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I blink, breaking my eyes from the woman for a split second.
Holy shit.
She’s not human. That’s for damn sure. Our holy incantation affects her, but not like it does the demon. A fiery vision flashes behind her back like wings. The vision vanishes, showing me they’re not truly there. I’m at a loss as to what she can be. She’s not a demon. She’s no angel either. All I know is that she’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.
Something whacks my head, knocking some sense into me. A candle drops to the floor. I glance at my brother as he managed to lock the demon behind the wall of flames. Twisting, he growls and looks ready to charge me, fists swinging, but he hesitates, finally seeing what has me so bewildered. His expression mirrors mine. I mean that goes together with being my identical twin.
At six-foot-two, we stand taller than most. We share the same blond hair color, though his gets a bit long, the back almost touching his shoulders as the curls wrap around the nape of his neck. His emerald-green eyes light up, the flames dancing across their otherworldly glow. While we’re no supernatural creatures like demons, werewolves, or witches by any means, we’re also not completely human.
Somewhere in our ancient bloodline lies angel blood. It’s what gives us our enhanced strength and speed and makes us damn good at killing demons. We don’t just send them back to Hell like an exorcism does. We can physically kill them with our celestial kissed weapons. That’s what makes us and everyone else like us demon hunters. But unlike other hunters, we’ve been blessed...or cursed, depending on who you ask. Which is how we ended up here. Our source knew there was a demon, but I had a vision of this location. This old apartment and the towering books, trash, and all. Well, except for the blonde. It’s the first time the details failed to align completely, and I worry that I might’ve missed something.
“You didn’t mention her,” River snaps, flicking his hand at the blonde.
I scowl. “I didn’t know.”
“Whatever. It doesn’t change the mission. Get your ass together.” River turns his attention back to the demon, preparing his celestial blade for the kill.
“No.” The soft, musical voice whispers into my ears over the roaring flames.
I jerk my gaze to the blonde, the vision of fiery wings returning. Wait... Is it possible she’s fallen? It might explain her absence from my vision. I can’t see more than demons and mortals. Those born from Heaven remain concealed from me.
Her expression shifts from worry to something darker. I watch her drink in the sight of flames as she steps closer to them...and me. If she’s fallen from grace like I assume, Hell would lure her into its depths with voices only she can hear. What strikes me as strange is she seems lost in all of this. It’s like she’s just now realizing she’s been forsaken. Which I don’t understand. I’ve never met an angel—only have felt them communicate with me—and something feels off. She doesn’t look as if she belongs to Hell. I want to know why I was placed in her path alongside this demon. We need to get to the bottom of this before she falls to Hell’s torture. Our weapons won’t kill a fallen angel like a demon.
“Hey asshole, don’t just stand there. Take care of her.” River drags me from my thoughts. I’m not sure if he realizes what she is. After all, I’m the smart, sexier brother since I’m younger by three minutes and have a superior ability. River might be able to heal wounds, but we’d get nowhere without my gift. We’d have to get hurt for him to be of use, and so far...
Damn it!
I rub the side of my head, ignoring another candle dropping to the floor.
I refuse to turn away while watching her. She reaches her fingers out, entranced by the crack open to Hell. I don’t want her to jump in. I’m not sure why I should even care. That’s where she’s going to end up anyway.
River whistles. “Storm! Fucker! Now!”
Scowling, I shout back at him, “You handle your demon and I’ll handle mine!”
He’s going to punch my nuts later, but I don’t give a damn. River hollers an incantation, breaking the flaming cage open only for him. He lunges toward the demon with his celestial blade. The demon pulls out a longsword from Hell and blocks his attempt. Further proof that our source was right about this demon.
The fallen angel takes another step closer, leaning over the crack leading to Hell. Any closer and she’ll plummet. Her curiosity gets the best of her, and she toes the ledge. The pull drawing her must be unfathomable. I think Heaven still clings to her from falling recently, and the urge to enter Hell is too great for her to resist.
Panic blasts through me at the sight of her taking one last step, and I cross the barrier, slinging my arm around her waist. She screams and scratches my arm as I haul her away from the crevice into the safety of the living room. Luckily, River is too invested in his fight that he doesn’t see me help her. He’d think I’ve lost my damn mind. And maybe I have. I just couldn’t let her fall. I know the need is irrational coming from a hunter, but a feeling inside me screams there’s something else going on. I’ve never ignored my visions or instincts before, and I’m not starting now.
Releasing her, I unsheathe my blade and aim it at her, ready to fight if she tries anything.
She opens and closes her mouth, fear and concern glazing her violet eyes over. It doesn’t last long. She clenches her teeth and reveals a sword. It’s a heavenly blade, but it no longer glows the bright white it should. It’s lost its grace the same as she has.
She shakes her head in confusion. “I...I don’t understand. None of this makes sense. Adriel said I wouldn’t lose my grace, and he’d be here. Why can I hear Hell so clearly? Why did I almost fall? Where is he?” She’s not talking to me.
“Look, I don’t have answers, but you need to start talking. It makes me sick that you would so willingly give up Heaven for someplace like Hell.” I stare at her, her broken wings now trailing behind her, and I summon the nerve to continue.
Her bottom lip trembles. “I didn’t give up Heaven. This is my purpose. Adriel—”
I point my blade at her, stepping closer. She plays innocent so well I almost believe her, but I need answers she’s not quick to give. “Are you screwing with me, pretending to be innocent so I don’t send you to Hell?” Am I an idiot for asking? Maybe.
Her brows knit together. “You can’t do that. You’re a hunter. You can help me.” She slowly lowers her sword, her eyes filling with unshed tears. She looks at me and adds, “I promise I’m telling the truth. I’ve never lied in my existence. I would never willingly give up my grace...I mean, not really. I was told that I needed to fall to Earth, so I could protect the mortals. Adriel said that I wouldn’t lose my grace.”
I contemplate what she says, but it doesn’t make sense. As far as I know, if you fall, that’s it. There’s no way back. Why would she think otherwise? Who is this Adriel she speaks of? She has to be messing with me. “Pick up your sword. I’m done with your lies.”
She picks her sword back up and holds it in front of her. “Why don’t you believe me? I’m telling the truth. Look at me. My wings...I’m doing Heaven’s work.”
