Azrael's Light [Demon Runners of Unearth] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Amy J. Hawthorn Read Free Book Online

carry one.
    Something big was in the works, and he suspected the brunette just discovered that as well.
    And from watching her, it became clear to him she cared for Luc’s runaway. She hadn’t been just a bitchy bar owner defending her turf. She had been protecting someone that she cared deeply about. He didn’t think she was wholly human, but without a Light signature marking her as an immortal, she couldn’t have any measurable power. And she was standing tall against one of the fiercest breeds of demon. She loved Alia.
    The demon should have been following Luc’s command, but he didn’t think for one moment the beast wanted to take the girl to her father for safe keeping. Had there been an attempted kidnapping? Was there an uprising in the works?
    What a complete fucking mess.
    The Rimmon snarled and puffed up like an enraged blowfish. He stepped forward and then stopped, sniffing the air. He’d wondered how long it would take the idiots to realize he watched them.
    He finished emerging into the room, stepping between the demons and the brunette. The Rimmon paused, gave a weak snarl, and then faded away to nothing. The two Lilitu shuddered and followed. Their forms wavered, turned to shadow, and vanished, leaving him alone with the barmaid.
    He turned to face her and wasn’t surprised to see her steady, stubborn expression firmly in place. Did anything shake her? Who was she?
     
    * * * *
     
    What the hell was Azrael doing here? Silly question. He was here for the same thing the demons were. Had someone put a price on her niece’s head? She’d obviously become a very hot commodity. But why?
    “You. I already told you. I don’t know where your runaway is. So, you can just go on about your merry way. Now.” She was torn between anger that another uninvited immortal had appeared on her turf and relief that Azrael had frightened the demons away.
    How screwed up had things become if finding a Soul Runner in her living room made her sigh in relief? If forced to defend herself against the Rimmon, she would have done so without hesitation. Though she wouldn’t have gone down without a fight, she wasn’t stupid. Without her powers, she wouldn’t stand a chance.
    Intentional or more than likely not, Azrael had saved her ass. She owed him.
    “Put your claws away, kitten. I know I’ve been left in the dark and I’m betting you have, too. Why don’t you tell me who this runaway is to you?”
    What did it matter if he knew what Alia’s relationship to her was? He was already hunting her, and there was no stopping a Soul Runner once they were assigned a mission. And she knew in her heart she wouldn’t give Alia up, no matter what hell visited her.
    Maybe there was a way she could use it to gain some information of her own from him. “She’s my niece, and if you think there is any chance I’ll help you find her, you’re wasting your time.” The revelation was worth it just to see the shock on his face. She suspected it was one he didn’t wear often.
    “She’s your niece? You’re telling me that the devil’s daughter is your niece?”
    “Yes. That’s what I said. Alia is my niece. What does it matter to you who she is related to? I didn’t think you had any say in whose soul you harvested and delivered.”
    “I don’t, but that’s not why I’m looking for her. I’m off the Fates’ clock for this one. All I want to do is return her to her home realm and her parents before things deteriorate any further. I didn’t think Lucifer had any family other than his wife and daughter?”
    “And his wife’s sister.”
    A second wave of shock rolled through his features. “You’re Lilith’s sister? Since when does she have a sister?”
    “Since the day she was born. We’re twins. She is the dark side of the moon, and I am supposed to be the light half.”
    “Supposed to be? Where is your Light? Did you have your powers stripped?”
    “No, and aren’t you nosy? I thought we were talking about why