Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [24]
She stiffened. “The Lord is good. It was your decision to rebel against Him.”
Darafer smirked. “And wasn’t it your decision to rebel, too, little angel?”
Her skin chilled. Connor gave her arm a tug as if he wanted to move her back. She held her ground, even though inside, she cringed with fear. Was there any going back now? What if she’d already doomed herself?
Darafer’s eyes turned back to blue, and he gave her a knowing look. “Yeah. Free will. It has a way of coming back to bite you in the butt.”
Her heart raced. “Just because I disobeyed a few times doesn’t make me like you. I was trying to protect the innocent. You derive a sick pleasure out of tormenting them.”
He shrugged. “All in the grand scheme, angel. Sometimes a little torment drives the sheep right back into the Father’s arms. You could say we’re doing Him a favor.” Dare’s mouth curled. “Of course, sometimes it leads them straight to hell. Speaking of which—” He extended a hand toward her. “Are you ready?”
With a shudder, she stepped back.
Darafer chuckled. “It’s a bit warmer there. You’ll like it.”
She shook her head. “I will never go with you.”
Connor remained close by her side. “Ye have yer answer, now go.”
Darafer gave the Scotsman a bland look, then turned back to Marielle. “Have you ever heard of a banished angel being reinstated?”
No, she hadn’t. Panic swelled inside her, and she fought against the surge of fear and despair. She couldn’t give up hope.
“The longer you stay on Earth, the more human you will become,” Darafer continued. “Do you really want to lose all your power? How about your immortality? Do you want to grow old and turn to dust?”
She forced the words past the lump in her throat. “Better to lose my immortality than my honor.”
Connor inhaled sharply, drawing her attention. He was staring at her, his eyes gleaming with strong emotion. He inclined his head. “Well said, lass.”
Her heart expanded in her chest. He understood. He approved of her even when heaven had rejected her. A spring of gratitude and affection bubbled up inside her, and the panic faded away. “Thank you.”
Darafer snorted. “Pardon me while I puke.”
She glared at him. “I’m not going with you. Begone.”
“You’re so naïve,” Darafer hissed. “You have no idea what kind of parasite is clinging to you, do you?”
Connor stiffened. “She told you to go. Now leave!”
“Looks like I hit a nerve.” Darafer smirked as he looked Connor over. “I suppose Marielle could do worse for a bodyguard. Hell knows you’ve shown a distinct talent for violence.”
Connor lifted his dagger. “Doona tempt me.”
“Oh, I do. That’s my job, Connor Buchanan.” Darafer chuckled when the Scotsman flinched. “Yes, I know who you are. You’ve been on our list for a long time.”
Marielle touched Connor’s arm and winced at how tense he was. “Pay him no heed. He’s a deceiver.”
Darafer snorted. “Who’s deceiving whom? Maybe for your sake, angel, I should take out the trash. Wouldn’t want the parasite to soil your dewy innocence.” He smiled slowly as he looked her over. “I’m planning on doing that myself.”
“Ye willna touch her!” Connor yelled.
Darafer shot him an angry look. “Do you really think you can stop me? Try it. Then I won’t have to go back empty-handed tonight. Looks bad on my résumé, you know.”
Marielle’s heart lurched when the demon’s eyes turned red. He was planning to attack.
Connor realized it, too, for he jumped away from her and assumed a defensive stance.
Her heart pounded. Connor couldn’t possibly defeat a demon. And still, in the face of death, he tried to protect her. He kept moving to the side to draw the demon away from her. His dagger gleamed in the moonlight as he raised his arm.
Darafer stepped back and his body shimmered, shifting back into the beastly black wolf. He crouched, preparing to pounce. A low growl rumbled in his throat.
Oh God, no. She couldn’t let Connor die. She shot up a desperate plea for help, but heaven was silent.