Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 121854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
He’d wait for evidence to convict her, but he had no doubts on his conclusion of her guilt.
“The angels of the Tower have been aware of you for some time,” Illium said in that light way those who didn’t know him often took as flirtation. It wasn’t. It was a mask for his own anger, because masks could be used for good as well as evil.
Vixen, however, wrapped up in her grandiose plans of rising to the apex of angelic social hierarchy, was oblivious. Blushing right on cue, she invited them inside. Aodhan felt Illium’s body tense, reached out with his mind: We should accept, or it will be a show for her neighbors.
Marco and Tanika deserved better than that.
Stop me if I give in to the urge to wring her neck, Illium responded before crossing the threshold.
Inside, the apartment was wide and spacious, decorated with an elegance that was about the finest things. Artwork, the furniture, even the mug that held her coffee, it was all from well-known designers and artists across time.
“I have never been able to acquire one of your pieces,” she whispered to Aodhan in a tone that was perfectly modulated to flatter without appearing servile. “But I hope now that you know of my interest, you will put aside a sketch for me.”
She fluttered a delicate hand to her chest, her nails painted a translucent yellow and her eyes huge orbs of innocent wonder. “A small thing, perhaps even a piece you might otherwise discard. I’d never presume to ask for a work on canvas or for one of your sculptures.”
He’d always thought evil intelligent, but cunning wasn’t the same as intelligence. This woman truly thought two senior Tower angels had come to her home because she was a dazzling drawcard.
“I have heard that you collect gems,” he said instead of answering, because they must have concrete proof. “I’m currently working on a piece that requires many different gemstones.” He kept his tone remote because he knew that would compel her to do whatever she could to get in his good graces.
Aodhan hated playing such games, but here? With this woman who’d murdered two good people out of spite and envy? Yes, he was more than willing to make an exception. “Several of the gems I need are rare.”
Vixen’s eyes fairly blazed. “Oh, indeed, I’ve had many dazzling finds over time. You have come to the right person. If you will give me but a moment!”
Neither he nor Illium said anything aloud while she was gone from the room, but that didn’t mean they were silent.
She’s very stupid, Aodhan said with an unkindness he reserved for evil. Her avarice and desire to rise to the top blind her to reality. She seems to have no concept of the fact that we’re in a post-war reconstruction period, with no time for inane social calls, even were either one of us so inclined.
I really want to slice off her head. Illium’s mental tone was as grim as his expression was light. Get blood all over this white carpet. How mad do you think Raphael would be if I did that?
I think the sire would be exasperated but never angry. Not after what had happened to Dmitri, then to Aodhan; there were some trespasses the Archangel of New York was incapable of forgiving.
Eyes as familiar as his own breath held Aodhan’s, the understanding in them a testament to his Blue’s huge heart. What do we do with her? We both know she’s the culprit.
Aodhan had already considered that question, come to the only possible answer. First, we must have proof. Our instinctive certainty isn’t enough, because any action we take reflects on Raphael.
Illium exhaled slowly. At least one of us has a calm head.
Once we have the proof, we take her to the sire. She’ll fly with us of her own accord. This execution must be done in front of witnesses after she has confessed her crime—and I think Giulia should be there. Marco’s mother would not rest easy until she knew her son and Marco’s love had been avenged.
Illium nodded just before Vixen emerged dressed in a gown of rich orange vibrant against her pale skin. She was too clever at the game of seduction to flaunt cleavage, but the dress was cut in such a way as to hint at her curves, invite the eye.
The angel held a small but not insignificant box made of golden wood polished to a shine and closed with a steel clasp that she’d already unlocked. “I have more stored in a vault in Istanbul,” she said breathlessly, “but these are the best of the best of my collection. I never travel without them.”
Aodhan allowed her to show him jewel after jewel, waiting until the very end to say, “I was hoping you’d have a sunset diamond. It is the gem I wish to make the centerpiece of my work—I’d heard that you had one in your collection, though you wear it but rarely.” A calculated risk, that statement, but he was certain Vixen wouldn’t have been able to resist flaunting Lailah’s diamond, even if only to a small group of intimates.