Ascension of Evil (Battle for Souls Book 3) by Ciara Knight Read Free Book Online Page B

went to Boon’s side. “What are you thinking?”
    “Don’t know.” Boon weaved his arm behind Sammy’s back and stood there for a moment. “We might not have to go far to find Forras.”
    “You mean you believe he’s been messing with my dad?” Gabby blurted.
    Alexander pulled her hands to his chest. “You still think it’s a good idea to have him join us?”
    “No, but I don’t know that we have a choice.” Gabby struggled to make a decision, but that was her job. Dark clouds swirled in the sky and she knew time was running out. “I believe he was released when the gates were opened, so it makes sense he would return here. We have to figure out how to find him and convince him to fight for us. If he won’t, then we’ll send him back to darkness.”
    “Agreed.” Boon sauntered past them with Sammy by his side. “Alexander, you should stay here tonight. And Sammy and I won’t be far away.”
    Gabby thought about what her father would do as a hunter, to find Forras and capture him. She didn’t like where it led her, but she knew what she had to do. “Don’t stay too close. If Forras wants my dad, then that’s how we trap him.”
     
    ****
     
    Alexander gripped the back of Gabby’s desk chair. Outside her window, orange, supernatural clouds swirled in the night sky, warning of the coming demonic war. He needed to figure out how to win the war, and Heaven’s favor, so he could return with Gabby.
    Gabby opened the door, padded across the rug to him, and pressed her chest against his back. She wrapped her arms around him. The scent of apple filled the air as her hair brushed against the back of his arms. He could stand there all night. Her touch made the world full of hope, instead of despair.
    Alexander stroked her arms. “How are you?”
    “Fine,” Gabby whispered.
    Alexander pivoted to face her and pulled her close to him. “It’s me. You don’t need to be brave. I’m here for you. Talk to me.” He gazed at her a moment, letting her absorb the truthfulness of his words. “I’m sorry about your dad.”
    Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them back and pulled free of his arms. She sat on the bed, her legs curled under her, twisting a loose thread on her comforter.
    He ran his fingers down her back and felt her wings push against her skin. She was an angel, so why had Heaven denied them?
    “I’m fine,” she whispered again. “The war is coming, and we’ll be ready this time.”
    He rubbed her shoulders. “I’ll be with you, always.”
    Gabby shook her head. “You can’t promise that.”
    His heart ached to argue the point, but it was true. There was no guarantee if they died in battle tomorrow that they wouldn’t be ripped from each other’s arms for all eternity. His hands shook at the thought. Eternity without Gabby. No, he couldn’t face it. He sat at the head of the bed and pulled her into his arms. “I can’t lose you. I won’t.”
    “We don’t get to choose. Fate will decide.” Gabby raked her nails down his forearm.
    Shivers shot up his arm, around his shoulder, and down his back. One touch sent him to Heaven, something had happened between them, a sort of bond that couldn’t be broken. He clung to that thought as he held her tight.
    She turned to face him. “We have now.” She brushed the hair from his eyes and kissed his temple, his cheek, his chin then swept her lips across his. His body hummed, and he strung his fingers through her hair, tugging her head back. Her mouth teased his lower lip, nibbling and sweeping along the edge. The taste of mint and the smell of apples drew him closer.
    Her tongue broke through his lips, connecting with his in a gentle caress, until he nearly came undone and met her passion with his own. Heated pleasure blanketed his skin and he rolled on top of her, wanting to be closer, to join, to live for eternity as one.
    He reached out with his soul, and it lingered around her, his aura pulsing against her skin.
    His hand massaged