Demon Kissed (Cursed Angel Collection)

by Michelle Madow

  “And you stayed there for thousands of years,” I realize. “Until the dimensions collided half a century ago.”

  “Yes.” He nods. “During my time in Hell, I grew to resent humans. I blamed the entire race for tempting me to fall in love with Julia and cursing me to life as a demon. Her death was my fault. If I hadn’t been so blinded by my love for her, she would have gotten to live a long life. But I wanted her love more than I’d ever wanted anything, and I went to Hell for it. I was doomed to always want that which I couldn’t have. And so, after the dimensions collided and I won over this continent, I used Uriel’s Flaming Sword to curse the continent with greed, so that everyone living here would be consumed with the same insatiable need that tortured me every day. I was filled with rage—with the darkness—and I thought since I was miserable, everyone should be miserable.”

  His eyes flicker with anger—a trace of what he must have felt all those decades ago when he cast the curse upon the continent. “Do you still feel that same way?” I ask.

  “No,” he says. “Not since you came into my life.”

  “Then end the curse,” I say. “You cast it—can’t you end it?”

  “It doesn’t work like that,” he says. “A curse that strong is bound to my soul. It’s irreversible.”

  Unless he’s killed, I think, although I don’t say it out loud.

  Instead, I remember what Teresa told me the other day—that she thinks she can end the curse without killing Zeke. I want to tell him, but I can’t. Not without telling him that Teresa’s a witch. And I won’t break Teresa’s trust like that. Her being a witch is her secret to tell—not mine.

  “What if there’s another way to break the curse?” I ask instead. “There are rumors of witches who practice magic in secret. What if they can help you?”

  “What do you know of such witches?” He jerks his head toward me, suspicion in his gaze.

  “Nothing.” I reach for his hand, hoping he believes me. I need to get him to believe me, for Teresa’s safety. “But everyone has heard the rumors. And as king, surely if you ask for their help, they’ll come forth.”

  “I’ll do no such thing,” he says sharply. “Any witches who still live on the continent don’t want to help me—they want to kill me. If their numbers are high enough, they have the ability to do so. It’s why all known witches must be killed immediately.”

  I bite my lip, troubled with where this conversation might go. I’ll never forgive myself if I put Teresa and Marco in danger.

  “You look worried.” He takes my hand again, his voice softer. “What’s wrong?”

  I can’t share my actual thoughts, so I settle on something else that’s troubling me. “You noticed me because I look like Julia,” I say, swallowing down the lump in my throat. “But that’s not why you fell in love with me, right? Because I’m not Julia. I never have been, and I never will be.”

  “I know that.” He chuckles. “You have more fire in you than Julia ever did. The way you risked your own life to save your friend on the Day of the Dead—Julia never had that kind of courage. That’s the day I realized I was in love with you. You—Adriana—not Julia. The hope that you were Julia was the push I needed to break through the darkness, but it was your love—your light—that captured my heart. With you by my side as my queen, we’ll lead the continent into a Golden Age of prosperity and happiness. Together forever.”

  I lean forward and kiss him, because there’s nothing I want more than to marry Zeke and be his queen.

  I’m still terrified of what it means for me as an angel. But Zeke was brave enough to fall from Heaven for love, so I need to be that brave, too. He was able to fight the darkness and love again. Surely the love we share will pull me through the darkness as well.

  It has to. Because I can’t rule beside him as an angel.

  But I can as a demon.

  Chapter Sixty-Three

  We announce our engagement on air the day after returning from the sector. The other concubines have been sent home, and there have been non-stop parties in the street since. But most of my focus has been on planning the engagement party. It’s going to be the most extravagant party the continent has ever seen—which will only be topped by the wedding itself.

  However, I keep thinking about what I’m giving up by committing myself to this marriage. I’ve been an angel for my entire existence—it’s all I’ve ever known. I want to give it up for love—like Zeke did—but I’m scared.

  Scared of the darkness I’ll have to fight every day if I fall from Heaven.

  My only hope is that Teresa will be able end the curse without killing Zeke. If so, perhaps I can make a plea to God. I can ask him to forgive Zeke—to welcome him back to Heaven. God is loving and forgiving. After all Zeke has struggled with throughout the years, he deserves a second chance.

  One week after announcing the engagement, Teresa comes to my suite unannounced. She shuts the door behind her and mutters the sound-barrier spell.

  I hurry toward her, hope welling in my soul. “What did you find?” I ask. “Please tell me it’s good.”

  “It’s good,” she says, her eyes shining with happiness. “It’s more than good. It’s great.”

  “You figured out how to stop the curse without killing Zeke?”

  “I did.” She nods. “I’ve spoken with many witches in the city, and we figured out an alternative solution. You see—from the story you told me, Ezekiel used the Flaming Sword to cast the curse, correct?”

  “Yes.” I nod. “That’s correct.”

  “That makes the sword a key to undoing the curse,” she says, speaking faster. “Both Ezekiel and the sword are tied to the curse. Yes, killing Ezekiel will break the curse, but there’s also a ritual—albeit, a complicated one—that can be done with the sword to break the curse as well.”

  “That’s perfect.” I smile, peace settling over me at the realization that I can truly complete my mission and keep Zeke alive.

  “It is,” she agrees. “Stealing the Flaming Sword isn’t going to be easy, but with enough of us helping, we can pull it off. I have faith in us.”

  “Steal?” I balk. “Why do we have to steal it? If I tell Zeke that we’ve figured out a way to break the curse, he’ll give the sword to us so we can do so.”

  “No,” Teresa says quickly. “You cannot tell Zeke. Whatever happens, say nothing to him. He can’t know anything about this.”

  “Why?” I ask. “He can help us. After what he did for you in the labor camp—when he saved your life—I thought you trusted him.”

  “I do,” she says, lowering her eyes. “But he can’t know about this. The ritual for breaking the curse will take days. And it’ll only work if he doesn’t suspect it’s coming.”

  “That doesn’t make sense,” I say. “I would think it would work better if he can help.”

  “The ways of our spells are complicated,” Teresa says gently, placing her hand on mine. “But you believe that I want this curse broken as much as you do, right?”

  “Yes,” I say, since along with wanting to break the curse, Teresa also wants to get her sister back. She has just as much—possibly even more—desire for this to work than I do.

  “Good,” she says. “Then please trust me on this. If Zeke expects it’s coming, he might put his guard up, which will mess up everything since his spirit is connected to the sword through the curse.”

  “This ritual you need to do with the sword won’t hurt him, will it?” I ask.

  “Only a bit.” She bites her lip, not meeting my eyes. Then she refocuses on me, more determined than ever. “But he’ll survive. Which is better than the alternative way of breaking the curse, don’t you agree?”

  “Of course.”

  “So,” she says. “Will you help us steal the Flaming Sword?”

  “I will,” I tell her, and I touch the diamond ring around my finger, smiling. I’m the luckiest person alive for being given this chance to end the curse without killing Zeke. I hate not being abl
e to be honest with him, but once he learns what I did for him—for our love—I know he’ll understand. “Just tell me what you need me to do.”

  From there, she tells me her plan.

  Chapter Sixty-Four

  The engagement party is more incredible than I imagined it could be. Everyone brings out their fanciest, most colorful ball gowns and tuxes, and the ballroom is alive with music and laughter. There’s an orchestra, dancing, a nine-course meal, and of course, lots of drinking. No glass becomes less than half full before getting filled back up again.

  But my stomach is swirling in anxiety, because tonight is the night I’ll be helping the witches steal the Flaming Sword. To do that, I must keep a clear head, so I have to drink the least amount as possible.

  “Do you not enjoy your drink?” Zeke asks during the second course, glancing at my untouched glass. “Or the champagne earlier? You barely had more than a sip.”

  We have an elevated table to ourselves, looking over everyone in attendance. The meal includes a fresh drink with each course—paired to complement the food—so I expected he would notice my not touching my drinks. And I’ve already come up with a reason why that is.

  “The wine is delicious,” I say to him with a smile. “But tonight is one of the most incredible nights of my life, and I want to remember every second of it.”

  He kisses me in response, and the entire ballroom erupts in applause.

  By the ninth course, I’m so stuffed that I can barely have a slice of the engagement cake. Looking around at everyone else at the party, and judging from the loud chatter, increased laughter, and red faces, they’ve all been enjoying their full glasses of wine with each course. The only people who still appear sober are Teresa, Marco, and Gloria—the three witches who will be assisting me in stealing the sword.

  Once everyone finishes eating, they stumble to the dance floor to continue the celebration. The dancing is wilder than it was at the beginning of the night, and far less graceful.

  “Dance with me?” Zeke asks, holding out a hand to help me up.

  “Of course,” I say with a smile. “But first, let me run to the restroom. Once I return, we can dance all night.”

  He nods, and I hurry out of the ballroom, passing the crowded ladies’ room nearby and continuing to a lesser-used one farther down the hall. As always, Carlos escorts me and waits outside the door. There’s only one other person inside—an older Gold lady who congratulates me on my engagement.

  It isn’t long before Teresa and Gloria join me inside. We wait for the Gold lady to leave, and then I lock the door as Teresa speaks the soundproof spell.

  “Do you have it?” I ask her.

  “Of course.” Teresa holds up a vial of foggy green liquid. “I just need the final ingredient.” She reaches into her purse, pulls out a sewing needle, and hands it to me.

  “Can you prick me?” I ask. “I’m not good with blood.”

  “It has to be you,” Gloria insists. “The blood must be given from your own free will. You need to be the one to prick your finger.”

  “Fine.” I huff and take the needle. It gleams silver between my fingers, and I stare at it, as if preparing for battle.

  “It’ll be easiest it you do it quickly to get it over with,” Teresa says.

  “Okay.” Without allowing myself a second thought, I prick the needle into the pad of my index finger, and a drop of blood pops out.

  Teresa uncaps the vial and holds it out to me. “Squeeze the blood into the vial,” she instructs.

  I do as she says, and the moment the blood falls inside, the liquid transforms into a royal purple.

  “Perfect.” Teresa stares at the vial, her eyes gleaming in excitement, and holds it out to Gloria. “Your turn,” she says, and Gloria takes the vial, swallowing it down in a single gulp.

  Chapter Sixty-Five

  Seconds later, I’m staring at a spitting image of myself. Not my actual self—what I look like when I’m in my angel form—but Adriana. Everything is exact, down to the white dress I’m wearing to the engagement ring around my finger.

  But it’s not real. It’s an illusion.

  The person I’m looking at is actually Gloria.

  “Are you sure you can do this?” I ask her. “Zeke’s extremely perceptive. What if he realizes you’re not actually me?”

  “I was Zeke’s favorite for the year that I was one of his concubines,” she reminds me, her voice light and musical. Is that how I sound when I speak as Adriana? “I can handle keeping him happy until you return. And I look exactly like you—he has no reason to doubt that I’m not you. I have this under control. I promise.”

  “Okay,” I say, trying to fight down the worry in my stomach. “But let’s do this as quickly as possible. The less time you have to pretend you’re me, the less chance we have of getting caught.”

  “It’ll be no longer than three hours,” Teresa says, turning to Gloria. “That’s how long you have until the spell runs out and you transform back into yourself.”

  “I know.” Gloria rolls her eyes. “I may look eighteen right now, but don’t forget that I’m the oldest one in this room.”

  I clear my throat, and they both look at me. “I think I have a few centuries on you,” I say, smiling so she knows I’m not truly offended.

  “Flittering around in Heaven is hardly the same as truly living,” she says, and I realize that she’s right. The time I’ve spent on Earth in Adriana’s body feels more real to me than all the centuries I spent in my angel form above. In Heaven, everything is pleasant and perfect, day in and day out. Here, there’s uncertainty, there’s joy, there’s fear, and there’s love.

  I would trade all my centuries as an angel for the chance to live one lifetime as a human on Earth.

  “We have no time to waste,” Teresa says, forcing me to focus on the present—where we’re about to start our mission to reclaim Uriel’s Flaming Sword. I like thinking of it that way—reclaiming—instead of stealing.

  That way, I don’t feel like we’re doing something wrong.

  Teresa mutters a spell, and I glance into the mirror, surprised when I can still see my reflection.

  “Was that the invisibility spell?” I ask her.

  “No,” she says. “It was a spell for luck. Now, I’ll cast the invisibility spell.”

  She does, and our reflections vanish from the mirror. Only Gloria—as Adriana—remains. Teresa says another spell, and she appears again in front of me, but misty, like she’s a ghost.

  “The spell for true sight,” she reminds me. “So we can see each other while we’re invisible. Now, let’s get on with this. We don’t have all night.”

  Chapter Sixty-Six

  Gloria leaves first, and she holds the door open for long enough that Teresa and I have time to leave the ladies room as well. After all, it would look suspicious if the door opened by itself.

  Carlos escorts her down the hall and back into the ballroom. I hold my breath as I watch her walk away, but once she turns the corner, I force myself to relax. Gloria knows Zeke better than most women on the continent. If there was ever a person meant for this job, it’s her.

  Marco joins us in the hall—also invisible—and we head to the elevators. We’re trying to avoid suspicion as much as possible, so we wait for someone else to come and press the button rather than pressing it ourselves.

  It’s ten minutes before someone approaches the elevators and presses the up button—a Gold man in his thirties who’s so drunk he can barely walk. He steps into the elevator, and the three of us scurry inside afterward, standing on the opposite side as the man. He slouches against the wall, presses his finger onto the keypad, and pushes the button for the twentieth floor.

  Once he stumbles out onto his floor and the doors close behind him, I hold my finger down on the keypad and push the button for the forty-ninth floor. The elevator rises, and I glance up at the camera in the top corner, praying the guards didn’t notice anything strange.

  I have to hope t
hey’re looking out for suspicious people—not for elevators that seem to take on a mind of their own.

  We reach the forty-ninth floor and step out of the elevator. I lead them down the hall to the entrance of Zeke’s suite.

  “This is it,” I tell them once we arrive at the doors.

  “The spell to cause a disturbance in the camera will only last while we’re chanting,” Marco says. “Once it’s working, I’ll nod to you. After I nod, you get us inside of that suite as quickly as possible.”

  “Will do,” I say.

  “Are you sure there are no cameras inside?” Teresa eyes the doors suspiciously.

  “I’m sure. He wants complete privacy in his rooms. Plus, he’s a demon king. He can protect himself.”

  That must convince them, because they join hands and start to chant, causing what I know is some sort of electrical disturbance that’ll make the cameras fuzzy. We didn’t want to use the spell earlier because the guards would surely notice multiple issues with the cameras and would send someone to investigate. However, they’ll likely overlook a one-time disturbance.

  It isn’t long until Marco nods at me.

  When I press my finger against the keypad, the door opens. I push my way through, and I’m followed by Teresa and Marco, who still have their hands together while chanting. They only stop chanting once I close the door behind us.

  “We’re in.” Teresa still holds onto Marco’s hands, a smile breaking across her face. “We did it.”

  “The most difficult part is complete,” I say. “But we still have to get to the room where Zeke’s hiding the sword.”

  “Then by all means,” Marco says, motioning around the suite. “Lead the way.”