by C. S. Wilde
“Maybe it takes longer with us.” The beasts of dark and light snarled at Jophiel. Damned him for making her face all the things she tried hard to ignore. “What’s so special about the soulmate bond anyway?”
“Oh.” A cloud of longing and sadness bloomed inside him, but he quickly hid it from her. “It’s something that must be felt, and it’s glorious. You will know when it happens. If it happens.”
She remembered the words Justine had read in the ancient books. “When the bonding link snaps, thunder will crack. Essences will shatter before coming back to one piece, and thus, two will become one; one will become two.”
Who could possibly look forward to that?
“Answer me this,” Jophiel continued. “How can you know who you love if you don’t yet know who you are?”
The question was a blade to her chest.
“I …” She swallowed, sensing a surge of emotion coming. “I thought Liam completed me, but we’re not soulmates. Which means my Guardian feelings got mixed into the situation, and I failed him. I was his Guardian! I wasn’t supposed to take advantage …” her voice cracked, and tears swelled in her eyes. “I used to be better than this. Sometimes I miss the old me. She had the entire world figured out.”
“Your old self was lost in an illusion,” Jophiel countered. “Now you’re free.”
If so, freedom wasn’t that great.
She wiped her tears with the base of her palm. “It doesn’t matter, does it? I abandoned him anyway. Like I abandoned Ezra.”
“You demand too much of yourself.” He stepped forward and cupped her cheek. “The way I see it, you and Liam need to become who you’re supposed to be. Ezraphael, too. Only then will you all know the truth about yourselves and each other.” He laid a hand on her shoulder. “You will never find balance until you face your feelings, Ava. The same applies to the wild powers within you. Never be afraid.”
She felt the rift inside her and the beasts that purred within. This was her problem.
Ava wasn’t scared of her feelings or of her light and dark.
She was terrified.
9
Liam
Liam’s punch smacked Archie’s jawbone and sent the old man swiveling around the training room. While Archie recovered, Liam raised his fists and shifted his weight on both feet.
He would win this fight today; he could feel it.
The darkness still whispered to him, but he was focused enough to ignore the words that belittled, mocked, and challenged him. And because Liam learned to use the darkness, his movements became faster. Smarter.
Archie wiped the blood that poured from his lips. He studied his red-smudged hand and grinned. “We’re getting there.”
A black fog enveloped the cut, and his blood stopped flowing.
“When will I get another chance to impress Hauk?” Liam asked, eager to head back to the field.
A mission. A purpose. This is what he had needed to tame the darkness all along.
“Once we get you under control, okay?” Worry deepened the wrinkles on Archie’s forehead. “Don’t get too cocky. Your darkness is still haphazard and strong. It can catch you unprepared. Also, we need to understand why you shapeshifted. You’re a Terror, kid. Your powers are fire and speed.”
Liam shrugged. “Ava could tap into other angels’ powers. Maybe I have the same skill.”
He raised his hand and focused on it. His head thumped so hard it might explode. Soon enough, night-black fur grew on his skin, his fingers stretched into sharp claws, and when Liam’s entire body felt as if it was shattering with pain, he stopped.
His upper arm resembled that of a werewolf. The black fur was remarkably shiny, the tips of his claws as sharp as a serpent’s tooth.
Archie nodded at the sight, still in thought. “Tapping into different powers is … Hells, I would say rare, but I never heard of something similar to this before.”
“I don’t know what to tell you.” Liam rolled his eyes, and the movement pricked his skull. He inhaled deeply through clenched teeth. “I can’t explain it. We can only use it to our advantage. Whatever this is,” he wiggled his furry claws, “it makes me valuable to Hauk.”
“Oh, we will use it to our advantage,” Archie assured. “We simply need to be careful.”
Unable to keep this for much longer, Liam let go of the effort. The fur disappeared underneath his skin. His claws morphed back into fingers as the pressure on his entire body dimmed.
He studied his father for a moment. “What are you afraid of?”
Archie ran a hand through his sand-blond hair. “Your darkness is too wild. Undercover work, especially for the Hells’ Gorge, can be … unpleasant.”
Why did he always treat Liam like a child?
“I’m no stranger to undercover work, Archie.”
Liam wanted to share the burden of this mission with him. Yes, he needed to occupy himself, but most of all, he wanted to watch over his father. Demons weren’t known for their kindness and after meeting Hauk ... Hells be damned if he would let Archie get hurt again.
Liam stepped closer to him, holding the old man’s gaze. “I’m your partner, I’m your son, and I’m ready.”
Archie shook his head and raised a finger at him. “You’re not ready. But I suppose you’re ready enough.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Liam fisted his own palm. “I can do this, old man. I can trick Hauk, and I can help us find whoever Master is.”
Archie gave him that typical fatherly look, the one that oozed with pride and embarrassed Liam in front of his school friends. “I know you can.”
He took advantage of Liam’s relaxed stance and jolted toward him, slamming a kick on his stomach.
Liam lurched back. His belly muscles ached and a few breaths escaped him, but he was used to pain by now. He quickly regained his balance and raised his arms in defense.
“First lesson on demons, kid,” Archie said. “They play dirty.”
Liam sneered and ran toward his father, hungry for battle. Their attacks became hollow thuds against bones and flesh.
The darkness spread inside him, aligning with his movements. Liam became faster. Every punch drawn and every kick received invigorated him.
“Nice,” Archie said as he dodged a punch. “Why don’t we make this more fun, though?”
Archie’s face puffed red as he hunched over. The old man grew like a flower in spring, his muscles bulging. The change happened too quickly: flesh and bone bent and stretched, swelling and growing.
When Archie was done, he had grown three times his original size.
His giant navy wings appeared in a fog of darkness behind him, spanning the length of a helicopter.
Liam’s jaw dropped. “No fucking way.”
Archie chortled, his arms crossed. “Lesson number two: expect the unexpected.” His voice boomed louder and deeper than normal.
“Not cool, old man.” Liam balled his fists, but a grin creased his lips.
He had no idea how to fight a giant demon, but he would have fun trying.
He reached for that burning force underneath his darkness, the source of his fire. In the past, the darkness might have hindered Liam by confusing him with smoke and mirrors and ghosts of his past. But this time, it was quiet.
Watching.
Liam had the darkness—no, himself—under control.
In the vast void of his essence, he heard a mocking laugh similar to his own. Still, flames bloomed on his skin and whipped around him, turning Liam into a human torch.
The darkness, ever aligning and contained, intertwined with his movements. Liam watched his own burning hands and smiled.
“I got this,” he told himself, knowing that this time it was true.
A strange sensation brushed across his essence as softly as a spring breeze. It was soothing and good, but at the same time chaotic and hungry.
Light and dark.
He froze, his eyes wide. Liam’s darkness had a way of showing him things, a
nd right now, it showed him this energy, this force inside the Legion’s walls. He couldn’t pinpoint exactly where, but it was close.
Archie frowned at him. “Kid? You all right?”
The darkness spread inside him, trying to catch a clearer taste of that presence.
Familiar. So familiar …
His breathing echoed inside his eardrums.
Light. It was her light he recognized, thrumming against his dark essence. He couldn’t tell how or why he knew it, but the presence was Ava.
She was here.
His fire sunk back into his skin.
Archie stepped closer, concern swimming through his face. “Kid?”
“Ava,” Liam muttered as he dropped his stance, focusing so he could find her exact location.
He snapped his head to the left, but the movement hadn’t felt particularly his.
The darkness. It was ready to take over. It needed to be free to find his, their, princess.
Let me out, his own voice whispered. She’s here, and she’s ours.
“Kid!” Archie snapped his fingers in front of him, but he didn’t really see it. His attention was locked on Ava’s pulsing presence as if she were a fading song he strained to hear.
The old man slapped his face, but Liam barely felt it. The darkness had caught her scent, and it would find her.
Almost there …
Archie’s tone held fear. “Liam, listen to me. You need to control—”
He didn’t catch what came next. Liam sprinted out of the training room, following the connection that blinked in and out, the path to the woman he loved.
It might not be exact, but he and the darkness were done waiting.
His Ava. His light.
She had finally come to him!
He and the darkness smiled as they sped through the corridor, leaving Archie behind and bellowing their name.
There were too many pathways, too many training rooms, but she was here, and Liam would find her.
He always would.
10
Ava
A strange tingling tickled Ava’s essence, a sensation close to a soft caress.
Jophiel, who led the way out of the training room, stopped by the open door and turned back to her. “Is everything all right?”
“Hmm,” she mumbled, focusing on the growing sensation which pulsed stronger by the second. It rushed toward Ava, unstoppable, unyielding, and so familiar.
She never felt this way this before, anxious and comfortable at the same time, except when—her stomach knotted and her heart soared.
Except when she was with Liam.
A void smashed into her, a power both mellow and angry that reverberated within Ava’s bones. Every angel felt something similar when a demon approached, but this was different. This presence was her own doomsday, a force of nature born to consume and love her.
The scent of oak and earth invaded her nostrils, either a memory or the effect of the approaching presence.
Her mouth stretched in an incredulous grin.
Liam.
He was coming for her.
“This won’t end well,” Jophiel grumbled as a dark blur dashed through the open door.
Just like that, Liam stood before her, his chest heaving up and down, his beady eyes wide. His spine was straight, and his muscles clenched. Heavens, she’d forgotten how tall he was.
Liam’s tanned skin had acquired a sickly pale shade, and his eyes weren’t the same. Neither were his sharp teeth.
He must’ve read the shock in her face because he lowered his head. Hiding. A bitter cloud of disgust swirled around him.
“No,” Ava croaked as she took one step forward. “Please don’t be ashamed.”
She wanted to jump at him and cover him with kisses, demonic features and all. But she had failed Liam in so many ways … guilt stapled her feet firmly to the ground.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her heart breaking. “This is all my fault.”
Liam raised his head, his deep frown telling Ava she had offended him. “No. I chose to become a demon.”
He stepped closer until he towered over her. His night-black hair brushed a corded neck atop broad shoulders, his body a sculpture of strength and pure temptation.
Liam’s earthy fragrances mixed with the demonic scent of brimstone, and yet the oaky flavor was still there. He might be a demon, but he was still Liam.
His warm hand cupped her cheek. Gods, she missed his skin on hers, his scent, even if mingled with a demonic musk. He might belong to the dark now, but she would take him as he was.
“You came back, princess,” he said quietly, his eyes hooded and his voice shallow.
She couldn’t hold the whine that came after hearing her nickname, an odd mix of longing and happiness soaring inside her.
Princess.
The word had bothered her once, but not now. Not ever again.
He lifted her chin gently, staring into her as he bowed his head. He nudged her nose with his before his mouth crashed down on Ava’s, drowning her in hungry kisses that set her depths on fire.
His sharp teeth cut her tongue, but Ava’s light quickly healed the wounds. It made their breathless kisses painful and titillating at the same time, a new sensation she couldn’t wait to explore.
With him. Always with him.
He pulled back, watching her with worry. “Am I hurting you?”
Ava could see her reflection in his dark irises. “Yes.” She pulled his head down and possessed his mouth all to herself.
Liam’s right hand clasped the side of her neck, the other dug into the curve of her waist and pulled her to him. She slammed against his strong chest—and the growing force underneath his pants.
Heavens, she didn’t care that Jophiel was still in the room. She needed Liam, and she needed him now.
“What you do to me,” he muttered, pressing his forehead on hers. He took a deep, centering breath. “Gods, I’ve missed you, Ava.”
“I missed you too.” She held back her tears. “I couldn’t break free of my mate duties; there have been so many fires to put out, so many battles to fight. I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner.”
He blinked and stepped back, something cracking inside him.
“So it’s true.” His throat bobbed. “I thought …” He chortled. “I don’t know what I thought.”
Ava froze, her entire body sinking in itself. “I had to become Ezra’s mate.”
“You didn’t have to,” Jophiel countered from the entrance.
Ava glared at him with a mix of shock and outrage. She didn’t know how to kill a nosy Seraph, but she would find a way.
“You love him?” Liam asked, despair and hurt woven into his words.
Gods, as a Dominion she could feel his pain.
Ava’s heart shattered right then, and from her rift, mingled within her light, that dark beast she had set free whispered, look what we’ve done.
“Do you, Ava?” he barked, his dark hair falling over his temples.
“I don’t!” She stepped forward, aching to hold him again, but flames sprouted from Liam’s skin.
She gaped at the burning demon before her, the one who looked so much and nothing at all like her former partner.
“You’re lying!” he bellowed.
He was right. Ava shouldn’t lie to him. She couldn’t fail him all over again. “I do love Ezra, but not the way I love you.”
Liam’s fire burned brighter. Thank Heavens for the blessed training room, or the padded floor would’ve caught on fire.
His black beads locked on her as he bared pointy teeth. “You don’t seem awfully sure, princess.”
Her chest ached, but Ava stood her ground. Liam deserved her honesty, even if it pained them both.
“I’m not sure if my feelings for you got mixed with my Guardian instincts.” The words were cracked glass scraping the walls of her throat. “I don’t want to fail you again.”
His fire vanished as he watched her with wide, pitch
-black spheres, his jaw hanging open. “I’ve known from the moment I saw you …” He shook his head, a certain madness glinting on his eyes. He slammed a hand on his forehead. “Shut up!”
“Liam?”
He sneered like a man made of evil and chaos. “You fucked the Messenger, didn’t you?”
This wasn’t the Liam she knew. This was a demon through and through, a demon born because Ava had failed to protect her charge, her partner. Her everything.
She sniffed back tears. “I would never do that to you. I owe it to both of us to be sure,” she said. “I owe it to Ezra, too. I caused you so much pain already! This is all my fault.”
“You give yourself too much credit, princess,” he spat, her nickname poison on his tongue. “You loved Ezraphael for what? A hundred years? I can’t compete with that.” His beady eyes widened, and he grinned in the way of a wolf about to eat its prey. “Or maybe I can.”
His bones cracked underneath his skin, but Liam held her attention, as if breaking his own face didn’t hurt. His nose thinned, his cheekbones got higher, and his skin lightened. His dark hair grew right before her eyes, its color turning into a silver that neared white. Even his irises changed until sky-blue eyes stared back at her.
Ava gasped and stepped back. Liam was still Liam from the neck down, but his face belonged to Ezra now. Her mate glared at her with a fury that felt wrong on his kind, serene features.
“Is this better?” Ezra, no, Liam, bellowed. “Will you want me now, Ava? Am I enough?” He bent over at his stomach and slammed both hands on his head. “Shut up!”
“Please stop,” she croaked. Tears formed rivers down her cheeks. “By all the Gods, this isn’t you, Liam.”
“Clearly,” he growled, glaring at her with Ezra’s blue eyes.
His features cracked back into place until he was Liam once again. This time, though, he kept his green eyes and his square human teeth.
