Angel in Chains (The Fallen 3)

“I never—”

Another gliding step toward her. “You took my blood, witch, I know you did. You used it to scry. To see what future we’d have. You looked when I f**king told you never to see!”

“I saw nothing! Only darkness with you because—”

Then he had her. One lunge, and he’d ripped the gun out of her hand. He tossed it into the bushes and his fingers closed around her neck. He lifted her up and her feet dangled in the air.

No, no, this was not the way the deal was supposed to go down.

“This time,” Brandt told Heather, “I’ll make sure you die.”

“No!”Jade screamed and she brought up her gun. But she didn’t have a clear shot at Brandt. Heather’s body blocked him. “Let her go!”

Brandt laughed. “Now how did I know that you weren’t the defenseless little prisoner brought in by the big, bad witch?”

Then he tossed Heather’s body, slinging her through the air. Her head slammed into a tree, and she crumpled on the ground like a broken doll.

Brandt brushed his hands as if he were wiping away dirt. He glanced at Jade’s gun, then back up at her. “Come on, baby, we both know that you won’t—”

She fired at him. Fired again and again until the gun just clicked because all of the bullets were gone.

But . . . Brandt didn’t fall down. Blood poured from his chest, and his eyes narrowed on her. “That hurt, Jade.”

“It was f**king supposed to, Brandt!” But, dammit, how had she missed his heart? How was he standing? Silver bullets in the heart should kill a shifter but—

I missed?

Brandt shook his head. “I’m gonna have to punish you for that . . .”

“No, you’re not.” And just like that, Az stood in front of her. Big, strong, the cuffs broken and his hands free. “You’re not touching her ever again.”

“Neither are you.” Brandt’s voice had roughened into a snarl. “Neither the hell are you!”

Jade’s head swung to the left. Four panthers had sprung from the shadows, and they had launched at Tanner. He was fighting, swiping with his claws, but the guy was weak against them because he was still in his human form. No time to change, not for him. If he stopped to shift, the panthers would slaughter him during those vulnerable moments.

Heather wasn’t moving.

Jade’s gun was empty.

Screwed.

Jade tossed the weapon and put her hands on Az’s back, right over his shoulders and those thick scars. “Kill him,” she whispered.

Her angel assassin.

Then Jade stumbled back so she wouldn’t get in Az’s way.

Brandt raced forward, finally coming at Az with his claws up and ready to attack. Jade couldn’t breathe. She stood there, watching, waiting for death to come. I hope you like hell, Brandt.

Az caught Brandt’s hands. Held those claws just inches from his body. Yes, yes, Az was touching him. Brandt would hit the ground, immobile, any moment. In the meantime . . .

Jade yanked her silver knife from her boot and ran for the swarm that was attacking Tanner. She wasn’t about to let those panther bastards slaughter him. She drove her knife into the back of the nearest panther. Roaring in agony, he swung around and tried to swipe out at her. Ducking low, she avoided the slice and raked her knife down his stomach.

The panther rolled away, bleeding, breath heaving. Tanner tossed another panther a good ten feet then turned to drive his claws into the back of his next attacker.

A vicious fighter. She liked that. It would help—

Brandt’s laughter froze her. A dead man shouldn’t be laughing. She glanced over her shoulder. Brandt stood over Az . . . why was Az kneeling on the ground?

Brandt’s fingers dripped blood.

She started running then. Jade barely felt the sting of claws as they raked down her back. “Az!” Her scream.

He turned his head slowly to look at her. His eyes were puzzled, and she could see the pain on his face.

“Know your enemy, fool,” Brandt taunted him. “And know when you’re up against someone who doesn’t give a shit about your Death Touch.”

His claws shoved into Az’s chest. “I know who the f**k you are, Azrael,” Brandt taunted. “And I’m not scared of you.”

“Stop!” A few more feet. She just had to get—

“You can’t kill me,” Brandt said as he yanked out his claws. Blood dripped from Az’s lips and poured from the giant hole in his chest. “But I can slice you apart while she watches.”

Not going to watch. Az had tried to help her. When he’d needed her, she’d turned away. Raced to fight others.

I shouldn’t have left him. Shouldn’t have—

Jade threw her body against Brandt. Using all of her strength, she drove the silver knife into his side. Then she jerked it as hard as she could to the left. His bellow hurt her ears even as . . . as the scent of flowers drifted in the air around them.

Flowers? In hell?

Brandt caught her arms and yanked her closer against him. “You fight for that bastard?”

“He’s not the bastard.” Brandt never seemed to realize just how screwed up he truly was. “You are.”

He shook her, sending her head whipping back. “After all I’ve done for you, after I—”

Her slick hands found the handle of the knife. The weapon was still embedded in his side. She caught it and twisted.

And he kissed her. His lips crushed down on hers, and she could taste his rage and lust.

“No!” She shoved against Brandt even as she was ripped from his arms.

Az. Holding her tightly. On his feet again. Bleeding, but strong.

“So like me,” Brandt whispered. His gaze found hers. “Dark and dangerous . . . killer instinct, it’s right there.”

“I’m nothing like you!” She didn’t want to be like him.

Az pushed her behind him. “What are you?” He threw the words at Brandt.

Brandt yanked the knife from his side and tossed it to the ground. “I’m the man who’s gonna kill you, angel.”

Jade eased to the left and saw Brandt lift his claws. “So get ready for an ass kicking.”

The two men lunged at each other. Fire crackled in the air around them. Thick, hot flames that forced Jade back. Brandt cut with his claws while Az pounded the shifter with powerful fists. Over and over. The crunch of bones and the thud of flesh filled the air.

Jade rushed forward, but the fire pushed her back. The flames circled around the men. Caging them, and keeping all others away.