The Vampire & Angel Wars Complete Collection

by G. K. DeRosa

He stopped in front of a room and slid the keycard into the reader. Holding the door open for us, we walked through. The bird’s eye view of the sprawling city hit me like a slap in the face. Midtown was destroyed. The skeletal remains of the greatest city on earth lay ravaged before us. Towering skyscrapers burnt to a crisp, residential buildings crumbling in ruin, historical sites decimated. Declan grunted, his eyes surveying the damage the immortals had caused.

  “Someone will be up with food for you in a little while.” Asher moved to my side as I stared out the window.

  “Okay, thanks.” There was so much I wanted to say, but all the words got stuck in my throat. Could I trust this vampire version of my best friend?

  He turned to leave, but I grabbed his arm. He froze. His eyes traveled from my fingers up my arm and finally met my gaze.

  “I missed you so much, Ash. I’m so glad I found you.”

  A flash of warmth crossed his emerald eyes, igniting the brilliant green flecks. “I missed you too, Liv.” He turned away and darted out the door in a blur, blondie following right behind him.

  The door slammed shut, and the lock clicked into place. Declan raced behind them and jiggled the handle. “Damn it.” He turned back to me frowning.

  “Are you really surprised?”

  “No.”

  It’s not like Declan couldn’t rip the door off its hinges if he wanted to. Unless it had been reinforced against super angel strength. Plus there were the vamp guards to contend with.

  “We need to get back to Duke tomorrow.” I was worried about my furry friend being alone. “He’s going to run out of food and water soon.”

  He nodded, a grim expression across his handsome face. “I promise I’ll get us out of here. I just need to figure out what my uncle wants.”

  I slumped across the bed, completely drained from the emotion-fueled day. A part of me wanted to take a shower because electricity meant hot water, and I hadn’t had a hot shower for as long as I could remember. But every muscle in my body refused to move.

  I glanced over at Declan as he lowered himself onto the bed. I couldn’t imagine what he was going through. First his mother died, then he found out his uncle was alive and the vampire king, no less. The destruction of the world as we knew it was a direct result of his family’s sibling rivalry.

  I just didn’t have it in me to comfort him. I was being a brat, but I couldn’t help myself. Curling into a ball, I closed my eyes and surrendered to the darkness.

  I woke up the next morning, my stomach grumbling. I’d slept right through our midnight snack, if there had been one. Murky light shone through the large windows, and I slid to the edge of the bed. I couldn’t seem to tear my eyes away from the crumbling buildings—windows blown out, entire levels destroyed.

  An arm snaked around my waist, and I jumped.

  “Morning, sunshine.” Declan’s voice was raspy and sexy, making my stomach flip-flop.

  “Morning.” I stiffened and staunched the fluttering in my belly with a hard swallow. I couldn’t do this with Declan anymore. Not until he came clean about all his secrets.

  “Just spit it out, Liv,” he grumbled, releasing me.

  I turned around to face him, pulling my legs into my chest. “I need you to be honest with me.” God, I felt like a broken record. “There’s something else you’re not telling me. I know you’ve tried but… With everything that’s going on, I need to be able to trust at least one person in this world.”

  He propped his head up on his hand, pinning me with those intense maroon eyes. “You can trust me. I would do anything for you, Liv. Don’t you know that?”

  The intensity of his words ignited a small fire in my core. Focus, Liv. I couldn’t just let him get away with not telling me everything again. I steeled my resolve, refusing to let his eyes turn me into a puddle of goo. “I believe you, but I also know that you don’t tell me things because you’re afraid of my reaction.”

  His eyes cast down, and he rubbed the end of the white sheet between his fingers. “Before I tell you the only thing you still don’t know about me, we need to talk about something important. I’m afraid you won’t hear me out if I wait.”

  That did not sound good. I blew out a long breath. “What?”

  He lowered his voice. “The book, the shield, my mom, you—all of it. We haven’t even had a second to talk about what happened.”

  He hadn’t had a moment to grieve for his mother. Neither of us had. And I’d totally forgotten we’d left the Book of Salvation unprotected at the brownstone. With everything that happened, it had completely slipped my mind. “Declan, we have no idea what any of it means without your mom.” The words came out harsher than I’d intended.

  His lips twisted down, and he raked his hand through his dark hair. “I know, but we have to try. Don’t you see? You were chosen, just like she was.”

  I shook my head. “We don’t know that.”

  Declan popped up and shuffled over to me on his knees. His fingers grazed my collarbone, gently tugging down my shirt. My heart birthmark no longer glowed, but it had become a few shades darker and was outlined in a deep red.

  “Yes, we do.” His fingertips brushed over the raised patch of skin, sparking goose bumps over my flesh.

  I sucked in a breath. “Fine. Let’s say your mom somehow passed her power onto me or whatever, we still have no idea where to start looking.”

  “We can figure it out. We just need to get out of here and get the book back.” Declan released my top, sitting back and I could finally breathe again.

  “How are we going to do that?” And how can I leave Asher? “I doubt they’ll let us walk out of here.”

  “Leave that to me.” He leaned in, tucking a few loose strands of hair behind my ear. His eyes caught mine, and my breath hitched. He crept closer, his tongue sliding over his lips. My head tilted forward to meet his.

  I almost fell for it—again. “No!” I shoved him in the chest and jumped off the bed. “Tell me now, Declan. I heard you out about our mystical mission, and now you owe me the truth. What do I not know that your long lost uncle apparently does?”

  The door whipped open, and Asher’s impressive body filled the entry.

  Son of a vamp!

  He shot me an approving smile, his gaze raking over my bare legs. “Zeke would like to have breakfast with the two of you.”

  I tugged at the hem of my shirt, wishing it went farther past my butt as heat diffused across my cheeks. Asher eyed Declan’s shirtless form stretched across the bed and anger pulsated in his crimson-hued irises.

  “Get dressed. I’ll wait outside.” He spun and darted back out the door before I could get a word out.

  What would I have said anyway? No, I hadn’t slept in the same bed as Declan? No, I didn’t have feelings for a half-angel? I wasn’t about to become a liar too.

  Chapter 14

  The lower level of Grand Central Station looked exactly as I’d remembered it—complete with the Magnolia Bakery stand. The sweet scent of vanilla and frosting swirled in the air. My mouth began to water as we passed the fully functioning cupcake shop. A long table had been set up in the center of the food court and at the head sat Zeke. Something about him reminded me of a panther. His movements were measured and fluid with the grace of a prima ballerina.

  His eyes immediately met mine as we approached, a wry smile crossing his lips. “I hope you both slept well last night.” He ticked his head at the guys sitting next to him, and they immediately shot up vacating the chairs. “Please, sit.”

  Declan took the seat beside Zeke, and I sat next to him. Asher scooted in to my right. At least a dozen other vampires filled the remaining chairs around the massive table.

  Zeke clapped his hands, and two girls in white aprons appeared. Human girls. They couldn’t have been more than a few years older than me. “Marley, Lexa, please be sure our guests get anything they desire for breakfast.” They nodded and quickly took out a pen and pad of paper to take our orders.

  My he
art clenched. These poor girls were nothing more than slaves. A horrible thought crossed my mind, and my eyes flew to their necks. Reddish-purple marks marred their pale skin. I was sure if I looked closer I’d see two puncture wounds. Anger unfurled inside me, chasing away the hunger.

  “I’m not hungry,” I muttered.

  Declan waved them off, and they skittered away like two little scared mice.

  “While this is much appreciated, uncle, as I said yesterday, Liv and I must really be on our way.”

  From my periphery I caught Asher’s jaw twitch at Declan’s words. I reached for a bottle of water sitting in front of me and sucked down a few gulps. Awkward.

  “And you’re going north you said?” Zeke cocked a brow.

  “Yes. Liv’s farm is upstate.”

  Asher cleared his throat, stiffening beside me.

  “And what? You’re going to disappear into the countryside and play house with the girl for the rest of her natural life?”

  “It’s really none of your business.” Declan bristled, tension radiating off him in tidal waves.

  “It is my business. I could use someone with your skill set for the upcoming war.”

  “War?” I coughed, nearly choking on the water.

  Zeke chuckled. “What a naïve little human. You didn’t possibly think this stalemate could last forever? The angels to the south and us to the north? It’s preposterous.”

  “Declan, did you know?” I squeezed his arm, digging my nails into his flesh.

  The line between his dark brows deepened. “Not for sure. I haven’t been involved in strategic planning for some time now. Not since I’ve been with you.”

  Asher snorted.

  I’d had about enough of everyone right now. I spun on my old best friend. “What? It’s obvious you have something to say so just spit it out.”

  He opened his mouth to speak, but Zeke pierced him with a glare that made my skin crawl.

  “Nothing,” he growled.

  Declan turned back to his uncle as I fumed on the inside. Why did I feel like the only one not in on some big secret?

  “While I appreciate the offer, Liv and I will be heading out as soon as we’re finished here.”

  My thoughts kept running to Duke alone at the house. I hoped he was okay.

  Zeke drummed his fingers on the table. “Do you think that’s really wise? With so many vampires on the loose, you wouldn’t want to risk your friend’s life now would you?”

  A few of the vampires sneered, flashing their pointy fangs. The implicit threat was clear. I gulped down a mouthful of water and slammed the bottle back down on the table.

  “I’ll kill anyone who comes near her,” Declan snarled, rising to his feet and hauling me up with him. “We’re leaving now.”

  Asher stood, crimson fire raging in his pupils. “And will you be doing the killing with your angel sword or vampire fangs?”

  Silence rippled across the long table.

  My brows drew together as my eyes bounced from Declan to Asher and back. “What’s he talking about, Declan?”

  “Nothing. He’s an idiot.” He tried to pull me along, but I squirmed out of his grasp.

  Asher placed his hands on my shoulders from behind. “Your friend isn’t exactly who you think he is,” he whispered, his cool breath making the hair on the back of my neck rise.

  Hot tears burned my eyes, my throat tightening. “Declan, please. What is he talking about?”

  His lips twisted down, his face turning a sickly green. He reached his hand out for me, but I crossed my arms against my chest. “Liv, I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you a dozen times, but we kept getting interrupted.” His eyes turned glassy, and he raked a hand through his unruly hair. “I am nephilim like I told you, but I’m also more than that.” He paused, his eyes smoldering.

  “Just say it.” My voice came out strangled.

  “Right before I met you—something happened.” He glared at the circle of vamps surrounding us, all eyes intent on him. “I was attacked by a horde of them. I tried to fight them off, but there were too many.”

  A tear rolled down my cheek. I swept it away with the back of my thumb, but another took its place.

  “I died, Liv. And I became this.” His brilliant white wings unfolded, illuminating the space in a heavenly glow. Then sharp white fangs descended, and crimson pulsated from his maroon irises.

  My heart stopped.

  Chapter 15

  “No. No. No!” This could not be happening.

  “Liv, I’m so sorry.” Declan took a step toward me, and I reeled back.

  Invisible hands wrapped around my lungs, squeezing until the tightness in my chest was too much to bear. My heart beat out a frantic staccato as I panted, desperate to get a breath in.

  “It’s still me. I’m the same person you’ve known all along. Nothing’s changed. I’m the same guy who saved you from these monsters in the woods. I couldn’t bear the thought of them hurting someone else.” The panicked look in Declan’s eyes tore at my insides.

  Everything around me blurred. Only Declan’s face was discernible and somehow it had become unrecognizable. The person standing in front of me was a complete stranger. After spending a month with him, I came to the harsh realization I didn’t know him at all. The real Declan was buried under layers upon layers of secrets and lies.

  “Liv, please say something.” He extended his hand, and I flinched.

  “It’s truly remarkable what he’s become.” Zeke’s booming voice yanked me from my dark thoughts, reminding me there was a whole room of vampires boxing us in.

  “Stay out of this, Zeke,” Declan snapped.

  “No.” I barreled past my supposed friend and squared off with the devil himself. “I want to hear this. How could this happen, Your Highness?” I didn’t know much about nephilim but if Declan died and became a vampire how could he still have wings?

  “That’s the great mystery, inquisitive little human.” Zeke’s lip curled as his dark eyes regarded me. “He’s the only nephilim I’ve ever known to die and maintain his heavenly powers.”

  Declan spun at his uncle and flashed gleaming fangs. I cringed. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to them. “So you knew what happened to me?”

  “I’d heard you had a run-in with my men. Not many returned to tell the tale, but the one that made it confirmed you’d been killed. Then you disappeared, and I waited. I figured it was only a matter of time till you joined your brethren. Imagine my surprise when Razer informed me your angelic gifts were fully intact.”

  My head still spun. How could I have spent so many weeks with Declan and not known he was a vampire? He never drank blood—not once. And those vampires that had attacked us—wouldn’t they have known what he was?

  “You really are remarkable. The angel side seems to eclipse the vampire one, and yet both unique abilities remain.” Zeke placed his hands on Declan’s shoulders. Declan frowned but didn’t flinch. “Any idea what makes you so exceptional?”

  Something flashed across Declan’s eyes. He shifted his weight from one leg to the other. I wasn’t the only one with no poker face. “No idea.”

  He lied. He did have an idea and so did I. The conversation I’d overheard between Declan and Azazel came racing to my mind. Sammarah’s divine bloodline. My bloodline, apparently. It had to be what gave him the ability to be both nephilim and vampire.

  “Too bad. We could use more like you.” Zeke dropped his hands from Declan’s shoulders and signaled to his entourage. Before I could blink the bustling dining area was empty.

  A whoosh of air rushed by me, and Asher whizzed by. “We need to talk,” he whispered behind me before speeding away. I wasn’t even a hundred percent sure he’d said it.

  “Both of you have some important decisions to make.” Zeke’s obsidian eyes darted between us. “Now that your secret is out, the human may no longer want to play house with you, nephew. If that is the case, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you’d like as my guests. Afte
r all, you are family. I’ll give you some time to think it over.”

  Zeke sped out of the chamber in a blur. As soon as he was gone, I slid to the floor. To say that my world had been turned upside down would be putting it mildly. I tucked my knees into my chest and stared at the speckled tile, a cold numbness spreading over my limbs.

  A few seconds later, a warm body encroached on my space. Declan bumped his shoulder against mine, his eyes boring into me. I couldn’t look up. Not yet. His betrayal burned like a hot poker in my chest.

  “Please talk to me,” he murmured.

  “I don’t think you want to hear what I have to say.” I rested my chin on my knees and pulled them in tighter, hoping to hold myself together. Until a day ago when I found out Asher was alive, Declan was it. He was the only person I had left in this Godforsaken world. He was so much more than a friend, than a boyfriend. He was family, and he’d deceived me in the most terrible way. Repeatedly.

  “I can take it. Do your worst. Tell me you hate me, that I lied to you again, that you don’t trust me. Just don’t freeze me out. You’re the only one I have left, and I can’t tell you how much it hurts me to see the pain in your eyes.”

  I risked a glance at him and immediately regretted it. His expression nearly broke me. I inhaled sharply and squeezed my eyes shut.

  “Do you want to hit me? Maybe that’ll help.” He leaned in, resting his chin on my shoulder. His familiar musky scent swirled all around me enveloping me in a cloud of Declan. That false sense of security.

  “It’ll probably just hurt me.” Like you always do. I needed some distance—some time to process this without his distracting presence.

  A sharp hiss slipped from his parted lips. “I never meant to hurt you, Liv.”

  Getting to my feet, I looked down at the person who was my everything just a few seconds ago. “But you did, Declan. Now I need time to figure it all out.”

  He shot up beside me. “Okay, I can give you that. I can give you whatever you want. Let’s get out of here and take some time off. We can fly to some secluded island or something.”