Peace

By T.A. Chase

When falling in love means risking everything, an angel must decide if losing his heart is worth it.

Lam is an Agnus Dei—or a messenger angel—who deals with mortals and the Four Horsemen. He's helped them to find love and become mortal again, but he can't seem to figure out his own relationship. Of course, it would be so much easier if he hadn't fallen for Lucifer Daystar, the most infamous angel out there.

Lucifer Daystar has loved Lam since the moment he saw him. They've hidden their relationship since Lam isn't supposed to fraternize with Day. He wishes things could be different, but he won't risk Lam getting into trouble for being with him. Then one day Lam disappears and Day must search the world to find him.

By the time Day rescues him, will Lam have decided that loving a fallen angel isn't worth the pain?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Feb 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781784309817

T.A. Chase

There is beauty in every kind of love, so why not live a life without boundaries? Experiencing everything the world offers fascinates TA and writing about the things that make each of us unique is how she shares those insights. When not writing, TA's watching movies, reading and living life to the fullest.

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Peace

ISBN # 978-1-78430-981-7

©Copyright T.A. Chase 2016

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright January 2016

Edited by Rebecca Scott

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2016 by Pride Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Pride Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

The Four Horsemen

PEACE

T.A. Chase

Book five in The Four Horsemen series

When falling in love means risking everything, an angel must decide if losing his heart is worth it.

Lam is an Agnus Dei—or a messenger angel—who deals with mortals and the Four Horsemen. He’s helped them to find love and become mortal again, but he can’t seem to figure out his own relationship. Of course, it would be so much easier if he hadn’t fallen for Lucifer Daystar, the most infamous angel out there.

Lucifer Daystar has loved Lam since the moment he saw him. They’ve hidden their relationship since Lam isn’t supposed to fraternize with Day. He wishes things could be different, but he won’t risk Lam getting into trouble for being with him. Then one day Lam disappears and Day must search the world to find him.

By the time Day rescues him, will Lam have decided that loving a fallen angel isn’t worth the pain?

Dedication

While I know the Four Horsemen should mean there are only four books, I couldn’t help but think Lam had his own story to tell. So here it is along with another fallen angel who might have learned his lesson.

Chapter One

Are you going to help every Horseman to find love? I mean now that you did it for these four?

Lam turned to see Day standing there, hands propped on his hips and a puzzled expression on his face. Smiling, Lam reached out to touch Day’s cheek. Why? Are you jealous of them?

Day shook his head. No. Of course I’m not. Why would I be jealous of them? They’re mortals now, not anywhere near as powerful as me on my worst day.

You are jealous because I spent so much time with them, Lam said as he edged closer. But you should’ve known you were far more important to me than they are.

After nuzzling Lam’s palm, Day shrugged. I can’t help it. I’m terrified you’re going to come to your senses and leave me—or at least, never want to see me again.

I’m risking my entire existence to be with you. Do you think I’d just leave you behind? He tapped Day’s nose then stepped away from him. You don’t have a lot of faith in me, do you?

That’s not it, Day protested as he tried to grab Lam. I do have faith in you.

Lam raised his eyebrows, doing his best to show his doubt without saying it. Day sighed.

Fine. I guess you’re right. I don’t have enough faith in you. Day rubbed his hand over his hair then he turned to glance over the barren landscape they stood in. I’m sure you could probably say it has something to do with the fact that no one’s ever stood by me in my entire existence.

Oh, Day. Lam embraced Day from behind, resting his forehead between Day’s shoulder blades. I’m not fickle.

Day covered his hands with his own and squeezed. Sorry. I’m having a bad day.

Exactly how does Lucifer Daystar have a bad day? Lam snorted. I’m pretty sure the worst day you’ve ever had was when you were banished.

Even I can have a bad day, Day murmured. But never mind. I’m sorry about all this. Let’s go.

Take me out of here. Let’s go somewhere we can be alone without someone spying on us. Lam loosened his grip as Day turned around. He brushed their lips together and darkness over took them.

* * * *

Later on that night as Lam climbed out of bed, Day grabbed his hand and the angel paused to glance down at him. Day flashed him a wistful smile.

Do you think there’ll ever come a day when you stay until morning and don’t sneak out like a thief in the night?

There was a deep well of sadness in Day’s dark eyes that touched Lam’s heart. After leaning down, he brushed a kiss over Day’s mouth, savoring his familiar flavor. He eased away. I don’t see how that’ll be possible. I wish it could be, but you went against them, Day, and they’ll never forgive that.

Exhaling, Day rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. I won’t apologize for that either. I did it because I thought it needed to be done. Little good it did me. Got thrown out of the heavenly realm. Banished to Earth and having to deal with mortals. Ugh!

Lam couldn’t help but laugh at the disgust in Day’s voice. Tell me how you really feel about mortals.

Day tugged on his hand, but Lam stood firm. He had to leave, or risk someone coming to find him. He couldn’t be found with Day. As much as he wished it could be different, he knew it would never change.

Why do you keep letting me make off with you? Day pushed up until his back rested against the pillows. He let go of Lam’s hand to fold his in his lap. I don’t understand why you don’t just run as far away from me as you can. I mean, it’s not like you can’t get away from me. Hell, all you have to do is go back to the heavenly realm. I can’t follow you there.

Lam didn’t have a real answer for that. Day was right. He could go home if he found Day too annoying or if he hadn’t wanted anything to do with him. Yet Lam never thought about turning his back on Day. Not really. Oh, Day had annoyed him a million times since they started their relationship, but not enough for Lam to say enough.

I don’t know why. I must be crazy, or maybe you’ve put a spell on me, he joked.

Day shook his head. I’d never do that to you.

Of course you wouldn’t. Lam patted Day’s shoulder. You’re not that kind of guy. No matter what any of them say about you.

I can just imagine what they say about me. Day held up his hand to keep Lam from saying anything else. Give me a kiss and get out of here. I don’t want them to know you’ve been with me. I’ll catch up with you some point soon.

Lam did as Day ordered, kissing him hard before moving to the middle of the room. He gathered his powers, thought about his rooms in the heavenly realm and released the magic. He kept his gaze on Day as he disappeared.

Once he reappeared in his rooms, Lam waved his hands and his clothes faded. He padded over to his bathroom, needing a shower. After washing up, he wandered back to his bed then flopped onto the mattress, burying his face in the pillow. He did his best to release all the tension from his muscles. He enjoyed every moment he spent with Day. Well, most of them anyway.

But there was always the little voice in the back of his head telling him to be careful. He was risking everything—maybe even his life—for those stolen seconds with Day. If the Quad—the four archangels—found out about his being with Day, they would lose their minds. Lam had no doubt about it.

Especially Michael, who seemed to harbor the most anger toward Day. Lam thought about the first time he’d seen Day. He’d walked into Michael’s office and smack dab into an argument between the two of them.

Lam pushed open the door to Michael’s office, mouth open to greet the archangel, then he froze at the sight of Lucifer Daystar and Michael standing almost nose to nose. Michael’s face was beet-red and his anger palpable.

What the hell were you thinking, Lucifer? Michael yelled.

Ducking his head, Lam started to edge back out of the door. He didn’t want to get in the middle of this argument. Not when it contained the two most powerful angels in the heavenly realm. He was just a lowly messenger angel and anything they were discussing was above his pay grade.

Suddenly Lucifer met Lam’s gaze and he froze, shocked by the flare of heat in his eyes. Lam had never been this close to Daystar before, though he’d seen him at a distance. Far more beautiful than any of the other archangels, Lucifer Daystar shone like his name. Bright and burning. Something shifted deep in Lam’s soul. Then he blinked.

I was thinking that you’re overstepping your bounds, Michael. Lucifer turned away from him and Lam took a breath.

He took advantage of no one looking at him to slip back out of the office. Leaning back against the door, he inhaled and fought the urge to slide down to sit on the floor. He could still hear Michael shouting through the door, but if Lucifer replied, his voice was too low to understand.

What was going on between those two? At one point, Michael and Lucifer had been the closest of friends. Then, almost overnight, they were at each other’s throats. Lam had no idea what had happened since he wasn’t around the heavenly realm a lot. He spent most of his time moving among the mortals, taking them messages then handling the Horsemen.

Once he got hold of himself, Lam pushed away from the door before strolling over to where Michael’s personal assistant angel sat. He left a note on what he’d been about to report to the archangel then headed back out on his next mission. Lam didn’t believe he would ever see Lucifer again.

A noise drew his attention away from his memories. He opened his eyes to see a shadow standing next to the bed.

Who are you? he asked right before a hand landed on his forehead and his vision went black.

Chapter Two

What the fuck!

Lam peered up through the stringy locks of his blond hair to see a man staring down at him. Blinking, he tried to focus on those dark eyes, thinking the man looked familiar, but not able to work it out amidst the pain.

Oh, Lam, what did they do to you?

He flinched away when the man crouched next to him. Any kind of touch was going to feel like knives stabbing deep into his skin. I know you, but I can’t remember why I should, or who you are, he admitted.

I’m Gatian Almasia. I used to be one of the Four Horsemen. I was Death, actually. Gatian reached out to him, but let his hand hover over Lam’s shoulder.

Death. Right. You look different, he muttered. Happier than I remember you looking.

Anyone would look happier when they aren’t escorting souls to the gates for judgment, Gatian muttered then he motioned to Lam. That looks painful. Maybe we should take you inside and have a doctor look at that.

Lam took a breath and nearly passed out. I think it might be better to just leave me out here then bury my body where I die.

I’m not going to let that happen.

A noise had both of them glancing back toward the house. Lam saw another man standing there, hand pressed against his mouth, his eyes wide with horror.

Gatian, who is that? the man asked as he drew closer.

Gatian straightened as he held his hand out. Pierre, this is my friend. I need you to go inside and call Aldo. Tell him he needs to bring his medical bag.

Pierre’s sympathetic gaze was more than Lam could handle. He let his head drop forward and closed his eyes, trying to slow his breathing. Lam tried to get his wings to materialize. If he could then he could leave.

Nothing happened. As his mind cleared a little more, he realized he couldn’t feel the heavy weight of them on his back. Of course, when he was in the human realm, he kept them hidden, but he’d always felt their presence. As he shifted, lifting one hand to try to touch his back, Gatian caught his hand.

You don’t want to do that. Gatian sounded as though he were the one in pain.

He met Gatian’s eyes, barely noticing that Pierre had left. Why don’t I?

Gatian grimaced and Lam could tell he didn’t want to answer.

Please, Gatian. I need to know. He hated begging anyone for help, but Gatian was the only one around.

Your back’s sliced up, Lam. It looks like someone took a whip to you then tore your wings out.

Christ! What happened? Why can’t I remember? Why did they take my wings? He curled into himself, whimpering as loss hit him.

After bending, Gatian picked Lam up. As much as the pain threatened to overwhelm Lam, he fought against it. He needed to figure out what had happened and how he could fix it. He’d been an angel his entire existence. If he’d fallen—or been banished—how was he going to survive? To never spend time in the presence of his God or the beings he considered his friends? Was heaven to be denied him now?

He heard a door slide open and tilted his head to spy Pierre standing to the side as Gatian entered the house.

You can put him in the blue guest room. I put some old sheets and towels on the bed. Aldo and Bart are on their way over. Pierre walked behind them. I’ll bring up some warm water, so we can clean him up a little before Aldo gets here.

Thank you, love.

Lam knew Gatian was probably carrying him as gently as he could, but each step they took sent hot pokers ricocheting through him and at some point, he couldn’t fight anymore. Blackness overtook his senses.

* * * *

This isn’t good, Gatian, Aldo said as he examined Lam’s back. What the hell happened to him?

Gatian rubbed his hand over his hair. I have an idea, but I’m not going to say. It’s his secret to tell, though judging by his condition, I’m pretty sure it’s not a secret anymore.

Aldo ran his fingers lightly along one of the long tears in Lam’s back. It’s like something was torn from him.

What do you think they took? I wouldn’t be surprised to discover they took his wings. He met Aldo’s disgusted gaze.

Who would do that? Pierre slid under Gatian’s arm to wrap his around Gatian’s waist then leaned against him.

Aldo shrugged. Lam was the only one I ever had contact with. As far as I know, none of the others would lower themselves to talk to us.

Gatian sighed. "If he’s fallen—or has been banished—they would take his wings and strip him of all