by J. N. Colon
“They’re ingredients for a ritual or spell,” Seth said.
One of the dwellers in the hall at school asked if I was a totem. My stomach clenched. “I’m guessing these things could be living people?” But how did they fit into one of those leather pouches?
Seth nodded. “Parts of them.”
Ah. That was how.
“Once the totem has been procured, a dark ritual must be performed before it’s taken back to Hell.” Seth reached under the couch and pulled out a sketch pad. “Think of it as an unholy blessing.” He flipped to a blank page and plucked the charcoal pencil from behind his ear. “When we snatch a totem from one of those scaly bastards, we have to destroy it. It’s not an easy thing once the dark blessing has been placed on it.”
A growl rumbled through Jayson. “We don’t need to get into the specifics of the totems.” It was the first thing he’d said in several minutes.
I crossed my arms against my chest. “Hold on a minute.” I wasn’t done. “What are the totems for?”
Jayson dragged his fingers through his hair, releasing a long sigh. “There are several spells these ingredients can be used for, and there are also a large number of totems in the world.”
“So, you guys don’t know what the demons are up to?” That didn’t fill me with warmth.
Brenna shook her head, her long onyx hair moving like a curtain of silk. “Only that it’s bad. I’ve been trying to provoke visions, but everything has been fuzzy or just plain indecipherable.”
I’d overheard them saying someone was screwing with her sight. Clearly, the demons didn’t want the Nephilim to know what they were up to.
“Moloch is one of the demons working this spell?” I asked. “And Astaroth?” Jayson had called Moloch Astaroth’s lapdog.
“Yes.” His body radiated angry heat. He apparently knew both demons well.
“Is Astaroth an upper level-demon like Moloch?” I winced and resisted the urge to fiddle with the bandages on my neck.
“He’s worse,” Jayson said, his voice barely more than a snarl. “He’s a fallen angel.”
My blood turned to ice, and I shivered. “What exactly does that mean?”
“It means he follows Lucifer.” Jayson’s voice was harsh, his hands curling into fists. “But neither Astaroth nor Moloch will get to you. I’ll make sure of it.”
Goose bumps exploded over every inch of my body. Holy crapola. The devil was real. I shouldn’t be surprised. Angels and demons were walking around in the world. Why wouldn’t the ruler of Hell exist?
I leaned closer to Jayson, his body warming me. My head rested back on the cushions, and I closed my eyes as the room spun. “I think that’s about all I can take right now.” Demons, angels, Lucifer, totems, gateways to Hell—what else was there? Oh, fallen angels too.
Jayson’s arm slipped around my waist, and he pulled me against his side. I was going to regret letting him comfort me tomorrow. But my world was falling apart, and I just wanted something solid to keep me from tumbling into a dark abyss.
Chapter 22
I rolled onto my side in my bed, trying and failing to get comfortable. Who could relax with a six-foot-something Nephilim standing guard in the corner? His presence shrank the room by half its size.
“You really don’t have to stay here,” I muttered, turning over to face him. His sword was by his side.
Jayson gave a quick shake of his head before his hazel eyes returned to the window.
“Are you going to stand in my room every night to keep Moloch away?” If so, neither one of us was going to get any sleep.
“Just tonight,” he whispered. “You’re injured and more vulnerable. He’d try something if you were alone.”
My skin puckered. That was not a reassuring thought. But having someone practically watch me wasn’t doing me any favors either. “I can’t sleep.” My dad finally made it home from bowling with Max. I pretended to be out cold when he came to check on me.
“It might help if you closed your eyes,” he mumbled.
I lifted my hand, giving him the one-finger salute. The edges of his lips twitched, and for some stupid reason, it made my pulse flutter.
Ugh. I did not need to start crushing on him even more. My heart was going to be stomped to pieces with those big boots of his. Geez. What size were his feet?
My mind suddenly went to dirty, filthy places.
Gawd. I was unstoppable.
“Tell me more about the bond,” I blurted to get my mind out of the gutter. “We never really got to the specifics.”
He brushed a wayward lock of hair from his face. “What do you want to know?”
“W-What?” I’d thought for sure he’d give some evasive excuse to not discuss it. I cleared my throat. “Are there any side effects besides the rapid healing?” I pointed to my still bandaged hand. “Which, by the way, doesn’t really seem to be kicking in yet.”
“Give it time.” His gaze lingered on the window as he monitored the street.
I picked at a thread on the blanket, hesitating. “Does the bond make you feel things?”
“Like what?” He still hadn’t looked in my direction.
I gritted my teeth. He was going to make me spell it out. “Would it make me feel certain things—for you?” Heat spilled through my cheeks just asking it.
His head slowly swiveled in my direction, those hazel irises beginning to burn. “You were feeling those kinds of things for me way before the bond, Angel Eyes.” His lips spread into a crooked smile.
My jaw dropped as a deep flushed crawled over every inch of my skin. “Y-You are such a…” I couldn’t even get the words out. I reached over and grabbed a pillow, chucking it at him.
Jayson easily caught it, his deep laughter filling the room. He strode over and sat on the edge of the bed. “No, the bond wouldn’t make either of us suddenly start feeling romantic about the other.” His gaze dipped to my lips. “That would already have to be there.”
My heart thudded uncontrollably. Did that mean the kiss we shared earlier tonight had nothing to do with this link connecting us?
That very question was teetering on the tip of my tongue.
“There are other things though,” Jayson said, stopping me from possible rejection. A long, tired sigh drifted from his mouth. He stooped, placing the sword on the ground and then pulled his shoes off. He stretched out on the bed beside me on top of the covers.
Holy frijoles. Jayson was lying in bed with me. We weren’t touching, but it still made my insides hum.
“What other things?” I asked, surprised at how calm my voice was.
“When I’m close enough, I can feel your fear. It’s how I knew you were in trouble tonight.” He swallowed hard as if the thought of me in danger still ate away at him.
“That’s kind of handy.” A wicked smile curled my lips. “You better hope I don’t start an obsession with horror movies.”
He rolled his eyes. “You would just to irritate me.”
He was right. I would.
The humor in his expression faded, and his fingers reached up, gingerly brushing over my neck. “I can also feel your pain.” His jaw tightened. “I should have killed Moloch.”
“I’m fine.” When he didn’t relax, I laid my hand on his arm. “I’m okay.” The skin to skin contact always made me tingle. “What else is there?” I asked, trying to distract myself from the electric buzz.
Jayson’s fingers left my neck, and he tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “When they’re big enough, I can feel your other emotions too. Anger, sadness, happiness…” He pressed his lips together, fighting a smile. “And lust.”
My lids opened so wide my eyeballs threatened to pop out. “You can what?” I hissed, fire rising to the surface.
Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod!
So many instances of me finding this Neanderthal hot bubbled up, making the heat worse. I wanted to hide under the covers. No. I wanted to hide under the bed.
His deep chuckle vibrated
the mattress. “I don’t mind, Angel Eyes. I’m flattered.”
“You jackass.” I punched his arm, but it only made my knuckles ache.
Jayson grabbed my throbbing fist, rubbing the knuckles to soothe the pain. “You should know better than to hit me.” He was still laughing under his breath.
“Why can’t I feel anything from you?” I gritted out, dying of embarrassment.
His thumb drew circles over the back of my hand. “Because I’m blocking you.”
My jaw dropped. “That’s not fair.”
“Lena, I have to,” he said. “I fight demons. What if I get a terrible injury? I heal fast, but it still hurts like hell.”
A pang sliced through my chest imagining him in such agony. “I’ve had a whole lifetime of injuries, bucko. I can take it.”
He reached his free hand out and gently touched my chest where the demon had dealt his fatal blow. “I don’t want you to feel that.” His body shuddered, and it looked like he was having a hard time breathing.
My throat constricted. I didn’t want to experience that kind of agony ever again. “But this whole bond is making me way too vulnerable,” I admitted. “You know all this crap about me, but you’re like a brick wall. Isn’t there something we can do to even it up a little?” I was exposed to him more than I realized.
His hazel eyes lingered over my face for a long time. “I guess it is a little unfair. I’ll think of a compromise.”
I smiled. “Really?”
Jayson nodded. “Now get some sleep, Angel Eyes.” He unexpectedly pressed a kiss to my forehead. As he drew back, the hard shell around him fell away. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I promise.”
My pulse trembled. He meant that, and it had nothing to do with the bond or any sense of duty.
It took me several moments to realize why I’d gotten so warm I kicked the covers off. I should have been freezing. I would have been if not for the massive rock I was curled around radiating heat.
Nope. That was no rock. That was Jayson.
My eyes snapped open, and I winced at the morning sun streaming in through the slats in the blinds. Jayson had fallen asleep in my bed last night.
Half of my body rested on his, one of my legs thrown across him. His arm was curled around my waist and his hand was splayed on my bare back beneath my tank top. The tips of his fingers rested just inside the hem of my shorts.
Holy guacamole.
And where was my hand? It was up his shirt, pressed against his firm, ripped abs.
I glanced down, checking for drool.
Jayson stirred, his muscles shifting beneath my palm. My fingers had a mind of their own, digging in, unwilling to move. His lids slowly opened, hazel eyes burning through sooty lashes.
My heart gave a couple of hard thumps.
His brow furrowed. “I fell asleep.”
“Yes, Captain Obvious,” I croaked, my voice hoarse from the demon strangling.
He ignored my jab and glanced at his watch on my bedside table. “It’s still early.” He yawned and stretched, but he didn’t shove me off.
Did he even realize we were wrapped around each other like pretzels?
“How’s your neck?” he asked, turning his head in my direction. His free hand slid over the bandages, gently touching the bruises.
Goose bumps popped along my skin. “F-Fine,” I squeaked. I couldn’t handle having a conversation with this guy while we were cuddled together. That salty ocean scent was wreaking havoc on my senses, and so were those fingers running over my skin.
Jayson’s body suddenly stiffened. Did he finally realize the intimate position we were in? Or did he feel the wicked urges spilling through me?
The edges of his lips unexpectedly curled into one hella sexy smile, unleashing a peek of dimples.
He definitely noticed something.
My breath hitched. Oh hell. Trouble was on the horizon.
Jayson moved too fast, and my back was pressed against the mattress as he hovered over me. His warm breath blew across my cheeks. “Has anyone ever told you that you talk in your sleep?”
My jaw dropped. “I do not.”
His grin widened, making my toes curl. “It was pretty much just my name though.”
Blood rushed to my cheeks, and I wanted to take shelter under the covers, but they were on the floor. He could very well be telling the truth. As of late, the Neanderthal was always on my mind.
His chuckle vibrated in my chest. “Speechless, Angel Eyes? That’s rare.”
My lips thinned. I wanted to kick him off, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. “Jackass,” I mumbled.
Jayson brushed strands of hair out of my face, his fingers lingering on my cheek. “Don’t worry. I think it’s cute. But keep doing it, and it might go straight to my head.”
“Wouldn’t want that,” I breathed. “Your head’s already big enough. Your brain? It could use some improvement, caveman. You might need to—”
My words cut off as his body lowered onto mine, his elbows planting on either side of my head.
Oh my gawd.
“Don’t be embarrassed.” Jayson’s voice was husky and low, spawning tingles over my skin. He licked his lips. “I’m sure I said your name a time or two. I was dreaming about you.”
Sweet angels in Heaven.
I shivered below him. The heated gleam to his eyes told me he’d felt it. And liked it. “Oh really?” I asked, barely able to form coherent thoughts let alone speak. “What were you dreaming about?”
Jayson’s face lowered. “Doing this.” His lips lightly brushed against mine.
It may have been a gentle touch, but there was nothing soft or sweet about the reaction.
My body ignited in flames. I was dying of thirst in the desert, and Jayson was an oasis. My hands latched onto him, trying to get closer. He relented, letting more of his weight press into me.
A moan slipped out. I should have been embarrassed he could elicit this kind of reaction with a simple kiss, but my desire was too overwhelming.
His tongue slid over mine, slowly tasting me. Jayson kissed like it was the only thing he had to give in this world. And boy, what a gift it was.
“Lena,” he whispered against my mouth. He nibbled my bottom lip and then soothed it with his tongue. "I was right.”
My fingers tangled in his soft hair, gently tugging on the roots. “Right about what?” I could only imagine.
His tongue swirled into my mouth again. “You taste like sugar.”
The blood in my veins burned as I thought of the heated moment in my yard. “You’re unbelievable,” I murmured as he continued to devour me.
A wicked chuckle vibrated his chest. “Just wait.” His mouth left mine, traveling down my neck. He was careful of the bruises as if he knew where they were even without looking. He spread hot kisses along my collarbone, licking the skin.
Holy halos. This guy was part angel and part sin. He knew every naughty thing my body craved.
My hands slipped under his shirt, pushing it up. Jayson broke away, ripping the fabric over his head. My fingers skimmed down his chest and abs, reveling in every dip and curve of his hard muscles. I licked my lips, tasting his salty-sweet flavor.
His eyes met mine, the irises liquid gold. “You’re becoming an addiction I can’t shake, Angel Eyes.”
Hot shivers spilled down my spine. Flames licked at my skin. “I know the feeling.”
Jayson lowered himself back to me, his mouth sealing against mine. My hands roamed over his muscled back, my body quivering.
I’d made out with guys before, but none of them could compare to the dangerous and sexy Nephilim currently unraveling me. I was hot and cold, falling and flying. I ached for Jayson, his comfort, attention, even his presence. My body begged for his touch. And there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.
Jayson suddenly went rigid. His head snapped up, his gaze landing on the door. He cursed and flew off me so fast my breath caught.
“What’s—”
A knock resonated on my door. “Lena? You okay in there?”
My dad!
The doorknob began to turn. Crap on toast. It wasn’t locked.
Chapter 23
A blanket was tossed over me, and a blast of chilly morning air swirled through my room moments before the door opened.
My dad poked his head in, his brows dipping. “Are you okay? I heard noises.”
My face was on fire. Oh my gawd. What kind of noises had he heard?
I slowly glanced around my room, Jayson nowhere in sight. The blinds were swaying. He must have gone out the window.
Son of a buttery biscuit. He was fast. The threat of my dad catching him in my bed—angel or not—must have lit a fire in his ass.
“F-Fine.” My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat, wincing.
“I got your note.” He strolled in and motioned his finger toward my neck. “Please explain how your scarf got stuck in a garage door as it opened?”
That was the story we were going with. Anything was possible.
I shot him an incredulous expression. “We’re talking about me. Do I really need to give all the gory details?”
He shook his head. “I can believe it.” Lines deepened in his forehead as he assessed the bruises and bandages. “How about I make you a fresh fruit smoothie for breakfast.”
My lips pulled into a grimace.
He rolled his eyes. “Fine. How about some ice cream?”
I perked up. “Ice cream for breakfast? I never thought those words would come out of your mouth, James Raven.”
He fought back a smile. “Don’t get used to them.” His gaze left mine, landing on my bedside table closest to the other wall.
I glanced over, finding Jayson’s watch still there. Fracken hell. “Oh, um, Jayson left that here—I mean, downstairs. I just brought it up so I didn’t lose it.” I coughed. How could my cheeks get any redder? Thank heavens Jayson’s t-shirt was hidden under the covers.
My dad crossed his arms against his chest. “Uh-huh. I got home pretty late. Are you sure he wasn’t up here, tucking you in?”
I scoffed. “Dad, please. It’s not like that.” I had no idea what it was like, but my lips were still on fire from his.
