Inflamed Read online

  Inflamed

  ML Guida

  Buffalo Mountain Press

  Copyright © 2020 by ML Guida

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Dear Reader

  Excerpt for Immortal

  About the Author

  Also by ML Guida

  Prologue

  Lethal followed his target to a wide open meadow in the Colorado Rockies. The moonlight played peek-a-boo through the clouds overhead. Joan landed and flattened her wings. The wind blew her long red hair, shielding her face. She looked nervously over her shoulder as if someone was watching her, but she wouldn’t see him. He was cloaked and hiding behind a thicket of aspen trees. She was a lower angel and didn’t have the power to detect assassins.

  “Balthazar,” she called. “Are you here? I have the information you need. I found out what angel possesses the hidden power you need.”

  What hidden power? Michael hadn’t said anything about this, but then his boss, the archangel, wasn’t known for spilling all the information on assignments. He only shared what he wanted his assassins to know.

  She looked around the meadow, waiting for her lover.

  How could she withstand the stench of that black-hearted demon? Balthazar had no heart and would have only spoken lies of love, but it must have been strong enough to sway the little Angel of Love.

  A sense of regret over what he was about to do filled Lethal, but she was a traitor, and traitors received no mercy. He just hoped Michael never gave him the order to kill Vixen. He wished he still hadn’t had feelings for her, but it’s not like he could turn those feelings on and off.

  Balthazar flashed into the meadow next to Joan. Lethal shook off the painful memories and focused. As always, the demon was shirtless and wore his leather pants and boots. He’d seduced many humans with his rock star persona, but this time, his charms had captured an angel. “You called, beautiful?”

  Jan ran into his arms and kissed him. She whispered something into his ear, but Lethal couldn’t hear what she said. With assassin speed, he darted through the trees to hear.

  Balthazar nuzzled her throat and held her close.

  She threaded her fingers through Balthazar’s long hair. “Is that the information you needed?”

  Balthazar scanned the forest. “Were you followed?”

  Lethal hid behind thick tree branches.

  She shook her head. “No, why?”

  “I sense a veiled power.”

  Lethal cursed softly under his breath. What did he expect? Joan was a lesser angel, but Balthazar was another matter.

  Joan’s eyes widened. She clasped Balthazar’s arm. “Is it...an...an assassin?”

  Her voice shook. She should be scared, damn scared.

  Balthazar pulled her closer. “Whisper the name of the angel—”

  Lethal held out his palm and drew on his signature weapon. Holy Fire shot out of his hand, whipping and crackling over the field.

  Balthazar shoved Joan behind him. “Shit! It’s Lethal!”

  Joan screamed and flew into the air, but the blue flame circled around her. Her wings collapsed against her side and then she went into convulsions. She floated in midair, but it wouldn’t last long.

  Balthazar grabbed her leg and winced. He shook his smoking hand. “Damn you, Lethal.”

  Lethal flew onto the field. “Go now, Balthazar, before I give you another ugly sting. Whatever your plans are, they end now.” He unleashed his sword, Judgment.

  Wariness flared in Balthazar’s eyes, and he edged away from Joan, wiping his palm on his pants.

  Lethal didn’t have the power to kill him—only Michael possessed that power—but he could send him back to hell in a body cast.

  Joan looked at Balthazar with pleading eyes. “Balthazar, help me.”

  Balthazar walked around her. “Tell me what I want to know first.”

  “Please, it…hurts.” Joan’s voice cracked.

  Lethal winced, but he didn’t have a choice. Joan had gone down a dark path. She knew the consequences.

  Joan’s face paled. Her skin turned ashen.

  Joan , and a hiss fell out. “B…”

  Her voice faded.

  Lethal frowned. There were a hundred of angels whose names began with the letter B. Or had it been V. He wasn’t sure. He knew all of the angels names by heart. Michael branded their names on each assassin’s heart so if the angel fell they’d be able to track them. Knowing their names aided the assassin in tracking down rogue angels, but was there a hidden one? One Michael hadn’t told him about? You never knew with Michael. He possessed secrets galore.

  “Tell me again.” Balthazar stepped closer.

  Joan opened her mouth again, but her words died in her throat. Lethal thrust his sword into her back, piercing her heart. She screamed and died, her body impaled on his sword.

  “You bastard!” Balthazar yelled.

  “What did you promise her?” Lethal yanked Judgment out of Joan’s lifeless body.

  She collapsed on the field. Terror reflected in her huge eyes. He hated having to kill her. He always wished there was another way, but she soon would have become a fallen angel, a demon, putting humans and angels alike in danger. The curled feathers of her wings formed a circle around her, and her face turned ashen. Her soul was gone forever.

  Balthazar edged away, far from Lethal’s sword. “I swear to you I will avenge her.”

  Lethal aimed his bloody weapon at him. “You didn’t even try to save her. Why do you care about her? You’re not exactly the loving type.”

  “I don’t have to justify myself to you, Assassin, but beware of this: I’ll repay your dastardly deed by killing your angel-mate.”

  Lethal lifted his eyebrow. “I don’t have an angel-mate. The one I thought I had you turned to the dark side.”

  Balthazar laughed. “Fool. Are you sure she was your angel-mate, Assassin?”

  Lethal glared. Opening his heart to Balthazar wasn’t an option. “Don’t play games with me, Balthazar.”

  “I wouldn’t hear of it,” he said. “I know about the Book of Love. Your name’s in there.”

  Lethal rolled his eyes. “All angels’ names are written in there.”

  “Yes, but I happen to know that you’ll be mated soon. If you don’t mate, you’ll fade, grow weak. And become vulnerable.” He tilted his head toward Joan’s corpse. “I’ll avenge her death. First, I’ll kill your mate, then you.”

  Lethal lifted his head. “I’m an assassin. You don’t have the power to kill me.”

  “We will see, dear boy.” Balthazar flashed him a devious smile. “Don’t turn your back.”

  Lethal lunged, but the crafty demon disappeared. His gut twisted into knots. He spun around, but the bastard was gone. Lethal rubbed the bridge of his nose. Balthazar had to be lying. He couldn’t have an angel-mate. He wouldn’t ever go down that path again. He could never endure the pain again. He was an assassin.

  Nothing would stand in the way of his mission.

  Chapter 1

  Her heart pounding wildly, Cupid peeked around the pine tree, hoping for a clear shot of the couple on the Royal Gorge Bridge. The bridge rose almost a thousand feet over a rugge
d canyon with the roaring Arkansas river below. No one was supposed to be on it at night time. It was too dangerous with the blowing wind, but thanks to her, her intended targets ignored the warning signs.

  Thick pine trees blocked Cupid’s vision. Damn it, she needed to get closer.

  She flew toward the metal bridge, her wings flapping faster and faster. Her hair rippled around her, blinding her vision. She shoved red strands out of her eyes. Moonlight flickered off the metal and the wind blew the American flags on top of the two towers.

  A woman screamed, and Cupid winced. This her fault. The Archangel Gabriel had given her one simple task: bring the couple together. Their names were written in the Book of Love. They were supposed to fall madly in love on this camping trip and then have oodles of children. Not create another battered woman’s statistic. Heaven’s bells, Gabriel would be tea pot-singing mad.

  But no, she screwed up.

  She groaned. Cameron Ackers trapped the woman he loved on a bridge. He was twice the size of her––all muscle. He held out his meaty hands out ready to strangle the woman he loved Betty Ann. Or he should have loved––until everything went terribly wrong.

  Cupid slid her bow off her shoulder. The minute she gripped the handle, she felt as if they were one. Warm tingles whisked through her and settled in her chest. Her heart beat stronger, sending flushing sensations through her. A soft white glow swooshed around her body, making her feel like a shining star.

  She glanced at the shaft to make sure there was an engraved heart distinguishing it from an aversion arrow. She smiled. Right one, this time.

  Betty Ann was pressed against the bridge’s railing. She edged toward the other side. “Cameron, stay away from me!”

  He blocked her path. “You’ve no place to go. In a few minutes, you’ll be dead.”

  Cupid gasped. With her angel vision, she could see Cameron’s face clearly. His scowl reeked of anger.

  He lunged and wrapped his fingers around Betty Ann’s neck. She beat on his arms, but her face turned blue. Blood trickled down her split lip, and one eye was swollen shut. She stood on her tippy-toes as he lifted her off the ground and shook her like a rag doll.

  “Cameron, don’t kill me!” Betty Ann twisted her body, clutched his wrists, and kicked her feet, but he hauled her to the railing. Her lips turned blue. “Cameron, let me go! Why are you doing this? Don’t you understand—I love you!”

  He shook her. “I don’t love you. Time to die.”

  Cupid gritted her teeth. No mistakes this time. It was now or never.

  She placed the tip of an arrow in the resting point, then pulled back on the bowstring until it was level with her mouth. She aimed the arrow at Cameron’s broad back.

  Betty Ann slapped his face hard.

  Cameron yanked her hair. “You’ll pay for that.”

  She cried. Her eyes wide.

  Determination fired through Cupid’s veins. She fired.

  Twang.

  The arrow zinged through the air, spinning straight and true.

  Cupid smiled.

  But then, out of nowhere, someone flashed behind Cameron, shielding him. Her smile faded. She hadn’t even noticed him. It was as if the man had materialized out of thin air. He was at least two heads taller than Cameron, and Cameron was no slouch of a man.

  “No!” Cupid held up her palm. “Get out of the way.”

  The tall, broad-shouldered man turned. Cupid’s heart stopped. Oh, shit. It was Lethal, a Dark Angel, the sexiest angel in heaven. She had a huge crush on him ever since she saw him in the Hall of Love.

  He’d hadn’t moved fast enough, and the arrow struck him in the heart. He staggered and fell on his back.

  Crapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrap

  Betty Ann screamed. Cameron had her by the wrists and dangled her over the bridge.

  Without hesitation, Cupid fired again. This time, she hit him. He arched his back, releasing Betty Ann, and then fell onto his knees. The arrow slowly disappeared.

  Betty Ann fell, her legs and arms flailing.

  Cupid dove. The wind rushed over her, and the night breeze chilled her wings. Betty Ann’s shrieks spurred her on. Cupid stretched out her hand and reached for Betty Ann.

  “Take my hand.”

  The woman looked at Cupid, her eyes wide, and fainted.

  Drawing the last bit of her angelic strength, Cupid snagged Betty Ann’s wrist and sped back toward the bridge. Luckily, both Cameron and Lethal were unconscious.

  She laid Betty Ann next to Cameron, who would be making up to her for the rest of his days, but that’s not what terrified her.

  Cupid frowned. Lethal was here for only one reason—either Cameron or Betty Ann were supposed to die tonight. But how could that be? Both of their names had been written in the Book of Love.

  She bit her lip. This had to be a mistake. Her breath quickened. What if it wasn’t? Was one of them supposed to die? Holy Moses, had she just pissed off the archangel Michael, the head of the Dark Angels?

  Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead and she couldn’t stop shaking. Michael scared the living sunshine out of her. No angel was to interfere in his business. She was so screwed.

  She knelt next to Lethal. Jiminy Cricket, he was handsome. He was all angles and planes with a firm, square jaw, and a tempting, seductive mouth. There had been so many times she thought of kissing him, only to blush when he glanced her way. He’d never even nodded in her direction.

  She leaned closer to make sure he was okay. He smelled so good, like fresh persimmon. The scent was sharp like the man himself. Lethal always dressed impeccably. Tonight was no exception. His classic black suit emphasized his muscular body and highlighted his golden hair, which was pulled neatly into a ponytail.

  “Where am I?” Lethal fluttered open his silver eyes and put the back of his palm on his forehead.

  “You’re in Colorado. What are you doing here?” Maybe he’d forget and they could go their separate ways.

  He flashed his gaze over her and sat. “I’m here to escort Betty Ann Jacobs.” He looked at Betty Ann, who was still passed out. “Strange, she’s not dead.” He shook his head. “I feel so odd.”

  Great. What was she supposed to do?

  He scooted to a sitting position. “You’re Cupid, aren’t you?”

  He knew her name? “Um, yes.”

  “You’re my angel-mate.” There was raw possession in his husky voice.

  Oh, no, things just got worse. She wished what he claimed was true, but she wasn’t in the same circles. It was the damn desire arrow. Lethal would be so pissed.

  Before she could tell him, he pulled her close, so close she could feel his warmth breath against her cheeks. Her heart jumped in response. She should push him away, but instead, she closed her eyes and allowed him to kiss her—a lusty kiss that curled her toes. He opened her mouth with his tongue, dominating hers. Her world rocked. Colors whirled and danced in her mind. Tingles cruised over her skin. Something awakened and shifted deep inside, searching for its other half. Heat swelled in her chest as if her heart melded with Lethal’s thundering one.

  No, it was just the arrow. This wasn’t real. She wasn’t his angel-mate.

  Lethal’s kiss deepened. Lordy, the man tasted spicy and yummy. She couldn’t get enough of him. He wrapped his strong arms around her, crushing her to him. His kiss was daring, titillating, and she couldn’t help but sink into him. She felt the hard thrust of his arousal pressed against her thigh. But what was more alarming was the way her body responded. Wetness pooled between her legs. That had never happened when she kissed anyone. Why now?

  She’d dreamt of kissing Lethal for so long. She’d always known he’d be a great kisser, but this was out of sight. She’d never even talked to the man. What could she say to him?

  She pushed on his massive chest and regrettably pulled away. He deserved the truth. “Lethal, I have to tell you something.”

  He ran the back of one hand down her face. “There will be time to talk later.”
The promise of passion flickered in his eyes, and she gasped to breathe.

  She shook off the sexual net he was ensnaring her with, silently cursing her aroused body. This angel was truly dangerous. He’d own a woman, make her a carnal slave with no thought but to please himself. He was an erotic temptation that no shrewd angel would ever dare to succumb to. She jumped to her feet. “I’m not your angel-mate.” She moistened her lips. “I shot you with my arrow.” Her voice was so low she wasn’t sure he heard her.

  In the next instance, he was on his feet. “You did what?” He closed the distance. He moved with all the prowess and stealth of a hunter.

  She backed up against the railing. “Please, don’t hurt me.”

  She couldn’t see his face, and fear struck her heart. Heaven’s pearly gates, he would drag her to Michael, and her secret would be outed.

  He put his hands on either side of her, trapping her against the railing. “Hurt you? Why would I hurt you?”

  She tried to find her voice, but she couldn’t tear herself away from his eyes. They were so hungry, so desperate, so sultry. But one of them had to reach for sanity. “Didn’t you hear me?”

  “I heard you. You shot me with one of your desire arrows. I—”

  The wind hissed, blocking out his voice. Clouds blew across the moon. Chills trickled down Cupid’s back.

  Lethal stepped in front of her and blocked her view. “Stay behind me.” He was at least seven inches taller than her, and she couldn’t see anything around his broad back.

  The air crackled.

  “I told you I’d come.” The voice struck horror in her thundering heart.

  Balthazar was here. She peeked around Lethal’s shoulder. The demon wasn’t anything she’d expected. He wasn’t foul-looking but deadly handsome. Unlike Lethal, he only wore black leather pants and high boots. His dark hair flared over his massive shoulders, reminding her of a hot pirate.