Page 29 of Secrets in the Shadow

Cody hadn’t seen that kind of a reaction since Mr. Puddlefuzz got into some dog treats. The cat had even wiped his tongue on Cody’s pant leg then barfed.

“They’re not all”—Zymore pursed his lips—“demon-y.”

“Panahasi isn’t just a demon,” Killian interjected. “He’s Life.”

Did… did they just say demon? Cody stood there stunned, feeling dizzy. Demon. Holy crap.

Stop using the word holy when you curse, moron.

He thought Raziel had been joking earlier when he’d said at least he wasn’t a demon. Honestly, Cody shouldn’t be shocked. If angels existed, then their nemesis had too as well, right?

“I’ll call him.” Quinton pulled out his phone and dialed.

Of course he had Life’s phone number. Why the hell not? The guy probably had Death’s number too.

“Cody’s right.” Raziel kept a grip on Cody’s hand, as if seeking comfort from the physical connection. “Why hasn’t Bashar shown up already?”

Why did Cody have a sinking feeling they wouldn’t like the answer?

Chapter Seven

“You shouldn’t have come here.” Raziel ran a hand through his long blond hair, pacing the bedroom they’d been given to talk privately in. “I already have too much to worry about without having to keep an eye on you.”

The words cut deeply. Cody had been scared to death Bashar would capture Raziel, but apparently, he wasn’t even a flicker in the angel’s mind. “Fuck. You.”

Raziel stopped pacing to stare wide-eyed at him.

“If you wanted me to stay out of this, you should have never stalked me in the first place.” Cody shoved at his mate’s chest, ignoring how good the man’s body felt under his palms and how bad the rejection caused an ache inside of him. “You should have never shown up at my house and stuck your goddamn knee between my legs!”

With a snarl, Raziel gripped his wrists before he could push again, yanking him closer. “If I recall, you didn’t stop me. In fact, you got off on it.”

Mortified and crushed, Cody yanked a hand free and slapped Raziel across the face. Standing there, breathing heavy, he felt like a damn fool for falling for a guy who was too broken to ever care about him the way he cared in return.

“Why?” Cody’s voice cracked, choking on the words. “Why did you reveal yourself to me if you never wanted me as your mate in the first place?”

Raziel refused to answer him, let alone look at him. After Cody had been shown his mate’s life, he should have kicked Zymore out and locked his door. A man who had suffered that much abuse couldn’t possibly know how to love. Raziel’s head was far too messed up, and yet, Cody had fallen for the asshole.

God, I’m such a damn idiot. I saw the signs of his pain, how he acts so jaded. but, I stupidly allowed myself to catch feelings.

“Because I’m a wretched bastard.” Raziel’s cold words pierced through Cody like a knife, leaving him struggling for air.

The pain was unlike anything he’d ever experienced, unbearable, as if his entire existence was being crushed by those callous words. Hot, wet tears fell freely, revealing the true depth of his feelings. “I hate you,” he choked out, his voice breaking.

For a brief moment, he saw a flash of anguish in Raziel’s eyes before it disappeared behind a cold facade. “Go home. Forget you ever met me.” His jaw clenched. “Find someone who can give you the love I’ll never be capable of giving.”

Cody stood there in shock, mouth slightly open, unable to move or speak as the seconds ticked by, each one bringing him closer to complete devastation.

Then something snapped inside of him. He snatched a bookend from the top of the dresser and hurled it at Raziel’s head, missing by a few inches. His mate didn’t flinch or duck out of the way. Cody took a step back, slowly shaking his head. “He destroyed everything you were, leaving nothing but emptiness behind. How could I let myself fall for you?”

Raziel’s nostrils flared, his words layered in frost. “I see Zymore tapped into your mind and showed you my humiliation.”

“No. He showed me your strength.” He wiped the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand.

“My strength?” The flawless skin of Raziel’s torso faded, replaced by horrifying scars. “Tell me, Cody. How is simply surviving considered strength, hmm?” His voice turned savage. “I would really love to fucking know, because I’m nothing more than a monster now, reduced to using a mask to hide what that bastard did to me.”

But Cody didn’t see him as a monster. He still saw his beautiful angel. His proof of strength was his scars, as well as his very survival.

“That’s what I thought,” Raziel sneered. “Brave words for someone who has never felt a cruel hand touch his body.”

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