Page 10 of Ruling in Flames (Reborn 5)
His eyes darkened at me saying his name again, and I mentally cursed myself for messing up already. At the same time, I was curious if I was correct, remembering everything I’d been forced to read by Pastor Malcolm.
You know, in retrospect, I found it odd that Pastor Malcolm had chosen Christianity to force upon me, especially with him being a witch—then again, I suppose the most material was available for it since the humans assumed my previous home was a church.
“Yes, I’m the physical embodiment of the Angel of Death—the namesake of the ability to separate the soul from the physical form,” he explained softly.
“That’s crazy,” I whispered before smiling knowingly. “So since you’re an angel, you wouldn’t have let Bella get hurt, right?”
His eyes warmed. “The tiny feline you love? No. I made sure she was spared any mistreatment. Animals are sacred creatures, ones that most of humanity don’t deserve.”
Oh my. This man was an animal lover.
I couldn’t help but melt into his touch further.The Angel of Death loved animals.My eyes started to tear up with emotion.
“What?” he asked in alarm.
“I love that,” I whispered.
“I…I’m confused on why you’re crying then.”
I brushed a tear away and shrugged. “I’ve sort of been extra emotional lately… I just find it sweet that you love animals. I love them also.”
“Of course you do.” He chuckled, his eyes warming with affection. “That doesn’t surprise me,mon lapin. I’m not sweet, though—far from it.”
Oh, I disagreed with that completely.
Suddenly a crack of thunder sounded ahead and drew my attention from Azrael to the sky. He gently helped me up to standing, and I noticed briefly that he kept close to me, his hands hesitating over my skin.
Didn’t he realize how much I wanted him to touch me? Did he realize that my skin lit up under it?
The thought made me feel a weird surge of guilt, wondering if the way he was touching me would bother my other mates. I didn’t like the idea of that at all. Nervous energy slammed into me as I clutched my chest, finding it suddenly hard to breathe.
After a moment, I realized that Azrael was speaking to me, gently touching my shoulder and trying to get my attention.
“Maya—breathe.”
I let out a sharp exhale as I looked up at him, tears welling in my eyes. “I don’t understand what’s going on with my emotions right now—I feel like my skin is burning up and so reactive.”
His eyes shaded with some knowledge, and he nodded in understanding. “Let’s find your mate and figure out how to get out of here,” he suggested. Despite the harsh and somewhat cold mannerisms Azrael had first exhibited, he was far softer and sweeter than I could’ve imagined.
“I know how to get out of here,” I said. “Well…I think I do. The man who visited me told me I needed to find the highest peak and soar off of it.”
“What man?” he demanded, looking panicked.
I nibbled my lip. “I’m not sure how to explain that fully without going into everything… Do we want to find Anani first?”
Azrael blinked and then nodded in agreement, looking around us. “The barrier is gone, so we have no point of reference.”
I didn’t think the best way to find Anani was wandering around this odd realm anyway. Instead, I closed my eyes and channeled what I was searching for, pulling on my bonds. I felt a surge of relief that there wasn’t a separation between me and Anani anymore—I could completely feel his dragon and magic.
Opening my eyes, I intertwined my fingers with Azrael’s and led him through the trees in front of us, not wanting us to get separated. When I looked back at him, he was staring at me with wide eyes. I considered pulling back my hand, but as if he knew, he tightened his grip on me.
I would happily hold his hand.
A soft rain began to drizzle over us, the trees blocking most of it, and as we went through thick foliage, I realized that while we were getting closer, everything looked the same around us. I was glad I had my connection to Anani because without it, it would be near impossible to find him. This place was like a maze we could easily get lost in.
I couldn’t afford to get lost. I had to get back to my mates.
“They’ll be fine.”
