"He does like his toys." Cassius swore. "Unless he truly believes she's the human we've been waiting for, and then things are about to get a lot worse."
Alex pushed Stephanie into a chair and crossed his arms. "How can it get worse?"
"Death," I whispered. "We can distract him long enough to grab her, shield her from his scent. But if he truly believes what we do — then blood will be spilled."
"For balance to be restored." Cassius sighed. "Blood always needs to be spilled."
"Does it matter who?" Alex asked. "Because I vote Stephanie."
Her soft sobs were grating on my nerves. I should have watched her closer — should have seen the signs of her infatuation. Dark Ones did not mate for a reason. They were too addicted to those who fell for them, destroying the other half that should help make a whole.
"Track her," Cassius finally said. "We'll go when he's at his weakest."
Night.
Sariel taught the stars how to shine. At night his resources were depleted on account that his power was shared with the sky.
"Alex…" I nodded toward the siren. "Keep her locked up until we return. And Mason?"
He stood. "Let me go with you."
"You're not strong enough." I hated saying it, almost as much as I hated that I was right.
Mason let out a growl.
"Wolf…" Cassius put his hand on Mason's shoulder. "Your diet makes you weak. Therefore, it makes us vulnerable. You stay."
I knew it hurt Mason's pride.
His eyes went completely black as he slowly sank into the chair, his face completely tight with outrage. Berries and cones didn't make a werewolf strong — he knew that as much as we did.
"Ten miles away." I sniffed the air for traces of the woman I loved — the woman who was taken from me. Anger overtook all good reason as I started moving toward the door.
"Level head, Ethan." Cassius's cold grip stopped my blood from boiling over. "She'll need you at your strongest."
"I know."
"Drink."
I had to have heard him wrong.
"Drink." His teeth snapped. "Before I change my mind." He lifted his hand to my lips.
With a sneer, I pushed him away.
He slammed me against the wall. "You want to save your love? Stop being so damn prideful and drink."
With a hiss, I bit into his arm and sucked deep. His blood was like ice, cooling my veins, making my body so calm I was finally able to think clearly. I took a step back, the blue tint of his blood dripping from my fangs. "I won't thank you."
"And I won't expect it." He moved his fingers along the small indents. The skin slowly closed back together.
"If she touches you—" I whispered.
"When she touches me," he clarified, "you will finally see it."
"That you were right all along?" I growled.
"That you should have trusted her to begin with."
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Genesis
AZIEL SAT WITH ME FOR WHAT felt like hours. Sometimes he spoke, but mostly he rocked back and forth. It didn't make me feel better.
When I tried to get up and grab something to eat, he told me that the food was poisoned.
I didn't know if I should believe him or not.
I got up anyway because I couldn't handle just sitting and staring out the window, even though that seemed to be his own specialty.
I found a bottle of water in the fridge and drank, then made my way back over to the couch. Sariel hadn't returned. I wasn't sure if Aziel was supposed to be my guard or just a punishment.
"What's with the chains?" I asked, taking a seat next to him, careful to be out of his reach just in case he decided to put the same hands in chains on top of me, forcing my legs to go to sleep.
"A punishment." His eyes went white as snow. "For my sins."
"What did you do?"
"I wanted."
"What did you want?"
His hair became more visible. Pieces of black and white tendrils fell across his face. "I wanted."
"Okay…"
"Haven't you ever wanted so desperately you'd do anything to have it?"
That was how I wanted Ethan, but it wasn't just want. To say want almost seemed selfish — I needed him.
Just thinking about him had my heart racing. My entire body trembled with a need to just be in his arms.
"I wanted," Aziel continued, "so I took."
"And you were punished?"
"Very much so." Aziel nodded. "I can no longer fly." He shrugged. "I'm grounded with chains, and now I must watch history on repeat until the balance is restored."
"Until humans stop dying," I clarified.
"Yes."
"Is it me?" I was afraid to ask but needed to know. "Will I bring balance?"
"We could have waited to discover the truth." He ignored my question. "Better this way — to get it over with. I pushed Sariel to pursue it, though he'd deny my involvement. I smelled her on you. And I knew we needed to try."
Great. So I had two people to blame for my captivity.
"Soon." Aziel faded into the air briefly before flickering back. "Very soon now."
The sun had already set, casting a pink glow across the sky.
Ethan was out there somewhere… I wished in that moment I could communicate with him, tell him not to come for me. I didn't think it was a trap, but something in my gut told me things wouldn't end well, and I'd rather sacrifice myself than see him hurt.
I swallowed the fear.
Cassius had made sense when we'd talked earlier.
Fear was selfish. It kept me thinking about me and not about others. It kept my heart safe, because if I stayed afraid, I wouldn't risk losing.
But for Ethan? I would risk it all.
My life.
My soul.
My heart.
"So the Vampire has decided to work with the Dark One." Aziel clapped his hands together, shooting me an amused grin. "Perhaps you are worth the trouble."
Sariel walked through the door, eying Aziel briefly before making his way toward me. "They're close. Shall we begin?"
I took a step back.
"Fear?" He smiled mockingly.
"Let's try excitement."
His mocking smile faded into a real smile. "Ah, that's better."
"What?"
"I can see why my son was so enraptured with you."
"Aziel?" I guessed.
Sariel glanced to the couch and shuddered, "No."
"Then I'm confused."
"My son…" His eyes went from blue to icy white. "Cassius."
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Ethan
CASSIUS WAS IRRITATED THAT WE HAD to drive, but not everyone could simply appear out of thin air. Part of his angelic heritage made it so that he could, in essence, fly, though he preferred not to discuss it with anyone. Just another reason Dark Ones couldn't be trusted. There were parts, dark parts, they kept hidden that we would never understand.
His blood continued to ice my veins, taking away some of the pain at having Genesis ripped from me.
I'd only experienced this type of pain once before.
When I'd had to kill my own mate.
It had taken me fifty years to stop craving her.
Every evening when I went to bed, I'd dream of her only to wake up in a cold sweat, craving her taste, her smell — everything about her.
The only way to exorcise it from my system was to starve myself of blood, allow her blood to leave my body. It was a battle, possibly with my own bitterness at her betrayal.
"He will not kill her," Cassius said once we reached the Sound.
I snorted. "You think that's what I'm worried about right now?"
"Yes."
I looked away, clenching my teeth, unable to speak because I hated that he was with me, hated that I needed him at all.
"I never took your mate," Cassius said in a detached voice. "I tested her. I never stole her from you. Her betrayal was not my fault."
"You still touched her," I whispered.
"After she begged me," Cassius fired back. "You know I would never force myself on a human."
"You took my mate and my daughter."
"I will say this only once," Cassius growled. "You have no daughter."
"She was more mine than yours."
Cassius ignored me and continued driving. "When we arrive at the house, try your best not to charge the archangel."
I rolled my eyes. "You make it sound like I have no self-control."
"When it comes to Genesis, I believe self-control is something you seriously lack, brother."
"I love her."
Cassius sighed, a slight frown marring his face. "Yes, I know."
"What do you know of love?" I spat, clenching my hand into a tight fist, my knuckles cracking against each other as I fought to keep my rage at bay.
"I know," Cassius said in a hoarse voice. "Believe me when I say I know."
I didn't point out that Dark Ones didn't love — that love was just as forbidden as mating, just as ridiculous a notion. They felt no love because they gave themselves over to their angelic blood more than their humanity, and everyone knew angels didn't feel, didn't love.
They simply existed and ruled, but never by such human emotions. To feel such strong emotions was the reason the Dark Ones had been cursed in the first place.
"Are we close?" Cassius asked.
"You truly can't trace her?" I was curious, with all his strength, how he couldn't pick up her specific smell. From where I sat, I could even make out her heartbeat.
"No." Cassius sighed.
"There." I pointed at a large house facing the Sound. It was a two-storied beach house; intricate brickwork lined the front. A door big enough for two angels to fit through loomed in front of us.
"Well?" Cassius shut off the car. "Shall we?"
I grunted.
It would be impossible to catch Sariel unaware. He was an archangel, not necessarily all-knowing, but most likely expecting us. What mate wouldn't fight through hell to gain his love back?
We walked in silence toward the door.
I wasn't surprised when it opened.
My heart beat wildly in my chest as the scent of Genesis became stronger, her heartbeat more erratic.
"Easy," Cassius said under his breath.
I clenched my teeth together.
The solid oak door opened before our very eyes. A blast of humidity shot through the air making me hold my breath as the sting of sweet sugar invaded my nostrils. It smelled of angel—of the heavenlies. I wondered how Cassius dealt with it—when my own body was already shaking with the need to run in the other direction. Because that very smell was the one I'd always been warned about. If it smells too good, it is too good—run.
Suddenly the archangel appeared, his wings dripping with purples and blues as his feral face tilted to the side, a smirk lining the corners of his mouth.
"Sariel." Cassius smiled, of course he would. "I think you have something that belongs to the vampire."
"But of course." Sariel nodded. His wings fluttered as he looked me over with a calculating glare. His head tilted to the side. "Vampire, your love for her, is it pure?"
"Yes." It hurt to speak. I could feel her presence. I just wanted to see that she was all right, take the fear away, give her my blood, and get her the hell out.
"Mmm…" Sariel nodded to both of us. His eyes were blazing white. He wasn't just immortal, he wasn't human, wasn't man — more being or spirit than anything else. "After you."
Cassius stepped in the house first.
I followed, my nerves on edge as I pushed past the archangel, not caring that I was being disrespectful to someone who could end me if he willed it.
I didn't turn around.
And maybe that was where my instincts were off.
I always turned.
Always smelled.
Always sensed.
But this, this I didn't see coming, because the minute I moved away from the angel, my eyes locked on Genesis.
Blood. So much blood. I reached for her just as a jarring pain stabbed me in the back.
With a curse, I stumbled forward. Warm blood oozed down my back, mixing with the icy blood Cassius had given me.
"No!" Genesis screamed. "Ethan!"
Cassius turned, his eyes horrified as he reached for my back, and pulled out a single purple feather dripping with red.
"And now…" Sariel pushed me to my knees in front of Genesis. "…we begin."
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Genesis
I'D NEVER BLED SO MUCH IN my entire life. Just when I was about to pass out, Aziel appeared by my side and told me to drink. Whatever he brought me tasted funny. I tried to jerk away from him, but I was too weak from blood loss.
I heard Ethan's voice. My heart soared. He was there.
And then Sariel turned and offered a sad smile, almost as if he was apologizing for having made over a hundred different small cuts around my arms and neck.
It had happened so fast the pain didn't even register for the first minute, and then everything stung like a hundred fire ants had all bitten me at the same time.
"Genesis…"
Ethan had eyes for me and only me. I wanted to yell for him to stop because something wasn't right. Something felt very wrong. Cassius moved away from Ethan toward me, maybe to help, maybe to finish the job. When I saw Ethan stumble forward…
I knew.
Things were about to get a lot worse.
Cassius swore, pulling a feather from Ethan's back.
"Now we begin," Sariel said in a calm voice, picking up his pace as he stalked towards Cassius.
Confused, I watched as Ethan fell to his knees and reached for me, his face ashen, his eyes black.
"What did you do to him?" I yelled.
"Simply making him… a bit more human." Sariel shrugged, stopping directly in front of Cassius.
Cassius clenched his fists, his stance predatory. "It's been a while… Sariel."
"Father." Sariel shrugged, "And apparently I've been a horrible one… neglecting my children. Then again, you know all about being a father, don't you… son?"
In a flash, Cassius had his hands around the angel's neck. He threw him against the wall.
Sariel simply shook his body, his wings elongating to at least seven feet across. "I see I've touched a nerve."
"Ethan." Cassius growled. "Get her out of here."
Ethan shook his head then slowly stood and stumbled toward me. When his hand touched mine, it was slapped away by chains.
Aziel laughed. "No, no. The vampire watches. This concerns him, after all."
"Be silent." Sariel sneered, waving his hand at Aziel.
"Did you think you could bring the balance all on your own?" Sariel laughed mockingly, making my ears ring with its loudness. "Did you think that you were strong enough to shield all the immortals and humans alike from your sin?"
Ethan reached for my hand again, tugging me close to him.
My head slumped forward on his chest.
I didn't know if it was my blood getting all over him or his getting all over me. But I felt safe — finally.
Until Aziel lunged for me.
Ethan kicked him in the chest, causing a snarl to erupt between Aziel's lips. "If I were whole, I'd rip you limb from limb — then again, I've already taken everything from you. Do you know…" He stood to his full height, which I hadn't noticed until now, matched Sariel's. "She gave me her body — her very soul — before you killed her."
Ethan shook in my arms, his fangs grazing my neck.
"And when I took her over and over again," Aziel laughed, "I promised her I'd make her immortal. If she did one tiny, little thing for me."
"Ethan, don't listen to him." I gripped the sides of his face. "Focus on me."
"Birth me a son," Aziel yelled. "And you know what that bitch did?"
Sariel had Cassius by the throat. With a growl, he punched Sariel in the
chest, sending the angel soaring through the air again. "No!"
He was running toward us.
My mind wasn't putting the pieces together fast enough.
Aziel leaned down and whispered in Ethan's ear. "She gave me a daughter."
Cassius fell to his knees.
Sariel walked around him, pulling a long sharp feather from his wings. "One should never have to kill his own offspring."
"Cassius! Behind you!" I yelled.
Cassius hung his head like he wanted to die.
In a flash, Ethan's fangs were in Aziel's neck. He hunched over him, blue blood dripping from his fangs as he completely drained the angel.
When he stood, his eyes were white just like Cassius's. In two strides, he had Cassius by the neck and tossed him against the wall.
A crack ran from the bottom to the top of the ceiling as plaster fell from overhead.
"This is my favorite part," Sariel sang, removing himself from the fight between Cassius and Ethan and coming to my side. "Where they are finally forced to finish what they started so long ago."
In my weakened state, I saw two of Sariel. I shook my head. "He can't die."
"Which one?" Sariel asked.
"Both." I forced the word out. "They'll kill each other."
"Ah, but balance must be restored."
"I don't understand," I whispered. "Ethan, stop!"
Cassius wasn't fighting anymore. It was like he wanted to die.
"Please!" I reached for Sariel, my fingers coming into contact with his soft velvet feathers. "Please."
"You know…" His eyes closed briefly. "That's the first time a human has dared touch me in… years."
"Sorry."
"It was warm." He sighed. "I've been cold for a very long time."
The air in the room shifted, turning to ice.
Ethan growled, his fangs nearly dipping into Cassius's neck when Cassius finally punched him in the jaw and stumbled backward. "I couldn't do it!"
"A daughter!"
"She wasn't yours!"
"You still killed her!"
Cassius fell to his knees. "No. No, I couldn't."
The room stilled as if someone had pressed pause on the TV.
"And so the truth reveals itself." Sariel put his arm around my shoulders. I was too weak to do anything but lean against his cold body.
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