Execution (The Divine Book 6) (32 page)
Read Execution (The Divine Book 6) Online
Authors: M.R. Forbes
Tags: #heaven, #magic, #vampires, #technology, #robots, #demons, #dante, #werewolves, #purgatory, #hell, #angels
"Yes. I want to make good memories here, to wash away the bad ones."
"Then let's go home."
Fifty-FiveIt took a few days to get the place back under control. Most of the servants had fled when Cabal arrived to announce the new Mistress, and the remainder had fallen into what I could only describe as a state of confused hopelessness. They were so used to being a slave to the demon that without him, they didn't know what to do with themselves.
We worked to renew that purpose with them, first by getting them fed and clothed, and then by returning them to their old tasks. Their familiarity with Alyx was a help, as was the fact that she had formerly been under Espanto's control as well. They looked up to her like children, and she took to them as a mother would to her young, always treating them with kindness.
It was such a drastic change from anything I had ever seen in a demon. It was a major change from how she had been when I had freed her. Whether it was killing Espanto that had changed her, or if it was seeing what mortals went through at the hands of the Divine, I didn't know. I was proud of the ways she was growing and maturing. I was proud of the free creature she was becoming.
Alichino took over the information network that Espanto had run. He delighted in the capabilities of the fiend's systems, and he swore that he would be able to find Gervais wherever he went with it. I told him that was his only goal. Gervais had double-crossed me for the last time. He had also killed Rose, and while Dante had delivered her message that it was okay, I wasn't going to let that go.
Beyond that, I had a bad feeling that if his power was growing, he was going to make another move on Sarah. I had no question that he still lusted after her power, and now that he could feed on the Divine and capture their abilities, I was worried that he would attempt to do the same to her.
It was a lot to be concerned about.
I forgot about all of it when Alyx and I finally got some time alone together, in a room we had converted into a bedroom far from where Espanto had taken her for his twisted play.
"You promised me," she said, putting her hand on my chest and looking up at me. "As soon as Abaddon was contained. Or destroyed. I've waited four days for you." She smiled. "I don't want to wait anymore."
I looked down into her big eyes. I could feel her desire.
"I don't want to wait anymore either," I said.
And I didn't. I had spent my entire human life as a virgin, and even after becoming Divine and falling in love, there had never been a chance to be with Charis. Even though we had a child in the Box, we had never actually made love.
I was always waiting for the right time. The right person. I thought that was Charis. There had never been a chance. A month ago, I never would have guessed that person would be a demon. Bradford could think what he wanted, but he had a messed up view of intimacy that I was glad I didn't share. I loved Alyx. As furiously loyal as she was to me, I knew I was to her as well. I had seen her true spirit and the goodness of it. It was still tinged with evil, but then, so was I.
It made things a little more interesting. A little more exciting.
I leaned down, picking her up below her rear and lifting her to my height. She wrapped her arms around me, her lips finding mine. I held her while we kissed, releasing every ounce of passion I had for her soul into every motion of my mouth and hands.
She rocked against me, tugging me off balance so that we fell together onto the bed. She laughed, and I laughed too. Her hands worked to get my shirt off, and I did the same. My body was shivering with excitement and desire. I don't know if I had ever wanted anything more.
"I love you," she said, her hands soft on my bare chest.
"I love you, too," I replied, feeling the shape of her with my palms.
Our lips met again, and I sank so far into the smell and touch and taste of her that I only heard my cell ringing with the barest of consciousness.
"Leave it," she said in a soft growl, nipping my ear.
I tried to ignore the sound of it.
I couldn't.
I knew the tone.
It was Sarah.
"I have to answer this," I said. "I'm so sorry."
She rolled off me, nodding. "I know. It's okay."
I sat up, grabbing my phone from my discarded pants. I hadn't even noticed that Alyx had taken them off. I hit the answer button.
"Sarah?" I said. "What's up?"
"Landon," Obi's voice was a fearful whisper on the other end of the line.
"Obi? What's going on?"
"Landon, we've got a problem, man," he said. "You need to get over here."
"Why? Obi, tell me what's happening."
I could hear his breath on the phone. He was scared. I was sure of it. "Sarah's gone. It doesn't make any sense. She killed Brian and took off with Adam. What happened to him, Landon? What made him fall?"
"Adam?" was all I managed to say. Every part of me had gone numb.
"Just get here, okay?" Obi said.
I looked at Alyx. She could tell I was scared, and she was waiting for me to tell her what we were going to do next.
"Hang in there," I said. "We're on our way."
Thank you for reading Execution!
Extinction (The Divine, Book Seven)
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About the Author
M.R. Forbes is the creator of a growing catalog of speculative fiction titles, including the epic fantasy Tears of Blood series, the contemporary fantasy Divine series, and the world of Ghosts & Magic. He lives in the pacific northwest with his wife, a cat who thinks she's a dog, and a dog who thinks she's a cat. He eats too many donuts, and he's always happy to hear from readers.
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