Wicked Revelations and Brimstone (Legacy of Sins Book 2)

by J. N. Colon

  “Don’t do that.” Jayson’s whispered, his words strained. “This isn’t your fault.”

  “Isn’t it?” I muttered, leaning heavily on the railing. My body felt like a ton of bricks. “There weren’t this many dwellers or demons before I showed up.”

  “Evil has been in this town, in this world, for a long time. You can’t take the blame for everything.”

  A groan left Sebastian as he slowly rose back to consciousness. “What the heck am I doing on the floor?”

  Jessica let out another sob and threw her thin arms around him. “Seb, you’re okay?”

  The front door creaked open, dry leaves rolling onto the marble entrance. Faint, silvery moonlight haloed around Seth. His bottle-green eyes glowed as they lifted, landing on the Nephilim next to me.

  Jayson’s finger tipped my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Do you want Seth to take their memories?”

  I glanced at my friends. Jessica’s soft cries broke my heart, and pain filled Sebastian’s expression. He had no idea what happened, but Jessica wouldn’t keep this from him.

  And they’d both be in more danger than I could handle.

  “Do it,” I said as my gut twisted in knots.

  Jayson gave a quick nod to the other Nephilim below. Seth quietly walked toward Jessica and Sebastian. He kneeled on the ground next to them and began whispering, his eyes a vivid shade of burning gold.

  Chapter 20

  Strawberry Longlegs was the last person I wanted to see standing on my porch after the night I had. Jayson’s body tensed behind the steering wheel of my car as he pulled into the driveway. He didn’t want to deal with her either.

  No lights illuminated the windows in my house. My dad was still having a boys’ night out with Max. They were probably watching sports somewhere and eating meat.

  Jayson unhooked my seatbelt when I hadn’t moved, heavy lines forming across his forehead. I hadn’t said much on the way home. And a quiet Lena was never a good sign.

  “Stay there. I’ll help you.” He climbed out and lithely trekked to the passenger door, opening it.

  I took his hand and stood, my knees shaky. This whole vision thing sucked. I saw their sins—the very ones that could have bought them a one-way ticket to Hell. I felt icky all over.

  “J.J., you’re finally back.” Hannah’s smoky voice drew closer as she stepped off my porch, her hips swaying. “Is everyone all right?”

  “Yeah,” he said gruffly, putting his arm around my waist.

  “That’s good.” Her eyes flicked toward me, her frown too dramatic. “I’m glad you’re okay, Lena. And your friends.”

  Doubtful. She probably wished I had taken a flying leap off the balcony. “Thanks.”

  “I’ve got a nasty one here.” She patted the human-skin bag hanging from her shoulder.

  Ugh. Gross.

  “I’ll wait for you at your house while you help Lena inside.” She winked at Jayson. “And then we can destroy this sucker.”

  You’ve got to be kidding me.

  Jayson’s brows dipped. “I’m not leaving her alone. No one’s home.”

  “That’s sweet, but I’m sure she’ll be fine.” Her head tilted in my direction. “Right, Lena?”

  Nope. Not at all.

  Hannah didn’t give me a chance to respond. “It’s dangerous to let this totem remain. Demons will sense the power and come for it.”

  The tendons in Jayson’s jaw flexed. “Can’t you call one of the others? I’m sure they’ll help you.”

  “But you’re here now.” She flicked her long red tresses, a pout forming over her full lips. “This is your duty, Jayson. You’re the strongest of us. Don’t tell me you’re going to shirk your responsibility to fawn over Lena. It isn’t right. She’s just—”

  “Stop.” Gold began to pop in his irises, scorching through the night. “Taking care of Lena is part of my duty now. I bound her to me. She’s human and mine to look after.”

  Hannah scoffed. “She’s fine. She’s a big girl.”

  Ugh, she is right here…

  “You don’t get it, Hannah,” he muttered, ushering me to the porch.

  “No, I don’t.” She followed us. “Explain it.”

  Jayson’s body grew warmer the more she talked. Irritation burned beneath his surface. I could feel it.

  He slipped his arm from around me and turned toward the other Nephilim. “Lena is my soul mate,” he snapped. “Something is happening to her, and we don’t know what it is, but it’s hurting her. I’m not going to leave her alone tonight or ever when she’s feeling like this. Do you understand?”

  I choked back a wave of sudden tears trying to leak out. That was the sweetest thing. It made me want to jump on him right then and there.

  Gold spilled into Hannah’s eyes, swallowing the green. “Why her? I was gone for a few months, and when I get back, you’re bound to some—”

  Her words trailed off as a low rumble vibrated through his chest. “I’d stop before insulting my girlfriend.”

  Um. Did he just say girlfriend?

  Holy corndogs dipped in syrup. Jayson Casteel called me his girlfriend.

  All the fight drained out of Hannah. Her shoulders slumped, and that haughty attitude dissipated. “It was supposed to be us,” she whispered.

  Jayson dragged his fingers through his dirty blond locks, mussing up the strands even more. “It was never going to be us, Hannah. I made that perfectly clear. It wasn’t going to be anybody, but Lena showed up and…” He shrugged. “Lena showed up.”

  Tightness crept into my throat. For the first time, I believed Jayson hadn’t saved me out of some sense of duty. He did it because he didn’t want to lose me.

  Hannah’s gaze averted to the ground as she gave a sharp nod. “I’ll call one of the others.” She spun around and disappeared down the street.

  Jayson released a ragged breath before facing me. “Let’s go upstairs.”

  I nodded because I couldn’t get my mouth to work. I also feared what might come out if I opened it.

  In my room, Jayson cut on the overhead light. A sharp pain shot behind my eyes, and I winced.

  “Sorry.” He quickly shut it off and clicked the floor lamp on the lowest setting. “Is that better?”

  I sat on the end of my bed and kicked my shoes off. “Much.” I leaned back on my hands and watched him remove his jacket. “Girlfriend, huh?”

  The edges of his lips twitched into a crooked smile. “You heard that?”

  “You bet your arrogant ass I did, Casteel.”

  He strode forward and dropped a kiss on the top of my head. “I’ll get you some water and a couple mini candy bars.” He slipped into the hall.

  Once he was gone, the events of the night tumbled over me. It had started off so well and then spiraled into a nightmare. My two friends could have died, and I was to blame despite what Jayson said.

  Not only that, but some seriously twisted memories burrowed into my mind every time a dweller touched me. Being possessed had to be better than this. At least the human host never remembered what happened.

  I was a helpless prisoner inside their memories. I couldn’t look away from the horrific sins they committed.

  My stomach clenched as the images came crashing back. They left me so cold. I was the only person in a vast ocean of nothingness. No one and nothing to cling to. I floated in a void, these sinister snippets of time the only thing keeping me company.

  The howl of the elderly woman in the alley and the smell of her blood stained my thoughts. The chaos after the bomb exploded and the satisfied smile on his face curdled my stomach. Burning flesh, crying victims, the wailing kitten…

  I shot off the mattress and grabbed my head, pleading for the snapshots of torment to go away. They didn’t belong to me. I shouldn’t have them. I didn’t want to see them anymore.

  “Lena.” Jayson tugged my hands from my face. “What is it?”

  “I don’t want these memories inside me.” My voice cracked. “Th
ey make me feel disgusting and sick. I hate them.”

  He cradled my face, his thumbs brushing tears from my cheeks I hadn’t realized were falling. “Tell me what to do. I’ll do anything to take this away from you.”

  “I don’t want to be alone,” I choked out.

  “You’re not alone. I’ll stay with you.” He pulled me closer, the warmth from his body trying to chase away the chill coating mine. “I’ll do anything you want.” He pressed a gentle kiss to my lips.

  That was what I needed. He was what I needed.

  “Kiss me again.”

  Jayson complied, slowly caressing my lips. “Anything, Lena.”

  My fingers dug into his shoulders as I rose on my toes to meet him. “It’ll take it all away.” I kissed him harder, my movements frantic. “Just be with me right now.”

  Jayson didn’t need any more coaxing. He knew what was beginning to swell within my core, the only thing strong enough to burn the toxic memories away.

  His fingers tangled in my hair as he tilted my head, deepening the kiss. His tongue slipped over mine as he explored and tasted me. The last time we gave in to our urges, it was for comfort and safety.

  This was that search for a connection—a physical one.

  I needed him to anchor me, to keep me in this world and not in the dark shadows growing in my mind.

  Jayson laid me back on my bed and kicked his shoes off before climbing over me. “I’m here for you, Angel Eyes.”

  His rough whisper made me shiver. “Keep me with you.”

  His lips molded to mine, slowly devouring my mouth. His body lowered, pressing me into the mattress.

  A ragged breath slipped out. He was hard where I was soft. He was heavy but perfect.

  Jayson pulled away and began trailing hot kisses down my neck. “You’re not going anywhere.” He nibbled on my ear. “Not unless I’m with you.”

  His words comforted my soul while his tongue tortured my body. I arched into him, my pulse racing. Embers smoldered low in my belly, the beginnings of a fire that would consume me whole.

  I pushed his shirt up. Jayson broke away to yank the material off, tossing it on the floor. Tan skin stretched over his muscled torso.

  Holy Snickers. He was magnificent. How could anyone mistake this guy for human? He was barely even half.

  My fingers dug into his back as he continued to tease me. “Jayson.” His name spilled from my lips. I couldn’t help it.

  “I’m right here.” His hand slipped beneath my shirt.

  I was hot. Feverish.

  “Take it off,” I breathed against his neck. He did say all I had to do was tell him what I needed…

  Air licked at my bare stomach as the shirt was lifted off. His molten gold eyes slowly traced my body. I could have caught fire from just that look.

  “You are beautiful, Lena Raven.” His rough, husky voice curled my toes. “I can’t escape you. I don’t want to. You’re everywhere I turn.” He lowered to my mouth again, nibbling on my bottom lip. “Your sugar and spice scent haunts my room, my bed, even my dreams.”

  My stomach flip-flopped. Did he have any idea it was the same for me?

  Jayson’s tongue slid into my mouth, tangling with mine. I melted beneath him. His touch was fire. He was too wicked to be half an angel. The things he did to my body were pure sin.

  My leg hitched and wrapped around his waist, locking him against me. A growl rumbled in the back of his throat, and his temperature rose a couple degrees. His kiss turned desperate—like he couldn’t get enough.

  “Lena,” he whispered. “I’m going to fall off the deep end.”

  I licked my lips, brushing my tongue across his. “Bring me with you.”

  His nostrils flared. Something cracked inside of him. His walls crumbled. I gasped as his desire flooded over me.

  It was relentless and unyielding. Never ending.

  Jayson slipped lower, his mouth sucking and licking a trail down my chest. “Damn it, Angel Eyes.” His hot breath teased my stomach. “You weren’t supposed to get past that wall.”

  So he knew his emotions were unguarded.

  A wicked smile twisted my lips. “I do a lot of things I’m not supposed to.” My fingers tangled in his hair as he kissed a path across my ribs.

  Jayson cursed and moved back up my body. His chest heaved, pressing into mine with each ragged breath. Longing spilled through him, weaving with my own. “Lena.” His thumb ran across my bottom lip.

  I licked it, and he shivered.

  This started out as a means to wash the bad memories away. But it had turned into something much more.

  His chameleon eyes bored into mine, stroking the fires inside to dangerous levels. “How far are we taking this?”

  “Don’t stop.” My heart thundered frantically, but my words were steady. I meant them.

  He swallowed thickly. “Just tell me when.”

  I nodded, but any thought of stopping didn’t exist in my mind.

  Jayson’s mouth descended, kissing me like the world was ending, and all we had left was this moment. His hand slipped between us, finding the button on my jeans. He paused, waiting for me to protest.

  I wouldn’t.

  He flicked the button open, his warm, calloused fingers sliding over my skin. My breath shook—not out of fear, but anticipation. Jayson nipped at my bottom lip. “Angel Eyes, I promise I’ll take care of you. Always.”

  My hands dug into his shoulder blades. Flames surrounded me. I kept Jayson at arm's length with my snark and sarcasm. That had all been tossed into the wind the moment he laid me back on my bed. He might break my heart, shattering it into a million pieces. But right now, I didn’t care.

  He set my body ablaze. And I wanted to burn.

  Jayson's fingers curled in the waist of my pants, and he began tugging them down. I lifted to make it easier, my hips rolling against his.

  We both groaned from the sharp, electric sensations sparking between us.

  And then my bedroom door swung open.

  “Lena, are you h—” My dad froze inside the doorway.

  Chapter 21

  “Dad!” I screeched, pushing Jayson in the chest as he rolled off. He wasn’t prepared and gracelessly fell from the bed with a hard thump. I scrambled to the side, clutching a pillow to my chest. “Are you okay?”

  He just laid there, staring up at the ceiling with a tight expression.

  Several curses tumbled from my dad before he could form an actual sentence. “Both of you get dressed and come downstairs.” His back was toward us as he shook his head. “We need to talk. Now.” He closed the door and stomped away.

  I slumped on my bed, my face ten thousand shades of red. Oh. My. Gawd. My dad caught me in the middle of some serious making out. And things had been on the verge of getting R-rated.

  “Why didn’t you hear him?” I glared over the side of the bed where Jayson still laid on the floor. “You have supernatural hearing!”

  His eyes slowly shifted toward me, narrowing. “I was a little preoccupied.”

  Images of what we’d been doing soared to the surface. My mouth turned dry. If we hadn’t been interrupted, how far would we have gone?

  “Angel Eyes, if you don’t stop thinking about it, I’m not going to be able to get up.” His breathing was ragged again, his bare chest heaving.

  Shitzu. “Sorry,” I mumbled, trying to shut the steamy memories off.

  Jayson finally crawled from the floor and sat on the edge of the bed, his cheeks flushed. “Are you okay?”

  “My dad walked in on us while you were this close to taking my jeans off.” I held my thumb and forefinger together. “I’m two seconds from dying of embarrassment.”

  “Why didn’t you lock the door?” he asked, grabbing his shirt.

  I wanted to slap him. “Why didn’t you hear him?”

  Jayson covered his glorious torso. “I was busy, remember?” He plucked my shirt from the floor, tossing it to me. “I was giving my girlfriend my undivided attenti
on.”

  My stupid heart fluttered. That was the second time he called me his girlfriend. I wanted to fall back on my bed and swoon. Instead, I yanked the shirt on and scrambled off the mattress. “I never agreed to be your girlfriend, caveman.”

  A sexy smirk curled his lips. “You’re so adorable when you’re in denial.”

  I shook my head and opened the door, Jayson hot on my heels. Honestly, I couldn’t think of anything else to say. My attention strayed to the man waiting on us downstairs. I could only imagine how the conversation would unfold. James Raven had never even witnessed my lips touching a guy’s.

  Jayson and I had been doing much worse than kissing.

  I started down the stairs, my pulse jumping wildly. My dad stood in the living room, his arms crossed against his chest and his face blank. Oh, gawd. This was a nightmare.

  My foot missed the next step, and I started careening toward the ground.

  Strong arms caught me, yanking me to a hard body. Jayson grumbled a few curses in my ear. “I’m going to buy you some armor and a helmet.” I struggled in his arms, but he carried me the rest of the way, my feet dangling in the air.

  Once he let me down, I shot him a narrowed glare. “I can walk on my own.”

  My dad’s brow arched, watching our exchange. He cleared his throat. “Lena, Jayson, have a seat.” He motioned toward the couch.

  We sat with several inches of space between us. My body longed to be right next to Jayson, especially after the night I had. At least it didn’t feel like screws were being driven into my head anymore. A dull throb still echoed in the back of my skull, but it was manageable. And the only horrific image playing through my head was my dad’s shocked expression when he opened my bedroom door.

  The suddenly intimidating man walked around the couch and loomed in front of the fireplace. “This is a conversation I was hoping to avoid in my lifetime,” he muttered.

  Jayson cleared his throat. “Sir, I’d never—”

  My dad lifted his hand, cutting him off. “I just want to know one thing, son.”

  He sat forward, his arms resting on his thighs. “Yes, sir?”

  My dad’s butterscotch eyes seared into Jayson. “Are you prepared to marry my daughter?”