Fallen Angel Reclaimed: The Complete Series by Lacey Carter Andersen
14
Surcy dressedin jeans and a pale blue sweater. The clothes seemed familiar enough that she knew the brothers weren't lying. She had lived here with them. But what had she been to them? Even more important, what had they been to her?
Their lover, if I believe them. But what was our relationship like?
I guess time to find out.
She pushed her sleeves up and put on her sneakers, ready to get moving. She’d rested well, showered, and felt a little less lost and frightened. Time for breakfast with the three handsome demons.
Taking a deep breath, she walked out into the living room.
The three of them were seated around the table, talking softly, but they stopped when she came in. Feeling self-conscious, she crossed the room and sat at the remaining empty seat. Mark poured her a cup of coffee and Tristan piled a plate high with French toast, bacon, and eggs.
After her first bite of the French toast, she looked up to find them watching her closely.
“How is it?” Tristan asked.
She shrugged. “It's good.”
His shoulders fell.
“What?” she asked, a wave of emotion sweeping through her.
The big man’s mismatched eyes stared at her for a moment before speaking. It was disconcerting how it seemed he could see straight through her. “French toast used to be your favorite food… when you felt more human. You said the sweetness overwhelmed your senses.”
Frowning, she took another bite. It tasted like slightly sweet bread, and that was all. “It’s fine.”
The big man’s long, dark hair fell forward as he sipped his coffee. He didn't look at her again.
Her chest ached strangely.
“Am I really so different than when you knew me?”
Daniel snorted. “Not in the beginning. You were cold as ice and annoying as hell.”
“But then,” Mark added. “You changed, and you started loving everything life had to offer.”
She took a deep drink from her coffee, relishing the heat. “What caused the change?”
Mark cleared his throat, looking at his brothers. “Well,” he said carefully, “you started to help people in need.”
“And you realized that physical touch reminded you what it was like to be human.” Daniel's tone was harsh, defiant.
Her cheeks burned. “Is that how things began between us?”
“Yes,” Daniel said, locking gazes with her. “You begging me to touch you. To remind you what it was to be human.”
“I don’t believe you,” she said, raising her chin. Daring him to argue.
He didn't disappoint her. “Don’t kid yourself. All an angel wants is to feel alive again. To pick up a piece of French toast and feel the butter melt in your mouth. To have the sugar dance along your tongue. To experience the food, not just eat to eat.”
Her pulse picked up as he spoke, and her gaze slid over from his black sport coat, black shirt, and black pants. He looked like some rich businessman preparing for work. His clothes were almost ridiculously perfect.
“Food’s never been that important to me,” she argued, having a feeling she hadn't cared that much about food when she was human.
Daniel smirked. “But you always loved sex.”
“Daniel…” Mark began in warning.
“No,” she said. “It’s fine.”
“Ignore him.” Mark reached across the table and patted her hand gently, as if she was a fragile child.
Which irritated her.
“Not to worry. Daniel strikes me as the kind of man who uses corny lines to get women into bed all the time, so I won’t take it seriously.”
Tristan laughed, but Daniel looked pleased at her rebuttal. “Maybe there’s some of the old Surcy in you after all.”
She stiffened. Am I changing?
“Speaking of which,” Mark said, clearing his throat. “We wanted to discuss something with you. Before you… left, you assisted us on our missions. Would you like to continue doing so?”
Missions?
“And what exactly would that entail?”
“Helping people who need us.”
She raised a brow. “People or demons?”
“Are you saying demons aren’t people?” Daniel asked, leveling her with a steely gaze. “Because then you might as well say angels aren’t people either.”
“You know what I meant.”
Mark put down his fork. “It's complicated, but I would say that we assist people, demons and magical beings of every sort who are being tortured by creatures more powerful than themselves.”
She frowned. “I don’t understand.”
Daniel's fork clattered on his plate as he stood up. “Maybe instead of just talking about it, we should show her.”
