Read Online My Avenging Angel by Madelyn Ford - Free Book Online Page B

her against his chest before slowly rising, careful not to jostle her and cause her anymore pain. With extreme care, he descended the stairs and moved toward the bedroom, stopping only when his knees brushed the mattress.
    The sheets were still rumpled from when they’d made love, reminding Michael of the sense of home he’d found within his mate’s willing body. It only made him more determined to secure their future. Asmodeus would die for what he’d done to Tory and it no longer seemed to matter to Michael who delivered the killing blow. He would have all of his available warriors out scouring for the bastard because he intended to make certain the threat to his mate was eradicated. For good.
    Except Zadkiel. Michael had a very special task for his second. Until Asmodeus was found he could not risk leaving Tory alone. But the portal to Heaven still needed to be located. As Zadkiel was the only other individual who understood the necessity in finding the damn thing quickly, he would leave no stone unturned until the job was done.
    But before contacting Zadkiel with his new orders, Michael stripped Tory of her stained clothing, immensely relieved to find some of the wounds already closing. Gently cleansing her body, he removed all traces of blood from her skin. He would not have her waking still covered in the reminder of her attack. Then he hid her nudity underneath one of his T-shirts, an archaic sense of pride filling him in seeing his clothing draped across her skin.
    Glancing down, he was reminded of the fact he was also covered in her blood. He couldn’t have her rouse to find him in this condition. After taking a quick shower, he dressed before returning to her side. She was still unconscious—she didn’t appear to have moved an inch—so after quickly examining her wounds once again and finding them continuing to heal, Michael drew the blankets over her before leaving her to rest.
    But he didn’t go far, only to the living room. From there he summoned Zadkiel, who immediately appeared. Michael wasted no time making his demands known.
    “I want Asmodeus dead. Now. Have every available warrior hunting that bastard down. Pull those not involved in life-and-death situations and find him.”
    “Should he be held for you to dole out punishment?” Zadkiel questioned with a sardonic twist and Michael folded his arms across his chest.
    “It doesn’t matter who kills him as long as he does not escape again.”
    Surprise danced across Zadkiel’s face. “What has happened?”
    Michael shook his head. He really didn’t want to give voice to the words. The knowledge of Tory’s attack left a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. “He was here,” was all he could manage to force past his lips and it was enough. Zadkiel turned white as a sheet.
    “Good God. Is she okay?”
    With a brisk nod, he turned his back on his second and strode across the room to stand next to the couch and stare sightlessly out the window. “She will live. Asmodeus had best not.”
    “I’ll get right on it.”
    “Zadkiel, wait,” Michael called, twisting quickly to catch the other male before he disappeared. Zadkiel paused, his look questioning.
    “I have a special assignment for you. I want you to hunt for the portal.”
    This must have surprised Zadkiel because his forehead furrowed, eyes narrowing, and he grew contemplative. “The portal? Well, I can’t say I saw that one coming but I should have.”
    Michael glanced away, a niggling sense of guilt beginning to fester. “I will not allow Tory to be terrorized in such a way again.”
    “You do realize if you do this she will no longer be a secret. You will not be able to hide her in Heaven.”
    Returning his gaze to Zadkiel’s, he nodded. “Any humiliation or punishment I would be forced to endure is nothing compared to her safety. Tory is my only concern. The rest is incidental.”
    With his head cocked to the side, Zadkiel studied him for a moment before responding, “I