The Book of Azrael (Gods & Monsters 1)

“RISE AND SHINE, YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS,” I said, shaking Liam’s shoulder. He was facing away from the door, still in the same position he had fallen asleep in. Honestly, if I hadn’t been able to see his chest rising and falling, I would have thought he was dead. 

I leaned closer to him and whispered, ‘Liam. If you die, does that mean I won’t go to a godly prison or whatever?’ 

He groaned as he slowly turned over. I stood and placed my hand on my hip. ‘Hey, sleeping beauty.’

He stretched, his shirt riding up to reveal a strip of bronzed skin over the defined muscles of his abdomen. His hands hit the ugly headboard, and his feet hung off the other end, the bed way too small for his massive frame.

‘What time is it?’ Sleep edged his voice, making it an octave deeper. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he sat up on his elbow, part of his hair sticking to the side of his head. He was the most beautiful and annoying thing I had ever seen. I shook the thought from my head. 

‘Almost eight.’

That woke him up. He sat up and swung his legs off of the bed, placing his feet on the floor. He rubbed his face once more before looking at me. ‘We need to leave. Why did you let me sleep that long?’ 

‘Because you don’t sleep, and you need it.’ I picked up the bag from where I had set it on the old, worn chair when I’d come back to the room. ‘I went out and got you some clothes. I burned the rest of the stuff Nym gave us. She might have poisoned the clothes she sent, and you need to blend in. I want to make a pit stop before we get on the road, so hurry and get dressed.’

‘Pit stop?’

‘Yes. Paige, the sweet old lady who runs this place, told me about a small breakfast area a few miles outside town. I’m hungry, and you need to eat, too.’ 

I could tell by the look on his face that he was about to refuse.

‘Look, if we are going to try this whole let’s be friends thing, you have to eat.’

I watched him open his mouth to say something, but I cut him off.

‘Ah, nope, I don’t want to hear it. You may fool your friends, but you can’t fool me. I haven’t seen you touch one piece of food since we started our little journey, and it’s been almost a week. That’s probably why you keep having those headaches, too. I honestly don’t know how you keep all of that,’ I waved a hand toward his physique, ‘in shape while not eating.’

‘Do not tell the others,’ he said, the corner of his mouth lifting. ‘Please.’ 

‘Your secret is safe with me, Your Highness.’

His eyes narrowed at me. ‘Also, stop calling me that.’

‘I will if you eat.’

He held my gaze a moment longer before looking at the bag. ‘I do not need the clothes. I am assuming they are the wrong size, just like everything else Logan has given me.’ 

I scoffed. ‘Well, I’m sorry. I didn’t—’

My snarky words died as he stood, the air around him shivering as thread and cloth spun out of nothing. His worn, faded jeans shifted into a clean, dark pair that molded to his powerful thighs and ass. His new shirt was off gray and clung to his broad chest and wide shoulders. My mouth went dry as a black jacket formed on his body, tapering a few inches past his waist. He held his arms out. ‘What do you think?’ 

‘You’re fine. It’s fine.’ I stumbled over my words, gripping the bag against my chest. The man was ridiculously beautiful. ‘How did you do that?’

Liam shrugged, dropping his arms to his sides. ‘It is all material. I can mimic the fabric of the garments you wear. It is far easier to manipulate on this plane. The air on Onuna is filled with useful particles.’ 

‘Oh, okay,’ I said as if any of that made sense to me. I was too busy fighting the urge to peel him out of those clothes that fit so well. I shook my head. ‘How did you come up with this?’ 

‘I have paid attention to what the mortals wear. Your garments are far sturdier than the sheer fabrics of Rashearim. I suppose that is because mortals have such thin skin, and the seasons change rapidly here. You said I needed to blend in. Am I not doing it right?’ 

‘No, no, it’s great, honestly. I am just surprised you can do that, I guess.’ 

He studied me for a moment. ‘You are scared?’

‘Not scared, just apprehensive. You are a lot more powerful than I expected.’ His face seemed to drop, the hard and expressionless man from yesterday threatening to return. I didn’t want that. I preferred this Liam. He had talked to me through the night, and he cared what I thought of his outfit. I stepped a bit closer and narrowed my eyes, smirking as I poked his chest playfully. ‘What can’t you do?’ 

Liam looked down at my finger, his face softening as he put his hands in his pockets. His lips formed a thin line as he thought. He tipped his head back and squinted at the ceiling. I snorted and rolled my eyes at his theatrics. He looked down at me with a playful glint in his eyes. He shrugged and said, ‘I cannot bring back the dead.’

‘What? Have you tried?’

‘My father could, and I tried on a dead fowl when I was younger. It did not work. Some gifts only he had, I suppose.’ 

‘Well, I guess you can’t have everything. You will just have to settle for creating planets and clothes out of nothing.’ I lightly tapped his arm, hoping to keep this version of him with me a bit longer. ‘Okay, let’s go eat now. I’m starving.’ 

Liam made a low sound of amusement in the back of his throat as he followed me out the door. ‘So forceful.’ 

The diner was a lot cuter than I had imagined. It was small and reminded me of those movies Gabby loved so much. The interior was rich and rustic. It was filled with wooden tables surrounded by mismatched benches and chairs. We could see the cooks flipping and frying an array of food through the pass –through window as the wait staff hurried to serve the hungry patrons.

There was a family in a booth at the back, the older child coloring on a small tablet while the woman spooned food into a baby’s mouth. A group of teenagers sat at the opposite end of the restaurant, lost in conversation. A few people sat at the counter, watching TV while they ate. It was a nice, quaint little place. 

‘How’s your head?’ I asked Liam from behind my mug as I took a sip of my coffee. He barely fit in the booth, but he didn’t complain. I’d told him I liked to be by the window, and he had nodded and let me lead the way. Gabby said I people watched, but really I just wanted to make sure no one could sneak up on me. Several mortals walked along the sidewalk, completely oblivious to the god stabbing at the eggs on his plate. 

‘Better,’ he said before taking another bite. I was happy he was eating and hadn’t fought me on the large meal I’d ordered for him. I didn’t know what he liked, so I’d gotten almost every breakfast item on the menu. The waitress hadn’t even blinked, but I think she was distracted by Liam. That seemed to be an issue everywhere he went. 

‘Strange, it’s almost as if I know what I am talking about.’ 

He swallowed the food in his mouth and said, ‘Now who is the cocky one?’

‘Oh, trust me, big guy. I have nothing on you.’

He smirked at me before cutting a piece of sausage. He’d eaten more than I’d thought he would, but I think it was mostly because I kept pestering him. I took another sip of my coffee as a chill ran up my spine. I shivered, causing my shoulders to shake. 

‘What’s wrong?’ he asked, mouth half full. 

I looked out the window, hoping to see whatever had set my senses off. The hairs on my arms were raised with little goosebumps littering my flesh, but I saw nothing remotely Otherworldly or celestial out there. The street was busy with just your normal, run-of-the-mill mortals going about their day.

‘Dianna.’

I realized I had been sitting and staring in silence for several minutes. ‘Sorry, nothing. I thought I felt something, but I could just be cold.’ 

He nodded and methodically ate the rest of his food, but now he was alert, his gaze flicking between me and the window.

‘You know,’ I placed my coffee cup down and folded my hands on the table, ‘I did have a question I didn’t get to ask last night.’ 

‘You asked many questions. What more could you want to learn?’ Liam asked, taking a sip of his coffee. 

‘The realms. You said they are sealed. Which I know means our world is locked from the others. My question is how?’ 

His face paled, and I heard static interrupt the music. The lights in the cafe flickered a few times, causing a few people to murmur in confusion and stare at the ceiling. I knew it was nothing electrical but the man in front of me. My question had triggered a flashback, and I could tell he didn’t want to speak of it.  

‘Is that too personal? I’m sorry. I mean, I have seen flashes of your memories, but nothing about that. Besides, the blooddreams wear off after a while.’ 

Liam didn’t say anything as he looked at me. He slowly lowered his cup and carefully placed it on the table. 

He reached up and ran his thumb along the bridge of his nose, the cafe returning to normal as he regarded me.

‘It’s fine. You said last night that speaking of things may help me.’

‘Yeah, but if you don’t want to—’

‘I do.’ He cut me off as he slipped his hands underneath the table. I could see his biceps flex and knew he was clenching his fists.

‘It was the day after my coronation. My father was off handling council business. I remember that the halls were decorated for the festival. It was to be a massive celebration, and I was looking forward to all the fun.’ He placed his hands back on the table, folding his fingers together and leaning toward me as if he were afraid the mortals in the cafe would overhear. ‘One of Goddess Kryella’s celestials found me at the gathering and told me Kryella wished to see me. I was already slightly inebriated and assumed she just wanted to spend time with me. I was wrong.’ 

Kryella. Why did that name ring a bell? And then it hit me. I had traipsed through many of Liam’s memories over the last few days, and I remembered him moaning that name. The moonlight had gleamed on her brown skin and reddish locks as they writhed against each other in the pool at the center of the temple. I had lost it and kicked at one of the massive golden columns, frustrated further when my foot passed through it. Then, when I’d discovered how long that girl could hold her breath underwater, I had prayed for the stupid dream to end. 

‘The celestial led me out of the great hall and to a temple across the city. It was the one Kryella used for her rituals. I believe Logan spoke of witches here. Well, Kryella was the first of her kind to wield what you all consider magic. Her power frightened even my father, not that she would have ever betrayed him. She, along with a few others, were the only true allies my father had.’ 

Our waitress stopped by then, pulling Liam from his thoughts and the next part of the story. Liam continued after she had refilled our drinks and cleared our plates.

Liam’s fingers tapped absently against the side of his mug, but his expression remained flat. ‘My father and Kryella were there, standing around a massive cauldron set over green flames. They looked to be in deep debate until they saw me. They wore their council garb, and their expressions told me the meeting had not gone well. I asked, but they refused to speak of it. Instead, they explained they needed me to seal the realms.’ 

‘Did they say why? I mean, this was before the Gods War, right?’ 

‘Long before.’

‘So, why?’

‘After my mother’s death, my father grew paranoid. His temper had increased while his patience had not. Kryella told me of the spell she wished to perform, and my father reassured me it was for the greater good.’ Liam paused for a moment and looked up, watching as the teenagers walked past us without a care in the world. As soon as they passed, he continued. ‘The realms must always have a guardian. My father feared war and had decided on a contingency plan. I was that plan.’ 

Liam looked down at his hands, lost in thought. I was wondering if he would continue when he said, ‘It required blood, more than I had known I could give. She spoke a few words of enchantment, and the binding was done. I remember being so tired I could barely stand, and then the world went black. My father said I was unconscious for days. He blamed my absence on my untamed ways so no one would worry, but the three of us knew the truth.’ 

‘And the truth was what?’

‘The truth was that if my father were to fall, I would become truly immortal. My life would be bound to the realms, and I would never die. When I ascended, the realms would close, and we would no longer be able to travel between them.’

I couldn’t imagine that kind of pressure. That was literally the weight of worlds on Liam’s shoulders.

‘But why? Why close all the realms just because he died? What about the other beings in those realms?’ 

‘My father feared a great cosmic war. He had visions, images and dreams that came to him and then would come true. He saw the universe in chaos, and closing the realms was the only way he could see to garner peace. My father wanted to protect as much life as possible should the gods fall.’

Anger burned in me on Liam’s behalf, and I lowered my lashes so that he wouldn’t see it. His father had not given him a choice before laying the burden of protection on his shoulders. Regardless of the need for a guardian or whatever other bullshit they had fed him, it had isolated him. They had laid the fates of worlds at his feet and given him no support except that he had created. ‘I’m sorry.’ 

His gaze flicked to mine for a moment, the corner of his lips twitching. ‘You have no need for sorrow. It was almost a millennium ago. But I appreciate it.’ 

‘Well, as a distraction, I have something that will probably make you mad.’ I clasped my hands together.

He tilted his head slightly and leaned back, folding his arms across his chest. ‘Why would I be upset?’ 

‘You know the convenience store we went to yesterday? Well, let’s just say a friend of mine who works there gave me a lead on how we can get into Zarall.’ 

He closed his eyes, taking a breath as he swallowed. ‘You swore with a small finger that you would not leave me behind when you dealt with these friends of yours.’

‘Technically,’ I held my hands up in mock surrender, ‘I didn’t leave you. You were just a few feet away, sitting in the car.’ 

‘Miss Mar—’ He stopped, his jaw clenching. ‘Dianna. How can I trust you if you keep things from me but ask me to bare my soul?’ 

‘And that’s why I am telling you. It’s the last thing, I promise.’ 

His face told me he didn’t believe me .

‘I promise, okay? Liam, no offense, but you are terrifying to a lot of people. You aren’t supposed to exist, remember? You are our version of the boogeyman. Besides, they are flighty. I didn’t want to risk the only chance we have of getting into Zarall.’

He didn’t say anything for a minute as he held my gaze. The intensity in the depths of his gray eyes awakened something feminine and needy in me. ‘I was not terrifying to you?’ 

A pang fluttered in my chest. This powerful and indomitable male was worried about what I thought of him. I had no idea how that was possible.

‘Well, no, but I am crazy.’

‘That, we can agree on.’

‘Hey.’

For the second time, he smiled. It was just a brief flash of his stupid, perfect teeth, but it undid me. It was the simplest thing, and I hated it. He smiled, and gravity shifted, pulling me toward him as if he were my anchor. I pushed the romantic nonsense from my mind. He had been so emotionless and cold until  last night. The beauty and warmth of his smile had just come as a shock. That’s all it was, no other reason. 

‘And what did your informant say?’

I crossed my legs underneath the table. ‘Well, we have to meet a guy at a little pop –up festival on the outskirts of Tadheil. If we leave soon, we should be right on time.’

Liam nodded, closing his eyes as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was obviously mad but trying to control his temper.  

‘I promise I won’t keep anything else from you.’ 

He opened his eyes, searching my gaze.

‘Fine.’

I smiled and reached into my back pocket, digging out my remaining cash. I scooted out of the booth, and Liam followed. He stopped, staring at the cash in my hand. 

‘Where did you get that?’

I looked down at my hand as we walked to the register. I gave him a small smile and said, ‘Okay, I promise not to keep anything else from you. Starting now. At this very moment.’

He sighed, and I swore I heard a growl rumble in his chest.