Page 7 of Her Fallen Angel

Her pulse races beneath my palm, but those eyes – those deep brown eyes hold no terror. Instead of struggling, she draws a careful breath and begins to pray. Her voice rings clear despite my grip, each word precise and powerful.

"Blessed are those who walk in darkness, for they shall find light..."

My wings snap forward, casting us both in shadow. "You dare?"

But she continues, gaze locked with mine. "Guide us through shadow into dawn..."

Blood rushes in my ears. This slip of a human, dangling from my grasp, defies me with every breath. The urge to crush her throat wars with a different kind of hunger. Her prayers wash over me like summer rain, stirring something I thought was long dead.

"Even in the valley of death, we fear no evil..."

I tighten my grip, just enough to make breathing difficult. Still she prays, tears gathering in her eyes but refusing to fall. Such spirit. Such delicious defiance. Breaking her will be an exquisite pleasure.

"Your faith can't save them." I gesture to where my warriors round up her flock. Blood already stains the temple floor. "Look at your people, little flame. Watch them fall."

Yet her prayers don't falter. If anything, they grow stronger, each word a challenge. Even as chaos erupts around us, she remains focused, determined.

It shouldn't arouse me, but it does. Seeing her so determined, so defiant, something that will be so delicious to break is doing something to me. I can just imagine how sweet her submission will be - especially for someone as beautiful as her.

I lean in as a tear drips down her cheek, licking it up, savoring it. She whimpers and I chuckle, bringing my lips to her ear. "Your tears only make me want more. Cry harder for me."

I pull back to see her biting down on her lip, her eyes narrowed. And fuck, if that look doesn't do something for me.

Around us, my warriors begin selecting their prizes. Vhex drags two sobbing women toward the door while Mykael efficiently binds the wrists of a young man.

"Kai!" Vhex calls but I don't look away. My attention stays locked on the dark-haired beauty in my grip, her pulse racing beneath my fingers. "Kai'rin!"

This time I turn to him and he nods toward the door. "Ready to head out?"

I nod, looking back to the woman I'm holding onto. But before I can do anything else, I'm annoyingly interrupted.

A man lunges forward, desperation etched on his features. "Let her go!" His fist swings wild, but I dodge without releasing Arenwen, though her feet do hit the ground and my hand relaxes a bit. Enough that I hear her suck in a breath. My wing sweeps out, knocking him back.

"Gabriel, don't!" Arenwen's voice cracks with concern.

I laugh, the sound echoing off stone walls. "Listen to her, human. She's smarter than you."

Gabriel scrambles up, muscles tensing for another attack. Fool. I release Arenwen's throat only to grab her arm, pulling her against my chest. My wings curl around us both, creating a barrier between her and her would-be protector.

"She's mine now." I inhale the scent of incense in her hair. "Aren't you, little flame?"

She trembles against me, but her voice remains steady. "I belong to no one but my gods."

"We'll see about that." My free hand traces her jaw, feeling her sharp intake of breath. Gabriel charges again, and I shove him back with a burst of magic that sends him sprawling. "Your persistence bores me."

Arenwen struggles then, trying to reach him. "Please, don't hurt him."

"Begging already?" I tighten my grip, drinking in her gasp of pain. "But you haven't even seen what I'm capable of yet."

Gabriel rises again, blood trickling from his lip. Such devoted foolishness. I turn Arenwen to face me, violet eyes boring into brown. "Watch closely, little flame. This is what happens to those who defy me."

But before I can demonstrate, she places her palm against my chest. The touch startles me – not in submission or plea, but with quiet determination. "I'll go willingly. Just... spare him. Please."

Her request catches me off guard. Such strength in surrender. My wings flex unconsciously, feathers brushing her skin.

"Wise choice." I grab her wrists, binding them with conjured shadows. "Your gods have abandoned you to me, Arenwen. Remember that. There's only me now."

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