Voluptuous Vindication by Rose Wynters Read Free Book Online Page B

make sense,” Ian said, raking a frustrated hand through his hair. He gestured at Arch. “How come you aren't mortal?”
     
    Arch shrugged. “My territory and duties are different. We are the only ones standing between humanity and Hell. I have to have my powers here on this realm, otherwise, all this would be obsolete. The mortals would be dead, we would be dead, and there wouldn't be anyone left to protect.”
     
    He nodded down at Sara. “Her duties are different. She does her time here, and then she leaves. All we have to do is keep her alive the next thirty days, and she's gone.”
     
    Sara started to stir. “Well, I'll leave you to it, Arch,” Ian said, looking around. He preferred to be gone before she came back to consciousness. He couldn't explain the attraction between them, and it made him uncomfortable. He wasn't about to become a despoiler of angels, even a man whore like him had his limits. “Can you flash me back to Las Vegas?”
     
    “Yeah, about that,” Arch replied as Ian turned to look back to him with a glare. He wore a contrite expression. Ian narrowed his eyes. When Arch looked like that, it didn't bode well for the person he wore it for.
     
    “Arch,” he drawled out warningly. “I'm not in the mood for this shit. You didn't mention anything about duties beyond getting her off that train. I don't babysit mortal angels. Send Jeremiah in, and I'll take his place in Vegas.”
     
    Arch shook his head in irritation. “And I don't have time for this. There isn't anyone that can take this assignment over, it has to be you. As many years as you've known me, you ought to understand me by now. If I say it has to be you, it has to be you. ”
     
    “I do understand you, and it's mighty damned scary,” Ian shot back in disgust. “If she weren't an angel, I'd think you were playing matchmaker... Once again. Speaking of mates, I'm making it clear, right here and now. I'm not interested... Ever. Whether I have one or not is a moot point. I don't want to be pulled into a mating, and I mean this. I'd be seriously pissed if I were.”
     
    Arch looked at him for a long moment, his expression sad. “Were you dropped on your head at birth, Ian, or did all your brains descend into your ass over the years? There are many Endurers out there that would take a mating for what it was...  A gift from Heaven. Yet, you would walk away from it, without a second thought. God help the woman designated for you.”
     
    Ian scoffed, staring at the woman. She looked uncomfortable, so he moved forward and took the bag and case off of her. Laying them on the ground, he popped up fast enough to just catch the look of satisfaction on Arch's face. His eyes narrowed again, but he didn't have the chance to get onto him about it. A small, feminine sound broke the silence of the night.
     
    Sara's eyes popped open. Arch stood her up immediately, gripping her about the arm until she was able to stand without support. She blinked rapidly, gaining her bearings. “Arch, it's good to see you again. It's been awhile.”
     
    Arch chuckled, releasing her. “That it has. About a millennium, but who's counting?”
     
    She smiled wanly, her eyes moving to Ian. They were large and grave underneath the light of the moon. She nodded in acknowledgment of his presence but didn't speak to him. “Why am I here, Arch?”
     
    He bent down, picking up her case and bag off the ground. “Why are you here on the side of the tracks, or why are you here in general?” Arch asked, handing them back to her.
     
    Sara looked troubled, her expression serious. “As if you don't know. It might have been awhile, but I know you can see my thoughts clearly. It's bad, isn't it?”
     
    Arch nodded, his expression solemn. “A hit has been placed on that pretty blonde head of yours. I don't know what your future holds, but something big must be fixing to happen. Hell is determined to end you, and I mean fast. I just took down eleven demons on top of