When Shadows Call

crouched position I spun, flinging Pete out in front of me until we both stood. Sam stopped his incessant pacing and froze in his tracks. I flashed him a cold smile as I constricted the chain around Pete’s throat. Though considerably larger, he didn’t stand a chance against me as he flailed and pulled at the chain, struggling for breath.

“I don’t belong to anyone,” I whispered in his ear. “I told you I was no one to be tangled with. You shouldn’t have messed with that girl last night, Pete.”

“Wh-who a-a-re you?” Pete rasped as I pulled the chain tighter.

Azriel loved dramatics, and I could be dramatic too. “I am Vengeance.” I gave the chain one last, hard jerk, and Pete lost consciousness. His body became limp and heavy in my grasp, and I let him fall to the dock, the chain jangling as it landed with him.

I had no time to contemplate my actions. Sam had shaken himself from his dazed stupor and leveled a revolver at my face. Immortal or not, I couldn’t imagine a bullet to my head at such a close range would be an easy wound to heal from.

“You bitch!” he spat as he pulled back the hammer. “I shoulda stuck my dick in you when you were out cold and then killed you like I wanted to. But it don’t matter now. I’m gonna kill you one way or another.”

Before I could react, he pulled the trigger. I squeezed my eyes shut and braced myself for the bullet’s impact. The report of the shot rang out, followed by a thud and then utter silence. I didn’t dare open my eyes. Fear stole my breath. I didn’t feel any pain, but did that matter?

“Darian,” Azriel’s voice caressed my ears. “It’s all right, darling. Open your eyes.”

Sam lay in a heap not two feet from where I stood, blood oozing from his chest and his neck bent at an unnatural angle. Morning sunlight filtered in through a window and cast it’s glow on Azriel’s ethereal face, bathing him in an otherworldly light that made him that much more beautiful. My heart stuttered in my chest, and I exhaled in a rush, my blood coursing through my veins like fire. He’d found me. He’d saved me. Again.

I threw my arms around him and buried my face in his neck. He stroked my hair, whispering words of comfort in my ear. “You are faster than you think,” he finally said as he pulled away. You acted too slowly, love, and it could have cost you. Next time, don’t contemplate your actions. Move quickly and strike with precision.”

I opened my mouth, though I hadn’t a clue what I was going to say. Azriel silenced me with a kiss. “You’ve had an exciting night, and an even more exciting morning, my love. Come on, I’m taking you home.”

* * *

I slept the rest of the morning and afternoon away, safe in the protection of Azriel’s embrace. Glorious night descended to banish the harsh light of day. I snuggled deep into the covers and against him until every inch of our naked bodies touched. It seemed I could never get close enough. He deposited feather-light kisses against my skin, making a trail that led from my shoulders to the back of my neck. I shivered as he moved my hair to the side, burying his nose in the curls and taking my scent into his lungs.

“I’ve spent all day standing vigil,” he murmured against my skin. “Lest you run away from me. I’m exhausted. Will you leave me again, Darian, once my eyes drift closed?”

A pang of regret shot through my chest. I should have told him what I’d intended to do. I should have taken him with me. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I won’t ever leave you again. Not even for a moment.”

“Promises, promises,” he said sleepily.

“Azriel,” I said into the dark. “I’m going to go out with you again. And again. Night after night, job after job. I know you want to keep me safe, but I have to learn to protect myself. I have to develop thicker skin or I’ll go mad. I can’t stand my weakness. I refuse to live with it any longer. Do you understand?”

“You protected yourself well enough this morning,” he replied.

“But not in the end,” I said. “Not when it really mattered. You came to my rescue yet again. Please, Azriel, respect my wishes. I want you to teach me. I want to be your apprentice.”

Azriel sighed, and I smiled. He may have been exasperated, but he would never deny me anything. “Very well, my love. But remember, you asked for this. I am not responsible for what comes of it.”

“And Lorik?” I asked. “He obviously makes you nervous. You’ll allow me to come along with you for everything, right? Even when you go to see him?”

“You let me worry about Lorik,” Azriel said. “Now, close your eyes and sleep beside me. I’m tired.”

His eyes drifted closed, and within moments his breathing grew soft and even. I brushed my lips across his —so, so soft—in a kiss. Azriel was my savior. My avenging angel. And now, my teacher. We had forever, but I wondered, as my hand caressed from his shoulder to his hand where my fingers wound with his . . . would forever be long enough?

* * *

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If you enjoyed this novella, read on for a look

at the next full-length novel set in Amanda Bonilla’s fascinating Shaede world,

BLOOD BEFORE SUNRISE

Available in July 2012 in print and e-book from Signet Eclipse.

“What are you looking at?”

I tore my gaze from the delicate curve of the dagger’s blade, my eyes drawn to Azriel’s dark, handsome face like a magnet to metal. “Nothing,” I said, though that wasn’t entirely true.

“Ever lacking patience,” he said with humor. “You’ll never make it as an assassin if you can’t wait more than a few minutes to get a job done.”

True enough, I supposed. I liked to wait about as much as I liked to be doused with gasoline and set on fire. “Lorik’s late,” I said. “It’s not like him.”

Azriel stroked his finger along my jaw, and his eyes burned with an intensity that had nothing to do with business. “It matters little to me if he shows or not. Either way, my night won’t be wasted.”

I flushed at the innuendo, knowing all too well where a jobless night would lead us. Not that I’d complain. . . .

An engine growled in the distance, followed by the squealing of tires. The Cadillac LaSalle Roadster came to a halt inches from where I stood, and the driver’s expression was full of adrenaline-infused excitement. Lorik loved flashy cars, and despite his need to lie low, he could never resist showing off. What was the point in not putting that engine and sleek body to use? He’d consider it a waste. Besides, I had a suspicion that the combination of fancy car, coupled with his pinstriped suit and fedora pulled low over his brow, made Lorik feel as if he’d just pulled a bank caper. Driving into the sunset and immortal glory would be the icing on the cake. And I’d be willing to bet a Chicago Typewriter rode shotgun to round it all out. I mean, what self-respecting gangster didn’t have a machine gun in the front seat?

“Looks like your clothes will be on for a while longer, my love.” Azriel leaned down and pressed his mouth to the pulse-point just below my ear.

I shivered at the contact, suddenly not caring whether Lorik’s life was in danger or not. Though the guy’s father did pay our bills, I supposed I could put my erotic thoughts on hold. But if he didn’t get down to business—and soon—he could rot in hell, for all I cared.

* * *

“What are you looking at?” Tyler asked again, his tone bemused when I didn’t answer him right away.