AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We could put him in the Pit,” Tyler suggested.
I’d never heard of this “Pit,” but it didn’t take a genius to ascertain they were talking about a fighting ring. Anillegalone.
“Do I need to be here for this?” Johnny interrupted. He was staring blankly at Azazel. “I did what you said I needed— I mean, you said—”
“You’ll get your reward when I feel like giving it to you, Johnathan,” Azazel interjected, his voice taking on a hard edge. His lips pulled into a frightening smile. Johnny’s hands fisted at his sides. “And the answer is yes. Youdoneed to be here for this.”
Johnny gulped and nodded. I could sense his wolf’s turmoil. The animal was irritated, but I couldn’t discern whether it was at being given a subtle command or at Johnny in general.
“Now, what were you saying, Tyler?” Azazel sat back and propped his feet up onto his desk, his cigar perched in one corner of his mouth and his eyes closed.
He was the picture of an arrogant, overconfident man. I despised him more at that moment while I heard every shuddering breath Sariel took as his body tried to heal him more than it likely ever had.
“The Pit,” Tyler suggested, rounding me to park his ass on the edge of the desk. “It’s a good way to get the word out about your plans.”
“Word is already getting around about my plans, Tyler,” Azazel said. “Putting an aggressive angel abomination in the ring is how we make astatement. It’s like advertising the product; inspiring confidence in the neglected, he’ll be a symbol for those who consider themselves different or failed by the current system. He’s the perfect mascot to gain new followers. It’ll make recruiting a piece of cake.”
Itwasa brilliant idea. I was loath to admit it, but if I’d heard of someone like me before, not knowing what I do now, I’d have jumped at the opportunity to learn more. I’d have hyper-fixated on their story. I’d be curious, and curiosity kills the cat.
If Azazel was successful, it would kill many more.
“Sariel has always been a little naive,” Azazel said, sighing. “His head has always been stuck in the clouds. He’d disappear into that fucking art room of his and spend hours with paints and clay. I wish I’d nipped that creative shit in the bud from a young age. We wouldn’t be here if I had.”
If he were anyone else, I might have believed he genuinely thought killing Sariel’s creativity would have stopped him from becoming the man he is today. Since he was the fallen angel Azazel, he knew well enough, based on the mocking glint in his eye, that if he’d tried to kill Sariel’s creativity, he’d have created a monster that would have done far worse than make his life a little uncomfortable.
“But Lucy…” He shook his head, and I shuddered at the fondness with which he said her name. “My Lucy, she felt sorry for the little rat. Gave him anything he wanted and loved him like her own. I blame her for why we’re here. I guess I should thank her; if she’d let me raise him the way I wanted, he might never have met his mate.
“You’re far more valuable to me now than you were before, girl. Do you understand that? Your offspring alone, if left unchecked, could probably wipe out civilization as we know it,”he continued. The excitement in his words was palpable; he licked his lips, his eyes opening at half-mast as he looked at me. “Your blood could probably cure diseases. Sariel’s is too unpredictable, too much like poison. But yours?Yourspresents an opportunity to make men like Mr. Bastille filthy rich.”
“Among other things,” Tyler said. He eyed me in that way he’d done before, as though he knew me from somewhere and was waiting for me to recognize him. I glared instead.
“Not to mention the traffickers,” Azazel laughed breathily. He was giddy. His plans were coming together, and I could only stand there paralyzed by the fact that Sariel wasn’t looking too hot and that my wolf and I would rather take a beating than see him harmed again. “You’re unique. In this century, at least, we could rent you out like a glorified call girl to the big spenders.”
“Humans, vampires, witches, wolves…demons,” Tyler added, crossing his arms along his chest.
“The rich and bourgeoisie have eclectic tastes,” Azazel agreed. “The current president prefers his woman undead. Did you know that? Won’t fuck them unless they agree to drink him until he’s delirious.”
Goosebumps exploded up my arms at his words. The president…
“It’s a curse, having so much influence and money. You can getwhateveryou want.”
I gaped. He was speaking as though I would volunteer myself, that I would just roll over and let him use me. The first opportunity I got, Sariel and I were getting the fuck out of here.
“I would rather die,” I said. I didn’t mean to let the words slip, but Azazel’s glee gave me pause. He grinned wildly.
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
Sariel’s breath had evened out while we’d been speaking, and the swelling around his eyes had begun to go down. Out of thecorner of my eye, I watched the muscles in his shoulders bunch and relax.
“Bring her in,” Azazel yelled.
I froze. Her? Who—
“No!” I shouted and immediately threw myself in Rebecca’s direction; Tyler’s hand flashed out to wrap around my ponytail again. I didn’t even register the twinge in my neck as I was jerked backward. My heart was beating so fast I’d begun to hyperventilate.
No. No, this couldn’t be happening. Rebeca was— she should have been safe. Alpha Homer should have been protecting her.
Rebecca’s face was streaked with tears. I knew Harry must be out of his mind with worry for her right now. I wanted to close my eyes, pray as hard as I could, and hope that she wouldn’t be here when I opened them, that I could be sure she was safe in Homer’s territory.
