people who don’t even know she exists? Why kill her own kind?”

  “In a way, it is redemption for what she has done. Not all of them chose to try and make up for their mistakes. I think that only the strongest try. The rest have taken the easiest way out by being evil. I know I can’t make you believe if you choose not to. The fallen have managed to stay hidden for thousands of years, so mortals don’t believe in them anymore. The saying that the greatest trick the Devil ever played was to make people believe he didn’t exist is true. The fallen have convinced mortals that they aren’t real, so when
a mere mortal is confronted by the knowledge, it takes an Act of God to make them believe.” He poured Adam another drink and left.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Adam stared out into the darkness of the city below him. For hours, he had prowled his house, trying to find some peace from the questions plaguing him. There were no answers to be found. Damn, women could screw up a man’s life. He had loved his mother and she had left him, betraying his tender heart and now all of this with Celeste. The shadows closed in around him and he leaned his forehead against the cool glass.

  “What do you see when you look out there?” Celeste’s voice came from the darkness of his bed.

  Adam whirled around to find her curled up in the middle of the mattress, her blue eyes fixed on his naked body. “How the hell did you get in here? I know for a fact that Jakar would never have let you in.”

  “Who said I needed Jakar to let me in? He would never try to stop me.” Celeste shrugged. “Your friend fears me, Adam.”

  “He should, shouldn’t he? If he got in your way, you would destroy him without a thought. He’s nothing to you.”

  “That’s true. Jakar doesn’t mean anything to me. But he means something to you. That is why I wouldn’t hurt him, even if he asked me to. By destroying him, I would destroy a piece of you and I would never intentionally hurt you.”

  Adam turned away to study the shadows again. “You can’t hurt me unless I let you. What makes you think you have that much power over me?”

  “Maybe I don’t. Maybe all we have is great sex, Adam. If that’s the truth, then why can’t we enjoy what we have and not look to the end?” Celeste started to slide from the bed.

  Adam held his hand up to stop her. Shaking his head, he growled angrily. “Do I look like an idiot, Celeste? If you truly are what you say you are, you can make me do whatever you want. A being with the power you have can control anyone.”

  Again, Celeste shrugged. “That’s true. I could make you climb into bed with me. I could make you fuck me until we both can barely move. But when free will is taken, there is no joy in the choice.”

  “You want me to choose to fuck you. You want me to choose to betray myself.” Adam laughed harshly. “What choice is there in that?”