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

by Amber V. Nicole

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

So, I wouldn’t run, and I wouldn’t fight anymore. I would deal with my sentence, whatever it might be, and I almost believed that Gabby was the only reason.

“What? Are you not having fun? I thought you liked the cool shooting game and the bumper cars.”

“The small cars are violent, and they let small children drive. Do they not care for the small ones? It’s ridiculous. Mortal lifetimes

are fleeting, yet they build contraptions that could end...

“Don’t laugh, but as lame as it sounds, I do want what Gabby worships in her silly cheesy movies. Well, I did. I tried to get serious with Kaden once. He pulled away from me then. He’s been different ever since. Definitely more of an open relationship type of guy. Or a monster, I guess.”

“Pity. I wouldn’t share.”

Not when they find their amata.”

“In your mortal tongue, it means ‘beloved one.’ It is what Logan and Neverra have.”

“If I had the choice, and I had to choose, I would want an equal. A partner in every aspect of my life, like what my father and mother shared.”

I would never admit it to her, but the presumptuous dark-haired woman strolling in front of me may have had something to do with that. I might not want to admit it to myself, but I enjoyed her companionship.

She claimed everyone was staring at me, but I had noticed every eye that lingered upon her since we entered this obnoxious place. At last count, it was forty-five—no, wait, there was another, make it forty-six.

“It is strange to see,”

“The son

of Unir and an Ig’Morruthen working together. The stories said you two were destined to spill each other’s blood until the stars died, ...

“I’ll never get to see those other worlds. This realm is all I will ever know. But I wish I could see more.” “Maybe one day.”

“We both know once this is over, if I’m not dead, it’s whatever godly prison you have for me. We don’t have to pretend.”

“If Kaden gets his hands on me, take care of Gabby, okay?”

“I will not let him have you.”

I knew when I killed Alistair and returned to you the price I would pay. The moment I decided to help you, my fate was sealed. Freedom and servitude went hand in hand with Kaden, and I gladly accepted his terms. I paid for Gabby’s life and freedom with blood. You

and I both know that I’m covered in it.”

If something goes wrong and I don’t make it, promise me you will keep her safe. Please. Just promise me.”

I decided then and there that this woman should never beg. I understood she cared for her sister, but who cared for her? At that moment, she seemed so innocent. She was not the vicious, fire-wielding beast I had first met. She was just a girl who had been born into chaos.

She had become what she needed to be to protect the only person who still saw good in her.

If he even tries to take you away, I promise I’ll make him regret ever being born.”

“You’re sweet when you’re homicidal.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

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?”

“You mean Liam? Yeah, I did wonder how you picked such a plain name.”

“On Rashearim, we had a flower

that put the beauty of this one to shame. It had rings of yellow and blue that moved in waves across the petals when you touched it. It was called orneliamus, or liam for short. They were my mother’s favorite, and a symbol of strength and protection. They could adapt to any climate and were so sturdy, they were nearly impossible to kill.

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

“She is something rare, that is for sure. No matter what Kaden did to turn her fully into a creature of hate and fear, she did

not break. It’s that heart of hers. It may be a mortal heart, but it is stronger than anything he has encountered. She may feed, fuck, and breathe like us, but she is not one of us. I think you know that deep down. She is different.”

“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.”

“We’re not friends, Liam. We never were.”

“She cares about you. You will need to remember that to make it through what Kaden has planned.”

“I think you might have ruined that.” “No.”

“I only made her see.”

“Don’t ever touch me.”

“Then what is it? Is this because of your friend Camilla?”

“She’s more your friend, now that you practically deep-throated her with your

tongue!”

“Santiago will perish for what he did to you, and there was no…”

“There was very little tongue. And for your information, she showed me where our next target is.”

“Upset? Why am I upset? You chose her over me—you know, your actual partner. I know your strength. You could

have busted out of her control. But no, I had to get shot several times. Then the second I try to kill her, you toss me off like I’m…”

“Like I mean nothing, when I’m the one risking my life, my friends, and my only blood to help you. I ...