Page 33 of Cursed
My quick burst of power drained away, leaving my muscles quivering and weak. Even the armor dissipated into the air with wispy charcoal-gray tendrils.
Shit. What in damnation have I done?I’d never outright challenged a Chosen before because they could hand my ass to me in a matter of seconds. Yet, Ihadbested Malachi—at least for a few seconds. His threat against Phoebe had given me the short burst I’d needed to overpower him, but now it left me even weaker than before.
Malachi, after steadying himself, rubbed his jaw. His eyes rose and met mine, a hard glint shining from their depths.
Whatever happens, I will not run. I might be weaker than the Fallen, but I will never give him the satisfaction of seeing fear.
He stalked forward.
The clouds, gone from the sky, revealed the soft, pale moonlight which shone on the thirty-foot drop behind him. Not even the crickets, which normally chirped throughout the night, stirred.
Cracking my knuckles, I stepped forward, determined to go out with a fight, even if it was only with my fists. I doubled my hands and lowered my head, readying myself for an unleashing of power.
“You’re in quite a quandary, Cain.” He stopped five feet away and flashed his white teeth, sharp and perfect in the moonglow. An arrogant half-smile curved his lips.
“Huh?” Confused at his sudden turn of attitude, I lowered my eyebrows.What’s his game?I’d been sure he’d rush in and toss me over the cliff.
“It seems Lucian’s favorite pet has caught feelings.” Raising his palms to his cheeks, he lifted his brow and opened his mouth into anO. “Whatever shall he do?”
“Are you out of your mind?” I kept my arms in defensive mode, even though the power had drained me, and I urgently needed rest.Or even better, a freshly-taken soul.
“Oh, you can deny it all you want, but your heart is easy to see into, once one knows where to look.”
Could he be right?
Absolutely not. What I felt for Phoebe was curiosity, which would soon be sated, then I’d give her to Lucian and wipe her from my mind, just as I’d done to her with our first meeting.
Shaking my head, I spat a ball of saliva at his feet. “Fuck you.”
“Hmm.” His gaze traveled my body. He stroked the tip of his wing, curling the other toward my torso, forcing me to back away, now only three feet from the ledge. “It’s a generous offer, but I’m afraid you’re not quite my type. Not that I’m opposed to having a good time, but I don’t believe in interspecies coupling. I find it rather distasteful.”
I curled my lip and bit my tongue, knowing he’d love nothing more than to bait me into making a mistake.
“But this girl...” He cocked his head and pretended to think. “What is her name again?” With a snap of his fingers, he threw out his wings. “Ah, yes. Phoebe.”
A stab of rage and fury coursed through me, pulling at my power reserves, but nothing stirred. I was a dried-out husk, nothing compared to this fallen angel who enjoyed tearing me down every time we came near to one another.
“Perhaps I’ll give her a go, though,” he taunted. “There’s something special about her, and I’mdyingto find out what it is. After all, not only did she turn you into a witless fool who let himself get caught out in the open completely unprepared, but she’s also drawn the attention of the big man himself. I’d make an exception for her.”
My muscles shook, and I stared at Malachi unblinking, silently cursing him with every vile name I could think of. I dug my short nails into my hands, the warmth of blood pooling in my palms.
As if he could sense the effort it took me to not react, he slid a hand to his crotch and rubbed, leering at me. “I’d have her flat on her back and screaming my name within two seconds.”
“You sonofa—”
He blinked right in front of me, and I swung a fist.
Blocking my blow with a wing, he fisted the front of my shirt, pulling me straight to him. “I will not allow you to complete this assignment, Cain.” The taunt in his tone disappeared, replaced with determination.
“Lucian will—”
“Oh, I know I can’t kill you. Not yet, anyhow, but I can stop you from getting wings and becoming one of us.”
I jerked my other fist back and prepared to strike the side of his head, but he shot out a wave of energy and wrapped it around my wrist, locking me in place.
“I’llget the information Lucian needs. Then, I’ll deliver her soul straight into his waiting arms, but not before she and I get acquainted in a most spiritual way first.”
“You won’t fucking touch her. She’smine, and—”
