“You’re the Great Deceiver. Archangel of Corruption, the King of Lies... I’ve heard all about you and your disgusting habits.”
“No, Kaelene,” a low growl comes from the beast within him. “You have it all wrong.”
I don’t even hear him move before the covering over my head is ripped off— “I am the GreatAccuser.Archangel ofNothing, Guardian ofChaos.”
39
Iblink a few times as my eyes quickly adjust to the light, and I waste no time taking a quick read of my surroundings.
I was right. Iamin a vehicle. The back of a van, it seems.
And my only company is the devil himself.
He’s about what I expected: deceptively beautiful, dripping in sin, and every bit the fallen angel. His eyes are striking, like cut peridots with flecks of yellow tourmaline, bold eyebrows and long eyelashes complementing them. His hair, thick and dark, is cut short on the sides with the top’s length styled back. One stray curl seems to have broken loose, falling errantly across his forehead.
He doesn’t necessarilylookready to hurt me, considering he’s unarmed and wearing some kind of vintage suit. However, looks can be deceiving. I know that well by now.
The plethora of tattoos is a bit surprising. They start on his knuckles, disappear under his jacket sleeves, then return at his collar and reach into his hair. The only part of him not tattooed is his face. I try to glean an ounce of helpful information from them, but they’re just a riddle of intricate designs and symbols?—
Azael crosses his arms, inadvertently sending my gaze back up to his face. He’s waiting for me, raising his eyebrows as I meet his green eyes in an amused, taunting manner. “Are you done inspecting me? Do I meet your expectations?”
My scowl deepens.
I need to buy myself some time to escape. If he thinks he can turn me to his side, maybe I can use that to my advantage. It’s risky, considering his reputation for being a convincing liar and reversing angels’ loyalties, and the fact that I have zero espionage training... But unfortunately, it’s the best plan I can comeup with.
“No. I’m disappointed.” I lean back on the bench, not taking my eyes off him. Channeling all the dullness I’ve been surrounded by for the past few months, I keep my emotions schooled and indifferent. “I thought the devil was part goat or something like that. You don’t even have hooves.”
He snorts, just barely loud enough to be perceivable. “Out of everything you could say,that’swhat you pick?”
It’s my turn to raise an eyebrow.
“What did you expect from me? ‘Wow, Azael, you’re the most attractive person I’ve ever seen, please have my babies!’” I scoff. “Give me a fucking break. You’re not the first angel I’ve met.”
“I’m well aware of the others you’re acquainted with. Orengaged to,I should say.”
He just keeps giving me more reasons to hate him. “Great, so now that you know I’m a bit preoccupied, you’ll send me back. Yeah?”
“You’re so eager to return to them.” He clicks his tongue, chastising me. “I willconsiderreleasing you, but I’m afraid I’ll be keeping War.”
I freeze, trying to retain my surprise. My fucking asshole fiancéstillgave me an apocalypse horse? And he didn’t even tell me?
“Surely you don’t mean my Andromeda?” I play innocent. “I hate to break it to you, but you’re mistaken. She’s just a regular chestnut Arabian.”
Azael makes a sound somewhere between a scoff and a laugh. “Nice try, but even if your lies were halfway convincing, she can’t hide her nature from me. Who do you think owns the first?”
Of-fucking-course he has Conquest.Goddammit. I really liked Andy, too. “Stealing my beloved horse is a really shitty move, you know. Even for you.”
“Should I steal the rider, too?” His voice lowers to a haunting pitch, methodical in its intimidation. “Take her home with me while I still have the chance? It’sa tantalizing opportunity. I’m very tempted to.”
I dig my nails into my palms, despising the way my heart begins to race. Try as I may to keep my breath from hitching, it still comes out shaky and devoid of confidence. “You’d be wasting your time. I’m—I’m not aturncoat.”
“Is that so?” He tilts his head, clearly unconvinced. “Then answer me this, Kaelene: What has you so devoted to them? Perhaps you believe you don’t have a choice in the matter, but still, that begs the question of a much largerwhy. Why would we exist to play out a predetermined fate?”
I open my mouth to speak, but I’m too stunned by the sudden bout ofexistential philosophyto come up with a rebuttal.
Meanwhile, Azael looks at me like a cat that’s caught a mouse.
“Exactly. It’snotpredetermined. Just as a diamond cannot be formed without pressure, a soul cannot be shaped without adversity. For humans to have free will, there has to be more than one option.” He leans his head back against the wall. “They say it began with two polarities in the garden. One as wise as a serpent, the other as gentle as a dove. Do you believe that’s still the case?”
