Beauty Awakened. Gena Showalter

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      Bjorn had dark hair and tanned skin veined with the same gold that wove through his wings. His eyes were a rainbow of colors, from the lightest of blues to the darkest of greens, with shades of pink and purple thrown into the mix.

      His name was Scandinavian for bear. Again, another perfect fit.

      Jaw locked, Koldo looked to Xerxes.

      Xerxes, Persian for monarch. The male had long white hair pulled back in a jeweled torque. His skin was the color of milk and lined with scar after crisscrossing scar, each in jagged patterns of three. Arresting, yes, but it was his eyes that truly held a person’s attention. They were a bright ruby-red, and glowed with an endless rage matched by few.

      I’m one of the few.

      “Are they always this cryptic?” Koldo asked him.

      “Are you always this annoying?”

      All three males chuckled at their own ridiculous wit.

      Koldo refused to envy their friendship, or their complete ease with each other. He’d heard they’d met inside a demon fortress, each a prisoner—each tortured. He’d had no one during his own years of anguish, and perhaps that was why he preferred his solitary life. The fewer people privy to his secrets, the less likely he was to face betrayal.

      “I’ve introduced you to many beautiful females, hoping one of them would entertain you—and free me of the burden of you,” Thane said, tossing back another vodka. “You’ve refused them all. Why?”

      “I have no interest.”

      “Have you ever been with a woman?” Bjorn asked.

      “No.” He’d had no desire. He still didn’t. Except … every day since he’d come here, Zacharel had granted Koldo an hour-long break from Thane. He’d spent the first half of that hour with his mother, resisting the urge to hurt her, and the second half with Nicola, watching, hidden from view.

      He would ensure no demons were following her. He would wonder what she’d look like if she laughed with all of her heart, carefree, and his blood would heat in the strangest way. A tingling heat. Almost … electrifying. He would begin to step into the natural realm, catch himself and back off. What if his presence caused her heart undue stimulation? What if he hurt her? He had the hands of a killer, after all.

      So, he would remain in the spirit realm. But the tension within him had gotten worse. The hum of anticipation had gotten stronger.

      He had no idea what to do, what to think.

      Even still, he was eager to speak with her, to at last discover what conclusion she’d drawn about him. How was he to kick things off, though?

      Your sister is going to die, but I can help you save yourself.

      I’m a Sent One. Heed my words.

      I’m a cold, hard man. I’ve done terrible things. But have no fear, I won’t harm you.

      “A virgin,” Xerxes said with a tinge of … envy? Surely not. He motioned to a female. “We must change that.”

      Smacking bubble gum, a blonde Harpy approached the table. She wore a sequined bra and spandex shorts, her hair braided at the sides in two perfect ropes. “What’s up, guys?”

      “We want you to give our friend a lap dance,” the scarred warrior said. Then, to Koldo, “I bet you can’t resist that.”

      Her gaze slid to Koldo. She was a pretty little thing, with wide green eyes and freckles scattered across her nose. He wasn’t into freckles. “You want me to cozy up to this guy?” she asked, hitching her thumb in his direction.

      “Yes,” Xerxes replied, deadpan.

      “He looks like a cold-blooded killer.”

      In Koldo’s case, looks were not deceiving. “You don’t have to—”

      “So of course I’ll give him a lap dance!”

      Wait. What? “No, thank you. I don’t want—”

      “Whoohoo, this is gonna be fun.” She fist-pumped the air. “Are you prepared to soar?”

      “We’re already in the skies, sweet,” Thane said, clearly fighting a wave of amusement.

      She rolled her eyes. “Whatevs. He knew what I meant. Didn’t you, Killer?”

      “I would rather you not—” Koldo began, only to be cut off again.

      “Move the table,” the girl said, rubbing her hands together. “I want to get this party train out of the station the right way. And that’s my way, in case anyone missed my meaning.”

      Koldo pinched the bridge of his nose as Bjorn and Xerxes stood to obey the Harpy. Before the warriors could get started, he stiffened.

      Not because of their intentions, and not because of the Harpy. Deep inside, where instinct sizzled and crackled, he experienced a sudden knowing.

      Nicola was in trouble.

      “I have to go.” He jumped to his feet, accidentally sending the table toppling the floor.

      “Well, that’s one way to do it,” the girl muttered.

      Zacharel’s orders stated that Koldo was to remain with Thane twenty-three hours a day. If he disobeyed, he risked punishment. He’d already used up his hour away today. “And you get to come with me,” he told the warrior, pointing at him to show there would be consequences if he was ignored.

      “Wait. You’re leaving right now?” The Harpy’s pink, glittery lips fell into a seductive pout. “But I haven’t even started yet, and I’ve got some wicked-cool moves. Did I mention I’m very bendy?”

      Thane’s gaze narrowed on Koldo. “We’re not leaving. We do, and I’ll never get you back here.”

      The warrior had just as much to lose as he did, Koldo realized—and that gave Koldo all the bargaining power he needed. “We’ll return. You have my word. Until then, you had better follow.” He informed Thane of where to go and flashed to the hospital, but … Nicola wasn’t there. He flashed to her office. She wasn’t there, either. He did, however, spot a Sent One, as well as a girl he didn’t recognize but thought he should.

      There was no time to question either female. He flashed to Nicola’s house, but his redhead wasn’t there, either. Her second job … nope. Back to the hospital, where he materialized at an empty nurse’s station and used the computer. A good decision. Laila had been moved to a new room.

      Thane landed just in front of him. He tucked his wings at his sides as he looked around. “What are we doing here?”

      “You’re waiting for me to conclude my business, and I’m in the process of concluding my business.”

      Without another word, he flashed to Laila’s new room. And that’s when he found Nicola, СКАЧАТЬ