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

by Amber V. Nicole

“‘Friend’?” he hissed through gritted teeth. “… What?” I asked, confused. I glanced at him, then toward Ava and Geraldo, who kept walking. Then it clicked: he was pissed about me calling him my friend earlier.

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

“I’m sorry. I really am, but⁠—” “Save it. Your father made a book to kill someone he was supposed to protect. There’s no excuse. Let’s get this over with.”

Ava nodded and shifted uncomfortably before we continued, heading deeper into the temple. I had finally realized what had been nipping at my heels. Death. The word hung in the air, and as the sun set, I felt it join us in the temple.

“You found it. That’s it, isn’t it?” Ava asked, stepping forward. Liam lifted it in the air slightly. “Yes, and it seems your mother had a seal on the tomb, so only I could open it.”

Geraldo nodded. Ava sighed, placing her hands on her hips as she smiled. “Well, that explains why we couldn’t get it open the last few times we tried. I mean, we burned through a lot of celestials.” My eyes widened as her words clicked. “What did you say?”

Ooohh noooooo

The smile he forced was barely recognizable. I turned back to Roccurrem. “Can you give us some good news or something?”

“The prophecy remains. One falls, one rises, and the end begins. It was foretold and will remain. One carved from darkness, one carved from light. The world will shudder.”

“A test indeed, but to solidify the realms. That is how it is, and how it shall be. The universe needed to see, needed to know.” “Needed to know what?” The room shook once more, and the floating heads spun counterclockwise and then back. “You are running out of time, Samkiel.”

“See?” Kaden turned toward the room, waving his free hand, his other wrapped around Gabby’s neck, holding her in place. “That wasn’t so hard, was it? And they say I’m cruel.”

He smiled at the camera, this time his eyes boring into mine as he cupped Gabriella’s chin. “Would you like to see the true beast that rests under Dianna’s pretty skin, Samkiel? Do you think you will care for her still? Let’s find out.” He did it so quickly that it even startled me. But we all heard it—the crack. I felt it resonate through the ties that made me a protector of this realm. No one moved. No one breathed. It was as if time had slowed down. I watched the light leave her eyes. Kaden dropped her and turned away with a satisfied smirk.

“Blood of my blood, my life is sealed with yours until the deal is made complete. I grant you my maker’s life in exchange for my sister’s life. She shall remain free, unharmed, and alive, or the deal is broken.”

My dreams came flooding back, and I realized I had gotten it wrong.

“This is how the world ends.” That’s what Roccurrem had said. “There will be a shuddering crack, an echo of what is lost and what cannot be healed. Then, Samkiel, you will know this is how the world ends.” But it was not this world. No, it was mine. It was Dianna.