Page 76 of Cursed
Chapter 25
Cain
After Samael had left, I’d tossed and turned in my bed, unable to get Phoebe’s tortured face out of my head.
Suffering under Malachi’s tender ministrations then feeling hatred at what I’d done made me want to destroy something. Instead, in the night, I blinked to a seedy dive bar and grabbed a soul—a guy who’d been about to sexually assault an inebriated woman in the alley behind the business.
The rush of the incoming life hadn’t been as sweet or blissful as that of an innocent, but it had recharged my power to the brim and momentarily blocked the pain and disappointment I felt from Phoebe, from myself. I fell into a sleep filled with nightmares of Lucian and Malachi taking turns throwing Phoebe into the boiling lava, her screams and cries piercing my ears.
Covered in a sheen of sweat, I jerked awake in bed, my skin clammy. I glanced around the dark room, assuring myself I was here, in my home, not in Hell. Throwing myself out of bed, I dressed, climbed the stairs, and stepped into the early morning.
Need to clear my mind and factor Samael’s plan into my end-goal.Two more days, that was all I had left.Well, make it one and a half, now.
A light drizzle fell, and the creek at the base of the cliff gurgled from the accumulated rainfall during the night. Gray clouds hung above, as dreary as my thoughts. How could I avenge my exile and have Phoebe, too?Is it even possible?
It was a frustrating quandary I found myself in. With increasing surety, I now wanted two things, yet I could only have one playing by the rules.
I traced a finger over the chaise lounger’s metal frame and remembered how the firelight had played across her face, giving her skin a warm glow and revealing her sweet smile. She’d felt soft and vulnerable in my arms and had even begun to trust me.
Until Malachi showed up and ruined everything.
Butwashe responsible?He’d shown what I’d hidden, my early depravity at our first meeting in the cave. Somehow, though, I didn’t feel like the same man I’d been last week. Phoebe Blutengel had become more than a job. She’d become treasured...beloved.
I rubbed my temples. “Why do things have to be so fucking difficult?”
Sketching the words Lucian had taught me long ago, I mumbled a prayer and weaved a stronger ward around my home, extending its reach a few feet farther than before.Who knows if Malachi will keep his word?
With a mental flick, I tested the strength of the protective barrier. It didn’t budge when I threw everything I had at it. At least it would keep the lesser demons away.
“I hope you put that necklace on as soon as you arrived home, Precious.” Through the connection I’d established from the first time we’d met, I’d not sensed any danger during the night, only anger and mental anguish.Because of me.
How I’d wanted to blink to her and grovel, yet I had to give her distance and time to let her mind adjust to everything, to what I’d done.
I trailed a hand across the hard, bumpy rock of the outside wall of the cave, enjoying the cool mist covering my cheeks.
Sighing, I stepped back and stared at my hidden home. Without Phoebe, it seemed so cold and ugly. It truly became an ancient relic signifying destruction and doom, but her laughter and kindness had made it less monstrous, less lonely.
She’s the shining light in my eternal darkness.
As much as I wanted to blame Malachi, no one else was to blame for last night. I chose my current path and had to accept the consequences. If I didn’t deliver Phoebe to Lucian, he’d send Malachi or retrieve her himself. If this happened, I wouldn’t have wings, revenge, or power.
And even if I could disobey the compulsion thrumming through me even now to follow his command, how he’d make me suffer. It wouldn’t be a quick torture. Oh, no. He would dunk me into the Lake of Fire so I could experience the sensation of my skin melting from my muscle and bone, then revive me to do it all over again.
I steadied my breathing and suppressed a shudder, remembering his punishment from long ago. I’d never known such torment.
Sweat broke out across my body, even though cool drizzle coated my skin.
I kicked an acorn across the ground, feeling the weight of shame on my shoulders and in my dark heart.Maybe I can talk to her, make her understand why I did it, why I deceived her.
The thought of seeing Phoebe again perked me up. I sent out a thin tendril to her location, locking it in my head, then blinked.
I found myself sitting on a hard wood bench in a large building with white ceilings curving upwards, forming a dome in the middle. Elaborate, gaudy paintings plastered the interior, depicting angels warring with one another.
You’vegotto be kidding me. I’m in a damn church?A dark laugh slipped out, but I closed my mouth immediately. My skin crawled at the Holy power emanating from so many of the gathered faithful.
I clenched my jaw and scowled.I’m not leaving until I get what I came for.
Gripping the back of the pew in front of me, I leaned forward and scoped out the immediate area. The entire room of penitents bowed their heads while the preacher at the podium droned on and on in prayer.
