One of Sam’s shoulders lifted, then fell, in an almost careless move. “What can I say? Seline likes to keep me safe.”
Seline . . . that would be the woman who was hurrying back to Sam’s side right then.
Hurrying, as Az backed away and turned toward those heavy doors. Jade rushed forward and blocked his path. “Bad plan. Okay? Bad. Let’s just think of something else. There’s got to be another way—”
“Another way to stop a shifter/angel hybrid?” Az demanded. “Then tell me what it is. Because his claws can slice right through me, but my Death Touch won’t do a thing to him.”
“Oh, man, you are screwed.” Sam’s voice was calm. “Guess it’s time for you to try a few rounds with Beelzebub. When you lose a little more flesh, I think we’ll finally call things even between us.”
Even? That guy was insane.
Az ignored him and didn’t look away from Jade. “We need these weapons,” he reminded her. A reminder she didn’t need. “If you want to be free, then you’ll let me face him.”
“He could kill you!” Seline cried out. “Don’t you get that? The longer he stays in this realm, the stronger Beelzebub gets. And—and he has a taste for sin.”
Jade’s heartbeat drummed in her ears.
“Have you been staying lily-white?” Sam mocked. “Or have you really fallen now, Az?”
He’d fallen. Killed. Fucked.
“Beelzebub judges.” Seline was trying to warn Az. Jade realized she was starting to like the blonde. “He can see what’s in your heart. If he sees evil, he will attack.”
Now Sam had come to Az’s side. “Do you even know what’s in your own heart?” He spared a glance for Jade. “Does she?”
Az gave a nod. He stepped forward and brushed a kiss over Jade’s lips. “Don’t worry.”
She caught his hands. “Don’t you die for this.” For me. “There’s another way. I know it.”
But he shook his head. “This is the best way. We can get a supply of bullets. I can use them. You can use them.”
“The hound won’t just give up those claws.” Sam tapped his chin. “You’re gonna have to fight hard for them.”
This plan sucked. “No,” Jade said adamantly. “Forget it. Not going to—”
Az kissed her again. A brush of his lips. A slide of his tongue. Then . . . “Keep her safe, and don’t let her follow me.”
He vanished. No, didn’t vanish. Just rushed by her because she felt the fast whip of wind as he passed. Jade turned to run after him, but Sam grabbed her hand.
“I can’t let you do that,” he murmured. “Sorry, demon, but . . .”
In a blink, he had her across the room. He’d tossed her up in that big, golden cage that dangled over the dance floor. A wave of his hand had the door locking, and a blast of fire from his fingertips melted the lock—effectively sealing the cage and trapping her inside. “But Az doesn’t need you distracting him right now.”
Growls reached her ears then. Snarls. Inhuman sounds. And the walls shook as the beast attacked.
She grabbed the golden bars. “Let me out of here!”
Sam was on the ground below her. He shook his head but didn’t look particularly regretful. “Trust me on this, he deserves to have a pound or two of flesh ripped away. Your angel isn’t exactly the prize you think.”
“He’s exactly what I think he is.” And she was tired of everyone saying differently. “Now let me out!”
But he just turned away. “If he wants Beelzebub’s claws, then Az will have to bleed for them.”
“No!” Jade screamed. The bars wouldn’t break. The cage swung back and forth from its heavy chain, and those growls just grew louder.
Az thundered down the old staircase in the back of Sunrise. He’d made short work of the metal doors and the padlocks upstairs. A wave of his hand and fire disintegrated the next set of padlocks that barred his path. A fast kick, and the reinforced steel door before him flew inward.
Az rushed inside, and the hound immediately attacked him.
The beast’s breath, hot and reeking of hell’s stench, blew into Az’s face. Giant, yellowed teeth came at his throat even as the hound’s claws swiped over Az’s chest. He bellowed at the white-hot pain and kicked the beast off him.
The hound flew through the air, but landed easily on its feet. Thick, matted black fur covered the hulking body. Long, bloodstained claws raked across the floor.