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All Rights Reserved Angel Cursed Copyright © 2024 Ines Gray No part of this story may be reproduced, scanned, distributed in any printed or electronic form, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of Ines Gray, the author. This is a work of fiction. Names places, characters and incidents are the product of the author's imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or establishments is solely coincidental. Disclaimer: **Angel Cursed is for mature readers. It may contain what some believe to be graphic gore, death, torture, threats of assault, and sexually explicit scenes. You must be 18 years or older to proceed. Despite this story’s setting, it is written in American English. Dedication: Thank you to Alyssa, Hillary, Laine, and Chris. Your feedback has shaped every one of my stories, and your enthusiasm fuels the fire. If you’re a new reader who has stumbled across this story, thank you for sticking around. I’d love to hear from you once you reach the end of Elias and Gladys’s story. Happy reading!

Contents Cover Copyright, Disclaimer, Dedication Chapter One: Elias p. 4 Chapter Two: Gladys p. 17 Chapter Three: Elias p. 43 Chapter Four: Elias p. 68 Chapter Five: Elias p. 87 Chapter Six: Gladys p. 96 Chapter Seven: Elias p. 133 Chapter Eight: Gladys p. 154 Chapter Nine: Elias p. 178 Chapter Ten: Gladys p. 194 Chapter Eleven: Elias p. 211 Chapter Twelve: Gladys p. 256 Chapter Thirteen: Elias p. 280

Angel Cursed Watchers Origins Ines Gray Copyright 2024 Chapter One Elias The countryside outside London, England, 1781 Elias wanted to die. Too bad he couldn’t. Ever. He kicked back on two chair legs, sucked in a breath, and raised his gaze to a dusky sky. A silver streak sliced

the navy night, fading away at the horizon. His eyes closed. “Star light, star bright …” The whispered words trailed off. Would the gods allow an angel to wish for death? Doubtful. Not while still being punished. No, he wasn’t so lucky. Tipping back the glass rummer, he swallowed a shot of Flamethrower. The fiery liquid caught in his throat on a sarcastic snort. Coughing, he slapped his chest. “How ironic. Elias Kokabel,

the fallen star of the gods, can’t wish upon a falling star.” A ridiculous bout of laughter followed, the effects of the magical liquor setting in. He’d purchased nine bottles of the moonshine before leaving the city, the only concoction he’d found strong enough to intoxicate an angel. “Fallen angel,” he reminded himself. The laughter faded. Too soon the voices returned. Mere whispers thanks to the whiskey, but still there. Always there.

He tried instead to focus on the cicadas surrounding the lake. Others found their chorus annoying, but he liked it. Their little mating calls along with the whiskey helped drown out the voices. A month ago, he’d left London for the country to find … what? Peace? Yes, that’s it. He wanted peace. If he couldn’t end this misery, all he wanted was peace. In truth, he needed it. Not that the gods ever gave him what he asked for.

The crack of a rifle interrupted the lyrical insects, followed by a mournful howl. The hairs on Elias’s neck raised. “Bloody poachers! That was close. Too damn close.” He bolted from the back deck, swiping his own flintlock long barrel on the way. Yes, he had supernatural powers and a sword, but he couldn’t use them on humans. Not if he wanted that peace he’d been searching for. But he could have a little fun and scare the breeches off someone. The cads weren’t eating their kills. That’s what

infuriated him. If they were, he wouldn’t mind their intrusion. Sprinting around the corner of the cabin, he drew to a stand where the woodlands kissed the edge of his property. His powerful eyesight pierced the thick foliage, searching for the cowards shooting wild animals for pelts. Lifting the rifle to eye level, he swung left, then right, waiting for the slightest movement. “There you are.” Elias pulled the trigger. The bullet sliced the man’s scraggly beard, striking the tree next to him and

splintering the bark. The human screamed, jumped like a spooked feline, and cursed. The burly bastard spun away, running like a demon with his ass on fire. Elias bent at the waist and guffawed. A pleasant change from the spiraling grief. Leaning forward, resting both hands on his thighs, he breathed air in through the laughter splitting his sides. When it ebbed, he straightened and used a forearm to swipe away the tears streaking his cheeks. Another scan of

the forest using his night vision revealed no lingering hunters. Okay that was worth it. He hadn’t laughed so hard since before … the thought trailed off. Bloody hell. Since before Barrett died. He ran a palm down his face, the memories too sobering. “I need more whiskey.” Turning on a heel, Elias headed home. His pace slowed near the front porch. Several crimson droplets stained the dusty path. The glistening trail widened at the porch base, puddled up

the stairs, and curled around the railing. The metallic scent of copper filled his nostrils. Letting every powerful sense fall open, Elias approached the deck with cautious steps. Injured animals tended to bite. His hearing latched on to deep panting breaths. Prowling up the stairs one by one, he swung the rifle around and froze. Not a wounded animal, but a human. Well, maybe. Maybe something more. The surrounding air crackled with

supernatural energy. Elias scrutinized the forest once more, realizing wild animals weren’t the only ones being hunted. He dropped to a knee, aware the female might be in jeopardy. She’d landed on her side with one arm and leg sprawled out. Pooled blood surrounded her bare torso. A layer of long white hair splattered with crimson concealed her features. Panting like a wounded animal, the strands near her mouth lifted and lowered with each labored breath.

Elias brushed the sticky tousles back, exposing her throat. Macabre hues of blue and green surrounded the delicate flesh. Concern prickled his skin. Had the female worn a collar? Bringing one limp hand to eye level, he examined the caked mud lodged beneath broken fingernails. With two fingers placed on her throat, he checked her pulse. Weak. The blood loss looked significant. He rolled her onto her back, searching for a bullet wound. Splaying all fingers, his thick

pads raked the bloody skin. One caught on a single bullet hole. The female’s eyes popped open. She bolted upright and screamed. A closed fist slammed into Elias’s jaw, sending his head flying to the left with enough force to make his teeth slice the flesh of his lower lip. She fell back to the deck. Pinching his chin between his thumb and forefinger, Elias shook his head. “Bloody hell, that hurt.” He rotated his face back toward the silver-haired beauty and huffed. “But I guess I

deserved it.” His brow cinched. “Apparently, feral animals aren’t the only ones who bite.”

Chapter Two Gladys “Soon you’ll be mine to break, little sister.” Viktor’s head bowed. His gaze turned sinister. “Our coupling will produce the most exquisite brood. One of unprecedented power.” Gladys choked down the bile threatening to surface. “I’m not your sister. Quit saying that. Your plans are disgusting enough. There’s no need to add an extra layer by insinuating we’re siblings.”

Viktor squatted before her, bringing their faces level. He yanked the rope connected to the thick cut of leather circling her throat, jerking her face to the iron bars. The metal clasp at the base of her skull gave a low click. Gladys sucked in air. A dash of hope lit her veins. Somehow, she kept her features neutral. Avoiding Viktor’s heated stare, she concentrated more on the scar zigzagging from his left eye to his upper lip.

“We’re cousins.” He shrugged. “Close enough.” Gladys shook her head. “It’s disturbing. Can’t you please let this go?” As usual, Viktor ignored the question and laughed. The stench of his rancid breath washed over her. A calloused finger dragged down her throat. “Call it what you wish. There’s no escaping me, little sister.” His jaw clenched, and he sniffed. “I’m tired of waiting. By this time next week, you’ll need to choose.” Viktor’s arm shot out,

snaking around her waist. He tugged her bare body to the bars, causing the belt circling her waist to dig farther into bruised flesh. Hot breath skimmed her ear. “Either way, I’ll have you on your back.” White hot pain splintered Gladys Whitlock’s oblique. She groaned and peeled her eyes open with more effort than should have been necessary. A blurry figure hovered above her. Strong hands pressed on her abdomen. It hurt like the bowels of hell.

The memory of being shot slammed back into consciousness. She’d landed on her face when the bullet sliced. Somehow, she managed to stand on two legs and made her way to the only glimmer of light in the forest. Something speared her side. The person’s touch burned. Momentary panic flared. Had Viktor found her? Gladys shrieked and shoved the brawny hands away. Muffled sounds reached her ears as if someone spoke through a funnel. Sucking in rapid

breaths, she concentrated harder on the calming voice. “Easy. Take it easy. I’m trying to heal you as much as possible. I gave you something to dull the pain, but it takes a while to work. I’m sorry. The healing burns. Try lying still.” “Who are you?” she choked out. Sandpaper coated her throat. “Did you shoot me?” The fuzzy edges of her vision cleared. The person’s features came into focus, revealing a man with thick dark hair. A handsome man. Not Viktor.

“Name’s Elias.” His lips formed a straight line. “And no, I didn’t shoot you. Don’t worry. I ran the shooter off.” As odd as it was, she found his voice soothing. A supernatural energy rolled off him. Something she didn’t recognize. The anxiety eased. Though wary, she believed him. Why shoot her, then heal her? Maybe he owned the cabin. Letting her weighted eyelids fall, Gladys focused more on the plush cushion beneath her. A welcome change from the stone and hay.

A sweet tingling sensation teased her toes and fingertips. It spread through the rest of her body. Sighing, she welcomed whatever elixir he administered. The pain at her side transitioned to a delicious warmth a moment before darkness returned. Gladys’s eyelids fluttered open. She pushed up to a sitting position, feeling better than she had in months. Yawning and stretching, the warm blanket fell to her waist. A flood of memories returned. On a sharp breath,

she whipped a hand up to eye level. “What time is it?” Five fingers. Thank the gods. Her shoulders relaxed. “It’s the middle of the night.” Gladys jerked her head around at the sound of a baritone voice. One that sounded familiar and soothing at the same time. Across the room, a tall man stood at a wood burning stove, stirring a pot. A little too late, she realized her breasts were on display. Snatching the blanket to cover herself, she tucked the woolly fabric beneath her armpits. The

scent of something delicious filled her nostrils. Tender meat, carrots, potatoes, and a hint of savory spice. A memory of the stranger healing her returned. He squatted to his haunches, opened the firebox, and used a poker to push the wood around. His head inclined toward the blanket. “Don’t worry.” The corners of his mouth twitched. “I’ve already seen everything. If I wanted to ravage your body, I’d have done it by now.” Ravage? Her cheeks heated, the state of her vulnerability made all too

real by her nakedness. Though she’d never suffered the sexual inhibitions of humans, never conformed to the social norms or restrictions they’d placed upon females, being humiliated by Viktor this past a year left her defensive. Not to mention, she’d never get used to feeling vulnerable. Letting one eyebrow climb up her forehead, she pinned the stranger with a stare. “Is that humor supposed to comfort me?”

He shrugged. The corners of his lips twitched more, until they curled up. “Yes. You didn’t find it funny?” “No. A bit questionable, actually.” He chuckled. “Sorry. Guess my ability to interact with others is lacking. I’ve been out of touch.” He stood and stepped closer, his gait loose. Gladys flinched. Coming to an abrupt halt, he lifted both palms, and gave her a wary nod. “One of my shirts is on the table next to you. You can put it on if you feel up to moving around.

The stew will be on the table in five minutes.” At least he had the decency to turn around, allowing a measure of privacy. Gladys lifted her arm, letting the blanket fall. She examined the injury, seeing the protective cover of a scab forming. Not bad. It looked more than a week old, almost healed. She’d been right. The stranger with questionable jokes wasn’t human. Her gaze narrowed on his broad shoulders. He’d used his hands to heal her. Not a mage. She’d been able to

identify others like her since childhood. Not a shifter, either. Something else. But what? Gladys reached for the white shirt and slipped it over her head, threading both arms through the sleeves. She inspected the modest stone cabin. A single room containing the bed, table, washstand, and stove. Counting two exits, she mentally noted all avenues of escape. Swinging her legs off the mattress, Gladys stood. The shirt fell past her

knees. A masculine scent rolled off it, filling her nostrils with a hint of lye and earthy musk. The combination wrapped around her like a cozy shawl, giving off an irrational sense of comfort. Shaking off the feeling, she crossed the room. The man set two steaming bowls of stew on the table. Wringing her hands together, her eyes lifted. “I’m sorry, can you tell me your name again? I was out of sorts when you said it earlier.”

His chin raised. Their gazes collided. “Elias.” A series of flutters swept Gladys’s lower abdomen. This close, his handsome features came into view. How Elias made a stubbled jaw and a full head of messy hair alluring, she had no idea, but the proof stood before her. His blue eyes held hers a little too long before motioning to the nearest stool. “Have a seat if you’re hungry …” He trailed off, waiting for something. Snapping back to reality, she gave him a thin smile. “Oh, sorry.” Laying a

palm across her chest, she inclined her head. “Gladys.” Dragging the stool out, she checked the crack between the closed shutters. Still dark. Surely, she had time to eat. After contemplating all options, hunger overrode logic. She sat. Elias followed suit and raised a brow as he passed a loaf of bread. “You don’t look like a Gladys.” Her lips lifted. “I hear that often. It’s a family name.” She slid him a wary glance. “What do I look like?” Elias shot her a grin, almost knocking her

from the stool, feeling struck in the solar plexus. The man wasn’t handsome, his beauty was compelling, commanding the attention of an entire room. “Hmm.” Tilting his head left and right, he gave her a scrutinizing once-over. “Firecracker.” The words were matter-of-fact. “It suits you.” Gladys froze with the spoon touching her lips. Was he flirting? “Pardon?”

Gripping his chin, Elias wiggled his jaw. “Your left hook is powerful. Explosive.” She laughed. Something she hadn’t done in a long time. She missed it. “I’m sorry. I get violent when in pain.” Her lips closed over the utensil. An involuntary moan escaped her before swallowing. “Oh my. That’s the best rabbit stew I’ve ever tasted.” Lifting another mouthful, she paused. “Thank you for saving my life and being so gracious.”

“You’re welcome. Take as much as you’d like.” He cocked a brow. “I’m surprised you eat rabbit. There aren’t a lot of city folk eating meat these days. I take it you’re not from London. Do you live nearby?” Gladys shrugged. The words were out of her mouth before realizing it. “I eat rabbit nearly every day.” She cringed, aware of how odd the statement sounded. Hoping to brush past the mistake, she answered his question with a half lie. “I don’t live far.” She steered the conversation to a

new topic. “You healed me with your hands.” Her eyes narrowed to slits as she tore at the bread. “What are you?” Elias coughed, nearly choking on a mouthful of stew. After swallowing, he used a serviette to wipe his mouth. “What do you mean?” A gradual smile lifted her lips. “Your secret’s safe with me. I’m a mage. I can feel your energy. Its strong, but unlike any I’ve ever felt.” Gladys leaned forward, raking her gaze over his muscular form. “You’re not a

mage or a shifter. So I’ll ask again. What are you?” Scrubbing his face, he looked away as if contemplating the answer. After a moment, he peered over the top of his hand and sighed. “Fallen angel. I can transfer small amounts of my regenerative ability to a select few.” Her eyes widened. “Angel?” Synapses fired. A sliver of hope surfaced. How powerful were angels? Could Elias help? No. She dismissed the thought as soon as it formed. It’d be reckless. Not to mention, too

dangerous to drag another person into this mess. Supernatural or not, she owed the angel her life. She couldn’t get him marked for death. “Fallen angel,” he grumbled, dragging her attention back to him. “There’s a difference.” “What’s the difference?” Elias pushed off the table and stood, releasing an exasperated breath. “It’s a long story.” Setting the now-empty bowl on the washstand, he turned to face her. With both hands shoved into the pockets of his breeches, he leaned

against the wall. “How about we forego the remaining pleasantries and quit dancing around the real issue here.” A tremor of caution rippled down Gladys’s spine. “What’s the real issue?” He waived a hand through the air. “Oh, I don’t know, Gladys. Care to explain how a beautiful mage wearing no clothes ended up on my doorstep with a bullet lodged in her abdomen? Not to mention, one who appears to have once been collared.”

A pinprick of heat pierced Gladys’s chest, spreading to her neck and cheeks. Beautiful? The moment of warmth disintegrated, swallowed by cold anxiety. She rubbed the base of her neck where the clasp of the collar broke. Perspiration beaded along her flesh. A sense of self-preservation rose. Swallowing hard, Gladys dropped her chin. She’d almost forgotten, thanks to the angel’s mesmerizing charm. How could she have been so dim-witted? The importance of putting distance

between herself and Viktor slammed back. A heavy weight fell upon her, making it hard to breath. The room grew smaller. A lightning bolt of fear surged. When her gaze lifted, the sharp bread knife to her right vibrated. Oh no, not now! In a steely blur, it lifted from the table and whipped across the room to impale Elias.

Chapter Three Elias Elias cursed and rotated a moment before the bread knife struck the wall behind his head. A drop of liquid trickled down his throat. He touched the spot where the blade had grazed his flesh. Sure enough, blood dotted the tip of one finger. Gladys gasped and sprung from the stool, knocking it over. Both hands flew to cover her mouth. Squeezing her eyelids shut, she spun on a heel. “Oh,

gods. I’m sorry. I need to leave.” In a blur of movement, she bolted for the door. Anger and awe drove Elias to pounce. He growled like a feral animal, tackling the fleeing mage. Her arms and legs flung out as she fought back. One heel slammed into his shin. An elbow grazed his jaw. Mere annoyances, considering the state of his temper. Gladys’s teeth gnashed, looking for flesh to sink into. Bloody hell, the fiery mage could put up a fight. Rolling and

pinning her with his weight, Elias used a forearm to still her thrashing head. “Gladys, calm down! I’m not going to hurt you.” The words came out harsher than intended. With her cheek kissing the floor, Gladys sucked in a sob. “You don’t understand. I need to leave. I didn’t mean it. Please, let me go!” Fear bordering on panic drenched every word. She squirmed beneath him. Her breaths shortened. The terror rolling off her deflated his anger. Despite the organ beneath his

breastbone ricocheting, Elias managed to control his tone. “It’s alright. Hush.” Dammit, she was terrified. And beautiful. He cursed himself for going there. But gods, when she rose from his bed wearing his shirt, visions of ripping it off her tone body invaded his thoughts. And yes, being attracted to the mage trying to kill him might not be logical, but someone should tell his cock. The damned thing wouldn’t stand down. “Shh. Calm down, sweetheart.” Unable to control himself, he trailed a

thumb over the delicate curve of her cheek where the bone faded into a silvery hairline. “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll let you up if you promise not to run. It’s okay, Gladys. I won’t hurt you.” Using a palm, he stroked back her hair. “I promise. It’s okay.” The labored breaths slowed as if his touch calmed her. “It was an accident, Elias. I swear. A survival response.” When her shoulders relaxed, he shifted to release her, and rolled to his back on the hard wooden floor.

“You’re a metal wielder.” It wasn’t a question. Gladys pushed up to a sitting position. Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Yes. It’s a new development I can’t control yet.” She used a shirt sleeve to dry her eyes. Elias shook his head. Strange. “How can that be true? A mage’s powers emerge in childhood.” The innocent question tripped an emotional avalanche. Gladys sucked in another breath and released a new rush of tears. “I’ve been experimented on

for a year by someone I should have been able to trust.” Her palms engulfed her face as she wailed. “I’m an abomination.” Some inane primitive need to comfort the alluring would-be-killer swept through him. Before common sense set in, he’d pulled her to his lap with her thighs straddling his hips. Gladys’s arms circled his neck. Her face fell into the natural cocoon of his throat and collarbone. And sweet hell, the mage smelled good. Like wild lilac dipped in

morning dew. Even the hint of danger swirling amid the flowery mix couldn’t deter. The earth-scented mage pulled him under. Feeling out of his element, unsure how to handle a crying female, Elias hooked an arm around her waist. He cupped the top of her silver mane with a clumsy hand, stroking downward to the middle of her back. “I’m sorry that happened to you. You’re not an abomination.” An endless string of questions formed under the veil of anger. Who the hell collared a female

to perform experiments? And where was Gladys from? If he were a smart angel, he’d kick her out now. No doubt a firestorm of violence followed this mage. There’d be no peace with her around. Yet he couldn’t do it. And he’d already established he wasn’t smart. For the past year he’d been a walking corpse, wishing for death. Despite the tremor of warning Gladys sparked, Elias realized he’d never felt more alive. A strange new effervescence lit every vein.

Warm breath skimmed his throat, triggering arousal to bloom in his groin; a part of his body he’d been sure went dormant the moment the gods inflicted the curse. Gladys lifted her head, her gaze locking on his. “I’m sorry.” The long waves of her white hair shook back and forth. “I shouldn’t have dropped this on you. You’ve been so gracious, and I’ve taken advantage of your kindness.” Her bottom lip trembled. “I need to leave. For both our sakes.”

The logical part of his brain attempted to take over. “You’re probably right. It’s for the best.” But if that was the case, why weren’t they moving? And why were his fingers weaving through her silky locks as if they had a mind of their own? And sweet hell, were their mouths moving closer? Gladys’s pupils dilated. “I shouldn’t —” The swell of her bottom lip brushed his. A strong rap on front door interrupted.

The mage flinched, then paled. She sprang from his lap, moved to a low squat, and backed away on all fours. A low whisper burst from her throat. “Don’t let them in.” Scanning the room, her head darted back and forth. “What time is it?” Giving himself a mental shake, Elias purged the lust haze. Gods, had she spelled him? His eyes narrowed. The mage resembled a cornered animal. “Take a deep breath. Calm down.” Her odd reaction shot an extra dose of adrenaline into his veins as he rolled to

his feet. Not to mention, no one knocked on his door. Ever. Can’t be a coincidence. “What time is it, Elias!” she hissed, demanding an answer. Every piece of metal in the cabin vibrated. The utensils on the table, the fire poker, metal bowls, his sword. Blimey. Gladys looked feral. He snapped his fingers. “Gladys, look at me.” Her wild eyes darted to his. “I need you to take a deep breath. I can’t help if I’m knocked out or decapitated by my own sword.” He eyed the

vibrating knife in the wall and said it again. “Take a deep breath with me.” Sucking in air, he encouraged her to mimic him. She did. “Now, try to control the metal wielding. I’m not sure what time it is. Maybe a little before dawn. Don’t worry. I’ll deal with whoever’s at the door.” Keeping her eyes locked on his, she gave him a tight nod. Elias turned, squaring both shoulders. “Stay here.” He craned his head side to side, cracking his neck, knowing he wouldn’t like whatever

stood on the other side of the door. But he was in this mess ankle-deep now, wasn’t he? The opportunity to boot Gladys out had passed. The moment he swept her off the porch and laid her in his bed, he’d thrown all hope for peace out the window. Letting all angel senses fall open, Elias stepped up, cracked the door, and pinched his brow. A formidable male stood on the porch. Another towered behind him on the dirt path. “What do you want?” The words rumbled

through his chest. The need for pleasantries passed long ago. The man’s nostrils flared as if catching a scent. His irises flashed gold before returning to their natural color. Shifters. “Give us the female.” The man stepped forward, invading Elias’s space. An attempt to intimidate. Elias stopped him with a palm to the chest. Pushing him back, he exited, shutting the cabin door behind him. “Sorry. Just me here, no females.” “Lies. I can smell her. Move aside —” He sniffed the air, his upper lip

curling. “Whatever you are. She belongs to another.” Elias dropped his chin to glare at the man over lowered lids. “You don’t want to know what I am. You have exactly two seconds to get off my porch and leave. Heed my warning and live, or …” He shrugged, letting the bollock piece together the remainder of the sentence. The other man huffed a moment before slicing the air with a meaty fist. Elias ducked, crunching the attacker’s ribs with a left hook. The cracking of

bone sent a rush of satisfaction through Elias. He spun sideways, swiping a dagger from the shifter’s waist. In a blur of speed, he flung it at the second shifter who’d already leaped forward, baring insidious fangs. It hit its mark, impaling the second assailant’s heart. He fell to his knees before face-planting and driving the blade deeper. When Elias turned, he faced a golden-eyed jaguar of unnatural size. It growled and pounced, dragging him from the porch.

Elias whipped up a forearm to protect his throat a moment before immense fangs sank into the muscles surrounding his radius. The animal jerked back, working hard to tear flesh from bone. Knife-like claws serrated Elias’s abdomen. He fell back on the hard-packed earth and kicked a knee forward, hitting the large cat in its breastbone. It screeched. The grip loosened enough to pull his arm free, sharp fangs shredding muscle on the way.

Rolling twice with the cat, Elias landed on top. In a flash of angel speed and strength, he gripped the large head, twisted, and broke the animal’s neck. The shifter’s body transitioned back to the dead man. Chest heaving, Elias jumped sideways, scanning the forest for others. He willed his pulse to calm. Satisfied no more shifters lingered, he hurdled the first attacker and stormed into the cabin, coming to a skidding halt. “Gladys!” His head turned left and right, not finding her. “I need

answers!” The back door stood open. He sniffed the air, sprinting through it. Her scent led him to the edge of the forest. Darting through the towering English oaks, Elias searched for the evasive mage. Light and shadow bounced around. Dawn pierced the night sky, giving rise to shades of pink and yellow where the sun’s rays crested the horizon. Forced to move slower at an incline, Elias smoothed a palm over his aching side. Dried blood covered his ripped shirt, crumpling in his grip. Inspecting

the lacerations, he saw the flesh begin to knit together. A quick examination of his injured arm revealed a similar healing process. Within hours, they’d fade to minor scars. At the edge of a rambling creek, Gladys’s scent disappeared. His borrowed shirt billowed in the wind, stuck to a briar bush. Snatching it and wadding the fabric within a fist, he dragged a palm down his face. “Well, blimey. I can’t believe she ran.” And what the hell? He lifted the shirt to eye level. Is the mage bare again? Loss

filled his chest. Why, he had no idea. For crying out loud, he’d known the fiery woman for a couple of hours. But hellfire, she could have said goodbye. Admitting defeat, Elias swung around to head home. A low growl halted his progress. Ahead of him, a white wolf blocked the path. Its long tongue darted out to lick sharp canines. Momentary panic spiked until Elias realized it wasn’t a shifter. Gray eyes. Not gold. He checked the surrounding forest for more, knowing wild packs roamed the land, but saw none. The

rarity of seeing a white wolf struck. The beast was beautiful. It growled again. “Easy, boy. Er, uh,” — he dipped his chin, taking a second glance — “I mean, girl. Just trying to make my way home.” Their gazes locked, each wary of the other. Using a slow arc, he eased around the canine. The wolf’s upper lip curled, then vibrated on another growl. Elias showed her his palms. “Good girl. Stay there. Don’t make me hurt you.”

Safe on the opposite side, he let out a breath, shaking his head. He stalked home, trying to dislodge thoughts of an alluring mage who showed up naked at his door, then disappeared like a wraith in the wind.

Chapter Four Elias Elias couldn’t sleep. After tossing, turning, and cursing up a storm, he gave up. Rolling to a stand, he padded across the room, muttering to himself. The pillow smelled of wild lilac. With a quick flick, the blood-crusted shirt tore from his torso. He flung it to the rubbish bin. The fabric smelled of charred shifter. Smoky remnants from the hour spent burning the two bodies clung to his skin and hair.

He headed for the lake with an armful of fresh clothing and a bar of Castile intent on washing away all lingering scents. Pausing where the shore sloped into the crystal blue water like a beach, he peeled off the blood-stained breeches. Angels tended to run hotter than humans, withstanding volatile temperatures better. He dipped a toe in the serene pool. No doubt the tepid water felt frigid to a human. To him, it felt like heaven.

With the pants thrown over a shoulder, he waded in, leaving ripples in his wake. He dipped below before scrubbing the stained fabric with the lye-based soap. Several moments and many curse words later, he threw the laundered pants on a log, leaving them to dry under the midday sun. Foamy lather covered both palms. He cleaned the skin on his arms and abs. The wounds were healed, replaced by minor scars, thanks to an accelerated regeneration.

Elias heaved a sigh, pitched the soap, and dove deep, sinking to the bottom like dead weight. The water stung his eyes. A rainbow of colors shimmered where the sun’s rays pierced the crystalline liquid. Though it made for a beautiful image, the eerie silence allowed the voices to creep back in. The gods cursed him to an immortal life with no purpose but held no reservations about using him as a conduit. Lately, they’d been whispering more than usual,

sometimes speaking over one another. If he were a mortal man, he’d have gone mad long ago. Thanks to the connection, the creators never let him forget why he fell. Elias concentrated harder on blocking them out. When his eyes squeezed shut, Barrett’s face flashed behind the lids. The son he’d failed to protect. The reason he’d been cursed in the first place. Fucking Rogue Watchers. He should have made it a priority to be in Barrett’s life. Would the outcome have

been different? And sweet hell, this earthly life was full of what-ifs. What if he’d restrained himself. What if he’d been in Barrett’s life. Pushing off the sandy bottom, Elias broke the water’s surface and sucked in a deep breath, filling his aching lungs, trying to shake off the weight of regret. An odd sense of being watched prickled his skin. He turned to face the shore. The white wolf he’d met in the forest sat on the bank near his clothing. She cocked her head, gray eyes tracking him. Elias again marveled at

the sight of her. How many white wolves existed in Europe? Not many. The color of her fur reminded him of a feisty mage he’d been trying to forget all morning. And just like that, his cock swelled. “Dammit.” His libido hadn’t sparked in centuries. Gladys awakened an inert part of his cursed soul. In truth, he couldn’t blame it all on the curse. The gods had nothing to do with that self-inflicted punishment. The memory of Gladys sleeping in his bed flared. And maybe he shouldn’t

have looked while mending the mage, but it’d been difficult with everything laid bare. He recalled the moment she sat astride his hips. Every sensuous curve had pressed to his body. What would she have done if he’d slipped his palms beneath the borrowed shirt, dragged them up her silky skin, and clutched the globes of her ass in his hands. Rotating and keeping his back to the shore, Elias gripped his cock beneath the water. He closed his eyes. The arousal sent a sliver of something

dashing through his chest. Something he hadn’t felt in centuries. Hope. The swells of Gladys’s breasts filled his vision as he pumped his fist twice. He shouldn’t be fantasizing. It would lead to nothing useful. Still, he couldn’t stop his imagination from running wild, returning to the image of her lying in his bed. Elias tugged the blanket aside, exposing her bare body. Full round hips tapered to a trim waist. A soft gasp escaped her lips. Succulent lips that begged to be kissed. Desire rose in

those sultry gray eyes. Elias dipped his head to press his mouth against hot silky flesh. Using the tip of his tongue, he traced a circle around one rosy nipple. Gladys arched and moaned. Elias’s strokes increased in speed. In his mind’s eye, Gladys gripped his cock. She dropped to her knees, stroking him from tip to base. Then her full lips were on his shaft, her tongue flicking a circle around the tip. He was close. On the verge of — “Fuck! Bloody hell!” Elias released himself, unspent lust coiling tight in

his balls. What the hell was he doing? Not controlling himself led to this godforsaken curse. After centuries of celibacy, a woman appeared on his doorstep, and what? He turned into a pubescent human? He lowered his feet, dipping below the water’s crest, trying to wash away erotic images of the mage. It didn’t work. But what did it matter? Gladys was gone. He dragged a palm down his face. Gods help him, he wanted her. He shouldn’t. A world of trouble followed Gladys. If he wanted peace, all

thoughts of the little witch needed purged. On the shore, the wolf sat in the same spot. She stood and whimpered, then spun in two playful circles, wagging a bushy tail. Her head tilted side to side before scampering away toward the forest’s edge. Elias glided forward, intent on escaping. Halfway up the sandy slope, the wolf returned, darting from the forest. He scrambled up the incline, scooped up his clothing, stepped backward, and prepared to run,

knowing his angel speed could outrun any normal wolf. Her big paws padded closer. On the verge of bolting, Elias watched the wolf’s momentum slow until she stopped. Something hung from her jaws. He squinted, seeing a furry leg dangling from her muzzle. “What do you have there?” A dead eastern cottontail dropped to the shore. Elias let one eyebrow raise. “What’s this?” She pawed the lifeless animal. He squatted to his haunches. “A peace offering? You want to share?” She

barked and nosed the carcass closer. Elias lifted one corner of his mouth, chuckling. “Okay, give me a moment. I’ll get dressed, then I suppose I’ll be cooking us lunch.” Thirty minutes later, Elias threw a boiled hindquarter high in the air from the back porch. The silver canine caught it between her strong jaws. She laid down and went to work. Elias lowered to the chair, balancing a tin of meat and vegetables on his lap. He scrutinized the wolf. She tore into the leg, making it disappear within

seconds, bone and all. He chucked a few more pieces across the yard, including the boiled belly, liver, and heart. While skinning and quartering the rabbit, the wolf had hovered near the open cabin door, never entering, but keeping a close eye on her kill as he prepared the meal. He watched her lick her chops now, having consumed all the pieces. Elias chewed and swallowed, realizing he liked the canine’s presence.

He pointed the tines of his fork at her. “You know, you’ll need a name if you’re going to keep hanging around. You’re such a pretty —” He startled, breaking off when a supernatural energy touched the edges of his own. So weak and brief, it faded away as if he’d imagined it. The energy felt like the kind Gladys emanated. With narrowed eyes, he scanned the trees surrounding the lake. An irrational sense of hope filled his chest. Had Gladys returned? Within moments the feeling fell away, replaced by

disappointment. He heaved a sigh, having seen nothing with his powerful eyesight. Wishful thinking? A huff brought his focus back to the wolf. She edged closer, using tentative steps. Her muzzle lowered to the decking. When he brought a loin to his mouth, mournful gray eyes with large, dilated pupils lifted to his. He paused. “Don’t look at me like that. This one’s mine. You were sharing, remember?” Her ears perked up and her forehead wrinkled as her

head cocked to one side. She had such an expressive face. One of a kind. “What are we going to call you, little girl?” Her gray eyes widened, dancing in the afternoon sun as if waiting to be named. “You remind me of someone. Pretty moonstone eyes. Sleek white fur.” Pressing his lips together, he took a moment to think. “How about Firecracker?” The wolf lifted her head and barked. “You like it?” She barked again. “Very well, then. Firecracker it is.” Elias grinned and lobbed the bone upward. She

snatched it from the air, and Elias swore the canine smiled.

Chapter Five Elias Two days passed with no sight of the mage. A small part of Elias hoped she’d return. Standing at the edge of a gorge, he closed his eyes and lifted his face to the sun. It warmed his skin. Too bad it couldn’t warm his soul. A twig snapped behind him. Glancing sideways, he watched Firecracker trot forward. The muscles in her hindquarters rolled a half a second before taking a playful leap.

Powerful paws slammed into his back, making him falter and reposition for balance. “What was that for?” He chuckled, then ruffled her fur. Firecracker barked, pushed off, and landed on all fours before she hopped sideways to butt her head against his thigh. Elias bent to one knee, scratching her scruff. “Calm down. You’re quite the dramatic attention-seeker today.” After smoothing her soft ears a few times with a palm, he turned, facing the gorge, and sat tailor-style on the

hard earth. Firecracker lowered to her belly, sidling up alongside him to let her foreleg touch his thigh. Today made the second morning she’d appeared, scratching on his door at the crack of dawn, tail swinging, a limp rabbit carcass hanging from her mouth. In truth, he’d grown tired of rabbit, but he wouldn’t offend the pup. They’d settled into a routine. After preparing the meat, she’d cling to him like a barnacle until dusk. At twilight she’d disappear to hunt and howl or do

whatever wolves did at night. He liked her company and looked forward to seeing the playful girl every morning. Elias ran a hand down her silky back as he surveyed the surrounding land, searching for a dwelling. Gladys said she didn’t live far. Yet the two-day search surrounding his property led to nothing. Not one home. Giving away his horse proved to be a regretful decision. If he still had one, he’d go farther. “I miss Gladys,” Elias said, directing the words to Firecracker. “I don’t

know why. I barely knew her. Yet I can’t stop thinking about the mage. I hope she’s okay.” He fell back to his elbows and closed his eyes. The sound of Firecracker’s soft panting breaths filled the air, comforting him. “You should’ve seen her.” His lips tipped up when the embedded image of Gladys arose. “What a spitfire.” He gripped his jaw, remembering how she’d nearly taken his head off. Mouth straightening, a sigh rolled off his lips. “Maybe I just want another chance to save someone.” Had he tricked himself

into believing that helping the mage might provide redemption? Not from the gods, but from himself. Maybe. But he suspected there was more to the rising feelings. His eyes opened to see Firecracker staring at him. An intense stare, as if she’d been studying him. “Do you believe in love at first sight?” Her head tilted, ears perking up. “I didn’t until two nights ago.” Firecracker whimpered. Her snout came to rest across his torso. He buried his fingers in the thick fur at her neck. “I wish I

could see her once more. Ease my mind.” Elias laid back, folding both arms beneath his head. After a few moments of silence he told Firecracker about his duty on earth. How he’d been sent to observe humankind. “And now I’m stuck here. Cursed for creating a child.” Every Watcher fell the same. They’d become lustful and procreated. The ultimate sin. He shrugged a shoulder. “But what did the gods expect after remaining on earth for so long? Angels are sexual creatures.” He

sighed. “Maybe it was a test. I guess we all failed.” Elias stood, feeling as though a weight had been lifted from his chest. Firecracker may be a wild animal, but she was one hell of a listener. He glanced around once more before admitting defeat. He wouldn’t find Gladys. She’d disappeared. Clapping his hands together, Elias whistled to get the pup’s attention. She lifted a dirt-covered muzzle from a rabbit’s den and snorted. “Let’s get

back. It’ll be dark in a few hours, and you have wolfish things to do.”

Chapter Six Gladys Gladys broke the surface of the bubbling creek, rinsing away the lathered concoction of lilac, aloe vera, and burdock root. She trudged up the steep bank to slide her feet into a pair of ballerina-like slippers, then snapped the modest dress, shaking away dirt and debris. She’d never believed herself capable of theft, but when self-preservation took hold, desperate times led to

desperate measures. Still, justifying her actions did nothing to ease the nagging guilt over swiping the items from an unsuspecting housemaid. Yes, she’d stolen the bare minimum, but it didn’t soothe her soul. She shook her head, knowing she’d made a string of bad decisions these past two days, starting with the return to Elias’s property after putting miles of distance between her and Viktor. Why, she had no idea. But here she was, about to make another foolhardy decision. One that may end her life.

After wasting two days debating, trying to convince herself Elias might be able to help, she scrounged up enough courage to face him. But if she couldn’t reveal her secrets to the handsome angel tonight, she’d leave. Staying longer meant death. For them both. The memory of Elias bathing in the lake resurfaced. She’d watched him from the tree line, stricken with awe, nearly choking on her own tongue when he emerged from the water like a chiseled sculpture.

Shivering and trying to push away the erotic visions, Gladys wiped droplets from her face before tugging the dress over her torso. She squeezed water from her hair, shaking it out and fluffing the waves with her fingers. Fifteen minutes later, Gladys stared at Elias’s door, wringing her hands together. Lifting a fist, it trembled in time with her racing pulse, knowing her presence could alter his future. Deep down, she couldn’t deny the cold hard truth. A growing desire for the angel consumed her. After spying

for days, listening to his confessions, she’d grown fond of him. Warmth spread through her body now, an intense heat that settled low in her belly. And sweet Mother Earth, what he’d said to the wolf about her — it triggered a million butterflies to flutter through her chest. Gods, she wanted Elias. Wanted to feel his strong body against hers. Wanted to cup his face between her palms and press her lips to his. And now, she questioned her own motives. Were they selfish? Dropping

her head to the door, she again analyzed her reasons for returning. Elias should hate her. After fighting and killing two of Viktor’s men, she’d run like a coward. Why the angel spoke so fondly of her, she had no idea. An uncomfortable heaviness filled the space beneath her breastbone. She shouldn’t have returned. Leaving was the right thing to do. Staying meant risking his life. Gazing at the simple linen dress covering her body, Gladys pushed off

the door, shaking her head. “I can’t do this to him.” But it was too late. The door swung open. “Gladys!” Elias’s eyes widened. A breath caught in her throat. He stood before her shirtless and clean-shaven. His mussed hair suggested he’d been tossing and turning. Before recovering from the blinding beauty, a strong hand wrapped around hers, pulling her inside. The door slammed shut with a loud thud.

The most beautiful smile she’d ever witnessed spread across Elias’s face. That odd warmth filled her chest. “Gods, you can’t comprehend how happy I am to see you again!” His excited tone unraveled any notion of running. “Where have you been? Are you well?” Strong comforting hands stroked up and down her arms as his gaze swept her body. “Yes, I’m well,” Gladys lied, moving out of his reach before doing something stupid like acting on the embers of heat simmering low in her

belly. “I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your help before I leave.” She lifted a hesitant gaze to his. “Thank you for saving me twice.” His gaze searched hers. “You’re welcome, but why do you need to leave? I lost my mind, wondering if you were okay. Wanting to see you again.” He stepped forward. “Stay. At least for a little while. Are you hungry?” Sidestepping once more, Gladys tried to maintain control. She shook her head. “No. I’m sorry. I can’t stay

long.” Her palm skimmed Elias’s smooth jaw, a mistake she realized too late. A desire to touch more of the angel overpowered common sense. He leaned into the touch. The light dusting of his chest hair brushed her erect nipples through the thin linen dress. “Why? You can tell me. Let me help you, sweetheart.” With the softest touch, he tucked a wild lock of hair behind her ear, then let his hand slide to her chin, tilting her face. Tears burned the corners of Gladys’s eyes. Gods, how she wished that were

true. But she’d made the decision. “You can’t help me, Elias.” Swallowing emotion, she knew she couldn’t jeopardize the angel’s life. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to let you know I’m okay and give you my thanks. I need to go.” Shoving aside the turmoil, Gladys rushed for the door. “Wait.” He caught her wrist, spinning her around. Her back flattened to the door as the angel invaded her space. One more touch,

and she’d cave. His palms came to rest on either side of her head. Dipping his chin, Elias brought their faces level. “Stay.” The one word hinted at so much more, weakening her resolve. The scent of his sweet breath feathered her lips. “Whether you let me help you or not, stay one night.” Gladys placed her palms on Elias’s chest, intending to push him away, until his pectorals flexed beneath her touch, blurring all logical thought. The strong beat of his heart thumped like a snare drum against her flat hands as

she swept them along his flesh, only half realizing she petted the angel. A warm palm slid up her hamstring, stopping to cup the curve of her buttocks. She gasped, snapping her head up to meet Elias’s hungry gaze. Heat bloomed between her thighs. His head dipped farther. Velvety lips brushed Gladys’s throat before moving to her jawline. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. And I can’t explain why, but I’ve missed you.”

The confession sent a series of those butterflies fluttering through Gladys’s lower belly. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.” The pads of his fingers dragged across the top of her hip. His thumb circled the taut skin in a lazy caress. Goose bumps formed along her flesh. “I can hear the quick beats of your heart.” Gladys closed her eyes and let her head fall back, allowing Elias’s lips to brush her collarbone. Her breaths shortened.

A low rumble erupted from his chest. “I can smell your arousal.” The growled words kicked her pulse up. Hot breath feathered her ear. “Stay.” Her eyes opened. He lifted his head. “Ask me to kiss you, Gladys.” The angel’s irises glowed in the dim candlelight of the cabin. An iridescent blue, as if an internal fire ignited. The hunger in his expression stoked the embers burning deep in her belly, taking her own flame from smoldering to blazing. I can’t.

Digging fingernails into powerful shoulder muscles, she tried to form the words, having trouble with a lust-soaked brain. Their gazes locked. All common sense disappeared. “Kiss me.” The words were a breathy rush. What the hell was she doing? Acting on baser needs? Yet something told her it was more. Then Elias kissed her. His mouth devoured hers in the most delicious, furious kiss she’d ever experienced. She groaned, lifting her arms to circle the angel’s neck. His

palms slid upward, cupping her breasts through the thin fabric. When his thumbs grazed the hard peaks of her nipples, Elias swallowed her second moan. He pressed her to the door. The hard lines of his muscular body felt glorious against her curves. Strong hands clutched her buttocks, pulling her aching core to the erection tenting his pants. He pumped his hips. “Sweet hell, Gladys.” In a blur of movement, she found herself straddling Elias’s thigh. An

unrelenting friction skimmed along her center. Her hips rocked back and forth, his shaft now prodding her belly. Soft lips sucked along her throat. She lifted her chin, giving Elias more access. He aroused her like no one else. She’d laid with three men in her twenty-eight years, learning new skills from each. Yet not one showed an interest in her desires. The collar of her dress slid down. Elias’s lips and tongue paved a wet trail along her heated flesh. Gladys speared the thick waves of his hair,

cupping the base of his skull to take control. Her tongue plunged into his mouth, dragging alongside his. He tasted like caraway and citrus. The exhilarating combination exploded on her tastebuds. “We have too much clothing on, Elias.” She breathed deep, her nails digging farther into flesh. “I’m on fire.” Elias rolled his hips. Her arousal soaked the fabric of his breeches. “Your scent —” He moaned, panting against her mouth. “It’s driving me

crazy.” The jarring growl he released should have sent her running. Instead, she wanted to hear it again. He reached between them, slipped his fingers beneath the dress, and pulled it off, discarding it onto the floor. After sweeping her into his arms, he spun around, making his way to the bed. Gladys’s entire body trembled. Anticipation made it difficult to form coherent thoughts or words. For a year, she’d suppressed her own sex drive, thankful for the celibacy under

Viktor’s captivity. But now … sweet Mother Earth, it felt as though she were starving for Elias. This angel. She wanted to savor him in a primal way. Spend the next few hours lost in his body to block out reality. As if she were made of glass, he laid her on the fluffy bedspread and crawled over her. Transfixed, Gladys skimmed both palms down his broad chest, humming in appreciation as her fingers glided over every ridge, dipping into every valley. Elias looked as if he’d been carved from granite and

covered in tanned skin. “Are all angels this beautiful?” A chuckle vibrated the pads of her fingertips. “I’ve never given it much thought.” One finger hooked her chin, lifting her face. “Besides, I only want you focused on one angel tonight.” “Oh, I’m extremely focused.” Her fingertips skipped along the tantalizing trail of dark hair disappearing beneath his pants. Before moving lower, she brought one hand to her lips, licking the palm from base to tip.

Elias watched. His eyebrows raised in silent question. The intense gaze sent a series of shivers skittering across her flesh. Gladys pushed down his waistband and gasped at the sight of the angel’s divine erection. Wrapping her fingers around the velvety skin, she began a slow up and down stroke. Elias punched his hips forward. “Sweet hell, Gladys!” His head fell forward, his weight balanced between both arms. “Blimey, that’s amazing.” Her grip tightened, and she added a

twist to the up stroke and a brush of her thumb over the flared head. A drop of moisture appeared, glistening in the candlelight. She swirled her thumb through it. Elias groaned. His back curved in a beautiful arch. She couldn’t look away, hypnotized by the expression of male pleasure rising on his face. His teeth gritted a moment before his hand wrapped around hers, ceasing the action. “Sweetheart, it’s been centuries since I’ve laid with a woman. I’m about to fire off like a cannon.”

His heavy-lidded gaze focused on her. “And when I explode, I want it happen inside you, not on you. Maybe another day, but I’m dying to know how you taste. How it feels to be wrapped in your thighs.” Pinning her wrist to the bed, he came down to his elbows. Another day? If only. The sensual words and unspoken promise triggered another series of flutters to skip through her lower abdomen. A rush of arousal soaked her inner thighs. Desire pulsed through every vein.

Elias’s heavy body shifted between her open legs, scooting down to rest his chest over her pulsating core. His steamy gaze stilled on her bare breasts. The pads of his fingers grazed each slope. “You’re so beautiful. Why does it feel like I know you?” His head cocked to one side. “We’ve been in each other’s presence for only a few hours total, but I can’t get you off my mind.” Gods, could she work up the nerve to tell him?

The momentary guilt fell away when Elias’s warm tongue licked a circle around her erect nipple, shooting electricity down Gladys’s spine. She gasped, arching her back for more. Her fingers weaved through his soft locks a moment before he sucked the hard point to the roof of his mouth. Gladys whimpered, holding him tight as he moved to the other breast. “Mmm.” His tongue vibrated on a hum against her flesh. “You like that?” “Yes,” she managed to choke out.

Elias laved the other breast. “I’ve been obsessed with you, sweetheart, and I don’t get obsessed with women.” His mouth dragged lower, licking at burning flesh. “I feel the same,” she confessed, caressing his scalp. “I swear I felt your presence a few times these past two days.” Elias kissed her inner thigh. One finger dragged upward until he reached her core. The tip rimmed her entrance. Her breath hitched. “You’re wet. So ready.”

Gladys cried out and tugged on Elias’s hair, never having experienced a man’s mouth so close to her center. “You want more, sweetheart?” His husky words were deep. Throaty. “Yes,” she moaned, arching her back, reaching a fevered pitch. More of what, she had no idea, but if he didn’t give it to her soon, she’d go mad. His finger slid inside her throbbing flesh, pumping in and out, stroking her internal walls. Rough teeth grazed her inner thigh with a playful bite. “Tell me something.” He curled his finger,

drawing out another bark of pleasure. “I’m sure I felt you at the lake. Were you watching me bathe?” Warm breath feathered hypersensitive flesh where Elias spread her open and blew. His tongue swiped up. Gladys screamed. Her hips bucked, and her grip on his skull tightened. She’d never been so aroused. Never wanted a man like this. “I … I, no,” she lied. Afraid if he knew any part of the truth, he’d stop. The flat of Elias’s tongue licked all the way up. He groaned. “You taste

sweeter than I imagined. So good. But I don’t like lies.” “Elias, please.” She wriggled against his mouth, trying to get his lips back to the place she needed yet failing. “I want to taste you more than anything.” His tone deepened more. “Make you wet with my mouth. But tell me the truth. Did you watch me at the lake?” Gladys nodded. “Yes. I saw you.” “Good girl. I knew it was you. Every time you tell me the truth, I’ll reward you.” And then he did, covering her

aching flesh with his lips. Kissing, sucking, licking. His hands slipped beneath her thighs to throw them over both shoulders. He feasted on her with new energy and returned to penetrating her with his finger. A second finger joined the first as he thrust in and out. Gladys’s breaths shortened. Her hips lifted and lowered against Elias’s talented mouth. A tingling sensation ignited where his tongue touched. It spiraled upward like a coiled spring, swirling around her lower abdomen. Her soul lifted from her body,

remaining suspended in the air, clinging to reality by a glass thread. When Elias sucked her swollen flesh between his velvety lips one last time, the thread shattered. Slamming her hands to the mattress, her muscles clamped down on his fingers. Back arching, she cried out over and over. Her internal walls spasmed around Elias’s fingers. When they slowed, he pulled out and used soft licks to bring her down from the intense pleasure until she fell limp.

Elias crawled back up her body, tossing his breeches on the way. “We’re not done yet, sweetheart.” Her gaze locked onto his. “Thank the gods. I don’t want to be done.” He rose above her, stroking the tip of his shaft against her entrance. Gladys swallowed against the dryness in her throat, blurting out words. “I’m not capable of bearing children.” She didn’t want to ruin the moment, but also didn’t want Elias to worry about impregnating her.

Elias froze. His eyes widened. A mixture of emotions including regret flashed across his expression. And curse her big mouth, he reared back, looking like a skittish animal, ready to run. Gladys sat up, stopping him, laying a palm over his heart. Pressing her lips to his throat, she trailed intimate kisses to his ear. “Please, don’t stop. I’ve never wanted a man like I want you. We only have a few precious hours before I need to leave.” She cupped his face, forcing eye contact. “Please don’t

stop now. I want to feel you inside me. I promise everything will be alright.” Falling back, she dragged him with her. His features softened a moment before he surged inside her. Elias groaned and fell to his elbows. “Damn, little mage, you make me forget all common sense.” He stilled when she let out a gasp. “Everything okay?” Readjusting her hips, she hooked her legs around the angel’s waist to accommodate his size, drawing him deeper. Dragging both palms up his

muscular back, she sighed, “I’ve never been better.”

Chapter Seven Elias If Elias didn’t know any better, he’d believe he was back in heaven. Maybe the gods listened after all. He couldn’t take his eyes off the erotic mage beneath him. Her white hair spread across the wool blanket like spun silk. Plump, kiss-swollen lips glistened in the glow of candlelight. And she made him lose control. Dangerous. For the most part, he’d forgotten about the curse. Hell, Gladys

made him forget why he’d been cursed in the first place. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to care right now. Not when she fit his cock as if they’d been made for one another. He prayed to the gods she’d been honest about not being able to bear children. Not that the gods would help in that area. He slid back and forth inside her tight channel, setting an easy rhythm, her internal walls hugging the ridge of his cock just right. “Sweet hell, you feel good.”

He’d punished himself for centuries for falling from grace, suppressing all sexual urges. Since that time, a million women crossed his path. He’d been tempted by none before coming across the little mage. Why Gladys set him on fire, he had no idea. Not even the mistake with Barrett’s mother measured up. A small part of Elias wanted to thank the gods for the weakened willpower. He’d never felt anything more glorious than the metal wielder.

Gladys moaned beneath him. Her sultry gray eyes opened. A heavy-lidded gaze zeroed in on him. “That’s it, sweetheart, keep your eyes on me.” He planned to make her forget about leaving. Now that he had her in his arms, letting go might be impossible. Of course, he wouldn’t force her to stay, but he’d give it his best effort. Hooking an arm beneath her knee, he raised her leg, balancing on one arm. “Make me forget about real life for a few hours, Elias.” Her tongue licked along the tendon running from his

shoulder to his neck. “I’ve never been with a man who made me feel so cared for.” “You should be worshipped daily, little mage. And you don’t have to ask me twice. I’ll make you forget” — he rocked harder — “about everything” — punching his hips forward, they slammed into hers — “but me.” The speed of his thrusts increased until his hips pistoned. “Tonight, it’s just us. Don’t take your eyes off me.” Gladys gripped his buttocks. Her nails scratched his flesh, heightening

the pleasure. And hellfire, he’d never be able to smell lilac again. Not without getting hard. Damn, she smelled good. As if the forest lived in her skin. He pinned her leg higher, penetrating deeper. Gladys arched beneath him. His name released as a cry from her lips, the sound music to his ears. He threw back his head on the verge of exploding. Out of nowhere, the feisty mage growled, reared up, and sank her teeth in the tissue above his collarbone. At the same time, her

internal walls clamped down on his cock. Sweet gods. Elias shouted when the orgasm tore through him. Holding himself inside her, she spasmed around him, wrenching more pleasure with each squeeze. His hips transitioned to a slow roll before he collapsed, burying his face in the pillow. “Sweet hell. I think I might black out.” When consciousness returned, Elias rolled them both to their sides. He ran a hand through his damp hair, shoving it from his eyes. Gladys’s bottom lip caught between her teeth on a sensual

smile. Her once porcelain skin now flushed pink with the afterglow of their mating. Shimmering gray eyes, framed in long lashes, latched onto his. Beautiful. He released a low chuckle. “I think that was the best experience of my very long life.” A full-blown smile broke across his face as he laced his fingers through hers, lifting the hand to plant a kiss on her knuckles. “But before you run off again, just know we aren’t done.” He wasn’t sure he’d ever be done.

“I know it was the best experience of my life.” She moved closer to cup his face. A sweet caress skimmed along his cheekbone beneath the pad of her thumb. Her eyelids lowered a moment, creating a dark veil. She worried her bottom lip before lifting a tentative gaze. “I’ll stay a bit longer.” She paused. “But Elias?” “Hmm?” “Would you be willing to answer a question? I never got an answer to the one I asked the night we met.”

Twisting to his back, Elias folded an arm beneath his head. “Which question?” “What’s the difference between an angel and a fallen angel?” He pushed out an exhale. “Oh, that question.” Stroking the back of Gladys’s hand, Elias contemplated how much he wanted to reveal. “You sure you want to know?” She nodded. “Alright, then. I fell from grace.” “I understand that, but what does it mean? How?”

Elias scrubbed his face, raising his gaze to the ceiling. “It’s a long story, but centuries ago the gods sent two hundred angels, Watchers, like me, to earth on an assignment. We were given strict orders to observe humankind and report back. They allowed us to provide some guidance, but we absolutely could not interfere.” He shrugged, giving her a sideways glance. “We interfered.” Gladys’s eyebrows shot up. “What did you do?”

“After being here for so long, we succumbed to the spell of human women.” Rolling to face her, he lifted a finger, drawing lazy circles along Gladys’s supple skin. “We all had sex and created children.” Gladys’s eyes searched his face. Her lips pursed. “Oh, I see. So women were your downfall. Is that it? We seduced you with our wicked wiles?” Both eyebrows inclined. “That’s horse squat, Elias, and you know it.” His chin lifted to laugh. So fiery. “That’s not what I meant. Make no

mistake, I blame myself for my actions.” His gaze raked her body, halting on her firm breasts. Her nipples hardened beneath his stare. “But can you blame us?” He winked, rolled to his back again, and settled into the pillow. “The gods would have let that go, but we apparently procreate like rabbits. It was the Nephilim sons we created that couldn’t be forgiven. The ultimate interference.” “You have a son?” For the first time since Barrett’s death, Elias felt comfortable talking

about it, the weight around his heart feeling lighter. “Not anymore. He died.” Gladys’s eyes softened. She reached out to stroke his hair. “I’m sorry. Was it recent?” He shook his head. “No. It’s been almost a year. He didn’t know me. I watched Barrett from afar.” At her confused expression, he continued. “By the time I found out I had a son, another man entered his mother’s life. He was the only father Barrett knew. I

already interfered once. I didn’t want to make it worse. Our sons are half angel. In adolescence, they begin to exhibit the supernatural skills passed on to them. Like me, he was semi-immortal. At eighteen, their mortality slows. Human parents rarely accept them, but Barrett’s mother and stepfather did. I didn’t want to mess that up.” “But now you regret that decision. You wanted to know him.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes, but my reasons would have been selfish.” “If he was semi-immortal, how did he die?” “Decapitation can kill us.” He lifted a shoulder, then let if fall. “We regenerate all other wounds, even missing limbs. During serious injuries, we appear dead, our hearts won’t even beat, but we’re merely healing.” His gaze met hers. “Unfortunately, there’s no coming back from the loss of a head.”

Gladys lifted to an elbow. Her forehead wrinkled. “Your son was decapitated?” He nodded. “Nephilim have a hard time adjusting to who they are. They carry their own curse. It’s a long story, but even our sons can’t escape the wrath of the gods. Some turn evil. They turn Rogue. Barrett was killed by a Rogue Nephilim who knew how to kill him.” Gladys leaned down to brush her lips against his. “Is that why you live out here alone? To isolate yourself?”

He nodded. Her lips straightened. “I understand that.” “When he died, I hit an all-time low. I just wanted to die, too. Be done with this endless life of misery. Death is the one thing I cannot have. The gods don’t allow angels to take their own lives, so I left my flat in London and came to the country to formulate a plan.” Needing a change in subject, Elias lifted to an elbow, bringing their faces level. “My turn to ask some questions.”

Gladys groaned and fell back to the pillow. “I guess that’s fair.” Wrapping a white lock of hair around his finger, Elias twirled it, marveling at the texture. “How did a beautiful mage end up naked on my front porch with a bullet lodged in her abdomen and bruises around her neck.” “Really?” Gladys cocked her head. “You don’t want to know from where I hail, or something less complicated?” “Later. Right now, those are the questions I need answered.”

Her gray eyes closed on a sigh. “There are some things I can’t reveal. But the bullet’s easy. I crossed paths with a poacher. Wrong place, wrong time.” He dragged a finger across her throat. The black and blue had faded to an ugly yellow. Her eyes opened, refocusing on him. “Okay, will you at least tell me this — who’s the sick fuck that collared you?” Her eyes widened. She shook her head. “If I tell you, then we’re both dead.”

He gave her a wry smile. “See, that’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart. Though I’ve longed for it for years, I cannot die.” Dropping his chin, Elias trained a cold hard stare on Gladys, a desire to kill everyone who’d hurt the mage searing through him. He let a sinister smile bloom across his face. “So tell me his name.”

Chapter Eight Gladys Dead air settled over them. The angel’s glare bore into her. Gladys wet her lips, her mouth going dry. No doubt, Elias could be a formidable supernatural male. But she doubted his strength matched Viktor’s. He broke the stark silence. “I’m guessing it has something to do with the experiments you mentioned. Tell me.” It was a growled order. Not a question.

Gladys sighed, unsure how much to disclose. “Let’s just say I repaid a debt. Overpaid, really.” The memory of her cousin killing a powerful mage flashed. She’d tell Elias as little as possible. “Last week, I decided I’d paid enough.” The angel’s voice lowered. “Not enough information.” Hooking a finger beneath her chin, Elias lifted her face. Though his tone held a warning, the kindness in his eyes melted her heart. “I pieced together you were held against your will, and the two shifters

worked for your captor, but I need details.” Pulse racing, Gladys stared into Elias’s crystal blue eyes. Convincing him to let this go might prove difficult. “Well, I have contemplated telling you, but I decided against it. It’d be too dangerous if you knew more.” Gladys covered her forehead with a palm and massaged her temples. “I never should have stuck around this long, Elias. The others will catch up soon.” A strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. “If you hadn’t

stayed, I’d never have experienced what it’s like to hold you,” — his lips brushed hers — “kiss you.” Nuzzling her neck, he inhaled. Elias’s own scent settled over her in a comforting wave. “Be inside you.” She shivered in his arms. “I’m glad you stuck around.” Unable to stop herself, Gladys slipped a hand beneath the blanket to cup the angel’s muscular buttocks. A perfect derriere that caused temporary blindness the day she’d watched him bathe. “I definitely don’t regret that part.” An unexpected yawn escaped

her. “But after tonight, I must leave. It’s the right thing to do.” Elias lifted her palm to his lips, planting a soft kiss in the middle. Another shiver swept her body. Sweet Mother Earth, how could that simple act be so intimate? “If you’re leaving anyway, what’s the harm in telling me?” He didn’t plan to give up. Gladys opened her mouth, her mind racing as she considered all the implications. She inclined both brows. “I don’t know. Maybe you’re right.” Adrenaline

rushed into her veins. Anxiety kicked her pulse up. Was she really going to do this? “Tell me. I might be able to help.” Staring at Elias, Gladys knew her contorted expression revealed the internal struggle. His desire to help, along with an unfamiliar emotion, one she couldn’t name, opened her up like a spigot. She let out a breath. “When I was twelve, my father’s distant cousin and her husband were killed. Their thirteen-year-old son, Viktor, survived. My parents felt obliged to care for him

since he had no one else. From then on, they raised us together. “As the years passed, Viktor showed signs of protectiveness. He even killed a rabid dog that cornered me once. He won, but not without suffering an awful injury to his face. I’d always assumed he’d taken a brotherly interest in my well-being.” She hesitated, swallowing again. “After a few years, I realized it was more.” A bout of nausea rolled through her stomach. Elias’s lips thinned. “He wanted to mate with you.”

Gladys’s features tightened. She nodded. “Viktor’s a rare warlock. A powerful one.” She dropped her gaze to Elias’s chest, laying a palm across his heart before making eye contact. “He’s a Conduit.” Elias’s mouth gaped. “I thought they were pure myth.” “Siphoning and funneling warlocks are rare. There aren’t many, but some exist.” Gladys shrugged. “I’m related to one.” Elias gave a low whistle. “I purchase a heavenly whiskey from a cottage

mage in London. I’ve heard her talk of Conduits, but I assumed she was exaggerating. She likes to embellish.” “I doubt she was exaggerating.” Gladys snuggled into the pillow, getting comfortable. “I actually suspect Viktor killed his own parents by draining them. But the gods must have favored my parents because Viktor viewed them as low-level mages. My mam is a medicinal mage like me, and my da is half human. Viktor doesn’t deem them worthy of siphoning, so he left them alone.”

Elias threaded his fingers through hers. “What did he do to you, sweetheart?” Gladys rested her other palm on the side of his face. “I can’t tell you. I’m afraid he’ll hurt you. You might be semi-immortal, but Viktor could drain you, then kill you. I’ve probably already placed you in danger by staying too long. He won’t stop looking for me.” Anger swirled in Elias’s eyes. His molars clacked. “What did he do? I

want to know. Tell me about the experiments.” She fixed watery eyes on his, knowing he wouldn’t let it go. “When Viktor turned eighteen, he left. I went on with my life, grateful to be free of his constant stares and feigned innocent touches. Ten years passed without a word. Then the missives started. Disturbing ones. Viktor became obsessed with the blood moon prophecy. I ignored him. But it didn’t work to deter.

Twelve months ago, he returned to ask my da for my hand in marriage. It’s a human custom we don’t follow. Still, Viktor thought it would be flattering. His parents were a social class above ours, and Viktor holds himself in high regard. Most human women would jump at the opportunity, but I’m not drawn to Viktor in that way. So my da let me decide. Mages and warlocks don’t follow a lot of human customs. When I refused, Viktor kidnapped me two days later. For the past year, he’s kept me

confined, siphoning power from others so he can funnel small amounts to me.” Elias’s eyes widened. “Ah. That’s how you acquired metal wielding late in life.” Gladys nodded. “Yes, but the strange thing is, he’s never siphoned from a metal wielder. It’s a side effect from his experiments. One I kept hidden.” She sat up, scooting closer, her words coming out in a rush as adrenaline filled her veins with recollection. “It’s how I escaped. I was able to manipulate the locks on my

collar and cell. It took me days to work on them both, but I finally succeeded. The power’s unpredictable. Like I said, I don’t know how to control it yet.” “Are you sure he didn’t siphon from a metal wielder?” “I’m positive. One of Viktor’s flaws is bragging. He thinks it makes him more appealing.” She lifted a hand. spreading all five fingers. “He’s drained and killed four mages and one warlock. None were metal wielders. And he’s never shown an ability to manipulate metal.”

Elias appeared to consider the information. His forehead wrinkled. “What’s this about? What’s the blood moon prophecy and why is Viktor funneling power to you?” Gladys crinkled her nose and shuddered, not wanting to share. Yet she couldn’t turn the spigot off now. “He wants me more powerful to copulate. He wants to impregnate me. Viktor believes he’s destined to sire the child of the blood moon prophecy. It’s a centuries-old premonition that claims a powerful mage and warlock will

conceive a child. One that will wield unprecedented power. I don’t know the entire divination by heart, but it predicts this child plays an important role in the end of days. Viktor believes he’s the divine warlock to father the child, but he knows my powers are average at best. In his mind, I’ve been chosen to be his foretold mate, even if he must manipulate nature to make me fit the prophecy. For the last year, he’s been siphoning and funneling, trying to get me ready.” Gladys fell back to a horizontal position. Stifling yet another

yawn, she struggled to keep her heavy lids open. “He wanted me willing, which I’m not. For the first six months, he kept me in a lavish bedroom. After refusing him for so long, he moved me to a cell, collared me like an animal, and made me sleep on a bed of hay. He thought it would change my mind and hoped I’d feel degraded enough to give in.” Her determined gaze raised to Elias. “I didn’t.” Gladys gripped his hand tighter. “I escaped a day after he finally

realized he’d have to force me. The blood moon rises this week.” Elias’s neck flushed. A deep purple crept up, settling in his cheeks. “He doesn’t know you’re unable to bear children?” She shook her head. “No. At night, Viktor let me out on a long chain in a caged courtyard. He didn’t know Yadir root grew on the far side. I pulled it, hid it, then consumed the dried leaves weekly.” Elias ran a palm down his face from his forehead to his chin. “You’ve been

self-inflicting permanent sterilization just to avoid having Viktor’s child?” Tears threatened the corners of both eyes, knowing she’d had no choice. Gladys nodded. “Yes. I couldn’t risk it. I refuse to have that warlock’s baby. He’d kill me if he knew. He’d see it as a betrayal.” Elias tugged her closer, wrapping an arm around her torso. His strong hand wove through her hair. “I won’t let him hurt you anymore, sweetheart.” Her mouth came to rest near his ear. “It’s a noble statement, but Viktor’s

too dangerous. He’ll siphon your powers and kill you.” She pulled back, working to suppress yet another yawn. “I’ll give you a few more hours, simply because I’m selfish. I’d love to give you more, but I’m not willing to risk your life, Elias.” He pulled her head to his shoulder. “Let me worry about it.” “I’m serious. This isn’t your problem.” “Tell you what. You’re tired. Take a quick nap before I ravage your body once more. Then we’ll talk again.”

“I’ll take a nap, but promise you’ll wake me up in one hour.” The corners of her lips lifted. “I might let you ravage me a few more times, but I must leave before dawn.” She cupped his cheek. “Promise, please?” “I promise.” The beautiful angel rolled her over, pressing his chest to her back. One arm wrapped around her waist, holding her tight. “Now get some sleep.” Gladys closed her eyes. On the verge of sleep, a thought struck. Her eyes snapped open. “Elias?”

“Hmm?” “Have you considered the other Nephilim?” His thumb stroked the back of her hand in a lazy caress. She liked it. “What do you mean?” Gladys fought to keep her eyes open. “If most Nephilim’s parents don’t accept them and your brethren aren’t interested in knowing them, have you considered finding those sons? I suspect they don’t know what they are. Maybe you could provide guidance. Give them direction or a

purpose.” Leaning back, she caught his gaze. “You regret not knowing Barrett before he died. Maybe helping the others would provide catharsis.” He stared at her for several moments, remaining silent. “No, I hadn’t considered it.” His Adam’s apple bobbed on a swallow. Soft fingers grazed her temple. Settling into the pillow, he drew her tighter. “It’s an interesting idea. But for now, sleep, little mage. You can fill me in later.” There would be no later. Not in the sense Elias hoped. But for now, Gladys

reveled in the comfort of the angel’s touch, wishing she, too, hadn’t been cursed. She closed her eyes, realizing if she were anyone else, Elias could be a hero. A knight in shining armor. She prayed to the gods her selfish actions wouldn’t get this hero killed.

Chapter Nine Elias Leaving the mage sleeping in his bed, Elias slipped outside to use the outdoor privy. After returning and cleaning up at the washstand, he spun around to stare at Gladys. Worry creased his brow. Her recount was troublesome. Not to mention, he didn’t plan to let the metal wielder go as promised. She’d been targeted for recapture, and tomorrow, he wanted more information.

But tonight was theirs. He watched Gladys’s chest rise and fall with the type of steady breaths that accompanied deep sleep. Pride filled his chest with the knowledge she’d trusted him enough to share her story. He’d never felt this way about any female. Why Gladys affected him like no other woman from the moment they met, he had no idea. But he didn’t plan to question it any longer. Though he’d always been a logical angel, this mage stirred feelings that soared far beyond logic.

The thought of someone capturing and keeping her prisoner triggered something that felt like snake venom to course through his veins. He planned to make sure she didn’t want to leave. Even if he had to cover her in his scent from the inside out until every living creature on the planet knew she was his. Mine. Elias returned to the bedside. Striking a match, he lit the surrounding candles. Gladys emanated a sense of peace. And for the first time since

falling, everything inside felt right. He didn’t plan to give it up. Long white hair fell across his pillow, framed in a shape reminding him of the angel wings he’d lost after falling. Though that loss never failed to leave a bitter taste in his mouth, for the first time, he didn’t care. His gaze lowered to the swells of Gladys’s breasts, peeking out from beneath the bedspread, and his body responded. Easing under the blanket, Elias slid behind her. When his palm touched her abdomen, caressing soft, buttery skin,

her eyelids fluttered open. He kissed a trail from her shoulder to her ear, a flowery taste exploding beneath his tongue. “Time to wake up, little mage.” She hummed in pleasure, then released a feminine sound when he entered her from behind. “Elias.” His name on her lips triggered an uncharacteristic possessiveness to flare. Mine. “This might be my favorite way to awaken.”

Elias’s blood burned hot. “I’ll have to remember that.” He lifted her thigh over his hip, deepening the penetration. Hooking the other arm around her waist, he set a slower pace. Their heavy breaths intertwined. His palm slid up her torso to cup one heavy breast. Pinching the nipple between his thumb and forefinger, he rolled it before continuing upward to collar her neck and lift her chin. His teeth scraped her flesh. “You feel like heaven, Gladys. So hot. So wet for me.”

“You filled my dreams, angel.” Her face rotated toward his, and he pounced on the invitation, sliding his tongue in her mouth. Still cradling her throat, he held her in place, assaulting her mouth with the kiss. Her delicate fingers tangled in his hair, hanging on as if she feared he’d disappear. Meeting each thrust of his tongue with equal passion, she licked alongside his. He broke the kiss, panting and dizzy. Lifting his head, he latched on to Gladys’s heavy-lidded gaze. Her

head settled against his shoulder as his finger stroked along her bottom lip. “I like when you scream my name, little mage.” His hips drove against her ass. “I want to hear it again. Preferably while I’m buried deep inside you and you’re coming around me.” Gladys wrapped her full lips around his finger. She took it deep in her mouth, tightening to suck. On instinct, he drew it back, then pushed in, the sensual act exciting him more with each seductive glide. Gladys held his gaze, arousal reflected in her irises.

Her tongue dragged along the length of the digit as he withdrew it. He placed the slick pad over her swollen bud, beginning a circular caress, then took control of her mouth once more in a passionate kiss. Gladys panted in his mouth as he slammed into her with his cock and tongue. Within moments, she tightened around him. Tearing her mouth away, she flung her head back against his shoulder and gripped the bedcovers. The sultry sounds she made threatened to push him over the edge as she met

his thrusts with equal vigor. Pure pleasure exploded across Gladys’s expression when she came. Elias thrust harder. Faster. A low growl erupted from his chest when the orgasm hit. His body shuddered. Hot semen splashed inside her, marking her as his. They fell limp against the mattress, heavy breaths escaping them both. “Sweet Mother Earth, I never knew fallen angels were so good in bed,” Gladys teased. Elias chuckled, wrapping her up in his arms, her back plastered to his

damp chest. He buried his face in her silky locks. “You never knew a fallen angel before me.” “Hmm. That’s true.” Snuggling into him, the little mage fell back asleep within moments. Elias closed his eyes, Gladys’s scent seducing him into slumber. He had no idea how many hours passed when he jolted awake. His eyes snapped open, a feeling of malevolence writhing through the air like a living creature. He pushed up, absorbing the

strange sensation with his heightened senses, trying to pinpoint the location. Soft snores arose from Gladys lying next to him. Careful not to disturb her, he slipped off the mattress, crossed the room, and grabbed his breeches. After tugging them up his legs, he swiped his sword. At the window, he creaked open the shutter to a crack. The dark night appeared undisturbed, though he knew different. The feeling ebbed closer. A soft gasp lifted from behind him. Glancing over a shoulder, he watched

Gladys jackknife upward. “Get away from the window, Elias!” Turning his attention back to the forest, he used an outstretched hand, motioning her to stay put. “Something’s out there.” Her tone pitched up. “You need to leave now, Elias. Run!” The mattress springs creaked as she rolled off the bed. “Gladys, stay put. I’ll handle this. You’re going to have to trust me.” “Elias?”

He ignored her and scanned the base of the trees, seeing movement this time. At least three dark forms edged closer, fanning out as if planning to surround them. No doubt more gathered near the rear of the cabin as a silent wall of doom. “Elias?” Irritation clawed inside like a beast at her obstinance. No one would take Gladys from him, but right now, he needed her to follow instructions. “Elias, I’m sorry.”

At the sound of regret in her voice, he turned. “For what?” Gladys lunged forward. Sharp pain splintered the top of his skull. He stumbled back. A gush of hot liquid raced down his forehead into his eyes, nearly blinding him. Shock and denial flooded him as his gaze lifted to see Gladys holding one of his candlesticks like a club. Syrupy red liquid coated the base. His brows knitted together, his brain refusing to comprehend what she’d done. “Gladys?” In a blur of unexpected speed and power, she lifted the

candlestick high above her head and swung. The cracking of his own skull rang through his ears before catching one last whispered “I’m sorry.” The final crack sent him spiraling into deadly darkness.

Chapter Ten Gladys Gladys darted across the room, snatching her dress from the floor, not sparing Elias a glance. Within moments, she tugged the garment over her torso. Using her peripheral vision, she walked sideways, edging toward the ballerina slippers lying on the floor near the angel. It took every ounce of willpower to hold back the tears threatening to surface. Somehow, she managed to slip her feet into the shoes

without touching the two motionless fingers that lay across the back of one. She swallowed the bile in her throat, straightened her spine, and wiped away one wet drop that managed to break free. Viktor’s booming voice shook the cabin. “Come out, come out, wherever you are.” Each word vibrated her nerve endings. The amount of power he carried never ceased to amaze her. With each siphon, the evil warlock grew stronger.

Gladys stepped to the front door and swung it open, dread filling her. How she’d expected to escape Viktor’s clutches, she had no idea. The poor choices she’d made over the past two days led to this inevitable outcome. Maybe to her own demise. She took two cautious steps outside, lifting her gaze to meet Viktor’s scowl. He’d be considered handsome if not for the lightning bolt splitting his face, something he never allowed her to live down. If he’d grown to be a good man, some loving woman could easily see

past Viktor’s scar. But to everyone’s misfortune, the jagged flaw matched the jagged tempest that laid within. Her parents had tried hard to reshape Viktor’s morals. He’d been a slick little warlock, knowing what to say and how to act, tricking them. A wolf in sheep’s clothing. It hadn’t taken Gladys long to recognize Viktor for what he was. He’d never been a good man. Something had broken her cousin long ago. Something irreparable. Either way, it didn’t excuse the amount of

pain and suffering he inflicted on others. Viktor’s head cocked to one side. “You’ve been bad, little sister.” “I’ve asked you to stop calling me that.” She suspected he did it on purpose. Somewhere in his sick mind, the twisted thought excited him. “Shut up. You’re in no position to issue orders or pleas.” He glanced at the huge shifter flanking his left. “Rolf, check the structure. Kill anyone living.” The henchman climbed the

stairs, moving past her with lithe precision. Gladys scanned the surrounding forest, spotting several of Viktor’s men in her peripheral. Something crashed inside. She turned in time to see one of Viktor’s men breaking through Elias’s back door. Rolf’s deep voice lifted from inside. “There’s a body in here.” “It’s just the human who owns the cabin,” Gladys said in a rush. “I killed him.”

Viktor prowled closer, eyes narrowing. “And why would you do that? You’re not a murderer.” She shrugged. “I thought he might be of use. Turns out, he wasn’t. I tried to get him to help me leave. He has no transportation, proving him useless.” One dark eyebrow crawled up Viktor’s forehead. “So you killed a human because he had no transportation?” Suspicion drenched each word. Gladys fidgeted, not having enough time to come up with a story. “I, um,

he wanted to keep me as well.” She raised her chin. “I do not wish to be anyone’s captive.” Rolf exited, carrying Elias’s sword. He stopped on the porch next to her, gaze fixed on Viktor. “That’s it. One body.” Though Viktor’s gaze remained glued to her, he walked forward, speaking to Rolf. “How did he die?” “Bludgeoned.” The shifter wiped bloody fingertips on his breeches. “There’s no pulse.”

Viktor’s upper lip curled. “And what did you do with this human prior to bludgeoning him to death, little sister?” A tremor of fear racked her body. Her chin dropped. “Nothing.” Rolf sniffed. “She smells of rutting, sire.” Gladys flinched when the shifter’s nose touched her hair. Rolf moved forward, down the stairs. “I don’t believe the dead man is human.” Viktor’s mouth straightened. He glared at Gladys. A muscle in his jaw ticked, sending another warning tremor

down her spine. “Why do you think that?” “He smells of the female, but also something else. Something I’ve never scented before. He’s not human.” He lifted the sword. “And the sword’s steel is mystical.” Bloody hell. She should have known the shifters would figure out more through their powerful senses. Viktor stalked closer. “I’ll keep the sword. Bring me the body.” A new leather collar dangled from Viktor’s

hand. One she hadn’t noticed before. Gladys’s stomach plummeted. Behind the warlock, daybreak peeked over the horizon. The tremors seizing Gladys’s body transitioned into full-blown shudders. Adrenaline fueled by fear surged into her veins. Nausea swirled in her stomach, threatening to surface when Viktor tightened the choker around her throat. He tugged on the thick rope, testing the strength. “You’re going to be a good girl for me now, aren’t you?” Sour breath washed over her ear. “No biting.” His

voice went low. “You dare to defile yourself with this stranger.” He waived a hand toward the two shifters carrying Elias’s limp body. “You’d better hope your womb remains barren. If you carry his child, I will kill it and you.” Gladys held back the scream rising in her throat at the sight of what she’d done to Elias. Dried blood caked his hair where the candlestick hit three times. His features laid hidden behind a mask of sticky crimson. Keep it together.

She swallowed, wetting her parched throat. “It wasn’t like that.” Stepping forward, Gladys cupped Viktor’s cheek. His eyes widened. She’d never touched him intimately before. “Brother?” She let her voice drop to a husky tone, making a last desperate plea to get Viktor’s attention. His lips parted. Desire flashed through his eyes, disappearing just as quickly. His nostrils flared and his pupils dilated. He yanked the rope with such force, she fell to her knees, slipped off the top step, and fell down

the last two, skinning a knee. Rolling onto the dirt path, Gladys pushed up to all fours, peering up at Viktor. “Do not insult me. Trickery will not work.” His gaze raised to the two shifters. “Bring him.” His lips twisted in a sneer. “We’ll feed him to your brothers.” Panic surged. The image of Elias being torn apart by starving wolves scorched her vision. “No!” Gladys tugged on Viktor’s pant leg, coming to her knees. “Please, just leave the body here. He’s dead. You don’t need to

take him with us.” The tears broke through. “Please, Viktor. Just leave him.” Desperation drenched every word, she knew. Still, she couldn’t gain control over her emotions. “I’ll do whatever you want. You can have me any way you wish.” Fear for Elias clawed her apart. “I’m willing. You can have me willing.” The last two words pitched up as the panic took over. Viktor’s fingers threaded her hair. He wrapped a clump in his hand and tugged her head back to a painful

angle. The rays of the rising sun burned her irises before his face appeared mere inches from hers. “I already planned to have you, willing or not. Tonight, when the blood moon rises, you will feel my wrath in more ways than one. I will break you, and you will never think about running again.” Releasing his grip, Viktor threw her face in the dirt. A familiar burning sensation filled her body. She watched the warlock walk toward Rolf, handing him the rope. He glanced over a

shoulder. “Throw the body in the wagon.” The evil grin she’d grown accustomed to during the past year broadened. “And bring out the cage for the white wolf.” “No! Viktor, please!” Her own screams were the last thing she heard before pain exploded in every cell.

Chapter Eleven Elias Sweet hell. Elias never knew pain like this. Consciousness returned like a bad Flamethrower hangover, accompanied with muffled sounds and a bad taste in his mouth. Feeling as though he’d been kicked in the head by a hearty stallion, Elias pushed up. A failed attempt. He face-planted back to a hard surface. Groaning, he concluded the most pain emanated from his skull where the

familiar ache of knitting tissue pulsed. Touching the tender spot, he recoiled. The memory of Gladys crushing his skull with a candlestick slammed back, spurring a new kind of pain. One that pierced his heart like the tip of a sword. She’d attempted to kill him. Remorse and loss replaced the physical pain. Inside, the last string that held Elias together this past year snapped. He roared, the wish for death falling upon him all over again. Yet, on the tail end, fury burned a path through

his veins. The wound from the little mage’s betrayal flared hot. Yes, he’d welcome death again with open arms, kiss the grim reaper on the mouth if needed, but not before getting answers. Elias inspected the injury once more using a softer touch. At least there’d been no brain damage, something that required a lengthier regeneration process. Why had she done it? A suspicion nagged at the back of his mind, but he couldn’t grasp it. Not with the all-consuming anger.

Elias rolled to his back and focused on prying his eyes open, succeeding this time. Several lashes tore from his eyelids, pinned down by something sticky covering his face. Keeping his eyes glued to the ceiling, his blurry vision cleared, letting him assess his surroundings. He’d been thrown into what looked like a stone dungeon. Howls, yips, and growls arose from outside the barred window. It sounded as though a hundred wolves surrounded the building.

And why had he been imprisoned? A multitude of questions formed, starting with who and ending with where’s Gladys? Why he cared, he had no idea. But he couldn’t push the concern away. He turned his head, seeing that straw covered the floor. Shoving a pile to the wall to form a cushion, he pressed up, propping himself against the solid surface. A scan of the open room past the iron bars revealed a lengthy table made of stone rising from the middle. The

monstrous structure revealed manacles attached to chains lying across it. A shelved wall containing colored bottles, melting pots, flasks, and pitchers covered one end. It resembled a warlock’s lair. Somewhere in the room, hinges squeaked and a heavy door swung open, followed by a yipe. Footsteps edged closer until a wall of muscle appeared, yanking a rope tied to an animal’s collar. Elias’s eyes widened, realizing the man pulled a feisty Firecracker across

the stone floor. She growled, swinging her head back and forth, trying to break free. The stranger used a key to open the neighboring cell and yanked so hard, Firecracker howled in pain. “Get in the cell!” A sharp kick followed. The cad’s foot met Firecracker’s ribs. She yelped and barrel-rolled across the floor, slamming against the stone wall with a crack. Adrenaline fueled by rage shot through Elias’s veins, burning away the nausea. He dropped his chin and

glared over lowered lids. “Hey, bollock.” The man snapped his head around, eyes flaring wide. The rigid corners of his mouth twitched. Gold flashed through his irises. He gave a low chuckle. “I was right. You’re not human. Viktor will love this.” And just like that, the bastard’s loose lips confirmed who’d been creeping up on his cabin and why he’d been imprisoned. Elias gave the shifter an evil smile, making sure to

emphasize each word. “Touch my wolf again, and I’ll kill you.” One of the stranger’s eyebrows cocked. His golden gaze darted between Elias and Firecracker, who laid limp against the back wall of her cell. Elias breathed deep when her front paws moved, attempting to stand on shaky legs. The wall of muscle gave a low grunt. “We will see.” After locking the cell door and wrapping the latch in a binding material, he lit several oil lamps and left without another word.

Elias crawled to the bars separating the two cells. He whistled. Firecracker’s mournful gray eyes met his. “You okay, girl?” She whimpered, limping to the farthest side of the cell, holding one paw close to her body. Elias snapped his fingers. “Come, Firecracker. Come here, sweet girl.” She ignored him, turning in on herself, and scooted closer to the wall to rest her muzzle on a white piece of fabric he hadn’t noticed before. It’d been shoved in the corner, and he realized it was Gladys’s dress.

Elias’s head snapped around, searching the big room. Where the hell was Gladys? Yes, he should be all kinds of angry. He shouldn’t care what happened to the mage. But he did. A fissure of fear shot down his spine. Had she been taken to Viktor already? He eyed the dress, not wanting to think about what the sick warlock might be doing. Time to get out of this cell. Rolling to a stand, Elias tested his balance. Better. Using his supernatural strength, he jumped to the barred

window near the ceiling, needing information and a plan. Outside, a bluish gray settled over the vast countryside. Twilight. Though the wolves continued to howl, he saw none. Dropping to the floor, he crossed the room and rattled the cell’s lock. The locking mechanism might bend with enough pressure, but his body had already used an immense amount of energy to regenerate. He touched the spot on his skull again. Still tender, but better.

A whimper from Firecracker drew his attention. She limped forward. Dropping to a knee, he reached through the bars and stroked her head. Running fingers through her fur, he assessed for injuries. Blood splotched her pelt, stark in its contrast against her pristine coat. One large paw hung loose at an unnatural angle. “Why did they nab you? Were you protecting me?” Scratching beneath her chin, he lifted her snout to examine the leather collar circling her neck. Darkness settled around them as the

last of the setting sun dipped below the horizon. “I’m going to get us out of here, girl. Stay strong.” Catching her head between his palms, he inspected her face. Firecracker’s eyes rolled to the back of her skull. A series of spasms swept her body, tearing her from his grip. Panic surged. “What’s wrong?” Elias sprung to his haunches, unsure what to do for the canine. Reaching for her flailing body, he tried wrapping a hand in her scruff.

Firecracker’s snout lifted to the ceiling. She released a wretched howl. A seizure hit as if struck by lightning. She fell back. The howl pitched up until Elias swore it resembled a female’s scream. He covered his ears and watched in disbelief as Firecracker’s fur changed texture. Her limbs stretched at a supernatural rate. Bones cracked. Her muzzle grew smaller. The pads of her paws transitioned to feet and hands. Rivulets of long white hair grew from her head.

Elias fell back to the wall when realization struck. He covered his mouth and watched in silence as Gladys completed her transformation from wolf to mage. Once the shift was complete, she slackened against the iron bars, bare aside from the collar tightened around her throat. A sheen of perspiration covered her flesh. Elias stared in awe, unable to speak for the longest time. Several moments passed before he managed one hoarse word. “Gladys?” She lifted sorrowful gray eyes to his. And for the first time,

he saw both the woman and the wolf deep within. “How? You don’t have gold eyes.” Swallowing hard, as if her throat had gone dry, she wiped tears from her cheeks. “You’re not the only one who’s been cursed, Elias.” Crawling to the opposite side of the cell, she hooked her dress with a finger and slipped it over her bare body. Falling against the wall, her chin dropped to her chest. “Viktor placed a shifting spell on me six months ago when he moved me down here. It forces me to

live my days as the wolf. Just another way to bend me to his will.” She turned away and curled into a fetal position, reminding him of the wolf. He had no idea a warlock could be so powerful. “Gladys? Please come here.” When her doleful eyes met his over a shoulder, pooled moisture glistened in the corners. She shook her head. He moved to a stand, gazing down at her. “Please? Come back. For me.” “Why? You should hate me.” “Come here.”

Gladys pushed to a shaky stand. Using a tentative stride, she crossed the cell, wringing her hands together. Elias reached through the bars and pulled the mage’s body to his. Her temple came to rest on his shoulder. An awkward accomplishment, considering the bars of iron separated them. Her shoulders relaxed. Tangling his fingers in her hair, Elias sighed. Despite everything, she felt right in his arms. And now he knew why he’d felt as though he knew Gladys longer than he should have.

They’d spent two days together. He just didn’t realize it. Stroking her long hair, the wall of anger fell away, and the answer to a question he struggled with formed. “Why did you bash my skull in?” In his gut, he knew, but he wanted to hear her say it. “It hurt like hell, by the way.” New tears burst forth. “I’m sorry. Hurting you was the last thing I wanted to do. You wouldn’t leave. You wouldn’t listen. Viktor’s too powerful, Elias. Even for an angel. I needed him

to believe you were dead. I tried to get him to leave your body at the cabin.” Her arms slid around his waist, face burrowing against his bare chest. “It didn’t work.” A trail of tears flowed from her eyes, leaving a path through the blood and grime caked on his skin. “Now you’re going to die because of me. I should never have returned that first day.” Hooking a finger beneath her chin, Elias lifted Gladys’s face. “Listen to me, sweetheart. Don’t say that. The night you landed at my door, I’d hit

bottom. I’ve wished for nothing but death for a year. In one night, you breathed new life into my soul. If I’d never met you, I wouldn’t have remembered what it’s like to live.” Resting his lips close to her ear, he lowered his voice to a whisper. “Now that I have you, I have no plans to die. Not tonight. Not ever. We’re getting out of here. Can you use your metal wielding to unlock my cell?” A hearty sigh escaped Gladys. She touched the side of his face. “I can try, but you know I lack control.”

“Okay, we’ll try in a minute. Can you answer some questions first?” She nodded. “Yes, if I know the answers.” He drew her head to his chest again, wanting to feel her warm skin against his. “First, did your injuries heal with the shift? How’s your strength?” She nodded against him. “Yes, the shift heals bones. I’m better. Bruises remain, and I’m a little sore, but no broken bones.” Relief filled him. “Good.” He stroked her hair. “The big shifter,” —

he couldn’t suppress the growl rumbling through his chest — “the one who kicked you, what is he?” Her head shook. “I don’t know. Rolf has never shifted in front of me.” “Okay, then. How many more are there, and where are they? How many will I have to fight?” Her chin lifted. “I think about twenty, but if Viktor dies, you won’t have to worry about them. They only follow Viktor’s orders because he holds them in a binding spell. They’re compelled to do his bidding. Rolf’s a

different story. He’s indebted to Viktor. He’ll die for his sire.” Fucking great. Good news. Bad news. “Okay, then. Are the others in this building?” “No. We’re in the former stockades. Viktor transformed the building into his dungeon and lab. I didn’t see the others when Rolf dragged me through. They might be in their quarters.” Using a flat hand, Elias caressed small circles on her back. “You’re doing good, sweetheart. Only one more

question. What’s with all the wolves outside?” “They’re all pinned. Viktor experiments on them. It’s how he was able to create the shifting spell. If we make it through this, we need to set them free.” With his questions answered, Elias pulled back to make eye contact. “Okay. Can you try the lock now?” She gave him a tight nod. “Yes. I’ll try.” Her brow pinched a moment before her eyes focused on the lock. A wave of energy burst forth, but that

was it. No metal vibrated. She sucked in air, her expression contorting as she gave it a second try. Still nothing. A cry of frustration released from her mouth. “I can’t do it, Elias.” Her chin dropped. “I’m pathetic.” “You’re not pathetic.” He cupped her face between two palms, lifting her mouth to his. “You’re wonderful.” Brushing his lips against hers, the kiss started gentle, then gained speed despite the dire circumstances. Forcing her mouth open with his tongue, he

swept inside, trying to stoke the fires of passion he’d seen that first night. Gladys tasted like hope, love, and promise. All the things he’d lost over the past year. He wouldn’t lose them again. A moan escaped the little mage. Her fingers tangled in his hair when she finally kissed him back with that passion he’d been looking for. Good girl. A voice that sounded like metal scraping porcelain interrupted. “Well, isn’t this sweet?” And dammit, the quiet warlock had snuck up on him.

Elias lifted his head to see a man with long white hair and a jagged scar dividing his face leaning against the large table, glaring at them. Elias withheld an eye roll. “I assume you’re Viktor?” He interjected a purposeful hint of boredom. The tall man resembled Gladys in coloring, but that’s where it ended. The warlock’s dark gray eyes revealed a cruelness beyond comprehension. A stark contrast from the warmth Gladys radiated.

Viktor ignored him, turning that merciless glare on Gladys. “This is what you’ve been doing since running from me?” A sarcastic snort erupted from his throat. His chin lifted. “You know you’ve killed him, right?” Gladys stiffened in Elias’s arms. She stepped away. “It’s not like that. I’m … I’m using him. I thought he might be able to help me break out of the cell.” Though Elias would give her applause for trying, Viktor didn’t buy the feigned attempt to appear unattached any more than he did.

“Don’t insult my intelligence, little sister.” His expression twisted. “You reek of him.” Viktor straightened and walked closer, eyeing Elias. “What are you?” Elias shrugged, giving him a half smile. “The man who’s going to kill you.” The warlock’s laugh was one of egotistical indifference. “I think not.” His gaze returned to Gladys and something dark flashed behind Viktor’s eyes, triggering Elias’s stomach to plummet. “The blood moon

has risen, little sister. Time to receive your punishment and destiny.” Gladys glared at her cousin, raw hatred in her eyes. “I’ve repeatedly told you to stop calling me that.” She flattened to the wall as if she could melt into stone. “Don’t come near me.” “You should be ecstatic you’ve been chosen by the moon god to bear my child.” Gladys visibly gagged. “I’ve been chosen for nothing, and you know it. You’ve concocted a ruse. One that I’m sure would only anger the moon god.”

Viktor’s expression contorted. “Is that any way to talk to your betrothed?” His gaze flitted to Elias, his upper lip curling in a sneer as he unbound Gladys’s cell and slid the key into the lock. “Besides, this morning you agreed to come to my bed willingly, remember?” Though Elias snapped his gaze around, he schooled his expression. “You didn’t hold up your end of the bargain,” Gladys spat, giving up the illusion she felt nothing. “That was only if you left him at the cabin.” Her

chin lifted. “Now, I plan to fight you. My knees are padlocked.” Viktor tore the cell door open, his face turning molten lava. “You should have padlocked your knees for him! Now you will pay for your mistake!” Viktor yanked the rope connected to the collar around Gladys’s throat, jerking her away from the wall. The mage’s fist shot out. A failed attempt to strike the warlock. His hand gripped her wrist, spinning her around to flatten her back to his chest. He

dragged her from the cell, hooking an arm around her neck. A low growl erupted from Elias’s chest. Mine. “I’m warning you, warlock, let her go now.” The words came out low. Calm. Deadly. Elias paced the cell, never taking his eyes off Viktor, watching with the prowess of a lion. Dragging a kicking and screaming Gladys toward the table, Viktor trained his gaze on Elias. A sinister smile curved his lips, triggering a raging storm to rise inside Elias. He’d always

considered himself a calm angel, but the sight of the warlock manhandling what was his triggered a full-blown cyclone. In a flailing twist of arms and legs, Gladys clawed Viktor’s face. Deep red marks gouged his flesh. He cursed and shoved her head to the table, pinning her at the base of the skull. Rolf came into view. The two manacled Gladys’s wrists, then her legs using additional iron cuffs he hadn’t seen bolted to the floor. It left her in a bent over,

vulnerable position that sent adrenaline shooting into Elias’s veins. Viktor stood and swiped the blood from his face. “You shouldn’t have run. You shouldn’t have laid with another!” The warlock’s voice rose as rage overtook him. “You’re my pet.” He tapped his chest with a fist. “My betrothed.” Leaning down, placing his lips close to Gladys’s ear, his voice lowered, but with his supernatural hearing, Elias caught every word. “Now, I will erase his scent from you.” In one aggressive move, Viktor tore

Gladys’s dress from her body, leaving her bare and exposed. Elias lost it, Viktor’s intent becoming clear. He roared. Letting all senses fall open, he darted to the cell door and gripped the bars nearest the lock. Using his supernatural strength, he planted one foot on the bars and used a push-pull momentum to work the iron, hoping Gladys’s attempt to weaken the lock had an effect. The tortured metal whined and moaned but remained locked. Elias tried twice more with no luck. A crimson veil

blurred his vision as he watched Viktor’s hand caress Gladys’s bare ass. The warlock’s other hand slid over his crotch, stroking himself. Gladys let out a feral scream. “Don’t touch me!” Elias roared again, going mad, pounding his entire body against the bars. He turned, reining hell down on the stone wall, slamming his fists and forearms into the hard surface. Large pieces crumbled where his flesh met stone, leaving jagged edges behind. Ignoring the blood dripping

down his skin, he did it again. More debris fell. The entire wall shook, followed by a crack snaking from the floor to the ceiling. In the big room, something creaked and moaned under the destruction. Wood and stone fell around Viktor and Gladys as if the ceiling might cave in. Unable to hold back his rage, Elias crashed into the wall once more. The support beam over the large table groaned. It dislodged, half of it falling to hang at a precarious angle by two railroad spikes.

“Rolf!” Viktor spewed the name like a weapon. “By the blood of gods, get in there and kill that cullion before he brings the whole building down.” Elias squared his shoulders and stance. The large shifter barreled toward the cell, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. The moment Rolf’s hands wrapped around the bars and tugged on the bent lock, Elias leaped, crashing into the bars, shoving at the same time the shifter pulled. They landed in a heap on the floor

outside the cell, the slab of iron bars between them. Elias sprung, his sole focus on Viktor and Gladys. Something wrapped around his ankle, taking him to the ground. Rolling to his side, he saw the shifter held him in a tight grip. Rolf stood, lifting him. The room blurred as Elias flew through the air as if he were light as a feather. The shelved wall of bottles met his back. Glass shattered. Razor-tipped shards pierced his flesh. Various liquids coated his skin at the same time

a cloud of dust swarmed in his face. The scent of licorice filled his nostrils when he inhaled. It seared his sinuses. Elias bounced off the counter and slammed against the stone floor, his face taking the brunt of his own weight. He gasped for air. His vision clouded, then went black. A lyrical discord rang through his ears. He pushed up to all fours, trying to shake off whatever magical substance held him in an altered state. Gladys screamed his name. At least he thought she did. The ringing muted

all other sounds. Nausea rolled through his stomach as the spelled substance set in. Viktor yelled something Elias didn’t catch, then the sound of what might have been clothing tearing. “Bollocks.” Probably Rolf readying to shift. Shifters tended to be stronger in animal form, and whatever Rolf became, he had no doubt it’d be big. Elias wiped a palm down his face, removing the powdery dust. Pulling himself up to the counter, his hand swept out, blindly searching, hitting a basin of liquid. He chanced splashing it

on his face, hoping like hell it was water. The effects of the mystical concoction faded. He heaved a sigh when his vision cleared, though it remained blurry. The nausea slowed. Behind him, something roared. Elias spun to see a grizzly. One that stood over ten feet tall. It moved to all fours and sprinted forward. “Bloody hell. I much preferred the walking wall of muscle.”

Chapter Twelve Gladys Gladys shoved against Viktor’s grip, trying to break free and wincing at the pain slicing down her spine. Somehow, he’d grown stronger since she left, making her believe yet another mage had fallen victim to his siphoning. She watched in horror as Rolf’s sharp claws swiped Elias. Despite diving sideways, they caught the angel’s chest, leaving deep gashes behind. The bear spun, sending Elias

careening across the room again. “No!” Gladys’s heart slammed against her chest, threatening to burst through. “Stop him, Viktor, please.” Gladys yanked on the chains around her wrists, the clacking of iron against stone making her cringe. A reminder of the year she’d spent in captivity. Elias hit another wall. The support beam above the table groaned louder. More debris fell around them. Viktor’s fingers knotted in her hair, wrenching her head around. Hot breath skimmed her cheek. “Why would I stop him? Do

you see the destruction you’ve caused by running? All you had to do was accept your fate.” The last word pitched up. Gladys detected a hint of anxiety. The arrogant warlock wasn’t accustomed to being challenged. “You fought against me for a year, yet you lay with another so easily?” His fist slammed to the table next to her face. “Trollop! We could have been powerful together. Unstoppable. You should have come to me willing. Now?” Viktor straightened and raked a

hand through his long hair, reigning in the panic. “Well, now you submit, willing or not.” “I will never be willing. I will never share your bed. You’re a monster. I’m embarrassed we’re related. You did this. Not me.” Red splotches crept up Viktor’s neck, slithering like a serpent until his cheeks grew crimson. A vein in his temple throbbed. She’d never seen the warlock so unhinged. Though she’d denied him for a year, she’d never verbalized outright hatred.

Distracted by the jarring sounds rising from the fight between Elias and Rolf, Gladys wrenched her head around, trying to locate the angel. Something in the room crashed. Growls and grunts lifted from behind. Viktor yanked her hair once more, holding her in place. “Quit looking at him. Rolf, stop playing with your food and kill him!” “No!” Fear threatened to cut off her airway. Gladys thrashed against the chains. The manacle surrounding her left wrist clicked.

Viktor moved behind her. His disgusting hand caressed her buttocks once more. “This isn’t how I imagined it, little sister, but it is what it is.” Gladys jerked on the left cuff again, feeling something give. Viktor stepped closer. The fabric of his breeches brushed her flesh. She cringed when his arousal pressed against the seam of her backside. Desperation rose. She fought against everything that bound her both physically and mentally. The chains, the captivity, the fear. A scream ripped

from her throat as she threw every ounce of energy into the fight. The left cuff snapped. Viktor leaned forward at the same time her elbow flew back, landing like a bull’s-eye in the center of his face. A crack sounded behind her, and warm liquid splashed her back. “Bloody blower!” The words gurgled from Viktor’s mouth. “I think you broke my nose!” He spat blood on the table, shards of broken enamel mixed in.

In her peripheral, a form sprinted forward. Elias slid across the table’s surface in front of her. Her pulse leaped at the sight of his battered body. Fresh blood coated his face and chest. Deep wounds marred all exposed flesh, including a bite to the shoulder where the tissue flayed wide open. Rolf jumped to the table, rising on two hind legs, throwing his head back to let loose a horrific growl. In a supernatural blur of speed and strength, Elias jumped to the ceiling, wrapped his hands around the loose support

beam, and bucked, bringing himself and the pillar of wood crashing. The weight of the cantilever crushed Rolf. Beneath her, the stone table split in two. She pitched forward, falling at an awkward angle. A railroad spike slid past her face so close the sharp point caught and pulled her hair. She held her breath until her body came to an abrupt halt. Rolf’s paw clenched in front of her face, then fell open. The bear went motionless. Claws transitioned to fingers. Death claimed the shifter.

Viktor howled in rage. “I’ll deal with you after I kill your lover.” In a fit of anger, he slammed her face to the table. The taste of copper rose in her mouth where her upper lip split open. Viktor stalked across the room, an angry gaze trained on Elias. Dark satisfaction filled Gladys at the sight of Viktor’s own blood covering his chin. The feeling transitioned to cold fear when she saw Elias’s foot remained trapped beneath the heavy support beam, struggling to remove it

in his weakened state. “Elias, look out! He’s coming for you.” Viktor swiped Elias’s sheathed sword that leaned against the wall, throwing it over his head to rest across his back. Unintelligible words fell from the warlock’s lips as he summoned a spell, using the magic of those he’d killed from siphoning. A ball of fire appeared in Viktor’s hand. Gladys struggled to breathe, knowing he planned to burn Elias alive. He lifted the burning sphere. In her peripheral, the angel groaned, his

torso twisting as he used one arm to hoist the support beam up enough to drag the leg free. Elias stood and hopped sideways, favoring one leg while the other dragged limp and useless. Gladys never used the powers Viktor funneled to her, repulsed, knowing the other mages lost their lives for her gain. Not to mention, she’d developed a need to rebel against her cousin. Throwing aside her revulsion, in a rush of words, Gladys summoned her

own spell, hoping to gods it worked. She managed to create a small cyclone of air and sent it hurdling toward Viktor. The ball of flame extinguished, disappearing in a puff of smoke. A scowl flittered her way. Viktor’s arms spread wide, a cry of anger falling from his lips. A bolt of white lightning arced from one hand to the other. Humming energy filled the air, lifting the tips of Gladys’s hair. In another rush of words and finger movements, Gladys summoned ice to surround the bolt of electricity. It froze

in a jagged rod a moment before falling from Viktor’s hands, shattering when it hit the floor. Viktor’s teeth gnashed. “I suppose I’ll just kill him with my hands.” Gladys shot Elias a furtive glance. “Don’t let him touch you!” Viktor’s powerful fist flew through the air, aimed at the back of Elias’s head. The angel used his speed, spinning sideways. He passed the strike, sending Viktor into the wall with his own momentum. When her cousin turned, magenta glowed bright

in his irises, revealing his growing rage. The two men circled one another. Tears streaked Gladys’s cheeks. Elias looked horrible. Viktor, on the other hand, appeared unscathed. The angel might be fast, but only one leg worked, and one eye had swollen shut. Fear became a living beast in her chest. She fought against the three remaining manacles holding her hostage, crying out when she couldn’t break free. Viktor roared, throwing himself at Elias. The two men became a blur of

fists and blood. The sickening sound of fists meeting flesh filled her ears. Her cousin flew from the cyclone, slamming into the broken table. His hip cracked when it met the stone. Viktor screeched in agony. Elias stumbled sideways, chest heaving with labored breaths. He fell to his knees, appearing to be on the verge of passing out. Falling forward, he caught himself on his palms. The warlock pounced, taking the opportunity to disappear in a swell of gray smoke, then reappear behind

Elias. One hand slammed down on Elias’s bare shoulder. Viktor’s eyes transitioned from magenta to translucent. “Viktor!” The panic-filled scream burned Gladys’s throat. “Stop it! Please stop.” Viktor’s body shuddered when the power hit him. Elias stilled, his expression one of agony under the siphoning. An evil smile split Viktor’s lips. Those eerie eyes widened. “Yes.” His voice fell low and lyrical. “What are

you? So powerful.” A sinister laugh erupted. Viktor’s free hand rose, bending behind his head. The blood in Gladys’s veins froze when it reappeared holding Elias’s sword. Tears burst from Gladys’s eyes, feeling useless as she watched in terror. Viktor sucked Elias’s life force from his soul. Her gaze locked with the angel’s. And though Elias knelt before death’s door, she saw something so beautiful in his eyes, it threatened to shatter her heart. Love.

Viktor lifted the sword high above his head. Longing and loss filled her chest. Something inside snapped. Energy exploded from every pore on an ear-splitting scream. “Nooo!” Gladys zeroed in on the sword. It ripped from Viktor’s grasp, spinning in a series of wild circles around the room like a possessed boomerang. Her free hand sliced the air, catapulting the sharp blade back to her cousin, cutting his cry in half when it sliced through the tendons of his neck like butter.

Viktor’s head fell to the floor, mouth gaping. The flailing sword impaled a wooden pillar on the wall. Gladys screamed in excruciating pain when invisible hands punched through her body, ripping out her soul. She convulsed. A popping sound left her a moment before falling motionless, spiraling into a black abyss. Consciousness faded in and out in various shades of gray. A buzz hummed in Gladys’s ears. Something

scraped her flesh. Chains clanged. She felt herself lifting, sure her ascension to heaven had begun until her temple came to rest against a hard, warm surface. Strong arms cocooned her. The droning sounds transitioned to faint words. Her name. “Gladys? Gladys, sweetheart, stay with me.” Gladys lifted her chin, prying her eyes open. One beautiful crystal blue eye stared down at her. The other bruised, swollen, and bloodied. She wanted to touch Elias’s broken face to

assure it wasn’t a dream. But her body wouldn’t comply, too weak to listen. Attempting to speak, the first words lodged in her throat. She swallowed, trying once more. “Are you safe?” The words left her on a rusty whisper. The grin spreading across Elias’s face triggered heat to bloom in her chest. “I’m okay.” He smoothed unruly locks from her face, clearing her vision. “You saved me. You controlled the metal wielding.”

“I … I don’t think I have the power anymore.” Her heart sank. “Maybe no powers at all.” A low hum vibrated the angel’s chest. “Hmm. It’s okay, sweetheart.” His arms tightened as he rocked her. “I still love you.” Gladys gasped. Tears threatened her vision. “You love me?” “I do.” One swollen lip brushed her split lip, so soft, she barely felt it. “I think the power tore from your body when Viktor died. You might need a week’s worth of sleep, little mage.”

Trying once more, Gladys managed to cup his cheek. “As long as I can sleep in your bed. I love you, too, fallen angel.” She shook her head. “But you’re wrong, Elias.” One eyebrow climbed up his forehead. She flashed a weak smile and weaved her fingers through his blood-crusted hair, ignoring the pain, pulling his mouth back to hers. “I didn’t save you. We saved each other.”

Chapter Thirteen Elias London, England, 1782 Elias examined the moderate-sized brick and mortar building before him. “Are you sure you want to do this with me?” The beautiful mage at his side grinned, making his heart leap. Twelve months together and, Gladys still hypnotized him. Yes, her beauty was a bonus, but it was her warmth,

playfulness, and intelligence that kept him mesmerized. And though the shifter curse lifted the night Viktor died, now and then, deep in those gray irises, he caught a glimpse of the wolf she’d once been. Soft white tendrils spilled from the hair piled on her head, grazing her neck. The memory of how he’d worshipped the curve of that neck last night flashed, making his cock twitch. His hands itched to pull Gladys to his body. It took every ounce of energy to

restrain himself, considering they weren’t alone. Gladys’s grin blossomed into a full-blown smile. “Of course, I do. Do you like the building?” Elias tilted his head, using two fingers to pinch his chin, pretending to scrutinize the sturdy, abandoned factory. They’d already walked the entire space, inspecting the interior. He let out a low grunt. She smacked his arm. “Come on, just say you love it.”

Dropping the charade, he smiled. “I love it.” Elias raised a brow, sliding Valdamir, the son of Amazarak, a sideways glance. Three months ago, they’d found the young Nephilim on a small island outside Iceland. The second son Elias pulled under his wing. Considering Val’s human family died long ago, he hadn’t needed much convincing to join them. And since he’d already lost his reincarnated mate twice, he’d been lost, wandering, and

heartbroken. Though Val understood he wasn’t human, he’d needed an explanation as to why the sons of Watchers now suffered their own curse. Elias clapped Val’s shoulder. “What do you think, Val?” Unfolding his arms, Val’s broad chest heaved under a breath. Blonde Viking braids swung on a nod. “It’s perfect.” The syllables stretched out on a slight Nordic accent. “Why is it abandoned?” Gladys stepped forward. “The owner needed a larger building. He and my da

are acquaintances. Since moving his factory, he no longer wants this building at all.” “Well then, I’ll buy it,” Elias confirmed. Considering he’d hoarded an unbelievable amount of gold centuries ago, the purchase wasn’t a problem. He nodded. “I think the basement floor will be perfect for living quarters. We won’t force any sons to reside with us, but if they need it, we’ll have it.” The mage’s smile was infectious. “I have so many ideas.”

“I can’t wait to hear them. But right now, I want to talk to you about something else.” Elias scratched his jaw. “Val, could you check on the horses? We’ll head out shortly to get the paperwork situated.” Val nodded, taking the hint and left them alone. Gladys watched the young Nephilim disappear around the corner. “I think he’s settling in.” “Me too.” “Does he plan to stay?” “Yes. He has nowhere to go. He’ll help us alter the building. It’s perfect

for our headquarters. Thank you for finding it.” Elias paused, making sure Val remained out of sight. He and Gladys agreed to treat all sons of Watchers like family but to keep their personal relationship discreet. Nephilim suffered heartache over and over again. They didn’t need the fortune of others being shoved in their faces. Besides, his love for this mage was his and his alone. Gladys beamed. “You’re welcome.” The smile slipped into a suspicious

stare. “Why are you looking at me like that? What’s going on?” “Like what?” he teased. “Silly and strange.” She smacked his arm again. “Stop teasing. What’s going on?” Elias fingered the modest ring in his pocket. “Did you know, unlike our sons, full-blooded angels don’t have soulmates?” Her gaze lifted on a playful eye roll. “Yes, I know all about your history.” Catching one lip between her teeth, she gave him a sinful smile. “If you had a

soulmate, we wouldn’t have met.” One hand slid over his buttocks. A hum vibrated her lips. “Your gorgeous derriere wouldn’t be mine.” He chuckled, running a palm down her back, ending at her waist to draw her near. “While it’s true we don’t have soulmates, did you know we can tether our soul to another?” He cupped the base of Gladys’s skull, letting his thumb graze her throat. “Really?” Her eyes widened. “What are you trying to say?”

He pulled the gold band from his pocket and slid it up the middle finger of Gladys’s left hand. A bout of nerves struck him, sending his stomach into a series of somersaults. “If you’ll have me, little mage, I’ll love you forever and always. Until the end of all time. Once your soul tethers to mine, we’ll age at the same rate. Considering I may never die, forever means forever.” Gladys lifted a teary-eyed gaze to his. Her features softened. “Of course, I’ll have you.” Pushing up on her toes,

she circled his neck. “Forever and always. Until we both die.” He let out a relieved breath and dropped his forehead to hers. “I never believed my curse would become a blessing, but the night you landed on my doorstep, it did.” Pulling back, Gladys cupped his face. “I never thought being shot by a poacher would work in my favor, but if he hadn’t shot me, I’d have run past your cabin that night, never looking back. We wouldn’t have met.”

He shrugged. “I guess the gods really do work in mysterious ways. I think I got my wish that night. The old me died. I’ve been granted a new life. You’re my soulmate, Gladys. I love you, sweetheart.” “I love you, too, angel.” “Fallen angel.” “Doesn’t matter.” A smile he’d never grow tired of spread across her face. “Speaking of which, when do you and Val leave for Italy?” “We’ll meet Marco in a few days.”

She dropped to her heels, letting her palms slide down his chest. “Who’s his father?” “Sariel. But like Barrett, his mother raised him. According to the missive I received, she’s very ill and wants Marco to have someone in his life who can offer guidance when she passes. She educated him as much as she could.” Elias played with a loose lock of white hair. “This is his fiftieth year, and he knows nothing of the curse.” He cocked his head. “Are you sure you want to do this with me? We’ll

probably lose some sons to the Rogue. There will be ups and downs. It won’t be easy.” Her soft lips brushed his. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. If I can’t have children, helping with the sons of Watchers is the next best thing.” She gave him a wry smile. “Besides, when it gets rough, I’ll have you to ravage my body.” Elias lifted his chin and laughed. “You can count on that. Ravaging your body is my favorite pastime. Now let’s go, little mage. Our journey awaits.”

The End Swipe for the Watchers and Warriors Series information and more.

Want to provide feedback on Angel Cursed? Do so here. If you enjoyed Angel Cursed and want to receive release notifications, enter monthly giveaways, join a community of paranormal romance enthusiasts, and much more, click on the below link. Yes! I wa nt to receiv e no tifications on releases, giveaways, contests, and free reads. Click here to sign up. The coming Watchers and Warriors Series: (Dates are updated more often on website here.) Angel Redeemed (release date: June 26, 2025) When a regenerated dead man rescues Devin from an accident and derails her plot for revenge, she discovers she is more than she ever imagined – and he is more than a protector. Click to buy now paperback or eBook Angel Bite (release late 2025/early 2026) Angel’s Salvation (release two months after AB) Angel Unbound (Partially written. Release TBD) Angel Absolved (Partially written. Release TBD) Angel Rescued (Partially written. Release TBD) Spin-off Nightshade Shifters Series: Kiss of the Raven Witch (releases between Angel’s Salvation and Angel Unbound in early 2026) Keep in touch with Ines Gray: Instagram @ines_gray_author Pinterest @pnrauthor_ines_gray Facebook Ines Gray Author Goodreads Ines Gray Tik Tok @pnrauthor_ines_gray Website www.inesgrayauthor.com