Asmodeus(89)

Zagzagel, the Angel of Wisdom, took his place at the front of the vast gathering area. Asmodeus could sense others, but as was the rules, he could not see them. He was not permitted to be distracted in this area of the Abyss; he was to learn.



He focused on the angel and willed his thoughts away. Three weeks of learning and he would be free.





Kelly set the romance novel down and put her head in her hands. Powers she had always dreamt of having were now hers to control, yet she couldn't effectively harness them. It was all foreign to her, as these powers didn't come from the energy of the earth. They were just…there.



She picked her book back up and flipped to the page she had been on. She had to quit thinking about the powers. It was going to make her lightheaded, as it had so many times in the past few days.



She sat upright as a man walked into the room. His aura was bright—blinding.



He was an angel.



And he held the Demonic Book of Spells in his hands. She felt the pull instantly, surprised the book still had a hold on her.



"This is not the last time you will see the book. I am taking it with me. Weigh your actions carefully when you see this book again."



He disappeared, leaving her to stare in wonder.





"Brianna, hold still."



Fuck this. "I changed my mind."



Ambrose sighed and moved away from her, resting his back against the headboard of the bed. For the umpteenth time he pinched the bridge of his nose.

He was a scary bastard, and she was having a hard time getting past that. He reminded her of Naberius. Long black hair, angular jaw, and a look that screamed, "Don't fuck with me or I'll dismember you."



And his eyes. Ack.



When he first came into the room his eyes had been a very light blue. When it came time to go all vamp on her, his eyes had gone completely white. No pupils, no color, just white. The only other time she had seen that had been at Raum's house, and it was just as disturbing now as it had been then. Actually, it was more disturbing since she was expected to just let him latch on to her.



"Just give me a minute," she said as she paced the room.



"I've given you two hours."



Okay. This wasn't sexual. He was married for Pete's sake. It was just a bite. He had to drain her, and he assured her when it came time for her to bite him she wouldn't get sick. It would feel necessary. Natural in a way.



Whatever.



Okay. Okay. She sat back on the bed, laying herself out like a sacrifice. "Okay. Just do it and get it over with."



"This time I'm not letting you up."



Her heart stopped. She looked up to see him leaning over her. His eyes white, his jaw set, she decided going this route was total crap. "Never mind. I don't—"



True to his word, he didn't give her a chance to change her mind. He bent down, held her by the arms and bit her neck.





Chapter Twenty-Three





Asmodeus flashed himself to Naberius's after he had already checked Brianna's house and her bookstore. She was either running errands or some such thing. He needed a cell phone to call her and he had left his cell at Raum's. Not wanting to run into Raum and Kelly, he opted to use Naberius's phone.



"Naberius?"



The house seemed quiet, but there was a small pocket of energy coming from upstairs. He took the stairs two at a time, just wanting a cell to call Brianna. Having to endure three weeks of the third tier of the Abyss made him antsy.



When he reached the top of the stairs he caught Naberius and Raum pacing. Valencia sat against the wall, and even she seemed unnerved. The three vamps he'd met at Raum's place sat next to Valencia.



"Hey."



Naberius's eyes bugged out of his head. "Asmoday? I thought I'd sensed you but I—"



"What the fuck?" Raum actually backed away from him.



Why were they all convened like some paranormal boy scout troop? He ignored their strange behavior. "Long story. Can I borrow your cell? I can't find Brianna."



Both fell silent. Naberius looked as though he were going to be sick.



A coldness settled in his stomach. He recalled Michael's words.



"Because in a few weeks' time Brianna will no longer be human."



"What is it? What's going on?"



Raum stuttered. "I… Uh…"



Naberius stepped forward and held his hands out. "Now, don't get alarmed. Everything's being handled."



Asmodeus took a step toward Naberius, his heart pounding. "What is being handled? Does this have anything to do with Brianna? So help me God, if you—"



"We all agreed it was in her and the baby's best interest."



"Naberius—"



He heard gagging coming from the room everyone seemed to be huddled around. He took a step toward the door and Raum and Naberius stepped in front of him, as if to head him off. Even Valencia and the three vamps straightened to stand in front of him.