Page 46 of Fallen Angels

EILISH

The Veil

I sit in front of a door, waiting for Pyre. In front of me is nothing but a seemingly never-ending hallway but there aren’t any doors on either side. At the end of the hallway is space and above me is more space. I don’t know where I am, but I’m not concerned.

Pyre instructed me to walk down the flight of stairs and wait for him at the end of the hallway. So, I did as I was instructed.

I’m alone and I don’t know where the others are. But I trust Pyre and I feel safe here, in the Veil. What’s more, I’m beyond excited to learn how to call on the light and dark magic inherent within me. All I’ve wanted from the moment I found myself running from something, was to understand who and what I am. And while I’m so grateful for my friends, none of them have any idea how to help me understand my powers.

Except for Pyre.

Owing to his incredible magic, I can’t help but wonder if he might also possess the ability to help restore my missing memories. It’s worth asking him.

On another note, my reaction to seeing him without his robe was more than I anticipated. His body was… blindsiding in its sculpted beauty. I don’t know if it’s simply the Succubus in me, but I find Pyre fascinating—on different levels. Sexual levels included.

The necromancer is attractive, despite his white, blind eyes, or perhaps because of them. Even his tattooed runes are beautiful to me.

I hear the door open from behind me and I turn to find Pyre standing there. He’s wearing nothing more than black leather trousers slung low on his hips. His bare chest seems to glow faintly and before I know it, the landscape surrounding us changes. Now, we’re no longer in a hallway, but we’re in the middle of a ghostly forest. The trees around me are tall and daunting and tinged with a faint greenish glow. In fact, everything seems to glow here, in a pale haze that makes me feel like I’m dreaming.

“Are you ready?” the deep timber of his voice never fails to make me shiver.

“Um, yes,” I say, instantly feeling self-conscious and stupid. There’s just something about this man that makes me feel uncouth and awkward. Maybe it’s the sense of pure power thathe exudes. Or maybe it’s due to his immense body that seems impossibly large for a man.

“The most important part of learning is listening,” he starts.

“Before we delve into my lesson for the day,” I interrupt him, and he gives me an expression of irritation. “I’m sorry,” I say as I drop my head.

“What’s your question?”

I lift my head and try to smile away my nervousness, but I don’t do a good job. Pyre is intimidating and he makes me doubt myself. “I… I was wondering…”

“Yes, what?”

“Um, do you… or… are you capable of… well, maybe that’s not the way to phrase it.”

“What, Eilish?”

“Do you think you could help me get my memories back?” I blurt out. “I… well Cambion tried to do it when he created the Transmutation Stone but once I touched the stone, I broke it.”

“No,” Pyre answers.

“Oh,” I say and can’t help the disappointment in my tone.

“I’m afraid I don’t possess that type of magic. If I did, I would have gladly helped you.”

“That’s okay,” I continue as I nod, and then look away. I don’t want him to see my regret, although I’m not sure why. But, then thinking it might seem like I’m hiding something, I look back at him.

The corner of his mouth quirks up into a lopsided grin that I find alluring. As I look at him and his unseeing but all-knowing eyes, all I can focus on is the handsome beauty of his perfect face. I want to trace the tattooed patterns on his skin with my tongue. He sees me staring and he frowns as he takes the space that separates us until we’re maybe a few inches apart.

“You must control the hunger, or I won’t be able to instruct you.” He wraps his hands around my upper arms and hiswarmth seeps into me, thrilling me. “And we have much to get through, including teaching you how to dissolve wards, how to overcome compulsion magic, and how to heal.”

I’m embarrassed but I’m also exhilarated to be so close to him. I feel winded and my heart is pounding, and I notice with interest that he doesn’t release me. He continues holding my arms and I continue panting. The Succubus hasn’t fed in too long and there’s no way I’m going to win this fight. “If you didn’t look the way you do, my hunger wouldn’t be a problem,” I say in a soft voice.

“I am not a good man, Eilish,” he says, but I don’t understand how that can be. He seems like the best example of a man. “Take control of your hunger or I will do it for you.”

I don’t understand what his words mean but it doesn’t really matter. The darkness inside him already calls to me. And my body answers. I can’t help it. I know he’s dangerous, that death itself glares over his shoulder, but my God, he’s…

He wraps his hand around my throat in a warning that sets my blood aflame. I’m immediately reminded of the rough way in which Baron touched me, the way we had sex, the way he used my body and the way I loved it.

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