Page 16 of Fallen Angels

“No,” I say too quickly as his eyes narrow.

“Say it,” he demands. “Save yourself.”

“I won’t.”

He reaches down and opens his hand and the blade skitters across the floor, jumping into his grasp. He holds it up to my face, running it down my cheek before pointing the blade at my carotid. “Say the words,” he insists.

“No,” I respond in barely a whisper as tears begin streaming down my face. I will die right here because I will never admit that Variant is the one, true king. I don’t know why I don’t choose my own life but I don’t.

I close my eyes, hoping the pain will be quick, hoping my death will be quicker. But, I feel nothing. After another few seconds, I open my eyes and I find Variant studying me. Anger appears in his gaze, yes, but it seems to fight with something else.

“Why… why do you care what I think or what I say?” I find myself asking.

He shrugs as though he hasn’t quite figured out the answer for himself. “I desire you in a way I haven’t desired another woman in a very long time.”

I’m very sure it’s the Succubus within me that’s calling to him, forcing him to feel the way I want him to. It’s the one ace I have up my sleeve. And I’m fairly sure he doesn’t realize I have it. As far as I can tell, Variant only sees the angel in me.

He pulls away from me and takes a few steps back, staring at me. Then he snaps his fingers and the doors burst open, revealing four of his soldiers. I realize I’m completely naked and I try to cover myself as Variant laughs. His soldiers fix their eyes on me with undisguised lust.

“Take her back to the cell,” Variant orders. “If any of you force yourselves on her, you’ll answer to me.” Then he faces me and smiles. “I am pleased to have made your acquaintance, angel.”

The soldiers grip both of my arms and drag me out of the room. I feel filthy, soiled. I can feel the soldiers’ gazes on me as they accompany me to the dungeon, and I’m mortified. When they open the door to the prison, I feel Dragan’s eyes on me instantly. His gaze is first filled with shock—probably owing to the fact that I’m not dead. Then his eyes fill with concern as he takes in my naked state.

The prison bars become invisible in front of Dragan and I’m thrust forward. Dragan catches me in his arms and pulls me into the warmth of his chest as the cell bars reinstate themselves. Ihear the sounds of the soldiers’ footfalls as they exit the room. The door slams shut and silence engulfs the prison.

Now no longer in fear for my life, I lose control and begin sobbing into Dragan’s chest. He holds me and allows me to soak the front of his shirt with my tears.

“Did… Did he hurt you?” he whispers against my cheek. I realize then that owing to my lack of clothing and my tears, it probably looks like Variant raped me.

“No,” I respond.

“Then why,” he starts.

“He ripped my clothes off and… forced… forced,” I start but then lose my voice.

“Shhh, it’s okay. You’re okay now,” he croons into my ear. “No matter what he did to you, you’re alive, Eilish.”

“He didn’t do anything to me,” I manage. “But he… he…”

“Shh, Eilish, don’t think about it any longer,” Dragan says as I hold him tighter and he strokes my hair. “It’s over now and you’re still alive. That’s all that matters.”

The Succubus is silent within me, for once.

CHAPTER FOUR

SILVANUS

The Veil

The Necromancer is powerful in his own right. And though his power pales in comparison to my own, his is a power I respect, all the same. And one I need.

“You have come a long distance, Silvanus,” Pyre says as he faces me in the center of the forest of the Veil. It has been many centuries since I visited the Veil and as the spirits of this place pass through me, I feel their welcoming and their warmth.

“I have,” I agree. “Let us walk.” I hold my arm out in front of me and the two of us voyage deeper into the desolation of the woods.

“You have much on your mind,” Pyre says. Though he cannot see me with his eyes, he can see me with his mind. He is not a god, no, but he is also no mortal. He exists in the space between man and legend.

“I require your assistance in a very important matter,” I inform him.

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