Splendor and Darkness (Rebel Angels) by Cyndi Friberg Read Free Book Online Page B

the floor outside her door and that would only safeguard her so long as she remained in human form.
    “Go.” She climbed onto the bed. “Our mission can wait until morning.”
    He chuckled as he left the room. She’d put specific emphasis on the word mission . They were here to assess all the Monthamn occupants. Was it possible angelic powers were germinating in one so young? Wouldn’t Gadrayel have sensed Anna’s potential? His strength was second only to Prince Sariel’s.
    What if the child’s powers weren’t angelic? He jolted to a stop, his hand on the latch to his door. A powerful Fallen angel had contributed to Monthamn physiology. Releasing a ragged sigh, he slipped inside his room.
    “Who are you? Why are you really here?”
    It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim interior of the bedchamber. Wooden shutters blocked out what remained of the sunlight. Judith stood near the shuttered window, her hands balled into fists.
    “You know who I am and why I’ve come.” He tried to sound casual.
    “I know the lies you told Nathaniel.”
    Ambling across the room, he allowed a hint of insolence to show. Her warm brown eyes widened. He lowered his gaze to her kissable lips. She was a beautiful woman, lush with passion’s promise. He’d been teasing Alyssa when he’d mentioned seduction, but kissing Judith into submission suddenly seemed like a viable plan.
    If nothing else, it would send her scurrying for the door.
    “Why are you in my bedchamber? What do you really want?” He waited for a gasp that never came.
    “If I wanted your body, I’d be naked in your bed.” She sauntered toward him, her hips swaying provocatively. “You can’t intimidate me. I’m not frightened by passion.”
    He caught her wrist and drew her nearer. “You’re a woman in the prime of her life who has been without her husband for over a year.”
    She rose to the balls of her feet, brushing her breasts against his chest. “There are many virile men at Monthamn Castle.” Her warm breath teased his lips then she shoved him backward.
    Daniel collided with the edge of the mattress, buckling his knees. He sat on the bed, grinning as she scrambled out of reach.
    “Now tell me why your blind cousin can see my daughter?”
    Desire surged through Daniel. He loved spirited women and this one had ferocity to spare. “Lailah was not born blind. Sometimes her mind plays tricks on her.”
    “What was the one thing that most frightened my husband?”
    Daniel shuffled through the memories Sariel had implanted within his brain. “William never spoke of any significant fear. He was commanding and brave. It’s unwise to reveal any weakness in the face of battle.”
    She crossed her arms under her breasts and shook her head. “No one who knew William would refer to him as commanding. He was a mouse.”
    He didn’t argue. She would believe what she wanted to. “Have you always been attracted to mice?”
    She marched toward the door. “I intend to speak with Nate. Be prepared to leave with the dawn.”
    * * * * *
     
    “We must get inside that castle. There is no other way.” Makatiel paced the breadth of his dismal chamber, revealing his agitation with each angry stride.
    “Getting inside is not the problem.” Enos sat on the edge of a filthy chair, legs crossed at the ankle, doing his best not to touch anything. “ Gadrayel’s men won’t let us near any of the Monthamn descendants.”
    Makatiel paused, his head turning sharply toward Enos. “You’ve been inside the castle?”
    “I’ve explored every musty corridor. It’s only when I ventured too near one of Gadrayel’s pets that his men objected.”
    “I thought the Order of Grigori were all but extinct? Where did Gadrayel get these Guardians?”
    “I would imagine he is being assisted by another angelic order.” He tried not to sound condescending, but his patience with the master demon was just about exhausted. The only true disadvantage of being an outcast from