Samael Read online

  “I suppose that will quench my desire for the next five minutes. Give me your hand.”

  She slipped her hand in his, wondering why the one male she couldn’t get along with turned her on the most. “Where are you flashing us to?”

  He winked at her. “My hotel room.”

  Samael was unbelievable. She closed her eyes as a slight tingling traveled through her body. The sensation was quickly accompanied by nausea. She rarely materialized anywhere, and not possessing that capability meant DUA—Disorientation Upon Arrival.

  The feeling lasted for a few minutes. Samael kept his hand wrapped around hers, and that helped ground her. When she finally opened her eyes, she recognized the surroundings—they were always the same. He’d materialized her to a crappy, dark hotel room. The comforter lying across the large bed was a nineteen-seventies nightmare, and the carpet had stains that would give Monk a new twist on his OCD.

  She’d never owned a house or lived for a long period in one area, except for the Highlands of Scotland. Once she joined the Alliance it was off with the domestic head, and traveling had become her life.

  Samael let go of her hand and walked to the dresser. She pushed herself off the floor and prayed for the room to quit spinning.

  He sauntered back to her with papers in his hand. “Ambrose faxed these documents to me right before I went to the jail. He’s put you on probation.”

  “What?” Seductive thoughts aside, she snatched the papers out of his grasp and read them. Sure enough, Ambrose had put her ass on probation. She was to partner up with Samael for the next few weeks, and then a hearing would be held for her before the three heads of the Alliance—Ambrose, Sven and Roger. From there they would either give her a solo mission, or she would be put back on the training schedule until further notice. It all depended on what Samael reported back to them about her.

  She sat on the bed and crushed the papers in her fist. On one hand, this was her ticket out of the field. Death might not claim her as it had so many other Alliance members. They seemed to be dropping like flies lately. Everyone had become so complacent with their hits running from them, the assassins were being taken unawares when the vamps finally started fighting back.

  On the other hand, she’d be a failure. And if there was ever a word that wasn’t associated with Jade, it was the F-word. She may not like getting close to her targets, but she did her job to the best of her ability. Adapt and overcome. Persevere.

  Then the visual slammed into her. Her last conversation with Lexie trickled back.

  “The hands that staunched the blood pouring out of your neck were masculine. Definitely not yours.”

  “Who was with me?”

  “I didn’t see his face, only his hands. But someone will be there with you when you take the hit. I’m sure of it.”

  Jade’s gaze locked on Samael’s hands—his very large, masculine hands. If she took a hit during one of her missions, she was quite certain her victims wouldn’t aid her. And technically there shouldn’t be any humans around … so that left Samael, her new partner.

  “Looks like we’ll be spending a lot of time together. You up for it? I sure am.”

  She glanced up at him and noted the wicked gleam in his eyes. Yeah, he sure was up to the occasion, considering the wicked bulge in his jeans.

  Not that she noticed.

  Chapter Two

  Samael swiped his hand across the condensation that had settled on the bathroom mirror as steam rolled out of the shower. Thoughts of redemption ran through his mind as he brushed his teeth. If he could get his name back into the Book of Life he would have something to look forward to, other than eternal damnation. He had a long way to go, considering his past transgressions, and yet there was hope.

  He recalled what Lucifer had said the day Samael had asked to leave the ranks.

  “I’m disappointed with you, Samael. Your faith in our cause is underwhelming, to say the least. I will not challenge your wish to leave the ranks. Keeping you against your will would not be a wise decision on my part. I need the men in my army to believe in their cause, to work toward our goal. Neither can I let this betrayal go without punishment.”

  Luc withheld punishment that night. Instead he would wait until the opportune moment presented itself, when taking vengeance against Samael would somehow aid Luc’s cause. No doubt he would bide his time until Samael acquired something of significance, like his name in the Book of Life. Only the bastard couldn’t take that away from him. Not unless Samael did something that had his name taken back off, Luc held no power when it came to the Book of Life.

  Samael could only go on with his daily activities and wait for Luc’s promised retribution.

  He put his toothbrush back into his case and slipped into a pair of jeans. Jade had been quiet since he’d given her the note from Ambrose. He couldn’t understand her at all. She had everything a person could possibly desire. Friends who cared about her, money, and an exciting job that actually meant something. Being an assassin in the Alliance had proved to be a great responsibility to Samael, and much unlike his job as a Marquis, he was working toward the greater good.

  When he left the bathroom he expected to see her in the small room. It was freezing outside, but she remained perched precariously on the edge of the balcony, one leg propped up on the ledge, the other dangling down the side of the hotel while she leaned against the concrete beam. She’d been out there for hours, listening to her iPod and watching the humans on the ground.

  The breeze lifted her dark hair and whipped it around her face. Her eyes were white, which meant she was in a highly emotional state. If anyone should happen to get a glimpse of her, they’d know she wasn’t human. She resembled an ancient sorceress on the verge of eviscerating some poor sap.

  He opened the door and stepped out onto the balcony. The frigid night air instantly raised goose bumps on his skin. “You should come inside.”

  She took her time, acknowledging his presence at her leisure. Slipping one earpiece out of her ear, she fairly snarled at him. “Leave me be.”

  Luc had nothing on this woman’s look of contempt. “I’m not the one who put you on probation, so there’s no need to take your anger out on me. If a human saw you like this—”

  “Did you hear me, demon? I want to be alone.”

  He almost gave her what she wanted. He knew what it was like to want privacy and receive none. Yet it remained his duty to ensure she didn’t bring attention to herself like this. “It’s exactly this type of attitude that got you put on probation in the first place. Now get your ass inside.”

  Her hand went to rest on the dagger strapped to her thigh—a clear warning for him to back off. He didn’t. He’d been threatened with much worse and by individuals who could back up those threats.

  This mission he’d been given by the Alliance would go smoothly, with or without her cooperation. He had to prove to Ambrose he was an asset to the Alliance, not a liability like the woman sitting before him. Everything he desired rested on his integration into normality within the human world.

  He moved closer to her. “Have you ever heard the saying, ‘The road to Hell is paved with good intentions’?”

  She settled back down and looked away from him.

  He continued, “If you don’t act on good intentions, then they don’t mean anything. They never come to fruition. Obviously you’re trying to do good in the world by getting rid of—”

  “Can you save me your philosophical bullshit?” She hopped off the balcony and brushed past him, deliberately trying to throw him off balance when she threw her shoulder into his.

  “You know, if my reports were based on your attitude, you’d be back on the training schedule immediately.”

  “Attitude was never my problem.”

  It sure as hell was in his book. “And what is your problem? Other than getting yourself caught by humans all the time when on a mission?”

  She crawled onto the bed and lay on her side, propping her head in he
r palm. The curve of her hip drew his gaze. “Let’s talk about your problems.”

  “I wasn’t aware I had any.” He took his time gazing at her body, and when he finally brought his focus back to her face, he noted the way her eyes had hooded. She could deny her attraction to him all she wanted. The desire in her gaze spoke for itself. “Other than you, of course.”

  “Face it, you’re attracted to me, but since you’re fresh out of Hell, you have no idea what to do with a woman. Especially a woman like me.”

  “A woman like you?” He ran a hand over his chin. “Oh, you mean a bitch. Go on.”

  She smiled, showing fang. “A strong woman. One who won’t put up with your high-handed ways. I don’t think you’re equipped to handle a woman like that, bitch or not.”

  “I’m millennia old. What do you think you can throw at me that I haven’t already caught?” The banter was enjoyable, something he hadn’t experienced in Hell. There had never been time to enjoy oneself when preparation for Armageddon was the top priority.

  “Why did you quit your job as a Marquis? You want more power?”

  “If I wanted more power, I wouldn’t have left. I have considerably less influence as an assassin in the Alliance than I did in Hell.”

  “Then why? You’re seeking redemption, aren’t you?”

  “Perhaps.” He waved a hand in her direction. “I highly doubt I’ll find it here, though.”

  Jade abruptly sat up. Her hair fell into place around her shoulders, spilling down across her breasts. “No, you won’t. Being an assassin in the Alliance will only bring on your death, and we all know demons go straight to the pit when they die. What are you trying to prove? You gave up your position in Hell only to find yourself in the Pit. Smart move.”

  She came too close to hitting exactly what he feared. Still, this was his only hope. What could he do? Become an accountant and work in the human world? “So it’s to be a battle of wits between us while we’re paired together?”

  “First of all, we’re not paired together. You’ve been sent for nothing more than to keep an eye on me and report back to the Alliance. Second of all, it’s a battle of wills, not wits. And FYI… Be prepared to lose.”

  “I hold the power. It’s my reports that will keep you in the Alliance or have your ass thrown back into training.”

  A smile slowly crept onto her face. Again she reminded him of an evil sorceress. “I was speaking of the chemistry you think we share. It’s just not going to happen.”

  He’d beg to differ there. As he’d said in the jail, sex between them was just a matter of time. The proof was in her languid movements, the way her body responded to him whether she wanted to admit it or not. “How you forget so easily.”

  “Forget what?”

  “Demons have an excellent sense of smell, even more potent than a vampire’s. You want me, admit it. I’ve known since the day we met.”

  Her answer was to pick up a pillow and toss it on the floor at his feet. “You can sleep on the floor.”

  Evil witch. “When you change your mind, which you will, just give me a holler.”

  “Like Hell.”

  He settled on the floor, smiling to himself. It was a nice change of pace to forget the importance of his future, and the length of time it would take to acquire redemption. She’d been right about one thing—if he died before his name was in the Book of Life, then he would go straight back to the Pit.

  And that wasn’t something he’d wish on anyone, friend or foe.

  * * * *

  Chicago, Illinois

  The last two days had been a nightmare—for Jade. Samael took sick satisfaction in watching the vampire assassin lose her temper. Her face would grow red, the muscle in her jaw would clench, and then came the explosion.

  It was sexy as hell.

  Her body had curves that were made for a man’s touch. Her snarky attitude kept him on his toes, and her humor was as sick and twisted as his. Spending time with her excited him. After spending so much time by himself on the road, it was refreshing to be around someone who represented life at its fullest.

  They were on their first mission, having just arrived in Chicago that afternoon. The frigid air held a hint of decaying leaves and smoke from various fireplaces. Fall had settled in the city, causing the locals to bundle up and move at a brisker pace. Jade walked next to him, doing her best to ignore his presence as they scouted the address they had been given by the Alliance. Three vampires were linked to suspicious deaths in the area. The vamps hadn’t heeded the warning given to them by the Alliance, and he and Jade had been given the order to kill.

  Samael knew exactly why Ambrose had sent them on this mission. Their victims lived in the city with lots of humans around, and he and Jade were to keep their presence secret. Jade might have a problem with this one.

  “You didn’t bring any grenades, did you?”

  She glanced at him and rolled her eyes. “Why are we doing this in broad daylight? We should make this hit at night.”

  She was right, but these were special circumstances. “This makes it harder for you to keep from bringing attention to yourself with humans around. Don’t forget that all of this is a test. I’m going to take the reins for this mission, but you’ll be front and center for the other three. I need to get a feel for you as a fighter. Or I could just cop a feel. I like that idea better.”

  She curled her lip, but otherwise ignored him.

  Tough on the inside and gorgeous on the outside, Jade remained an enigma to him. When Ambrose had called him for this job, Samael had been more than ready to jump right in. Long brown hair, beautiful hazel eyes, and a temper to match the devil himself wasn’t what made her unique. A softness lurked somewhere under that tough exterior, and he was going to be the one to find it.

  As they reached the building, Jade kept walking and he left the sidewalk, pushing through the double doors of the apartment building. She would make sure the vamps didn’t escape as he engaged them. The mission had every potential to be very cut-and-dried, which should keep her out of trouble. He had no doubt one of the vamps would run, and he planned to let him. He had to see how Jade would handle a vamp in the middle of the day with humans milling about.

  Finding the vamps in the apartment building posed no problem at all. He followed their energy past the lobby, up the stairs to the third floor. A young couple emerged from a door at the end of the hall. They held hands as they strolled down the hallway towards him.

  He’d never been young and innocent, and the couple made him wonder what it felt like. What was it like to be birthed from a mother who held you and murmured assurances to you? He’d been born into servitude. All the angels had been given jobs from the onset of their existence, and not one of them had complained—until the humans were created. It was then the angels saw what could have been theirs—what should have been theirs.

  Free will.

  He pushed the thoughts aside and waited until the couple moved out of sight. He then materialized into the room filled with the vamps’ energy.

  Two vamps lounged on a couch watching TV, one digging in a bag of chips, while the other sipped from a can of beer. He could feel the energy of another vamp in a back room of the apartment. He would allow that vamp to get away, if the vamp chose to run, which they normally did when they saw him. That scenario would give Jade a chance to prove herself.

  The vamps in front of him shot off the couch and looked as though they were searching for a weapon. He wasn’t in the mood to play with his hits today. He materialized his sword. Samael used his speed to decapitate the closest vamp. Before the disembodied head had a chance to hit the floor, the other vamp had acquired his sword and took a swing at him.

  Samael blocked the steel with his own sword just as the front door slammed shut. The third vamp had run—just as Samael expected. Because they were older vamps, they could go out in the daylight. While Samael fought to kill the remaining bastard, he hoped Jade wouldn’t make a spectacle on the busy streets
of Chicago when she came face-to-face with the vampire.

  The time for her first test had arrived.

  It didn’t take much effort to knock the sword out of the vamp’s hand and decapitate him. Samael didn’t waste time, running for the door as he de-materialized his sword. He would call the individual who took care of the bodies in this area later. Right now he had to ensure his sexy little assassin didn’t do something rash.

  Once in the hallway, he walked at a steady pace, not wanting to draw attention to himself. On the inside he had a near overwhelming desire to run as fast as he could to help Jade, even though he couldn’t allow himself to interfere with this test. Something inside him wanted to protect Jade—an assassin who was more than capable of defending herself. Her skills weren’t the reason Ambrose put her on probation—her lack of tact remained the issue.

  From what Ambrose had told him, Jade had just recently started changing her fighting tactics. Though her fighting strategy had always been on the outlandish side, she’d never brought too much unwanted attention to herself. Something within her had changed in the past few months.

  He didn’t think she would do anything stupid. Surely she could control herself.

  Before he reached the lobby he heard the screams.

  * * * *

  “What the hell were you thinking?”

  Jade did her best to ignore Samael as she fiddled with her cell phone. She waited patiently in the lobby at the police headquarters to be questioned by detectives. The police had taken her to the station in a squad car with Samael hot on their heels in the rental. When the detectives asked if she wanted an attorney made available to her, she had declined. A thirty-something attorney might know the law better than she, but acquiring one would bring just more attention to the situation.

  “Well?”

  “What the hell was I supposed to do?” The vampire had come running out of the building like a bat out of hell, waving a deadly dagger around—or so she’d thought. His energy bordered on explosive as he pushed through humans walking on the sidewalk. She’d bolted from the back of the building and did the only thing she could do.