Page 98 of An Unexpected Ascension
“Just reveling in the rare moment of compassion from you.”
Hermes clears our plates, the table, and then the chairs before lowering himself to the edge of the bed. The lantern swaying gently above us rains down a soft yellow glow.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I disagree. “I’ve been nice plenty of times.”
“Not towards me. Shall I recount the many times you’ve punched me?” He points to his still battered face, which he refuses to heal if only to draw out the guilt in me. “Or the times you’ve cursed me?”
“You literally asked me to hit you and why should I be nice?You’re the demon who lured me to Hell just because I’m a distant descendent of your sister’s killer.”
“You’re safer here anyway. I did you a favor.”
“I didn’t ask for your favors.”
“No, Angel, but you’re damn lucky I gave them to you anyway. Heaven’s going to fall harder than you ever did and when that happens, no one there will be safe.”
“What do you mean?” A barrage of different faces I’ve come to know and love cross my mind.
“What do you think will happen once the war starts? The Gods, very well known for eradicating those that question them, will wreak havoc on their own world. They have no problem starting from scratch should we fail.”
“Then don’t fail,” I breathe.
Gone. They’ll all be gone. Just like Hermes’ sister. Just like what they tried to do to Lucifer and his wife, succeeded with their children. I can’t fathom the thought of the Gods wiping every soul off the face of Heaven, but I don’t disbelieve it could happen.
He watches me wearily, leaning back against the mattress.
“I will help. I want to help. Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do it.”
“Why?” he asks.
“I may never see my friends again, those innocent children, my own mother, but they don’t deserve to be desecrated and wiped clean. Their souls deserve to enjoy eternity, to meet their loved ones again. You deserve freedom from your pain. Lucifer deserves his wife. But those Gods? They don’t deserve another minute of their reign.”
Chapter 31
The Demon
Iwatch the little flame ignite in the angel’s soul, flickering and building with each word. It roars inside of her now, fueling her every breath, running wild. So wild, it consumes me, alighting my entire soul.
The energy swarming her jade eyes shines so brightly, I’m nearly blinded.
This.
This is the wrath I seek.
“You’d like to see me free from pain?” My mouth tilts up teasingly.
“Yes,” she admits. “I was wrong to accuse you of lacking a soul. Your hatred for me is hardly just, but it doesn’t mean your heart is empty.”
I grab her hips and pull her between my legs, resting my hands along the outside of her thighs. Her gaze casts down past her pert, little nose as a burn sears my shoulders from the grip of her fingers.
“I see the way you stare at the cut on my face, wince at the bruises you left. I can see how much you regret it.” A flush washesover her cheeks. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll get rid of them when you kiss me of your own free will.”
She scoffs, pretending she doesn’t hate looking at the pain she’s caused.
“Whatever, it’s your face.”
“I think I like you better when you’re nice.”
“I don’t like you at all.”
