Fallen Angel Reclaimed: The Complete Series by Lacey Carter Andersen
21
Daniel stoodlike all the other angels. They were silent soldiers, preparing for a war. It took everything within him to stay standing in the silent throne room, knowing that Surcy was somewhere close by, preparing to attack.
This feels wrong. How the hell am I an angel?
A tremor rolled through his body. Images flashed in his mind of the moment he was burned alive.
He felt his eyes widen, and clenched his entire body to keep from throwing up. Was it not enough he had to burn to death in his first life? He’d had do it again!
His head spun, and he felt light on his feet. Burning to death had to be one of the worst ways to go. Even after that, he had experienced a different kind of pain when his soul appeared in the throne room. Daniel had been still withering in agony when Caine had turned him into an angel and wiped his memory.
He’d fought it with all his might, but it was useless.
He would never forget the moment he tried to kill Surcy. It would haunt like a ghost for the remainder of his life. He didn’t know how she’d brought him back, but making love to her was the only thing that healed his soul. That kept him from imploding the moment he realized all that had happened.
Thank God for Surcy.
Staying by her side was the only thing that could bring him peace again, yet he was more valuable here. He had to pretend that he didn’t remember and be ready to help her when the time came.
Even if it drives me mad.
Even though not knowing what happened to Mark and Tristan was its own kind of torture.
Suddenly, Daniel sensed a change in the room. His gaze moved to the darkness that concealed the cowardly Caine, and his entire half of the throne room.
What’s happening now?
Caine’s darkness crept slowly out over the rest of the room like a cursed mist. It did nothing to hide the red-winged archangel that leaned back arrogantly near the bastard, nor did it hide the three portals to the other realms.
Despite himself, Daniel’s gaze flickered to the portals. They loomed deadly, salvation and punishment, the blinding brightness of the entrance into the angel realm, and the absolute darkness that led to the demon realm. Beyond them was the Soul Destroyer, closest to the back of the throne room. It hummed of danger.
“They will be here soon,” Caine said, his voice breaking the tension-filled silence. “There’s more that still must be done.”
The doors to the throne room opened, and four angels carried a massive wooden stock across the room, before setting it near the portals. They opened the top, where spots had been made for a head and hands to go.
He’s going to punish someone? But who?
“Daniel.”
When Caine said his name, he knew. He knew that the punishment was meant for him. And yet, how could Caine know that Daniel’s memories had returned? Daniel had done everything that was asked of him. So was this about something else?
It doesn’t matter. I have to obey.
He stepped forward and bowed, even though it was like a dagger in his stomach.
“Yes, Caine.”
“Go in the stock.” Caine’s command seemed to fill the air.
He didn’t force Daniel to obey. The demon could try to fly or outrun the six dozen angels who crowd the room, but Caine and Daniel both knew he wouldn’t make it more than a few feet before he was dead.
So, Daniel played his game. “Yes, Judge.”
He went to the stocks, placed his hands and his neck into the carved out spots, and held himself stiffly as it was closed over him and locked.
“Good. Now, the bait is ready. We need only to set the trap.”
Fuck. Is he going to use me against Surcy?
His stomach clenched, and he made a silent prayer. When the time came, he hoped Surcy had the strength to let him die again.
She had to.
If he distracted her for one moment, he knew Caine would win.
Clenching his fists, he shifted, testing the strength of the stocks. They held, without the slightest leeway.
His mind began to spin. There had to be a way he could still help Surcy. But how?
