Rage and Redemption (Rebel Angels) by Cyndi Friberg Read Free Book Online Page A

no longer. Crispin grunted, the impact of Gideon’s punch snapping his head to the side. Gideon welcomed the pain that shot up his arm as bone connected with bone.
    A seasoned warrior, Crispin reacted immediately. He returned each blow measure for measure then launched himself at Gideon with a string of shouted obscenities.
    The two men tumbled out into the clearing in front of the barracks.
    “I should break your hands,” Gideon snarled, landing a punishing jab to Crispin’s stomach.
    Crispin fell to one knee but shot himself forward, ramming his head into Gideon’s midsection. “You are jealous!” Crispin laughed.
    Even though Gideon could kill Crispin with effortless ease, his friend’s death was not what he wanted. He wanted to rid his mind of her image and Crispin seemed to understand. They pummeled each other and rolled across the dirt yard. One would gain the advantage for a moment only to fall beneath an especially vicious blow.
    Neither of them cared that a small crowd gathered to watch the spectacle. Four men lounged in the open doorway to the barracks. Work had stopped completely in the armory and several others loitered near the stable trying to be less obvious about their interest in the fight.
    “You will never touch her again,” Gideon shouted a few minutes later.
    Crispin staggered to his feet and wiped the blood from his nose with the back of his sleeve. His chest heaved with each breath and several bruises were already darkening portions of his face. Even so, amusement had taken over his expression.
    “Be careful, my friend,” Crispin warned with a reckless smirk. “This girl may teach you a lesson you’re not prepared to learn.”
    Gideon cursed at him yet made no move to stop him when he walked off toward the barracks. With the excitement over, the crowd dispersed and work resumed.
    Damn her! How had she managed to penetrate his defenses? She certainly hadn’t done so intentionally. She didn’t even like him. He had aroused her physical desire, but she kept her emotions protected, insulated by mistrust and fear.
    He needed to think. He needed to understand what was happening to him, to analyze the insidious changes this mortal woman had triggered. Checking every angle to make sure he was alone, Gideon released his form and disintegrated into mist. The night breeze carried him beyond the castle compound and out into the darkness. When he reached the crest of a hill overlooking the vast Orontes valley, he materialized again.
    Even from a distance, the fortress was imposing. It effortlessly dominated everything surrounding it. Torchlight glowed from inside the various structures, creating a shadowy silhouette of crenellated walls and stout watchtowers against the blue-black sky.
    The warm night wind caressed his face and fluttered through his hair. He embraced the darkness and forced the tension from his body. A three-quarter moon and legions of stars silvered the scene with tranquil light. This was different from the harsh, burning rays of the daytime sun, the burning, torturous rays that had become his enemy.
    Gideon sat and closed his eyes, lifting his face to the moonlight. He had come to the Krak to confront Gabriel. In return for Gabriel’s betrayal, he had planned to disrupt his life and destroy his reputation. He had hoped to force Gabriel to abandon his masquerade and return to Heaven.
    But Naomi had been working in the scriptorium rather than Gabriel. Gideon grinned into the darkness as vivid memories flashed to life within his mind. She was fire and ice, passion and innocence, courage and fear.
    She was human.
    His eyes snapped open and golden fire illuminated the night. She was a means to an end and nothing more. The moment he touched her and felt her devotion to Gabriel, he knew exactly what he would do. He would seduce her and then disappear without a trace. He would unleash all the passion he sensed within her and then tell her to ask Gabriel why she had been used.
    It didn’t