September Moon (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8)

“Do I detect some jealousy?” I taunted, snickering to myself.

I lost my balance and almost fell backwards. With my free hand I dug claws into the stone to hold on while I slammed back the rest of the whiskey. I definitely needed to be drunk to do this.

“You know, maybe I change my mind,” Falon snapped. “Maybe I’ll just give this damn thing to Shya.”

Arys and I shared a look. I needed his input on this. So much passed between us. Words were not needed. He nodded, and my heart sunk. This was it, our purpose together. I felt it in every part of me. Even the whiskey couldn’t drown that out. It was raw and real, demanding that I take Falon seriously.

It took great effort to say, “Tell me what I have to do.”

Relief flooded Falon’s sharp features. His shoulders slumped as if I’d just lifted a weight from him.

“I’ll give it to you. And then tomorrow night you will go to the Charles Camsell Hospital property and destroy it.”

“Why there? That’s FPA headquarters.”

“An unfortunate pain in the ass,” Falon said with a nod. “It has to be destroyed where it was made. Though it’s unseen, the door to Lilah’s kingdom lies there.”

That answered several questions. It definitely explained why the building pulsed with such evil that went far beyond that of the ghosts that dwelled within.

“We don’t have to go inside the building?” Arys questioned, a dark brow raised in scrutiny.

“No. The building is just a man-made structure. The portal to Lilah’s kingdom is in the earth itself.” Shoving away from the statue he leaned on, Falon took slow steps toward me. “I must warn you. Shya will know the moment you step foot on the hospital property with the scroll inside you. He’s gone to great lengths to monitor activity near Lilah’s doorway. His response will be swift. Be prepared.”

“What does that mean?” My head spun, and I hopped off the headstone, hoping the ground would feel sturdier. It didn’t.

“It means he won’t stand by while you destroy his chance. He will try to stop you. Bring backup and pray it’s enough. Now,” Falon held out both hands to me. “Shall we?”

I set the empty glass on the headstone and placed my hands in his. Trembling, I looked to Arys for support. He drew near, watching Falon intently.

“You better not be fucking us over,” he warned the fallen angel.

Falon ignored him, staring at me instead. “Here comes the really shitty part. Are you aware that some demons seal deals with a kiss?”

My insides shriveled. “Can’t we just shake hands?”

“Don’t look so disgusted. You’re the one who rubbed your ass all over my cock, remember?” Falon wore a mask of distaste, as if he felt ill. “I have to give it to you the way it was given to me. Just be grateful it’s only a kiss. Demons have been known to seal a deal with much more.”

“I’m not keen on your use of the word deal.” Arys shifted to stand closer so that he was almost shoving between us.

Falon rolled his eyes in exasperation. “It is a deal. I’m giving and she’s accepting. That’s just the way things work. So either back off and let this happen, or I’ll just be on my way.”

I was petrified. The reality that I would die the following night hadn’t quite settled in, yet I was shaking like a frightened child.

My hands grew sweaty in Falon’s, and I tried to look apologetic. “Let’s get this over with before I change my mind.”

I don’t think Falon wanted me to do that, despite his threat to leave. He never gave me another opportunity to back out.

Sliding his fingers between mine, he held tight. I gasped as the power flowed between us, a steady connection of his to mine. It was overwhelming and heavy, making it hard to breathe. I was ready for the kiss when he pressed his lips to mine but entirely unprepared for the jolt that came with it. Our hands pulsed where our palms touched. Dizzy from the sudden rush, I followed his lead as Falon deepened the kiss. His mouth was warm and inviting as he flicked his tongue against mine.

His technique was assertive without being aggressive. Gentle while also firm, Falon’s kiss revealed to me a tenderness I never would have expected from him. It was a far cry from the hungry way he’d kissed me in Vegas, though that had been an entirely different scenario.

Power shifted between us as he pushed a dark, heavy energy into me. My sense of self-preservation screamed to break off the connection. Only the seething need to give Shya a little payback allowed me to accept it. For a moment I couldn’t breathe as the force poured inside me. It was suffocating, making me lightheaded, though that could have been the booze. This really hadn’t been the best decision to make under the influence.