Angel in Chains (The Fallen 3)

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—”

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.

“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 f**king 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.”

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—”

“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.”