Greed (Sins of the Fallen Book 2)

by Karina Espinosa

  Heaven’s Fire raged all around him, his shaggy black hair blew across his eyes. Those two black holes narrowed towards his target and I could feel the negative energy that protruded from Maximillion. This was another kind of anger—this was revenge.

  Abbadon lit himself on fire as well and his red and orange flames rose up higher than Wrath’s, who took that as a challenge and charged towards him in break neck speed. Their fires blended with each other as they fought and I couldn’t tell who was who. I had been entranced with the dance of colliding fires that I hadn’t noticed my surroundings. My hellhounds were chest deep in a fight with at least a dozen fallen angels. Even the Guardian had joined the fight. His strength was something to be admired and he moved around with ease.

  Glenn and another one of my hounds were making sure no one made it near me which they usually do. But for the first time, I itched to join the fight. I wasn’t worried about the hounds, these fallen angels are a cake walk for them. But Maximillion was going head to head with Abbadon and it didn’t look like either one was winning or was going to, anytime soon.

  Without noticing, I took a step forward in their direction and my fingers tingled as I wiggled them at my side. I could feel the magic energy flood out of my veins like a burst pipe. The tint of gold surrounded my vision as my eyes glowed into the night and they honed in on the Angel of Destruction.

  13

  Maximillion

  The heat of Abbadon’s fire slid across my forearm and I could see a blister forming. His fire affected me. I rolled away from him to add space between us when I saw his body sway side to side. He looked like he was fighting a daze and I instinctively found Greed. He stood slightly behind me to my right side and his gaze was focused on Abbadon. He was doing that thing he did to me not too long ago.

  “I would throw one of those fancy little fire balls you got right about now,” he said, his attention still focused on Abbadon.

  “Right,” I said and had a ball lit up in both hands. I threw one at a time and bulls eye—I hit him square in the chest with both throws. A gasp escaped him and he flew backwards until the helicopter got in the way. My blue flames consumed him and he screamed bloody murder.

  A howl ripped through the night and both Nikolai and I looked in the direction it came from. Glenn was on the ground, a demon was feeding from his stomach. I looked around the rooftop and we were no longer just fighting fallen angels—more than a dozen demons had joined the fight.

  Glenn’s gaze met Nikolai’s and a silent message passed through them until his eyes were vacant and he was dead. I could feel waves of anger that rippled off of Nikolai. I was a little frightened to meet his stare but he didn’t pay me any mind. There was a fire in his eyes that said this wasn’t something he was going to forgive anytime soon.

  My eyes travelled across the rooftop and I watched as more of the security guards were on the ground, dead and being fed on by the demons. Jones was by the ledge still fighting two fallen angels when I threw two more fireballs their way and they turned to ash before his eyes. I met him half way, his breathing heavy and he mumbled something that sounded like a “thank you.” I wasn’t going to fret over it, we were both exhausted and this didn’t help us.

  “We need to go,” Jones said, more to Nikolai than to me, who was still taking in the scene before him. Not much from fear but fatigue, I raised a trembling hand to his shoulder.

  “There’s nothing you can do now,” I said in a whisper I knew he could hear. Reluctantly, he let me pull him to the exit of the roof.

  “Wait,” he said. Greed turned to me and all sorrow was gone. What stood before me now was the man we met not too long ago. “Set them on fire. My hounds don’t deserve this kind of death.”

  I didn’t ask what he meant, but did as I was told. Many of the fallen angels had jumped ship. I lit up and set the roof ablaze. Both the ‘hounds’ and demons vanished and what was left were piles of ash scattered over the roof. The night breeze picked up the remains and the wind carried it across the city.

  Within minutes we made it to the lobby and outside on the strip. Nikolai walked with purpose towards a limousine that was idling on the curb. The driver in a black suit and one of those chauffeur hats was leaning against the limo. When he noticed Nikolai’s fast approach, he straightened and quickly opened the back door. We followed silently and crawled over the tight black leather of the seats. Greed was seated across from us as he poured himself a glass of some dark liquid. He took it back hastily and served himself another glass. I wanted to say something, apologize possibly? But I knew at the moment there was nothing I could say to make what happened right. I don’t know how close he was to his security team, but I’m betting they were pretty close. The look on his face when he saw Glenn was one of hurt. Damn Abbadon, I thought as I looked out the near black windows. Greed said it and so did Josiah and Georgie. If he doesn’t want to be found, he won’t. Which means his ‘hounds’ did a great job keeping him off the radar—until I showed up.

  I couldn’t even see anything outside, but just the chance to focus on an empty spot without blinking was nice. That feeling didn’t last long. Abbadon…I didn’t see him when I torched the roof. Did he already turn to ash beforehand? I hadn’t been paying attention.

  I leaned over to Jones and whispered, “Did you see Abbadon turn to ash?” He met my eyes and he didn’t have to answer. He hadn’t seen it and was thinking the same thing as I was. Jones bunched his eyebrows together in deep concentration, but it didn’t matter. I knew he hadn’t seen. Which could only mean that there was a possibility that Abbadon was still alive and kicking.

  “He didn’t die,” it was Nikolai who answered as he took back another drink. “Your fire hurts him, but it can’t kill him. Abbadon made Heaven’s Fire before he fell. It won’t kill its maker.” I sucked in a breath at that revelation and couldn’t stop the disappointment that crossed my face. Hope is a fickle thing. Sometimes I don’t even know why I still have any, it has never done me any good.

  “Don’t worry, Max. We’ll see him again,” Jones said.

  “Yeah, well, let’s hope it’s after you leave town. I don’t want another encounter with Abbadon, he isn’t one to be trifled with. Speaking of which, how do you two know him?” Nikolai asked.

  “He killed my mother,” I said, my voice horse. The tears were caught in my throat, but I did everything possible to swallow them down. But it didn’t stop the verbal diarrhea. I told him everything. From the moment I was kidnapped at Anthony’s party by the succubus, to our arrival in Las Vegas, and everything in between. He listened intently, but I couldn’t read him. His poker face hid what was going on in his head very well, but I hoped—there was that hope again—that he would want to help us. What I didn’t want was pity, but luckily he didn’t seem like the kind of guy to give that anyways. He didn’t say anything, just nodded his head and for the rest of the ride, we were silent.

  The vehicle came to a halt after a while and the limo driver came over and opened the door. I climbed out after Jones, and Nikolai followed. We came out in front of the Caesar Palace. We were still on the strip. I turned to Greed, who I didn’t know was already walking toward the lobby. Jones must have been confused as well because we both had to jog to catch up. “How come it took us so long to get here?” I asked. The palace wasn’t far from the Bellagio, but we drove for almost an hour.

  “I asked Frederick to drive us around for a while. Do you have a problem with that?” His last words were hostile, but I didn’t show that it bothered me. If he thought I was going to bend over and take it, then maybe I’ve been too polite. I could tell he saw the shift in my demeanor because he took a tentative step back and loosened the top button of his dress shirt.

  “Yes, I have a problem with that. I don’t like not being told what’s going on. Remember you’re not the only one who’s lost people as well. Do you have a problem with that?” I knew it was a low blow, but my agitation had reached its tipping point.

  Jones stepped betw
een us. “Alright, let’s settle down.” He turned his attention to Nikolai and asked, “Why don’t you tell us what we’re doing here.”

  Greed watched me for a moment, his eyes were narrowed and his jaw ticked as he clenched and unclenched his teeth. “This is my home. I’m an investor and board member of the Palace,” he said.

  “You own the Palace?!” I couldn’t contain my voice and spoke a little too loud. But in Vegas fashion, no one was even paying attention and it was too noisy for them to actually hear. But that didn’t stop the glare I received from the Nephilim.

  “Would you like to announce it over the sound system as well?” he retorted. I rolled my eyes and it was enough for him to turn his back to us and walk toward the elevators. Jones and I quietly fell into step and let him direct us to the top floor of the hotel.

  “No wonder he doesn’t owe anyone any money. He’s loaded,” Jones whispered to me as we huddled in the lift. I snorted because loaded wasn’t even close to how much money this guy must have.

  “You think. The dude has a driver for God sake,” I whispered.

  “Do you idiots think I’m deaf?” Nikolai said as he stared straight ahead.

  “Well maybe just a little. I mean you didn’t hear me pass gas a couple minutes ago,” Jones said and I hunched over laughing. Jones snickered beside me and I was hysterical. It was actually pretty damn gross if he did, although it so wasn’t the time for him to be making these types of jokes. And that’s what made it pure genius. Man, I missed Jones.

  “Real mature,” Nikolai said. “You’re a bunch of buffoons.” The elevator doors dinged open, but Jones and I were caught up in laughter that we could barely move.

  “Who the hell says buffoons?” Jones questioned as we stumbled onto the foyer. I wiped the tears that came out and shook my head. I couldn’t even speak. Yeah, we might have been just a little tired if we find the dumbest things funny.

  We walked into the living room that was very similar to the one we were in at the Bellagio. Except this place was a lot more mercurial then the other suite. Everything was immaculate. White, organized and even more sterile looking. There were no pictures or mementos that showed someone lived here instead of it being another room in the hotel. It made everything that was funny before, not so much anymore. It was kind of sad. Greed must be alone and that made his guards’ deaths that much more painful. They might not have been just his security team, but his friends as well. Nikolai came out of a room with a small pile of clothes. He handed a set to each of us.

  “A t-shirt and pajama pants. There are towels, soap, and toothbrushes and paste in the bathroom for each of you. Is there anything else you may need?” He asked. I shook my head.

  “Silk pajama pants? Doesn’t this make you sweat?” Jones asked and I rolled my eyes. I could already see a crude joke coming from him about a mile away.

  “Don’t even go there, Jones,” I said giving him a pointed look. “Thanks Nikolai. We’ll be out of your hair by morning.” My guardian swiveled his head to me and gave me an arched brow in question. I’d tell him tomorrow when we had more privacy. Greed had done more for us in the one night then we could ever ask of him. He might not have answered the million questions I still needed answered, and he might be kind of an asshole, but because of our arrival, he lost the people closest to him. He was a recluse for a reason and now I think I’m starting to understand why.

  Nikolai wasn’t looking at me, but he was pensive. He held his arms lightly over his chest, deep in thought. “Actually, I was thinking,” he said. “The Palace is well guarded so we shouldn’t have any surprises from the fallen or even Abbadon—there’s a rune in place. You should stay. I don’t think there’s much I can tell you. Not that I don’t want to—I just don’t have the answers. But I can help you control your powers and wake up any that may be dormant. I can also help with your hearing so you don’t have to wear those ear plugs anymore.” He looked out his floor to ceiling window, his back to us while he spoke. My eyes widen a bit at the idea of accepting his help. I don’t believe the part about him not having answers—he wouldn’t be so scared if he didn’t know what was going on—but I believe he can help me train. Jones is great, but he’s never dealt, much less seen someone with Heaven’s Fire. This could be what I need to learn more about myself.

  “We have to leave tomorrow. We have a funeral to attend,” Jones said beside me. I’d forgotten about that. And even if there’s no body, I still wanted to go and see my mom.

  Nikolai turned his head to the side, his body still facing the window. “A funeral?”

  “My mother’s. We have to maintain appearances with the people in my town or they’ll start asking questions,” I said and I felt my throat begin to close up.

  “You mean the humans? They are an inconvenience.”

  “My mother is human,” I said hotly.

  “She was human,” he retorted and I could feel my face burn. “I don’t mean to be insensitive, but you shouldn’t keep pretending like you’re going home to see her in the kitchen baking cookies either.” Greed moved away from the window and walked towards us. Jones stiffened beside me and I knew he was pissed at Nikolai’s comments. “Where is home?”

  “Why?” Jones asked before I could respond. I’m glad he’s quick on his feet because I was about to tell him.

  Nikolai snorted. “If I wanted to find out I could. I’m giving you the chance to tell me yourselves. I’m not planning an attack on your humans—I was actually thinking about coming as well.”

  If I didn’t think Jones could be tenser then he already was—I was wrong. “There’s no way you’re coming with us,” he said, taking a protective step in front of me.

  “Why not? You came to me for help and now you don’t want it? Make up your mind,” Nikolai said as he went over to the small bar he had set up against the wall.

  “Max, he can’t. Xavier will lose it if we show up with him in tow. I already have a feeling things are going to be tense, let’s not add to it,” Jones said. He meant Angela and me. Which he’s right but having Greed train me could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. What are the chances I’d run into another Nephilim?

  “I know,” I mumbled. “But he can teach me things that you can’t. I need his help and I may never be able get this offer again. From the looks of it, I have an eternity, but if I don’t learn the basics to survive—I may not make it past my current lifetime.”

  The golden hazel eyes that stared back at me were on fire. He agreed with me to a certain extent, but it still troubled him. Maybe it was the thought of having to tell my dad that we didn’t lay low. Well, we did—at least until this week.

  “Your father, is he Xavier as in the Archangel?” Nikolai asked, interfering in the tug of war between Jones and me.

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Oh, nothing. Your father is just very well known, that’s all,” he said. “So what’s it going to be, boys, am I allowed to tag along or not?”

  Before Jones could interject, I answered, “Yeah, you can come.” I could feel the glare that he bore into the back of my head, but it didn’t matter. I needed Nikolai’s help and if we go back home, I may never be able to return to Vegas. And what’s to say if Greed will even stick around after the attack tonight.

  “Guardian, I don’t have a hidden agenda. Let’s just say, that young Max here, has convinced me to help instead of sitting around and hiding,” Nikolai said as he stared off at the window again. “I’ll purchase the tickets. You both get some rest.”

  14

  Nikolai

  146 BC

  Hydra Island, Greece

  The wooden table wobbled as my mother placed a bowl of porridge in front of me. I grimaced at the smell but thanked her anyway. I was too tired from working under the intense heat of the sun that glared off the Mediterranean. She offered me a cold wet cloth to wipe my hands.

  “Finish it all, Nikolai. You can’t keep eating the way you do and work so hard, you’ll get ill,” she said with a heavy Greci
an accent. We had moved from Athens to a small island nearby, once Greece was over taken by Roman rule.

  “Yes, mother,” I said. We lived humbly outside the city in a small village where many didn’t know who we were or where we came from. “There’s been talk in the fields that the Romans are going to war again. I’m worried they will be recruiting here, mother. I think it best we go to Cyprus and find refuge.”

  I took a spoonful of the thick gruel and swallowed it without tasting. My mother turned to face me. “I don’t want to run anymore, Nikolai. I’m an old woman now and I’m tired.” Her frown turned to a smile as she excitedly said, “But haven’t you heard about Hercules? He’s a son of Zeus. We could tell people who you are, we wouldn’t have to hide anymore.”

  I exhaled and dropped my spoon roughly in my bowl—porridge spilling over. “Mother, those are ridiculous tales that are told to children. He is not real and neither is your belief that you consummated with a god. Do not speak like this to anyone—it can cost you your life,” I said as I rested my hands on my thighs to stop from slamming them on the table.

  From a very young age, my mother told me stories of my father. A god who came down from Mount Olympus in disguise as a man who fell in love with my mother. But their blissful happiness didn’t last long, he left before she could even tell him she was with child. I don’t want to think my mother is a liar, but this was a very tall tale. And I feared if anyone ever heard her speak these atrocities, she’d be labeled crazy or worse—stoned to death. Women who bear children without a father are considered whores and I know my mother isn’t a whore. We’ve been able to live peacefully under the guise that my “father” was killed in battle, but the truth always tends to reveal itself.