Az blinked. What the—
Her eyes opened. No innocence. Big, dark green and so deep Az took one look into her eyes and thought of tangled sheets, naked flesh, and the pleasures that humans took in the dark.
I want pleasure.
Her brow furrowed as she stared up at him. Then he saw understanding come flooding back to her in an instant. She jumped up and let out an ear-splitting shriek.
When she went to run by him, Az just stepped out of her way. If she wanted to race right back to the pack . . . “It will just be your funeral,” he said, shrugging. He’d done his good deed for the century.
His bored tone stopped her. She glanced back over her shoulder at him and blinked.
“They’re probably hunting you now.” He walked away from her and headed toward the window that looked out over the street. “Hunting us,” he added quietly and realized he was anticipating the fight. When had he come to crave the fury? When had the bloodlust grown so within him?
She stood as still as a statue before his door. Her hand was up, hovering above the doorknob, and he could almost feel the fear rolling off her in waves.
But then she took a deep breath, and he saw her small shoulders straighten. She shoved back the heavy tangle of her hair and turned to face him. “How did you get us away from them?”
Az shrugged once more.
She took a step toward him. “You . . . you know what they are, right?”
Amusement flared in him. “I did notice the claws.” Rather hard to miss those.
She blinked, and her eyes narrowed as she studied him. He’d never seen quite that shade of green before. She crept closer, bringing that light scent of strawberries to him. When she stopped, she was less than a foot away from him. It would be so easy to touch her.
Though he knew well just how dangerous a touch could be.
Yet she stood close enough to kiss. But angels weren’t supposed to kiss mortals . . .
You’re not an angel anymore. The whisper came from deep inside of him. The same tempting whisper that he’d been fighting since his fall.
You’re not an angel. Do what you want.
You’re not an angel. Take what you want.
He was discovering that he could want many things.
The top of the woman’s head barely reached his shoulders. She tilted her head and stared up at him. Then her gaze swept down his body.
Az stiffened even before she whispered, “What are you?”
Rather insulting question. “I’m the man who saved your life.” Did she need to know more? He didn’t think so.
Her hand lifted and pressed against her mouth. A small trace of blood still rested near her lips. “There were three of them, and, you’re big and all, but there’s still just one of you.”
She might just be one of the most ungrateful humans he’d ever encountered. Stifling a sigh, Az inclined his head. “You’re welcome.”
She stared in surprise for a moment. Then she laughed. A soft, strangely lyrical sound spilled from her lips, and her wide smile lit up her face.
Not just pretty.
Az tensed as the wave of need hit him. Not lust for blood or death. This time . . . the lust was just for her.
You’re not an angel anymore. Take what you want.
“Yeah,” she said, as her laughter faded but the smile still lingered on her lips, “thanks for saving my ass.” Then she held out her hand to him. “My name’s Jade. Jade Pierce.”
He stared at her hand. She wiggled her fingers at him. Slowly, Az lifted his own hand and caught those wiggling fingers. Soft. “I am Azrael.” He dropped her hand. He hadn’t used the name Azrael in centuries. “Most just call me Az.”
“Well, Az, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Her gaze slid over his body again. “But I’m gonna have to ask, once more, just what are—”
The door crashed in behind her. She didn’t scream this time, but maybe Az just didn’t give her a chance to scream.
Because as the three black panthers—fully shifted panthers—leapt into the room, jumping over the broken door, Az grabbed Jade and threw her toward the couch.
Then he ran right for the snarling beasts.
He should have known better than to let down his guard. Shifters and their damn acute senses. They’d caught his scent, her scent, and followed them right through the Quarter.
“I warned you,” Az snapped and leapt at the nearest panther. He caught the beast’s front paws and shoved the giant cat back. “You should have listened.” There would be no more warnings now. Only death.
With a twist of his hands, Az broke both paws and tossed the cat back through the door.