The Forsaken(42)

Pretending to play with a tie on her shirt, she let evil slide closer. Turning to confront the demon, she played innocent. “Were you looking for me?”

The newly turned demon-man, full of himself, walked closer. “You smell great.”

His breath reeked of pickled eggs, making her gag. “Really? Because you stink.”

His face was poxed with black spots, making him look malformed. His eyes narrowed in annoyance and perplexity. He made a move toward her. Izzy flicked the dirk into the palm of her hand, calculating her aim and distance.

“Demon, back away from the Cherub.”

The sound of the man’s voice slid like oil over Izzy’s senses. The dark voice awoke from further down the alley. Like a puppet, the demon-man moved further away. Drool slid down his chin as he obeyed his master.

A demon glided out of the alley. Demon-red eyes glowed at her, reminding Izzy of the tempting color of a warning sunrise as he bridged the gap separating them. A gasp, unhindered, flew from Izzy. This breathtakingly handsome demon, who didn’t look a thing like the usual demons she ran into, held power. Coal-black wings swept through the blanket of darkness as he approached. He hovered above the ground as if he too found the road of mankind too filthy to step upon.

Izzy’s heartbeat raced. “Who are you?”

“It pleases me, Cherub, that you did not ask, what are you?”

His tone mocked. The degrading way he said Cherub reminded her of how she’d said human. He hovered closer until he stood at arm’s length from her. He caught her bold gaze and smiled. A dimple graced his masculine angelic face. He was no angel. Or was he?

“What do you want?” asked Izzy, noting how the chill of the night had started to penetrate her defenses. She’d been going on extra adrenaline since Nathanael had claimed her, but that had fizzled.

His gaze flickered. He motioned the newly turned demon-man to leave.

“Ahh, don’t make him leave. I was soo looking forward to practicing my new karate moves on him.”

“A Cherub with humor. I like.”

“A demon with teeth I plan to kick out. I like. Guess we’re compatible.”

He took a step forward. Izzy shifted her weight, balancing on the balls of her feet, getting ready for anything and everything.

“You look to fight me, Cherub?”

“I can’t wait to kill you.”

“Touché,” said the demon.

“Wow, a cultured demon. Impressive,” tossed Izzy, waiting and watching his every move.

The demon bowed his head. The move shook Izzy.

“How fares the one I took?” The words, spoken in scripture, cut through Izzy’s heart.

She moved toward him. He stood his ground, looking deadly and dangerous. Izzy didn’t care. “You…you are the demon that did this to her? Why? Wait a sec, scratch that.” Izzy threw the dirk. He caught it, easily, flipping it up into the air to catch it a second time for show.

“We are not all born to our fate, Cherub. I did what had to be done. There was no other way. Shea and I reached a bargain of sorts.”

“What?” said Izzy. What am I doing, trying to reason with a demon?

“I face your condemnation, but my fate is my own. I believe it was my uncle who said the ends justify the means.”

“Don’t quote passages to me. Coming from a demon, it’s sick and wrong.”

“Freedom—is that not something you strive for, Cherub?”

He took all the fire from her with that one tantalizing word. “How dare you?” she seethed. “Give me back my dirk if you’re going to toy with it.”

He threw it at her letting Izzy catch it easily.

“Is Shea okay?” he asked.

Izzy certainly wasn’t about to tell him a thing about her sister. “As good as can be expected. What did you think it would be like for her?”

He pursed his lips together but did not look amused. “Tell me, Cherub, can you convey a message to the Almighty?”

That stopped Izzy cold. “What?”

“You heard me, Cherub. I need a message delivered, or do you think me so unworthy that what I have to convey to your god is of no importance?” He tsked at her.

Izzy coughed to cover her surprise. “Who are you, exactly?”

“At your service is none other than Ash, Lucifer’s first born.”

This time Izzy gave into the gasp. “And you want me to tell something—”

“Something your Almighty will find very important, trust me.”

“Trust you? Charming, coming from a…from you, Ash.”

“I am not asking for you to get to know me. Just for your trust.”

Izzy had enough. She moved into his space, willing a fight. “Trust you? Is that how you made Shea give up her soul? Never. You took something powerful that did not belong to you.”

“That you are correct in, but again, it had to be done and again, what happened between Shea and myself is our business. Will you deliver the message or not? I grow weary of this drama, Cherub.”

Izzy wanted to kick him where it counted. “Fine,” she spat, “tell me your message.” Not that I can deliver it, but I want to know exactly what you’re planning, spawn of the devil.

“Give me your hand,” demanded Ash.