Page 143 of Angel Of Darkness

“Help won’t come in time,” Az announced as he touched down a few feet away. “I’ve got a job to do—and I will do it. I won’t hesitate. I won’t make the mistake you did. Emotion won’t stop me.”

Then he came at Keenan again. Az grabbed him and yanked him right out of Nicole’s arms. Az tossed Keenan onto the other side of the alley. Keenan flew into the bricks, and a thick crack appeared to run the length of the wall.

“Stop!” She ran after Az with her claws out. “Damn you, stop!”

Az spun toward her. And smiled. “Ready to choose?” he asked.

She stumbled to a halt.

“I told you before, it’s all so easy. Your life or his.” His wings eased down. “We can make this right. Your soul should have been taken. Order has to come back. Balance.”

She glanced at Keenan. He was struggling to rise. If he could just get to his feet, he’d have a fighting chance.

“You don’t care enough about him to die, do you?” Az laughed. “Keenan loves you, but this time, you’ll be the one who stands there and watches death come.”

“No.” She wouldn’t have much time. She’d have to be fast. So fast.

“You won’t give your life for him!”

Keenan was on his feet. His eyes were wide and desperate as he lunged at Az’s back.

“I’ll do better than that,” she replied softly, and it was her turn to smile and show her fangs. “I’ll kill for him.”

Az blinked. “What?”

She leapt forward and grabbed him. Nicole’s teeth sank into his throat and her claws ripped into his chest even as Az’s hands closed tightly around her.

One touch...just one...

Cold spread from his hands and sank into her skin. Death.

But Az was trembling against her and his blood was in her mouth. The angel wasn’t getting away unscathed this time. Actually, he wasn’t getting away at all.

Time to kill and time to die. For both of them. Right there, in that damn forsaken alley. Right there.

Az had been right. Six months ago, she’d gone to the cathedral to pray. To ask God for strength, but his house had been closed to her.

Then the devil had come into the alley.

But she hadn’t turned away from her faith. Az had been wrong about that. She’d prayed and she’d hoped and she’d gotten her angel.

I’ll kill for him. I’ll die for him.

Because Keenan had given her a reason to live. Hope. Love.

“No!” Az shoved her back. The shove that sent her flying ten feet and thudding into a window. Glass crunched around her.

And Az hit the ground. Or rather, he hit when Keenan crashed into him and drove the angel down. Then Keenan started ramming his fist into Az’s face, again and again. The brutal thuds filled the air and almost drowned out the approaching sirens.

Nicole pushed to her feet. She took a step and staggered.

Strong, hard hands caught her. “You okay?”

Sam.

She blinked and realized that blood was dripping into her eyes. She could hardly see him.

Sam lifted his hand and pulled a chunk of glass out of her brow. “Easy.”

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