Fated (Fated, #1)

by Liza James

Seven years ago, I let the fear take over. I cried, begging them to free me. I remember all too well how that ended. So, now, I’m silent.

See, we all Fell at one point. We all lost our right and privilege to stay where we were created and flourished from. We all made mistakes–ones that some of us regret, ones that I never will—that have the same outcome. They cost us our precious positions in Arcadia above. We’re Angels. Fallen and forgotten by those of most importance, but never released from the constant war raging below. The demons work to pull us just a little farther under, until we’re serving and slaves once again as Aeshma—wrath demons designed for war. But for an entirely different deity.

I’ve realized the farther I push everyone away, the less I have to worry about and the fewer responsibilities I have in caring about someone else’s safety or well-being. I don’t owe anyone anything at this point, other than the servitude and protection of my race. Which I will willingly give, as long as it is needed.

“Please tell me you found this woman on the streets in the city, maybe behind a bar, or at a restaurant.” His eyes are pleading, he knows what I had to do to get her here. “I found her in the city. Maybe behind a bar or at a restaurant,” I deadpan

Fucking Hell. Or Heaven, actually. Fucking Heaven.

“Ol, Elijah, Seraphim Angel c Arcadia, allar ol cnila de yours g sibsi. Ol darbs de a etharzi c ge congamphlgh ca el.”

As a blazing claim, staking my place within her heart. Making her mine in every way she should be. My little Demon.

“I, Elijah, Seraphim Angel of Arcadia, bind my blood to yours in covenant. I submit to the harmony of our souls as one.” This time, his voice his harder, stronger as it

“No. I don’t love her. That, I can promise you.” I force the truth out at her question. No matter what happens, I can’t have her believing I could ever love Amelia like that. How could I when every ounce of my being has always belonged to Luna?

We will train and learn from other’s past mistakes so that we don’t suffer the same losses. We become stronger and better together. We fight to protect each other and this race against people who have set out to destroy it. We don’t have to take the throne if we decide not to. Nathanial is doing a wonderful job as it is.”

My ability alone, is sort of like a shield. I can manipulate situations to benefit me. I can mostly block my feelings from the blood bond, which is what I was doing before. But I’ve never tried strengthening the ability, I don’t necessarily use it often. I believe Luna can affect the mental state of things, whether it be through visions as we’ve seen, or her surroundings. I found her once, seemingly frozen in the shower as she slept. But as soon as she woke everything shifted and changed back to normal.”