There it was again... "h.e.l.lo?" I called out hesitantly, but it sounded like it came from much farther away than my voice would carry. Shaking my head, I turned towards my car, hesitating when I heard the voice call again. Definitely a male voice... it almost sounded like... like Remiel.

"Remy?" I called out louder, leaving the car behind in the direction the voice came from. Operating more on instinct than anything else, I extended my wings, launching myself into the sky to get a better view of the streets below. Oddly enough, I could feel where the call came from, and it wasn't nearby at all.

"Merceline!" The voice grew insistent, and I put on a burst of speed, counting on my instincts to lead me where I needed to go. It got easier, as soon as I realized they led me straight back to my apartment. Taking a page from my cousins, I landed on the balcony, throwing open the sliding door to find Remiel pacing the length of my living room.

"Well, finally, I thought I'd have to shout myself hoa.r.s.e," he drawled, some of the tension draining from his shoulders. "See, I told ya she'd be fine," he directed at Nelo, who crouched behind the TV.

"Nelo, what's the matter?" I ignored Remy for the moment, worried he'd done something to scare Nelo. "Come out from behind there, he won't hurt you. You won't." I wagged a finger at Remiel. Hesitantly, the little demon left the security of the shadows, trading it for the security of crouching behind me. My hand lightly patted his shoulder, sending him a glow of soothing Grace.

"I guess you didn't need my help after all then, did ya, cupcake?" Remiel muttered disgustedly, plopping down on the sofa.

"What are you doing here?"

"You tell me." He threw his hands up in exasperation. "I got a call you were screamin' b.l.o.o.d.y murder and I hauled my a.s.s over, but Kato here was less than useful in pointin' me in the right direction."

"My name is Nelo," he offered politely, but Remy waved him off.

"Whatever. Alls I know is I coulda scored twins easy with my new digs, but instead I gotta be at your beck and call, and you weren't even in trouble."

I didn't want to touch the point about scoring in Adam's place, I was more interested in how he'd even known I needed help. "Actually, I did have a pretty troublesome evening, but I never called you."

"I know, sweetheart, your bossy boyfriend did."

"Adam called you?" I gasped in surprise. So he'd heard me call after all. He still cared, just not enough to come for me himself. "But he didn't tell you where to find me?"

"It's not that easy to pinpoint over great distances. He only said you were screamin' like the end of the world was comin' and I'd better find you. Like I'm supposed to conjure you outta thin air," he snorted.

"It's a d.a.m.n good thing I had other help then, isn't it? Or you never would have found me." A sobering thought. "So wait, that was you calling my name... and I heard it all the way by Daphne's house. That's what it sounds like, huh?" I'd felt a strong compulsion to go to whoever called me. Was that what any angel felt when called by their true name?

"Don't make it sound cooler than it is, mostly it's a pain in the a.s.s." Remy shook his head. "Anyhow, what happened to you to get Adam's panties in a bunch? You look no worse for wear. I'da thought you'd be covered in brand marks to hear him tell it."

Glad to finally have an audience for my tale, I got him a drink, and started with Ben kidnapping me, ending with me flying away from Lucifer, who watched me with more interest than I liked. Nelo folded himself into a cross legged position on the floor, gathering my cat Mimsy in his lap, listening to the story as well.

"d.a.m.n, girl, you have had a full evenin'." Remiel let out a low whistle when I finished. "Next time you call me first though, so I'll know where you are, y'hear?"

"I will," I promised, crossing my heart with a finger. "Do you think I should be worried about Lucifer? It seems like a bad thing that he even knows who I am in the first place, let alone be able to respond like that when I'm in too deep."

"I've met him a few times, Mistress," Nelo piped up. "He seemed very personable."

Of course, I had to consider the source. Next to Raum the demon lord, Nelo's old master, Lucifer was practically a member of the Rotary Club.

"He's a tricky one, that's for sure." Remy drained his gla.s.s and set it down on the table with a thud. "Don't spend too much time tryin' to get inside his head though, you'll never outthink him."

"Gee thanks, your confidence is overwhelming." I gave him a sour smile, and his hands come up in a supplicating gesture.

"No offense. I ain't sayin' you ain't got the smarts for it, I'm just sayin' it won't do no good. What ever he's up to, you can bet it's more convoluted than it needs to be."

"So, what do I do then, try to ignore the fact that he has plans for me and my child someday?"

"Hey, I'm a lover, not a fighter, sweetheart. Alls I know is, when the time comes, you won't be alone, so try not to sweat it for now," Remy winked and Nelo nodded enthusiastically.

"I would gladly give my life for your safety."

"Thanks, guys," I smiled at them warmly, trying to let it be enough to calm me down.

"By the way, did you pick up Azazael then?" Remiel rubbed his hands together in antic.i.p.ation and I realized only then, I'd been in such a hurry to get out of there, I'd forgotten to take him with me.

"c.r.a.p, he's still there. I should go check on Ben anyway, make sure he's alright." Lucifer was likely long gone, but all the same, I gave Remy a winsome smile. "I don't supposed you'd come with me, to be on the safe side?"

"Might as well, saves me the trouble of havin' to hunt you down when you get in a pickle again. Let's go, the night ain't gettin' any younger."

"Shall I go too, Mistress?" Nelo stood, dislodging a disgruntled, striped cat from his lap.

"I'm sure we can handle it, Nelo, but thanks. If you don't hear from me in an hour though, call Sam and tell him where we went, okay?" It didn't hurt to have a back up plan, just in case.

"Like I need that goody-two-shoes savin' my bacon," Remy grumbled. "Let's get this show on the road."

Once again I took to the sky. My head fully recovered, I didn't waste time on the scenery, trusting Remiel to keep up as I led him to the house Ben held me captive in.

The lights were on, and I kept myself dim as I approached. It wouldn't hide me from supernatural eyes, but if Ben was alone in the house, he shouldn't notice me. Remiel's arm barred me from entering though, and he slowly and firmly pushed me aside to go in first. I got the message loud and clear him big man, keep me plenty safe.

Content to let him take the lead, I followed him into the small house, noticing the general state of disrepair. Again I was struck by the thought that the place felt abandoned. It made sense if no one lived there regularly, it made a more attractive prison that way. The place felt completely deserted though, and a quick search turned up no sign of Ben and no sign of Azazael either.

"d.a.m.n it... I wonder if Lucifer took Azazael with him?"

"Could be," Remy shrugged. "If that's the case, then you ain't got to worry about him causin' any trouble for you no more. Ol' Luce knows all the best hidey holes for burying secrets."

"I wish I knew one way or the other. I wonder if I should stop by Ben's place and look in on him?" He probably wouldn't have been the one to take the pink box since his soul had been purged of darkness, but he might be pretty confused after everything that went on.

"My advice, if you're of a mind to take it, is steer clear of the fella for a while. Let him get his head on straight. Unless you want him relyin' on you whenever the chips are down." He had a point. I wasn't sure how much of Ben's obsession with me was driven by Azazael and how much from any residual feelings he had for me. Best to let him recover on his own and peek in on him in a day or two.

"And on that note, since you seem to be fine and dandy, I'll be on my way. There might be a chance to salvage some of this night after all," Remy grinned. With a saucy wink, he launched himself into the sky in a flash of dark wings.

I flew home at a much slower pace, the night's events having taken their toll once the adrenaline faded. The whole novelty of flying had already worn off some of its shiny newness, and driving home would have been a lot less taxing.

After shooing Nelo and Mimsy out of my bedroom, I got ready for bed, feeling like I hadn't slept in days even though I'd spent a big chunk of the night knocked out, thanks to Ben's love potion. If I hadn't been so freaked out about doctors figuring out I wasn't exactly human anymore, I would've made a beeline for the ER to have some bloodwork done and make sure I was really fine. Instead, I trusted my natural healing ability to purge any lasting effects of the drug from my system and hoped Ben wasn't lying when he said it was safe for the baby.

It was only after I'd climbed into bed and set my phone to silent when I noticed the missed calls.

Three of them, from Adam's number.

I wasn't supposed to know it was his number of course, but it made sense I'd try to figure out who called. He couldn't really blame me for calling the number back, right? The phone rang only once before someone picked up, and I was met with silence on the line.

"h.e.l.lo?" I said hesitantly, knowing he'd never answer, and that in itself was a confirmation. I knew he'd been able to feel my distress through our bond of shared Grace when I'd screamed his name at Ben's insistence. That's the whole reason he'd sent Remiel over in the first place. Why couldn't he open up and tell me he was worried about me? Why resort to leaving a bunch of hang up calls?

"I know it's you," I tried again, and he didn't hang up, but for some reason I found the silence less comforting than I had the last time we'd tried communicating that way. Once more I put in all the effort and got nothing in return for my trouble. "If you want a report of the night's events, I suggest you call your buddy, he can fill you in on the details." Nothing. "Adam?" I sighed into the phone, feeling tears threaten behind my closed eyelids. No matter how angry I was with him for taking off, I couldn't leave things between us with angry words. "I love you, please come home."

The soft click on the line felt like a slap in the face, and I let the tears fall where they would until no more came.

"Remiel," I breathed, the word barely making a sound as it left my lips. Taking a long, slow breath, I repeated it, and again, a little stronger until he peeked in through my bedroom door a few minutes later.

"You called?"

At seeing his worried face, I felt bad for calling him that way, but I didn't have his cell number. "I know it's late, did I spoil your plans?"

"Nah, I couldn't get nothin' goin' for tonight. What's up, you in trouble, sugar?" His eyes swept over my room, lighting on bed.

"There is something you can save me from, yes."

"What's that?"

"Be my date for the wedding on Sunday."

Chapter Seven.

Oriana's nimble fingers braided tiny, white flowers into my chestnut hair which hung loose down my back, affording a bit of warmth on my bare shoulders. The dresses she'd picked out for us mirrored her own pale pink gown, mine in a pastel blue and Daphne's in a pale green. Already dressed and coiffed, a wreath of pink flowers crowned Oriana's brow which puckered in concentration as she finished the elaborate braids falling from my temples. Daphne wore a similar hairstyle, the flowers in her hair a fragrant lavender.

Luck was with us, and the sun held strong, with no sign of rain clouds in the sky. My mother had been in and out of the canvas tent a half dozen times in a flurry of activity, busying herself with all the last minute preparations to transform the corner of the park into a flower-filled fairyland.

"There... you are lovely, my sister." Oriana kissed the crown of my head in benediction when she finished.

"You're the beautiful one today, you look radiant," I smiled back at her in the small mirror propped on the camping table we'd set up. "You too, Daphne, you look amazing," I added, not wanting her to feel left out. After our conversation the other night, I couldn't help but worry about her mood, but she seemed in high spirits.

"All three of us are gorgeous today," Daphne beamed.

"Let the menfolk beware! Ours is a power to be reckoned with," Oriana declared, and we shared a giggle over the p.r.o.nouncement.

"Really, you don't know how lucky you are," Daphne sniffed. Uh oh, so much for her good mood... "I hope you make each other happy for the rest of your lives."

"And into the next." Oriana nodded solemnly, taking up Daphne's hand in hers. "Have no fear, your happiness lies within your grasp."

"Do you really think so?" That was all it took and Daphne's mood instantly perked up.

"Oh, yes." Oriana's face took on a distant cast. "I see it clearly." Dropping Daphne's hand, she picked up mine, face clouding in puzzlement. "You are still a jumble to me. Every time I think I catch sight of you, I'm blinded by your shine and I lose you again."

"That's alright, I think it's better that way." I pulled my hand gently out of her grasp. "The better to keep my watchers guessing." With my life showing up on so many factions' radar, I was willing to take a bit of unpredictability if that made it harder for them to manipulate my future.

"I think we're about as ready as we're gonna get," I smiled, changing the subject. "How about I go check on the boys and let them know we're about ready to start?" Before I could get two steps, the tent flap opened, and my father pushed in, dressed in his Sunday best. Even that early in the day, I could smell a little hair of the dog on him, and his eyes were bloodshot from the effects of the night before.

"Sorry, it's girls only in here." I laid a hand on his chest to keep him from coming in any farther.

"I came to escort the beautiful bride down the aisle." He smiled wide, as if he had a perfect reason to be there. Nevermind that Oriana herself didn't seem to want or need his partic.i.p.ation in the ceremony.

"That's okay, we planned the ceremony without your help."

"I'm trying to welcome my new daughter into the family." His tone grew harder though the smile remained fixed on his face.

"Oriana, do you want him to walk you down the aisle?" I turned to ask her directly.

"I need no a.s.sistance in walking."

"Of course you don't, honey," Vic chuckled over her literal interpretation. "I'm offering my services as an escort. It's a tradition, you know? The father of the bride usually does it, but since yours isn't here..."

If I worried about her letting him guilt his way into the ceremony, I didn't need to. Oriana's delicate features didn't show the least bit of hesitation in refusing him coldly. "I prefer to meet my beloved alone, as I came into this world."

"Sorry, she doesn't need your help, Vic. Why don't you go take a seat? We're almost ready to begin." I pressed on his chest again, pushing him back a half step.

"Let me talk to her, I'll tell her what's what."

"I'm pretty sure she knows what she wants on her own wedding day, and it's not you. Get used to it, you won't be walking anyone down the aisle anytime soon." I smiled sweetly and his eyes narrowed in anger.

"Maybe if you weren't such a b.i.t.c.h you might find a man to marry you too."

Oh, no he didn't... "What does this look like to you?" I thrust my hand under his nose, Adam's diamond ring still sparkling there. He might not have any intention of marrying me anymore, but I couldn't bring myself to take it off.

"You're engaged too?" he blinked, the hostility fading in an instant as another mood swing took hold of him. "Well, that's wonderful, baby. Who's the lucky guy?"

"None of your business. I already told you I'm not interested in your partic.i.p.ation in the ceremony."

"You can't shut me out of your life forever, Mercy. I'm your father."

"Please, don't remind me, I've been working hard enough to forget that fact for the past sixteen years," I muttered and his face darkened again.

"I told you not to sa.s.s me, girl. Don't think I won't..."

"Is there a problem here?" Parker stepped into the tent, a bland smile covering the worry I saw behind his blue eyes, and I was relieved beyond belief to have him there.

Things had been a little strained between us at work since I'd turned down his marriage proposal at the engagement party. Not that I thought Parker wanted a real marriage with me, he was just trying to do the right thing since finding out about the baby, especially with Adam gone. A girl could do a lot worse than a good looking, wealthy guy who wanted to take care of her and her unborn baby by another guy. In the end I couldn't bring myself to think about marrying someone else, even in name only, while Adam's ring sat on my finger.

"No problem, my father was just on his way," I replied, matching his smile. "Actually, maybe you could help him find his seat? Vic, this is Parker, my..." I hovered on the edge of introducing him as my intended, but I couldn't do that to Parker again, not after making him pretend to be Adam to my mother. "...boss and very good friend."

Parker's eyes widened at the realization of who stood between us, but he recovered quickly. "Yeah, I can do that. Matty's climbing the walls, by the way. Are you girls gonna be ready anytime soon?"

I traded looks with Daphne and Oriana who watched us with rapt attention. "Yes, we're about ready too."

"Fantastic." Parker clapped his hands together with enthusiasm. "Come on, sir, I'll help you to your seat. The show's about to start." From the wince on Vic's face, I could tell just how much force Parker put into the hand on his arm as he walked him outside the tent.

"I'm sorry about that, guys. My dad is... a little tough to take sometimes."

"It's fine, no harm done. Right, Oriana?" Daphne offered a supportive smile, but the witch didn't acknowledge her comment. Instead her eyes remained fixed on me.

"Cast off your discomfiture, judgment is not yours to dispense. He's done far worse to himself than you ever could. There is freedom in that."