Duncan's Descent Read Free Page A

cringed, imagining how truly irked Charmeine was going to be when she realized her orders had been usurped by an angel of a lesser sphere. And heck, not just a lesser sphere, but a lesser choir as well. Uriel, though head of the third choir, fell below Charmeine, a Virtue, in the angelic food chain.
    The upper realm, composed of three spheres and three choirs in each sphere, had little to do with any sense of hierarchy in the Ordinary or lower realm, or so she’d been informed. The second sphere, Charmeine frequently told Sapphira, had an importance many dismissed out of sheer ignorance. The third sphere, of which Sapphira was a part, dealt with the Ordinary, with humanity, focusing on the mundane. And the first sphere, those blessed Seraphim, Cherubim and Ophanim, well, they were so close to the Creator, it was no wonder they could do nothing but think of Him.
    Now the second sphere, the three choirs of Dominions, Virtues and Powers, had the most difficult job of all—easing the missions of the third sphere to coincide with what His first sphere needed. Charmeine would wax on and on about her importance in the harmony of mankind, of enlightenment to both humans and angels alike. And to have her lessons tossed aside by a mere third sphere angel wanting to turn a demon? Monstrous.
    Sapphira allowed a small smirk, wishing she could be there when Uriel broke the news. But then Duncan joined her, and she quickly schooled her features into an expressionless mask. Or at least she hoped it was expressionless.
    â€œWhere to, fearless leader?”
    If that attitude wasn’t enough to make her fall in love, that body sure as hel— heck —was. The fact that Duncan had made Uriel lose control amused her to no end. Sapphira herself had caused Mr. High and Mighty to raise his voice a time or two. To her discomfort, those occasions had been effortless. But how was a young angel to know what not to do when everyone preached love and happiness all day every day? So she’d engaged in sex with humans. She questioned Descension, sin, and what led many to ruin. Sapphira couldn’t quell her fascination for the lower realm, much as she tried to suppress her curiosity.
    But how could an angel hope to stop thinking about the forbidden when it came in a package that looked like Duncan? Another glance at him showed a ripped upper body and golden, powerful thighs that appeared more muscular each time he shifted in the thigh-length cloth. And… oh baby , when the cloth molded around his impressive shaft, her body warmed with anticipation. Dam— darn it, she wanted to wipe her mouth to make sure she wasn’t drooling.
    She hurriedly shifted her thoughts, trying to remember what Duncan had asked her. But irritation returned when she spotted Uriel passing in the corridor to her right.
    Uriel had too many rules. Angels had to adhere to so many strictures. So many demands on them to help, heal and deliver that it made it hard to simply exist. For her part, Sapphira couldn’t stand all this sentimental claptrap about saving the world from itself.
    Another glance at Duncan reminded her of who, specifically, they had to save—his question in the first place—and she sighed. “Nathan Shepherd. The Towers in King of Prussia.”
    â€œKing of Prussia? That’s near Philly, my town.” Duncan smiled and crossed his arms, his biceps bulging lovingly over a broad chest partially exposed by the thin white silk covering him. Her fingers itched to touch his firm flesh, and she wondered if his nipples would taste as sweet under her tongue as she imagined. “…do you think?”
    She blushed, embarrassed to realize he was waiting for her to answer. She’d missed most of what he’d said, too busy ogling the man to listen. “Right.” She frowned, as if irritated with him. Looking mad would hopefully make her appear a stern, commanding angel. Hell, it worked for Uriel. “So