“Of course,” Gabriel replied. “Only the best for the Servants of the Word.”
“Fucking right, you are,” Abraham slurred, putting a heavy hand on Ruth’s head. “Now, if you don’t mind. I’ll be taking my dessert to my suite. Same one as usual?”
“Naturally.” Gabriel stood and gestured toward the door. “I’ll escort you.”
“You’re a damned fine host, Gabe. You’re a pain in my ass, but a damned fine host.” Abraham sneered down at Ruth, then grabbed her hair and yanked her to her feet.
Tears welled at the pain, but she refused to let them fall as he dragged her along, her head bent forward by the tug on her hair. Ruth swore that if she ever got the opportunity, she’d shave herself bald.
When they reached one of the guest suites Gabriel had shown her before, he said, “Excuse me for a moment, Abraham. I need to give our lovely wanton a few last-minute instructions.”
Wrapping an arm around her waist, Gabriel pulled her aside and leaned close. In a soft whisper, he said, “Remember, Ruth, you have a choice to make.” He cupped her cheeks, then added, “Look within and without, angel. You will find the answers you seek and the means to fulfill them.”
Without giving her a chance to ask what he’d meant, Gabriel returned her to Abraham and inclined his head. “Try not to damage her beyond repair, please. Otherwise I’ll be forced to bill you for loss of use.”
“Fuck off, Gabe. You’ll get your money,” Abraham growled. He grabbed Ruth’s neck, his fingers tight enough to cut off her air as he dragged her into the room and slammed the door.
Ruth’s hands flew to her throat and she tried to loosen Abraham’s fingers so she could breathe. With a curse, he threw her to the floor and kicked her, his booted foot connecting with her ribs.
She rolled to her side and curled up, desperate to protect her head and abdomen. The metal of his belt buckle clanked and she heard the hiss of leather as he pulled it free of his trousers. The belt sang as it cut through the air to land on her exposed back.
Heat bloomed, rising in a wave of pain as he lashed her, the blows falling on her unprotected back and flanks. She tried to hold it back, but let out a choking cry as the belt caught the side of her breast, the sharp leather cutting deep enough to bleed.
“Weak slut,” he snarled. Grabbing her hand, he dragged her across the carpet, the deep pile burning her skin. “You’re all weak, led so easily into sin by your cunts.”
Ruth said nothing, too busy catching her breath to protest. Her words would mean nothing to Abraham, even if she had the wherewithal to give him any.
He kicked her again, the boot to her ribs making bile dribble from her mouth. “On the bed, slut. On your hands and knees. I’m going to fuck you like the bitch you are.”
Letting out a sob of agony, Ruth got to shaky feet, her knees threatening to buckle as she trudged to the bed. The soft fabric of the bedding mocked her, inviting touch and pleasure where none was to be had. Crawling forward, she rested her head on a plump pillow, wrapping her arms around it as Abraham climbed to the bed and positioned himself behind her.
A sharp sting burned into her hand and she hissed out a pained breath as Abraham slapped her bottom. Fingers wet and sticky with blood, she felt the edge of a knife blade under the pillow. Why was it there? She couldn’t imagine leaving such a dangerous object in a bed.
No, it was a test. Gabriel was enticing her into killing Abraham. Lord, she was tempted. He’d given her the means and opportunity, and Lord knew she had good reason to end his miserable life. But it wasn’t in her to commit mortal sin.
Abraham spit on her, the thick effluvium trickling between her bottom cheeks. Leaning over her, he hissed, “A wife gets it in the cunt, you know. Where do you think a whore gets it?”
She shook her head, burying her face in the pillow.
He laughed, the sound discordant and jarring. “A whore gets it in her filthy, sinful ass, Ruth Tyler. And you are most definitely a whore.”
Spitting again, he spread her bottom apart, his fingers biting cruelly into her hips as he positioned his cock at her forbidden hole. “And you have four beautiful whore sisters, don’t you? I’m going to take them, too. You and your sisters are going to be my private little harem of harlots.”
Abraham slammed into Ruth, tearing her untried opening as she grabbed the handle of the knife. With a scream, she spun around and swung out, the knife slicing cleanly across his throat.
He fell backward, his lips moving soundlessly as he clutched at the ruins of his neck. Ruth screamed again and drove the knife into his cheek.
The scream became a roar as she pulled the blade free and stabbed it into his eye. His chest. His groin. Blood sprayed, coating everything in a sheen of red that made her think she looked through the veil covering a penitent. A quick swipe of her new claw castrated him, and she dropped the dripping glands into his gaping mouth.
“The quickest way to a man’s heart is between the fourth and fifth ribs, darling. I think you’ve gotten your point across.”
She hissed and sprang from the bed, her knife level as she stalked the demon. Gabriel’s smile infuriated her and she wanted to cut it from his face.
“No one. Not you, not this filth on the bed. No one,” she screamed, “is going to touch my sisters!”
Gabriel’s smile faltered and he looked confused. She took advantage of his inattention and leaped forward, cutting into his belly with a downward swipe of her blade.
He caught it, the honed edge cutting his fingers as he tugged it free of her clenched fist. “There’s my monster,” he whispered approvingly. “Such a good girl to choose so wisely. How does it feel to have committed mortal sin?”
“I feel nothing,” she whispered harshly. “Not guilt, not happy, not vindicated. And I don’t care that I’ve damned my soul to an eternity of torment. It’s worth it to keep my sisters from my fate, and I’d pay it a thousand times over.”
“Oh, Ruth.” He shook his head and held out his bleeding hand. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Chapter 14
Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Genesis 9:6
Death smelled like fresh meat.
Ruth took Gabriel’s hand and let him lead her into a shower stall. Hot water streamed from multiple showerheads, sending thick, red tinged liquid to the tile at her feet.
So much blood. She watched dully as the essence of an evil man trickled down the drain to the sewers where it belonged. She’d taken a life and felt no remorse.
Gabriel stood in front of her, and she ran a wondering finger over his abdomen as the wound she’d given him healed, leaving unblemished velvet skin behind. How could one man be so beautiful?
Not a man. A demon.
Lowering her head, she licked at a trickle of blood from the healing wound. It was sweet, like the cherries she sometimes got at the store where she’d worked a lifetime ago. Intoxicating like bourbon.
“The angel tempting the demon,” he murmured. “The world is upside down, I think.”
“Shut up, Gabriel.” Ruth dropped to her knees, following the path of blood down his ridged belly to his cock, hard and thick, gloriously beautiful. She licked the plump head, relishing his gasp of surprise almost as much as she enjoyed the taste of the sweet fluid dripping into her mouth.
The mixture of blood and his essence made her hungry for more and she sucked him into her mouth. He groaned and tried to pull away, but she wasn’t having it. Sinking her nails into his hips, she dragged him closer, letting her teeth remind him to stay still.
Filthy, dirty whore.
Fuck. You. The concept of sin was relative. She felt no guilt, no lingering sense of shame. Nothing but want for the beautiful demon she held in thrall by the movement of her tongue on his sweet, hard, fucking delicious cock.
For the first time in her life, Ruth Tyler was going to take what she wanted and hold on with clawed hands, fang, and need.
Gabriel jerked, pulling free of her grip on his hips. With a feral growl, he swept her into his arms and slammed her against the cool tile. “You undo me, angel. The scent of blood and your first kill entices me, you make me crazed,” he muttered.
He took her mouth, his lips hard, teeth biting, devouring as he consumed her. His cock nudged at her opening and she welcomed him gladly, wrapping her thighs around his hips as she kissed him back just as hard.
The burning stretch of his intrusion made her cry out in sudden passion. Forget a man of the Lord, she wanted her demon. Tightening her thighs, she crossed her ankles behind his back and surged forward, meeting his hard thrusts as he claimed her.
She clenched, tightening around him as the scent of their sex mixed with blood filled her lungs, the perfume enticing and decadent. The beginnings of an orgasm filled her, electric prickles coursing through her veins as he fucked her. His hips flexed, the muscles flowing under her avid touch.
Like match to tinder, she caught flame, the explosive delight filling her until she screamed in release. Gabriel grunted and pushed a hand between their straining bodies to play with her clit, pushing her yet higher into madness.
Ruth came again, slower and longer, the sensual joy pulsing through her as Gabriel stiffened and swelled, his seed bathing her with hot bursts of liquid flame.
He let out a long breath as his body softened, becoming languid and gentle. Sinking her hands into his hair, she made him look at her.
“I’ve made my choice, demon Gabriel.”
He bowed his head, touching her forehead with his. She felt a single scalding tear fall to her shoulder as he whispered, “Oh, angel, you’re my undoing.” He took a step back, forcing her to release him.
She closed the distance, unwilling to let him go. “I like undoing you.”
Another tear dripped from the corner of his eye, but he smiled as he laid his hands on her shoulders. “No, angel.”
“I want to stay. We can be happy together,” she replied. “Weren’t you the one who wanted me to make a choice to damn myself? Well, it’s done, and I’ve made my decision.”
“Ah, but you didn’t,” he chided, tapping her nose. “Stubborn girl, you didn’t even throw me a fucking bone to give me a little hope that I might get to keep you.”
“What are you talking about?” She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling exposed and off center. Now that she understood Gabriel’s purpose, she wanted to help him. And more than that, she didn’t want to leave.
“Mortal sin is negated by a willing sacrifice, sweetheart. You killed to protect your sisters, and the light of the true god fills you.” He leaned forward and kissed her. “There’s no way he’s going to let me keep you, darling.”
“I don’t want to leave,” she insisted, wrapping her arms around his waist. Tears pricked her eyes and he hissed when they fell on his bare skin.
“I’m sorry, Ruth. The true god is—”
“Fuck the true god. He’s been a pain in my ass for my entire life.”
He smiled sadly as he pulled her from the shower and dried her body. “Only you could get away with saying that, my beautiful angel. I’m going to miss you.”
Chapter 15
The Lord’s word is bullshit.
There is a true god. He’s an asshole, but he means well.
You’re going to make mistakes. Don’t let it get you down.
Redemption is possible, but never forget that it comes from self-forgiveness. Restitution, NOT retribution.
Be kind.
But don’t let anyone fuck you over.
All the damned chapters of Thea’s Commandments
“I claim asylum as a Newmerica refugee.” She looked backward, shuddering when she caught glimpses of black-cloaked figures standing on the other side of the Detroit River.
Armed guards escorted her to a low building within view of Ambassador Bridge. Three of them; one on each side and one behind.
Not too long ago, she’d been escorted by very similar men to a completely dissimilar fate. This time, the guards walked her to freedom instead of punishment.
This new place, Windsor, Canada, was a marvel. People walked freely, talking and laughing with each other. Women wore pretty clothes and colorful hats that didn’t cover all their hair.
An elderly couple sat on a bench, holding hands as they fed pigeons and looked out over the water. They kissed, making Ruth flush, even though she envied them their freedom.
Something smelled delicious. Spice she didn’t recognize wafted on the breeze from a wheeled cart near the bridge. Her guards escorted her by, but she stopped.
A man in a white robe much like the one she’d worn for her entire life pulled a steaming basket out of bubbling liquid. “As-Salaam-Alaikum, pretty lady! Would you like falafel today?”
“I don’t know what that is,” she replied, her embarrassment growing.
“A gift to welcome a new Canadian citizen, then!” He gave her a small paper bowl filled with the crispy green balls and a plastic fork.
Ruth cut one in half and blew on it before putting it in her mouth. She swallowed and grinned. Not even Gabriel’s food had delighted her so much. “That’s delicious! Thank you!”
The man waved her thanks away. “It’s nothing but beans and onions.” Leaning closer, he whispered, “You’ll find peace here, child. Welcome to Canada.”
She brushed away a tear as her guards led her away.
Reaching this bridge had been a full seven days of evading the Godless and Sentinels from Leviticus City, traveling only at night. She spent her days in abandoned barns, garages, and anywhere else she didn’t see signs of people. It hadn’t helped that she’d had to stop every half hour to throw up.
But she’d figured out how to drive and always kept Ursis in front of her, the shimmering stars of the Big Dipper guiding her north to safety.
“Take your time, Miss Tyler. You’re in control here, and no one is going to force you into anything you don’t want. The only thing we ask is that you change your name.”
The guard’s voice wafted over her, the words barely heard. She missed her demon, his loss like an ache under her heart.
A woman smiled up at her from behind a desk. “Welcome to Canada, Miss Tyler. We’re glad to have you.”
Shaking away her morose thoughts, Ruth looked up and blinked. “Salome?”
“The one and only!” Still gorgeous without the thick layer of paint, Salome grinned. “Have a seat, and we’ll get started.”
“I don’t understand! How did you escape Newmerica and where is Gabriel?”
“I’m Canadian, Ruth,” she said quietly. “My husband and I help people get out. He brings them here, and I take care of the rest. Unfortunately, there were some problems with your extraction. We didn’t realize Gabriel had taken you until you didn’t show up at the rendezvous point.”
“I see.” That was another lie. Ruth didn’t understand a damned thing, but something told her she didn’t want to know the details.
“And it’s a good thing you got out when you did. Servant Abraham was found outside the walls of Leviticus City. Something had torn him to pieces, and I think we both know what happened to him.”
Ruth said nothing, keeping her gaze steady on Salome’s face.
Salome shook her head and scowled, “I’m just glad that asshole let you out before…”
“No, he was… I’m fine. He was very kind to me.” Ruth sat in the chair across from Salome, refusing to speak of her time with Gabriel. “I’m not sure what to do now.”
Salome stared at her for a moment, but said nothing about Ruth’s obvious lie. “Aside from picking a new name, you don’t have to do anything. In fact, I recommend you take some time to think about what you want to do.”
“How will I eat or pay for a place to live?” Ruth wanted to go back. The need for her demon nearly made her turn around and return to Kentucky.
But he’d abjured her. He’d called her angel, given her a car, and t
hrown her out, telling her to stay away. She’d only remembered the Disciplinarian’s words when Gabriel told her to drive north and look for a bear in the sky to guide her.
Weren’t the godly supposed to refuse demons? He’d been right. Things were upside down.
Arching a brow, Salome smiled. “Miss Tyler, you drove here in a vintage Bugatti Veyron worth millions of dollars. Sell the damned thing, buy a Toyota, and you’ll have enough to keep you comfortably for the rest of your life.”
Ruth blinked. Gabriel had done that for her, knowing she’d need money to live. But how much did it really cost to feed one person in Canada?
“Tell me a name that means light,” she ordered.
Salome tapped a pencil on the desk, her forehead wrinkling. “Well, Thea is the only one I can think of offhand. She’s the ancient Greek goddess of light.”
“Then my new name is Thea Gabriel.”
“Done.” She made a few notes on her notepad, saying nothing about Ruth’s choice of surname. “Welcome to Canada, Miss Gabriel. Do you want government service for a place to stay until you get on your feet?”
“No. I want something else,” she whispered. “How much would it cost to bring my sisters from Newmerica?”
“You’ll definitely have to sell the Veyron, but you should still have enough to live on for quite awhile.” She tapped on a small device for a moment. “Saul will be happy to help you get them out, and we’ve got a new recruit who says he owes you something.”
A knock sounded on the office door. Two uniformed men walked in. One was older, and went straight to Salome to kiss her cheek.
The second man lifted his head, revealing beautiful green eyes. He crossed the room and held out his hand, the scent of oranges washing over her. “Welcome to Canada, Ruth,” he said softly. “I’m really glad to see you.”
Something in her belly kicked and Thea Gabriel smiled. It was like the sun coming up.
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