Angel Betrayed (The Fallen #2)(71)

His brother didn’t understand. There were too many sins for her to ever learn them all. “No, I didn’t stop. I hunted those who needed punishment, and I made sure they got it.”

Not always with death. Sometimes he’d let his prey live, but with the scars to remember him by.

“You see . . .” Az shoved against him and landed agilely on his feet. “He’s really no different from Rogziel. Power mad. Determined to deliver his brand of justice.” His gaze raked Seline. She stood just a foot away now, her body tense. “He’s using you. He saw what you can do with the hound, and he wants to—”

The building trembled around them. “Az . . .” He couldn’t use his magic to kill his brother. The powers-that-be had been real specific about the rules of engagement between angels. The death touch wouldn’t work—that only worked on humans and most Other. And no mortal weapon could kill an angel. Those weapons just weren’t strong enough.

He could kick Az’s ass easily, but Az would heal from just about anything.

Just about.

“He can’t kill me,” Az said, and Sam saw the shadow of his brother’s lost wings shift behind him. “He can’t kill Rogziel. But you . . .” He smiled at her, and the sight enraged Sam. “You can kill any angel or Fallen you want. All you have to do is summon your hound.”

The puzzle pieces clicked into place for Sam. “You knew her mother, didn’t you?” Sonofabitch. “You made the connection in New Orleans.” That was why Az had been desperate to get Seline. He’d found a weapon to use.

“She looks a lot like Erina,” Az said, cocking his head to study her. “Same cheekbones, same nose . . . same eyes.”

To hell with his brother. Sam wrapped his fingers around Az’s throat. “You’re not using her.”

“But you are?” Az asked, voice snapping. “Stop lying to her, brother. You wouldn’t have brought her along if you didn’t think you could use her. What? Did you think she’d knock out both me and Rogziel for you? Your perfect weapon—and what a nice bonus for someone who likes to sin as much as you do . . . she’s a succubus.”

Sam tossed his brother through the nearest window. Glass shattered and Az hit the ground outside with a groan. Sam’s gaze flew around the room, to her.

“Sam . . .” Seline’s quiet voice. “He’s lying, isn’t he?”

“Angels are good at twisting the truth.” He forced his stare away from her and, once again, his gaze swept the area. There was a reason he’d chosen this safe house. Pedro had a rather interesting collection of artifacts lining the walls. Weapons. Ancient, new, deadly. Because, sometimes, those seeking a safe haven needed a way to protect themselves.

Sam grabbed the spear that rested over the mantel. A wooden spear, simple in construction, one that had journeyed all the way from Africa.

But the tip of the spear, that sharp, deadly curve—far sharper than any knife could be—that wasn’t so simple. The curving tip was a finely honed dragon’s claw, a claw that had been taken from a dragon shifter right before the moment of his death.

No mortal weapon.

Seline grabbed his arm. “What are—”

“I don’t need you to kill my enemies,” he said, smiling grimly. The whole place was a perfect weapon room. Pedro had taken out more than a few “immortal” enemies over the years. “I can do the job myself.”

Then he flew through that broken window.

But Az wasn’t alone any longer. Keenan was there, facing off against his brother, as was Nicole, and despite the rising sun, she didn’t look particularly weak.

No, she looked f*cking furious.

Payback will be a devil.

He lifted the spear, and they all closed in on Az.





Seline started after Sam, her heart racing. Az knew her mother. Oh, jeez, Az knew her mother.

This was Sam’ big moment. Vengeance. He’d been waiting to attack his brother, and that moment was finally at hand for him. But . . .

My mother. She couldn’t let Sam kill Az, not yet. There was too much Az could tell her.

“Sam, stop!” she screamed, and lunged forward.

She didn’t make it to the door. A man appeared before her. Tall, dark, with bright blue eyes and a face that could have been carved from stone.

She screamed and kicked out at him. But he just caught her arms and dodged her kicks.

And Sam didn’t hear her scream. He was too busy fighting Az.

“I’m sorry,” the man before her said. No, not a man. She could see the outline of his shadow wings. Fallen. No wonder he’d just appeared in front of her. Angels had that fast movement that she hated. “I don’t . . . my plan wasn’t to hurt you.”

She drove her knee into his groin. Didn’t dodge that! “Too bad because if you don’t let me go, you’ll be in a whole world of pain.”

His hold didn’t break.

Dammit! What kind of Fallen was she dealing with? Please, not an Angel of Death. She had too many of those to deal with already.

“The pain will only be for a moment.”

Forget that. She let her power out. It swelled, wrapping around them. She’d make him beg, tremble— He shook his head sadly. “That doesn’t work on me, succubus.”