Supernatural Lies: A Paranormal Reverse Harem Romance (An Angel and Her Demons Book 1), Lacey Andersen [phonics story books txt] 📗

Immediately, his lips became those of a familiar lover. Hard. Experienced. Awakening arousal inside of her that burned brightly. And then…

She froze. What happened next?

She stiffened. She had no idea.

Her memories of her demons faded and grew dimmer with each passing day. She had no idea if it was the darkness or the length of time that robbed her of her most precious memories.

I just hope I’m not losing the human parts of myself.

Stiffening, her hands clenched into fists. The idea tore through her like claws, and her fears were left bleeding like open wounds. Alone in the dark she had no way to calm the terror that such an idea brought.

To lose that side of myself would be worse than suffering an eternal-death.

Her demons had awakened in her a thirst for life. Their love made her enjoy the taste of food once more. The smell of a flower. The beauty of a sunset. Their tenderness had eroded her hard angel exterior until it crumbled, opening her heart to sadness, pleasure, and happiness once more.

I won’t go back to the way I was!

But what if I am? She could feel the walls growing thicker around her. Whispering that she would never be free again.

Damn it, how much longer can I endure this! Has Caine simply forgotten me?

She stiffened at just the thought of The Judge’s name. It blanketed her anger with fear. Caine was the most powerful being in existence. He determined where people went when they died, and he decided when a person lost the right to an afterlife. An eternal death—the worst fate of all.

He also terrified her.

Children feared the dark because they didn’t know what it concealed. Caine was the dark. No one saw him. No one touched him. But his powers had touched all of them, tearing inside of their minds to pull out whatever he wanted.

And yet, he’s The Judge. The only one who can change this broken system, and the only one who can order my freedom.

For so long she wondered what Caine had planned for her, but recently she had started worrying that he’d forgotten about her altogether. Time had no meaning for her without the sun's progression, but it had to have been months since he’d ordered her imprisonment.

Since then, no one had spoken to her. Or even opened the cell door. Trays of food slipped beneath the door had provided her with sustenance and nothing more.

Why did I believe he would treat me fairly? My demons were right to tell me to stay away from the fortress.

And yet, she didn’t regret her choice. She’d had to try! She simply couldn’t live with herself if she hadn’t.

The demon-realm was overflowing with innocents. The angel-realm was more a group of thugs than warriors. Unlike her demons, she didn’t want a new system for the afterlife. She’d hoped to fix the current broken one instead.

But how can I fix it if Caine won’t grant me an audience?

A slight creaking made her freeze. It was a familiar noise. One she looked forward to each day. My tray should be coming soon. She uncurled her wings and stood on stiff limbs, waiting for the food that would soon slide beneath the door.

Instead, she heard the distinct sound of a key scraping the lock. A key! It can’t finally be happening! Her heart raced, and she held herself tense, waiting for what would happen next.

The door opened and Surcy squinted against the light. An angel blocked the entrance, a dark shadow with dim torchlight behind him.

What does he want? Will he free me?

Or is this something else altogether?

And if he doesn’t let me leave, should I try to escape? Should I—

“Come with me,” he growled.

Freedom! The word blossomed within her chest, breathing life into her soul. Without another second’s hesitation, she shuffled out of the cell, holding up one hand to shade her eyes from the torches.

In the hall, the angel closed the cell door and led her up the stairs that would take her out of the dungeons. Surcy’s stiff legs struggled with the steps, but she pushed herself forward toward the light, desperate for fresh air.

At the top, the angel turned, and she realized who had released her. Frink. Her skin tingled as complicated emotions filled her. Seeing someone else after so long alone in the darkness was incredible, but she would have rather seen anyone but him.

He preyed on weakness. He thrived on suffering. She’d have to hide every uncertain feeling within her and radiate confidence, or else she might not survive him. And she hadn’t come this far just to let one coward stop her.

She cleared her throat. “Didn’t I kill you recently?”

His brilliant green eyes flashed with rage. “If it were my choice, I would return the favor.”

And if the rumors were true, he’d make it a slow and painful death.

She forced a grin. “But it isn’t your choice. That must be driving you crazy…”

Frink snarled and grabbed her forearm, dragging her down the hall with rapid, angry steps. She struggled to keep up with him, but at the end of the hall, he opened a door and gestured for her to go inside.

Surcy froze. “This isn’t the throne room.”

His anger rolled off of him in waves. “No kidding.”

It was just another windowless room, although it was a larger one, with a blazing fireplace, a bed, and a bath. But it wasn’t her path to freedom.

I won’t be put off any longer. I need to see a Caine. I need to fight for the people who are depending on me.

And return to my demons, one way or another.

She took a deep breath. “I’m not going in there. Take me to Caine. Now.”

Frink grabbed her by the throat and forced her back against the doorframe. Instantly, her airway was cut off. She struggled against him, clawing at his fingers, but he only squeezed her throat harder. Her vision darkened.

His words came sharp and angry. “You’ll do as