Page 84 of Angel Of Darkness

She stared at the gaping hole in the wall. Smoke billowed. The crackle of flames taunted her.

If Keenan had come out, he wouldn’t have just left her on the ground. She was sure of it. Her knees shook a bit when she stood. Whatever Sam had hit her with, it had been strong.

Thirst had her throat drying up. Or maybe that was the smoke. Or the fear.

“Hey! Hey, lady!”

Her head whipped around at the call. A uniformed cop waved at her, his round face tense.

“Get away from there, lady! The fire crew’s coming! Get back!”

Could a fire kill a Fallen? Fire killed nearly everything—everyone—else. Witches. Vampires.

“Sorry,” she muttered to the cop and dove for that opening in the wall, “but he needs me.”

She wouldn’t let Keenan break. Sam could go screw himself.

Keenan won’t break.

The vampire went into the flames.

Unexpected.

She should have run. Covered her own ass. Not gone back for her lover.

But Sam smiled as she disappeared. He’d hoped she’d risk her safety for the Fallen. Hoped, but hope was such a weak thing.

Fleeting.

Human.

The fire could fry her skin off in moments. Vamps burned just as quickly as witches.

The light scent of flowers teased his nose, and his smile vanished.

Someone would be dying that night.

Keenan. His vampire. Or the helpless humans inside.

The scent grew stronger. The wind pressed against his body.

Someone would die.

Someone always did.

The ceiling was collapsing. The groans and creaks of the wood and beams above Keenan blended with the crackles of the flames. He hoisted his burden, being careful to keep her limbs from the fire. The woman—Seline—had screamed when he jumped through the flames. She’d tried to stumble back, but had smacked her head into one of the glass shelves behind the bar.

He’d barely caught her before she fell into the fire.

He glanced around and held her tight. The fire had caught him on his arms and his legs. The pain throbbed and made his gut churn.

Nicole had taught him of pleasure.

Now pleasure’s evil bitch of a sister was back, and he didn’t like her much.

The fire closed in.

Keenan lifted his right hand. He’d conjured fire before, so that meant that he should be able to control the flames. He’d already tried, over and over, but so far, no luck.

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