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

by Amber V. Nicole

“Your eyes,” he said from between split and swollen lips, pausing to spit blood at my feet. “I know what you are.” He had fought hard, his hair matted to his head with sweat and blood. His hands were bound behind his back, and his muscles bunched beneath the torn fabric of a once decent suit. He slumped in the chair at the center of the once prestigious room. “But it’s impossible. You cannot exist. The Ig’Morruthens died in the Gods War.”

“I think him coming back scares me more than facing them.”

“He is a legend, a myth at best. We already have three of The Hand of Rashearim here. Anything that could kill them either died in the war or has been sealed away for centuries. It’s just another run-of-the-mill monster who thinks they have power.” I paused, looking each one of them in the eyes. “We’re fine.”

“How did you see that? How can you know?” We paused, looking at Peter as his eyes bounced between us. I crouched and leaned in closer. “Well, you see, Peter, every Ig’Morruthen has a little quirk. That was just one of mine.”

“Are we done?” He shrugged. “Depends. Did you happen to see anything about the book?” Ah, yes, the book. The reason we were running all over, searching Onuna.

They bowed as I drew near, and I swallowed a breath to calm my nerves. Without breaking stride, I donned the face of the Bloodthirsty Queen. It was who they were expecting, who they feared—and rightly so. She had earned her reputation over the centuries.

“Ah, yes,” Kaden said, rubbing his chin before placing his hands on the table. “The fabled World Ender. The legend. The Son of Unir. Wielder of the Blade of Oblivion.

And where is he?” No one spoke. “Exactly. He hasn’t been seen or heard from since their home world, Rashearim, blew up. Destruction that was caused by him, correct? Isn’t that how the story goes? He is the boogeyman of the Otherworld. Tales to keep you all in line.”

“Not even for a second. I need you all with me, and if you’re not…” He glanced at the center of the table, letting the threat hang above them. One by one, they all agreed by saying yes in their native tongue. The werewolves were the last to speak, and I knew I wasn’t the only one who noticed.

Tirin was a beautiful city in the heart of Zarall and currently owned by the Vampire King. Actually, the entire continent of Zarall was owned by Ethan Vanderkai, Vampire King and the sixth son of the royal bloodline.

“Our kind,” I interjected, raising a brow. “I am just as much of Kaden as you are.” “No. I don’t need blood, and I don’t have to eat people for power.”

Gabby was different; she was the closest thing to a mortal with an immortal life. I had asked Kaden after he changed us why Gabby wasn’t like Tobias, Alistair, or me. He said she was so close to death that the parts that made us ended up weaker in her. She would live longer, but she couldn’t change into anything she wanted and didn’t have the urges we did.

Gabby was different, but so much better than any of us. The only power she seemed to have was a sort of empathy. That was the only way I could describe it. She could calm someone, heal them in a way. Her voice soothed, her touch brought comfort, and her presence alone seemed to make even the most irate patient quiet down. She wasn’t a monster like us. No, she was an angel born out of the most brutal darkness.

We both died centuries ago in that damned desert. Whether you want to admit it to yourself or not, we’re different. I’m different.”

A smile crept along his lips, making the lights beneath his skin pulse for a second. “I am a Guardian of the Etherworld and the Netherworld. The Hand of Samkiel.”

“So cocky. So arrogant. Just like him to believe that you are the only powerful force in this realm or the next. Isn’t that right, Zekiel?” The warrior’s brows furrowed, and for the first time, I saw a touch of fear in his gaze. “You know my name?”

“The Hand of Rashearim. Samkiel’s guard. Or is his name Liam now? Once I get what I need, I’m going to enjoy ripping you to pieces and sending the parts back to your brethren. I hope he sees what is left of you.”

I couldn’t help but feel for him. Gabby had the same look in her eyes when the desert had tried to claim us. It was the look you got when you had given up all hope, abandoned all reason, and accepted your fate.

“He can’t get his hands on that book,” Zekiel said, his voice barely a whisper. “You don’t even know who Azrael was. If he made a book and hid it, then it’s not meant for your kind to find.”

My heart thudded loudly in my chest. “You mean the Samkiel?” He was real? Fuck. Zekiel didn’t answer, so I shook him again. “Isn’t he the World Ender?”

He shook his head at me. “You are more than enough, Samkiel. You know my visions, what I have seen. I have seen far beyond this place and time. You are the best of us, even if you do not see it now.”

“How curious. You think to understand me? You are nothing but a creature built and designed for killing. Do not presume to know anything about me,” he said, not missing a beat.

The back door was ripped off, the reinforced steel tearing like a sheet of paper. A dark figure stood silhouetted in the opening. I felt Logan’s body tense, but I knew he was already too late. The monster reached in and dragged him out. The last thing I heard before I blacked out was his scream.

Kaden?

Alistair’s laugh was pure menace. “I hope for her sake that she does die with you, because what Kaden has planned is going to shake this entire realm.”

Planned? What did he mean? Did he know something I didn’t? Was Kaden keeping more secrets from me? My irritation grew as I felt Tobias look at me and smirk as if he could read my mind. “You’ll lose,” Logan rasped. He grimaced, looking between us. “You all will.”

“He has tried, but failed. The ones who have taken his blood turned into these winged beasts, lacking any mortal emotions. They are loyal only to him, following his every command. They are called Irvikuva.”

“You are not like him. I am so sorry the other gods cannot see it.”

The memory faded as Miss Martinez’s face came back into view. “You and your brethren are mistaken, I am afraid. There is no Book of Azrael. He is dead. A mere legend.”

Liam was in my space before the words had fully left my lips. His face was inches from mine, his eyes molten silver. “If you mention Rashearim with such disrespect one more time⁠—”

“You’re counting now? Do my yawns annoy you, my king?” “Do not call me that,” he snapped. “Why not? Don’t you own the universe or something?” I mocked. “Because you do not say it out of respect.” I saw Liam’s hand clench against his knee. “You only say it to pester me.”

I assume the two of you shared the same blood, correct?” “Actually, no.” I scrunched my nose. “He never let me. He always talked about how his memories would damage my mortal brain.” Liam looked skeptical. “Or he was hiding things from you.”

“Now, concentrate. Every thought you have and every emotion you feel comes from your center. Your anger,” he pointed to my stomach, “comes from your gut.” He pointed at my chest next. “Your desires come from your heart, and your idiocy…” He reached out and ruffled the hair atop my head, making the strands dance across my shoulders. “… comes from here.”

“Once you get the energy outside of yourself, it is easy to manipulate. It can be shaped,” he danced the ball of light between his fingers until it formed a small blade, “or just used as is.” It reformed into the original sphere. “Power has its limits, though. What you give, it takes. If you feed it too much, it will drain you. That is something you always have to remember, especially in battle.”

I nodded along, his words replaying in my mind as I concentrated. Core, heart, brain. Center, focus, release. I took a deep breath and turned my palm toward the ceiling, repeating the six words like a litany. Core, heart, brain. Center, focus, release.

“An ancient, cruel goddess. She perished during the war. She made Vincent and a few others. Vincent is the only remaining member of her line.”

Interesting that her creations werent perished when she was

I felt her settle before she spoke again. “Can you make a celestial?” That was odd, but not considering the other questions she had asked. “Unfortunately, that power is only available to the gods created from Chaos. Why do you ask?”

He looked down at me with a playful glint in his eyes. He shrugged and said, “I cannot bring back the dead.”

Watch i bet dianna of someone will die and he will bring them back but i remember his father's warning

That answer seemed to please her. She looked back at the pictures, caressing the image. “I like this one because it reminds me of how much I try to force you to listen,” she said with a laugh. I decided that was my favorite, too.

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.

Sigh <3

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

“He is technically the Vampire Prince, but he rarely acts like one. Ethan is his brother, and king. Long story short, their family came into power, and now they rule over every vampire on Onuna.

“A word of advice then, World Ender. Do not fill her head with pretty words. Do not make her beautiful gowns. Do not take her on midnight strolls through a garden or give her handpicked flowers. Kaden has fed her scraps for years to keep her in line. She is a woman who craves love, no matter what she says. If you have no intention of staying or being with her, don’t court her and make her care.

Don’t be the one to make her fall if you have no intention of catching her.”

Drake turned back to me and placed his hands on his hips as he sighed. “She’s fine. She just needs to cool off, you know?” My jaw clenched as my lips formed into a thin line. “Out.” His eyes lit up as a mocking smile curved his lips. He lifted his hand in a small salute and followed Dianna from the room.

She moved like a large feline predator, calculating, dangerous, and exceptionally impressive. “I don’t want to hurt you,” she breathed. “Says the one who can’t even touch me.”

“Core, heart, brain,” I said. “That is the main trigger of your powers. One cannot exist or function without the other. Decisions made with one and not the other two can be deadly. True masters of the skill can control and manipulate all three.”

“Don’t you know? Love is the purest form of destruction there is.” The corner of his lip lifted.

“Vaski lom dernmoé,” I hissed in Eorian, a low growl vibrating deep within my throat.

I carefully reached out, removing one of the several leaves littering her hair. “We will talk about it.” Dianna looked at my hand before lightly slapping it away. “Don’t touch me, and don’t try to be nice to me right now. You have Camilla breath.”

“Friend,” I said, since Liam seemed to be tongue-tied at the moment. “I’m his friend.” Geraldo was still watching me, and I was sure he saw the hunger in my expression even though I tried to hide it. Uncomfortable, I looked up at Liam to see he was staring daggers into my soul.