Page 101 of Beauty At Stake
He grinned. “Exactly. That image makes me all warm and fuzzy.” His stare shifted to the cell door. “But it's nowhere near as wonderful as the thought of killing her.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Sarai wasn't as dumb as I hoped. She returned fifteen minutes or so later with Rue and a group of humans, some of whom were the vampire hunters Losuc returned to her. They took me from the cell and left a frothing Killian behind, casting curses and vows of retribution after us.
“He's very passionate,” Sarai said as she escorted me down a corridor.
Rue had added handcuffs—magic-dampening of course—to my ensemble before he removed my leg shackle. He was at my back, guiding me forward with a heavy hand on my shoulder. I had been busy fantasying about burning that hand to cinders when Sarai spoke.
“Yes, Killian is passionate about everything he does. We don't call him Kill just because it's a shortening of his name.”
Sarai laughed delicately. “Was that a subtle threat?”
“Not at all. It was a bold, in-your-face threat. Anu charged Killian with guarding me. So, not only does he have love driving him but also divine decree.”
“Too bad God has forsaken you.”
The words were almost biblical and sent a shiver down my spine. I was angry with Anu and I'd said some terrible thingsto him. Thought them too. But ours was a relationship like that between parent and child. I knew I could say those things and be forgiven. Just as he knew he could pull some stupid shit, but I'd forgive him eventually. So, even though I'd said—and meant—that he wouldn't be showing up for me this time, I didn't think he'd forsaken me. Anu . . .
“Would never,” I whispered in revelation.
“What was that?” she asked.
I lifted my chin and grinned at her. “I am Anu's sword, and he is my shield. It's a sacred vow between us. He willneverforsake me.”
“You've changed your tune.” Sarai's words sounded confident, but her expression had shivered.
“Not at all. I said he probably wouldn't show up because we had a fight. But I never said he had forsaken me. If I need God, he'll be there. He may not come himself, but he will protect me. He is my shield.”
“Well, then. I look forward to meeting God. Because I assure you, you will need protection.”
“Uh, excuse me, but what are you talking about?” one of the humans asked. “Why does this vampire think God will protect her? And why do you think he'll show up for her?”
“Yeah,” a few of the others added.
I glanced back at them and laughed. “I'm not a vampire, you fools. Vampires don't exist. This bitch has been using you to trap and killWitches—humans born with magic. All those people you captured for her are innocent. They’re not murderers. You, however, are accessories—”
“That's enough!” Rue growled, digging his fingers into my shoulder.
“Hey! We want to hear what she has to say!” One of them pushed Rue.
Rue didn't budge. Instead, he turned toward them and bared his teeth.
“He's one of them!” someone shouted.
“Well, shit! You finally got something right,” I exclaimed. “Yes, Rue is a Witch. He's a Pack Witch—you know them as werewolves. Now, werewolves do exist. But, as I said, they're Witches.”
The humans gaped at me, then the whole of them buckled like a startled beast.
“Stop!” Sarai held out her hands as her voice rumbled through the cement corridor.
Everyone went quiet.
“She is not a vampire, but sheisa Demon,” Sarai said. “I am toying with her. God is not her shield, nor will he come to her aid. He doesn't help Demons.”
“Uh, yes, he does,” I said. “Because he made Demons and Angels as two races. They're his people as much as humans are.”
“Do you hear this nonsense?” Sarai waved at me.
