you want with me?”
Why was this asshole looking for her? And who the hell was he? Turning her head, she caught the sight of short black hair. That coupled with the lack of body odor, clear skin and incredible strength had her guessing she was dealing with a Daeva demon.
She hated the good-looking creatures. Like incubi and succubi they used their seductive power to entrap their victims. Daeva might thrive on power over sexual energy, but their devastation was the same.
The demon wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her torso. Her shoulder popped right before he slammed her skull into the brick wall. The world spun around her and she couldn’t focus on anything while she felt him drag her further into the alley.
Fight, dammit! She started kicking her legs and wiggling her body. “Nice try little angel.” The Deava laughed, his midnight black eyes sparkling with malevolence.
“Get your putrid paws off me.” Chloe threw her head back, trying to break his nose. All she needed was a moments inattention.
Unfortunately, he held on and increased the pressure. She was jerked to the side and her skull hit another brick wall. Her head started throbbing and the world spun a bit even as the stench decreased. Blinking rapidly, their surroundings came into view. They exited the opposite end of the alley. Trying another tactic, she pretended to go limp then weakly lifted one arm to make him think the last blow weakened her.
A rumble vibrated against her back. He liked having her weak and injured. His hand quickly skimmed the scars on her back. “You’re perfect for my plans. You can’t hide your origins. Although you are a curious one. Most of your kind carry the stench of the ninth circle. You’ve obviously discovered a way to break your bond with the Underworld. And that little lamb, is what makes you perfect.”
She didn’t break anything. And she didn’t lose her wings in the ninth circle. What she suffered was so much worse. Having pieces of your body rot slowly until they fell off was the worst kind of torture. It made her wish she hadn’t hidden her presence on Earth.
“I can’t help you with whatever it is you want to do.” Chloe tried as they turned a corner.
What did he mean she was different? She’d never been told she didn’t smell like others of her kind. A harsh yank brought her attention back to the demon. He was scanning their surroundings. Goosebumps rose along her arms, putting her on alert.
Expecting him to avoid the large plate glass window on a nearby business, she was surprised when he continued down the sidewalk. The glass allowed her to see the demon was distracted by something on the opposite side of the street. This was her chance.
Despite sensing something was up, she couldn’t see anything that presented a danger. Before the Daeva turned his full attention back to her, she lifted her legs and kicked the glass with all her might. The move propelled her into his body and sent them both tumbling at the same instant the massive pane of glass shattered.
Without pausing, she tried to summon her sword of light and took off down the street. Cursing when nothing happened, she recalled she was no longer blessed by God. Instinct honed by centuries of living on Earth had her reaching for the small weapon she still had. Something smacked into the back of her head and she stumbled forward.
The weapon dropped from her hand, but she couldn’t stop and retrieve it. Her heart clenched. It was the last connection to her origins and was made of a metal only found in Heaven. There was no other substance as strong in existence. She prayed it would return to the hidden pocket where she stored it. Normally, she used a mental command to return the weapon.
Fingers tangled in her hair and she swung her arms in reaction while she screamed. “Let me go!”
The night was quiet enough she hoped someone would hear her. If a human responded to her cries, they’d be killed. That made her clamp her lips shut while she fought him. He pulled her to the gutter so she couldn’t use the building again.
This couldn’t be happening. She’d survived too long for this to be her end. The Daeva demon snarled and grabbed her by her hair. Pain rushed through her scalp, making her reach up and grab onto his forearm.
Tears blurred in her eyes, but she caught movement moments before