Page 41 of Rise from the Flames

I shouldn’t expect anything less of him. I would think he was body snatched if he didn’t argue or try to kill Dagan. I’m glad that I included my guys’ safety in the deal. It’ll make things easier not having to worry about whether or not Dagan will slaughter them. He can’t.

“I’m sorry.” My voice catches with my apology. The three of them whip their attention in my direction, various expressions lining their faces. Damien puffs out a breath in relief while River grimaces. Storm remains expressionless for the most part, beating the three of them to close the space between us.

“Riella, thank God. Are you okay? We’ve been worried.” Storm wraps his arms around me, hugging me close.

I stand rigid with my arms at my sides. The lack of affection doesn’t go unnoticed, and he stiffens and steps back, giving me a once-over.

“What’s wrong? I already saw the deal you made, and I trust you. You did what you had to, and that decision hasn’t changed our futures, so I know we are still on course.” Storm rubs his big hands on my arms. “I’m assuming he’s outside?”

“Where he will stay. If he wants to play these games, he can make a room in the fucking shed around back.” River steps closer, straightening his back. “I’m not happy about this, you know. I thought we were trying to be a team. You shouldn’t have flown off without telling us exactly what was going on.”

I close my eyes and droop my wings, feeling the heat of his anger. Before, it wouldn’t have affected me. But now? I know I messed up. I also know that I wouldn’t have done anything differently. This deal must have been made.

“Please, River. Forgive me. I know that you feel as if I betrayed you, but I was following my instincts. Dagan made a deal with my superior. This means that he can contact Adriel, and he will help me do so. He will give us answers that we can use to fight back.”

“But you made a deal with a demon. That never goes without consequence.” River clenches his jaw, the vein in his neck bulging.

I reach up and stroke my fingers over his cheek, trying to get him to loosen up. “I know. And the consequence is allowing him into our personal space. But don’t worry. He cannot hurt any of us. I know what game he’s playing, and he’s going to try to use his presence to get me to fall to Hell. I’m stronger than that. Sometimes, we have to make sacrifices for the sake of what is good, even if those sacrifices mean jeopardizing our place in the universe. I promise that we’ll get through this. Adriel is up to something. He must be stopped. Trading time in exchange for the possibility of stopping the impending war between Heaven and Hell is worth it to me.”

River groans and squeezes his eyes shut, his muscles rippling with the movement. “Riella, what if you’re wrong? What if this changes things?”

I open and close my mouth, the realization hitting me like a gust of icy wind. He’s not worried about the consequences. He’s worried about us. Our relationship. Our alliance. He’s afraid that Dagan will get in the middle and take me from him. It’s never been clearer.

I throw my arms around him, hugging him tightly while resting my forehead to his, leaving an inch of space between our mouths. “You have to trust me. This will not change anything between me and you. I know that we can’t always see eye-to-eye, but you’re mine. You’re my hunter and one of my protectors. That will never change. If anything, this will bring us closer together. It’ll help us bond in ways neither of us ever expected.”

River swallows hard, shifting to look over his shoulder at Storm and Damien, who stand in utter silence, listening to our conversation unfold but giving us privacy.

“That goes for you both, too. We are letting Dagan in to give us an advantage. It doesn’t change what we have.” I wave my hand at them, getting them to close the space. “I promise. If things begin to change between us, I’ll end the deal. I won’t risk what we have. Okay?”

Storm and Damien surround me, caging me in between the three of their bodies. River exhales a long breath, and I stand on my tiptoes, caressing my lips to his.

“I promise,” I repeat, feeling the warmth of his body on mine. “This kiss will seal it.”

Because if it worked for Dagan, it’ll work for us. If I’m a fallen angel, I can also make deals. And this is one that I will uphold regardless.

Turning to Storm next, I pull him closer by the front of his shirt and kiss him softly, sensually, just letting him feel the truth of my very soul. He nods his head and eases away, turning me slightly until I face Damien. Damien offers me a crooked smile, his eyes lighting with fire. He knows how this works, and it’s probably the only reason he doesn’t argue. He knows I’ll stay true to my word. He’s mine. Grazing my lips to his, I kiss him a bit harder than the other two, feeling the fiery passion awaken inside me. He moans against my mouth, his incubus side arousing my desire. It washes over me in a hot wave, and I have to force myself to take a step back before I hop into his arms to seal it with more than just a kiss.

“You devilish angel,” Damien murmurs, tucking my hair behind my ear. “I don’t know what kind of mess we’re about to get into, but I’m sure it’ll be fun. I can’t wait to see you break a Prince of Hell. I can’t wait for you to knock him to his knees.”

I laugh at his fantasy. “Then let’s adjust the wards. That’ll be my first mission. Getting him on his knees to bow before us.”

“Hell, yeah. That’s what I’m talking about.” River steps back and rubs his hands together. “Turning another demon into our little bitch boy.”

Damien growls, sending fire crackling over his hands. “Watch it, Flood. I’m no one’s bitch boy.”

I shake my head and slide my fingers through Storm’s, looking into his eyes. “Thank you for trusting me. This is going to be a good thing.”

Something dark flickers over his gaze. “I hope so, Riella. You deserve to have your answers. You deserve to face those who betrayed you.”

I can only nod.

“She deserves the world,” Damien adds, strolling toward the living area. “Dagan will see. This angel is ours. You belong to humanity, Riella.”

I just hope he’s right.

The last thing I want is to let humanity down.

32

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