He watched as a car slowed and pulled into the Carter’s driveway.
Daniel turned to the woman and smiled. “It looks like she’s home. Thanks for talking with us.”
The woman nodded, her mouth twisting in disappointment. “No problem.”
Unable to walk away leaving the woman unhappy, he leaned closer. “I know this isn’t appropriate, but if I was single, well, you’re just my type.”
It was like sunshine blossomed behind her face. “Yeah, you into women who are complete disasters?”
“Nah, I’m into women who are naturally stunning.” He winked and rose.
Was he attracted to her? No, Surcy was it for him. She was the sun and the moon, and the only person he could ever want like that. But he’d known a lot of heartache and loneliness in his life, and this woman screamed of loneliness. She practically vibrated with a sense of worthlessness, and it broke his heart. No one should ever feel that way about themselves.
He looked back one last time at her star-struck expression and glanced at the stoic gargoyle and the farmer. Clarence looked confused as hell, but Tristan gave a sharp nod. His friend knew exactly what he was doing, and even though Tristan didn’t hit on women to brighten their days, he didn’t disapprove of what Daniel did either. Tristan knew Daniel's weakness for lost souls.
9
Tristan, Daniel, and Clarence moved to the Carter’s driveway as the woman climbed out of her car. To his surprise, she was young, perhaps her early twenties. Her long blonde hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, a pink sweater that looked worn, and white capri pants. When she closed her door, she turned around, looked at them, jumped slightly, and gave a nervous laugh.
“Sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
He gave a warm smile. “We’re friends of Richard’s. We came to visit with him between flights.”
A guarded look came over her face. “He went to a conference.”
“Oh,” he glanced at the farmer and Tristan. “That’s disappointing. He’s always talking about his beautiful wife and home. We thought we’d finally get a chance to meet you and see a little about his life after college.”
She picked nervously at the sleeve of her jacket. “Richard doesn’t like me around men without him.”
Daniel had to work like hell to keep his anger from showing. She looked terrified. No real man would scare a woman like this.
“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind the three of us, right?” he asked, using his demon-abilities.
Some of the nervousness left her expression. “I guess. Come in then. I can make coffee.”
They followed her inside, but not before Daniel paused at the door to look around. Why were there no angels guarding her?
He has to be the one creating this torture for the Goddess of Life, right? Or does he have nothing to do with it?
They walked through an immaculately clean home and to the little table inside a big kitchen. She immediately put a kettle on the stove, switching the flame on. He swallowed hard, pulling his gaze from the fire. It called to him, coaxing him to connect with it, just a little.
Focus! “Nichole?”
The woman startled again, a reflex like an animal of prey. “Yes? Did you—did you need—I forgot snacks. Gosh, I’m so dumb. I’ll get them.”
Daniel rose from his chair, the wood legs scraping against the tile. “No, please, sit down.”
She shook her head and went to the fridge. “Richard always says how rude I can be. I’ll make a plate of cheese and—“
He had crossed the room without thinking and took her wrist. “Richard is an asshole. You don’t need to wait on us like a servant.”
Her eyes widened, but she said nothing.
We need to get her out of here, but if we can do it without freaking the hell out of her, we should.
Especially since we can’t just teleport away with her now.
“Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong in this world? Like it fit like a bad outfit.”
He didn’t know what he expected. Denial. Fear. Uncertainty.
But instead, she whispered. “Yes. Every moment.”
His heart clenched. “Well, that’s because you don’t belong here. You’re a goddess, Nichole. A creature meant for bigger and better things than a loveless marriage and a life without happiness.”
She stared. “I don’t… I don’t understand.”
He took a deep breath, knowing he was taking a risk. “Ever read any books about magic and other worlds?”
She nodded.
“Well, all of that exists.”
Her brows drew together. “I’m sorry, but is this a joke?”
“No,” he denied quickly.
“Because this feels like something Richard would do. All of this actually does. The last time I talked with a friendly man, Richard had paid him to do it, to show what a slut I am.”
“Holy fuck,” Daniel muttered, before he could stop himself. “No, we aren’t being paid by Richard to torture you. Actually, how would you like to never have to be around that asshole again?”
Tears sparkled in her eyes. “I can never escape him.”
He released her wrist. “Yes, you can. And we’re here to set you free. Come with us, Nichole.”
“Where?”
Tristan rose behind them, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. “To a world outside of this one. Where I’m a gargoyle and you are a goddess.”
With his last spoken word, he shifted. His skin turned grey and wings grew from his back.
She shot away, her back hitting the fridge behind her. “You’re—you’re…”
The farmer spoke. “I just found out about all this nutty stuff too, but it’s true. You aren’t going crazy or anything like that, but we need to leave, and fast. The bad guys that came after me might be here too.”
She stared at all of them for a long moment. “So, you’re here to take me away from Richard, to a world with magic. Where I’m a goddess?”
They all nodded.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and clenched her hands. “Okay, let’s go.”
Wow, that was easy.
Together they moved through the house and back toward the front door. Without
