Darkness Falls (Dark Angels 7)

Then, as her stomach split and her insides began to leak out, I swung Amaya again and beheaded her.

The Dušan unwound itself from her, allowing her body to slump to the floor. As the Dušan crawled back into my flesh, steam began to rise from Hunter’s body. Her soul, rising.

“Do not think I’m going to let you off that easily, Hunter,” I said, and stabbed Amaya through the wispy heart of her.

Amaya’s chuckle was fierce and savage as she almost lovingly consumed Hunter’s soul.

Evil this one, she murmured. Full for many months.

I half laughed, but the sound disintegrated into a sob as weakness washed over me and I dropped to my knees. Ten seconds later I was pulled into arms that were warm and strong and shaking with relief.

I wrapped my arms around Azriel’s neck and somehow murmured, “Dingdong, the bitch is dead.”

After that, I knew no more.

Epilogue

“I really do not like the idea of you moving all the way up here.” Riley crossed her arms, every bit of her body bristling with indignation.

“It’ll take you less than an hour to get here,” I said, voice mild as I maneuvered down onto the picnic blanket. My back was aching but my stomach was so damn large these days I made whales look positively svelte. It made doing anything extremely awkward.

Not everything, Azriel commented, amused.

I snorted softly and shot him a look. He was standing close by, ready to offer a hand if needed. I didn’t need it, not in this instance. Barrel belly or not, I was determined not to lean on him too much for help. It was that whole stubbornness thing I was famous for raising its ugly head again.

I wasn’t thinking about sex, reaper.

No, I was. His amusement grew. Have I told you how utterly irresistible you are when you’re fat and round with my child?

A hundred times a day, I said dryly, but I’m getting a little tired of the word “fat.”

Rotund?

Worse.

Portly?

No.

Amply proportioned?

I picked up a twig and tossed it at him. His laughter ran through me, warm and teasing.

“That’s an hour I could be spending with my grandson,” Riley grumbled, oblivious to the fact that there was a whole other level of conversation happening. She dropped beside me. “You’re sure you wouldn’t reconsider the warehouse near our place? It’d make a truly stunning home.”

“So will this—if it ever gets finished.”

“If you’d bought the warehouse, I could have been there every day to hassle them along.”

I grinned and twined my hand through hers. While it hadn’t taken us all that long to find and buy this acreage up in the Macedon hills, it had taken months—and months—to get council approval for our uniquely designed, rough-hewn residences. I did not want to go through all that red tape again—especially now, with the birth of our son so close. Besides, I wanted him to grow up in t

he clean, fresh air of the mountains rather than in the city.

“How’s Uncle Rhoan coping with being the boss of the guardian division?”

She snorted. “He says he hates it, but he’s always loved a challenge. And with the Cazadors on his side, helping him clean out Hunter’s factions, I think we’ll soon see a very different—and ultimately more efficient—Directorate.” Her gaze met mine, gray eyes glittering silver in the morning sunshine. “That was a very shrewd move on your part, suggesting he appoint Markel second in charge. They make a good—and dangerous—team.”

“All I did was ask a favor. Rhoan’s the one who deserves the congrats. He took the chance on him, not me.”