Azazel Dawn Mc Clure

Chapter One

Azazel focused on Lucifer and shut out the screams of the tortured. It was just like Luc to arrange a meeting in Hell. The term “Godforsaken place” took on its original meaning here. There was no light, save for the orange glow of the fire that only intensified the shadows.

“We have a situation.”

Luc’s militant façade was as annoying as the smoke that filled Azazel’s nostrils, which caused him to sneeze whenever he was in the pit. Luc seemed unfazed by the putrid stench of those that died over and over in the inferno. Breaking his own promise to keep his eyes averted, Azazel glanced at the eternal fire.

When a soul went to the pit they didn’t go in their bodily form. It was their spirit that couldn’t escape, as though the flames held a gravity of their own. If bodies had been condemned to the pit the torture would be over before their toe hit the first flame. In spirit form they were screwed. Nowhere to go, no way to escape.

Luc faced the Lake of Fire. “Approximately seventy or more souls joined together and escaped the pit, so you can take that thought and shove it up your ass. The impossible has become possible.”

Azazel quickly masked his thoughts. He hated when Luc used his mind-reading power on him. “Where did they go?”

Luc pulled his wife-beater over his head and tossed it in the flames, revealing a myriad of tattoos on his chest and back. He had a sleeve of tattoos on his right arm that curled up to his collarbone. Crosses and angels, of all things. “To the human realm. Where else? They left as a group, sharing their powers, so I doubt they will separate.”

Azazel sneezed then sniffed, bringing more of the smoke into his lungs. “I’m to send them back to the pit?”

Luc materialized a black suit on his body. “Yes. Track the bastards down and fling their asses back to me. Their thoughts linger on gaining a body and using that person to acquire a following. That I will not allow.”

“Did you ascertain where they were headed?”

Luc turned to him with a smile. “They are searching for a human with special abilities. Psychics, telepaths or empaths seem to be their target. I’d start looking in L.A. or New York. That seems to be where most of the quacks are living. I’d leave Kentucky off your list, if that’s what you’re asking.”

No, that hadn’t been what he was asking, but it would have to do. Using Luc’s own obsession of Tom Clancy novels, Azazel brought his hand up in a salute, emulating Luc’s favorite character, Jack Ryan. “I’ll report back as soon as I hear anything.”

Luc’s mouth tilted up in a lopsided grin. “Don’t trash Clancy. He’s a damn good writer. And don’t report to me until you’ve completed your mission. If I want an update I’ll pop in.” He patted the lapels of his suit. “How do I look?”

Azazel noted the red glint in his eyes, which matched the tie and the smirk on his face. Knowing the sardonic humor would be appreciated, he couldn’t let this opportunity pass.

“Absolutely devilish.”

~ * ~

“I’ll break your back like a dry twig in autumn.” Alexia kept her look blasé and her stance relaxed as she gripped her sword in her right hand. She let her fangs show, knowing the demon in the front of the pack would realize she yearned for his sweet, delicious blood. It was no secret that vampires craved the blood of demons. Their blood was so much better than humans. Richer. Thicker.

In an alley just out of reach of the city lights, she would have to kill quickly, so taking blood was out of the question. Pity. Any human could come tumbling down this alley. She couldn’t risk getting caught while playing with her food.

Two of the vampires eased back, putting more distance between them and her blade. The leader remained where he was, casting a look of distaste in her direction.

So he found her capacity as a female fighter lacking? He was in for quite a surprise.

His gaze traveled over her body. Her low-rise jeans and white tank hugged every muscle on her petite frame. She didn’t like to be hindered by loose-fitting clothing while she was in the hunt-and-kill mode. Besides, the woman in her appreciated the approving glances of the men she fought—no matter what creature they happened to be.

Hours of fighting and working out ensured she had less than eight percent body fat. There wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t break a sweat.

The demon’s gaze finally settled on her face. “Your reputation is impressive.”

She kept her focus trained on him, staying alert to any movement he may make, unwilling to let petty words distract her. The shit-talking during a fight was her favorite game, and she now had a worthy opponent to play with her. According to the information given to her by the Alliance, Belial was a demon from the first fall—her favorite type.

The demons who fell with Lucifer were selfish, ignorant bastards who were focused on their own powers. Always looking for ways to usurp their Creator. As if that was ever going to happen.

Ambrose, her boss and leader of the Alliance, had given her the order to take out this demon and his pack of vamp followers. Belial came with an impressive folder that contained a massive list of the humans he had killed.

The bastard was going down.

“That’s a very big sword you have. Do you know how to use it, or is it merely for show?”

His face remained impassive. He hadn’t moved and he gave no indication of fear.

Impressive.

It had been a long time since she had met anyone equal to her speed and strength. Ambrose, a fallen angel and the first vampire in history, was above her skill level, but he was married. Quite unfortunate, that. He was unrivaled, and gorgeous beyond compare.

As was she, in both departments. Vanity did not rule her, but she knew what her looks could get her. A fighter was always conscious of their weapons and their skill, and she considered her beauty to be a weapon of grave importance.

Ambrose created the Alliance in the thirteenth century when it became obvious that some vampires lost something in transition. That something being intelligence, morals or any sense of humanity. Then there were those vampires who believed killing humans was a rite of passage. The Alliance’s assassins were trained to stop such vampires.

Being a part of the Alliance was her sole priority and her only love. The organization was made up of vampires, the very elite of their species. They kept the vampire community in line, and she was one of their top assassins.

Alexia had put in her application for the Alliance the day she was first able to walk in sunlight, which was their only stipulation for getting hired. Skills could be learned, but being a daywalker was integral to the job. That was over seven hundred years ago. She’d been kicking ass ever since.

Men from every race, every continent and every skill level had tried to bring her down. Her first confrontation had been with swords, her personal favorite. Eventually she had a run-in with bows. Next had come the firearms and grenades. Shotguns, high-powered rifles and AK47s had been used against her lithe frame for years. Hell, she’d been targeted with a surface-to-air missile once.

All had failed.

She prayed Belial would take her down with brute strength. God, how she wanted it. She would never admit to anyone the way she wished to be defeated on the battlefield. It had been so long since a man had overcome her. Hundreds of years.

Please, Belial. I can’t date a man I can throw around. I need a challenge.

And Lord Almighty, he looked like one. His black hair was long, slicked back to show his angular jawline and piercing green eyes. His body was perfection, and since he wore no shirt with his low-rise jeans she could feast her eyes on every inch of his toned chest. She’d caught him offering up a pretty brunette to his vampires. Apparently the vamps had wanted her blood, and Belial had wanted her body.

One of his men dropped his sword and ran, his boots pounding against the wet pavement and echoing in the alley.

Coward.

That left only one vamp standing behind Belial.

He made no move. He was using her tactic. She always waited for her opponent to make the first move, because it was usually done in anger. Sloppy and ineffective. She loathed making the first move.

The last follower dropped his weapon and ran.

What the fuck? She hadn’t done anything yet. She didn’t even have her kick-ass-and-take-names face on. She was merely waiting. Contemplating what route she should take.

Come on, Belial. Don’t chicken out. Kick my ass. Make me cry.

As if sensing her thoughts, he lunged, plunging his sword in the direction of her abdomen. It was a terrible first move, and one easily blocked. Child’s play.

“Scared, pretty Belial? Are you going to run away like your pathetic men?”

Anger swallowed his eyes, leaving them mere slits. He growled, swinging his sword in a straight line in front of her face. She only backed up. She couldn’t believe Belial had once been a mighty Warrior Angel. Impossible.

“What are you doing, Bepup? You look like you work out, but you fight like a neutered puppy. All dick and no—”

He sprang forward, trying to take her head from her shoulders with his next blow. She was forced to lean back and fall into a back flip to regain her balance, which she did with ease. “—balls.”

She let him come at her a few more times, growing bored with his inexperience. Belial was going to end up like all the other rejects she fought.

Dead.

He was strong, she’d give him that. As their swords met in a frenzy of dancing steel, her arm stung from the force he was using. What he had in strength he lacked in tactic.

She wasted no more time on his piss-poor fighting skills, and quickly backed him up against a wall, her sword a whisper in the air as she sliced a shallow line across his chest, a warning of what would come.

Within seconds he dropped his sword and held up his hands. His eyes widened in panic. There it was, just another male she had defeated.

Damn, she hated when they did that. Where were the warriors of old? Those who fought to the death as if unafraid of what awaited them in the other realm. “Pick up your sword.”

“I’ll swear off humans. I will not kill for pleasure.”

Yeah, right. She’d heard that one before. “Pick up your weapon and die like a man,” she growled.

He vigorously shook his head. As seconds stretched on he began to look calmer. The fool thought she wouldn’t kill him if he had no weapon.

He’d made a fatal mistake.

In one fluid movement she stepped back and swung her sword in a familiar arch. His head fell away from his body, making a dull, hollow sound as it bounced off the concrete. The headless corpse crumbled to the ground in a twisted heap.

What a pathetic piece of flesh.

It was times like these she wished vampires and demons did combust into ash, as the lore suggested. It would make the cleanup easier. Instead, their bodies decayed as slowly as a human’s, though a demon’s soul went straight to the pit.

See ya, wouldn’t want to be ya, asshole.

She unclipped her cell from her belt and called Al. He cleaned up the bodies in this part of Los Angeles.

“Where at?” he answered, already aware of what the call was for.

“Fifth and E. Just one.”

“Just one?” He sighed. “You’re slacking off.”

She shook her head even though he couldn’t see her, and surveyed her surroundings. The alley was damp and dark, a storm having just passed through.

All of the other pricks had run off. She didn’t feel like giving chase, but knew she had no other choice. She had to complete her assignment and then report back to Ambrose. “They ran.”

“Yeah, I can see why. Staring at your five-foot-four frame and your blonde highlighted hair would freak me out too.”

“Keep talking smack, old man.”

He laughed, dismissing her threat. “You know you love me.”

“Like the flu on Christmas morning.”

She shut her cell and clipped it back on her belt. Now she would have to search for those pathetic excuses for vampires. Sure, they could terrorize humans, but when it came to playing with someone who contained their own powers they turned and fled.

With a frustrated sigh she walked in the direction they disappeared to. She’d have to use her senses to pick up their scent; the scent of a little vampire going wee, wee, wee, all the way in his pants.

As she made her way out of the alley she stopped and turned to her right, picking up a different scent. This one belonged to a demon, not a vampire.

Demons were so much more fun to kill than vampires, the exception being Belial. Normally they gave one hell of a fight.

If it was a demon from the second fall, the fall led by Asmodeus, she might stop and throw a beer back with him. Those demons weren’t so bad, and in fact they helped kill off the Nephilim, nasty creatures even she tried to avoid.

Right before The Flood, Asmodeus and two hundred of his brother angels fell because they wanted to experience what the humans had been given. They were called Holy Watchers in Heaven, and their sole job was to watch over the humans, who were being terrorized by Lucifer’s demons.

Instead of protecting them, they tried to become them. In doing so they were called by a new name. Rebel Watchers. When they mated with the humans a race of Nephilim were born, which resulted in the purifying Flood.

Nowadays those demons fit in with the population, and they were decent enough. But Lucifer’s demons were still a problem.

If he turned out to be one of Lucifer’s demons she would have to take him out.

Ambrose didn’t agree with any killing she did off the clock, but what was right and fair would remain so, whether she had paperwork on the demon or not. Demons from the first fall were centered on power. They had refused to play second fiddle to a bunch of humans, thinking they were superior.

The demons that had fallen with Asmodeus in the Second Angelic Revolt had fallen out of pure lust. She could totally understand that reasoning. Hell, she wanted to get her ass handed to her during a fight just so she could lay a guy. She was pathetic.

Demon or vampire. She had to make a decision. Chase after vampire scum who ran from the sight of a petite female, or track down a demonic ass-kicking that would hopefully shed some excitement on her rather boring night.

She turned down the alley, following the scent of the demon—spicy, dangerous and highly turbulent. They exuded an aura unlike any other creature, and no wonder. They had been God’s first creation. They were his messengers of love and wrath. Angels of death and destruction. They had no problem getting a job done, and would take any measures necessary to get the job done right.

Still, with all of those impressive attributes, one would think she would have a hard time taking one down. Not so. If she had ever come across a demon who could give her a serious run for her money, she’d still be chained to his bed playing victim.

Which begged the question; why were her fantasies so wrapped around her being helpless and fragile? She was anything but those things. Why did she want to feel dominated?

She stalked down another alley, this one littered with trash and the homeless who sat against the walls of the buildings. The demon was nowhere to be seen. She kept her gaze averted as she passed the hungry. The desperation she read in their eyes would pull her out of her hunt-and-kill mode. She needed to stay alert.

At the end of the alleyway she turned to the left, catching another whiff of the demon. She was close enough now to smell a hint of cologne. The musky scent settled over her body like a cloak. A reminder of what could be.

What would it be like to bury her face into a man’s neck as he wrapped his arms around her and held her through the night? To feel his solid, masculine form against her equally solid, yet shapely form? Skin to skin.

That thought ruined her fantasy. She needed to start eating a little junk food here and there. She had nothing for a man to grab on—

An arm dropped out of nowhere, hooked around her neck and flipped her to the ground. Her head thwacked against the cement as she landed flat on her back.

Son of a bitch.

Had she not been a vampire that move would have killed her. So deep in her fantasy, she had let her guard down. She cursed her lack of concentration. She needed to get laid something fierce.

Before she could spring up, a boot came down on the tender flesh of her neck. A rather large, black military boot that connected to faded denim jeans and a black T-shirt. The demon’s hair was short, messy and…highlighted? Damn. The one guy who literally got her on her back was gay. Just her luck.

Pissed beyond belief that she had been bested by a Ricky Martin look-alike, she grabbed her concealed dagger from the inside of her leather boot and buried it in his calf muscle.

He grunted in pain and she was out of his hold. She sprang to her feet. He’d ignored the first rule in fighting; always believe the enemy has a weapon. Concealed weapons were her forte. Anyone who had heard of Alexia knew she was a chameleon when it came to hidden daggers.

“I suppose I deserve that.” He pulled the dagger from his leg with an ease that amazed her, and held onto her weapon with blood running down his hand.

“Is there something I can help you with?” she asked sweetly. “Like where to stow that sword strapped to your waist?”

He smiled, unfazed by her remark. This might turn out to be fun.

“If your suggestion concerns any part of my derrière I would be saying no, thank you. I like the sword right where it is.”

Smart. Quick. And he’d gotten one over on her. Not bad. He wasn’t hard to look at, either. Though not generally her type, he had appealing attributes. His light green eyes and black hair made him look like every other run-of-the-mill demon. Except for the blond tips in his hair.

“Too bad, Ricky. You’ve forced me to mend my tattered reputation.” She kept her stance easy, not allowing her foe to see she was ready to strike.

“Ricky?”

“Yeah, you remind me of a badly dressed Ricky Martin. All tousled up and nowhere to go but down.”

He winced. “Ouch. That’s insulting.”

She smiled. Time to hit him under his macho belt. “Don’t worry. Batting for the other team is en vogue now. Highly accepted. I’m sure all your demonic pals know. Right?”

His face darkened. Her tactic was working.

He braced his legs apart, his thigh muscles bunching under the denim, anticipating any move she might make. “I’d have to say your words leave me no choice but to turn you over my knee and give you a walloping of biblical proportions, though I wouldn’t want to ruin your fantasy as to my personal tastes.”

Her stomach twisted into a knot at the erotic image his words brought to mind. Her core muscles tightened. Too bad he was gay. “Sounds like horrendous torture. Arousal by the Queen of Mean.” She tried keeping the smirk off her face. “Please don’t hurt me, Ricky, I’m begging.”

Was she flirting with him? Of course she was. She always flirted with those of the soon-to-be departed. For some reason this felt like more. He was trading her insult for insult, proving he contained a warped sense of humor.

“If you were serious about getting out of such torture, you would be on your knees with—”

Out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of a shadow as it leapt from the wall. It spun about her, causing her hair to blow around her face. Before she could raise her sword against the offending anomaly it was gone.

And so was Ricky.

The first male who had turned her on in over two hundred years.

Chapter Two

“Should you be drinking on the job, Lexie?”

Alexia refused to contemplate why Bael, an ancient demon, was currently working as a bartender in a run-down club in Los Angeles. Some things were better left unanswered.

Alexia eyed Bael as she let the contents of her shot glass slide down her throat. Tequila always calmed her after a fight. It had taken her two damned hours to find those other two vamps, who had given no fight whatsoever. A purring kitten would have caused her more trouble.

She set the glass on the bar. “I don’t leave the city until tomorrow. My work here is finished.”

“So it’ll be another fifty or so years until we meet again?”

Bael had been trying to get her in bed for centuries. Having first met him in Prague in the late seventeenth century, he’d posed her no threat. Pity, that. He wasn’t bad for a demon. Apparently, from what Jade had told her, he wasn’t bad in the sack either.

Her cell rang, preventing her from a good comeback. She picked it up from the bar and looked at the ID. Think of the devil and she shall appear. She flipped her cell open. “Hey, Jade, any good fights lately?”

“Tell her I said hi,” Bael whispered with a wink.

She rolled her eyes. “Bring me another.”

Jade sounded tired. “Nothing. The vamp I was sent in for dropped his weapon and tried to run. I didn’t even bother chasing him, I just threw a grenade. You know the rest.”

She sure did. “Pop goes the weasel.”

Jade laughed. “Pretty much. You?”

“Same here.”

Alexia didn’t mention the second demon she’d run into. What was the point? She didn’t feel like having a long, drawn-out conversation about her obvious lack of sexual appetite. Jade was one of two friends she had. Kelsey, another assassin in the Alliance, teamed up with Jade on numerous occasions to bug the shit out of her about her love life. Of course, she had no love life.

The three had become tight throughout the years, training together, going on missions together. She’d do anything for either of them—she just wished they’d leave her the hell alone about men.

“Just calling to make sure everything is all right.”

Alexia inclined her head to Bael when he put her third shot on the counter. “When is it ever not?”

Jade sighed. “You’re getting too complacent. Don’t let your guard down.”

“What I’m getting is bored.” And that was the truth. She loved the thrill of the hunt, the adrenaline pumping through her veins as she faced a worthy opponent. The rush it brought when she took a trained fighter down. Lately she felt nothing.

“Such is the life of an immortal.”

Alexia sipped her tequila, savoring the taste before putting the glass down. Ambrose had always been adamant about reading the great philosophers. Socrates, Descartes. Definitely not her cup of tea. She hadn’t thought Jade would be into them, either. “Don’t tell me you’re reading those old, dusty philosophy books Ambrose keeps dishing out.”

“You should read one. They’re interesting.”

“No thanks.”

“Okay, I’ll meet up with you next week. I hear Ambrose is putting the two of us together for a band of vampires wreaking havoc in Arkansas.”

Ohh, exciting. Cows and fangs. “Sounds special.”

“Well, I can tell you’re in a pissy mood, so I’ll talk to you later. Stay tough.”

“You too.”

Alexia clipped her cell to her belt, finished the last of the tequila and slid off her barstool. Going back to an empty hotel room held no appeal. The fight hadn’t been properly worked out of her system yet.

She left a twenty on the counter and headed out of the pub. The cool night air felt good against her skin. The smoky pub hadn’t calmed her as she had thought it would.

Her hotel was only a few blocks away, so she walked in that direction. Her conversation with Jade had her thinking too much. So what if she was becoming complacent? It wasn’t as though it took any skill to do the jobs she was given. Back in the day a fighter had honor, and they wore it as a shield. Rarely did a vampire run away from a fight. Now that’s all they did.

Back in the Highlands of Scotland, where the Alliance’s headquarters were based, quarterly training took place for all assassins. They were updated on new weapons and fighting tactics. Every three months she met up with Jade and Kelsey to learn the new techniques, only to return to the field disappointed. Sven, a former Viking and Ambrose’s right-hand vampire, headed up the training. Sven was a cross between a surfer dude and a ninja. Insanely funny. And just plain insane. He worked their asses off, to the point of injuring them every now and then.

Cuts, bruises and broken bones she could handle. But what killed her was boredom. Especially when she was on a mission alone, which was usually the case.

A light breeze whispered against her neck. She stopped and looked behind her. The air was quiet and heavy. Someone was watching her.

“Leaving so soon?”

She whirled around and came face-to-face with Ricky. Her vision danced for a second or two, due to the tequila and the fact her heart began beating triple-time.

“I thought you might want this back.”

Alexia slowly looked down at his extended hand, and for once she was at a loss as to what to do next.

He was holding her dagger out to her.

Her senses on full alert, suspicion humming along her spine, she took the dagger and slipped it into the sheath latched to her belt. Her body tensed as she waited for his next move.

He leaned forward, his light green eyes slightly illuminated in the darkness. “Do you know what surrounded you back in the alley?”

Lust? She bit her tongue. Forcing her shoulders to fall, she took a deep breath. The night was just getting interesting. “I’ve never run into a roaming shadow before, so no. I have no idea.”

His eyes sparked red, showing his aggravation. “A patch of demons in spirit form. They seemed to know you.”

“As in Legion?” Legion was a well-known group of demonic spirits from the New Testament. They’d been a pathetic bunch of pussies who had no idea how to cause true havoc. They had possessed an old man. Big whoop.

“As in I don’t know their name. But they seemed highly interested in you.”

Alexia had enemies? Noooo. “So what?”

“So you’re going to be flippant about a spiritual group of demons who want to enter your body and possess you?”

His deadpan tone struck a nerve. “I’d finally get the fight I want,” she mumbled.

“That’s a fight you won’t win. If I hadn’t been there when they attacked you, you wouldn’t be having this, or any other conversation right now.”

She fought the urge to laugh in his incredibly handsome, though arrogant face. “Are you trying to tell me you rescued me?” Of all the cockamamie bullshit she’d heard throughout her years that had to be the highest on the list.

“You sure are full of yourself, aren’t you, little one?”

Little one? “Are you through insulting me?”

“No, I don’t think that I am.”

That did it. “Do you have any idea who I am? I’m one of Ambrose’s finest assassins. I’ve killed more vampires and demons than you can fathom, and I sure as hell aren’t frightened by shadows in the night. Now move aside, asshole.” She pushed past him, belatedly realizing she had made two grave errors—never let a possible threat make you lose your head, and never, never turn your back on a potential enemy.

Within the space of a heartbeat she was slammed against an ivy-covered wooden fence. Heavy, cold steel pressed against her throat, along with the hard body of the demon.

It was the most invigorating feeling she’d had in centuries.

He was so close she could see the gold speckles in his eyes. “I don’t know why Ambrose has hired little girls to join the Alliance, and I don’t really care. I had thought to warn you about the threat to your life, but in hindsight, I realize you are too stupid to realize a threat when one is posed to you. Have a good night.”

He let go of her throat and stalked down the street, leaving her to gasp for breath. Holy mother of God, that was twice in one night he had bested her.

She leaned down and put her hands on her thighs in an attempt to catch her breath and control the rapid beating of her heart. Jade was right. She had become complacent. She would get herself killed if she didn’t resort to her old ways, keeping one eye open and dagger at ready.

No. This ended tonight. She couldn’t have this defeat riding on her conscience.

She straightened and called out, “This little girl isn’t finished. Do you want to see why Ambrose hired me? I believe you need a lesson on how to treat a lady.”

He stopped about fifty yards away, turning slowly to face her. A shadow in the night, his silhouette spoke of brute strength, which would only aid the power he possessed. His eyes shone light yellow against the darkness of the street, a sure sign he was pissed.

Christ, had she made a mistake? She wasn’t under contract to do shit to this demon, yet she’d made her final blunder of the evening, starting a fight when there was no fight to be had.

“Haven’t you suffered enough humiliation for one night?”

She unlatched her sheath from her belt, drawing her dagger out and casting the sheath to the ground. A tingling sensation in her eyes informed her they were turning white, signaling she was in a highly emotional state.

She had wanted a worthy opponent, and her wish had been granted. She wasn’t about to back down. One of Sven’s silly quotes popped into her head. Don’t write checks your sword can’t cash. “Apparently not.”

He materialized a massive sword in his hand, forgoing the smaller weapon strapped to his belt, and disappeared behind two buildings.

Straightening her shoulders, she followed, Ambrose’s words tumbling through her mind. Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.

Damn, could the voices in her head shut the hell up? She had a lesson to teach.

As she got closer to where the demon had disappeared she found a snag in her plan to get laid by the man who could best her.

She’d be dead. Decapitated.

Life was so unfair.

She pushed all thoughts aside and focused her senses on the entity waiting for her at the end of the alley. When she came to the opening she saw no one.

So he was playing demonic hide and go seek? Fine with her. It wouldn’t be the first time she had played the game.

Standing stock-still, she closed her eyes and focused on changes in the wind. The scent of her prey. Any other untrained dolt would be turning in circles by now, trying to see their adversary. She’d been taught better. Sven had trained her how to fight demons. They could meld with the elements, transform from one area to another and pop up anywhere. Looking for them would accomplish nothing.

She felt the air on her right side stir, and she struck out with her dagger. Ricky the Demon went stumbling back. She didn’t give him the chance to recover from her blow as she attacked him again. He blocked her swing with one of his own. His heavier sword met her dagger, sending her weapon flying.

He sprang from the brick wall, slashing the air just in front of her abdomen. Knowing he could have connected, she made a mental note that this fight was for the showing of skill only. Taking that into account, she did something she wouldn’t normally do; she plowed into him weaponless, sending him crashing back into the wall. She grabbed his wrist holding the sword and kneed him in the groin. Instead of hearing his intake of breath, his laughter filled her ears.

Her knee must have made contact with his thigh.

He headbutted her, and she went with the blow, rolling out of his grasp and onto the concrete. She made a mad dash for her dagger, but he appeared before her, using powers she didn’t possess.

“Not bad for a little girl.”

She slowly bent down and retrieved her other dagger strapped to her boot. She kept eye contact with him as she straightened. She was aware he had restrained from fatally wounding her. Aware that he was the more skilled in this fight. That thought alone held her attention and wouldn’t let go.

“What do you think you’re doing, little one?”

There were things this man could teach her. And fighting was only one of them. “I think I’m enjoying myself.”

“And people think demons are demented.”

Oh, she liked this demon. “What’s your name?”

He didn’t answer her, and she hadn’t expected him to. Names held power, especially when it came to the name of a demon. With the right spell you could command a demon such as him. It was rare knowledge. The person saying the spell had to use the demonic language—a language she wasn’t exactly fluent in.

“I’m not sure I understand your motives. Until I do, you are dangerous enough for me to remain diligent with. Giving you my name doesn’t seem wise.”

She watched the muscles in his arms flex. Tense and ready. They were fighters. They lived by the sword. They were never any better than their current fight. Tomorrow held no promise, because people such as them knew tomorrow might never come. Living one day at a time wasn’t a choice, but a rule.

“Your fear is duly noted.”

Her demon lost his smirk. “I’m not afraid of you. I could have killed you twice during this fight, and well you know it.”

Of course he could have, but she’d die before she’d admit it. “I don’t think—”

Her body lurched forward, her sight gone. The demon wrapped his arms around her waist, preventing her from falling to the cold concrete. Her dagger clattered to the ground. If this were a real fight she would have tasted death. Instead, throwing her trust in a demon she knew nothing about was her only option, and she did so while going limp in his hands.

“Lexie, I need you.” The voice of her friend and fellow assassin drifted through her mind.

“Damn, Kelsey.” This was the only way Kelsey could communicate with her when she was in trouble, and she always picked the shittiest times to contact her. This could be a major problem, so she remained in her vulnerable state. “What is it?”

Kelsey was a Dreamer, a vampire who contained special powers from their mortal life. She could communicate with people through dreams and that small area between consciousness and sleep, which was why Alexia lay prone in the demon’s arms.

“I’ve been wounded. I can’t keep this connection up for long.”

Alexia had never heard Kelsey in such a panic. “Tell me what it is you need from me.”

“A shadow fell upon me. It held secrets no one else would know about me. I lost my head. I didn’t know how to fight it.”

“She speaks of the demonic pack.”

Alexia tensed in the demon’s arms, unwittingly breaking the connection. How could he hear Kelsey? Could he hear their conversation? “Kelsey, I know what shadow you speak of. Is it still near you?”

Her friend didn’t answer.

“Kelsey!”

“The connection is broken.” The demon’s gravelly voice pulled her from her weakened state.

Regaining the use of her body, she pushed away from the demon. “What is she speaking of? She’s in Paris. How can that shadow possibly have reached her?”

“It’s a pack of spirits, and as such it can roam through this realm freely. I have been sent to apprehend this group. I told you this is no foe you can go up against. You were lucky I was with you when they attacked earlier, or they would have possessed you. I stopped them from doing so.”

“Bullshit. I’ve fought and killed demons before.”

He straightened to his full height, towering over her. “In the physical form. I doubt you have ever gone against a pack of spiritual demons.”

Point taken. “Who do you work for? What is your purpose?” She let her gaze run over his body again, and felt her core stirring in response. To hell with this. She had to call Ambrose and tell him about Kelsey.

“I’m one of Lucifer’s assassins.”

Her hand paused on her cell. Eeeekk. That’s how he’d bested her. Just as the Alliance held the best fighters of the vampire community, Lucifer’s assassins were unrivaled. She’d never had a run-in with one of their ilk, which was obvious because she was still breathing. It was likely he did know what he was talking about.

Begrudgingly, she asked, “So what can I do for my friend?”

“You, little girl, can do nothing. Now that I know the pack is in France, that’s where I’m heading. You can go about your own business.”

And she had the fantasy of being dominated. Served her right to run into a man like him. “I’m going.”

“The hell you are.”

“Interesting choice of words.” She clicked her tongue. “Kelsey is one of my partners. I’m going.”

Instead of answering her, he disappeared. Sonofabitch. If only she had that power. As she jogged back to her hotel room she opened her cell and called the airport to make arrangements to fly to France.

Once there, flight arrangements made, she called Ambrose.

He wasn’t pleased with her decision. In fact, he was livid.

“You will move on to your next mission. I will get my best fighters on this case. You have not been trained for a situation such as this one.”

Her eyes went white when she heard those words. She was one of his best fighters. “I’ve already purchased my plane ticket. I’m going.”

“If you go you will no longer be a part of the Alliance.”

Damn him. He was asking her to pick between the love of her job, the only job she was meant for, or the love of her friend. “Ambrose—”

“That’s an order. You contain no knowledge on how to defeat a spiritual enemy. You will not work this case.”

Ambrose, being a former angel, likely knew what he was talking about. Some called him a demon, though when he was cast out of Heaven he had been transformed into the first vampire to walk the earth. She still wondered what he truly was. A demon or a vampire? Both?

“Then train me as we fight. I admit that I can use a little on-the-job training on this. But I can’t just not go. Kelsey reached out to me.”

“And you made the appropriate call. You have helped her.”

“Don’t do this,” she pleaded. She hated to do it, but she felt backed into a corner. What would she have if she didn’t have the Alliance? Nothing. It was all she knew.

“If you disobey this order, you’re out. Do you understand me, Lexie?”

She held the phone to her ear, her suitcase in her hand as she stared at the door to her room. If she went against Ambrose and left to catch that plane her life was over.

If she didn’t walk out that door Kelsey’s life might be over.

She could only make one decision.

“I do understand.”

“You’re making a wise choice.”

She hoped she was. “It was nice working for you, boss.”

Chapter Three

Azazel crouched atop a cathedral near the Avenue des Champs Élysées, hoping to pick up the scent of Kelsey—a vampire’s aroma mingled with the stench of over seventy demons.

When he had become Luc’s top assassin he was given a very useful power, the ability to hear other’s thoughts. He recalled the conversation between Kelsey and the assassin. In all his years he had never heard of two vampires having a telepathic ability.

The connection the two assassins shared interested him. What form of intimacy must they have to communicate in that way? Vampires didn’t have that power. And why had Kelsey gone to the vampire assassin the moment she had come into trouble? Was she that confident in her friend’s skills, or had she no other friends?

On the dark streets of Paris his senses were assailed with the commoners and the aroma wafting from the food vendors. On the roof of the cathedral he hoped to scent Kelsey far above the stench of the city. It was a miracle he knew where she was located at all. If the vampire assassin hadn’t told him Kelsey was in Paris, he’d still be in Los Angeles with his thumb up his ass.

The spiritual demons had found a body. That they had chosen a vampire with special telepathic abilities didn’t surprise him. They had likely picked up on Kelsey’s powers by seeing it in the assassin’s mind.

Azazel knew they would use that conduit to their best advantage. They could reach hundreds without physically trying. It was ingenious.

His curiosity was peaked as to why the demons went for the vampire assassin before Kelsey. What power did the vampire possess? The pack had not been pleased that he thwarted their attempt at possessing her. Hell, he had thoughts of possessing her. She was fire and ice. Under that kick-ass shell he had sensed a different person, as though she were putting up a front.

Picking up Kelsey’s scent was proving to be difficult. Paris was a popular vampire oasis. He’d been searching for her for days. Even now he could smell vampires as they mixed in with the humans, trash and car emissions.

The scent of vampire was strong. Growing stronger.

Frowning, he turned to look over his shoulder.

Pain shot up his right arm and he slid down the roof of the cathedral, barely gaining a grasp on the edge. He looked up, holding his body weight with the tips of his fingers.

A familiar woman stood above him, looking every bit as sensual and dangerous as the night he had come upon her. Her hair was tied back, her red nails clutching the same dagger she had used to skewer him during their first fight. She balanced herself perfectly on the slanted roof.

“Miss me?” her slight British accent teased.

He growled, swinging himself up and onto the roof, flying above her head. He landed directly behind her.

She spun around to face him. He didn’t give her the chance to thrust the dagger into another part of his body. He snatched it from her hands. To his surprise she didn’t move or flinch.

She was smiling.

Angry at her dismissal of the threat he posed, he snapped at her. “All you will do is slow me down.”

She rolled her eyes. “I notice you haven’t found her yet. I don’t think you could get any slower.”

He could feel his eyes glow red. This bitch was seriously starting to piss him off. “And you? I see you have nothing better to do than track me down. What, is Ambrose through giving your incompetent ass missions?”

Her flippant stance melted into a fighter’s warning. He’d struck a chord.

Given the chance, she would pounce on him, fangs bared. Amazingly, the thought of her fangs piercing his skin aroused him.

“I’m here to find my friend, which you don’t seem capable of doing.”

He’d had enough of their banter. He would never pick up Kelsey’s scent with this woman in his midst. “Well, when you find her I’m sure you’ll have the stomach to kill her, which is the only way to get the flock of demons out of her body.”

She paled. “That’s not true. You can command them out. It was done in biblical times.”

He held his arms out. “If you haven’t noticed, I don’t walk on water, sweetheart.”

For once she didn’t have a comeback. She looked lost. She focused her light blue eyes on the roof and shifted her weight from foot to foot.

Yet another side of her. He had glimpsed this side only briefly during their second encounter. The fear for her friend had been evident then. The concern she was now displaying intrigued him. Though he carried no such feelings for others as she obviously did for Kelsey, he felt her worry as if it were his own.

He found himself doing something he hadn’t done in centuries; he offered comfort. “If there is a way to spare your friend, I will endeavor to find it.”

She looked back up at him, her eyes misting, though no tears fell. She was regaining her tough exterior, fighting for it an inch at a time. He admired her strength. Having built an outer shell himself, he could see that she was struggling with her own defenses. She didn’t want to let go of her authority.

“Thank you.”

Believing those two words were foreign to her, he felt himself soften toward her. They were of the same origin. Born fighters. “You’re welcome.”

She straightened, regaining her composure. “So what do we do first?”

We. He inwardly cringed. He worked alone. Always had. He tried not to think about the schematics and focused instead on the overall job. She could be of help if she quit trying to kill him, begrudging every breath he took. “We locate Kelsey.”

“How do we do that?”

“Slow down.” He turned away from her, senses alert for an impending blow. As a fighter she would see the trust he was trying to establish. If they didn’t trust each other they would never be able to work together, and they would accomplish nothing. He ran his thumb over the worn ivory of her dagger. “Stealth will only get you so far. What do we do when we find her? The only way I know to take this pack of demons out is to kill her.”

Although if the spirits had escaped the pit, who was to say they wouldn’t pull off the impossible again? Would they counteract the pull of the pit? As with Legion, he expected that upon the death of their host they would go back to hell.

She walked up behind him. “Exorcism doesn’t work?”

The hair on the back of his neck stood up. He forced himself to look down at the city surrounding the cathedral. Tiny sparkling lights blinked back at him. She could easily push him off the roof, and powers or no, he didn’t have the ability to fly. That kind of damage to his body would take him weeks to recover. “Have you ever heard of a demon performing an exorcism?”

“No.”

“There you have it.” Unable to trust her at his back any longer, he turned to face her. The glint in her eyes made him believe facing her had been a wise decision. “We’re unable to call upon the forces that enable a person to perform an exorcism. We’re not permitted to pray, because that would anger Luc. And if he found out, well, all hell would break loose on that demon’s ass. Literally.”

Her gaze traveled over his body as if she were sizing him up for another fight. “You afraid of me?”

Hardly. He smiled. “Do you use underhanded tactics?”

“Absolutely.”

He let his gaze wander over her leather-clad body, just as she had done with him. Her tight black shirt fit snuggly over her breasts, and he could vividly imagine the way she had slid her petite frame into those leather pants. If sin had a look, she would be the cover model. She defined the term. “My name is Azazel.”

She barely masked her surprise. Giving her his name could have been a dangerous move, but he had heard her thoughts the night he met her. She didn’t know the demonic language that was needed to command a demon. According to Luc, the one book that contained the spell had been destroyed centuries ago.

She held out her hand. “Alexia.”

He didn’t take it. Having recognized the fighter in her and respected it, he wouldn’t push this trust issue too far. He hadn’t lived this long to be taken out by a sexy vampire assassin.

She lowered her hand, and the edge of her mouth tilted up. She thought he had backed down, and perhaps he had, but standing at the edge of the roof and taking her hand wasn’t something he was willing to risk.

“Let’s go.”

She nodded. “After you.”

Fuck that. “Start moving.”

She glared at him, unwilling to make that first move. He couldn’t blame her. She knew who had the upper hand.

“You’re the one who said you fall back on dirty tactics.”

She raised an eyebrow. “When I’m fighting. I didn’t know you and I were engaged in battle.”

“Always.”

She smiled, straight white teeth and fangs showing. “I concur.”

They were one and the same, he and this woman. If he were in her shoes, he wouldn’t toss his ass headfirst off the roof. Not until he had helped her friend, anyway. He passed her, once again giving the fighter his back. He was getting soft.

Her faint chuckle irritated him.

So it was to be like that? Without warning, he quit walking to the steps leading into the cathedral, turned around and wrapped her in a crushing embrace. Before she could struggle he had materialized them to an alley off the Avenue des Champs Élysées.

He released her and she stumbled to the ground. Vampires and humans became weak and dizzy when teleported to a different place. She would do well to learn not to mistake his consideration for weakness.

She sat on the concrete and cursed. What she was experiencing would make vertigo feel like an afternoon stroll. He dropped her dagger by her side. “You’ll get your bearings in a minute or so.”

She had no comeback. She was likely fighting off nausea.

On the streets once again, he found himself lost in a variety of fragrances, both good and bad. Across the street a café lent its freshly ground coffee scent to the air around him. Coffee didn’t sound so bad right now.

He poked her with his boot. “Coffee?”

She glared up at him, looking a little green.

“Suit yourself.” He left her sprawled on the ground and crossed the street. The café had black iron tables and chairs sitting in front of their establishment. Various tourists and locals lounged at the tables conversing in low tones. Many conversations were cut short as he passed by.

He walked up to the counter and ordered. “Deux cafés, s’il vous plait.”

He paid the woman and stood back to wait as those around him gave him a wide berth. Humans could sense evil, though most registered the evil far too late. By the time the hair on the back of their necks stood on end, or shadows caught in the corners of their eyes, evil was already smiling at them. The girl behind the counter handed him his drinks. He smiled as he took the two coffees. “Merci.”

Alexia looked ten shades of pissed when she joined him at the table. He set her coffee in front of her. “Sugar and cream are inside. And don’t even think about spilling this shit on me.”

“Oh, what are you now, a mind reader?”

He took a sip of the hot, rich liquid. If only she knew.

Alexia had toyed with the idea of pouring the hot coffee in Azazel’s lap, but the second the thought popped in her head the asshole had warned her not to try it. Damn.

Earlier, when she had followed his scent and caught sight of him crouched atop the church, adrenaline had thrummed through her body. Humans wouldn’t have had the ability to see his silhouette wrapped in shadows, but she had. He had exuded a menacing aura, and she had picked up on it instantly.

“So where do we look first? I’ve already combed the alleys of Paris. Any idea where she could be?”

He put his hands around his cup of coffee and leaned forward. “None.”

She was afraid he would say that. She tried to keep her eyes off the bulging muscles in his arms. “So, they have already possessed her?”

“When she spoke of them knowing secrets about her, it was because they were inside of her. Not to sound corny or anything, but time is of the essence right now. We need to find her and we need to find her soon.”

His knowledge of her and Kelsey’s private thoughts unnerved her. No one else had ever been able to hear their conversations while connected in such a manner. It was too bad she was no longer a part of the Alliance. Now she needed Azazel’s help to locate Kelsey. She still couldn’t help but wonder what power he possessed that had enabled him to hear that conversation.

“Then why are we sitting here having coffee?” Although the coffee was heavenly compared to that cheap hotel crap she had been forcing herself to drink. Even now she felt the heavy hand of the sandman. This pack of demons was proving difficult to find.

“This is when we strategize.”

“Now that was corny.”

The skin around his eyes crinkled. He was using his powers to keep his eyes looking normal in the midst of so many humans, but she had been around enough demons to know what their eyes truly looked like. Their pupils were not round like a humans, or vertical like a cats. They were horizontal—much like a goats. It was unsettling.

“First of all, what’s your relationship with Kelsey? Are you lovers?”

Oh, wouldn’t he like that? Of course a man wouldn’t understand a strong bond between women. They just wanted the fantasy of two hot women together—and the pictures. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of writing that possibility off. “What if we are?”

Yep, there was that gleam in his eye. “I’ve no problem with that.”

Of course he wouldn’t. “We’ve known each other for centuries. I first met her in Scotland, in the year 1313. That’s when we started training for the Alliance.”

“Sven train you?”

“You know him?”

The gleam in his eyes quickly faded. “We’ve had a run-in or two.”

That was surprising. Sven was a powerful vampire, but Azazel was one of Lucifer’s assassins. Azazel would have crushed Sven in a fight. “Yeah, he trained us. Ambrose did for a while as well. Jade, Kelsey and I were the first female assassins in the Alliance, so I guess you could say special care was taken with us.”

“Jade?”

“Another assassin. A friend.” Or lover, she wanted to add, just to see what he would say.

He took a sip of coffee, barely hiding his smirk.

So he thought she was a lesbian? Karma was a funny thing. If only he could read minds he would know the truth of the situation. A woman just wouldn’t do it for her. A chick would never have arms as big as Azazel’s…or a six-pack of abs she could wash clothes on. And she so required a dick with a heavy set of balls…

He dribbled coffee down the front of his T-shirt.

“You should fix the hole in your lip.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Very funny.”

“I thought so anyway.”

He was acting peculiar. The smirk on his face had been plastered there too long. “Any more questions?”

He reached across the table and took a napkin out of the dispenser. As he dabbed the stain on his shirt he smiled. What was his damage?

“You ready to start searching then?” he asked.

Not wanting him to see how relieved she was that he was letting her partner up with him, she shrugged. “Sure.”

The streets of Paris were alive with activity. Just nearing eleven at night, chances were they would remain that way for hours. In fact, things were just starting to get busy. As the night progressed so would the frenzy of drunken activity. If she and Azazel wanted to find Kelsey, they had to get away from the throngs of people and the scents.

“Let’s walk to the cemeteries.”

She let him lead the way.

The cemeteries in Paris were eerily beautiful and strangely park-like. When they walked into Montmartre Cemetery a veil of silence settled around them. As the dark confines of death surrounded her, she found herself walking closer to Azazel.

One statue never failed to creep her out more than all the rest. It was a stone statue of a woman, who was frozen with a look of yearning, of sorrow, as she held out her hand. Someone had placed flowers in the statue’s grasp, which made the visage even creepier. It was as though the statue could walk through the cemetery and watch over the dead.

“Do you have a problem with cemeteries?”

She tore her gaze from the statue. “No. Just ancient demons.”

Some areas of the cemetery were so tight they had to walk single file. He made sure she was never at his back. If he only knew she felt safer with his being there, he’d likely have a heart attack. “So why are we here? Will the pack seek out cemeteries for a place to hide?”

“There are many places for the pack to hide in here, but I do not feel their presence within the structures.”

Then why the hell were they there? As she passed by two statues, one on either side of her, a spider web touched her face. She exhaled sharply and swiped at it.

Azazel picked part of the web out of her hair. “The spider’s off you now.”

She suppressed a shudder. God, she hated spiders. “Yeah, thanks.”

“There is another cemetery I would like to check. It’s away from the tourists, so it might yield a better resting place for the pack.”

“Let me guess. You’re going to flash me there.” She stopped and turned to face him, belatedly realizing she had to look up. She came chest to face with him. Being five-four, she was used to craning her neck to look into someone’s face, but this was ridiculous. He must be six-five or taller.

“It’s far from here. That would be the fastest way to get there.” He glanced at his watch. “You wanted to help.”

He would throw that in her face. Instead of replying, she held out her hand for his. His eyes grew intense, becoming lighter in the black shroud of the cemetery. He placed his large hand over hers and she closed her eyes.

When he had first met her, Azazel would have called Alexia rash but determined. Never would he have used the word trusting, yet that was the trait she was showing him tonight. It baffled him, and if he were being honest, pleased him.

He had flashed them into the heart of the Auteuil cemetery. Because it was after hours the cemetery was closed, and a peaceful night had set in. The air was slightly warm, and the breeze all but still.

He waited as she gained her bearings.

Her hair was back in a ponytail, and her shirt fit snuggly over her back as she hunkered down. “Are you feeling better?”

“Give me a minute.”

She sounded sick to her stomach. It was obvious that she would rather die than show him her weakness. He kneeled next to her and rubbed her back. “Take deep breaths.”

“It’s better.” She got up so fast she nearly knocked him down. “Damn, what’s up with all of the spooky cemeteries? Would it kill them to hide in a Chuck E. Cheese’s?”

He frowned. “It would be too crowded in a rest—”

“Dude, it was a joke. Lighten up.”

He smelled a foul odor hanging in the cemetery. Something that spoke of more than just rotting leaves or a deceased animal.

“Um, do I smell a Neph?”

She had just proven his guess accurate. There was a Nephilim in the area. A creature born of a demon and its mate. “Stay close to me.”

“Oh, you don’t have to remind me twice.” She instantly plastered her side to his. “I don’t mess with those things.”

He glanced down at her. The top of her head only came to his shoulders. “And here I thought you were fearless.”

“I am. But if you were to read the small print, it would say, ‘Neph creatures exempt when considering displays of fearlessness.’”

Her light blue eyes were growing lighter by the second, the white invasion nearly complete. That alone let him know that although she was trying to make light of the situation, she really was terrified of Nephs. “Spiders and now Nephs. What next? The boogeyman?”

She grasped his arm, pointed and whispered frantically, “I just saw it!”

He knew where it was. As he started walking toward the creature, she kept up her frantic whispers. “Aren’t you going to materialize your sword?”

“When the time comes.”

She yanked on his arm then looked over her shoulder, as if the creature could materialize behind them, even though he was certain she knew they didn’t have that ability. “Do it now.”

“Alexia—”

“Now!”

Her fear was above and beyond what he would have expected from her. When he saw the terror in her eyes he yielded to her wishes and materialized his sword. The only way to kill a Neph without a possible regeneration was to decapitate it. “Have you had a run-in with a Neph before?”

“No.”

She was lying. She had, but he would not press her about it. Nephs were more animalistic in nature, and they had a sense of survival that was unrivaled in any other species. They alone were the reason he had never touched a human female. He couldn’t imagine siring a being such as that. Nephs were like normal children until they hit puberty, and then came the transition. No one had witnessed a transition, because the child would hide itself, find a protective barrier against them and the world. The instincts of a Neph were highly ingrained.

As they inched closer to its habitat, the more painful her grip on his arm became. “You’re obstructing my sword arm,” he whispered.

“Oh. Sorry.” She instantly let go and squared her shoulders.

A vampire assassin afraid of a Neph. Now this was funny. After he eliminated the Neph he would have to rib her about it. “Stay here.”

She did as asked and he silently made his way to where the creature was sitting. It smelled him and spun to face him, fangs and claws bared. The creature was as tall as he was, naked and snarling like a rabid dog. A hairless rabid dog. Its eyes were blazing red, and the skin that covered its body was thin and taut.

Drool dripped down its chin, hanging off its skin like snot on a cold day.

Azazel brought his sword up. “Aren’t you a pretty one?”

The Neph lunged and swiped at him with its long, jagged claws. He met the hand with his blade and watched the body jerk and pull back as it cradled the stump of arm his sword left.

He raised his sword for the final blow, not thinking that the creature would grab the blade with its other hand. It snatched his sword right out of his grip, blood dripping down its fingers.

He heard Alexia curse. “Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. Do something!”

As if he wasn’t trying.

The fangs. He couldn’t let the creature bite him. Their saliva was deadly, and would render him immobile for a time—just long enough to get him killed. And for some reason he couldn’t picture Alexia rushing to his aid.

The creature slammed him against a statue, and he rolled with the Neph onto the grass. His sword was more than fifteen feet away.

“Sonofabitch, I told him I didn’t like those things. Goddamned demon. Really.”

As he held off the Neph with a hand wrapped around its throat, drool dripping onto his face, he heard something fall near his head. A quick glance to the right told him Alexia had retrieved his weapon and flung it at him. She was perched on the top of a sarcophagus in a strange frog-like position. “Gee, thanks for all the help,” he called out.

Her eyes were pure white, and in her crouched position she seemed more of a creature of the night than the Neph did. An ethereal, dangerous, hot creature of the night. “Stop ogling me and kill it already.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he mumbled, grabbing his sword and using his legs to kick the Nephilim from him.

Then the Neph did something he had never seen before. It ran.

Right in Alexia’s direction.

Alexia froze as the creature bolted in her direction. Though terrified of Nephs, she backflipped off the sarcophagus to face it, just as he caught up to it and brought his sword through its neck for the death blow.

Now that the creature was dead, he was able to get rid of the body with a wave of his hand. He dematerialized his sword as well. “And here I thought you were a seriously kick-ass chick.”

Wisps of hair had come out of her ponytail. Her eyes were dazed and colorless as she paced in front of him. “Oh, now you display some whacked-out sense of humor. Well, screw off. I just don’t like messing with those things.”

He grunted. “That’s obvious.”

“I don’t back down from fights. I just…avoid fights with Nephs if I can.”

“Uh-huh.”

She stomped over to him in a fit of rage. “Well your kind created them, dammit.”

She must have caught a whiff of him because she eased back. He didn’t blame her. He smelled of Neph spittle. “And I never denied that. I was just surprised that you went ape-shit over a Nephilim. All it takes is decapitation and they’re dead. You faced me with no thought of death. Why would facing a Nephilim bother you?”

She didn’t answer him right away, only glared in his general direction. After a few seconds she mumbled, “I lost a fight to one.”

He raised his eyebrows. “If you lost, how did you survive the bite?” Which would have been a terrible experience. When the saliva hit the bloodstream it paralyzed the victim. She would have been immobilized.

“Ambrose helped me heal. He was there when we were attacked by a group of them.” She turned away from him and put her hands on her hips. “It took me a while to recover. I just don’t like getting close to those creatures.”

For her to admit these fears to him…he couldn’t fathom it. “I think it’s time to leave. I can’t find the demons smelling like Neph spittle, and I want to shower.”

He thought about flashing her back to wherever she was staying, but decided against it. Being tender right now would be a disservice to her. Being a jackass would give her something to fight against. He merely placed a hand on her shoulder, and without warning he flashed them to his hotel room.

He left her on the floor, feeling secure she could cause him no harm, and went to take a shower. His decision to let her help might aid in locating Kelsey faster. And fast was what his boss wanted. Lucifer couldn’t stand when a group of demons attempted to snatch his control.

Personally, he thought the bastard was crazy. While most demons aspired for the freedoms given to the humans, Luc focused on gaining more power than his Creator. Most demons had enough sense to realize that would never happen, but Luc had no intention of giving up his quest for power.

Stepping into the shower, he sighed with relief. Little day-to-day pleasures were the only things that kept him going anymore. Who said a demon couldn’t get tired? Weary?

Tracking and killing. Those two things ruled his life. He ached for something more. Something with meaning. He briefly wondered if Alexia was as weary as him.

Alexia put a hand on the wall of the darkened room to steady herself as another wave of dizziness threatened to bring her down. That stupid bastard. She hadn’t felt this sick since she’d taken a hit for Jade in the sixteenth century. Her head had nearly been separated from her body, and she had almost died. She’d survived only because Ambrose had been at the fight with them, and he had been able to heal her to a degree. It had taken her months to recuperate, just as it had when she’d fought with the Neph and lost.

How humiliating that Azazel had witnessed her fear of the Neph. She just couldn’t help her reaction to those monsters. Having experienced the utter helplessness when laying prone beneath those stinky, lanky bodies, she was aware of what it was capable of. Whenever she was around a Neph that feeling of immobility hit her, as fresh as the day she had been bit. All these years later that bite still held her paralyzed.

Her stomach rolled again. “I am so going to get you for this, prick.”

The shower turned off and she forced herself to stand up straight. It wasn’t easy as a fresh wave of nausea hit her. She heard rustling in the bathroom, and now that the fuzziness was clearing, she realized Azazel was naked behind that door.

Yummy.

Just because he was a prick, didn’t mean she wouldn’t jump his ass. A virgin she was not. Frustrated, maybe, but nowhere near shy.

During their search through the cemeteries she had been highly aware of him as a man. He was large, powerful and insanely attractive, as most demons were. But he was in a league all his own. Unlike most demons from the first fall, he actually had a personality. Hell yes she was going to jump his ass.

She really should insist he take her to her hotel, or at the very least start heading there herself. But she just couldn’t force herself to do it. She’d found her prey, and she wasn’t about to let him slip out of her grasp.

First thing first, she needed a shower. After a full day and night searching the streets of Paris, she smelled like car fumes and sweat. Not particularly enticing.

When he opened the door, light flooded into the room, temporarily causing her to squint. She stumbled away from the onslaught of light and focused on Azazel. She wasn’t sure what surprised her more, his smile or the fact he was butt-ass naked.

He walked past her to the bed and laid flat on his back, crossing his ankles and laying his head on his forearms.

She snapped her mouth shut and walked to the bathroom as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

There sure as hell wasn’t anything ordinary about him. Holy hell, he was ripped and endowed like no man she had ever been with. He had biceps so big she was sure she couldn’t wrap both her hands around them.

There was no way she wasn’t jumping on his train. He’d bested her, he was powerful, and he was built like a god. Well, in theory he was. He was one of God’s first creations.

She silently thanked Him for the feast she was about to receive.

Hopefully, Azazel wasn’t against a tiny love bite. She had to taste him. Demons were so much better tasting than humans, and she hadn’t fed for weeks.

She quickly showered as images of him naked raced through her mind, anticipation sizzling in her blood. She glanced around for a razor, but didn’t find one. Damn. Her legs were stubbly.

Oh, who the hell cared? A dusting of stubble wasn’t going to keep her off him. Not after a two-hundred-year sexual hiatus.

Finished with her shower, she searched around for a toothbrush, but all she could find was his. Shrugging, she spread the toothpaste on it. Her mouth was going to be all over him, sucking and nibbling, so what was wrong with a little hygiene sharing?

She ran her fingers through her hair and felt like clapping her hands together like a two-year-old. I’m gonna get laid.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, leaving the light on. She hadn’t bothered with a towel. Two could play at this game.

But what met her ears wasn’t a hungry growl or a seductive sigh.

He was snoring.

She walked to the bed and looked down at him. His right arm was slung over his eyes, his chest rose and fell with each soft snore. He was asleep. How could he go to sleep with her in the room? There was no way he trusted her that much.

Impossible.

She ground her teeth as she surveyed his big, sprawled body. He didn’t even leave her enough room on the bed. What did he expect her to do? Sleep on the damned floor?

Marching back to the bathroom, cursing under her breath, she found a towel and wrapped it around her. She’d dropped her suitcase in her own hotel room and had no clothes other than the dirty pile on the floor.

She felt a pang of indecision. This was for the best. She’d only known him for a night.

Screw that. She wanted him, point, blank and period. She always lived night to night. What would happen if they found Kelsey tomorrow? She would never see him again, and her pathetic search for a “real man” would start all over.

When she came back out of the bathroom she slid another glance in his direction. As a fighter she had been taught how to catch even the slightest movement, the smallest shift in an enemy’s stance.

Azazel’s left arm now hung over his eyes.

He was awake.

Confirming it, he said, “What special power do you possess?”

She’d been rejected. He knew damn well what she had in mind when she walked over to the bed naked. The prick.

Hiding her power would prove senseless. She sat on the floor and braced her back against the wall. The towel fell to her upper thighs. She’d slept in worse places. “I was a soothsayer when I was human, and I carried the ability to see the future over to this life.”

Not that it helped. As a human she had foretold the future many a time—so long as it hadn’t involved her. If she had been able to predict her own future she would have made better decisions concerning the outcome of her human life. It was her power as a soothsayer that Ambrose had found interest in. She might not be in the Alliance without that ability. Ambrose only recruited the best. Too bad she couldn’t control when or where she saw the future. Her power was more unpredictable than the course of a tornado.

“And Kelsey can infiltrate dreams.” He didn’t move as he pondered their powers.

“Jade can morph into other people.”

He took his arm off his eyes and leaned up on his elbows. “Jade?”

“Another assassin. I mentioned her earlier.” She watched the muscles flex in his arms and chest, forcing herself not to look at the rest of him. To look at him would be too much of a temptation.

“Is that where you are sleeping?”

She felt an irresistible urge to cut his throat and watch him bleed. Where else could she sleep?

When she didn’t answer him, he scooted over on the bed. “I was just curious as to what you would do. Seeing that you didn’t try to cut off my head and shove it up my ass, you may sleep here as well.”

Oh, goody. Jackass. “I’m good.” She closed her eyes and rested the back of her head on the wall.

“So you’re going to pout?”

He was baiting her. She did her best to ignore it. Her ego had taken a beating from this man over the past few nights. First he kicked her ass—twice. Then he declined her offer to help with Kelsey. Then he rejected her, naked and wet. The time of wanting him was over.

“I understand. I can sense your fear. I would be afraid of me too if I were you.”

She brought her head up to see him settle back down on the bed, the light from the bathroom highlighting all his gorgeous, hard muscle. She was not afraid of him. It would serve him no purpose to cut her down. Self-preservation kept her against the wall, though it had nothing to do with her life. For the first time in hundreds of years she had wanted someone to want her. And yes, that scared her.

“Do you know the special talent I have, Alexia?”

Demons had many special powers, though some held more power than others. She should have realized that because he was one of Lucifer’s assassins, Lucifer would have given him special powers with which to work. “I can’t imagine.” She kept her voice low and nonchalant.

“When I focus I can hear people’s thoughts as if they are my own.”

Heat traveled through her body and settled in her cheeks. Recalling all of her nasty thoughts about him, both sexually and deadly, made her cringe. “Release that power over me.”

He laughed, the sound reverberating throughout the room. “Oh, I don’t think so. Listening to your inner dialogue has kept me entertained.”

She pushed herself off the floor and stomped to the bathroom. She dropped her towel and began yanking her clothes back on. The last thing she needed was the egotistical male on the bed. “Eavesdrop on that, you stupid cocksucker.”

His laughter filled her ears as she pulled on her shirt.

“Alexia, come here.”

“Rot in hell, you arrogant bastard. Come near me and I’ll neuter you.”

He came into the bathroom and shut the door, leaning his naked body against it. She slowly turned to face him. Her daggers lay on the bathroom sink within reach. As she stood before him her fingers itched to wrap around the ivory hilts. She had to remember who she was dealing with. The second she went for her daggers he would make his move.

The confinement of the bathroom would leave her at a disadvantage. He had powers she didn’t possess. He could easily take her down without a weapon, hands tied behind his back while semiconscious.

But there was one thing Alexia never backed down from, Nephs excluded.

And that was a good fight.

Chapter Four

Alexia let her mind go blank. She wasn’t going to allow the bastard to use her thoughts against her. She grabbed one of her daggers and leapt to the other side of the bathroom as he lunged at her. She kept the distance between them with a strategic swipe of her blade.

“This isn’t helping your friend.”

“I don’t need your fucking help.” She caught him just below the rib cage with her dagger, satisfied with his grunt of pain.

She cursed the small confines of the bathroom as she avoided his hands once again, leaping around the shower curtain and crouching in the bathtub. Brilliant move. The shower curtain had curled around her right leg, and she had cornered herself.

Why was it wherever he was concerned she lost her head?

Bad fighting skills. Those three words were never associated with her, but here she was, cornered and at a disadvantage. Again.

His wound healed and he thrust his hand toward the shower while keeping his distance from her. The shower turned on, the water seeming to come from the arctic icecaps. Breath left her as she tried leaping over the toilet, but the damned shower curtain sent her stumbling. When his hands wrapped around her arms during her fall, she twisted in the air and slashed at him. He hissed and jumped back. She landed between the sink and the door, slumped against the wall.

The water had made her grip on the dagger slip, and the weapon landed near his feet. Her entire body was shivering from the frigid water.

Her other dagger was still sitting on the sink. She bounded for it, and before she got a grip on it, it disappeared.

“Enough!” He grabbed her wrists and the clothes on her body were instantly gone. When he pushed her toward the shower she fought him with what little strength she still possessed.

It was futile. It was hard to fight when she felt like a virtual ice cube.

He brought her under the water and she tensed, thinking he had more of the same torture in mind. Instead, the water was warm and welcome, taking away the bite of cold that had settled into her bones.

Cringing inwardly, she realized her shit-talking game was over. He could hear every thought in her head and knew her façade for what it was, bullshit. Because he could read her thoughts with ease, he knew exactly how much she wanted him.

He held her pinned against him. The front of his body was flush against her backside, sending shivers down her spine even as the water kept her warm.

She was aware of him not only as a fighter, but as a man. He made her feel vulnerable, a word that hadn’t been a part of her vocabulary in centuries.

He let go of her wrists. She didn’t pull away from him, far from it. He had known she wouldn’t. She’d wanted a man like him for so long she wasn’t going to play coy. Standing behind her was her dream come true—a man who could easily take her, yet hadn’t. A man who could send awareness throughout her body with just a look. Sense her weaknesses and desires with ease.

The length of his erection pressing into her back made it obvious he wouldn’t object to what she had in mind.

She turned and stepped back to study him. Water slid over their bodies, making them slick. He was a breath away, aroused and willing. There was no holding her back. He may have bested her more than once in hand-to-hand combat, but she’d break him in half if he rejected her now.

With her heart racing, she took in every magnificent inch of him. Gliding her fingers over his warm, slippery flesh was better than she had imagined. Working her way slowly down his chest, tracing the ridges of his abs and loving the way his muscles twitched beneath her caress, she forced herself not to rush.

In this moment he was hers.

Locking her gaze with his, wishing she could hear his thoughts as clearly as he could hers, she wrapped her hand around his cock and stroked him, daring him to tell her to stop. Daring him to pull away.

He didn’t. He fisted a hand in her hair and pulled her down to her knees. His aggression and domination turned her on even more.

“Show me who’s boss, baby. I’m putty in your hands.”

She took the tip of him in her mouth, relishing his size and strength. He was huge, and she’d take all of him in time, but some things were best when savored. Knowing you could kick a guy’s ass was a serious turn-off. Azazel made her feel frail and womanly. Something she had yearned for since…hell, she couldn’t even remember.

He was long and thick, deliciously filling her mouth. Fisting his other hand in her hair, he forced her to take him deeper.

Working the base of his cock with her right hand, she cupped his rock-hard ass with the other. The warm water of the shower heightened the sensations raging through her body, sliding down her back and breasts like a thousand caresses. It felt like she and Azazel were cocooned in warmth and pleasure. Time stood still, and nothing seemed to matter but the two of them.

He pulled back, bringing her to her feet by grabbing both of her arms. He roughly turned her around and spread her arms, placing her palms on the shower wall.

She all but purred as she assumed this submissive position. This is what she wanted.

It had been so long since she had been with a man, she was tight. When he slid in, stretching her and filling her perfectly, she was afraid she would come from the sheer pleasure of having him inside of her.

Letting go of her inhibitions, she moaned, grinding against him. The tantalizing awareness that he could hear her thoughts took the sexual experience to a whole new level. “Rougher, faster, harder…”

He didn’t disappoint. Each grinding thrust came harder, more urgent. Animalistic. A human wouldn’t have been able to take it.

She sure as hell could. And she wanted more.

His arm wrapped around her waist, and his hand dipped down between her legs as he slowed his pace. The rhythmic circles he made on her clit caused her knees to go weak. Her head fell back against his shoulder as she melted into his embrace.

She wanted to taste him. Needed to feel his blood, the essence of his life force flow into her as she had her orgasm.

Knowing her thoughts, he eased himself from her and turned her around to face him. He slid his arms under her legs, supporting her as he picked her up, and pressed her back against the cool, slippery wall of the shower. He’d known she was too short to get to his neck had she remained standing. As it were, she now had perfect access to get her sexy on.

She gently bit his neck, savoring the taste of hot, thick demon. Damn, he tasted good. As she drank, an amazing thing happened. His thoughts became hers. His voice was a whisper inside her head…

“So. Fucking. Good.”

Azazel was finding it difficult not to come. She was wet, sleek and willing to take anything he dished out. Her fangs were an erotic indulgence that threatened to send him over the edge.

From the first moment he had seen her walk down the alley he had wanted her. She walked with a predatory gait that called out to the fighter in himself. Her quick wit and fearlessness had impressed him to the point he could think of no one but her.

She licked his neck and found another spot to sink her fangs into.

“Am I hurting you?”

Her soft voice echoed in his head. No, she wasn’t hurting him. She was torturing him. The sounds she made, the way she moved her body against his, it was as if she were made for him.

“Or you were made for me.”

Her whimsical taunt made him stiffen. Had she heard his thoughts? How? It was one thing to be the person who invaded other people’s privacy, but being on the receiving end was not cool. Not cool at all.

It was easy to dismiss the invasion when she tightened around his cock. “I have a few years on you, sweetheart.”

Her throaty laugh confirmed she had heard him. Actually, this thought exchange could prove to be interesting. He kept his thrusts slow and controlled, allowing her time to feed and enjoy the feel of their bodies coming together.

Without warning she tightened around his cock, causing him to lose his self-control. She extracted her fangs from his neck, her head falling back as she moaned.

The erotic sound was his undoing. With a growl he joined her in her orgasm, his own body tightening as he filled her. Her lips were parted, her cheeks flushed.

Breathlessly, she looked into his eyes. Hers were completely white and his were no doubt red as he claimed her mouth. Her fangs brushed against his lower lip, reminding him she could be as carnal as he.

She tasted of blood, warmth and sex. A heady mixture that sent his head spinning. For the first time in a long while, he didn’t want this moment to end. He wanted to maintain control of this uncontrollable woman, safe from harm in his arms. A fighter like himself, she faced danger on a daily basis. But here she was safe. Here she had nothing to fear. Even when she fought him, drawing blood, he would never hurt her.

He’d witnessed the vulnerable side of Alexia, and he couldn’t easily dismiss what that finding left him. A sucker.

Alexia pulled back and nibbled his jaw, content to stay right where she was.

She knew this was a fleeting ecstasy. A moment’s worth of pleasure she would tuck away in her soul. She was an assassin, trained without comfort, bred for pain.

At least that had been her role, taken away on a whim of compulsion and angry words. It still hurt that she was no longer a member of the Alliance because she hadn’t been able to rein in her temper. Ambrose was a man of his word, and he wouldn’t allow her another chance in the Alliance. She had gone against him out of the love she had for Kelsey. She wouldn’t regret her decision, no matter the outcome.

“What did Ambrose do?”

She was taken from her thoughts by Azazel’s deep voice. It had slipped her mind that he could hear her as clear as if she were speaking the words aloud.

She didn’t lie to him, though the pain cut deep. “Ambrose forbade me to come on this mission, and I went against his orders. I am no longer a member of the Alliance.”

Azazel’s eyes were slightly red. “Why didn’t you listen to him?”

His question caught her off guard. “Because Kelsey would have done the same for me.”

His grip on her lessened, and she slid to the floor, planting her feet on the slippery surface. With a wave of his hand the shower turned off.

“Do you think that was wise?”

What did he care? “I had no other option. She called out to me. She asked for my assistance.”

He let the matter drop, though the hard set of his jaw was evidence enough he had more to say on the subject. He took the last towel off the towel rack and wrapped it around her.

“I’ll have a chat with Ambrose.”

So much for letting the matter drop. “He won’t talk to you. He doesn’t like demons, and he’d likely fire me all over again if he found out I’d shacked up with you.”

“I didn’t say anything about the chat being friendly.” He stepped out of the tub and left the bathroom, leaving her no choice but to follow him if she wanted to carry on the conversation.

“No. I can fight my own battles. I might not be working for him any longer, but I don’t want to see him hurt.”

“He’ll heal.”

“Azazel.” Standing in front of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around herself, she couldn’t see how she had landed in this situation. Here she was, with one of Lucifer’s assassins, who was decidedly agitated and ready to take on Ambrose, all because of her.

He sat on the edge of the bed.

“I would like to go back to my own hotel room.” Everything was moving too fast. Suddenly she had an ally she didn’t have even yesterday. Talk about strange bedfellows. Jade and Kelsey would have a shit if they found out she had actually gotten laid. They’d probably throw her a party and congratulate her on popping her cherry all over again.

“I can’t flash you directly to your room without having been there. I might get close, or we might end up in another person’s room.”

He wasn’t fighting for her to stay. For that she was glad. Wasn’t she? “Can you go first and get your bearings?”

He sighed and ran a hand through his wet hair. “What area is your hotel located? What is the name and the number of your room?”

She told him, and watched him materialize clothes on and disappear. Now that she was alone in the room, she finally had the chance to breathe.

What the hell was going on? She started pacing. This wasn’t just sex.

Yes it was. No. Yes. It was just sex. She didn’t have time to play victim right now. She needed Azazel, but not for this. She needed him to find Kelsey. What was she thinking, bedding down with one of Lucifer’s finest? No matter how mind-blowing the experience had been, there were other issues at hand.

He materialized back in the room. Here we go again…

“Why did you choose to stay in such a crap-hole?”

It was on the tip of her tongue to say she was saving money, but then he would likely ask her to stay. “I don’t think it’s a crap-hole.”

His brows came together. Had he read her thoughts? Damn. “Your choice, but you realize you can stay here. I can get your bag for you.”

“I’m good.” She waited until he held out his hand. She walked forward and took it.

With no warning given to her, he materialized her smack-dab in the lobby of the hotel.

Wrapped only in her towel.

Chapter Five

“Goddamned thunderstorm.”

Ambrose crossed his arms over his chest as he gazed out of the window at the immobile planes. From his stance at the second-story window of the airport, the planes looked like toy models. “Watch your mouth, Naberius. You know better than to take the Lord’s name in vain with me around.”

“And you know better than to take that tone with me.”

Naberius’s soft warning was no threat at all. Ambrose had known Naberius from his time in Heaven, long ago. Though Naberius was a demon, Ambrose had kept their friendship going, and in doing so, attained a damned good ally. Naberius was a demon from the Second Angelic Revolt, which in Ambrose’s eyes made him a step-up from the demons that had fallen with Lucifer.

The airplane they were to take to Paris was delayed three hours due to a simple rain shower. The looks he and his men were getting inside the airport made him uneasy. People were blatantly staring, and though he understood why, he wished they would stop. All his men, himself included, were more than six feet tall. Most had longer hair, broad shoulders, a fighter’s build.

Naberius wore leather pants, for God’s sake, and Sven had on cargo shorts and a T-shirt that read, “Mile High Club—been there, done that”.

Ambrose wanted to melt into the floor. “How long ago did you date Kelsey?”

Naberius looked away from the giant window, his light green eyes practically glowing. “How did you know?”

“You’ve never insisted you go on a mission with me before. I’ve always had to beg.”

Naberius raised an eyebrow. “Bullshit. I’ve never heard you beg.”

“You going to answer the question?”

“Not that it matters to the situation at hand, but yes, we dated about a century ago.”

Ambrose knew he’d have to prod. The bastard never talked. “What broke you two up?”

“She was too good for me, or so she said.”

Ambrose laughed at the dejected tone of Naberius’s voice, especially when Naberius glared at him.

“So what happened to Alexia? I heard you telling Sven that she was fired.”

The change of subject managed to wipe the smile off his face. Over the past few centuries he’d had a hell of a time keeping Lexie in line. She was a live wire, and no one seemed able to rein her in. He’d sure tried, without much success. “I told her not to go to Paris, and that’s exactly what she did.”

“But that was to be expected. Kelsey is one of her friends.”

“Expected, yes. Tolerated, no. I can’t just turn over whenever someone in the Alliance wants things their way. It doesn’t always work like that. She knows nothing of how to handle a spiritual demon, let alone a team of them. She’ll get herself killed.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think Alexia is smarter than that.”

Ambrose watched as a team of employees gassed the plane. His reflection in the glass was a translucent apparition, reminding him of his true nature. Jet-black hair, pale green eyes. He turned away from the image in disgust. “I hope you’re right.”

~ * ~

Alexia was humiliated. Having dressed, taken her rest and raided the vending machine outside in the hall, she was ready to go to work. The bastard was going to pay for the ordeal he had put her through. After she got her bearings from being flashed yet again, she had walked through the lobby, head held high, and sauntered to the front desk as though nothing were out of the ordinary.

As if.

The hotel desk clerk had spit coffee when she asked for her key in only a towel. The couple that walked out of the elevator had gaped, and the man she had passed in the hallway to her room had looked like he wanted her on the room-service menu.

She closed her eyes and tried pushing the humiliating memories from her mind. Azazel would get what was coming to him. Demonic names held power, and if Azazel had given her his true name then he’d made a grave error.

She got up from the bed to get her cell phone, until she realized it was back in the asshole’s room. Damn. She stuck her hand up in the air and flipped him off. “Materialize that, jerk.”

She plopped herself back on the bed and picked up the hotel phone to call Jade. During one of Jade’s special sexcapades, she had acquired the powerful spell that made it possible for a being to command a demon. Alexia picked up the pad of paper and pen by the phone to write the spell down. If she didn’t say the spell exactly, word for word in the demonic language, it wouldn’t work. If it did work, when Azazel woke up he would be hers to command.

Damn it was good to have sneaky friends. The plan was to fuck with him for a while then put his ass to work finding Kelsey.

She glanced out of the window at the orange glow on the horizon as Jade’s phone rang.

The sun would be setting soon. Let the fun begin.

~ * ~

Azazel, demon of the First Angelic Revolt, arise and hear thy commands. Follow the instructions given unto you.

Azazel had barely opened his eyes when he heard Alexia’s voice in his head. Now this wasn’t going to be good. Once she had control over him, which was now a given, she could command him to do anything at anytime. Dropping her off in her hotel lobby in only her towel had obviously pissed her off, but to use power over him?

How had she known the words of command to use? Very few beings knew how to command a demon. Luc told his demons he had destroyed the Demonic Book of Spells that held the incantation. Not only that, the person who spoke the incantation had to do so in the demonic tongue.

Impossible. He dressed quickly, listening for any commands she might utter. She could use this power over him anytime she wished. One minute he could be pulling on his socks, the next he could find himself barking like a dog.

When he was finished dressing he materialized in her room. She was sitting against the headboard of the bed smiling like a cat that had just caught a mouse.

“Alexia—”

“Azazel will remain quiet.” A smirk settled on her face. “Dumping me in the lobby like that wasn’t a very nice thing to do, and as I like to say, revenge is better than Christmas.”

Well now, that didn’t sound good. He opened his mouth to tell her this wouldn’t help her friend, but because of her order he couldn’t form the words. He shut his mouth and hoped the look he was giving her let her know he wouldn’t tolerate this.

“You don’t scare me, Azazel. Especially not now, when on a whim I can command you to lick your own balls. Now that would be an interesting sight, wouldn’t it?”

Anger threatened to surface. But on the edge of anger lingered just a little amusement. Alexia was like no other woman he had met. That she dare fuck with him like this showed her fearless side, though he would not forget so easily she also contained fears. What she needed to realize was that though he took orders on a daily basis from Lucifer, he didn’t like it. She’d better figure out this game of hers was going to get old mighty quick.

“Since you look like you want to flay my ass alive, I’ll allow you to speak. But I’ll warn you now, you’d best watch what you say. Azazel may speak freely.”

Now that grated. She crossed her ankles and settled back as though she were in complete control of the situation. Secure in the fact that she could control him at whim. In all his life he’d never had someone take possession of his actions. That he’d become complacent enough to let his guard down around her was telling enough.

“What? Alexia got your tongue?”

He walked slowly toward the bed. The arrogance on her face was replaced with unease. “I would tread carefully if I were you. How did you locate the spell? Do you know the demonic language?”

“There are many things you don’t know about me. I still have not heard an apology from you.”

He stopped at the edge of the bed. Maybe he deserved what she was doing. He did drop her in the lobby wearing only a towel. He had meant to make her flustered. After she had told him she wanted to stay in her own hotel room his pride had taken a hit. A part of him had wanted to sleep with her. Sexual encounters were one thing, and there had been plenty with vampires. But she felt like something different. Seeing her there on the bed incited the visions of their joining the night before. Wet, hot sex. He could still hear her moans. “Let’s get something to eat. Or are you still determined to play your games?”

She slid off the bed. She was wearing jeans and a black tank top. Black, laced-up boots hit the floor. Her hair was down, falling softly down her back. “After you.”

He held out his hand.

“I don’t want to flash.”

Exhaling a breath, he walked to the door and held it open for her. If he didn’t take into account her wishes she would start commanding he do so. With her gaze locked on his she walked by him.

He had to get the upper hand. He couldn’t stand by while she held such power over him. If there were only a way…

Revenge is better than Christmas…

Now that he had a moment to think about it, she was absolutely right.

Walking into the elevator, Alexia thought she had Azazel right where she wanted him. That was until the doors slid open and she saw the smile on his face in the mirror on the back wall of the elevator. That smile didn’t bode well for her.

What could he do? She now held the power in her hand. She punched the button for the lobby and slid a sideways glance at him. If he hadn’t fucked with her yesterday she wouldn’t have done the spell, but he had, and she had retaliated. And rightly so.

So why was he looking so smug?

“Where would you like to eat?”

Uneasiness skittered up her spine. He was up to something. Irritated, she snapped, “I don’t care.”

“I have a place in mind.” He turned to look down at her, materializing her cell phone in his hand. “That is if you’ll let me take you there.”

This wasn’t how she had planned for this night to go down. She had intended on pissing him off or embarrassing him, then getting on with the search. She hadn’t anticipated the looks he gave her would turn her on—even when he looked like he wanted to stuff her cold dead body in a trunk and call it a day. His gaze bore into hers and she faced the opening elevator doors. “Like I said, I don’t care where we go.” She took her cell and clipped it onto her belt. She was so flustered she couldn’t even come up with a good command.

He placed his palm on the small of her back and led her forward, out of the lobby and onto the busy streets of Paris. She bristled when the desk clerk from the night before smiled at her. Wasn’t his shift over with by now?

Once outside Azazel took her hand and they walked to a restaurant that looked suspiciously romantic. In fact, everything he did screamed romanticism. Walking hand in hand, holding doors open for her—even pulling out her chair for her at the table.

Oh yeah, he was up to something. Was he trying to get her to release the power she held over him? Not going to happen, bud.

She glanced down at the menu the waitress spread in front of her. It was in French, and though she had a pretty good handle at speaking the language, she couldn’t read it.

Azazel closed her menu and winked at her. “Don’t worry. I’ll order for both of us.”

She eyeballed him, suddenly wanting to command that he tell her what he was up to. But you couldn’t command a demon to be truthful, you could only control their actions. Pity that.

Back in the room as he had walked toward where she lay on the bed, she had briefly thought about commanding him to do some naughty things to her body, but just as quickly she had dismissed those thoughts. Now, watching the way he looked at her, the way he tried to touch her at every turn, she wished they had lingered just a while longer.

When he slid a smirk in her direction she realized her blunder. He could hear her thoughts.

She let her thoughts move in a different direction. They were going to eat and start searching for Kelsey. Thoughts of sex had to be pushed to the side. She had given up everything to search for her friend, and find her she would.

Azazel ordered their food, the French words dripping off his tongue as though he was born speaking it. When the waitress left she turned to him. “So, what did you order?”

“Steak, sautéed vegetables. I started us out with some wine.”

The way he was staring at her was purely animalistic. She was forced to look away from his stare. Now that she was aware he could read her thoughts she would have to be careful.

The restaurant was crowded, tourists mingled with locals. She saw a couple sharing a dessert that made her mouth water. Chocolate was her downfall.

When she felt Azazel’s hand travel up her thigh she jumped and pushed it away. “Where are we going to begin our search tonight?” She needed to focus on her objective, and not the lust she had experienced since laying eyes on him.

The waitress brought the wine and he held up a glass. “Let’s make a truce?”

Ha. Not going to happen. She loved this power over him. “I don’t think so, le puppet.”

His eyes darkened. “I will not use my power on you if you give your word that you will not use your power on me.”

Damn. Double damn. She held the wineglass in her hand, admiring the light reflecting on the crystal. This was a good deal. And from the smug expression on his face he knew he had her. Her thoughts never being heard again? Priceless. “Fine.”

He clinked his glass to hers. “Deal.”

It was really no deal at all. She didn’t even get to use the power to any good use. All she’d done was silence him. But it was liberating to know he was no longer focused on listening to her private thoughts.

Or was he?

“You swear you’re not listening to my thoughts anymore?”

He placed a hand over his heart. “I swear.”

She believed him. Something in his eyes, the way he met her gaze, told her he wasn’t lying.

They were silent until their food arrived. It looked delicious. Juicy steak and wine…her favorite meal. Besides a number one at Burger King. Whoppers really were the king of burgers.

“What are you thinking about?”

She glanced up at him. “What?”

“You were smiling to yourself. What were you thinking about?”

She eyed him, really wondering if he was keeping his promise. “Burger King.”

He stopped cutting his meat, his knife and fork suspended over his plate. “Are you serious?”

She picked up her utensils. “Yeah.”

“So you’re a cheap date.”

Jackass. The fact that they were both armed, inconspicuously of course, and merely enjoying a meal put her on edge. “The Alliance should be here by now.”

“We’ll find her first.”

We. She hadn’t heard anyone say that to her other than Jade and Kelsey. She’d been on her own for so long she didn’t know how to respond. Amazing that feelings of loneliness should haunt her after all these years. Or had they been there all along? She finished cutting her meat and looked up at him. “Do you ever pair up with other assassins?”

“No.”

“Never?”

“Never.”

She wondered if he ever felt lonely. He had to. Just because he was an assassin didn’t mean he didn’t have feelings. He may have constructed a hard outer shell, but then so had she. Wasn’t she the queen when it came to strong outer defenses? What was he like on the inside?

“Try this.”

Out of reflex she opened her mouth when he held out his fork. Their eyes met. Heat shot through her as she took his food in her mouth. Intimacy bled between them, and when his gaze fell on her lips she felt her core tighten. She chewed the succulent meat quickly before she choked on it, then focused on her plate.

With the tip of his finger he turned her face to his. Before she realized his intent, his lips were on hers and she was lost.

The first unwritten rule of demonic existence was never to bring attention to oneself. But when Alexia had parted her lips he’d sealed the unknown invitation. The pull he felt when he was around her was strong. She could easily make him forget what he was in Paris for.

As he slipped his tongue past her lips, his dick got hard, straining against the jeans he’d thrown on. When he slid his hand up her thigh she broke away.

Her cheeks were flushed as her gaze darted around the dining area. Yes, they had garnered some attention, but this was Paris, and tiny shows of affection were seen on every corner.

He fought the urge to delve into her thoughts and find out exactly what she was thinking. But he’d given his word, and though he was a demon, he kept it.

She practically stabbed her steak with her fork. “We’re in a public place. Do you mind keeping your tongue to yourself?”

He adjusted himself in the chair and smiled at how flustered the kiss had made her. “As long as you place no restrictions on my cock I’m sure we can work something out.”

She gasped and choked on her steak. He patted her back. She elbowed him away when her phone rang. She took it off her belt, checked the I.D. and promptly snapped it back to her belt.

“That was Ambrose.” She took a sip of wine. “I don’t think I want to listen to him rant and rave at me right now. I guess he’s in Paris.”

Which meant they would run into him and his pack at some point. “Perhaps you should have taken the call. He could be offering you your job back.”

She gave him a droll stare. “I highly doubt it.”

“You never know.”

“Why don’t you carry a cell?”

“When my boss wants to contact me he just pops in. No cell required.”

She cringed. “That has to suck. Talk about invasion of privacy.”

He almost laughed. There was no privacy when you worked for Luc. Especially when you were on a job.

They finished up and headed back out onto the streets. An unspoken peace settled between them as they tried picking up Kelsey’s scent. Having worked alone for so long, it came as a surprise that he enjoyed having her for company. He would have never imagined it. The only downfall was all he could think about was getting her back to his hotel and spreading those toned legs of hers.

“Where to?”

“I had thought to look in the Père-Lachaise Cemetery because of how large it is, but I think it’s too touristy. Instead we’ll search out Picpus. It’s small, but it’s out of the way of the tourist trap. I doubt it sees much traffic. After this cemetery we’ll start searching the catacombs tomorrow. They might be our best bet.”

Still, after a short walk through the cemetery they saw nothing. He felt as though they were wasting time. He wanted to find Kelsey to alleviate Alexia’s worry, not to placate Luc. It made him wonder if he had any good left in him. He had once been a Warrior Angel, fighting for the good of humans. Jealousy had turned him dark, and he’d felt the pull of evil for so long he hadn’t sensed the light in ages.

Now power was the last thing on his mind. Luc remained motivated in acquiring more power in the universe, but Azazel only wanted to be part of that universe now. He wanted to feel something other than a dark pull.

He wanted to feel more of what Alexia was making him feel.

Alive.

~ * ~

After a long, pleasurable shower, Alexia followed Azazel into the bedroom of his hotel room. She had thought about returning to her own room, but after their search she hadn’t wanted to be alone. Spending time with Azazel was invigorating. There were few occasions she worked with Jade and Kelsey on assignments, but when she did, those were the times that stood out in her mind. When she worked alone her days ran into one another to the point she didn’t know what month it was.

Azazel could be annoying, but she was drawn to him. She could tell he was getting agitated that they hadn’t found Kelsey by the rigid set of his jaw.

She felt their search tomorrow would give them more leads. Searching the cemeteries had been essential, but the Parisian catacombs would likely yield better results. “So catacombs it is?”

Azazel pulled the covers back on the bed and slid in. “Yeah. We’ll discuss it in the morning.”

“It is morning.” Wanting a little time to just be a woman, she dropped the argument along with her towel as she climbed in bed next to him.

He wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled into his side. He buried his face in her neck.

Oh, a girl could get used to this.

Funny she would find heaven with a demon. The feel of his body cradling hers was tortured bliss. She could stay in his arms forever, and that scared her more than any opponent ever had. This wouldn’t last. It couldn’t. He was one of Lucifer’s assassins, and she…well, she was out of a job.

What was she going to do? She didn’t regret the decision she’d made, but now her senses were catching up with her, and she wasn’t quite sure she had handled Ambrose effectively. He was a softy when approached correctly. Instead of working him, she had become irritated and angry when he said he would call in his best fighters. It had felt like a slap across the face.

She had too much pride to ask for her job back. Alexia groveled to no one.

The feeling of loneliness was beginning to fade away into a memory. Being with Azazel was empowering, exciting and oh-so-erotic. Had she been wrong about demons from the first fall? Azazel didn’t seem all that bad. Sure, he was an assassin, yet so was she. He killed. She killed. And he killed demons, so that wasn’t a bad thing, was it?

She turned in Azazel’s arms, her back to his front. When she scooted her butt into his groin, he groaned.

He brought his left arm under hers and pulled her closer. “Where are you originally from?”

How had they shifted into a cozy little scene like this?

During dinner she had wondered if he were as lonely as she. He had to be. Being with him felt like a reprieve she didn’t deserve—but one she was going to take. When was the last time she had felt so connected with someone in such a short period of time?

Did he do this often? Somehow, she didn’t think that he did.

She snuggled into him. Being with him just felt so…right. “I was born in England in 1042 to poor farmers. My father died in a small skirmish and my mother was never the same. A wealthy Englishman saw me at a market and offered my mother a small pittance for me when I was sixteen. Thinking it was best for me, she took the offer. I never forgave her for that.” Recalling her past always brought on a fresh wave of anger. Though, if her mother hadn’t sold her, she wouldn’t be who she was today.

“So you married him?”

She snorted. “He didn’t offer marriage. My mother basically sold me as his mistress, his whore. I never saw her again.”

His arm tightened around her. “How did you turn?”

“The Englishman went on official business to Scotland and took me with him. I knew the dangers of travel. Scotland and England had never been friendly to one another, even when there was no war officially declared. Figuring that was my only chance at freedom, I killed him by a creek with his own sword, away from his guards. Then I took off, hungry and alone. I fell ill and that’s when Ambrose found me. At first he didn’t offer to turn me, but I had a glimpse of his future and I shared it with him. Because of the power I possessed he made me a vampire when I was twenty-two. He refused to turn me until I was older, saying I needed to make sure it was what I wanted. I began training with the Alliance out of pure boredom in 1313, and eventually became one of the first females indoctrinated into membership.”

“So you are glad you made the decision to turn?”

“Well, yeah, considering had I not I would be dead by now.” She didn’t feel as Ambrose did. He believed being a vampire was a curse, and he seldom made more of his kind. To him, it actually was a curse. Having started a rebellion in Heaven as a Warrior Angel, he was cast down as this creature to await judgment with the rest of the humans. “What about you? Why did you fall?”

“For much the same reason Ambrose did. I could not understand free will. Why the humans could choose their own path while we, His first creation, could not.”

Understandable. Most demons from the first fall only fell for power. “Do you regret your decision?”

He didn’t answer her right away. His thumb was moving in a circle around her bellybutton. “Some days I do, some days I don’t.”

Her thoughts drifted to Kelsey. While she was lying there, enjoying the comfort of Azazel’s presence, what was Kelsey being subjected to? “Do you think we’ll find Kelsey?”

“Absolutely.”

“How can you be so sure?” She put her hand on his hip, finding the pleasure even a simple touch could bring.

“When you are sent in to find a vampire, you don’t stop until you have found him and completed your mission. My job is the same. This is my current assignment and I will see it done.”

“Even if it means Kelsey’s death?”

“If I cannot find another way, would you prefer her suffering?” A hardness lingered beneath his quiet question.

“No.” She didn’t want Kelsey to suffer, nor did she want her friend to meet an end such as this. She deserved better. While Jade and herself were hardcore when it came to fighting, Kelsey was effective in a regal, beautiful way. She was quiet and deadly. With gorgeous blonde hair and light blue eyes she outshone the both of them. If Jade was the one who had been possessed, Alexia wouldn’t be so worried. Jade had a crazy mean streak in her whereas Kelsey was delicate. Out of the two of them Alexia worried most about Kelsey. She was sure Jade felt the same.

“Let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow we will begin our search again.”

She had never fallen asleep in a male’s arms before, nor felt enveloped in the protective shelter of someone’s embrace.

When this was over, and they went their separate ways, he would be taking a part of her with him.

A part of her heart she had never shared with another.

Chapter Six

Waking to a six-foot-five, muscled, rock-hard body was pure erotic bliss. Sliding her hands under the covers and finding him hard and warm was even better. Their association could end today, so she couldn’t let this opportunity pass her up.

Gently stroking him, she came to the conclusion her isolated life was going to become harder to accept when her time with him was through. The warmth and security of waking in his arms would be difficult to forget.

Is this what Jade had with the men she had sex with? Jade never stayed long with any man. “In and out, let ’em pout” was her favorite saying. Alexia didn’t feel that way with Azazel. She liked spending time with him out of bed just as much as the time they spent in bed.

He slowly came awake, moving against her hand. She leaned in to kiss his neck and heard someone clear their throat.

Startled, she looked up to find a man standing in their room wearing a blue robe. Brown hair and illuminated, light green eyes informed her she was looking at a demon. When she tried to get out of the bed, intending to stick her sword up the intruder’s ass, Azazel stopped her with an arm thrown over her.

“Good morning, children.”

Azazel sighed. “What’s up, boss?” His voice was deep and sleep-laden, and it sent shivers down her spine.

So this was Lucifer? Damn, he didn’t look like she had imagined. He was staring at her as if he were waiting for her to say something. So she did, in pure Alexia fashion. “Make it quick. I’m trying to get laid.”

Lucifer’s eyes glowed. “Vulgarity will get you everywhere.” He winked at her, then focused his attention on Azazel. “Have you found the demons yet?”

“Nope.”

“Taking a break?”

She could tell Lucifer wasn’t really pissed. If he was pissed he’d likely level the building.

“We’re going out hunting tonight.”

“After your evening bout of sex, I assume.”

“Is there something else you need?” Azazel let go of her and stretched.

“No. Report back to me when you find the assholes.”

Lucifer vanished.

She wrinkled her nose. “He is so not what I had expected.” She rolled over to lie on top of him, just in case he had any ideas of getting out of bed. That she could not allow.

“He has his moments.”

And she was about to have hers.

Azazel’s hair was messy, and his eyes were hooded in the sexiest way. She wanted to take her time and explore every inch of his body. “I’m going to make you think you’ve died and gone back to Heaven.” She sat up to straddle him. “First I think I’m going to nibble on you for a while, then we can call room service, jump in the shower, and I might just let you stand upright for a moment or two.”

He laughed. “You make walking sound so unappealing.”

“Hell, that’s if you can walk after I’m through with you.” She bent over him, fangs barely piercing his skin when there was a knock on the door. She pulled away. Whatever bastard was brave enough to interrupt them better be ready to die.

He growled and got up to answer it, materializing clothes on his body. Just as he reached the door he turned to her. She was suddenly wearing jeans and a T-shirt, with her weapons strapped in all their appropriate places. Impressive.

“Ambrose is here.”

“What?” She scrambled out of bed, running a hand through her hair. Shit, why should she care? She didn’t work for him anymore. Though she had to admit getting caught with one of Lucifer’s assassins was just a tad embarrassing. Ambrose loathed demons. Especially those from the first fall.

Azazel opened the door. Ambrose didn’t wait for an invitation as he walked in and eyed her. He was the same height as Azazel, same coloring as well; black hair, light green eyes.

She was the first to break the silence. “I see you arrived safely.”

“Flew in yesterday.”

Damn, this was awkward. As if he didn’t know what they were doing. She felt as though she had been caught by her father. His expression was stern and commanding.

“What are you here for?” Azazel asked him.

Ambrose turned to him. “Kelsey. The Alliance takes care of their own.”

The hell they did. Bastard. “We haven’t found her yet.”

“I’ve brought in some of the finest members of the Alliance to help.”

A sharp pain settled in her chest. What an asshole. How dare he question her abilities when it came to one of her closest friends? She’d proven her prowess with over seven hundred years of service.

Resolve overtook any anger she had toward Ambrose. She would find Kelsey and with the help of Azazel they would finish this assignment together. Fuck the Alliance.

Azazel shut the door to the room when it became obvious Ambrose intended to linger. “Where are you staying?”

“Here.” Ambrose proceeded to sit his big ass in one of the chairs surrounding a small table. His eyes practically glowed white, daring them to tell him no.

Azazel rolled his eyes.

She saw red. “Oh, hell no. You need to find another room. Zap your ass somewhere else.” She wasn’t giving the last few hours or days she had with Azazel up just because Ambrose felt the need to meddle in her business. Out of all the vampires, Ambrose and his son Gabe were the only ones who could materialize. She wondered if that was because the two happened to be more demonic than they wanted to admit.

“Since when have you started to become insubordinate?”

Boy, he had balls. “Since you fired my ass. In case you forgot, I don’t work for you anymore.”

“Okay, children.” Azazel held his hands up. “It’s time to leave anyway.”

She glared at Ambrose. She could have been on her way to a mind-blowing orgasm right now if he hadn’t interrupted.

Ambrose stood. “I’m ready when you are.”

“We’ll be going into the catacombs under the city. I figure I’ve covered most of Paris, and the catacombs seem a logical place for them to hide.”

“I agree.”

Azazel opened the door and left the room. They followed. “Where are your men now?”

Ambrose walked next to her. “They are scouring the city for her scent.”

Hell, she and Azazel had already done that and they had come up with nothing. It seemed as though Kelsey had left the city entirely, which remained a possibility. So much for putting his best fighters on the case. Not only were they late in getting to Paris, but they weren’t doing anything she and Azazel hadn’t already done.

Before they filed into the elevator she saw Jade out of the corner of her eye.

Holy hell, was Jade one of his best fighters? She hadn’t been trained to search and destroy demonic spirits. Alexia felt her anger rise to an unfathomable level.

The elevator doors shut. “The Parisian catacombs go on for miles. Why don’t we have the best fighters of the Alliance start at one end while we work the other?” The sarcasm in her voice was unmistakable.

Ambrose ignored it. “We’ll split up. The Alliance will take the south end.” When they stepped into the lobby, Ambrose walked ahead of them, talking into his cell.

Azazel surprised her by taking her hand in his. “That was…interesting.”

And highly aggravating. That he interrupted them was inconsequential when she considered he had clearly dismissed her as a friend and employee. What had she expected from Ambrose, leader of the Alliance? Hugs and kisses?

Azazel pulled her toward the men’s bathroom. She tried breaking free from his hold. “What are you doing?”

“It’s empty. I was going to flash us to the catacombs.”

Oh shit. “I’m going to get sick again, aren’t I?”

“Probably. But it’s the most direct route.”

That didn’t mean she had to like it. She walked into the men’s bathroom ahead of him. He shut the door and put a hand on her arm. She closed her eyes, not relishing the idea of flashing to the catacombs.

Within seconds dust and darkness replaced the scent of bleach. She went down on one knee as dizziness washed over her. She felt Azazel’s hand on her back, strong and stable, while everything else around her seemed to swim.

After a few moments and several intakes of air, the nausea began to clear.

“Better?”

“I hate that.”

He helped her to her feet. “I know.”

He scanned their surroundings as she regained her composure. The catacombs were bigger than she had imagined them to be. She’d thought they would be cramped, damp, dark places. Though it was dark, it certainly wasn’t cramped. As a vampire, she had excellent night vision, though most everything was in a bluish tone.

The corridor lit up, as if someone had turned on a light. She glanced at Azazel. His powers shouldn’t surprise her. He was a demon from the first fall. They retained their angelic powers because they had forcefully taken the powers with them when they were cast from Heaven. At least that’s what she had heard.

She closed her eyes and focused on feeling a trace of life—of evil. Shadows. She’d never tried to hunt down spirits before, so she wasn’t quite sure what she was feeling for.

“Focus on a turbulent energy source. It should also contain a hint of Kelsey’s aura and scent.”

She opened her eyes as he began walking down the corridor. She would allow that mind-reading shit for now. She’d talk to him about it later. It might just be that it was second nature to him. She needed to stay focused. Glancing behind them, she followed him. Not many things freaked her out, but a demented group of spiritual demons sure did. Especially if she had nothing with which to fight them.

“So what if they come after me? What can I do to defend myself?”

“They won’t leave her body now that they have full control over her.”

She paced herself right on his heels, the echoed silence causing her to look behind them every so often. If Kelsey suddenly appeared behind them, what would she look like? What could she do?

“Have you thought of a way to extract the demons without killing her?”

He stopped suddenly and she bumped into him. He held out a hand to steady her. “No. I’ve always killed the possessed.”

Well, that sent a warm fuzzy to the pit of her stomach.

They had come to a fork in the catacomb. One way was much smaller than the current corridor they were in, and the other seemed much bigger. She could even make out balconies jutting from the walls.

“You claustrophobic?”

“Uh…I don’t know.” And she sure as hell didn’t want to find out in this shit hole. She pointed to the corridor with the balconies. “I’ll take this one.”

“Call to me if you find yourself in trouble.”

She barely glanced at him as she made her way down the creepy corridor, every sense on high alert. “Sure thing.”

It made her stomach turn to think that Kelsey might be holed up here, possessed by demons and waiting for a rescue. Was Kelsey scared? Hurt? What exactly were they going to do when they found her? Better yet, what was Azazel going to do?

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Alexia pulled her concealed dagger from her boot, nearly stabbing herself in the leg out of sheer terror, and spun to face the voice. Belatedly, she realized it was Ambrose.

“Christ, you scared the shit out of me.”

Ambrose made a face. “Do not use the Lord’s name in vein, you damned slut. What kind of whore would involve themselves with a demon like Azazel?”

Whore? “I beg your pardon?” She never witnessed Ambrose use such derogatory words before.

“Ha. Beg. I bet you didn’t have to beg for Azazel to give it to you good and hard, did you?”

Good and hard? Alexia ground her teeth together. Her obnoxious friend had pulled another morphing stunt on her. “Dammit, Jade. What the hell is wrong with you?”

The figure of Ambrose melted into giggles before being replaced by Jade’s image. Her long, dark brown hair hung around her face as she bent forward laughing.

“That shit’s not funny. You’re a sadistic bitch, you know that?”

Jade was still bent over laughing. When she straightened she had actual tears in her eyes. “It wasn’t as good as the night I made a pass at you as Ambrose.” She laughed harder, recalling the memory.

“Screw you.” Alexia turned away from Jade, pissed she had fallen for that bullshit again. Had Alexia had her wits about her, she would have sensed it was Jade. As it was, she was allowing this place to creep her out.

Jade walked up to Alexia’s side, wiping tears from her eyes. “I guess I’m just trying to lessen the tension, you know?” Jade wrapped an arm through hers.

Alexia fell into step with her friend. She tried—and failed—to ignore the jealousy of knowing Ambrose had picked Jade as one of the best fighters. “How did you know about Azazel?”

“After I saw you two together I asked Ambrose about it.”

Great. “You know how things don’t normally scare me?”

Jade laughed. “I know Nephs freak you out, but the only time I’ve ever seen you scared was the time we walked into that nest of vampires in Denmark. What were there, a hundred in that park?”

Alexia shivered. That situation could have gone so wrong. “Well, this quiet hall freaks me out. I think it’s because I know deep down Kelsey’s here. If she could only call out to me, tell me where she is, then Azazel could go to her.”

“Kelsey called out to me too, but I couldn’t make out what she said.” Jade kicked a rock, sending it busting against the wall. “So, what’s with Azazel? I’ve never seen you quite so comfortable with someone of the opposite sex before.”

Alexia slid Jade a glance. Had Ambrose told her that Alexia was no longer part of the Alliance? She was about to ask when something caught her eye. She narrowed her gaze on a balcony ahead, becoming serious and deadly as she drew out a dagger. “I saw something move on that balcony.”

The balcony was only twenty feet away. Alexia palmed her dagger as she walked toward the balcony from the front, Jade from the side. Rats skittered in every direction as she drew closer. The smell of death washed over her.

Feeling as though they were being watched, Alexia glanced back to where they had come from, seeing nothing but the shadows of her mind. Looking back up at the balcony, she called out, “Dead body. From the smell of it, it’s human.”

“Do you think this is connected with Kelsey?”

Alexia shook her head. “Even though she’s possessed we would be able to scent her. No, this has nothing to do with our search.”

“After we check this area and get topside I’ll call the authorities. We can’t have them poking around while we’re trying to find Kelsey.”

Alexia looked at her friend. “So you think she’s down here too?”

“I can feel it.”

“So can I.”

They moved on from the body. Alexia tried using her psychic abilities to see what future lay ahead for Kelsey, but every time she tried, she saw nothing but pain and agony. Forcing more clarity to the images flashing through her mind, she saw the form of a person, bent over in excruciating pain.

At first she thought it was Kelsey, but Kelsey was as small as she. The figure looming in her mind was a man’s silhouette, not a woman’s.

She shook off the vision. It could refer to anything or anybody.

But it wasn’t, and she was only deluding herself. She had a damned good feeling on who she saw.

It was Azazel.

Chapter Seven

Azazel quickly realized that Jade was a zero-to-sixty type of woman, much like Alexia. But where Alexia’s brazenness pleased him, Jade’s just annoyed the fuck out of him.

They were now headed toward another bend in a corridor. The air was becoming metallic in scent, and damned if he didn’t have a gut feeling they were going in the wrong direction. Alexia seemed lost in thought. When she had first seen him, he could tell something was on her mind. With Jade in their midst she had kept whatever she was thinking about to herself. He kept to his word and stayed away from reading her thoughts.

Jade let out a frustrated sigh. “My cell isn’t picking up any signal down here. I wonder if Ambrose has found anything.”

He glanced at Jade. “I highly doubt it.”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course. You’re going to find her first, isn’t that right, Mr. Macho?”

Imagining wrapping his hands around her throat and squeezing until her eyes bugged out of her head wasn’t as satisfying as actually doing it, but it helped.

“Don’t you think if she were down here we would pick up her scent right away?”

Why was Jade with them and not the Alliance? “The catacombs are large. Why don’t you search them with your own group?”

“Hmmm, testy, testy, aren’t we? Just so’s you know, I’m not technically on this case. I’m supposed to be tracking down the vamp Kelsey had been assigned to. I just thought I’d tag along.”

“Lucky me.”

Alexia shouldered up to Jade. “You weren’t assigned to this case?”

Jade made a face. “Hell no. I told Ambrose Kelsey had tried to contact me, but instead of asking for my help he sent me in after the vamp.”

Azazel knew that had to make Alexia happy. Even he had been surprised to see that Jade had been let in on the search when Alexia hadn’t.

When he looked down at Alexia she still had that vacant look on her face. The look that said she knew something he didn’t. Apparently knowing Jade hadn’t been chosen over her wasn’t what was bothering her.

He’d give anything to know what was.

~ * ~

Azazel had put his foot down where Ambrose and his Alliance were concerned. There was no way in hell he was sharing a room with any one of those assholes. Not when he had Alexia to share it with.

She had been reserved since they returned from the catacombs. Fear and doubt were etched on her beautiful face as she undressed for the bath she was running.

Having searched for her friend throughout the night, she still looked as though she could go another twelve hours. The dainty muscles of her arms flexed as she slid her jeans down her legs.

As she disappeared into the bathroom he had the wicked visual of the water and bubbles pooling around her breasts. Flashing his clothes from his body, he could see no reason they couldn’t share the bathtub. It was plenty big enough for them both. Besides, washing together seemed to be their thing. And he had to admit that getting clean had never been more pleasurable.

She was sliding down into the water when he sauntered into the bathroom. Glancing up, she smiled, scooting forward and allowing him room to climb in behind her. It was the first smile he had seen on her face since Ambrose’s arrival.

When he settled himself in the bathtub, she scooted back, leaning against his chest. “Thanks for getting rid of everybody.”

As if he was going to share a room with Ambrose. “All in a day’s work.” He materialized a washcloth in his hands, wet it and soaped it up. She sighed as he gently ran the washcloth over her breasts.

He was ageless, yet this was the first bath he had ever shared. There had already been many firsts where Alexia was concerned. That he didn’t want to let her go was highest on the list. The thought of going back to his cold, demanding life felt like a death sentence.

Working with her seemed to come natural. With the exception of Jade’s interference today, he had thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent with her.

She moved impatiently against him. “Quit thinking so hard and fuck me already.”

Damn. Alexia didn’t know the meaning of the word shy. It was just another thing he loved about her.

His hand stilled on her breast. Love? No, that was too strong a word. He’d known her for less than a week. Never having loved a woman before, it was highly unlikely…

Love? No. There were things he admired about her. Admired was a much better word to explain the way he felt about her.

She turned in his arms. “Did you hear me?”

Still shocked at his own thoughts, he only nodded.

“I don’t want the restrictions of this tub. Let’s move to the bed.” She stood, her perfect body glistening only inches from his, and grabbed a towel from the towel rack.

He sat in the bathtub for a few seconds, trying to sort through his feelings.

What the hell was wrong with him? Sort through his feelings? What feelings? He was a demon. Men such as he didn’t sort through their feelings. Especially when it came to the admiration of an ornery, hardheaded woman. An assassin.

“Azazel, do I have to buy a pair of handcuffs to secure you to the bed, or are you going to get your ass out here?”

Smiling, he stood and materialized a pair of handcuffs. Now sex was something he had a handle on. He pushed his disturbing thoughts aside, stepped out of the tub and went to join her.

As he rounded the door and stepped into the bedroom, he let the cuffs dangle from his fingers, water dripping off his hair and tickling his back. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, light blue eyes growing lighter by the second.

“Lay down.”

She snorted. “No. I can cuff you, but you’re not cuffing me.”

Silly girl. When was she going to learn? He used his powers to force her down before he came to stand in front of her.

“Azazel…”

He stood over her. “You don’t trust me?”

The corners of her mouth lifted in a sly grin. “You standing over me with a pair of handcuffs is a scary sight.”

“Since when have you let fear rule you? Instead, allow it to arouse you.”

The handcuffs disappeared from his hand only to reappear on her wrists. Her arms were now behind her back, her breasts pushing out, begging for him to run his tongue over their peaks.

The bed depressed as he crawled to her as if she were prey. An uncharacteristic giggle slipped past her lips. He raised an eyebrow as he put his hands on either side of her.

“Okay, enough with the handcuffs.”

He didn’t answer as he lowered his head to her breast. She arched against him, her body still damp from their bath.

He ran his tongue around her nipple, lowering his hand to slip between her legs as she started pulling against the cuffs. Using two fingers, he slid inside her sex, which was already wet and ready for him. She moaned and spread her legs farther, allowing him better access.

He stroked her as she writhed beneath him, her moans hardening his cock, sending a need through his body that only she could fulfill.

That revelation was another jolt to his system. It was true, he only wanted her. The sounds she made, the looks she gave him. He couldn’t think of any other woman he would rather be with.

Leaving her breasts, he kissed, licked and nibbled a path down her toned stomach. She tensed when he flicked his tongue over her clit.

She tugged against her handcuffs again, and he pulled back. “Another tug and I quit.”

A sound between a growl of aggravation and a sigh escaped her lips. She quit tugging.

“Good girl.” He went back to teasing her, pleased when she called out his name. During prior sexual experiences, he’d cared only about his own release. Half the time he hadn’t been able to remember the woman’s name. With Alexia, he wanted to give her pleasure, hear the soft sounds of satisfaction come from her lips. He wanted to take his time, explore her body and excite her with his hands and mouth.

Being with Alexia made him realize he wanted so much more than her body. He wanted her passion, her soul, her admiration.

Yes, he wanted her to like him, and there was no reason to deny it. At least to himself.

Through playing games, he made the handcuffs disappear and watched his woman come to life in his arms.

She flipped him onto his back—not an easy feat—and straddled him. She guided his cock inside her warmth, then leaned forward and took what the animal inside of her craved.

Four words entered his mind when she bit him, words that reverberated through her mind with heartbreaking need.

Please don’t leave me.

Her thoughts left him dazed. How could he ever let her go? He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but it seemed that when they shared their bodies, or when she drank from him, a line of communication opened of its own volition. The desperation he felt inside of her released every last doubt he had regarding their time together. He would savor this time with her.

As she rode him, taking his blood and his heart with every thrust, he held her so tight she protested.

He lessened his hold on her, struggling to regain his composure. When she pulled back from his neck, he switched their positions, so he was on top of her.

As he made love to her, he looked into her eyes, which were a brilliant shade of ivory white. And his were a disgusting shade of red…

For once he cursed what he was. Though she was a creature of the night, bred for death and destruction, he was a cursed being. He was death. How could a being such as himself dare think he had a chance with a woman like her?

He closed his eyes, thrusting against the very thought of what little time they had left together. Did they have a chance against the hourglass? Did they have a future?

He almost laughed aloud. A future together. How asinine had his thoughts become? He would never wish his life on anyone, even a woman who was used to the hard realities of fighting. She was out of that deadly cycle now, and he would be the last person to drag her back in. He semi-enjoyed what he did, but did she?

When she came she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer. His body joined hers as he felt her spasms and heard his name escape her lips.

After a few moments he gently pulled her against his side as he lay on his back.

“I didn’t get the chance to cuff you and have my wicked way with your body. That’s not fair.”

He smiled, despite the disturbing thoughts and realizations creating havoc in his mind. “You’d torture me.”

“Don’t trust me?” she asked, throwing his words back at him.

He did.

And that’s what scared him most of all.

He made the decision then and there that distancing himself from her would be his first priority. It had to be. He would love her as best he could today, and come the night he would let her go.

Chapter Eight

“Rise and shine, bitches.”

Alexia winced at the annoying voice interrupting her scrumptious dream. The body she had been dreaming of was right beneath her fingertips. She ran her hand against the hard, smooth lines of Azazel’s chest, and used her finger to trace his abs as she went lower.

“Um, hello? Are you going to screw him right in front of me? I’ve no problem with it, if that’s what you want to do. You might as well wiggle out of the blankets and give me a show.”

Jade’s annoying, low-pitched voice invaded her ears. She glanced up from the cocoon of blankets to see her friend sitting on the edge of the bed. She was dressed in her fighting gear, black leather and weapons. “What the hell are you doing here? How did you get in?”

Azazel turned on his side, pulling the covers over his head. His feet kicked out, sending Jade flying to the floor. She landed in an aggravated heap, glaring in his general direction.

Alexia laughed as she made the front of her body flush to his back. “Serves you right. Now get out.”

“It’s nearing four in the evening.”

Yeah, and they had just gone to bed around one in the afternoon. His stamina was quite impressive. She had kept up with his endurance decently, but around twelve thirty p.m. she hadn’t been able to keep her eyes open any longer.

“We’ll get up in a minute.” She stretched, only to snuggle deeper into the covers, scooting closer to the warmth of his back.

“I’ve never seen you so lazy. You’ve always been an evening person. Going jogging, hitting the gym. Now you look like you could sleep the night away.”

It was too bad she couldn’t. The thought of sleeping in with Azazel was seriously tempting. Why couldn’t Jade be happy that she’d found a man? She was finally doing what Jade and Kelsey had been bugging her to do for centuries. Having awesome sex and loving it. “Have you fed lately? You’re acting bitchy.”

She felt the bed depress again, only this time closer to her side. “Oh get up. Ambrose is in a seriously pissy mood, and I don’t feel like taking the brunt of it.”

Damn. Jade wasn’t aware that Alexia was no longer a part of the Alliance. Alexia didn’t have to deal with Ambrose’s mood swings. Reluctantly she sat up, pulling the comforter with her. “I forgot to tell you. Ambrose fired me.”

Jade’s face remained impassive. “You lie.”

She shrugged. “Believe what you want. Ask Ambrose if you like. He told me not to come to France, and I did anyway, against his direct order.”

“Why did you do that?”

“Kelsey asked for my help.”

Jade frowned. “Then what was the problem? You informed him you were coming, right?”

“Yes, but he said he didn’t want me to go, and that he would send the best fighters in the Alliance. Apparently I’m not on that particular list.”

“Bullshit.”

She only shrugged again. “What can I say? He fired me, and that’s that. There’s nothing to be done.”

Jade played with the comforter, knotting it in her hands. Anger caused Jade’s eyes to glow. “If you are no longer part of the Alliance, then neither am I.”

“That’s silly. And anyway, someone has to stay around to keep Kelsey in line.” Alexia was trying to add humor to the situation, but the three of them had formed a strong bond, built through years of blood and danger. Alexia not being a member of the Alliance wouldn’t break that bond. But if Jade threw in her notice it would leave Kelsey all alone. “Stay for her, Jade. She’ll need you.”

“We need you, Lexie.”

“Do I have to be subject to this mushy bullshit?” Azazel flipped the comforter back and walked to the bathroom completely naked, shutting the door behind him.

Jade was too upset to make any comment about his body, or his grumpiness. “Did you talk to Ambrose?”

“And beg for my job back? Come on, you know me better than that.” A part of her did want to ask Ambrose for her job back. For over seven hundred years she’d done the job of an assassin and she’d done it well. Taking on missions and checking in with Ambrose. The satisfaction she received after taking a dangerous vampire off the streets helped her go to sleep at night.

She glanced at the bathroom door. Not only had she lost her job, but in a few days she’d be losing Azazel too. She’d have no one to lean on, no one to confide in. Jade and Kelsey, hopefully, would be back to their work, and Alexia would be ass-out.

Jade sighed. “We’ll figure something out, Lexie. I’ll leave you two alone now.”

Alexia didn’t say anything as Jade left. A lump in her throat threatened to bring tears to her eyes. She didn’t want Jade to know just how much all of this was affecting her, and she had the impression that’s why Jade left so quickly.

She lay back on the bed. “Damn, Kelsey. Where are you?” She half expected an answer, but none was forthcoming. Her life had been turned upside down in a matter of days. Some of it good, some of it terrible. If not for Azazel, she would be lost. She hadn’t depended on someone since Ambrose had first stumbled upon her, cold and hungry. She’d felt shame then, as if she had been accepting a handout. She’d had no choice.

Leaning on Azazel felt right, though it was a stupid move on her part. Soon he would be gone, and she would face her future alone.

The door to the bathroom opened. His hair was wet and he had a towel wrapped around his waist. “Bathroom’s all yours.”

That was fast. She pushed from the bed, wondering why he was pulling away from her. His gaze didn’t meet hers when they passed. He didn’t tease her or offer promises of finding Kelsey. His thoughts hadn’t been hers every time they’d made love last night—he’d blocked her at times. Normally she could hear his thoughts when she fed from him. It was as if his power became hers.

Did he knowingly block her, or was she becoming immune to those powers?

She showered quickly and took a towel that was hanging from the towel rack. Azazel had materialized her suitcase for her before they went to sleep a few hours ago. The scent of leather wafted up to her as she opened the suitcase. She took out her leather pants and found her folder for next week’s assignment. She had forgotten Ambrose had mailed it to her a few days before shit went south.

She picked it up to thumb through it. Just as Jade had said, their next mission was in Arkansas. A group of six vamps, killing locals and raising awareness of their kind in a small town.

She slapped it back in her suitcase and dressed. There was no need to mourn over the loss of a job, especially when she had a hand in the firing. As the saying went, she had made her bed and now she must lie in it.

Pulling on her leather pants, she felt every inch the assassin she was. There were specific loops in the pants for her daggers, pockets for her five-inch razor blades and snaps for her grenades. Getting through airports never posed her a problem, not since Ambrose had used a spell over her weapons. The man could be downright scary at times.

She finished dressing and brushed her teeth. She would focus on one thing: finding Kelsey. She would deal with her losses later.

When she opened the door to the bathroom she realized Azazel was gone from the room. She turned off the light and left the hotel room, figuring she would find him with the other Alliance members. Were they trading search areas, making sure they didn’t waste time covering areas that had already been explored?

She ran into Jade as she walked into the hallway. “Hey, have you seen Azazel?”

Jade looked confused. “He left already. He didn’t tell you?”

Alexia shielded her emotions from her friend. She didn’t want Jade to know the level of hurt she was feeling at Azazel’s dismissal. “He must have. I forgot.”

“You want to head out together?”

Heart heavy, she could only nod. Why had he left without her? Was this his way of saying it was over? After what they had shared the night before, she had a hard time believing that.

An ancient, hard-ass part of herself reminded her that he was a demon from the first fall. He cared for no one but himself. She’d never been fond of Lucifer’s demons, and he was one of Lucifer’s right-hand men.

The other part of her knew Azazel. Knew him for the man he was, the gentle lover he could be.

Had it been a façade?

Jade nudged her as they walked out of the hotel. “What’s with you?”

Alexia squared her shoulders, refusing her heart’s side of the argument. He had gotten what he wanted, and he was through. Nothing else could explain his abrupt departure. Anything else she told herself would be a lie.

Setting her jaw, she turned to Jade, the soul of the fighter back in control. “Absolutely nothing. It’s time we find Kelsey and end this shit.”

~ * ~

Azazel cursed himself a fool. Did he think walking away from her would curb his longing? The separation only made him ache for her more. The look on her face when he teased her. The erotic move of her body.

He walked down another corridor of the catacombs, hell-bent on finding Kelsey, forcing himself to finish this job and move on. Alexia deserved better than a demon. Lucifer would undoubtedly find a way to hurt her. He would never allow one of his assassins to become soft because of a woman, and that’s exactly how Luc would see it. Sex was one thing. Falling in love was something entirely different, intolerable in the eyes of the bastard.

And the more time he spent in her company, the easier falling for her would be.

What would a life with Alexia entail? Neither led normal lives. How in the hell had he let it get this far?

He sensed vampires in the vicinity, likely Ambrose and his men. He picked up his pace. Kelsey was in the catacombs somewhere. It wasn’t her scent that alerted him, it was more of a gut feeling. When he had spoken with Ambrose early in the evening, the vampire had agreed. She was close.

Why couldn’t they locate her?

He met up with the vampires of the Alliance in one of the larger corridors. He counted seven of them, including Alexia, much to his surprise. “Anything?”

Ambrose shook his head. “Nothing. She’s here. I know she is.”

Alexia was standing at the back of the group, shoulder to shoulder with Jade. The cold look she gave him told him more than her thoughts did. It was as though she had wiped him from her mind.

He recalled her silent plea that he not leave her, which was exactly what he had done. He deserved her cold stare, though it sliced him deeper than any of her blades had done.

He tore his gaze from her, noting another demon with Ambrose’s vampires. Naberius hailed from the Second Angelic Revolt. Azazel hadn’t spoken to Naberius in quite some time. He dipped his head in greeting, as did Naberius. It surprised him that Ambrose would work with demons. He had never heard of a demon being part of the Alliance.

Azazel looked back to Ambrose, wanting to move on. “We have a few more hours left. I’ll meet you back at the hotel.” Without another word he walked past their group.

“There’s another opening down the way. You’ll see it on your right. It’s only a crawlspace, but it might lead to another corridor.”

He didn’t answer Ambrose as he kept walking. Fuck the damned corridor. At that moment his job didn’t seem the most important thing in his life.

The woman he was walking away from did.

Chapter Nine

Alexia was exhausted, both mentally and physically. For as many people as they had searching for Kelsey, she should have been found by now. Everyone in the group knew that as the days passed, saving Kelsey would prove more difficult.

Ambrose seemed to be bearing the brunt of the worries. He’d become quiet and withdrawn, and oftentimes she found him staring at nothing, his eyes vacant. On a few occasions she caught him staring at her, as if he had something to say. The optimist in her believed he would tell her she still had a job with the Alliance. The realist knew he wouldn’t.

“Are you staying here for the day?”

Alexia glanced up at Jade. The pity she saw on her friend’s face wasn’t something she wanted to deal with. Jade had her own private hotel room, and when Azazel had dismissed Alexia, she figured staying with Jade was her only option. She picked up her slice of pizza, refusing to let her emotions get away from her. “Yeah.”

Jade didn’t press her. They had known each other long enough to realize when the other needed space.

Jade dipped her pizza in ranch dressing. “We can watch Legends of the Fall and drool over Brad Pitt. I saw the movie on the On Demand channel.”

Alexia forced a smile. She didn’t feel like watching a movie, but she couldn’t shun her friend’s attempts at helping. Especially when Jade could be the only friend she had left. Pushing her plate aside, she stood. “I’ll make a beer run.”

Jade’s face lit up, thinking she had cheered her up. “Game on.”

“Game on.” Alexia grabbed her wallet and left the room. As she passed Azazel’s room she kept her eyes averted. Azazel was in there. She could hear him talking with Ambrose.

She glanced down the hall, and seeing no one she leaned into the door and listened.

She heard Azazel’s deep voice first. “I work alone.”

“Then I’ll keep an eye on her. I don’t want her going out looking by herself. She wouldn’t know what to do if she found Kelsey. I already had a talk with Jade. She’ll be leaving for another assignment tomorrow morning.”

Alexia palmed the door as she leaned in further. Jade hadn’t told her that.

Azazel spoke again, this time sounding closer to the door. “Suffice to say, I’ll be searching alone tonight but I will check in with you later so we can discuss the search.”

As curious as she was, as badly as she wanted to reach out to him, she’d gotten his message loud and clear. Good-bye. She hightailed it away from the door and hit the button on the elevator.

Anger was beginning to edge in with the sadness that threatened to take over. If he wanted to act like a child, let him. She had better things to do than worry about a relationship that had been doomed from the beginning.

Like getting drunk and watching a movie from the early nineties.

Yeah.

Pathetic.

~ * ~

Jade threw a dagger at the TV, which landed with a thunk, embedding itself in the wood of the entertainment center. “She’s such a slut. Moving from one brother to the other. Slut.”

Alexia took another swig from her longneck. “I’d have had Tristan on his back in the first scene. Screw the other two.”

Jade grunted. “She did screw the other two.”

Alexia tossed her empty bottle on the floor and opened another. She wanted to kill something, watch it bleed to death. She chugged half her beer, hoping it would take the edge off the pain. She had a mind to march right across the hall and knock the shit out of Azazel. Her inability to find Kelsey only added to the fire she felt in her soul.

Someone pounded on their door. Jade threw a dagger at the door in answer, and for some reason it seemed like the funniest thing Alexia had ever seen. She started laughing uncontrollably.

Azazel slammed into the room, looked at the dagger protruding from the back of the door, then settled his attention on her. Still laughing, she turned to Jade. “Throw another one.”

Jade snorted. “I’m all out.”

The daggers sticking out of the entertainment center, four in all, and the one sticking out of the door made Alexia laugh harder. She leaned to the side, took the dagger out of the loop on her belt and handed it to Jade.

Shrugging, Jade whipped her hand back and launched it at Azazel, who merely caught it and tossed it to the ground.

“You’re drunk. Both of you.”

Trying to keep her lips from twitching, Alexia gave him a hard glare. At least she thought she was giving him a hard glare.

“Come with me.”

She tried to focus on him, but he kept moving. Or was the room moving? How many beers had she had? She glanced down at the numerous bottles littering the floor. It was impossible to count them as they danced around.

“Fuck you.” She realized what she said, and fixed the comeback. “I mean fuck off. Your days of touching this hot ass is older. I mean over.”

Jade laughed.

Azazel put his hand on the doorknob. “You’re pathetic, you know that? You successfully lost your job, are in the process of losing a friend, and all you can do is spread your legs and get drunk. Bravo, Alexia. It’s surprising you made it in the Alliance as far as you did.”

Having said that, he left the room, slamming the door so hard Jade’s dagger came loose and fell to the floor.

It took a moment for his words to hit her, and when they did she felt herself go numb. Is that what he thought of her? Why had he come to her? To belittle her? Anger filtered through her body. Who the hell did he think he was?

Jade whistled. “Them’s fightin’ words.”

Alexia threw her legs over the bed and got up. She swayed a bit, and promptly righted herself. Marching out of the room, she didn’t knock when she came to his door. She barged in and found him lounging on the bed, ankles crossed.

“You lousy son of a bitch.”

“It’s not in you to back down from a fight, is it?”

Hot tears pricked her eyes. “What have I done to you to receive such venom? When you wanted my trust, I gave it to you. When you wanted your space, I gave it to you. What do you want from me?”

Why was he acting like this? She’d heard what he said to Ambrose. He didn’t want any part of her. He worked alone. Even though she had thought they worked well together, he likely thought they only worked well in bed.

Then again, hadn’t she willingly given what he wanted there as well?

Cursing herself a fool, all she could do was stand there and cry.

Azazel had wanted to distance himself from her. Seeing her stand before him with tears in her eyes wasn’t what he expected. By using harsh words he figured she would come to his room guns blazing, ready for a fight. He’d desired her here, but not like this. Seeing her laughing with Jade had torn him apart.

While she had been drinking and having a good time with her friend, he had been pacing his room, hearing her laughter from across the hall. Had she dismissed him so easily? Jealousy wasn’t a feeling he was used to, and he was having difficulty reining it in.

He didn’t speak. During their last few sexual encounters he had used his power to keep from sharing his thoughts with her. At the time he had thought that the best course of action. But since she had taken his blood it seemed as though a connection had been made. He could feel the power stretch between them. Now he would use his thoughts to connect with her, hoping she would feel the sincerity in his declaration, realize the connection they shared. “I used words in anger, knowing you would come. I’d meant to make you angry. I never envisioned your tears.”

She wiped at her face. “What is this, Azazel? Your actions and words confuse me.”

He stood and slowly walked to her. He closed the door to the room and turned her to face him. “I had wanted to put distance between us, Lexie. I can’t concentrate on my job. I can’t go a moment without my thoughts focusing on you.” Then he admitted to her something he didn’t want to admit to himself. “It scared me.”

She stared up at him, her eyes swimming with tears. “Do you care for me?”

The fear that Luc would take his wrath out on her still enveloped him. But he couldn’t lie to her. Not now. Not knowing when it had happened, or how it had happened in the short time they had known each other, he couldn’t deny what he was feeling. “I do.”

He held his breath as she closed her eyes and lowered her head. He’d never opened himself up to someone like this before. He’d never felt this way toward anyone.

After what seemed an eternity, she looked up. “I’ve never felt a need for someone before either, and it scares me too.”

Her honesty humbled him. Wrapping his arms around her, he cradled her against his body. She fit perfectly against him, just another plus where he was concerned.

Letting go of her was no longer an option. He would find a way to make this work. Gently picking her up, he used his powers to pull back the bed sheets. She nuzzled his neck as he made way to the bed. There were so many things he couldn’t give her. Children. Stability. The dog and white picket fence. And part of him knew she didn’t want that.

What he could give her was acceptance, and a rock for her to lean on when things seemed to fall to pieces. He could be there for her if he only let go of his fears.

He lowered her to the bed and stretched out next to her, brushing her hair from her face. She snuggled into him and entwined her legs with his. He felt content to just lie beside her and run his hand down her back.

But his Lexie was insatiable.

She started slowly, kissing his neck as she unbuttoned his jeans. He almost laughed when she had trouble with his zipper. She was hiccupping.

“Just make them disappear, already.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Their clothes gone, she had no more problems finding what she wanted. Wrapping her delicate hand around his cock, she stroked him, sliding farther under the covers. She was moving deliberately slow, nibbling and licking her way down his stomach. Her tongue swirled around his navel.

When she finally took him in her mouth he groaned, fisting the sheets in his palms. His hips seemed to move by themselves, thrusting in and out of her mouth. Deep breaths were his only option to control the urge to come. With one hand wrapped around the base of his cock and the other gently cupping his balls, she was sending him over the edge. The warm haven of her mouth was pure erotic heat.

She seemed to enjoy working him to the edge of orgasm, then pulling away to lick and tease as he gained control once more.

Not being able to get his hands on her was driving him to distraction. “Come here, Alexia.” His voice seemed hollow and forced.

She wiggled up out of the covers, cheeks flushed, eyes hooded. “What did you have in mind?”

He sat up, bracing his back against the wall. She brought a leg over his lap and straddled him, guiding his cock inside of her. She rocked against him as he placed his hands on her hips. She leaned into him, her soft sounds of pleasure only a breath away from his ear.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, her hair tickling his cheek.

She answered him by kissing his neck, her pace quickening as she came closer to orgasm.

“Tell me again, Azazel.”

Her soft plea brought him closer to climax, more effective than her moans had ever been.

“You’re beautiful.”

He fisted a hand in her hair and lowered his head to her shoulder as they came together. Hearing her words invade his thoughts brought out every protective instinct he had. No one would hurt her. No one would take her away from him. Somehow they shared a connection that made them able to communicate in a very intimate way. Was it because she took his blood? He’d never let a vampire take blood from him. For whatever reason, they’d connected, and he would not block their communication again.

When she shivered, he raised his right hand and brought the comforter up and around her. She sighed, snuggling further into him.

Just as he was getting comfortable, she pulled away. The alarmed look on her face let him know something was terribly wrong. “What is it?”

“I…I don’t know. I thought I felt a tug.”

A tug? “What do you mean?”

She scooted off him, her brow furrowed.

“Lexie?”

Then he felt it. A weak link with another being, and the first pull of the connection left him stunned.

Kelsey?

He had a terrible feeling when he felt the bond with her and another being strengthen. Could it be that Kelsey was trying to communicate with her? Could they get that lucky? Kelsey would be disoriented—too weak to connect with anyone. Or would she?

Whatever it was, he was going to take this ride with her, of that he was certain.

Alexia held up a hand for silence as she tried to locate Kelsey. She could have sworn she had felt the familiar invasion of Kelsey’s thoughts. Had she been trying to reach her, or had that been Azazel?

Just as she figured she had imagined it, her body went limp as the room turned black.

“Lexie.” Kelsey’s voice was subdued, a mere whisper touching the edge of her mind.

Alexia had to struggle to hear her friend, the connection was so weak. She wasn’t sure if it was because Kelsey was weak, or if it was the effects of the alcohol she had consumed, which still left her with quite a buzz. “Where are you?”

“I don’t know, Lexie. I can’t think past the pain. I contacted Ambrose but he didn’t sound as though he knew what to do. I can’t take the pain anymore.”

“I must know where you are. I have someone with me who can help.”

“It’s dark. Damp. I can feel the cold.”

Alexia’s heart pounded. “Do you hear water? Sounds?”

“I hear a drum. A constant beat during the night. It goes away during—”

“Kelsey!”

The connection lost, her vision returned. Azazel was looking down at her. “I lost her.”

“We’ll find her, Lexie, don’t worry.”

“She’s in pain.” Instead of finding her friend and ending her suffering, she was shacked up with a hot demon, enjoying sex and comfort.

She pushed the covers back and got out of bed. Waiting until nightfall was no longer an option. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was only eleven in the morning.

Somehow he knew what she was thinking, and he didn’t argue. She was suddenly clothed in jeans and a black T-shirt, same as he. There were times his powers took her off guard, though she was thankful he was there with her. His powers would aid the search. “Where do we look first? She could be anywhere in France.”

He checked his dagger at his belt. “I have a gut feeling she’s in the catacombs. I can feel it.”

“Then why can’t we locate her whereabouts? We’ve looked all over the catacombs.”

He slipped his dagger into a sheath at his belt. “I’ll find her by this evening.”

Her psychic abilities sprang to life, and a vision was forced into her mind of Kelsey leaning over her, fangs bared and eyes glowing red. Her face was contorted, her body at an odd angle. Alexia saw a hand come up and slice Kelsey’s throat. Blood poured out from Kelsey’s neck wound, spraying onto the individual who had so callously cut her down.

Then Alexia saw the individual who had ended Kelsey’s life.

She gasped, recoiling from the vision. Azazel was instantly at her side, his strong hands steadying her.

“No, no, no.” She wiped at the tears falling from her eyes. She wouldn’t hurt Kelsey. She didn’t have it in her.

“Fate has a way of changing. Just because you saw her death doesn’t mean that will happen.”

Had he shared her vision? She hadn’t just seen Kelsey’s death. She had witnessed her part in it. It made her sick. Lives were preordained, and that was the reason people like her could see the future. Somehow, through whatever unimaginable circumstance, she would be the one to end Kelsey’s life.

Fuck that. This was one vision that wouldn’t come true. If it came down to it she would end her own life before she hurt her friend.

More determined than ever she straightened and started walking out of the room.

Fate sobered her up, but it wasn’t going to take her out.

Chapter Ten

Lexie was being too quiet and withdrawn. The spark that had brought her to him was gone, and in its place was a dismal acceptance of fate.

Walking around Paris in the bright afternoon light was something he despised. He couldn’t help but stand out in the crowd. Six foot five, light green eyes and midnight hair with blond tips brought every local and tourist’s attention to his person. Lexie seemed oblivious of the onslaught of glances and stares. As they walked she stared straight ahead, senses alert for any indication of Kelsey’s whereabouts.

He squeezed her hand as they walked into yet another pub. Kelsey had said she heard drums in the night, and he figured she could be in the catacombs, with a club above her.

All he needed to do was locate the source of the drums, and he would find the tunnel underneath. Easier said than done. Paris had crazy techno clubs littered here and there, and Kelsey could be near any one of them.

“There is nothing here,” Lexie said as she surveyed the pub.

No, there wasn’t. This pub didn’t boast of a band or a DJ. “Let’s get a drink.”

She yanked her hand from his. “We don’t have time. Besides that, I think I’m still buzzed.”

“Trust me.” He waited as she glanced around the pub again. She nodded and they found a seat at the bar.

A bartender, a man in his late forties by the look of him, slid a white towel on the bar in front of them. “Que peux-je vous obtenir?”

Azazel answered in French, ordering a vodka on the rocks.

Lexie settled herself on the stool. “Tequila.”

The bartender left to make their drinks. Azazel turned to another patron sitting at the bar, hoping to get a lead for their search. He looked like a tourist, so Azazel spoke to him in English. “Hey, I’m new to the area. You know where we can find a good rock band playing tonight?”

The short, redheaded man smiled. He spoke English. “There’s a rock band playing at Sally’s for the next few nights. I hear they’re loud and obnoxious as hell.” He lit a cigarette and went back to his drink.

“Where can I find Sally’s?”

“It’s just down the road. When you leave here take a right and start walking. You’ll see it.”

Azazel glanced at Lexie when she leaned forward. “Do they have a drummer?”

The man laughed. “What’s a good band without a drummer?”

She looked like she wanted to shove the man’s drink up his ass, so Azazel used his body to block her view as their drinks were set before them. “Down, tiger.”

She relaxed. “Do you think that’s where she could be?”

He took a sip of his Vodka. “It’s a good place to start.”

“Why don’t you just ask Lucifer where this demonic pack is? Couldn’t he find them?”

He shook his head. “Luc doesn’t bother himself with petty shit.”

“This isn’t petty.”

“To him it is and it isn’t. Luc knows one of his assassins can take care of this job, so he focuses his attention on more pressing matters.”

She downed her drink and slapped the glass back on the table. “Let’s go.”

Not wanting to argue with her in her current mood, he finished his drink and put a few euros on the bar.

They followed the directions they had been given and found Sally’s club. He took her arm and forced her down an alley.

“What are you doing? Aren’t we going to go in there and look around?”

“She’ll be underground. This shouldn’t make you sick this time, as we’re going only a few feet down.” And he had a good feeling about this. They were nearly out of places to search, and neither he nor the Alliance had searched this particular spot.

“What shouldn’t make me sick?”

He put a hand on her arm and teleported them to the catacombs. She swayed once, and regained her composure almost instantly. He was impressed. Must be the alcohol.

The catacombs were dark and smelled of old earth. Dust would soon coat both of them as they searched for Kelsey. He was getting used to it. As an immortal he didn’t need fresh air, but it was a bonus.

He closed his eyes and used his senses to pick up the scent of the demons. Unlike the other times he had done so, he felt an energy source. It wasn’t the Alliance. They had quit for the day. No. This was something else entirely.

The spiritual pack of demons was here.

“What is it?”

He smiled, finally seeing an end to this search. “We’re close.”

She pulled out one of her daggers, and with a wince, put it back. It was obvious she had recalled her vision. The pain on her face spoke volumes.

“Lexie, you can’t fight without weapons.”

She frowned. “The only person down here is Kelsey. I will not draw a weapon on her.”

Angry she would put herself in danger, he snapped. “Then what are you here for?” He realized when they found Kelsey and he completed his mission, he was going back to the pit for his next assignment. And she would be…hell, he didn’t know. The thought of not seeing her again put him in a sour mood.

She turned on him. “You said you would try and spare her life.”

He didn’t want their last day together to be like this, but who was he kidding? He was going to kill her friend. Alexia wasn’t going to send him on his way with warm kisses and hugs. He’d be lucky if he got away from her without having to dig his sword out of his ass. “I told you if there were a way to spare her life, I would endeavor to do so. I do not know another way.”

Eyes that had once been filled with desire now filled with disdain. He was already losing her. “Then leave.”

“You know I can’t do that.” He felt her feelings of betrayal deep inside his soul, and he wanted nothing more than to tell her he would make everything right. He couldn’t. He didn’t know what would happen tonight.

Another presence manifested itself only feet from where they were standing. He pushed her behind him and faced the intruder. Immediately she moved out of his grasp and stood by his side.

Ambrose stood before them, alone and armed.

He looked pissed.

“Why didn’t you call me?”

Alexia took a step forward. “This is something we can accomplish on our own. We don’t need the Alliance.”

Her stance was easy, but he could feel her admiration and fear of Ambrose.

“I know how close you are to Kelsey, and I wanted to spare you the pain of seeing her die.” Ambrose held his sword lightly in his hand.

Lexie shook her head, though defeat registered in her downcast expression just before she shot them both a dark look. “I will find another way. Unlike you two, I have not given up hope.”

Ambrose sighed. “There is no hope for her, because there is no other way. Azazel has no choice. None of us can command the demons out of her body. The only way we can stop them is to kill her, then hope like hell this group does not try to possess one of us.”

“That’s your plan?” Alexia looked horrified. “No offense, but that plan sucks. Free the demons so they can infiltrate another soul? When does it end, Ambrose? I see nothing but repetition here. Not to mention I heard you say the Alliance takes care of their own. What? Change of code?”

Ambrose glanced from Lexie to him. “He can destroy them in their spirit form. If he works quickly there will be no chance of another possession.”

She turned to Azazel. “How?”

Azazel couldn’t tell her how. It was sacred information given to few demons. “The how is not important.” It was one of the reasons he had not wanted her with him. He couldn’t kill the spirits, he had to kill the host. He was supposed to send the souls of the demons back to hell. If he killed their spirits he would be going against what Luc had asked of him.

Although, there would be others around when the spirits left Kelsey’s body—others the spirits could infect—so he really should kill them. They had defied what he knew to be fact, escaping from the pit unaided. He wasn’t certain they would go back.

She accepted his answer. Turning back to Ambrose, she put a hand on her dagger. “It surprises me to see how easily you give up on one of your own. Well, two, if we’re counting.”

“Enough of this.” Azazel saw no purpose in their barbs. “Let’s find her first.”

No further argument was brought up as they made their way down the passage. He led the way, using his senses as a guide. When they came to a bend in the catacombs, Lexie stopped him with a hand to his arm.

“What does that say?” She pointed to an old, engraved stone. “I can only speak French, not read it.”

He read the passage out loud. “‘Crazy that you are, why do you promise yourself to live a long time, you who cannot count on a single day.’”

“Well, if that isn’t foreboding, I don’t know what is.”

He dismissed the stone and the writing on it and kept walking, even though tendrils of doubt laced through him. He’d promised to find a way to end this without killing her friend, words he’d said in compassion. He wasn’t sure she would be able to handle it. Under the rough exterior lived a woman with a soft heart, filled with joy and passion. A woman he had come to respect and admire. A woman he had come to care for.

She would hate him when he did what he was sent to do.

That left an ache in his heart he wasn’t willing to examine. Pain settled in his chest whenever he thought about them parting ways. There was no solution to their dilemma, so he focused on what they were there to do.

As they walked farther down the musty corridor, he smelled humans. The others sensed it as well.

“Great,” Lexie muttered.

“Human tourists pay to have guided tours through these catacombs. We’ll just pretend to be doing the same.” Ambrose hid his weapons with his powers.

Azazel didn’t. He sensed something different about these humans. The closer they came, the more he felt another presence around them. “Get ready. I believe the demons have already gained some followers.”

Alexia palmed her dagger. “How can that be?”

“It was why they chose Kelsey when they couldn’t have you. From invading her, they control her powers, enabling access to humans in their dreams. From there they use the power of suggestion. Think of a cult, only the leader would seem even more god-like and powerful.”

“Perfect.” Lexie took another dagger from a loop on her belt. “Will we be forced to kill the humans, or is there a way to break the hold on them?”

Azazel shook his head. “It’s not a spell. They choose to follow this entity. They are misled, but they are not held by any power. If they don’t follow these demons they will likely be led by another.”

Before the words were out of his mouth they were attacked. Bullets ricocheted off the walls, sending small rocks and dust in the air. Azazel shielded Lexie from the bullets, taking a few himself. Rather than stay put, she bounded from behind him, attacking the man who was shooting at him.

As she took the gunman down with brute force he used his powers to dispose of the guns, his wounds healing. The six humans fought like madmen, no doubt thinking they were protecting a god. He found himself hard-pressed to concentrate on his fighting as he kept an eye on her.

Lexie snapped her opponent’s neck. He took his eyes off her long enough to send three of the humans flying into the wall. Ambrose disposed of two in much the same way, surprising him. It had been said that Ambrose was more demon than vampire, but until now he’d had his doubts.

The force both he and Ambrose used to slam the humans against the wall crushed their skulls. They died instantly.

When they were finished Lexie turned to Ambrose. “That felt wrong. I’ve fought only to save human life, not destroy it.”

He didn’t answer her as his eyes settled on what they had been searching for.

Ambrose tipped his head to indicate Alexia needed to look behind her. “We have bigger problems right now.”

She turned to see what he and Ambrose had already locked eyes with.

Kelsey.

Despair settled into Alexia’s gut when she saw Kelsey. Normally regal and beautiful, her friend had taken on a different form. Her body was twisted at a grotesque angle, her gorgeous long, blonde hair matted about her face, her vivid blue eyes rimmed with red, dark circles underlying them. Her face was a mask of horror.

Kelsey screeched and turned to flee, the sound echoing in Alexia’s ears as the reality of the situation slammed into her heart.

“Stay put.”

Ignoring Azazel’s warning in her mind, she ran after Kelsey. The catacombs were dark, and without the light provided by Azazel’s powers, she had to rely on her night vision.

As she came around a bend in the tunnel she saw Kelsey’s bent form stop and turn around to face her.

A voice resembling nails on a chalkboard screeched at her. “We are damned! We are damned! You will fall to darkness!”

The tirade left her stunned, but she harnessed the fighter inside, unwilling to let the bastards hurt Kelsey any longer. No matter the cost to her life, she’d find a way to smother the entity from her friend.

The only way to save Kelsey would be to offer herself in exchange. Allow them into her body. Resolve settling her fear, she began walking toward Kelsey, throwing her daggers to the ground. The vision would not come to fruition. She wouldn’t allow it.

Before she could reach Kelsey a powerful force threw her against the wall, causing her to lose her breath. She stared into Azazel’s red eyes.

“You will not sacrifice yourself.”

Ambrose sprinted past them, in the direction Kelsey had run. “We’re falling behind,” he shouted to them.

“You will stay behind,” Azazel snarled.

“The hell I will.”

With a growl, Azazel released her. In all her years she had taken orders only from Ambrose, and his rule had been to keep humans safe. The how had never been discussed, and she’d relied on her own measures to get the job done. Though this was her friend, the situation was the same. She was going to fight.

“After you,” she said, trying to calm Azazel’s temper. He looked like he wanted to nail her ass to the wall.

“I do,” he answered, having read her thoughts.

He disappeared. Within seconds she heard Kelsey’s group of demons scream, the sound vibrating the very wall she was leaning against.

Azazel was killing Kelsey.

Chapter Eleven

Kelsey lay beneath him, her eyes clearing of the haze, as Azazel forced the demons from her body into his. It was the only way he could save Alexia’s friend.

Instantly Azazel felt torn apart, his mind failing to function with all of the voices wreaking havoc in his head. There were taunts, screams and threats mingled with desperation and loss.

He heard Lexie’s voice. “I’ve never trusted you. Never. You’re a bastard who cares about no one but himself. You are one of Lucifer’s demons. I despise you.”

He forced himself to stand. Stumbling, he found the wall of the cave and leaned against it. He wanted to tear at his clothes, rip his hair out to stop the onslaught of voices. There were so many, but the voice of Alexia stood out above all the rest.

“Did you honestly believe me when I said I cared for you? You’re a pathetic piece of trash. You will always remain so in my eyes.”

They were lies. Damned lies.

“I’ll never trust you.”

It wasn’t her. The demons had infiltrated his thoughts, bringing out his worst fears. They were trying to use those fears against him. His resolve back in place, he forced himself to harness the entity. Lucifer wanted this group of demons and he would get them. He just had to get to Luc. He wouldn’t have to kill the demons because he had them inside of him.

With the demons in his mind, he was able to read some of their thoughts as well. The demons had used their combined powers to hide their scent, making it difficult for the Alliance or Luc’s assassins to track them. Weakness within their ranks had made it impossible to keep their stench hidden for long periods of time, which explained why the Alliance could sense them one moment and come up with nothing the next.

Through the haze of hate and discontent he found he couldn’t use his powers to teleport.

He saw Ambrose in front of him, as though he were shrouded in mist. Ambrose was trying to tell him something, but he couldn’t hear past the voices. Kelsey hadn’t used powers to harness the demons as he was doing. She wouldn’t have known how to control such a force. He did, but he was expending so much energy on this pack of demons, he couldn’t use his powers for much else.

And he couldn’t let go of them. If he did then they would begin to control him, not the other way around.

As if in a dream he saw Lexie run to Kelsey, who was now sitting up, her visage still a nightmare, but she wasn’t being controlled any longer. That vision was worth the agony brought on by his decision. When he had heard the disturbing thoughts of suicide in Lexie’s mind, and the love she had for her friend, he couldn’t allow her to get close to these demons. It was her own thought of taking them into her body that gave him the idea to perform such a task.

Lexie glanced up at him, fear etched on her face. From the corner of his eyes he could see that Ambrose was trying to get his attention, but it was riveted on her.

She left Kelsey’s side and ran up to him. She, like Ambrose, tried speaking to him, but he couldn’t hear her. When she realized this, she put her palms on his face.

“Azazel? Can you hear me?”

Above the din of noise and chaos, her voice reached him. Because she stood before him, he knew this was her speaking. She overrode the voices. Even those that sounded just like her. Those voices were full of hate and wrath. Hers was filled with warmth and concern. “I can.”

“Tell me what to do.”

Through the pain he found humor in hearing her say that. “I thought you rebelled against authority.”

“Dammit, Azazel, this isn’t a time for taunts.”

No, it wasn’t. “Have Ambrose flash me back to the hotel. I can’t do it on my own.”

“What do we do when we get there?”

Knowing the irony wouldn’t be lost on her, he said, “We pray.”

She shot him a dirty look before she turned to Ambrose. Nodding, Ambrose took hold of him and Azazel found himself back in the hotel room. Ambrose helped him to the bed, and then disappeared only to reappear with Kelsey and Lexie. They lay Kelsey, who resembled a rag doll, on the floor and began talking amongst themselves in a heated fashion.

He barely controlled his body from thrashing about on the bed. The damned voices were making him insane, causing him to shake. He used all of his power to keep the demons from controlling him. Some were screaming, and others were afraid of the power that held them immobile.

Lexie once again touched him and spoke over the horde. “Ambrose thinks he has a plan.”

Great. The man would want nothing more than one less demon roaming the earth. “What’s the plan?”

“There are vampires in this area that have been sentenced by the Alliance. Jade was after one of them, remember? Ambrose will find one of them and you can transfer the demons to the vampire. We kill the vampire, who’s sentenced to death anyway, and then you do whatever it is you do.”

Damn. That wasn’t a bad idea, only it would open them up to possible possession if the demons had found a way to counteract the pull of the pit. Hopefully, after they were pulled out of his body and put in the vampire’s, most of the spirits would be too frazzled to counteract the force.

He couldn’t push the demons out without a host, and the Alliance was going to provide one. “Sounds like a good plan.” At the very least, it was better than any plan he had at the moment.

Through the haze he saw the concern on her face. “Is there any way I can lessen your pain?”

At the risk of sounding like a puss, he held on to her hand tighter. “You being near is all I need.”

She turned away to say something to Ambrose. He disappeared, and Lexie lay down on the bed next to him and wrapped herself around his body, bringing his head to rest on her chest.

Never in his life, both as an angel or demon, had he ever taken comfort from another. As an angel he hadn’t needed it, and as a demon he hadn’t wanted it.

Until now.

Though he expended more power and energy to keep the demons under control the closer she was, the pain didn’t matter. Having her close brought the pain to a fevered pitch, but put his mind at ease.

Having to use everything he had to control them, he could do little else. He couldn’t even wrap his arms around her as he ached to do. The demons wanted out of his body and into hers. They recognized her. Felt her power.

He would die before he let them harm her.

“Thank you for saving Kelsey.”

Her voice was a light in the darkness consuming him. “How is she?”

“She doesn’t look very well. She’s lying on the floor by the bed. She has no strength. But she’ll be okay. I’ve seen her worse.” There was a smile in her voice. He could see it as clearly as if he saw it on her face. Though her friend was a little worse for wear right now, the nightmare was over for Kelsey. The healing process would begin. That made his decision to do this much more bearable.

And having Lexie by his side? What would he do when this was all over and they parted ways? Part of him said to be a man and get over it. The other part of him wanted to hide away with Lexie and screw everything else. But they couldn’t do that. Luc would find him, and he would kill that which meant the most to Azazel—Lexie.

Lexie pulled away, her voice ecstatic when she turned back to him. “Ambrose is here with the vampire.”

Damn, that was fast. Lexie rolled off the bed. He could barely open his eyes, though he forced himself to a sitting position. Feeling nauseated, he motioned for them to bring the vampire closer. Every movement he made was excruciating.

Ambrose twisted the vampire’s arm behind his back and led him to the bed easily. Before he attempted the transfer he asked that Lexie leave the room. She shook her head and he realized she held a sword in her hands.

Instead of arguing with her, which he had learned would accomplish nothing, Azazel grasped the vampire by the arms and thrust the entity from his body, willing it into the vampire’s, using every power he possessed. And for the first time in centuries he prayed.

The demons cursed and screeched as they were torn from him. When they left his body he fell back against the bed, unable to keep himself upright. He didn’t have the strength to use the incantation that would kill the spiritual demons. If he hadn’t used all his power to keep them immobilized inside his body, he could have killed them. Now he could only hope they were so frazzled that they went straight back to the pit. Time would tell.

He heard a sword slice through the air. A wind engulfed the room, sending anything not tied down tumbling in the air. The pull of the pit was strong, but was it strong enough? Would it take the spirits with it? Usually you couldn’t feel the pull, the wind that carried a demon’s soul back to the pit. Because there were seventy or so demons, the pull was harsh.

The bed shook and the lights flickered. Screeching filled the room, mixed with an acidic stench of fear and hate. After what seemed an eternity the room fell silent.

Lexie was leaning over him. “Is it gone?”

His voice was hoarse. “Down to the pits of Hell.” Hopefully. He would find out if Luc came asking him where the spirits were. Then the search would start all over again for him. “Lucifer will deal with them from there.”

She put her head on his chest and he felt the touch deep inside his soul. He had nothing to offer her. Nothing to give.

Lexie placed her hand on his arm. “When will you gain your strength back?”

Hell, he didn’t know. He could barely talk. “I expended a lot of energy to keep them controlled. I’m not sure.”

Ambrose used his power to get rid of the vampire’s body. “Alexia, I would like a moment alone with you.”

She tensed against him. Azazel wanted nothing more than to be a part of that conversation. Would Ambrose give her back her job? If he did, Alexia and Azazel would be going their separate ways within hours, if not sooner.

“Okay.” She got up from the bed, and he couldn’t help but tap into her thoughts, which were in turmoil. She wasn’t sure if he was firing her in person, or telling her she still had a job with the Alliance.

He remained where he was, though every nerve in his body stood on full alert. If Ambrose hurt her he was going to die.

~ * ~

“I have a question to pose to you.”

Alexia stood in front of Ambrose and hoped like hell he would make this quick. She wanted to be by Azazel’s side.

“I would ask that you fly back to headquarters with me. Sven and I want to speak with you, and we might be able to work something out.”

She had her job back. It likely came with some kind of strings, but she had her job back. Only an hour or so ago the weight had been lifted concerning Kelsey. She was safe. She was in bad shape, but she was going to be all right. And now this.

Azazel, on the other hand, was lying on the bed recuperating. Soon he would be back at his job, and she at hers. There was a high probability that she would never see him again.

Duty before pleasure. Hadn’t Ambrose taught her that from the beginning? Yet he had his beautiful wife, Christine, and she only had her weapons and the fighting. Up until now those two things were her life, and she had loved every minute of it. Hadn’t she? Or had she just not known any better? She had been growing bored…

If she told Ambrose no, could she stay with Azazel as he went from mission to mission?

Ambrose looked as confused as she felt. “Alexia?”

“I…I don’t know.” She’d never be able to go back to that life she used to live. It was cold and empty.

“Think on it. I’m going to take care of Kelsey, and I need to speak with Azazel. You should go and tell Jade and the others that we found her.”

“What do you need to talk to Azazel for?” She only wanted to go back in the room and sit by him. She didn’t want to leave his side.

“Tell the others. Jade is still in her room.” Ambrose pushed past her and walked back into the room. She stood in the hallway dumbfounded.

Everything should be all right. Her vision didn’t come true, and Kelsey had been found. Things were as they should be.

So why wasn’t she happy? She felt as though she were in a haze as she knocked on Jade’s door. Jade yelled something, and Alexia only knocked harder.

Jade finally answered the door. “What in the bloody hell is wrong with you? Did you and your hot demon fight again?”

“We found Kelsey.”

Jade sobered instantly. “Where is she? Is she okay?”

Alexia shrugged. “She’s rough-looking, but Ambrose is going to heal her.”

“What happened?” Jade asked as she threw on a T-shirt and shorts.

“Azazel…” The thought of him lying prone on the bed after having helped them bubbled up inside her, bringing tears.

“Lexie?”

Alexia turned away from Jade and put her hands on her head, as if to bring some sense of normalcy to the situation. Dear God, she’d only known Azazel for a few days, yet she was more worried about him than one of her dearest friends.

“Is she in your room?”

Alexia could only nod as Jade ran past her. There was no reason to knock on everyone’s door and wake them. None of the others had emotional ties to Kelsey. They were only here on a mission, as she should have been.

Missions. That had been the roadmap of her life for the past several centuries, and they had never bothered her. In fact they had brought her comfort. A guiding force always telling her what she had to do next.

Only now she had to find the best course of action on her own. Two maps lay before her. One was set with the Alliance, and one led into the unknown territory that didn’t have a distinct ending.

Did Azazel even want her with him?

She went back into the room, intending to ask him that very question. Kelsey was now on the bed, Jade on one side and Ambrose on the other. Kelsey’s eyes were clouded, her skin a dull gray. Alexia sat next to Jade and took one of Kelsey’s shaking hands into her own.

Kelsey swallowed. “Make sure you thank him for me.”

Confused, Alexia looked around the room. Was Kelsey aware Azazel had been the one to help her? Had she been lucid enough to know? “Where is he? You can thank him.”

Jade kept her gaze on Kelsey when she answered. “He’s gone.”

Chapter Twelve

Azazel had disappeared. He’d given his bed to Kelsey, gone into the bathroom and had just left like a coward. Not a word spoken to anyone.

Back at the pit the familiar stench filled his nostrils. Luc had yet to show, though Azazel knew the asshole was aware he had been waiting.

He glanced at the pit. Somewhere in those fires were the bastards that had careened his life off center. Normally after a mission he would be waiting for word on his next assignment. Now he was waiting to speak with Luc about leaving the job of assassin behind. He no longer had the tolerance to hold the position.

“And where will you go?”

Azazel stiffened. Luc was at his back. He turned slowly to face the demon. Once again wearing a suit, he was trying to look regal in a setting that spoke of evil.

“To the Alliance?”

Azazel nodded, unwilling to let his emotions show.

“Have they offered you a job?”

“No.” In fact, he wasn’t sure they would want him. Mostly he couldn’t go on with his flimsy life with the knowledge of what could have been. He was going back for Alexia.

“What exactly did you want to come of this meeting?”

“We’ve worked together a long time. I thought—”

“You think you’ve found the one?” The smirk on Luc’s face was set in granite.

“I don’t profess to have found the fairy-tale ideal, no.”

“Good. Because that kind of love is not for beings such as we are.”

Azazel didn’t think that much was true, though he didn’t say that aloud. He didn’t have to, either. Luc could hear his thoughts. “I know you have been aware of my discontent as of late.”

“And yet the end is near, my brother.”

Azazel was tired of hearing about it. Armageddon. The ultimate fight. Us against them. In the end they were going to lose. “I don’t intend to leave here with demons hot on my ass. Alexia is one of Ambrose’s finest fighters and friends. If something were to happen to her, he would come after you, as would I.”

It was well-known that Luc wanted Ambrose to fight with him. Azazel believed they had been great allies in Heaven, right up until the fall. That was when Ambrose would have nothing to do with Luc, which had incensed the demon. He’d been trying to gain Ambrose as an ally for centuries.

“Go then. You will not be welcomed back.”

Could it be that easy? “I will not spy for you.”

“I do not need spies, nor do I need enemies in my camp.”

No, it couldn’t be this easy. Luc was not going to let him go without a fight. Luc’s powers were greater than the rest of the demons, including him, and Luc would not hesitate to use those powers on him.

The question was when.

Luc disappeared, and before he had even dematerialized the pain started. It was then that Azazel realized what Luc was doing.

He was taking the powers away from Azazel.

~ * ~

Alexia parried, twisted and struck out with her dagger, causing Sven to jump back. When he did she plowed into him, much the same way she had done to Azazel only weeks before.

Had it only been a few weeks?

Not used to that tactic from her, Sven went to the ground hard, and she made the slicing motion across his neck with her knife, indicating the death blow.

Crawling off him, she didn’t feel elated like she normally did. Nor did she brag or shit-talk, even when Jade made a whooping sound.

“Where the hell did that move come from?”

“We did a little on-the-job training.”

Alexia spun around when she heard Azazel’s voice. Standing just inside the training yard, looking healthy and real, he stared at her. Fighting the urge to run to him, she only sheathed her dagger. It took two tries to get it in the sheath.

“Glad you could make it.” Sven got up from the ground and slapped her on the back as he made his way to Azazel.

Glad he could make it? What the hell was Sven talking about? And why did she not feel the power she normally felt when Azazel was around?

The two exited the training area, leaving her with her mouth open. Jade came to stand beside her. “Um, what the hell was that? Why’s he here?”

“How the hell do I know?”

“Oh, so now you’re getting your spunk back. Couldn’t be the fact that your boy-toy just popped in, huh?”

“Shut up.” Alexia left Jade standing there as she hightailed it to the main castle. In the old hall, which they now called the meeting room, sat Azazel, Sven and Ambrose. The three ignored her presence until she cleared her throat. What were they doing?

Sven looked up at her. “I didn’t say training was over.”

“What…he…?”

“Back to training. We have a lot to go over. He can fill you in later.”

She wanted to say something so badly, but because she had just been reinstated she didn’t think it a wise decision.

She had at least four more hours of training, and all she wanted to do was greet the man she had fallen in love with.

Would he still be there when she was finished, as Sven had mentioned?

Or would he vanish once again and leave her as he had done twice before?

Chapter Thirteen

Azazel knew Ambrose was fighting himself on the issue of whether or not to hire him. That he was a demon seemed to be the one factor Ambrose wasn’t happy with. Azazel had thought Naberius was part of the Alliance, because the demon had been in the catacombs helping to locate Kelsey. But from what Azazel had found out, Naberius was not a member of the Alliance, he had only been helping them find Kelsey because the two had been romantically linked at one time.

“My gut feeling is telling me to hire you on. You’ve obviously proven yourself as an assassin.”

He nodded at Ambrose. This was looking good. “I have. And I will for the Alliance as well.”

Ambrose studied the manila envelope that had Azazel’s hopes and dreams stashed inside. Between those golden folds lay paperwork that would secure him a job within the Alliance. He glanced at Sven, who was sitting across from him in the great hall. He seemed subdued for once, and Azazel was having a hard time reading him.

The great hall of the castle didn’t intimidate him. Not with the ancient wall hangings and most of the original artwork. Nor the grand staircase with its intricate stonework, or the huge training center that was located just outside of the wide double doors. What intimidated him was that he was laying all his hopes on two men who detested demons.

“And if my gut feeling is wrong, you could be a potential spy for Lucifer. Then where would I be?”

Azazel met light green eyes much like his own. “I am not a spy. I give you my word.”

“Then why are you here?”

Azazel glanced at Sven. The male could be hardcore at times. A former Viking, he had a past that would make a demon look like a girl scout. In his cold blue eyes Azazel could still see some of that Viking bloodlust. It was probably what kept Sven from growing bored in his current line of work. He liked to kill.

“I am here for Alexia,” he answered honestly.

Sven smirked. “Wrong fucking answer. If you are not here for the Alliance, and do not believe wholeheartedly in the cause we are fighting for, why should we hire you?”

Damn. Good. Question.

“Love.” Ambrose slid the manila envelope across the table and opened it. “Love guides us in all our endeavors.”

Azazel followed Ambrose’s movements. Ambrose slid the paperwork out of the folder and Azazel’s chest tightened as he awaited the verdict. Would they hire him? If they didn’t hire him then he was in a bad position. They wouldn’t appreciate it if he took Alexia away from the Alliance, but he was not ruling that option out. They would be together, no matter the decision Ambrose made. He just wanted to make Alexia happy, and the Alliance did that.

“Are you willing to work with her then? Is that the way you want this set up? You and Alexia as a team?”

Hell yes. “That would work.”

Sven nodded, his blond hair falling into his eyes. “That will work for the Alliance as well.” Sven turned to Ambrose. “She can keep an eye on him. Alexia is crazy enough that she would cut his nuts off if he made a bad move.”

Azazel cupped himself under the table. Minding his P’s and Q’s just became a matter of grave importance.

Ambrose smiled at Azazel. “I guess we have reached a deal.” Ambrose handed him a paper that required his signature. “That’s the routing number to your bank account, and this is your Alliance identification number. All Alliance members have their own three-digit number for accounting purposes.”

Azazel took the pen Sven offered.

Sven smirked, not letting go of the pen right away. “I thought yours should be six, six, six, but Ambrose nixed that idea.”

Oh yeah, working for the Alliance was going to be a job all right.

~ * ~

Ambrose stood with his hands clasped behind his back. “Would you consider having a partner?”

She barely managed to keep her mouth from dropping to the floor. Normally when Ambrose paired up two members of the Alliance it was because of an infraction involving one of the individuals. Having trained all day with her thoughts on Azazel, she was cut, bruised and beaten. She wanted a shower, and she wanted Azazel in that shower with her. “Am I being paired to undergo a period of probation?”

“No, nothing like that. I propositioned Azazel. I figured you could show him the ropes since you two are tight.”

She couldn’t respond. Could this be a possibility? The last thing she wanted to do was hope for something that was impossible.

“Alexia?”

She swallowed her hope down. This had to be a sick joke. “Have you spoken to him about this? When did he join? Isn’t he…an assassin for Lucifer?”

“No. Not anymore.” He stepped back. “Keep me informed.”

He disappeared.

She leaned against the door to her room, too stunned to do anything else. What if Azazel refused the Alliance’s proposition that they should work together? It would be a rejection she might never recover from. Then again, he was a part of the Alliance now, wasn’t he?

In the short time she had known him, he had come to mean everything to her. He’d taught her what trust was. He’d taught her there was more to life than fighting.

There was love.

Understanding.

Acceptance.

Azazel was in her room. She had felt a presence inside before Ambrose had taken her aside. Had Azazel heard their exchange?

Feeling as though her heart were on a chopping block, she turned and opened the door, and for the first time in centuries she let her heart guide her.

Quietly sitting on the bed next to him, she took a deep breath and took Azazel’s hand in hers. He looked so much better than the last time she had seen him, and she took strength in the fact that he had come back for her. He was sitting up, back leaning against the wall behind her bed.

She cleared her throat, unable to meet his eyes. As a fighter she contained an instinct for self-preservation. As it was, her next question would leave her defenseless, something she wasn’t used to.

“Have you ever considered having a partner?” She wanted to vomit as the words came tumbling out. She waited for his laughter. He had said that he worked alone.

He reached over to play with her hair. “If it’s a sacrifice I must make, then I shall do so without complaint.”

Oh, that was rich. She smacked his hand away. “Listen, if you don’t want to do it, just say so.”

She started to scoot off the bed. His arm wrapped around her waist, though he was very weak and his grip wasn’t that strong because he was laughing. “Come here, Lexie.”

“I could break you in half right now, you arrogant bastard.”

He laughed harder.

She spun around to face him. “Oh, you think it’s funny? You’re not going to think it’s funny when I stick my boot up your ass.”

“I knew you had a kinky side.”

She folded her arms across her chest and waited for his answer. His face lost its humor, but his eyes still held warmth as he tugged her closer to his side. “I’m happy. Happiness was a foreign concept to me until I met you.”

His words warmed her, but she was still waiting to hear his decision.

To her surprise, he pulled his shirt over his head. A tattoo she hadn’t seen before was wrapped around his arm.

“That’s my name in the demonic tongue, confirming my loyalty to Lucifer.”

She watched in amazement as he put his hand over the tattoo and it disappeared.

“I’ve been covering it with my powers for centuries, to the point I don’t even realize I do it any longer.”

“Why?”

“I quit agreeing with Luc a long time ago, and he’s very aware of that fact. I doubt it came to him as a surprise when I asked to be let go.”

She tried blinking away tears. “So your answer is yes?”

“Someone has to keep you in line.”

She stuttered. “W-What did you just say?”

Displaying more of his regained strength, he tugged her until she was straddling him. “All joking aside, I want you to know how much you mean to me. I’m sure there will be days you’ll curse me, and call me every name in the book. I’ll probably even deserve it. But never doubt my love. Fighting by your side would be an honor.”

“Ah, how sweet.”

His look darkened, even as his eyes held their warmth. “Watch it.”

“Or what?” she asked, taunting him.

“Or I’ll give you that walloping of biblical proportions you deserve. Don’t even think I’ve forgotten that Ricky Martin episode.”

“Whatever you say, Ricky.”

He rolled his eyes. “What am I going to do with you?”

She snuggled closer to his chest. “Love me.”

He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “There are many aspects of our lives that are preordained. I was meant to fall. You were meant to turn. If I had to live through all the horrors of my long life once again, I would not hesitate to do so, for those experiences have brought me to you. Fate crossed our paths, and never again will I question it. There is one thing, though. Luc took some of my powers and left me with my original powers as a demon from the first fall.”

“So you can’t read minds anymore? What a pity.”

Through all her years as a psychic, she had never once envisioned her own future. If she had, it would never have been this perfect.

Leaning in, wrapping her arms around his neck, she promised herself she would never let him go. And everyone who knew her could attest to the fact she was a stubborn hard-ass.

He held her tighter.

Laughing, she pulled back. “So, when can I handcuff you and make you squirm?”

He shook his head. “You’re insatiable. Will you ever have enough?”

She leaned forward to whisper, “Not when it comes to you.” She lightly kissed his lips, and said the words that had been tumbling in her heart for days. “I love you, Azazel.”

“I love you more.”

In the short time she had known him, her world had come to have meaning. A purpose.

Fighting alone had been invigorating.

Fighting by his side was her destiny.

About the Author

I grew up in the city of Sacramento, California. I decided I wanted to see the world, so I enlisted in the Navy right out of school. Shortly after joining the Navy I was stationed in Italy where I met my husband—a Marine who guarded the building I worked in. No one can convince me that love at first sight does not exist. We have two beautiful daughters and now reside in his home state of Michigan.

To learn more about me, please visit www.dawnmcclure.com . Send me an email at [e-mail] .

Look for these titles by Dawn McClure

Now Available:

Azazel

Coming Soon:

Asmodeus

Being an aspiring witch is daunting business…

Asmodeus

© 2009 Dawn McClure

When Brianna Claxton accidentally summons a demon, she is forced to face her mistake head-on. That becomes problematic when her mistake comes in the form of a hot, ancient demon named Asmodeus who refuses to go back to the hell from which she summoned him.

Thoughts of revenge have kept him sane…

Asmodeus is leader of the Rebel Watchers, angels who fell from grace out of lust for human women. He had been subjected to the Abyss, tortured in a virtual Hell in Heaven, until the careless mistake of a human witch released him from the fires. Now faced with temptations of the flesh by the sexy witch who summoned him, he tries convincing himself that embarking on a relationship with Brianna would be a mistake of Biblical proportions.

Two lives hang in the balance…

Just when things start heating up, four Death Angels give her a mission: Use her powers to kill him…or face the Abyss herself. Gaining his trust is the key—except the closer she gets, the more he reveals the man he is, not the demon she thought him to be.

Warning: This title contains graphic language, graphic sex, and demons who give a whole new meaning to the old adage sinfully hot.

‘Tis far better to love in hell than to live in heaven.

Duncan’s Descent

© 2008 Marie Harte

Ethereal Foes

As a demon of the Ethereal, it’s Duncan Sinclair’s job to sway humans toward the path to hell. Duncan is very good at his job—until a prank gone wrong lands him in the upper realm doing penance. Now he’s being bombarded with love, kindness, and affectionate sex…and it’s killing him. The only way out is to agree to sway souls for heaven, with an angel as his partner, by all that’s unholy!

Sapphira may be an angel of the upper realm, but she chafes in a bland existence where everything is so pure. It’s hard to hide her secret yearning for sin. Even harder with Duncan, who’s everything the dark core of her soul craves: handsome, sexy and refreshingly naughty.

Confronted with an angel who drinks, swears, and takes him to bliss with her sinfully delightful body, Duncan finds himself at risk of losing his heart to the enemy.

Loving this angel could land him right where he doesn’t want to be—heaven. But what’s a demon to do when he’s falling?

Warning: This title contains annoying angels, smart-assed demons, beer, hotter-than-hell sex, and justice for all.

Enjoy the following excerpt for Duncan’s Descent:

She blinked and quickly turned away from the passion in his gaze. “Ah, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to come here first.” Glancing down, she seemed to notice she’d finished her second beer already. To Duncan’s amusement, she looked none the worse for wear. His angel, apparently, could drink a mean game.

“Another?” Before she could protest, Duncan waved the lone waitress to their table. She stumbled all over herself to help him, and he had her return with four more beers, on the house. After the waitress left, he donned a put-upon expression. “Sapphira, I’m not done drinking yet. I’d like another.” He nodded to Sapphira to finish hers. “Drink while we talk. It’ll make my presence that much easier to bear,” he added caustically.

“Good point.” Sapphira started on another, and Duncan hid a smirk. If this kept up, she’d be the fastest seduction he’d ever made. And despite the poor challenge she presented, his hunger deepened at thoughts of taking such a ripe, sensual female.

“Now tell me more about Shepherd. He’s on the fence about his Decision, right? So what’s heaven’s angle?”

As she told him what Uriel had explained to her when she’d disappeared while Duncan had been changing, he lost the train of conversation as he studied her. Such earnest intentions. She truly appeared to believe in commanding the souls they’d been sent to find. Yet the spark of darkness, the mischief Duncan could feel bubbling just under her skin warmed him.

And damned if he didn’t find her heinously attractive. Heinous, he thought, was too good a word for it. Duncan had lost count of all the women he’d slept with in his short four hundred years. He’d had all manners of race, size and shape, and had no real preferences for any particular color. Gender, however, mattered. Unlike James, Duncan preferred females. His brother…the book hadn’t yet been written, but it wouldn’t surprise Duncan to find James sharing sex with a man in his future.

Sapphira, however, was as far from a man as a woman might be. Her darker skin had a richness, a vibrancy that made him think of home. And though he loved females in all shapes and sizes, preferably ones who liked sex without so much love and devotion attached, he’d always been drawn to a full, womanly shape. Though tall and slender in some places, in others Sapphira kicked with curves. She had full breasts that would fill his palms, he was sure. He’d mentally cupped them a dozen times since seeing her. And that ass… He finished his beer and downed half of another one.

That ass would feel right as he held her down and fucked her again and again. He could too easily imagine riding her, channeling into that sweet pussy before taking her in the ass, where no one ever had before. She had most likely had sex, but he doubted her partners had been very creative. Duncan snorted. Angels were incredibly boring. In his eternity of a stay in the upper realm, he’d received blowjobs and taken a few angels missionary style. But nothing more creative than coming over a pair of tits.

Sapphira, now, she’d be an inventive lover. She’d swallow him whole with those full lips, taking him deep in the back of her throat. And when he finished coming, he’d pull her around on her hands and knees, spread her wide, and shove his dick into her ass, easing through her tight tissue with steady pressure until she gave him her all.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Sapphira asked unsteadily, the glimmer of blurred annoyance in her gaze a sign from the dark powers, surely.

“We stopped here for you.” Duncan snapped his fingers and dropped the wad of cash that suddenly appeared on the table, a thank you to his hell-bent waitress. “Now I need a stop before we collar Shepherd for your team. Humor me, angel.” He grinned at her irritation. “I’ll try to be quick.” The first time.

“Oh, all right. As long as you promise not to mention this little side trip.” She stood without wavering and preceded him out the back door. He wondered if he’d made a mistake about her sobriety. Then she turned and gave him a sloppy smile. “I did it for you, to show you I can take whatever you have to dish out. I’m not one of them, not really.” She glared up at the sky. “I’m so much more than that.”

Thanking Lucifer for his good fortune, Duncan caught Sapphira in his arms and turned her against the only clean part of the wall he could see.

“How much more, angel? Show me.” He fused his mouth to hers, stealing any protest. But a second after inhaling her breath, he was lost to her touch. And in moments nothing mattered but getting as close to his angel as humanly, or demonly, possible.

He fell from grace to protect humanity—and found Heaven in her kiss.

The Seraphim: Setheus

© 2007 Rene Lyons

After her mother’s deathbed confession changes everything she’s ever believed, Sabrina heads out on a quest to find out who—and what—her father was. Instead, she finds Seth, a man whose life is as steeped in secrets as her own.

Thousands of years ago, Setheus made the ultimate sacrifice. He gave up Heaven to protect humanity from Hell. For years he has waited, biding his time for Sabrina to come to him for answers. But he is unprepared for the feelings her arrival awakens in him.

As Seth and Sabrina discover a love that burns brighter than the light of Heaven, a deadly threat overshadows their happiness. Before they can find peace with each other, they must confront an enemy that would unmake the world…

Enjoy the following excerpt for The Seraphim: Setheus:

“Do you think I have it, Sabrina?”

She pointedly ignored the way he practically purred the words. She knew he was not referring to his sex appeal—which he had in spades. “It doesn’t matter what I think. The bottom line is Bryce Mathers does. He wants it and he’s willing to pay you top dollar to have it.”

He contemplated her words for a moment. “Even if I did have it, it wouldn’t be for sale. Not for any price.”

She hadn’t thought it would be.

Hakion’s Stone was a priceless artifact dating back to about five thousand B.C. Of course, as far as Sabrina was concerned, Hakion’s Stone was still just a myth. There was no hard evidence it truly existed. Until she saw it for herself, it was just whispered rumors that drifted down through the ages.

As the legend went, God had picked three of his fiercest warrior-angels to guard the three stones here on Earth. The stones supposedly contained the hearts of three demons. The angels had to fall from Heaven, sacrificing themselves in order to walk the earth and keep the stones.

After her mother died and Sabrina learned of the circumstances of her birth, she set out to learn all she could about the stones. Her search had led her to Bryce Mathers and, in turn, to Seth Raleigh.

Instead of dirtying up his own hands, Mathers, who owned a small and rundown museum, enlisted his most overworked historian to interview—interrogate—Raleigh. Not that Sabrina minded. She wanted to come face-to-face with a man who might have known her father. A man who might hold the key to her finding out what part of her mother’s outrageous deathbed confession was true, and how much was from delirium caused by the pain of her cancer.

“Do you know why Mathers wants the stone?”

For some reason, Sabrina knew Raleigh was going to see right through the bullshit she was about to serve him. Nevertheless, she wasn’t going to tell him the true reason for her being there. More than anything else, she wasn’t ready to admit the truth about herself aloud. It was still difficult enough for her to say it in the privacy of her mind.

“I don’t know and, honestly, I don’t care.” She looked right in Raleigh’s pitch-black eyes when she gave him that lie. She cared very much why Bryce wanted the stones, and planned on doing everything she could to keep them from him. “If he wants the stone, I’ll do everything I can to get it for him. My job is on the line if I don’t.”

Given Raleigh’s expression, he didn’t like Bryce. She couldn’t blame him for that. She hated the man herself. “It figures a man such as Mathers would threaten a woman to get what he wants.”

Mathers wasn’t going to win any humanitarian awards. He was a rat-bastard who made her skin crawl just by being around him. She was also not ashamed to admit that he scared the shit out of her.

“That’s neither here nor there, Mr. Raleigh.”

“Seth.”

Sabrina held back a frustrated huff. “Seth,” she corrected. “Bryce believes you have the stone and he’s not going to stop until he gets it. So, let’s just put aside all the niceties…”

“Sweetheart, I haven’t even begun being nice to you.” His voice was warm honey, causing a wonderful thrill to shoot through her. “Like I said, even if I did have the stone, I’d never give it up. Especially not to Mathers.”

Knowing what she did about Bryce, Sabrina couldn’t fault Seth for that. Unfortunately, that didn’t help her. “You have to know how important these stones are. If they truly exist, they could change…”

“The stones are nothing more than a myth.”

Sabrina raised a brow at that announcement. “Then why are people willing to kill for them?”

Seth relaxed in his chair and steepled his fingers under his chin as he regarded her with his steady gaze. “Men, I’ve learned, are foolish creatures who rush in before they know all the facts. They like the idea of absolute power and will do absolutely anything to acquire it. Even sacrificing life on the belief of a myth.”

“Men? You sound as if you believe you aren’t among us humans.”

His silence was cryptic. The look he gave her was chilling. Although Sabrina knew what he was, she said nothing about it to him. She didn’t know what he’d do if he discovered she was well aware of the truth about him. And so, she played the game of ignorance and hoped things would fall into place as she’d planned.

There was no denying Seth was…different. The way he carried himself and the feral look in his mesmerizing eyes proclaimed he was something far more than human. That something seemed to reach out to Sabrina. It wrapped around her, seeped into the very core of her being. She felt robbed of breath and made her skin feel like it was on fire. Or was it his gaze that seared her? Whatever it was, she almost fanned herself to help cool the heat coursing through her.

“I believe this business about the stones has come to an end, Sabrina.” The finality in his tone told her he’d not budge on the matter.

“Well, that’s it then.” What a waste of two hours. Sabrina had hoped to leave here with a better idea of whether Seth possessed the stones or not. Or at least come away with a better understanding of the man himself.

She collected the infernal pocketbook and stood Her skirt had ridden up—Raleigh’s eyes were locked on the expanse of exposed thigh—so she adjusted the material and stuck out her hand. “I believe our business is done. Thank you for your time, Mr. Raleigh.”

His hand wrapped around hers and, in one smooth and unexpected motion, Seth Raleigh stood and pulled her up against him. Almost every part of her was touching some part of him and that made her breathless. All of his glorious hardness made her dizzy. The pocketbook slipped from her shoulder, landing at her feet. He kicked it away. She reached out to take hold of his shoulders to steady herself as her mind spun at the contact of their bodies.

Seth pressed his cheek to hers. “Our business is far from over, Sabrina,” he said softly in her ear. “It’s only just begun.”

64 | Strona