Angel's Kiss
Page 13
“Lucas,” Michael yelled, his voice one of pure agony. But there was nothing to be done. Lucas’s body flamed out before he hit the ground. By the time Ruby reached him, he was nothing more than ash.
“No,” she cried, sobs welling in her throat. Though she’d only known Lucas a few weeks, he’d been a kind, gentle soul, and now he was dead…because of her stupid mistake.
“Abraham, you’ll pay for this,” Gabriel screamed, rocketing with fury toward the angel with the torch.
Wrestling Jason out of the white-wing’s grip, Michael yelled at him, “Go! Take your mate. Take the equipment. That’s what matters most!”
For one moment Ruby thought Jason would refuse, but then he glanced down at her, and the bloodlust cleared from his eyes, replaced by concern. He flew right at her, swooping her up and propelling them back toward the forest, and the camera she’d dropped.
She saw Nate take Aaron’s place with the other angel, and once again Michael yelled, “Go, Aaron. Go!”
Samantha’s mate wasted no time in scooping her up.
Jason reached down to grab the camera without ever letting go of her, without even touching the ground. Soaring up in the sky, he propelled them away from the prison at a neck-breaking speed.
Sobs built in Ruby’s throat and tears blinded her vision as she watched the landscape blur into one steady stream of white. This wasn’t the way things were supposed to shake down. While they’d gotten lucky, it seemed like such a trivial victory at the moment…now that one of their own was dead.
Ruby buried her face in Jason’s neck and gave in to the urge to break down.
Chapter Fifteen
Night had fallen quite some time ago, but the full moon cast a bright, pale light over the wide stream in front of the rebel camp. Winter was creeping ever faster into this neck of the woods. Soon enough there would be snow. Just like in Alaska.
Shivering against more than the cold, Ruby buried her hands in the sleeves of her heavy down coat and stared out toward the shimmering water. The fallen log she sat on didn’t provide much shelter from the warmth, but somehow that seemed fitting. A little cold was nothing to complain about, not while she was alive, whereas Lucas and Gabriel were dead.
After fleeing the prison, she and Jason had managed to make it back to the tiny log cabin that served as their Alaskan base. They’d been joined soon thereafter by Aaron and Samantha, who’d not only gotten away, but had also retrieved their camera. The relief of knowing they’d captured evidence of the angels’ true intent toward humans was overshadowed by the knowledge that Lucas was dead, and the others might very well be too.
It hadn’t helped that Eva was at the cabin, waiting for their return.
“Where’s Michael?” she’d asked, concern making her voice crack. Then, when she’d heard their part of the story, she blanched as white as the snow and dropped to the couch like a stone. She hadn’t moved a muscle or uttered a peep until an hour later, when Michael had strode through the door. Upon seeing him, she’d jumped to her feet and vaulted into his arms. Her joy had melted away, however, when Michael had announced that they’d lost Gabriel too. Another victim to the all-too-effective flaming torch.
Ruby, who’d sat on Jason’s lap in a state of semi-shock, had asked, “What about Nate?”
Based on what had happened, on what she’d seen, she’d expected him to be dead too. It had been a relief to hear that he’d gotten away and had even managed to commandeer the vehicle holding the human prisoners and guide them back to safety. But that didn’t change the fact that two Fallen had died, two good men.
And it had been her fault.
A winged figure soared across the stream, coming to a land almost directly in front of her. It was Michael, with Eva in tow. He took one look at her, and they both approached, taking a seat on either side of her.
“How many times do I have to tell you?” Michael asked quietly, placing a hand on her shoulder. “It’s not your fault, Ruby. Lucas and Gabriel would never have thought so, and you shouldn’t either.”
“It could have happened to anyone,” Eva agreed, squeezing Ruby’s forearm. “At least you had the courage to go out there, to risk your life. Most people wouldn’t have.”
“I know.” Ruby sighed. “But if only I hadn’t tried to scoot forward, if would have considered the sharp branches—”
“Let me asked you something,” Michael interrupted. “If the tables were turned and it was one of your rebels in this situation, what would you say to him or her?”
She thought about it for a second. “Probably just to suck it up, that we’ve got a job to do and they can’t lose focus.”
Michael cocked a brow and gave her a wry grin.
“Okay, okay, I get it,” she mumbled. She couldn’t allow her past mistakes to cripple her. Not now, when things were becoming so critical.
When they were about to go to war.
Michael gave her a reassuring pat on the back before standing. “Don’t stay out here too long. It starts in ten minutes.”
He and Eva retreated, leaving Ruby to her thoughts. She and the others had returned from Alaska the day before yesterday. They’d had to break the news to the other Fallen and to her rebels, which had been harder than she’d thought it would be. But nobody seemed to blame her, especially not Jason. Though it was clear he grieved for his friends, he’d been nothing but sweet and kind and comforting to her.
God, I love him.
In retrospect, she’d been an utter fool to convince herself for even a moment that she could resist him. The man had been perfect for her in every way.
Yes, he might die tomorrow. So might she, for that matter. But that didn’t really matter. What mattered was that they had each other now…and it was past time she let him know it.
When she heard the fall of his booted steps on the ground behind her, she smiled and glanced back. Figured he’d track her down. He’d been so worried about her, yet so understanding.
“Hi,” she murmured.
His grin made her heart thump hard in her chest. “Hi yourself.”
Jason took a seat right next to her and pulled her into his chest, lending her his warmth. “I missed you.”
“Me too.” She stayed there for a moment, silently enjoying his company, but it was past time she said the words she needed to say, even if they did freak her out.
“I have to tell you something.” She pulled away to meet Jason’s gaze.
He frowned and the area between his brows furrowed. “What?”
“I…I love you.”
His frown cleared, and he gave her a huge grin. “I know.”
Now it was her turn to frown. “You do?”
“Yeah,” he said easily, tucking her into his body once more. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I’ve known it since the moment you decided to give yourself to me. I just didn’t know when you would realize it…or if you’d admit it once you did.”
She thought about that for a moment. “You shit.”
Chuckling, he placed his free hand beneath her chin and lifted her face to kiss for a long, slow kiss. “I’m a shit who loves you, though.”
Joy and contentment seized her body, winding through her every vein and electrifying her nerve endings. “I’m glad, because you’re sort of stuck with me now. I’ve decided the only way I’m going to let you go is if I’m dead and rotting.”
He laughed at that. “Not even then, I hope.”
“No.” He was right. “Not even then.”
“Good.” His gorgeous green eyes sparkled with moonlight. “Since I’m never letting you go either. You’re the perfect mate for me, Ruby. And I want to spend the rest of my days with you, however long they might be.”
Her heart melted and a wide grin split her cheeks.
Maybe her mother hadn’t been so wrong in loving her father after all. Maybe she’d known something Ruby hadn’t…
That true love is worth fighting for. Worth experiencing, no matter the consequences.
/> Even worth dying for…
“And I you, Jason, my Fallen one.”
He smiled, staring into her eyes for one long moment before glancing up at the moon. His smile dimmed. “It’s about time for the broadcast.”
“Yes, it is.” Her stomach knotting with apprehension, Ruby rose and, hand in hand, they headed inside the rebel cabin. Everyone was piled into the family room, which was filled to bursting. The couches were overflowing with her rebels, and more of them sat here and there on the floor, while the Fallen lined every available inch of wall space.
“It’s time,” Seth said from where he stood several feet away from his sometimes-mate Lily. She did her best to ignore both him and Adam, who sat nearby on the floor and kept casting forlorn, lovesick glances her way.
While Ruby took her place leaning against one wall next to Jason, Michael grabbed the remote and turned the volume up on the flat-screen television mounted on one wall. How he and the other Fallen had managed to not only route electricity to this remote area but get cable, all within a matter of days, was beyond Ruby. But then she supposed it was probably a piece of cake compared to getting all of this inside a mountain.
Seth had managed to get copies of the tapes Ruby and Samantha had made to a contact at a national news station. The human had in turn hacked into the system and set up the video to play at exactly eight o’clock in the evening.
Which was…now.
“…at a New Jersey charity tournament sponsored by the Tribunal of angels,” the pleasant voice of the pretty anchorwoman stated. A second later the video cut out, replaced by static. Then, the static cut away to a video of the president being shoved off the snow vehicle.
Her body tense, Ruby watched a replay of the incident back in Alaska. Seth’s contact had edited the two films together to create the clearest, best possible video. There was no mistaking the angels’ words or actions.
There was no denying their intent.
Finally the video cut out, and the broadcast returned to the anchorwoman’s very stunned face. She remained frozen in her spot for several long moments before someone could be heard furiously whispering something to her off camera.
Clearing her throat, she blinked and stuttered, “Be-bear with us for a moment, as we’re having technical difficulties. We’ll be right with you after this commercial b-break.”
“Well,” Adam’s grim voice said. “It’ll be interesting to see how the angels try to spin that in their favor.”
“And how the humans respond to it,” Tayla added tightly.
“I don’t know, but one thing is for sure.” Ruby reached over and intertwined her fingers with Jason’s. “One way or another, our world has just changed.”
“Things are about to get scary,” Adam predicted.
Yeah, maybe he was right. But even if so…
“I’m ready.”
Jason glanced at her, and she squeezed his hand tight.
With Jason at her side, she was ready for anything that came her way.
THE END
Please be on the lookout for Heart of an Angel,
Book 5 of
the Fallen Warriors Series
Did you miss the first three books in the series?
Keep reading for more on:
For Love of an Angel,
Book 1 of
the Fallen Warriors Series,
Angel’s Desire
Book 2 of
the Fallen Warriors Series,
And
For Want of an Angel,
Book 3 of
the Fallen Warriors Series
For Love of an Angel
The Fallen Warriors Series
Rosalie Lario
In a world where angels rule over humans, twelve outcasts dare to defy expectation, warring with their angel brethren to prevent the extinction of humankind.
They are The Fallen.
Book 1
Michael is one of twelve angels who have been outcast due to their determination to protect mankind. In order to preserve his immortality and strength, he must find a mate with angel blood. Eva Smyth has never believed the propaganda spouted by the Consortium—the elite system of guards put into place once angels took over reign of Earth—but she never expected to learn the angels plan to eradicate all of mankind, or that she herself is part angel. Joining Michael means living a life on the run, at war against the angels and hunted by the Consortium. Eva must decide whether to risk it all...for love of an angel.
Angel’s Desire
The Fallen Warriors Series
Rosalie Lario
In a world where angels rule over humans, twelve outcasts dare to defy expectation, warring with their angel brethren to prevent the extinction of humankind.
They are The Fallen.
Book 2
Fallen angel Ethan has been outcast due to his love of humankind. In order to preserve his immortality, he must find a mate with angel blood...but the one woman he desires blames him for her father’s death. As a teenager, Tayla had a fierce crush on Ethan, her angel father’s best friend. She was humiliated when he rejected her, claiming she was too young for him. Her love turned to hate when he failed to save her father from being killed by the other angels.
Battle looms on the horizon, and Ethan can no longer afford to waste time. He must claim Tayla as his...but convincing her she’s his mate won’t be so easy.
For Want of an Angel
The Fallen Warriors Series
Rosalie Lario
In a world where angels rule over humans, twelve outcasts dare to defy expectation, warring with their angel brethren to prevent the extinction of humankind.
They are The Fallen.
Book 3
Fallen angel Aaron has found the woman of his dreams, an alluring nephilim who has no clue what she really is. By taking her as his mate, he can preserve his strength and immortality...something he’ll need in the fight against the angels who seek to destroy mankind. But first he must convince her that he and his Fallen brethren are not the evil beings they have been made out to be.
Samantha Benson has the ability to interfere with electrical signals, an attribute which makes professional thievery the perfect career for her. As if her special abilities weren’t enough to deal with, a fallen angel lands right before her and tells her she has angelic blood. He also expects her to believe the Fallen are really the good guys, and that the rest of the angels plan for human annihilation. Surely the sexy-as-sin Fallen is lying. But if so, then why do his words hold the undeniable ring of truth?
As the Fallen plan to infiltrate a secret prison built by the angels, Aaron must not only convince Samantha that mankind needs her help, but also that the two of them are meant to be together...forever.
Books in Rosalie Lario’s Fallen Warriors Series
For Love of an Angel (May 2011)
Angel’s Desire (September 2011)
For Want of an Angel (August 2012)
Angel’s Kiss (available March 2013)
Want more books by Rosalie Lario? Don’t miss her award-winning Demons of Infernum Series!
Blood of the Demon (released in print on July 31, 2012)
Mark of the Sylph (releases in print on March 26, 2013)
Touch of the Angel (coming in 2013)
Heart of the Incubus (available as an e-novella in 2013)
Call of the Siren (coming in 2014)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rosalie Lario practiced real estate law for several years before finally admitting to herself that negotiating contracts wasn’t nearly as fun as dreaming up stories. As an avid reader of romances and supernatural stories, she knew she wanted to write paranormal romance.
When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son in their home state of Florida, as well as searching out things that go bump in the night. She still hasn’t found any proof of the supernatural, but she's keeping her fingers crossed.
You can learn more about Rosalie Lario at her website, www.rosaliela
rio.com, or you can find her online at Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads.
Table of Contents
Copyright
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
other books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR