Page 33 of Descent of Angels

“Leave,” I echoed as realization flowed over me. “You’re the lieutenant,” I stated without emotion, as if her very presence wasn’t about to tear my life apart.

She frowned. “I am. How did you know about me?”

“They said you were coming to take them away. Oh God, you’re going to take them. They stayed to save me.”

She nodded, watching me. “They did. Your restoration to life was part of the deal I struck with Adamachus.”

“Deal?” My eyes widened. “Oh no, he didn’t. That... that idiot! They should have left. I told them to leave me.” Pain tore through me, but it wasn’t the physical type that an angel could heal. It was the agony of a heart breaking. “Why did you heal me?”

“I told you why.”

I shook my head. This time, it stayed fairly clear, and there were no bursts of pain. “I mean, why did you heal me if you are about to take away everything I live for?”

She opened her mouth to reply, but a shout came through the shadows. “Hey! Hey, woman!”

We both turned to see my father staggering toward us. His hands were still tied behind his back, but he’d managed to get onto his feet.

“Do you address me in such a manner, human?” Sariel asked, getting to her feet.

I struggled to sit up, and he glanced down at me, a sneer on his face. He looked back at Sariel, dismissing me. “Don’t put on airs and graces with me, woman. Where’s your lieutenant? I want a word.”

“About what?” she inquired calmly.

“I called this in. I was the one who got you here to take those cowards over there away. I want a reward and compensation. The bastards beat me.”

Gasping with pain, I managed to haul myself to my feet, leaning against the porch railing to steady myself. He ignored me, focusing only on Sariel. He didn’t look too well. His jaw was bruised, his lip was split, and he sported a black eye as well as a nasty gash to his temple that was still bleeding. I smiled at the thought of my wonderful men hurting him. He noticed me then and turned toward me, his eyes blazing.

“What are you smiling at, you little bitch?”

He took a step forward, and then a silver blade came around him and lay flat against his throat.

“Make one more move in her direction, and I’ll slit your throat,” Adamachus growled smoothly into my father’s ear. My father froze.

“You wouldn’t,” he sneered.

“Oh, give me a reason. Please,” Ade answered, smiling.

“Adamachus, release him. He is human and also under our protection. I appreciate that he was the one who gave you up, but—”

“He was the one who nearly beat Dylan to death,” Ade growled.

Sariel whirled around to look at me. “Is that true?”

I nodded, but I didn’t take my eyes off the man in front of me. He didn’t seem so big now, with Ade’s strong arm around him. There was no way Ade would let him hurt me. I stepped forward, shaking slightly with the effort.

“Dylan.” Eleth was at my side in a moment.

“He beat her that badly?” Sariel asked as if she couldn’t believe it.

Ade nodded. “And that wasn’t the only time, was it, Dylan?”

I stared at him, not wanting to admit it.

“We’ve seen the bruises, sweet one,” Eleth murmured.

“And we swore we wouldn’t go after him until we knew for sure,” Remiel growled. “But now we know.” He clenched his fists and moved forward. One of the angel warriors stepped in front of him, warning him back with a flick of his sword.

“No, I cannot permit that,” Sariel said. She moved forward and held out her hand. “I’ll take my sword back please, Adamachus.” His eyes flashed in anger, but he released my father and shoved him forward, handing Sariel the sword. She turned back to me.

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