I’m exhausted and terrified of sleeping in case Amenadiel decides to visit me again soon. I dread what he’ll do next time.
How far will he go to push Daemon past his breaking point?
Dariana stops outside the doors to the cafeteria and sweeps her eyes over my face. Her worried eyes take in the shadows under mine. “You need to feed soon—well, that and sleep.”
She’s right. I haven’t fed in too long, and it’s making me weak. But the thought of feeding on the scared humans in there turns my stomach.
“We’ll take a trip to the human world later.”
I nod, hugging my books to my chest.
Reaching up, Dariana strokes the backs of her fingers over my cheek. “Are you sure you want to wait out here?”
“Yes.” I don’t enter the cafeteria willingly.
“Okay, I’ll be back soon.”
She doesn’t want to leave me out here alone, but she needs to feed. With everything that’s happened lately, she hasn’t returned to the human world, and neither have the boys. They’re all in there now.
“Just go.”
“Fine, stay here.”
“I’m not a dog,” I say with an eye roll and a smile, but I’m only half joking.
Dariana hesitates for a short moment longer before opening the door and slipping inside.
Moving over to the side, away from the doors, I slump against the wall.
I’m weaker than I let on. Exhaustion weighs heavily on me, and my eyelids threaten to close the longer I wait. I need a good night’s sleep, and I also need to feed. It’s at times like these that I miss Paradise. I never hungered for anything back home.
“Falling asleep in the hallways?” Dmitriy asks, making my eyes fly open. He’s right in front of me with his hands in his pockets, his eyes sparkling with amusement. His black shirt is unbuttoned at the top to offer a glimpse of his tanned, olive chest, and his dark hair is shorter than the last time I saw him. He’s had the sides cut short, but his hair is still long enough on top to give him that ‘I just fell out of bed’ look. I’m once again struck by how similar he looks to Daemon.
“Are you out here by yourself?” He tsks, inching closer. “Your guard dogs shouldn’t leave you alone and unprotected. You never know what dangers lurk in these hallways or who might try to steal you away.”
My teeth grind as I refuse to look at him. “You don’t have to steal me, remember? You’re collecting me like a cash prize on Saturday.”
“Oh, yes.” His smile is too wide and his expression is too smug. “I’ll be back then to take you home with me.”
When he cups my chin, I wrench free, but he pinches it between his fingers, forcing my eyes onto his. “Word of advice, beautiful. Don’t fight me, okay? Daemon won’t react well if you do, and you don’t want to cause a scene.”
I give him my best glare, telling him without words just how much I hate him. “You don’t need to worry. I won’t put up a fight.”
It’s true. I’ll do whatever it takes to stop Daemon from hurting his uncle or Dmitriy. Ronan and Alaric aren’t as volatile as their leader, so I don’t worry about them. But Daemon… He won’t sit back and watch Dmitriy haul me away into the night without a fight. Whatever happens, I can’t let him break the contract.
“Good girl,” Dmitriy whispers, caging me in against the wall. “My father wants the kingdom; to take his brother’s throne, but my wants are much simpler.” His lips brush the curve of my ear. “I want Daemon to squirm like a worm on a hook while I slip between his girl’s thighs every night, knowing he’s tearing his room apart in anger. Trust me, Angel, I’ll fuck you every opportunity I get just to spite him, and there’s nothing he can do.”
My teeth grind, but I stay quiet, keeping my anger firmly locked down. I’m an angel in Hell. This isn’t my world. I’m now a weapon to be used among men for power.
“Angel,” he trails his fingers down the side of my jaw, “don’t look so angry. I’ll take good care of you, I promise.”
“You’re as sick as your father!”
“That may be so,” he admits, staring at my mouth while pressing down with his thumb on the swell of my bottom lip. “It doesn’t change the fact that you’re going to be mine, so I suggest you work on your attitude. I am a patient man, but even my patience has limits.”
Just then, the door to the cafeteria opens, and Daemon, Alaric, and Ronan walk through, laughing. They soon stop when they look up.
Any other angel would have jumped back and fled for their life, but Dmitriy knows he’s got the upper hand over Daemon. He uses it to his full advantage as he slowly lowers his hand from my mouth. “Just getting reacquainted with my new girl before we pick her up this weekend.”
“You motherfucker!” Daemon surges forward, shoving him off me, but before he can throw his fist out, Alaric and Ronan pull him back.
Dmitriy laughs as he straightens his shirt, throwing me a wink. “See you on Saturday, Angel. Wear something nice.”
As he walks away, Daemon struggles against Ronan and Alaric’s restraints.
“Calm the fuck down,” Ronan orders, stepping in front of him, but Daemon shoulders past him and traps me against the wall.
“Did he hurt you?”
“No.”
He looks unconvinced. “What did he say to you?”
“Daemon,” I whisper tiredly before ducking beneath his arm and making my escape.
Of course he doesn’t let me.
“Get the fuck back here!” He pulls me by my arm. It’s impossible not to get lost in his brown eyes, even when they flash with annoyance. He’s got a permanent crease indented between his eyebrows from his constant frowning. I suppress the urge to smooth it with my finger.
“You’ve got to let me go, Daemon. The stakes are too high—”
“Shut up,” he growls, but I’m not finished talking.
I dig my finger into his chest. “No, I won’t be quiet. You listen to me! I don’t want you to disobey your father because of me. I will leave with Dmitriy on Saturday, and you will let it happen. You won’t fight hi—”
His hand shoots out, and he wraps it around the back of my neck, shoving me into him. Our lips brush against each other with every harsh breath. “You won’t be going anywhere.”
Just then, Dariana leaves the cafeteria and walks past us. “Possessive as always, I see.” The humor in her voice brings a smile to my lips, despite the rough grip Daemon has on my neck.
He’s still trying to calm down.
Students hurry past, sparing us brief glances. I’m sure they can sense the anger radiating from the man in front of me, and no one wants to get on the wrong side of Daemon besides me, apparently.
My lips tingle with anticipation, and when he finally slams me up against the wall and crushes his mouth against mine, I kiss him back with everything I’ve got.
Who cares who sees? If anything, I want the girls here to watch me claim him. Daemon isn’t the only one who can be possessive. I am too, and he’s mine. I don’t care that we’re not meant for each other. It doesn’t matter that I have to leave with Dmitriy soon. All that matters is this one moment with his lips on mine, despite the wall that scrapes my back while I dig my claws into his heart.
We finally come up for air and he cups my chin, trailing soft, searing kisses along my jaw to my ear. “If you don’t want me to lose my father’s kingdom to my uncle, you shouldn’t kiss me like that.”
I stare after him as he walks away, flaring his wings to scare off a group of students in his way. They scatter like cockroaches.
I’m pulled into a warm chest, and when I look up, Ronan smiles down at me. “You’re always causing mischief,” he teases, rocking us back and forth. “Come on, let’s get to class.”
