Angels of Darkness
heart. âHe asked to be Made, and she refused him! Now he is an old man taking his last breaths, and hurting every instant.â
Noel didnât know how angels picked those who were to be Made, but heâd been part of Raphaelâs senior guard long enough to understand that there was a level of biological compatibility involved. From everything heâd witnessed of Nimra and Fenâs relationship, it was clear the angel wouldâve Made Fen if sheâd been able. âDoes your father know you feel this way?â he asked, rubbing his thumb over the smooth green surface of the leaf in his hand.
Her face twisted into a mask of rage. âHe adores herâas far as heâs concerned, the bitch can do no wrong. He doesnât even blame her for the fact that heâs dying! He told me that there are things I donât know! That was his justification for her.â
It was impossible not to pity the pain that had driven Amariyah to such an abhorrent act, but it didnât in any way lessen her crime or his anger. âAnd the Midnight?â
âI didnât do anything at midnight.â A scathing response. âI gave the cat the meat just after dawn. There, you have your confession. Take me to the one who holds your leash.â
The dig had no impact. Unlike Amariyah, Noel knew who he was, and, though Nimra might disagree, he understood that even an angel could not stand alone. Raphael had his Seven. Nimra would have Noel. For, secrets or not, he was becoming ever more convinced that what he saw was the truth, Nimraâs cruel reputation the cleverest of illusions.
Instead of taking Fenâs daughter to the private wing, he put her in the downstairs library andâseeing Christianâasked him to make sure she remained there.
âDo I look like your servant?â A glacial question.
âNowâs not the time, Christian.â
The angelâs shrewd eyes narrowed before he nodded. âIâll keep watch.â
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N imra shook her head in stunned disbelief when Noel told her the identity of the perpetrator. âI knew she was a little resentful, but never would I have believed her capable of such.â
âIâm convinced she had nothing to do with the Midnight,â Noel continued in a pragmatic tone, but in his eyes she saw the cutting edge of blackest anger. âShe seemed genuinely confused when I mentioned it.â
Ice, bleak and cold, invaded her veins. âSo I have two who hate me in my courtâit puts my ability to read my people in the spotlight, does it not?â
âThis court has a heart that is missing in most.â Fierce words from her wolf. âDonât let those of Amariyah and her ilk steal what youâve built here.â He held out a hand.
And waited.
I can never appear weak.
Still, she reached out and slid her hand into the rough warmth of his own, wanting to feel âhuman,â if only for a bare few instants, before she had to become a monster. His fingers curled around her own, a small act of possession. She wondered if he sought to press a claim now, when she could not accept it, but he released her hand the instant they hit the hallways where they might encounter others, watching with eyes of keen blue as she became Nimra the ruler once more.
âDoes Fen know?â she asked, wanting no such pain for her friend.
âI didnât tell him.â
Nimra nodded. âGood.â
Neither one of them spoke again until they walked into the library, Christian exchanging a stiff nod with Noel before the other angel left. Closing the doors, Noel stood with his back to them while she walked across the floor to face a sullen Amariyah where she stood in front of the unused fireplace set with pinecones and dried flowers. Violetâs hand at work.
The vampire spoke before Nimra could say a word, her tone defiant. âMy father had nothing to do with it.â
âYour loyalty to Fen does you credit,â Nimra said, making sure her voice betrayed nothing, âbut this is one act I canât forgive, not even for him.â She had no intention of being cruel, but neither could she be merciful. Because a vampire like Amariyah would see in that mercy a weakness, one that would incite her to ever more depraved acts. âYou took a life, Amariyah. A small life, a tiny light, but a life nonetheless.â
Amariyahâs hands fisted in the sides of her diaphanous gown,
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