by G. K. DeRosa
“Rumor has it that Liv is some sort of weapon—one that could bring the end to all of this.” He raised his hands. “I’ve grown to quite like ruling this country, and I don’t plan on returning down there any time soon.” His gaze cast down to the floor.
“You’re wrong. I don’t know what Azazel told you, but they’re all lies.” Declan’s eyes shot daggers at his uncle. For a moment, I thought I saw a flash of regret cross Azazel’s blue and black irises.
Zeke sneered. “I’m no fool, Declan. I don’t blindly trust my brother. There’s a reason he’s fallen after all. That’s why I’ve come today—to discover the truth.”
We were so screwed. I glanced up at Declan, and the despair reflected in his eyes made my heart ache.
Zeke ticked his head to the three vampires circling us. “Bring them to me.”
A pair of iron hands clamped down on my shoulders, wrenching me away from Declan.
“Let her go!” he shouted.
“Don’t worry. You’re coming with her.” The other two surrounded Declan and dragged him behind me.
There was no point in both of us dying. I craned my head back, trying to twist out of the stryx’s hold. “Declan, go. Save yourself!”
“Never,” he muttered. “I—”
His words were cut off by the shrill crash of glass shattering overhead. Shards of it rained down from the sky, filling the air with a rainbow of colors. I threw my arm up as my captor shoved me down to the floor.
Oof! I smacked into the cold tile, and all the air squeezed out of my lungs. When I opened my eyes, my jaw nearly hit the floor.
A troop of golden-armored nephilim surrounded us. Their radiant wings blanketed the dark cathedral in a dazzling ethereal glow. Hard packed muscle covered every inch of the angel soldiers, their expressions both splendid and terrifying.
A tall one with flowing blonde hair stepped forward, his magnificent wings easily twice the size of the others. His wide angular jaw and deep-set electric blue eyes demanded attention. His presence engulfed the room, dwarfing the rest. I peered up, unable to take my eyes off him.
The vampire crushing me pushed off the ground and sat up on his knees. I followed his lead and did the same. It was only then that my gaze met Declan’s.
His irises blazed like a raging inferno, his lips a tight, thin line.
“Hello, Brother.” Zeke’s singsong tone made my head spin in his direction.
Brother?
I stared at the handsome towering angel as my brain struggled to catch up. I sucked in a sharp breath.
Nathanael.
Chapter 31
Declan’s father marched toward me, and I could’ve sworn the earth shook beneath us. He was a hundred times more intimidating than I’d ever imagined. Penetrating blue eyes pinned mine, and I had to force my heart to keep beating. A slight smirk twisted his perfect lips. He was so beautiful he was painful to look at straight on.
Oh God, I should not be thinking that about Declan’s father.
Nathanael extended his hand, and I stared at it, frozen like a deer in headlights. He cleared his throat, piercing me with a narrowed glare. “If you prefer to stay here, that can be arranged.” His voice flowed like a heavenly melody, regardless of his ominous words.
I was so engrossed in Nathanael I hadn’t realized the rest of the room had gone silent until Declan spoke. His deep voice shattered the thrall the grand angel’s presence had over us all.
“Stay away from her,” he snarled.
Nathanael’s head whirled to his son. He scrutinized him, his icy irises inspecting every inch of him. He grunted, and his posture stiffened. “It’s true then,” he huffed. “I heard the rumors, but I didn’t want to believe it.”
Declan’s fangs slipped out right on cue. I could’ve sworn the Archangel flinched, but a second later whatever emotion I thought I saw was gone.
Zeke waved his hand in the air. “I hate to break up this lovely family reunion, but why are you here, son of heaven?”
Nathanael ate up the distance between them. I blinked, and he was toe to toe with his younger brother. “I imagine for the same reason you are.”
Seeing the three siblings together was a bit surreal. It felt like the start of a bad joke—an angel, a vampire, and a fallen walk into a bar… I suppressed the crazy giggle brewing in my chest. This was so not the time.
Azazel stepped between his brothers, placing one hand on each of their chests. “There’s no need for us to be at odds. We all want the same thing.”
Nathanael speared his older brother with his icy blues. “And what is it that you want? It was my understanding that you desired no part in this war.”
He shrugged. “Perhaps I’ve changed my mind.”
“Because you’ve found something that could benefit you?”
Azazel shot him a devious smile.
As they continued to bicker, I caught Declan’s eye. “What do we do?” I mouthed.
A pair of vampires still surrounded him plus there was the one guarding me, and the two snipers. Even with the siblings entertained, I wasn’t sure escape was a viable option.
“Wait,” he mouthed back.
Great. Our fate was in the hands of the feuding brothers. Why did I have a feeling we were screwed either way? Azazel was right. They were all on the same side when it came to me. Killing me and taking the sword was the only way to guarantee the angels’ and vampires’ survival.
I knew it and so did Declan. The question was, did they?
The hushed muttering stopped, and Nathanael’s voice boomed across the atrium. “Very well then, it’s agreed. The girl will come with me.”
Ice surged through my veins, freezing my lungs and stealing my breath away. No.
The slash of Declan’s blade cutting through the air pierced the silence. I spun toward him in time to see two heads roll off their respective necks. Blue flames licked his luminous blade as he brought it back down to his side.
I blinked and he stood beside me, his feathery wings stretched around me.
“She’s not going anywhere with either of you.” Declan glared at his father and uncles.
Nathanael stepped forward, his hands outstretched. “Liv will be safest with me. You can’t honestly believe she’d be better off with the vampires?”
“No,” he spat. “I’ll keep her safe and away from all of you.”
“I’m afraid that’s not an option, son. Until we discover what role Liv is to play in this war, she cannot be left without protection.”
“She has protection. Me.”
A look of understanding crossed Nathanael’s cold eyes, and his expression softened. “You are welcome to return to the tower with us, and take your rightful place by my side.”
“I will never—”
Nathanael cut him off. “Choose your next words wisely, Declan.” His lips twisted in disgust. “You are an abomination—half angel and half demon. My offering of protection is more than fair—for both you and the human girl. It’s a one time proposition, and one that I give only in regard for your mother.”
Sammarah?
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Azazel squirm. A darkness settled over his features. Nathanael doesn’t know Sammarah died.
“Fine,” Declan gritted out. “We’ll go with you as long as you swear on my mother that no harm will come to Liv.”
Declan must have noticed too. That meant Nathanael really hadn’t sent his soldiers to kill her. Declan had been right, maybe his father really had loved his mother. What would he do when he discovered the truth?
“I swear it,” Nathanael said. He turned back to his brothers. “Call your minions off. The girl is under my protection now. I will be in touch as agreed.”
Zeke and Azazel nodded. Matching expressions of contempt lined their handsome faces.
What game were these guys playing?
The vampires skulked back into the shadows, and the legion of angels took flight. Declan’s arms came around my back, and he cradled me into
his chest. Nathanael watched us, his expressive eyes following our every movement.
Declan bent his knees and propelled us into the air, his ivory wings unfolding. My stomach lurched as we shot up toward the stained-glass windows. Enveloping me in his arms, he flew through the colorful mosaic and into the mid-day light. A breeze swept dark hair across my eyes, the crisp wind invigorating after the tense stand-off.
“Everything’s going to be okay,” Declan whispered, his breath warm against my ear. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. Ever.”
“I trust you,” I answered, but I wasn’t sure if he heard it, my voice getting lost in the wind.
For a second, I only focused on the incredible feeling of weightlessness. The knot in my stomach unraveled, and I reveled in the warmth of Declan’s hold. The city receded below us, and all the destruction faded away. I only ever felt this way in Declan’s arms. I pushed the thought aside, not wanting to dwell on what that meant.
The whoosh of approaching wings drowned my brief moment of bliss. Nathanael appeared beside us, flanked by a pair of nephilim soldiers. A cold smile etched across his lips as he regarded us.
I squeezed my eyes shut and buried my face in Declan’s chest. Maybe we should’ve taken our chances with Zeke and Azazel. At least with those two, we knew what we were getting.
Nathanael was the devil in disguise.
Chapter 32
Nathanael’s presence engulfed the elevator, thickening the air so it was hard to breathe. My stomach dropped as we whizzed to the upper levels of the angel tower. Once I swallowed down the bout of nausea, I peered at him from the corner of my eye. Gold-plated armor covered his wide chest, a pearly white cape hanging loosely from his sinewy shoulders. My head barely reached his chin.
He wasn’t that much taller than Declan—a few inches at most, but there was something about the Archangel that made him seem larger than life. Godlike almost.
The ding of the elevator tore me away from my gawking. Declan placed his hand on my lower back and led me through the doors. I squinted as we entered the bright white hallway, the halogen lights bouncing off the shiny walls nearly blinding.
Two nephilim soldiers flanked Nathanael as he led us down the sterile corridor. My heart pounded in time with the slap of their heavy boots, and I tightened my grip on the sword. The head angel motioned to a door, and one of the men strode forward with a hefty key ring. The nephilim opened it and stepped out of the way for us to enter.
“Please, make yourselves comfortable. It’s been awhile since we’ve had guests in the tower.” Nathanael marched in, motioning for us to follow.
I crossed the threshold and scanned the barren apartment. It was cold and white, just like everything else in this godforsaken tower. As I stared at the white furnishings, I couldn’t help but think of Duke. His furry black hair would’ve blanketed every inch of this place in seconds. My heart clenched. I hoped Trinity had made it back to the house safely.
I folded myself onto the snowy leather couch, dropping the sword at my feet. Exhaustion weighed my limbs down. The flight had been exhilarating, but now that the adrenaline was fading, so was I. But how could I rest now that we were in Nathanael’s clutches?
As if he’d heard my thoughts, his cold glare moved from me to the sword. “You look tired, human. I imagine you’ve been through quite an ordeal.”
I opened my mouth to object, but he turned to Declan completely disregarding me. “Come, Declan, let’s leave her to rest. There’s much we must discuss.”
Declan seared his father with his own fiery glare, dark crimson burning his irises. “I’m not leaving, Liv. Not for a second while we’re you’re guests.” He eyed the pair of nephilim at the door. “I don’t trust her with any of you.”
“It appears you’ve been spending too much time with the vampires.” He scowled, lines marring the corners of his lips. “Your pet human is perfectly safe here. We are the good ones, remember?”
I suppressed a grunt from exploding out of my mouth. Good ones? Yeah, right.
“Excuse me if I don’t agree with you there, Father. As I’m sure the thousands of prisoners you’re keeping in the barracks would testify to as well.”
The tendons in Nathanael’s jaw ground together. “We’re saving them from a much worse fate.”
“Enough!” Declan pounded his fist into the pristine coffee table, making me jump. “We’re obviously not here to discuss the welfare of the humans. Why have you brought us here?”
“You’re my son. I rescued you from my vile brothers and their henchmen.” He narrowed his eyes. “I believe a little gratitude is in order.”
This conversation was going nowhere. Nathanael wasn’t going to spill his master plan, and Declan certainly wasn’t going to trust him. Nor would I. Ever. But for now, we had to play nice or we’d never get out of here.
“Thank you,” I muttered. Declan’s head spun toward me so fast I thought he’d get whiplash. I continued, ignoring his death stare. “I appreciate what you did for us. I am, however, as you pointed out pretty tired. If we are your guests, as you say, I’d like to retire for the evening—with Declan.”
A wry smile twisted Nathanael’s lips. “Of course.” He turned to his son once again. “I suppose we’ll continue our conversation tomorrow, once you’re rested.”
“Fine,” Declan growled.
Nathanael strode out, sucking all the air out with him. Before the door closed, I couldn’t help but notice the two nephilim remained to stand guard outside. So much for being guests.
I blew out a breath and sat forward. “Now what?”
Declan pressed a finger to his lips and ticked his head toward a small camera hung from the ceiling. He raised his arm and blasted it with his angel light. It let out a sharp crackle and smashed on the floor. He swept the entire space before finally returning to sit down beside me.
“Okay. I think I got them all.”
I huffed and leaned back against the couch. “How much do you think he knows?”
He raked a hand through his dark untamed waves. “All of it. Or at least he will by tomorrow.” He picked up the sword at my feet and rolled the blade in his palm. “Didn’t you see him eyeing it? Once he realizes it’s the sword of honor, it won’t take him long to figure out the rest.”
“Then we have to find out where the shield is before he does.”
“Even if we did locate the next clue, we still have to get out of here.” He stood and marched to the oversized window. Tapping on the glass with his knuckles, he turned back to me. “It’s impenetrable. And by now, my father must have informed the soldiers of our presence. Getting out won’t be as easy as it was last time.”
He slunk back to the sofa and slumped down. “We’re at his mercy for now.”
“If you’re right and he finds out who I am, he’ll never let us go.”
“I know.” He was so quiet, I wasn’t even sure he’d said the words.
This was bad. If Declan had lost hope, where did that leave us?
A chill skittered over my body, jolting me awake. I jumped up and scanned the unfamiliar surroundings. White walls and furnishings boxed me in, and my brain finally caught up to my racing heart.
I rubbed my sore neck, cursing myself for falling asleep on the couch when there was a perfectly good bed in the other room. Why had Declan left me out here? Slowly standing, I shuffled to the bedroom.
The door was open, the room blanketed in darkness. I stood at the entry and strained to hear the familiar sound of Declan’s snoring. Nothing. I tiptoed in and as my eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, the sight of the empty bed sent a pang of terror through my heart.
Where was he?
Chapter 33
A warm arm draped over my waist, sending electrifying tingles across my exposed flesh. I snuggled back into a firm chest as my heavy eyelids fluttered open.
“Declan!” I shot up the moment his blurry features came into focus.
“What?” he muttered, his voice raspy. I hated the power
that tone had on my insides.
“Where the hell did you go last night?” After anxiously pacing the apartment for a while, I’d questioned the guards. They informed me Declan was with Nathanael. After another hour of restless waiting, I’d finally given up and fallen asleep.
He sat up, pushing the comforter back to reveal a bare chest. I forced my eyes away from his finely sculpted torso to meet his drowsy gaze.
“I couldn’t sleep so I went to talk to my father.”
So much for not leaving me alone here. I crossed my arms against my chest feeling strangely betrayed. “And?”
A wry grin pulled at his lips. “Don’t worry, I had my friend Emmaus guard the hallway while I was gone.” There he goes reading my thoughts again. I couldn’t believe my poker face was that bad. He had to have some sort of freakish angel-vampire ability. He reached for my hand, and after a beat I let him take it.
Flashes of the handsome blonde nephilim, Emmaus, rushed through my mind. He’d been the one we’d encountered at Arx when we’d come to free Asher. I hadn’t realized he and Declan were that close.
“Okay so what did you and your dad talk about?”
His expression darkened. “He claims he didn’t know about my mom’s death.”
“How’s that possible? He was the one that sent those nephilim after us.”
“He said they were only trying to keep my mom and the Book of Salvation safe. When they spotted her at Azazel’s they sent word to my father. He swears he was only trying to protect her.”
“Do you believe him?”
He ran both hands through his thick hair, pulling at the ends. “I don’t know. There was something in his cold eyes that shattered when I told him. Like he really had no idea she was gone.” He leaned his head back, clasping his hands in his lap. “I was always so sure of his love for her. Even when I questioned his feelings for me, that was one thing that never faltered. But now… Now I don’t know what to believe.” He straightened, fixing his eyes on me. “He admitted knowing she was from the sacred bloodline. He knew all along and that was why he hid her.”
