Samael Read online

  “Does this mean you believe me?” She hoped they could find a truce or a little middle ground. It bothered her to think he was angry at something that wasn’t even true.

  “Perhaps. We’ll see what the night brings.”

  It would bring on bad things, most notably her death. On the plane she’d had enough time to contemplate their latest assignment and Lexie’s newest vision. Jade’s own demise was crystal clear to her now. A dark room, lot’s of people, masculine hands staunching the flow of blood—all that was going to take place tonight, in a darkened club with Samael next to her.

  His talk of Wesley’s death, or transition as he’d called it, had begun to sink in thirty-thousand miles above the earth. She’d glanced around at the humans around her, the babies, the elderly … who was she to balk at the ending of a nearly nine hundred-year existence?

  Her only regret happened to be standing in front of her. She wanted more time with Samael, and even that wish had made her feel selfish. Didn’t everyone want one more day with someone? Not many people left this earth kicking their heels up and dancing with joy.

  She’d lived a hell of a life, full of danger and intrigue, accomplishments and laughter. If it was her time, it was her time, just like Samael had pointed out to her.

  When he walked past her, sliding his arms from his blue button-up shirt, she settled her gaze on the magnificence of his body. The muscles that played in his back as he shrugged out of his shirt and threw it on the chair by the bathroom held her interest. The enormous width of his shoulders contrasted to the slimness of his waist.

  He didn’t shut the bathroom door as he peeled the jeans off his body. Dear God, his ass was rock hard, his thighs a muscled masterpiece. Some demons had no hair on their body at all, while others, like Samael, had a fine dusting—just enough to make a woman’s mouth water. The last time they were together she hadn’t had the chance to gaze at him as she did now.

  When she finally managed to bring her gaze back to his face her breathing seemed to quit altogether. The lust in his gaze was unmistakable. Before he had a chance to speak she began yanking her clothes off. If she was going to die tonight, she’d damn well do it with a smile on her face. Bloody fight be damned.

  He closed the distance between them, flashed the remaining clothes from both their bodies, and lifted her in his arms. The familiar scent of him was a drug she’d quickly grown addicted to. How she’d lived without it all these centuries she would never know. If she could pick anyone to be with her in her final minutes, it would be Samael, and she was thankful he would be there.

  As he laid her on the bed she pondered the temptation of telling him about her fate, but she quickly chastised herself for that thought. It was her time to go and nothing could be done about it. He’d said so himself.

  He kissed a path from her neck to her naval. She shuddered involuntarily recalling what he could do with that wicked tongue of his. He nibbled the skin right around her belly-button and her hips came off the bed. She sat up and pushed him down on his back. “No. It’s your turn.”

  His features took on the look of a commander, and for a second she nearly recoiled from him. “I take care of you first. I always will.”

  He gently rolled her onto her back, taking the reins of their lovemaking again. She wanted to pound the bed with her fists. She finally found a man whose focus was riveted on pleasuring her first and now her time on earth was up? Fate sucked.

  In less than five seconds flat he had her whimpering, her thighs pressed firmly against his face, his tongue going wild against her pussy. If he was suffocating she didn’t notice, and apparently he didn’t care. She couldn’t control her limbs—they moved and jerked of their own accord. All senses were tuned in to the magic of his mouth and the impending orgasm that threatened to wrack her body.

  She screamed out her pleasure, unwilling to hold back in what might be her last sexual encounter. Someone pounded on the wall, and still she didn’t give a damn. She could here the human boy shout, “Shut the fuck up!”

  As if she cared. Her body was liquid fire, and things were just getting started. She glanced at Samael, the light from the bathroom casting shadows on one side of his face. “Your turn.”

  She didn’t tease him as he’d done her. She went straight for the prize, licking the tip of his cock and taking him in her mouth without hesitation.

  “Goddamn that’s awesome.”

  That he’d just breathed the words instead of spoken them let her know he liked it already. She cupped his sac and elicited another moan from him. It made her giddy with power. Most males at the Alliance were afraid of him, the women wanted him in the worst way, and here he was, putty in her hands.

  The thought of another woman lying with Samael had her damn near growling. But she’d be gone soon. She had no hold over him, no say in who he could and couldn’t have sex with. Jade would be the only ghost at the castle wreaking havoc on bitches who thought they could have a taste of Samael.

  Let one whore touch him—

  “Fangs!” His guttural cry echoed through the room.

  She pulled away from him. “Oh, Sorry! I was just thinking … oh, shit.”

  He rolled her onto her back, clearly finished with her piercing his dick with her fangs. She must have nicked him good. She could taste his blood in her mouth. That had never happened to her before. She felt like such an ass. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

  He winced. “No, it was great. Well, not the biting part, but it still works at any rate.”

  She was mortified. She would make it up to him, only she wouldn’t have the time. And the thought of another woman getting access to him…

  “You’re eyes are turning white, and those fangs of yours are protruding just a wee bit too much for my tastes.”

  Vampire’s eyes turned white when they were in a highly emotional state. It amazed her that when she thought of him with another woman she became so feral. “Sorry. I’ll leash the fangs. Promise.”

  He smiled down at her. “Just watch the goods.”

  If she did live through this night, which was a definite no, she would be forever mortified of what just took place. But death had a way of making a person grab onto their last few minutes and relishing them. She pushed her humiliation aside as he slid inside her.

  God he was big. He wasn’t being macho when he bragged about his size, and she couldn’t be happier about it. He was big everywhere, and she lapped it up like a hungry kitten.

  He wrapped his arms around her, their legs entwined, and another orgasm ripped through her as he took complete possession of her body. His hips moved in lazy circles, and when she tightened around him he quickened his pace, seeking his own release.

  During their lovemaking the asshole next door pounded on the wall two more times. Both ignored the intrusion and went about their play. She wanted to stay in his embrace the entire night, but his words rang through her head once again.

  Everyone has a time to go. Apparently it was his time.

  Hers was only hours away.

  * * * *

  It had taken him a few days, but he’d finally come to the conclusion Jade’s feelings had really been hurt when he’d accused her of using sex for a better report. The male in him didn’t give a shit if she used him or not, and yet a part of him wanted Jade to want to be with him without hoping for personal gain. The entire situation was a disaster.

  What they shared back in the hotel room … there was no denying it now. She wanted him, and he more than wanted her. Spending time with her had made the past week the best of his existence. Considering how old he happened to be, that said a lot.

  What Luc didn’t know couldn’t hurt. Luc knew he was on a mission with Jade. He couldn’t guess at Samael’s feelings toward Jade, and as long as he kept his personal thoughts blank when the demon was around, he’d never know. At one point Samael would have to walk away, but it wouldn’t be tonight.

  He settled into the chair opposite her after helping her into hers
. The restaurant was crowded as hell. Even though he made their reservation hours ago, they’d had to wait for fifteen minutes to be seated. The plan had been to take her out to a nice restaurant, but now he wished he could have found something a little more private.

  Jade leaned forward in her chair. “Do you like working in the Alliance?”

  “Beats the hell out of my last job. Pun intended.” So much that he’d been thanking the luck that brought him to Ambrose’s acquaintance. Working for Lucifer had been an experience he had no wish to duplicate. And if not for the Alliance he’d never have met Jade. The thought disturbed him. Again the urgency of the situation beat at his resolve. Better to walk away now.

  “What did you do as an angel?”

  She practically whispered her last question, which was good, considering all the humans that surrounded them. “I was an Angel of Souls. I helped souls make the transition to Heaven.”

  Her eyes widened. “Are you serious? What was that like, being around death all the time?”

  “I told you, people have a fear of the word, when in actuality it’s more of a transition. It’s nothing to fear. From what I saw through other’s passing, it’s the people they leave behind that hurt the most. The job had its good and bad points, like any other. Upon an individual’s death I would come upon them and instill peace so they wouldn’t be afraid. It was a special gift given to the Angels of Souls. The human involved was the only one able to feel the peaceful presence. They were drawn to us, and once I would touch them there souls were mine to transport.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Wow. That’s some job to have. What would happen if they didn’t want to go?”

  “The special power we were given ensured the humans wanted to go with us. They can’t resist reaching out to us, and when they touched us we would transport them.”

  She nodded. “So, can a person escape their fate? Like if they’re fated to die, is there a way to thwart it? Can someone fight an Angel of Souls?”

  His laugh held no humor. “No.”

  The look of interest melted off her face. “Why did you decide to fall?”

  Most angels fell for power, under the influence of the Morning Star’s promise of a new beginning. A beginning in which his followers wouldn’t have to serve as they did in Heaven. Looking back at his decision to follow the crazy bastard, he should never have chosen to fall. But hindsight was twenty-twenty. “I fell so I would no longer have to serve, only to find myself serving here on earth.”

  The waiter came by to take their drink order. When he left, Jade leaned forward once again. “Do you ever get lonely on this job?”

  “It’s not the loneliness that bothers me. I’m getting sick of being constantly on the go. I’m going to talk to Ambrose about it.”

  For the first time that night her smiled darkened slightly, and he didn’t know what he said to make her do that.

  He contemplated if it could be her job that put her in such a bad mood all of the time, and prodded her to ask him so many questions. Having worked the same job for millennia’s, he could understand if her job was wearing her down. “Why don’t you quit if the job makes you lonely? You could train assassins at the headquarters and stay in one place. Problem solved.”

  She shrugged and picked up her menu. “It’s definitely something to consider. Are you going to try and get stationed there?”

  “As you said, it’s definitely something to consider.” Easier said than done. They didn’t have a future, so why was he egging this on?

  She looked up from her menu, their gazes locked, and he knew then and there the direction he wanted to take his life. It was as though everything became crystal clear in that one glance.

  Suddenly he wanted to know everything about her, consequences be damned. “All right, you asked your questions. It’s my turn. What’s Jade short for? I’m guessing there weren’t many women named Jade back when you were born.”

  “No, there weren’t. My real name is Jacqueline, but I’ve gone by Jade for the past few centuries. Lexie tried nicknaming me Jack but I wasn’t having any of it.”

  The waiter came by and took their orders. When he was gone Samael asked the question that had been nagging him for days. “Where did you get the power to morph? And do you morph and pull stunts on people all the time like you did with me?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “I do sometimes. My parent’s obviously didn’t have the capability, because once they found out I possessed that power they gave me up. When I hit puberty I started morphing into those around me, and I couldn’t stop myself. Next thing I knew I was on my own. Some say it was a witch’s curse, but I always thought it was a power given to me like the psychic power given to Lexie.”

  He’d never met a person who could morph into different beings. Psychics, yes, but very few people had the power to morph. She was truly a special woman. “How did it affect your life?”

  “Once I started controlling it I never had a problem. When I was twenty-four, and still not married, I could barely survive. I worked at a manor in England as a house maid, but when the lady of the house found out her husband had the hots for me she had me fired. I was on the streets, got jumped by a few men who thought they could have me, and that’s when I was turned vampire.”

  “Didn’t Ambrose turn you?”

  “Yeah. I got my ass kicked by the guys, and Ambrose saw me. He wasn’t going to turn me at first but he later said he felt a powerful energy coming off me. It was my morphing powers. At the time the Alliance was new and he needed more members to fill out the ranks. He said he could see the fighter inside of me. I started training with Lexie and Kelsey and that was that.”

  Ambrose had no doubt witnessed the same thing in Jade that Samael had caught onto. She was a born leader. He had seen it from the first moment he’d met her. It was what had attracted him to her in the first place. He couldn’t imagine her death at such a young age. She’d been destined for more. Fate had made her a vampire.

  It made him wonder what fate had in store for her after this last mission. Would she go back to being an assassin, or would she take a chance on their future and become a trainer?

  His last thought had him seeing red. They didn’t have a future, and if he wasn’t careful with his decisions, neither would live out the year.

  * * * *

  Jade couldn’t recall the last time she had enjoyed a dinner so much. The stress of the past few days melted away while she was in Samael’s company. Her first impression of him as a militant asshole was quickly being replaced. Laid-back and funny, not to mention sexy—God was he sexy—he was everything she never knew she wanted in a man. She took another sip of her vodka sour, wondering briefly if they had enough time to get busy in the backseat of the SUV before they went on their mission.

  She glanced in the direction of the bathrooms, waiting for Samael to come back to the table.

  His talk of settling down had brought on many questions. Questions that would matter if she lived through the night. What would it be like to stay in one place—with Samael? Could they develop a relationship that might last more than a week? She couldn’t recall the last relationship she’d had. Being a member of the Alliance, with the constant danger and traveling, never allowed time for a relationship.

  Until Lexie’s vision, Jade had never focused so desperately on death. Now that it was imminent, all the things she should have done in her life crept into her thoughts. Slowing down to truly enjoy herself, becoming a trainer, and staying in Scotland sounded too good to be true. Sure, she would have missed the crazy adrenaline she experienced right before a hit, but there would be times she would be needed in the field. Even Ambrose went on the occasional mission.

  Samael emerged from the restrooms, and everyone in the dining room watched him as he walked back to the table. He wore a black collared shirt, the first few buttons undone. He reminded her so much of Ambrose it was scary. Standing six-foot-five you couldn’t help but notice him. And though she’d had the pleasure of being w
ith him, she really didn’t know anything about his past. What were his favorite foods? How did he like to spend his free time? Had he fallen in love before?

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked as he sat at the table.

  She set her drink down. Sharing her thoughts would only bring on more regrets and too many what-ifs. “I was thinking our time here is almost over.”

  My time is almost over. I’ll never see you again, and it bothers me that we just found each other. I want to scream that it’s not fair—I want to touch you one last time. Another day. Another hour. I just want to spend time with you. Why couldn’t you have come into my life earlier? Why?

  He glanced at his watch, complete unaware of the longing she held inside her chest. “Yeah, we’d better be going.”

  He flagged the waiter down and paid the bill. Anxiety welled up inside as they made their way out to the SUV. Thoughts of going back to the hotel room and living another day crossed her mind.

  No. She wasn’t a coward. Samael’s explanation of death effectively alleviated most of her fear. She refused to give in to the lingering doubts. It was time to face that which she’d skirted with each and every successful mission. No one could change the time of death fate decreed for them. Why postpone the inevitable? She had a feeling something would go wrong, someone else could be hurt or killed along with her.

  When Samael took her hand a sense of belonging and peace came over her. It overrode the terror invading her being.

  He squeezed her hand. “You ready for this mission?”

  Peace gone. She shrugged her shoulders and attempted to act nonchalant. “Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Just checking. I have a feeling this one’s going to be a bitch.”

  He’d taken the words right out of her thoughts.

  Chapter Seven

  Club Tease was raunchy, loud and crowded. Overhead strobe lights glared red and yellow, hurting Jade’s oversensitive night vision. The music was techno crap, which had her cringing. With all the humans piled inside the club like sardines she and Samael would have to follow Rachael and Chris out of the club. They couldn’t possibly assassinate them here. It made her wonder if this was her night to die after all. It certainly wasn’t all that dark, either.