Dark Awakening Read Free

the legion of the unfaithful."
    "We stood side by side during the first war, when Lucifer was cast out of Heaven. We fought side by side. Have you forgotten that? Have you forgotten that you were once one of His most trusted and faithful angels, that you commanded the faithful in his army? Side by side, Gadriel . We were brothers."
    "And we fell together. You for the pleasures of human female flesh, and me for my hatred of that flesh."
    "Come back to us. We need your powers—your gifts."
    "To protect the humans? To watch over them?” he laughed then pinned his gaze on Sammael. “Is that why Sariel has come? To beg me to repent?"
    "Sariel? I had no idea he was in town."
    Gadriel smirked as he circled Sammael. “Are you both not here on some divine mission? Is the woman not part of your plan?"
    "I have no idea what Sariel's assignment is, but I'm certain you know what brings me to Earth."
    "Still the Angel of Death, are you?"
    "The Angel of Benevolent Death and Transformation,” he corrected.
    "Then what is Sariel doing tracking down the woman you're supposed to be gently guiding into the light?"
    Sammael's dark eyes widened as if he were surprised by this news. “I have not seen Sariel. And I may assure you, the woman is mine ."
    "Yours, or your mission, Sammael?"
    Sammael's lips pressed together in a sneer. He wouldn't budge. Wouldn't come clean with any details.
    "No matter. I'll discover everything for myself soon enough. Now, Sammael, you will tell me where the woman is."
    "You'll not get your hands on her. She has nothing to do with this war. There is no plan for her other than her death."
    "There is a reason you are here. There is a reason Sariel is here. He has not sent a Watcher and an Archangel to guard her for no reason. I want the female. And I want her now."
    Sammael moved swiftly, rushing at him and pinning him against the railing that threatened to give way beneath his weight. “She is not part of this war, Gadriel. She is not part of any plan. She is mine ."
    "You're fucking her,” Gadriel sneered, shoving Sammael away from him. “You're touching that human and liking it."
    "Have you ever smelt them? Have you felt how soft their flesh is, how it fits against your body? I was never even aware of my own form until I felt a woman against me. You cannot imagine the feel of being inside one, of hearing her breath in your ear. You cannot fathom the pleasure of having your body touched and kissed. It is so easy to fall—to sin—with them, Gadriel. I guarantee you brother, you would bow at their feet—you would beg —just to have one in your arms."
    "I'll be sure to let her know how you feel about her right before I kill her."
    With a grunt and crazed eyes, Sammael came at him, lunging with his hand raised and the jagged edges of a dagger glinting in the moonlight. Savagely, Sammael thrust the blade deep into Gadriel's chest, twisting it back and forth until Gadriel could feel the warmth of blood running down the hilt of the dagger and on to his hand. Sammael grunted against him, the knife burning through his flesh as Sammael tore it out of the wound. A loud sucking gasp intermingled with the sound of cracking bone and the knife was once more plunged deep into his chest.
    "You protect this human not out of duty,” Gadriel gasped, feeling his heartbeat slow, “you protect her out of lust, and that, brother, is a sin."
    Despite the pain and the knife in his chest, Gadriel's strength surpassed that of Sammael's. Picking up the Watcher and bringing him above his head, Gadriel turned and flung Sammael from the bridge. Wood splintered and flew towards him. With a grunt, he dragged himself up to look over the broken guard rail, waiting to hear the splash of water.
    None came.
    Fuck , he grunted, pulling the knife from his chest and shoving it in the pocket of his coat. Sariel was gone, and so too, was any lead to the woman.
    * * * *
    "I know you, your voice,” Nadira said to the man who held her captive.
    "I