Infernal Father of Mine by John Corwin Read Free Book Online Page A

"Tell
me, Davidius, and tell me true. What does Alysea have that I do
not? Am I not more powerful? More beautiful?"
    "You are the fairest of all," Montjoy
exclaimed.
    Daelissa backhanded him across the floor, and
continued to speak as though she'd just swatted a fly. "I offered
you the world. I offered you myself, and you refused me ."
Her last words emerged in an angry hiss.
    "There was never a choice," David
said.
    Her blonde eyebrows rose. "What do you
mean?"
    "My choice never wavered from Alysea." He
shrugged. "I thought I could stop your mad conquest with deceit and
treachery. I failed."
    "Lies!" Daelissa screamed. "You are lying to
me. I know you loved me. Alysea poisoned your mind against me." A
bright glow formed around her body. The air shimmered with heat.
Any nearby Exorcists backed away, eyes wide.
    "Maybe we could get you a subscription to an
online dating site," I suggested, figuring the situation was far
beyond reason at this point. "I'll bet there are plenty of guys
looking for an angel who's into world domination."
    "Enough!" Daelissa screeched. One of the wooden
pews behind her smoldered. She spun to Montjoy who was only just
now recovering his wits after the blow she'd dealt him. "Begin the
ritual, you lazy swine. I want these two banished and in my service
immediately."
    "Y-yes," Montjoy said, staggering to his feet
and promptly falling flat on his face. "Gather the others for the
ritual," he shouted at the Exorcist he'd sent on the errand earlier
as the other man helped his boss to his feet.
    "Talk about melodramatic," I said with an
offhanded wave of my hand. "Banishment doesn't sound so bad as long
as I don't have to see either of you two again."
    "I assure you it will not be pleasant, boy."
Daelissa's eyes flicked to David. "Do you see what choosing Alysea
has cost you, Davidius?"
    "I'd say it spared me your constant bitching,"
he said.
    "Fool!" Daelissa shouted. "We could have united
our kingdoms and ruled together. You squandered it all for a silly
girl whose fondness for these animals"—she indicated the still form
of the drained human behind her—"cost us everything!"
    "You," David said in a calm voice, "are a
crazy, maniacal bitch."
    "Quoted for truth," I said.
    Daelissa's eyes flashed. "Your precious wife
may be out of my reach for now, but I still have your daughter well
in hand."
    Thank god she doesn't know the
truth.
    David tensed, whether for show or because he
didn't remember I'd told him about Ivy living with me, I didn't
know.
    "She will do anything for her Aunt Daelissa."
The angel sneered.
    David blew out a breath. "You think if I cared
about her I wouldn't have taken her from you already?"
    "She is your daughter," Daelissa
said.
    "She was a mistake," he said back in a flippant
voice. "I gladly let the Conroys take her."
    My stomach clenched at hearing his words. Did
he really mean it, or was it a ruse?
    "I knew you were cold when you spurned my love,
Davidius." She arched a blonde eyebrow. "I see now you still care
only for yourself with one exception." Her lips curled into a
sinister smile. "Alysea, the dimwitted little fool, somehow touched
your heart. You may not care for your daughter, but she
does."
    "What's your point?" David said.
    "I can use Ivy to draw Alysea into the open."
The angel tapped a finger to her lips. "While you waste away in
exile, I will find and kill Alysea." Her lips peeled in an ugly
smile. "I welcomed the pathetic creature back after the Conroys
found her. She repaid me with yet another betrayal. I will enjoy
tearing off her wings."
    My father shrugged. "What makes you think I
care? Do you really think I'd arrange to marry one of my own kind
if I cared at all for Alysea?"
    Daelissa bared her teeth. "You are obviously
once again using your talents as you used them against me." She
looked at Montjoy. "Proceed."
    David clenched his fists, even though his face
remained passive. Desperation filled me. Daelissa didn't appear to
know Ivy was living with me, but if