Lacrimosa by Christine Fonseca Read Free Book Online Page B

understand that. After all, you couldn’t help but fall in love with the girl. Just ask Mikayel. I’m sure he’d understand.”
    I turn away. “I’ve decided not to join you.”
    Azzaziel’s laughter weaves through the crackling fire. “Your oath cannot be undone. And the Council will banish you.”
    “They may.”
    The flames continue to flicker around me, catching the hem of my trousers on fire. I feel my flesh begin to burn. I flinch, clench my jaw, ball my hands into fists. The pain is excruciating. It blinds my vision, fades my thoughts. Don’t move. Don’t move. Don’t move. The words barely form, the agony eclipsing everything.
    “So you plan to die then? As a human?”
    I can’t speak as the flames climb up my trembling body. I swallow each scream, desperate to stay in command of my humanity.
    “I admire your control.”
    A feral sound pushes up from my abdomen, exploding from my mouth. I don’t recognize the sound; can’t tell its source. All I know is the agony bursting through my enflamed skin.
    The scene spins, too many things happening simultaneously. Azzaziel laughs and disappears from my sight. The room explodes in light and my body continues to burn.
    It’s almost over. My physical body is nearly gone. Soon, my angelic heart will stop.
    A hand grips what’s left of my body. His touch sends wave after wave of pain rippling through me.
    “No Aydan. You won’t die. Not now. Not in this way.”
    I know the voice and what it means. The Council is here.
    “Release yourself. Or I’ll do it for you.” Mikayel’s voice is unyielding.
    “Please. Just let me die.” I can barely speak. Just a few more seconds and it’ll be too late.
    “No. That would be too easy.”
    I feel my angelic soul rip from my body, stealing my breath. The pain fades within seconds.
    “You will face the Council and atone for what you’ve done. You will not die a coward. Or become a servant to Azzaziel.”
    I want to scream “No, you don’t understand. Let me do this!” But the words refuse to come. My human shell—what’s left of it—falls to the floor. I look at Mikayel and tilt my neck. “Just finish me. Here. Now.”
    Mikayel tightens his grip on his sword. He wants to, I feel it. “It’s not my decision to make,” he says through gritted teeth.
     
    I bolt upright, startled. Sweat pours from my brow as I struggle to gain control over my pounding heart. An icy breeze brushes my skin, followed by the distinctive scent of rotting flesh and sulfur.
    My master is here.
    “Reminiscing about the past were you? Sometimes it’s better to just leave it alone.” Azza’s tones wash over me, sending fear into every crevice.
    “What do you want, Azza?”
    “Still angry, I see. Why not put that to good use instead of wallowing in your misplaced sense of shame? You haven’t fed, have you?”
    “No, but—”
    “That’s twice you’ve overlooked my commands. If I didn’t know better, I would say you’re making a habit of ignoring me.” Azza’s taunt lingers.
    Time slows as he waits for my answer. I feel my heart beating against my chest, hear the blood pumping through my veins. Swallowing hard, I focus. I can’t do anything stupid, not now. Not when Azza is this poised to strike. “I am only what I’ve pledged myself to be. Your servant.”
    “Not servant. Apprentice. You will be as powerful as any Dark One once you complete your oath and we find our Seer to feed you.”
    I flinch as the Beast inside awakens. Confusion paints my thoughts as I war with myself—my soul versus the monster I’m destined to become. The monster I am already. Am I ready to release myself entirely? Succumb to Azza and the Beast?
    I was.
    I’m not so certain now.
    Azza pins me with his cold glare. “I’ve come to ensure your loyalty and make certain you feed. To do this, I’ve decided to pick the victim this time.”
    My eyes widen. Not Nesy. Please, not Nesy. My mind reels as I wait for Azza to continue.
    “Come, she