“Then there is no such thing as moving too fast. This is fate. Your feelings for him are real and valid. I think that’s why you were feeling so uneasy at your wedding. It’s why, even though Jamieson and Rochelle hurt you, it didn’t sting as much as it should’ve. Your heart has always belonged to Raziel. You were always going to be with him. At least that’s how I understand it.”
She’s right. The bond Raziel made with me was always going to lead me to him. Even if he had never crashed my wedding and kidnapped me, I would’ve forever felt incomplete until I finally found him.
“I guess you’re right.”
She leans back and picks up her wine glass with a smirk. “I know I’m right. Besides, don’t act like you have another option. That man is not letting you go.”
At this I laugh because she is correct. Raziel has made a lot of adjustments for me over the last few weeks, but allowing me to leave him has not been one. I could tell him I wanted the moon and he’d deliver it, but my own apartment, not an option.
Nisha and I go back to chatting and eating. She continues to make passes at Erazel over my shoulder. After a while, I wave the server down for the check. I was excited to head back to the penthouse just to see Razzy.
An old woman catches my eye. She’s wearing a ratty long coat with high socks. Her gray hair is thin and stringy under her wide brim hat. Her dark gaze locks onto me and she smiles. However, there is no warmth in her smile. It doesn’t bring me comfort or seem friendly.
“You okay?” Nisha asks.
“I don’t know. That old woman is freaking me out.”
Nisha glances behind her at the woman before turning back to me. “What woman?”
An icy chill runs down my spine.
“Time to go,” Erazel says, appearing at my side. He takes hold of my hand and helps me up.
A loud screech comes from across the patio. Where an elderly lady once stood, is now a tall skinny creature with skin that looks melted off.
“Fuck,” Erazel shouts. “Get behind me.”
He steps in front of us, blocking our view of whatever the hell that lady was.
“What is going on?” Nisha asks. I’m thankful that even though she can’t see the threat, she is hiding with me.
“A demon,” Erazel replies without looking away from the creature.
“Why can I see it but Nisha can’t?” I ask.
“You’re mated to a forsaken. You’ve been marked by our world. She hasn’t.”
That seemed simple enough.
The female lets out a screech right before charging toward us. Erazel grabs her by the neck and holds her up in the air. She fights against his hold, swinging her long black claws toward me. I duck back, barely missing her talons.
I notice that even though Erazel is the one holding her, she isn’t trying to hurt him. Her focus is on me. Erazel slams the demon down onto the table we were just eating at.
“Go,” he turns to me and shouts. “Run to the car and call Raziel.” I grab Nisha’s arm and take off running.
“Wait,” she says as she follows me. “What about my baby daddy?”
“Girl, he will be alright.”
I make it to my car. Letting go of her arm, I rummage through my purse for my keys. When I finally find them and look up to unlock the door, I freeze in place.
Crouched on the hood of my car is another one of those tall naked creatures. It unfolds its long body from my car and stands.
“What’s wrong?” Nisha asks.
“Another one,” I whisper.
She looks around, trying to see what I’m seeing.
