1. Rhys

It was a grey Dublin afternoon like so many others, and yet today, something felt different. It was as though there was a feeling of potentiality, and I could only hope the reason for it was good and would serve my interests.

It had stopped raining, but dirty water gathered in puddles and the roads glistened wet. It didn't lend itself well to stealth, but my target showed little concern about being followed. He should've been more careful, unless he knew I was there.

I tried to avoid assumptions, but I continued to follow him through the city streets. The collar of his black leather jacket was pulled up around his neck, beneath short, untidy dark hair that was damp from the earlier rain. I didn't know his name but I recognised his face. It was wrinkled, but it seemed more the result of a rugged environment than age. He had a stubbled chin, now out of sight, as he walked ahead of me. He was one of Kelibon's creatures. Maybe not a creature in the literal sense, but those who worked for Kelibon were seldom more than that.

He ducked into a narrow alley and I followed him at a distance, not wanting to be caught in an ambush. Kelibon had a range of people in his employ – some more permanent than others, ranging from petty criminals to assassins. My instincts told me this man either lacked training or he was skilled enough to give that impression. He looked entirely at ease – that, if nothing else, was reason to be careful.

Kelibon's followers believed he owned the city. I wasn't ready to accept that. Tucking my wings closer against my back, I walked out on to the main road, joining a small crowd of customers outside a coffee shop. The humans wouldn't see my wings, but not every set of eyes in the city was mortal. I already knew Kelibon's weren't.

My target had already gained ground, and as I watched, he crossed the road toward a park known as St. Stephen's Green. It was in the middle of Dublin. There wasn't a lot of privacy to be had, which heightened my curiosity. I wondered what the real St. Stephen would think of my kind strolling through his park, but I couldn't say it bothered me. Fallen angels weren't the most well-regarded in heaven, but as much could be said of anyone who didn't follow the rules.

Was I any more noble than Kelibon? Well, that would depend on your point of view. I believed so, but who was to say Kelibon wouldn't have answered that question differently? He was one twisted son of a bitch, judging by his actions, but I also had my moments. I set the thought aside as I moved to the park entrance. When my target was far enough ahead, I followed him in. Now what was he up to?

There were a few people around, but it was surprisingly quiet for early afternoon. It was probably because of the weather, as there was nowhere dry to sit down. I followed a path along until it neared a copse of trees, and then took cover behind them. It took me a moment to find where my target had gone, and that was when I noticed someone else ahead.

There was a woman walking through the park, and she was beautiful. She had shoulder-length auburn hair that shimmered in the light, and if I wasn't mistaken, sky blue eyes. Her cheeks were lightly flushed from walking, and she wore a faded denim jacket over white jeans. There was something intoxicating about her from the first moment I saw her. I couldn't have explained it if I'd tried, but my body knew, and responded.

‘Now isn't the time,' I grumbled to myself at my sudden discomfort.

I wanted her already, but who was she? She seemingly hadn't noticed either of us yet.

There was a small pop nearby that drew my attention. My target had shot out the CCTV camera, shattering the glass. Strangely, he held a composite bow, which was an odd choice of weapon. Why choose an old-fashioned weapon in a modern environment? It would stand out, though I hadn't noticed it before – he must've had it concealed under his jacket. The assassin could've loaded a gun more quickly and done more damage than with a bow, or so I thought.

He quickly took cover behind a tree. It only took me a moment to realise what he had in mind.

Oh no, he was going to kill her.

I quickly realised she was no ordinary woman. Focusing my mind, I could see the outline of wings beneath her denim jacket. She was an angel. Could he even kill her with an arrow? She would be able to heal herself – if she lived long enough to do so.

What was she even doing here in St. Stephen's Green after a rainstorm? Had she merely chosen to take a walk? Was she looking for me? She didn't seem to realise I was here.

As the assassin I'd followed nocked an arrow, I rose from my position. The last thing I'd set out to do today was save a vulnerable angel – who might potentially prove an enemy – but if I didn't act soon it might be too late for her. Unless it was a trap? That was always a possibility.

As I saw a glint of light from the arrowhead, I knew there was something arcane about it. It made sense given the spiritual power of his target. An angel-killing weapon, which was just what you wanted to see when you were a fallen angel.

I had to stop him, even if it was out of spite. Kelibon was a degenerate ass, and I wanted to see his assassin fail – especially against an angel as lovely as this one.

I drew a throwing knife from my belt and crept closer. I didn't need to hit a small target – I just went for his back. Anything to distract him. The steel flew from my fingers with well-practiced ease, and I didn't wait to see it strike. I unfurled my black wings, which stretched out wide behind me.

It felt glorious to fully spread them after so long, but I knew I couldn't afford to hesitate. I swept in with a flurry of dark feathers and gathered up the ginger-haired angel in my arms. As I carried her off, I felt her struggle and chided her:

"Stop. I'm trying to save you."

I wanted her to understand, but she hadn't seen the threat. She must have thought some dark-winged monster had grabbed her out of the park. She wasn't half-wrong, though I was doing it for the right reasons. My reasons – yes, but ones in her own best interests.

For a moment she gazed up at me and our faces were merely inches apart. I felt like we formed a connection in that moment, and I couldn't help marvel at her beauty – from her shiny, sleek ginger hair to her soft eyelashes. Then I felt her fist connect with my jaw. She obviously wasn't feeling the connection I was, but I respected her spirit.

While that hurt, an explosion of pain tore through my arm that was a hundred times worse. It stole my breath away, and it took me a moment to realise it was the angel-killing arrow. Was I really going to go out this way? My wings faltered and I barreled into the ground, dropping the angel I'd tried to save.

I landed badly and swore under my breath. I saw the angel rolling on the grass ahead of me. The assassin would be coming, and I wasn't prepared to let him kill either of us. As I looked back toward his prior position, I saw him running through the park toward us, bow in hand. I turned to the angel, who was also watching his approach with confusion.

"We have to get out of here. He was trying to kill you." Damn, my arm hurt. I could hardly get the words out. I needed her to understand the danger.

I was sure she'd desert me there, but instead she helped me up and steadied me with her arm. We hurried through the park, and I wasn't sure how long it would take for the assassin to catch up with us.

Was he already leveling another arrow at our backs? That's what I'd have done if I was trying to kill him. Unfortunately, I wasn't up to it nor did I have a bow to hand.

We crossed the road and the world seemed to lurch around me. Just what was this arrow doing to me? I could only count myself lucky that it hadn't struck my heart.

The woman I'd saved pushed me through an open doorway and closed the door behind us, locking it. I had no idea where we were, but for the moment we were alone. I just knew the assassin would be coming and I needed to be ready for him. I most certainly wasn't, but perhaps the angel I saved was stronger than I realised. Our lives might depend on it.