Hunger (Damnation Book 1)

Chapter 13 - Death Comes for Us All

"Just kill me already. What are you waiting for?" I ask softly, trying to fake a bravado I no longer feel. It's hard to sound tough when you've just finished screaming your head off. I pull his hand away from my throat, surprised he lets me, even if it doesn't move far, resting flat against my collar bone. He still has an iron grip on my waist, but he still lets me breathe. That's nice, I guess. Or, at least it's an improvement.

He smiles and says, "For Michael to break in."

Why would he wait for Michael to break in? Does he want him to watch? All that does is raise the likelihood that Michael will stop him. I guess he has to do it the hard way. I wait for Michael even though I don't want him to come. I don't want him to watch me die. I may not care for him like he does for me, but that doesn't mean I want him to have this memory burned forever in his head. Even I'm not that bent.

Gabriel sits in a chair, holding me tightly in his lap. With a very, surprisingly, delicate touch, he covers me with the sheet from my bed and then he traces my features. I can see the need in his eyes. Gabriel is definitely not one of those angels that give into his human urges while on Earth, so this is strange to me. I don't want him touching me. He scares me beyond belief. Even though he isn't the type, I know deep in my gut this angel knows very well how to love a woman and I don't want him to do that to me. I feel it would be easy for him to switch from lover to killer, like instantly. His fingertips wipe away my lingering tears and he whispers a string of words in a language I don't recognize.

I turn to look at the door, praying someone will come save me. For all my taunting, I'm really not cool with dying. I don't want to give up my life. Despite the johns and my really shitty job, my life's not all that bad. For once I'm actually thankful for everything I have. I have a roof over my head, a wonderful brother, and a father who has given me everything. Does this mean I'm having some kind of epiphany or something?

"Do you mind? I'm not your toy," I tell him pulling my face away from his feather light touch and putting more force into my voice.

That touch turns to steel in a second as his hand grabs my chin and forces me to look at him. "Stop fighting me, Sweetheart. I'm not going anywhere."

My fist balls up on its own and flies to his face. I'm not a great fighter, but I clock him in his eye and try to pull away. "Gil, Daddy," I scream before he pulls me to him again.

Gabriel's hand covers my mouth and he pulls me to cover him as the door bursts open. I feel the heat of angel fire before I can register the bright light. My father and Michael are side by side trying to figure out the best approach. No lie, it's probably the first time in many millennia that has ever happened. I want to be over there so badly. I'm tugging and pulling and Gabriel's hands, trying to break free but keep myself covered at the same time.

"Stop right there," Gabriel orders. The command in his voice even stops my movements. Holy Hell, that's creepy. He has such a domineering tone. "She's going to die, brothers. Say your good-byes."

Daddy doesn't say anything. He is just staring at me. There's hurt in his eyes, but he doesn't say anything. I'm just another Nephilim. He can make more. Hell, there are seven more waiting to move in almost any day. He will have more kids. I'm just going to be a distant, sad memory to him one day.

Now Michael, on the other hand, looks livid. It's like he really wants to beat the shit out of his brother. I have a feeling that once I'm dead, this won't be over for him. If Gabriel kills me, Michael will never forgive him.

I catch his eyes and try to convey all my feelings for him in one look; that I'm sorry it had to end this way and I really did like him, even if it was mostly in a physical way. I don't know if he sees it, but I have to try. Gabriel kisses my neck and I cringe away. I don't want him touching me like that. I'm not his. I'm not anyone's right now, not even Michael's. He needs to let me go. I'm not going to be the reason he falls. I shake my head as he comes closer. He pauses, looking confused. I really want him to save me, but this will all be over soon. Gabriel won't drag it out. I'm sure he has lots of other holy missions he's got to be sent on. Hopefully, it won't be that bad.

Gabriel wraps himself tighter around me and I feel warmth all around. I'm blinded for a moment and then I'm in a dark room. We aren't at home any more. Where the hell am I?