He let out a humorless laugh. “Then how come each time I feel your power seething deep within you, you shut it down?”
Because sometimes that power felt… evil. I was scared that once I started using it… it would start using me.
Samael’s gaze was glued to my face and I had a feeling he saw beneath my false bravado to the coward I truly was. Fine. Iwasafraid. Sue me.
I’d never longed for power. I’d secretly always wished I was entirely human. As soon as I killed whoever murdered my mom, I was saving every cent I had and moving to California where I’d get a job in a bar or a cafe and start a brand new life. A life without demons and witches. The kind of life my mom had always wanted.
Samael let go of my chin and something that might have been regret crossed his face.
“If you won’t use your power, I’ll take matters into my own hands.”
The threat in his voice unnerved me so I went on the attack. “Dude, why do you care! I promise I won’t get killed until after I’ve figured out who’s killing your demons. You’ve got a damn babysitter with me most of the day anyway!”
He wasn’t listening. Instead, he paced the room like a caged tiger, sending me the occasional dark look.
SNAP
A breeze rustled my hair, and a vase crashed to the floor across the room as I gaped. The demon in front of me had just spread his wings. Now that I knew what those wings looked like, the thought scared the shit out of me.
The rage disappeared from his face and a wind blew my hair back once more as he pulled his wings back into himself. I wanted to see them again almost as much as I wanted to take my next breath.
He stalked toward me and I couldn’t help but retreat until my back met the wall.
Samael stared down into my eyes for a long moment. Then he seemed to come to some kind of decision, because he fisted my hair in his huge hand.
And his mouth crashed down on mine.
I gasped against him, and he took the opportunity, stroking my tongue with his. The kiss was over too soon, and Samael stroked one finger down my cheek as he stared down at me.
He kissed me once more.
“You won’t enjoy what happens next,” he murmured against my mouth, and I stiffened. “But it’s for your own good.”
23
Danica
Ipushed at Samael’s chest, my pulse thundering at his warning, but he was already gone, closing his eyes for a moment, brow furrowed. A few seconds later, Vas appeared. He must’ve been waiting outside.
“You asked for me?” His eyes lightened slightly, some of the sadness leaving his face as he took in my mussed hair and what was likely a shellshocked expression. The grin he gave me told me he knew exactly what I’d been doing, and I half expected him to give me a thumbs up.
Samael struck without warning.
He moved so fast my eyes could barely keep track of him. I screamed, shock making my throat tight as he hauled his fist back and punched Vas in the face.
“What the fuck, Samael!”
The demon ignored me and threw Vas against the wall, choking him with one hand.
My own hand was wrapped around the hilt of my throwing knife before I was aware I’d moved. I threw it at Samael’s head, but he’d likely curled his wings around him, because my knife hung in empty air several inches from his head. His attention was on Vas as the other demon struggled, his eyes wild. He was probably wondering what exactly had gotten into his boss.
I sprinted toward him, throwing a punch straight at his head. I hit feathers. I attempted a knee to the ribs, but his wings were protecting him. Without being able to see them, I couldn’t find his weak spots.
“Let him go, you asshole.”
Samael raised one eyebrow as Vas gasped. “Make me,” he purred, and something dark rose from the pit of my stomach. Something dark and twisty that had no business being inside me.
“I’ll kill him,” Samael said. “It means nothing to me.”
