I paled: Jade and the missing Hackney kids were nothing but heroin to the angels. Humans reduced to a drug.
Even if I went with Drake to Angel World, how could I trust him not to kill the kids anyway? To him, they were the cause of an addiction.
When I’d blistered fire down Tiny Fang’s cheek, Rebel had towered over me, insisting that we had a duty to kill only to save others. Drake? He didn’t sound like that.
Drake wasn’t righteous: he was a zealot.
Rebel had been trained to believe himself a bad angel. But if Rebel was bad, then so was I, Anarchy, and Ash too.
We were all rebels.
I didn’t belong in Drake’s screwed-up world. Yet if I didn’t choose him, my sister died.
Unexpectedly, Ash was at my side, and his arms were around me, before I even knew that I’d let out the sniffle. Then two flashes of red leapt from the stone wall.
My Blood Familiars.
Blaze and Spark wound around my ankles, their bellies close to the ground, whining. Spark fluttered his long eyelashes at me, grinning with his green eyes.
I grabbed Spark by his whippy tail, swiping Blaze across his upturned muzzle.
The familiars yipped but didn’t struggle.
I tilted my chin, struggling to keep my voice low. I remembered the terrifying loss when the familiars had abandoned me in Hackney Cemetery. “I reckoned that I was your Keeper, foxies? Maybe I should chain you in that kennel, yeah?”
“Nay, please…” Spark whimpered, as his tail quivered in my hand, “we’re sorry, sorry, sorry—”
“I told you that I wasn’t into the kinky mistress vibe.” I let go of Spark’s tail, stroking his head, until he nudged into my hand. “But I missed you, and you’re the ones who left me.”
When I glanced at Ash, he’d lounged back against the doorframe with his hands behind his head.
Had he heard fox radio…?
“Urban foxes are a menace.” Ash grinned. “I feed the little mischiefs whenever they show up. We all need a home.” He hunkered down beside Blaze, running his hand through his fur. “Especially Blood Familiars. Earl Grey and a biscuit for us and an apple for you, gorgeous?”
Blaze snapped at Ash’s nose; Ash fell back with a laugh.
“Leave go, you dunderhead,” Blaze snarled, “we belong to our Keeper now.”
I guess the familiars did also use telepathy on Ash. So, they trusted him then? But I was the one who’d slept in his arms…
Ash’s expression darkened. “You don’t belong to any one.”
“We’ll all belong to the Pure, so we will, if Eden’s Utopia Project works.” Rebel shoved between us out of the apartment. He hopped from one foot to the other, clutching the earpiece that still buzzed with feed from the bugs Ash had planted in Stephanie’s hotel room.
I straightened.
If humans were only heroin to angels, were they only blood to the Pure?
Rebel ignored Ash, cast a curious glance at the Blood Familiars, and passed me the earpiece.
“It was a mistake, darling,” Stephanie’s steel wrapped in silk drawl from the earpiece, “and now the soldiers think that you’re weak. They want to feast—”
“To purify the world, we must look to a new age,” Eden, and sharper than I’d heard before, “and copy the humans’ tricks, until we nest cuckooing amongst them. We’ll drink from my Utopia fountain and purify the Fallen. Then I will be king. After that—”
“The angels.” Stephanie laughed.
“Poor lost Zachriel,” Eden sighed dreamily, “and my monster.”
I ripped out the earpiece, shaking.
Think before you jump into the middle of a war.
Eden’s on my turf: Utopia. Gizem and her sister…the wingless bastards fed from her. That’s why she wore a towel around her neck: to hide the marks.
Are you forgetting that you’ve also been a blood donor to a baby vamp?
As if I could forget the thrill of saving Rebel with my blood. The bondage punk is mine because we both wanted it. But the Pure are taking, not asking. How’d you like to be treated as nothing but a burger in a bar?
Maybe it’s all any of us are: food to a predator.
“Violet?” Ash asked gently. “Are you OK?”
“I’m the Bitch of Utopia.” Violet surged through me, violent and righteous. “No Pure king will take that title.”
“Holy Mary preserve us, we misfits are after saving the world then.” Rebel quirked his soft lips. “Because Utopia is only the test run. London’s the ancient seat, but we angels — and vampires — are like rats.”
“He means that we’re everywhere.” Ash nodded. “If we don’t stop Eden nesting in Utopia, then we’ll all end up like Anarchy. And humans around the world will be tasty fast-food snacks.”
I glanced around at the punk, Seducer, and brother foxes, hovering between the snow of the courtyard and the dark of the apartment.
My army.
“Then get ready, bitches, because we’re going to war.” I hid my trembling hands in the pockets of my jacket.
If I saved the world, I condemned my sister to die.
My army against the legions of the Pure consisted of two ancient enemies who hated each other, and a pair of Blood Familiars who’d abandoned me.
Standing there, our gazes met: we’d battle together but we also knew that we’d all die.
25
Sometimes kisses are a revelation.
But sometimes, in the wartime heat of goodbyes before the fiery fury of battle, they’re also a mistake.
Especially if they taste of sugar and blood.
Rebel had overheard Eden on the earpiece ordering a limo to drive him out to Tower Block B on the Utopia Estate.
Gizem’s block.
Stephanie and Anarchy were to stay behind in charge of business at the hotel.
I’d known then where to take the fight to Eden and how to save Utopia. Yet tonight was also the deadline for Drake’s ultimatum: Return to Angel World or Drake would kill Jade.
I hunkered with Rebel in the graffiti sprayed stairwell in my old tower block, across from the one now controlled by the Pure; Eden’s new gang made Bisi’s look like kids playing at gangster.
Toben’s soldiers had once done their deals in this stairwell, when it’d been the drug splice, rather than blood, which was the food on the Estate.
I banged the heel of my boot against the wall, glowering at the floor. The tang of urine mingling with the spicy bursts of old dinners was reassuringly familiar.
And human.
Blaze and Spark were red shadows patrolling the block, whilst Ash took command of the tech side with his gadgets. Yet I had to wrap my arms around my middle to stop myself from yanking Commander Drake through my mind and onto the floor at my feet.
Not to betray the world — and Rebel — for my sister.
Suddenly, there were lips, gentle on my forehead. I glanced up, as Rebel kissed me.
Then Rebel rested his cheek against mine. “I promised to protect you. And I will.”
“Did you miss the part where I’m now top boy?” I gripped Rebel’s chin. “I’m the bitch with the flames.”
“Don’t,” Rebel whispered. His gaze was searching, and I squirmed. “I’ll kneel for you, but only if I fight by your side. Or do you want to rule like Eden?”
My cheeks pinked, and I shook my head.
“Have you forgotten what I’ve lost?” Rebel demanded. “What the git did to my family?”
I wished that I could forget. But at last, I understood his family’s true love and sacrifice.
“Ash’s lost someone too.” I traced my finger across Rebel’s lower lip to silence his protest. “I had to watch — twice — whilst Anarchy was sacrificed to those fanatics. Angels hate vampires: cheers for the newsflash. But now we have to unite against the Big Bad, and that’s Eden.”
“Inspired for battle, so I am,” Rebel smirked. “This could be Agincourt.”
I laughed, smacking his nose. The
n, without realizing that I meant to, I snogged him.
His lips tasted of sugar and blood. His tongue twined gently with mine, until I thrust deeper.
When Rebel pulled back, his cheeks were flushed, and he opened and closed his mouth, unable to know what to say, before he tilted his head and asked, “Does this mean that you’ve taken me off your List of Asses to Kick?”
“Could be.” I licked along his lips, until they parted.
Then I clutched him by the shoulders and snogged him again.
“007 at your service…” Ash slunk into the stairwell, balancing a laptop and bundle of tech on the ledge, before noticing the kiss.
Then Ash roared, marching towards us into battle. He hauled Rebel up and away from me by his collar.
My lips kissed air.
Mistake, mashing your sweet lips with pretty in punk when you’re trying to hold together a peace accord with his love rival.
I didn’t blow the bastard; I only kissed him.
A kiss is life. Powerful. Love. I’m sorry that you don’t understand that yet...
Ash smashed Rebel back against the opposite wall. I winced at the crunch. “I was giving you the benefit, mate, but now you’ll tell her.”
I pushed myself up. “Tell me what?” I asked flatly.
“Dry up, vampire,” Rebel spat, struggling, “and get your filthy hands off me.”
Ash stiffened. He lowered his head. Then he yanked off Rebel’s leathers, so fast that Rebel yelped. He pulled out Rebel’s bent wing. “This is the last night before he Falls,” his voice was clipped, “we vampires can sense each other when we’re close.”
“Lay off, git, I’d die before I turned into a dirty thing, like you.”
Snap — Ash cracked Rebel’s bent wing at the tip.
Rebel wailed, clawing at Ash. Then Ash plucked handfuls of gray feathers, tearing them from Rebel’s broken wing.
At last, I shook myself awake from the shock, diving to Ash. I hooked my arm around his throat, pulling him back. He choked but didn’t struggle. I chucked him to the opposite side of the stairwell.
The two blokes stood panting, scowling at each other across the shadowy concrete space.
I’d screwed up our truce.
For the first time, I truly understood that this was an ancient war that I’d stumbled into.
“These,” Ash held up the handfuls of Rebel’s gray feathers, “are medals of honor, not shame. A traitor like you doesn’t deserve to wear them.”
When Ash tossed the feathers to the floor like dirty snow, Rebel shrank back.
“How’s that not fighting working out for you?” I growled at Ash.
“Not great since I met you, Violet.”
Sharp barks: Blaze and Spark’s signal for the arrival of Eden’s midnight-blue limo.
I shot Ash a last warning glare, before rushing to the ledge. I peered down over the playground towards Tower Block B. The building blazed with light, as if every Pure had woken alongside their humans to welcome the celebrity.
Rebel hugged his wing to his stomach. “I don’t mean to give out here about our chances, but I can’t fly at all now, since some great idiot wounded their own side.”
I dropped to kneel in front of the laptop, tapping wildly as I hacked the fire alarm system.
A shrill alien beeping echoed out through the night. “Anarchy told me that fire is Eden’s weakness.” At Anarchy’s name, Ash’s expression finally softened. “And I promised to burn down their house, just like they burned down yours.”
Rebel glanced up at Ash. The two men studied each other warily, before nodding.
“And we’re nuking them into orbit from here…?” Ash asked hopefully.
I stood upright: lightning and thunder streaked inside me. A storm that exploded the violet fire hissing down my arms and across my palms.
This time, it was both vampire and angel shrinking back.
The shifting powers inside howled warrior.
I grinned. “The Bitch of Utopia is home.”
“The Bitch of Utopia is fierce frightening,” Rebel whispered.
“And hot,” Ash muttered.
I fired flames at the ground between their feet, and they danced back. Then they shot each other a smile, before remembering that they hated each other and scowling.
The storm died down, but static still fizzed along my skin. Supercharged, the savage sides to me had never felt so close to the surface before.
“We have to show up the Utopia Project.” I studied Tower Block B. “If it fails, then it won’t be copied around the world.”
The fox brothers’ eyes gleamed in the dark, their claws skittering on the concrete, as they prowled to stand sentry at my side.
When I peered down at the playground below, residents were milling around in dressing gowns, wrapped in duvets or wool coats over bare legs. Kids swung on the swings or spun on the merry-go-round.
In silence.
Why were they outside in the middle of the night?
“It’s like The Walking Dead.” When Rebel blinked and cocked his head, Ash struggled to hide his smile. “Catch up on the box set classics at least, angel.”
“The Pure are guarding them.” Rebel pointed down, into the shadows.
Faces with star sharp eyes were caught by the moon’s rays.
The Pure patrolled amongst their humans — food supply — alert and…anxious? They glanced over their shoulders, casting long looks out into the shadows between the tower blocks.
This is it then, the final curtain.
And what’s your choice? Fill me in. Because from my fabulous throne, I can see you about to take on an army of the Pure.
For humans. The same humans who abused, abandoned, and treated you as a freak.
Now tell me that this is a punchline to a lame ass joke.
Gizem saved me. She’s trying to save her sister and she’s in that tower block.
Anyway, what could be better than going down in a blaze of glory?
How about not dying? Please…?
J never begged. He sounded close to tears, and I couldn’t even kiss them away or hold him close. I could only battle to survive.
I scanned the vampires. “That can’t be all of them.”
Ash shook his head. “I can sense that they’re out of the rooms, but some are blocking the stairs, guarding the way in and out. Except for one floor and that’s Pure HQ.”
I knew the number, before Ash said it: eleven.
Gizem’s floor.
I whirled on Ash. “How do we get in there?”
Rebel backed away, fiddling with the skull chained to his trousers. “That won’t be a problem, princess.”
My heart pounded. Inky spots danced in front of my eyes. I couldn’t breathe.
I launched myself at Rebel, grabbing his t-shirt between my fists harder than I’d intended. Then I slammed him against the wall. Rebel gasped, pushing back, but stilled when Blaze snarled warningly.
“You always said that I didn’t trust you,” my voice wavered, no matter how hard I fought to keep it steady, “except now I do, and you’ve turned Judas?”
Rebel quivered, his hands fluttering, as if desperate to touch me, but not daring. When he finally answered, he collapsed back against the wall in submission, “The Brigadier was right. I can sense the Fallen now. And that means—”
“They can sense you.”
Rebel’s betrayal booted me in the gut. He’d known this risk and he’d hidden it.
When my hands heated instinctively with my rage, Rebel didn’t struggle. Instead, his gaze was…disappointed.
Hurt me, kiss me, burn me…
My vision cleared, and I pulled in raspy breaths to calm myself.
“Save your fire.” Ash wrapped his arms around my waist, gently pulling me back from my hold on Rebel. “The angel is an idiot.” Ash’s gaze was hard. Yet I realized with a jolt that he was pissed with me. “But I hoped that you were better than that, Violet. And by the way?”
There wa
s a thunder of running footsteps either side of the walkway.
Three female members of the Pure — fangs and claws out — in snarling attack mode and matching sequin evening dresses like they were on the red carpet, bowled us against the ledge.
I blasted a vampire with neon pink lipstick shrieking in a blistered heap.
Ash ducked another’s claws and mouthed over his shoulder, “Told you so.”
Rebel drew Eclipse, struggling to swing, as a harpy with platinum curls and high heels stomped on his boot, then sank her fangs into his broken wing. Blaze and Spark circled, snapping at the vampire’s ankles. I jerked her head back by the bleached roots, dragging her teeth out of Rebel’s brutalized wing. But when something pronged jabbed into my neck, I lost my grip.
Electricity thrummed through the stun gun.
I gasped as my body cramped. A juddering current tore the muscles down my back and neck. I overbalanced onto my tiptoes, hunching my arms closer around myself against the pain.
Bang…bang…bang…
The pressure dropped away, along with the stun gun. The tremors slowed. Breathing heavily, I stared around at the Pure, who were like dolls in their party dresses, with bullets through their brains.
Ash tucked away his shooter, with a shrug. “I go bang, bang.”
Still trembling, I managed a shaky smirk, until the hollers from below.
I’d wanted an entrance but not like this.
Ash flushed. “I forgot about the stealthy, what with the electrocution. How do you want to play this?”
The vampires below were crowding towards Tower Block A…and our stairwell. It was a suicide mission to get across that playground — through that many Pure — now that they knew we were here.
And it was my decision to make alone…?
When I hesitated, Ash dropped to his knee. “You’re my princess, Violet,” he said softly with a smile.
I glanced at Rebel, and he simply nodded. Then he also dropped to his knee, next to Ash.
I flushed, looking away from them. “Cheers for the pressure, wallads.”
Rebel spluttered with laughter, bouncing to his feet. He held out his hand to Ash. Grudgingly, Ash took it, allowing himself to be pulled up.
Rebel Angels: The Complete Series Page 23
