Kaia giggled like a schoolgirl. Dont act surprised by our insistence that she remain here. Paris told me what you said to Cronus the other night on that rooftop. Send me a woman who will deny me, she mocked.
Oh, really? When did you and Paris have time for a heart-to-heart? William asked as he buttered a blueberry muffin.
Kaia shrugged, her focus remaining on Aeron. A couple nights ago, I was looking for a little fun, and he was looking a little weak. Another shrug. He was feeling chatty afterward.
Paris merely nodded in confirmation. Every time Olivia had seen the keeper of Promiscuity, hed appeared sad. Just then, he looked almosthappy, if a little tired. That must have been some chat.
But I offered you a place in my bed, William whined to the Harpy.
Bed? Oh. Oh. Kaia and Paris had apparently accomplished more than talking during that heart-to-heart.
You suck at Guitar Hero, so I figure youre bad with your hands. Besides, someone else we all know and love has staked prior claim on you.
Who? Olivia asked before she could stop herself.
Kaia ignored her, continuing on. Therefore, I picked Paris to keep me warm the other night. And I cant wait to give Bianka the down-and-dirty details.
Oh, no. No, no, no. You cant kiss and tell, Paris sputtered.
The Harpy smiled lazily, evilly. Just watch me. Any-hoodles. You want your little demon to return, Aeron-bo-barren, youll have to go into town and play with her there. The angel stays.
The heat of Aerons breath was like fire on the back of Olivias neck. This. Is. My. Home.
Not anymore.
Kaia and William had spoken in unison. They shared a smile, though William still looked sulky over Kaias choice of bedmates.
Yeah, Olivia said, chin lifting yet another notch. Not anymore. She wanted Aeron here with her, yes, but he apparently needed time away to reflect on how lucky he actually was to have her.
That wasnt egotistical of her, she told herself. Truth was never egotistical. Besides, it shouldnt take him more than a few hours to realize just how much he needed her and wanted to be with her. He was smart. For the most part.
Please, let him want to be with me.
Once more Aerons hands settled on her waist. This time, he squeezed hard enough to make her gasp. Do you know where Pandoras box is, Olivia?
Of course hed ask the one question she didnt have an answer for. Welluhno.
Do you know where the Cloak of Invisibility and the Paring Rod are being held?
Okay. Two questions. No, she admitted softly. What she did know was that the Lords had found two of Cronuss artifacts: the Cage of Compulsion and the All-Seeing Eye. What they lacked, as Aeron had mentioned, was the Cloak of Invisibility and the Paring Rod. As the One True Deity had no use for such relics, her kind had never searched for them.
Aeron lifted her to her feet and released her. Olivia had to grip the table to keep from toppling over. She also had to press her lips together to keep from moaning in disappointment. Touch me.
Still want her here? he asked the others, emotionless. Her, rather than me?
One by one, they nodded. Unrepentant.
Fine. He ran his tongue over his teeth. Shes yours. Get what information you can from her. As suggested, Ill be in town. Someone text me when shes gone. Only then will I return.
CHAPTER SIX
THERE WAS A CONSPIRACY to drive him mad, Aeron thought darkly.
First, his friends had kicked him out. Second, his demon had screamed at him to stay. To stay. With Olivia. A being Wrath should despise. A being Aeron should despise. Instead, he understood his demons dilemma.
She was enchanting.
This morning, when hed woken up and realized she was fully healed, the desire hed denied only a few days ago had sparked to life. Ever since, it had refused to fade. Shed fallen to the floor, robe bunched at her waist, and her pantiesshit, her panties. Too white, too pure. Made a man want to rip them apart with his teeth and dirty the wearer up a bit. Hed wanted to tear her robe away, too, and devour her.
Somehow, some way, hed managed to stop himself.
Maybe because hed realizedand reminded himself, over and over againthat Lysander had been the voice hed heard the day before. That Lysander had been the one to heal Olivia, the one who wanted her happy and whole.
Unsoiled, he muttered.
And Lysander would be a terrible enemy to have.
The Lords could fight Hunters, yes. But Hunters and an angelic army? Hardly.
So Aeron had finally gotten himself under enough control to leave the bed without falling on top of Olivia in a desperate rush to touch and taste her. Hed finally convinced himself to get rid of her. Hed finally, blessedly forgotten there was a throbbing erection between his legs while she wiggled on his lap and made love to her food.
Only to have Wrath insist on more.
I liked you better when you were merely a presence. An urge, he told the demon now.
A snort was the only reply. At least there was no more of the demons pleading. Wrath had only quieted a few minutes ago, when realizing what Aeron planned.
Aeron scrubbed his face so hard his calluses scratched his cheeks. He was in Gillys apartment in town. A spacious three-bedroom on the wealthier side. Gilly was a young friend of Danikas who now lived in Budapest. Torin, their first line of defense at the fortress, had loaded her apartment with state-of-the-art security, just in case Hunters ever discovered her connection to the Lords. Even though she was fully human and as innocent as a person could bea miracle in and of itself, given what Danika had told the Lords about Gillys troubled childhoodthose bastards wouldnt hesitate to hurt her.
She was currently at schoolhigh school, that isand undoubtedly happy for the distance between them. She still wasnt comfortable around him. Understandable. Though Gilly was only seventeen, shed seen the dark side of man and had been on her own for years. Theyd offered her a room at the fortress, but shed desired a place of her own. Good thing, too. Now Aeron wouldnt have to roam aimlessly until dark; he could summon Legion at last.
He stood in the center of the living room, the couches and chairs pushed back to make space for the circle of salt and sugar hed sprinkled just in front of him. He was going to summon her in a way she couldnt ignore.
He splayed his arms and said, Legion, Quinientos Dieciséis of the Croisé Sombres of Neid and Notpeбhocil, just as Legion had taught him. It was her name, number, and title in a mix of different languages. Legion, Number Five Hundred and Sixteen of the Dark Crusaders of Envy and Need. If he didnt say it all, he could accidentally summon someone else. I command you to appear before me. Now.
There was no flashing light as Cronus liked to employ when materializing, nor did time stop. One minute Aeron was alone, the next Legion was inside the circle. Simple, easy.
She collapsed to the floor, panting, sweat glistening on her scales.
Legion. He bent down and scooped her up, careful not to let a single grain of salt or sugar touch her. It would burn, shed told him.
Wrath purred, happy again.
Immediately Legion snuggled into his arms. Aeron. My Aeron.
The action reminded him of Olivia. Sweet, beautiful Olivia, who was now with Kaia, a demented Harpy with a warped sense of humor, and Cameo, a ruthless killer with a tragic voice. Hed leave William and Paris, two unabashed sex addicts, out of the equation. Because if he didnt, he would destroy Gillys apartment in a fit of rage. Rage, not jealousy, just to be clear. If they messed with the angel, theyd be inviting Lysanders wrathand it was that prospect, not the thought of Olivia being attracted to one of his friends, that infuriated him. Of course.
Gillys wall would look better with a few holes, he thought then. Hed be doing the girl a favor, helping her decorate.
Plus, as leery as Olivia was with othersanyone but himself, that was, not that he was proud about thatshe might not be faring well. Even now she could be hiding, crying, praying for his return.
Surely Gillys couch would be more comfortable if it were sawed in two.
Harden your heart, as you so unflinchingly told Paris you could do. Olivias state of mind didnt matter. Her tears didnt matter. They couldnt. Actually, they would help. She would leave the fortress that much faster.
Legion was the most important thing to him. The child hed secretly wanted but had never been able to have. Not just because hed never committed to a woman, but because he knew how weak babies could be. Becoming a father, something hed never had himself, hadnt been worth the agony of watching his own child wither and die.
With Legion, he didnt have to worry. She would live forever.
Whats wrong, precious girl? he asked, carrying her to the couch and falling into its cushions. The scent of sulfur clung to her, and Wrath sighed, clearly homesick. Once his demon had hated that aroma. But now that the fiend knew the horrors of Pandoras box, hell seemed like Paradise.
They chassse me. She rubbed her cheek against his pectoral, abrading skin, and purred. Almost got me thisss time.
Her forked tongue always caught on and prolonged her Ss, something he found endearing. When hed first met her, shed even spoken like a baby, using the wrong tenses and pronouns. At her request, theyd been working on her grammar, and he was very proud of her progress.
Youre here now. Youre safe. He rubbed the two little horns atop her head, knowing how sensitive they were and how much she liked it. You dont have to go back.
Angel dead?
Not exactly, he said, sidestepping the question for the moment.
They sat like that, silent, for several minutes, while she fought for control of her breathing. Finally, she calmed and the burning heat of her scales cooled. She sat up and that red gaze looked around.
Thisss isssnt home, she said, confused.
Aeron scanned their surroundings, trying to see the place as she must. Furniture in a rainbow of colors: red, blue, green, purple and pink. A wood floor draped with a floral-print rug. Walls dripping with different-sized portraits of the heavens, gifts from Danika.
Were in Gillys apartment.
Pretty, she said, the awe in her voice unmistakable.
Her sense of femininity had ceased surprising him. When he moved back to the fortress, he would give her a room of her own. A room she could decorate as she wished. He wasnt sure how much more pink he could stand in his own.
Im glad you like it. We might be here awhile.
What? Her awe was replaced by fury as she faced him. Youre living with Gilly now? Isss ssshe Doesss ssshe love you?
No.
Slowly she relaxed. Okay, then, but I wanna go home now. I missss it.
Me, too. We cant. The angel is there.
Legion stiffened, fury returning. Why isss ssshe there and not usss?
Excellent question. Shes going to help the others with the Hunters.
No. No. I help with Huntersss.
I know, I know. She might be little, but she was fierce. And killing was a game to her. But shed endured so much strife in her life that Aeron desired only peace for her now. He didnt want to drag her into yet another battle. He wouldnt.
She meant too much to him.
We can be alone here, he said.
Fine. Again, she relaxed against him. Well stay, but I will help more than her.
Or Olivia would lose her head. Warning received. Time to distract his little darling. Want to play a game?
Jumping up, grinning, she wound herself around his neck, slithering like a snake. Yesss, yesss, yesss.
Always ready to play, his Legion. Despite her improved speech, she hadnt lost her childlike needs. Pick something. Whatever you want. He reached up to pet her, and his gaze fell to his arm. There was a single patch of bare skin on his wrist. He should have a snake tattooed there, to remind him of Legion. A tattoo to remind him of the good in his life, rather than the bad.
Yes, he liked that idea.
I want to playClothes Optional.
Also known as Shred Everything Aeron Wore. Maybe pick something else. What about Beauty Shop, like we played a week ago? You can paint my nails.
Yeah! Legion clapped, her excitement palpable. Ill go get Gillyssss polisssh. Off she raced, disappearing around the corner.
Gillys room is the last one on the right, he called. He would spend an hour or two indulging her and then he would patrol the city for any sign of Hunters, as well as Shadow Girl. After what Legion had endured in hell, he owed her a little recreation, damn his duties.
Owed. The single word blasted through his head, and he cursed. He also owed Paris.
Even though hed claimed he wouldnt return to the fortress until Olivia was gone, he had to take care of Paris. That wasnt a duty he would relinquish for any reason, yet hed already allowed Lucien to see to Pariss needs for the last three days. He sighed, disappointed in himself. Just because Lucien had taken the warrior into town didnt mean Paris had picked anyone.
And while Paris might have slept with Kaia the other night, the strength hed derived from it wouldnt last long. Despite his smiles, hed looked fatigued at breakfast. As Aeron had learned, fatigue was the first sign of trouble.
Aeron was willing to bet the warrior hadnt been with anyone since Kaia. And that just wouldnt do.
Legion skipped back into the living room, holding a plastic purple case and grinning widely. Your nails will look like rainbowsss when Im done.
Rainbow. He supposed that was better than the bright pink flares shed made them last time. Im sorry, baby, but our game will have to wait. I need to go back to the fortress and take care of something, which means I need you to stay here.
The case fell to the floor with a crash. No!
I wont be gone long.
No! You ssssumoned me. You sssaid youd play.
But if Gilly returns before I do, he continued, as if she hadnt spoken, please, please, please dont try and play with her. All right? The human wouldnt survive. I just have to grab something. Or rather, someone. Be a good girl and wait for me.
Legion stalked to him. She flattened her hands on his chest, her claws slicing past his skin, drawing beads of blood. Ill go, too.
You cant, baby. Remember? He reached up and scratched her behind the ears. The angel is there. Shes lost her wings and is now visible, but that doesnt make her any less dangerous to you. She
The little demon jumped up and perched in his lap, staring up at him. Already big eyes widened. Ssshe doesssnt have wingsss no more?
No. She doesnt.
Ssshesss fallen, then?
Yes.
Once again, Legion clapped happily. I heard an angel had fallen, but I didnt know it wasss her. I could have helped them hurt her! But I can fix that. I can snatch my home from her now. I can kill her.
No, he said, more fiercely than hed intended.
Even Wrath reacted fiercely, growling inside his head, snapping at Legion for the first time.
Because his demon wanted to be the one to destroy the angel? No. Aeron shook his head. That made no sense, considering Wraths earlier desire for more. Perhaps the demon didnt want her destroyed by anyone. A suspicion that still made no sense, but was a better fit.
Why did the demon like her?
Later. Aeron cupped Legions chin and forced her to keep her attention on him so that he would know she was not already daydreaming about the killing. Focus on me, baby. Good. Now. You cant hurt the angel.
Legion blinked up at him. I can! Im ssstrong enough, I promissse.
I know you can, but I dont want you to. She was supposed to hurt me but didnt. Instead, shed given up everything for him.
Why? he wondered for the thousandth time. What kind of person did that? Hed scoffed at her earlier when shed reminded him of her sacrifice, but truly, he was fascinated and confused. And humbled.
She didnt know him. Or maybe she did, since shed followed him for weeksbut that made her decision all the more bizarre. More than that, he wasnt worth saving. Not to an angel, all that was good and right and perfect. And certainly not to a woman whom he would never allow himself to have.
Ssso? Legion persisted.
So. In return, were going to be nice to her.
What? No! No, no, no. If shed been standing, she would have been stomping her feet. I can hurt her if I want.
Legion, he said, using his most authoritative tone. This isnt a negotiation. You will leave her alone. Promise me.
Scowling, she sprang from his lap and paced the length of carpet in front of him. You only want me to be nice to your friendsss. Ssso ssshe hasss to be your friend. But you cant be friendsss with a disssgusssting angel.
The words didnt seem to be directed at him, so he didnt reply. He let her continue to rant, hopefully getting it out of her system.
Isss ssshe pretty? I bet ssshesss pretty.
Again, Aeron remained silent. Legion, he knew, was protective of him and liked to be the center of his world. As was not uncommon among children of single fathers, she didnt like him turning his attentions elsewhere.
You like her, she accused.
Finally he spoke up. No. I dont. But even he could detect the uncertainty in his voice. Hed liked holding Olivia in his arms the last few nights. Liked it way too much. Hed liked her sitting in his lap at breakfast. Hed liked having her wild-sky scent in his nose. Hed liked the softness of her skin and the purity of her eyes. Hed liked her gentleness and her determination.
Hed liked the way shed looked at him, as if he were part savior, part temptation.
You like her, Legion repeated, and this time there was so much fury in her words, they nearly scorched his skin.
Legion, he said. Even if I like another woman, that doesnt mean Ill love you any less. You are my baby, and that will never change.
Poison dripped from her too-sharp teethteeth she bared in a snarl. Im not a baby! And you cant like her. You jussst cant. Ill kill her. Ill kill her right now! With that, Legion disappeared.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Olivia twirled clumsily in front of the full-length mirror, taking in the knee-high black boots, the so-short-it-barely-covered-her-bottom skirt and the cerulean-blue tank top she wore. The matching blue thong she had shimmied into even came up over the waist of the skirt. Talk about naugh-ty. Shed never revealed this much skin before. Not even to herself. Thered never been a need.
Shed asked for this, however. Make me beautiful, shed said to Kaia the moment Aeron had stomped from the fortress.
Oh, goodie! A slut-it-up makeover, the Harpy had responded.
The other two warriors, William and Paris, had groaned. Paris had even sung, Boor-ring, under his breath before leaving. William had tried to stick around to help, but Kaia had threatened to use his balls as earrings.
After that the Harpy had eyed Olivia with amusement. You want Aeron to realize his mistake, huh?
Yes, please. More than that, shed wanted to shed her angelic image completely. Once and for all. Shed thought, by removing her robe, she could remove her fear and uncertainty, too. Shed thought, by donning the slut-gear, she could also cloak herself in confidence and aggression.
And as she spun a second time for a look at her backside, she realized shed been right. Well, she realized she was right after her dizziness faded. Thankfully she was getting used to her legskind ofand managed to remain upright.
I love it, she said, grinning. She looked like a new person. She even looked human. But most of all, she looked radiant, and seeing that radiance was like swimming in a pool of power.
Im strong. Im beautiful.
What would Aeron think? In all the time shed watched him, shed never seen him pay any specific female attentionbesides herself, the past few nights and this morning. So she wasnt sure what kind of woman attracted him.
And it was better that way, she supposed. She couldnt pretend to be something she wasnt. Otherwise shed still be in the heavens. So he would have to like her for herself. Which was what she wanted most. If he couldnt do so, well, he wasnt worth her time anyway.
Hell like you. How could he not?
Confidence was nice.
Those are make-a-man-beg clothes for sure, Kaia replied. The redhead had spent the last hour rifling through her closet to dress Olivia exactly right. I stole them from a little place in town.
Wait. These garments havent been paid for?
Thats right.
Really? Why did she suddenly feel sexier? Olivia wondered. Was she becoming as bad as the demons? Maybe shed send the shop a little money. You dont have any money. Maybe shed send the shop some of Aerons money.
Now sit, Kaia commanded, motioning to the chair in front of the vanity mirror with a tilt of her chin.
Cameo moaned. Youre not done yet? She sat upon the bed, waiting (im)patiently for the slut-it-up session to end. I have so many questions.
Kaia shrugged. Ask her while I do her makeup.
Olivia perched on the plush cushion as commanded and Kaia crouched in front of her. The Harpy had already palmed an eye-shadow brush and a case of azure powder. Never having worn makeup before, she wasnt sure how she felt about that much color, but she didnt complain. This was one of the reasons she was here, after all. To experience everything the world had to offer.
Close your eyes, Kaia said. When she complied, the brush began to dance gently over her lids. Youre up, Cameo.
No other prompting was needed. You said you know where some of the demon-possessed immortals are staying, Cameo said, getting down to business.
Yes. Again, no lightning struck and no angelic army swooped in.
Aeron met a girl the night he saved you. She was surrounded by screaming shadows, whatever that means. Do you know her?
Olivia was nodding before she could stop herself.
Be still, Kaia told her. Now I have to fix your eye. It looks like I hit you. While I like that look, I dont think Aeron will.
Sorry. She straightened her spine, keeping her chin immobile. That was Scarlet, daughter of Rhea. Oh, and if you dont know, Rhea is the self-proclaimed mother to all the earth and embittered wife of Cronus.
What? Cameo gasped out. Shadow Girls a daughter of the gods? And not just any gods, but the king and queen of the Titans?
Well, one god. Cronus isnt her father. Rhea spent forbidden time with a Myrmidon warrior when she and Cronus first began warring with each other.
Why were they warring? Kaia asked. I feel like I should know the answer, but I never kept up with heavenly politics.
Easy enough to explain. Cronus planned to lock their children, the Greeks, in Tartarus because his old All-Seeing Eye had predicted they would usurp his power. Rhea merely wanted them banished to earth. But he locked them away, anyway.
Cameo muttered a quick hmm before saying, So this Scarlet was conceivedwhen?
Such a sad voiceOlivias heart actually bled, hurting more intently with every word the female spoke. Rhea had her affair as she deliberated ways to help the Greeks escape Tartarus and overthrow Cronus. Her lover even helped her enact that plan, and died for his efforts. However, the Greeks were ultimately freed. Rhea expected to continue ruling, but Zeus feared she would later aid Cronus and locked her away right alongside his father. Scarlet was born and raised inside the prison.
As shed spoken, brush, sponge and stick had been used on her face, one after the other. Nervousness bloomed, burning her stomach. She prayed she wouldnt resemble a clown when Kaia finished.
So this Scarlet is possessed byShadows? Cameo asked. Darkness? If so, Im not sure how either one can be considered evil. They seem like gifts rather than curses. To always be able to hideto strike your enemy without being seen
Youre thinking in terms of absolutes, Olivia explained. Your demon, Misery, isnt necessarily a curse, either, for without pain there couldnt be pleasure. Think about it. Everyone must experience the dark emotions on some level to appreciate what they have. Your demon is simply the extreme of the emotion. As is the case with the other Lords. And with Scarlet. But the demon she carries is neither darkness nor shadows. What she has inside her is Nightmares.
Okay, wow, Kaia said. And I thought the guys here were lucky. That has to be, like, the coolest demon ever.
Nightmares? Cool? Hardly. The darkness Scarlet summons is a complete absence of light. Its an abyss within her, a never-ending pit of gloom. And inside that gloom lie the very things humans fear most.
There was a rustle of clothing and she pictured Cameo shifting on the bed, leaning closer to her. How do you know so much about this?
Ive encountered many demons over the centuries. As a former bringer of joy, I saw how and why demonic influence ruined human lives.
Ohhh, cool. So what did you do with those demons? Kaia asked. Start with how you kicked ass and end with mopping up the blood.
Adorable Harpy, to view her as so strong. I didnt fight them myself. If my presence alone failed to send them fleeing, I would have to summon a warrior angel to dispatch them.
Lets backtrack a minute, Cameo said. That kind of experience wouldnt tell you where Scarlet was and what she could do.
Busted. Olivias cheeks heated. Ive been watching Aeron for a while and knew he wished to meet the others of his kind. I made sure to study those nearbythe closest of whom just happened to be Scarlet. There are a few others also scattered about, but most are hiding around the world.
Interesting. Are they
Nope. My turn to ask a question, Kaia interjected. So is this Scarlet a good guy or a bad guy?
Olivia pondered her answer. I suppose that depends on your definition of good and bad. She was raised in a prison, surrounded by criminals. Thats all she knew before being paired with her demon and later cast to Earth. Everything shes done, shes done to survive.
As have we, Cameo muttered.
Which wasnt true for Olivia. Everything shed recently done, shed done to suit her own needs. She should feel guilty about that, she thought, butshe didnt. In discovering the path to her happiness, she just might discover Aerons, as well.
No just might about it, her newfound confidence piped up.
Finally Kaia finished applying the makeup, the brush strokes ceasing. The Harpy clapped her hands and whistled. All done, and damn, Im good.
Slowly, Olivia cracked open her eyelids. The moment she found the mirror, she gasped. And shed thought herself radiant before The blue shadow complemented the color of her eyes, making them appear electric. The black mascara added so much length to her lashes, they nearly reached her brows, offering the perfect frame. The rosy blush on her cheeks gave her a just-roused-from-bed glow, and the bloodred lipstick gave her lips a kiss-me glaze.
No need to offer your firstborn in thanks, Kaia said. I only accept cash. Now, if youd like, we can go into town, find Anya, cause I think shes still there, grab a beer and a man and continue your miseducation.
Still entranced, Olivia reached up and grazed a fingertip over the half ring of black under her eyes. They were smoky, sultry. Perfect.
Try to resist me now, Aeron, she thought. I dare you.
Confidence was more than nice. Confidence was soul-changing.
You cant leave, Cameo protested. Im not done with my questions.
Kaia rolled her eyes. So ask them in town while were drinking ourselves into a stupor. Im thirsty, and Anya will decapitate us if we fail to include her.
You have an answer for everything, the female Lord grumbled.
I know, right? Isnt it wonderful?
Hardly.
As the two bantered back and forth, Olivia next traced her lips. Soon she would know the feel of Aerons. Again, no might about it. He wouldnt be able to resist her. She could barely resist herself. Would his lips be hard or soft? Would they plunder or be gentle? Didnt matter, really. She would finally taste him, and thats what she craved most.
Isss thisss her? Isss thisss the one? Well, guesss what? You will die, angel, a new voice suddenly proclaimed, and there was enough hate in that voice to slay an army.