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

by Amber V. Nicole

So, Nephry was Logan’s real name.

“It is better to be prepared for war than for war to come and you are not,”

“Must you make quips every second you breathe?”

“You are absolutely tormenting. You realize that, correct?” “I love it when you flirt with me.”

“I pinkie-promise that I will never abandon you, Your Highness.”

I grabbed his hand, forcing him to pinkie swear as he looked from our joined hands and back at me. “I do not understand this.”

He looked down at where I still held his hands. “Does this require another pinkie?”

“Gods, it’s a surprise you have any friends at all.” “Says the one whose friends repeatedly try to kill her.”

“the less noise we make, the better. We don’t want tall, dark, and annoying getting out of the car.”

She was stunning. A dark goddess brought to life. She was⁠— “Liam!” The voice was mangled. “What the fuck?” She was Dianna.

“Does this require another small finger?”

“There is only one bed.”

“Well, you can talk to me, when you’re not being a dick.” “I assume that is a euphemism for my actions and not the physical body part.”

I do not remember how long it took me or if we continued to talk, but sleep came, and the nightmares did not.

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

“You swore with a small finger

The intensity in the depths of his gray eyes awakened something feminine and needy in me.

“The small cars are violent, and they let small children drive.

“I saw someone do this before you forced me into those tiny, aggressive cars.”

“Pity. I wouldn’t share.”

The air around us became charged as clouds billowed in the distance, my temper festering. I wouldn’t allow anything to dim her spirit.

“He will try,”

I waited for her to answer my question, desperate for her to speak to me. I longed for her to do any of the annoying things she had pestered me with over these last few weeks.

“I will not let him have you.”

She was silently pleading, desperately begging me to keep her sister safe. I decided then and there that this woman should never beg. I understood she cared for her sister, but who cared for her?

“I promise to make sure Gabby is safe. I also promise that he will never lay a hand on you again. If he even tries to take you away, I promise I’ll make him regret ever being born.”

“Ego? No, you have seen within my memories that I have made monsters and men beg for their lives.”

“You’re sweet when you’re homicidal.”

I knew what she meant, but I found pleasure in watching her try to explain words and phrases to me.

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.

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

“Then why do you reek of him, and he you? Your scents are so entwined, there is no differentiating between the two.”

As the roiling heat of Liam’s power appeared in the closet with us, my sorrow, fear, and regret no longer felt overwhelming. The ache in my chest eased, allowing me to breathe easier.

“How do you know he doesn’t have my permission?” The lights flickered once more as Liam followed me. “Does he?”

“You see enough. It’s practically an insult.”

They were truly beautiful … and so are you. You are a queen and should be draped in the finest fabrics, not the cheap faux material he chose.”

“Oh, yes. No, I only said that so he would leave.”

“I do want to talk about how much I do not want to go to this dinner.”

“We really need to work on your relationship skills, so you have better friends in your life.” “Hey, I’m sitting right here!” Drake said, his tone offended. Liam turned to him and said in all seriousness, “My point exactly.”

“Come up with as many as you like, as long as you don’t call me a worm again.”

“You truly do remember all I say, don’t you?” “Only the truly terrible things.” “I’ll fix that as well.”

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.

“Do not compare Dianna to any of my past conquests.” I snapped my head up, the phone flickering to black before returning to normal.

“Look, I made you something. See the face? It’s grumpy, like you.”

Even her speaking of being with another caused something wild and vicious to awaken within me. I did not recognize these emotions.

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.

“Finally, someone else you can beat up.” Drake slowly picked himself up off the floor, holding his side. His clothes were riddled with burn holes, proving she had not held back. Good girl.