Page 6 of Angel's Enemy Omega

Chapter 4

NUR

Nur is perversely satisfiedwhen the angel’s face twists up in disgust. That big hand goes to the crook of his neck, where Nur’s bite is hidden under the ruffled collar of his shirt.

“Foul creature,” the angel spits, disgust turning quickly to anger. “Who sent you, then? The King of Hell? Tell me why you’re here and if you’re lucky I’ll make your death painless.”

A rough laugh spills out of him, making him cough and wince. He’s not well. The King’s hand poisoned his flesh, and the poison digs into his lungs and the soft tissue of his brain. Swallowing the human’s soul only staved off his inevitable end.

“No one sent me,” he rasps. It’s hard to concentrate with the angel’s delectable scent so near. The void aches to be filled. He’s never not hungry.

“Don’t toy with me. Why were you following me?”

The angel inches closer. Nur eagerly fills his lungs. Those eyes are bright as jewels, glowing with an inner fire. Nur wants to drain his fire and take it into himself. To satisfy his hunger once and for all, to let that bright-hot essence burn him away into sweet oblivion.

“Answer me!”

The sharp bark startles him out of his fog. Nur shakes himself. “I was hungry,” he manages, plaintive. “Your soul called out to me. I wanted it. But you were surrounded by others, so I took one of the little humans instead.”

The angel frowns. “Are there other hollows in the wastes besides you?”

The words blur together. He struggles to form an answer that will satisfy, compelled by instinct to obey the angel. Obey and survive, it tells him. But obedience didn’t stop him from being discarded like a worn-out blade.

“There are none but me. The others can’t survive in this realm. I’m the strongest of my kind.”

“Why are you here, then?”

“I was exiled.” He contemplates the dust, suddenly unwilling to look up.

The angel snorts, the derisive sound cutting through Nur’s self-pity. “Exiled from Hell? You must be an exceedingly pathetic creature. If you’re truly the strongest of your kind it’s a wonder there are any left of you.”

“You don’t know anything about my kin.” Nur bares his teeth. Ignorant fool. “If you’re going to kill me, stop babbling and get it done. I’d rather die than listen to your arrogant nonsense for another minute.”

The angel is on him swiftly, hauling him up by the collar with a snarl. The rough treatment rips open the wound around his neck and a fresh wave of pain rolls through him. The breath flies from his lungs in a weak yell. The prick of a blade under his chin barely registers, until in his half-hearted throes the knife sinks into his skin with a sting. The angel curses.

“Stop squirming before I put this through your brain!”

Nur goes still, panting. He rolls his eyes toward the angel, seeking him in the aether, blazing and brilliant.Please,he begswordlessly, not knowing what he’s begging for. The angels’ hot breath washes over him, coppery and full of life.

Nur’s mouth aches to taste him again—maybe if he lunges and impales himself on the knife, he’ll get a chance?—

Saliva drips down his chin. The angel makes a noise of disgust. He tosses Nur away with a grunt and Nur stumbles and collapses into the dust. “You still lust after my soul. Even on the verge of death!”

Bereft, Nur drags himself toward the angel’s polished boot. “Just one taste. Then the knife. Please!”

“No!”

The angel shakes him off easily. Nur groans and writhes in the dust like a pathetic insect. Hunger tears him up as the angel stalks away, and his groan turns to a howl.

“Stop that! Stop! What is wrong with you?” Boots turn and stomp back toward him.

“Feed me,” Nur begs, reaching for him. “Or kill me. It hurts so much.”

“I can’t!” the angel barks. “Shut up. I just can’t do it. You’re not a demon. You’re just pathetic.”

“Please!”

The angel ignores him. He kicks the chewed-up rope with a curse and strides off. Nur covers his face with his arms, tears and ichor smearing wetly. When the angel returns, he crouches next to Nur and grabs his arm. Nur flinches, expecting his touch to burn, but his hands are firm and cool. He hauls Nur into an upright position.

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