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Azrael s eyes widened, and he dodged the arrow but barely.
Madigan took a step in his direction.  You will never lay a hand
on them, Azrael. I promise you that. He felt rather than saw his
lovers crowd in behind him. His anger boiled off of him until his
limbs trembled with the emotions.  When you die, you will die alone,
miserable, clinging to your hate when everything else disappears.
 No he won t, Levi piped up, coming to stand beside Madigan.
Where he d come from, Madigan didn t know.  See that color? He
pointed to the deep purple black that ringed the periphery of the
hunter s aura.  That is his future. The hunter is being hunted himself.
Even Madigan was a little creeped out by the way Levi seemed to
stare right through Azrael, and he jumped when Levi laughed.  Oh
boy. Your worst nightmares are going to come to pass, Azrael, and
you will embrace them with the fervor of a convert. Before the war is
finished, you ll join us.
 Levi, Erik whispered, pulling the smaller man backward and
into the protective throng of the angels at their backs.
 Shut your mouth, you filthy, dirty-blooded vermin! Azrael
snapped, looking unnerved. Madigan looked at the bit Levi saw, but
all he could distinguish was the weird color. Azrael pointed his free
hand at Madigan.  I tried to give you a chance at happiness, Madigan.
You have thrown my mercy in my face, and I won t forget it.
114 Jana Downs
Levi giggled from behind them.  You wanted Madigan to run
because he brings your fate. Did ya go to a fortune teller, Azrael?
You re so scared of your own shadow you encouraged enemies to run
so the possibility would die.
Azrael s wings burst from his back, and he offered up a glare for
Madigan.  This hasn t even begun, Madigan Parker.
Madigan just grinned.  You know, you re not nearly as big of a
villain as I built you up to be. You have terrible manners, Az, but
you re not that scary. He glanced behind him and was pleased to see
his men, Marius and his household, his father and the other
archangels, as well as Bren s extended family lined up against the
hunter.  Welcome to the new world order, Azrael. We re all together
now, and the old way is over. The hunter didn t answer but instead
turned and walked in the opposite direction away from the clearing
and the wedding party.
Raphael put his hands on Madigan s shoulders.  You did well,
Madigan.
 My men will stand beside you, young Madigan. Azrael has
strayed too far from his original purpose, the archangel Michael
said, his golden head all but shining in the sunlight. Thankfully, the
sun was keeping the chill off them. It was the warmest day in recent
weeks, and Madigan was pleased that their guests wouldn t suffer too
much in the weather.
 As will mine, Archangel Uriel spoke up.
 I offer my services as well, Lord Gabriel said.
Lucifer, easily recognizable by his all black clothing, black hair,
and eyes the same shade of darkness as Bren, stepped to the front so
that he was standing in front of Madigan, facing him.  Now you have
an army, Madigan. Lucifer was eerie. The angel looked like he was
looking into Madigan s darkest thoughts and sifting through his sins.
Madigan shuddered.  War will bring much suffering, and you will
mourn before its conclusion.
Angel Wed 115
Madigan swallowed.  Sometimes there are costs that must be paid
in order to stand for the right thing.
Lucifer sighed like he d expected Madigan s words.  Oh yes.
Such lofty ideas of justice you have swirling through this brain of
yours. Ah, well, no matter. You re determined. I can t very well let my
fellow archangels have all the fun. His black eyes went to Michael.
 We agree on so little, Michael, but we agree on this. You have hell s
army for your disposal as well.
Bren s gasp was audible. Madigan swallowed.  Thanks. He
blinked, and the archangel was gone. That was still disconcerting.
 Come on, Madi. Let s not keep our guests waiting, Cross said,
tugging on his hand to pull him away from the woods. The way
Cross s hands trembled in his let Madigan see how much the
confrontation had upset his lover. He gave Cross s hand a squeeze. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]