Angel's Awakening

CHAPTER ONE-2

“KEEP THAT GODS-DAMNED hell hound away from me,” Azazel grumbled. He jumped back from the drool-covered fangs snapping at his neck.

On the advice of one of his contacts in Hell, he and Zarek had spent the past couple of hours crawling around the dirt and debris of defunct subway tunnels beneath 42nd Street. The guy said one of the items on Satan's shopping list was in the area. The list was short. Five items. A cross, a sword, an ankh, a cup, and the emblem that made the whole kit, kat, and kaboodle work. At various other points on the globe his demonic contacts searched for the first four. The fifth object needed more careful consideration. Satan trusted no one but Azazel and a few select others to retrieve the emblem Constantine saw on the battlefield before victory against Maxentius: In hoc signo vinces. In this sign you will conquer.

Legend had it that the owner of all five objects got some pretty badass powers. Like most legends, this one was probably worthless. Why something so valuable would be hidden in a dingy subway made less sense than sunshine in Hell. Didn't matter to Satan. What the Dark One wanted the Dark One got.

“You should be nicer to Princess,” said Zarek. “She's about to hit pay dirt.”

“Can we just find this damn thing and get the hell out of here?”

“Why so testy, friend? Didn’t sleep last night? Maybe you should see a shrink.”

Az’s vision tinted red as anger coursed through him and he swung out at the other Fallen. His fist connected soundly with the man's jaw, making a satisfying crack. Zarek spat out a loose tooth. Rubbed at his jaw. Served him right.

“Okay. I deserved that.” Zarek grinned like an i***t.

What was he so happy about? Smarmy bastard. Azazel turned his attention toward the two-headed hound sniffing around a hole in the wall. It sucked to admit it, but Zarek had a point. I am testier than usual. The nightmares that used to plague Az every night had diminished down to striking only a few times a week, but they still left him with his heart racing, panicked, drenched in sweat, and partially shifted into his demon form. A thousand years as the recipient of Satan's special brand of hospitality shackled him with a centuries-long fear of falling asleep. These days he only slept when his body made him.

“You flaking out?” asked Zarek, less out of concern for Az than how it might inconvenience him and his hellhound.

“Nah, I'm cool, man. I'm cool.” Az took a deep breath.

Princess stopped poking around the hole. Both her heads lifted, necks stiff, four eyes focused straight ahead. Fingers of powerful energy brushed against Az’s skin. He shuddered. Something dangerous was out there. “Looks like Princess found something.”

“Princess and I will check it out,” said Zarek. “I fully expect rescue if I don't return in five minutes.”

“Rescue this.” Azazel flipped him off.

With a cocky wave, Zarek took off down the pitch-black tunnel. Azazel drew the long hunting blade strapped to his thigh and began the countdown in his head.

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