Page 21 of Rise from the Flames

“Riella,mywarrior.Whymust you hide from me? I know you’re afraid, but you have no need to be. I will help you. Don’t resist. Let me in.” The familiarity of the dark presence looms over me, edging my vision in flames.

The allure of Dagan’s voice swirls around me like a fiery chain ready to restrain me for him. I have so many questions. He said he has been waiting for me. He said he had been promised the finest warrior, but by who? Adriel wouldn’t have subverted me, would he? He’s an archangel. He wouldn’t go against humanity. He’s never even left Heaven.

At least, that’s what I thought until now.

“I’m sure you have so many questions. And I have answers. But they don’t come without a cost. I can’t give you anything until you bow before me as my queen, beautiful warrior.” Dagan’s voice works to capture me again, and I snap my eyes open, pulling myself from my meditation.

Before, I could lose myself to the pure light of Heaven. But now? All I see is darkness and flames, lost souls, and monstrous demons. The absence of Heaven slices through me in an agonizing way I can’t shake.

“Leave me alone. I will never be your queen,” I mutter, digging my nails into my palm. The wound Storm created with his blade no longer cuts my palm, but I can still feel the pain caused by the sacred artifact. I heal quickly, but something like that will linger with me.

A knock sounds on the door, drawing my attention away from my uneven breathing. It’s the twelfth time in days that one of the guys has tried to interrupt my attempt to find peace.

“Riella, please answer the door. It’s been almost a week. You need to stop shutting us out. Your body must be taken care of properly. You don’t want to get sick, do you?” Storm cracks the door open, invading my space for the first time since I ran up here. “Plus, you’re in River’s room, and he’s getting annoying about it. I’m sure you’d prefer the one we have for you.”

Now that he says it, I look around the neat room, everything far more organized than what Damien’s apartment had looked. This place looks like no one lives here. I really have to search around to see hints of River from a couple of framed pictures to his collection of flannel shirts, including the one I’m wearing.

“Oh, but I’m comfortable here.” I turn my back on him and lay down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling decorated with symbols.

He chuckles and enters the room, closing the door behind him. “How about you don’t tell him that? I wouldn’t put it past him to come in here and shove you off the bed.”

The thought of the gruff, broody hunter lying on the bed strikes me in places I didn’t expect. I shift and squeeze my legs together, staring up at Storm as he stands over me.

The fact that he and his brother are identical twins gets me in a good way.

“Well, it’s a good thing you’re here then. You wouldn’t do that, would you?” My voice comes out breathy, and I meet his gaze, drinking in his handsome features.

Desire crashes through me, and I can’t help myself from patting the bed.

He shifts on his feet. “Definitely not. I was actually hoping I could hang out with you for a bit.”

I tighten my lips and run my fingers over the flannel blanket. “I guess that would be okay. I can’t seem to reach Heaven at all. All I keep seeing is...”

I don’t want to say his name out loud. I don’t want to think about Dagan at all.

“Are you having visions, too?” Storm sits on the bed beside me and glances into my eyes.

I lift and drop my shoulders. “I don’t know if I’d call them visions. It’s just... It’s the Prince of Hell. Dagan. He’s been trying to get to me even now.” Opening and closing my fingers, I summon hellfire in my palm, turning it into a dagger. Surprise washes through me by how easily it happens, and I expect my palm to ache from my angel blade, but something’s different. It’s no longer an angel blade.

Flicking my wrist, I chuck the dagger at the wall, sinking it in. My breathing quickens, my heart racing. I hate this. I never expected to feel such emotions, but it’s like I’m out of control.

Storm leans into me, cupping my face and forcing my attention away from the blade. “Hey, Riella. Hey. It’s okay. Just take a breath. Nice and slow. Breathe with me. Look into my eyes.”

I do as he says, staring into his endless green depths. He takes a breath with me, sharing my air, and I flick my gaze down to his pouty mouth. It reminds me of kissing Dagan. But I know with Storm, I won’t feel Hell. Maybe I’ll feel...

Before I even think about it, I lean in and brush my lips to Storm’s, kissing him softly, sensually, just seeing how he reacts. My whole body buzzes and hums at his closeness, and he kisses me back, sliding his fingers from my cheeks and into my hair, pulling me closer as if I’ve awoken something wild within him.

Kissing him is like kissing Heaven, his light and goodness battling away the fiery depth that eats at my very core. I slip my tongue into his mouth, wanting more, and he moans and climbs on top of me, pinning me to the bed with his weight. But I don’t feel restrained. I feel alive and free. I feel as if he quenches the thirst that has been leaving me weak and on edge, afraid that I won’t be able to survive this world for much longer.

The room fades around me, and it feels as if the bed vanishes, leaving me free falling. I scream out, breaking my kiss from Storm, as I flap my wings.

But they don’t work. Nothing happens except for fire igniting over my body and devouring Storm before me, turning him into nothing.

Oh no. What’s happening?

“Help! Damien, River! Where are you?” I shriek and flail, trying to get the world to stop.

But it doesn’t work.

---