Page 13 of Angel I Am Not

I hoped and prayed that the Devil’s choice of living didn’t require moving to Hell. A small eternity amongst fire and brimstone sounded horrifying, although if the stories about Heaven had been lies, I could only imagine what Hell truly looked like. Rumor had it that he had a house on this Earthly plane and while I wasn’t keen on him having my soul, living amongst the humans seemed less terrifying. Unfortunately, belonging to the Devil would require more than that. He loved games, playing with people’s emotions.

I let out a deep breath and looked at Raphael, offering him a small smile as I sweetened my voice. “Do we have time to get something to drink?”

Raphael immediately shot me down with one of his stern glances. “We do not have time for human beverages. The liquids in Heaven are much more fulfilling and—”

I managed a chuckle at his rigidness—much different than Miel’s, a rigidness that was born of not understanding that there was any other way. Deciding that he was no longer in charge of me, nor any of the other archangels—besides, I was a full-grown adult in human terms—I tapped his shoulder for him to move.

When he asked where I was off to, I just tilted my head, my braids falling to one side. “I’m not allowed in Heaven anymore so all those great drinks are off limits. I’m getting a coffee.”

Of course, that’s when Dante decided to make an appearance.

Everyone seemed to stop in their tracks as he sauntered into the café. The power that he boasted was much different than the archangels I was used to. Granted, he used to be one of them but his power was thicker, heavier, darker, and for some unspoken reason, I felt suddenly drawn to it.

Of course I did. The fucker was holding my soul.

I expected his appearance to be rougher but he was clean cut, short brown hair with a trimmed beard. Dark blue eyes like a raging ocean focused on me, a sly smile playing on his thin lips. I didn’t expect him to be tall either but I should have known better. All of the archangels were.

Sitting back in my chair, I watched him strut through the café and slip into the seat across from us, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he looked at me first and then greeted Raphael with a small nod. A flash of heat passed through those dark blues, catching me off guard. The stare lingered just a little too long, and Raphael’s entire posture changed while Dante looked far too pleased with himself. Oh, there was history there.

Oh, I was so fucking curious, almost forgetting the reason why we were here. Unfortunately, the Devil brought me back to reality.

“I’m so glad that even after Uriel’s unfortunate disappearance, you all decided to keep his deal. It would have been a shame if you hadn’t.”

I hadn’t been warned that Dante was… a lot. The way he leaned back in the booth, the way he seemed to own the air around us, the way he seemed to care about nothing other than what he had come for. His words were like a threat and a promise wrapped up in a pretty little present that had no business being so enticing. The dark entity swarming around me seemed to respond to him, curling tighter around my essence as if it recognized something in his. I still didn’t know what the fuck it was, only that every minute around Dante made it harder to believe it had anything to do with angelic purity.

However, I hadn’t been prepared for the disrespect he showed the archangels, nor the hidden relationship with Raphael and unfortunately, I was loving all of this shit just a little too much.

“Now, sweet angel, what is your name?” The Devil purred as he leaned toward me.

I waited for Raphael to speak as I was supposed to, unsure of who could hear us. Finding out that Heaven and Hell were real would be quite a shock for these humans and knowing that they didn’t exist the way the books laid out? Yeah, it wouldn’t go over well.

Dante reached across the table, grabbing my hand in his, a jolt of electricity running through me at his touch.

Was I supposed to be loving this? Probably not.

Raphael slapped the Devil’s hand away from mine, scowling. “Her name is Ari, and while her soul is yours, I expect you to treat her with respect.”

The laughter that erupted into the air wasn’t Dante’s. It was mine. Respect? I hadn’t seen that shit in months and to expect it out of Dante? Fat chance.

Although the expression plastered on Dante’s face was more one of amusement than confusion. I guess my outburst was anything but angel-like, which was… fair.

“I think I’m going to like you,” he purred again, the sound very different than when Miel tried to do it. “I haven’t formally introduced myself. How rude of me. I’m the Prince of Darkness.”

His smile gleamed, his entire face reminding me just how terrifying this fallen angel was. He looked over at Raphael again, his head tilting to the side playfully. I swear I saw Raphael melt a little.

“This new generation of angels is fascinating.”

“She is not one of your curiosities, Dante.” Raphael’s mouth tightened.

Dante’s smile widened. “Still telling me what I’m allowed to touch?”

Raphael shifted in his seat. “Somebody has to.”

Dante sat back at the reprimand, raising his hands in exaggerated defeat.

The small gesture though had Raphael shifting uncomfortably in his seat, one hand slipping under the table. No fucking way, I giggled to myself.

Breaking up whatever was going on between them despite how entertaining it was, I tapped the table in front of me. “I’m not calling you the Prince of Darkness.”