Hawthorn, Amy J. - Azrael's Light [Demon Runners of Unearth] (Siren Publishing Classic)
Page 14
She swore she almost heard Alia whispering in her ear, “I told you so.”
Chapter 22
Letting Mom and Dad fuss over her was exhausting, frustrating, and necessary. As much as she’d love nothing more than to run and hide or better yet, continue to search for her love, there was no stopping a parent’s concern. And as much as she wanted to strangle them at times, her love for them would never die.
She’d given her father as many details as she could about where she’d been and what she’d been doing while she’d been away, which meant she’d had to do some fast talking because he’d go nuclear if he knew everything. She’d begged him to take her on a walk-about like they’d done when she was younger. The stir-craziness she’d used as an excuse had quickly become all too real.
They’d only traveled through a couple of circles, but the distraction had eased him a little. Though she’d now have to apologize to the young demon he’d nearly burned to a crisp for looking at her for that split second. She would have to try and sneak him a little jar of the healing Naldrahn salve, but even then the poor thing would never be the same.
She’d allowed her mother to apologize profusely, again and again, even though she’d tired of the odd combination of excuses and remorse after about thirty seconds. She’d had to give herself a mental pat on the back for stomaching more than a week of it.
Without Diane’s knowledge she’d concentrated her focus on The Seven. That’s what the elder gods had begun calling them. Even though her power of foresight wouldn’t allow her to see what terrors lay down their path, she may have found a small way to aid them and in turn help her aunt. And there wasn’t a single thing she wouldn’t do for Diane, even if it meant raiding her mother’s closet.
Her mother housed her magic tools in an enormous room that took up nearly one entire wing of the castle. Not even her daughter was permitted in there. Not that her mother would ever notice, considering the mess the place was in. She would never miss the one small item she held in her hands. The only other thing she needed to help her aunt was to find a way out of the keep, unnoticed for two minutes. That’s all she needed.
Then, she would bide her time until her father relaxed his guard over her and she could continue her search. No matter how long it took, or where she had to travel, she wouldn’t give up. She was Lucifer’s daughter and would use every trick in her bag to find him. She knew deep in her heart something was wrong and no one, not even her father could convince her otherwise.
One way or another, she’d find Andras.
Chapter 23
Two weeks passed in a busy whirlwind. Things were going well at the club and she would still work there, but just not as often. Alice was a bar owner’s dream come true. She worked tirelessly and it showed through increased business and revenue. She couldn’t have asked for better help.
Brick continued to watch Alice closely and she continued to alternate between giving him the cold shoulder and hissing at him when he got close. Diane had no doubt Alice would send him packing if he overstepped his bounds, so she was sure he wasn’t truly harassing her, but whatever their drama was, she hoped they figured things out soon. They both deserved happiness.
The club was still her baby, and she would always have a large part in running it, but she had much more important things to consider now.
She’d spent untold hours healing and getting to know Lauren. The mortal woman’s strength and love for her unborn daughter amazed Diane. The fierce, unconditional love she held for her child gave Diane faith that with time and love, everything would turn out okay for the two of them.
Most of her late nights were spent with Azrael. Some nights he could stay longer than others, but whatever time he had, he shared with her. Whether it was spent as a quiet break in front of the fireplace, passionate lovemaking in their bed, or a simple shower together, they always made time for a few minutes with each other.
Now with the Fates’ newest Runners under his training, he was busy, but soon that would change. When the new recruits were ready, he should have time for a real vacation.
Standing on Widow’s Peak, with Azrael at her side, she surveyed her surroundings. She stood atop the tall hill in a clearing surrounded by lush trees. The lights of her distant city flickered in the distance. She missed her home and would return when she finished, but for tonight she needed the full intensity of her moon. It was full and bursting with its powerful white light. Her White Light. So far the elder gods had ignored her return to Earth with her full powers intact, but she knew it would be only a short time before they took exception. They were fickle beings on even the best of days.
But Alia had been right, Diane had found her solution. She had finally found a way to help Belial’s unborn victims and keep a small portion of her own powers intact.
“Are you sure you should do this alone? I can’t stay, but maybe I can drag Lilith up here to assist you. Is this what you want to do? Unlike the binding, this will be permanent.” Azrael’s fierce protectiveness and concern warmed her and chased away any lingering doubts she might have had. She had Azrael, her club, her crazy family, and she would keep a small fraction of her powers and her immortality. She couldn’t ask for anything more.
“I’ll be fine. Go on. I’ll be at the apartment when you’re done for the night. I love you.” She gave him a lingering kiss. “The moon is at her peak. It’s my time. Go.” She attempted to shoo the male away but he wouldn’t budge. The Light in his eyes surged with love as he looked down into hers. She would never tire of the sight.
“I love you too, more than words can say. Be safe.” The words rumbled deep and low through her as he pressed another kiss below her ear and then swatted her on the ass and nipped her ear.
He launched into the air with a silent sweep of his gorgeous wings. He vanished from view but there was no question he hovered near, invisible, watching. She knew her male, he’d give her the space she needed, but wouldn’t leave her vulnerable at what could be the most important moment of her life.
She stripped bare and stepped to the center of the grassy hilltop. The cool night air whispered softly against her skin, and soft blades of greenery tickled her toes. She felt the subtle harmonies sung by the nature surrounding her. She could have proceeded without them, but it boosted her confidence to have Earth’s approval.
She stood straight and tall with her arms raised to beckon the moon. She closed her eyes and pulled the light of the moon down. The thrum of her power was a steadying force as the narrow beam of light glowed brilliantly along its path to her heart. It merged with her own magic, warming her from the inside out and transforming her body into an overflowing vessel.
Her powers amplified until they were charged with an intensity that shook her to her very bones. The muscles in her jaw ached as she clenched her teeth tightly against the force that rocked her. Her muscles were taut with loving determination to help those who’d been harmed before they had the chance to draw their first breath.
When the light resonated with a force that should have been well beyond her control, she held steady and took a deep breath inside herself.
“Here. This will help,” Alia’s quiet voice whispered beside her as she felt the press of something hard and cold in the palm of her raised hand. Instinctively, without opening her eyes, she knew what the gift was.
It was perfect.
In both hands she clasped the large, flawless crystal above her head. She said the words that beat in her heart and focused the bulk of the combined magic out through the prism. She opened her eyes to watch as the white light of the moon fractured into seven colors. Streams of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet light speared off into different parts of the city, finding their targets.
It may have been too late to help the women, but it wasn’t too late to help the unborn children. They would each have a portion of her magic and could call on the light of the moon for aid when it was needed.
She had no doubt that in time they wou
ld.
THE END
WWW.AMYJHAWTHORN.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As a teen Amy J. Hawthorn fed her reading appetite with fantasy and horror stories. Then she stumbled upon a pretty book cover, complete with a bare-chested, sword-wielding Highlander. That Highlander and his author showed her the magic of a Happily-Ever-After and she’s never looked back.
She’s a busy mother of two, wife of one and lives with one foot in the hospital world and the other at home.
She has read her way through Kentucky, Arizona, southern California, and then back home to Kentucky.
Today between working nightshift and wrangling her family she tries her best to create Happily-Ever-Afters for the characters running amok in her head.
Siren Publishing, Inc.
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