Asmodeus and Naberius would not condone a decision to bond with her, if indeed that was what he wanted to do. It would weaken him, make her stronger. Fighting Nephilim would become more difficult, if not impossible, because he would be sharing his powers with her. He wasn't even sure how much power she would need to survive.
But how could he turn his back on her when she had only made a bad decision?
His conscience would never handle it.
Not when his past seemed dark and cold compared to her slip-up. There were things he had done that made her mistake look pathetic in comparison, yet he had been given another chance.
Who was he to deny her?
Brianna opened the sliding glass door and stepped onto her patio, allowing the cool breeze to brush over her skin. She inhaled deeply, enjoying every breath she took. Asmodeus thought their problems were over. Leviathan was dead, Kelly somewhat healed.
He had no idea that in only a few days the angels would come for them, and she doubted they would stop until both were imprisoned.
When she had witnessed Kelly's attack on Asmodeus, power had surged through her body, and she had defended him without thought. Leviathan she couldn't fight—Kelly, on the other hand, she could.
Her life had been empty before she had summoned Asmodeus. Her parents were in another state, her only friend had been Kelly and the occasional chat with Phillip at her store. She'd been unfulfilled and she hadn't even realized it until now.
The powers Kelly had taken from her were already trickling back. It was amazing she felt her powers now after so many years of denying them. Her lack of believing in herself had made her ineffective and clumsy when it came to spells.
She took a deep breath. She picked up the scent of honeysuckle in the air. She could hear a police siren in the distance.
The dog was resting at Naberius's house. Asmodeus had suggested they take it to the pound, but Naberius had offered to take it home. It was one less thing she had to worry about.
Asmodeus had loved her body for the past few hours. He was showering now. She had opted to get out of the confines of the house and gaze at the star-filled sky.
It was funny. She couldn't remember the last time she had taken the time to enjoy the beauty of the earth, yet she was always trying to wield its power. She only took, never gave anything back. Never cared.
As they had made love, promises spilled from Asmodeus. Promises of love. Of protection. She'd wept against him so many times, and he had assured her everything would work out. Why was everything going to be taken away now, when she was finally on the verge of contentment? Happiness.
She felt like a liar, and why shouldn't she? She was a liar. She claimed she loved him yet she kept a dark secret secured against her breast, terrified he would be taken away from her too soon. She kept knowledge of his future from him.
Suddenly the peace of the night gave way to an energy in the air, energy that had nothing to do with the energy the earth provided. Four angels materialized in front of her. She nearly stepped away from them, but caught herself in time. She had to show a strong front. She had only a few days left with Asmodeus, and she was not giving them up.
"You time has run out, Brianna."
She did recoil then. No, she hadn't miscalculated the days left to them. It had always been at the forefront of her thoughts. "No it hasn't."
"You have no intent to kill. We can sense it."
The angels before her were dressed for battle once again. Or was that what they always wore? Always prepared. Always ready. "I have gained his trust just as you asked of me. He professed to love me mere hours ago."
"You have no intention to kill him," the angel to the right repeated.
"I do. I was told I had a week." She used every power she had to keep her inner thoughts from surfacing. Could they read her that easily? Did they have access to her mind? Could they effectively read her thoughts?
"How do you plan to carry out your mission?"
"I will kill him while he sleeps." As the lie fell from her lips she felt like vomiting. She had no other course of action left to her. She had to convince them she still had intentions of carrying out her mission. She was desperate. "Give me the remainder of my week."
One of the angels smiled and she found she couldn't take her eyes from his face. He looked…evil. It was as though she had just done something that pleased him.
"You shall have until tomorrow night to complete your mission."
They disappeared.
Tension left her body in waves as she pulled a hand over her face. Lies. So many lies. Could she justify them? Yes. She wanted more time with Asmodeus before they took them away. Just a few more touches, a few more conversations. She didn't want to let him go.