Devil Without a Cause Read Online Free

shrugged.
    “Consider it a challenge, if you must. Do it as a favor to an old friend, do it to prove you still can—do it out of boredom, for Heaven’s sake—just do it.”
    Unbelievably, despite the transparency of Gabriel’s arguments, he found himself tempted—once again—to do something he wasn’t supposed to. He was the fucking Prince of Darkness, for fuck’s sake, and he could do anything he damn well pleased. “Do you know, Gabriel,” he said quietly, “that’s the first thing you’ve said to me that makes sense.”
    Nothing was beyond him, including helping a few pathetic mortals find happiness.
    Or not.
    Turning away from the flash of eagerness in Gabe’s eyes, he nodded thoughtfully, mind already working. “I’ll do it, but I’ll do it my way. None of your mealymouthed prayers or good deeds or sackcloth and ashes.” He shot his old friend a warning look. “You’ll stay out of it, do you hear?”
    Gabriel nodded, smiling. “I’ll stay out of it.”
    Eyeing him narrowly, Sammy replied, “Why do I suddenly feel as though I’m not the only liar in the room?”
    Gabriel stiffened, but Sammy was in no mood for further debate. “Tell me her name and where to find her. Then leave it to me.”
    There was a slight hesitation. “Her name is Faith McFarland, and she lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She—”
    Cutting him off with a raised palm, he swiveled his head. “I’m quite familiar with Atlanta,” he said shortly. “Is this supposed to be some kind of joke?”
    “Coincidence only,” said Gabriel, “though I’m told that Southern girls can be somewhat”—he hesitated—“interesting. It’s no surprise that—”
    “That’s enough,” he said curtly. Gabe was about to mention Nicki, and Sammy couldn’t have that. Nicki was his, and not up for discussion. “I can find out everything else I need to know about Faith McFarland on my own.”
    “Arrogant ass,” Gabriel murmured. He turned away, crossing his arms over his chest. “And I’m not referring to a donkey either.”
    Sammy suppressed the urge to smile. “We’re done here.” Striding toward the arched doorway where he’d entered, he added, “If I need you, I’ll let you know, but in the meantime, get the hell out of my temple.”
    “I warn you, Samael,” Gabriel said loudly, his voice echoing in Solomon’s grand chamber. “Do not betray my trust. This is your last chance at redemption.”
    Not bothering to reply, Sammy walked away, knowing his former brother-in-arms would not—and could not—follow. The outer temple was one thing, but the hallways of his stronghold were deep and dark, and just as he was banned from the skies, his private domain was anathema to an archangel. The very walls themselves would repel the light and goodness of one such as Gabriel.
    For a moment he heard nothing but the angry rush of blood in his ears, and the sound of his own footsteps behind him, echoing coldly through hallways of stone.
    A few seconds later there was a faint rustle of wings as Nyx returned to his usual position, a silent shadow at his back.
    “Master?”
    He didn’t deign to turn around. “Yes?”
    “Surely you don’t mean to do as he asks.”
    Dark laughter snaked its way into the corridor. “Oh, Nyx.” Samael tossed his answer carelessly over a gray-clad shoulder. “I gave Gabriel my word, after all, and you know how much that means to me.”
    The nightshade’s eyes flared a brighter shade of red as his unholy chuckle joined that of his master.

Chapter Two
    B rain stem glioma.
    In the quiet of the chapel, Faith McFarland put her head in her hands and cried. She’d been crying on and off all night, unable to take her eyes off Nathan’s pale, sleeping face. Her son—her beautiful little boy—had a tumor at the base of his brain. What was she going to do? How would she cope? How could she fix it?
    “God,” she moaned. “Oh God, please help me.”
    Just two months ago Nathan had been a happy, healthy