AllFreeNovel
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“We’re going as your new trainers,” Sy said, jabbing his fists onto his hips in a superhero pose. He practically burst with excitement, if the broad smile he wore was any indication.
“We need to see the layout of the place, see who we can trust,” El added.
Theo sobered, his enthusiasm at seeing his friends fading away. “Won’t Troian know who you are?”
El shrugged. “We don’t know, but John felt we should take the chance. We’ve snuck in when nobody was there, so we know the basic layout, but once it’s filled with people… Jay’s insights were good, but he was distracted watching you. Hopefully, with more of us getting a feel for the space, we’ll be able to better plan our move to take Troian down.”
“Makes sense. We knew the dojo well for the last one and used the space to our advantage.”
Sy lightly jabbed Theo’s shoulder. “Exactly. Now I understand we are under a time crunch, so let’s skedaddle. Ha! I always wanted to say that.”
Daniel pulled his jacket from the coat closet, surprised when Theo reached around him and pulled out a black leather trench coat he’d never seen before. “How did that get there?”
Theo glanced upward. “He provides what we need. It would look strange if I went out like this while all of you are wearing multiple layers.” He slid into the coat, taking his good boy looks to holy hotness, then took Daniel’s jacket from his numb hands and helped him ease it on. “Ready?”
“I guess so…” He patted his empty pockets. “Wait.” Once he’d gathered his phone, keys, and wallet, he headed for the door where the angels waited. “Let’s go.”
????
Daniel held Theo’s hand all the way from his second-floor apartment to the casino parking garage. Ahead of them, Sy joked around with El, but Daniel and Theo walked in silence, each lost in whatever thoughts they had. Daniel took the time to look around at all the new holiday decorations that had sprung up over the last week.
“Nice sign,” Sy quipped, patting the back door marked “No Entry” as they slipped inside. A blast of heat hit Daniel in the face, and he and the others tugged off their outerwear. In the muted distance, a cheer erupted.
“We might as well stash our stuff in the locker room.” Daniel led the way, Theo a close step behind.
“Finally!” Walt shouted when they entered. “Get a move on, Viking. Get changed, weigh in, and have Glen look you over.”
Theo went to his usual locker. Sy and El followed. Walt muttered something snide about “unwanted guests.” Daniel pressed his lips together to keep from laughing.
Glen wandered over, his gaze darting from the angels to Daniel and back again. “Who are they?”
“Friends of Theo’s.”
“They look like the guy from last night; I never got his name. They all look like could handle themselves in a fight.”
“I suppose so.” Daniel side-eyed Glen. “What are you thinking?”
Glen tore his gaze away, studied Daniel for a moment, and then nodded. “Are they here to help?”
“Help?” Daniel kept his surprise hidden, his expression neutral, even as he wondered how much Glen knew and who had told him.
Glen shifted closer, lowering his voice. “Theo mentioned help would be coming. I gotta get away from Mister… these… people.” He darted back to his table as Theo emerged, having changed into a fresh pair of shiny blue shorts.
Daniel enjoyed the view of Theo from the rear: the broad shoulders, the way his body angled nicely to the two tight buttcheeks he knew were hidden beneath the polyester shorts that ended mid-thigh. He admired the long, muscular legs which he’d gotten up close and personal with, but his gaze kept getting drawn to the artwork gracing the angel’s back. Weren’t those black wings darker yesterday?
“Blessed be He,” El said, coming to stand beside him. “Ari and Jay have a beautiful set of wings to remind them, but that… That is incredible. It’s no wonder you are worried about Troian knowing what we are.”
“He’d be stupid not to suspect something. He knew Mary had protection of sorts.”
El huffed. “True.” He turned in toward Daniel. “And you knew who we were, or suspected early on…?”
“I saw you, well not specifically you, but Theo and other angels fighting the demon Mr. March became. I followed him back to Haven.”
“Ah. I had been wondering. Yahweh must have seen something in you. A spark.”
“I don’t know.” Daniel shrugged. “I’ve wanted out for years. Thought I finally had my chance with March gone, but Troy found me not long after.”
“You have not been free for a long time.” El’s observance shook Daniel to his core.
