Mercy for the Wicked Read online

  Clearing my throat, I slid the drink across the bar. “Here you go, a seven and seven with sugar on the rim and three maraschino cherries, enjoy. Ah, Parker… do you think I could talk to you for a minute?”

  “Not now, Merce, I’m busy.” Parker didn’t even look at me, too interested in looking down the side of her top.

  “That’s alright, pooky. I’m going to the little girl’s room, I’ll be right back.” Sharona took a sip of the drink through the teeny, tiny straw, making a silly noise as she drank. “Good job, sweetie, really yummy.” I felt like a dog that had just been patted. Parker watched her sashay away, and I had to reach over the bar to tug at his shirt to get his attention.

  “Really? Come on Parker, you can do so much better than that,” I hissed as soon as she was out of earshot.

  “Don’t start…”

  “We’re such ‘old friends’, who else is gonna have the guts to tell you she’s a gold-digger.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Oh please, she picked you up at a Jag dealership!”

  “She happens to have her own money.”

  “That doesn’t mean she’s not after yours,” I retorted, dropping my voice again before I started to get carried away.

  “You don’t even know her.”

  I could hardly tell him I was reading her soul. “Call it… feminine intuition. I can tell she’s not a good person.”

  “Yeah well, based on your behavior tonight, I wouldn’t say your judgment is ringing any bells,” he muttered, raking his fingers through his hair. “If I didn’t know better I’d think you were jealous.”

  “Jealous?” I blinked, shocked he would say such a thing. “When have I ever been jealous of any of the bimbos you’ve brought around before?”

  “And yet the first time I bring by someone with style and class, you go apeshit on me. Is that what it is, Mercy? All of a sudden when I meet someone I could really care about, you decide you want a turn?”

  “Is that what you told her? Is that why she looked at me like I was your old discarded goods? Come on, Parker, you don’t honestly care about that piece of trash do you?”

  “That’s enough!” His hand slammed down on the bar, hard enough to make me jump. “Go home. You’re of no use to me like this. And when you come back, be prepared to show a little respect for me and my girlfriend, or don’t come back at all.”

  I stared at him, stunned by the angry physical response as well as the words that stung even more. “Fine.” I peeled off my apron, tossing it into the dirty glass hopper. “I can use a little fresh air, it’s getting thick in here.”

  By the time I retrieved my purse and coat, Daphne was standing by the door, waiting for me. “Wow. What was that all about?”

  “I don’t like his new girlfriend.”

  “No yeah, I heard all of that, the whole bar heard most of it. I meant, what was all that about between you and Parker?”

  “What do you mean?

  “Are you jealous?”

  “No,” I gave an inelegant snort. “I don’t think of Parker like that, he’s my boss.”

  “Are you sure? The way you two flirt together… sometimes, I wonder.”

  Ridiculous. I waved the idea away as I pulled my coat on, studiously avoiding looking in the direction of the bar as we made our way to the door. “That’s just the way he is. I’m not stuck on Parker. I’m practically living with Ben.” Any overflow feelings I might be struggling with ran to a certain dark angel…

  “Okay, I believe you. I’m just saying, to those of us on the outside looking in, that kinda looked like a lovers’ quarrel.”

  “Super. I can imagine the gossip the next time I come into work.” It was already starting to circulate as our bouncer Walter looked away with an embarrassed nod as we passed the door. He’d always had a bit of a crush on me, and now he thought I was sleeping with the boss… swell. “Well, it’s the last time I try and save him from making decisions with the wrong head. If he wants to get mixed up with a piece of work like that, he can suffer the consequences on his own, my conscience is clear.”

  “Why, what was wrong with her? I mean besides the obvious ‘stick up her behind’ angle, some guys are into that.”

  “She’s not a good person, trust me. Her soul was all brown and yucky. I wouldn’t wish someone like that on anyone.” The worst thing was, Parker seemed to be in deep smit, and I hated to think of him going through the emotional wringer when I could put a stop to it. Then again, if someone had marched up to me and told me who to love, I would have told them to go jump.

  “Ah, the angelic spidey sense kicks in,” Daphne nodded, accepting that without further need for explanation. “You can’t help who you fall in love with though.”

  “Don’t I know it,” I sighed, stepping out into the crisp night air. “Want to go back to my place? I’ve got Vikings on Netflix and ice cream in the freezer.”

  “Sounds good, I’ll follow you back to your place. Unless you want to ride together?”

  I spotted Sam waiting against my car and shook my head. “No, I’m good. I’ll meet you there.” Fairly sure he was keeping a low profile and couldn’t be seen, I approached the driver’s side door, not wanting to look like I was talking to open air. “Hey, Sam, how goes the night shift?”

  “It goes well. All is quiet.”

  “Quiet is good, that’s what I like to hear.”

  “Everything is well? You seem… agitated.” His head canted to one side to study me.

  “It’s nothing, human stuff, nothing to worry about.” I did my best to change the subject because in truth, I was still pretty bummed about the way I’d left things with Parker. “Listen, we’re headed back to my place to watch a movie and commiserate over the inconstancy of men. Do you want to hang out with us?”

  “As much as I yearn to do so,” his lips quirked, “I hardly think I am qualified.”

  “You don’t have to be qualified to hang out. All you need is to be there. Besides, you should probably meet Daphne, don’t you think? She knows all about you already.” He hesitated and I could tell he wanted to, but struggled with what he thought he should do. “The offer stands if you’d like a little bit of company,” I shrugged, done with the dispensing of advice for the night. “Do you want to ride back with me or…?”

  “Thank you no, I’ll manage on my own,” he replied hurriedly, as I expected. We’d never spoken about it, but I knew Sam had an intense dislike of all motor vehicles. I suspect he thought they were unnatural, and with his wings, I could understand why he felt no need of them, but I still offered to be polite.

  “Oh, by the way, what’s your stance on Norse Gods? Myth or basis in reality?” I asked out of curiosity, since I had a certain brawny deity on my mind and in my DVD player.

  “Officially… I have no comment. Unofficially, I quite enjoy their mythos, but Greek Gods have always been my favorites.”

  Oh, there was so much more I wanted to ask him… but a couple pulled up into the space next to mine and I couldn’t easily continue the conversation. “Okay, later, Sam,” I whispered, as I ducked into my seat.

  By the time I got home, Daphne was already waiting for me in my apartment with the TV on and the ice cream dished out into tall beer steins. I gave my seal of approval and went to change out of my work clothes when I heard the knock on the front door. “Unless that’s the God of Thunder himself, send whoever it is away,” I called out, trusting her to handle it.

  “Hey, Mercy, I don’t suppose it matters, but there’s this completely adorable guy standing out in the hallway watching your door.”

  Chapter Six

  “What?” I ducked my head out of the bedroom, still pulling on my comfy top.

  “Uh oh, I think he heard us, he’s gone.” Daphne stood with her eye pressed to the peep hole in the front door.

  “What did he look like?”

  “Um, kinda tall, blonde wavy hair… oh duh, I think it’s Sam!”

  “He’s probably still th
ere then,” I muttered, pulling open the front door, I frowned to find it empty. As far as I knew, Sam hadn’t found a way to make himself invisible to me. “Sam?” I stepped out into the hallway, wrapping my warm, fuzzy cardigan a little tighter to my body. There was no answer and I started to wonder if it wasn’t such a hot idea to step out of my apartment into a deserted hallway with a pack of demons on my trail. “Sam, is that you or should I call the cops?” The top of Sam’s head peeked out of the stairwell, just his eyes visible, and he gave a shy, little wave. “What are you doing down there?” I waved him over. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack? I started to think there was someone out here waiting to get me.” I grabbed his elbow and tugged him closer once he came into reach.

  “I panicked,” he said softly and I blinked at him, digesting that for a moment. The big bad angel of death (formerly anyway) who I’d seen slam a demon down on a bar one handed, had panicked?

  “Why?”

  “It wasn’t you who came to the door.”

  I mashed my lips together to keep from smiling over the admission; it was a big step that he was there at all. “It’s only Daphne, who you’ve seen a zillion times, why don’t you come on in and meet her?” I could see her out of the corner of my eye, practically vibrating with excitement to finally meet my ‘guardian angel’.

  “Alright,” he nodded, looking all around as he stepped over the threshold, as if he hadn’t been inside my apartment before. Come to think of it, it was Adam who’d spent more time at my place, not Sam.

  “Sam, this is Daphne, Daphne, Sam,” I did the honors, and Daphne stuck out her hand.

  “How do you do?” she said formally.

  “Very well thank you, and yourself?” Sam took her hand and clasped it in his briefly before letting go.

  “Fine, thank you.” They were both so friendly and polite; I hoped it wouldn’t be awkward for the rest of the night. I shut the door behind us, turning back to see them staring back at each other, neither one of them uttering a word until Sam spoke again.

  “I have heard many good things about you, Daphne, Mercy speaks well of you, indeed.”

  A smile spread over Daphne’s face as she came back to life. “She talks up a storm about you too. Though I have to admit, for a while I wasn’t sure if you were real or a figment of her imagination.”

  “Understandable,” he nodded soberly.

  “Jiminy Christmas, but your eyes are blue…” she murmured and Sam stood very still while she finished her inspection.

  “Yes, they are,” he nodded again. “You are quite colorful as well.”

  “I am?” she looked down at her clothes. Dressed casually for her impromptu date with Mitch, she was wearing a pale blue sweater over slim fitting jeans.

  “Yes, I can see why Mercy is so fond of you.” Sam’s eyes swept over her body and I began to understand he was talking about the quality of her soul which radiated a bright, cheerful orange with warm pink highlights. Sensing her confusion, I decided to break up the little love fest in the hallway, moving past them into the living room.

  “Okay, guys, its time for the movie. Sam, would you like some ice cream?”

  “No, thank you.”

  Daphne followed my lead, with Sam trailing along behind. “Are you sure? It’s chocolate fudge explosion.”

  “Explosion is good?” His brows climbed dubiously, taking a seat beside me on the couch. Mimsy immediately jumped onto his lap and he stroked her back absently.

  “Very good,” I nodded, putting a small bite on the end of my spoon and holding it up to him. “It can’t hurt to try it, right?” He leaned towards the spoon, eyeing the melting concoction warily before taking the tiniest bit between his lips.

  I don’t know if you’ve ever seen someone taste chocolate for the first time ever, but I swear it was right up there with a religious experience, and for an angel, that’s saying a lot. Sam’s entire face transformed into a wondrous smile, tongue darting out to moisten his lips. “What do you think?” I grinned.

  “Explosion is very good,” Sam nodded, with a longing look to the rest of my ice cream.

  “Here, knock yourself out,” I handed the stein full of ice cream over and rose to make myself another. “Oh, but don’t eat it too… fast…” I looked back to see his mouth closing around an enormous bite of ice cream, his eyes widening slightly at the temperature change. “You might end up with an ice cream headache.” It was a little late for the warning, and sure enough, his face scrunched up tight with pain.

  “Ahhh… I do not like ice cream explosions,” he frowned, setting the cup down on the table as he pressed a hand to his head.

  Daphne’s face was a study of sympathy and she set her ice cream down to pick up his other hand. “It’ll pass in a sec, take a deep breath.” She breathed with him, and I watched out of the corner of my sight while she nursed him through the traumatic experience. “Is that better now?”

  “Yes, thank you,” he nodded, blinking rapidly.

  “Sorry, I did try to warn you, but you were too quick,” I called out, putting the ice cream container back in the fridge. “Just go a little slower with the rest of it.”

  “No, thank you, I have had enough ice cream.” Sam regarded the melting treat with suspicion.

  “It’ll be okay, Sammy, take smaller bites. It’ll be fine,” Daphne nodded encouragingly, taking a relatively small bite herself to show him. If Sam had any reservations at being addressed as ‘Sammy’, he didn’t show them. Instead he picked up the stein again, placing the smallest of bites onto the end of the spoon.

  “Like this?”

  Leaving them to figure out the eating lesson, I put the movie in, and settled back on the other end of the couch since Daphne had scooted into my seat. The two of them seemed to be getting along like gangbusters. I could see how his often clueless manner would attract Daphne, she was always one for taking care of strays. She’d always been much more patient than I was. I tended to try and leave Sam to figure things out on his own unless I spotted him headed for danger, but she was having a good time guiding him through the ins and outs of chocolate, so who was I to interfere?

  We watched the movie and by the time it was over, Sam lost any discomfort in being around Daphne. In fact, they chatted like old pals. I’m honest enough to admit I felt a small pang of jealousy at having to share Sam with someone else, even my best friend. Even though it was my idea in the first place to get them together, I was a little sad to see Sam adapt to spending time with someone else so easily. I was used to being the only person who could see him, and there was something special about that. Now he was listening raptly to Daphne explain why eating turkeys and watching parades on TV was a sign of giving thanks in November.

  “Why would you not offer a simple prayer of thanks every day? Why only once per year in an expression of gluttony?”

  “Because… it’s a family day that way. A good chance to spend some time together and catch up.”

  “Why would you not spend time with your family otherwise?” Sam was genuinely puzzled by the notion.

  “He’s obviously never met my family,” I snorted, earning an eye roll from Daphne.

  “It’s getting late,” she yawned, making me yawn in turn.

  “Yes, it is,” Sam nodded, matter of factly, missing the point behind that statement entirely.

  “I’m gonna head for home. Sam, do you need a ride anywhere?”

  “No, thank you, I do not require a ride.”

  “Sam’s not big on cars, but he has his own mode of transportation.” I rose and stretched as she found her shoes and slipped them back on.

  “Oh, the evening is at an end?” Realization dawned on him and his expressive face registered disappointment so sharply, you would have thought I’d just drowned a kitten.

  “Yeah, some of us have to sleep,” I pointed out, stifling another yawn as I escorted Daphne to the door. Sam brought up the rear, clearly reluctant to go. “Thanks for coming over, Daph, I had fun.”

&nb
sp; “Me too.” We hugged and then she turned and hugged Sam as well without stopping to think about it twice. Sam froze the instant her arms closed around him, a deer in the headlights look coming over his face. I shot him a sympathetic look, and he eased as soon as she let go of him. “It was so nice to finally meet you, I’m sorry it took so long.”

  “As am I,” he replied a little dazedly, but his gentle expression returned as soon as she stepped out of his personal space.

  “Are you going home then?” I asked, refraining from hugging him as well since he looked like he a little on overload at the moment.

  “No, I’ll stay until dawn as I always do.”

  A pang went through me as I realized how uncomfortable that must be for him, to have to give up half of his day in trying to keep me safe, and there I was kicking him to the curb. “You could stay you know, if you promise to be quiet and let me get some rest,” I offered, and Daphne’s face lit up, the way it does when she gets a scathingly brilliant idea.

  “Maybe Sam should stay here with you for a while? Then you would have a roomie to keep the demons at bay, and he wouldn’t have to skulk around in the hallway?”

  It wasn’t a half bad idea. Though in retrospect, probably not a decision I should have made at that time of night, but I have a history of making rash decisions sometimes. “I don’t know, it seems like that would be a big imposition, Sam likes his privacy, don’t you?” I asked dubiously.

  Sam looked as though we’d just given him a new puppy. Or another bowl of ice cream. “I wouldn’t mind in the least bit staying with you. If you wanted me to, that is.” Oh, the look on his face… How was I supposed to say no to that? Especially with Daphne bouncing beside him, convinced in the beauty of the plan.

  “Well, if you wouldn’t mind… I mean you’d have to be quiet, no DVD’s at all hours.”

  “I would, I spend most of my time reading, that would not disturb you if I kept a light on in here, would it?”