Fallen Angel Reclaimed: The Complete Series by Lacey Carter Andersen

3

Caine was angry as hell.His angels had been unable to deal with Surcy and her demons. He wished, yet again, that the stupid Fate hadn’t thrown herself into the Soul Destroyer to protect some useless human. Right now, he could use her guidance.

He had the remaining Immortals under his power in places the angel and her demons could never find. He had a choice. Destroy the Immortals’ souls to ensure he would remain in power and never be overthrown, or kill the Immortals still under his control, have them reborn, and start all over again, breaking them down to take their magic.

He froze in his pace. Or, he couldtake the druid's necklace, find the Immortals stolen from him, and finish breaking them. Because even though I’ve invaded Surcy’s mind, magic has blocked out enough of the sanctuary’s location that I’m unable to find it. Those bastard druids and their powers…

Once he got them, he could make them pay… and finally take their powers. The Fate had told him the best way to crack the Immortals, and he knew they were so close.

Could he really throw all his hard work away now?

Only if I truly fear Surcy and her demons.

His nails tapped on the arm of his throne. No, it was time to stop fearing the Fate’s warnings. He feared no one. He needed to find the druid and take his necklace. He needed to find the location of the sanctuary, and he needed to capture all of the Immortals, once and for all.

And take their power.Then, and only then, could he be certain to remain sole ruler forever.

Without paying much attention, he tossed one soul after another into the demon realm. None of the white wisps shone too brightly, and none looked human enough to be useful.

And then, one soul flashed into the room, blinding in its power.

Climbing to his feet, he pushed the other souls away and drew it to him. When the creature met his eyes, he realized it had been a demon.

For one second, he almost tossed it into the demon-realm, but he froze when he realized. This wasn’t just any demon, it was one of Surcy’s, the very druid he had been seeking.

“Well, well, what do we have here?”

Mark neither flinched nor looked worried. “Hello, Caine.”

Interesting.

“After everything, why are you here? How did you die?"

Mark said nothing.

Caine smiled. “No matter. With you gone, your necklace is no longer protected. Finding it should be easy without your power hiding it. Once I have the necklace, the Immortals will finally be mine.”

The demon looked sad. “Is power really worth all of this?”

His teeth gritted together. “Only someone who has never tasted power would say something so foolish. Now, say goodbye, Mark. You won't be coming back. Your soul will never be reborn again.” He pointed to the Soul Destroyer. “Enjoy your fate.”

The demon didn’t scream or try to escape. He simply lowered his head as if he had accepted his fate.

Which Caine found utterly annoying.

Flicking the druid into the Soul Destroyer, he waited for his screams. But Mark’s soul simply hovered above the black pit.

Caine frowned and tried again and again and again, but the demon remained.

“What is this?”

Mark lifted his head from where he was suspended in air. "How the hell should I know?"

Turning, Caine shouted for his guard. “Bring my witch!”

The angel leapt into action, racing from the room. Within minutes, he’d returned with the young woman slung over his shoulder. He tossed her to the ground and the prisoner groaned and lay on her side, filthy and stinking of the prisons.

Caine gritted his teeth together. “Why won’t this soul be destroyed?”

The witch lifted a hand, her weak, trembling arm at odds with her great power.

“There’s a spell that prevents him from leaving this world.”

Caine felt his rage swell. Who in all the realms would dare to defy him in such a way?

“Who?” he asked, the question hanging in the air.

“The Demon of Sacrifice,” she whispered.

His jaw clenched. That was yet another soul he should have destroyed. She’d become too powerful, and apparently, foolish.

Looking at his guard, he glared. “Bring her to me.”

Then, glancing back at Mark, he nearly lost all control. The idea of someone having the audacity to defy his plans and stop his punishment… but then he froze as an idea hit him.

Destroying Mark’s soul was a delicious punishment, but perhaps there was a better one, a punishment that might even lead him to the Immortals even faster.

Settling back into his throne, he waved Mark’s soul toward him and smiled.

For the first time, the druid looked nervous.

He should be.