Page 14 of Sleeping Redemption
She really didn’t have a clue he wasn’t human. That was going to be a damn nightmare. I hoped he knew what he was doing, though I very much doubted it.
“Sy, be a good boy and show yourself out, will ya?” she tossed out at me as she walked through the front door with Atlas.
Once the latch clicked shut behind them, I bowed my head and closed my eyes. My finger and thumb pinched the bridge of my nose, cursing all things holy at the cluster of feelings raging inside me. How had she changed so much from the angel she was before her fall from grace with Lucifer and the others?
From the other side of the garden wall, I heard my name.
“Sylas?” Kinley gave a radiant smile as she placed her hands one over the other on top of the flat section of stone dividing us.
Despite being on the cusp of taking a nap, I opened my eyes and looked at the fully blonde-haired beauty beckoning my attention. “Yeah, Kin?”
With the sun beating down on my face, I remained lying back in the chaise with my arms tucked behind my head.
She rested her chin on the backs of her hands and subtly batted her eyelashes at me. “Would you mind doing me a favor?”
I smiled to myself. It was rare to have Kinley ask a favor from me, so I was more than happy to oblige. Sitting up, my hands dropped to rest on top of my muscular thighs.
“Sure. What do you need?”
Biting her lower lip lightly, it was clear she was trying to contain her excitement. “My sword that you made, is it readyyet? I’ve been so excited to show it off, it’s the most gorgeous one I’ve ever seen you make. I know Lucifer has been anxious to see your craftsmanship as well.”
Standing, I walked to the half-wall she stood behind. I leaned forward on my forearms against the cool stone next to where her hands were situated. She was so damn cute when she began to babble in excitement.
“Remember what I told you? This is your one and only Divinity Sword. You don’t let this out of your sight – ever. It is a powerful weapon to wield, but always be aware of where it is. Otherwise, it is?—”
She cut off my words as she finished my lecture, “—it is the one weapon that can be used against me and result in my ultimate demise. You’ve told me ten times already.”
Reaching over, my finger ran along the bottom of her chin with a tender touch. “And I will tell you ten more times if I must.” I never wanted to see something happen to the sweet soul before me.
Disrupting my thoughts, an arm wrapped around my shoulders as an accented voice spoke. “Aw, it looks like it’s just you and me tonight, mate.”
Dropping my hand from where I still grasped the bridge of my nose and tearing my shoulders away from the embrace, I opened my eyes and stared at the sudden presence.
“You want top or bottom?” Rook smirked.
Squeezing a hand onto his throat, I lifted him a couple of inches off the ground. “Don’t touch me.” My words squeezed past my gritted teeth.
He barely got a laugh out, not bothering to fight the chokehold I had on him. “Top, then?” His words came out strangled but no less irritating. I swore that this one must have been drinking from the pools of insanity by the gallon.
Releasing my hold on him, he dropped onto his feet with a soft thunk against the floor. As much as I would have liked to deny knowing the trickster demon, he managed to involve himself in nearly everything. He had an annoyingly pervasive reputation.
As aggravating as he was, he was mostly harmless. His antics may have been cruel, unusual, and bizarre but rarely did they result in death. More likely, a person was more apt to croak from a heart attack thanks to his illusions.
“Are you looking for punishment, or do you have a purpose for being here?”
The demon’s face twisted in amusement. He opened his mouth to say something before promptly shutting it as I hardened my gaze on him.
His hand scratched at the back of his head casually as he gave thought to my question. “This Alex fella,” he said, nodding toward the door Atlas and Kinley had just left through. “He seems a bit odd, right?”
That was rich coming from Rook of all beings.
“What’s it matter to you, Rook?” Since when did he give a shit about who Kinley hung out with?
Shrugging it off, he busied himself by looking at a few trinkets on a decorative table along the far wall. He picked up a small ceramic bucket, turning it upside down like he expected contents to pour from it. “Just looking out for our girl. The guy seems like quite the wanker if you ask me.”
I snorted and then it was my turn to be amused.
It captured Rook’s attention, and he set the trinket back down and came to stand in front of me. “You know something,” he stated accusingly.
