One Soul Book Two

Chapter Nineteen

Zeev POV

Harlee’s wildcat scream followed me out of the room as she slammed the door.  I turned to find Ash standing with their arms crossed and an eyebrow raised.

‘All that careful planning…’  Heard Ash throw at me through our link.

“Yeah yeah.”  I muttered.  At least now I didn't have to keep the majority of my mind walled off from Harlee.  I heard Ash sigh and follow as I made my way back to the kitchen.

“So.. you and your big mouth.”  Ash popped a strawberry in their own.  I eyed them angrily, then exhaled loudly.

“Guess I deserve that.”  I responded, then continued grating zucchini for zucchini bread.  Ash heaved another sigh.

“She’ll get over it soon, she knows we didn’t have a  choice.”  Ash responded morosely.  I set the grater and zucchini down, leaning on my arms on the kitchen counter, not looking at Ash.

“You know she’s always been sensitive about her soul.”  My eyes blazed orange.  “Ever since I first attacked her.. Ever since part of it became mine.”  I pegged Ash with my gaze and they flinched slightly.  “She won’t admit it, but a part of her still.. Still resents me.  For tearing her in half like that.”  My teeth have sharpened and I’ve gritted them, spitting the burning words through them, knowing I’m losing control.  Ash reached out a hand and gripped one of mine.  I hadn’t noticed the talons scoring the marble countertop.

“She loves you Zeev.  So do I.”  Ash’s thumb rubbed soothing circles in my flesh.  I could feel my inner turmoil affecting them.  But Ash reached out their other hand to grip mine, prying my hand loose from the counter, bringing it to one soft cheek, placing a gentle kiss on the palm.  Ash got up and walked around the kitchen island, pulling me towards them gently.  I let myself be let into their arms, surprising myself.  The comfort Ash was offering reminded me of Harlee as Ash wrapped my arms around their back, placing their head on my chest and hugging me in return.  Harlee has had the best influence on us all, I realized with a start.  I let my cheek drop to the top of Ash's head, pulling them tighter against me.

“I love you both too.”  I murmured, and felt the emotion pouring through the link between Ash and I.

Harlee POV

I paced the room until Sam caught me in his arms.  Lu watched from the bed, her arms wrapped around her bare legs.  Sam pinned my arms behind me as I tried to fight my way free.  He kissed me, shocking me into stillness.

“S-Sam?”  I stammered against his lips.

“Shh..”  He murmured, brushing his lips along mine again.  I felt his tongue lick along my bottom lip and softened slightly.  “You know that we only did it to save you.”  Sam whispered, his lips brushing mine in a teasing flutter.  I hummed an unintelligible response.  He let go of my hands and tangled one of his hands in my hair.  “We would never do anything to hurt or damage you intentionally.”  Sam’’ lips were tracing their way across my jaw and I was finding it difficult to concentrate on what he was saying.  Or why I was supposed to be mad.

“Why don’t you do this all the time?”  I moaned.

“Do you want me to?”  Sam purred.  I groaned again.

“Yes please.”  I had nearly wilted in his arms.  Lu cleared her throat.

“I don’t really hate to break this up, but before you two go creating a new Nephilim-we have a Bond to cement.”  Lu offered to me.  I coughed and straightened.

“Right.  Sorry.”  I muttered, turning away from Sam, before spinning back for a swift kiss.  “Later.”  I promised, trying to put all the desire I felt into my voice and eyes.  He looked startled for a moment, but I saw the longing reflected in his expression.  Even Sam was a little more clingy since my little amnesia experience.  I moved to sit next to Lu on the bed, who between one blink and the next was clothed again in a loose white gown.  She reached out a hesitant hand towards me.

“May I?”  She asked softly.  I gritted my teeth, but nodded, expecting a jolt of electricity or something similar as I’d received from the others.  Instead, Lu’s presence and energy was like an intense warmth as her fingers brushed my arm.  “I.. I’ve never really seen this done, just heard about it in theory, but here goes.”  Lu took a deep breath.  “Harlee…  I pledge myself to you, my Grace, my Core, my Honor, they’re now yours.  I promise to protect you and watch over you and those you hold dear, if you will accept me and care for the burden of my Grace…”  Tears sparkled in her eyes and I gripped her hand.

“I accept Lu.  You’re welcome in my home and in my family.”  I murmured.  The tears spilled over her lower lids and a weight settled around my neck.  I looked down to see a thin chain with a small dagger pendant.  The dagger was wrapped in two wings.  Lu gasped.  I lifted the dagger.

“What does it mean?”  I asked her softly and she reached out a hand.

“I think it means I was always supposed to be here, guarding you, and you protecting me.”  She touched the pendant lightly then looked into my eyes reverentially, and I felt the connection arch back into her.  With a small sound of protest, she clutched her chest.  Above the neckline of her dress I could see an intricate and flowing pattern spreading across her upper chest.  She pulled the gown away to reveal a set of wings with flowers blooming on and around them.  Lu looked at me with her mouth open and a question in her eyes.  I shrugged.

“I’m just grateful.  I guess it’s my way of promising I’ll ‘protect your wings’ for you.  Or you know.. That’s my way of saying your Grace I guess..”  I barely finished speaking before she had enveloped me in a hug so tight the breath was knocked out of me.

“Thank you Harlee.”  She whispered next to my ear.  I patted her back with a small chuckle, having to remind myself she wasn’t one of my kids so I wouldn’t rock her back and forth.  She stood and looked around uncertainly.  “Now what do I do?”  She asked.  I laughed.

Zeev POV

Sands showed the new Angel around, letting her pick from the empty rooms, but the whole situation just didn’t sit right with me.  Harlee was way too trusting, too.. Loving and forgiving.  I huffed.

“You guys did talk to this Angel and turn her loose yourselves, you know.  Ash remarked, still eating the strawberries.  I smacked at their hand with a growl.

“Leave some for Harlee!”  I snapped.

“I can’t help it, I’m hungry!”  Ash whined.  “And if I can’t get fed the other way, I end up eating sweets.  Only somebody has restricted my sweet intake.”  Ash glared.

“It’s not good for you.”  Harlee remarked coming out of the bedroom.

“I’m a Demon Harlee.  I can’t get diabetes.”  Ash complained, turning in the stool and rolling their eyes.

“We’re not budding on this.  Less sweets unless they’re natural.”  Harlee snagged a strawberry.  “You can have all the fruit you want.  Besides, it makes you taste sweeter.”  Harlee grabbed Ash between the thighs and I felt it in my own body through our link and groaned.  I had to adjust myself before I could move again.  There was no telling what it was doing to Ash, who still had Harlee between their thighs.

“Are you serious?”  Ash breathed, watching Harlee’s lips as they slid off the strawberry she bit into.  She winked.

“Guess you’ll just have to keep eating the fruit to find out.”  She responded.  I watched Ash swallow and nearly laughed.  If she managed to out-maneuver a Demon…  She shot me a warning look and I held up my hands, pulling my thoughts behind a barricade in my mind.

“I’ve made zucchini bread, and then there’s what’s left of the fruit platter for lunch.”  I eyeballed Ash rudely.  Ash shrugged a shoulder and mouthed ‘sweeter taste’ at me.  I was forced to adjust myself yet again.  These two would be the death of me.  “I do wish you’d eat more though Harlee, you need to put some weight back on, especially now that you’re breastfeeding again..”  Harlee shot me a look.

“I’ve just not been that hungry, ok?  It’s probably because somebodies stole most of the rest of my soul.  After all, Demons don’t need to eat, do they?  At least not food.”  Harlee snatched the bowl of strawberries of the counter and stalked off back towards the bedroom.  Ash stared ruefully at the spot the bowl had once occupied.

“I wonder if cantaloupe works just as well?”  Ash muttered darkly.  I threw a dishrag at them.