The Book of Azrael (Gods & Monsters, #1)

by Amber V. Nicole

He didn’t have time to react as my foot connected with the backs of his knees, forcing him down. I grabbed him under his chin, my other hand at the back of his head. I leaned next to his ear and hissed, “Simple men, even supernatural ones, are always falling for the damsel-in-distress act.”

He was the most beautiful and annoying thing I had ever seen.

I didn’t remember how long we talked, but somewhere amidst her laughter and smiles, I decided I would rip the world apart for her.

“You already consume my every waking thought. Must you consume my dreams as well?”

The old ones spoke of absolute peace beyond worlds, beyond realms, and when I held Dianna, I felt it. It was a feeling I had spent centuries searching for.

“That’s eight ways now, because when we leave here, I’m going to fuck the word friend out of your vocabulary.”

I was as selfish and weak as they claimed, because I hadn’t brought her back for the world, or even for her. I brought her back because I didn’t think I could exist without her.

To me, you are worth it—and that makes me the most selfish bastard and the most dangerous god to ever exist. I did it in a second, without thinking or worrying about the consequences, and I would do it again and again.

“I thought I’d lost you.” It was a whisper, and his gaze flicked to mine as if he were shocked he had said the words out loud. “You know better than that. I’m impossible to get rid of.” I shook my head with a smile playing on my lips as I threw his words back at him. “Like an infection.” He didn’t laugh or smile, and he didn’t attempt a joke as his eyes bored into mine. “If that is true. . .” The fear in his gaze shifted, becoming another primal emotion. “. . . then I wish for you to infect me.”