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R oman raged as he sat in the front passenger seat of one of the two Jeeps Cael had arranged to be waiting for them at the airport. Phoenix sat beside him in the driver’s seat, pedal to the metal as he flew down the road outside of Lima, getting them closer to Caral. Closer to Charlotte.

Armaros, Grigori, and Lucian sat in the back. Cael drove Ariel, Marius, Ramiel, and Sabriel in the Jeep behind them.

Maalik was somewhere ahead of them, flashing from location to location. His brother’s teleportation power was limited only to places he had been before. And, of course, with Roman’s bad luck, Caral was one of the gates his brother had never been to. He made a mental note to make sure that when this was all over, Maalik visited every single goddamn gate on the planet.

Maalik was currently teleporting as far as his eye could see, flashing as fast as he could across Peru. Once he made it to Caral, he’d be able to come back and flash each of them to the ruins so they stopped wasting so much time.

The flight had been torture. They owned the fastest private jet on the planet, but it still wasn’t quick enough. It had taken every ounce of willpower not to lose his shit on the plane and tear the whole thing apart. The only thing keeping him halfway sane was the beautiful image of Charlotte. Her angelic memory floated in his mind, those spellbinding eyes and sinful lips. The memory of her heavenly scent. It kept his wrath at bay.

He needed to get to her before it was too late. Maalik had read the pilot’s mind, the one from the jet Charlotte had flown in on, and they’d discovered Turel had taken Charlotte to Tora and Azazel. Roman’s blood had boiled once he’d learned she was with the Archdemon. Azazel concerned him. It had taken five of them to take him down at the warehouse, and he’d still gotten free and kicked their asses. This wouldn’t be an easy fight, not with the witch there as well. They would all have to work together, with no fuck ups, to get Charlotte out of this.

From what Maalik could tell, they were maybe two hours behind them. With the sun up, Maalik should be able to flash across the countryside faster and make up for lost time once he flashed all of them there.

“Okay, so how is this going to work now that we know the Archdemon is there?” Phoenix piped up from the driver’s seat.

“The plan went out the window the minute he was mentioned,” Lucian added from the back.

“First things first. Once we get there, we’ll have to take whatever guards they have out. I can’t see them performing the ritual without someone guarding the area to keep civilians at bay.” Roman frowned. “Armaros, can you handle the witch?” he added, turning to look at the tattooed giant swallowing the back of the Jeep.

Armaros simply nodded. He’d been oddly quiet the whole flight, lost in his own thoughts. Roman couldn’t put his finger on it, but something was going on with him, and he was certain the witch had something to do with it.

Roman looked Armaros dead in the eyes. “Are you sure you can handle her?” he asked again.

“Yes, I will take care of her,” he answered quietly.

Roman stared at him a moment longer, then turned back, scanning the horizon for his brother.

“With Armaros keeping the witch occupied, it will give the rest of us time to take down Azazel. It’s going to take all of us, and we need to work together.”

This has to work.

“We need to take his head,” Grigori piped up from the backseat.

“I agree, decapitation will be the only way to make sure he is dead,” Lucian said.

“But what about after that?” Phoenix added. “Is that even a real death?”

“Phoenix is right. Beheading may only rid us of him for a while. His soul will no doubt return to Hell, and he will be able to come back.” Roman frowned. His temper flared as he smashed his fist into the dash.

“Woah, you good?” Phoenix asked nervously.

Roman closed his eyes, picturing Charlotte and taking a deep breath. “I’m good,” he grated. “It’s a temporary fix at best.”

The thought of Azazel coming back and hunting Charlotte down made his blood boil.

“Look, let’s just get through the first problem. Get to the gate and save Charlotte. Send Azazel back to Hell, kill this bloody witch, and then we can think of a more permanent plan for the demon later,” Grigori casually spoke.

Roman actually agreed with him. He realized that was beginning to become a regular thing between the two of them. “He’s right. No point trying to figure it out now, so let’s just send him back and deal with the rest once this is all over.”

Maalik appeared in the middle of the road. Phoenix swore as he yanked the steering wheel to the left so they didn’t plow into him. Roman grabbed the dash, bracing himself, as Phoenix slammed on the brakes, bringing them to an abrupt halt.

“What the actual fuck, Maalik?” Phoenix yelled, kicking the door open angrily. “Couldn’t have popped up on the fucking side of the road?”

Roman got out of the car, watching Cael stop his vehicle with the other fallen in the middle of the road in front of Maalik.

“Sorry, but I’m in a hurry. They are at the gate, about to start the ritual, so we need to move our asses,” Maalik said with a panicked look.

“Charlotte?” Roman stalked over to his brother, grabbing him by the shoulders. “Is she okay?”

Maalik gave a quick nod. “I can see that her face is bruised, but she seems to be okay.”

Roman’s eyes burned. Someone hurt her . Anger ran like fire through his veins. They dared to touch her!

“Roman, snap out of it.” Maalik shook him out of his angry haze. “We don’t have time for this. We need to go.”

“Take me first,” Roman ordered.

Maalik gave a small nod, then turned to the others. “Be ready. It will only take me a second to flash each of you.”

Roman had no time to register as everyone disappeared, and he stood with Maalik behind a sandy stone wall in the desert.

“Don’t move,” Maalik said as he disappeared.

Roman leaned against the wall, catching his breath, waiting for the wave of nausea to fade. Armaros appeared next, then Maalik brought Phoenix, followed by Lucian, and so on, until all his brethren stood around him. All of them took a moment for the effects of the teleportation to wear off. Everyone reacted differently, some with nausea, others with dizziness.

“Okay, they have twenty guards. They are all low-level demons, so we will take them all out easily. After that, it’s just them and us. They are in the main pyramid. It’s like Armaros said, the gate is already open and glowing red as in his vision,” Maalik explained.

“Ariel, your team takes out the guards. Once they are dead, head to the gate. We will need everyone for what is to come. Armaros will occupy the witch. The rest of us are to take Azazel’s head,” Roman ordered, looking at each of them. “There is no room for mistakes. Charlotte must be unharmed. If they take her heart…” He couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence, his chest aching at the thought of her dead, her heart cut from her chest. “We can’t let it happen.” Pulling his gun out, he readied himself.

The rest of the warriors followed suit, pulling out their guns, swords, whatever their favored weapon was. Those with wings unfolded them, stretching them out wide, ready to use. Roman took off his shirt, throwing it to the ground, his black and silver wings unfolding. He gave them a shake, stretching them, the feathers rustling in the breeze.

“Ready?” Ariel asked, her eyes lingering on his wings.

He couldn’t think of her pain at the loss of her wings right now. He needed to be strong. Roman had to be focused. He needed to save Charlotte.

He nodded, and in one quick movement, Ariel disappeared around the side of the building while Sabriel, Ramiel, Cael, and Marius took to the sky like silent assassins. The sound of their wings was barely a whisper.

“Let’s go,” Roman commanded.

Grigori, Armaros, and Roman shot up into the air. He watched Lucian and Phoenix follow the path Ariel had taken. Roman flew straight toward the main pyramid, the sun glinting off the sandy ruins. He caught sight of two guards, but they dropped dead, the other angels shooting at them as they approached.

Roman landed in the center of the sunken plaza at the base of the Templo Mayor or ‘The Grand Temple.’ Armaros and Grigori landed behind him.

He kept moving, running across the plaza and up the stairs. Roman didn’t hesitate; his gun raised as he entered the temple. The entrance had remained hidden from humans for thousands of years. Even the best archaeologists who’d helped excavate the ruins over the years had not found it, thanks to the mystical enchantments placed over the doorway. Lanterns hung randomly along the tunnel walls. Extravagant paintings and hieroglyphs covered every inch of the walls and ceiling, telling the story of their fall from the heavens. Of the gateway to Hell opening up and the history of the Aztecs building the pyramid over the top of it to keep it safe and hidden from those who would try to take control of the gate for their own corrupt intentions.

He still remembered other fallen telling him of the sacrifices they would throw into the gate. The early Aztecs thought sacrificing to it would keep the demons at bay. Over the years, as they kept watch, now and then, an angel would crawl out. They would fall to their knees, worshiping them like gods, not knowing what horrors the angel had just escaped from.

Roman shook the memories away. He needed to keep his head in the game.

“It’s not too much farther,” Armaros whispered as Lucian and Phoenix joined them. Maalik flashed to his side, blood running from his mouth and down his chest.

Must have been hungry. He tried to ignore his brother’s appearance.

“I needed to get back my strength from all the flashing.”

Roman held his hands up. “I didn’t say a word.”

Maalik frowned at him as they came to an opening. Ahead of them were three tunnels.

“Which way?” Roman asked, frustrated.

“Left,” Maalik answered.

They could hear the others coming behind them.

Good, the guards are dead. He smiled, moving forward through the left doorway.

The ground dipped, taking them deeper into the earth. Roman could hear voices up ahead. Bright red light glowed through an entrance ahead of them, illuminating the tunnel.

Roman stopped. “We will wait for the others. They are nearly here. Then we will attack as one,” he whispered to them.

A female voice echoed into the tunnel from the red glow radiating up in font of them. A chill crept through Roman’s body, piercing his very soul as he heard the chilling words the witch was chanting. He’d only heard the ancient language she was speaking once before in his life, and it was when he’d fallen into Hell. She was speaking in some archaic demon language.

It had begun

A shiver crept through Roman’s body. His eyes glowed red, and his fangs descended. They were too late. The ritual was starting, and there was no time to wait for the others. They needed to attack now. Rage simmered under the surface.

They are going to hurt her. Kill her.

Charlotte was right there, right through that doorway, waiting for him in the eerie red light.

He could barely make out the hushed, panicked voices of his brothers around him. They were tugging at him as he started forward.

“Roman, no,” Maalik’s frantic whisper broke through his fury.

But he didn’t stop. He shook them off, anger rushing through him, and a growl from somewhere deep in his body rose.

They want to kill my soul mate. NEVER! His mind screamed, his eyes burning red with fire.

He sprinted head-on toward the doorway. The fury and sound of his blood pumping through his body blocked out the voices of the fallen. There was no stopping him now. He was going to save Charlotte, and nothing would get in his way.

Roman spread his wings as wide as the tunnel would allow as he burst through the doorway, flying high into the giant chamber. He looked down, scanning the area. In the center, a giant portal glowed blood red, swirling with a magical force so strong the wind nearly knocked him off kilter.

Six giant pillars covered in intricate carvings surrounded the portal. He caught sight of Turel standing close to the entrance. He whipped his wings, diving straight for the dark warrior. Turel’s eyes widened in fear, shocked to see Roman. He pulled out his gun and shot at him, but Roman easily dodged the bullets as he plowed into the angel, smashing him into the wall. Bricks, sand, and dust flew everywhere. Turel punched him in the face, only to stare at Roman in fear, as he didn’t even flinch.

Touched what’s mine , his mind growled.

The others finally flew into the chamber, shooting and fighting behind him.

“Roman, I-I…” Turel stuttered as he looked around the chamber for help.

Roman caught sight of Charlotte. Tora stood on the edge of the gate, holding Charlotte out in front of her, a dagger to her throat. Charlotte’s golden hair was red with blood. With her blood. Bruises and cuts marred her face. Turel struggled, punching Roman again and again. But he felt nothing. The sight of Charlotte’s face caused the demon to rise like fire in his veins.

“You hurt her!” he snarled.

His vision blurred as white-hot fury overwhelmed him. Roman opened his mouth, savagely going for Turel’s throat. He tore through flesh and muscle with his fangs as he viciously wrapped his hands around Turel’s neck. He slowly started to squeeze, relishing in the pain it was causing him.

Turel had been his friend for eons, one of his trusted family members. But all Roman could see now was a traitor, an evil creature who dared to hurt his love. Had handed his soul mate over to certain death. He squeezed his neck harder, Turel’s body jerking violently as Roman heard him gargle and choke on his own blood. He bit down harder, the sound of bone snapping and the taste and smell of blood filling his senses as, with one last roar, he severed Turel’s head from his body.

Roman stood panting, covered in Turel’s blood, staring at Charlotte across the chamber. Tora’s eyes were wide as she stared at Roman, horrified.

Dagger still at her throat, Charlotte’s eyes locked with his. “Roman!” she yelled over the sound of the gate.

Hope shined bright in her eyes. Hope, he realized, that he was here, hope that he would save her. He began to reel his demon back under control.

To his left, the others were in battle with Azazel. The dark demon with that evil grin on his face knocked the angels down every time they attacked him. Armaros, eyes glowing and hands out, full of magic, landed next to Tora, taking her by surprise. He hit her with a violet bolt, grabbing Charlotte and throwing her behind him as Tora went flying.

“Roman, we need your help!” Ariel yelled from the other side of the room.

Roman had to stick to the plan. Armaros gave him an assuring nod, and Roman had no choice but to trust him to keep Charlotte safe while they took out Azazel. It took every ounce of willpower he had to rip his gaze from her.

Phoenix, Lucian, and Maalik went flying across the room as Roman raced over to help them. The three of them crashed into the wall of the chamber, rubble falling on them. Ariel, Sabriel, and Grigori were attacking Azazel as one from the left, while Ramiel, Marius, and Cael came from the right. They looked like dancers as they slashed, kicked, and punched. Azazel somehow blocked, darted, and weaved each time. Marius spun, slashing his sword, his dreadlocks and wings spinning through the air. Azazel kicked out his leg, sending Cael flying across the room. The demon jumped into the air, spinning and landing behind Ramiel and Marius, slashing with two knives so fast that Roman barely saw him cut the backs of the two angels. He kicked them both with so much force they soared into Grigori and Ariel. All four hit the ground hard.

Roman ran up, lunging through the air as Sabriel, like a silver angel of death, continued to slash and spin with her two swords. Maalik flashed behind Azazel, grabbing him around the neck and taking the demon by surprise as Roman’s fist connected with his face. Azazel, unfazed, grinned at Roman as he whipped his head back, smashing his skull into Maalik’s face. Roman heard his brother’s nose break, blood spraying everywhere as he soared through the air, hitting the wall.

Roman punched again as Sabriel slashed, finally getting the demon in the leg. He stumbled but righted himself in time to punch Grigori as the warrior came at him from the side. Maalik appeared again as the rest of them all surrounded the demon.

This was it.

“You three, go for his arms,” Roman screamed at Cael, Phoenix, and Lucian. “You three, his legs.” He pointed to Ariel, Sabriel, and Ramiel.

They all moved as one, Maalik flashing behind Azazel once again, getting him in a headlock. Azazel lashed out, cutting Roman’s cheek, but he pressed forward, smashing his fist repeatedly into the demon’s head as the angels finally took his legs out, all of them falling to the ground and trying to pin him down.

The Archdemon’s strength was overwhelming. Roman couldn’t believe that even with all of them attacking as one, the demon was still strong enough to fight them. They didn’t seem to faze Azazel one bit. The whole time, he kept that annoying smile on his face, mocking them. The more Roman saw the demon grinning, the angrier it made him.

“Fuck me,” Ramiel yelled, taking a kick to the face as they regained control of his legs.

“We’ve got him,” Roman screamed. “Marius!” he yelled for the dark warrior. “Take his head.” Hope shot through him.

We’ve got him. This is it . His mind raced. They would finally be rid of this creature, for a while at least.

They all held on tight as the demon bucked and heaved, trying to throw them off. The demon started to scream and snap at them with his fangs, his yellow eyes glowing in fury. Azazel got one of his arms free and smashed his fist into Lucian’s face. Lucian’s eyes glowed a dangerous green as a deep growl rose in him. The demon quickly slashed out, slicing Ariel’s throat, blood squirted everywhere, gushing from the wound and down her chest, her green eyes going wide in shock as she fell backward, her hands going to her throat before Sabriel and Ramiel pinned his arm again.

Roman panicked as he watched Ariel lay on the ground, blood seeping through her fingers as she desperately tried to hold the wound in her neck closed. She started to cough and choke on her own blood.

He couldn’t help her, though. They were so close. “Ariel, hold on!”

“We can’t hold him for long,” Maalik yelled in a strained voice, pinned under Azazel, taking the weight of them all. Still, he never eased his arms from the demon’s neck, even as blood continued to run down his face from his shattered nose.

Marius stood over them, sword raised and gleaming in the red glow of the portal.

“Maalik, get ready to port,” the dark warrior warned as he swung with all his might.

“Roman!” It was Armaros’s voice calling out from across the chamber.

He whipped his head in the direction his voice came from. His whole body froze in shock. Without thinking, he jumped off Azazel, stopping at the edge of the portal. Maalik appeared beside him. The others screamed, cursing them, as the demon broke free.

On the other side of the roaring gate, Tora stood, battered and covered in blood. Her eyes were bright, magic pouring out one of her hands, which she had raised and pointed at Armaros. She had him pinned by magic against the wall behind her. He was just as battered and bruised as Tora. They must have had one hell of a fight.

Tora had Charlotte restrained against the pillar. Her hands were above her head, with glowing violet bands pinning them to the stone. She was completely helpless as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Roman, help!” she screamed as Tora stepped closer to her, the dagger in her left hand.

Panic flooded him. “Tora, don’t do this!” Roman pleaded.

“I have no choice,” Tora yelled back, looking at Roman, her glowing eyes tormented, tears flowing down her face.

Her arm facing Armaros was shaking from the strain of all the magic she was using. He could tell Armaros was trying to fight back, his eyes glowing just as bright as Tora’s.

“You do have a choice. She’s innocent. Please don’t do this,” he yelled, spreading his wings and getting ready to fly across the room as she raised the dagger.

Everything happened so fast. The second Tora let Armaros go, she used both of her hands to plunge the dagger toward Charlotte’s chest. Roman shot into the air, knowing he wouldn’t make it in time to save her.

“No!” he screamed as the dagger came down.

Maalik abruptly appeared in the middle of them, facing Charlotte, the dagger sinking into his back. Roman watched in horror as his brother didn’t even flinch from the dagger. Instead, he placed his hands on either side of Charlotte’s head and snapped her neck. Her blonde hair shone red in the gate’s light as her lifeless body fell to the ground.

Roman landed next to Charlotte, falling to his knees and pulling her body into his arms. “Charlotte, my love. I’m here,” he said, knowing it was too late, that she was already gone, her heart no longer beating. The wind coming from the portal slowed down, and the red glow faded into a brilliant golden light.

“No, no, no. What have you done?” Tora screamed at Maalik behind him.

Roman leaned over Charlotte, pressing his forehead to hers. Charlotte’s eyes were closed. She looked like she was sleeping. He gently leaned down, softly kissing her lips as he grasped a handful of her blood-stained golden hair, bringing it to his face and inhaling her heavenly scent. A scent he would no longer relish in. A scent he would be forced to live without. His angel, gone.

The pain of her loss tore through him like a blazing, uncontrollable fire. He roared so loud that the chamber shook, becoming louder as his demon rose in full force. His blood felt like acid in his veins. Maalik, his brother, his fucking brother, killed his love, his soul mate. He would have vengeance. He gently placed Charlotte’s beautiful body on the ground, stroking her bruised, bloodied face. Then he rose.

Eyes on fire, his body exploding with uncontrollable rage, he spun on Tora and Maalik. Roman roared again, baring his fangs as they both covered their ears, the room shaking once more. Dust and debris fell from the roof.

“You fucking killed her!” he bellowed.

“Wait, Roman,” Maalik pleaded.

But it was too late. He didn’t want to hear anything the murderer had to say. He took his angel from him, and now he was going to take his head.

In one swift movement, he hit Tora, and she flew back, taking Armaros out at the same time. Maalik flashed out of Roman’s grasp. He had his hands raised out in front of himself as he backed away. “Roman, I need you to listen to me.”

Roman stalked forward, spreading his wings wide. “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say. You were supposed to be my brother ,” he roared the last word, snapping his wings and shooting through the air.

Maalik tried to flash, but Roman was too fast. His hands wrapped around his brother’s throat as he picked him up and slammed him against the chamber wall, embedding him deep in the stone.

“Roman,” Maalik’s scratchy voice was barely a whisper.

It was too late. His demon had taken over; his mind was nothing but the roar of the monster that lived inside him. He would never be the same now that she was gone. He would tear this world apart and kill everyone that got in his way. Living without Charlotte wasn’t an option. His chest hurt too much; he couldn’t bear it.

Roman took one hand off Maalik’s throat and started clawing at his chest. He needed to stop the pain. If he ripped his own heart out, surely the pain of her loss would stop, if only for a moment, he thought in a crazed, anguished haze of grief. He didn’t feel a thing as he started clawing deeper, starting to rip a hole in his own chest. The pain of his loss consumed him, spreading through his body like a virus, killing everything inside of him. There would be nothing left but the demon and Roman knew he would lose himself forever. Nothing would bring him back.

Maalik thrashed in his grasp. “Please listen to me,” he rasped, trying to breathe.

Roman snapped out of his grief for a moment, his fiery eyes focusing on his brother once more. He stopped clawing at his chest, returning his bloodied hand to Maalik’s throat and squeezing harder, slowly, to drag out the pain.

You will suffer!

“No,” he grated back.

He would hear his brother’s voice no more. He increased the pressure, causing Maalik’s larynx and vocal cords to break. A smile slowly crept over his face. Now, he won’t have to listen to whatever lies Maalik was trying to tell him. Whatever sick excuse he was trying to feed him about killing his angel.

The pain etched on Maalik’s face fuelled his vengeance. He wanted his brother to suffer. He wanted him to know nothing but pain before he ended his life.

Armaros came up behind him, pulling at his arm.

“Roman! Don’t make me hurt you.”

But Roman ignored him, blocking out his voice. He raised his right fist. “This is for taking her from me.” He smashed his fist into his brother’s face. He did it again and again, no longer able to control himself. Maalik was no longer recognizable, his face a bloodied, crushed mess. Roman opened his mouth, fangs bared; he would rip his head off.

Roman leaned in, ready to tear at his brother’s throat. As he pierced Maalik’s neck, blood filled his mouth, and a bright purple light blinded him before agonizing pain surged through his body. Every muscle tensed, locking in place. His teeth smashed together as he clenched his jaw, his whole body jolting. It felt like lightning had struck him. His body continued to jerk as he fell backward, grimacing through the pain. Armaros stood over him, eyes glowing bright, with a savage look on his face as he continued to hit him with bolts of magic.

“I told you to stop!” he yelled at Roman. “You’ve nearly killed him.”

Roman glared back through the pain, jerking back and forth on the ground. It felt like acid was pumping through his veins, burning him slowly from the inside out. “Good,” he snapped back at Armaros with no remorse. “He will die for what he did,” Roman managed to grit out through the pain.

“I won’t let you kill him,” Armaros calmly told him, finally lowering his hands. “I won’t let you do this, Roman.”

Roman slowly pulled himself to his feet, swaying a little, his body still reeling from the pain. “You won’t be able to stop me. No one will.”

“Then, you leave me with no choice but to put you to sleep,” Armaros told him, eyes glowing again.

“You can try.” Roman grinned back at him, his own eyes glowing just as bright.

“Roman, please,” Maalik’s raspy voice came from behind him. His healing must have kicked in, his vocal cords working again.

Not for long , Roman thought, anger filling him again as he turned to face Maalik.

“So hungry,” a beautiful voice whispered.

The sound of the chaos erupting behind him as his brethren fought for their lives against Azazel echoed loudly through the cave, as well as the noise from the portal. But there was nothing on Earth that could make him miss the female whisper that he had just heard.

He froze. It wasn’t real. He had finally gone crazy. That was the only explanation for it. He swore he’d heard Charlotte. She was haunting him from the grave already.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” Maalik told him, exhausted, face almost unrecognizable from the beating Roman had just given him.

“Why am I so hungry?”

There it was again. That angelic voice. Tears welled in his eyes as he slowly turned around, facing the portal. Armaros stood behind him, a look of shock passing over his features as he glanced at Roman. Armaros was speechless.

Roman gazed past him, his heart skipping a beat at the sight before him. He fell to his knees as his legs gave out. “What magic is this?” he whispered.

“It’s not me, I swear,” Armaros whispered back.

Charlotte stood by the portal, the golden light illuminating her. Her blood-stained golden hair whipped around her beautiful face. A face that was no longer bruised and broken. A face that was perfect in every way. Her eyes were pitch black, the beautiful stormy gray gone. Her mouth hung open, showing fangs. Flowing out either side of her, spread wide, were stunning, shimmering black wings. She was magnificent. She looked like a dark angel fallen straight from heaven. A mythical goddess risen from the dead.

Roman blinked. This can’t be real . “Charlotte?” he whispered, shaking his head.

She heard his whisper as if he were standing next to her, her obsidian eyes finding him. She smiled a brilliant smile, showing off her fangs even more. “Roman,” she beamed as she took a step in his direction, only to falter as a small frown creased her brow. “Why am I so hungry?” she asked no one in particular.

Maalik was suddenly in front of him, robbing Roman of his beautiful view. “Roman, listen to me,” he pleaded, as Roman kept trying to peer around his brother.

He was in shock; he didn’t know what to think. It was Charlotte, alive, standing right in front of him, but it wasn’t her at the same time. She was altered. Confusion overwhelmed him.

“Roman,” Maalik snapped.

Roman finally looked at his brother’s battered face for the first time, feeling guilt at the sight.

“I gave her my blood.”

Roman frowned. “What?”

“Back at the mansion before Turel took her, I had a bad feeling. I put my blood in her coffee. It was a backup plan,” Maalik told him, his voice trailing off.

Maalik’s words finally sunk in. He looked at his brother, eyes wide.

“She’s a vampire, Roman. I think when she died, it broke the witch’s spell. Her wings…” Maalik said quickly. “She’s a vampire angel, I think,” he added with a frown.

“Brother, what have you done?” Roman whispered in disbelief as he peered over his brother’s shoulder at the beautiful, otherworldly creature that now stood by the portal.