Phoenix Contract: Part Two (Fallen Angel Watchers) Read Free Page B

the demon’s viscous body caught fire. Wildfire flames spread along the inky surface, filling the air with sulfurous smoke. The demon’s formless body convulsed, surged, and heaved like a riptide. The main mass sported flaming protrusions which whipped about the room, setting the furnishings and walls on fire. Then, abruptly, the entire conflagration fled from the sunlight, retreating toward the interior of the building.
    Draco whimpered, but Magnus spared his pet no compassion. Magnus would not survive much longer in his current location. Already, his sable hair had burned away, and much of his skin charred to a crispy black. It would take the burns a long time to heal, and crossing the room meant exposing his flesh to more sunlight. Still, he had no choice in the matter. If he stayed put, he would die.
    Magnus lifted his head to survey the room. The fire had spread to the ceiling and floors. Soon it would engulf the entire building. Choosing a path, the Celt flung a protective arm across his eyes. Using the cloak as a shield, he charged toward the other side of the room where the shadows promised refuge.
    The light was brilliant, a bright, bold caress of pain.

Chapter Six

     
    A vast stretch of packed dirt, combed smooth and bearing the consistency of graham cracker crumbs, stretched out before Aiden for the length of several football fields. Twilight surrounded her in all directions, a cool world of velvet grays, and lush violet highlights. After a minute of staring blankly at the field’s level surface, she raised her eyes to survey her surroundings.
    The weathered gray stone walls of a massive stadium rose high into the sky. A network of staircases radiated upward through the successive tiers filled with thousands upon thousands of seats. The stands were packed with countless spectators, a surging, screaming, writhing throng of humanity that flowed together in one continuous mass, adjoined in their suffering.
    Her physical awareness was acute and afflictive. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears and chest. It raced like some frenzied beast, causing labored breaths and a feverish flush that made her body burn.
    Throbbing, pounding, thrashing. The thud thud thud grew louder and louder, increasing in volume until it echoed all around her. The sound drowned out the tortured cries of the crowd and merged with the racing beat of her own heart. Aiden looked around and down, and finally found the source.
    A naked beating heart lay upon the ground at her feet. Larger than a big man’s fist, the organ fell midway between the realm of red and blue, a rich dark purple hue. The blood vessels that once connected the organ and body had been severed, the cuts clean and precise, made with a sharp blade.
    The heart was not still nor silent. It pulsated with inexhaustible energy and a seemingly inexhaustible supply of blood. Each contraction of the muscle pumped more vital fluids through severed arteries to the ground, where it soaked into the dirt, forming a black wet stain. It seemed to be crawling toward Aiden, moving closer with each convulsive beat.
    “You must take it up!”
    Startled, her eyes flew to the man face down in the dirt who clawed his way toward her. She gasped as Father Matthew lifted his head and extended a grasping hand. His entire arm trembled, and the skin upon his fingers was stretched taut so the sharp lines of bones were clearly visible. His dark complexion had succumbed to a sickly pallor, and blood seeped from his eyes, leaving streaks of red down his cheeks that resembled tear tracks.
    “Father?” Aiden took a wide step around the heart in order to approach her mentor.
    With a massive effort, the priest attempted to rise onto his arms but collapsed after a desperate struggle, unable to bear the burden of his own weight. The bloody tears he shed had formed a pool of blood in the dirt around his face.
    “Aiden, you must. Take it up. It is your burden. It is your destiny!” Matthew shouted, blood bubbling