Angel Betrayed (The Fallen 2)

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**king 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.”

And now she was scared. “Sam!”

He clamped his hand over her mouth. “You won’t die.” Sadness flickered in his eyes. “Though he will.”

Then he started to chant. Words in Latin that she’d heard before. “No!”

Smoke swirled around them.

When the world stopped spinning, Seline found herself on another deserted road. In the middle of freaking nowhere.

The get-the-fuck-away spell. “Sam!”

But he wasn’t there, and neither was the Fallen who’d just dumped her in the middle of Mexico.

Sam had the spear at his brother’s throat. “Any last words?”

Blood trickled down Az’s neck.

Sam could see the struggle in his brother’s eyes. Rage. Fear.

Regret?

“How does it feel?” Keenan pressed. He stood beside them. “Because you are feeling now, aren’t you, Az?”

Before Az could answer, Nicole stiffened. “Seline.” She glanced back. Stared at the quiet house. “I thought . . . she screamed.”

When Sam looked over his shoulder, Az broke free and leapt away.

No, Az wouldn’t escape this time. “Check the house,” he told Nicole, never taking his eyes off Az.

“No need.” The rumbling voice came from the left.

Tomas walked from the brush, his steps slow and his face grim. “Your Seline isn’t inside.”

Az wasn’t moving. Nicole and Keenan were eyeing Tomas with suspicion, and Sam—his guts were twisting. “How the f**k do you know that?”

“Because I’m the one who took her.” A shrug. “You shouldn’t have trusted Mateo, you know. Once he saw your death, he figured it was time to align with someone stronger.”

“You?” From the corner of his eye, Sam saw Nicole run into the house. Checking to see if Seline was still there. No need for that. Angels, even Fallen, couldn’t directly lie.