He nodded. “I know, but it’ll help. It’s yours now. Use your magic to command it. Summon it to you.”

  “And what are you going to fight with?”

  He came around the counter and kissed her. “You’re going to be the worrier, but if I need to, I can call the sword back to me, or call another one. One that’s not divine, but it’ll hurt like hell,” he muttered against her lips.

  She placed her hands on his abs, and he wanted to take her there. Apparently, she had the same thought, because she leaned up and deepened the kiss, pulling him down closer to him. He moaned against her. “Tell me what you want.”

  “You,” she muttered. “Now.”

  She couldn’t believe she had said that, but it wasn’t a lie. She’d let him take her right here in the kitchen. All he had to do was ask.

  “Are you sure?” he muttered against her lips. “Once we start, I won’t be gentle.” The words struck her to her core. He’d been gentle in every way, occasionally claiming it was against his nature, but here he didn’t have to be.

  “Now,” she said again, leaning back up to kiss him.

  He devoured her with his lips, nipping at her with his little fangs as he kissed down her neck.

  She moaned at the fiery touches. “Table, now.” He growled out and pulled her away.

  Sybil moved to the table, and Azazel spun her around so her back faced him, with her stomach up against the table.

  He ran his hand down her spine, and then up under her shirt. His fingertips were hot against her skin, leaving her wanting more when he moved them away to remove her shirt.

  Kissing her neck, his hands brushed over her sides and hips. “You are beautiful. I could worship you.” His lips trailed over her shoulders. “In every way.”

  She leaned her head back, and his hand dipped into her pants, his fingers finding the sweet spot between her legs.

  A moan escaped her lips as his fingers slowly stroked her heat. Her body shook against his. She whimpered a protest when his fingers moved away and unbuttoned her jeans.

  He pulled them and her panties over her hips, dropping them to her feet. His hands grasped her ass, nails biting just enough to draw out a sound of pleasure from her.

  He spun her around and Sybil saw a feral look darken his eyes. She reached out to undress him and he grabbed both her hands. “Slowly.”

  She nodded and moved her hands up his shirt, her fingertips exploring each fine line of his chiseled abs. Sybil tried to pull his shirt over his head, but ended up being too short to do it, so Azazel helped. In one swoop of his arms, the shirt was gone. She admired the tight lines of his chest and the muscles that went down into his pants, forming a v.

  She licked her lips and leaned forward, tracing her tongue over those lines, kneeling to continue her wet trail to the band of his pants.

  Azazel's breath caught, and she looked up to see a lust in his eyes.

  She slowly ran her fingers over the bulge in his pants, and he moaned. “Don't tease.”

  “You told me to go slow,” she reminded him and flicked open the button and pulled down the zipper. She wrapped her hand around his cock, and he tensed above her.

  “I think I've changed my mind.” He slipped his pants the rest of the way off. He grabbed her by the waist and sat her on the kitchen table.

  He spread her legs with a firm hand on each thigh. He gave her a wicked grin before leaning forward, putting his face between her legs.

  His hot breath caused her to lean her head back and moan, but her body started shaking again when his tongue found the sensitive spot between her wet lips.

  She ran her fingers through his hair, tightening her grip with each stroke of his tongue.

  “I can't wait any longer.” He growled. “You're ready for me, and I have to take you. Now.”

  The growl alone brought her closer to the edge. The demand in his voice brought more heat pooling between her legs.

  “Here?” she asked, trying to catch her breath.

  “And now,” he demanded again, pulling her off the table and spinning her around. “Bend over.”

  She obeyed without question, laying her top half across the table.

  His hand stroked down her back, causing her to arch her ass in the air. The tip of his cock teased at her entrance, and, with one swift thrust, he was inside her.

  She moaned and wiggled against him, wanting more than one solid stroke, but he pulled out oh so slow and teasing.

  “Please?” she begged, rolling her hips.

  He laughed and his fingers dug into the side of her hips as he slammed into her. She cried out in pleasure, and that seemed to be the magic word, because he found a rhythm that had her writhing underneath him. His hand tugged her braid occasionally, bringing her closer, begging him to bring her over the edge of her orgasm.

  Azazel cooed to her. “Not yet.” He bent over her and cupped her sex. His finger rubbing just right.

  She moaned and bucked against him, trying to help his rhythm and bring herself closer to the edge.

  He laughed and bit the side of her neck. The pain and pleasure mixed, throwing her into the orgasm.

  Her body shook against him as he held her tight against his chest and his own orgasm exploded in her. Starbursts of pleasure stole her vision as she rode the pleasure with him.

  They slid to the floor as the orgasm faded away. Azazel pulled her close and kissed her head. “Thank you.”

  She looked up at him. “I'm pretty sure I should be the one thanking you.”

  He tucked her into his side, and she closed her eyes, content. There might have been so much going on around her, but right now, all that mattered was this moment with her fallen angel.

  Azazel watched as Sybil and Dey went at each other with swords. They had started early in the morning and still hadn't stopped, even approaching lunch time. There was something inside Sybil that knew how to use the blade, because each time Dey corrected her form, Sybil got it instantly. She looked natural and sexy as hell with a sword in her hand.

  “Take a break. Let's go get some lunch.” Dey grinned and let her sword disappear. “You're doing great.”

  Sybil shook her head. “No. I want to keep going. I need to become faster.”

  “You're going to wear yourself out. You need to eat.” Azazel stood and held his hand out to her. “If you don't eat, you're going to grow weak.”

  She let go of the sword and sighed. “Okay, fine, and then back at it. I want to find Morrah and Chrissy tomorrow.”

  She hadn't said or thought of much else since last night, but he loved her determination, but he also worried about her. If she continued like this, there was no telling what would happen.

  “I noticed you started adding magic to your attacks.” He squeezed her hand. “That's a good touch.” He glanced over at Dey. “Are you joining us for lunch?”

  She shook her head. “No, I'm going to go see my wife.” She disappeared in a puff of red smoke.

  Sybil nodded. “I'm hoping the more of my normal magic I use, the more likely I am to control my other ability. I'm terrified I'll let it lose again and not have any control.”

  “You'll learn it. It just might not be now and not before you face Morrah. Focus on the abilities you can control that will aid you in this fight.” He kissed her head and then took them to the surface. “You're going to get him, and then you'll grow stronger and keep anyone else from threatening your kind and my people.”

  She nodded. “That's all I want. I want Chrissy back. I want to keep her safe.”

  He knew there was something else in her past, some time that she had failed to keep someone safe, or she wouldn't focus so much on this. He was about to bring up her sister again when she ran over to a poster on a light pole.

  “Look! Baby goats for sale!” She squealed, and it lightened his heart.

  “When this is all over, you can get another goat. Right now, the only safe place is hell, and though Billie would have been fine there temporarily, I don't think the underworld would be an appropriate place to raise a baby goat.”

  She hmmed for a moment and then pulled the tab on the flier to call for the goats. “Tomorrow then.”

  “Tomorrow,” he promised and hoped that all of this would be over by then. Either Chrissy would be free because Morrah would be dead, or Morrah would get what he wanted - Sybil.

  He pushed the thought from his mind and tried to focus on how happy she seemed to be in that moment, looking at the picture of a few baby goats. Some people loved dogs, some people loved cats, but Sybil... Sybil loved goats, and he thought it was cute as hell.

  He guided her away from the light pole and into a restaurant. “Come on, we came up here for food.”

  She nodded and walked into the Spanish restaurant, and they waited for a hostess to come and greet them.

  He noticed Sybil bouncing from foot to foot and put a hand on her shoulder. “Calm down.”

  “I can't calm down. Every time we're in public, something happens.”

  He wrapped an arm around her and pressed his lips to her forehead. “I'm not going to let anything happen. We're going to enjoy our first official date.”

  She laughed. “You know, I don't typically sleep with a guy before the first date.”

  “Well, I think these are pretty special circumstances.” He winked at her and then turned to the hostess. “A table for two, please.”

  The woman nodded and led the way to a table toward the back. Azazel didn't miss the way Sybil looked behind them as they walked. He pulled the chair out for her before sitting down himself. “I can see the door from here,” he whispered.

  She nodded. “Okay.” That seemed to help her relax as she picked up her menu.

  They were quiet as they looked over the choices and then ordered. Azazel took her hand in his. “Maybe when this is all over, you can introduce me to your family.”

  “Maybe,” she muttered. “What about you? Anyone you want to introduce me to?”

  He shook his head. “My family is long gone. Dey is like my family, but you've already met her.”

  “She's an interesting... being.” Sybil laughed. “She's a doll though. I like her.”

  “She's a doll that will bite your hand off if you piss her off.”

  She shrugged. “We all have a bit of a dangerous side.”

  “Oh?” he asked, and she grinned.

  “You didn't think I was all roses and sunshine, did you?”

  “I would have never made the mistake that you were roses and sunshine at all.” He leaned back in his chair. “But the way you worried about killing the witch, I wouldn't exactly describe you as dangerous.”

  Something dark crossed her eyes. “When those I love are in trouble, I will be as dangerous as I need.”

  “I think the danger just finds you.” He chuckled. “But enough about danger and trouble. You've been focusing on that all day. We're supposed to enjoy our lunch and relax.”

  She nodded and sat back as the waitress brought out two plates of Paella. The waitress went to place one plate on the table, and Azazel saw that her hand was shaking. He didn't think it was from the weight of the plate, and the worried look that pinched the waitress's face confirmed that.

  He gently took the plate from her and whispered. “Is it safe?”

  She gave the most subtle shake of her head. “I'm afraid that the cook put tomatoes in it when you asked for none.”

  Azazel read into the words. The dishes didn’t have the option of tomatoes. Tomatoes were from the nightshade family. Nightshade in and of itself was poisonous. “Oh, forgive me then,” he whispered. “Did the cook put tomatoes on them both?”

  The waitress nodded. “Yes.”

  He stood and grabbed Sybil's hand to pull her out of the chair. He faked an outraged growl. “We're leaving then. If the cook can't follow simple orders.” He pulled a fifty out of his pocket and shook the waitress's hand. “It's not your fault, dear. You didn't cook the food.” He pulled Sybil out of the building, slowing down only when they were a block away.

  “What the hell was that about?”

  “Someone put poison in our food.” Exploding buildings, poisoned food. “I think there's an assassin out for you.”

  She paled. “What? Like an angel wasn't enough? Someone's trying to kill me too? At least Morrah needs me alive.” She threw her hands up. “What did I do to deserve any of this?”

  “We aren't given what we're deserved. That's a myth,” he muttered. “How did they know we were going to be there? Dey made the appointment.”

  “You don't think...”

  He shook his head. “She can't betray me. I own her soul.” He started walking again, but stopped when he realized Sybil wasn't following him. “What?”

  “How do you own her soul?”

  “Not my story to tell. You'll have to ask her about it. But I suggest, if you do, you approach it kindly. It's not her favorite thing to talk about.” He shook his head. He didn't want to think about it either. “We're creatures of the underworld. We're not exactly squeaky clean, and sometimes situations force our hands.”

  She nodded and started walking with him. “Seems to me that creatures of heaven aren't squeaky clean either.”

  He smirked. “No one is, really. The angels just think they are better because they believe they are serving out the needs of our creator.” He shrugged. “So that gives them an ego.”

  “And justifies wiping out millions of witches' powers, apparently.”

  He said nothing. It was his own fault this was happening, because he had created that fail-safe, because he was serving the creator as well when he'd given humans magic. He glanced at her and wondered what she would think of that fact.

  “Azazel?” she asked, her voice hesitating slightly.

  Did she know? Was she going to ask him about it? “Yes?”

  “Someone's following us. I think we need to go back and just eat at your house.”

  He took a quick glance behind them and then wrapped his fingers around hers. “Just walk with me. There are humans around. If we just disappear, we'll cause a commotion.” The man she was speaking of had been following them since they left the restaurant. He'd thought it was a coincidence until now. The man was moving faster and dodging between people on the sidewalk.

  “Deep breath,” he told Sybil. “Alleyway to our right. We're going to duck into there and go.”

  She nodded and stuck close to him.

  Three feet away...

  Two feet away...

  One foot away...

  They turned the corner to come face to face with another man. This one grinning as he held a dagger by his side.

  Azazel spun and found that the other man had caught up.

  Sybil did as Azazel told her and took a deep breath, and then another, and another, but she couldn't let the last one out when they turned the corner. They were trapped.

  Azazel took her hand, and one of the guys laughed. “Don't bother trying to disappear. We have you trapped.”

  She could feel the surrounding magic that would prevent them from leaving. She glanced at the man with the knife and then at Azazel. He gave her a brief nod. Stepping away from Azazel, she called on the divine blade he had given her and rushed forward.

  The man dodged to the side, and his knife grew to the size of a sword.

  The alley was not the best place for a sword fight, but neither of the men were giving them a choice. She heard the clashing of blades behind her and assumed that Azazel was also locked into a battle.

  Her footwork was messy, but she avoided, blocked, and attacked several times until she lost her grip and the sword ended up halfway down the alleyway.

  The man put a blade to her throat. “Goodbye.”

  Sybil slammed her knee into his crotch before he got the chance to cut her throat. When he stumbled back, she brought her elbow into his head. She felt a tingle run through her, similar to what she'd felt when she'd lost control with the other witch. “Don't touch me.” She growled when the man took another step forward.

  He laughed. “It's time for you to leave this world.” He lunged forward, but before his sword could pierce her, Azazel was there. He grabbed the man's wrist and broke it with a twist.

  “You will not be killing her. You go back and you tell your boss that she is under my protection. I am taking responsibility for her, and if he has a problem with that, he can take it up with me later.”

  The man nodded and glanced at Sybil before darting out of the alleyway. Sybil looked up at Azazel. “You're terrifying when you're angry.”

  “So are you.” He stepped away and held his hand out. “Let's go back to my place?”

  “Yeah, I think that's for the best.” She took his hand and closed her eyes as he took them back to his house.

  She flopped down at the island bar. “So much for lunch.”

  “I have leftovers from the takeout Dey got yesterday. Or I can cook something.”

  “You can cook?”

  He nodded. “I still have to eat.” He grinned. “Besides, what's life without good food?”

  “Go head and cook?”

  He spun around to get things out of the fridge. She watched him. It was amazing that this man who had shown such violence a few minutes before suddenly looked completely calm and at home in a kitchen.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

  “How comfortable you look.”

  “It's my home. I'm supposed to be comfortable.”

  She laughed. “One moment you're threatening assassins, the next you're cooking lunch.”

  He shrugged. “Part of my nature. Really. And part of yours.”

  She didn't respond. He was right, and she knew that. But it didn't mean she had to be comfortable with it.

  “Your anger makes you nervous, but you'll have to embrace it to take Morrah down.”

  “I never said my anger makes me nervous,” she shot back.

  “No, but I can see it any time you feel it. You clamp it down and hold it in. If you let it go...”

  “If I let it go, I kill people.” She shook her head. “Simply letting go isn't the answer.”