Rebel Read Online Free Page B

step.
    Everyone else was the same, though many were missing. He let his eyes drift over each of them, enjoying their discomfort, and then Raziel distracted him. “I see you haven’t been informed of my wife’s pregnancy.”
    Cain grinned easily, to annoy them and to keep any further reaction hidden. “May I offer congratulations to both of you? How many goats did you have to sacrifice to achieve such a miracle?”
    “No goats,” the red-haired woman beside Azazel said. “And I don’t reveal trade secrets.”
    “May I at least congratulate the demon Lilith on her ability to twist the laws of nature?”
    Azazel stiffened, and Cain saw the sudden fire that lit the woman’s eyes at his gentle slam. Cain smiled with infinite sweetness, just waiting for Azazel to launch himself at him again, but the demon put a hand on his arm. Cain wanted to laugh. Azazel, restrained by a demon.
    “I realize you’ve come here to cause trouble, Cain,” Raziel broke in before things could escalate, “but there’s nothing new in that. I presume you have another reason for gracing us with your presence after all this time? And where have you been?”
    “Most recently? In Australia, clearing up the mess the rest of you left behind. The Nephilim are now gone from Down Under.”
    “I am gratified to hear it,” Raziel said. “Did youwant a parade in your honor or will a simple thank-you suffice?”
    “You always were a sarcastic son of a bitch,” Cain said pleasantly. “I want to come back.”
    Raziel froze. In fact, the entire room went motionless, with the possible exception of the pregnant woman. Obviously no one had told her about the notorious Cain. “Impossible,” Raziel snapped. “Had it not been for your lies, Ezekiel would still be alive.”
    Really, this was child’s play. “How can you say that, old friend? That was simply a misunderstanding, and I grieve for his loss as much as any of you. Sheol is for the Fallen, of whom I am clearly one. I might remind you that you didn’t kick me out—I left of my own accord after that tragic misunderstanding. Therefore I should be able to return whenever I wish to.”
    “In theory. You left before Azazel could banish you. You’ve been gone a long time. Why come back now?”
    “Perhaps I am lonely,” he said gently.
    “You aren’t capable of such tender feelings, Cain. You’ve come back to cause trouble. That’s all you do.”
    “You wound me, Raziel. I came back because I miss my own kind. It’s difficult to live among humans—they fuss about the most ridiculous things. No doubt due to their foreshortened life spans.” Heconsidered going for a winning smile, but Raziel would never believe it, so he aimed instead for polite sincerity.
    Raziel surveyed him stonily, but Cain already knew what he was thinking. There was no way he could deny Cain reentry into the sacred haunts of the Fallen, not unless he had proof that Cain meant them harm. Ezekiel’s death could be considered an accident, though Cain, of course, had been blamed. As for whether or not Cain meant them any harm—they would find out far too late.
    “You would have to abide by our rules,” Raziel said finally.
    “Of course.”
    “You realize that we are in the midst of all-out war with Uriel and the Armies of Heaven? There is no guarantee that we will succeed.”
    “There never is. And I am, if you’ll remember, a very good fighter.”
    “True enough. You have no bonded mate?”
    “No.” Cain hoped his sudden monosyllable would put them off, but he wasn’t counting on it.
    “And how long have you been without a mate? How soon do you need to partake of the Source? Because I must warn you, Allie has been called upon to serve far more often than usual, and she needs all her strength. I am not certain another Fallen taking from her might not be too much.”
    “And on that off chance, you’d banish me?” he returned lightly. “How cold-blooded of you, Raziel. I’d expect as much from Azazel, but