Page 48 of Her Fallen Angel

My blood turns to ice, then blazes molten. The leather grip of my sword creaks under my tightening fingers as I head inside. I make it to the doorway as I hear, "Yes!" That's a male's voice. "Come on, Aren. These are same beings who?—"

And then he turns and sees me. His face loses color as he stares at me, and my anger only blooms.

"The same beings who what, exactly?"

Aren turns slowly at the sound of my voice. "Please," she whispers and it only angers me more.

Violet light crackles along my arms as magic surges through me, responding to the rage burning in my chest. My wings flex involuntarily, battle-scarred edges casting sharp shadows in theafternoon light. Every protective instinct screams to tear him apart.

Memories flash through my mind - Aren's soft hands on my skin, helping me after training, mending me, sucking me down. So many instances in which she gave herself over to me. The thought of her gone, taken by this human who dares touch what belongs to me...

I said I'd get rid of her. That she was too much of a distraction. A lie. I'd known even then, it was a lie. The truth burns in my veins: she's mine. Whether she's good for me or not doesn't matter. I want her - her prayers, her submission, her quiet defiance. Everything.

My magic pulses dangerous and wild, responding to the possessive fury coursing through me. The air grows thick with power, making it hard to breathe. One more word from him, one more step toward her, and I won't be responsible for what happens next.

"And this is what you do while I'm away?" My voice drops dangerously low. The magic crackling along my arms intensifies, violet light casting eerie shadows across the walls. "Planning your escape?"

"No, Kai, I swear—" Aren takes a step forward, her dark hair falling around her face as she reaches toward me.

"Don't." The word cuts through the air like a blade. My wings spread wider, dominance and fury radiating from every fiber of my being. "I gave you everything. Made you comfortable. Protected you." Each word drips with venom. "And you conspire behind my back?"

"She doesn't belong to you," Gabriel spits, shifting into a defensive stance. "You can't own?—"

Before he finishes, I'm across the room. My hand closes around his throat, lifting him off the ground. The leather of myarmor creaks as I squeeze, watching his face turn red. "I own everything in this house. Including her."

Aren rushes toward us. "Please, don't hurt him!"

Her plea only feeds my rage. Of course she defends him. My magic pulses stronger, making the windows rattle. I slam Gabriel against the wall, feeling bones crunch under my grip. "You dare come into my home and try to take what's mine?"

He claws at my hand, gasping. The scars on his face stand out stark against his reddening skin.

"I should tear your wings out." I bare my teeth in a cruel smile. "Oh wait, you don't have any. Just another wingless human thinking he can rise above his station."

I throw him across the room. He crashes into my weapons display, ancient blades clattering around him. Blood trickles from a cut on his forehead.

"Kai!" Aren's voice breaks.

I turn on her, violet eyes blazing. "Don't. You'll watch what happens when someone tries to trick me." I stalk toward Gabriel's crumpled form, magic coiling around my arms like serpents. "And you'll remember it."

Aren throws herself between us, her slim form a fragile barrier against my rage. My magic stutters, the violet light dimming as if responding to her presence. I hate it so much in this moment, for feeling like everything I denied was being proven right to me now.

"Move." The word comes out as a growl, but she lifts her chin in that quiet defiance that both infuriates and captivates me.

"No." Her dark eyes meet mine, unwavering. "You'll have to go through me first."

The magic surges again, but I can't direct it at her. Won't. My wings snap forward, creating a cage around us both as I grab her shoulders. "You think you can stop me? That your betrayal won't have consequences?"

Her pulse races under my grip, but she doesn't look away. "I wasn't leaving."

"Liar." I dig my fingers into her shoulders, wanting to shake the truth from her. The thought of her gone, of coming home to emptiness, claws at my insides. "You're mine. My little flame."

Behind her, Gabriel stirs, and fresh rage floods my veins. I want to rip him apart, paint the walls with his blood for daring to take her. But she's still between us, her hands coming up to rest against my chest.

"Please," she whispers, and this time the word doesn't anger me. It breaks something loose instead. "I choose to stay."

My magic whips around us in chaotic patterns, responding to the war inside me. I want to believe her. Need to believe her. But the mere possibility of her leaving fills me with a darkness that threatens to consume everything in its path.

I curl my fingers into her hair, forcing her head back. "If you ever try to leave..." I can't even finish the threat. The words stick in my throat like shards of glass.

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