Page 72 of Her Deadly Angels (The Seven Sinners of Hell's Kingdom 2)

Andre bows into me, hugging me closer instead of releasing me and growing defensive like I expect. But he’s not the type of man I’m used to—the mortals like my ex who would never hold himself accountable, always twisting the blame onto me.

“Please forgive me. I’ve wronged you, and I’m sorry. I let my feelings for you consume me and put you in this danger.” Andre breathes into the crook of my neck, cuddling me close.

I can’t help giving into his affection and brush my lips to his temple. “Andre, I forgive you. I don’t blame you either. I haven’t exactly been subtle at my attempts to corrupt you. Your lust for me—”

“Lust? No. It’s far more powerful than that. I don’t only yearn to feel you on the same intimate level as your soul keepers do. I crave to be with you in every which way for all of eternity. I can’t deny it any longer. You’re the most magnificent mortal and soul I’ve ever laid eyes on. I think I’m in love with you. Cassius and Zade agree with me. You’ve changed me, and there is nothing anyone can do to keep me away from you. Even trying to force me to leave the Mortal Realm.” Andre tilts his head, aligning his mouth with mine, his words awakening my essence on a soul-deep level. “Cassius thought I crossed between planes, but you’ve anchored me here, little hellion. You’ve captured me with your whole being, and I swear to the Higher Power that I’ll never let you go. We belong together.”

A wave of Andre’s emotions crashes over me, igniting my body like fireworks crackle in every molecule of my being. His pouty mouth invites me closer, I mold my lips to his, kissing him with every fiber of my being until it feels as if our essences merge into one.

I comb my fingers through his hair, sliding my tongue into his mouth kissing him deeper, more desperately and with the same sizzling passion from his strangely exciting, yet fucking possessive as hell, declaration.

“I’m nearly certain it’s me who won’t let you go, Andre,” I murmur against his mouth, running my fingers down to his neck and over his taut shoulders. “I am your hellion after all.”

“And so perfect. Wickedly divine. The woman I will gladly get on my knees and pray to before I worship every inch of your body and make it mine. You’re all I need to survive this existence, Raven. You bring me light and life and everything I never knew I wanted until this moment. You. You and your intoxicating body and soul.” Andre shifts me in his arms, sliding his hand lower until he reaches my bare ass cheeks, peeking out from my nightie and robe, the same one I was wearing last night as I kneeled at his feet.

“Release her body. I have your vessel as we agreed upon.” The deep, sultry voice booms through the world, fissuring the pure goodness Andre brings to my state of unconsciousness. “I need her in control to summon Lucian.”

I yank away from Andre and search around for something, anything, to prolong this moment in the safety of my mind. “Fuck, Andre. I think the ghost fucker is releasing me. I’m going to wake up.”

“I’m coming for you. Just try to hold onto my presence the best you can until I break through the protection shields, okay? I’m not far,” Andre says, flickering in and out of existence.

I don’t get a chance to respond as my body explodes in pain, jolting me into consciousness. A scream rips from my mouth, my body, mind, and soul crashing back together as if the fucking ghost who possessed me had to tear me open to escape. My stomach twists in agony, and I dry heave. I hurt everywhere, from my fingers to my toes, and even my fucking hair cries in misery.

“What a delicious morsel you are, Whore of Hell’s Kingdom. Let me get a better look at you.” A thin, willowy man towers over me within a strange blood painted circle. His deep-set eyes bulge from their sockets, the dark color indistinguishable between brown and black.

“Fuck off,” I snap, planting my palms to the sticky floor, trying to push to my feet.

Bony fingers pinch my chin, tipping my head back. I recognize Vincent Valeka and his creepy demeanor. He stretches his gangly arm out and uses his free hand to rub the pads of his fingers over my mouth before he shoves them in, sliding his thumb over my tongue. I gag at the salty taste and snap down, biting him as hard as I can. He doesn’t jerk away like I expect and instead locks his fingers to my teeth.

Pressure builds in my jaw as he stretches my mouth wider, pinching my front teeth hard enough to freak me the fuck out. A wicked smile stretches across his face, splitting the corners of his lips, sending blood trickling down his chin.

“I’m not very fond of your teeth. If you keep trying to bite me, I’ll remove every single one of them to ensure you can’t use them when I shove my cock down your throat and see what the fuss is about. I don’t know why your keepers haven’t done so yet, considering how pleasing your bloody gums will feel.” The demon flicks his blood-red tongue over his bottom lip.

My heart stalls, and I close my eyes and try to keep my shit together when all I want to do is scream my head off at the torture this monstrous fucker plans to inflict.

“Maybe it’ll get Lucian to finally pay me a visit,” the demon adds. “Do you know I’ve been trying to reach him for months?”

“Raven, stay calm. I won’t let him hurt you.” Andre’s soft voice trickles through my mind. “But I need you to let go. Let go and invite me in. We’re already connected on a soul-deep level that I can put you into a trance and take control.”

“Do whatever you have to,” I say, cringing at the sound of my voice echoing through the room.

The demon adds more pressure to my teeth, and I scream, trying to yank back.

“Let’s find out what it takes to summon the dark lord himself.” Vincent’s skin bubbles and moves as if bugs crawl through his veins. “Maybe having you ready for him will allow me to reap the benefits.”

“No! No!” I scream, kicking his shins and scratching my nails into his wrist. “Andre, help! Please! Please!”

Fire erupts across the demon’s fingers, and he sheds his human façade, revealing the horrifying skeleton-like creature beneath, covered in muscle and blood. He whacks his bony fingers against the front of his vest, trying to rip the burned tissue away.

My ears pop, the weight of the world no longer suffocating me, Light radiates from my core and pours through the rest of me. Electricity dances through my hair. Andre’s intoxicating presence captures my wild soul and cages it within undeniable love and devotion. Obsession. Different emotions that steady my soul, bringing me comfort instead of fear.

My vision shakes as my body moves without my permission and Andre takes complete control. Vincent screeches, his ear-piercing calls stinging my ears. My palms glow, bursting with light, and heavenly power blasts toward the demon, making him duck.

“You will destroy your contract to Elias or I’ll make you regret ever clawing your way out of the bowels of Hell.” The words come from me, but I know I didn’t say them. It was Andre.

The blood on the floor ignites on fire, setting the summoning circle glowing with hellfire. Lucian’s deep, guttural growl rings through the air. It didn’t take torturing me to get the asshole devil off his ass. All it took was an angel getting ahold of me.

Fury crashes through me, ripping control away from Andre and returning it to me.

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