I surrendered to his passion, letting my own rise to meet it. Something had changed him. Before, Cain had been a man living in the dark his entire existence, yet now he radiated light and love.
Which doesn’t make sense because he’s a Chosen, a demon.
I pushed the thought away and curled myself around him. I didn’t care. Whatever this was between us, we’d make it work.And he had a plan all along, leaving me here was part of it.That inner glow coursed through my bones and blood smoldered in my veins.
Out of instinct, instead of trying to wrestle it to do what I wanted, I surrendered. My power rose and wrapped around Cain in a caress, covering him in a golden-amber glow.
For a moment, he froze, his metallic gaze lasered onto mine.
Our breaths came in harsh gasps.
Muffled sounds of battle continued to rage. But in that place and time, with the world reduced to him and me, everything else fell away.
He raised a hand and flicked his wrist.
I cringed, expecting a dark lash of power to strike against mine, but he only grinned as a bright glow surrounded his hand. It crawled up his forearms, his shoulders, and his chest, encasing him in bright-silver armor.
“What...?” He shone brighter than a beacon. “You don’t look like a Fallen.”
He tilted his head and leaned forward, brushing his lips along my neck, sending a hot thrill through my body. “That’s because I am not.”
“But Lucian turned you into a demon,” I whispered, trying to keep my thoughts on what he was saying instead of what he was doing. “I saw it with my own eyes.”
“He’s the Father of Lies and manipulations. All through my existence, he’s whispered and driven me to seek vengeance against Adam.” His voice roughened. “After I reached Heaven and saw how empty my entire life had been, I realized I no longer wanted retribution.”
“Why not?”
He slid a hand along my upper arm. “Because I had something better.”
“Did you find Adam?”
The confusion must’ve shown on my face because he chuckled then tugged on a lock of my hair. “Yes, sweet Phoebe. I found Adam, but after seeing him and listening to his words, I knew even if I won and took his soul to Hell, it would be a hollow victory. I’d still be alone, bitter, and a perpetual outcast.”
“Then what did you do?”
“I spoke to God.”
A wild burst of laughter sprang from my mouth as I inspected his face. “You’re joking.”
“No. I’m serious.” His lovely eyes softened, and he grasped my shoulders. “I’m done with this fucked-up way of life. The only thing I want is you.” Lifting my chin with a fingertip, he stared hungrily into my eyes. “Someone I met there said if I wasn’t afraid of dying, then I’d never found a reason to live, and he was right.” Those brilliant new wings of his curved gently around my body, creating a cocoon to block out the world. “And that reason has pink hair, gorgeous brown eyes, and is sweeter than anything I’ve ever known. I love her so much it physically hurts my heart.” With an index finger, he traced the lobe of my ear. “I’ve never known such a feeling. Forever, I’ve felt like I’ve been walking through a heavy rain, occasionally catching glimpses of light between the slanted drops. When you intruded into my life, you burned those clouds away and forced me to reevaluate everything I’ve ever known.”
I trailed my fingers across his chest then laid a cheek against his armored chest. Relief flooded through me, and I closed my eyes. “You came back to the light.” It wasn’t a question but a statement.
“Yes.” His silver armor disappeared and he wrapped his arms around me, pressing his chin to the top of my head. “You were my light all along, it just took me a while to find my way out of the darkness.”
I smiled, stood on my tiptoes, and pressed a gentle kiss to his mouth. “I love you.”
“And I love you, Phoebe.” With a radiant grin, he slid his hands to my waist and tugged my hips to his. “We need to leave, but I have one more thing to tell you. I met an archangel, and he’s your—”
Cain’s spine stiffened, and his brow furrowed.
“What’s the matter?” I asked. The constant clamor of battle remained dull and distant, so I didn’t worry about an attack. Not out here, surrounded by Cain’s protective embrace and our new power.
Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, and confusion clouded his eyes.
“Cain,” I yelled, watching the line of blood drop onto his chest. “What’s happening?” Panic fluttered its wings in my stomach, and I reached for his face.
He pushed me away and stumbled from the wall, twisting his wrists as if to summon his sword and shield. “Run, Phoebe.” His wings retracted and drooped, revealing two terribly beautiful dark angels towering behind him.
