I'm crying, sobbing uncontrollably as I crawl towards Damon's lifeless form, the rest of the world fading into a blur around me. Nothing else matters but reaching him, cradling what little remains of the brother I failed to protect.
I begin to focus on the power of the Atherite….
Azrael has other plans. With casual ease, he snatches me up, his fingers encircling my throat in a vice-like grip that steals my breath. I choke and gasp, clawing futilely at his unyielding grasp as my feet leave the ground, kicking uselessly.
Azrael's cold, soulless eyes lock onto mine, endless voids threatening to pull me into their depths. "No, I don't think I'll let you use that rock on your dear old brother," he sneers, with cruel amusement. "This is far too enjoyable—watching you fall apart."
His gaze sweeps over me with a hunger that makes my skin crawl. "But you can still be useful. Your blood—so delectable. Remember, I have every vampire under my command ready to hunt you down and drain you dry. Your little secret? It's out in the open now."
His lips twist into a vicious imitation of a smile. "I'm quite impressed you followed directions and didn't bring that Viking lapdog of yours. I wonder how he'd react if I took another bite? Do you think he'd mind sharing his precious pet? I'm dying to know what the sun feels like…"
Panic claws at my chest. Every vampire will be after me, my worst fears coming to life.
The memory of his fangs piercing my flesh, the searing agony and vile sense of violation, ignites a firestorm of hatred and terror that steals what little breath I have left. I shudder, my hands flying to claw at his wrist, desperate to break free from his merciless grip.
My angelic fire is no longer attainable as Azrael's shadows engulf me, suffocating me—I can't breathe. The whispering starts in my head.
"You're worthless."
"No one cares about you."
"You couldn't even save your family."
"What Kind of savior are you?"
"Your brother is dead because of you."
It's right. I couldn't save any of my family.
I close my eyes—I want to give in—give up.
His grip on my throat tightens.
But even as the darkness creeps in at the edges of my vision, that defiant spark inside me refuses to be extinguished. I glare at Azrael through the haze of tears and pain, baring my teeth in a savage snarl.
"I d-don't k-know," I rasp the words, tearing at my abused throat. "Why don't you f-fuck around and f-find out?"
Azrael's eyes glitter with dark amusement at my bravado, his lips quirking in a mocking semblance of a smile. "Suchfire," he murmurs, leaning in until his face is inches from mine, near enough for me to feel his fetid breath on my skin. "I do so love it when you fight back, Dani. It makes the game so much more... invigorating."
His fingers tighten inexorably, cutting off what little air I have left. Black spots dance across my vision as I claw desperately at his hand, my nails scrabbling against unyielding stone. The world begins to fade, the edges of my consciousness fraying as the darkness closes in.
Azrael's putrid, scalding breath assaults my neck, his fangs glistening with venom and drool as he zeroes in for the kill. The stench of decay and malice rolling off him nearly makes me retch, his closeness a vile invasion that sets every nerve alight with revulsion and dread.
Just as I resign myself to oblivion's cold embrace, a roar of pure, unbridled fury shatters the night's stillness.
Rhyland.
Danica
93
Islam into theground as Rhyland collides with Azrael like a runaway train, the impact shaking the earth beneath me. I cough and splutter, my lungs screaming for air as I struggle to draw breath. Seraphina and Emily are beside me instantly, their hands reaching to steady me as I try to find my footing.
But I brush them off, my eyes scanning the clearing frantically for one thing and one thing only—Damon.
Where is he?
I crawl forward, my fingers clawing at the dirt and leaves, my vision blurred by a haze of tears and the black spots that dance at the edges of my vision. And then I see him, lying motionless just ahead, his broken body illuminated by the otherworldly flashes of light that split the sky.
