“Don’t touch her,” he roared, enraged, as he settled between his brother and the woman he loved. He gave Garethiel a shove in case he didn’t comprehend his order. Anniel’s hands came up against his spread wings when he stepped back into her, clasping her hip to keep her behind him and out from Garethiel’s sight.

After having callously deflowered her and then walking out as if she meant nothing, the thought of Garethiel putting his filthy hands on her again made Ashriel want to tear him limb from limb. He shook with barely contained violence.

His brother stared at him, eyes and mouth gaping. There was nothing but silence for the longest time, only Ashriel’s ragged breathing from all the furious adrenaline coursing through his veins.

Garethiel slowly put his hands up with a sardonic grin.

“Easy there, little brother. I just wanted to say hi.”

Ashriel felt Anniel vanish from behind him. He looked over his shoulder to see her in Devon’s arms. He was holding her tight, kissing her face, and murmuring so close to her lips. It looked so intimate.

“Fuck,” Ashriel spat not enjoying the jealousy that twisted his gut into pulp.

“I think I’ve seen enough,” his mother snapped. She turned without another word and headed back to the star cruiser. His father gave him one last hateful glare and followed in his mother’s wake.

Ashriel felt his chest tightening. This was his family.

Garethiel sauntered up next to him. Ashriel scowled into his face.

“Look, past squabbles aside, you’re still my twin brother. You don’t belong here with these…” he gave the Alpha Angels a condescending snort, “people. I’ve got a little place set up on Rhydiam Nine. You’re more than welcome to stay there. I’ll leave you my old Silver Comet.”

Garethiel turned and pointed a silver pen-like object toward the star cruiser. Another hatch located on the lower part of the transport opened. A chrome plated transport pod floated out and settled itself on the hangar floor.

He turned back to Ashriel with a lopsided grin. “I was getting rid of it anyway. Got myself a new transport. A Supra Nova.”

He tossed Ashriel the little silver rod and then walked away. “See-ya ‘round, baby brother.”

Ashriel gritted his teeth in annoyance. He’d been born seven minutes after Garethiel, and the asshole never let him forget it.

The ramps closed the minute Garethiel disappeared inside the star cruiser. The thin metallic legs retracted and the transport drifted back out the exit chute.

Ashriel remained staring at the chute long after it stopped glowing, holding the key to the Silver Comet his brother left him. His eyes drifted back to the shiny transport pod. He wasn’t sure exactly where Alpha 7 was at the moment, but getting to Rhydiam Nine shouldn’t be difficult. Silver Comets had guidance systems. He could leave right now. He had no credits, but he could look for honest work. He could fight. Perhaps someone might want to hire him as a guard.

He’d have to say goodbye to Anniel.

His chest tightened again.

With a hard swallow he turned, knowing that she probably hated him more than Garethiel now.

Only Devon, Remien, Zachariel, and Sethaliel stood behind him. She’d gone. He wouldn’t even have the privilege to have a few last words with her.

“Don’t go,” Devon said in a soft voice. “Please.”

Ashriel just stared at him. He considered Devon something evil that needed to be destroyed, and here he stood, almost begging him not to leave. It was confusing. Ashriel had to close his eyes and shake his head to get his thoughts back in order. He needed to find out the cause to the war three hundred years ago, and hunt down the right portal into the realm of darkness to slay the dark prince, Lucien.

“You just can’t walk out on Annie, man,” Remien spat.

Ashriel glared at him. It was all his fault. If Ashriel had decided on his own to become fallen, he would have gone the honorable route. He would have chosen to renounce his rank. He would have had to assume a hundred siglon task and then…

Would Anniel have awaited him for one hundred siglons?

She hated him now, knew he was Garethiel’s twin. Garethiel, who’d seduced her with pretty words and his pretty face and beautiful stark white wings and blond hair. After fucking her for a few weeks, when it was time for the Seraphian Master Guardians to leave, his coward of a brother was one of the first to transfer his services to another world without telling her anything. When Ashriel confronted him about this, his brother had only shrugged his shoulders carelessly saying it was better that way. He couldn’t stand clinging females and their tears.

“And now you’re doing the same thing.”

Ashriel’s anger bristled. “Stay the fuck out of my head, Devon of Angelos.”

Seth snorted with a scowl. “You’re broadcasting. Pull your emotions into yourself and we won’t hear it.”

Ashriel turned and strode with determination toward the Silver Comet. The side door opened and he slid in. Just before closing it, he took a deep breath and looked back up at the Alpha Angels. “Thank you for bringing me here and caring for me in my time of need. When I acquire employment I’ll send whatever amount of credits you need to cover any expenditure you may have incurred…”

“We don’t want your money,” Devon said in irritation.

Ashriel nodded. He had a feeling they would refuse his paying them. “Then I am in debt to you. If I can ever assist you in any task—as long as it’s for an honorable cause—“

“We get it, Ash,” Zachariel interrupted with a frown.

Ashriel nodded, his eyes going over reach of them.

Their accusatory glowers made him feel like squirming.

Was he running away from Anniel like a coward? “She hates me,” he whispered to himself.

“She’s just hurt, Ash,” Devon said softly. “Stay. Work things out.”

Ashriel looked back up at him. “Why do you want me for her? Did you all conspire to my falling? Did you think taking me out would deter me from my mission to destroying all that is evil? Turn to the dark side?”

“We aren’t evil.” Zachariel scowled. “Where do you get off continuously accusing us of being evil?”

Devon put his hand on the golden weredragon’s arm in a soothing gesture.

“I need to keep an open mind. I refuse to take sides until I have all the facts straight,” Ashriel stated coldly.

Devon nodded. “You do that, Ash. We’ll be here if you ever need a home and a family.”

Ashriel winced, his mouth opening. What could he say to that? Clamping his lips shut, he nodded and closed the door to the Silver Comet.

It could be a trick. Ashriel needed to remember that. If he ever found out they’d used Anniel to tempt him away from the light, he’d come back and slay them all, even if she hated him even more for the rest of her existence. They had her fooled with their insincere affection, but they weren’t going to fool him.

He inserted the silver key into the ignition.

Nothing happened.

Ashriel frowned, ejected the key, and re-inserted it.

Nothing.

Maybe it was voice controlled. What was he supposed to say if it was?

“On,” he commanded.

The transport control panel remained unlit. With a terse curse, he opened the door again. The alpha Angels had come closer.

“Transport trouble?” Zak asked trying to keep a straight face.

Remien’s hands caressed the Silver Comet’s nose. “Pop the hood, Ash. I’ll take a look-see.”

Ashriel hesitated, wary of letting the red-haired weredragon fiddle with the transport’s mechanisms.

Seth rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers. The Silver Comet’s front slid open revealing an intricate array of metal parts and multi-colored cables and wires.

“Wow, this shit is old,” Remien scoffed whipping his shirt off. He immediately stuck his head into the transport’s front compartment and began fingering the dizzying amount of cables and wires.

Ashriel looked over the gleaming Silver comet. It didn’t look old, but then he knew very little about transports, except that this was an expensive brand.

To Ashriel’s dismay, Remien began pulling out various wires and tossing them out onto the hangar floor. Zak frowned and poked his head into the transport also. “Need help, Red?”

“Yeah, man. This shit is a death trap.” He suddenly straightened, regarding Ashriel with a grimace. “Damn, he must really hate you.”

Ashriel opened his mouth, but was at a loss as to what to say. Garethiel did hate him. Always had. He’d had his parents to himself after Ashriel was removed from their home, and resented the fuss made over his dark brother whenever he was allowed to visit.

Remien went back to poking around inside the Silver Comet.

Devon came up to Ashriel. “Rem and Zak are really good at repairing things. Don’t worry. In the meanwhile, you haven’t broken fast with us.”

“Food? Did somebody mention food?” Remien blurted standing back up. “I need to eat. I gotta feed Rowie in a few hours.”

With that, he disappeared from sight. Ashriel gasped in alarm. What about his transport?

Zak straightened also with a frown. “That idiot’s not leaving all the work to me. I’ll be back when he’s done stuffing his face.”

Zak disappeared too.

He stared dumbfound at Devon and Seth. “I need to leave,” Ashriel snarled at last.

“Uh…I think I hear Angel calling me.” With that, Devon vanished also.

Ashriel glared at the weretigri.

Seth scowled back at him, crossing his arms over his chest. “Don’t look at me, reaper. I know shit about repairing Silver Comets.”

***

Anniel jumped when a pair of tattooed arms circled her waist from behind. Heat engulfed her as Remien hugged her against himself and buried his nose in her neck, his unique scent of cinnamon and spice filling her nostrils.

“I’ve got to feed Row in a few. You know how she loves your food. I know you’re still mad at me, but would you mind making us that great vegetable stew you make? You know, the one with the Vildminorian tomatoes.”

Anniel remained ramrod stiff, unyielding. Mad? She was furious with Remien Fyre.

“It’s for Row, Annie. Whatever I eat flavors my blood—“

“Alright,” she snapped. She wasn’t going to punish Rowie, who she loved like a sister, because her mate was a meddlesome idiot.

Remien shivered and suddenly teleported before her. To Anniel’s shock, he fell to his knees and gripped her shirt with two hands. “Please, Anniel. Forgive me already. I’m sorry. I can’t stand your silent treatment anymore. It’s killing me. Have pity.”

She stood there, her mouth gaping as he wrapped his arms tight around her, burying his face against her stomach. Remi held her tight and she feared he’d never let her go if she didn’t tell him the words he longed to hear.

Her fingers sank into his mop of hair, the thick strands inhumanly soft and luxurious. How could she stay mad at him? Yes, he was a brat, but he was so sweet. Besides, they had to live in the same space station. Giving him the silent treatment and watching the hurt in his eyes every time she snubbed him was beginning to make her chest ache.

“It’s okay, baby,” she whispered. “I’ll forgive you.”

He suddenly towered over her, crushing her to him in a big bear hug. “Oh-god, thank you. I’d kiss you but I’m scared Ash might rearrange my face. And Rowie and I happen to like my face.”

Ashriel. A mixture of anger, hurt, and desolation filled her. “I hope he’s gone,” she snapped pushing out of Remi’s hold.

“He really doesn’t want to go. He just doesn’t trust us.”

Anniel winced, but Remi gripped her again, pulling her up against him. “Us, not you. You he has on a pedestal.”

“Well, that’s just too bad. I feel nothing for him.”

Remi’s eyes narrowed and she felt her face heat. She was lying and they both knew it.

“So how about that stew,” Remien grinned instead of pointing out her huge fib. “You know what it’s been ages I haven’t had either? Your chocolate chip waffles and vegan sausages.”

***

Ashriel walked toward the enviro level entrance. The others were most likely breaking their fast. He didn’t want to eat yet. God only knew what he’d been fed all the time he was unconscious. He needed to re-purify his body. A few days of fasting would accomplish that. He also needed to exercise. Working up a healthy sweat also went a long way to expelling toxins.

The doors to the enviro level were inconspicuous. They were at the end of a well-lit corridor. The two silver doors gleamed, the seam between them barely noticeable.

Ashriel approached and stopped looking up at the height. The enviro level had been added to Alpha 7 by a giant race of Master Guardians before the Seraphs had taken over.

“Open,” Ashriel said.

The silver doors opened with a soft hiss. The paradise beyond never failed to take his breath away. The enviro level had fauna from all around the galaxy stretching out ten miles wide and five high. It was like being on the surface of a planet. The sky was a holographic projection simulating Earth’s sky, but virtually any world’s sky could be reproduced.

He stepped into the enviro level and looked around. Most of the foliage was varying shades of green, but there were just as many splashes of bright colored plants and flowers spread around. Farther ahead, he made out the glittering surface of a lake.

For some reason, he felt it sacrilegious to use his boots on the grass. He leaned against the wall beside the double doors and pulled his boots off. Ashriel stared at the beauty all around him and a sense of freedom he’d never felt before assailed him. With trembling fingers, he unfastened his belt and pants and shed these too.

He stood at the entrance to the enviro level as naked as the day he’d been born. As his head tipped back to look at the incredible blue sky, he opened his wings. The unfamiliar feel of his hair brushing his ass made him shudder, and then he was airborne.

It was so realistic. He soared up toward the holographic sun and he actually felt the blistering heat of the star on his wings and skin. It blinded him so he diverted his flight pattern and let himself fall into a spiraling plunge toward the blue lake below. Just as he reached about a foot above the water’s surface, he pulled up and skimmed the surface. He stared in wonder at his reflection. He was smiling. He laughed then, feeling joy in being able to fly to his heart’s content.

Dipping his hands briefly into the cool water, he ascended again toward the heavens. Ashriel began to circle the entire enviro level. There were hills and mountains. He saw various streams and rivers flowing into the lake and even spotted a waterfall with a cove surrounded by the most beautiful fauna he’d ever seen.

Unable to resist, He landed in the cove. The cliff face was almost vertical and had plenty of grips for climbing. There were a few large boulders scattered around. He could resume his exercise routine, similar to what he did back on Seraphia.

Thinking of Seraphia made him pause and look around. He would never see his planet again…ever. The joy he felt dissipated like smoke on a windy day.

The memory of the faces of Seraphia’s citizens came back to haunt him. People sobbed, others looked angry. His arms had been stretched out to a pair of columns and the tips of his wings bound to two columns farther out. Four reapers stood before him and the high priests and priestesses stood to either side. He kept hearing Amaranth’s sobs over everything else.

One of the reapers approached him.

Kasdael looked at him sullenly. “I’m sorry, Ashriel. They threw a fucking lottery between all of us. I don’t agree with this. I don’t want—“

“Kasdael,” Reushuel snarled at the young reaper.

“I don’t want to do this, but they threatened to deplume me as well for treason.”

The high priest began stomping over to them.

“Obey, Kasdael. You are a good reaper. Do not curse yourself for me.”

The young, dark-haired reaper nodded and moved away before Reushuel got to them. The high priest turned away after giving Ashriel a hateful glare.

Ashriel bowed his head, filled with shame. How many times had he looked with the same disgust at other fallen reapers? Now it was his turn to bear the humiliation.

The sight of Natanael standing before him startled him out of his reverie.

Natanael had gotten drunk with two off worlders. They’d taken him to their hotel and the reaper had returned to Angeloria the next morning with his aura streaked and dirty. Now, Natanael had so many colors streaking his aura, it looked like a kaleidoscope.

Natanael sat gingerly on a rock a few feet from Ashriel, absently dipping his bare foot into the pool of water below the waterfall. His hair was now a shocking shade of lime-green.

“You’re lucky, you know,” he began. “The rest of us had to fend for ourselves when we were kicked off planet.”

His soft words distracted Ashriel from his outrageous hair.

“I’m sorry, Natanael” he finally sighed. “I had no idea what this was like.”

“What happened to me wasn’t even my fault. I was pretty much raped, and then the people I thought would protect me tortured and threw me out of my home. My mom was old when she had me. I don’t know if she’s even alive at this point. Seeing me deplumed probably killed her,” he finished in a soft voice, his look faraway.

Ashriel knew for a fact that Natanael’s mother had indeed died a few weeks after his depluming. He’d made sure she had a proper cremation ceremony.

“I…I took care of everything, Natanael.”

The reaper’s head snapped up to look at Ashriel. His eyes filled with tears. “When?”

“Not long after…what happened. I had the priestesses buy her a lovely gown and we all stood by her side as she was consumed. I personally took her ashes and set them free over Mount Chielos.”

Natanael stood and rushed into Ashriel’s embrace. His flesh pressed against Ashriel’s, but since he was sobbing it didn’t make Ashriel feel uncomfortable. Ashriel held him, caressed his trembling wings, and just let him cry.

“Thank you. I don’t know how I can ever repay your benevolence.”

Ashriel shook his head and then leaned his cheek on Natanael’s bright red head. “You have no need of such a thing. She was a good woman and didn’t deserve anything less.”

Natanael began kissing his neck, shocking Ashriel.

“I’m yours. Take me anyway you want, Ash. I don’t have any credits, but I can at least repay you with my body. I’ll be your whore for as long as you like…forever even. What you did for my sweet mother—“

Ashriel pulled him away, horrified, but held onto his arms, afraid the reaper would fall to his knees and try to suck him off. “Natanael, no. I don’t want you to offer me the use of your body.”

He pouted, wiping his tears from his cheeks in confusion. “Well, that’s a first.”

Ashriel frowned. “What is?”

Natanael’s eyes filled with sadness as he looked down into the water at his reflection. “Am I losing it? God—I never thought about that. I guess I’d better start socking away for when I’m too old to fuck.”

Ashriel shook him. “Don’t be silly. You’re only a little over three hundred siglons. Being a male whore is not what you were meant to be, Natanael. Why can’t any of you get a decent job?”

Natanael stared at him. “But, Ash…we’re not allowed. The LOS has prohibited any of us from working in anything other than the pleasure field. They say we’re too dangerous.”

Ashriel’s jaw dropped. “W-what?” He immediately felt incensed. “That’s preposterous. It’s mad,” he raged.

Natanael shrugged. “It’s the law. If you break it…well, life is hard enough for us without having a fucking bounty on our heads.”

Ashriel released him and turned, raking a hand through his hair. His dreams of being able to survive doing honest work vanished. He’d never lower himself to being a whore. He’d rather die. Ashriel fell to his knees in a stupor.

Natanael knelt beside him, his fingers stroking Ashriel’s long hair. “You don’t have to worry about anything, Ash. This is our home now. Devon’s going to take care of us.”

“It’s a trap,” Ashriel hissed in alarm. “He used me to lure the rest of you here. Don’t you see he wants to create an army of reapers to…to…”

Natanael shook his head. “To what, Ash? Set Lucifer free? Destroy the universe?”

“You don’t understand. Devon’s essence is that of a divine angel. I’m sure that his son is also. They want to go back to heaven but are trapped here. The only way they can traverse back into the divine realm is to destroy this one. Our universe is blocking the entrance to heaven. It’s the only barrier between the realm of darkness and the realm of divine light.”

Natanael stood. “Ashriel, get a grip. If Devon wanted to destroy this entire universe, he probably could just thinking about it. He doesn’t need us.”

Ashriel covered his face with his hands, not knowing what to think anymore.

He felt when Natanael knelt by his side again and put his hand on his shoulder.

“Are you sure you don’t want to fuck me?”

Ashriel glared at him then, and Natanael withdrew his hand as if burned. “Just making sure. Don’t beat on me.” He scratched the back of his neck absently. “Anniel is making us breakfast. Why don’t you pop in? She makes some mean waffles and sausages.”

Ashriel looked away. The mere mention of Anniel set his heart to pounding against his ribs and heat shooting into his cheeks. “I want to fast.”

“What the hell for?”

Ashriel glared at the reaper. “I want to re-purify my body.”

Natanael threw his head back and laughed throatily. “Dude, all the fasting in the universe won’t make you a virgin again.”

“That’s not what I meant, imbecile,” Ashriel snapped.

“Look, the girl can cook like a dream. Don’t pass up this opportunity because most times she’s locked in her quarters for days and Devon won’t let us disturb her. If you ask me, some idiot broke her heart. Damn shame too because she’s just too hot.”

Ashriel shot to his feet, going nose to nose with Natanael. “Stay the hell away from her.”

Natanael stared wide-eyed at him. “So it’s true. She’s the one who caused you to fall. Not bad Ash. Not bad. I’d gladly submit to being re-deplumed for a chance—“

Ashriel grabbed him by the crest of his outrageous Mohawk.

“I suggest you stop your foolish ramblings if you’d like to keep your teeth and manhood.”

Natanael cupped his cock as if trying to hide it, mouth and eyes gaping. “Man, you’ve got it bad for her. You poor bastard.”

Ashriel released his hair abruptly. “Leave me alone.”

Natanael raised his hands. “Fine. I’m outta here before the others scarf up all the good food.”

With that, he disappeared, making Ashriel frown. They were already using teleportation to move around the space station instead of walking. Ashriel shook his head in disapproval. They’d all become fat and lazy using telekinesis for everything. Maybe that was Devon’s plan. To turn them into fat lazy pets incapable of lifting a sword to protect the galaxy.

***

Anniel felt their eyes boring into her from behind. Every time she looked over her shoulder there were more. The reapers sat at the closest table watching her whip another bowl of batter for waffles. Remien manned the waffle grill and Zak kept an eye on the sausages.

“Red, are you ready?” she called out.

“One sec.” He opened the waffle iron and waved his hands. The perfectly golden waffles floated out onto plates leaving the griddle ready for the next batch.

Anniel poured the mixture onto the waffle iron and Remien closed it with a flourish.

Natanael appeared and grabbed a plate of waffles after Zak slid a couple of sausages next to them.

“Hey, no fair,” Abdiel protested. “You just got here. We’ve been waiting.”

“Seniority,” Natanael murmured around a mouthful of waffles and sausage.

The other reapers frowned.

“Now-now, Kiddies. No fighting. There’s plenty more to go around,” Zak drawled with a grin.

“Hey, where’s your girlfriend?” Abdiel piped.

“Asleep,” Zak answered. “She’s had a difficult morning.” He frowned and turned to Anniel. “I’m really thinking of leaving for Arboria for a spell. At least until she gives birth. Jaz is really doing a number on her.”

Anniel sighed, feeling pity for the poor girl. It was her first pregnancy and she had three little dragonesses in her belly. She was bigger than Rowie who was more advanced in months than her.

“When is Alluna due now?”

Zak sighed. “According to Quinn, any day…just like Rowie. Rem said that a gestation period for any dragon breed is supposed to be two years, and although I must confess that I’m relieved she doesn’t have to carry that long, She’s expanded to thrice her size in less than five months. Poor baby’s skin is stretched so tight, Rem keeps on having to repair painful tears. I don’t want her to suffer anymore and Dev won’t let me take Jaz over my knee.”

Anniel gasped. “Zak, he’s just a baby.”

Zak hung his head, placing his hands on his hips with a frustrated sigh. “I-know-I-know. But the brat’s gonna owe me when he gets bigger.”

Anniel gave him a chastising look.

The doors to the dining hall opened, making everyone look. Ashriel walked in, his cheeks pink and scowl firmly in place.

Anniel’s heart slammed into her throat and she turned, busying herself with whisking the mixture for the waffles again. Remi gave her a questioning look, but she ignored him.

“Hey, Ash, You’re just in time for the best breakfast you’re ever going to taste,” one of the reapers called out.

“You’re going to have to wait your turn though,” Abdiel muttered. “Fuck seniority.”

Anniel turned to see Natanael lifting a middle finger to the other reapers with a satisfied grin on his stuffed face.

“No thank you,” Ashriel said walking over to the food replicator. He studied it a moment and began typing on the screen.

Anniel’s curiosity was piqued. What was he ordering for himself?

“Hey, Annie,” Remi began with a snicker, “I think you’ve beaten that batter to death. I’m ready for the next batch, baby.”

Ashriel glanced at her and she fumbled with the bowl.

“Here, sweetness. Let me help you,” Remien said taking the bowl from her shaking hands. He brushed a kiss to her cheek and turned to the griddle.

Anniel shot a glance back at Ashriel and caught his scowl before he turned away abruptly. Every feather on his beautiful black wings was raised in agitation.

The food replicator dinged and Ashriel opened the glass door.

Sitting atop a simple white porcelain dish was a cube of something brown. It almost looked translucent, but not quite.

Anniel frowned when some of the reapers held their noses and made gagging sounds.

“Seriously, Ash?” Natanael scoffed. “You’re going to continue to eat that…crap?”

“Prinut is good for the body,” Ashriel replied walking to another table next to theirs.

“Yeah and it tastes like shit,” Abdiel snorted as the others laughed along.

“Oh, stop picking on him or I won’t make any more waffles,” Anniel scolded.

Six pairs of grey eyes widened.

“We’ll be good, Anniel. We promise,” A golden haired reaper called Ruebel blurted.

Ashriel set to cutting his square of…Prinut?

He cut smaller cubes and then proceeded to poke each one with a fork and place it in his mouth. He chewed stoically, no expression on his face.

Anniel watched the other reapers stuff their faces with her waffles and sausages.

She suddenly felt very sad for Ashriel. He held on so tightly to his beliefs. It made what had happened between them more tragic.

Recalling how she’d snapped at him that morning when Rowie and her had caught him trying to choke the life out of Remi made her feel worse.

She walked over to him with a friendly smile. He stiffened and looked up at her with wide eyes.

“Hey, can I have a taste of that?”

He opened his mouth and seemed to have the need to inhale sharply before he could speak.

Did she really affect him so much?

“Of course,” he answered, almost a whisper as he poked another piece and offered it to her lips.

Anniel took the offered food between her teeth and bit down. It was like chewing on Styrofoam, but it tasted…like shit, just as Abdiel had said. She couldn’t swallow it, instead felt her bile rising.

Running over to the sink adjacent to the counter where Remi and Zak were still working, she spat out the horrid tasting substance. Behind her, the reapers laughed.

“God—Ashriel. How can you consume that?” she panted.

After spitting a few times into the stainless steel drain a bottle of water was shoved under her nose. Anniel grabbed it, barely sparing Abdiel a glance and chugged it down.

Once she managed to somewhat erase the foul tasting prinut from her mouth she turned back to Ashriel.

His beautiful eyes regarded her solemnly. “It is all I was ever fed since I was two sun orbits,” he replied in a quiet voice, deep, masculine, sexy as fuck. “It has all the nutrients the body needs and can be prepared in different consistencies.”

Anniel bit her lip. “Sweetie, that’s all good, but aside from nutrition, one should enjoy what’s eaten too.”

“Pleasure weakens the spirit,” he murmured, not looking at her anymore.

“This is where I leave,” Natanael huffed grabbing another plate of food and disappearing.

The other reapers began to stand also. In a matter of seconds, they all vanished.

Remien snorted, “Well, next time we want to get rid of them all we gotta do is start preaching virtues.” He winked at Ashriel. “Way to go, man. And not that any talk of virtues is enough to spook me away, but I’ve got a pregnant female waiting to open a vein in my neck to feed our little blood dragons. See ya later.”

He was gone in a flash of red-gold fire.

Zak grabbed a platter full of sausages after flicking off the heat under the grill. “Can’t let these go to waste. See you two lovebirds later.”

He was also gone in a puff of golden light. Anniel scowled where he had been standing. “Huh,” she huffed indignantly. Now, how awkward was that? They’d all conveniently just left Ashriel and her alone.

With a brave shrug, Anniel walked over to the reaper and sat down next to him. “Ash, sweetie, there’s more to life than just imposing strict rules on yourself.”

His long-lashed eyes narrowed. “Without rules there is chaos.”

Anniel blinked at him, doing her best to ignore the delicious way her lower half throbbed. “Rules were made to keep in line those with darker souls. There is nothing wrong with enjoying pleasure as long as you’re not hurting yourself or anyone else. Enjoying a meal just for its exquisite taste is not a sin.”

“It’s called gluttony,” Ashriel answered, his beautiful bright silver eyes staring into hers.

Now he was just being plain stubborn…and strangely enough it was turning her on.

Anniel frowned. “Only if you over indulge, which is harmful. That is the sin.”

Ashriel just stared at her this time.

She bit her lip and pulled a plate of her waffles and sausages over. “Would it be so terrible if you tasted these? I made them from whole grains and the sausages are vegetable based. My own recipe.”

Ashriel looked down at the plate and then back into her eyes. He nodded once.

She smiled and cut him a piece of waffle. Placing her hand under the forkful so that the syrup didn’t fall on his magnificent chest, she offered the bite to his lips.

Anniel watched mesmerized as his white teeth closed around her offering. There was something so intimate about feeding a man. It made her shiver. Made her want to kiss the drop of syrup that lingered on his lush lower lip.

Holy.

Fuck.

Ashriel closed his eyes and chewed slowly. Anniel could not resist. Her mouth watered when he swallowed, watching the lump at his throat bob. Before she could stop herself, she crawled onto his lap. Ashriel’s eyes snapped open and stared at her in surprise.

Anniel looked down at his chest. He was so strong, so buff. She used the tip of her finger to tease one bronzed nipple. He jerked and bit his lip, gripping the edge of his plastiform chair until his knuckles turned white.

Anniel let her hungry hands skim up his silky flesh until she reached his shoulders. Leaning into him, she took his mouth. He tasted like maple syrup. Between her legs, she felt the hard evidence of his escalating arousal. She wanted him also. Now.

Her hands sank into his luxurious hair. She hoped he didn’t cut it. He looked totally hot with it long like it was now.

Anniel rubbed against him, provoking a low moan in the back of his throat. He began to rock against her also.

The sound of his wings unfurling had her reaching back to run her fingers through the jet feathers. The chair to their left fell over when his wing hit it, startling them both apart.

His pupils had grown within the stormy grey of his eyes, his cheeks were flushed, and his lips soft and reddened from their kiss. Anniel’s heightened awareness had her hearing the thump of his heart, the aroused pump of his blood as it raced through his veins, his jugular. Her mouth watered and she pressed her teeth against his throat, licked a wet path to his ear making him gasp.

“I thought you hated me,” he panted when she licked and nipped down his throat again.

The reminder of Garethiel made her pause. It wasn’t Ashriel’s fault he was related to that loser, but it made her think that maybe she needed to go a little slower here.

She caressed his face with a smile. “I don’t like feeling hate toward anyone.”

Ashriel looked at her warily. “Not even Garethiel?”

Anniel shook her head. “Hate is a terrible emotion. It darkens the spirit, makes you sick and sad. No one should hate. What I had with him just wasn’t meant to be. I’m over it now.”

Ashriel stared at her in wonder. He traced a soft line down her cheek to her lips. “You’re so incredible. Do you know that?”

Anniel felt her face heat up at the compliment.

“Any man would be lucky to have you. Garethiel is a fool.”

Anniel looked away. “I don’t really want to talk about him though.”

Ashriel shook his head. “Of course not.”

He turned her face back to him with the tips of his fingers and leaned into her.

With his hand cupping the back of her head, there was no escape, not that she wanted any.

He kissed her softly, just a light, sweet brush of lips that left her aching for more.

“I can barely remember…what happened that night,” he whispered against her lips. “Just pain, clawing lust, and mind-blowing pleasure.”

“Pain?”

Ashriel nodded. “I’d never had my foreskin pulled so far back and you’re so tight. It tore me a bit, but…the feel of you around me…”

Bright grey eyes looked deeply into hers. Oh—she could fall so deeply in love with this beautiful reaper… and that scared the shit out of her. She didn’t ever want to fall in love again.

“I don’t want…” she bit her lip when his brows furrowed in confusion. Taking a deep breath, she began again. “I don’t feel like I’m ready for any type of relationship right now.”

His face went blank, and he leaned away. “Of course, Anniel. Forgive me for my presumptuousness.”

***

He couldn’t blame her for being wary. He was in love and every time she spurned him, it was like little razor blades against his heart. She had every right to reject him… after what Garethiel did…not that it was his fault, but he was still the twin brother.

“Um, Devon said you wanted to leave.” She avoided his gaze as her finger wound one of his locks.

“Yes. I need to finish a task—a vow I made.” He felt his heart constrict with sadness. He would tell her the truth, even if it meant she’d hate him. His eyes devoured the sight of her perched still upon his lap. Soon enough she’d bolt when he confessed what he was going to do.

Anniel’s green gold gaze rose to his. “Task?”

“Yes,” Ashriel sighed. “Two actually. I aim to find out whom or what started the war.”

Anniel gave him a dubious look. “That was a long time ago, sweetie. It isn’t going to be easy.”

Ashriel’s heart tightened every time she used an endearment for him. “Difficult tasks never stopped me before.”

She smiled and he felt her tremble a bit. Tilting her head to the side, she grinned when she asked him, “and your second task?”

Ashriel remained grim. “My second task is to kill the new dark prince.”

Her jaw dropped as she stared at him in horror.

“I must,” he whispered, his eyes never leaving hers.

Anniel must have teleported to the other side of the table because he did not see her get up. One second she was on his lap, the next she was glaring at him from across the gleaming metal table.

“You can’t kill Luke.”

Ashriel tried to keep his tone even. “Why?”

“We all love him. He’s just a poor victim, don’t you understand? Those things took advantage of him when he was young and angry.”

“Oh, Please. Spare me the melodrama,” Ashriel snorted in disgust.

“You can’t kill him,” Anniel shouted, very angry now. “I won’t let you.”

Ashriel regarded her solemnly. “And how do you plan on stopping me?” When all she could do was open and close her mouth in frustration he added, “Are you going to try to kill me, Anniel?”

Her eyes went round, tears gathered in them. “You’re…you’re a monster. How could you say that to me? Do I look like a murderer?” she bared fangs at him. “Do I look like you?”

Ashriel winced. There was nothing more to say because she vanished like the others. He was left standing alone in the dining hall.

He stared bleakly at the two plates of food left to him—prinut and Anniel’s waffles and sausages.

Choices had never been so difficult for him.

***


Anniel teleported into Devon and Angel’s quarters.

Angel reclined in a corner of the rounded seating area with Jazriel sitting on her lap. Devon was swinging his divine sword, demonstrating battle moves to his son and mate.

The minute he felt Anniel’s presence, his sword vanished in a dazzling display of glittering light.

“Dev.” She ran into his arms, barely able to contain her sobs.

He soothed her. “It’s okay, Annie. Everything’s going to be okay.”

“No,” she cried. “You don’t understand. He wants to kill Lucien. We can’t let him do that.”

Devon cupped her face in his hands. “He needs to find Luke first, Anniel, and Luke is keeping himself well hidden…even from me.”

Anniel looked at him in confusion.

“Angel, Take the baby into the hygiene room and go into the bath with him.”

Angel rose from the couch and bounced the baby on her arm as she obeyed him. “Be careful, my love,” Angel said as she passed them.

Devon turned and brought Anniel to the glass wall that separated the inside of their quarters from the vast vacuum of space.

He began to speak in a strange language she did not understand. The glass shimmered like liquid making her want to back away. Before her eyes, their reflection transformed and the familiar scene of Megdoluc appeared. The poisonous wind on the planet had intensified. The few trees that had once stood barren on the desolate landscape were gone. The surface now looked almost like Earth’s moon, except that the sky was a dirty mixture of blood-red and black.

Devon continued to speak softly, his lilting words making the scene move as if they were flying over the surface of the planet.

Anniel gave a squeak of surprise when they suddenly plunged into a funnel yawning deep into a black frozen ocean. The tunnels were dark with only a few holes revealing lakes of fire beyond. They emerged within a large chamber and the sight of a blonde man with tattered red wings made Anniel gasp.

He sat with his back to them, his once beautiful hair hung limp and dull to his waist. Cuts and Bruises marred his skin and in his hand, he held a gleaming sword.

“Lucien,” Devon called almost in a whisper.

Lucien turned with a hiss. His eyes glowed brightly and his gaunt face was a mask of evil.

“Look, Luke. It’s Anniel. Remember her?”

Lucien’s animalistic growling stopped. He blinked those terrifying eyes at Anniel and his expression changed.

“Annie?”

Black blood began streaming from where his wings stuck out of his ravaged back. He turned unsteadily and Anniel’s heart twisted when she saw how he almost fell.

“Baby, what…?”

Devon squeezed her arm, drawing her attention to him. “Call him to you, Annie. He won’t come near me. I’ve tried to get him out of there, but he won’t come through for me.”

Lucien began growling again, but Devon moved aside and gestured for her to call his attention again.

“Luke? Baby, it’s me.”

Again, he stopped growling and focused on her. He seemed unsure.

“Come to me, sweetheart. Come here,” she coaxed, her arms open.

He took a step forward, but then flinched away, shaking his head frantically. “No, They won’t let me. They’ll follow me through and kill everyone. Close this portal, Annie. Do it now.”

“Baby, everything’s going to be fine—“

His face changed, became more demonic, as he raised the sword. “No, it isn’t. Fucking close the portal or die,” he screamed in a horribly deep voice.

Anniel clapped her hands over her mouth to keep from screaming when he opened his wings and disappeared from sight followed by hundreds of screeching devils. A few dropped near the portal and began to approach, hissing and growling.

Devon stepped before the portal, divine sword drawn. The creatures began to wail, the sound hurting Anniel’s ears. She slammed her hands over them, but the sound continued to feel like red-hot knives stabbing her eardrums.

Anniel fell to her knees screaming and continued to scream until Devon shook her.

“It’s okay now. I closed the portal. They’re gone. Are you alright?”

She stared into his bioluminescent blue eyes trembling. “Oh-my-god, Devon. What the hell was that?”

Devon stared deep into her eyes. “It’s the anteroom to Hell. A realm that exists between ours and the realm of darkness.”

“Were those things chasing him? Oh-god, They’re going to hurt him more. Did you see how hurt he was? He’s nothing but skin and bones, Devon. He’s probably dying.”

“I’ve been trying to lure him out, but he refuses to drop that fucking demon sword. As long as he holds onto the cursed blade it’ll keep its dark hold over him.” Devon caressed her cheek. “I thought that since he’d had feelings for you long ago, his love for you would dilute the effects of the toxins running through him.”

“Toxins?”

“The wings he has attached to his back. They have glands that secrete toxins and change his natural body chemistry, pretty much turning him into a demon. He’s fighting it though, as you saw.”

The memory of how battered his body looked made her shiver. “They’re hurting him regardless. Why? Why is he all full of cuts and bruises and bite marks?”

Devon shook his head. “It’s in their nature to do that to each other.”

Anniel felt desperate. “Well, can’t we just go in and grab him?”

Devon shook his head sadly. “Not with Rowie and Alluna about to give birth. The demons like to play tricks on the mind. They’ll fuck around with the guys where it hurts most.” He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. “And if they get a hold of me again…I just can’t risk it with Jazriel still so small.”

“We can’t just leave him there, Devon,” she choked back a sob.

“Ashriel might eventually find him. If we could convince him to spare his life and bring him over, we can post reaper guards to watch over him while all the toxins are released from his body and he turns back into himself…whatever the hell that might be.”

Anniel frowned, remembering that it was Lucien who’d plotted against them. They’d ended up trapped within suspended animation orbs and three hundred years had gone by. She’d lost everything, including her five-year-old baby boy, Gareth.

“Ashriel vowed to kill him. No mercy, Devon. I believe he won’t show any.”

Devon looked deep into her eyes. “He’s in love with you, Annie. He’d do anything for you.” Devon knelt and stared at her flat belly. “It’s almost time, Annie.”

Anniel jerked away from him. “Don’t start with that pregnancy thing again.”

Devon reached out, placing his palm over her stomach. “You’re going into heat.”

Anniel stumbled away from him. “No.” She shook her head frantically. “Put me to sleep until it’s over. Talk to Quinn. Maybe there’s something he can give me to keep it away.”

“Anniel, there’s a soul circling you and Ashriel, waiting to come into this realm. Don’t deny it its right to live.”

She continued to stagger away. Could it be the reincarnation of little Gareth?

“My baby?” she whispered.

“Yours and Ashriel’s. A new beginning, Annie. A better one with a better father. Ashriel is honorable and good.”

Anniel looked at Devon. Why did it feel as if he were pushing for her to…ensnare Ashriel?

He looked at her with hurt in his eyes. “Really, Anniel? You’re going to distrust me after all these years?”

Anniel turned away. “I don’t…This is too much for me right now.”

Devon put his hand on her shoulder and kissed her cheek. “Just let nature take its course. That’s all. You’ll grow to love him as much as he loves you.”

Anniel spun to face Devon. “He’s just infatuated. I’m his first lay, that’s all.”

Devon shook his head. “He’s had feelings for you for a very long time.”

“Well, maybe I’d feel safer if he’d had more experience and knew what he wanted and not have to worry he’ll grow bored and start looking…”

“Anniel, he’s not Garethiel.”

Annie scowled. “No. He’s his dark twin.”