Extinguish Read Online Free PDF Page B

magical knife plunged in the human's chest as it was to banish them with a spell.
    Only the knife made it much, much quicker.
     
    Smoke billowed from the tall stacks, infiltrating the cloudless sky and tainting the blue with curls of ashy gray. Hundreds of heartbeats thumped harmoniously inside the old factory as the workers finished up their morning shifts, oblivious to Serah loitering just outside.
    She hadn't been there long when the air behind her cackled and strong arms immediately wrapped around her small waist. A smile tugged her lips as she wordlessly rested against Michael, seeking comfort in his embrace.
    It had been a long week, to say the least.
    "I always know if I have a hard time sensing you, it's because you're down here mingling with these mortals."
    "It's peaceful here," she said. "The people work hard and love even harder. It seems so . . . simple. To live such a passive existence."
    Just then, a loud whistle roared as the front door of the factory burst open. The people came pouring out, laughing and chatting, oozing contentment. They’d been working for twelve long hours, yet most of them were still filled with energy as they headed home for the evening.
    Nicki Lauer’s father, Nicholas, strode outside, squinting painfully as the late day sunshine blasted him in the face. He brought his hand up and rubbed his temple as an exasperated sigh poured from his lips.
    "You all right, man?" his friend asked, clapping him on the shoulder. "You’ve been quiet today."
    "Yeah, just a headache. Keeps getting worse."
    "Maybe you ought to see a doctor."
    He scoffed. "With our insurance?"
    "I hear you," the guy said. "Well, do you want a ride?"
    "Yeah, sure." The two men strolled right toward them, so close Serah reached out and touched Nicki’s father as he passed. She swiped her fingertips lightly across his forehead, instantly easing his agony. His footsteps paused as he blinked rapid ly. "Actually, I’m feeling better, so I think I’ll just walk. Thanks, though."
    "Brain aneurysm," Michael mused, watching the men as they went their separate ways. "Is there a reason you just saved that particular human’s life?"
    "He’s one of the good ones. We can use all we can get on our side."
    Michael kissed the top of Serah’s head as he pulled her tightly against him, her body melting into his. They remained quiet, her gaze shifting to the fading clouds of smoke once the people were gone for the day.
    "What are you thinking?" he asked after a moment. "Your mind is blocked to me down here."
    "I'm thinking about Samuel," she said. "Wondering what happened to him."
    "It doesn't matter."
    Her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
    "I mean he fell, Serah," he said. "Where he ended up doesn't make a bit of difference. He lost his Grace. He's gone to us for good."
    "But he's my brother."
    "Not anymore."
    Her smile died at his words.
    "Come on," he said. "Let’s get away and forget about things for a while. We've both certainly earned it this week."
    His words promptly reminded her of others: I'm cursed to remember, when everyone else gets to forget.
    "I'd like that," she said. "Forgetting would be nice."
    The two apparated to the field of wildflowers and lost themselves in carnal embrace. Subtle passion simmered as Michael slowly slid in and out of her, giving her every bit of himself that he could. He continuously held back, the full strength of his power something she'd never witnessed, much less experienced. He restrained himself, making the two of them equals, a far cry from the commanding Archangel she knew he truly could be.
    The commanding Archangel he was intended to be.
    She explored his sculpted back, only faintly feeling the knots from his hidden wings on his shoulder blades. Her hands ran through his light locks and twirled the hair around his neck as their lips met in sweet, sensual kisses.
    Serah moaned when he whispered her name, grounding her, gripping tightly to her, as a current hummed across her exposed skin.