Archangel's Shadows (Guild Hunter series Book 7)

Bayou green eyes slammed into her own. “A single human year could equal a thousand years as a vampire. A month could mean a hundred years or more.”


All the air rushed out of her lungs. “And then?” she whispered. “When the time comes? Whether after a hundred years or a thousand?”

“Then we go together.” A quiet promise. “When you’re ready, I’ll ask Raphael to erase us with angelfire. You won’t be trapped in an existence you do not wish.”

Ashwini’s heart was in her mouth, her pulse a roar. “Tanu and Arvi gave me this chance.” Without her sister’s death and her brother’s instructions on the autopsy, she’d never have known the apparent insanity had a physical cause.

“There’s no guarantee, cher.” Janvier lifted their clasped hands to his mouth, pressed his lips over her knuckles. “You are unique. The change to vampirism could have an adverse reaction, as it does with a small number, and consume you in madness.” His hand trembled. “I could lose you in a heartbeat.” Voice breaking, he took long seconds to continue. “I almost didn’t tell you of the option when Keir spelled out the risk. I would rather have you for a single fleeting day than take the risk. I would be that selfish.”

It was her choice, Ashwini thought, and no matter what she decided, he would fight to come with her, ending his near-immortal existence.

“No,” he said, the word harsh. “Don’t you make this decision for me. The decision must be yours or I will never forgive you.”

“Stop reading my mind.” She glared at him.

“You’re the one with the power.” He glared back. “Stop thinking at me.”

“I don’t know how to stop.” Frowning, she thought of how sexy she found his butt, then stared at him.

He threw up his hands. “I have nothing.”

“Good.” She’d have to figure out how to make the block subconscious. “I was imagining sinking my teeth into your butt. You know it’s been on my to-do list for a while.”

His cheeks creased. “I’m available anytime.”

Resting her head on his shoulder, she kicked out her legs like a child. “If we do this, we could get everything or we could get nothing.”

“I already have everything.” He kissed her knuckles again. “If you agree, you would have to sign on to serve Raphael for a hundred years. I have no fears the sire will do anything but treat you as the gift you are—he does not waste his assets.” Absolute certainty in his tone. “There’s also the risk the transition will either erase your ability or make it painfully more vivid.”

Ashwini ran her free hand up his arm, the earthy, masculine scent of him in her every breath. “Nothing’s guaranteed. I have an impressive scar across my chest to prove it.” The world was in a state of flux as the most powerful beings on the planet jostled for power, war a promise rather than a probability. “We’re both fighters, hunters.” Lifting her head, she kissed his jaw, her eyes holding his. “Our life is never going to be rainbows and puppies.”

“I don’t know.” Smiling, he kissed her fully on the mouth. “I had a pup when I was a boy. I miss his slobbery face.”

She touched noses with him. “You want a dog?”

“Yes.”

“Where are we going to keep a dog in our apartment?”

“I have a house in the Enclave.”

Her mouth fell open. “You have a house in the Enclave?” That was the most exclusive piece of real estate in the country. “Vampires your age aren’t that rich.” She poked him in the side. “Did you forget to tell me you were in the vamp mafia?”

“I’m the don.” A solemn face belied by laughing eyes. “I have the house because it was a gift a hundred years ago from an old angel for whom I retrieved a precious object. It’s not grand, but it has a yard and a view over the cliffs.”

Still astonished at the idea that he owned an Enclave house—and not simply a house, but one with a cliff view, she said, “Why don’t you live there?”

He gave her a look.

“Right.” An Enclave home was not the kind of place you lived in alone. “Is it vacant?”

“No, but the angel who leases it from me is leaving for another territory in a month. Will you choose the new paint and furniture with me?”

“Are you sure you trust my judgment? You’ve seen my idea of interior design.”

“Your apartment is my favorite place in the city.”

“Sweet talker.” Realizing she was being soppy and silly, she nonetheless kissed him, one of his arms wrapped right around her waist, her hands on his face, and a smile on both their mouths.

“Ahem.” The interruption was courtesy of Illium. The blue-winged angel hovered in front of them, his hair disheveled and a red lipstick mark on his cheek. “Do you not have a room?”

“Do you?” Janvier responded with a raised eyebrow.

“Many, many rooms.” Flipping backward, the angelic male dropped down like a bullet.

“I think he’s been drinking his own brew.” Ashwini pointed out Illium’s acrobatics below them just as the sky exploded in color, fireworks painting the velvet black.