Forbidden: Broken

Chapter Four

True to her word, Irin didn't hunt him. She was not a liar. Unlike him. Okay, so he knew she couldn't best him and his promise couldn't hold him. It still counted as a lie in her book. But though she didn't hunt him, he haunted her. There were very few moments that she wasn't thinking about him or what he did to her. What he showed her. The gentleness with the way he handled her at times, the passion he let come through.

Then she remembered his sword, cutting through that closeness. Slicing away the pleasure.

Thanks to Elathan her walls were rebuilt stronger than ever. She threw herself into the hunt with wild abandon, no longer craving death or peace. Quite the opposite. The kills were building up to be something akin to a sexual release. They were no long quick and efficient. Sometimes, she would draw them out just a little.

A few weeks after the 'incident', there was a knock at her door and she opened it to find a man standing on her step with a long box.

"Delivery for Irin." The young man's eyes bulged at the sight of the sai leveled at his throat.

Wordlessly, she dropped it and pulled a twenty from her pocket. It was a large tip, but the kid needed new pants now.

"Thank you." His voice squeaked. He would have a story to tell at the shop.

She nodded and closed the door.

She opened the box and found a single long stem rose. Frowning, she read the card.

My Angel,

You have drawn too much attention. They are coming for you.

Demon.

She laughed. Like she cared. Only that many more to destroy. She found herself running the flower along her cheek, remembering when he touched her there. The softness of the petals reminded her of the way he stroked her skin. So tender and caring.

With a snarl, she flung the rose away. Irin fortified her armor that threatened to crack with the memory. So, he thought enough to warn her. Big deal. Likely he was trying to save her so that when he fixed his sword problem, he could do her in himself.

She showered and made herself ready for the nightly hunt. Heat built in her blood. She had a lead on a new demon in town and she was the welcoming committee.

~ ~ ~

As old as he was, he had the ability to keep her from realizing he was following her. Why he was following her, he didn't know. He did as she asked and stayed away, but it was torture. So many times, he found himself about to leave his apartment to look for her. While his home wasn't haunted by screams, it was by her. Though long gone, he thought he could smell her at times. He could still see the glow she gave off when climaxing. Closing his eyes at night, he could still feel her warmth in his bed.

The only logical explanation was that he was losing his mind. Demons didn't feel guilt and would never apologize. They would also kill an angel in a heartbeat. It would figure that to be among the oldest of his kind, he was now failing at his race.

By warning her, he had done his part to repay for the peace she gave him that night. Why was he even here? Standing, he turned to leave when she spoke.

"I know you are here. You can come out. I promise I'll make it quick."

He was about to answer her, thinking she had found him out when he heard another voice.

"I promise I won't."

Shock stiffened his back. That was Vetis. What was he doing here?

"I have heard that before and lived to spit on the dog that said it." Elathan wanted to smile at the fierceness in her voice, but she was facing his brother.