Angel Seduced by Jaime Rush Page A

but Kasabian deflected the blows as he threw him at a massive oak tree. The impact left a perfect impression of his body on the trunk. The guy crumpled to the ground, blood smearing the crushed lines of bark. He panted, his breath sawing in and out as he tried to get to his feet.
    The desire to kill the son of a bitch roared through Kasabian like a flash fire. He wrapped his hand around the guy’s throat. “How many kids are in there?”
    The guy spit blood on his shoe. Then he thrust his hand out to shoot Light at Kasabian, who snagged the man’s arm and wrenched until he heard the bone snap. The guy started to scream in pain, and Kasabian slapped his hand over his mouth to shut him up.
    More, more, more. He wanted to crack, crush, pulverize every bone in his body. The bloodlust roared through Kasabian. The Shadow’s bloodlust.
    Even with his mouth broken and bleeding, the guy sneered with contempt. “I’m going to kill you,” he said, holding out his good arm to use his Light weapon.
    Kasabian grabbed that hand, crushing his bones. “Tell me how many or your neck is next.”
    Searing pain stabbed Kasabian all across his back. Little black bird-like creatures tore at his wings the way a disturbed nest of fire ants attacks an intruder. He swatted at them, and they tore at his fingers. They reminded him of Mad magazine’s bird spies, with sharp-as-hell beaks and a desire to destroy. He staggered around to come face-to-face with another Caido.
    No, not just any Caido. Daniel . Daniel, with a mix of emotions crossing his face. Regret. Anger. “I didn’t want you to know I was here,” he said, coming closer. “But I couldn’t let you kill Gren. And now I can’t let you leave.”
    Then Kasabian saw it, the similarities between the boy Silva and the man who’d become his friend. It hit him as hard as any physical blow. “And I can’t let you continue to do what you’re doing.” Kasabian pushed past the shock and used his Light like a saber to fry the birds.
    â€œIt’s only for another day or two, Kasabian. Then we will be free of the pain we live in. A few lives impacted, yes, but kids whose fates are to be used, abused, destined to end up overdosed on some street corner, or sliced and diced in a motel room. Can you put away your self-righteousness for just a minute and think about what it means for all of us?”
    Kasabian swung at Silva. “Their fates are not sealed because of their circumstances. They’re not worthless.”
    Silva met his blow, engaging in a Light sword fight. “No, they’re very valuable. I was one of those kids. Your father gave me a purpose and treated me better than anyone else had. Yes, even with the pain. I know it’s hard for you to imagine, because you never had to dig through garbage cans for dinner. You never had to suck some guy off so your mama could pay the rent. This was better than anything I’d lived until then.”
    Kasabian sorted through Silva’s words as he fought, disgust turning his stomach. “It doesn’t justify using kids like that. I don’t care if he gets permission from their drugged-out parents; it’s still kidnapping.”
    â€œIf we had some time together, I’m sure I could persuade you to see that what we’re doing is justified. Sometimes what you think is wrong is perfectly right.” He threw out his hand, and something that looked like a black snake coiled from his palm.
    Kasabian slashed as it careened toward him, but it dove right through and wrapped around him like a python. Even with his angel strength, he couldn’t budge it. A glimmer of panic ignited in him. He gripped the odd energy of the thing, sending deadly Light into it. Nothing. “What the hell kind of power do you have?”
    The snake wrenched him off balance, sending him crashing to the ground.
    Silva approached, a cruel smile in place as he watched