The Broken Angel Read Free

woman outside to see if there was anyone left in the waiting chamber. The place was deserted and, consequently, he was free. He went back inside to get his cell, and as he was locking the door behind him, the phone rang. He swore, knowing he couldn’t ignore that call. Only Barnes used the land line. His boss wanted to maintain as much distance from the sullen angel as possible. When he first started the job, Samuel had tried to give Barnes his cell number, but Barnes had explained that calling him on his private number would imply familiarity.
    “Samuel.” He didn’t have a last name. He had been willed to the mortals’ plane by his creator with that name. Nicknames others had given him made up for the lack of it anyway. Broken Wing Sam was the one most had taken up. By now, he almost expected people to address him thus.
    “Ludwig Barnes.”
    Samuel often wondered about the utility of following social etiquette just for the sake of it. His boss had called him, so he knew he was speaking to Samuel. And Samuel knew it was Ludwig Barnes who had called not only because his boss was the only one who called him on that line, but also the caller ID had told him so. Mental communication had been way more efficient. Another of the powers he had once possessed. He had never thought of mind reading and projecting as a power, but as part of him, like one of his remaining senses.
    “Go to Via Larzi and see if you can find anything related to this recent vampire blood-dealing situation we’re having.” Barnes had a deep, masculine voice, well-suited to his Herculean frame. The immortal’s story was shrouded in mystery, but rumor had it he had been changed soon after the Roman Empire’s fall and had hailed from north of the Alps. His reddish-brown hair suggested Viking blood and gave the tales credit. Besides that, he was a recluse.
    “Okay.” He was going to have his break after all. Via Larzi was three blocks from Alexander Drako’s gym.
    With a smile, he locked the door, and instead of riding the elevator, he walked down the stairs to the ground level of Castel Sant’ Angelo. Per Council mandate, before leaving the building, he willed his wings away and let his body shrink to his human form. When paranormals had been forced into hiding, he had hated becoming a cripple, even if temporarily. The idea to use what was left of his powers to betray his true nature had pained him. For a long while, he had kept himself inside the paranormal compound, using the Promenade and even venturing in warlocks and witches’ territory to move between locations, reducing the necessity to change. Then, little by little, helped by Alexander and Ophelia, he had embraced the change.
    Already anticipating a good session of sparring at his friend’s gym, he summoned his walking cane and headed toward the bus stop at the end of the bridge. He leaned against the low parapet, his eyes studying the thermals above. He missed flying. Not a single moment passed that he didn’t remember he was grounded. His heart ached as the playful winds of spring moved clouds and birds in a constant flurry.
    The bus arrived and he slowly climbed the platform. He showed his special permit to the bus driver, who gave him a brief look and a small smile. A woman sitting in the reserved seats made to get up when he walked by, but he thanked her and moved farther inside. He heard an unsavory comment about cripples, but could not bring himself to let the person know he was an insufferable jerk. The bus lurched to a stop, swaying him. He moved out of the way to let the new commuters in when he saw a familiar face heading straight toward him. His heart slammed against his chest as the athletic brunette—the woman he thought about every free moment he had—drew closer to him.
    ** * *
    Martina hated using her time off to take care of business. Her lawyer had called, saying they must talk in person immediately, and she wasn’t looking forward to the meeting. A lawyer herself,