Free Fallen by Michele Hauf Page B

know a bargain was mentioned. You going to help me hunt for my halo?”
    She shrugged.
    â€œThought so. Have a seat, I’ll be right back.”
    Cooper left Pyx staring at the comfortable brown velvet sofa. She fought the urge to make a leap and land all snuggly and reclined. What was it about mortal furniture that screamed comfort to her?
    Now was no time to get comfortable.
    Pyx had come to earth with a mind full of spells and invocations innate to the Sinistari. If pure physical force could not get the job done, then she’d facilitate demonic magic. She knew a spell that would enhance the Fallen’s sensory perceptions—specifically to his muse.
    The Fallen saw the world in vivid color, or so she understood. Much like herself, he’d been denied that color while in angelic form. But the Fallen’s muse was unique in that she could literally blow out a Fallen’s senses and his ability to see, taste and smell became rather muted as a result. Then, the only means for the angel to spy a muse was to notice the telltale sigil on the muse’s arm. It was like a tattoo, but not. The sigils were unique and only one muse sigil matched to one Fallen sigil.
    That didn’t mean only one muse for one Fallen. There were actually more muses walking the earth than Fallen ones to match them to, thanks to the Sinistari having slain three or four dozen Fallen after the original fall. But once the Fallen found his own muse, and had sex with her, he could then move on to another.
    Pyx hadn’t gotten a look at Cooper’s sigil. It could be anywhere on his body. And the only way to locate it was a thorough inspection.
    She ran her tongue along her lower lip, considering such an inspection. It would involve removing clothing and lifting up hems. Running her fingers over warm, tan flesh. He’d agree, for sure. The man was a heathen. But so was she.
    Or so she should be.
    Why didn’t the sin of lust appeal to her more? Was it simply that it intimidated her? It was the one sin she hadn’t attempted yet. Wasn’t quite sure how to go about it. It wasn’t as though she needed instruction, but then again, she could use a few pointers.
    Cooper had guessed right, she was a virgin. That didn’t make her stupid, just…inexperienced regarding that one small aspect of mortal life. She’d pick it up as easily as she picked pockets. But what was the rush? She didn’t need a romance, not while she was focused on slaying the Fallen.
    He just had to quit distracting her.
    The kiss Cooper had given her had been excellent. And easy. Pyx suspected what followed a simple kiss would be a bit more complicated. And desirable. Probably as delicious as bananas and chocolate crepes.
    Nothing was going to intimidate her. Not the curiosity about sex. Not even a sexy Fallen one who liked to flirt and made sure the lusty compulsion never left her thoughts. He certainly had sex on the brain.
    And that made it weird that Cooper had no interest whatsoever in his muse. Pyx knew the Fallen could have sex with any mortal woman, but could only garner his own pleasure from a muse. Which also meant his flirtations with her meant little. He couldn’t get pleasure from her, so why bother?
    Angels. They were a strange lot.
    â€œSo what’s this spell all about?” Cooper returned and sat on the velvet sofa. He set a ceramic cellar of pink sea salt on the table. He leaned back and patted the cushion next to him. “Take a load off.”
    Relenting to the draw of comfort—and not his invitation—Pyx sat and picked up the salt cellar. “It’ll open your senses to your muse. You okay with that?”
    â€œI could be.”
    Tilting her head so she could not see the flex of muscles that moved his powerful thighs as he shifted his weight, Pyx poured out the salt on the table. He smelled…not bad. Warm? Couldn’t be; the angel’s blood was cold.
    â€œBubble gum.”
    His