Ruthless (The Seraphim Series Book 2) Read Free Page B

talk all day, or are we going to fight?” She took a few steps back. “I’m getting old over here.”
    “Ooh.” Sebastian widened his eyes in mock horror. “Okay then, Scarface. Keep it together. I’m ready.”
    Lilliah got into her fighting stance. Sebastian jumped around for a minute or two, either joking around or just wasting time. Her eyes flashed to Azrael. His arms were folded over his broad chest, a small smile playing on his lips. Just like every other day, he was wearing all black—his signature style, which suited him perfectly.
    Sebastian finally stopped bouncing around. “Ready. Let’s do this.”
    He didn’t wait for the count in; he pounced, his fist poised to slam into Lilliah’s face. Lilliah fell back, caught off guard by the sudden attack. She quickly regained her footing and dodged Sebastian’s punch. She deflected his second hit, then his third, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. That’s what Azrael had taught her: don’t rush it, study your opponent and stay alert. They’ll show you their weakness soon enough. She moved quickly, getting the occasional hit in, but mainly stayed on the defensive.
    He wasn’t protecting his right side properly. She deflected his attack, moved around him, and threw a hook to his side. He curled over in pain. She moved in again and wrestled him to the floor. Sitting on top of him with her legs locked around his waist, she trapped his head under her arm and applied pressure to his throat. Sebastian would lose consciousness in seconds. She looked up at Azrael. He was watching intently, almost scrutinising her every move, but his eyes were twinkling.
    Sebastian flapped his arms around, trying to get out of the hold. Lilliah loosened her grip a little; she honestly didn’t want him to black out.
    “What the hell?” Sebastian thrashed again. “Okay, I give up.”
    Lilliah released him instantly. “I love beating you.”
    Azrael walked over to her and offered her his hand.
    “You did well.” He helped her off the floor. “You took your time and waited for the perfect moment. Your strike was strong.”
    Lilliah listen and nodded, trying not to smile too hard. That compliment, coming from him, was huge to her. Azrael knew how to fight; he’d been doing it for centuries. Plus, he never said anything he didn’t mean. So that fact that he thought she fought well made Lilliah want to fist-pump the air and then run around and high-five everyone. She didn’t, though; she held it back.
    “I wasn’t in the mood to fight,” Sebastian said, going to stand with Rebecca. “You know what I mean?” He looked to Azrael for confirmation and got none. “I feel like you have to be in the zone. I just wasn’t today.”
    Lilliah held back her laughter. “Whatever.”
    “You’ve gotten good, Lilliah. I bet you’d even give Azrael a run for his money.”
    Lilliah whirled around, her mouth agape. “Benedict.”
    Benedict Ravensmith was a powerful warlock and the closest thing Azrael had to a friend. Lilliah hadn’t seen him in a month. He’d been away in New York, looking after The Cure. Following Ada Washington’s betrayal, everything had fallen into chaos, and Benedict was trying to set things right.
    He moved from the doorway and walked farther into the room. In a pair of dark blue jeans and a black shirt, he was dressed more casually than usual. He looked very relaxed. His beard, however, remained in immaculate condition, as always.
    “You look great.” Lilliah walked towards him and reached out to hug him, but stopped. Benedict didn’t seem like the hugging type, so she waved instead.
    “Benedict,” Sebastian greeted. Standing next to him, Rebecca gave a wave and a small smile. “About time you got back. Must be boring as hell at The Cure.”
    “Sebastian,” Benedict greeted formally. “The Cure isn’t so bad.”
    “The people are dicks, though.” Rebecca crossed her arms and snickered at her own joke.
    Lilliah felt it when Azrael moved