CHAPTER 20
He didn’t need a soul to claim Eden as his lover. He definitely didn’t require a soul to slay angels. In fact, a soul was out of the question. The moment Ashur decided to claim his earthbound soul his slayer days would be over.
Then he’d be left a common mortal to walk this earth.
With Eden. If she would have him.
Ashur weighed the choices. He had no compunction toward slaying until all the Fallen were extinguished.
And then what? He’d be left to walk the earth as a Sinistari, forever in fear of finding love, of being banished Beneath. It was an option he could live with, because it could take millennia more for that to occur.
Of course, Eden’s natural death would arrive too quickly in that time. And he doubted she’d prefer him as a demon lover when there existed an option to make love to her as a human.
And with a human soul he need never fear a return to Beneath or torture.
Was he so weak he would succumb to the lure of the mortal flesh? He could have it and not take a soul.
“But not without Eden.”
It all hinged on Eden. Eden, Eden, Eden. Why had she given her name to him? By speaking her name she had fixed herself into his black heart with tenterhooks.
And by the black sea Beneath, he’d no desire to snap those hooks loose.
Sure, if he walked the world for centuries he may find another Eden. Someone who may appeal to his black heart. But he didn’t want to. He’d sat Beneath for too long. Waiting. Just…being. Knowing he was without the joy he jealously guarded deep within his heart.
This time on earth he could make things different. Why not? It was his right to take the soul he was owed. Why deny himself again? For once he had a reason to want to change.
Promise you’ll protect me.
He’d vowed to her he would protect her, and he had no intention of breaking that vow. Eden Campbell, his sweet ache, soft on the outside and wild on the inside.
Decided, Ashur flashed to a quiet hill in the Italian countryside. Around him fields of tall grass waved in greens and gold. A cavalcade of honeybees buzzed the flower tops, their legs weighed heavily with fragrant gold booty.
Nothing like this existed Beneath. And should he remain on earth long after slaying all the Fallen, he would not see this world as he saw it now. Unadulterated and pure, untainted by his vicious desire to grab all the sin he could handle and devour it.
Eden could give him this pureness.
“Raphael,” he whispered, putting intent into the syllables.
The air shimmied through his hair. Clouds zipped by overhead, much faster than usual. Imminent rain flavored the darkening sky. Ashur could taste it in his inhalations.
The sky brightened as if a nuclear explosion occurred.
Ashur fell to one knee and lowered his head. Though Raphael appeared in form viewable by mortals, the Sinistari were not allowed to look upon such divinity. And if they were allowed, Ashur respected the archangel far too much to taint him with his black regard.
“I am surprised at your change of heart,” Raphael said.
Ashur sensed his master would say more and remained submissive.
“Have you grown tired of the hunt? How is that possible when you’ve only been on earth this short time?”
“It is that I’ve tired of Beneath,” he said, truthfully and with conviction. Yet he winced. Was he doing the right thing?
“It is a rather dismal place.”
“I wish to receive an earthbound soul upon my next kill. With Zaqiel’s death.”
“It is every Sinistari’s right…”
That pause meant something else was coming.
“Except for the Stealer of Souls.”
Raphael’s declaration pushed through Ashur’s chest like a wave of sludge. He wanted to choke it up, expel it, but he could only listen—and obey.
“You push the rules to fit your needs, Ashuriel. I do not dispute your desire for reward. You would not be demon, otherwise, if you were not selfish.”
So true. He would bring his demonic mien with him when he was human. Yet he would shuck off his demonic hungers. He must show Eden he could be a good man.
“Such determination, Sinistari. Very well. But first, tell me, why do you want a soul?”
Ashur sucked in his breath. If he revealed the truth, even thought it, Raphael would know, so instead he said what was mostly true. “I remember what it was like before, when I wanted a soul. That wanting has not left me.”
Yet her name eluded his grasp. The woman who had given birth to a beautiful child. The woman he had loved.
“Even after the torture? Impressive. I will see to granting your earthbound reward when Zaqiel is dispatched. With one stipulation, if you will.”
The exception. “Anything, my lord.”
“Since you are the master Sinistari you will be greatly missed amongst the dwindled ranks. Situations must be remedied. Loose ends tied up.”
Ashur nodded compliance, but he didn’t understand.
“You see, I wish to ensure all details of this unholy match between the Fallen and muse are ended. Destroyed. Rendered complete. In other words, after Zaqiel is slain, you must then kill the muse. Eden Campbell’s death is the key to you gaining a human soul.”
The angel flashed away, leaving a brilliant sheen before Ashur’s eyes. He blinked but it didn’t matter, he could not immediately see. His black blood grew icy. His muscles twitched as if sensing imminent torture.
Kill Eden?
He clutched his chest and yelled to Above, loosing his voice as he had never done before.