“That way, we can make them do whatever we want.”
Another thought strikes me as I twist back to her. “Do you have any of these Peeps I keep hearing about?” I ask, but she’s already sprinting away.
Chapter 6
Xalreth
Half an hour later, I don’t know which of us is more furious. I shove through the mall’s exterior door into the cool evening, not sparing a glance behind me to see if Micah follows. I’m so angry my hands tremble at my sides. Just hours ago, we had a moment, and I admitted to him that I’m obsessed with his neck. His pretty, long neck, with its defined Adam’s apple and suckable skin.
And now?
Now I’m aching to wrap my hands around it for a very different reason. One that includes blue lips and asphyxiation, and ends with the disposal of a body.
Archangels can’t be killed? Bet, motherfucker. Watch me.
Security guards rushed into the store only moments after the woman ran off, responding to a silent alarm she triggered before fleeing. It would’ve been a fantastic time to teleport home, but no.
Oh, no.
BecauseMicahknows best—becauseMicahwon’t fucking listen to anyone but himself—we did not, in fact, go home. He insisted we were too exposed and couldn’t afford to take the risk. So instead ofleavinglike normal, rational beings would, he allowed us to be humiliated.
“Any time something strange happens, they always blame it on aliens,” he muttered as we were cuffed and led back through those smelly hallways by pudgy men half our size. “And if enough of them believe in those, we’ll have to create more positions to manage the rumors.”
“Thatis what you’re worried about right now? More of your asinine positions? For the love of God, just shut the fuck up before I come over there. Because if I get my hands on you right now, I’m gonna shake you up like a champagne bottle and then pop your fucking cork!” My temper earned me more rough handling by the man leading me away, and if I wasn’t so angry, it would’ve made me laugh. The guards were blissfully unaware I could easily rip out of their bindings and end their pathetic lives.
Humans.
Such a weak species.
We were taken into a tiny, windowless room and had to listen to the officers drone on and on about how we are predators. It was a statement that both of us smiled at, puffing out our chests in pride until we understood the context of the conversation.
“You would dare accuse me of such atrocities?” Micah roared, the purple light behind his eyes flaring through his glamour. “I am an Angel!”
“Of course you are, buddy,” the graying man had snorted, “and I guard the pearly gates on the weekends for extra cash.” It was what finally broke Micah’s patience. A potent blast of his angelic magic coated every human in the room, wiping the officers’ memories and removing the cuffs from our wrists. He left a kernel of a falsehood in their minds in case the woman from the chocolate shop wanted an update. If asked, they will only remember sending us to the police department for further investigation.
“Well, that was fun,” I deadpan as we step out into the setting sun. “Such a grand idea you had. A real fucking winner.”
“You can stop,” he snaps as we walk into an alley between buildings. Shadowy and secluded, it’s the perfect place to teleport away from this mess.
“No, no, by all means, you deserve to hear this. The fucking crown prince of the Heavens, the untouchable Micah, andthiswas your best idea. There’s no way you took even a few minutes toconsiderhow this would go.”
“That is enough!” he roars, and whirls to shove me. My back thuds against the wall as he grabs my shirt, balling the material in his fist while his teeth are bared like a wild animal.
“Oh, no… it’s not enough. It isn’tnearlyenough. I could sit here and complain all night—”
“And I’m sure you will,” he interrupts, but I talk over him.
“—and itstillwouldn’t give me ample time to communicate just how much of a shitshow this entire thing is. My God, this is pathetic.”
“You know what, Xalreth? If you’re so unhappy, you can always go back to Drekoth.” His fists clench in the material of my shirt, and the coarse texture grates at my nerves. It makes me want to rip it off, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me lose my temper.
“Maybe I will.”
“Great,” he growls, and I don’t think he realizes what he’s done as he yanks me closer. His glamour flickers as his angelic features try to emerge—purple flashes in his eyes and his skin pales. “Return to managing his sex life if that’s the limit of your talents. Do what you do best, then, and tuck tail while you run.” A mean smirk crosses his lips as he leans in. “I hear you had to clean up his ‘accidents’when he couldn’t even make it inside his partner. Seems fitting.”
“Oh, you’re one to talk, aren’t you?” I snap, and shame burns on his cheeks as he shoves me again, his lips pulled back in a snarl. “Didn’t last long enough to take your pants off, did you?” The storm in his eyes is dulled by the embarrassed flush burning on his face. When he doesn’t respond, one side of my lips ticks up in a smirk as my gaze falls to his neck, watching as his vein pounds.
“Have you been screaming my name into your pillow since that day? Left your clothes on as you fucked your bed, just so you could be reminded of what it felt like as you came all over yourself? How many pairs of pants did you defile in your desperation?”
