Angel in Chains (22 page)
Jade shook her head. “Since when does being mortal make me different? You guys are the strange ones, not me.” She couldn’t go around touching people and making them drop dead. If only. Then she wouldn’t be in this mess.
Sam took a step forward, sliding more into the light, and she saw the ripple of shadowy wings stretching from behind his body. Wings that weren’t there. Wings she shouldn’t see.
Bastion’s wings had seemed to break right through his clothes. But, since angels could conjure clothes, she figured it was really just some magical clothing fit over the wings. With Az and Sam, the same thing appeared to be happening with their shadow wings. The shadows just burst right through the back of their shirts.
They didn’t even seem to realize it.
And she’d been staring at him too long. Flushing, Jade yanked her gaze back to meet his. Too late. Judging by the look on his face, he knew she’d been staring at wings she shouldn’t see.
“Different,” he murmured again. “A demon made, not born.”
“What?” Her heart slammed into her ribs. “Did you just call me a demon?”
But now the guy wasn’t even looking at her. His gaze drifted to Az. “You’ve been screwing with the wrong people, Azrael. Heaven wants you dead, and the bastards here on earth want to give you a one-way ticket to hell.”
She noticed he didn’t sound particularly concerned.
And Az shrugged, not looking like he really gave a damn either. Since when did life not matter to him?
“Where’s the hound?” Az asked, and she saw his gaze sweep around the bar—and return to those locked metal doors.
Sam lifted one brow. “Why? You eager for that trip to hell? I suppose Beelzebub can drag you there. Though I would have thought you’d learned your lesson after that last round with a hound.”
“Wait a second here.” Jade held up her hands. Her head was starting to throb like a bitch. “Who’s Beelzebub?”
“My mate’s pet hellhound.” Sam grinned. It was a terrifying sight. “And I’d wager he’s getting pretty hungry about now.”
Oh, no. No way. The guy had not just said—in a flash, Jade grabbed Az’s arm and forced him to face her. “There’s a hellhound here? A real, live, freaking hellhound?”
And what sane person would want to be around a beast like that?
“Before she fell, Sam’s . . . mate . . . was a punishment angel.” Az’s gaze held hers. “Punishment angels are the only ones who can control the beasts.”
“That’s right.” A woman’s smooth voice floated in the air. Jade spun around and saw a gorgeous blonde stroll up next to Sam. Her eyes were dark and measuring as they swept over Jade. “Beelzebub isn’t some attack dog that I loan out,” the woman said and she sounded . . . offended. Definitely huffy. The blonde paused and added, “He’s family.”
Right. Because it was normal to have a hellhound as a pet. No, as family. Jade released Az and stood there, trying not to look as frightened as she felt.
“I just need his claws.” Az turned toward the blonde. His hands were loose at his sides now. “It’s not like they won’t grow back.”
Sam threw back his head and laughed. “You think a hellhound is gonna let you trim his nails? Not fucking likely, brother. More like he’ll rip you open.” The smirk remained on his face. “Though I do think you’ve got a bit of pain due your way.”
The woman’s stare was still on Jade. “She’s . . . she’s not human.” Her voice was soft and husky.
Sam pressed his lips to the blonde’s cheek. “Az has been a very, very bad Fallen. Seems he’s gotten into the business of making demons.”
A fist seemed to slam into Jade’s stomach. That was the second time he’d mentioned her being a demon. She glanced over at Az. “What’s he talking about?” You couldn’t just make a demon. At least, she didn’t think you could.
“Do you know what being is created,” Sam asked in that rumbling voice of his, “when an angel and a human reproduce?”
She didn’t really want a biology lesson, but she actually knew this. “A demon.” She’d heard these legends. Stories said that modern demons were actually the descendants of the original Fallen. Those who’d left heaven because they were tempted by the humans.
You’re my temptation.
She shoved away the memory of Az’s angry words. The demons on this earth weren’t minions of the devil—at least, she didn’t think they were. Some were all powerful, able to wreck as much destruction as a hurricane. Others were barely more gifted than human psychics.
Either way, she wasn’t a demon.
“You can see our wings,” Sam said as the lady with him watched silently. “That means you have angel blood in you.”
Jade straightened her shoulders. “Az saved my life. I was dying. He-he gave me the blood so I’d survive.”
A frown pulled down Sam’s dark brows. “How very un-Az-like.” He shook his head even as he pointed at Az. “That would explain why the angels have a hard-on for you. I bet Uriel is eager to lay out some particularly painful punishment for you.”
“He doesn’t deserve punishment!” Now her voice was getting loud. Who cared? “Didn’t you hear me? Az saved my life!”
“And changed fate.” It was the woman again. The too-pretty lady with the eyes that saw too much. “Now, Az, how will you protect her when the Angels of Death come?”
“Making her a demon has only marked her more.” Sam seemed regretful. “They’ll say she’s an abomination. Made, not born.”
The woman flinched. Sam brushed his fingers over her cheek. He appeared regretful—had to be fake—as he said, “You’ve just put a bigger target on her back. As far as I know, a human has never
become
a demon before—”
become
a demon before—”
Her control snapped. “I’m not a demon!” A hot blast of air seemed to whip through the room.
“Why didn’t you tell her?” The woman asked Az. “Didn’t you think she deserved to know the life she’d lived was over?”
No, no, that chick was
wrong.
wrong.
“Human blood.” Sam sighed. “Mix it with angel blood. We’ve already said what type of being will be created . . .”
“Demon,” Jade snapped out.
“You’re a whole new breed,” Sam continued and the guy studied her like she was some kind of science experiment. She was starting to feel like she was. “Wonder just how strong you’ll be?” Then he moved with angel speed, instantly appearing right in front of her. He wrapped his hand around her neck and lifted her off her feet. “Or how weak?”
She couldn’t breathe. Jade kicked him as hard as she could—
And Az tackled him.
Jade fell to the ground. Her hand automatically rose to her throat. The bar seemed to dip and sway and a giant crack raced across the top of the ceiling.
“Don’t you ever try to hurt her again!” Az’s bellow. He had his brother up against the wall and his fist was raised as he prepared to do some damage to Sam’s face.
Sam wasn’t fighting. Just laughing. Then he said, “You are so fucking lost. You can’t get back upstairs if you’re breaking rules and making new demons.”
Sam’s mate hadn’t moved, but her body was tense and Jade saw her gaze dart toward the padlocked doors.
Uh, oh. Jade’s gaze followed that crack in the ceiling once more. The bar had been shaking, but she didn’t think that power burst had come from the two Fallen. That crack went to the left, following the path of the woman’s gaze and heading toward those metal doors.
Just what was behind that lock?
Hellhound.
“Az . . .” She licked her lips. “I think . . . we . . . we should leave now.” Dealing with a psychotic panther was bad enough. Facing a hellhound?
Not today, please.
But a growl was rumbling through the building. Az stared down at Sam. “He’s still under orders to protect you, isn’t he?” Az asked.
One of Sam’s shoulders lifted, then fell, in an
almost
careless move. “What can I say? Seline likes to keep me safe.”
almost
careless move. “What can I say? Seline likes to keep me safe.”
Seline . . . that would be the woman who was hurrying back to Sam’s side right then.
Hurrying, as Az backed away and turned toward those heavy doors. Jade rushed forward and blocked his path. “Bad plan. Okay?
Bad.
Let’s just think of something else. There’s got to be another way—”
Bad.
Let’s just think of something else. There’s got to be another way—”
“Another way to stop a shifter/angel hybrid?” Az demanded. “Then tell me what it is. Because his claws can slice right through me, but my Death Touch won’t do a thing to him.”
“Oh, man, you are screwed.” Sam’s voice was calm. “Guess it’s time for you to try a few rounds with Beelzebub. When you lose a little more flesh, I think we’ll finally call things even between us.”
Even? That guy was insane.
Az ignored him and didn’t look away from Jade. “We need these weapons,” he reminded her. A reminder she didn’t need. “If you want to be free, then you’ll let me face him.”
“He could kill you!” Seline cried out. “Don’t you get that? The longer he stays in this realm, the stronger Beelzebub gets. And—and he has a taste for sin.”
Jade’s heartbeat drummed in her ears.
“Have you been staying lily-white?” Sam mocked. “Or have you really fallen now, Az?”
He’d fallen. Killed. Fucked.
“Beelzebub judges.” Seline was trying to warn Az. Jade realized she was starting to like the blonde. “He can see what’s in your heart. If he sees evil, he will attack.”
Now Sam had come to Az’s side. “Do you even know what’s in your own heart?” He spared a glance for Jade. “Does she?”
Az gave a nod. He stepped forward and brushed a kiss over Jade’s lips. “Don’t worry.”
She caught his hands. “Don’t you die for this.”
For me.
“There’s another way. I know it.”
For me.
“There’s another way. I know it.”
But he shook his head. “This is the
best
way. We can get a supply of bullets. I can use them.
You
can use them.”
best
way. We can get a supply of bullets. I can use them.
You
can use them.”
“The hound won’t just give up those claws.” Sam tapped his chin. “You’re gonna have to fight hard for them.”
This plan sucked. “No,” Jade said adamantly. “Forget it. Not going to—”
Az kissed her again. A brush of his lips. A slide of his tongue. Then . . . “Keep her safe, and don’t let her follow me.”
He vanished. No, didn’t vanish. Just rushed by her because she felt the fast whip of wind as he passed. Jade turned to run after him, but Sam grabbed her hand.
“I can’t let you do that,” he murmured. “Sorry, demon, but . . .”
In a blink, he had her across the room. He’d tossed her up in that big, golden cage that dangled over the dance floor. A wave of his hand had the door locking, and a blast of fire from his fingertips melted the lock—effectively sealing the cage and trapping her inside. “But Az doesn’t need you distracting him right now.”
Growls reached her ears then. Snarls. Inhuman sounds. And the walls shook as the beast attacked.
She grabbed the golden bars. “Let me out of here!”
Sam was on the ground below her. He shook his head but didn’t look particularly regretful. “Trust me on this, he deserves to have a pound or two of flesh ripped away. Your angel isn’t exactly the prize you think.”
“He’s
exactly
what I think he is.” And she was tired of everyone saying differently. “Now let me
out
!”
exactly
what I think he is.” And she was tired of everyone saying differently. “Now let me
out
!”
But he just turned away. “If he wants Beelzebub’s claws, then Az will have to bleed for them.”
“No!” Jade screamed. The bars wouldn’t break. The cage swung back and forth from its heavy chain, and those growls just grew louder.
Az thundered down the old staircase in the back of Sunrise. He’d made short work of the metal doors and the padlocks upstairs. A wave of his hand and fire disintegrated the next set of padlocks that barred his path. A fast kick, and the reinforced steel door before him flew inward.
Az rushed inside, and the hound immediately attacked him.
The beast’s breath, hot and reeking of hell’s stench, blew into Az’s face. Giant, yellowed teeth came at his throat even as the hound’s claws swiped over Az’s chest. He bellowed at the white-hot pain and kicked the beast off him.
The hound flew through the air, but landed easily on its feet. Thick, matted black fur covered the hulking body. Long, bloodstained claws raked across the floor.
The beast stared at him.
He can see sin.
And Beelzebub attacked again.
The hound drove Az back into the wall. Sheetrock fell around him, and Az was pretty sure that crunch was his ribs breaking. The hound’s teeth sank into his shoulder.
Pain tore through him. A hellhound’s teeth didn’t just cut and tear, they burned an angel. Clenching his teeth, Az grabbed the beast’s head and yanked those razor-sharp teeth from his shoulder. He held the beast’s head in his hands and gazed into the eyes lit by hellfire.
“You’re not killing me today,” he snarled. Sam had to find a better place to keep the beast. Sooner or later, it would start eating the Sunrise patrons.
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