“Help me. I can’t get in without you,” Ramiel said as he peered into beautiful blue eyes.

“You don’t know what you’re saying, Virgin,” Kara replied as she took a step back, putting space between their bodies.

“Then tell me. All I ask is that you point the way. I’ll make my way to Hell and do the rest,” he countered.

“Even if you could make your way into the Underworld, you’d be picked apart within seconds. You’d never find your way between the Circles to get to your precious Izzy. But, all that is a moot point given that you can’t cross any barrier unless you bond to Hell,” she explained with a satisfied smirk.

“Bond to Hell? Are you saying that I need to give up my wings to save Izzy?” he asked, wondering if he would do it. Could he become a selfish creature like Zakara and the rest of the demon world? Do Lucifer’s bidding?

“No. There’s no need to give up your wings. You can accompany a being of the Underworld if you a share bond with them. And, before you get any ideas, there are no demons you could torture into forming such a connection. It has to be a demon with enough standing to carry you through. Besides, you couldn’t handle it, Vanilla,” she said.

“I like a good challenge. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to rescue Izzy, so I think you’ll find me on the winning side. And, you know you’re dying to taste my brand of vanilla,” he teased with his lips hovering over hers. That last kiss was a mistake that he vowed never to repeat. The problem was, his body wasn’t in agreement.

“You’ve got this huge chip on your shoulder, and yet, you’re one of the most loyal beings I’ve ever met. I can see why you became an angel. The higher beings must love you in Heaven. I only recall them saying some of us weren’t loyal enough,” Zakara mumbled as she turned her back on him.

What the fuck was she talking about? Tolerance wasn't something he experienced in Heaven and Camael threatened to get rid of him on a weekly basis. Still, something she said resonated deep within, and Ramiel considered her words.

“I might be loyal, but the archangels can’t stand me. In fact, they will likely kick me out for bonding to a demon, but I refuse to allow an innocent little girl to suffer,” Ramiel declared.

“I haven’t agreed to anything so don’t get ahead of yourself,” Kara chided and wagged a finger at him. “There’s nothing in this deal for me. And, as you’ve pointed out, I’m selfish. Why would I risk my life for you or that child?”

“Because you know your life is in danger. You failed to pursue your assignment which must’ve pissed off Lucifer. The way I hear it, he never forgets those who cross him. If you do nothing, he will eventually be free and will hunt you down then torture you for eternity. By helping me, you will ensure he can’t leave the Underworld,” Ramiel said as he leaned against the wall.

Zakara walked over to the dead demon and yanked her nail-studded bat she called Fred from the creature’s skull. Rami couldn’t help but notice the white bits stuck to the end were bone. This demon wasn’t afraid of anything, and he admired that.

“Shut the fuck up while I think,” she cursed and headed into the bar area.

Ramiel followed but stopped at the entrance to the hall and watched as she lifted the dead creature’s face. She glanced around the room and locked eyes with another demon. Ramiel had seen him before and knew he helped Zakara run the bar.

“Where are the humans, Joe?” she asked.

Joe swiped his rag across a table. The towel soaked with black blood and Rami noticed there were fewer tables than the night before. He quickly scanned the room, searching for the humans, and saw the reason for the missing tables. The demons trashed the place.

Rage surged through him, and he had to force his fists, and body, to stay put while Zakara dealt with the situation. No one should disrespect her or her bar, and he wanted to put a fist through the skulls of those that thought they could get away with it.

“They’re here,” Joe responded as he walked behind the bar and disappeared below the scarred wood. When his horned head reappeared, three humans stood next to him. Two men and a woman. Their appearance immediately agitated the nearby demons.

Before Ramiel could make a move, Zakara shouted, “Humans are not fucking allowed in my bar. This is not the place to toy with their lives. As I’ve told you before, I don’t care if you get your rocks off with each other, but bringing humans is unacceptable. Sitri here thought he could get away with breaking the rules. Take a good look at him. He’s now standing at the back of the line in Hell, waiting for reincarnation. He’ll be lucky if he doesn’t become one of Cerberus’s chew toys for the next century,” she roared, and the demons stilled.

“Anyone else who thinks they can break my rules will be joining him,” she added and tossed the dead demon across the room.

Demonic energy surged through the room and prickled against Ramiel’s skin. Zakara was more powerful than he realized.

“Come,” he barked to the humans, allowing his angelic energy to rise closer to the surface. “I will get you to safety.” His phone was in his hand, and he had a message to Zander before he finished uttering his promise.

“Take care of their memories,” Zakara instructed him.

“Done,” he replied. “But our conversation isn’t over.”

Eyes blazing, Kara marched over and got in Rami's face while the humans ran from Joe and crouched behind Rami’s massive black wings.

Ignoring the humans, the Fallen grabbed his shoulders. “To form this bond we need to be completely open to one another, Virgin. And, I’m not just talking physically. Are you prepared to let down all of your defenses and allow my Darkness inside?” she challenged.

Ramiel hadn’t stopped to consider how bonding with her would affect either of them. But, if he had to accept her Darkness, that meant she would have to allow his Light in, as well.

“I will be back as soon as I get them to safety,” he said and tilted his head toward the humans at his back.

Izzy was worth the sacrifice. Besides, Zakara’s darkness couldn’t be much worse than his own. Just because he was an angel, didn’t mean he was one of the good guys.

* * *

Zakara swallowed the lump in her throat when Ramiel barged through the back door of her bar. She closed the bar early in case he returned but questioned if the angel would go through with it. Now that he was in front of her, she wondered if she could do it.

Ramiel kicked the door shut then stalked toward her, his red eyes blazing with heat. She opened her mouth to tell him to leave and that she had changed her mind about helping him, but then closed it. She was held captive by his penetrating gaze.

Her mind spun out of control. Ramiel was determined to rescue this child, and despite her best efforts, he drew her. She found his loyalty and fierce determination incredibly appealing, and couldn’t turn her back on him. If she didn’t help him, there was another.

Elle was the one other Fallen on Earth. She could get Rami into the Underworld. Zakara didn’t want this angel turning to anyone else for help. A part of her wanted to share this connection with him.

She scarcely remembered what it felt like to be with an angel. It had been all-consuming with Jared. Their lovemaking was beyond her wildest dreams. But then he betrayed her in the worst way and broke her heart so she shoved those feelings deep inside where no one could reach them.

“How do we do this?” he asked, bringing Kara out of her memories.

She raised an eyebrow. “You have to ask, Virgin?”

“Of course. Sex,” Rami murmured.

Crossing to him, she watched his body’s reaction to her. The male was wound tight enough to turn coal into a diamond and probably wasn’t aware of the constant erection he sported around her.

“This doesn’t mean anything. I’m nothing but a vile demon in your eyes, remember? I can’t do vanilla but don’t worry. You’ll enjoy what I have planned,” she purred and laid her hands on his pectoral muscles. The flesh flexed beneath her touch, making her question her comment. Maybe this meant something, after all.

She hadn’t been this confused since Jared cheated on her. Kara’s emotions were all over the place. This bond would link them together forever. Could she trust Ramiel? The last male she trusted sliced off her wings and poured silver into the wounds. It was that betrayal that was what caused her to, ultimately, side with Lucifer. Sure, things were chaotic during the Great War, and she questioned God, but when Jared didn’t lose his standing with God, or the archangels, for what he did to her, she wanted nothing to do with them or Heaven. What Jared did was reprehensible and deserved punishment.

Her pain and rage over her treatment were just as fresh centuries later. There was a time when she saw a human therapist who told her to work through the betrayal and put it behind her, but nothing made the torture easier to handle. And, she held a grudge like nobody’s business. Her therapist told her it was toxic to hold onto so much anger, but she didn’t give a fuck. She wanted Jared to pay for what he’d done to her.

“Doesn’t mean anything? Now’s not the time to lie, Salsa. Not if we’re going to do this right. And, from what you said a half hour ago, we need to open ourselves completely to each other. This means everything,” Ramiel replied, shocking her and stealing her breath, “We do this for Isobel. Without us, she will not survive, and neither will humanity.”

He held her gaze for a split second before he leaned down, capturing her mouth in a tender kiss. It was soft, and sweet and any objection disappeared, replaced by erotic heat coursing through her veins. Breaking the kiss, he waited for her to deny him.

“Not here. I’m not doing this here,” Kara told Rami and tugged him to a door that led to her basement apartment. A press of her thumb over a keypad opened the way, and they walked down the stairs in silence.

“This is not what I expected,” Ramiel said when they entered her humble abode.

She stood back and looked at the space through his eyes. Her home was simple. One bedroom with an attached bath and a living room that opened to the kitchen. Color filled the place, from the red couch to her purple lounge chair to the sea-green table that held her terrarium.

“You have a bearded dragon?” he asked.

“Yes. Meet Lucy. She’s badass, don’t you think?” Kara asked as she eyed her citric orange reptile.

She loved Lucy. She’d been her companion for the past decade which was about nine and a half years longer than any relationship she’d experienced.

“Lucy? As in short for…” Rami trailed off as he spun in a circle.

“Yep. Lucifer. She reminds me of him, all prickly. Nothing soft about either of them. But, Lucy’s a hell of a lot more fun,” Kara admitted as she picked up the cricket keeper and removed the lid. She shook the tube, emptying Lucy’s dinner into her cage. The insects scurried about as Lucy’s tongue snatched victim after victim.

“Bon appetite,” Rami joked with a smile.

He had perfect teeth, and she noticed a dimple on his left cheek. Too damn sexy. She’d never seen him smile and it sent a ripple of arousal through her system.

Zakara reached for Ramiel’s hand and tugged him toward the bedroom where she paused. He grabbed her around the waist and claimed her mouth before she could change her mind. She wasn’t about to stop their encounter, but rather the location for it. She’d fucked all manner of creatures, sometimes more than one at a time, but her dalliances never occurred in her home, and especially not in her bed.

Kara didn’t think she could open entirely anywhere else. This relationship was uncharted territory for her all the way around. Rami reached between their bodies and pulled down her tube top then palmed her breasts. Spurred by his dominance, she arched into his touch and deepened the kiss. Ramiel quickly kicked off his boots then removed his leathers and socks, while he continued to fondle her sensitive flesh.

Kara broke the kiss and stepped back to admire the view. Her mouth watered. Electricity coursed through her lips from their kiss and she rubbed her mouth as she stared at the naked perfection before her. His long thick cock stood at attention between his hips. The length jerked under her scrutiny, and pre-cum beaded the tip. He was magnificent, and she was suddenly eager for what was to come.

She forced her gaze from his impressive manhood and took in the hard planes of his abdomen then stalled on his muscular chest. It didn’t matter that she’d seen him bare-chested before. This was very different. When she met his intense gaze, red eyes burned straight to her soul.

He was a deadly sight with his razor-tipped wings fluttering behind his back. Kara's fingers rose and traced over the top edge of one black appendage. The sharp blade sliced through her skin, making blood well at the site.

“Your blood is red,” he replied as he grabbed her hand and brought it to his mouth. Her nipples hardened as he licked the blood from her finger.

“I’ve been lucky. My blood didn’t decay in my veins,” Kara croaked. Her core clenched with need as Rami continued to suck on her flesh.

“You said we need to join in every way,” he replied.

“Yes, we do, Vanilla. Right now,” she said as she slipped off her mini skirt and panties, her barriers falling away with her clothing.

Being aroused beyond words didn't make her any less nervous. She hadn’t opened herself since Jared. Granted, this was different because she loved Jared with everything she had and he ripped her heart to shreds. With Rami, it was a matter of letting him inside for the connection to form, but she still needed to trust him.

As soon as they were both naked, her mind splintered, and all reason flew out the window. She was wild with need and pounced on Ramiel. Unprepared for her attack, he stumbled and fell against the wall. Her legs became tentacles and wrapped securely around his waist. The action brought her core in direct contact with his shaft.

“I’m going to fuck you now. You’ve left me horny as fuck for days, and I can’t wait any longer,” Kara confessed and claimed Rami's mouth in a rough kiss.

“I want your mouth on my cock,” he declared boldly against her lips. Her angel never ceased to surprise her.

His erection was hot and hard against her slit, making butterflies dance in her stomach. At that moment, she wanted Rami beyond what was right for her. She lifted her hips, and his shaft slid across her clit, tearing a moan from her throat. His lips parted as he panted, and his hands gripped her ass, sending electricity arching through her core.

She melted as a mini-orgasm barreled through her as his hands ran over her scars, the remnants of her wings. For one second she missed the glorious appendages but slammed the door on that thought. It was useless. She couldn’t change the past, but she was going to enjoy fucking her angel while she could.

Realizing that the base of her wings was an erogenous zone, Rami continued to finger the flesh along her spine. As he caressed along the ridge, it felt as if he stroked the bundle of nerves between her legs. Desire spiraled out of control. She wanted to give him what he demanded, but her body had another agenda. Her leg automatically wrapped around his waist. They weren’t close enough. She needed more, needed to feel him inside her.

“I wanted your hot little mouth on me, but seeing you come undone like that is so much better,” he admitted as he squeezed her ass cheeks and thrust his cock through her wet folds.

She jumped into his arms and reclaimed his lips. They were soft and lush and drove her desire to unchartered territory. His skill was unparalleled considering his lack of experience. Maybe he wasn’t a virgin, after all. The way her body came to life under his touch, she was ready to scream at the world he owned her body and soul.

Ramiel licked at the seam of her mouth, and their kiss turned wild and demanding as teeth clashed. The foreplay was driving her insane. She bit his lip before his tongue surged into her mouth, tangling with hers. It coaxed her need to a fever pitch.

With a few twists of her hips, she rubbed her aching core over his cock and Ramiel became a savage beast. She lowered her arms over his shoulders and reached between the slits of his wings as she took his mouth roughly.

He growled low in his throat, and Zakara nearly climaxed from the sound of such primal desire. No being had ever made her feel so much. Ramiel opened his eyes and stared straight into her blackened soul. Her fingers played with his wings while he played with her scars. She wasn’t sure who was going to explode first.

His intense regard sparked the inner light she tried to deny. It stretched awake, and she was helpless under its power. Instinct had her calling her defenses until she remembered the reason for their coupling. She had to allow him inside to form the bond necessary to get him into the Underworld.

Kara allowed just enough through but refused to explore what was blossoming between them. This was about saving an innocent child, nothing more. The light flared with that recognition and had her writhing in his arms once again.

His grip on her marred flesh bordered on the edge of pleasure and pain. It was a place she’d lived for more years than she could recall and her core spasmed with the first waves of her climax. Careful not to cut herself, she teased his wings as she continued to kiss him. His thrusts turned frantic, rewarding her efforts, and he called out against her lips as cum shot between her legs and on her stomach.

“Now that we took the edge off, are you ready for the main event? ‘Cause I’m not done with you yet,” she panted as she lowered her legs then pushed him onto her bed. The sound of metal sliding against metal rang through the room as Rami flared his wings, so he didn’t land on them wrong.

“Damn, Salsa. If that was just a warm-up, I’m not sure I can handle your main event,” Ramiel declared as she climbed on top of him.

She smiled at his words. Yeah, she was going to rock his world. Admittedly, her heart cried out for the sexy image below her. His massive black wings spread across her mattress, hooded eyes filled with desire, and an erection promising untold pleasure.

Orgasms and more orgasms sounded like the perfect end to a shitty night, she mused.