Soul Betrayer Read online

  No. Izzy just needed to talk him out of what he’d seen. Do a verbal version of the thought clouding an agent would do.

  A nagging thought nudged the back of his mind, about how he’d wanted transparency. But this wasn’t his secret to share. “Maybe. I didn’t see it, so I don’t know.” He didn’t like this.

  Creases marred Holden’s forehead, and he scowled. “Of course. Just like before your accident, you didn’t really glow. I imagined that, too.” There was no question in his statement.

  Could he really...? Izzy didn’t know if he was terrified Holden might have the same gifts as a prophet, or relieved. “What kind of glow?”

  A low growl rumbled from Holden’s chest. The noise he made when he was frustrated with work, or the world around him, and apparently now Izzy. Holden breathed deep. “The glowing kind of glow. Not like your friend, Ronnie. She might as well be a fucking light bulb. At least now she’s ditched that whole visage of leaking chaos thing. Not a good look for someone with her skin, by the way. But you still might as well have been your own power source.”

  Yeah, that was Ronnie. The chaos Holden described had been her aural reflection of having two separate entities living in the same head. Indecision made Izzy’s skull feel like it was full of helium. He should be excited about this. He’d never picked a prophet’s brain, and this meant no more lying to Holden. So why did the possibility leave him disconcerted instead?

  “How long have you...” Izzy wasn’t sure how to phrase his question. His brain moved a million miles a minute.

  Holden rubbed his face. “You believe me?”

  Poor guy. Part of the reason it was so hard to find prophets, especially these days, was because if they told the wrong people what they saw, they were drugged, institutionalized, or worse.

  “Yeah,” Izzy said. “I believe you.”

  The corners of Holden’s mouth pulled up. “Thank, God.”

  Maybe. But He was more of a hands-off, learn-for-yourself kind of deity. The odds He’d pulled strings to push Izzy and Holden together were less than non-existent. Was Izzy going to delve into an explanation or try to keep brushing off Holden’s questions?

  Izzy’s brain had been stuffed full of knowledge as an angel, but only what he needed to do his job. It had never been enough. After he fell, he spent his free time digging up as much as he could about what everyone everywhere believed, and searching for the similarities. With Holden he had a choice—rob him of the same opportunity by convincing him he was a little nuts, or tell him the truth.

  Izzy dropped onto an empty stool. “Have you seen it since you were a kid?”

  “As long as I can remember. I learned pretty young not to talk about it.” He drained his tea in a single swallow. “Am I sane after all, or are we both crazy?”

  “Either. Both. But what you saw on the roof, the stuff with Ronnie, with me, is all real.” Izzy’s thoughts tripped over something, and he stopped to examine it. He’d missed something important about this revelation, but it was just out of his reach.

  Holden was staring again, but this time Izzy knew he hadn’t missed something he’d said. “What?” Izzy asked.

  “There’s something else.”

  The gears in his brain ground to a halt at the intensity of his scrutiny. “Oh?”

  “You’re outright sexy when you’re excited about something,” Holden said, resting a hand on Izzy’s neck.

  Heat spread out from his touch, cranking up a notch when he scraped a thumb over Izzy’s stubble.

  “I mean, that’s not what I wanted to say... When I found your church a year ago, I couldn’t believe it. The nondenominational sign on the front door was a nice change, especially since you actually are. Nondenominational I mean. But on top of that, I’d never met someone who glowed, who was just down to earth, and wanted to talk to me. And now, with the way I feel about you, and you have answers for me, too?”

  He hesitated, eyes searching Izzy’s face, then leaned in and kissed him.

  Izzy’s body pulsed with need. He pushed past the hesitation and deepened the kiss, intensely aware of Holden’s every movement.

  He stood and pressed closer, sliding between Izzy’s legs, and resting his free hand on Izzy’s chest. Izzy fisted his fingers in Holden’s hair, holding him captive, tongues exploring each other with fervent want.

  When they broke apart, Izzy struggled to find his breath.

  Holden traced his thumb over Izzy’s stubbled chin. “I’ve been terrified to bring this up with you. I didn’t know what I’d do if you told me I was insane.”

  “Me too.” Izzy winced at the less than stellar response, but his relief at having this out in the open made up for it. Was this what Holden had been hiding? The same topic Izzy was worried about?

  Logic listed all the reasons spilling heaven’s secrets was a bad idea. But it wasn’t as if Izzy was going to sell anyone out. He was just going to answer Holden’s questions.

  Holden stepped back and jammed his hands in his pockets. “So, will you tell me why your cute friend glows? Wait.” He studied Izzy for a moment. “Did you and she ever...?”

  “Hook up?” A rush of heat sped through Izzy at the reminder. He had once with Ronnie. More often with Irdu. The reminder left a pit in his chest. Izzy tried to be happy for them, but sometimes it was hard to ignore that he wanted to be a part of what they had. He didn’t need that, though. He had Holden. “Not any time that mattered.”

  “Why not?”

  “Angels and demons aren’t big on commitment or long-term relationships.”

  Holden’s smirk grew, and he dropped onto the couch. “You make it sound like one big orgy.”

  “More like several small ones.” Izzy hadn’t meant to dive into the middle of things with his explanation. It might make more sense if he started at the beginning. Or it might just bore the hell out of Holden. People and their perception of angels and demons entertained Izzy.

  The air shifted around them, and his next words died in his throat. This was an identical sensation to what he felt on the roof. Heavy, suffocating, and sparking across every nerve.

  “Fuck, she’s back.” Holden pointed at the window. The glass exploded in million shards. A ball of electricity filled the living room. Izzy didn’t have time to react before everything slammed into them full force. His vision blurred at the edges, and consciousness slipping away.

  His books. Not again. He forced himself toward Holden’s prone form. The room spun and his legs refused to hold his weight. Please. Not with him here.

  Chapter Three

  Irdu started at his screen, and the row after row of random locations around the globe. What are you doing, Ronnie?

  He knew the answer. She was using Tracker, the Ubiquity event-finder app, to locate her next high. Agents could feel the emotions of humans. Ever since Metatron and Uriel became one in Ronnie’s head, her thirst for that vicarious thrill had grown.

  She didn’t talk about it, which meant she either didn’t recognize the problem, or didn’t want to admit one existed. The fact that she made most of her trips during business hours, and didn’t mention them to anyone, made Irdu think it was the latter.

  He was worried about her. This was the kind of behavior that could trigger cherub warnings. He knew from personal experience she was just dealing with having two sets of memories, one of which hadn’t lived for thousands of years. But if she didn’t get it under control soon...

  Irdu didn’t know what would happen. For now, he was purging the records from the database, to keep her out of trouble.

  One of his favorite things about immortality was he’d had decades to learn everything. He’d watched technology grow and change for almost a century, and he’d adapted as the world did. Which meant he was perfectly suited as a Development Manager at Ubiquity, and he could watch Ronnie’s back without anyone being the wiser.

  Her behavior hadn’t lessened over the past few months, though. If anything, the instances of her hopping around the world, and hiding
it, were getting more frequent. He couldn’t just tuck the problem away much longer; he needed to talk to her.

  It wasn’t as though she was spending her life popping from one high to the next. A couple of times a week. And in between, she was doing some incredible things at Ubiquity, and for Irdu, and his sister, Tia.

  She’d taken Tia off Reaping, and given her a new job. Reaping was getting dangerous. Cut-throat. Those angels still loyal to Gabe had access to the best jobs, despite the original angel being gone from Ubiquity. They were growing more powerful, and didn’t try to hide that they’d stomp on anyone who got in their way.

  Right now, Tia was just watching Izzy, to make sure his new boyfriend wasn’t an asshole. Kind of a cushy job, really, but Irdu was fine with that as long as she was safe.

  He deleted the records of Ronnie’s searches.

  He wouldn’t mind be Izzy’s new boyfriend. They’d fucked a few times over the years, and it was always casual. But Irdu spent a lot of time with him while Izzy recovered, and they’d gotten closer.

  Ronnie had some influence there, too. The three of them always had a blast together.

  “You ready to meet?” Ronnie’s voice carried from the doorway.

  It might be fun to believe thinking about her had summoned her, but this appointment was on their calendar. Actual work stuff. “Absolutely.”

  She shut and locked the door behind her. Instead of taking the chair across from, she moved to his side of the desk and sat on the edge.

  He rolled away from his computer to position himself in front of her. He rested his hands on her bare knees and searched her face. Dark red irises stared back, and heavy shadows marred her pale, smooth skin. “You look stressed.”

  “It’s this SEC thing. Nothing to do for it besides comply and hope it ends soon.” She sighed heavily. “Like so much of the work here.”

  He knew the feeling. If Lucifer demanded it, they both were compelled to obey for their own reasons. “I’m here to listen, if you need to talk or babble or whatever.”

  A smile cracked her expression, but didn’t reach her eyes. “I wish I could. I don’t know anything yet beyond Ubiquity might be in trouble. But I’m not the only one under pressure. What’s going on with you?”

  This was his opening to talk about her event-finder activity. But was it really such a big deal if she was just blowing off steam? “Everyday work stuff.”

  “What can I do to help?”

  This was one of the many things Irdu loved about Ronnie. They should be doing actual work. But despite that and her own tension, she was sincere about listening to him.

  He also loved that she wore more skirts to work these days. The studious exec look was sexy, and offered easy accessibility. He loved her cherry red lips. Her appreciation for the world around her... which included what he was doing with the event-finder. “I wouldn’t complain about a brief distraction.”

  “Hmm... you’ll have to be more specific.” She rested her foot between his legs on his chair. “Anything you need.”

  He needed to be out from under Lucifer’s thumb. And for her to have the same. And Tia. He needed to have every morning be a lazy one in bed, rather than a rush to get into the office. To take his time waking up next to Ronnie. To mingle with the world on their terms, not Ubiquity’s or Lucifer’s.

  “Irdu?” Her voice was sweet. “You still here?”

  He met her gaze and her concern stared back. He kissed the inside of her knee. “You. Right now I need you.”

  “You always have me. And you can always have me. Whenever. However.”

  Not if this behavior keeps up. Irdu silenced the nagging whisper, and let lust rush in instead. He shoved her skirt to her hips as he stood, and pushed between her legs.

  Kissing her, tasting her sugar and spice and desperation, fed his own desire. Amplified need filled him. He nipped hungrily at her lips and tongue, devouring every whimper and sigh.

  She dug her fingers into his chest and pressed her body to his. The curve and heat and friction made him instantly hard.

  Compulsion overwhelmed him, begging to drown in her body and ignore the outside world, even for just a few minutes.

  The way she fumbled with his slacks said she was as hungry for this physical connection as he was. This wouldn’t be a sweet, passionate, drawn-out lovemaking session. They could do that any time. Right now, he needed to consume and be consumed.

  She wrapped her fingers around his shaft and worked him free. Her soft, hot skin against his drew a long groan from his throat. He covered her hand and guided his cock toward her, using the head to shove her panties aside.

  Her hand fell away as she fisted his shirt, and she wrapped her heels around his ass.

  He didn’t slide inside her yet, despite how wet and inviting her pussy was. Despite how intently he wanted to be buried in her. He stroked his dick along her slit, focusing on her clit. Bumping the swollen nub and stroking himself in the process.

  Irdu teased her to the edge of climax. Her pleasure rolled over his skin and wrapped around him. He pushed harder, adding a hint of sensation to roll over her body.

  She gasped when she came, and dug her nails into his chest. When she was at the height of climax, he plunged into her. She tightened her legs, pulling him in, thrusting her hips to set a frantic pace.

  He was fantastic with that. It didn’t matter that this wouldn’t last long. He needed to get off. Pleasure prickled his nerves and desire built inside. Feeling her tightness wrapped around him, seeing the gorgeous expression on her face, him biting her lips... it was the perfect orchestra.

  His balls tightened. His brain sparked. He came hard, thrusting as he spilled inside her. Pounding hard. Faster.

  He didn’t slow until he was spent.

  Irdu used the desk and Ronnie leaning against him to keep him upright.

  “Better?” She asked, his chest muffling her question.

  “So very much.” It was nice to put aside the world for a little while, and remember the things that made life amazing.

  A snick reached his ears, like the sound of a latch moving, and the office door that had been locked swung open.

  Lucifer strolled in. He barely gave them a glance as he lingered by the doorway. “Do you two do anything here?”

  Irritation seared through Irdu. So much for forgetting the world. “You have to ask? She does more for you than anyone, and you can fuck off if you think differently.”

  “He’s got a point.” Ronnie straightened and met Irdu’s gaze.

  Lucifer rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. We’re all model workers. Some of you just fuck more than horny teenagers. Ronnie was looking for me? It was urgent?”

  “I am and it is.” Ronnie gave Irdu a quick kiss, and pushed her skirt down to be modest as she hopped from the desk. She spun to face Lucifer, using her body to block Irdu while he zipped up.

  “Let’s talk, then.” Lucifer jerked his thumb toward the hallway.

  Irdu squeezed Ronnie’s hand before she followed Lucifer from the room, then sank back into his chair.

  He hated seeing her act like Lucifer’s lapdog. Irdu didn’t have a choice. But Ronnie was an original. She shouldn’t be jumping based on anyone’s whims.

  Besides, Lucifer was manipulative. Deceptive. And had something fairly intense with Metatron back at the beginning of time. Before Michael, even. It should have been one of those love of the ages things.

  It probably was for Lucifer, considering he’d somehow carried her spark with him for millennia until he could bring her back.

  Irdu didn’t care if Lucifer and Ronnie reignited that flame, but if Lucifer hurt her, he’d find a way to destroy Lucifer. Devil or not, Irdu would make it happen.

  Chapter Four

  “Izzy?” The panicked voice dragged Izzy’s mind from a black pit.

  “Oh, God.” Her concern grew a few decibels. “Please wake up? She’s going to kill me. Please be okay.”

  Izzy would recognize the sweet, genuine panic anywher
e. The information helped him shed more of the clouds. He forced his eyes open, and every inch of him creaked in protest.

  “Thank you, thank you.” Relief trickled into Tia’s voice.

  Izzy wanted to know what she was doing here, but Holden was a higher priority.

  “Let him breathe, miss,” Holden said.

  Relief spilled through Izzy.

  Holden sat on the scorched couch. Black smudges scored large portions of his bare skin, including some new holes in his shirt, and the back of the sofa was the only thing keeping him upright.

  The wet, soggy sofa... Damn it. Izzy forced himself into a sitting position.

  Where Abaddon preferred lightning, Tia’s element was water.

  Izzy tried to brace himself as he surveyed the apartment. His gut sank at the sight of singed books dripping with water. Not again. He turned to Tia, not wanting to look at the destruction. “Why are you here?”

  She wove her fingers together, not meeting his gaze. “I can’t say. But I have to tell Ronnie you’re okay. Fuck, I should have called her first. But I couldn’t tell her you were dead. What if—”

  “Tia.” Izzy rested a hand on her arm, cutting her off. She’d ramble for hours if he let her. “Don’t call anyone yet. First, tell me why you’re here.” More of the morning rushed back to him on a wave of lightning, making his entire body cringe. “And why a giant ball of electricity crashed through my window.”

  “I can’t. I mean, I can call Ronnie. I have to. She’ll be furious if I don’t. Do I need to call you an ambulance? But I can’t tell you about the why, or the what, or the who, or—”

  “Stop.” Izzy should have only asked her one question. Tia wasn’t flighty. She just lost focus and tended to follow every thought at the same time. He held her gaze, keeping his expression steady, despite the throbbing ache growing behind his eyes. He needed to lie down, but first, she was going to confirm his suspicions, and probably deal a massive blow to his ego in the process. “Why?”