Page 40 of Touched By Darkness

Alaric kicks his muddy shoes up on my uncle’s desk. “We see right through you, old man.”

“You’ve always coveted my father’s crown,” I point out, and my uncle’s disapproving eyes look up from Alaric’s feet.

“The battles between your father and me don’t involve young girls.”

“Okay, let me ask you this…” I plant my feet and peer out through the window at the silvery moon in the sky. Then I look back at my uncle and see the crow’s feet lining his dark eyes. “No one has left Eden since you, my dad, and five other angels rebelled. Why this girl? And why now?”

“Maybe you should ask her these questions.” He rounds the table and walks up to me. “I’m sure she can answer them herself.”

“Whatever you’re planning, drop it. I’m warning you now, you don’t want to mess with me.”

Reaching out, he pats my shoulder once, twice, then grips it. “Relax, nephew. I mean you or your dad no harm.”

“Bullshit,” coughs Ronan.

The grandfather clock in the hallway chimes loudly while we remain locked in a war of wills. We only break apart when the front door opens and the new girl’s feminine voice calls out, “Amenadiel, are you home? You won’t believe the day I’ve ha…” she drifts off when she walks into the office, her eyes growing wide.

Turning fully and raising my brows, I shove my hands into my pockets. My stance is relaxed, but my shoulders are tense, and my lips remain in a thin line. “Little angel.”

She looks at Amenadiel before narrowing her eyes at me. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m visiting my uncle.” I watch her closely, waiting for her to show a flicker of surprise.

She doesn’t.

“Interesting,” I muse, stepping closer, and she backs away out of instinct.

“What is?”

Alaric rises from his chair and steps up behind her, but her gaze remains locked on me until she collides with his hard chest.

Her small gasp is audible in the quiet room.

“You didn’t react when I mentioned I was visiting my uncle. As if you knew…”

Her head starts to shake, but I hold my finger up, and she stops.

“You knew the man you’re living with is my uncle, and that’s why you threw the football at my head. It was an attempt on your part to get my attention. You’re working with him.” Leaning in close, I growl, “A scheming little witch.”

She snaps her head to the side, refusing to look at me. Her jaw is tense, and her eyes burn with defiance.

The kind of defiance I itch to spank out of her. Because I will spank her ass for trying to entrap me in her games with my uncle. She wanted my attention, and now she has it. Let’s see how long it takes until she regrets it.

“I’ll see you at school,little witch.”

Alaric steps around her, and we walk back out.

Before I leave the room, I point my finger at my uncle. “Drop it, Amenadiel. I’m serious.”

ChapterTen

AURELIA

“Fire magic. Fire magic. Fire magic,” I whisper, turning page after page in the book before placing it back on the bookshelf. I reach for the next book in line and start the tedious process of meticulously looking through it for information about fallen angels and fire magic. Anything I can find that could potentially be helpful.

The library is quiet at this time of the day, and most students have left for home. I guess that’s why I’m here now and not during the day when it’s filled with the hum of whispering students.

I love the supreme silence that reigns among the paper and hardbacks. It’s only disturbed by my silent whisper and the rustle of the pages.

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