Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [25]
The beast leaped.
“No!” She threw her arms out, her hands splayed. A massive burst of air exploded around her, shooting out in all directions. It blew the beast back, tossing him forty feet into the forest. He crashed into some bushes.
Unfortunately, the blast also knocked Connor back forty feet and he landed on his back, thumping his head hard on the ground.
With a growl, the beast jumped to its feet.
Marielle raised her hands, hoping she could muster enough power for another attack. Fear crept along her skin, making her shiver. Darafer had the same abilities she had, but even more since he could change his form at will. He could also call for assistance from Lucifer’s other servants.
She, on the other hand, was trapped in a human body and cut off from the Heavenly Host.
He morphed into a male human form. Long dark hair, emerald-green eyes, luminous pale skin. This was most probably his preferred look, and she hated to admit he was striking. Dramatic and elegant, too, in his black leather pants and long black coat.
“You don’t want to get into a battle with me, angel,” he said quietly. “You know you’ll lose.”
She swallowed hard.
“Luckily for you, I’m not allowed to force you to accompany me,” he continued. “Free will, you know. Sometimes the black beast strategy works, and the poor sap says he’s willing out of fear. You didn’t fall for it, though, so I’ll have to wait until you want to come with me.”
“That will never happen.”
He smiled slowly. “I was hoping you would be a challenge. Makes the final surrender so much more sweet.” He lifted a hand, palm up, and a red glowing light appeared, then condensed into a solid red object. He tossed it toward her.
The object rolled toward her feet. A shiny red apple.
“Let me know when you’re ready to take a bite.” With a whoosh, black wings sprang from his back, and he was gone.
Marielle drew in a deep breath. Thank God. She was safe for now. And Connor? She ran toward him.
He was still flat on his back. The poor man must have hit the ground hard.
With a gasp, she stumbled to a stop. Good heavens. The blast of air had blown his kilt up to his chest.
“Oh,” she breathed. She’d never seen an angel look like that. Come to think of it, she’d never seen a human look like that. As a Deliverer, she’d seen her share of naked human bodies, but they tended to be old, or ill, or injured. And they were usually gray, shriveled, and dead.
She stepped closer. Definitely not gray. Rather pink and healthy. And most definitely not shriveled. Even his hair was interesting. Red and curly, it looked very soft and . . . touchable.
She tilted her head, marveling at the size and structure. It was all so . . . out in the open. Blatant. Masculine.
The invasive purpose of the design was so obvious, she reacted instinctively and pressed her thighs together. That was . . . curious. Oddly pleasurable. A shiver ran down her arms, but she didn’t think it was caused by the cold. She felt strangely . . . warm.
Connor groaned, and she jerked to her senses. Good heavens, he’d been lying there, possibly hurt, and she hadn’t even checked him for injuries.
His eyes opened, and he blinked at her.
She crouched beside him. “Are you all right?”
“Is the demon gone?” He struggled to sit up.
“Yes, we’re safe now.”
“Och, good.” He fell back and with a moan, rubbed his head.
“Are you injured?”
“Head hurts,” he mumbled. “Keep getting knocked—” His eyes widened. “That was you who blasted me into a damned tree earlier? When Zack was attacking you?”
“I tried to defend myself. You were caught in the wind?”
“Aye.” He propped himself up on an elbow. “How long was I out?”
“A . . . few minutes.”
He glanced at himself, then jolted into a sitting position and jerked his kilt down to his knees. “Damn.” He shot a fierce look at her.
She jumped to her feet. “I—I beg your pardon.” Her cheeks grew warm. “Pray, do not be troubled. It is truly a . . . small matter.”
“Small?”
“Yes.