Free Ashes of Angels by Michele Hauf Page A

heartbeats?”
    Sam, who fumbled with the tiny shirt buttons, cast her a lifted brow.
    â€œHow is that possible? I don’t understand that.”
    â€œIs he vampire?”
    â€œWhat? No! My sister would never…”
    It occurred to her Coco had been pretty tight-lipped about her new lover of late. But a vampire? No. Nein . Impossible.
    Hell, lately Cassandra had been insane with learning all shecould to protect herself and save the world, if it ever came to that. Okay, she’d always been like that. All focus went toward learning everything she could about angels and how to keep them away from her (like that was working). Coco had always stood in the background, going to martial arts classes with her yet sitting on the sidelines doing school homework for the two of them.
    When they were teenagers Coco had originally been the adventurous one, wanting to travel the world and climb every mountain. Cassandra had always wanted to be an artist, living the celebrity lifestyle like the rich and famous.
    Until Granny Stevens had sat them both down and forever altered their destinies by detailing impending doom.
    Now Coco worked at a travel agency, because she never had time for adventure and, truthfully, Granny had put the fear of danger into Coco’s heart.
    And Cassandra now sought danger as if some kind of drug. And damn, didn’t the man who’d just sat on her sofa exude danger. He held out his wrist, and she buttoned the sleeve cuff then gestured for the other wrist.
    Of course she hadn’t found time to chat with her sister about her new man. But could he be…a vampire? He had slain an angel. Normal mortal men weren’t capable of that feat. Not without the proper weapon. Coco had said Zane owned a Sinistari blade. That may allow a mortal such strength and skill. Hmm…
    â€œI can’t think about this.” She finished with his button, then stuffed the phone in a pocket and stood to pace. “The pregnant muse is missing. Her name is Ophelia. We’ve lost her, and she’s to give birth any day now.”
    Sam caught her in his embrace and, in lieu of a much-needed sisterly hug, she allowed the unwarranted touch. He was much taller and more solid than Coco. Standing in his arms made her feel a little less small, supported, and not so close to the edge.
    It is what you want. Safety. Take it .
    â€œWe’ll find Ophelia. We’ll find the vampires. We’ll stop it all,” he said reassuringly.
    â€œYou have grand plans, angel. Don’t you know it takes more than two of us to stop an army?”
    â€œHow do you know it’s an army?”
    â€œTribe Anakim must be many. They have to be if they expect to capture a nephilim. And just because you took out the Sinistari doesn’t mean another won’t be summoned. Isn’t that their job? The demons will pursue you relentlessly. Too bad we can’t get them on our side.”
    â€œTheir alliance would help. Yet, the Sinistari are too lustful. One minute they’re focused on the Fallen, the next they’re following the shifting hips of a sexy looker. They are easy enough to distract.”
    â€œYou were easily distracted by my shifting hips at club Schwarz.”
    â€œI, er, hmm…” No way to deny that one.
    â€œHow did you find me, by the way? Were you looking for me?”
    â€œI was not. I do have a mission. But when passing the club, I felt the heat of the sigil on my hip and sensed you were inside. You know how it goes from there.”
    The angel bowed over her and pressed the crown of her head with his lips.
    â€œI can’t fathom this,” she said.
    â€œBut you can accept it. You believe in everything you were taught does not exist. That goes miles toward your strength, Cassandra.”
    â€œNot like I have much choice. I would love it if vampires had remained fictional characters.”
    â€œAngels have never been fiction.”
    â€œTrue.”
    And