THIS TIME (The Grace Allen Series Book Three Paranormal Romance) (14 page)

TWENTY

Smoke
and ash danced and spun in a whirling cyclone as the beating of giant wings
scattered the demons wide. I held my ground, fisting my hands at my sides.

The
line that kept me safe hummed. I felt Seth and Lucian’s power swirl across its
gaping fractures. Their power was strong, but it wasn’t boundless. If this
didn’t end quickly, the barrier would fall.

Giant
wings pounded close and I closed my eyes, steeling my spine.

Closer
.

My
breath hitched. Shaking, I squeezed my hands tighter, sucking in the putrid,
smoky air. The ink on my arm began to tingle and I opened my eyes.

The
sky was filled with a thick haze, making it almost impossible to see anything
at all. I knew without looking that all eyes were fixed on the sky. I spun in
circles, searching, hoping to see him, to prepare myself.

Nothing could have prepared me.

He
slammed to the ground, kicking up a thick cloud of ash and dust. It billowed
out, shielding his massive form from my horrified eyes. My heart sped as I
watched him.

The
air left my lungs. He
was
The Angel of Darkness
.

He
moved slowly through the veil of smoke. Demons screamed and writhed, shielding
their faces as he walked, his perfectly arched feet pale against the black ash.
Helen dropped to the ground, her face plastered to the dirt. I held my breath
and straightened my shoulders in an attempt to stay strong.

He
was no longer shrouded in the thick haze and I sucked in my breath as my mouth
gaped. I struggled to fathom what I was seeing. His wings, black as a ravens,
were folded tightly against his naked back. His skin was pale and glowed as if
lit from within. This was no cloven-hooved monster. No red leathery demon with
a serpent tongue. He stood tall and proud. A fallen angel, so beautiful it hurt
to look at him. Tears pooled at the corners of my eyes. I wiped them away,
fully aware that they were tears of blood.

His
eyes found mine.

He
moved, his eyes remained focused on mine. I raised my chin and frowned, trying
desperately to ignore his power. His steps quickened then, his nostrils flared
as he closed the space between us.

He
stood before me, his power hit the barrier and I staggered back in a daze,
falling to the ground.

I
watched him as he watched me. He knelt, fluttering his massive wings. I
screamed like a child, and scrambled backwards on my hands and feet. He smiled,
a low chuckle left his throat as I awkwardly fumbled on the ground. I didn’t
care. He was too beautiful, too terrifying. His golden hair was long, silken
waves, sweeping his shoulders. He wore only a faded pair of jeans. Holes were
worn into the knees.

He
stood up, his sharp jaw clenched as he looked out at the Elvin army. He spread
his wings wide and I cringed back. Each of his wings had to span more than ten
feet across. I opened my mouth and closed it, unable to speak. I had always
known who he was.
What
he was and where he had come from. I knew better
than anyone, really.
But to see it
. To know that
this
was the
creature we had to fight. This was the being that wanted us dead.

This is really happening
.

It
was more terrifying than I could’ve ever dreamed.

The
army behind me meant nothing, nor did the army before me. He didn’t need them.
He didn’t need anything.

We are so fucked.

I
felt tiny. Like the insignificant ants he mocked me with in my dreams. I closed
my eyes. Seeing him was too much for my mind to take. I was falling. I couldn’t
stand up to this being. I was a speck.

I am less than nothing.

He
wanted me. Who was I to deny him anything?

Grace! You must fight him. He is the same! He is the one
you
once
chained! Yours is the power he craves. You can best him!

Seth’s
voice sang through my mind.

Please, Sweet, you look so lost! You cannot give up, no matter
what! He did this to cower you. He is nothing more than what he has always
been. You have already seen all he can do, Grace. You are a Madea, you are as
infinite as he, or why does he fight for you so? Stand up and fight, Grace.
Now!

Seth’s
presence pushed into me and I sucked in a massive breath. My mind stumbled in
its tirade of doubt and self-pity. I felt warm as suddenly, Lucian’s essence
swirled and danced into my head. They both struggled against the power of the
boundaries, yet they had it in them to fight for me as well. To push me and
remind me who I was. These men, who were struggling so hard to keep the spells
up were more than enough to fight for. They had needed me, and so far I had
failed. I was useless against the black sludge, but I wasn’t useless against
Lu. I wouldn’t fail them again.

I
opened my eyes and slid my feet underneath me, pushing myself off of the ground
slowly. I looked toward Lu. He stood tall and proud as he watched me. His gaze
was steady, studying me carefully. His wings were folded once again. I stepped
closer and cleared my throat.

“Why
the show?” I spoke slowly, my voice came out steady, bolstering my confidence.

He
smiled. I could see the stubble on his chin as he leaned close.

“What
show? I come with no artifice.” He spread his arms, his wings opening wide, the
black feathers shinning despite the sooty air.

“Knock
it off, Lu.” I folded my arms. “You and I both know you don’t need this many
demons to fight.”

He
smiled, his white teeth gleaming. 

“Fight?”
he shrugged, “my pets like meat. I merely promised them an easy feast.” He
winked, looking over my shoulder at the Elvin warriors. I ground my teeth as
adrenaline flowed into my veins.

“You
don’t have to do this. Can’t we come to a compromise?” I held out my hand. “You
are above slaughter, don’t you think?

His
eyes grew larger and he snorted. “This is much more fun. I think I like you
desperate.” He bit his bottom lip and then frowned, looking past me. “They took
you away from me, Grace. They cleansed you of my will, defying me on a most
personal level.” The fires burning behind him flared high as he fisted his
hands. “The
end
will be whatever
I
choose it to be, so what do I
care for compromise?” He eyed me, then chuckled. His wings fluttered, making me
jump, which pissed me off.

I
had to move this along, or I was never going to convince him of anything and
we’d all end up dead.

“So,”
I bit my lip, slowly running my teeth along its plumpness. “You
preferred
the taint of demon in my blood?” I met his eyes, filling mine with desire.

Grace, what are you doing?
Seth’s mind screamed into mine and
I rushed to shut him out, throwing up as many mental walls as I could.

Lu’s
eyes narrowed. “I greatly prefer the taste of your Madea blood, my darling.” He
shifted, folding his arms. “However, I also prefer you
willing
. The
taint of demon kept you compliant.” He looked thoughtful for the first time.
“What game are you playing?”

“I
need you to promise me something.” I lifted my chin.

“She’s
a lying whore!” Helen lifted her face from the dirt. “My Lord, she is nothing! Resist
her schemes!” she screamed, coming to her knees. “She deserves to lick your
boots not your…” Her words cut off and she gurgled. Clawing at her throat, she
fell to the ground in a cloud of scattered ash.

I
goggled as Lu turned toward her, glaring. “I’ve yet to deal with your failures.
Don’t tempt me to deal with them now.” He spoke softly. She squeaked and
writhed on the ground.

He
shook his head, dismissing her. Then he turned and met my eyes once again.
“They all die.” He reached out as if to touch my face but stopped short of the
boundary. “They defied me, my dearest love. Nothing you can say will change
what will be. Their future is death. I shall pick my teeth with their bones
after I suck the souls from their bodies.” He smiled.

I
closed my eyes. His ego was hurt which was worse than anything else they could
have wounded. My mind raced at the possibilities. Ann’s plan came to mind, but
things hadn’t gotten that hopeless. I’d lay dying before I would try what she
proposed. Only one thing would save these people. Breathing deep, I reached out
with my mind, freezing the army behind me. Seth and Lucian would be immune. I
could only hope that one day they would understand and forgive me. I opened my
eyes, dread pooling into my gut. I looked out onto the burning field that was
once a lush forest. The demons still slithered and writhed behind Lu. My powers
were locked behind the boundaries the same as theirs.

I
turned, Seth and Lucian watched me with horror-filled eyes. They had no way of
helping me, no way of knowing what I planned. The spells were falling. They
couldn’t let the demons in.

Lu
watched me, amusement on his face. “An army of pretty dolls? What good has
rendering them immobile done, my bride?” he laughed. “My horde would like a
little wiggle to their meat. A little fight.”

Ignoring
him, I shook my hair, dropping my glamour, I let it burn along my flesh,
freeing myself so he could see the real me. I met his eyes. “You say nothing
will change your mind?” I stepped close, causing the spells to tickle my flesh.

He
watched me warily. “You think to trick me?” His stomach sizzled as he leaned
into the barrier. “I see through lies, sweet Grace. Take care and speak in
truths. I’m done fucking around.”

I
had what I needed inside me, ready and waiting. I dug deep. The memory of
Mariee’s painful love made me stagger. I pulled it around me. Breathing it in.
Soaking in her memories, her desire. Saturating every cell with her euphoria
and joy.

My
skin tingled. I let the memory of him in my arms fill my eyes as I looked into
his.

“Let
them live,” I whispered. “Call back your army and forever leave this place in
peace and I will come to you.
Willingly
. I will bind my power with yours
and rule by your side until time itself stops.” 

Lu
lowered his brows, fisting his hands, he pushed against the boundary, his
stomach and chest smoked as he moved. With an audible crack, the spells
separating us snapped, causing Lucian to cry out and fall to the ground. I
flinched and stepped back as Seth was knocked to the ground next to Lucian. Our
tiny link, the strength they were feeding me, shuddered and then disappeared.
They
were gone.

I
kept Lu in my vision as the world fell apart around me.

“A
noble sacrifice.” He grabbed my waist and pulled me to his chest. “I would love
to trust such pretty words, but you have no love for me. You do not even have
desire.” He watched my lips as he spoke, “I see you, Grace.” His eyes looked up
to meet mine. I felt like a mouse in the gaze of a cobra and I looked away.

He
grabbed my chin and sneered, “Look me in the eyes, little liar.”

I
dug my nails into my palms but didn’t flinch. “Liar?” I laughed as I reached
deeper into my mind. It was all around me, he only had to look. “I wouldn’t
lie, my love.” I whispered as I leaned into him. “I want you.” I blew out my
breath and relaxed into his arms, allowing him to hold me close.

A
growl rumbled from his chest.

"Finally."

And
then my feet left the ground.

***

The
air was clean. The forest untouched. We stood in a field of wildflowers. I
looked at him, his smile was everything triumphant. I felt my knees give way as
he swept me into his arms.

“I
can’t believe I see your love. This is truly a gift.” His lips grazed mine as
he spoke. “What gift can I give my bride in return?”

I
thought about all of the things that had happened and the shit storm I had
created that could have ruined so many lives. I was gone. That was the best
gift I could have given them. But there was one thing that I
could
fix.  

I
breathed in his scent, sliding my hand behind his head, I ran my fingers
through his hair. “Were you aware of the incredible lust your Helen feels for
you?” I smiled.

“Yes?”
he looked confused.

“I
don’t like it.” I said as I pulled away. “She is a thorn in my side. She
worships you and thinks that only she should be your queen.”

He
smiled. “Of course she does.” His brows drew together. “You are jealous? Do you
wish her head on a pike?” He seemed excited at the prospect.

“Gross,
no!” I pushed him back. “Nothing so…um,
quick
.” I recovered. “I think
I’d like her to suffer. I want her punished. I want it to linger.”

One
side of his mouth lifted in a half smile. “Do, tell?” he said, sliding his
hands down my arms, gently grasping my fingers. He lifted my hand to his mouth.
He ran his lips across my knuckles and then kissed his way up my arm only to
slide his tongue along the silvery ink of his mark. “What horrors do you have
in mind?” He glanced up as he kissed my wrist and smiling, he playfully bit my
fingers as he sucked them into his hot mouth one by one.