I clenched my jaw, suddenly realizing what a dangerous game I’d been playing. “I think you should let me go now. Get a cold shower in.”
“You’re making me insane, Ruby.” His voice was a snarl, and it rumbled over my skin.
Despite myself, my back was arching into him.
“Ruby.” My name sounded like a command on his tongue, and once again I had to fight that overpowering urge to drop to my knees, to pull off my clothes like I knew he wanted me to.
My body was trembling now, and sweat dampened my skin again, this time for another reason. I raised my hands to push on his powerful chest, but it was like trying to shove an oak tree. “This is a bad idea.”
He tightened his grip on my arms, and in the next moment, his mouth was on my neck, teeth grazing my skin. He growled as his tongue replaced his teeth. He was kissing me—hard and possessively, as though he were claiming his territory—and he really shouldn’t have been. I tried pushing against him, my hips bucking, but he had me pinned.
One of his hands slid up my back, and I heard the tear of fabric as he ripped my leotard. Cold air whispered over my skin, peaking my breasts as he tugged it down.
“Stop.” I slammed my fists against his chest. “Stop!”
The words seemed to hit him like a slap to his face, and he stared at me, stunned. I gripped the top of my leotard, holding it up to cover myself. From behind him, Culloch was snarling.
My breath was coming rapidly, my cheeks flushed. I can’t stay here.
At the sound of footsteps, I realized another presence had entered the room—this one draped in shadowy magic.
Adonis crossed the wooden floor smoothly, as though moving through water. His dark magic trembled up my spine. “Get away from her, Kratos. Now.” An unmistakable threat of violence laced his tone, a ruthlessness under his perfect exterior.
Kratos growled, almost inaudibly, but took a step away from me.
As he did, Adonis’s cold rage seemed to disappear like smoke on the wind.
Adonis shoved his hands into his pockets, completely at ease now, a wicked smile on his lips. “Has it occurred to you that maybe having a succubus in your home is a bad idea?”
Kratos clenched his fists, his eyes still locked on me. “I’m fine. I just need to hunt soon. That’s all.”
“Let’s go, then.” Adonis’s tone brooked no argument.
Gripping my leotard, I stared after the two angels as they left the room, and dread began to bloom in my chest. I definitely needed to end this as soon as I could.
Chapter 3
Until tonight, I’d never been in the Celestial Room—the crowning jewel on top of the Tower of Silence. Nor had I ever sat below an enormous glass dome, with a canopy of stars twinkling above me.
It might have even been relaxing, if it weren’t for the sentinels drifting above us, their dark eyes glinting with suspicion.
Below the dome, I sat at a round table with Kratos and Hazel. Red candles burned in iron candelabras, casting a wavering light over the flagstone floor. It wasn’t the coziest place I’d ever been, but it had a certain stark elegance. Perfect for an angel, I guess.
I took a sip of my Bordeaux, trying to ignore their ever watchful eyes. If it hadn’t been for the whole apocalypse issue, maybe Hazel would have a point about how we should just stay here enjoying the food, luxuriating in our silk dresses.
Kratos leaned over the table, refilling Hazel’s wineglass. Considering we were supposed to be thousand-year-old succubi, I couldn’t exactly point out that she was only sixteen. And Hazel certainly wasn’t turning it down.
“Cheers!” Hazel beamed, lifting her glass. “To the angels and their amazing castle!”
Kratos lifted his glass, his rings glinting in the candlelight. “I never imagined I’d be dining with two ancient succubi.”
Well, that’s because you aren’t.
His golden eyes slid to me. I still hadn’t quite gotten used to the look of them—the eerie gold that faded to a burnt umber around the edges. Everything about him blazed with an inner golden light—and yet, according to Adonis, I was supposed to be the Bringer of Light. Whatever that was.
I’d already eaten at least half a roast quail, plus a good amount of potatoes, and Adonis still hadn’t made an appearance. Had Hazel been able to persuade him to join us, or had she overestimated her befuddlement powers?
Kratos’s gaze was slowly lingering over my sheer, pewter-gray dress. I watched his body tense, glowing brighter with that honeyed light. “I must get you some more concealing clothing.”
He sounded almost angry this time. Clearly, my wardrobe was straining his ability to keep a leash on himself.
“You don’t like my dress?” I asked.
His gaze was locked completely on me, as if Hazel weren’t in the room at all. “I’m starting to wonder if it might be worth it to wear the wings of a demon.”
I bit my lip. “I can almost picture you as a demon. Maybe some horns.”
Hazel cleared her throat. “You guys remember that I’m here, right?”
When Kratos glanced at her, he looked almost surprised to find that she was still there. Then, his brow furrowed. “Did you ask me to invite Adonis to dinner earlier?”
Hazel widened her eyes and blinked. “When I spoke to you in the forest’s edge? No, we talked about the sparrows and the rowan trees, and I wondered about poisonous plants and you said there were many in the woods, and then you thought of Adonis and inviting him to dinner. That was, of course, before your thoughts turned to my sister’s body and how she would look completely naked in a rainstorm. But the point is, you wanted to invite Adonis because you’re the same, really, and your fates are the same, like a pair of oaks grown intertwined. Can I have more wine?”
Now that was befuddlement.
Kratos simply nodded at her, a faint line between his brows. Before Kratos could answer, the sound of footfalls echoed off the stone floor outside the room.
Adonis pushed through the oak door, a sly smile curling his sensual lips. As usual, he wore finely cut, dark clothes, and shadows seemed to cloak his body. Dark tendrils of midnight magic swept into the room, rushing over my skin like a night breeze. “Sorry that I’m late.”
“You really didn’t need to come at all,” said Kratos sharply.
Adonis arched an eyebrow as he pulled out his chair. “You did invite me.”
Kratos leaned back in his chair, sipping his wine. “For the life of me, I can’t remember why.”
“For my scintillating company.” A smile ghosted over his sensuous lips. “Obviously.”
Kratos winced, nearly dropping his wineglass, and clutched his chest.
“Okay there?” I asked.
“I must go hunting soon.” Kratos’s eyes burned deep gold. “You should return to your tower.”