Downs, Jana [His Guardian Angels 01] Angel Bound

His Guardian Angels 1

Angel Bound

Madigan has a successful career as co-owner of a bakery and has

never really been passionate about much else. His mother has

always claimed that he was the son of the Archangel Raphael, but

he'd never had reason to believe her. That is, until Madigan finds

himself hunted by angelic fanatics who see him as an

abomination.

His father has assigned him guardian angels to act as his

protection from the hunters. The five men desperately search for a

solution for Madigan's protection and find only one viable option.

Madigan must become Angel Bound, married in angelic terms, to

all of his guardian angels. Now Madigan has gone from having no

relationships to having five simultaneously. All of the men will

have to learn to balance desire and duty in order to ensure

Madigan's safety and happiness above all things.

Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Ménage a Trois/Quatre,
Paranormal
Length: 32,246 words

ANGEL BOUND

His Guardian Angels 1

Jana Downs

LOVEXTREME FOREVER

MANLOVE

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: LoveXtreme Forever ManLove

ANGEL BOUND
Copyright © 2012 by Jana Downs
E-book ISBN: 1-61926-529-X

First E-book Publication: March 2012

Cover design by Les Byerley
All art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including
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express written permission.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance
to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers

Dear Readers,

If you have purchased this copy of Angel Bound by Jana Downs from
BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank
you for not sharing your copy of this book.

Regarding E-book Piracy

This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or
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This is Jana Downs’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect
Ms. Downs’s right to earn a living from her work.

Amanda Hilton, Publisher

www.SirenPublishing.com

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DEDICATION

To all the angels in my life.

ANGEL BOUND

His Guardian Angels 1

JANA DOWNS

Prologue

Madigan shifted, rolling over onto his stomach. His naked skin

felt fantastic against the soft satin sheets. They were in his favorite
color, red. It was everywhere on the huge, orgy-sized bed which he
lounged in. It was his favorite place in the house by far. Every
memory here was special. He sighed and relaxed under the soft light
of the early dawn. The darkest part of night was when he was
typically cuddled in their big bed. He was curiously alone.

The only light in the room was that of a single bedside lamp. The

golden glow was hardly the best thing for illumination. It was
probably the worst thing. However, it gave a romantic feel to the
otherwise dark room.

“Madigan, what are you doing?” a teasing voice asked from the

foot of the bed. He glanced down and smiled. Though his lover was
wrapped in shadows, he knew him by scent alone.

“Hi there,” he greeted. “Where is everyone?”
His lover’s lips twisted into a crooked half smile. “Had a meeting

with their bosses. They’ll be back soon.”

“How soon?” Madigan wondered. He didn’t like the house being

so empty. His lover chuckled.

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“They’ll be back by dawn. They promised.” His gorgeous muscles

bunched as he leapt into bed with all the grace of a boneless
underwater creature. The movements were absolutely fluid. Madigan
relaxed at the words. He knew that they would always take care of
him. He never had to worry about that. Still, he liked them with him.

Rust-colored wings blocked out his vision of everything else as his

lover climbed on top of him. Madigan smiled and opened his arms as
his love pulled the sheets off his naked body. His lover hesitated,
seeking permission. Madigan nodded.

They kissed chastely once, twice, three times. The hint of tongue

was a tease against his mouth. He felt so complete with all of them
here. A spear of happiness pierced Madigan so deep he couldn’t
resist running his fingers through those pretty, red wings until his
lover cried out into his mouth. He knew touching them was equivalent
of stroking his lover’s arousal with his tongue. Satisfaction ran deep.

“I love you, Madigan. I love you so much.” His lover pulled back

with a gasp, speaking the words in a rough tone of want.

“I love you, too, my angel,” Madigan returned. He moved against

him with ever more desirous purpose. “Make love to me.”

“I thought you’d never ask.” His lover growled sullenly. Then he

was pushing inside of him, and Madigan couldn’t think of anything
but how good it felt to be complete.

* * * *

Madigan woke gasping for breath in the throes of a terrific

orgasm. He bit into his pillow as it went on and on. He thought the
throbbing in his cock was never going to stop. Finally, after what
seemed like eternity, his cock gave up a final spurt of pleasure and
was content to ache pleasantly.

He sighed. He’d never had wet dreams as a kid, and now he was

having them every damn night! He briefly considered making himself
a doctor’s appointment. It was getting out of hand. He’d always been

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a take-it-or-leave-it kind of guy, and now…Now he was thinking
about sex all the time. What was worse was that his dreams were
escalating into orgies nightly. It was like his unconscious mind had
taken up the attitude that the more the merrier applied to his sex life.

“I’m turning into some kind of sex addict, and I’m only twenty-

seven,” he muttered to himself in the darkness of his bedroom. He
glanced at the clock and groaned. Five thirty. He had to be up by six.
He sighed and rolled out of bed, guiltily stripping off the sheets and
disposing them in the small laundry room off to the side of his
bathroom. He might as well stay up now that he was awake.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes. It was his birthday soon. He was going

to wish for the ability to control these weird dreams and fantasies he’d
been having and pray that he got his wish for once. He grumbled as he
grabbed a pair of jeans and pulled them up his hips. Today was going
to be a long day.

Angel Bound

Chapter One

Madigan Parker cringed as his mother licked two fingers and

attempted to use them to wipe off whatever colored, sugary substance
that he had on his cheek off with them.

“Mom,” he groaned. “Do you really have to do that? I’m a grown

man, for Christ’s sake.”

She clucked at him like an irritated hen. “If you wouldn’t insist on

wearing your work all over your face, your apron, and my
countertops, I wouldn’t feel the need to bathe you like a five-year-old
who has been out playing in the yard.”

“I wasn’t making mud pies, Mom. Jeez. Stop,” he whined.

Usually, working with his mother at their bakery Good Eat Sweets
was great. When they were busy, they worked really well together.
When they had a slow day, however, his mother insisted on driving
him batty with her hovering. He always “needed” something in her
eyes.

“So when are you going to bring over a boyfriend for me to worry

over instead, hmm? You’ve been gay since you were thirteen. I
should have a steady son-in-law to arrange my furniture and help me
pick out curtains by now.”

He rolled his eyes. Really? Did she have to go there today?

“Mom, can’t you see that I’m busy working with the new food color
we just got in? We’ve got a sweet sixteen next week that wants
everything almost neon. I’ve got to the get the fondant the right
colors.”

“I’m just saying, Madi, that it would be good for you to spend

time with someone other than your mother during the week. You

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work yourself to death in the bakery. I know you love it, Madigan, but
someone as good as you deserves to have a partner to share his life
with.”

He turned his eyes away from her and started kneading his

fondant again. It was almost the exact shade of electric blue he
needed. Almost. He reached for the tiny tube of color only to have his
hand swatted away.

“Do not ignore your mother when she’s talking to you,” his

mother grumbled, waving her wooden spoon at him like it was a
Taser or something.

“Well, since my mother is speaking in third person, Madigan only

ignores his mother when she’s being a pain in the butt about his love
life. He doesn’t like when she’s nosy,” he quipped.

“Let me set you up with someone nice, Madi. My friend Tracy

Bryson and I were talking the other day at lunch, and her boy James is
newly single. Wouldn’t it be great if you two went on a little date?
Just something casual of course.” She gave him her signature I’m-a-
brilliant-mama smile, her soft gray eyes sparkling with determination.
For being sixty, she looked great. Everyone said so. She was so
different from Madigan. Curvy whereas he was lean. Dark brown hair
with a few shots of sleek gray whereas his hair was a rusty red. Tan
where his skin was pale as milk. She also was trouble with a capital T
and everyone knew that, too.

“No, Mom. No. James is an arrogant dick.”
“Watch your mouth, Madigan Raphael Parker!”
“Not to mention,” he continued, “he’s totally not my type.”
“No one is ever your type, Madi! You’re twenty-eight years old

and have never been in a serious relationship,” she wailed. He
mentally prepared himself for mild hysterics. His mother was a drama
queen when it came to getting her way.

“Come on, Mom, be reasonable,” he soothed, coming around the

counter and giving her a big hug. He knew he was covered in flour
and frosting, but she’d have to deal. “I have a few tight friends and

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family. That’s all a guy could ever ask for.” She sniffled. “However,
if it makes you happy, I’ll go out on one date with James. Just wait
until after my birthday, all right? I don’t want my friends pressured
into bringing their boyfriends to the party. I want it to be just friends
and family.”

She gave him a brilliant smile. “Okay, Madi. That’s fine.” She

clapped her hands together. “That is so exciting. I’m going to go call
Tracy and tell her to arrange for you two to go out next weekend.
He’s a lawyer, you know.”

He rolled her eyes again. “Yes, Mom. I know he’s a lawyer.” Who

was also notorious in the club scene for being a hit-it-and-quit-it kind
of guy, but his mother didn’t need to know that. The man was a thirty-
four-year-old shark. Madigan wasn’t going to let him within ten feet
of him if he could help it. Date or not, there was no way that Madigan
was giving him a chance in hell.

“Oh, I’m so happy!” She squealed like a teenager before pushing

the swinging door that led into the main part of the bakery and out of
the kitchen. Madigan gritted his teeth and went back to kneading his
fondant. At least one of them was pleased.

* * * *

It was Thursday night, and all of Madigan’s family and friends

were in attendance. He was pleased that everyone could make it. It
was a small and intimate affair, and that was just how he liked his
birthdays to be. He’d gotten all the partying out of his system in
college. At twenty-seven—make that twenty-eight now—he was way
past getting plastered on his birthday. His aunt and uncle had flown in
from Chicago for the occasion, and Mom had baked a huge cake for
him at the bakery, which she’d forbidden him to take a peek at for
days. His three closest friends, Becka, Daniella, and Christian, had all
managed to find Mom’s house, too. Of course, it was hard to miss. It
was bright pink. The two shades used on the exterior looked like an

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advertisement for Pepto-Bismol, but he wasn’t going to judge it. His
mom had made this older seventies flat feel like a sanctuary, despite
the décor.

He sat in his favorite beaten-up recliner in the living room and

smiled. He loved being surrounded by his family.

“So what are you going to wish for your birthday?” Daniella

asked with a cheeky smile. She had her arms wrapped around a big
rectangular box decorated in “Happy Birthday!” wrapping paper that
looked like it belonged at a five-year-old’s party. It even had a
cartoon dog chewing on one of the letters. She was quirky like that.

“I’m going to wish that the world ends before Saturday so that I

don’t have to go out with James Delacroy,” he answered
automatically.

“You’re going out with James? God, why?” Christian was quick

to voice, making a face of displeasure at the mere thought.

Madigan wrinkled his nose in matching disgust. “It’s Mom’s

birthday present to me. She had too much time on her hands last week
at the bakery and cooked up this scheme with James’s mother.” Becka
and Daniella started laughing. He glared. “So not funny.”

“That’s hilarious,” Becka declared, standing up from her position

on the couch and crossing to the small table near the fireplace where
everyone had been putting their presents. She put her box on the table
before grabbing Daniella’s and putting it beside hers. Hers wasn’t
nearly as obnoxious. The small box looked like some kind of satin
material.

“Maybe you’ll be surprised and enjoy yourself,” Daniella said,

barely managing to quell the full-blown grin that was threatening to
make her statement blatantly hopeless.

“Rrriiiiggght,” Christian answered before Madigan got a chance.

“Have you ever met the guy? He’s a total sleazeball. So not worthy of
our Madi.”

“He might be different when you get him one-on-one,” Daniella

protested, playing devil’s advocate. Her lips twitched. “Besides, Madi

Angel Bound

might like jerks. No one really knows. He never dates anymore. What
do you say, Madigan?”

He flipped her off.
“Madigan Raphael, don’t let me see you do that again.” His

mother’s voice made him wince. Damn. She had eyes everywhere. He
looked up. She stood in the entrance to the dining room with a plain
brown box that looked pretty heavy, tied with twine.

“Need some help, Mom?” Madigan asked automatically. She gave

him a mysterious smile.

“No. No. Not at all. Just take your friends into the angel room and

we’ll sing happy birthday. I’ll meet you there.” She juggled the box a
little to get a better grip on it before taking the thing into the kitchen.
Madigan shrugged internally. If his mom wanted to prove her
independence, far be it for him to try and stop her.

“Angel room?” Becka wondered as they all climbed out of their

perspective couches.

“Yeah…” Madigan stalled. “My mom has this thing with the

Archangel Raphael. The study was converted into the angel room
when I was little. The whole place is a little overwhelming.” He
chuckled a little. “Well, you’ll see it for yourself in just a second.” He
turned to the right and headed down the hallway.

“I’ve heard of people decorating their houses with Jesus and Mary

statues if they’re religious, but I didn’t think your family was,”
Christian said a little uncomfortably. Since Christian was a gay man
from an ultraconservative Christian family, Madigan could see why
he would be nervous. They’d turned on his friend when he came out
of the closet at sixteen.

“We’re not religious. We’re spiritual. Mom just really loves

Raphael. Like, loves him. He’s the Archangel of healing and comfort
or whatever, but she thinks she’s had a personal experience with
him,” he offered. They finally stood in front of the French doors that
led into the study. The curtains were down so that the windows of the

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doors were covered. He smirked a little. His friends would get the full
effect. The place was way over the top.

“What sort of personal experience with him?” Daniella wondered

curiously. Madigan cleared his throat uncomfortably. This was the
part he really didn’t think about.

“You shouldn’t be ashamed of it, Madigan.” He jumped as his

mother’s voice entered their conversation. She’d snuck up on them
somehow.

“I’m not ashamed,” Madigan protested.
His mother’s eyes narrowed. “Then tell them the truth.”
He sighed and glanced at his feet. “My mom thinks that

Archangel Raphael is my dad.”

Angel Bound

Chapter Two

What a long, strange night. Madigan’s friends had taken the news

of his mother’s “quirk” better than he’d expected. Christian had given
him a look that said plainly that he thought the mere suggestion of the
angel of healing being his daddy was crazy as hell, but that was the
worst reaction by far. Becka and Daniella had been utterly fascinated.

He yawned and climbed the stairs to his second-floor apartment. It

was a little after eleven. He lived above the bakery he worked at. The
baker gave a little salute to the Good Eat Sweets glowing neon pink-
and-yellow sign. He stretched his arms and the bags he held over his
head to try and get feeling back into his arms. The presents he’d
gotten were heavy. His fingertips were tingling. Especially the huge
box he’d stuck into the equally huge bag from his aunt with the
handles on it. He had no idea how he was going to open his door.

“Oh come on!” he grumbled as the bottom of the bag ripped and

spilled the contents of his birthday party onto the ground. He cursed
softly as the items collided with the dirty, metallic stairs. He looked
up into the cloudy sky and glared.

“Don’t I get a break since it’s my birthday, Dad?” he joked to the

rain clouds. They didn’t answer with a rain of glowing, divine light,
just a thick drop of rain. Figured. He cursed again. If he didn’t get his
stuff off the stairs, he was going to get wet rust all over his new
sweater. He snatched up what he could and made a mad dash for his
front door about ten steps up on the landing.

Crap. Crap. Crap, he thought, digging in his pockets for his jangle

of keys. Shop keys. Storage keys. Car keys. Where the hell were his
apartment keys? He had two, one for the knob lock and another for

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the dead bolt. Found them. He held them up triumphantly just as a
smattering of more water droplets fell onto his head. He had to hurry.
He was sure he had a spare box somewhere in his apartment that
would be able to hold on the crap from his—

Who the fuck are they? He pushed open the door and was greeted

by the sight of four huge guys standing in his kitchen. He blinked, his
mind blanking. Was this some sort of break-in or something? Then he
came to the insane realization that these weren’t normal men. The
eight-foot wings they were sporting belayed that sort of thinking
entirely.

“Is that the nephilim?” the blond guy nearest his refrigerator

asked. The nepha-what?

“I believe so. He has Lord Raphael’s coloring,” another of the

huge guys answered. He was also a blond, but his hair was longer and
curlier than Refrigerator Dude.

“It is he.” Another voice joined in. He was more massive than any

of the others. His hair was dark brown, and his wings were the color
of indigo. Pretty. The being cocked his head to the side and gave him
the same look Madigan imagined snakes gave to mice before they
struck. “Kill him.”

Oh fuck.

* * * *

Madigan gripped his side, giving another breathless scream as

Refrigerator Guy swung a freaking honest-to-God flaming sword at
his head. He ducked but barely. He felt the heat off the weapon singe
his hair.

“Angels officially suck ass!” he screamed as they backed him into

the corner of living room. What had he done? What had he possibly
done to piss God off so much? They circled closer, their swords at the
ready.

Angel Bound

The one with the indigo wings spoke. “Nephilim, child of sin, we

hereby dispatch you unto hell. Where you belong.” The words were
spat. There was such venom behind those sentences that the terror
Madigan was feeling was raised exponentially by their uttering. He
closed his eyes and prepared to die.

The living-room windows shattered inward. The sound of

breaking glass and the softly spoken curses of the maniacs wielding
the flames made Madigan’s eyes snap back open. He whimpered in
utter terror as yet more angels poured into the room.

The indigo asshole hissed like a cat as he caught sight of the other

angels. “How dare you interfere!”

A six-foot-something, red-haired man with bulging biceps stepped

to the front of the pack so that the others flanked him in a vee
formation. Despite the danger all around him, Madigan all but drooled
at the gorgeous display. It would really suck if he was also here to kill
him. “Sorry to bust your bubble, Azrael. We cannot allow this
travesty to take place.” Oh, thank God. Someone was on his side.

Gorgeous brown eyes lit on him. “Madigan, come to me.”

Anywhere. Anytime. The thought crossed Madigan’s mind before he
could edit it out. Where had that come from? Those deep-coffee irises
flared with recognition. Could angels read thoughts?

“Hurry up!” another angel to the redhead’s right snapped. His hair

was pitch black, and his eyes were just as dark. He also had a lip ring.
Lip ring? Really? “Move it!” The growl in the other man’s voice was
intriguing.

The redhead cursed violently. “He’s angelstruck. Grab him, Dex!”

Without warning, someone grabbed him roughly from behind. Indigo
and his buddies lunged, but he was suddenly no longer there.

He yelped, his head spinning in disorientation. He was surrounded

by the smell of man. He blinked and found himself in the middle of
the new angels. He looked over his shoulder and met the eyes of the
scariest man he’d ever seen. He was as big as all the others, but an

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aura of “other” clung to him so hard that Madigan had no doubt that
he could rip out someone’s soul without missing a beat.

“Uh…” He tried for speech. Failed. He cleared his throat and tried

again. “I–I–What?” he managed.

The black-haired one addressed the redhead. He seemed to be the

leader. “You need to take him to safeplace.”

“Yes,” the redhead agreed and took Madigan’s hand. He pulled

him out of the scary angel’s arms. “Relax, Madigan. We have you.”

That was all fine and dandy, but who the hell was “we”? The

angel scooped him up like a bride and headed toward the window.
Madigan looked up into the redhead’s face in awe as the sounds of
clashing weaponry screamed behind them. The smell of smoke filled
his nostrils. Then the angel climbed up on the broken windowsill,
cradling Madigan with one hand, and leapt out into the night. As the
wind whipped around them,

Madigan slid into blissful

unconsciousness.

* * * *

It was damp when Madigan awoke. He shivered. The baker tried

to rouse himself from his stupor. What a crappy birthday. The
nightmare had been a bitch, and now the rain had saturated the air in
his apartment. He probably left a window open or something.

“Wake, young one,” a severely masculine voice interjected in his

internal dialogue. “You’ll catch a cold if you stay on the cave floor,
son of Raphael. Wake.” It was then he noticed that the ground
beneath his cheek was not the familiar, fluffy comfort of his pillow.
He was a notorious slave to creature comforts. He forced his gritty
eyes open. Gray mud and rock was under his cheek.

“Oh shit,” he muttered. “That wasn’t a dream. Some asshole with

indigo wings really busted into my place.” He struggled to sit up, but
he was stiff. He shook his head, trying to clear the fog from his brain.
“How long have I been here, Red?”

Angel Bound

The redhead frowned. “My name is Cross. Not Red. You have

been here roughly four hours.” He knelt beside Madigan’s prone body
and dug into a backpack that was located there. Madigan tensed for a
second. The angel gave him a curious look and pulled out a bottle of
Aquafina water. “Drink this. It’ll help.”

Madigan took a grateful swig from the bottle. “Thanks.”
“It is not a problem. We’re supposed to be taking care of you.”

The angel—God, he couldn’t believe that Red was a frigging angel.
The angel stood and walked to the other side of the cave wall and
leaned against it.

“Who is ‘we,’ and why are you supposed to be taking care of me?

Furthermore, who the hell were those guys? And why are they after
me?” Fifty questions sprang to Madigan’s mind and poured from his
mouth in rapid succession.

Red displayed a crooked grin that made Madigan’s heart lurch

unexpectedly. “You are a curious creature, son of Raphael.”

Madigan’s mouth hung open. “He’s really my father?”
The angel frowned. “Of course he is. Who do you think sent us to

you?”

“I thought Mom was making it up,” he muttered, half to himself.

“So he sent you to save me from those”—he paused—“demons?”

That crooked smile returned. “Actually, they were angels. A

special sect of angels ordained at the time of Sodom and Gomorrah to
hunt down those nephilim who turned from the path of light and
wreaked havoc on the mortal world.”

“I am so not wreaking havoc. I’m not even dating!” he protested.
“Their angelic purpose was perverted by their leaders long ago.

Now they hunt all nephilim that come of age.” Madigan rolled to his
knees, wincing at the bruises that were there. He must’ve banged
himself up trying to get the hell out of the way last night. “At twenty-
eight, nephilim reach their sexual maturity and are able to breed. The
choirs who follow the hunt think that humans shouldn’t have any
angelic energy in them. They see it as a perversion. Nephilim also

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start to emit an angelic aura, which acts like a beacon to the choirs
that hunt them. Your father knew this, and so he acted in the only way
he could. He petitioned each of the archangels to donate a guardian
for your protection until you finish the transition from youth to adult.
Once you’ve come into your powers, you may petition your father for
official protection which he can take to the Metatron to forbid the
hunters from seeking you out.”

“I’m going through angelic puberty?” Madigan asked stupidly.

Great. Like regular human puberty hadn’t been bad enough. Granted,
he was blessed with good looks and an excellent immune system but
still. The awkward emotional stage had been hell.

“Yes. In a sense, that is exactly what is occurring. You’ve never

had any real interest in sex before, but you’ll start to notice a change
now.”

Apparently, twenty-eight came with a gaggle of gorgeous winged

men, who could possibly be interested in killing him, and a permanent
hard-on. Great.

Any reply that he could’ve formed was interrupted as the sound of

flapping wings filled the cavern. Madigan couldn’t help the whimper
that escaped his mouth. What if Red’s other buddies had been killed
or had given away their location? What if Indigo was coming to finish
him off?

“It is the rest of your guardians returning, Madigan. Relax,” Red

commanded. Madigan found himself drawn to the angel’s side. He
felt safe there. The angel surprised him by wrapping a strong arm
around his shoulders and drew him into the shelter of his chest.
Madigan inhaled deeply. The angel smelled good. Really good.
Lickable even. Why did the damn angel have to smell so good? He
wanted to rub against him like a cat. The angel’s breath hitched as
Madigan’s breath blew over his bare chest.

“M–Madigan.” Red’s voice hitched, and Madigan moved

impossibly closer. He had to resist the urge to press his lips to the
heavy pectoral muscles of Red’s chest. His name was Cross, wasn’t

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it? Yeah. Cross. It entranced Madi when Cross’s wings fluttered,
Madigan interpreted it as nervousness. It was gorgeous.

“I see he’s taking this really well.” A snarky voice interrupted

their moment. “Angelic transition seems to be hardening that sweet
cock of his right up. Tell me, Cross, how does it feel pressed against
your thigh? Like coming home? You in the mood for a little slap and
tickle with the boss’s son?”

Madigan froze in embarrassment. Holy shit. He was cuddled up

with Cross like they were a couple or something.

“Oh my God. I’m sorry,” he managed to stammer before pulling

away. The angel let him go reluctantly. Madigan turned to see the rest
of the angels who’d flown into his window standing in a semicircle
facing them. He swallowed and resisted the urge to adjust himself.
He’d never had this problem before. Dammit. He felt the burn in his
cheeks and knew they were scarlet.

The black-haired one stepped forward. His wings flexed with

muscle, and it made Madigan take a step back. Their midnight-black
color reminded him of ravens’ wings, and the whole death metaphor
didn’t seem implausible at the moment. “Nice to know that you’re
getting friendly with daddy’s special kiss ass while we’re out there
risking our necks for you, pretty boy,” the angel all but snarled in his
face.

“That is enough, Bren. There is no reason to be so rude. He meant

no harm,” the blond said, grabbing the snarling one’s arm. The
blond’s arctic-blue eyes were glittering, hard diamonds even in the
dim light that came from the overhead shaft.

Bren turned and growled. An honest-to-God growl. “You start

fucking with me, Michel, and I will kick your ass all the way back to
the frontlines so that you can suck Michael off with that same mouth
that you’re using to piss me off with.”

“What sort of angel talks like that?” Madigan interrupted

incredulously. Those pitch-black eyes narrowed on him.

“The sort that didn’t want to be here to begin with.” Bren glared.

Jana Downs

“Well, then don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.”

Madigan snapped, losing the tenuous hold on his temper. “I didn’t ask
you to be here, you angelic prick. So why don’t you just leave?”

“Gladly!” Bren shouted, jumping up and using his massive wings

to lift himself off the ground. Three more gigantic flaps and he was
airborne, and within fifteen seconds he was out of sight. Madigan
stared after him for another minute before turning to the rest of the
group.

“What the hell was that about?” Madigan wondered.
“Don’t worry about it,” the one named Michel said with a smile.

“He’s one of Lucifer’s, and he’s got a temper from hell.” He tapped
his chin thoughtfully. “Well, not from hell. Bren didn’t actually fall.”
He laughed at himself easily. He was obviously really laid back.

Still, Madigan’s eyes bulged. “Lucifer? As in the devil? He’s one

of Lucifer’s angels?”

“Of course,” Cross answered. “Your father made sure every

Archangel contributed to your protection, and Lucifer is among that
number.”

“I get the whole protection thing, but Lucifer?” Madigan

squeaked. In the future, he was really going to attempt to not piss that
guy off.

“Why do humans get hung up on the Archangel Lucifer?” Michel

wondered aloud. “He works for God the same as the rest. To draw a
comparison, he is the janitor of the heavenly realms. He cleans up the
filth and deposits it where it goes. Why does everyone act like he’s so
utterly terrifying?”

Cross made an irritated sound. “We’re not introducing ourselves

very well to our charge.”

“He’s right.” The scary one named Dex added his voice to the

mix. It made Madigan jump. He didn’t strike him as the talking type.
Dex stepped forward and gave a little bow. “I am Dex. My Archangel
is Lord Gabriel. It is a pleasure to guard you, Madigan.” Madigan

Angel Bound

gave him a tentative smile. It was the first real greeting he’d gotten
from the group of angels who had saved his life.

Michel stepped forward next. “I’m Michel. My lord is Archangel

Michael.” He reached out and ruffled Madigan’s hair like he was a
kid or something. “Looking forward to working with you, cutey.” He
winked, and Madigan blushed. Madigan found himself leaning into
the angel’s hand, and Michel obliged him by stroking his hair, petting
him like a cat. Michel also smelled good. What was it with angels and
smelling like something edible?

Cross walked to his right and gently took his arm to pull him out

of Michel’s touch. “Easy, Madigan. Your instincts are sharper with us
around.”

“Instincts?” Madigan found himself asking. He had been enjoying

Michel’s stroking hands.

“I told you, you’re going through angelic maturity. You’re going

to want to seek out and mate with eligible playmates,” Cross said
patiently. Madigan leaned into him and tried to steady himself. The
angel was right. If he was going through angel puberty, then he
needed to get a hold of his hormones. Just because he wanted to rub
himself against these men like a bitch in heat didn’t mean that he had
to act on it.

“Sorry,” he muttered. Cross ran his hand down Madigan’s arm in

a gentle caress.

“Nothing to be sorry for.” He took a step back, and Madigan felt

the space between them. It felt cold. “As you know, I’m Cross. Your
father, Lord Raphael, is my Archangel and direct superior.”

“So what now?” Madigan asked after the group fell silent for an

endless stretch of time. They all just stared at him. His heart sank.
“You didn’t think that far ahead or something? What am I supposed
to do? Stay in this big hole in the ground until I can petition Daddy
for a get-out-of-hell-free card?”

Cross looked at Dex. “Have you been in contact with Yuri?”

Jana Downs

Dex nodded. “He’s still working on a solution. Raphael has called

a meeting of the archangels to establish some sort of sanctuary, but a
permanent solution is still not forthcoming.”

“Who’s Yuri?” Madigan asked in confusion. It seemed that all

he’d done for the past several hours was be confused. Their eyes lit on
him.

“Yuri is the donation from Archangel Uriel. He’s currently in the

temples in Eden trying to find a way to offer you protection other than
just our warring capabilities. Your transition could take years, and we
want to affect your life adversely as little as possible. Therefore,
finding a way to allow you to continue your work at the bakery is
paramount to our mission,” Dex offered. The low, tight rumble of his
voice was both frightening and soothing. He was the one you wanted
to call when you needed the soul ripped out of the boogeyman when
he was giving you nightmares. Hell, the guy probably chased the
nightmares, too.

“How many of you are there?” Madigan demanded. His life was

being overrun by gorgeous winged protectors. Jeez. When had his life
turned into a movie that Keanu Reeves would play in?

“Five total. As I’ve said. One from each Archangel.” Cross’s

patient voice soothed him. If he would’ve been him, Madigan would
have been pulling his hair out by now. He knew he asked fifty million
questions. It was just his way.

Dex glanced at the ceiling and squinted, his eyes darting back and

forth. Madigan cocked his head and stared. What the heck was he
looking at? His heart began to pound. Was it Mr. Indigo and his
buddies again? He didn’t hear flapping wings but—

“Be of ease, Madigan,” Dex said calmly, not looking in his

direction. “I’m receiving a message from your father.”

Madigan’s eyes widened. “Um, no offense, but I don’t see

anything.”

Angel Bound

“You wouldn’t see anything,” Cross assured. “It is a gift that only

the messengers possess. Those of Gabriel’s choir are the only ones
with the ability. We don’t see it, either.”

“Oh,” Madigan chirped. He felt so awkward around these men. He

never felt so out of place in his life.

After a few more minutes of Dex staring off into space, he turned

to them. “We are to go to Madigan’s mother’s house.”

“But it’s like three in the morning!” Madigan protested. “I don’t

want to wake her up. Plus, what if those angels follow us? How are
you going to protect my mom?”

“I assure you they will not harm your mother,” Cross said easily.

“She’s mortal and as such is off-limits unless the angel involved is
willing to fall. Those of the choirs who hunt nephilim would never do
something to warrant such an action. It goes against their morals.”

“Killing me is fine, but fucking with other humans is morally

abhorrent?” Madigan asked dryly. The sarcasm was thick in his voice.

“He speaks just like Bren at times,” Michel noted with another

crooked grin. “They resent things in a very similar way.”

“Enough of this.” Cross interrupted yet another slide into a

philosophical conversation. “If Lord Raphael says to go to your
mother’s house, Madigan, then to your house we must go.”

“Thank you so much for coming into my life and taking over. I

really appreciate it, Red,” Madigan grumbled, crossing his arms over
his chest.

“My name is—”
“Yeah. Yeah. I know your name is Cross.” Madigan let his breath

out in a slow hiss of sound and tried to keep both his hysteria and his
temper in check. He felt like the world was spiraling out of control.

“Hey,” Michel spoke, grabbing his attention. “Don’t be mad at us,

cutey. I promise that this is for your own good, and just as soon as
you get settled, it’ll be a lot better. We’ve just got to get somewhere
safe first.”

Jana Downs

Before Madigan could form a proper thank-you, Cross

interrupted. “You don’t have to take time to explain things.” The
redhead pointed at the nephilim. “His protection takes priority over
his opinions of what we’re doing.” Apparently, his patience had
finally run out.

Madigan saw red. “All right, I’ve had it! Beat your chest all you

want, you Neanderthal, but I will be consulted before we do anything
major. I am not a doormat.”

A muscle in Cross’s jaw ticked. In a calmer voice, he spoke. “I

never claimed you were, Madigan. I apologize, but there will be
instances when I don’t need you to argue with us. I will need you to
act as ordered for your protection.”

“For my sanity, I will not just agree to everything you say.

Period.”

“Do you have a death wish, mortal?” Cross’s voice was the

epitome of calm and mature while Madigan had to resist the urge to
stomp his foot in annoyance.

“This is getting us nowhere,” Michel interrupted. He took

Madigan’s hand. “Come on, cutey. Fly with me. I’ll make you forget
that we’re bossy.” Madigan found himself smiling at the teasing tone
that Michel used. The angel spread his pretty white-and-gold wings,
letting Madigan look his fill. “What do you say?”

Madigan inhaled sharply as the rich smell of rowan wafted up to

his nostrils. A tiny shiver of pleasure went through him. “Sure thing.”
He stepped into Michel’s arms, and the smell surrounded him. “Those
look soft,” he murmured, reaching his hand out and touching the
curve of the wing as it disappeared into Michel’s back. The angel
visibly shuddered.

“Hey now, cutey, don’t touch those unless you’re planning to

spend the rest of the day flat on your back.” Michel shifted his grip
and wrapped his massive arms around Madigan’s waist. Their bodies
became flush together, and Madigan blushed as he felt the hard
evidence of what his touch had done to the angel. I’m so going to hell.

Angel Bound

There has to be a place in the Bible that says that giving guardian
angels hard-ons is definitely punishable by eternal hellfire.

“Sorry,” he said aloud. The angel just chuckled against his temple.

Madigan found his laid-back attitude utterly appealing. He didn’t
make him nervous like the rest of them.

“Not a problem, Madigan. You can get me frazzled later.” Michel

winked. “Wrap your arms around my neck and hold on tight.” It was
nice getting flirted with. Madigan nodded and did as he was bid. He
spared a glance at Cross. The other angel’s expression was perfectly
blank.

“Dex, follow them out. Make sure that no one attacks from

behind. The rest of us will surround them and ensure his safety. I’ll
lead.”

“What about Bren?” Michel asked as Cross took flight.
“He’s outside cooling off,” Dex answered, leaping into the air and

flapping his own wings. “He’ll fly beside you.”

“You sure about that?” Michel shot back.
“He will not abandon his mission.” Dex sounded really sure of

himself.

“I don’t care if he comes,” Madigan murmured. He still wasn’t

ready to forget the snappy, smart-ass comments Bren had made when
they’d first met.

“Don’t judge him too harshly, cutey. He’s not used to

socializing,” Michel chastised. He started pumping his muscular
wings, creating a downdraft that felt like the wind that came off of a
helicopter. Madigan’s stomach rolled and dropped to his feet as they
rose the first three feet off the ground.

Just like when an airplane took off, after the initial resistance, the

flight wasn’t too bad. It was different because he could feel the cool
wind on his skin as they moved faster than he thought should be
physically possible considering the nearly vertical nature of the lift.
Somehow though, it felt natural. Like something he’d experienced in
a dream or something.

Jana Downs

After they’d cleared the lip of the cave and rose into the still-

cloudy sky, Madigan felt like he could finally breathe again. He
definitely liked the open space of the sky better. The other angels
were close enough that he got the impression of movement if they
swung in a little close, but for the most part he could barely see
anything. Michel’s face was heavily shadowed.

Fighting the resistance of the wind was getting harder the faster

they moved, so Madigan finally gave up the fight and rested his head
in the crook of Michel’s neck. The hands wrapped around him shifted
slightly as if seeking a firmer grip.

“You need me to move or something?” he spoke into Michel’s

ear.

“Wrap your legs around my waist. It’ll make it easier.”
“You’re going to have to slow down.” Madigan squeaked as

Michel’s arms shifted, and he felt like he was slipping.

“I’m not going to drop you, Madigan. Put your legs around my

waist.” The teasing note was back in the angel’s voice. Madigan
sighed and used his forearms to get a little more vertical so that he
could drag his legs up and wrap them securely around the angel’s
muscled waist. It took a lot more effort than he’d originally imagined
it would.

“You okay?” Michel asked as he suddenly changed direction and

made a sweeping turn to the right. Madigan swallowed a scream as
his stomach dropped to his toes. After a few seconds, he leveled out
and Madigan could once again breathe.

“I–I’m okay,” he stuttered. He was getting cold now, and it had

started to mist. His teeth began to chatter. The grip on Madigan’s
torso tightened.

“You don’t feel okay. Your temperature dropped. You’re cold?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Madigan reassured, snuggling closer. The

heat that was coming off Michel’s skin felt great.

“We’re almost there.”

Angel Bound

Madigan shuddered as he inhaled the scent of rowan and pressed

every inch of his body against Michel, crossing his ankles behind the
angel’s back. He felt safe here. Even miles up in the night sky,
clinging to the hard muscles of a creature that until tonight he didn’t
think existed, and in fear for his life from other crazed angels, he felt
safer than he ever had before. It made him wonder about the state of
his sanity.

Then they began the fast dive back toward the Earth, and Madigan

couldn’t think about anything but his fear of falling. He screamed
then, but it was dispersed by the howling wind as they plummeted.

Jana Downs

Chapter Three

Cross watched the two entwined figures fall from the sky, Dex

and Bren right after them. Even though he knew without a shadow of
a doubt that his fellow guardians would take care of the most precious
mission ever given to him, his heart plummeted all the same. They
had come too close to losing Madigan tonight to the hunters. If
Madigan had been seconds slower, they would’ve killed him before
they could’ve reached him.

The group landed with a soft thud in the front yard beside him.

His eyes flicked over them. Bren had his signature I-don’t-give-a-care
expression on his face, his arms crossed across his muscular chest.
Michel and Madigan were still tangled. Madigan’s long, lean legs
were wrapped snugly around Michel’s hips, just above the very
prominent erection Michael’s angel was sporting. The lucky bastard.

“Come along. We need to get out of the air,” Cross murmured,

waving toward the front steps. The lights were already on in the house
as if Madigan’s mother was waiting for their arrival. He wondered if
his Lord Raphael had contacted the human. Michel’s grip didn’t
loosen. That annoyed him for some reason. The urge to protect him
apparently didn’t just extend to those angels desiring to kill Madigan
but those desiring to mate with him as well. It was grossly
inappropriate for any of his guardians to want him in that
manner…wasn’t it?

It was then he caught the slight tremor in Madigan’s limbs. Cross

frowned. Was he afraid? “We’ll take care of you, Madigan. Be
reassured that our powers will protect you no matter the situation.”

Angel Bound

Madigan finally lifted his head from the crook of Michel’s neck.

He gave a shaky smile. “I’m not worried about that. Just cold.” He put
his head back into its newfound niche. Cross glanced up. It was a little
chilly for a human. Angels ran a little hotter than their mortal
counterparts. The damp air probably wasn’t helping. He cursed softly.
He should’ve thought of that.

“Way to go, oh great leader,” Bren sneered, climbing the steps

ahead of them. “You’ve nearly frozen our charge to death, and it’s
only day one.”

“There wasn’t exactly time—”
“Time to grab a blanket? A jacket? Are you sure there wasn’t

time, or did you just forget?” Bren interrupted. Cross gritted his teeth
at the insolent tone. Lucifer’s angel threw a wicked grin over his
shoulder. He was messing with him again.

The front door swung open without preamble, and all the angels

tensed. A small, petite woman all but threw herself out the door and
onto the slick porch. She skidded on the damp stone and tackled Bren
on the third step. They both fell backward into the yard. Bren seemed
completely stunned as he landed on his back with the small woman on
top of him.

“I’m so sorry!” the woman squeaked, scrambling to get off of him

without rolling all over his wings which were bent behind him at odd
angles. She floundered for a few moments, constantly apologizing as
she did. Michel blatantly laughed at Bren’s thunderous expression.
Even Dex cracked a smile at the picture.

“Get off me, you clumsy mortal!” Bren snarled. He used his wings

to push himself and the human into a seated position and then used his
arms to set her off of him. He rolled to his feet with an indignant
expression plastered on his face.

“I’m so sorry!” the woman said again. She had to be Madigan’s

mother, even if they looked nothing alike. Her eyes slid across all of
them until they lit on Michel. “Madi!” she squealed, scrambling
toward him.

Jana Downs

Madigan pushed on Michel’s shoulders, and the angel eased his

grip on the human so that he could slide to his feet. He had the good
sense to blush lightly as Madigan slid down and encountered the hard
length of Michel’s interest. Cross crossed his arms over his chest and
glared openly. He caught Michel’s eye, and Michael’s angel took a
hasty step back. It was going to be a real challenge making sure that
the other angels kept their hands off.

Madigan’s appeal was undeniable. The smell alone was enough to

make them all painfully aroused. Maturing nephilim emitted a
pheromone that drew angels to them for mating. Even human males
reacted to the smell like it was a drug. He didn’t know what Lord
Raphael had been thinking by assigning Madigan a group of angels
that not only would react to Madigan’s scent but shared his sexual
preferences as well.

“Mom!” Madigan caught his mother in his arms, holding her tight.
“When Raphael came to me and told me you were in trouble, I

was so scared that they wouldn’t get you here,” she babbled.

“I’m okay, Mom. I promise I’m okay. They took care of me. Aw,

Mom. Don’t cry.” Madigan hugged his mother tightly, his eyes
closed.

Cross glanced at the sky, trying to read the energy of the

atmosphere. Noncorporeal angels flitted back and forth like darting
insects. They were the messengers, guardians of a different sort. None
of them were harmful. Still, they needed to get out of the open air.
While the angels after Madigan were slower because of their physical
form, they could be heading this way, and Cross did not want to risk
being seen.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but let’s go inside,” Cross said quickly. He

ushered them all up the steps and into the house. As soon as he
crossed the threshold, he felt a pulse of divine power. Raphael. He
took a right in the entryway and followed the hallway.

“Where the hell is he going?” Bren’s voice rose up behind him.
“Just follow him, jackass,” Michel said.

Angel Bound

The sounds of footfalls followed him down the hallway. He

followed the power signature of the Archangel into a large room with
French doors. It was a deep-wine-colored room with rich hardwood
floors and a large, plush sectional arranged in an L in the center of the
room. That wasn’t what captured the angel’s attention, though. It was
the decorations and statuary that crowded the walls on all sides that
filled him with quiet awe.

Archangel Raphael in all visible forms decorated the walls in the

forms of statues, bas-reliefs, paintings, engravings, prints, and
tapestries. The presence of the Archangel saturated the room with
feelings of healing and comfort. He’d been here often.

“So which one does he look like?” Madigan asked, appearing by

his side. He glanced down. Raphael’s son was not much taller than his
mother. He couldn’t have been more than five eight to Cross’s six
four. He had all of Raphael’s beauty though. Same rust-colored hair,
same creamy skin, same large, dark green eyes. However, Madigan
did not have Raphael’s towering stature and super masculine,
dominant appeal. He seemed almost delicate. Perhaps it was his
humanity that made him so. There was something about him that
awakened every protective instinct Cross possessed.

“Cross? Which one does he look like?” Madigan repeated. Cross

blinked. He’d been so busy staring at Madigan he’d forgotten to
answer. His gaze flickered around the room.

“None of them do him justice. You would receive a better picture

of him by looking in the mirror. Though, this room does feel like him.
He has come here often. His energy saturates this space.”

“I look like him?” Madigan seemed surprised by it. Cross didn’t

understand why. He obviously didn’t look like his mother. His naïve
expression was adorable. Before he could stop himself, he reached out
and traced the boy’s jaw with his index finger.

“Yes,” he said. “You look a lot like him.” Someone cleared their

throat behind them. Cross mentally shook his head and drew his hand
back. Madigan’s pheromones were affecting him more than he’d

Jana Downs

originally thought. It seemed his men weren’t the only ones he would
have to watch.

He turned and found Madigan’s mother staring at him with an

incredibly knowing expression. He’d been one of Raphael’s warriors
for thousands of years, and yet one quelling look from the small
woman had him taking a step back.

She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Please, everyone

sit down. The sectional should be big enough. It’s what Madi’s father
uses when he visits. The seats are wider to accommodate you wings.”
She pointed to a small, wing-backed chair across from the sectional
that Cross hadn’t noticed before. “You sit there, Madi. These boys are
looking at you like you’re a steak and they’re a pack of wild dogs.”

Cross sputtered, “I beg your pardon! I do not look at him like

that.”

Bren sniggered. “Wanna bet, chief? Just a second ago you looked

like you wanted to lick him like an ice-cream cone. Tsk, tsk. What’s
Raphael going to say when he sees you drooling over his boy?”

Madigan blushed, and Cross growled. “Shut up, Bren. One more

smart comment and I will drag you before your lord and have you
beaten.”

“Oh just admit it. You want him,” Bren snapped. “Just like Michel

has been sporting wood for the kid since we arrived.”

“You vulgar piece of trash!” Cross rumbled, taking a menacing

step forward. Anger blazed hot in his chest. He’d had it up to his
eyeballs with Bren’s attitude. Ever since they’d met up in the divine
hall to go to Madigan’s apartment, he’d been a complete and utter
bastard. He reached for his divine weapon, and it blazed to life in his
hands, pouring from his wrists where he housed it. Bren did the same.
Madigan yelped and scrambled back away from them, dragging his
mother along with him.

“Bring it!” Bren shouted.
“Enough!” Dex yelled, stepping in front of Bren. Michel

mimicked him by stepping in front of Cross.

Angel Bound

“You’re scaring Madigan, Cross. You told us all from the

beginning not to startle him. The weaponry is freaking him out. Lose
it.” Michel’s calm voice was logical. Cross knew that. He just didn’t
have to like it. “I don’t like the prick either, Cross. But now is not the
time.”

Cross nodded. His gaze flicked to Bren, who already put his

weapon away and had his arms crossed over his chest, that same
smart-ass expression plastered on his face. It was so arrogant. What
was his problem? Then he saw what. Bren’s gaze went to the corner
where Madigan and his mother were huddled. His eyes softened and a
longing filled his gaze. Huh. That made sense. So he was also
attracted to the boy.

“Come on out, Madigan,” Bren coaxed. “We would never harm

you.”

Madigan glared and held on to his mother even tighter. “No

offense, but you started it. So forgive me if I don’t find your word
very trustworthy. I’ve had it with winged guys pulling out WMDs at
the slightest provocation.”

“You have my word, Madigan. Nothing is going to hurt you or

yours,” Cross offered. He sighed as Madigan’s forest gaze lit on him
skeptically. He didn’t blame the human. He really didn’t. He just
wished he trusted them more.

Madigan’s mother stood, shaking off her son’s arms. She looked

madder than one of the Seraphim after a group of young angels
refused to get into proper formation for a presentation to the
Almighty. “Raphael told me you’d watch over my boy. That you were
guardian angels handpicked by the archangels to help him.” Cross
opened his mouth to reassure her, but the look on her face stopped
him. “I’m not finished.” Her voice raised a notch in volume. “You
almost let the other angels kill him, you let him freeze on the flight
over here, you’ve explained nothing to him about the situation he’s in,
and you’re scaring him half to death. So far Heaven’s best does not
look the least bit efficient. Are you in charge?” The question was to

Jana Downs

Cross. After a moment, he nodded in embarrassment. “You are doing
a piss-poor job of it.”

“Mom!” Madigan jumped in.
“No, Madigan. Your mother is correct,” Cross said. He went to

one knee and bowed his head. “Forgive me for failing your son,
Raphael’s Consort. In the future, I will endeavor to provide better for
him.” His sense of honor would accept nothing else. The mission had
not started off in the smoothest fashion.

“Good. See that you do.” Her manicured nail pointed to Bren.

“And you”—he tensed as if preparing to be struck—“Stop pitching a
fit because you’re jealous. My Madi doesn’t like when men act like
Neanderthals around him, and you won’t win any points for being a
jerk.” Bren blushed scarlet. “Now, everyone, please, sit down. Madi
needs to relax, and we all have a lot of explaining to do.”

Angel Bound

Chapter Four

Madigan shivered and pulled the blanket that Michel had wrapped

around his shoulders tighter to his body. He couldn’t believe that he
was sitting in a chair across from four angels as his mother flitted
from angel to angel, taking drink orders. It seemed so domestic. He
rubbed his tired eyes. He wished this whole night had never
happened. He wanted off this cracked-out roller coaster.

“Madi, I’m making you a cup of coffee. It’ll be done in just a

minute,” his mother said. He nodded sluggishly. Coffee. Coffee would
be good. She disappeared from the angel room, and he listened as her
footsteps echoed off the wood floors until she hit the tile in the
kitchen. He knew the sounds of this house by heart. It was
comforting. At least that hadn’t changed. A grin spread across his face
as he had a realization. He’d always wondered why the hallways in
the house were so wide. Now he knew. They had to accommodate
wings. He giggled at the thought.

“Are you all right, Madigan?” Cross asked. He was the one sitting

closest to him on the sectional. His brown eyes were filled with
concern.

“I don’t know,” Madigan answered honestly. He rubbed his

temples. “I’ve got a headache, and I’m tired.” Cross stood from the
couch and crossed the three-foot space between them. He took
Madigan’s hands in his own, and Madigan looked up into his face in
surprise. “What are you doing?”

“Hush for a moment and you’ll see.” Then his hands started to

glow. Madigan jumped as warmth spread from the angel’s hands and
engulfed his.

Jana Downs

“What is that?” he asked.
“Your father’s choir are healers. It’s one of my powers.” Cross

closed his eyes, seemingly concentrating on his task. Amazingly, after
only a few more seconds, Madigan’s headache waned and his
tiredness eased a bit. “Better?” Cross asked.

“Much. Thank you.” The angel went back and sat on the couch.

His mom came in with a couple glasses and a longneck bottle of beer.

“Here you go, boys,” she said, handing each angel a beverage.

Michel took the beer and sipped it. Madigan’s mouth hung open in
surprise.

“Angels drink?” he asked.
“Uh, yeah,” Michel said with a smile, taking another swig.
“Speak for yourself. Wouldn’t touch the stuff,” Bren grumped.

His mom handed him a glass of what appeared to be milk. Now that
was weird. Madigan had expected him to be the drinker.

“You want some chocolate to go into that, hon?” Mom asked as

Bren took a long gulp. So it had been milk.

“No, thanks. I like it better without.” This was all too weird.
Madigan watched as she handed Dex a glass of sweet tea and

Cross a glass of water. She disappeared out the door again, probably
to go get the coffee she’d promised him.

“I know this is all very strange to you, Madigan,” Cross began.
Madigan let a strangled laugh escape. “You have no idea how

strange this all seems.”

“You are not the first nephilim to go through this sort of thing.

Granted, the protection you’ve been given is fierce, but that is because
your father cares about you very much.” Cross’s voice was soothing,
but Madigan wasn’t in the mood to be placated.

“For someone who cares so much, he hasn’t done a great job of

showing up and playing dad.”

“He didn’t want to draw the attentions of the hunters to you. He

hoped that you would be able to remain under the radar for as long as
possible. He stayed away for your protection, and when he found out

Angel Bound

that you still needed it, he sent us,” Cross persisted. “He picked me
out of his choir because I’m one of the only healers who is also a
warrior.” He nodded in Michel’s direction. “I may not belong to the
Archangel of War himself, but I can hold my own.”

“Awesome. Glad to be surrounded by such awesome studs. I’m

not that hard of a sell, Cross. I get it. You guys are badasses. Now
what?” Madigan just wanted to know when he could get his life back.
Everything from the past eight hours needed to hurry up and run its
course.

It was then his mother decided to come back into the room. She

handed him a steamy cup of coffee already mixed to his likings and
sat in the middle of the angels with two on each side. She looked
completely at ease there. His day really could not get weirder.

“Now you get to hole up in this house until your other guardian

Yuri finds the answer to a temporary means of protection.” She
answered his question without missing a beat. The angels all turned
and looked at her in unison. She smiled at them. “Raphael gave me
the plan before you all got here so that I could make my own plans.”

“Why did he not contact Dex?” Cross demanded. He seemed

disturbed at being left out of the loop. Welcome to my friggin’ life,
Red.

“It’s dangerous for him to communicate with any of you right

now. The hunters have spies even in the upper realms now, according
to Raph.” Good lord, my mother just called the Archangel of healing
“Raph.” “So he told me to pass on his messages to you all so that it’s
less likely to be intercepted. It’s rather like a James Bond movie, you
know?” The angels stared at her blankly, and his mother pressed on.
“He’s declared this house as a Den of Sanctuary. He said you’d all
knew what that meant.” The angels nodded.

“A Den of Sanctuary is a place where no divine battle or

punishment may be fought or given out. No immortal can tread there
without express permission of the owner of the property,” Michel
supplied. Madigan’s face must’ve scrunched up in confusion yet

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again. At least there was one angel in the house who was willing to
supply him with details. “It’s sort of a no-man’s-land for immortals, a
place of absolute neutrality.”

Mom nodded and continued. “He wants you all to stay here until

Yuri figures out something that can let you move around a bit easier.
The bakery is just going to have to be closed until you can get back to
work.”

“Where are you going to be?” Madigan asked. His mother had run

that bakery many years before he’d joined on. It should’ve been no
problem for her to continue to do so.

“Well, your father is afraid that the hunters will try and use me to

get access to the sanctuary, so he’s advised that I go stay with your
aunt and uncle in Chicago until you’ve got everything figured out.”

“But, Mom—” Madigan protested.
“I’m going, Madi. There is no reason that I shouldn’t. It’s safer

that way. Besides, I’ve been meaning to take a vacation for the past
ten years and haven’t managed it yet. It’s going to be just fine. You’ll
see. Your father has thought of everything.”

“Everything about how to keep me locked up in a cage for God

only knows how long!” Madigan snapped. He just loved how
everyone was just making decisions about his well-being without
consulting him.

His mom’s eyes narrowed. “Madigan Raphael Parker, you better

check that attitude of yours at the door.” His jaw clenched. He hated
when she used her mom voice with him. After a minute of his silence,
she smiled. “It’ll be good for you to get away from your old mom for
a while, honey. You may even find a young man for yourself out of
the ones your father sent. Who knows? Maybe he was matchmaking
when he picked out these boys to watch over you, hmm?” Every male
in the room started blushing. Madigan knew his own face was scarlet.

“Mom!” he groused. She laughed. Madigan took a sip out of his

coffee cup and stared at the floor. He couldn’t believe she’d just said

Angel Bound

that. He was never going to be able to look at the angels again. It was
so embarrassing.

“I’m having Rachel go out to the shop in the morning and put a

sign on the door. Her husband Richard is coming this week and
making the deliveries for us and bringing over your car in case you
need it. My car is going to stay parked at the airport until I get back.”
She stood and came over to Madigan’s chair. She leaned over and
gave him a peck on the cheek. “You behave while I’m gone. I’ll have
my cell phone on me, so call if you need anything.”

“You’re leaving right now?” Madigan asked incredulously.
“Of course, honey. When did you think I was leaving? No point in

putting it off.” She petted his head. “I’ve already got my bags
packed.”

“Won’t it be expensive to leave your car at the airport for so

long?” Madigan asked desperately. He really didn’t want to be left
alone in this house with all the angels. He needed someone familiar to
be here to balance out the overload of testosterone.

“Your father has everything taken care of, Madi. No worries.” She

turned to the angels. “You better take good care of my Madi. Do you
understand me?” They all nodded solemnly like they were giving
their oaths or something. Give me a break. “Good. Then I’m off. I’ll
call you when I get to Chicago, sweetie. Love you.” She gave him a
tight hug around his neck and yet another kiss on his cheek. “You
take care.”

“Love you, too, Mom,” Madigan said tightly. His chest hurt. He

was going to miss her. They hadn’t spent much time apart since he’d
come back from college. She was more friend than mom at times. “Be
safe.”

“Always am, sweet boy. Always am.” She winked and walked out

of the angel room, closing the French doors behind her.

Madigan sagged in his chair when he heard the front door shut. He

felt so lost. This was the biggest game of “hurry up and wait” he’d
ever had the displeasure of playing.

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“You should go to bed, Madigan.” Cross, as usual, was the first

one to speak.

“You do look tired, cutey,” Michel added.
Madigan nodded. “Yeah. I think I’ll do that. Maybe when I wake

up this will all be just one big fucked-up dream.”

Bren snorted. “Sorry, babe. Hate to bust your bubble, but you

couldn’t dream up something this fucked up.” Dex slapped him on the
back of the head, eliciting a growl from the dark-haired angel. Yeah,
bed was definitely needed. He couldn’t process anything else tonight.

He managed to climb the stairs and pour himself into his queen-

size bed that he’d used as a teenager in his old room, not even noting
if anything had been changed around or not. It all looked the same on
a cursory glance. Same dark blue wall paint. Same computer desk.
Same bookshelf. New comforter. Weird.

He yawned and stripped off his clothes, throwing them

haphazardly in every direction as he did so. When he was down to his
boxers, he climbed into the welcoming embrace of his sheets, sighing
at the feeling of relief that passed through him as he did so. It would
be nice to finally sleep. Maybe it was a dream. He could only hope.

Angel Bound

Chapter Five

He gasped as Cross’s tongue passed over his nipples, lapping at

each in turn before continuing its trail down his torso. The slick
muscle traced his stomach, swirling around his belly button before
sliding lower. Madigan groaned at the incredible feeling of it. The
angel’s deep candy-apple-red wings spread out behind him, tempting
Madigan to touch those soft feathers, just once. He couldn’t reach
from this angle though. Dammit.

Then he quit worrying about wings because Cross’s hand closed

over the tightly drawn balls underneath his very prominent erection.
Madigan wondered briefly when he’d gotten naked before his hips
started to surge upward, seeking friction against his hard member.

“Cross!” he panted. The angel’s head descended, swallowing the

tip of Madigan’s erection and suckling gently. “Oh, Christ!” The
angel pushed forward, sucking him into the back of his throat.
Inarticulate sounds of need were coming out in regular intervals from
Madigan’s throat. The hot, wet feeling of being surrounded by
Cross’s mouth was freaking incredible. He never wanted it to stop.

“That is a beautiful sight.”
Madigan’s eyes popped open at the unfamiliar voice. Bren stood

beside his bed, staring down at the two of them. His eyes widened,
and a blush stole over his face. Cross didn’t seem to notice anything
because he continued to suck Madigan like he was the last lollipop on
Earth.

“Hmm.” Bren’s dark eyes sparkled with mischief. “You want him

to suck that pretty cock of yours a lot, don’t you?” Madigan panted
and nodded. There was no reason to lie. Cross grabbed his hips and

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pulled them up to give him better access to the cock he was
devouring. Madigan whimpered.

“You don’t like me much, huh?” Bren asked. He reached out and

pushed the hair that had started to cling to Madigan’s sticky skin
away from his face. Madigan hesitated. It wasn’t that he disliked
Bren. He was just so damn prickly.

Bren nodded in understanding. “I see. I’ll work on it. No promises

though. Okay, bright eyes?” Madigan gave a tentative smile. At the
same moment, Cross started deep throating him, and Madigan gave
another groan of want. He blinked, and suddenly Bren was just as
naked as Cross and he were.

“That’s so pretty, bright eyes. So damn pretty. So damn hot.” The

dark-haired angel hesitated. “Can I kiss you, Madigan? Will that be
all right?”

Madigan’s lust spiked impossibly then. He’d never been in a

situation like this with humans, let alone with two angels. He
beckoned him closer, and Bren obliged, sliding into bed beside him.

“Just a kiss. Okay, bright eyes?”
Madigan shook his head. “I want to suck you.” He found himself

saying the words with no idea where they came from. Bren’s eyes
widened in surprise an instant before his expression turned to one of
pure, unadulterated lust.

“You sure?” the angel asked.
“Yeah,” Madigan panted. “Want you in my mouth so bad. Want

to taste you.”

Bren rolled so that he was straddling Madigan’s head, his knees

on either side of Madigan’s shoulders. Madigan licked his lips. With
one hand, Bren steadied his cock so that Madigan could get his mouth
lined up.

The head pushed past Madigan’s lips, and the salty hint of pre-

cum hit his tongue. He groaned at the taste of salt and man that came
along with it.

Angel Bound

“Jesus, bright eyes!” Bren shouted as his head fell back in bliss.

Cross started working Madigan faster, and Madigan’s whole body
trembled with the effort not to come. His eyes glanced over to see Dex
and Michel in the doorway, watching. He should’ve been
embarrassed by being caught sucking and getting sucked by his
guardians, but their presence just seemed to turn him on more.

Without preamble, he watched as Michel got on his knees and

undid the button on Dex’s jeans, pulling out a magnificent, thick rod
that was just as big and overwhelming as the rest of him. Then
Madigan lost sight of it as Michel’s mouth covered the whole thing
from base to tip. Dex and Madigan groaned in unison. The visual
alone was enough to make him want to come.

“You’re such a naughty boy, bright eyes,” Bren panted, fucking

his cock between Madigan’s suckling lips. “Such a naughty boy
wanting us like this.” Bren gave a strangled moan. “Oh shit. Sorry,
bright eyes. Coming. Coming so fucking hard.” Hot, salty spunk hit
Madigan’s tongue at the same time the angel spoke and his own hips
surged upward into Cross’s mouth.

He screamed around Bren’s hard length as his own orgasm was

torn from him. The visual and physical overload was too much. His
body jerked, emptying into Cross’s hot mouth. He sucked harder on
Bren’s cock, needing the anchor to keep him from floating away into
sheer drunken bliss.

“Let go, bright eyes,” Bren encouraged, cupping his cheek. His

expression was the kindest Madigan had ever seen it. “Let go.”

He did. His mind swirling as the room started to spin. Then he

knew nothing else as everything went black.

* * * *

Madigan woke up gasping in the middle of a hell of an orgasm.

He gripped his spurting arousal underneath the covers as he shot
helplessly over his tight fist and onto the pristine sheets. He cursed

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softly. He had never had a wet dream that was elaborate enough to
include four other men. What the hell was wrong with him? Angelic
maturity my ass. So much for all of last night being a dream.

He sat up, looking for something to clean up with. He sighed. Of

course there wasn’t anything handy. Damn. He’d have to do a wash
today. He gave up trying to find something and just wiped the sticky
evidence of his dream onto a clean section of sheet.

He’d probably kicked off the comforter and his boxers at some

point last night when it had gotten too hot. He finished wiping off the
best he could and determined that he should definitely get a shower
before he wandered on downstairs to see what the angels were doing.

“Morning.”
Madigan’s head snapped up to see Bren sitting on the floor in a

corner on the other side of the room. He looked like he’d just woken
up, his eyes looked hazy and his expression groggy. Awareness
zinged up Madigan’s body. Despite the fact that he’d just came, he
felt himself start to harden right back up.

“What are you doing in my room?” Madigan asked, bunching the

regrettably soiled sheets over his hips to hide his growing erection.
The angel didn’t answer him. Instead, he stood, adjusting his own
morning wood through the denim of his jeans. He eyed Madigan’s
bare chest, and the human had to resist the urge to throw the covers
back and welcome the angel between his thighs. He shook his head.
What the hell was he thinking? That dream had really screwed with
his brain. Besides, Bren had made it super clear that he didn’t want to
be here.

“One of us has to be in the room with you at all times. We took

shifts.” Bren finally spoke. He still let his eyes linger longer than was
appropriate over Madigan’s unclad body. Their eyes met as the
angel’s gaze finally reached Madigan’s no doubt blushing face. If
Madigan didn’t know better, he could’ve sworn that Bren knew what
he’d been dreaming about. His eyes were just a little too aware and a
little too knowing. Madigan looked away.

Angel Bound

“I’ll turn my back so that you can dress. Put on a robe or

something. You’ll need a shower before you go downstairs,” Bren
ordered. Madigan’s temper spiked. He really hated being told what to
do.

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” he asked defiantly. The dark-haired angel

raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow and grinned. It wasn’t a nice
grin. It was a grin that said he knew all of Madigan’s dirty secrets and
was not above using them as blackmail.

“Because if you go downstairs smelling like sex and sporting a

hard-on you’re going to cause a fight. There is no way four warriors
wouldn’t tear each other apart to get to an aroused nephilim ready to
fuck. Trust me. Our civilized instincts only go so far.”

Madigan blushed to the roots of his red hair. “Y–You seem to be

doing just fine,” he stammered. Two long strides brought Bren to the
edge of his bed, and he leaned down over Madigan, crowding him, his
mouth inches from Madigan’s lips.

“Don’t push me, nephilim. I’m holding on by a thread as is.” Bren

crossed the last few centimeters between them and claimed Madigan’s
mouth in a surprisingly gentle kiss. Madigan couldn’t help the little
mewling noise that escaped him as he got a taste of the angel. He
tasted clean and sweet. Madigan’s hands crept up his shoulders,
threading through the dark locks of hair that was cut just long enough
for him to get a handhold. They stayed that way for endless moments,
their lips pressing and sliding against one another. His tongue darted
out along Bren’s lips, trying to coax the angel into a deeper kiss.

Bren jerked back, panting. “Damn, bright eyes. You test an

angel’s patience.” He adjusted himself. That erection looked painful.
It probably didn’t feel good pressed up against the hard metal teeth of
the zipper. Madigan licked his lips. Bren cursed. “You’re going to be
trouble. You know that? Big trouble.” He turned, presenting his back
to the human. “For the sake of your virtue and my blue balls, please
get dressed.”

Jana Downs

Madigan threw his legs over the side of the bed and looked at

Bren’s back. It took him a minute to figure out what was wrong.

“Holy crap. Where are your wings?” He crossed the room and put

his hands on the black tattoo that covered his back instead. It looked
like it was written in some sort of Arabic script or something, but he
couldn’t be sure. Bren hissed at the contact and jerked his shoulder
out of Madigan’s hands.

“That is equivalent to you letting me fuck that tight mouth of

yours. Stop it,” Bren snapped. He was shaking. Was he really that
close to losing control? Madigan swayed closer. It would be a
gorgeous sight to watch Bren out of control. He was so strong. So
virile. Madigan bet he’d be sore for days after a pounding from him.
Bren let out a strangled noise. “I can smell you getting more aroused.
Madigan, think about it. You don’t even like me. You sure as hell
don’t know me. You sure you want me balls-deep inside of you?
Think with something other than your dick, bright eyes.”

Madigan blinked, blushing. Embarrassment overwhelmed lust,

and he scrambled backward, nearly tripping over the clothes he’d
thrown off the night before. He pulled on his jeans without bothering
with underwear and pulled on a shirt that had been sitting beside his
the lamp on his nightstand. It was obviously three sizes too big but
whatever. He frowned and sniffed the shirt. It smelled like detergent
and angel. His eyes shot to Bren’s still-turned back. It smelled like
him.

“The wings go away when we don’t need them. The glyphs on our

backs were put there by our archangels so that we can hide them from
humans when we’re corporeal.” The explanation seemed to be a way
for Bren to fill the silence. He was still tense and trembling. Madigan
ached to go to him and take away that tension. He wanted to wrap
himself around like a living blanket, but that wasn’t logical. Bren was
right. He didn’t know him, and he didn’t really like him. So why did
he feel the urge to go there?

“You decent?” Bren asked after a few minutes of silence.

Angel Bound

“Yeah,” Madigan said. He was still battling with his impulse to go

the angel, but it was getting easier as the seconds ticked by. Bren
turned, and his eyes widened as he took in Madigan’s outfit. Wings
sprang from his back, and his nostrils flared. Madigan took a step
back in fear. “What did I do?” he asked in confusion.

“Go, Madigan.” Bren spat through gritted teeth. “Go while you

can.” He looked like he was in pain. Madigan frowned and stepped
toward the angel. Maybe something was wrong. “No!” Bren shouted,
backpedaling into the wall. It shook with the force of the angel hitting
it. “Just, God, go, bright eyes. You’re wearing my clothes.” He shut
his eyes and clenched his jaw. “You don’t understand. Please, just
go.” Madigan was starting to get freaked out by the desperate note in
Bren’s voice. Without another word, he ran to the door and slammed
it behind him, taking off toward the kitchen. The sound of something
smashing up against the door and an inhuman snarl followed him
downstairs. What the hell had just happened? It wasn’t until he took
the corner and swung into the kitchen that he realized something.
Bren had called him “bright eyes” just like in his dream.

Jana Downs

Chapter Six

Bren locked himself in the bathroom adjacent to the boy’s

bedroom, trying to calm himself. He hadn’t meant to lose it like that.
He certainly hadn’t meant to scare the living daylights out of
Madigan. He sighed and looked at himself in the mirror. He had a
wild look in his pitch-black eyes, and his tanned muscles were
smeared with a light sheen of sweat. This was all his fault, of course.
He never should’ve gone into Madigan’s dream uninvited.

A few hours into his rest Madigan had started making little noises

in his sleep and shifting restlessly beneath the covers. Bren had
suspected that the boy might have been having a nightmare, so he’d
just walked into his dream world, prepared to fight whatever bad
dreams that he was experiencing. He’d hoped to make up for his bad
attitude a little bit by playing the hero that Cross was oh so good at
playing. The noble idiot hid behind his mountain of morality better
than anyone Bren had ever met. They were complete opposites in that
regard, but Madigan reacted far better to the noble Cross than to
Bren’s naturally snarky persona.

It seemed fated that Madigan and Cross would hit it off. The both

exuded Raphael’s comforting presence whether they realized it or not.
Madigan’s mom might’ve been more right than she realized when
she’d voiced that Raphael might be playing matchmaker. It had pissed
Bren off to see them cuddled up in the cavern like that. The rest of
them hadn’t even had a chance, and God knew that Lucifer’s choir got
the least amount of chances for happiness out of all the choirs.

When his lord had asked for volunteers to go guard Raphael’s son,

Bren had not been keen on going. Then Lucifer had touched the

Angel Bound

dream pool and brought up an image of the beautiful man who the
Archangel Raphael had sired.

Madigan had taken his breath away, and Bren had made himself a

pledge that he’d make the man his.

He’d been a bastard last night, and he knew it. He just wasn’t

good at hiding what he was feeling like any of the others. Even
Michel, the prick, had been able to resist his impulses to mount
Madigan when they were flying together. The boy didn’t seem to
realize the intense waves of “fuck me” he was throwing off.

Against his better judgment, Bren had followed him into the

dream world, and what he saw there gave him some hope. Madigan
was not nearly as rigid and mainstream as Bren had first thought. He
was free and uninhibited and so damn sexual he’d nearly come from
the look in the boy’s eyes right then.

He hadn’t been surprised by the fact that Cross had been between

his legs in Madigan’s fantasy. But he’d been absolutely shocked when
Madigan had incorporated the rest of them into his lovemaking.

Bren hadn’t expected to enjoy himself quite as much as he had

when he’d gone in there. He even found himself appreciating the
other angels’ beauty along with Madigan as they’d sought their
mutual satiation together. It had been wonderful and awful all at once
because he knew that it would never happen in reality.

“You need to get it together, Brenen,” he told his reflection. “He

is off-limits. You do not want an Archangel on your ass for jumping
his son’s.” But he’d been so responsive. So damn hot for them. For
him. Even after he’d woke. Bren had seen the struggle to remain away
had been as strong as the urge to bolt. That torn expression had worn
on his control faster than anything.

He pushed his jeans down his hips and kicked out of them. He

needed a little relief. Orgasming in a dream was not enough for him.
Angels were the masters of the multiple O, and Bren would need at
least one more before he was truly able to relax. He turned the knob
on the shower and adjusted the temperature to something steamy. He

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climbed in and leaned back into the spray. It felt good. He wrapped
his hand around his turgid length. Hmm…now it felt better.

* * * *

“Bren.” Michel’s voice made him tense as he came out of the

bathroom with a towel wrapped around his hips. Great. This was just
what he needed. There had always been a tension between the
Archangel Michael’s angels and the lord Lucifer’s angels ever since
the fall. It was no different between Michel and Bren.

“What do you want?” Bren asked crossly. He didn’t want to deal

with him today. At all. Ever.

“Are you okay?” Michel’s inquiry surprised him. What did he

care?

“Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?” Bren replied. He was suspicious of

any of the angels who were being nice to him. Michel most of all.
Michel’s glittering, blue eyes regarded him, judged him.

“Madigan said you were acting strangely before he came down to

breakfast. He’s worried about you.”

Bren’s heart tripped over itself. Really? He was worried about

him?

“I told him I’d come check on you,” Michel finished. He paused

for a minute as if debating with himself. “It was his scent, wasn’t it?”

Bren’s head snapped up, his dark eyes clashing with Michel’s

light ones. “Yeah,” he said tightly.

Michel nodded. “He smells like sex and forbidden fruit.” He

shuddered visibly, and Bren couldn’t help but to agree completely.
“He’s wearing your shirt. Smells like you. Was that the trigger?”

Again Bren nodded. He lost it when Madigan had put his clothes

on, marking himself with Bren’s scent. It was an old possessive
instinct that had demanded instant satisfaction when he’d done so. If
he would’ve touch Bren, even with his fingertips, the angel wouldn’t
have been able to deny the impulse to fuck the nephilim stupid.

Angel Bound

Michel’s hand patted his shoulder in a friendly manner. “You did

good denying him, Bren.” Bren raised an eyebrow. Was Michel
complimenting him? “I didn’t know if it was a good idea to have one
of Lucifer’s on this mission with us, but I do now. You protected him
even from yourself. I don’t know if I would’ve said no in the same
situation. So, good job.”

“You would’ve denied yourself,” Bren protested in the only

manner he knew how. He wasn’t good at exchanging compliments. It
just wasn’t done in his choir.

Michel chuckled. “I doubt it, my man. I almost lost it when he

came down to breakfast, and he wasn’t even sexed up anymore.”

The hand that had been on Bren’s shoulder slid up to stroke his

hair. He and Michel were the same height, so looking into each
other’s eyes had the strangest dizzying effect on Bren. He liked being
petted like this. It was his biggest weakness. He loved having
someone run their fingers through his hair. His heart pounded. What
was wrong with him today? His eyes flicked to Michel’s pulse. Was it
a little faster than it was a moment ago? He swallowed hard, suddenly
aware that he was in nothing but a towel. Which was ridiculous
because angels weren’t typically that freaked out by nudity. It was
their natural state after all.

Michel snatched his hand back, and just like that the tension

broke. Michael’s angel cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Sorry. I
guess he’s affecting me more than I realize. I’ll, uh, I’ll see you
downstairs.”

“Sure,” Bren replied automatically as Michel turned away. Today

couldn’t get any stranger. And it had just started.

Jana Downs

Chapter Seven

Madigan began washing dishes as soon as all the angels had

finished eating. He’d put aluminum foil over Bren’s pancakes and
stuck them in the microwave to keep until he made his way
downstairs. He’d heard the shower shut off upstairs, but it would still
probably be a while if he was anything like Madigan.

He was still in disbelief over the fact that he was going to be

playing house with a bunch of angels until one of them figured out
how to give him proper protection. He rinsed another white plate and
set it in the drainer to dry.

“Need some help?” Cross asked as he sidled up beside Madigan at

the sink. Madigan gave the angel a smile.

“Sure,” he answered. He reached in a drawer and extricated a

towel and threw it at him. “I’ll rinse. You dry and put away. Okay?”
He still didn’t understand how his mother didn’t have a dishwasher. It
was the oddest thing considering how much and how often she
cooked.

He watched Cross out of the corner of his eye as he continued the

tedious work of dishwashing. The angel expertly toweled off the
utensils, cups, and plates before quickly finding where they went and
tucked them away.

“So how do angels learn how to do dishes?” Madigan asked

before he could help himself.

Cross smiled softly at him and took the plate out of his hands.

“The same way humans do I suppose. We’re taught.”

“Do they have a special school that they teach angels who come to

earth how to act or whatever?”

Angel Bound

The angel laughed. The sound was good. Deeply masculine. It

sounded like something Madigan would love to listen to while laying
horizontal in bed late at night. An image of Bren popped into his
mind. Yeah, maybe he could be there, too. Madigan shook his head to
clear it. Since when had he turned into such a slut? Jeez. He thought
about his dream. Okay. Angelic puberty. That was what he was
blaming everything on from here on out.

“Are you blushing, Madigan?” Cross teased, bumping his hip.

That only made him blush harder. He couldn’t drag his mind out of
the gutter around these guys. All of them were beautiful, strong, the
epitome of what was sure to get him panting like a cat in heat in no
time flat.

“Just dry your dishes, mister,” Madigan commanded, waving a

fork in his direction. The angel continued chuckling.

Once they were finished and Madigan dried off his hands, he

turned to the angel. “You guys want to watch a movie or something?”
His mom had DIRECTV so it wasn’t like there weren’t fifty million
channels for them to surf. He could even order a pay-per-view movie
if they found something that they liked.

“So long as we stay within the house, we can do whatever you

wish,” Cross said agreeably. He was awfully accommodating. It was
kind of nice. Most of his old boyfriends in college had been super
masculine but bossy as hell. It was the type he most often attracted.
Though Cross had his moments, for the most part he was very
thoughtful from what Madigan had seen.

Cross whistled, and the other angels all came into the kitchen. It

was a lot of muscle to be housed in one kitchen. Madigan resisted the
urge to purr.

“How does a movie sound to you all? Madigan has suggested it to

be a good way to occupy ourselves for a couple of hours.” Cross
sounded really authoritative, like he dared anyone to argue with him
over the matter.

Jana Downs

“Can I get something to eat first, your royal red ass?” Bren

quipped. His hair was still damp from the shower, and his clothes
stuck to his back where it was still damp. Madigan smiled at his
grumpy tone. It was starting to grow on him. The dark-haired angel’s
gaze locked onto Madigan. “Hi, bright eyes.” The greeting was almost
shy.

“Hi, Bren.” Madigan sidestepped Cross and opened the

microwave to pull out the plate of pancakes he’d saved. “Here’s some
breakfast. It should still be warm. They’re blueberry pancakes. You
like?”

Bren nodded and took the plate, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Sure. Thanks, bright eyes.”

“Dex makes good pancakes,” Madigan said brightly. “Do you

need syrup?”

“Thanks,” Bren offered. He glanced at Dex. “You cook?”
Gabriel’s angel gave a curt nod. “When I have to.”
“He’s good,” Madigan protested. “Don’t let him fool you.”
“Please, Madigan. I am mediocre at best,” Dex grumbled.
“No way! I saw all the extra stuff you put into the bowl. I know a

cook when I see one.” Madigan grabbed a hold of one of Dex’s hands
and squeezed. He could tell that the angel was embarrassed, but he
didn’t understand why. “You better watch out. I might use you as a
kitchen hand once I can get back to work. I’ll need it since Mom will
be gone.”

Dex looked down, and their eyes met. Madigan didn’t understand

how he ever thought Dex was so damn frightening. Warmth filled his
eyes to the brim. “Whatever you need me to be, Madigan. I will be. It
is the duty of a guardian.”

Awareness sizzled between them. Madigan shook his head and

took a step back. He was not throwing himself at yet another of his
guardian angels this morning. Man, his libido was on overdrive.

Angel Bound

“How about that movie, guys?” Madigan asked a little

uncomfortably. He turned, trusting the others would follow, and
practically ran from the room.

* * * *

This was not the movie to watch with a bunch of angels. He really

should’ve thought before he selected it on Syfy. Constantine was one
of his favorite movies, but he felt like it was probably going to hit a
few nerves with the group of angels. He was sitting on one of the old
couches in the living room that faced the TV in between Dex and
Cross. Michel and Bren sat on the other couch. God only knew why
they hadn’t spread out to the recliners.

A bark of laughter made him jump. “Lord Gabriel is a woman!”

Dex’s laughter, like the rest of him, was a little intimidating. Madigan
relaxed as he processed the words.

“Did you see those demons? How do they see without eyes?”

Bren wondered. “I mean, I’ve seen some ugly demons in my time, but
none that are that ugly.”

“No kidding,” Michel agreed. “Some of them are downright

edible. Like Cristobal. You remember him?”

“I remember,” Bren said. Bren and Michel shared a grin. “Do you

remember what he was caught doing to Archangel Michael six
months ago?”

Michel dissolved into laughter. “Yeah. The ‘torture’ lasted for

days, apparently. It was a running joke for months. Some of the troops
still razz him about it.”

Huh. It seemed like they were getting along better than they were

yesterday. Madigan leaned back against the couch, trying to get a
little more comfortable.

“You can lean against me if you so desire,” Cross offered.

Madigan raised his gaze to meet Cross’s. His eyes were locked solidly
on the TV. Was he embarrassed about the offer?

Jana Downs

“Probably not a good idea, Cross,” Madigan said softly as his

arousal began to stir. He was already having a hard enough time
ignoring the fact that he wanted to roll around on each and every one
of them.

“You’re probably right,” Cross agreed. He sounded a little

disappointed, but that couldn’t be helped. He didn’t want all the guys
fighting over his ass. Madigan knew they were probably fighting just
as powerful urges as Madigan was, and he didn’t want to make it
more difficult for all of them.

Dex tensed beside them, his eyes going to the ceiling. Madigan

turned to give him his full attention.

“What’s wrong?” Madigan asked. Dex was muttering under his

breath and staring at something Madigan couldn’t see.

“Yuri is on his way. He should be arriving by nightfall. He has

news. Important news.” Dex seemed lost in thought as he listened to
the other angel. Madigan’s stomach clenched at the thought.
Important news could be interpreted in a variety of ways. Not all of
them positive. After a moment, Dex’s expression cleared and he was
back with them.

“Relax, Madigan. If Yuri is on his way, it means he has found

something. There is nothing for you to be upset over. This is a good
thing,” Cross reassured. He pulled Madigan into his arms, and the
human couldn’t help but sigh and snuggle closer. He smelled so good,
and he made him feel so safe. A growl from Bren had him lifting his
head. Their eyes met, and Bren was the first to look away.

“Bren,” Madigan whispered the word, but it drew the angel’s

attention back to him. “I want you here, too.” Madigan knew he was
being a selfish prick by even saying that. Knew he was tormenting
them all unnecessarily. Dex went to stand to get out of the way.

“No,” Madigan said firmly. He spread out and put his legs over

Dex’s lap. Bren moved slowly as if he were being pulled against his
will. It was like a spell had descended over all of them in that

Angel Bound

moment. Madigan watched the beautiful angel as he knelt on the floor
beside the couch.

“Bright eyes, what—”
“Lean against me, Bren. Want to feel you a little bit,” Madigan

interrupted before Bren could talk himself out of it. The angel nodded
and leaned forward until his head was pressed to Madigan’s chest and
his arms encircled him.

Cross’s hand stroked his hair expertly, and Dex started massaging

the tension out of Madigan’s calves. Bren just seemed to want to
breathe Madigan in and that was all right with him.

Then Michel was there beside Bren on the floor, pressed close to

the other angel, and rested his head against Madigan’s stomach. It felt
good to be so completely encompassed by his guardians. Michel’s
hand started stroking Bren’s back in slow steady circles, which made
Madigan wonder exactly what sort of relationship the two of them
had.

Madigan lifted his head and stared up into the soft brown eyes of

his father’s angel and spoke. “Kiss me?”

Jana Downs

Chapter Eight

Madigan couldn’t quite believe he’d said the words out loud, but

there they were. He wanted to feel Cross’s kiss while the others were
pressed against him. He longed for it like he hadn’t longed for
anything in his entire life. If they were all naked, it would be even
better. He licked his lips. Oh yes. Naked would be much better.

“Madigan.” Cross’s groan made the fine hairs all over his body

stand to absolute attention. He could feel the hard evidence of Cross’s
interest pressed against the back of his skull. The dream was in the
front of his mind in vivid clarity. He wanted that. He wanted them all
to love him just like that.

Bren started nibbling his pecs through his shirt, and Michel

nuzzled his stomach. “Kiss,” Madigan begged of the angel above him.

“Madigan, we shouldn’t. Your father would not approve.” Cross

said the words, but he didn’t seem so sure of himself.

“A pox on his father, Cross,” Dex murmured. “Kiss that boy.

Now.”

Cross seemed to lose his internal struggle because the next thing

Madigan knew his lips were crushed under the weight of the red-
haired angel’s. He gasped. Cross’s tongue traced the seam of his lips,
coaxing him to open and allow him entrance into the wet cavern of his
mouth. Their tongues parried, tangled. Cross tasted good. Like mint
and a little hint of something sweet.

He loved how Cross completely took control of the kiss, giving

him no time to question or protest. The other men’s hands rubbed
against his skin, burrowing under his clothes to seek the soft flesh
underneath. He gasped. It felt so damn amazing to be in this situation.

Angel Bound

Their mouths broke so that the others could pull his shirt over his

head. It was tossed somewhere beyond his sight, and then they were
all touching him again. Bren’s mouth lit on his nipples, while
Michel’s traced the muscles of his stomach. Dex tugged on the button
on his pants and lowered the zipper in slow degrees.

Cross broke the kiss at the sound. “Don’t,” he commanded the

other angels. “We mustn’t violate him.”

“News flash,” Bren retorted through a mouthful of Madigan. “He

wants to be violated.” He nibbled on the hardened tips of Madigan’s
nipples, eliciting a groan of response. “Isn’t that right, bright eyes?”

“I am not—” Cross snapped. He seemed to search for a word.

“I’m not gang banging my charge, my lord’s son, just because his
instincts clamor for him to mate!”

“Then get the fuck out of the dog pile, Cross-stitch, because the

rest of us know how to share,” Bren returned. It was a challenge.

“Don’t fight,” Madigan moaned in frustration. “Please, don’t

fight.” He pushed himself up despite the protest from the other angels
and his hard cock. Bren pushed him back into the couch, effectively
caging him. He couldn’t resist leaning in and kissing Bren’s full lips.
He tasted different from Cross. More earthy. Yum. Their tongues
mated as Bren shoved his deep into his mouth as if he wanted to get
every crevice and taste every nuance therein. Michel’s hands caressed
his hips, the other angel’s mouth going to the bend of his neck. Oh,
heavenly. He was almost delirious, drunk off their touches.

“Stop it!” Cross rumbled, grabbing Bren’s hair and hauling him

off of Madigan’s body. Bren snarled.

“You want to satisfy me instead?” The dark-haired angel snapped.

Madigan licked his lips at the prospect. Oh, Bren was wicked.

“You couldn’t handle this,” Cross snarled, tightening his grip on

Bren’s hair until the other man cried out. Almost immediately on the
heels of the cry of pain came a sound of pure pleasure that was almost
feline. Cross’s eyes widened, obviously surprised by Bren’s reaction.

Jana Downs

His brown eyes darkened with something that Madigan took to be
lust.

“Beautiful, aren’t they? Like two titans ready to do battle.”

Michel’s voice was whispering in his ear like it was a conspirator’s
secret. Madigan agreed wholeheartedly. Michel’s hands drew him
into his body, and his medium-length, blond hair teased his ear.
Madigan leaned against him, enjoying the feel of his muscles as they
reclined on the couch and watched Cross and Bren argue. Arguing
had never turned him on before, but hell, with these angels, there was
a first time for everything.

“Do you think that you could look at me like you’re looking at

them for a minute?” Michel asked, turning Madigan’s chin so that
they could look at one another in the eyes. He really had the most
gorgeous eyes Madigan had ever seen. They were liquid ice, the blue
so pure that they were glacial. His lust started to burn brighter. He
would love to slide against Michel. He’d be the one he’d want to try
new things with. He wouldn’t be crazy intense like Bren and Cross.
He’d be fun. Michel slowly smiled. “Better. Much better.” They
glanced over in time to see Cross shove Bren into a wall, causing the
pictures on it to clatter to the floor. It was hard to tell if they were
fighting or kissing. Looked like both. Cross jerked back his head with
a hiss. Blood dripped from his lip and slid down his chin. Bren
must’ve bitten him.

Madigan grinned at the feral display. Angels were fun. “What do

you say we move this to a bigger room?” he asked Michel as he stood.
The angel cocked his head to the side and returned the grin as if he
caught Madigan’s thought.

“You are your father’s son.”
Even Dex chuckled at the comment. Madigan took one hand from

each of the remaining angels and started up the stairs.

“Where the hell are you going?” Bren snapped from his position

against the wall.

Angel Bound

“Michel, Dex, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Cross

snapped at the same time. Madigan threw a look of pure evil over his
shoulder.

“Stop fucking around and come find out.” He tugged on Michel’s

and Dex’s hands and continued up the steps, knowing that the other
two angels would be right behind them.

Jana Downs

Chapter Nine

As an angel of death, Dex was normally unconcerned with

physical pleasures. Of course he’d never been the guardian angel of a
nephilim going through puberty before. He was harder than stone. In
his considerably long life, he didn’t remember ever being so aroused
by another being before.

He looked down at their entwined fingers. It felt right to be

walking beside this beautiful boy with his fellow guardians. Madigan
smiled, and his heart tripped over itself. The boy was gorgeous and
kind. Everything an angel could want in a consort. His eyes flicked to
Michel. Even if he had to share, it would be worth it.

“Is this okay?” Madigan’s voice was unsure as they neared a

bedroom door on the second floor. It swung open to reveal a huge
canopy bed big enough to accommodate all of them.

Dex squeezed his hand in reassurance. “Yes, Madigan. This is

okay.”

The pounding footsteps behind them told him that Bren and Cross

were not going to be left out of the fun. Dex shook his head. His long,
brown hair fell into his face to hide his smirk. Those two were two
sides of the same coin. Aggression, dominance, and the need to
control ran deep within them. Michel was relaxed and easygoing. He
could swing either way on the dominance scale and appreciated the
benefits of both. Just like Dex.

Madigan looked like he was on cloud nine. His erection was

scrunched up against the front of his pants, tenting the denim. Dex
found himself gravitating toward the boy. He wanted to touch every
inch of that silken, creamy skin. His bare chest was a temptation in

Angel Bound

itself. Madigan’s nipples were already pebbled from Bren’s
administrations. They were rosy red from the nibbles and bites. He’d
ached to take his place beside Michel and Bren and nip at those bits of
flesh downstairs.

They were going to be in big trouble with their respective

archangels when they finished their mission for this. But he felt like
they were all a runaway train that none of them were willing or able
to stop. Madigan’s will pulled them all toward this.

“Touch me, Dex.” Madigan’s husky whisper sent a shiver of want

down Dex’s spine. He was so ready for this. Dex moved forward and
tilted Madigan’s head up so that he could kiss him. Poor kid was short
enough that kissing Dex while standing was a feat in itself.

“We’re not to penetrate him,” Cross’s voice sounded from behind

them, part command, part desperation. Dex knew that he needed the
rest of the guardians to back him on this. Not only because of the
repercussions but because it would take all of them working together
to control their sexual impulses. Madigan’s pheromones would
overwhelm any of them one-on-one.

“Agreed,” Dex spoke as his lips met the curve of Madigan’s neck

and caressed the line with his tongue. The nephilim whimpered and
plastered his body against Dex’s. The hard press against his thigh
made the angel tighter if that was possible.

“Agreed,” Michel seconded.
A long sigh let everyone know that Bren wasn’t happy about it.

“Agreed,” the other angel said reluctantly.

He ignored the pulse of energy that signaled him that a message

was waiting. He didn’t want to hear from Yuri or any of the
archangels right now. It pulsed again, more insistently this time. He
cursed. This could not be happening right now!

“Dex, answer me, you asshole.” Yuri’s voice echoed loudly

through the room. Dex’s hands tightened around Madigan. He looked
at the ceiling as the portal of communication opened. Dammit.
Dammit. Dammit.

Jana Downs

“There you are. I was wondering if you were ever going to

answer.” Yuri’s light brown hair and golden eyes were filled with
annoyance. “I’m going to be earlier than expected. Tell the guys.”

“We’re a little busy.” He growled. He knew it sounded like

muttering to the rest of them. Sometimes he hated being an angel of
death. The burden of communication was thrust upon all the angels of
his choir. Whoever had his frequency could reach him anywhere and
anytime.

Yuri’s eyes widened. “You’re fucking Raphael’s son?” His eyes

narrowed. “Wait…‘We’? Who is we?” Understanding lit his face
along with a huge grin. He nearly fell out of the sky he was laughing
so hard.

“What is so funny?” Dex snapped louder than he meant to. Every

pair of eyes in the room turned toward him. Dex sighed. That was so
embarrassing. This was why Lord Gabriel’s choir only hung out with
one another.

“Nothing, man. Nothing. I’ll see you guys in about an hour.” Yuri

winked. “Enjoy yourself.”

Dex rolled his eyes and found Madigan staring up at him.

Madigan reached up and cupped his cheek.

“I want you here with me, Dex,” Madigan demanded. The smaller

man nearly climbed up his six-and-a-half-foot frame. He kissed him
passionately, putting into his kiss a strength that was unexpected in a
man his size.

“Yuri will be here in an hour.”
“Then we best hurry,” Cross answered him from somewhere over

his right shoulder. Dex nodded. Yeah. They would need to hurry.

“I–I have an idea,” Madigan stammered. Dex kneaded his ass

through his denim.

“What’s your idea, sweetheart?” Dex claimed his lip in a gentle

kiss. Madigan hesitated. “Whatever you want is yours, Madigan.” The
smaller man pulled out of his arms and headed toward the bed. Dex
watched in fascination. What was the kid up to?

Angel Bound

Chapter Ten

Madigan’s body was thrumming with erotic energy. He wanted to

fuck. He needed to fuck. He was going to die if he didn’t fuck. He just
knew it. He kicked off his pants and jumped onto the made canopy
bed, looking over his shoulder as his guardians gave a collective sigh
of appreciation of his assets. He knew he looked good. Men at clubs
had been trying to pick him up for years. He’d never been interested.
The proud jut of flesh between his legs now proudly proclaimed that
it was most certainly interested in whatever attention it could get this
morning.

What he wouldn’t give to have each of them take him in turn. He

sighed at the thought. Oh, that idea was heavenly. This overactive
libido was clouding his brain, turning him into a puddle of want.
Cross had said it was a natural reaction. The last time he’d checked,
wanting to conduct an orgy in his mother’s bedroom with half a dozen
angels wasn’t necessarily natural. These urges were killing him.

He reached down and gave his hard prick a stroke. He groaned,

and the angels echoed him in turn. He licked his lips and did it again,
letting his back bow so that his ass tightened nicely. He was buzzed
off their reactions to him. Cross had said not actual fucking, but
maybe he could convince them…

“Turn around, bright eyes. Let us see that thick cock you’re

stroking.” Bren’s commanding voice grabbed him by the balls and
squeezed oh so nicely. He rolled over onto his back, positioning
himself in the very center of the bed. “That’s it, bright eyes. Stroke
that hard dick for us.”

Jana Downs

“Angels aren’t supposed to talk like that.” Madigan tsked, doing

as he was commanded. He beckoned them closer with his other hand.
“Get up here. Everyone.”

One by one they climbed onto the bed and surrounded him.

Madigan gasped as their combined scents coated him like a warm
mist, settling into his skin like a steam bath. His eyes rolled, and he
toyed with the tip of his dick in his hand. He was going to blow soon.
He was hypersensitive to their very presence. He didn’t know how he
was ever going to stand it if he actually got to touch them.

“What was your idea, sweetheart?” Dex asked. He was so damn

sexy. He looked the most rugged out of the bunch with his five-
o’clock shadow and his long hair. Those apple-green eyes seemed to
stare right through his soul.

“Take off your clothes.” Madigan addressed them all, squirming.

If they actually gave him his way, he was going to fly to the moon.
Shirts and pants started flying everywhere. It would’ve been funny
had he not been so damn turned on. He’d never seen anyone undress
as fast as his guardians did. They all obliged him, not the least bit
embarrassed by their nudity. Had to be an angel thing.

Once they were blissfully naked, Madigan looked at each in turn,

savoring the way each and every one looked different. It was like they
were all different flavors of ice cream and Madigan was privileged
enough to get a scoop of every one.

“Touch yourselves,” Madigan begged. “I want to see how much

you want this.” They hesitated, glancing at one another. He wasn’t the
only one who had never been in this situation before. Dex leaned
down and traced Madigan’s lips with his fingertip.

“You want to watch us play while we watch you?” he asked as if

to clarify. Madigan nodded, his balls drawing tight at the very idea.
Dex took his massive prick in hand and began to stroke, his eyes
never leaving Madigan’s hand as it pumped up and down his dripping
cock. Fuck that was hot.

Angel Bound

“Christ.” It was Michel who’d spoken. Madigan looked over to

see him biting his bottom lip and jerking himself hard. Madigan
purred at the sight. His eyes lit on Bren and Cross expectantly. They
glared at one another.

“Please,” Madigan whined. “I want to watch, Bren. Come on,

Cross. Please?” Bren shrugged his shoulders.

“Whatever you want, bright eyes. I’m game.” There was a

challenge there. Madigan had to resist the urge to smile. Those two
were getting competitive.

“Cross?” Madigan asked, reaching down to fondle his balls. He

knew he looked wanton from this position from the way Cross sucked
in a breath at the motion. He wanted to entice the angel into playing
with the rest of them.

Cross gave a curt nod as if agreeing to a dangerous mission

instead of a pleasurable one. Someone was going to have to loosen
him up a little more.

“You like to suck cock, Michel?” Madigan asked suddenly.

Michel’s blue eyes were sparkling as he nodded. “Give Cross a hand,
er, mouth, would you?”

Cross’s hand stilled. “I didn’t say anything about that.” His protest

sounded weak at best.

“Tsk, tsk, Cross. Only rule you laid down was no fucking,”

Madigan reminded mischievously.

“Saucy, sexy fucking nephilim,” Bren rumbled, panting for

breath. Oh, Madigan was loving this game. He felt powerful despite
the size difference between him and the other men. He may have been
the weakest physically, but he had power over them. He loved it. “Go
ahead, Michel,” Bren goaded. “Suck Cross-stitch’s piece of meat
good.” Cross glared at the comment but allowed Michel to get on his
elbows in front of him so that he was eye level with his arousal.

“Does it turn you on to watch another man lick me, Bren?” Cross

asked. The sentence ended in a deep groan as Michel took him all the
way to the back of his throat. The angel had to have serious

Jana Downs

cocksucking skills because the length of Cross’s body alone required
more than Madigan thought he could handle. He’d have to ask Michel
for lessons later.

“Fuck yeah it does,” Bren admitted. His eyes bounced between

what Madigan was doing and what Cross and Michel was doing, like
he couldn’t decide what he wanted to look at more. Dex surprised
Madigan by reaching out with his other hand and kneading Bren’s
already tight sac. Madigan moaned, his hips swiveling. Now this was
the visual he was talking about. Dex’s eyes met his.

“I like to touch,” Dex murmured shyly. Madigan smiled at him

and gave himself another long stroke.

“I like it when you touch.” He licked his lips.
Bren cried out, his body jerking as he reached his peak.

Apparently, today had been too much of a sensual overload for the
guy because he came hard enough that his milky pleasure splattered
Madigan’s stomach and upper thighs. He mumbled inarticulate words
over and over as he continued to jerk himself until nothing else came
out.

“Hmm, Bren,” Madigan purred in compliment. He used his

fingers to swipe up a drop or two of spunk and brought it to his lips to
taste. He suckled his fingers, enjoying the salty, sweet taste of Bren. It
was so damn good.

Dex lost it then, adding his pleasure to the sticky mess that was

already on Madigan’s body. It dripped down the vee of Madigan’s
thighs to his tightly drawn balls. Madigan spread it up his cock, using
it as lubrication to get the amount of friction he needed.

He shouted at the sensation. It was so much better this way. The

smells were driving him crazy. He looked over to watch as Michel’s
blond head bobbed up and down on Cross’s thick length.

“Yeah, baby. Suck him good,” Madigan encouraged. Cross

growled low in his throat, the sound inhuman and sexy as hell.
Cross’s eyes were locked on Madigan’s hand movements. “Come for

Angel Bound

me, Cross. Come in Michel’s pretty mouth. I love his lips. Don’t you
love his lips?” Madigan babbled.

“Yeah. Love those lips. So good. Mouth is so hot,” Cross spat as

Michel increased the speed of his movements. Cross’s hand wound
into Michel’s hair, and he began to fuck himself into Michel’s mouth.

Madigan whimpered and moved his hand faster, seeking relief. He

wanted to come so badly. Michel winked at him around a mouthful of
Cross, and Madigan couldn’t help but smile. Michel was so much fun.

Cross shouted his release, his head falling back and every muscle

tensing for the final moment of completion. It was striking. Like
something that should be in an art museum. Madigan’s own body
began to jerk, and distantly he was aware of Michel crying out right
along with him. His brain short-circuited, lights flashing behind his
eyelids. His balls drew up so hard that it was almost painful. Hot
pleasure erupted like a geyser shooting across his chest and even
hitting his cheek. His muscles trembled and jerked, his nerve endings
dancing as pleasure poured through his body.

After endless seconds of wondrous pain-bliss, Madigan sagged in

relief. He was panting hard. His eyes slid shut, and he was almost
thankful that the hunters had come for him. If what he had to pay was
his life for just one moment of this, he almost thought it was worth it.

“Fuck. Me. That was…” Bren began. He trailed off as if he

couldn’t put into words what the experience had meant.

“Yeah.” Dex agreed, sitting down so that he was no longer on his

knees. Cross pulled out from between Michel’s lips and groaned as he
did. He looked totally embarrassed. Madigan felt like purring like a
satisfied housecat. Michel licked his lips and grinned, laying down
beside Madigan.

“That was hot, cutey.” The blond-haired angel laughed. “You’re a

naughty kid.” Madigan grinned.

“I try.”

Jana Downs

“Cross! Dex! Where the hell are you guys?” a jovial voice called

from somewhere downstairs. The entire room froze, the magic of the
moment gone in an instant.

“Shit. He’s early,” Bren cursed. All the angels scrambled off of

the bed, haphazardly throwing on clothing as they went.

“Oh man. Yuri is going to be such a jerk about this,” Michel

grumbled as he yanked on his sweats. “He’s got a worse mouth on
him than me.”

“Hey, I thought your mouth looked pretty damn good from where

I was at,” Bren joked as he pulled on his denims. Cross started
coughing like he’d choked on his own spit or something.

“Shut. Up. Bren,” the redhead demanded.
“Hello?” the voice called. The sound of footsteps on the stairs had

them all dashing for the door.

“Hold the fuck up, Yuri!” Bren yelled. He was the first one to

reach the door.

They all barreled out, leaving Madigan alone with the mess. He

sighed. It was hard to be mad about it, though. He should’ve been
embarrassed by his wanton behavior, but he just didn’t have the
energy. As carefully as he could, he stood and made his way over to
the attached master bathroom in search of towels.

Angel Bound

Chapter Eleven

Yuri stared at his fellow guardians as they ushered him into the

kitchen and away from the upstairs. They were all flushed, nervous,
their motions tense. His eyes met Dex’s from across the room as he
stood by the entryway into the pantry. He’d half thought that they’d
been kidding when Dex had said “we’re” busy. Apparently not. At
least that would make it easier on them when Yuri spilled his news to
them.

“So what’s up, guys?” he asked, crossing his thick arms over his

defined pecks. He hadn’t bothered to wear a shirt. He’d flown in from
South America. The distance alone had him sweating despite the
altitude. Of course, that was why they sent him. He was the best flyer
and the fastest. As one of Uriel’s angels, he was built for speed and
long-distance travel.

“We were taking care of our charge,” Cross said simply. He was

always the levelheaded one. Thus why Raphael had put him in charge
of their ragtag team. It was unheard of for angels of all choirs to work
together.

Yuri scoffed. “If by taking care of you mean banging. Sure.” They

all winced at his wording. Among all of the angels, he’d probably
spent the most time on Earth. It certainly showed in his language. It
amused him to ruffle their feathers, so to speak. “So what’s got all
your dicks in a twist? He some kind of super slut?”

He didn’t even see the fist coming at his face, but he sure as hell

felt the crunch as it collided with his nose. His head whipped back,
blood exploding from him in a wide arch. Fuck. That hurt. Yuri was

Jana Downs

momentarily stunned as he was knocked back into the cabinetry. Bren
snarled in his face, hauling back like he was going to hit him again.

“Bren, stand down!” Cross was yelling from somewhere over his

shoulder. Though Yuri sure as fuck noticed that the guy wasn’t
pulling Bren off of him.

“Don’t you ever talk about him like that, you piece of shit!” Bren

shouted in his face. Blood dripped down Yuri’s mouth, and he spat it
on the white tile floor, leaving a pink stain. Bren fisted his shirt and
lifted him a foot off the ground. “Do you fucking hear me, Yuri?”

“Let go of me now, psycho. Or else I’m going to fucking murder

you.” Yuri tried to keep his voice calm. Energy and anger thrummed
through his body like a physical force. His muscles jumped eagerly
like dogs pulling on their leads. He could already feel the tissue
reknitting in his nose as what was broken was reset and fixed. The
benefits of being an angel. That wasn’t the point. The principle of the
thing had to be addressed. He was going to whip Bren’s fucking ass.
What did he think he was doing? Why the hell did he care about their
charge’s reputation so much? They’d known him a grand total of a
day!

“Bren! What the hell are you doing? Get off of him!” an

unfamiliar voice shouted. Bren dropped him like a scalding stone.
Yuri landed on his feet but it jarred his knees. The bastard. He was
shaking in rage. He turned his golden eyes and opened his mouth to
tell whoever was interfering to fuck off.

Dark green eyes and a face that belonged on a frigging statue had

him snapping his jaw shut. His nose twitched as the stranger’s smell
hit his nostrils. Was this their charge? Holy Christ, he was beautiful,
and he smelled so good.

“Hi,” Yuri murmured a little breathlessly. If someone asked, he

was blaming it on the fight.

The little redhead glared. “Hi yourself, dickhead. Why were you

picking a fight with the guys?”

Angel Bound

“I wasn’t trying to pick a fight,” Yuri answered defensively.

“Bren jumped me.”

“Don’t make dumbass comments, and I wouldn’t have to jump

your ass,” Bren groused.

“Temper, temper, Luci’s angel,” Yuri goaded, trying to distract

himself from the weird attraction to the nephilim.

“I said stop harassing Bren,” Raphael’s son interrupted before he

could really get Bren going again. He wanted to finish the fight they’d
started.

Yuri turned his gaze toward him. “Who put you in charge of this

outfit, son of Raphael?” His eyes flicked toward Cross. “Last time I
checked, it was Cross’s job to tell me what to do.”

The nephilim held up his hands in surrender. “I’m not attacking

you. I just want you to stop fighting with everyone.” He paused.
“You’re the one they’ve been waiting for?” Yuri nodded slowly. The
change in attitude was a little disconcerting. Their charge looked at
Bren. “You don’t need to jump people like that, Bren. Sticks and
stones, okay?” Yuri was shocked when Bren nodded his head and
looked down in embarrassment. Those green eyes turned back toward
him. “Why don’t you come into the living room with us and sit down?
I bet you’re tired.”

Again, Yuri nodded. He was oddly touched by the concern in the

nephilim’s voice. The charge favored him with a smile, the enticing
scent growing with each passing second. Hmmm…He’d almost
forgotten what it was like to be around a nephilim going through the
transition period between youth and adult. It had to be his
pheromones that were so enticing. No wonder the others had started
tangling with him already. The boy was lucky he hadn’t been fucked
six ways from Sunday. And Yuri didn’t doubt that he hadn’t been
fucked yet. He wouldn’t be walking right now if that was what he’d
interrupted. Of course, if he’d come in during an actual fuckfest, then
the other angels would’ve probably yelled at him to piss off. They
were all virile warriors who weren’t used to waiting on action.

Jana Downs

“What is your name, son of Raphael?” Yuri asked as he was led

back down another hallway and into an open space with several
couches and a big television.

“You’re the only one who doesn’t seem to know it,” the charge

replied, amusement lacing his voice. Yuri’s annoyance spiked. He
didn’t like being made fun of. “I’m Madigan,”

“I’m Yuriel. Everyone calls me Yuri.” Yuri introduced himself

without thinking. He’d hate to be called by his full name. That was his
father’s name, so being called Yuriel was just weird to him.

“Nice to meet you,” Madigan said politely. “So what did you do

to piss Bren off so much?”

Yuri hesitated. He wasn’t really supposed to lie, but the

alternative wasn’t very pleasant. He didn’t want to admit to this
lovely creature that he may or may not have inadvertently called him
a whore. “Uh…” he stalled.

“He was just being his normal, dickhead self,” Bren finished for

him and Yuri was grateful for the interruption. Though the glare shot
in his direction clued him in that it wasn’t for his benefit in the
slightest.

Yuri made a beeline toward the comfortable-looking leather

recliner and plopped down on it. He gave a groan of thankfulness as it
embraced his body. Man he was tired. He hadn’t realized exactly how
tired he was until that moment. He rubbed his eyes and watched as
Madigan sat on the couch opposite him, Cross and Bren on either side
of him, and Dex and Michel behind them. Interesting. Well, didn’t
Yuri feel like Johnny-come-lately. He had the strangest urge to snarl
at the group of them for leaving him out. Which was insane. Instincts
were a bitch.

“So where did you fly in from?” Madigan wondered. Michel

handed their charge a bottle of water, which he sipped from. Yuri
licked his lips. He hadn’t had a chance to get anything to drink yet.
The nephilim glanced from the bottle to him and back again. He
tossed it, and Yuri caught it easily though he was surprised. Was the

Angel Bound

half angel a mind reader? Yuri took a grateful swig, nearly draining it
in one long gulp before he answered.

“South America.”
Madigan’s eyes widened. “Eden is in South America? I always

thought it would be in Africa or something.”

“Common misconception and kind of a moot point either way.

Eden hasn’t been Eden since Pangaea. There are little pieces of Eden
everywhere. It’s just the largest chunk happens to be in South
America,” Yuri supplied. He drained the rest of the bottle. Dex
disappeared and reappeared with another bottle in hand. The other
angel tossed it to him. “Thanks.”

Dex nodded to him without comment.
“You have news for us?” Cross interrupted Madigan’s forty

million questions. Yuri was actually a little disappointed by it. He had
been enjoying educating the inquisitive halfling.

“Yes. I have some crazy news.” He sighed. This had been the part

he’d been dreading the entire flight over. Angels were not exactly
known for their open-mindedness, and with the exception of Bren and
himself, they hadn’t been out of the divine realms all that often to get
acquainted with the wilder side of humanity. He sagged deeper into
the recliner. He might as well just get it over with. It was almost like
ripping off a Band-Aid. Sometimes the best thing to do was just jerk it
off quickly.

“What color are your wings?” Madigan interrupted. It seemed like

the kid was just bursting with questions.

Yuri chuckled. “They’re the same color as my eyes.” They were

the color of champagne. He’d always thought they were kind of
boring himself. They weren’t fantastic shades of crimson like Cross’s
or even the deep midnight of Bren’s. Hell, even Michel had wings the
perfect shades of white and gold. His were just plain in comparison.

“Can I see?” Madigan asked. Yuri blinked. Was he serious? Right

now?

Jana Downs

“Madigan, why don’t you let Yuri breathe for a minute, baby?

He’s exhausted from the flight, and I think he’s having trouble
keeping up with two lines of questioning.” Cross’s voice was a gentle
rebuke when he spoke. Madigan blushed lightly. How frigging cute
was that?

“Sorry,” the nephilim muttered. He looked embarrassed, and Yuri

found himself wanting to ease that awkwardness.

“It’s not a problem really,” he offered. Madigan smiled at him and

his heart did a somersault. Holy crap. No wonder the kid had the
angels already begging for his favor. His instincts clamored for him to
cater to Madigan’s every need and smallest want. It had to be a
mating instinct. One Yuri had never felt before. It was then he noticed
that the room had gone quiet waiting for his answer and he was
staring at Madigan. He cleared his throat.

“I consulted the ancient texts over the subject going back to

Sodom and Gomorrah. It was a solution but one that is a little
extreme. However, as far as I can tell, it is the only solution known to
have any effect.” He hesitated. “It’s…unconventional.”

Cross put a hand on Madigan’s shoulder. “What is the solution?”
Yuri cleared his throat. “He has to, uh, mate with his guardians.”

He looked at each angel in turn. “All of us.”

Angel Bound

Chapter Twelve

“No way. No friggin’ way. I don’t even know you!” Madigan

protested. He leaned against Bren, seeking comfort. Cross wrapped
his hands around his shoulders and squeezed.

“It’ll be for your protection, Madigan,” Yuri said reasonably. “I

wouldn’t suggest it unless there was some other way.”

“I don’t know you!” he repeated. Yuri raised his golden eyebrow

at him. It was a curious color, the same as his hair. It wasn’t brown,
and it wasn’t blond. It was some curious shade in between. Not that
that mattered. He shook his head to clear it.

“So it’s just me then?” Yuri smirked. “You’d mate with the others

but not with me? What’s one more dick in the dog pile?” Madigan
blushed crimson. He knew it sounded stupid, but he felt like he’d
gotten to know the others a little. Yuri just sort of walked through the
door.

“One more comment like that and I’m going to bust your fucking

mouth!” Bren snapped, holding Madigan tightly.

“Be respectful, Yuri!” Cross growled at the same time. “This is a

lot for Madigan to handle.”

Madigan swallowed hard. They were protecting him again. “I just

don’t see how sleeping with five other men is going to keep me safe.”
He shifted as his body started to stir with interest at the thought. He
wanted to scream. Angelic puberty was a bitch. At least now he knew
why he was so freaking horny all the time. Of course, knowing why
did not help him control his urge to rub up against every man in this
room.

Jana Downs

“Your father had to perform a special ceremony to grant you us as

guardian angels. He had to take a piece of himself, which was
connected to you, and share it between all of us. It’s a really
complicated process,” Yuri explained. “However, the bond is
incomplete unless we take you as our lover. We’re angels. We have a
forever kind of love when we mate. It doesn’t require anything of you
but to pledge to be ours for the rest of your life, and we do the same.
Of course, we have to consummate the bond within two days of
making the pledge. So basically, we promise to be your devoted
lovers and those words act as a covenant between us. Then we have to
consummate the joining.”

“You’re talking marriage,” Madigan accused in a strangled voice.
Yuri nodded. “Essentially, yes, except there doesn’t have to be

any lavish ceremony. We just make a verbal pledge.” He paused. “I
don’t think you understand that your life is in great danger, Madigan.
If one of us for even a second falters, you’re dead. Period. End game.
No reset. No recall. Dead. Do you understand?” Madigan nodded.
“Then you should understand why we need to do everything we can
to make sure we’re not leaving them an opportunity to get to you. The
hunters won’t give up. Yes, this house is sanctuary, and they can’t
enter it. However, you also can’t go outside. You’re trapped in this
place. It only takes one smart hunter to realize that a sniper’s bullet
can go through windows. Then what? Are you going to live in the
basement until you’re of age?”

“Don’t talk to me like I’m a kid that you’ve got to chastise!”

Madigan snapped. He felt like he couldn’t breathe. The walls he’d
thought were a comfort suddenly felt suppressing. He’d never leave
this house. He started to shake.

“Dammit, Yuri! You scared him. He’s going to hyperventilate.”

Bren’s hands started smoothing down Madigan’s back in gentle,
soothing motions. He kissed the side of Madigan’s cheek and neck.
“Shh, baby. It’s okay. We’re going to take care of you. Don’t worry.
Yuri is being a dick.”

Angel Bound

“What happens if we mate him?” Michel asked from behind them.

He’d been curiously quiet throughout the conversation. Madigan
turned to look at him. He looked stern and aloof. Something he never
seemed. That was more Dex’s personality.

“He has a temporary cease fire placed on him for a year. I’m not

sure of the specific ins and outs of that, but the ancient scrolls read
that he will be untouchable so long as he’s within those years with his
consorts. That should be just enough time to see him through his
transition period and take the petition to Raphael for a permanent
ban,” Yuri said. His eyes lit on Madigan, and Madigan deliberately
looked away. He knew it wasn’t fair to blame the bearer of weird
news, but he resented the hell out of the clinical way he was
addressing what should be the most romantic moment of his life.

“Why all of us?” Michel wondered. “Why not just two of us?

Most humans only have two guardians. Why can’t we just use that
model?”

Yuri sighed. “It has to be every angel that he’s been angelbound

with. Trust me, I’ve checked and rechecked. If Raphael hadn’t already
bound us, it wouldn’t be an issue, but since we’re bound to Madigan,
all of us must take him as a consort.”

Madigan started to tremble, but he didn’t know if it was from the

lust pulsing through his veins or the fear that was racing through in
equal measure. He wanted a shower, and he wanted to think. He knew
he still smelled like the angels. He’d used a wet washcloth to mop up
most of the sticky mess, but the scent had lingered on his skin,
clouding his mind. Part of him wasn’t exactly opposed to being
married to them, but what would happen when he finally got over the
angelic puberty thing and his libido returned to normal? Would they
still want him if he couldn’t keep up with their demands?

“It might be easier to think of this as a business partnership than a

marriage,” Yuri began. Madigan swallowed hard. Right. Business
partnership. “There is no need to get emotionally entangled. We
could all use one another for our mutual satiation.”

Jana Downs

“Use one another?” Bren asked. “Wait a minute. I thought we all

just had to bond to Madigan.”

Yuri sighed. “That was the other part I didn’t want to tell you.

We’ll all feel compelled to bond with one another as well. You see, in
order to complete the circle, we all must bound to each other. Think
of Madigan as the clasp and us as the links in a bracelet or necklace.
We’re all held together by Madigan, but we would also be connected
to one another. There isn’t a time limit on the angels bonding with
one another but it will make the connection stronger the closer we are.
Trust me when I say that the ancient texts said that it will painful to
remain unbound over a long period of time. We’re going to want to
bond with one another.”

Cross and Bren looked at one another. “No friggin’ way.” Bren

echoed Madigan’s earlier protest. “I’m not binding myself to Red for
all eternity. Not goin’ to happen.”

“I feel the same way. Bren and I don’t even really like one

another.” Cross glared. Madigan sighed. He wished those two would
just get along. They would be beautiful together. He pictured the two
of them touching and kissing, grinding while Michel sucked Madigan
and Dex slid into him from behind…

He groaned as his dick instantly filled, pressing against the seam

of his pants in insistent greeting. Every angel in the room looked at
him. Madigan put an arm over his lap to hide the bulge, but he was
pretty sure they knew exactly what that sound had been about. He
blushed lightly and cleared his throat.

“You’re lovely,” Yuri spoke, and Madigan’s blush deepened. He

pictured the other angel joining them. His gorgeous, golden self
claiming Madigan’s mouth in a kiss before pushing his head down so
that he could lap at his hard length…

Shit. He arched his back without thought, grinding against the air

as the urge to fuck hit him hard. It was hard to imagine that he’d just
gotten off a few minutes ago. It had felt so good to be surrounded by
them. Felt so good to be touched and wanted and watched.

Angel Bound

“Christ.” Yuri’s soft exclamation reminded him that he was in a

pretty serious conversation. He forced his rioting body to calm down
a little.

“I–I’m sorry,” he stammered. The scales had tipped. He was

definitely trembling from arousal now. Yuri’s eyes literally started to
glow. He’d never seen any of the other angel’s eyes do that before.

“No need to be sorry, Madigan.” Yuri sat back in his chair,

uncaring that he was exposing his hard cock as it pressed against the
seam of his own pants. The angel sighed. “He smells fantastic.”

“Like home,” Dex echoed.
“Like ours,” Michel added. They all sounded a little dreamy like

Madigan was casting a spell on them. They were the ones who
smelled like something he wanted to roll in. He ached to have those
scents on his skin. His shaking increased. He wanted to know what
Yuri smelled like.

“You need us to give you a minute?” Cross’s voice was laced with

concern. He didn’t understand that it was the image of all of them
together that affected Madigan like this. His angelic side apparently
had no problem with the prospect of having five strong angels to seek
and be sought out for pleasure for the rest of eternity.

“I need, Cross. All of you together is scary, but there is a piece of

me…” He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. He wanted them.
He wanted them all so damn bad. He needed to get a grip. He took a
deep breath and looked at Yuri. “What are the chances of success if
we don’t do the binding?”

Yuri’s eyes clouded, and a sad smile passed over his face. “About

four million to one. We have five full-time warriors. They have
hundreds. There is a likely chance at some point during the next year
that we will fuck up and one of us will be banished.”

“Banished?” Madigan asked.
“When an angel is banished, he is tossed out of heaven and

thrown into the pits of Hell. The hunters have that ability. If one of
our physical bodies should die by the hands of the hunters, they will

Jana Downs

take our souls and toss them into the pit for defending an
‘abomination.’” Yuri’s explanation chilled him.

“You didn’t have to tell him that,” Cross rumbled. “He’s scared

enough as is.”

Yuri glared. “He needs to know the extent of the danger that is

involved in this for all of us. Raphael gave him one guardian from
each choir to give him a better chance at survival, but the odds are
still against him. With this we have a fighting chance. I’m not keen on
confronting any of the damned down in the pit. Are you?”

“My lord gave me a pass on that. A resurrection potion that will

bring back an angel,” Bren said suddenly.

Yuri snorted. “So if only one of us die, we can bring him back.

That gives me comfort. What happens when Michel and I both kick
it? How are you going to chose who to bring back and who to damn?”

“With that fucking attitude of yours, you’re not even on the damn

‘maybe’ list,” Bren snapped.

“Stop yelling,” Madigan interrupted. He took a deep breath and

closed his eyes. “I’ll do it. I’ll bind myself to everyone.” His eyes
opened, and he looked at each angel. “I won’t risk any of your lives if
I can help it. It’s not fair and this is a rush, but whatever. I want you,
and I would’ve slept with all of you if Yuri hadn’t shown up and
interrupted things.”

“Raphael forbid—” Cross began.
“Do you really think that you would’ve stopped if I would’ve

begged you to fuck me?” Madigan interrupted with a glare. Cross
opened his mouth and closed it again. “That’s what I thought. No
reason to put this off.” He stood. “Let’s go do this.”

“We still haven’t agreed to mate with one another yet!” Bren

protested.

Madigan raised an eyebrow at him. “You and Cross need to put

that elementary school bullshit behind you. You’re working together.
Deal with it. If I have to mate with a bunch of guys that I just met,

Angel Bound

then you can deal with whatever emotional issues you two have
going.”

Yuri stood and walked so that he was standing in front of

Madigan. “Thank you.” He whispered the words. He knelt on the
ground at Madigan’s feet. “You’ve saved us with this solution,
Madigan. I know this is hard, but I pledge that I will do whatever is in
my power to make you happy.” Madigan reached down and ran his
hand through Yuri’s hair.

“I know you will, Yuri. Sorry I’m a little wigged out by this.” His

body throbbed in triumph, knowing that momentarily he would be
surrounded by all of his men again. His men. Hmm, not yet. But soon
they would be. “Come on, guys. Let’s do this.”

Jana Downs

Chapter Thirteen

They climbed the stairs in silence. Michel stared at the tight ass in

front of him and sighed in appreciation. He was glad that Madigan
had agreed to this. This felt right. Like destiny or something close to
it.

“You are certain this will help us keep him safe?” Michel asked.

Yuri walked beside him as they climbed the stairs. They’d worked
together before, many times actually. He wasn’t a bad guy by any
stretch of the imagination. He was just blunt with a mouth that just
didn’t stop running.

“Yes. I’m certain.” Yuri’s eyes hadn’t strayed from Madigan’s

body as they climbed. He was leading them all to the bedroom. He
was such a brave boy. “I feel selfish when I say that I am not going to
mind making him mine for less-than-noble reasons.”

Michel nodded. He felt the same way. He was excited at the

prospect. Even the bond between him and the other angels was
acceptable to him. They were good men. Strong men. Men that he
would’ve chosen a consort from anyways given a chance.

They reached the landing, and Yuri slid alongside him, smearing

the scent of mint and mango that was uniquely Yuri along his body.
Michel shivered.

“Reminds me of old times, eh, Michel?” Of course Yuri would

bring that up. They’d tussled a time or two after battles on the plain of
Gehenna. Michel’s cock hardened further. They had been very
enjoyable tussles.

“Don’t fucking touch me,” Bren snapped as Cross and he tried to

go through the door to the biggest bedroom at the same time.

Angel Bound

“Don’t worry about that, princess. I don’t really want to,” Cross

returned. Michel sighed. How were they ever going to achieve a true
bond if those two wouldn’t get along?

“Where the body goes, my friend,” Dex spoke from behind him as

if he read his mind. Michel nodded. They could only hope.

“You two stop it,” Madigan said with a roll of his eyes. He was

nervous. Michel could tell by the slight trembling of his limbs.

“What are you going to do if we don’t, bright eyes?” Bren asked.

Madigan climbed onto the bed and began stripping again. God, that
was a delicious sight. The look he gave Bren was pure mischief.

“I’m going to beg Dex to shove his huge cock up your ass while

Michel fucks your face so that you can’t protest.”

Michel’s mouth went dry at the mental picture of that. He’d never

looked at Bren in a sexual way before but now…

“Hmmm, like that idea, Michel?” Madigan asked him. He had

stripped his shirt, and the light played off of his tightly packed abs.
Michel nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Bren’s dark eyes
widened almost comically. It was if he couldn’t believe that Michel
could actually want to participate in what Madigan suggested. Michel
almost laughed.

He was one of Michael’s warriors. It was his nature to indulge

himself in pleasures of the flesh. And all of Madigan’s guardians were
the epitome of heavenly beauty. Out of all the angels, he wagered that
he was the most comfortable with this situation. Though without the
comforting presence of Madigan leading them toward this joining, he
highly doubted that he would be given the opportunity to indulge in
his own personal fantasies.

Yuri caught his eyes knowingly, and they darkened to a burnished

gold. “Everyone strip,” he commanded. His gaze turned to Madigan,
who tensed. “I won’t touch you until you’re ready, little one.” He
made the promise with a slight smile on his lips. Madigan relaxed a
fraction of an inch and nodded.

Jana Downs

The rest of the warriors stripped. Michel licked his lips and

glanced around at the collection of angels all preparing to go all out to
do their duty. He groaned as Madigan kicked out of his pants. Doing
his duty had never been so fucking good.

* * * *

Madigan swallowed. He couldn’t believe he was doing this. His

body was rioting happily. His hard length belied the fact that he’d
come an hour ago. He was hard as stone. His hand trailed up and
down his stomach so that he wouldn’t be tempted to wrap it around
his dick and start jerking it off to the five gorgeous men in the room
with him.

“I haven’t been with anyone in a while,” he admitted to the room.

They all gave a collective growl of approval that made him blush.

“I pledge myself to you, Madigan,” Yuri said.
“I pledge myself to you, Madigan,” Michel echoed. The others

spoke the same words, repeating the phrase.

Was that it? He felt a moment of disappointment. He’d always

imagined that his marriage ceremony would be a little
more…elaborate. He shook his head to clear it. There was no place
for those sorts of thoughts here. He needed to just enjoy his men.
They were beautiful and deserved his full attention. He wondered who
would reach for him first. Still, they hesitated. Why were they
hesitating? He was nervous enough as is without them holding back.

“We’ll take care of you, bright eyes,” Bren offered. He had a deep

hunger in his eyes. Madigan’s eyes dropped to his protruding arousal.
Yum.

“Any way you need, Madigan,” Cross added. They were

competing for him…again. Madigan sighed, a burst of anger going
through him. It wasn’t supposed to be that way. His eyes went to
Michel as Yuri ran a hand down the angel’s back, eliciting a shiver of
response. Why couldn’t Cross and Bren be open to each other’s

Angel Bound

touch? Dex started nuzzling Yuri’s neck, his tongue darting out and
caressing his nape. Madigan groaned at the sight.

He patted the bed. “Come closer.” They all moved slowly but

deliberately toward him. His body shuddered in want. One by one
they climbed onto the bed. They barely all fit. If their wings were out,
there would’ve been no way. He licked his lips and reached for
Michel. He seemed much more comfortable.

Their lips met, tangled. Michel’s easy hands ran up and down his

sides. It was both relaxing and incredibly arousing. The kiss
deepened, and he was pressed against Michel from knee to lips.
Michel’s big hands grabbed his buttocks and kneaded the tight muscle
he found there. Bren was suddenly at his back, licking his neck and
grinding his hard cock against his ass. Michel’s hands grabbed Bren’s
hips and brought him even more flush against him. The three-sixty-
degree embrace made him dizzy.

Dex produced a small tube of lubrication from God knew where

and handed it to Bren. Madigan broke the kiss and gave Dex a smile
of thanks. Michel didn’t miss a beat. Instead, he continued to kiss
down his lover’s chest.

“I–I don’t know if I can do this.” Cross’s trembling voice was

shocking. Madigan tilted his head to the side and saw Yuri on his
belly in front of Cross, ready to take Cross’s thick cock into his
mouth.

“Oh, for the love of God. Don’t be a drama queen. Doesn’t

Raphael ever let you get laid?” Bren’s smart mouth went off
expectedly. Madigan reached around and popped him on the mouth
with his hand.

“Knock it off. Not all of us are used to orgies,” Madigan said

gently. He looked at Michel. “Do you mind…”

“Not at all, cutey,” Michel said, reading his mind. He gave him a

soft kiss. “I’ll get my turn soon enough.”

As soon as Michel backed off, Michel was embraced by Yuri. The

brown-haired angel crawled on him like a jungle gym, devouring his

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mouth as he went. Madigan sighed. That was a wonderful sight. His
sex jumped as his hormones kicked into overdrive. This felt so good.

“Bren, I’m going to need your help with this. I need you to be

supportive.” He looked into the unreal depths of his soon-to-be
lover’s eyes. “Can you do that, Bren? No smart-ass comments?”

The dark-haired angel nodded, and Bren shuddered as if

anticipating the pleasure to come. Madigan reached out and took
Cross’s hand. “Come on, Cross,” he whispered. “Be with me. Be
with…us.”

The two angels’ eyes met. There seemed to be a silent exchange

occurring between them because when they touched him again, they
did so as one. Madigan gasped as rough male hands gripped his hips
while another set pinched his already pebbled nipples.

“You’re beautiful, bright eyes,” Bren complimented from behind

him. Madigan cupped Cross’s face and brought it down for a soft kiss.

“You okay?”
“Oh hell, Madigan. We’re supposed to be protecting you. Not the

other way around,” Cross murmured. He pressed his lips against
Madigan’s. “Don’t worry about me, baby. I got this.”

Bren pressed soft kisses to the nape of Madigan’s neck, licking

the sensitive skin before delivering little bites on the wet flesh. It was
Madigan’s turn to shiver. It felt good to have his men against him.
The dark-haired angel’s hands ran down his sides to cup the tight
globes of his buttocks, separating them slightly. Cross came closer so
that they were pressed snugly against one another. Madigan’s hands
crept up his shoulders as the big angel deepened the kiss, their
tongues dancing in feverish delight.

“Hmmm that’s hot.” Bren’s words made Madigan moan into the

warm recesses of Cross’s mouth. Then something warm and wet
pressed against Madigan’s tight rosette. He jumped. Bren’s chuckle
made some of the tension go out of his limbs. “Easy, baby. Just
warming you up.” His voice sounded lower than it had a second ago,
and Madigan couldn’t resist a peek over his shoulder. Bren’s mouth

Angel Bound

was hovering over Madigan’s spread cheeks. He met his eyes and
leaned forward, giving Madigan’s unoccupied entrance a deep lap of
his tongue.

“Holy shit!” he squeaked. No one had ever done that to him

before. It felt good, a little odd, but good. Bren did it again, deepening
the kiss that he was giving Madigan’s tight ring. The nephilim panted.

Cross’s hand wrapped around his swollen cock from in front of

him as if drawing his attention back to him. The dual sensations made
Madigan’s eyes roll as they started a rhythm. Bren gave teasing licks
of his tongue in a slow, steady pace, loosening his backside while
Cross pulled and twisted the head of his dick in a way that let
Madigan get right to the edge but never let him fall off of it. Two
fingers slid into his tight sheath, wiggling around until they scored the
tiny knot of pleasure inside him.

He was whimpering in need. His instincts clamored at him that he

needed to be fucked and fucked hard. Fucked by all of them. His eyes
went to the other men, his other men. Yuri was deep throating
Michel’s hard cock while Dex pounded into him behind. All of their
eyes were on Madigan and the two men he was in between. He
shuddered. Hell yes. He couldn’t wait for more.

“Bren,” he groaned. “I don’t want to wait anymore.” The fingers

almost immediately withdrew, and the pop of the lid for the
lubrication followed. Good. He needed to be filled like the sun needed
to rise and set every day. It was necessary for his sanity. The sound of
Dex’s flesh slapping against Michel’s while Yuri slurped him like an
ice-cream cone was more than Madigan’s sexually starved body could
handle. He tore his eyes away to look down at Cross’s hand as it
pumped up and down his shaft. His mouth started to water.

“Hm, will you let me suck you, Cross?” he asked huskily. He

knew he had to look as desperate as he felt. He was practically
thrumming with desire.

“Oh please!” Michel cried out at Madigan’s words. “Want to see

that mouth wrapped around you, Cross. Want it bad.” Dex growled

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and bit his shoulder, which only made Michel groan more
enthusiastically. The way he started to rock forward harder told
Madigan that Dex was liking the image and the idea as well.

“Yes.” Cross’s growl was unexpected and possessive. It seemed

like once he made his mind up about something there was no further
hesitation. That was good because Madigan was dying for a taste.

He bent from the waist, and Cross spread his legs to get a firmer

stance. Without preamble, he took Cross to the back of his throat,
groaning at the taste of sweat, salt, and man that accompanied the
action. Secretly, he’d always loved to suck dick. His enthusiasm in
the past had entertained more than one college boyfriend. But none of
them mattered now. They all paled in comparison to the incredible
men now in his bed.

He knew his position brought him down on all fours, offering up

his backside like a twink in a shady bathroom-hookup spot, but he
didn’t care.

Bren’s lubed fingers probed his hole for a second before he

replaced them with the thick, spongy head of his cock. Madigan
trembled, sucking on Cross’s cockhead in an effort to keep from
screaming his victory to the heavens.

“God! So friggin’ tight, bright eyes,” Bren groaned through gritted

teeth. He pushed forward slowly, but he was still big enough and it
had been long enough for Madigan that the nephilim cried out in part
pain and pleasure.

“Slowly, Bren,” Cross commanded, beginning shallow thrusts of

his own into Madigan’s willing mouth. “You’ll hurt him.”

“I’m going as slow as I know how!” Bren snarled above him. He

gave a cruel stroke into Madigan’s tight ass. The nephilim whimpered
around Cross’s cock.

“Not slow enough!” Cross snapped back. He was so

overprotective.

Madigan drew off his length with an audible pop. “Shut the fuck

up, Cross. Bren feels so good. Concentrate on giving me your

Angel Bound

pleasure. Stop worrying so much.” Cross looked down at him with a
kind and equally lusty expression.

“Just want to make sure you’re okay.” He said the words a little

sheepishly. Bren began to pump his hips in earnest now, and Madigan
was having a hard time concentrating on the conversation. He wanted
Cross just as desperate as the rest of them were.

“I’ll be okay if you fuck my mouth until you come down my

throat.” The naughty words darkened Cross’s expression. Yes.
Madigan internally gave a whoop of triumph. Cross took his cock in
hand and fed it back into Madigan’s mouth.

“Such a bad boy, Madigan,” Cross rumbled, fucking his wet

cavern with abandon. He was finally giving Madigan what he wanted,
and he couldn’t have been happier. Cross’s long rod was
intermittently choking him, so Madigan relaxed the back of his throat
and closed his eyes, giving himself up to the sensation. Behind him,
Bren changed the angle of his thrusts so that each lunge forward
slapped his prostate. Yes. Yes. Just like that. Oh God! Just like that.
Madigan took up chanting in his mind as he was propelled toward the
edge of bliss.

Somewhere to his side, Michel gave a cry of completion, pushing

Madigan that much closer. Bren grunted his need, his hips losing their
steady pace as he, too, neared the precipice.

“Oh shit, I’m goin’ to come, bright eyes. So fucking tight around

me.” Bren’s sentence ended in a groan, and Madigan felt the oh-so-
incredible sensation of Bren’s cum splashing against the internal walls
of his ass. Madigan cried out. Wherever the sticky substance touched
seemed to create a blaze within him. It was madness in liquid form,
and he shook with the force of his feelings. He came immediately,
unable to stop the demands of his body as he ejaculated hard against
the coverlet.

He suckled eagerly on Cross’s dick. He needed his hot spunk in

his mouth. Needed it like a thirsty man needed water. He was
mindless for want of it. Cross shouted his release as the first thick

Jana Downs

ropes of semen hit the back of Madigan’s throat. Madigan whimpered
gratefully, strumming his tongue up and down the thick cock, milking
it for more of the salty, sweet madness that flowed in a river from the
tip. He luxuriated it in. Wanted to fucking drown in it.

After a few minutes of grateful slurping, Madigan pulled off

Cross’s softening length. He licked his lips, searching for another
drop that he’d possibly missed. His body was vibrating like he was in
heat or something. Instead of quelling the fire of need inside him, the
angels’ release just seemed to incite him further.

“What’s wrong with him?” Cross panted, leaning against the

headboard. Madigan made a little noise of want and reached down to
grasp his already hard-as-stone cock. He felt like he would never
release enough to stop the maddening sensation of desire that was
swirling through him like lava in his veins.

Yuri slithered up to their side of the bed and curled against Bren’s

resting form. “Angelic transition. He needs to feel like he mated with
all of us for the binding to be complete.” He palmed his own hard
dick. “We can’t find satisfaction unless we’ve satisfied his need,
either.”

“Oh God!” Madigan groaned, twisting the head of his erection. He

sobbed at the feeling. “I need. I need so bad.” He glanced at Dex.
“You. Please. You.” Dex’s anaconda dick looked like it would be up
to the job of fucking him into oblivion. He didn’t have to tell
Gabriel’s angel twice. He threw himself across the space that
separated them, nearly causing Cross to fall out of the bed in the
process.

Madigan got on his knees and motioned for Dex to lie down.

“Want to ride you.” His limbs were already trembling from the
exertion of the moment before, but he didn’t care. He crawled up
Dex’s prone body, took his big dick in hand, and lowered himself
onto his massive length.

“Yes!” Dex screamed. Madigan bounced up and down on the rod

beneath him, desperately seeking his pleasure. Dex grabbed his hips

Angel Bound

and started slamming up into him. Madigan threw back his head and
cried out. He wanted Dex’s fiery liquid to fill him. Yet he knew it
wasn’t enough.

“Yuri, Michel, come here.” The words were strangled and

disjointed from the force of Dex’s thrusts.

“Looks like I’m up.” Yuri pressed a kiss to Bren’s mouth, and the

dark-haired angel allowed it. Madigan thought that watching them
touch was almost as good as being touched by them. Almost.
“Thought you didn’t want me to touch you yet, little one,” Yuri
murmured, positioning himself to Madigan’s right. Michel mirrored
him on Madigan’s left. Madigan reached up and grasped both of their
erections in his fists. Both angels gasped.

Madigan felt drunk off these men. “I need you all with me. All of

you.” He ground his eager buttocks down on Dex’s hardness so that it
dragged against his pleasure spot. He arranged them so that both of
them had one leg straddled over Dex’s head. He leaned forward and
took Michel into his mouth and used his other hand to jerk Yuri’s
veiny cock.

In no time flat they were all four near their second peak. Madigan

felt Cross and Bren at his back, heard them as they played with their
arousals in time to Dex’s thrusts. Madigan forced Yuri’s and Michel’s
cocks together so that he could suck on both of the plushy heads at the
same time. Each put a hand in his hair, pushing his head down on
them. He could only, barely, fit the tip of each in his mouth, but it felt
so incredible. Below him, Dex gasped, and he felt the answering flood
of fluid shoot up into his body to mix with the seed that Bren had left
there. Madigan’s eyes rolled. He massaged Michel and Yuri’s tight
sacs desperately. Almost there. So close. He was delirious with
pleasure.

They jetted into his mouth in unison, giving him what he

desperately needed. The combination of seed was too much, and some
escaped his mouth, splashing against his cheeks and chin. Bren’s and
Cross’s spunk hit his back, leaving sticky proof of their want trailing

Jana Downs

down his spine. He screamed as Dex wrapped his hand around his
pounding arousal, forcing another orgasm from him so that Madigan’s
pleasure hit Dex’s chest and neck. He shuddered as it went on and on.
The nephilim screamed until his throat was hoarse.

Finally, Madigan had nothing left to give and slumped from his

position on Dex’s lap. Careful hands grasped his shoulders and drew
him off Dex’s cock. The smell of sex and angels surrounded him.

“Get a washcloth,” Cross’s commanding voice murmured as he

drew him in between Bren and himself. Madigan licked his lips in a
daze. He closed his eyes in utter contentment. He’d never felt so
satisfied.

Bare feet hit the floor and moved away from the bed. Madigan

forced his eyes open. No. He wanted all of them with him.

“Easy, bright eyes. Michel just went to grab a washcloth to clean

you up a bit. He’ll be right back. I promise.” He relaxed at Bren’s
reassurance, snuggling to his side.

“You okay, baby?” Cross asked tenderly. A cool, wet cloth passed

over his skin. He opened his mouth to reply, but he was so tired he
just yawned.

“He’s a little euphoric right now, Cross,” Yuri provided, echoing

Madigan with a louder yawn. “Let him sleep.”

“Is there enough room for everyone?” Michel wondered. Madigan

reached out blindly and was rewarded with Michel’s soft grip on his
hand. “I think he wants us all to stay.” Madigan wanted to agree. He
really did. He was just so bloody sleepy. He yawned again.

“Then we will stay,” Dex said. His voice allowed no room for

argument. Madigan sighed happily, settled into the combined embrace
of his guardians, and slid into dreamland.

Angel Bound

Chapter Fourteen

“Cross!” The shout startled Cross out of a dead sleep. He jumped,

rolling to his feet off the bed and drawing his sword of light in one
fell move. He would defend Madigan to the death if necessary. Divine
light surrounded him, and he was suddenly no longer in the bedroom
that they’d shared but in a whitewashed room devoid of anything but
curling, white fog that swirled about his ankles. He was in the In
Between, the place between worlds, between heaven and Earth. Only
one being would’ve summoned him here.

He went to his knees, his sword dissolving. “My lord Raphael.”

The breeze of huge wings kicked up a breeze and ruffled his hair.

“I sent you to watch him, not seduce him!” The piercing shout

made Cross wince.

“You wanted him safe, my lord. We’ve made him safe.”
“You married him without even consulting me.” Raphael’s

disappointed tone made Cross’s chest ache. He was intimately
connected to his Archangel. Raphael was almost like a father to him.
“I had hoped you two would find love and affection with one another
but not like this.” The Archangel sighed and raked a hand through his
long, red hair. “Never like this.”

“You gave the instructions to all of us to protect him no matter

what,” Cross argued. “We made the ultimate decision to join with
him.”

Eyes the exact shade of Madigan’s bore into him, making him

shift uncomfortably. “You are now bound in a way that is irrevocable.
You can’t return to the heavens, and he cannot die.” He sighed. “You
will have to protect him with the others for the rest of eternity.”

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The idea did not upset Cross nearly as much as it should have.

While he was still unsure of how it was going to work between
himself and the others, he knew that he could very easily fall in love
with Madigan Parker. He’d try very hard not to kill Bren in the future.
It would make the smaller man sad if he did.

Raphael crossed his arms over his chest, and his light increased

tenfold. Cross was blinded by it. “You don’t even care about that, do
you?”

“No, my lord. I don’t care about that. I do care for your son.”
“It’s too soon.”
“How long would you have us wait? A year? Ten years? A

hundred years?” Cross wondered. “I respect you, my lord Raphael. I
have served you faithfully since before the Fall. I find myself
uncaring of the dedication that I have to give to Madigan. He needs
me. Perhaps more than you, my lord.”

“You need him as well, Cross. More than you know.” Raphael

sighed. “Go and be with him then. He will be the keeper of your will
now.”

Cross bowed low enough that his forehead grazed the mist.

“Thank you, Raphael. I’m grateful for the assignment you gave me. I
am happy in this position.” Happier than he could even admit to
himself.

“Your path is not an easy one.” Raphael petted him on the head. “I

couldn’t have chosen better for my son, though.”

Cross lowered his head and smiled into the mist. “Thank you, my

lord.” He paused. “My lord?”

“What is it, Cross?”
Cross hesitated but kept going. “Have you ever been in love?”
Raphael turned his back to Cross’s kneeling body. His red hair fell

around his face like a veil. “Once.”

“Madigan’s mother?”

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101

Raphael laughed and turned his head just far enough to meet

Cross’s eyes. “No. Madigan’s mother and I joined for our mutual
pleasure, and we’ve been friends ever since.”

“Who then, my lord?” Cross asked curiously. Raphael waved his

hand in dismissal.

“Someone best forgotten. Tell my son I said congratulations on

your joining.”

* * * *

“Where is he?” Madigan demanded for the fiftieth time since

they’d all been awakened by Cross’s shout this morning. It was well
after noon, and there was still no sign of him. Dex massaged the
tension in Madigan’s shoulders. The younger man was fretting
needlessly.

“I felt the summons, Madigan. I promise you. He is with your

father,” Dex said for the hundredth time. Madigan had refused to eat
until he had “proof.”

“How do you know that?” Madigan demanded.
How to explain that he just “knew” things? As one of Archangel

Gabriel’s angels of death, he had a sixth sense that defied all logical
mandates. He had been connected to all of Madigan’s guardians since
they’d been bound together for Madigan’s protection, and the
remnants of the binding that they’d invoked last night had only
deepened his awareness of the other angels. He simply knew that
Cross was with Raphael and would be home soon. As soon as Cross
crossed into one plane from the In Between, he could reach out and
touch him mind to mind.

“I just know, Madigan. Please calm down.” Dex pressed a kiss to

Madigan’s neck. He was feeling extraordinarily affectionate today. It
had to have been last night that had done it. There was no other
explanation.

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He was surprised when Madigan leaned back into his touch. The

nephilim was getting more and more comfortable with them. It was an
incredible gift to touch and be touched in return without the necessity
of a reason. Michel picked that moment to walk through the open
doorway.

“I’ve checked the boundaries. All are secure. The hunters may

have been flirting with the edges, checking the sanctuary, but they
haven’t started testing the strength of the walls yet.” He sauntered
right up to Madigan, who was perched on the edge of the barstool. He
wouldn’t even sit at the kitchen table.

“Any sign of Cross?” Madigan asked predictably.
Michel smiled that crooked smile of his, his blue eyes sparkling.

“Still worried about Cross, eh?”

Madigan squirmed. “Yeah. A little. Dex says he’s fine, but I want

to see for myself.” He shot Dex what the angel interpreted as an
apologetic look over his shoulder. Dex just kissed the boy’s head.

“Well, if you don’t eat something before he gets back, he’s going

to be pissed at the rest of us for not taking care of you,” Michel
chastised gently. Huh. Why didn’t I think of that? It should’ve been an
obvious solution to Madigan’s stubbornness. Granted, a guilt trip
wasn’t normally a solution that Dex would employ, but if it got
Madigan to eat, then he was willing to use it. “Why don’t you let Dex
fix you an egg omelet or something? You really liked his pancakes,
and I bet he’s got more awesome recipes that he’d be willing to share
for a price.” The angel waggled his eyebrows at Madigan, who
blushed nicely. Dex felt his own cheeks heating. Michel was just like
the Archangel Michael, incorrigible.

Madigan turned his head and looked up into Dex’s face. The angel

readied himself for another argument and was surprised when the
nephilim requested an egg, cheese, and spinach omelet instead. With
toast.

“Coming right up,” Dex murmured. He went to turn and walk

around the bar so that he could get into the fridge, but Madigan

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103

grabbed his arm. Cooking had been his secret passion since the
invention of the cooking channel, and he had been watching it for
twenty-plus years. Needless to say, he was very popular among other
angels in his choir. He’d learned a long time ago that a good hot meal
was the cure-all for the high stress that being an angel of death
invoked on a daily basis. He looked down at the hand that gripped
him. “What is it, Madigan? Do you want something else instead?”

Madigan shook his head, looking embarrassed, and tugged on

Dex’s collar. “Kiss me?” Dex felt a pang of happiness well up inside
him. He’d never had anyone express such a desire for his touch.
Though he’d had his share of angelic partners, there had always been
an understanding of the temporary nature of their joining. Madigan
was one he got to keep.

“Of course.” He leaned down and claimed Madigan’s lips, trying

to express without words what the simple gesture of desire meant to
him. It was so nice being wanted for more than his skills as an angel.
Their kiss deepened, and their tongues danced.

After an endless moment he drew back, breaking their kiss.

Madigan needed to eat, and Dex needed to get his head out of the
bedroom. At least for now. Madigan blinked, dazed. Dex couldn’t
resist ruffling his hair in affection. It was hard to believe they’d
known this intriguing creature for forty-eight hours.

“Is it always going to feel like this?” Madigan whispered as Dex

stepped around the bar and started digging into a cabinet under the
counter for some pans.

“Feel like what, Madigan?” Dex asked. Where did he put that

skillet he’d used yesterday to make pancakes? He hadn’t done the
dishes, so he had no idea. It wasn’t where it was originally…

“Three doors over, in the back,” Michel chimed in, reading his

mind.

“Will it always feel like I’m happily drowning whenever I’m

touching one of you?” Madigan answered Dex’s question finally.

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Dex popped his head above the counter to look at the nephilim. “I

have no idea. I’ve never been joined before.”

“I hear pots banging. Is breakfast coming now?” Bren’s snarky

voice called from the hallway.

“If you want me to fix you an omelet, you better play nice,” Dex

replied, pointing a spatula at the other man as he came through the
doorway.

“I’m always nice. Practically cooperative even,” Bren said as he

slid his arms around Madigan from behind and gave him a tight hug.
“Hey, bright eyes. Hungry?”

Madigan sighed. “Michel said Cross would yell at you guys for

my hunger strike if I hadn’t eaten by the time he gets back.”

The dark-haired angel snorted. “Nice, Michel.”
“I think I’m positively brilliant,” Michel snipped cheerfully.
Dex extricated the carton of eggs from the refrigerator as well as

cheese, spinach, and milk. His life had certainly taken a path in a
strange direction. This felt homey. It was odd considering they were
all practically strangers. He glanced at the three other men in the
room. He’d touched and been touched by them. Yet he didn’t feel
awkward by the admission like he normally would have.

“You’re thinking naughty thoughts, Dexirus.” Yuri tsked. Where

the hell he’d come from was anyone’s guess. The guy seemed to just
pop into places out of nowhere. His strong arms wrapped around
Dex’s waist as he cracked some eggs into a large bowl and began to
whisk. Yuri was almost as tall as he was, which was saying something
considering Dex was well over six and a half feet.

“I am not thinking anything of the sort,” Dex murmured as Yuri

leaned into his back and rubbed against him. Dex was intensely aware
of Madigan’s small gasp of pleasure at the sight. The boy certainly
loved to watch them touch each other.

“Liar.” Yuri bit his earlobe in punishment, causing the big angel

to growl.

“Stop that. Didn’t you get enough last night?”

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105

“Stop using him as a humping post, Yuri. We’ll never get

breakfast if you keep it up,” Bren protested.

Yuri laughed. “Don’t glare at me like that, Bren. I’m just showing

appreciation for Dex’s cooking skills.”

A snort sounded, probably Bren again. “I think we all know which

sort of Dex’s ‘skills’ you were showing appreciation for.”

“Madigan!” Yuri wailed, clutching Dex from behind even tighter

and snaking one hand southward to fondle him through the basketball
shorts he was wearing. Dex jumped. “Madigan, defend me!” The
drama Yuri put into that statement had Dex giving a deep chuckle of
amusement. Uriel’s angel was crazy.

“Yuri, leave him alone,” Madigan said, laughing. “I’m hungry.”
Yuri sighed and gave Dex’s neck another wet kiss. “I’m the only

one who appreciates you, Dex. Seriously. Remember this moment.”

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Chapter Fifteen

Bren was typically not one for hallmark moments, but this one

was surreal. He sat at the bar holding Madigan in his lap, watching the
human eat his omelet and exchange goo-goo eyes with his guardians.
He’d known his bright eyes was kinky, but this surpassed even Bren’s
expectations. It was like they were some kind of family or something.

He felt rather than saw the portal open outside from the In

Between. Cross was back. A small niggle of resentment wormed its
way into his mind, and he clutched Madigan’s waist more tightly. He
had no problem sharing Madigan because it just seemed…right
somehow. What he had a problem with was the way Cross acted like
he wanted Madigan all to himself. Bren had never wanted anything
like he wanted Madigan.

The first second Lord Lucifer had showed him the image of the

nephilim he was supposed to guard, he’d been lost. The prospect of
being this close to Madigan only to have Cross take him away was an
idea that Bren simply couldn’t tolerate. He knew they were supposed
to be all bonding together, but how could they bond when Bren
distrusted Cross so much?

“Cross is back, Madigan,” Dex supplied before taking a deep gulp

out of his huge glass of orange juice. Madigan stopped midchew. The
sound of the front door slamming had Madigan hopping off of Bren’s
lap and taking off in the direction of the entrance. Bren sighed and
rose to follow. Sanctuary laws said that no immortal could enter who
hadn’t gotten express permission from the owner of the house or
Raphael, but Bren wasn’t taking any chances.

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107

He turned the corner just in time to see Madigan throw himself

into the red-haired angel’s arms. Bren crossed his arms over his chest
and leaned against the doorframe. His heart tripped over itself. It was
a beautiful sight to see even if Bren had such deep reservations about
Cross. Madigan scattered kisses across Cross’s face and clucked like a
worried chicken over where Cross had gone and why he hadn’t said
anything. Blah. Blah. Blah. Sappy didn’t come close to describing the
scene.

Cross’s eyes rose from Madigan’s face and met Bren’s gaze. A

thrill went through Bren that annoyed the shit out of him. He didn’t
want to feel anything when Cross looked at him. This bonding thing
was bullshit.

“Bren,” Cross greeted, nodding his head in acknowledgement.
“What’d your lord want?” Bren demanded, ignoring the

tenderness he felt growing inside him.

Cross shrugged. That meant everything and nothing and both.

Bren rolled his eyes. What the hell? “He said to tell Madigan
congratulations on our joining. He’s happy that Madigan is going to
have a congregation of strong men to take care of him.”

“Don’t you mean that Raphael was happy that his son hooked up

with one of his angels?” Bren sneered. “That sounds much more
realistic.”

Cross frowned. “What’s with the attitude, Bren? I just walked

through the door. Can you give me a break?”

“Sure. Whatever. This is me giving you a break.” Bren turned and

stomped up the stairs. Anger, resentment, and worry were practically
rolling off of him in waves. Raphael probably called Cross to tell him
how to get rid of the other angels who’d mated his son. No way could
the Archangel be okay with Madigan joining with, not only multiple
partners, but partners from different choirs. It just wasn’t done. Even
among angels, they stayed with their own.

He found his way into the bathroom and started the water for the

shower. He’d always loved running water. It cleared his mind like

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nothing else, made him relax when the tension in his shoulders and
back became almost unbearable. Too bad the shower wasn’t big
enough for him to have his wings out. The slice of water from a
showerhead felt incredible on his feathers. It also made them
waterlogged, but Bren couldn’t find it in himself to complain even
when he was grounded for several hours because of it.

A soft knock sounded on the door. “Bren, it’s me.” Madigan’s soft

inquiry came out muffled through the wood of the door.

“I’m just grabbing a shower, Madigan. Go finish breakfast,” Bren

replied loud enough for Madigan to hear. He stepped through the
curtain and into the spray. He tilted his head back and groaned as the
jets caressed his scalp. He heard the creak of the knob turning and
knew Madigan wasn’t listening to him.

“Yeah, whatever. You’re sulking.” Madigan pulled back the

shower curtain and glared at Bren. The angel closed his eyes to block
out the image. He didn’t want Madigan pissed at him, but dammit, he
wasn’t used to hiding how he felt about anything. “Look at me. Now.”

Bren reluctantly pried his eyes open and gave Madigan his full

attention. The concern he saw swirling in the depths of his lover’s
irises made him swallow guiltily. He shouldn’t have made Madigan
worry over him. He had enough to worry about. Damn my
impulsiveness.

“You’re worried, Bren, and all of it revolves around Cross. Want

to tell me what is going on?”

“I really don’t want to go there.” Bren turned, breaking Madigan’s

gaze, and snatched up the bodywash. It smelled like tangerine or
something else citrusy. Hard fingers pinched his arm. “Ouch,” Bren
yelped. He rubbed the area with his hand and glared at Madigan.
“What was that for?”

“For being a stubborn ass.” Madigan’s hands were planted on his

hips like he was preparing to chew Bren’s head off. Whatever. “You
were fine twenty minutes ago. What has changed?”

Bren swallowed hard. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Angel Bound

109

“Tough shit, Bren. If you want this to work between us, you’re

going to have to talk to me about things that make you a little
uncomfortable. That’s what being in a relationship is like. You have
to communicate.”

“I—” He hesitated. “I don’t—”
Madigan gave a frustrated sound and shoved his pants to his

ankles before kicking them off and stepping into the already too-small
shower stall, crowding Bren despite their size difference. “I don’t care
if you don’t want to talk. Talk to me.”

“You like him more than the rest of us!” Bren blurted before he

could stop himself. He felt his cheeks heating and stared doggedly at
the white walls around him. Anywhere but at Madigan.

“So that’s what this is about,” Madigan said softly. His hands

touched Bren’s chest, which only made the angel want to get away
from him faster. Bren didn’t want Madigan to be so understanding
and perfect. It would hurt less if Bren could just stop thinking and
caring so much about the other male. He didn’t want to want Madigan
like this. “You think Cross is going to take me away from you all?”

Bren nodded curtly.
“Cross was the one who sent me up here to check on you. I

wanted to let you pout by yourself. I don’t really tolerate temper
tantrums very well.” Madigan paused, and a small smile lit up his
face. “Well, unless I’m throwing them.”

“I’m sorry.” Bren’s voice was barely audible. He hated

apologizing. Hated it passionately. But he felt like he should
apologize for being pissy...again.

Madigan hugged him around the waist, laying his head on Bren’s

pectoral muscle. The angel immediately ensconced his lover in a
tighter embrace. “Bren, the point I’m trying to make with this isn’t to
make you apologize. Cross sent me. He was worried about you.
Despite you guys’ animosity toward one another, he’s reaching out to
you through me. He really wants to make this thing between us mean
something and be fulfilling. I know there are a lot of ‘what-ifs’

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floating around. Trust me. I get that. Hell, I don’t even really know
you all, and Yuri I met, what? Twelve hours ago? My body reacts to
you guys. All of you. Equally. I don’t know if that’s going to develop
into something deeper, but I hope it does. I’m not the kind of person
to be sexually involved with someone and not have something more
to it, you know? It took a lot for me to agree to this bond to begin
with because of the length of time, and lack thereof, that I’ve known
you. I’m not asking you to become best friends with Cross or
anything, but can you at least try to get to know him a little more
before you decide that he’s Satan?” Madigan winced at the phrasing
as he seemed to realize what he said. Bren was one of Lucifer’s after
all. Bren smothered a laugh, but his shoulders shook at the wide-eyed
look of apology that Madigan gave him.

“I will try for you, bright eyes,” Bren promised. He kissed

Madigan’s temple. “I feel really high maintenance. I normally hate
that quality in men. I’m sorry.” That was the second time he’d
apologized today. It had to be a record for his lifetime. He was sure of
it.

Madigan pressed another kiss to his chest. “For the record, Bren, I

really do like you and Cross equally. I don’t have favorites. He’s
just…easier, you know? He makes me feel safe and comfortable all
the time. You take me out of my comfort zone, and I love that, but
you’re not what I’m used to. You push my limits.” When he
whispered it against Bren’s chest, following it with a soft kiss ending
in a lick, those words did not seem too bad. The smell of nephilim
filled the now-steamy air. It made Bren feel a little light-headed. It
smelled like plumeria or something equally exotic to him.

“Madigan,” Bren groaned as his body started to harden.
“Sorry, pubescent angel sex drive. Remember?” The boy rubbed

against him deliberately.

“The hot water won’t last forever,” Bren reminded.
Madigan all but purred, “So keep me warm.”

Angel Bound

111

Bren growled, the noise low and feral. He should really insist that

they get out and get Madigan into a warm bed before they started
playing around, but damn it all, Madigan did not play fair in the least.
He wasn’t a good guy like Cross. He lifted Madigan’s legs and
wrapped them around his waist before sliding into the hot core that
welcomed him. No, he wasn’t a good guy. But Madigan preferred him
that way.

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Chapter Sixteen

“I give myself to you, Yuri. With this ring I am bound,” Madigan

repeated dutifully as Yuri slid a platinum bracelet on his wrist next to
the ones Cross, Bren, and Dex had already given him. It was an
angelic version of a wedding band except each band of metal was
engraved with sigils of protection in a swirling angelic script that
Madigan couldn’t read. The whirring sound of a tattoo gun was the
only oddity to this private wedding. Instead of wearing jewelry like
Madigan, Michel was inking matching sigils along with Madigan’s
name in a band around each deliciously shirtless angel’s bicep. The
angel room was the crowded with these huge men whose wings were
in full form behind them. It was primal. Friggin’ hot.

“I accept your pledge. You are my consort from this day forth.”

As Yuri finished speaking, Dex stood up from Michel’s makeshift
tattoo chair, the black ink gleaming with whatever aftercare sludge
that Michel had rubbed into his skin.

“Nice,” Dex complimented, lifting his arm to exam Michel’s

handiwork. “Very artistically done.”

Michel smiled and popped his gloved knuckles. “Thanks. Next

victim.” Yuri plopped down in the chair and offered his arm.

The room was then silent again with the exception of the hum of

the machine as it traced the angelic letters on Yuri’s skin, cementing
their relationship. Madigan fingered the bands, twirling them around
on his wrist. He wished his mom was here. He’d always imagined his
mom being there on his wedding day. She’d been planning it since he
was five after all. Though she probably hadn’t planned on having five

Angel Bound

113

other grooms to contend with when she’d started planning. Of course
it wasn’t really a wedding. There wasn’t cake.

After another minute, Michel snapped his gloves off and came to

stand in front of Madigan. Bren put on a pair of gloves and poured
another thimble-sized cup of black ink.

“Are the gloves necessary? I mean, can you guys even get

infection?” Madigan wondered.

“Nah, we can’t,” Michel answered. He extracted a band of metal

from his jean pocket. “The gloves are to keep the ink from staining
our skin. It’s hell trying to wash it off, and it stains.”

Madigan laughed at the fastidious angels. Whatever reason he’d

imagined for the gloves, that wasn’t it. Michel offered him the band,
and Madigan allowed him to slide it onto his wrist. He was going to
feel like he had a pocketful of change on his wrist whenever he
walked, but it couldn’t be helped.

“I give myself to you, Michel. With this ring I am bound.”

Madigan repeated the words for the fifth time, and a tingle of
“knowing” slithered through his consciousness. He looked at each
man in turn, realizing their worth to him. They were truly his now. All
of them. A contentment filled him. He felt like all the tension of the
past few days had been drained out of him like a boil.

“I accept your pledge. You are my consort from this day forth.”

Michel leaned forward and kissed Madigan’s lips. “Nice to be hitched
to you, cutey.”

Madigan couldn’t agree more. He knew whatever obstacles they

faced in the future that these men would protect him. Beyond that, he
hoped that they would grow to love him. Madigan already felt the first
stirrings of deep affection growing deep inside him for each of his
guardians. Michel walked a few steps away and sat down for Bren,
who immediately set to work on his tattoo.

He watched as his men joked about the lack of pomp in their

ceremony and what they would have for breakfast tomorrow morning.
Bren ribbed Cross for the apparent “girlyness” of his sigils, and Cross

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Jana Downs

smacked him on the back of the head in turn. Michel talked avidly
with Yuri about other tattoos he’d given other immortals in his time,
and Dex nibbled on Yuri’s neck and whispered something in his ear
that made Yuri laugh.

These beautiful angels were all his, and Madigan looked forward

to a future that they could all share. Together. The nephilim smiled
softly to himself. He couldn’t wait.

End of Book 1: Angel Bound

To be continued in

Book 2: Angelic Ties

JANADOWNS.BLOGSPOT.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jana Downs lives in the beautiful mountains of Western North

Carolina with three cats, one dog, several dozen fish, and a very
understanding partner-in-crime who hates to read but makes
exceptions for her stories.

You can usually find her either watching bad reality TV, buying

way too many books on Amazon, or dreaming up another man or two
to occupy her time because life is good but several drop-dead
gorgeous nonexistent men is just better.

Also by Jana Downs

Siren Allure ManLove: Ravyn Warriors 1: Ravyn’s Blood

Siren Allure ManLove: Ravyn Warriors 2: Ravyn’s Heart

Siren Allure ManLove: Ravyn Warriors 3: Ravyn’s Destiny

Siren Classic ManLove: Ravyn Warriors 4: Ravyn’s Dance

Available at

BOOKSTRAND.COM

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com

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