The Wrath of the Fallen (Gods & Monsters, #4)

by Amber V. Nicole

“I do believe you’ll win this war. I only fear it may take what’s left of your good heart.”

We’re connected, you and I. We share the same rage. The same pain.”

“I need to borrow your body to finish what I started. It’s the closest thing to my own in terms of power and strength.”

“And then what?” Cameron asked. Samkiel smiled wickedly. “And then I’m going to kill him.” “You’re going to kill a ghost? Okay.” Cameron shrugged. “I’d expect no less, honestly.

Cameron exhaled, whistling through his teeth. “You two are insane. But that is probably why we are family.”

“Burn me alive if you must. I’d gladly die by your kiss.”

There were no limits to what I would do or give up for him. I’d be the monster they feared, and I’d relish in it.

Even the forest outside sings for its love of the night.

“Time itself cannot touch it. Death cannot separate it. It is the most powerful force in the world, far outweighing any crown or throne. Immeasurable. Inescapable. All-consuming. It is past want or need. Its only wish is to consume those who share it. Why wouldn’t one wish for it? Everything loves something, even the cruelest among us. I think it would be the definition of tragedy never to feel love at all.”

What I had seen shall come to pass, no matter how brutal it may be, for it was the only way these realms would ever know peace. So I helped where and when I could.

“It’s better to die by what you think is right than to live under a lie.”

For her, for them, I would be fire. I would be death. I would be ruin. Horror swamped me, and I could do nothing but stand in stunned silence. My mind reeled as I watched Gathrriel leave no stone or building standing. But it was the raw pain and grief I felt from him that shook me to the core. What had happened to make him nothing more than a weapon of death? What had erased his empathy and compassion, leaving only pure blind hatred?

Oblivion did not raise its head and crawl over my skin. As if it only responded to threats to her, but would never rise against her.

I’ll always choose you, no matter the consequences. The world can burn, and the realms can fall to destruction. If there is ever a choice between the two, I need you to know that neither the crown nor the throne means anything to me. None of it would matter without you. It’s always you. You are my priority. I may be a god, but you are the altar at which I worship.”

Poets would break their wrists, trying to transcribe the words he gave to me.

Anything you want, Dianna, merely ask, and I’ll carve the universe into atoms to make it so.”

Gathrriel only chuckled as his tomb crumbled around us both. “You of all should know what one is capable of when they are acting out of love. It seems I no longer need to seek my vengeance. He will procure it for me,” he said, his voice brushing against my ear as he slowly faded. “For love.”

Oh, my love. How Death has wounded you.

This wasn’t slow or playful as we usually were. No, this was a claiming. Something had taken over my husband. It had no name, but it was ancient and primal and feral.

They cut you up into pieces, and making yourself whole again was its own special agony. Maybe the younger me would have tried to mend those wounds that ran to the bone. But to the man I was now, healing them was a dreaded task. I’d rather just bleed.

Apparently, eating me out helped his mood, and who was I to protest?

You smell of power, Ayla Deyanira. Pure raw power.”

“Words mean nothing when you don’t respect those who toss them.

People were very good at hiding from truths that didn’t directly affect them. It was so much easier than facing and fighting the atrocities others endured.