The Forsaken(47)

He licked her lower lip, and used his leg to force her to open her legs under the covers to accommodate him. Glad for the thick duvet, Shea clamped her mouth shut.

“I did not think a Cherub capable of lying.” He tsked at her, but kept using his tongue like a skillful sword. Wickedly delicious, Shea hated how much she liked the feel of his wet tongue as he licked at her lower lip like her clenched mouth did not hinder him.

“I…”

Should have seen that coming. The minute she opened her mouth, his tongue snaked in, his lips melded with hers, and a volcano of desire, the same type she’d experience in that damn alley rose up sharply through her. He moved his hand until it stroked her hair. Everything he did, as before, tender and gentle, not at all what she had expected before or now. She sensed he held himself in check. He moved his lips from her swollen mouth to her neck, pushing down the cover of the duvet until all of her neck was exposed. He mumbled dark words in a language she did not understand—but her body did. He reached up to frame her face, and the flicker of red embers glowed in his eyes.

“Do not think to ever lie to me again, Shea. I do not like it. You are mine. I have claimed you. Your honor has been saved. Do not ever attempt to take your life again. Trust me, I will hunt you down in my father’s realm and you will not like that. Trust me?”

“You’ve got to be kidding. Trust you? I don’t even know your name. And I can’t trust a—”

“Demon,” he added, looking mighty pleased with himself.

“Yes, I can’t trust the demon who stole my soul.”

“Is that what I did? I took something from you that you did not willingly give? Keep telling that lie to yourself but you have been warned. Do not lie to me again.”

Shea sputtered. “I…”

A loud knock startled them both. True fear and alarm filtered through her as she attempted to push him off.

“You have to leave,” she panted.

He shook his head. “I am not leaving you until you admit the truth of what happened between us. You should feel no shame.”

Hissing, she continued to push at his bulk. “I cannot tell them I willingly allowed my soul to be taken by you. You’re nuts.”

He cut her a smile. “That’s exactly what I said to your Mistress when she sought me. See, we are more alike than you thought.” He eased off her, but his hands continued to caress her hair.

“Shea, can I come in?”

Isabella’s voice felt like cold water on Shea. Of all the sisters she most did not want to see, it was Isabella.

“Should I tell her to leave?” teased the demon.

“Stop touching me. I can’t think,” she whispered, pushing him off her.

He gave a satisfied chuckle.

“Shea, is there someone in there with you?” asked Isabella.

“You can tell her. She knows about me,” admitted the demon.

Shea wildly shook her head. She hated having to refer to him as a demon. “What’s your name?”

“If you willingly agree to be my mate, I will tell you my true name. And, Shea, I should warn you that when we joined I learned all about you. I will look after you and your own. But I do not tell you my name lightly. I might be free of my father’s realm but I am still demon. Knowing my name holds power. This I grant to thee, my b’i?.”

Shea sucked in her breath. “What? What are you talking about?”

“I will tell you my true name. The rest call me Ash, but for you, only the truth. I know the secret you prayed and sung to every day before you fell to Earth and I will save her.”

“You know nothing about me.”

He glared at her. “I know you are twin born and that you pray for the safety of your sister. Cherubs cannot share a soul, but you do. I know you suffered like me in childhood to protect her. I will protect her.”

“The only thing you will do is bring her to me.”

Isabella knocked louder. “I’m giving you two minutes, Shea, and then I’m coming in. We have something serious to talk about.”

Nothing can be as serious as this, thought Shea, looking desperately for a way to get him to leave without calling attention to Isabella.

He lowered his eyes, his pupils turning from red to dark brown. “Trust is earned.”

Shea stilled when he leaned over her. His mouth dropped to her ear and then the ancient scripture of his words—his name—trailed into her mind and body. It was the most beautiful, powerful word she’d ever absorbed. He backed off, nodded at her, and then, with one look of longing, snapped his fingers. He vanished before her eyes, startling her. If ever she had to recall he was demon-born that was proof positive. No angel had power like that.

With shaky legs, Shea stood, moved to the door and opened it.

Izzy’s gaze darted around the bedroom. “Who were you speaking with?”

“No one,” mumbled Shea moving back to the safety of her bed. Only the demon who has claimed me as his heavenly demon wife. Choking on that thought, she closed her eyes, her mind savoring the feel of his true name as it licked at her consciousness. He’d told her there was power in knowing his true name.

She pondered what to do with it.





Chapter Fifteen


Nat avoided the Seraphim safe house. He couldn’t pray or concentrate in the immaculate house filled with a gazillion electronic gadgets. His feet lead him to the place where his soul sought relief and without fully being aware of it he once again stood on the steps of the synagogue. Pushing slightly on the door, the openness of the synagogue continued to surprise him. He stepped through the wide oak doors to be greeted by the rabbi.