by Cynthia Eden
His tongue whispered over her lips. “Succubus.”
Only a half-breed one. That’s why she had to be physically close in order to dream-walk with him. Her lashes lifted, and she gazed into his eyes. Scary, dark eyes that she still found strangely compelling. Then she voiced the suspicion that had fueled her heart as she said, “Angel.” The wings . . .
“Not anymore. These days, I’m Fallen.”
For an instant, her world seemed to stop as fear froze her blood. Fallen—just like her mother. An angel for a mother and a demon incubus for a father. Oh, yeah, she’d been screwed up from birth, and since her parents had wound up killing each other before she could even walk . . .
Seline knocked his hands away. “I didn’t want this job.”
“Oh?” One black brow rose. “So you’re done playing the innocent victim in need of help?”
“I’ve never been innocent.” Time to drop the act. Partially, anyway.
“Neither have I.” His grin was wicked.
Fallen. Damn. She hadn’t counted on that, but now it made sense. No wonder Rogziel had been so determined to get Sam. Who better for her boss to take down than Sam? He’d been hot to send Sam to hell, and now she truly understood why.
His knowing smile soon slipped away. “Moorecroft was just bullshit. A sob story to get close to me.”
“No.” She shook her head. “He truly wants me dead. I did kill his friend, but I promise the bastard deserved what he had coming.”
“Like I deserve death?”
Rogziel thinks so. “Don’t you?” she threw right back. This was her job. Nothing easy, nothing pretty. Just death. Punishment. Someone had to stop the monsters out there, and she was the perfect aberration to do the job.
But this is my last assignment. I’m getting out. Going to vanish. Because she couldn’t wash the blood off her hands anymore.
She’d tried to atone for the sins of the past by killing monsters, but their blood stained as dark as anyone else’s.
Sam stepped back, dropping his hand. He exhaled on a rough sigh. “Someone sent you to die.”
Possibly. She held her ground. “You really think you can kill me?”
That wicked grin flashed again, and her breath caught. “I’m Sammael, sweetheart, I can kill anyone.” He lifted his hand and stared at his fingers. “I’m the Angel of Death. All it takes is a touch . . .” He glanced her way. “And I can rip your soul right from your body.”
Angel of Death. The room seemed to dim. Unlike most Other, she knew quite a bit about angels. Not so much Fallen, because who would want to fall from Paradise? Other than my mother. But she knew the angel lore. There were so many angels in heaven, thousands of them flying around.
There were punishment angels, messenger angels, guardians, and . . . the most powerful, the angels of death.
An Angel of Death could truly kill with a touch. Just a touch. Rogziel had sent her after Sammael, and he’d neglected to tell her that real vital bit of information.
She wet her lips. “Wh-why did you fall?” Most people might not actually believe an angel could fall, but she wasn’t like everyone else. Her mother had fallen because she’d been tempted by an incubus. Erina had been weak, and she’d paid for her crime.
And I’ve been paying, too. Paying her entire life for sins she’d never committed.
“I got a taste for the killing.” His gaze flashed back to that deceptive blue, and this time, she did feel like the words held the whisper of a lie. “So I started to kill whoever the hell I wanted.” His gaze raked her. “Want to guess who is next on my list?”
No, she didn’t want to guess at all. Seline swallowed. The odds of her survival were looking real slim. “Can you—can you at least put on clothes before you kill me?”
He blinked and frowned a bit. “A succubus cares about modesty?”
Her back teeth clenched. “I told you . . .”
“Yes, but nearly every word you say is a lie. So why should I believe anything you say?”
Her bare feet pressed into the hardwood floor. Her dripping blood—maybe his?—had already stained the floor. “Because you need me.”
He laughed like that line was hilarious. Jerk.
“You need me,” she snapped out, raising her voice to be heard over his laughter, and then she played her trump card. “If you want to find your brother.”
That stopped his laughter. “Seline . . .” Her name was a warning. “You don’t want to make me angrier than I am.”
Oh, was that possible? She hadn’t realized. She almost rolled her eyes. “If you want your brother—” Hell, what had been the guy’s name? Azik? Azra? She couldn’t remember for sure because she’d just heard Alex say it once. Better shorten it to be safe. “If you want to see Az, then you’ll back off.” She flashed him what she knew was her own wicked grin. “Or you’ll never get the vengeance you want.”
The lines around his eyes tightened, but Sam made no move to touch her. Good. She didn’t trust his touch.
Seline didn’t lower her guard. She knew better than to relax when a snake was close to striking. “I didn’t come in alone. You were right. Earlier, we were being watched.” The guys in the van were her backup.
If Sam’s eyes narrowed anymore, she figured that they’d be slits.
“We need to get out of here,” she told him. “If we don’t, then they’ll blow this house up with us inside.” She wasn’t lying then. As soon as Rogziel realized she hadn’t been successful. . .
Burn, baby, burn. Folks in the city would see the flames from this house as they lit up the night.
Sam waved his hand, and just that easy, he was dressed. Huh. Interesting trick that she’d never been able to manage.
He still didn’t touch her. Sam just stared at her with enough heat in his gaze to singe her flesh. “Take me to Az.”
She nodded, more than ready to deal. But first . . . “Promise that if I do, you’ll let me walk away.”
He grabbed her arm and they flew through the window. Flew. More glass shattered around them. Seline clamped her mouth closed, refusing to cry out. Won’t let him hear the fear. Some monsters liked fear too much—another lesson she’d learned the hard way. She plummeted straight down and choked back a scream. But her body didn’t slam into the unforgiving earth. Sam wrapped his arms around her and when they hit the ground, he cushioned her.
Seline blinked. “Why did you—”
He twisted and dragged her to her feet. Then they were running. Not toward his car, but toward the waiting darkness of the swamp.
Smart. If anyone actually was still watching, their eyes would lock on the Jag. Not on the gator-infested swamp. The insects chirped around her, but Seline refused to tense. Hate bugs. Hate snakes. The Fallen will pay for this. Once she figured out how to make him pay.
A weathered dock waited up ahead. A small motorboat was tethered close by. Sam jumped in the boat and glanced back at her.
The wooden dock trembled beneath her feet. “You didn’t give me your promise,” she reminded him stubbornly as her hands clenched into fists.
“What do you actually think a promise from me is worth?” He started the motor with a quick yank that flexed his muscles. The black water lapped at the boat.
“You don’t trust me,” she whispered. “And I can’t risk trusting you.” But she wanted to. Her life was hell, and she was on a kill mission that she didn’t want. If Sam could just get her out of this mess . . .
He’s strong enough. He can give me freedom.
Or she could take him out and earn her own freedom. Provided, of course, that Sam didn’t kill her first.
He turned slowly and fixed his intent stare on her. “Who sent you after me?”
“Does it matter? I’m sure that I’m not the first assassin put on your trail.”
“Not the first,” he agreed as the motor hummed and water spit out behind the boat. “But you’re the only one I let live.” His body was a big, strong shadow. His voice seemed to make the water shu
dder.
“I wasn’t going to kill you tonight.” She felt obliged to point that fact out. Not that she expected it to earn her any points—
“Because you couldn’t.”
No, he didn’t realize how strong she really was. She’d held back with him because she needed him.
But for a few moments there, she’d been afraid her grand plan had blown up in her face. Your ass is mine.
“I’ll take you to your brother,” Seline said, “but you have to promise to help me once you have him.” Couldn’t the man see the benefit to her offer? She’d thought to seduce her way into getting his aid. Put the guy under, get him hooked—and then she’d been sure he’d do anything for her.
Even kill.
But it looked like that plan wasn’t working so well. Time for the back-up plan.
Sam moved again in that blur that he seemed to do so well and snagged her wrist. “Still making deals? Don’t you know better than to bargain with the devil?”
Her laughter was bitter and weak. “I do. The bargain with him is what got me into this mess.” She let her glamour fall away, and she knew that her eyes would be as black as the water that surrounded them. “I want to be free, and you— you’re the only one who can help me.” Now that she knew what he was, Seline was even more certain that Sam was her ticket to freedom.
Freedom just had a hefty price tag these days.
“Another desperate appeal for my help?” he mocked.
She considered slugging the guy. Right. Like a hit would hurt him. She’d probably break her hand, and he wouldn’t even flinch. “A deal this time. You help me to walk away, and I let you live.” He should jump at this chance.
But Sam shook his head. “No dice, sweetheart. You take me to my brother.” He tugged her into the boat. “You get me to him or you—”
Seline kissed him. She pressed her lips tight against his and crushed her body to Sam’s. The kiss was hot, deep, wild, and when their tongues met, the lust exploded inside her.
And inside him because she could feel Sam’s need blooming in the air. Getting deeper, stronger. Hotter. Wilder.
Seline took that need, absorbing it greedily even as she rubbed her body against his. Oh, but the man had power. So much wonderful, tempting power.
Power that is mine now.
Taking that power, absorbing it—the energy gave her the boost she needed. She didn’t have to be inside a dream in order to take control from him. She could beat the guy right here in reality.
But she let the kiss linger. Just a moment longer. One minute. Two. Sam knew how to kiss, and his body promised such raw pleasure.
Next time.
She planted her hands against his chest. Should have seen this coming, Sam. Seline shoved him back just as she’d done in the dream-walk. Only this time, her throw packed one hell of a lot more punch.
He landed in the water with a splash. Gator bait. She grabbed the throttle and rammed it home. The boat lurched forward.
Sam would chase her. She knew it. Shaking him wouldn’t be an easy task.
Of course, she didn’t actually want to shake him. She just wanted to bring him in closer to base.
Whether Sam liked it or not, they were going to be partners. He could hate her, he could distrust her, but in the end, he’d need her.
Just as she needed him.
Seline swiped a hand over her mouth. I can still taste him. The man’s taste was incredible. Better than that fancy wine she’d grown to crave.
“Seline!” His roar sent birds and insects scattering into the air.
She smiled. Sam was turning out to be exactly what she’d expected. Killing him would have been a crying shame. Some monsters needed to be put down, true, but others . . .
Others just needed to be let out of their cages so they could attack the real bastards out there. Watch out, Rogziel. This time, you’re my target.
The angel would never know what hit him.
Time for him to be punished.
CHAPTER FOUR
Darkness still cloaked the city. Seline walked slowly down the street as the scent of the river teased her nose. Sam hadn’t followed her. She’d looked back—too many times to count—but she’d only seen the dark water.
She hunched her shoulders as she hurried forward. Just because he hadn’t followed her then sure didn’t mean she wouldn’t be seeing her Fallen again soon.
A rush of wind blew against her face, and her hair flew up, momentarily blocking her vision. Her hand rose to brush it back, but her fingers tangled with—
His.
“Hello, Seline.”
Her body tightened at that husky rumble.
Half of Sam’s mouth kicked up in a reckless smile. “Didn’t think I’d let you get away that easily, did you?”
“No.” Her hand fell. “I was sure you wouldn’t.” But shoving him into that icy water had felt good. She offered him her own smile. “Enjoy your swim?” Not that she could tell he’d even been in the water. His clothes were perfectly dry; he was breathing easily and not looking at all like he’d just raced out of the swamp to meet her in the New Orleans warehouse district.
His hand brushed back her hair. His touch was gentle, lover-like, but his gaze blazed with a banked fury. Hmmm . . . maybe not so banked.
“Tell me where my brother is.”
She ignored the ball of fear swirling in her gut. “I asked for a deal, remember? So either you agree . . .” She knocked his hand aside and walked around him. Keep walking, don’t look back. Act like you’ve got this. “Or we’re done,” she threw out as she stared straight ahead.
Silence.
Her lips pressed together, but her steps continued. Four A.M. The city was dead. Well, mostly. The rest of it was undead.
“I could make you tell me.” And he was in front of her. Just like that. One blink, and bam, hello, Fallen.
She shook her head. “You could try.” Now her laughter came, but it had a hard edge. “Do you really think you’re the first bad-ass I’ve come across? I’m not easy to break.” Bruise, yes, break, no.
Sam tilted his head to the right as he studied her. “Who tried to break you?” Anger hummed in the words.
You’re just like him. He’s burning, and you’ll burn, too. Only I can save you. Rogziel’s words pounded in her mind. How many times had he told her the same thing? Evil. Hell. Burn.
She’d been trapped with him for as long as she could remember. “I just want to be free,” she whispered, and this time, she was telling Sam the absolute truth.
His eyes narrowed.
“I was supposed to kill you.” She could give him that much, here in the darkness, alone on the street. “But I didn’t.”
He lifted his hand, stared at it, then looked back at her. “You truly don’t know what I can do.” Then he leaned closer. “Do you know how many angels there are?”
Hundreds. Thousands. She’d greedily absorbed every bit of angel lore and gossip that she’d ever heard over the years.
His hand slid down her arm, and a shiver skated over her skin. She was hypersensitive to him. So aware of his touch, his body.
Damn succubus blood. Sometimes, it just made her weak.
“I was an Angel of Death.”
She didn’t move. “You told me that already.” She’d never met another Angel of Death. Most people hadn’t. You only saw an Angel of Death when it was your time to die. The last visit was with the AOD.
“One touch . . .” The back of his hand slid over her skin. “And I kill.” His head lowered toward her, but he didn’t make the mistake of kissing her.
One kiss and I can kill.
“You sure you want to push me?” His question was barely more than a growl.
Don’t let him see the fear. She lifted her chin. “You won’t kill me.” He’d had too many chances. “You need me. Right now, I’m your best bet for finding your brother.” She let another laugh roll free as she stared into his eyes. “So give me your word, Fallen, and let’s get this s
how on the road.”
His jaw hardened. “You’ll take me to Az?”
She nodded. “And when the time comes, you’ll owe me—so you do exactly what I say.” Having an Angel of Death at her command would be perfect. She’d love to see someone try to take down that guard dog.
“Fine,” he gritted out.
Her gaze dropped to his lips. “Want to seal the deal with a kiss?” He was touching her, and she wasn’t running in fear. Surely the big, bad demon could handle one more kiss from her.
His hands closed around her shoulders, and he lifted her up onto her toes. His mouth took hers with heat and lust and wild need, and oh, it was exactly what she needed. A spike of power fueled her blood. More. She wanted to touch his flesh. Wanted to sink onto him and let the pleasure take her.
It had been far too long since she’d let go with her lover. When lust could kill, you always had to keep your control in bed.
Even when you wanted to let it shatter.
Sam’s dark head lifted. She saw the same lust she felt reflected in his eyes.
But then his gaze left her as his stare swept the street. “Where is he?”
Right. Business before pleasure. “Close.” She started walking, and Sam fell in right beside her. Rogziel had a containment center set up in the middle of the warehouse district. A low-profile place on the outside, but one that was well secured and perfect on the inside for the type of work Rogziel preferred.
Good thing she knew just how to get inside that warehouse.
They moved closer to the hulking shadows made by the buildings. They advanced in silence as the path twisted and turned. Ten minutes. Fifteen.
When Warehouse 609 appeared before them, Seline stopped. She put her hand on Sam’s chest. “This is as far as you go.” Her voice was a breath of sound.
“The hell it is.” He rocked forward, and his muscles tensed beneath her palm. “Is he in there, is he—”
Her hand fisted in his shirt-front and she jerked. The fabric tore. He blinked at her. “You don’t go in,” she said, this time making her words an order. Her gaze swept the front of the warehouse. It looked like two guards were stationed outside.
It wasn’t those two that they had to worry about. If Rogziel was inside . . . hello, hell.