Free Wicked Angel by Celia Jade

Chapter One
     
     
    Lana Kinley smiled as she walked along one of the narrow outdoor aisles of her favorite specialty market. It was a perfect day. Low humidity, a strong June sun without a single cloud to block the rays. The market, tucked between two chunky commercial buildings in midtown Manhattan, was a discovery she had made a year ago while heading to Bryant Park to meet a friend. She stopped by the aloe plant section and turned to her students—a half dozen men and women in their early twenties—about three years younger than her.
    “Choosing the right aloe plant is important. As you can see, there are different kinds. Small and medium sized ones are easier to handle and take up less room.” She paused and gave the plants a quick inspection. “You want to look at the leaves, find a concave variety rather than convex.” She motioned them closer as she singled out a plant. “See how the leaves are even on both sides and kind of soft?” A murmur of acknowledgment rose from the group. “This variety is good to eat. But not effective for burns.”
    She lifted a potted plant from a different section and held it up. “Now this is the variety you need. The leaves are concave, which of course means they cave in slightly on one side. They’re a little more sour than the other kind and the gel in the leaves will be the key ingredient for your burn ointment.”
    “So beautiful...” The female voice that floated up from the group was filled with awe.
    Lana assumed the woman was referring to the plant but she noticed the students’ gazes fixed on something in the sky. She looked up and saw two angels flying above The Bryant Park Hotel, formerly The American Radiator Building. Her heart made a tiny skip. It was a glorious sight. They swept around in wide arcs, white wings outstretched, the edges reflecting the sunlight and the gold bricks that adorned the building’s crown.
    “I envy their ability to fly,” said the same student without malice.
    “Yeah...Me, too...Awesome,” the others chorused.
    Lana understood too well. Most angel healers felt the same way, had a strong affinity for the winged race. Possibly derived from a divine lineage, many believed. She hadn’t settled on a personal belief, but if she had one wish it would be to grow wings and fly like those angels.
    “Awesome, yes,” she addressed the students. “But we are blessed with the gift to heal them when they’re injured, the ability to support their mission.”
    The significance of the mission could be measured in human lives. Angels worked with human law enforcement to ensure the safety of citizens. They provided supernatural power to bring down the most dangerous criminals and terrorist cells. They rescued people from natural and man-made disasters and protected in other ways unknown.
    An eager smile now brightened the students’ faces. Lana glanced at her watch. She had a gala to attend in about six hours and she wanted to take her time getting ready. Making connections were necessary to advance her career and establish a good reputation. Not to mention the mouth-watering appetizers and desserts the angels served at their events. Nor that mouth-watering, silver-winged angel you hope to see again, quipped the voice in her head. Lana’s skin flushed and she dismissed the intruding thought.
    “Okay, guys. We’ve got to find the rest of the ingredients. Calendula tincture, vitamin E and honey.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Lana’s pulse jumped as Julien walked in her direction, angels and humans parting to let him through. She’d never met him before but she knew who he was. His reputation as a fierce enforcer with stunning looks had made the rounds in the circle of healers. The buzz about his physical appearance wasn’t exaggerated. Standing several feet from him at last week’s conference was enough to throw her body into silent chaos. With furtive glances his way, she’d admired his powerful physique, barely concealed under a crisp shirt and