by G. K. DeRosa
Mind. Blown. All this time Nathanael had been sheltering the one person who could put an end to his reign of terror?
I shook my head. “I don’t believe it.”
Declan sighed. “My father might be the Archangel on earth, but he still has the Angelic Council to answer to. He claims everything he did was to protect her. To keep them from discovering the truth of her blood.”
My mind spun. None of this made any sense. “Maybe that nephilim killing her really was an accident.”
“Or someone else sent him. There are other angels that disagree with my father’s methods. If somebody had found out about her…”
Goose bumps ignited across my flesh. It was likely we had more than one enemy within these stark white walls.
He squeezed my hand. “Whoever it is, I swear to keep you safe, Liv. I’ll stand against anyone to protect you, even my own father.” He pierced me with his fiery gaze, the weight of his words stealing my breath.
“I know,” I sputtered. Warmth radiated from our clenched fingers. Glancing down, I noticed the golden light swirling around our clasped hands.
He tilted my chin up, the pad of his thumb warm against my skin. “I know I promised to give you space,” he whispered, inching toward me, his breath mingling with mine, “but yesterday was pretty rough and I could really use a kiss right now.”
I couldn’t help the ridiculous smile that melted across my face. I closed the distance between us, pressing my lips against his. Fire ignited in my core as he deepened the kiss, framing my face in his hands. A slight groan escaped my lips, but it was swallowed up in his. Just like I was.
I didn’t want to think. I didn’t want to be logical. I only wanted to be consumed by Declan.
“You have no idea how hard it is to stay away from you,” he murmured against my lips.
“I think I have a pretty good idea,” I breathed. I dug my fingers into his soft hair, the feel of it between my fingertips better than I’d remembered. He rolled me onto my back, and I sunk into the soft mattress as he ravaged my neck with fiery kisses.
Harsh pounding at the front door echoed across the room. It was like a bucket of ice over the head, obliterating the mounting fire between us. Declan jumped up, and I scrambled to the edge of the bed.
“Stay here.” Declan pulled a shirt over his head and darted to the entrance, closing the bedroom door behind him.
Yeah, right. I got up and hastily changed out my pajamas for a shirt and pair of shorts as hushed voices filtered into the room. I crept to the door and peeked through the crack.
A familiar human soldier in a crisp white uniform stood stiffly in the living room.
“Redson?” I ran out as soon as I confirmed the name on his golden nameplate. “How’d you find us?”
He ran his hand over his buzzed hair, a glint of auburn sparking under the bright halogen lights. “I saw them bring you in last night.” He eyed Declan, frowning. “Then I heard you were Nathanael’s son, and I had to verify for myself.”
“Declan’s on our side.” It even sounded lame to my ears.
Redson grunted. “Linc had sent word you two would be coming to D.C., but we never expected you’d be infiltrating Arx itself.”
“That wasn’t exactly the plan,” I muttered. “Wait… is Britton okay?” I hadn’t forgotten about Linc’s nephew who’d risked his butt to get us in this place the first time.
He nodded. “We couldn’t get him out in time. He was mistaken for a new recruit and is one of us now.”
“Did he find his brother?”
Redson’s lips thinned out. “No. We think he was sent up north.”
A pang of sadness filled my chest. Not knowing was the worst part. When I thought I saw Asher die, at least I’d had closure.
Declan cleared his throat. “Now that we are on the inside, we can give you guys the advantage.”
He pressed his arms against his chest. “I don’t think so, man. I know Parker vouched for you, but you’re still one of them.”
Geez. So much for keeping Declan’s identity a secret. Did all of Linc’s guys know now?
“You’re making a mistake not using us—not using him.” I speared Redson with my steeliest stare. “Like you said, he’s one of them. He’s Nathanael’s son for God’s sake. He can help.”
Redson shook his head, wringing his hands. “I don’t know. My job was to come here and make sure you were unharmed. We’ll do our best to get you out when the time comes, but I can’t promise more than that right now.”
“I need to talk to Linc and Parker. I’ll make them understand.”
“I’ll see what I can do, but we’ve limited all communication to emergency only. We can’t raise the angels’ suspicions. Even one mistake and we lose everything.” He turned toward the door.
I grabbed his big arm, and he stopped. “Where’s Britt? I’ll talk to him then.”
“He’s down in the barracks. Not sure which one—he’s on cleaning duty.”
Britt was built just like Redson—big and beefy. Why would they be wasting him on janitorial services? I thought for sure he would’ve been augmented and sent off to fight. “He wasn’t augmented?”
He pursed his lips. “A nephilim nearly tore his arm right off when he tried to escape. He’s not fit for duty.”
“But the angels could heal him…”
“They don’t waste their powers on the likes of us,” he spat.
But Declan could. My eyes met his and he nodded, unspoken understanding passing between us. Britt’s injury could be exactly what we needed to gain his trust—just like we’d done with Parker.
Chapter 34
I glanced across the table, and a pair of icy blue irises locked onto mine. Shoving another forkful of eggs into my mouth, I lowered my gaze to the feast on my plate. Too bad every bite tasted bitter on my tongue. My stomach was in knots with the head angel looming over the breakfast table.
Heat rose up my neck as Nathanael’s intense gaze drilled into me. I picked up my glass and brought it to my lips, but my hand trembled and I spilled half of the orange juice down my shirt.
Crap!
The chair legs scraped against the tile floor as I scooted back and jumped up, shattering the uncomfortable silence.
“You okay?” Declan rose, reaching for me.
“Yeah, sorry. Just a klutz. Excuse me while I go change.” As pissed as I was about ruining one of my only remaining clean t-shirts, getting away from Nathanael’s glare was a definite highlight. Plus I was pretty sure Declan would get more out of his dad without my presence.
I snuck into the bedroom and changed my shirt, all the while keeping an ear to the door. If we had any hopes of Britt and his team trusting us, we needed to bring them as much intel on the angels as we could.
That had been the only reason Declan had agreed to this awkward family breakfast. I was sure his father had ulterior motives too. Like trying to find out more about my sword.
I pressed my ear to the door, wishing I had super hearing.
“Where did your human friend find that unique treasure?” I could almost see Nathanael’s calculating eyes inspecting my sword.
Declan grunted. “Don’t pretend like you don’t know what that is, Father. I’m not stupid and neither are you.”
Go, Declan! I pumped my fist in the air.
“It is the sword of honor, then?” Nathanael asked.
“Yes. Mom found it before she was killed by one of your soldiers.”
It was a good thing Declan had predicted his father would recognize the sword and had prepared for his questions. Making him believe Sammarah had led us to it would keep me in the clear. For now.
“So you were close to finding the shield?” Nathanael continued the interrogation.
Declan’s anxious tapping on the tabletop did nothing to steady my nerves. I should go out there and help him.
“Maybe. You know how unreliable prophetic verses can be. Especially ones written millennia ago.” His voice sounded stronger and
more secure so I remained behind the door.
“Perhaps I could take a look at it—be of some help?”
“I don’t think so,” Declan snarled.
Nathanael cleared his throat. “You have no idea where the shield may be?”
“No. We—mom—didn’t have any time to find the next clue.”
The Archangel sighed, and it almost sounded genuine. “You still believe I had something to do with her death?”
“I don’t know what to think anymore, Father. You made me believe she was dead for years, you never told me the true reason for this war—that your brother Zekiel was alive and a vampire, and you conveniently failed to mention the destruction your war would cause to the humans. You’ve kept the truth from me at every turn. How could I ever trust you?”
Or how about the fact he’d threatened Sammarah he’d have his own son killed if she ever tried to contact him? I guessed he was saving that bombshell for another day.
“I hope that in time I can prove myself to you. I need you by my side, Declan. There are difficult times ahead for us all.”
I gulped, a thick lump clogging my throat. That didn’t sound good.
“What does that mean?” Declan asked.
“This war is far from over. A part of me wishes that Sammarah had found the shield of light. It was a failsafe after all. My generals grow weary and restless—the vampires more so. The longer we remain on earth, the weaker we become. I’ve arranged a summit at the end of the month with my brother, Zekiel, to discuss the future peacefully, but I fear it may be too late.”
Zeke had been right. There would be more fighting and that meant countless more human deaths. The angels had their augmented human army and the vampires had the stryx. It would be another bloodbath.
Anger unfurled in my gut, heat surging through my veins. How could they do this again? Adrenaline forced my legs forward. I barreled through the door and marched right up to Nathanael. Declan jumped up, fear blazing in his dark irises.
“You have to stop this.” I glared at the leader of the angels, hatred boiling up inside me. “It’s not fair. The humans shouldn’t have to pay for your stupid war.”
Flecks of fire danced in Nathanael’s clear blue irises. His lips twisted as he regarded me as if no one had ever spoken to him in such a manner his entire life. “You are too bold. Either that or incredibly foolish,” he finally spat. “We’re waging this war to save the future of humanity.”
“Watch yourself, Father.” Declan’s fingers closed around his father’s arm and gleaming white fangs slipped out.
Nathanael’s eyes bulged out of his head. “You forget that you are both here as my guests. That can change.” He stepped closer to his son, his wide shoulders dwarfing him. “I could easily send you back to the vampires. Perhaps you belong with them after all.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Declan snarled. “Because then you’d be forced to meet me across the battlefield. And you have no idea what I’m capable of. I’m the first after all—the only angel-vampire hybrid. And though you’d never admit it, I frighten you and your lofty ideals.”
Nathanael looked like he’d been slapped in the face. His nostrils flared and crimson flushed his cheeks. Without a word, he strode out the door, slamming it with such force the entire apartment shook.
Declan crashed down on the couch and dragged his fingers through his hair. His fangs were still out, the fury rolling off him filling the room.
“Do you think that was smart?” I sat beside him forcing myself not to stare at his sharp incisors.
“Probably not, but I’m sick of his self-righteous act.”
I placed my hand on his back and rubbed slow gentle circles. “Thanks for standing up for me.”
He turned to face me, and his fangs retracted. His expression softened, the murderous glare submerging below the surface. “I told you I’d always protect you.” His thumb grazed my cheek, and I leaned into his palm.
No matter how many times Declan had lied to me, that was one thing I had never questioned. I always knew I was safe when I was with him—whether he was a human, angel, or vampire.
The question was: would he survive trying to protect me?
Chapter 35
Sweat trickled down my back as we crept down the outer row of metal barracks. A sliver of moon peeked between the clouds providing a hint of light. Declan didn’t want to risk anyone catching sight of his angel light so we tiptoed in the darkness, relying on his superior senses to lead the way.
With each step closer, it got harder to block the memories of my last visit. A pang of guilt sliced through my chest. My hand flew up, coaxing the pain down with gentle circles. I couldn’t think of Asher right now or my failed attempt at rescuing him. I had to focus on the present—on finding Britton.
We turned a corner and Declan pulled me toward him, flattening me against a cool metal structure. His finger pressed against his lips, and I froze. Or at least I tried to. The feel of Declan pressed against me was doing crazy things to my heart. I hoped no one else could hear it.
Approaching footsteps pounded closer in the silence. My breath hitched, and I buried my face into Declan’s t-shirt. It smelled of him—like the air after a thunderstorm. It was soothing, familiar and immediately slowed my racing pulse.
A pair of human soldiers appeared in my peripheral vision. They spoke in hushed tones and walked right past us, completely engrossed in their own conversation.
As soon as it was clear, Declan led the way down another row of bleak living quarters. Flashes of the blood slaves residing in the hotel at Vamp Central filled my thoughts. These humans had it good in comparison.
I vowed to release each and every one of those poor people after we’d taken Arx down.
Declan stopped, and I nearly ran right into his back. He pointed at one of the barracks. Numbers were stamped over the door in bold black paint. According to Declan’s sources, that was where we’d find Britton. Along with a dozen other sleeping human soldiers we weren’t sure we could trust.
Declan darted across the aisle, and I did my best to follow, keeping in his shadow. He climbed the wooden steps, but I tugged on his arm to stop him. His brows rose as he turned to me.
“Maybe I should go first,” I whispered.
“No way.”
I yanked on his hand, forcing him to stay still. “If any of those soldiers have been augmented for vampire hunting, they’ll go straight for you. We don’t need that kind of attention right now.”
He opened his mouth to argue then snapped it shut. His jaw clenched, and I could almost see the conflict raging in his mind. “Fine,” he finally muttered.
I gently turned the handle, cursing every single squeaky joint, and crept inside. A chorus of snores sang out, the steady breathing strangely soothing. Ten sleeping male bodies occupied the cots clustered in the cramped space.
Now to find Britt.
All of the men matched his body type. The angels didn’t mess around with humans unless they were perfect specimens of strength. Luckily, only four of them had the same short, dark-brown hair.
I approached the first one, but he was too young. My heart clenched. This kid looked younger than me.
Moving on to the next, my pulse quickened. The buzzed hair and hard angled jaw were a match. I could almost see Britt’s sad gray eyes looking up at me. I gently peeled the thin sheet back and a white bandage covered his left arm. Bingo!
Now I just had to get him out of here without waking any of the others. Here goes nothing. I placed my hand over his mouth and slid my finger up to my own, pressing it against my lips. I prayed he wouldn’t scream.
Bright gray eyes snapped open, widening to the size of saucers. I tried to smile, but with the finger pressed to my lips I probably looked like a deranged clown. His eyes focused, and he stopped struggling. The moment realization set in, I removed my hand.
“What th—?”
I shook my head and motioned for him to follow. There was no time to catch up now. He slid
on some flip-flops, and I hurried to the door.
Outside, Declan was fuming. “What took you so long?” he mouthed.
I ignored him and pointed to Britton who appeared in the doorway. The tension rolling off Declan relented, and he led the way down another row of barracks.
After a few quick turns, we ended up in front of a large shed on the outskirts of the encampment. The ten-foot barbed wire fence loomed over the gray structure. Declan smashed the padlock open and held the door for us to enter.
I mentally cursed Declan for revealing his powers so soon. I was scared to look back at Britt. There’s no way he’d think that was normal.
Declan closed the door behind us and lit a small lantern in the corner of the shed. “Okay, it’s safe to talk,” he said.
“What are you guys doing here?” Britt asked, rubbing his bad arm. Dark circles lined his eyes. He looked older than I’d remembered him.
“We kind of got captured.” That was the only way I could think of explaining it.
He eyed Declan. “That’s not what I mean. I already knew you were here, and that he’s Nathanael’s son.” His shoulders tensed. “I meant what are you doing getting me out of bed in the middle of the night.”
Declan opened his mouth to answer, but I squeezed his arm. I needed to be the one to talk to Britt. If we had any hope in getting through to him, it had to come from me. He’d never trust Declan.
“We want to help. We explained everything to Parker a few days ago. We’re all on the same side.”
Britton shook his head, his gray eyes as hard as steel. “I’ll never trust an angel—even worse, one that’s betraying his own people.”
Heat rose from my core, anger taking over my tongue. “He’s betraying them because of the awful things they’ve done to humans—to us. Since the first day I met him, Declan’s done nothing but save my life. He wants to put a stop to this as much as we do.”
“Liv, you don’t understand.” Britt took my hand and squeezed. “Maybe he does care for you. Hell, maybe he really does want to help the humans, but it’s not enough. He’d have to be willing to kill his own father. In my experience, turning against family is much easier said than done.”