The Angels of Paris Chronicles Books 1-3: Boxed Set Bonus Edition

by Anna Santos

  I stood there with a surprised gaze directed at him. "How do you know that?"

  "We live in Paris. It would be impossible for them not to notice a rejected soul wandering around here. I assume you don't know how she became an angel because it’s a well-kept secret. I can’t explain it to you either because the curse is real, and I’d rather not mess with that. But the thing is that the girl is now someone else's problem. You just need to ignore it. Only if she survives the trial, then you have a problem. Rejected soul-mates tend to be resentful," he spoke as if he was an expert on the subject. "If she doesn't survive the trial and becomes human again, you have two options. One, you fuck her and make her your sex slave. Two, you kill her and forget all about her existence."

  I pondered his words, trying to have some kind of insight about what they meant and what the trial was. "And if I don't want to wait for the so-called trial? What if I want her back now, and I want to end the bond she has with the gargoyle?"

  "Just fuck her, say you are sorry, make her forgive you, and the bond will be restored. You are her designated soul-mate. It shouldn't be difficult for you to seduce your mate to go back to you and sever the bond she has established with the gargoyle."

  "That is good to know," I whispered, thinking about what the necromancer was suggesting. "But you are saying that she has a real bond with the beast?"

  "He acknowledged her as a potential soul-mate. So they have a bond. But their bond will be put to a test."

  I gritted my teeth and grumbled words of annoyance towards Cedric and his ability to get in my way. He wasn't content in messing with my plans and killing my vampires, he also had to claim my soul-mate as his!

  "It’s rather amusing," the necromancer said, catching my attention.

  "What is amusing?"

  "I understand your annoyance and your wish to claim your mate back. It’s a really low blow to Cedric's intentions if you steal from him his chance of becoming an angel and ascending," the creature said.

  I became pale.

  The necromancer added, "It is a good plan. Even if you had no idea of how good it was. You just didn't want him to have what was yours. I can relate to that."

  "I said nothing about Cedric. How do you know that?"

  "Rumors of the gargoyle prince finding his mate have been circling around. Now, you come here saying you have rejected your soul-mate and want her back. It must have been nerve-wracking to see her with your worst enemy. Do you want my advice? Let him think you don't want the girl back and seduce her behind his back. Make her fall hard for you. Then, when the trial comes, we can get rid of Cedric once and for all."

  I became even more intrigued by his words.

  How could I possibly get rid of Cedric by making Aria love me? What kind of trial was that?

  I smiled, pretending that I liked the idea. But I just wanted Aria back. I couldn’t care less about Cedric. I wanted to save her soul.

  "If I get our bond restored, do I save her soul from Hell?" I asked, revealing my real purpose there.

  "So you know about that," the necromancer said with surprise in his voice.

  I nodded.

  "The answer is no since you will make her into a vampire. Being a vampire is a real step back to be good and go to Heaven after the real death."

  "And if I don't turn her into a vampire," I probed further, staring at him with hopeful eyes.

  "You wouldn't be able to resist. Love is a powerful drug. If you are concerned with saving her a soul, then just let her mate with Cedric. Let her become his queen. Angels don't go to Hell, Philippe," Kayden reminded me.

  I stared at the ground, putting my hands in my pockets.

  "Who would have thought that Philippe, the ruthless bastard who rules over vampires in Paris, was being defeated because of some stupid girl?"

  Before I could think about what I was doing, I was grabbing his neck and lifting his body into the air. The creature didn't even choke since he didn't need to breathe. He just put a hand on mine, and I felt his coldness. My body tensed and my insides burned. It hurt like hell, but I wasn't going to let him go. He had insulted me and Aria. He had assumed she was making me weak. He hadn’t seen me mad, and he hadn't seen what I was capable of doing to protect the people I loved.

  "Do not make me your enemy, Philippe," he hissed.

  I hissed back, black eyes and extended fangs. "That little bitch is mine, and I have no intentions of letting Cedric bang her and be happy ever after," I declared, making sure my words sounded angry and believable enough to wipe the creepy smile off the creature's face. It had a face—red eyes and a distorted and pale complexion.

  He chuckled, and I let him go, removing my hand from his neck and stepping back as I fixed my jacket.

  "Is that what’s bothering you? You are upset because Cedric is going to be happy because you rejected the girl and gave him the opportunity of claiming her. I see… It would also annoy me a lot. But saving her soul? Really? Who fucking cares! Just let her soul burn next to yours in Hell. At least, you will have some company."

  I glared at the creature, plotting a way to end his existence. None of them were feasible since it was hard to get rid of a specter. Even with the right tool, they would come back when they gathered enough energy to materialize their corporeal form. They were nasty creatures. They were spirits, evil energy, and millennial monstrosities who were trying to stay away from Hell.

  "Now that you know what you wanted to know, what will you do?" he asked.

  "I will make the girl fall for me and steal her from Cedric."

  "Then you will need my help."

  "I don't need anyone's help."

  "You have everything to gain in being my friend. I doubt the girl is happy about the rejection and getting almost killed by you. Cedric is charming enough and angels are rather enticing creatures. The males are quite beautiful. Plus, the powers she will have are enough to make her want to stay with him. You will have a serious competition and could use some advice."

  "I think I'm quite capable of seducing a girl."

  "Well, I doubt Cedric will let her get near you if he discovers that you are her former mate. All I have to say is watch your back and try to keep your head because he will try to kill you."

  "I have found a way to get close to Aria," I mumbled, thinking about what he was saying. He was a smart creature, and he was not entirely wrong. Cedric had already threatened me. I knew he wouldn't think twice if he had the opportunity to kill me.

  "Cedric will be stronger once he turns into an angel. His people will be more united, and they will increase the hunting. It’s in our interests that the girl rejects him. So, think about it. If you decide to accept my help, you know where to find me."

  I was surprised by the necromancer interest. "How much do I owe you?"

  "A favor in return for this favor. I will collect it when I need it."

  I shifted uncomfortably on my feet. That was the worst thing he could ask of me. Owing favors was never a good thing.

  "Don't look so disturbed, Philippe. We want the same thing."

  "And what is that?"

  "To close the veil and keep all gargoyles away from here."

  "Well, as much as I wish that, I have never found a way to achieve it."

  "That is because you have never wanted to talk to me before. I found a way that may interest you, but I will talk to you when I need to. I have other people to see now and the sun comes up in an hour."

  "Thank you for your help," I said before leaving.

  Being polite was always a good thing, even though I wanted to never go back there again. He was a distasteful creature. Knowing he knew a lot about me and my soul-mate was enough to leave me apprehensive. I hoped he wouldn't use that information to do harm or undermine my power. He was a sick being. But one thing was clear, my mate was saved. Aria wasn't going to Hell.

  That was a relief. However, I didn't know if I would be comfortable with my worst enemy being the one who saved my soul-mate. He would also be the one
keeping her for eternity. I was jealous of him. She was mine. She should have been mine. I never knew how much I needed her until I realized that I couldn't have her anymore.

  I should forget the whole thing and focus on my future. I should let Aria be happy. There were no good things about being a vampire. There was no real future for us. She was innocent and kind. The more I knew about her and spent time with her, the more I was convinced that she was meant to be an angel. I was everything she didn't need in her life.

  Could I do it? Could I give up and let Aria be happy? I was craving her with every cell in my body and every particle of my soul. But I knew she was too good for me. I should let her be happy if I truly cared about her.

  RED ANGEL

  THE ANGELS OF PARIS CHRONICLES

  BOOK 2

  Copyright © 2017 Anna Santos

  All rights reserved.

  Inquiries about additional permissions should be directed to: annesaint90@gmail.com

  Cover Design by Laércio Messias

  Edited by Amy McNulty

  Proofread by: May Freighter

  CHAPTER ONE

  ARIA

  I woke up, bothered by the sunlight on my face. I was tired and needed to rest more. Yet Cedric seemed to have other plans for me.

  “Come on, sleeping beauty, wake up,” Cedric whispered, softly kissing my nose, my eyelids, and my cheeks.

  I sighed, feeling my entire body react to his kisses and melt at his voice. I smiled with my eyes shut, enjoying those last few moments of my sleepiness. It was amazing to wake up with him next to me, kissing me. It seemed a torture to open my eyes and obey his words.

  “No, I want to sleep more,” I mumbled, turning my back to him and hugging my pillow. I shivered when he kissed my naked back. The softness of his lips made me sigh with pleasure. I didn’t need to open my eyes to enjoy his kisses. In fact, it just made me want to pretend to be sleeping even more.

  He brushed the hair away from my neck, placing small kisses on the crook of my neck. “I know you’re awake and enjoying this, but we have to go.”

  I lost my smile. “Where do we have to go?” I asked, moving to see him and melting from love when I saw the smile he had on his face.

  I bit my lip, focusing on his tantalizing lips that I had kissed and tasted the previous night. It had been special. He’d let me do whatever I wanted and had been patient. He seemed to be feeling more confident about my feelings for him. Or he understood that I needed time to give in to lust. Whatever it was, I was glad he hadn’t pressured me last night. We only had fun, discovering our bodies and kissing until our lips were sore and we were tired and sleepy.

  “Now that you have your wings, you need to practice, so you can use them for flying,” he explained.

  “F-flying?” I stuttered. “I’m scared of heights!”

  “Aria, your angel isn’t. You need to trust me on this. You’re not going to fly right away. You’ve never done it before, so you must get accustomed to your wings and experience heights. Then, you need to learn how to control the movement of your wings. And you need to trust me,” he said, caressing my hair. “Do you trust me?”

  I nodded, swallowing hard. That made him chuckle and kiss me.

  “Relax. I’m going to be right beside you. I’d never let anything bad happen to you.”

  “I know.”

  “So are you ready?”

  “Not really.”

  He smirked, making me all warm and fuzzy inside.

  “What?” I asked, breathless.

  “I don’t need a reason to smile at you, do I?”

  “You do when you smile like that.”

  “And how did I smile?” he asked with a sly grin.

  I felt an urge to kiss him. “As if you… I don’t know how to explain.” I sighed, lacking the words to describe his smiles. He had different smiles, and I was beginning to understand them all.

  He tried to guess. “As if I’m extremely proud of you?”

  I nodded.

  “I am, Aria. You’re a brave girl, don’t ever doubt that,” he said, and I blushed deeper at his pleasant words.

  I liked when he was sweet and gentle with me. He was perfect, and I couldn’t understand how I could get mad at him. I was such an idiot sometimes that it was absurd. How could he see anything else in me besides my pathetic and insecure self?

  “What are you thinking about?”

  “I’m thinking that I’m really stupid for getting mad at you. I don’t know how you can stand me and my mood swings. I’m a mess!”

  “Well, you are my messed-up mate, so I have to forgive you,” he teased.

  I glared at him, narrowing my eyes in what I hoped to be a menacing warning. He laughed, and I was fascinated by his laughter and his face. It was difficult to get mad at him when he was so gorgeous and witty.

  “Calm down, wild cat,” he whispered huskily next to my lips. I stretched my mouth into a smile, feeling my breath leaving my lungs with the closeness.

  “I’m not a wild cat,” I said even if it sounded more like an invite than me being genuinely hurt.

  He smiled again and, this time, my body shivered under his. He playfully kissed my lips, making me close my eyes. “Cats are afraid of water. I’m afraid of flying,” I managed to say, and he chuckled.

  “I’m here to make you face your fears. I’m here to protect you from everything bad and evil,” he whispered, persuading me to trust him and calm down. “Being afraid is not something you should fear—redundancy intended. One can only be courageous when they face their fears, not when they aren’t afraid of anything.”

  “What are you afraid of?” I asked with my arms around his neck, replying to his soft kisses on my mouth and face.

  “I’m afraid of losing you. I’m afraid that I won’t be able to protect you. I’m afraid that you don’t believe that I love you and that I’m here for you to make you feel happy and complete. I’m terrified that you won’t want me. I’m scared of not being loved.” His words reached deep inside my heart and soul. “I’m afraid of not being able to love you the way you deserve,” he added.

  I shook my head, feeling the tears assault my eyes. I was moved by his doubts and insecurities. He wasn’t so different from me, after all. We were both insecure.

  He kissed my cheeks and forehead. “Calm down. I didn’t want to make you cry. I’m not trying to make you sad, honey.”

  “I’m not sad. I’m just moved by your words.”

  “So, what you are afraid of?”

  I took a shaky breath. “I’m afraid that I can’t be what you want me to be. I’m afraid of you breaking my heart,” I confessed, feeling vulnerable in doing so. “I’m so afraid that you don’t feel I’m worthy of being your mate.”

  “You don’t need to be afraid of that.”

  “And if I never learn how to fly?” I asked, aware that I needed to learn how to fly and how to control my powers. I also needed to put a leash on my angel, so she wouldn’t go around and make people burst into flames. She was impatient and didn’t give a damn about anyone other than Cedric and protecting humans from evil. It was wired in her personality that it was okay to kill, and it was okay to be an arrogant angel with a god complex. I was nothing like her.

  “Flying is part of you now,” Cedric said as he caressed my head. The tension spread throughout my body. “I’m really proud of you, darling, and I’m not going to force you to do something you don’t feel safe doing. I’m not going to do something evil like push you off a building and hope you get over your fears.”

  I opened my eyes at his words, my heart racing with fear. Being flung off a roof hadn’t even crossed my mind, but now that he mentioned it, I was scared.

  “We’re going to start with small steps. First, we’re going to try your wings, making them move, so you can float a few inches above the ground. When you manage to control your wings without running out of energy, we’ll try the flying thing. But first, you need to strengthen your wings. It takes a lot of energy
to use them. You need to build resistance.”

  “How?”

  “Moving them around,” he explained, placing his forehead against mine and molding my body to his.

  I blushed from head to toe. I got aroused by the contact, and I noticed that he was aroused, too.

  “I need to hold you and kiss you just a bit more.” He struggled to speak between kisses, causing my entire body react to his.

  My hands gripped his back, rubbing his skin there before descending to his perfect butt. He had his jeans on, and I sighed out of frustration. I was almost naked in his bed, the product of our steamy make-out session. His tongue inside my mouth, teasing me, was not helping me turn the heat down.

  I felt him shiver under my hands when I pulled him harder against me. I was burning up. I didn’t know that it would be so difficult to resist the urge of mating. I didn’t know that I would get turned on by his bad boy side. I wanted and needed all of his attention. Having him ignoring me and acting cold was not a nice feeling. Wanting to do everything to please him was also a consequence of falling in love with him.

  “Can we postpone the flight lesson to this afternoon?” I gasped. My skin was ready to explode with pleasure under his lips and tongue. He was kissing down my throat, approaching my cleavage.

  “That wouldn’t be a wise decision,” he said. I felt he was simply being wicked for saying that. “We need to get out of bed.”

  “You’re just saying that to punish me.” I pouted.

  “I’m saying that because we wouldn’t be able to stop. I’m barely able to hold back.” He gasped, staring at my shirt. I was biting my lip so hard that it might have eventually bled.

  “Just a bit longer,” I begged and blushed harder when he turned his face to watch me.

  He smiled.

  Bubbles of lust surfaced on my skin and made me close my eyes and search for his mouth. I grabbed his head between my fingers and kissed him deeper, hungrier, and more provocatively.

  My thoughts ceased to exist. All I could do was gasp and move against him. My skin was tingling, I had goose bumps everywhere, and I felt like I was going to burst into air. I was getting insanely aware that I wanted and needed him closer. Things were getting out of hand. He must have sensed that because he trailed kisses up my torso.