Page 34 of The Angel's Kiss
“Please, return to your home. Lock the door,” I said, then pulled out my gun.
That always made people have enough fear to hide. Which meant they weren’t in my way. Now, if they were too damn nosy, that was on them. I couldn’t protect those who didn’t follow directions. The neighbor gasped and nodded before closing their door and locking it. I ran two doors down and kicked the door open to see six demons, strong ones by their aura, blood on their hands, and bodies on the floor at their feet.
Shit, was I too late?
I aimed my gun and fired, but they were fast. Faster than any demon I’d come up against thus far. I managed to hit one in his stomach and he doubled over, half grunting, half growling. They were transforming now, shedding their human facade to reveal the demons underneath. Red eyes, mouths full of razor-sharp teeth, claws, wings, black skin... deadly.
I pulled out my sword, pushing the button to make the blade extend. I charged forward, slicing and stabbing, kicking and dodging their attacks. They worked as a team, moving to my blind spots, and I caught a blow against my face that sent me sliding across the floor. My gun fell from my hand and I scrambled to get it and reload, but another demon kicked it out of the way, then another grabbed my ankle and slung me as if I weighed nothing.
I went careening through the air and slammed into the large TV, shattering it. The pain wracked my body and I moaned from the brutal impact as I landed on the floor, the TV falling on top of me. I shoved the TV away, then sliced at the first demon who was closest to me, cutting off both of his legs. He roared in agony as he fell to the floor, blood gushing from his stumps. I raised my sword to finish him off when another demon kicked me in the back and I fell forward, my sword sliding across the room.
Fuck, I had to get to one of my weapons. I scrambled to my feet, but they were quick, blocking me, and I had to fight, using my hand-to-hand skills. I punched, kicked, and jabbed, but withit being five to one, I was at a serious disadvantage. I was kicked by a demon and went flying through the wall into another room. Dust and debris filled the air, and plaster fell upon me as I lay there, groaning in excruciating pain. I was sure I’d broken three ribs. The good thing was that they were healing, the bad thing was, I was still outnumbered.
I sat up and that was when I saw Veronica, lying on the floor, barely breathing, but still alive. I had to save her! I needed to get out of there with her. I climbed to my feet, wincing as I did but before I could reach her, my plan to jump out of the window with her in my arms was derailed when I was clawed by the demons. I felt my own blood gush from my body, soaking my shirt, making the fabric cling to me.
Oh my God, was I going to die?
Damnit, I needed him!
“Finish him,” growled one of the demons, the leader, I figured.
I blocked one swipe of their claws, but not the other that ripped into my stomach. I cried out and fell over. It was at that moment, I knew I had to Call my Champion or die. I closed my eyes and called his name in my desperation and with all of my willpower. I prayed he’d come, that he wouldn’t fight my Call since I had rejected him before. I looked up to see one of the demon’s feet coming down on my face. I closed my eyes tightly, waiting for the pain of my skull being crushed.
Silence.
I opened one of my eyes to see the foot an inch away from my face, but the demon seemed to be frozen. My wounds throbbed as they healed, but I was still weak from the struggle. I moved my head out of the way to see that not just that demon had been frozen, everyone appeared to be motionless.
“Looks like things got a little messy,” I heard an extremely alluring, Greek-accented voice say and I turned to see him. Azazel dressed in a black suit with a red satin shirt looked toosexy for words. I hated him, I did, I swear but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I was relieved to see him.
Fuck... he had a smug smile on his gorgeous face and I wanted to put a bullet between his eyes.
“You came,” I said, breathing hard.
He nodded. “I came.”
I was never going to be able to live this moment down.
Chapter fourteen
Azazel
A Compromise is Made
Iwatched as Raistruggled to climb to his feet and didn’t bother to lend him a hand. He claimed that he didn’t need me and yet, I felt the desperation in his Call. I felt it in my soul and couldn’t refuse it, no matter how much I tried to ignore him. I didn’t like the fact that he had that much control over me. But at the same time, I was happy that he’d finally Called on me. Finally needed me, and I hated to see him in such a wounded state. However, I had to hold my stance... he needed to be the one to extend his hand completely this time. I kept a close eye on his wounds as they healed from his Guardian ring and the potion he’d just drank. Good, he was safe.
“I must say, I was surprised to receive your command,” I said, then gave an offhanded gesture. “Considering earlier tonight and every encounter we’ve ever had, you told me that you didn’t need me.”
Was I being petty—yes—but I also felt it was justified.
Rai snarled, then rolled his pretty turquoise eyes.
“That crow must taste like pure salt on your tongue,” I dug in deeper because it was so satisfying.
“Crow?” Rai asked, an eyebrow arched.
“The crow you have to eat along with your words,” I mocked.
Rai scoffed. “Don’t be petty.”
