Vengeance: The Niteclif Evolutions, Book 3 by Denise Tompkins Page B

delivered you such an injustice. I would right it if I could.”
    “Do you mean that?” Hellion asked, his eyes gazing past the fallen angel to the window that held the night at bay.
    “With all that I am.”
    “Then I offer you the chance to earn my forgiveness, Micah.”  
    Micah’s brows drew together, wrinkling his otherwise perfect countenance. “To deny your offer is to increase my earthly burden, while to honor it is to risk violating my vows.”
    “Which is the greater punishment?” Hellion asked, not without a little compassion.
    Micah was silent for several minutes, his breathing the only sign of life about him. He finally turned to face Hellion. “I believe I’ll do my best to earn your forgiveness, but keep in mind it’s a fine line I walk in what I may do to redeem your suffering at the Nephilim’s neglect.”
    “I need to know more about the Nephilim and the Dominae.” When Micah nodded, Hellion leaned forward, braced his forearms on his knees, and continued. “I need to know what you are to each other, specifically why they’re after you, and I need details. I need to know how to end a Dominae. I want to know how you knew about my childhood, and I need to know what happened to the Nephilim who turned away from me.”
    I laid a hand on Hellion’s back and rubbed it slowly up and down, my eyes never leaving Micah.  
    The fallen angel closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then answered Hellion’s questions out of order. “I will tell you what you want to know. I will also tell you what you need to know, though you may not like my answers. You must understand that I will not destroy my chance at redemption in order to slake your curiosity.” His voice had evolved from soft to menacing and he seemed to grow larger beneath the bedding, sitting up straighter until I was sure he was well over seven feet tall.
    “Threaten me all you like, but remember this—me, my magic, my coven and my declared are the only things standing between you and Agares, and you said yourself I’ve only cast him out.” Hellion glanced at the darkened window and said softly, “If you deny me what I need, none of us will stand between the two of you when he returns.” He turned slowly back to Micah. “And you know they’re strongest at night. I bought you a temporary reprieve, not a pardon.”
    The two men stared at each other, and I was reminded of the history of each, one divine and one self-made, yet both prideful and both powerful. Micah looked away first, and Hellion’s shoulders relaxed.  
    The doorbell chimed and made us all jump. Hellion stood with slow deliberation and said to Micah, “I doubt Agares would ring the doorbell. Regardless, I expect you to protect her if it’s required. I’ll be back.”
    I watched him stalk out of the room with purposeful strides, and I admired his courage. There were never enough years to put between yourself and such a horrifying event that would diminish the residual fears left behind.  
    I heard voices in the foyer and I crept toward the door.
    “Maddy?” Micah asked.
    “Shhh. I think it’s Darius, but I want to be sure.”  
    “It’s me, Maddy,” the vampire called out.
    Shit. I’d forgotten about his hearing. When I heard him chuckle, I realized I’d also forgotten about his mind-reading skills.
    The two men walked into the room. Darius moved to me, wrapped me in a firm, cool hug and kissed my neck at the pulse-point of my throat.  
    I shivered at the feel of his lips on my neck and Hellion raised his brows slightly. Shrugging, I smiled and stepped away from the wickedly attractive vampire. Clad in all black, he was working the metrosexual look, though he’d deny it if confronted. He’d once jokingly called it “coffin chic”.
    “Maddy, you’re looking as delicious as always.”
    Darius’s flirting always bordered on intent, but since he was allied with Hellion I wasn’t too worried about it getting out of hand. “Had you shown up a little