Page 58 of Fallen Angels

“I see why all of you have such a difficult time where I’m concerned,” she answers. “Except for Revenant.”

“Except for Baron,” I correct her. I’m damn tired of calling the vampire by his adopted name. It’s tedious and unfamiliar and it vexes me.

“Why?”

“Because Baron has no memories of Lamia. He doesn’t understand the costs we suffered at her hands.”

“Or maybe he just realizes that Lamia and I are nothing alike.”

“You are both,” I start.

“Variant is angel,” she interrupts. “If there were any angels left, would you fault them for the fact that their sovereign is corrupt and crazy?”

She makes a good point. “Angels have always been allies to the Fae.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“After seeing the destruction and death accomplished at Variant’s hands, I am aware of just how powerful angels can be,” I offer.

She quirks a smile at me and her eyes narrow. “You’re not doing a very good job of avoiding the question, Cambion.” She takes a breath. “Do you judge all angels based on the acts of Variant?”

I’m quiet for a few seconds as I inwardly curse her. “No.”

“Then how can you blame me for Lamia’s actions?” she fires back.

I swallow. “I suppose I can’t.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

EILISH

The Forest in the Sky

The enormous walls surrounding Variant’s fortress tower over us as though they were designed to keep out titans. As I stand there, staring up at them, I gulp down my anxiety, but it does little to pacify my nerves.

Our plan makes me edgy, edgier than I’ve felt lately. But the anxiety within me has little to do with our impending future and more to do with the Succubus in me. She’s demanding and has been. I can feel her need building up and it’s affecting me—making me impatient, crabby and exhausted. Even though what passed between Pyre and me was sexy and remembering it makes my knees weak, it did little to take the edge off my hunger.

I need sex and I need it soon. The truth is that I can think of little else—even in the face of the possibility of our pending doom. The Succubus has a one-track mind—and the only thing on her mind is satiating herself. The wetness that pools between my legs each time I glance at Baron, Dragan, or Cambion causes a flush to blossom on my cheeks.

I see their nostrils flare as they catch the scent of my need. It affects them—they seem surlier and shorter with one another and both Dragan and Cambion appear to be doing everything in their power to avoid me. But just as they can scent me in the air, I too can scent their arousal on the wind—as potent as my own.

Baron smells of raw iron and clean sweat. Dragan’s is a heady aroma like rain on hot concrete. But Cambion’s scent is what drives my hunger wild. It’s just so different from the other two. The earthy notes of sandalwood, ash, and hearth-fire mixed with something like the clean scent of soap characterizes Cambion. It’s a scent I could recognize anywhere and when he’s near me, I wish I could just close my eyes and inhale him.

I don’t know what to think of Cambion—sometimes he’s almost… nice? And other times, he skewers me with his comments. And as to the subject of me watching Variant and Anona… I’m surprised Cambion kept the truth to himself. I didn’t think he would. Yes, he surprises me and I’m not sure how to act around him. During the times he’s actually being congenial, I’m always afraid I’ll say something that will send him off in the other direction.

And regarding Variant—he’s a subject I like to ponder less than the subject of Cambion’s changing moods. Last night, while I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, listening to Dragan snoring while Cambion muttered in his meditation and Baron managed to remain completely quiet, I found myself in the vision state and I dreamed of Variant inside me. The dream was so vivid, I could actually feel the stretch of his claim.

Now, as I remember those images, they cause bile to crawl up my throat, but even so, I can’t stop picturing Variant above me, pushing inside me as our eyes meet and he entwines his fingers into mine. Eventually, the image of Variant fades into Cambion.

I feel my cheeks flame once again when the memories of the dream come back to me. Cambion wasn’t the only one in my bed—Baron and Dragan were there as well. I feel myself flush with a mixture of shame and embarrassment. But I can’t deny the truth all the same. I want to feel them... all of them and all at the same time.

I need all of them.

Dragan turns and arches his brow at me. My steps falter as I suddenly wonder if he somehow knows what I’ve been thinking about, but then I realize there’s no way he could.

“We should talk,” he says, but he refuses to look at me.

“About what?” I demand.

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