Obsessions: A Monster Squad Novel 7 by Heath Stallcup

of wires. Two part explosives, virtually undetectable by most of their scanning machines. Even the canines they use are not trained for this.”
    Samael nodded as he tried to crush the white sphere. It seemed as solid as the steel he wanted to use. “And the triggering devices?”
    The commander held up a cell phone. “Everybody has one these days.” He turned to another of the lesser unit commanders. “Retrieve one of the devices.” They watched as he ran to the far side of the warehouse then jogged back carrying the vest. “They are lightweight, easily concealable, the explosives are layered in as a paste and it takes very little. The ceramic spheres will act as mortars once the device goes off. Everything within two hundred yards will be decimated.” He smiled as he held the device up.
    “And how many are there now?” Lilith asked as she handed the ceramic sphere back.
    “Somewhere between five and six thousand. Each of us should be able to suicide our host, return with a new one and be back out in a matter of days.”
    Samael nodded. “How many total will there be once all of the materials are used?”
    The commander did some quick calculating in his head. “I’d estimate perhaps seventy-five hundred. Perhaps even eight thousand. It just depends on how frugal we are with the spheres.”
    Samael turned to Lilith and smiled. “Commander, I do not care about being frugal. We want maximum carnage.”
    “Understood, sir.” The commander retrieved the vest from him and handed it back to the sub-commander. “And once we have brought them to their knees?”
    Samael sighed heavily. He extended his wings. “Our intent was to have me pose as a Heavenly being and assign our queen as guardian. Obviously that isn’t possible now.”
    “Perhaps you can still be of service, sir.” The commander raised a brow, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
    “What are your thoughts, Commander?” Lilith asked, stepping between the fallen angel and the Roman.
    “Who says the angel that appears has to be ‘heavenly’? What if an angel from the Fallen appeared…and took credit? Then our queen steps in and saves the day?”
    Samael gave Lilith a sidelong glance and smiled knowingly. “You’ll need to watch this Roman, my love. I am beginning to think he is far too smart for his own good.”
     
     

 
    6
     
     
     
     
     
    Matt lay on the floor of the cramped room with Jenny curled beside him. The room was a shambles, the desk and chair knocked over, the mattress from the small bed now acting as a pillow against the wall, and sheets and blankets scattered everywhere. His chest rose and fell quickly as he tried to slow his breathing, sweat running down his sides and soaking the blanket underneath them.
    “That was…” He trailed off, unable to find the words.
    “Incredible.” Jenny nuzzled him and draped a leg over him. “When I think of the time I spent running when we could have been doing this?” She giggled at herself, drunk on the emotional high she was feeling.
    Mitchell wrapped a protective arm around her and pulled her closer to him. “I never knew it could be like that.” Her hair tickled his chin and nose as he whispered to her.
    She smiled and bit at her lower lip. “Me either. I guess those Fates get some things right.”
    Mitchell stared at her leg draped over him and his face became solemn. “I guess it’s done now…isn’t it? I mean, we’re sealed now, right? Connected?”
    She nodded almost imperceptibly. “Yes.” She turned her face to his and studied him. The way his eyes took in every little detail, the dimple in his chin, the ridge of his nose, somehow he just oozed masculinity. “Are you okay with it?”
    He gave her a slight smile and pulled her tighter to him. “Yeah, I am. I didn’t know if I would be, but I am. Somehow this just feels right.”
    She relaxed and exhaled deeply. Her body seemed to melt against his and she laid her head against his chest. “Good, because there’s no