| HAVEN CAGE | used to be and the monster she reluctantly yearns to become grows thinner. As Nevaeh deals with her own turmoil, Archard watches the world he’s accepted as his own begin to suffer for the mistakes he’s made. The sacred laws which segregate the realms and hinder demons from freely moving among humans are less and less effective with each passing day. He’s failed to keep Nevaeh out of Evil’s clutches, and so the shadows of Hell are creeping through. In an attempt to right his wrongs—and heal the hole in his heart—Archard chases his elusive woman, but every lead that should bring him closer to Nevaeh only ends with more questions about who she is, where she comes from, and how to save her—if he can save her at all. Will Nevaeh survive the soul-severing decision she’s made? Will those who love Nevaeh survive her? Excerpt “Bron,” Nevaeh breathed, staring up at the dark angel with heady eyes. His head turned as if to look down at her. She fell to her knees, bowed her head, and locked her hands behind her back in submission at his feet. Swirls of her arousal mixed with the smoky tendrils drifting from their ring of fire, heightening my anger. The disruption between realms and the invasion of this atmosphere allowed me to break free from the invisible tether shackling me to the ground. I ran toward them. “Get away from her, abomination!” I yelled. Bron snaked one hand around Nevaeh’s chin from behind, ready to snap her neck at any moment, and wagged an arrogant finger with the other. I skidded to a stop just outside the flames and eyed my love, hoping that she would snap out of her trance and bolt into my arms. “Nevaeh,” I barked,
intending to pull her focus to me, but she continued to stare up at the disgrace towering over her with a confident grasp on her will. “Let her go!” I snarled at the Fallen being. My fists clenched, and I widened my shoulders in a silent challenge to the dark angel. He turned his attention toward Nevaeh again. Suddenly, the flames receded between us. As I was about to take a step closer, Bron’s hand released her, and she shifted her gaze, hazy eyes fixing on me. She slowly stood and sauntered through the ring of flames like they were nothing more flowers bending to the breeze. Her hips swaying in a dangerous rhythm like a lioness on the prowl. “Nevaeh,” I exhaled as she approached me then leaned into my body. Her hands slid up my chest, neck, and face and stopped at my temples. I closed my eyes, seduced by the intoxication of her intimacy. Breath after breath, I took her in until my lungs and nose were as full as possible with my love’s fiery, sweet essence. Her soft lips pressed into mine, and I melted into her. I opened my eyes while we kissed and peered into hers, hoping to see the soul I knew. She swallowed my gasp when I tried to pull away to break our kiss. She held me captive under her delicious mouth. Her eyes were clouded with rage and judgment. I gazed into her depths, witnessing countless sins played out by all manner of people. Some criminals, some seeking revenge, others in the wrong place at the wrong time. Still, she carried each one within her. She had punished each soul, enjoying it in her own way, as they fell to the hands of The Devil himself. The evil she unleashed with these people was a cancer consuming her spirit. I gasped again, struggling to breathe under her hypnotizing power. My eyes stung, fighting back tears of despair and sadness. She rested her forehead against mine, keeping our connection, but allowed our lips to rest. Issue 8 | March 2017 |
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