by Madelyn Ford
“I love you too, Michael, my own personal avenging angel.”
He chuckled quietly. He guessed he was because for this one little human, Michael would storm the walls of Hell itself. His to protect and cherish. Her avenging angel.
Epilogue
As Michael hid, immersed in the shadows, he recalled all he’d learned of his target. Like his Tory, she was small in stature. But what she lacked in height, she more than made up for in courage. And she was strong. She would have to be for what he intended.
He’d been a fool.
Sure, he’d given Gabriel’s grief proper lip service. It had been a tragedy, a terrible circumstance of fate. But until he’d held Tory’s broken and bleeding body in his arms, believing he would lose her, Michael had never truly understood all Gabriel had suffered.
Now was the time to correct the injustice that had occurred to one of his best friends. Creeping forward, he whispered, “Gladuis,” and Justice appeared, its red flame breaking through the darkness. While the woman slept on, unaware of his presence, he placed the tip on her abdomen, displacing the soul he had captured into her womb where it immediately merged with the newly formed bundle of cells.
But Michael did not get away unseen. He hadn’t counted on the man sensing his presence and was a bit disconcerted when the man emerged from a connecting room, his gun already drawn. A warrior in every sense of the word, he stopped wide-eyed as his gaze rested on Michael and Justice. A demon hunter. Michael couldn’t help grinning. Gabriel would probably try to take off his head if he ever discovered Michael had once again marked Ariadne as a hunter. He figured it would probably be best not to mention it.
“I have given you a great gift,” Michael said, glancing back at the still-silent woman before returning his gaze to her husband. “Protect them well, human. Both of them.” Then Michael flashed from the room.
Returning to Heaven, Michael breathed a sigh of relief—mission accomplished—and headed back to the rooms he and Tory shared on the top floor of the Powers’ headquarters. Zadkiel had been successful in finding the portal about one month after Asmodeus had been terminated, and Michael had smuggled her in the dead of night. Most still didn’t know of her existence, only his warriors whom he trusted to keep their silence. He hoped to keep it that way for as long as possible. Not forever. Only twenty-five or so years until either Gabriel saw fit to forgive him or he was far too busy dealing with his own mate to give Michael problems.
After entering the headquarters, Michael hurried past Zadkiel, ignoring the fact he had begun speaking. If there was a problem Zadkiel would have to deal with it on his own. Michael didn’t have time. Tory was waiting for him and she had a new spell she wanted to try, something involving levitation. Since she insisted they be making love when she spoke the magic words, Michael wasn’t about to be delayed. And he figured getting a little singed would be worth it. Besides, she was getting better. The last time he’d only lost his eyebrows and they’d grown back.
About the Author
To learn more about Madelyn Ford, please visit www.madelynford.com Send an email to Madelyn Ford at [email protected] or join her Yahoo! group to join in the fun with other readers as well as Madelyn Ford. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/madelynford/
Remembering the past can be painful. Ignoring it can be deadly.
Deals with Demons
© 2010 Victoria Davies
An Angels and Demons Story
In a world filled with magic, demons and death, Talia survives using her inborn ability to sense and track demons. A handy skill for a demon hunter. There’s one demon, though, who’s never far from her mind or her heart, damn his black soul.
Years ago Devlin saved Talia from the murderous demon who killed her family. The memory of him has haunted her ever since the night she fled his home, her body branded with a permanent reminder of his lust—and her humiliation.
Now he’s back at her door with an offer she can’t refuse. He’s found the one who killed her family, and he’ll help her kill the monster. For a price. One last heated night in her arms.
Temptation and the chance for revenge are too much for Talia to resist. However, once bound to Devlin in an unbreakable deal, Talia realizes too late there’s more at stake than the death of her nightmares. Her heart wasn’t supposed to be part of the bargain…but she should have known to expect anything when she made a deal with this demon.
Warning: This title contains hot demons and hotter sex. Author advises caution when making deals with the damned.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Deals With Demons:
“The master has ordered you home.”
Talia tipped her mug up, savouring the last mouthful of beer before she slid the empty glass to the waiting bartender.
“Bully for him,” she told the unwelcome man perched on the barstool beside her.
“I’m to bring you home at once.”
Slanting a glance at the nervous man, Talia smiled her most vicious grin. “You can try,” she replied, twisting her body to show him the glint of the dagger strapped to her waist.
The man gulped.
She shook her head in disgust. He was a disgrace. Why had Devlin even bothered to send him?
“You can tell your master he is welcome to try and force me back. But it will take a braver man than you to get me there.”
Talia slid off the stool. She stalked through the crowded bar without a backwards glance.
Once outside she pulled her black coat tightly around herself to ward off the chilly night air. A single thought burned in her mind as she set off in the direction of her modest apartment. Why did Devlin want to see her after all this time?
Talia had been nineteen the night she fled Devlin’s mansion. Not once in the six years since had he tried to contact her. And she’d know. She’d been waiting for him to make his move practically from the moment she’d left. The fact that he’d never come for her merely underscored what she’d known all along. To Devlin St. Clair she was not, and never had been, of any importance.
So why did he want her now?
She picked up her pace, trying to run from the unwanted memories.
Two things were special about Devlin. The first was simple. She’d been utterly in love with him since she was sixteen. The second was far more unusual. Devlin was a demon. As if that weren’t enough, he also happened to be the most powerful demon in the city. Some might even argue the country.
The world Talia lived in was very far from the one most people thought they knew. Her life revolved around blood, death and magic. It had since the night her family had been murdered when she was fourteen.
Talia shook her head to try and repress the memories. It had been a night much like this one when her life had changed forever. The nip of autumn hung in the air and overhead the bright moon was almost full. She’d been in her room when the demon broke into her home. Her parents’ screams had woken her. Because of her rather unusual talents, she’d known immediately what was in her house and she’d known which way he would turn when he climbed the stairs and reached the landing. Her room was to the right of the stairs, her younger brother and sister’s was to the left. Talia had thrown herself out the window with the sound of the squeaky floorboard in the left hallway echoing in her ears. Saving herself had torn her apart, but she’d known, even then, she was no match for the demon. Unable to do anything else, she’d run until she was too exhausted to move.
And there Devlin had found her. Huddled in an alleyway, Talia had been trying to hide herself behind a garbage can when he rounded the corner. She’d known what he was, of course. She always knew. But unlike the monster in her house, this demon had crouched before her and silently held out his hand.
“I swear, child, I will never harm you,” he’d whispered to her. He said nothing else, merely waited. Eventually Talia had crawled forwards and put her dirty hand into his.
In one night she’d lost everything she’d loved and gained a new life unlike anything she’d ever i
magined.
Devlin had brought her to his mansion on the outskirts of the city and she’d lived there for five years. He’d found her the very best tutors to teach her since he refused to let her go to a normal school. And after her academic classes he trained her himself in all varieties of combat styles. Thanks to him she was one deadly woman. But he’d done more than train her. Devlin had been the first person to explain what she truly was.
Talia was a senser. She was gifted with the ability to feel demons and anticipate their movements. Those were the skills that had saved her life when her family had been attacked. Sensers’ abilities made them unparalleled trackers and, given how rare a true senser was, their skills were in high demand. Capitalising on her gifts, Talia quickly made a name for herself as a demonic bounty hunter after she left Devlin. After all, a girl needed to eat and her former benefactor had kindly given her the training needed to hurt all the things that went bump in the night.
Which brought her back to why Devlin was looking for her in the first place.
He couldn’t have been happy to learn he’d personally trained a woman who earned her bread by killing members of his race. However, if he wanted retribution he was a little slow. She’d been doing this for six years, and with his resources there was no way he’d be unable to find her if he truly wanted to.
Talia drew up in front of her apartment building and fished for her keys. With her salary she could afford a much nicer place, but this apartment was convenient and she liked its old charm.
She hopped into the warmth of the entrance way, thankful to be out of the chilled October air. There was an elevator in her building but she jogged up the stairs instead. An out-of-shape senser was a dead one. Five flights later she turned the keys in her door and entered her haven.
The apartment might not be sprawling but she’d filled the small space with absolute luxury. Her home had all the state-of-the-art toys. A huge flat screen TV hung on the wall before the most comfortable leather sofa Talia had ever felt. Her kitchen was equipped with all the fixings, even if she rarely used them. Takeout was more her style.
Talia kicked off her shoes and headed for her large bedroom. A massive king bed dominated the room and, with a loud sigh, she dropped backwards onto the soft mattress.
Closing her eyes, she relaxed into the bed.
By now the henchman had probably reported her words to Devlin. She wondered if he would actually come for her himself or if he would merely shrug and turn his mind to other matters.
Wincing, she acknowledged the latter option was far more likely. While her world had once revolved around Devlin, in his world she was merely a decoration. His pet senser.
Sitting up, Talia looked across the dark bedroom at her vanity mirror. She had changed since they last met. The skinny teenager had filled out into a nicely curved woman. Her once long black hair was now short and red. The pastels she’d favoured had been replaced by a full wardrobe of black. The only thing the same was her icy blue eyes. Well, she amended as her gaze dropped to her throat, her eyes and the black rose forever embedded into her skin.
The outline of a rose in bloom was clearly visible over her jugular. Right where Devlin had bitten her. At the touch of his lips, the small symbol had stained her flesh, never to be removed.
Demons are not vampires. They don’t need to drink human blood to live, but for some demons as old as Devlin, blood could be an irresistible temptation. It was like adding brownies to a chocolate sundae. Not necessary but sinfully delicious.
Seeing the mark on her throat filled her with shame. Memories of the night she’d fled Devlin swirled in her mind.
As a child, it had taken Talia the better part of two years to fully trust Devlin. He’d been forever patient with her, waiting for her to accept him for what he was. But once she had been able to put aside her fear of the fact he was a demon, she had no defense against the other emotions he inspired. At sixteen, he had been an irresistible fantasy. Endless nights had been wasted fantasising her demon would sweep into her room and declare his undying love. Unfortunately for Talia, as she’d grown so had her feelings for her tempting demon saviour. She remembered waiting breathlessly on her eighteenth birthday, wondering if now he’d finally see her as a woman instead of a child. But Devlin was never short on bed partners and when his choice of companions tended to be tall, perfect models it was hard to compete.
But everything had changed a year later, on her nineteenth birthday.
Talia squeezed her eyes shut.
That night Talia had lost her virginity and her home. Again.
“Don’t come looking for me, Dev,” she’d whispered to her dark room. “Let me disappear.”
Don’t bother looking for trouble. It’ll find you.
Break
© 2010 Tarra Blaize
An Angels and Demons Story
Layla Roads’ life is a laundry list of irony. Trailer trash. High school dropout. Beautiful liar. Highly skilled computer hacker. And one additional, extraordinary gift: the ability to see the demons and angels engaged in a ferocious battle on the urban streets at night.
When kidnappers hold her brother, Layla finds herself up to her neck in a plot to bring down a powerful blood demon. A crude, sexual, violent demon who kills without flinching, pushes her buttons, and looks at her with too-knowing eyes. What’s worse is she feels an answering tug of desire.
It doesn’t take Gethin long to figure out he has a pretty traitor on his hands—and that she’s being blackmailed. As a lone human female her quest to save her brother is hopeless—just like the attraction between them. For even if Gethin helps her save all she holds dear, she can never be his…
Warning: Includes a devilish demon, a heroine caught between a rock and a hard place, several magical battles, and the steamy backseat of a car.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Break:
The sheer sexuality of the blood demon shook Layla Roads down to her core every time her gaze met his heavy-lidded red eyes. Through the transparent walls of her high-tech cubicle, she had a clear view of him prowling across the empty office with all the dangerous, lithe grace of a panther. Given how his eyes fixed upon her with blatant hunger, she couldn’t help feeling as if she were the prey. Prey that, as casually as possible, hid the computer document she’d been in the process of memorizing and pulled up another one on-screen.
There was no one in the office besides her and Gethin. The downtown LA cityscape that sprawled out behind her through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls had yet to be tinted with the orange hues of morning. In the teeming metropolis that extended for miles beyond the heart of the urban jungle, most humans remained in bed behind locked doors, pretending to be safe from the shifting shadows of the night. Night was the battleground for the demons who had escaped from Hell and the angels who wished to push them back in.
The snowy white carpet beneath her heels would soon be stained black with blood. She didn’t know when, just that it was a matter of time. Her trembling fingers removed the prim plastic glasses from her face to check the wire core visible through the gray frames of her glasses. A bad habit, but one she hadn’t been able to break yet. The information she was memorizing was the only thing that could save her brother’s life, but it did nothing to save her own. She was well aware that she was a liability. What demons did to liabilities caused her to wake up night after night drenched in her own sweat and muffling screams of terror.
Perhaps the air demons would be merciful and kill her quickly and painlessly once her role in their scheme was done. If they left her behind Gethin would know that she had betrayed him, and she knew very well what he was capable of. His vengeance came from a deeper, uglier part of Hell than theirs did.
She had decided long ago that Gethin never slept. Despite this, there were never signs of exhaustion on his face, just carefully controlled violence and good old-fashioned lust that never failed to ignite a matching heat in her. This morning was no exception. The flimsy door to where she worked swung
open with a speed that made her jump in her chair, even though she’d steeled herself.
“Ms. Gills.” His voice was darker, deeper than the crevices his kind had crawled from, she thought bitterly. It was underscored with pure steel. Heat too—a weapon he used on her without mercy. He wanted her. He’d made it clear by the second day. Anyway, anywhere. In his bed. On her desk. On his desk. On the floor. Against the wall. And no matter how much indifference or discouragement she threw at him, that list grew longer and longer with every passing day. If she’d been exactly who she pretended to be, then who knew? Perhaps then she could act on the desire he stoked. But she wasn’t Ms. Lana Gills as he thought she was. So she could never let it go further than words.
There was no hesitation showing on the hard, angled planes of his face or in his stride. His dark eyebrows formed a heavy, disapproving line across his forehead as he stalked behind her and pulled out the umpteenth hair clip she’d purchased, letting her heavy hair tumble down about her shoulders.
The heat of his fingers burned her scalp as if he’d branded her. “That,” she said in the most frosty voice possible, “was uncalled for.” Her voice didn’t shake the way she worried it would.
Gethin simply sat on the corner of her desk and tilted her face up with a relentless hand. She didn’t fight his superior strength, especially as he opened his other fist to let small pieces of silver rain down on her lap. She scowled at him, meeting his intense gaze squarely. “You owe me a new hair clip.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I thought I’d told you to keep your hair down, Ms. Gills. It suits you.” His gaze, crimson red where hers was brown, moved slowly from her eyes to caress the golden curls he’d just released. She’d been warned he had a thing for blondes. They’d been right.
“I generally find that women with tight buns are restricting their sexuality.”