The Angelus Brothers Chronicles - The Golden Hind

CHAPTER THIRTY

A sandal flew out of the bedroom followed by an enraged shout and a second sandal. Cassiel poked his head around Gabriel and Kaia's bedroom door frame and saw the heavily pregnant hind sitting on the floor looking hot and frustrated.

"Are you ok?"

"I can't reach my feet." She shouted back angrily as he looked from her to the offending footwear she'd been trying to put on.

"Do you want some help?"

"No." She replied petulantly. "I'm not going."

"You've been looking forward to going shopping with Rouge and Marie all week. Let's get your sandals on and get you downstairs." He was biting back a smile as he retrieved the footwear and made his way into his brother's bedroom. He half glanced at the beautiful crib and changing table Raphael had crafted for them as he pulled the doe off the floor and helped her sit in a chair. One at a time he fastened the sandals to her feet and helped her back up. She looked embarrassed as she glanced up at him.

"Thank you."

"Not a problem. Can't be easy to grow a whole person." Gabriel hurried into the room looking flustered.

"I heard you scream."

"Just a minor shoe emergency. All sorted now." Smiled his youngest brother and a wink to Kaia.

"OK." Said the vampire slowly looking from one to the other. "Are you ready to go to town?" Kaia nodded and patting Cassiel on the arm, went to her concerned-looking husband and let him escort her down the stairs. The hybrid followed behind them watching Gabriel fuss over his bride. As they reached the top of the stairs he could see Raphael with his bride Rouge and Duncan with his mate Marie. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to find his own bride. The house was starting to get a bit less bachelor pad and more happy families.

***

The square was, as ever, bustling with creatures. Gabriel had kissed Kaia earnestly and said he'd come to find them when he'd finished with business before he left her with Rouge and Marie. The three women had shopped till Kaia was worried her feet would drop off and were now heading for Bon Appetit for a rest and some food. Rouge and Marie were chatting excitedly about all the baby items they had purchased and didn't notice when Kaia froze on the spot, then started towards The Inferno.

There, heading to the club with a woman hanging off each arm was Heracles and she was sure that glint of gold around his neck was her bow. Kaia started after him but kept getting knocked back by the crowds of creatures. By the time she made it to the club's door, the God had already entered. A huge Orge stopped her from following him.

"You need to join the queue, Miss." He said in a deep gruff voice as he gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You don't understand. I need to get inside."

"You will Miss, but you need to join the queue."

"No. I need to catch up with him. Now!" She insisted. "Get Lucius. He knows me. I'm Commander Angelus' bride." The Ogre nodded kindly at her but still wouldn't let her in. Kaia grew angry and tried to shove her way past the huge creature but she couldn't even budge the Orge's arm let alone make him move. A troll with horns moved closer and spoke softly to her.

"Miss, it can't be good for the baby. Calm down and I'll see if Lucius will come out."

Kaia looked up at the troll hybrid, she was sure he was friends with Cassiel but couldn't remember his name. Her face was a mask of anger but she nodded and realised creatures had stopped what they were doing to stare at her. Folding her arms around her belly she waited for the troll to return and tried to make herself less conspicuous. A few minutes later, Lucius dressed in his accustomed black suit and shiny shoes appeared and smiled at her.

"My dear, I'm so sorry my staff didn't know to let you in. Do come in. Be my personal guest." As she moved around the rope Lucius whispered to the Troll.

"Nigel. Find the Commander." Then smiling as charming a smile as Cassiel could ever hope to give he escorted her inside, catching her hand and placing it on his arm.

"What brings you to my humble abode, my dear?"

"I saw Heracles come in."

"Ah yes, you were searching for him last time. I see congratulations are in order." He said, gesturing to her belly and trying to steer her away from the lift to the VIP lounge. Letting go of his arm she moved around him, again he tried to block her by stepping in front of her.

"Let me pass." She spoke loud enough that several creatures turned to look at them. Lucius smiled at them graciously then taking Kaia's hand placed it back on his arm.

"The least I can do is escort you." He took her to the lift and the goblin closed the gate and pressed for the VIP lounge without waiting to be told.

"So it doesn't look like it will be long before your joyful bundle arrives." Said the demon conversationally.

"No." She replied curtly.

"Are you sure you want to be confronting a God in your condition?" The hind looked witheringly at the always suave and elegant demon.

"Yes." When the gate opened Kaia disengaged herself from him again, not waiting for him to escort her and marched out of the lift. Stopping as she reached the railing she surveyed the lounge, it was a little busier than the first time she had visited but still quiet. A few creatures and possibly Gods mingled around tables or on the small dance floor. The green and white twins were behind the bar, Melita flashed Hercules a charming smile as she placed his drink in front of him, the hind began to march towards him.

"My dear." Lucius caught her by the arm. "I know what it is to be angry at someone." Looking up at the ceiling for a moment he sighed. "Believe me I know. But would it not be best to go and find your vampire and then come back?"

"No. He'd never let me do this." That the demon believed wholeheartedly to be true. Hercules or as she kept calling him Heracles was known to have a short fuse and to be an unreasonable arsehole with a superiority complex. He really didn't want to let a pregnant woman confront him over some unknown trifle.

Kaia stormed past him, and again he stepped swiftly in front of her.

"My dear, I don't know what he's done but I am sure there are other ways to placate yourself than risking..." He didn't get to finish his sentence before she stepped round him again. She marched straight up to Hercules and before the God had fully turned round, the delicate hind punched him straight in the face.

Lucius was just starting to lunge to block the vengeful Gods retaliating blow, when Hercules gasped.

"Kaia." He said her name like a prayer and before anyone could react pulled her to him and kissed her like a lost love.