Page 65 of Fallen Angels

Cambion nods. “Yes, very good.”

Flumph floats over our heads, having a hell of a time remaining airborne when the book he carries appears larger than he is. “The lexicon say that humans were extinct durin’ the Singularity. Maybe that Singularity be happenin’ all overs again? With the way Variant be rulin’, who’s to say elves ain’t next on the choppin’ block or gargoyles?” Then he looks at Eilish. “He already got all the angels.” Then he pauses for a moment before correcting himself. “Almost alls the angels.”

“You are the last winged angel and the last of the Succubae,” Revenant says to Eilish as he appears directly behind her. I feel my hands begin to fist at my sides, though I can’t say why. “That alone means two species will fade from the realms if anything happens to you,” he continues.

“Nothing’s going to happen to her,” I grind out.

Revenant looks at me and I return his stare. The two of us are going to have it out. I don’t know when or where but it’s going to happen. And I can’t wait for that moment.

“Nothing’s going to happen to her,” he repeats.

Cambion begins ripping the pages out of Variant’s history book one at a time with a taunting smile on his face. “There have been kings like Variant in the past. And they all fell to their knees eventually.”

“And when he’s down, I’ll take his head,” Revenant adds.

“Variant will get what’s coming to him one way or another,” I start. “But the only way that’s going to happen is if we build our own army. That needs to be our first goal, our first focus.”

“Is I the only one worryin’ ‘bout the fuckin’ Unseelie King?!” Flumph announces, throwing his hands on his hips. “We gotta big problem with him too, in case you fergots! Aima an’ Kolvar still be prisoners in the Unseelie Kingdom!”

“Trust me,” Cambion says as he glances up from destroying the book. “I haven’t forgotten about my brother. But one step at a time.”

“Do you think that’s the tome Pyre wanted us to find?” Eilish asks as she motions to the history book in Cambion’s hands.

I nod. “Most probably.”

“I would agree,” Cambion adds. “Pyre wanted us to see what we’re up against—how far and wide Variant’s lies have spread and to what length he’ll go to see that they do.”

“And it was a good lesson,” I finish.

***

CAMBION

The Castle in the Sky

I don’t move from the dark room at the back of the library. Instead, I find a rickety old chair and I make it my own. The wood creaks beneath my weight as I rest my weary bones. My eyes close of their own accord, meditation taking me instantly. I haven’t had the luxury of resting while the others slept in their beds while we were safely in the Veil.

Whether owing to the guilt or paranoia, I have yet to truly relax since Raflamir’s betrayal. I wince, the memory still fresh in my mind as I drift off into the place where I am free.

At first there’s nothing but darkness, but then a faint light begins to flicker in the distance. I walk toward that light until it brightens, engulfing me in its radiance. When the light dims, I stand in the center of a beautiful, flourishing garden with the scent of sweet flora hovering in the air.

Here, in the trenches of my mind, I find Eilish. Not a lecherous she-demon, but a brilliant angel with her wings spread wide and her pale hair blowing in the wind. She is nude and her nudity entrances me. I want her.

She smiles my way and I find myself helpless, falling to my knees.

“Do not kneel before me,” she whispers.

My forehead rests on the flat planes of her abdomen, and I soak up her warmth. I press soft kisses on her skin and bask in the whimpers that escape her. Elegant fingers trail through my hair, curling in the silken strands as I worship at the altar of her body. I stand then to tower over her as I stare into endless depths of her blue eyes. She lifts her hands and grips my shoulders. My hands drift down to her lush rear. I lift her up, eliciting a tantalizing moan from her as she wraps her legs around my waist.

Only here can I allow myself to feel our bond. Only here can I lose myself in the desire I have for her. Only here is it safe to do so.

“What do you want?” I ask. “Request anything of me and it’s yours.”

“You... I want you, Cambion.”

I almost believe her. She licks her lips and writhes in my hold, grinding against me until I feel the wetness of her arousal against the muscle of my bronzed stomach. I feast upon her with my eyes. Eilish moans unabashedly.

“Yes,” she whispers and then shivers. I feel an electric shock echo through me.

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