Page 37 of Roman

Declan blocked each blow, snarling like a wild animal, his eyes glowing green, his teeth growing longer like fangs.He lunged at the demon, biting a huge chunk of flesh from the guard’s shoulder.The demon screamed in agony.Declan placed his hands on either side of the demon’s head, then, in one swift movement, snapped his neck, the guard’s lifeless body falling to the ground.

Charlotte stared at the dead body.She had seen so many horrible things over the past few days.So much death.Learned that a whole secret world of supernatural beings existed, yet the sight of a dead body, whether it was a human or a demon, made her feel sick.

Declan stood, staring at Charlotte, his muscled, blood-splattered chest rising and falling, breathing heavily from the fight.She couldn’t help but stare back, his appearance disturbing.Blood stained his torn blue jeans.He had bare feet, and his hands had razor-sharp claws that she had just witnessed tearing off someone’s head with her own eyes.But it was his face that made her question if he would hurt her.

Blood covered his disheveled hair, and his eyes glowed an intense, unnatural green.His mouth was open, blood dripping from the long fangs and running down his chin.Blood from biting the demon.He recognized her fear and shook his head, his eyes ceasing to glow and his fangs disappearing as he rushed over to her.

“Charlotte, I won’t hurt you, I swear.”

“What are you, Declan?What the hell is a Lycan?”she demanded, taking a step back.

“Lycan is what we call ourselves.You mortals like to call us werewolves.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, images from movies flashing through her mind.

“I won’t hurt you, Charlotte.Roman and the angels are our allies.Lucian is our leader, I guess you could say.I am a friend.”Declan held his hands up, showing her he meant no harm.

He took a bullet for me.Three, actually,she reminded herself.Why would he put himself in danger if he wanted to hurt her?

Declan looked toward the front of the warehouse.The gunfight had made it to the doors.The guards were screaming, starting to run their way.Two of them fell to the ground, shot dead, a black fog rising and swirling above each body before seeping into the ground.

“The Lycan bullets work!”a voice yelled from the front of the warehouse.

Tora came running from around the pallets, a look of fury on her face as she spotted Charlotte and Declan.

“We need to go now,” he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the back of the warehouse.

Charlotte chanced a glance over her shoulder.Tora’s eyes glowed purple as she ran after them.She watched as Tora jumped, clearing the couch, only to be stopped by a man falling from the roof and landing in front of her.Giant, beautiful black wings spread wide, shimmering with a touch of silver in the bright warehouse lights.

He wore black jeans and big black combat boots.There were guns and knives strapped all over his body.In a blur of movement, he punched Tora in the face so hard she flew over the couch, landing hard and sliding across the warehouse floor, crashing into a pallet loaded with wooden crates.At least a dozen guns fell on top of her.

The angel turned, catching Charlotte’s gaze.Roman.He’s here.He came for me.

The sight of him standing there, looking menacing, with his magnificent wings spread wide in all their glory, did something to her.Even with all the chaos and danger happening all around her, this vision of him stirred something deep down in the depths of her body.Your angel,her mind whispered.

More fallen angels landed around Roman.Some were bare-chested, wings spread wide like Roman, others wearing shirts or jackets, no wings to be seen.One of the angel’s wings were magnificent, spread wide and on fire.It was one of the most beautiful things she’d ever seen.

Armaros landed to Roman’s left, a black shirt covering his tattooed body.He looked over at Charlotte, nodded, then headed toward Tora.All hell broke loose as the guards came running, firing their weapons.

Declan pulled Charlotte to the back of the warehouse, hiding them behind a load of pallets, blocking her view of the angels.

“He’s here.Roman.Just like you said,” she told him, catching her breath.

“You need to stay hidden.One stray bullet and you’re dead,” he told her, peering around the crates.

Charlotte ignored him, trying to peek around the crates as well, but movement above caught her attention.She let out a small scream as someone swooped down, landing in front of her and slamming Declan up against the crates by his throat.Charlotte realized it was Roman, his eyes glowing with crimson fire.He bared his teeth, his wings spread wide, blocking out the view behind him.

“Who the fuck are you?”he roared in Declan’s face.

Declan held his hands up in an act of surrender.

“Roman, stop, he helped me!”Charlotte yelled, grabbing his arm and trying to get him to let go.

“I’m a Lycan.I’m Lucian’s sired, he created me,” Declan tried to choke out as Roman squeezed his neck harder.To emphasize the Lycan part, Declan’s eyes glowed green.

“Roman, please,” Charlotte begged, still tugging on his arm, but he didn’t budge.

Roman stared Declan down for a moment, then seemed to rein himself in.He closed his eyes and gave a shake of his head, and when he opened his eyes, they had returned to the brilliant blue she’d begun to crave the sight of.He released Declan with a glare before turning his focus to Charlotte.“Are you okay?”he asked gently, placing a warm hand on either side of her face and looking her over.

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