Too late for regrets now. Maybe he’d released her because he felt sorry for her. Inside, a raw sliver of her heart shriveled. The last thing she wanted from Nate was his pity. Why wouldn’t he say something?
He rose from the chair, his wings unfurling, and her mouth dried. Eblis’ wings were impressive, but they’d never affected her in the way Nate’s did. But then, she’d never been ensnared in Eblis’ demonic glory.
For too many years she’d despised Nate’s race, based on the teachings of the Watchers, and how humankind had elevated archangels, at the expense of demons.
The ancient truths had been twisted. Even as a child, she’d known of the myths surrounding demons. But those myths had been perpetrated by archangels. And of them all, the archangel Nathanael blazed through the histories in his quest to eradicate her kind.
It was reason enough to hate him. But more than that she had despised him for trying to destroy the one refuge on Earth where she’d found others like herself.
Then she’d met him and started to question it all. He’d told her he had never entered the sacred mountain one hundred years ago. That he hadn’t slaughtered a dozen demon bloods.
And she believed him.
“Going somewhere?” His voice was rough from sleep and ignited an unholy hunger deep inside her heart.
“I need to warn Octavia and the others about Dagan,” she said, hating how desperate she sounded. But Octavia was like a sister to her. She had to ask him. Even if it meant swallowing what was left of her pride. “I could use your help.”
“I can defeat him by myself.”
She didn’t doubt it. “He threatened Octavia. And Nico. The entire Echelon could be in danger.”
“And?” The faintest trace of belligerence tainted the word. It was clear he wasn’t used to a mere half-blood demon questioning his word.
“I won’t let you leave me behind,” she said, but his face was unflinching. She would have to play her ace. And hope she wasn’t wrong. “I’m on Dagan’s radar too, now.”
His dark eyes smoldered. It was hard to concentrate when all she wanted to do was throw her arms around his neck and hold him close. Feel his heart. Know that maybe, somehow, there was a light at the end of this bottomless abyss.
“If he wanted you dead, you would be.”
That was true. And not the answer from Nate she’d been hoping for.
“There’s nothing to stop him from changing his mind.”
“I need someone by my side who I can trust.”
And there is was. The mountain between them. She didn’t even blame him but that didn’t make his barely concealed allegation any easier to accept. But she couldn’t give up. He hadn’t killed her when he could have. He’d released her when he hadn’t needed to. Some part of him, no matter how deeply buried, believed in her.
“You can trust me on this.”
“You’ll betray your own kind to help me?”
His question was unwarranted. She gave him the haughtiest look she could manage. “I won’t let a demon harm my friends. I’m half human, and so is Octavia. I pledge my loyalty to those who deserve it. Blood only goes so deep.”
“Does it?” He took a step toward her, his wingspan obliterating the rest of the world. “You pledged your loyalty to a demon long ago. How do I know he’s not the one orchestrating this whole thing with Dagan?”
“What?” Ice pierced her chest. It had never even occurred to her that Eblis and the demon who had so casually held a knife to her throat might be working together. “No. I don’t believe it. There can’t be a connection between them. He isn’t like that.”
“But it would make a difference, wouldn’t it?” His gaze was relentless, peeling back the layers of everything she’d believed in for so many years. “If it came to a showdown between your mentor and me, then blood would out.”
No, it wouldn’t. The denial screamed in her mind, a devasting revelation that despite what Eblis had done for her and despite the fact he’d saved her, she wouldn’t let him touch Nate. She’d defy anything—anyone—to keep him safe.
She clamped her teeth together, keeping the damning confession inside her head, where it belonged. Even if she did lose every shred of self-preservation and blurt out those words, he’d never believe such an outrageous declaration. Hell, she wouldn’t believe it either, if he said such a thing to her.
Even though she’d want to.
“I gave him my word I’d never betray who he was. And I’ve told you how much I owe him. But my integrity remains my own.”
“Spying on the Watchers.” It wasn’t even a question, and his accusation stung.
But even though it wasn’t the word she’d choose, he wasn’t wrong. “I made that choice, yes. Will you help me?”
Silence filled the room before he gave a curt jerk of his head. “Yes.”
“Thank you.” She let out a breath, relieved she had his word.
He folded his wings. His hot gaze never left hers. “At least if you’re by my side I know you’re not plotting behind my back.”
She flinched. Did he have to keep telling her how little he trusted her? “If I wanted to plot against you, there’s nothing you could do to stop me. I’m telepathic, too.”
Probably not the wisest thing to say under the circumstances, but at least he couldn’t accuse her of holding anything back.
The ghost of a smile softened his features for less than a heartbeat, but it was enough. She’d been right to tell him.
“If you betray me, I’ll take you to an uninhabited planet in the Sextans Galaxy and disable all your powers.”
She snorted. “Bit dramatic. Even for an archangel.”
“Beats slitting throats in archaic rituals.”
He’d watched her do that? But he’d been confounded when he’d seen her in the forbidden library. Hadn’t he recognized her in the atrium?
He shrugged, even though she hadn’t said anything. “I’m not judging. Archangels have had some weird fucking rituals done in their name in the past.”
“Just so you know, that was my first time. It was a test.”
“They randomly decided to test you?”
She didn’t need to tell him anything more. But he had spared her when he could’ve destroyed her, and he’d released her, giving her the choice to escape his clutches—or stay by his side.
She’d made her choice.
“It was more complicated than that. Until yesterday, they didn’t know I could teleport. That’s one of the abilities that allows a member to ascend into the Elite.”
Nate’s gaze became laser sharp. “Why did you keep that hidden?”
She wanted to tell him. But it was tied back to Eblis and she’d never betray him. Nate’s accusation that Eblis and Dagan might be working together gnawed through her mind. She’d never believe it. And yet…
Why had Eblis wanted her to reveal herself now, of all times? How much had he been keeping from her?
Sharing a little more with Nate wouldn’t expose Eblis. “My mentor thought it prudent.”
“Interesting.”
She couldn’t tell if he was being sarcastic. “Yes. Very, considering what happened.”
“Have you been in contact with him since last night?”
It was a reasonable question. As soon as she’d discovered Nate had released the binding on her powers, she should have done two things. Got out of here, and contacted Eblis.
Yet the demon hadn’t even crossed her mind.
“No.”
“Why not?”
Another good question. She wasn’t sure she knew the answer.
“I’ll contact him when I’m ready to. First, we need to warn Octavia about Dagan. Unless you’ve changed your mind.”
Nate contemplated her, his eyes narrowed. “I haven’t.”
“Okay.” She tore her gaze from him and glanced down at her dress. “I need to get changed first. Can you give me ten minutes?”
“I’ll give you five.”
For the
first time in what felt like forever, she smiled. She hadn’t been sure that he’d agree she could go home unless he came with her. It was a small step, but significant. “Fair enough. Meet you back here?”
“I’ll come to you.”
“Fine.” She hesitated, unsure how to end the conversation. She could hardly kiss him but teleporting without a farewell seemed wrong. “See you shortly.”
He didn’t respond, but his dark eyes assured her that yes, she certainly would.
She arrived in her bedroom a moment later, a half-smile on her face. And instantly froze.
A smoky cloud snaked up the stairs, and as if to punctuate the wrongness, something smashed from a room below, the sound reverberating up the walls and shattering the windows.
Had Dagan found her?
From the corner of her eye she caught a distortion in the air and swung around, as Zane materialized at the far end of the landing. Murder glowed in his eyes.
“Traitor.” His cold voice sent ice into her veins, and as blue-white power launched from his hand she teleported into the bathroom from sheer instinct. Beside her, the dilapidated bath exploded into a million pieces, and she instantly teleported to the drawing room before the flying shards ripped her to shreds.
Nijah was there, but despite the danger all she saw was her beautiful, elegant, room that she’d spent so long creating, was now nothing more than a ruin of scorched fabric and shattered memories.
“My instincts were right,” Nijah said, as Zane appeared by her side. “I’ve never trusted you. To betray us to an archangel.”
Lightning fast, both Nijah and Zane hurled daggers her way. She threw up a protective shield, and the daggers hovered in mid-air, suspended inches from her face. In the split second as shock dulled the Elites’ senses, Bella activated her rarely used telekinetic power and flung the sad remnants of her once-gorgeous grandmother clock into the back of their heads. They crashed to the ground, and even though she knew they were only temporarily stunned, and she had to get out, she couldn’t move.
Zane had been one of the Elite for years, but she’d always considered him a friend.
And he had just tried to kill her.
Chapter 21
Nate
Nate exhaled a long breath after Isabella teleported. She’d never know how much it cost him not to have gone with her. But if he couldn’t trust her in this one small thing, there was no way in hell she’d accompany him to see Gabe.
Because Nic and his Echelon weren’t the only ones Dagan had threatened.
He pulled out his phone and called the vampire. Unlike the creatures of myth, Nic didn’t limit his working hours to those of darkness.
“Nate,” Nic said.
Briefly, he recounted what he’d discovered about the strange, liquid smoke that had been found at the castle.
“I’ll let Octavia know. Anything else?”
“Sakarbaal received the sword from a demon. He fucked up and now Dagan is pissed. He might be coming after you.”
“Inconvenient.”
“Tell me about it. Take everything you need from the castle. I wouldn’t put it past Dagan to raze it to the ground just for the hell of it.”
“Understood. Did you locate the whereabouts of the sword?”
Should he tell Nic he was the one who’d taken it from the castle? Not much point, now. “Dagan has it.”
There was a heartbeat of silence. Did Nic suspect the truth?
“Good hunting,” Nic said at last, a dry note in his voice, and hung up.
Frowning, Nate shoved his phone into his pocket. He guessed he owed his friend the truth but first he needed to find out what Gabe had done to Dagan.
He teleported to Isabella’s house. The stench of burning timber and demonic power hung heavy in the air. Fuck. Adrenaline punched him in the chest, propelling from the hallway into the drawing room.
The room was unrecognizable, but relief streaked through him when he saw her by the window. She was breathing and there was no blood on her clothing. Electricity crackled and sparks flashed and from the corner of his eye he saw two figures trapped beneath a shattered grandmother clock vanish.
He was across the room in an instant and roughly pulled Isabella into his arms. She was rigid, unmoving, and the relief twisted into a black, unformed fear.
“Are you all right?” His voice was rough, and he inched her back so he could see her face. Glazed eyes gazed up at him and the unnatural fear magnified. “Isabella. Speak to me.”
“It’s all gone,” she whispered. “There’s nothing left.”
The air stunk of demons and the scorch marks on the walls were similar to ones he’d encountered over the years. The Watchers had come after her.
And they’d tried to kill her.
Rage flooded through his blood and he sucked in a harsh breath. There was a time for vengeance, and it wasn’t right now when Isabella needed him.
“You’re safe now.” And by all the cursed gods, he’d ensure she remained so. He shouldn’t have allowed her to go home alone. He should have been with her. Should have damn well protected her. “I won’t allow them to harm you again.”
“My home.” Her voice broke on the words and she slumped against his chest, as though all the strength had been sucked out of her.
Unease twisted through him. What was he missing? She couldn’t be this upset over the wreckage of her house.
“What did they take?” He tried to keep the urgency from his tone in case it made her worse but failed. Seeing Isabella shattering before his eyes was freaking the shit out of him. But if he knew what the problem was, he could fix it. “Whatever it is, I’ll get it back for you.”
“All those years,” she whispered, as though she hadn’t even heard his question. “I never had a real home. Just places to stay. Until I found this house. It was my sanctuary from the outside world.” She hitched in a ragged breath and her body shuddered. “All my beautiful pieces. Gone.”
He glanced around the room. When he’d been here before, he’d noticed the antiques and authentic period style. She had great taste and he appreciated the aesthetics.
But they were just things. Apart from his collection of weapons that he’d amassed over the centuries and kept secured in an underground cave system on an uninhabited planet in Andromeda, he wasn’t attached to any of his shit. Hell, even if he lost all his weapons he’d be more pissed off at the inconvenience, and gall of the perpetrator than anything else.
He tightened his grip around her but had no idea what to say. Isabella was strong, for fuck’s sake. She’d defied Dagan to release him and thrust her hand into an alien forcefield without a second’s thought to her own safety. And she’d managed to fight off at least two attackers before he’d arrived.
But the loss of her home was breaking her.
He had to get her out of here. As far away from the Watchers as possible.
He wrapped his arm around her and teleported, to a place he hadn’t been in decades.
A lush planet that although teemed with life, was on the primitive side of the Andromeda Galaxy, which meant the chances of anyone finding them were zero. The timber dwelling was constructed high in the trees, offering a hundred-and-eighty-degree view of the island and although there wasn’t much in the way of luxury here, at least she’d be safe while he crushed the Watchers and hunted Dagan.
She sucked in sharp breath and stiffened in his arms as she took in their surroundings.
“It’s okay.” His voice was rough. “No one’s going to find you here. If you need anything, let me know. You’re telepathic. I’ll open a link for us.”
She grasped his shirt. “Octavia.” Fear threaded through the word, but at least that terrifyingly blankness had left her eyes. “You said you’d go with me. You promised.”
“She’s safe. I contacted Nic.”
“She can’t die because of me.”
“She won’t. And the connection between you is irrelevant. Sakarbaal is the linking factor, not you.”
“We saved each other’s life,” she said, still gripping his shirt as though it was her lifeline. “Well, we thought we did. Neither of knew the other was immortal back then.”
“Okay.” He attempted to inject a soothing note in his voice but wasn’t sure he succeeded.
“We met on a train going across Europe. Oh, so long ago—the middle of last century.”
Was it a good sign she was telling him this? Or was she sliding into shock, and not even aware of what she was saying? He’d wondered how she and Octavia had met. But if this was the price, it was way too high.
“There was a terrible accident. Fire raged through the carriages, trapping everyone. Octavia and I managed to force open one of the doors, but we were hanging over a ravine. People were jumping, but a human didn’t stand much chance of survival. I knew I would, and I knew I could shield Octavia from the worst of the fall. Funny thing is, she was thinking the exact same thing about me. So we jumped, and that’s how we discovered we had more in common than a love of ancient European architecture.”
“Still must have hurt.”
“Gods, yes. We broke so many bones between us. But at least we managed to walk out of there before the rescue teams arrived. Her regenerative powers are almost as fast as mine. It would’ve been hard to explain how we barely had a scratch on us just hours after the accident.”
“There’s always mind manipulation.” This wasn’t the conversation he’d imagined having with Isabella right now, but she was sounding more like her usual self by the second. And there was no way he was going to leave her until he was certain she was okay. Gabe wasn’t in imminent danger since Dagan had no idea where he was.
“Sometimes walking away is the easier option.” She relaxed her death grip on his shirt and curled her fingers over his shoulders. “And sometimes you just have to fight.”
She wasn’t talking about the train wreck or its possible aftermath anymore. It made no difference that she wasn’t a vulnerable human who needed his protection. There was no way he was going to let her get anywhere near Dagan again. “Leave the fighting to me.”
Salvation: A Realm of Flame and Shadow Novel Page 19