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

by Amber V. Nicole

Bloodthirsty Queen. It was who they were expecting, who they feared—and rightly so. She had earned her reputation over the centuries.

I had carved her a place of peace with claws and broken bones, paying for her safety with rivers of blood.

I am actually doing you a favor, because I mean it when I say…” I paused, a slow smile curving my lips. “I would eat you alive.”

“Simple men, even supernatural ones, are always falling for the damsel-in-distress act.”

Use the title you have earned,” Unir said. “End worlds, my son.”

They had not done her justice. The grainy images had not captured the extraordinariness of her.

“Sorry, lover, playtime is over.”

“She is pretty for a fire-wielding death bitch that tried to kill us all.”

Who had made him hot? Why was he hot now?

“Don’t you get it? Don’t you see, there is nothing you can do to me that has not already been done? You can’t break me, World Ender.”

“Oh, baby, I doubt you’ve met anyone like me before.”

He probably hated me, but he could not hate me more than I hated myself.

“She is innocent. Therefore, she means everything.”

“That’s not a quake. That’s my sister.”

Gods, he was beautiful, but he was a complete and utter dick, and I was over beautiful but cruel men. So, I did what I did best and poked at the beast. “You look like a drowned rat. Oh, and Vincent is downstairs and pissed. He is a terrible bodyguard, by the way.”

“Oh, did he? That’s nice. He tortured me.”

“I find her a right bitch, but then again, I did bring her husband back to her half dead.”

He smiled, and my breath caught at the devastating beauty of it.

“Please, do not insult me, Miss Martinez. The desire to touch you is, and will always be, the farthest thing from my mind or intentions.”

I much preferred the angry, disappointed-in-me Liam over the hurt one. Thanks to my stupid mortal heart, Liam hurting made me feel things I would rather avoid.

Well, if anyone could corrupt a god, it would be you.”

she brought out a side of me that had lain dormant for centuries.

She roused emotions in me that made me forget what she was and what she was capable of.

She was my enemy, yet my enemy was the only one who seemed to understand me and the demons I fought.

“There is only one bed.”

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

This powerful and indomitable male was worried about what I thought of him. I had no idea how that was possible.

He smiled, and gravity shifted, pulling me toward him as if he were my anchor.

“You need a friend, and lucky for you, I’m here.”

I wouldn’t allow anything to dim her spirit.

I decided then and there that this woman should never beg. I understood she cared for her sister, but who cared for her?

“You’re sweet when you’re homicidal.”

“The mighty king is friends with his archnemesis, the Ig’Morruthen.”

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?”

They were truly beautiful … and so are you. You are a queen and should be draped in the finest fabrics,

Time passed, yet it had no meaning when I was with him—and that terrified me.

When I’d seen her distress and his hand on her, I’d known I would make his death slow and painful.

“I have killed men for less. So, make no mistake, if she did not care for you, I would have turned your body into embers for how you speak to me.”

The pounding in my head was too much for me to stop. I needed air. I needed Dianna.

I did not know how to tell her that all my dreams were about her.

I did not want her to feel less than what she was.

Dianna’s touch set fire to a place inside me, and I found myself wanting to burn.

My chest ached, and I found I did not enjoy sharing her attention.

Dianna, you are already dangerous. Now let’s make you lethal.”

For a moment, I, slayer of beasts, destroyer of worlds, feared her.

I wanted her more than a crown, more than a throne, more than air.

“Hey, look at me. You would have to be an ignorant fool not to think you are anything but extraordinary, Dianna.”

A part of my soul had been waiting for this woman, and one kiss from her had undone me.

my Dianna?”