Fallen: Celeste by Tiffany Aaron Read Free Book Online Page B

want to try filling it?
    He shook his head. "I'll catch a cab back to my house,
Celeste. I can't deal with this right now and I need to check the rest of my
businesses. If I'm not visible, there are others who will try to take over and
they aren't men I would want running my city."
    "And you are?" Celeste asked.
    "Yes, I am. There are things I won't do, just as there are a
lot of things that happen I am willing to allow. As long as the city doesn't
burn and the dead don't start walking, I'm doing my job. There is a balance
that must be kept."
    "Jakar did say he was here to help you do that. True Demons
fear unbalance."
    "True Demons? What rabbit hole have I fallen down? I can't
believe this. Not only have I slept with a fallen angel, my right hand man is a
fucking demon." Adam shook his head in disbelief. Angels and demons
weren't part of his normal daily routine.
    "Just keep an eye on Jakar. So far, you are doing what he
wants. If you upset him, he could kill you."
    "Jakar wouldn't touch me. Not if I threaten him with
you." Adam grinned.
    "I'm just as dangerous as your pet demon, Adam. I could kill
you with a simple thought. Do you have enough confidence in yourself to be able
to deal with that? Will you trust me enough to believe I would never hurt you
willingly?"
    Adam watched Celeste drive away from him. He flagged down a cab.
Instead of heading home, he went to the only place he knew of to find some
answers.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    It had been a long time since Adam had set foot in a church. He
stood in the vestibule and stared up at the large stained glass window behind
the altar. The light from the setting sun caused the colors to flare in streaming
reds and yellows down the aisles. There was a feeling of timelessness about the
old church. Adam could almost feel the prayers of the people who came every
Sunday to talk to God. He turned as a door opened to his left.
    An elderly man dressed in black with a white collar greeted him.
"How are you today, sir?"
    Adam shook the man's hand. "I'm fine, Father."
    "You are not one of my regular worshippers. I would remember
a face like yours. Why do you come here?"
    "I have some questions, Father. This church is on my way home
and I thought I could ask you for the answers."
    "Ask me if you must. I can't promise to have the answers for
you. There are some things that defy explanation. I am Father Michael."
The priest gestured for Adam to follow him into his small office. "Can I
offer you coffee, my young friend?"
    Adam wanted something stronger, but didn't think the priest would
have any whiskey. "Coffee will be fine, Father."
    "I would offer you a stronger drink, but we are here in the
church and He tends to frown upon His priests getting sloshed." Michael's
wrinkled face broke into a grin while his brilliant gray eyes sparkled at Adam.
    Adam wondered if the priest had read his thoughts. He took the mug
when it was offered to him. Michael had fixed it the way Adam liked it. He
narrowed his eyes and wondered if he had ever seen the man before.
    "I don't know you from Adam," the old man said,
chuckling.
    "How did you know my name?" Adam started to stand. He
was getting nervous.
    The priest waved him back to his seat. "Even an old priest
who rarely leaves his church knows the name of the leader of the Demons. It
pays to know your enemies."
    Adam was puzzled. "Enemies? I haven't done anything to this
church or you before. How can I be your enemy?"
    "You condone violence against your fellow man. You live the
old adage, an eye for an eye. Every night, my parishioners hear those words and
they seek to take vengeance on those who have harmed them. How can you not be
my enemy?"
    "Then why allow me to come in here? Why talk to me and treat
me as a guest?" Adam demanded.
    "Even Jesus sat down with Judas, Adam." Father Michael
studied him. He seemed to know how his words were affecting Adam. "Sit and
talk to me a while. Tell me what it is you wish to know."
    Adam took a deep drink of coffee. He stared