Whiskey Witches, F.J. Blooding [ap literature book list .TXT] 📗
- Author: F.J. Blooding
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“Hey, demon,” Dexx shouted.
Paige—the demon—turned to him and snarled.
Dexx retrieved a canteen from the driver’s side door, and splashed water onto her.
The demon screamed, releasing an ethereal roar from Paige’s throat.
Now was her chance. She had to move. She gathered her strength and pushed.
The damned demon didn’t even budge.
“Come on, Pea.”
Strong fingers wrapped around her, raising her out of her pained existence. A sword of light slammed through her. The demon screamed, shrinking away from the pain, his presence shriveling. Her soul stretched, filled her fingers, filled her toes. She opened her eyes.
What the fuck?
A blinding light erupted over the scene, cascading around them.
The demons roared as one.
Shivers ran down Paige’s spine. She stood outside of the car, her legs wobbly.
What in the hell was going on? How had she gotten out of the car?
Dexx stared at her through the passenger window. He reached for the door.
She waved him away.
He ignored her, pulling at the handle, pushing at the door.
It didn’t move.
She felt the presence of another, someone large and awe inspiring. She looked around.
A man stood immediately behind her, wearing a white suit with a blue tie.
She craned her neck, taking a step back. His head blotted the sun, rays of light streaming around him like a crown.
He gripped her arm, holding her close, engulfing her in warmth. Hope attacked her defenses. “Call Xael.”
“Who?” Her voice came out in a squeak.
The man surveyed the gathering crowd. “I cannot call him and cannot deal with these as should be done.” His heavy gaze landed on her. “Call Xael.”
“No.”
He shook her. “Call him.”
“Who is he?” She knew. Xael. She’d heard the name before. An angel. A damned angel. No. She wasn’t playing. No.
Sven popped his neck and flexed his fingers.
“He can fight these vermin.”
Paige attempted to step away. Rachel played with angels. Paige wanted no part of them.
He didn’t allow it. “I offer protection, guidance—”
“I don’t want help from an angel.”
Sven reached out with his hand and twisted.
Paige crumpled to the ground with the force of his power.
The angel knelt beside her. “I cannot fight them and defend you. You must call Xael.”
Three demons attacked Jackie.
The car let out a battle cry as Dexx mashed his foot on the accelerator.
“He’s better versed at this type of battle. Paige.”
Paige struggled to rise to her feet, to help Dexx. Her legs wouldn’t obey. Something pressed against her, demanding entrance.
The angel’s jaw ticked. “Please.”
She didn’t have much more time to think about it. Sven was nearly in and once there, he could push her out, take control of her gifts. She reached toward her power, grabbed hold and called. “Xael. I need you.”
The moment stilled. Jackie paused, one tire raised. A demon crouched, preparing to toss her. Sven’s head tipped to the side, watching her with keen interest. The other demons froze in various poses of battle.
A blinding white light enveloped the scene. If Paige could have moved, she would have shielded her eyes, but she was just as frozen as everyone else. A crash of thunder cracked across the residential street.
And a man appeared, kneeling in the middle of a shallow crater. He stood, his arms flexing and for one moment, Paige could see the shadow of his wings against the light.
He turned toward her, realigning his gray, pinstriped suit jacket and red tie. “Raphael,” he said, nodding toward the angel beside her.
She had one glorious oh-shit moment before the time freeze relented. Chaos ensued. A gunshot rent the air. A demon roared in pain. Another grunted. Dexx hit a demon with his car with a metallic clank on the hood.
The demons stopped mid-action and turned to Paige, the archangel, and the newcomer.
“What did you do?” Sven asked, straightening.
Paige didn’t even get a chance to shake her head.
Xael reached inside her chest, grabbed hold of her gift, and sent the demons back one at a time.
Sven retreated several steps as the angel’s attention turned to him. “I have the key.”
Xael’s lips twisted along with the hand in Paige’s chest. “I care not, vermin.”
Power raced from her. She couldn’t breathe through the overwhelming pain.
Sven didn’t budge.
Xael squeezed harder.
Her head fell back. A scream of silence issued forth.
Sven took a step back. A shocked smile graced his lips. “Next time, boys.” He disappeared in a cloud of white smoke.
Xael released her with a curse, and said something she couldn’t comprehend.
Strong arms caught her, held her close. Soft words whispered against her ear.
Darkness overtook her.
Paige woke to blood boiling nausea.. Stumbling along, she managed not to fall. She fought the urge to throw up. Or scream. Either one sounded great at the moment.
Raphael.
She closed her eyes and tried to pull away.
“Do not fight me, child,” the archangel said. A chair slid across the floor. “Here. Sit down. Your stomach will be fine in a little while.”
Paige sagged into the wooden chair. “Where are—” The smells, the bright, cheery interior brought back childhood memories. Realization halted her words.
“We thought to bring you to a place you felt safe.” Raphael kept his attention focused straight ahead of him. “You feel safe here.”
Alma’s kitchen. Pain knocked on her heart, reminding of her of the times before the betrayal. “Used to feel safe here.” She rose. “I need to get back.”
“There are too many.”
Xael leaned against the wooden island. He took a green apple from the silver pot sitting beside him. “You worry too much, Raphael.”
The archangel’s jaw clenched.
“Les?” Alma called from the front of the house. “Is that you?”
“Oh, crap.” Paige kept her eye on the door. “That’s my grandmother.”
Raphael frowned at her. “I know who she is, child.”
“Don’t ‘child’ me,” Paige snapped. “Get us out of here!”
Xael raised a single eyebrow, taking a step toward her.
Alma stepped into the room. She halted, her white gaze bewildered. “Paige, what are—”
The kitchen disappeared and pain took its place. Paige’s blood boiled. Her limbs threatened to split from her body. A new setting materialized around her.
This time, she did throw up.
“Xael.” Raphael’s tone dripped in condescension. “What have you done?”
The other angel held up a hand and munched on his apple. “You might want to look after your charge.”
Paige looked up at them both from the grass. They’d materialized on the shore near Fanny’s inn. The sun sank toward the horizon, setting the world around her in a wash of reds and pinks. “Please.” She wiped her mouth. Her stomach told her it was empty. Awesome. “Continue to ignore me.”
“Why have you brought us here?” Raphael reached for her arm.
Paige scrambled away from him on all fours. Slowly, she pushed herself to her feet a safe distance away. “I’ve had enough with the angel bus. We’re not going anywhere unless there’s a different form of ‘ranspor’ation.”
“The hunter comes.” Xael’s eyes went dead.
Paige touched her lips. Her mouth had gone numb. “Wha’ ‘id you ‘o to me?”
Xael’s bland expression folded in confused disgust. “You’ll be fine.”
Jackie’s wonderful rumble filled the air accompanied by the sound of flying gravel.
“I believe we owe them answers, Raphael.”
“We owe them nothing.” The archangel watched the car’s approach.
Dust rose in Jackie’s wake. Gravel crunched as Dexx put on the brakes. He flew out of the car and ran toward them. “Paige.”
She limped toward Dexx. First her mouth. Now her legs? The entire right side of her was numb. Had she suffered a stroke?
He wrapped her in his arms, putting his body between her and the angels. “What’s wrong? Why the limp?”
“My
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