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  His face nuzzled into the curve of her neck and, God bless it, she was getting aroused.

  That was another thing.

  Aside from the God-awful cramps and the crime scene in her pants, she was also hyper horny during her periods since she grew horns. Even now they seemed to pulse on her head like a beacon telling men she was in heat. Josef made himself scarce but Jared couldn't keep his hands off her.

  They'd yet to make love. Maybe that was what it was. God knew she was impatient.

  "Trying to fly away, my little bird?" he mumbled against her neck. He seemed to growl as he took a deep breath and tugged her until she was astride his lap.

  "Fuck, you smell so good." He laid her down gently, her legs still over his, as he leaned with her body and took her mouth in a possessive kiss. Their tongues mated, her horns throbbing by this point, and she knew that if she didn't make an escape, this was going to be one very messy first time.

  "Jared," she whimpered. Her fingers fisted his hair.

  His hands teased the hem of the shirt she was wearing. slipping under and making fast work of cupping her breast. Elizabeth let out a sigh and arched against him.

  "I want to take a bath," she pleaded. Elizabeth knew she lacked the strength to walk away. Something was happening to her, making her weak and needy of male touch, and she knew it had everything to do with her fucking horns.

  He did that sexy growl against her throat, that shot straight to the part of her that was supposed to be out of order for the next six days. She arched against him and clung to his back.

  "One of us has to stop," she tried to reason with them.

  "Who says?"

  Elizabeth laughed as he yanked down her bra, lifted her shirt, and with a smirk set about tormenting her breasts.

  She was panting, clawing at him. All she knew was his body. He even drew out little squeals as he bit at her hardened nipples.

  "Fuck, God, Jared. Not now, not the right time," she cried out as he bit down hard on her right nipple and then blew on it, while twisting the other between his fingers.

  She shattered.

  No warning, no rise to the top of Orgasm Peak. She just came, jerking and clinging to him for dear life until the stars behind her eyes started to fade.

  Elizabeth was breathing hard. She watched him through slitted eyes and his were doing that silver swirl thing. He had a smug grin on his lips.

  "Go get that bath. I'll clean up all these books and get us some food."

  She just lay there as he tucked her breasts back into her bra and slowly lowered her shirt.

  "When this passes, I am going to eat your pussy so thoroughly you will beg for it every night." He winked and helped her to her feet. He guided her to the bathroom and shut the door.

  Elizabeth turned to look at herself in the mirror, and she sucked in a breath. Her skin was glowing, and her horns looked like they had veins of lava flowing through them. They almost looked—beautiful. Her eyes had taken on an amber hue. Like two glowing embers. She took a step back and tried to get control.

  Why was Jared acting so—hot?

  Why did she look positively stunning while on her damned period?

  And what the fuck had just happened?

  She shook off her thoughts, and decided a bath was just what she needed.

  Elizabeth turned the taps until she felt the warm water streaming out just like she liked it. The steam filling the room seemed to clear her head and ease the tension in her body. The ache in her lower belly was still there but she felt calmer, lighter.

  That was until she felt arms slither around her waist. The familiar scent of fire and brimstone assaulted her nostrils and she cried out. She fought and struggled with the arms around her until she was pulled flush against that chest. The lying chest. A chest that screamed of security, class, and wealth, but only meant anguish and pain.

  His palm flattened over her stomach and started to trail down. She shivered. Her horns throbbing again, her body sang and reached for him as she arched into his touch. Elizabeth's brain seemed to be the only one rational.

  "'No," she whimpered.

  "But you are so fucking ripe, my sweet," he purred against her ear. He trailed kisses up her cheek, into her hair, and she knew what was coming a second before he did it.

  She jerked against him, frantic to escape just as his mouth sucked in one of those throbbing horns. Elizabeth screamed and melted against him. Her knees going out, she thrust her mound into his hand that now cupped her.

  "I knew you would be so beautifully wanton during this time. So sweet and willing. See, it is so easy. Just give in, say it, come with me, my love. Together we can rule everything."

  He ground the heel of his hand into her mound just right, hitting her clit, and she felt a wave of heat followed by a pounding of arousal. She was climbing that hill, ready to spill over, her lips parted. She wanted this, she needed him. Asmodeus needed her, wanted her; she just had to let go...

  The sound of splintering wood, a blinding flash of light, and her body falling to the ground knocked her out of her stupor. Strong arms scooped her up before she hit the ground, and she reeled back at the touch. Her body was too sensitive still and she tried to leap from Jared's arms.

  "He's here! You need to run! You need to go!"

  Jared set her down gently on the couch. The sound of pounding feet brought Josef, a phone in his hand. Jared and Josef just stared at one another while Elizabeth trembled on the couch. Josef did a whole lot of answering phones, getting ridiculously valuable information and not actually talking back to anyone. He would make barely audible sounds then hang up.

  This was one of those odd times.

  "The other monks are dead. They are finding us through normal channels now. We need to go." Jared pinned her with those swirling silver eyes.

  "I am so sorry, Bethy, but can you get packed? I have a new plan, hopefully our last movement until we find a solution."

  All Elizabeth could do was nod. She curled up in a tight ball and buried her face in her knees. She felt vulnerable at the moment. Somehow she felt anytime she was on her period she was going to be vulnerable. Apparently she was now like a cat, attracting all manner of males to her like fly paper while she bled. She groaned and looked up. Jared was gone and Josef stood over her. That look was unmistakable—fear.

  She dropped her feet to the ground and, dragging her way to her room, she grabbed the duffle underneath and threw it on the bed.

  There would come a point very soon where, Elizabeth knew, she would stop allowing Jared and Josef to sacrifice for her, and she would accept her fate.

  Jared came in. "Paris. How does that sound?"

  Elizabeth gave him a pained smile which no doubt looked horrible.

  "Sounds perfect."

  Chapter Eight

  Jared stood at the window, looking out over the courtyard. Celestite stones were set into the corner of every window and door frame of the house. Josef at least was taking no chances. The trip to the city had been enjoyable until Josef had ushered them home, complaining of a bad headache. Jared was concerned; the old monk had seemed distressed over the past hour, shuffling about, keeping busy checking the gems. He gave a deep sigh. Three months had passed without a single occurrence, yet now something licked at the sea air and made it bitter. A feeling of trepidation was creeping through his bones. A sharp pain settled behind both eyes. He needed an hour to himself, time to think and gather his senses.

  Elizabeth moved on the bed and he turned to look at her. It was too risky to leave her feeling as he did. Walking softly so as not to wake her, he checked her. The necklace hung below her top, resting against her heart. She was sleeping so soundly, surely he could leave her awhile.

  There came a light tapping on the door. Jared opened it. Josef looked at him. It was if the old monk knew.

  "Can you sit with her an hour? There's something I need to do?" Jared was out the door before the monk had finished nodding.

  He took deep breaths, walking qu
ickly through the streets, making his way to his favourite café. He bought a latte and sat at one of the tables outside, while watching the crowds. Any moment he expected to see Asmodeus or one of his bastard lieutenants to park their arse on the chair opposite and grin with sharp white teeth. But none came.

  "Hello, dear brother."

  Jared looked up. "What are you doing here, Tai?"

  "Well, that remains to be seen. It is still Jared, right? Or should I call you Azrael?"

  "Jared's fine. It is still Tai, or should..."

  "Tai will do," she interrupted.

  "So, here, why?"

  She took the seat opposite. There were times when he wished she wasn't his sister. She was the most beautiful creature ever to walk this earth. The reason being, she wasn't from this world. She was dressed in white slacks and a tight white shirt with the three top buttons undone. Her long brown hair was tied in a tail, which hung over her right shoulder. Those eyes matched, deep brown, hiding a dark, tortuous past. Her face could make any normal man stop and stare in a trance, but she usually softened the effect with her many powers. She made him, an archangel, seem so irrelevant.

  "Oh, sweet brother, stop belittling yourself with negative thoughts. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't even be here."

  "Do you have to keep invading my head, sis?"

  Tai smiled at him, almost melting his heart. "I'm not doing any such thing. It's written on your face. If your eyes were a sonnet, I'd have tears in my eyes right now."

  Jared shook his head.

  "But seriously, you need to pull yourself together, get your act together. If you're not careful you will end up tripping on God's great banana skin and we can't have that. I like your arse just as it is, not some pile of raw chicken meat after being dragged on the cobbles."

  "There's nothing going on. I have her protected, we've been free for months now. Did your sweet Luke send you?"

  "God, no. He's busier than ever. Always doing something bad and not having to really try. Nope, I'm here all on my lonesome. I've come to litter you with some wisdom and whole truths."

  "How is the whole marriage thing going?"

  "Hm, marriage. Is it marriage? We fucked well enough before all the damned pomp and circumstance. I guess it was the natural course of things, and we live happily in perpetual semi retirement.” She let out a breath of air, her gaze lingering. She was distracted again. “But you are changing the subject. Elizabeth Cromwell is off limits."

  "I know. Hence the last twenty-odd years doing..."

  "Not him─you, J. You can't have her. Not meant to happen, not going to happen. The whole plan goes to shit if you and her get intimate."

  "Crossbreeding you mean, don't you? Are you forgetting your own genus, Tai?"

  She laughed at him. "Crossbreeding is fun, lovey. Just not between you and her. She is meant for someone else. You getting in the way complicates things. You seem to forget. Ever since Asmodeus turned up at the Cromwell plantation, events have been planned and flow in a direction we want it to. I brought you in to protect her because I trusted you. Luke trusts you. The plan must find its path. And you need to step aside."

  Jared took a deep breath. Tai was always his voice of reason. Yet, deep inside, he wanted Elizabeth, more than anything. He doubted he could let her go so easily, or without a fight. He would die for her if need be. Asmodeus wouldn't have her, he was sure of it. Together, they would break the deal.

  "You know more than you let on. Is there anything you want to tell me?" He asked.

  "You know enough, and what you don't know, won't hurt you─until it's too late."

  "Gee, thanks. So I'm going to get my ass kicked."

  "If you do, can I watch?"

  "Only if you join in. I like to watch you fight."

  Tai smirked at him.

  "Seriously though, sweet sister, all this planning. Is it to bring him down so you can regain the throne?"

  She laughed. "The emperor’s throne, the kingdom of the nine hells. Luke and I have houses in Monaco, in Miami and Malibu, London, Paris and Rome. We don't want to give all that up and live in a hellish shit hole again. Been there done that, worn the scars and cured the hives. No thank you, brother. Retirement suits me. I've not worn underwear since, love the freedom and the complimentary tingles that human males give me when they stare. And I can go home, walk through the door, knowing my dearly beloved Luke will tend to me. It is something Asmodeus seeks, true love. I have it. Luke is my heart, my soul, my lover and friend. It is a simple thing. Something that happens, not something plotted or planned, or devised. I saw my love through the battlefield, one look and we both knew. We grew together through hardship and war, becoming one. Nothing can break us now; our bond is unbreakable. Asmodeus planted a seed that will never grow. It will rot in the very place he dropped it. He is a fool."

  A young man passed by, his eyes locked on Jared’s sister. She seemed to think long and hard. Her head tilted to the side and he watched the man trip. Tai bit down on her bottom lip, her dark brown orbs going black, and it was then he knew—Tai was playing with this human. Her head tilted to the other side as she continued to speak. Jared watched the man stumble, grabbing hold of his crotch and making a run for it.

  "Luke's going to have his hands full tonight," she said, distracted. Tai was still playing with the mortals. Lucidity was nearly lost again. He would have to get information faster.

  "You are such a tease. I wonder how many men have masturbated over you?" Jared smiled.

  "Oh, hundreds of thousands. Some I watched, sitting in chairs, or on the bed, or writhing on the floor. All gripping their cocks." Tai giggled.

  "You are incorrigible, Tai."

  "Maybe. But it is so very fun, brother." She turned towards him and pinned him with her dark gaze.

  Jared swallowed hard.

  "I may be every man's dream, J. I may stand here and get your cock hard by teasing you with my pretty little powers. But when the day ends, I only fuck my husband. He is the only one truly worthy of my body. He owns it with his own wondrous form. There's nothing wrong with what I do. In my own way, I please many men without hurting anyone. I do it to counter my bad ways."

  "You don't have to convince me." It took him all his control to behave. She grinned and stood up.

  "Be careful, J. Watch your back. I do love you. But remember, souls may not die, but angels can. Get out before he finds her. He's coming and he will stop at nothing to have his muse." She leaned in and kissed his forehead. The sensation was like coming down from an orgasm.

  Jared began to sweat as she left him, walking away, her tight buttocks waving goodbye in those tight slacks.

  ***

  Tai's gaze scanned over the sleeping woman. Anyone that looked, even just a simple glance, could tell what Elizabeth's origins really where.

  So silly.

  Everyone was so silly.

  All the clever burned out in the roaring 20s.

  Or perhaps it was long before that.

  Clever was in such short supply.

  Her brother was so unclever.

  Coveting the diamond. As if he actually had any claim to the rare gem sleeping so perfectly right now.

  Not a care.

  They run and hide. Dash away like pretty little ponies.

  Tai could feel the giggle bubbling up inside her. She pressed a dainty hand over her mouth, and still the trembles took over her body.

  If they weren't clever they would be running forever.

  The door creaked open. Tai's brows furrowed as she watched Jared slither into bed with Elizabeth. The dark beauty cuddled into the safety of the liar’s arms and Tai couldn't help but feel true, raw pity for Jared.

  How could she not?

  Asmodeus would win.

  Oh, how he always won.

  That tended to be the case with people who have nothing to lose.

  So Tai would give him something to lose.

  Which would also be his undoing.

  Tai turned away from
the dozing love birds. This delicate little scene wasn't going to last very much longer. She brought up her hand and waved it at the south facing wall. The drywall melted away to reveal a tropical paradise. Her lips curved up at the corner as she stepped through the portal and her bare feet made contact with the warm, black sand.

  "Mmm, my favorite," she purred.

  The rumbling laughter drew her attention towards the handsome man draped oh-so-sexy-like in a beach lounge.

  "It's why I brought you here, love."

  Tai stopped and looked over her immaculate conquest. Forged from the very lava pits of hell, he was nothing short of exquisite. His thick dark hair brushed just below his neck. The salt and pepper colouring made him seem wise in a world full of unclever novices. His body, exposed aside from black swimming shorts, was carved from perfect human flesh. The ripples of his abdomen made her giggle as she walked casually over to him.

  The swirling fabric of her black slacks and posh blouse moulded and seemed to move into her flesh. The thin, sheer material formed around her breast, and as a bottom covering of her mound and rear end. The white bikini had Lucifer tipping down his mirrored aviators. His eyes roamed up and down her flesh and she giggled again, gooseflesh breaking out.

  "It tickles when you touch me with your eyes," she admonished jokingly.

  He licked his lips. She felt the wet heat swipe between her legs and she stumbled right into his lap. Sitting astride him, she slid a finger slowly over his bottom lip, which he just licked. Tai pressed the finger between her own lips, sucking off his taste.

  "Mmm. My brother is being trouble."

  Lucifer scoffed, taking a sip from his glass. "When is he not being trouble? I’m shocked they let him still muck about on heavenly errands."

  Tai let loose a breath and draped her lithe frame against him. Lucifer's big, warm hands coasted over her belly and cupped one of her breasts. She bit her bottom lip and laughed. "I want to cause some trouble." She wriggled her arse against his groin and hummed in approval at feeling his hard cock.

  "What kind of trouble, my love?"

  She lifted herself, shifting on him until she was straddling his waist. His bottoms were gone, along with hers, and as she lowered her weight, he slipped home into her snug, wet, and warm little box. Tai whimpered and started to move on him.