No, no. Calm yourself. Im not here to kill him. The word yet was unsaid, but present all the same. If you decide to stay, his new executioner will not be decided until your fourteen days have passed.
So. She was guaranteed two weeks with Aeron. No more, no less. That would have to be enough. She would make so many memories, they would last a lifetime. If she could convince Aeron to let her stay here, that is. As stubborn as he was
She sighed. Thank you, she told Lysander. For everything. You didnt have to do this for me. And had probably had to fight the Council mercilessly for such a concession, one of the Seven or not. Yet hed done so, without hesitation, just so she might experience the joy and passion she craved before reclaiming her place in heaven. She wouldnt tell him that she could not go back. No matter what happened.
In fourteen days, if she did return, she would be expected to kill Aeron, she knewand still she would not be able to do so. I love you. I hope you know that. No matter what happens.
Olivia, Aeron said, clearly confused.
He cannot see, hear or even sense me, Lysander explained. He now realizes you are not talking to him and thinks you are hallucinating from the pain. Her mentor stepped toward the bed. I must remind you that the man is a demon, Liv. He is everything we fight against.
As is your female.
He squared his wide shoulders, and his chin lifted. Ever the stubborn warrior, her Lysander. Just like Aeron. Bianka broke none of our laws.
But even if she had, you would have wanted to be with her. You would have found a way.
Olivia? Aeron repeated.
Lysander paid him no heed. Why would you choose to live with him as a human, Olivia? Just for a few minutes in his arms? That can bring you nothing but heartache and disappointment.
Once again, there was undiluted truth in his tone. Lies were not permitted in theirno, his, she thought sadlyworld. Still, she refused to believe him. Here, she would do things she desperately wanted to do. Not only would she live as a human, but she would feel as one, too.
The bedroom door swung open, saving her from replying. A small plastic bottle was tossed inside. It landed on the floor a few inches from Lysanders sandaled feet.
Here are the meds, Torin called. The door shut before Olivia could work up another scream.
Aeron made to rise, but Olivia settled her weight more firmly atop him. No, she said, grimacing as another of those burning bolts struck her. Stay.
He could have pushed her aside, but didnt. I need to get the pills. Theyll help ease your pain.
Later, she said. Now that they were touching, now that she felt the warmth of his body, wrapping around her, soothing her, she didnt want to lose it. Even for a moment.
At first, she thought he would disregard her plea, but then he relaxed and tightened his hold on her. Olivia sighed with contentment and met Lysanders hard gaze once more. He was scowling.
This is why, she told him. Cuddling wasnt something angels did. They could have, if theyd so wanted, she supposed, but none ever had. Why would they? They were like brothers and sisters to each other, physical desire not part of their makeup.
Why what? Aeron asked, confused all over again.
Why I like you, she answered honestly.
He stiffened, but didnt reply.
Eyes narrowed, Lysander spread his wings in one smooth jerk, the gold glistening in the moonlight. A single feather drifted to the floor. Ill leave you to your recovery, pet, but I will return. You dont belong here. As the days pass, I have a feeling you, too, will realize that.
CHAPTER FIVE
THAT FIRST NIGHT, after Olivia finished her strange conversation with herself, she finally fell back asleep, once again moaning and groaning with her pain, thrashing and hurting herself further. The second night, the mutterings about demons began. Dont touch me, you filthy wretch. Whimper, gag. Please, dont touch me. The third night, a deathly stillness claimed her.
Aeron almost preferred the begging.
Through it all, he mopped her brow, kept her companyeven reading one of Pariss romance novels to her, though she remained unawareand forced liquids and crushed pills down her throat. He would not have her death on his conscience.
More than that, he wanted her out of his lifeno matter how strongly his body reacted when he neared her. Or thought of her. He hadnt lied. Once she was healed, she was gone. Because of how his body reacted.
Worse, the way his demon reacted. Not to her, but for her.
Punish, the demon said for thewhat? Hundredth time? Punish the ones who hurt her. During Aerons blood-curse, the demon had spoken to himin one-word commandsin addition to flashing violent images through his mind. For the past three days, though, extended speech was Wraths preferred method of communicating, and Aeron wasnt quite used to it. Where was the peace Olivia elicited?
Also, he wasnt sure what Olivia had been through when shed been kicked from her home, and he couldnt allow himself to find out. He might not be able to stop his demon from acting. Could barely stop the demon now. And if he knew the truth, he might not want to stop his demon. If ever there was a time to enjoy what Wrath could do
Dont think like that. Aeron didnt want to soften toward Olivia any more than he already had, and he didnt want her sinking deeper into his thoughts and decisions. His life had enough complications. And already shed added more.
She wanted to have fun. As hed assured her, fun wasnt a word he was acquainted with, nor did he have time to learn. And he wasnt disappointed about that. Truly.
She wanted to love. In no way was he right for that task. Romantic love wasnt something he would ever bring to the table. Especially with someone as fragile as Olivia. And he wasnt disappointed about that, either. Truly.
She wanted freedom. That he could give her. In town. If she would just get better, damn her!
She would get better, or by the gods he would finally unleash his demon, willingly and without restraint.
Punish. Punish the ones who hurt her.
Why did the demon like her? And Wrath had to like her. Nothing else explained the urge to strike at beings they hadnt personally encountered. Hed had time to think about this, way too much time, yet no answers had materialized.
Aeron scrubbed a hand down his face. Because he refused to leave Olivias side, Lucien had had to continue seeing to Pariss care and ensuring the warrior fed his own demon properly. Torin, in turn, had had to see to Aerons meals, bringing him trays of food throughout the day, but never staying to talk with him. If Olivia were to awaken and see the male He didnt relish a repeat of her earlier terror.
Unfortunately, the women of the house had learned of the angels presence and had descended en masse to welcome her. Not that hed let them past the door. No telling how Olivia would react to them. Besides, none of them had known how to help the angel. Hed asked. Fine. Hed snarled.
Although he might have endured fits of terror from Olivia if it meant seeing her conscious again. Why the hell would she not awaken? And now, as still as she was He rolled to his side, careful not to jostle her, and stared down at her. For the first time, she didnt curl into him but remained as she was. Her skin was ghostly pale, her veins visible and garish. Her hair was a matted nest around her head. Her cheeks were hollowed out and her lips scabbed from where shed chewed them.
Yet she was still beyond beautiful. Exquisite, even, in a protect-me-forever kind of way. So much so, his chest constricted at the sight of her. Not in guilt, but in a possessive need to be the one doing the protecting. A need that ran bone-deep.
She had to heal, and he had to get rid of her. Soon.
At this rate, shes going to die, he snarled to the ceiling. Whether he was speaking to her One Deity or to the gods he knew, he wasnt sure. Is that what you want? One of your own to suffer unimaginably before perishing? You can save her.
Look at you, he thought, disgusted with himself. Pleading for a life as the humans never do.
That didnt stop him. Why wont you?
The barest hint of agrowl? hit his ears. Aeron tensed. As he palmed one of the daggers hed placed on his nightstand, his gaze zoomed through his bedroom. He and Olivia were alone. No godly being had appeared to chastise him for his impudent tone.
Slowly he relaxed. Lack of sleep was finally catching up with him, he supposed.
Night had long since fallen, moonlight shimmering through the windowed doors leading to his balcony. So peaceful was the sight, so fatigued was his body, he should have finally drifted into slumber. He didnt. Couldnt.
What would he do if Olivia died? Would he mourn her as Paris mourned his Sienna? Surely not. He didnt know her. Most likely, he would feel guilt. Lots and lots of guilt. She had saved him, yet he wouldnt have done the same for her.
You dont deserve her.
The thought whispered through his head, and he blinked. It hadnt belonged to Wrath, the timbre too low, too gravellyand yet, somehow familiar. Had Sabin, keeper of Doubt, returned from Rome, attacking his self-confidence as was the warriors unintentional habit?
Sabin, he spat, just in case.
No response.
Shes too good for you.
This time, Wrath rumbled inside his head, prowling through his skull, suddenly agitated.
Not Sabin, then. One, Aeron hadnt heard Sabin return and, two, he knew the warrior wasnt due to arrive for another few weeks. Plus, there was no gleeful undertone to these doubts, and Sabins demon found great joy in the spreading of its poison.
So, who did that leave? Who possessed the power to speak in his mind?
Whos there? he demanded.
That does not matter. I am here to heal her.
Heal her? Aeron relaxed just a little. There was a ring of truth in the voice, just as there was in Olivias. Was this an angel? Thank you.
Save your thanks, demon.
Such anger from an angel? Probably not. Or was this a god, perhaps, answering his prayers? No, couldnt be, Aeron decided. The gods enjoyed their fanfare and would have relished the opportunity to reveal themselves and demand gratitude. And if this were Olivias Deity, surely there would have been a hum of power in the air, at the very least. Instead, there wasnothing. Aeron sensed, smelled and felt nothing.
I have every faith that, when she awakens, she will begin to see you for what you really are.
Because of the beings certainty that she would awaken, Aeron didnt mind the implied insult. He was too relieved. And what am I? Not that he cared. But in the answer, he might learn who this speaker was.
Inferior, wicked, malicious, foolish, single-minded, rotten, unworthy and doomed.
Tell me how you really feel, he replied dryly, hoping his sarcasm hid his actions as he slowly edged over Olivia, using his body to shield hers. Wicked and maliciousthe beliefs of the Hunters. Yet a Hunter would have attacked Aeron before offering anyone aid. Even their Bait.
Again he wondered if this newcomer was an angel. Despite that anger. And clearly, hatred.
Another growl echoed. Your insolence only proves my point. Which is why I will allow her to get to know you as she desires, for I have a feeling she will not like what she learns. Justdo not soil her. If you do, I will bury you and all those you love.
I would never soil a
Silence. She awakens now.
To prove the words, Olivia moaned. In that moment, the amount of relief that flooded him was irrational. Too much for someone he didnt know and wouldnt mourn. One thing he did know: whoever the speaker was, he was indeed powerful, to draw Olivia from that deathly slumber so quickly.
Thank you, he said again. She suffered unjustly and
I told you to be silent! If you dare disturb her healing process, demonactually, Ive had all of you I can stand for one evening. Sleep.
Though he fought against it, his body seemed unable to refuse the command and sagged against the mattress, a few inches from Olivia. His eyelids closed and lethargy beat through him, dragging him kicking and screaming into the darkness he would have previously welcomed. Still, that darkness couldnt stop him from reaching for Olivia and drawing her into his side.
Where she belonged.
EYES STILL TOO HEAVY TO OPEN, Olivia stretched her arms over her head and arched her back, the knots unwinding from her muscles. Sooo good. Grinning, she drew in a deep breath that brought with it the scent of exotic spice and forbidden fantasies. Her cloud had never smelled thissexy before. Nor had it ever been this warm, almost decadently so.
She wanted to stay just like this forever, but laziness wasnt the way of the angels. Today she would visit Lysander, she decided. If he wasnt away on a secret mission as he often was, and if he hadnt locked himself away with his Bianka. Afterward, she would head to the fortress in Budapest. What would Aeron be doing today? Would his contradictions fascinate her once again? Would he sense her again, as he shouldnt have been able to do, then demand she reveal herself so that he could kill her?
Those demands always hurt her feelings, though she couldnt blame him for his anger. He didnt know who she was or what her intentions were. I want him to know me, she thought. She was likeable; she really was. Well, to other angels, she was. She wasnt sure what a demon-possessed immortal warrior would think of the real her, his supposed opposite.
Only, Aeron didnt seem like a demon to her. Not in any way. He called Legion his precious baby, bought her tiaras and decorated his room to fit her tastes. Hed even had his friend and fellow Lord Maddox construct a lounge chair for her. A lounge chair that rested beside his bed and was draped with pink lace.
Olivia wanted her own lacy lounge chair in that bedroom.
Envy is not a good look for you, she reminded herself. You might not have a lacy lounge, but you have helped countless people laugh and rejoice and learn to love their lives. Yes, she took a great amount of satisfaction from that. Butnow she wanted more. Maybe shed always wanted more, but just hadnt realized it until her promotion.