by Mary Ting
Oh, shit.
Dom shot his arm through the slit between two bars and gripped Samyaza’s neck. “I’m tired of your filthy mouth, birdman. You think our kind deserve nothing but pain and darkness? Why not look into yourselves? Your kind is no better. You judge us, yet you have done worse. You make up your own rules when it suits you. No more. I don’t take orders from feathered freaks. When this war is over, the witches and demons will dominate the world. We will be the new gods. And you will all be dead.”
Samyaza’s face turned red. Dom squeezed tighter. I almost went over to stop him. But if I had, he would’ve either been suspicious that I wasn’t on his side or simply ripped out my heart.
What was wrong with me? I was not an angel lover, nor did I care if their kind lived or died. But something tugged at my conscience. I had to do something. This urgency inside me would not relent.
“Dom.” My voice rose louder than intended. “Awan doesn’t want him dead. She needs him to complete her mission.”
Dom’s facial muscles hardened, his lips contorting to show his anger. He hadn’t heard a word I’d said.
“Let him go,” Jonah shouted, his chain clanking.
“That’s enough.” Uriel’s voice boomed like thunder.
When Dom didn’t listen, light from Uriel’s eyes illuminated the entire room. Blinded, I couldn’t make out a thing, not even my own hand in front of me.
Dom cursed and backed away, crouching as if he were in pain. I waited for him to leave, but he stood. He pushed, struggling through the unbearable glow toward Uriel. With his palm out, dark light shone from it. Somehow he was dimming and conquering the bright light, but not all the way.
To my surprise, dark shadows emerged from his body in black tendrils. They seemed to give him strength and propel him forward, engulfing the white light at the same time.
Finally, he grasped the bars to hold himself steady, his muscles trembling. “You may be God’s favorite, but I am the Prince of Darkness. I am the firstborn of Sin, the one who caused Adam and Eve to sin. I will do it again with your kind, or I will die trying. Mark my words, one of us will fall. There is no room for two.”
Both dark and light disappeared.
Uriel stiffened, but held up his chin and fanned his massive, glorious wings, which were too big for the small space.
“I will not fall, nor fail. Prepare for your doom.”
Dom backed away, clearly weakened by Uriel’s power. Then he stumbled toward me. I made a mistake trying to help him. When I gripped his shoulder, he cursed and shoved me away.
Too proud for my assistance.
Secretly, I relished his defeat.
Chapter 5
Lies Between The Sheets
Malum
After the encounter between Uriel and Dom nearly gave me a heart attack, I went to my room.
What the hell was wrong with my brother? Why did he feel the need to provoke an angel—an archangel for crying out loud?
Dom’s return had turned my world inside out. Not only did I have to deal with his hot temper, but his spontaneity. I could never predict his actions or his mood.
“Come to bed,” Giselle purred seductively, tapping my side of the mattress. “Where were you?”
Where were you?
How would I explain trying to convince Uriel not to help the witches? Guilt had me immobile. I had left her in bed sleeping to do something deceitful.
Never had I felt remorse serving my own interests, even at the expense of someone else. Even a week ago, I would never have thought twice about what I had done, but now …
What was she doing to me?
I took off my suit and slipped under the covers. When she framed her naked body to mine, her warm and flowery scent drove me wild.
I didn’t understand how she could consume me in such a way. For the first time in a long time, I thought I was falling in love. And with a witch, for hell’s sake.
Under different circumstances, I would have had at least three women in my bed. Since my first time with Giselle, though, she had been enough. I only wanted her.
“What’s wrong?” She raked her nails through my hair.
Tingles coursed over my skull, down my neck, along all my nerve endings, and down to my toes. I loved the way she made me feel. Every touch, every stroke, everything she did to me, I felt it through my bones.
I exhaled a breath of relief. “It’s my brother. Ever since he came back, he’s been nothing but a headache. I won’t let him destroy everything I’ve built. He has no sense of people, nor business skills. He acts like a beast.”
Giselle snorted, tracing my chest with feather-light touches. “Well, he is a demon. Not all can be like you. So composed, intelligent, sophisticated …”
“Go on.” I rolled on my side to face her and caressed her back gingerly while I nibbled along her collarbone.
She moaned. “Handsome. Irresistible. Charming. Gentle. And incredible in bed.”
I pressed my forehead to hers. “What do you plan to do with the book once it’s been retrieved?”
As she traced my eyebrows, she said, “Once we have it, we’re going to keep it safe. Awan wants it in her possession. It does belong to us. We should have the right to do what we please with it. Do you not agree?”
I couldn’t read if she was lying to me. Such a dangerous game I was playing.
“Of course I agree, my love. In your situation, we would do the same. But are you sure of Awan’s intentions? She might be telling us one thing, but have something else in mind. That is what Dom does all the time. I can never trust him.”
She drew her head back and snickered. “Are you afraid once we find the book, we might use it against your kind?”
“What’s inside it? Just spells? What kind of spells? And what if it gets in the wrong hands afterward? Witches lost it once … Why not just keep it hidden?”
“I’ll tell you one thing: unlike the others, we tell the truth and we keep our word. We were wronged by vampires, so we would never do the same to others.”
If you just lied to me and you are using me, so help you, I will kill you with my bare hands.
“I knew I liked you for some reason.” I kissed her shoulder and trailed lower.
Her breaths came faster, and she arched her back, giving me full access to her breasts. When I wrapped my lips around a nipple, she let out a yelp and gripped my hair.
“I’m so glad you understand,” she purred.
I moved up to take her lips into mine and tangled my tongue with hers. “You taste so good and you feel so incredible. I could have you all day.”
Giselle’s hand came down to my front, stroking me. “Then do it. I would let you.”
“Good. The answer I want to hear.”
“Stop talking.” She conquered my mouth.
Not even a minute had passed when Giselle stopped dead cold. She pushed back against me and sat up, as if lifted by an invisible hand.
“I’m sorry, but Awan is here. I have to get ready.”
I yanked her back to me and held her tightly. “Not so fast. Your sister can wait.”
“You would think. You don’t know her well. She’s quite demanding, and if I’m not there when she wants me to be, she won’t let me hear the end of it.”
Giselle got out of bed and began to dress. She seemed afraid that she would be punished. Perhaps my senses were wrong, but I knew that taut expression on her face. I had acted the same when Dom demanded my attention.
Giselle and I were alike. We were both subordinate to a demanding elder. There would be consequences if we didn’t follow their rules.
I bitched about Dom and swore I’d kill him if he ever got in my way, but could I follow through? If it came down to it, would Giselle ever pick me over her sister? And would I choose her over my brother?
Such a fine line we were both walking, unless she knew exactly what she was doing. And if so, I had fallen into her trap.
I supposed getting Giselle out of my bed was a good
thing. Dom had set a meeting with Lotus, and I didn’t plan to be late.
Chapter 6
Breakfast
Liana
After dinner with Balen and Paymon, I’d decided to take their offer and spend time with them instead of hunting demons. So, I went to Ritz Carlton where Balen had reserved a room. He didn’t want to be under the same roof with his sister Awan.
I didn’t know Balen well, but he seemed different from the other witches. The ladies were focused and all business while Balen cared about entertaining himself and Paymon.
A spread of pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, and fruit had been bought from room service, compliments of Balen.
“Thank you for letting me spend the night.” I sat at the dining table to eat breakfast.
“No problem. I’m not sure how long we’re staying in town, but you can come over anytime, especially when you want to get away. Though I’m sure your family is not as bad as mine.”
Paymon rolled his eyes, his red hair disheveled. He never did brush his mop. “Not far from yours, trust me. I’ve dealt with them all my life. And that’s a long life.” He chuckled.
“Indeed. Unlike your family, we are not born from the same father, but I feel I’m still bound to them by blood.”
“True.” Paymon raised a glass of orange juice. “Sometimes I wish we weren’t related. Except for Liana.” He winked at me. “She’s been the only sunshine in my life.”
Did you know I slaughter your kind, and I enjoyed it?
Balen toasted and took a sip. “So, what’s your plan today?” He flashed a glance at me.
I wondered if that was his way of telling me to leave after the meal.
I swallowed my chewed-up bacon. “I don’t have anything in the morning, but I do have to manage one of the nightclubs. I forget which one. I have to look at my schedule.”
Balen adjusted the lapel of his lavender suit and forked some scrambled eggs. “I think we should go dancing tonight. What do you say, Paymon?”
Paymon looked at me as if I would give him the answer, then smiled. “Sure, why not? We don’t have any plans. Text me the address, Liana. We’ll keep you company.”
I smiled. “I would really like that. Perfect.”
Balen cut his pancake and shoved a slice into his mouth. “Do you like what you do?”
I patted my lips with the linen cloth. “What do you mean?”
Balen finished chewing and took a sip of OJ. “A pretty, smart girl like you, I’d thought you would want to do more. Though I do understand family obligation. Sorry if I’m asking too many questions. I just want to get to know you. Paymon favors you, and you’re so much more likable than Dominic and Malum. And I was told you have an aunt named Lotus?”
“Yes.” I cleared my throat. “Lotus is the youngest, but I don’t remember much about her. She was gone most of my childhood. Malum told me she’ll be in town today. We’re supposed to have a family dinner. She’s also a member of Trinity Order.”
Balen’s brow furrowed. “Trinity Order. Yes. I’ve heard of them. Very prestigious. I’m surprised they allowed her in.”
I picked up a handful of blueberries and threw them one by one in my mouth. “Maybe she’s different than Malum and Dominic. Like I said, I didn’t get the chance to know her. I would assume Trinity Order would only allow upstanding citizens in their group.”
Balen curled his lips into a smirk. “I suppose you’re right. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Why don’t you ask Paymon about her? He would know her better than me.”
Balen narrowed his eyes at Paymon. “I did. He didn’t tell me much.”
I cast a glance at Paymon. He had been away too and drunk most of the time. I didn’t know how much he’d shared, so I said nothing.
“Can I ask you something, Paymon?” I asked.
He paused, his glass midway to his mouth. “Yes, of course.”
I scratched the side of my head, unsure if I should ask for his assistance, especially behind Malum’s back. And I was taking the chance he would not squeal on me.
Paymon seemed trustworthy, but I could never be a hundred percent sure. Ultimately, his loyalty lay with his brothers. They would kill him if it was any other way. Regardless, I had to take a chance. This was too important to me.
“I was wondering if you could help me with something. But it has to stay between the two of us.”
Paymon stiffened. “It’s one thing if you asked me without Balen’s knowledge, but …”
“Make that the three of us.” I smiled.
Paymon smiled back. “Thank you. You can trust me. My loyalty lies with you. It always has.”
His words touched me to my marrow. He was the only one who had made me feel safe when Malum entered my life. And I knew why he always took care of me.
Dom and Malum had never treated him as an equal. They had always talked down to him as if he were worthless. Paymon was different. Yes, he was a demon, but he had a heart. Yes, he sometimes lost control and ate humans when he got drunk, but he felt remorse and would disappear for a long while when that happened.
I also knew Paymon suffered from depression. He’d never told me, but I’d seen it. When I was a little girl, he would curl up next to me and cry when he thought I was asleep. Some days, he would lock himself in his room.
His brothers thought he was being lazy and unproductive, but they couldn’t see what I did. I was a child, so I hadn’t known what to do or how to help him. All I could do was be there for him. But he hadn’t realized he was helping me in return.
Somehow, his needing me gave me comfort and purpose.
I wished I could make his sorrows and pain go away. If I only knew what they were. I supposed depression couldn’t be explained or analyzed. He couldn’t help the way he felt. A demon possessing a demon. That’s what it was.
“What I’m asking you to do is kind of an odd request,” I said hesitantly. “There’s an object, a globe actually, and it has a single white feather inside. Malum has grown more protective of it lately. The globe used to be at his nightclub office, but he moved it to his home office. The globe calls to me, and I don’t know why. So perhaps I should be asking Balen for help instead.”
Balen rubbed his chin. “It calls to you? How?”
“I don’t know how to explain it. Some kind of invisible hand tugs at me, like it wants me to go to it. Does that even make sense? I’m only asking because I figured … you know … you’re a witch—or a warlock, if you prefer—and maybe you can do a spell.”
Balen and Paymon exchanged a light laugh.
“Sure, I can take a look. Where is it located?”
“Malum’s office.”
Paymon bristled. “No. Malum will kill you.”
I had never heard such fear in Paymon’s voice before.
“Why?” Balen angled his eyebrows.
“Malum doesn’t like anyone touching his stuff. Liana, you should know this.” Paymon slammed his napkin on his plate to emphasize his anger.
Balen frowned. “Don’t worry. I can take care of myself. Malum won’t kill me. I’ll be careful. I’m a warlock, after all.”
Paymon nodded, but his eyes showed concern. He looked at his cell phone and stiffened.
“Balen, don’t you have a meeting with your sisters this morning?”
Balen froze and dropped the bacon that had been halfway to his mouth to his plate. He blanched, but then he shrugged. “I’m known for being late. Besides, Awan prefers it when I’m not at the meeting anyway. I have nothing to offer, no words of counsel, and I also don’t give a damn about the book. The book of something that’s supposed to unite all the witches together, so enjoy your breakfast.”
Interesting. Book of something …
“Tell me, Balen, how did witches originate?” I asked.
Balen released a long sigh. “It all started with Lilith. Supposedly she was the first woman but was evicted from the Garden of Eden when she would not obey Adam. Let’s just say sh
e wasn’t as docile as Eve. Anyway, she created the original witches, one of whom you met, Awan. Lilith’s first daughter. And then there were more, but I don’t know how many more.”
Paymon split a piece of bacon in half and took a bite. “How about Corian and Giselle? Are they not originals?”
Balen squinted in concentration. “They weren’t the originals, but Awan considers them sisters rather than daughters. It’s kind of complicated, but Corian, Giselle, and a handful of others are the original half-vampire and half-witches, fathered by Cain. Cain, son of Adam and Eve, hooked up with Awan, creating a new species.”
“Holy shit,” I breathed. “Half-witch. Half-vampire. A strong combination.”
Paymon pointed a fork at me. “Like you. You are part human, demon, and archangel. It’s the reason why you are faster and stronger, but don’t feel the need to eat humans or anything alive.”
I felt sorry for Paymon. He fought the urge to eat humans daily.
I caressed his cheek. “You are strong and brave. And I love you.”
He blinked and his face lit up. “I love you too, my little angel.”
Paymon had called me his little angel since he’d first set eyes on me.
“Anyway.” Balen cleared his throat. “Awan’s end goal is to take revenge on Trinity Order for killing our kind.”
“Why? What happened?”
“Awan told us that Trinity Order tricked the witches to join them in a meeting to create a peace treaty, but instead, they were all burned at the meeting. The Trinity Order, counseled by members with angel blood, feared the witches were growing too strong and would one day take over the Order. But they made a mistake when they failed to kill Awan. It was the reason why she found Cain to create her army of vampire-witches, to make them stronger. Awan tells two tales. Another tale ... she tells others that we were at war with Cain. That the vampires caused the witches’ near extinction, and those alive had to go into hiding. There are more witches in hiding. They’re just waiting for Awan to give them the green light to the surface. When that happens, we’re all doomed. TO is so secretive, they don’t bother to correct her story about vampires killing all the witches. But of course the real story is that they don’t want anyone to know that witches attacked the TO inside their own place, because that would make them seem too weak.”