Is he? Another cruel laugh. Do you not think he will slay you the moment he no longer has need of you? Besides, if you do not bring us his head, your enemy will. And they will receive our prize.
Striders eyes widened, another answer finally sliding into place. This was why Galen would try for Cronuss head. This was why Danika had predicted what she had.
They couldnt allow Galen to curry favor with these beings. The consequences could be too greatfar greater than pissing off Cronus. Shit. Damn it! Fuck. No curse word seemed strong enough.
Why do you want him dead? Strider asked. As Sabin always said, knowledge was power. Perhaps in the answer, they could find redemption.
The creatures teeth gnashed together. He has made us slaves and we will not tolerate such a fate. Surely you understand.
Understand, yes. For too long, hed been a slave to his demon. But there was no redemption in her answer. These beings were determined. They would not be swayed.
What would happen if they were freed? Roaming unfettered? Nothing good, that much he could guess.
You need time to think, she continued. Time we will grant you. And to prove our magnanimous intentions, we will even give you another gift. Enjoy. I know we will.
Her eerie, smiling face was the last thing Strider saw before he and the others found themselves transported to another location, a jungleHunters suddenly surrounding them.
CHAPTER EIGHT
OLIVIA AND LEGION circled each other. When the little demon had lunged, Olivia had jumped out of the way, and Legion had slammed into the wall. Now, Olivia studied her foe. Shed seen this type of beinga minion, also known as a demon servantdefeated before. All angels had, even those whose sole purpose was to bring peace and joy to the world. But of course, shed never fought one herself.
Destroying them had never seemed like much of a battle for the warrior angels, though. Not really. They had merely stretched out their arms, their swords of fire appearing. Once those flameswhich hadnt been created in hell, but had instead sprung from her Deitys mouth, his breath far hotter than the blazes all demons so lovedmade contact with scales, the demons disintegrated. This, well, this would not be anything like that.
Kaia and Cameo were still on the ground, still writhing, their skin now a light shade of green. As an angel, Olivia would have been able to soothe them, taking their pain into herself and dispatching it. But trapped as she was in this feeble body, she could do nothing.
Nothing but watch. And fight.
If she hoped to survive, she needed that which shed never experienced or embraced before: fury. That was what strengthened humans, after all. Wasnt it? They seemed to expand, destroy, defeat when they hosted the emotion.
Sowhat made her angry? Her time in hell, definitely.
Though she would rather have plucked out her eyes, Olivia allowed the memory of her time in hell to play through her mind. The flamesthe stinkthose oozing, roving hands Sickness churned in her stomach, fear and disgust blending with that first spark of fury. After that, instinct took over and her shock at Kaias and Cameos mistreatment joined the fray, numbing the fear. Only, thankfully, the fear.
You die thisss day, angel.
Her hands curled into fists. Im strong. You can never be with Aeron the way you desire, demon, she said, knowing the truth in her voice had to be distasteful to a creature raised among liars. I tell you this not to be cruel, but to
Ssshut up. Ssshut up! Legion swung out her arm, claws bared.
Olivia bowed her back, leaning out of reach. Without her wings to balance her, she stumbled and nearly fell to the floor.
Aeron lovesss me. He told me ssso.
Most of her fury drained, and there was nothing she could do about it. Compassion was hardwired inside her, as was the need to give happiness rather than heartbreak. They desired the same thing, she and Legion. And its true. He loves you, but he doesnt love you as a man loves a woman. He loves you as a father loves his daughter.
No. A stomp of a foot. A hiss. Ill marry him one day.
If that were the case, I probably wouldnt have given up my entire way of life to come here and save him. I wouldnt have wanted to be with him. She spoke as gently as she was able. Emotionally wounding the demon wasnt her goal. For whatever reason, Aeron did like thething. But Olivia knew how demons operated and knew Legion would berate and undermine her unless she was made to understand. Already Ive slept in his bed, curled into his side.
Legion didnt accuse her of lying. How could she? Angels never had the need, and the little fiend knew it. Rather, she stopped and gaped at Olivia, her breathing choppy, shallow. More poison dripped down her fangs.
You want what you cannot have. You envy, you crave. Thats your nature, Olivia said, and I understand that nature better than I ever did before because that is the very reason I am here. I envy, I crave. But what you dont realize is that your leaving hell to be with Aeron has sentenced him to death. You are the reason I was sent to him. You are the reason I was ordered to kill him. You are the reason another assassin will be sent in my place. She drew in a breath. You are the reason he will die.
No. No! Ill kill the next dirty angel just like I plan to kill you now.
That was the only warning Olivia had. One moment Legion was in front of her, the next she was on top of her, and they were fallingdown, down. Olivia took the brunt of the impact, her skull cracking on the ledge of the hearth and oxygen shoving from her lungs like a heat-seeking missile. Bright lights winked over her vision, but not enough to obscure the teeth descending toward her neck.
Lysander had begun training her for her new warrior duties the very day that golden down appeared in her wings, so Olivia knew to jam her palm into Legions chin and shove, grinding the demons teeth together painfully.
Shed never relished the thought of battling demons. Especially when Lysander told her that warriors had to distance themselves from their task completely, leaving only a hardened determination to take down their prey. Could she?
A shock of cold bloomed in her fingers and spread up her armsinto her chestand that cold numbed more than fear this time, destroying what little remained of her fury, right along with the compassion and disgust.
Yes. She could, she realized. Shocking.
Do what you must, a voice whispered through her head. You are angel. She is demon. Let your instincts guide you. Let your faith flow through you.
For a moment, she thought Lysander was beside her. But then Legion growled, snapping her from her sense of relief, and it didnt matter. Olivia was ready. Rather than using emotions she had no experience with, she allowed that which was natural to her, faith and love, to consume her, as the voice had instructed. This was true strength.
With a flick of her arm, she tossed Legion across the room. The demon slammed into the wall and slid to the floor. All the while, those red eyes remained narrowed on her.
Up. Now.
Olivia jumped up and pressed her back into the hearth. The new position limited her range of motion, but she needed something to balance her when
Legion sprang at her.
Olivia ducked and once again the demon hit the wall. As she ricocheted backward, plaster dusted the air, filling Olivias nose and making her cough. Still, she didnt hesitate to kick out her leg and propel Legion to her bottom. Faithshe could win this. Lovegood against evil. The heel of Olivias foot must have somehow cut past those scales because crimson seeped from the demons breastbone.
I will not allow you to hurt me, demon.
You wont be able to ssstop me.
Again Legion leapt up. Again she threw herself onto Olivia, clinging like a vine. Teeth snapped and nails clawed. Olivia punched left, right and forward, working one knee between them to preserve some distance, but barely managing to keep herself upright. Legion shifted her head from side to side to avoid impact, but she wasnt always successful. A cheekbone cracked. Her nose broke.
Across the room, glass shattered. Then a dark winged figure was there, wild gaze searchinglanding on the still-struggling women. Aeron. Their eyes met, and time suddenly seemed suspended. His lips were pulled back in a tight scowl, and his tattoos were so black they were like shadows on his skin.
A bubble of excitement burst through her and Olivia lost her focus. Her hand collided with the demons mouth, an area shed been avoiding; Legion took full advantage and bit, those razor-sharp fangs cutting deep, thick poison dripping straight into her veins.
Olivia screamed. The burn, like acid and salt and fireoh, Deity. Her hand was turning to ash, surely. But when she looked down, she saw the flesh was merely cut and bleeding, a little swollen.
Olivia, Aeron shouted, rushing to her.
Her knees gave out and she slid to the floor, no longer able to hold her own weight. She clutched her hand to her chest, breathing suddenly too difficult. The pain was just too intense, like having her wings ripped out all over again.
Before, during the fight, stars had winked over her eyes. Now she saw black spots and they were a thousand times worse. They grew and intertwined, ruining her sight and leaving her in a dark void of solitude and pain.
What did you do to her? Aeron snarled, cutting through the illusion of aloneness. And even though he was angry, she welcomed the intrusion.
Pro-protecting myself, Olivia managed to work past trembling lips.
Not you, he said, and this time his tone was gentle. Callused fingers smoothed over her brow, just as gentle, brushing her hair out of the way.
Despite the agony still blistering and sizzling in her hand, she offered him a weak smile. Aeron might not have wanted her to stay in the fortress, might even have run from her, but on some level he cared about her well-being. Hed bypassed Kaia and Cameo and come straight for Olivia.
Her newfound confidence had not been misplaced.
There was a shuffle of footsteps. Then, Aeron, my Aeron. Ssshesss nothing. Leave her and
The only one leaving her will be you. I told you to stay away from her, Legion. I told you not to hurt her. Aerons hands fell away from Olivia and she moaned, bereft. You disobeyed me.
Butbut
Go to my room. Now. Well talk about this later.
Silence. Then a sob. Aeron, pleassse.
Dont argue with me. Go. Clothing rustled. He must have turned away from her. What did she do to you, Olivia?
H-hand, she managed to work past chattering teeth. She still felt as if she was on fire, and yet, now she was as cold as ice. Bite.
Those strong, callused fingers returned to her, only this time, they circled her wrist and lifted her hand. Probably to inspect the injury, but that didnt matter. The action increased the velocity of her blood-flow, which increased the intensity of the pain, and she whimpered.
Ill make it better, he promised.
Others were bitten first. Help them, then me.
He didnt reply. Instead, he fit his warm lips around her wound and began sucking. In this, he was not gentle. Her back arched and another scream ripped from her. She tried to jerk from his clasp but he held tight, sucking, sucking, and then spitting. Sucking, sucking, spitting.
Gradually, the pain ebbed. The burn cooled and the ice melted, and she slumped against the floor like a doll. Only then did Aeron stop.
Now Ill take care of the others, he said, voice hoarse.
The black faded from her vision, and she watched fuzzily as he strode to Cameo and gave her the same treatment, sucking the poison from the wound in her neck and spitting it out. When the warrior woman finally stilled, sighing in relief, he turned his attentions to the Harpy.
As he was spitting out the last mouthful, the bedroom door burst open and two warriors rushed inside. Paris and William. The two searched the room, weapons drawn. Paris wielded some type of gun. William, two blades.
Whats going on? Paris demanded. Torin texted us that you busted through Kaias window.
Great timing, Aeron replied dryly.
What? William said, all innocence. We did you a favor, taking our time. We thought you were playing kinky sex games.
I willkill thatfucking bitch! A scowling Kaia lumbered to her feet. She bit me. She fucking bit me!
Ill deal with her. Aeron rose, as well. His expression was bleak but no less determined. Not you.
Kaia pointed a finger into his chest and lifted to her tiptoes, but that still didnt place them nose to nose. No, youll baby her like you always do.
Ill deal with her, he repeated firmly.
Hold everything. I missed a four-way chick fight. Then I find out someones been nibbling. Williams attention shifted to Olivia, who was still lying on the floor. Please tell me our sweet little angel is the biter. Itll make me want her ever so much more.
Aeron growled low in his throat, closed the distance and crouched beside Olivia. Get out of here, Willy. Youre not wanted or needed.
I beg to differ, William huffed.
Rather than allow Aeron to kill you, Ill explain what happened on the way out. Cameo scrubbed a hand down her face before holding out her arm expectantly.
William just arched a brow. A frowning Paris strode forward, clasped her hand and tugged her upright.
Thanks, she muttered with an irritated look to William.
He shrugged. Youre not my type, so I dont feel the need to help you.
She rolled her eyes. Every womans your type.
That should have made everyone in the room laugh, but tragic as Cameos voice was, everyone cringed.
Aeron scooped Olivia up. Good thing. All energy had abandoned her. Her muscles were still trembling, reminding her of the aftershocks of an earthquake. Without a word to the others, who hadnt left as planned, he carted her into the hall.
Every time I stumble upon you, youre injured, Aeron said.
True, but she wasnt going to ask him to stay away. I suppose I should thank you for saving me.
You suppose, angel? He snorted.
Fine. No supposing about it, but no way would she admit it. Hed called her angel. Again. Which meant he still saw her as shed once been, not as she now was. He needed to realize shed left her sweetness behind with her robe.
With that attitude, she said, youll get no thanks from me. Ever.
No response.
She fought a wave of disappointment. So? she prompted.
So what?
Impossible man. Do you now assume Im weak and easily breakable?
Again, he gave no reply. Which meant that, yes, he did. She frowned. As much as he hated weakness, she would never be able to work her way into his bedwith him in it and naked, that isif this kept up.
Shed have to find a way to prove how strong she really was.
The words faith and love once more drifted through her mind. She doubted he was ready for either one, however. And besides, she didnt love him. Did she? She just didnt know. What she felt for him was different from what shed ever felt for anyone else, but shed never loved anyone in the romantic sense.
All she really knew about that kind of love was that it meant being willing to die for the other person. As Ashlyn had for Maddox. As Anya almost had for Lucien. Was she ready to die for Aeron? No. She didnt think so. She hadnt offered such a compromise to the Council when shed had the chance, something they might have considered. Sacrifice always earned a reward.
Where are you taking me? she asked, changing the subject. She was still too groggy to reason things out. More than that, Legion was in his bedroom and Olivia was not ready for another run-in. If that was where he was headed, then
My bedroom, he said, and her stomach clenched.
Ugh. He was. But
Legion isnt there. As always, she disobeyed me. I felt her leave this plane of existence.
Olivias eyes widened in surprise. Shed known they were linked, but that waswow. Youre that connected to her?
He nodded.
Maybe Legion was right. Maybe she was meant to be with Aeron. The thought was like another injection of acid in Olivias veins. She herself wanted to be more than Aerons acquaintance, more than his friend. She wanted to be his lover. That had never been clearer than now, this moment, as his strong arms banded around her and held her close. As his heart hammered against her ear and his warm breath trekked over her skin. But she wouldnt share him with Legion, no matter how much she desired him.
You wont have to. Youre a confident, aggressive woman now, and you go after what you want.
True.
Im sorry she hurt you, Aeron said gruffly, surprising her. Shes just a child, and I
Wait. Im going to stop you there. Though she did like hearing him apologize. Legion isnt a child. Shes not much younger than you.
For a moment, he just blinked down at her. But shes so innocent.
Innocent? Now Olivia was the one to snort. What kind of life have you led that you consider that little fiend innocent?
His lips twitched as he pounded up a flight of stairs. Her weight didnt seem to bother him. Its justher lisp, I guess. And her joy at dressing up and playing princess.
Shes spent her life in hell, surrounded by evil, souls being tortured in every corner. Of course dressing up is fun to her, but that doesnt mean her mind is childlike. She loves you, Aeron. Or so she said. Would Legion die for him? She wants you the way a woman wants a man. There was no question of that.
He stopped in the middle of another hallway, one foot raised midair. He tilted his head until their gazes locked together, his violet irises wild. Youre wrong. She loves me like a father.
No. She plans to marry you.
No.
Yes. You hear me and you know I speak true.
A muscle in his jaw ticked. If what you say is correct
It is. Again, you hear the truth in my voice.
Aeron gulped, shook his head as if to dislodge her claim. At least he didnt try to deny it this time. Ill talk to her, tell her a romantic relationship isnt possible. Shell understand.
Only a man could delude himself in such a way.
He kicked back into motion, silent now. At his door, he shouldered his way inside. Olivia tensed, but sure enough, Legion was nowhere to be seen. She sighed with relief as Aeron laid her atop the soft mattress.
Aeron, she said, not ready for him to leave and suspecting he intended to do so.
Yes. He remained in place, hovering over her, and smoothed a hand through her hair.
She almost purred as she leaned into the touch. I didnt mean it before. When I said I wouldnt thank you. I truly am grateful for your aid.
What are you doing? Hell never see you as a potential lover if you constantly remind him of your angelic nature.
Yeah, well. Clearly uncomfortable, he coughed as he straightened. Are you hurt anywhere else? He didnt wait for her reply, but cast his gaze over the length of her. Perhaps that was his first full glance at her new clothing, because his jaw suddenly dropped. Youyoure
Perhaps her potential lover status wasnt in jeopardy, after all. Confident. Isnt it pretty? Kaia helped me. Aggressive. She smoothed her hands down her breasts, stomach and hips, wishing he were touching her instead. Goose bumps broke out over her skin. Oh, now that was a surprise. It felt good. Really, really good. Shed have to remember to touch herself like this again.
Pretty, he said thickly, hotly. Yes.
What do you think of my makeup? When his gaze lifted to her face, she traced a fingertip over her lips. I hope Legion didnt smear it.
Itsnice. Again, his voice was thick and hot.
Was that good or bad?
Did it matter? She wanted him; shed decided to go after him. She would have him.
Licking her lipsand tasting coconut, hmmshe sat up, propping her weight on one elbow and reaching for Aeron with the other. She flattened her palm over his pounding heart. Part of her blushed at such boldness, screaming to pull back. The other part preened, shouting to rush onward.
To achieve great joy, she reminded herself, you often had to step out of your comfort zone.
So step out already. You can kiss me if you want. Please, please, let that be what he wants.
For a moment, he stopped breathing. At least, his chest stopped moving. A blaze erupted in his eyes, expanding his pupils, and his muscles twitched under her grip. I shouldnt. You shouldnt. Youre an angel.
Fallen, she reminded him. Again. I could have died the other day. I could have died today. In both cases I would have died without knowing the taste of you. What a shame that would be, since its all Ive ever really wanted.
I shouldnt, he repeated, leaningleaning Regrettably, he stopped himself just before contact.
She tried not to scream in frustration. How close had she come to finally getting her wish? Tell me why. So that she could obliterate each of the reasons.
I dont need the distraction. At least he didnt move away. I dont need a woman. I dont need anything.
There was no way to refute that. Never had a man been more unwavering about remaining alone. So, rather than argue, she simply said, Well, I do need a distraction, and slid her hand up to his neck. She wouldnt step out of the zone this time; she would sprint.
Determined, she jerked him down.
He could have resisted. He could have stopped her. He didnt. He allowed himself to fall on top of her. They remained like that for a long while, simply looking at each other, his body pinning her down, neither of them able to catch their breath.
Aeron, she finally rasped.
Yes?
I dont know what to do, she admitted, all the longing she felt wafting from the words.
I may be a fool, but Ive got it from here, he replied, and claimed her mouth with his own.
CHAPTER NINE
SHES WEAK, PRACTICALLY HUMAN. Worse than human, Aeron reminded himself as their tongues twined, but he couldnt make himself care. Later he would. Later he would regret, but for now, all he wanted washer. Olivia. A woman his little Legion despised, a woman who had just gotten her ass handed to heralthough, if he were honest, he would admit that shed been holding her own until hed distracted herand a woman he would kick out of the fortress very soon.
The way she calmed and charmed Wrath made him uneasy, throwing him off his game. Even now, the demon purred, enjoying what was happening. Eager for what was to come.
Foolish. Olivia was a distraction he couldnt afford. He hadnt lied about that. He couldnt waste time worrying about her, saving her when she got herself into troubleand she would. She wouldnt be able to help herself. The woman was determined to have fun, for the love of the gods.
Any other man would have been willing to help her with that, he thought next, hands falling beside her temples and fisting the sheet. Look at William. Sex-happy William. Bastard.
Mine. The angel is mine.
Wrath? Staking a claim? Laughable.
Not yours, and certainly not mine. But oh, how he wished otherwise.
In her new clothing, shed exposed luscious skin and dangerous curves. Both of which were sins in their own right, pure temptation no man could hope to resist. Not even him. Shed wanted a kiss and thered been something inside him that had demanded he give it to her. For once, he hadnt had the strength to pull away. Had only been able to press their lips together, open her teeth with his tongue, and take. Take her sweetness, take her innocence. Take everything he could from the kiss.
And holy hell, the taste of her She tasted of grapes, sweet with just a little tart, as her tongue tentatively sought his. Her nipples were hard and every few seconds she arched upward to brush her core against his erection. In contrast, her hands slid through his cropped hair and remained soft, her kiss gentle.
She would be a tender lover, just as hed always preferred.
Hed never understood why some of the other warriors gravitated to women who scratched and bit and even hit during this most intimate of acts. Had never wanted to do so himself before. Why bring the violence of the battlefield into the bedroom? There was no reason good enough. Not to him.
Aerons past lovers, the few hed allowed himself, had expected more intensity from him than hed been willing to give. Probably because he looked like a biker, was a confessed warrior and killer, and backed down from nothing. But he hadnt allowed them to push him into going faster or harder.
One, he was too strong and they too weak. He could too easily break them. Two, harder and faster might have roused his demon and Aeron refused to participate in a three-way with a creature he sometimes couldnt control. Again, he could break his partners, morphing from lover to punisher.
Exceptif he were completely honest with himself, there was a desire, small though it was, to push Olivia past all boundaries, to hurtle her over the edge of her own sense of control, so much so that she would attack and plead and do anything necessary to reach her climax.
Wraths purring increased in volume.
What was wrong with him? What was wrong with his demon? With this much interaction, Aeron should have feared hurting Olivia more than hed ever feared hurting another. He didnt. He deepened the kiss, taking more than she was probably willing to give.
Yes. More.
Wraths voice was a whisper, but still it jarred him back into reality; he raised his head from Olivia. Im not edging into bloodlust. You should be quiet.
More!
Even though the demon had always been silent around Legion, his baby calming it much the same way Olivia did, Wrath had never wanted to kiss her.
Why was it responding this way to Olivia, then? An angel?
We need to slow down, he replied, not knowing what else to say.
Like a petulant child denied his favorite treat, the demon whined, More heaven. Please.
Moreheaven? Aerons eyes widened. Of course. To Wrath, Olivia must represent a place the demon would never have been welcome, making the unattainable seemingly within reach. Though, to be honest, Aeron had never before suspected that the demon wished to visit the home of the angels. Angels and demons were enemies, after all.
And maybe he was wrong, but nothing else explained the demonsaffection for her.
Aeron? Her eyelids cracked open, her lashes thick and black, the perfect frame for those magnificent baby blues. Her lips were wet and red, and she licked them slowly. Your eyesyour pupilsbut youre not angry.
What about his pupils? No, Im not angry. Why would she think so?
Yourearoused, yes? Those lips curved into a wanton grin, saving him from having to reply. So whyd you stop? Am I doing it wrong? Give me another chance, please, and I promise Ill learn the way of it.
He pulled back a bit more and blinked down at her. This is your first kiss? Hed known that. I dont know what to do, shed said earlier. But the truth hadnt really hit him until now. Angels remained utterly innocent, even in this? No wonder Bianka had chosen to linger in the sky with Lysander. This wasintoxicating.
Olivia nodded. Then, surprisingly, she offered him another grin. You couldnt tell? You thought I was experienced?
Not entirely, but he didnt want to spoil her excitement. Plus, he liked her inexperience a little too much. He liked being her first, her only. Liked the possessiveness now flooding and consuming him.
A possessiveness that was wrong on so many levels. Perhaps we should
Do it again, she rushed out. I agree.
Innocence and eagerness, wrapped in such a pretty package. Oh, yes. Intoxicating. Not what I was going to say. Perhaps we should stop. Before he introduced her to far more than a kiss.
Before he introduced himselfand Wrathto heaven. A heaven they might never want to leave.
Only this time, she added, as if he hadnt spoken, Ill be on top. Ive always wanted to try that. Well, since I met you.
She was stronger than she appeared and managed to shove him to his back, cool cotton pressing into his bare skin. Without awaiting permission, she straddled his waist. Her skirt was so short it rode up her thighs and gave him a forbidden peek at her panties. They were blue this time, like her shirt, and tiny. So very tiny.