Duncan's Descent Read Free

quietly for several minutes, an intriguing conversation, if her wide eyes and parted lips were anything to go by. Then he patted her shoulder and nudged her to step back, closer to Duncan.
    â€œSapphira,” Uriel boomed in that imperial tone that made Duncan want to kick his ass. “I task you with the duty of watching over demon Duncan Sinclair.” Abigail handed Uriel a piece of paper. “You are to manage this list of sways and make sure Duncan turns them to the light, away from temptation,” Uriel added sternly, and when the young woman blushed, Duncan wondered what sins she’d committed. She licked her lips, and he inwardly groaned. The devil willing, she’d had a problem with thievery or greed. Because if the woman liked sex as much as he suddenly wanted her to, he had a feeling Uriel would have him by the balls.
    â€œBut I…” Sapphira reluctantly nodded. “Yes, my lord.” She looked as if she wanted to say something more but closed her mouth and kept it shut.
    â€œWonderful. I expect your first full report in three days. Nathan Shepherd’s number one on your list. I expect to see him in heaven nine years from now.” Uriel stared at Sapphira, then Duncan, and narrowed his gaze. “Don’t play me for a fool, Duncan.”
    â€œWouldn’t think of it,” Duncan muttered. As ass, maybe. Or a giant shithead. Nothing so bland as a fool.
    â€œBecause if Nathan doesn’t get himself into heaven’s good graces, then it’s that much longer I’ll have to keep you here to restore balance.”
    Fuck. Uriel had a point, much as Duncan didn’t want to admit it. Swaying souls toward heaven made him want to puke. It went against everything he’d ever been taught. But if Duncan screwed with the balance, he’d be messing with the Ethereal as well. The last time angels and demons tried to outdo one another on such a major scale, there’d been a near apocalypse. And, much as the chaos had been fun, it had also been scary. Angels and demons lived by rules to keep humanity on a tight leash. Slip the littlest bit, and by the devil, the humans might very well overtake the Ethereal. A nightmare of epic proportions.
    â€œWell?” Sapphira’s gentle tone had vanished. She glared at him as if he were Satan incarnate, and while he thought the comparison complimentary, he doubted she’d mean it as such. So much for sugar and spice, yet she promised to be a refreshing change from Sarah and Abigail. And anything that would get him out of the upper realm and away from that fucking Uriel was a blessing.
    â€œYou lead, I’ll follow.” And keep my eyes glued to that exceptional ass.
    She shot him a suspicious look, bowed stiffly to Uriel and strode from the room.
    Duncan followed her, his footsteps lighter the farther he moved from the conceited angel. And then the dick stopped him at the exit to his quarters.
    â€œOh, and Duncan?”
    â€œCome on, Uriel. I have souls to sway, remember? You do want me to make you proud, don’t you?” His snotty tone, however, didn’t pull Uriel’s face into a frown the way it had this past week. An uneasy feeling gripped him as Uriel smiled wide.
    â€œI just wanted to wish you good fortune. Have no fear, Duncan. You’ll make me proud. I have faith.”
    Sapphira glanced over her shoulder, waiting for a damned demon to find her. She tapped her foot and glared down at her angelic garb. White, white, white. Everything in this place was either white or gold. So boring. She couldn’t wait to get out of here. The upper realm always felt so thick, as if the air were filled with tiny sacks of cloying joy and goodness that made it hard for her to breathe. Uriel, Sarah, Abigail, and the others constantly had a positive thing to say or do, and basked in the notion of doing their part for the benefit of mankind and the Ethereal. And then there was her mother…
    Sapphira