Free Desiring A Demon (Archangels) by Missy Jane Page A

and she pushed the chair up so she could stand and gaze out. The sky had blackened until all she could see was the empty parking spaces directly in front of her prison. The voices in her head laughed at her and made crude suggestions of what she should be doing on the disgusting bed. She ignored them and fought for calm. Would Rafe hear her if she put all of her will into calling out to him? Not likely, but what else was there for her to try?
    Closing her eyes, she fought for the calm she felt whenever Rafe was near. She mentally reached out, using thoughts of his scent, voice, and the awareness she always felt in his presence. It seemed as if she stood that way for hours before fatigue finally had her opening her eyes with a sigh. She dropped her head and tried not to give in to the urge to give up. Then something moved outside.
    Asta squinted at the driving rain until the figure of a man formed clearly. He walked toward her, copper-colored wings out and completely untouched by the rain. An angel, but not one she knew. What the hell? He moved closer and surveyed the large window before looking directly at her.
    “Hey, are you Asta?”
    Despite the glass between them, she heard him clearly. She straightened and nodded even as she was trying to decide if she should answer. He set his hands on his hips and studied her much as she did him. He was tall and muscularly lean, like Rafe and his brothers. The angel’s brown hair ran past his shoulders, almost to his waist.
    “I’m Sebastian. Everyone’s been looking for you. I was nearby when I…sensed you. You’re telepathic, huh?”
    “Yeah, a little. Rafe? Where is he?”
    “He’s been looking , too. I’ve already alerted them. He’s on his way.”
    Equal parts dread and relief hit her at the thought of facing Rafe. What would she say to him? He’d want to know why she took off, but what could she tell him about why she’d been searching for Forge?
    Sebastian drew closer until only a couple of inches separated him from the glass. He held his palms out and frowned. An arc of blue light shot from his palms , and he cursed before stepping back and shaking out his hands.
    “It’s warded. Did you do this?”
    “No. I don’t even know how . ”
    His skeptical look pissed her off , but she checked the response trying to leap off her tongue. He was here to help her. She’d wait until she was free of the smelly motel room before cussing him out.
    “All right. I’ll do what I can but you should probably move back a bit.”
    She went all the way to the bathroom door, the farthest she could get and still see him. An irrational fear that he might leave if she couldn’t watch him filled her. She didn’t know this angel or his motivations. The fact that he seemed to know Rafe helped, but maybe he was lying about that. Not all angels would care to help a half-demon after all.
    He lifted his hands, palms out, and white light glowed all around them. It inched toward the window until stopping about an inch away where a blue haze seemed to take over. The two forces held each other in check for long moments as Asta’s pulse raced in anticipation. Sweat beaded on the angel’s upper lip as he frowned in concentration. His fingers curled into claws and a vein pulsed in his temple. His jaw locked and his shoulders bunched as if he was putting supreme physical force into the effort.
    Asta held her breath as she watched and hoped with everything in her he could get past the wards. Then two more angels appeared at his back. Rafe and Mike.
    Both inspired hope at her getting out but only one made her breath catch. Rafe’s gaze ran over her head to toe, like a physical caress that warmed her blood. Mike didn’t even look her way as he raised his hands and mimicked the other angel. Once Rafe was done examining her, he did the same.
    “Asta,” Mike called. “Get in the bathroom. Now.”
    She didn’t hesitate, and jumped in the tub. As soon as she crouched down in the porcelain shield