by S. J. Day
“A fate worse than death for you guys, eh?” Chaney cut into his rare steak and bit into a piece with relish. “Hope I never get on your bad side.”
“Then don’t fuck up this exchange.”
“How do you propose we do this?” Asmodeus asked, poking at his VooDoo Shrimp appetizer with his fork.
“I need you to bring the Nix,” Reed murmured, twisting his beer bottle to catch the sunlight. “But rein him in. He needs to be a threat, nothing more. Cain will come to the rescue and I’ll make sure there’s no one around to get in the way.”
“What about Raguel and the priest?” Chaney licked blood off his lips. “Who’s going to play the hero? You?”
“No. Let them escape.”
“What are you getting out of this, then?”
“The seraph who endorsed Cain wants his mess disposed of,” he lied. “That’s a favor I can call in later. And without Cain, Evangeline Hollis serves no purpose. Raguel will appreciate both the loss of his replacement and the end of the bounty. Again, another favor to call in at a later date.”
“Lose one, save many.”
Asmodeus’s fork tapped against the edge of his plate. “I’ll need help to pull down Cain.”
“That’s your problem,” Reed dismissed. “Not mine. However you go about doing it, just show up the day after tomorrow at Hollis’s condominium complex. The Nix knows where she lives, if you don’t. Say.. . midafternoon? We’ll be out by the pool. I’ll open the water lines so the Nix can get in. He can be the distraction while you do whatever you have to do.”
“That place is a fortress,” Asmodeus growled. “It will be an all-out bloodbath.”
“Which is why you better make damn sure that Raguel and the priest are already on the move, if you want to avoid pegging yourself with a Vanquish Me sign.”
“Pick a different place,” Chaney said.
“Can’t,” Reed retorted curtly. “After the way the priest was snatched, Hollis is locked up tight. It’s either her home or work, and there’s no way you’re getting into Gadara Tower. We all know that.”
“Shit.”
“No.”, Asmodeus said. “I’ll wait until things settle down, then I’ll go after her when it’s more convenient.”
Reed’s foot tapped silently beneath the table. He’d prefer to wait, too, but the priest wouldn’t make it that long. And if the priest died, Eve would never forgive herself. “She and the priest might be dead by then.”
“I would rather lose them,” Asmodeus snapped, “than me.”
“You might lose Cain, too, if he doesn’t get his shit together.” Standing, Reed pulled his money clip from his pocket and tossed a couple of twenty-dollar bills onto the table. “You know where I’ll be, if you change your mind.”
“I don’t like being played with, Abel.”
Reed’s mouth curved. “You won’t know if I’m playing with you, unless you show up.”
***
“Mariel? Are you all right?”
Mariel pulled her gaze away from the party sitting on the patio of the House of Blues and returned it to her companion. The balcony of Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen was across the busy promenade from the other restaurant, but Mariel’s mal’akh hearing had no trouble picking up the treasonous conversation taking place there. Even from this distance, she could see the laser brightness of the demon’s eyes and hear the malevolence in his voice.
“No,” she replied in her Mark’s native Zulu. “I’m far from all right.”
“What—”
“Don’t.” She stayed Kobe Denner from turning his head with her hand atop his. “What you don’t know can save your life.”
Kobe frowned at her, his dark eyes concerned. One of her best Marks, he’d been with her for years. “What can I do?”
“I think we’re going to have to end our lunch early.”
He pushed his half-finished meal away. “Of course. Go, if you must.”
Mariel bunched up the napkin in her lap and set it on the table. “I’m going to shift you out of here. I don’t want you to be seen.”
Her urgency was conveyed in her tone. He stood quickly. She dug into her purse and left some cash on the table. They gave a quick explanation to the startled waiter before making their way down to the lower floor.
Ducking into the hallway that led to the bathrooms, Mariel quickly shifted them back to the tower.
Alec dragged Eve down the hail and around the corner. There was an alcove with a water fountain and he crowded her into it, pressing her into a corner and cupping her face in his hands.
“I’m fucked up,” he said bluntly.
“I’m not exactly prime goods either.” Her tone was dry, but her dark eyes glistened in the shadowy ha!!way.
“We need to talk about the personal stuff later.” He touched his forehead to hers, feeling as thrashed as he did after a particularly nasty vanquishing. “It’s ugly and painful, but we have something worth fighting for, if you give me a chance to fix this mess.”
He felt her fingers hook into the belt loops of his jeans. “Yes. We need to talk.”
Alec sensed a shiver of wariness move across her mind, but he couldn’t read the details. Still, that shiver was more than he’d been able to get out of her the last couple of days.
“Are you blocking me?” he asked harshly. “Or is my. . . condition causing a poor signal between us?”
“A little of both, maybe,” she confessed, tucking the necklace into his shirt. “When I tell you something, I want to do it the mortal way. You and me. Talking out loud. Unhurried and in private.”
“Okay. As soon as we get done here.” He tugged her out of the alcove with him.
“I have to go to the police station after this.”
As they hurried down the hallway, she filled him in.
“Okay.” His fingers tightened on hers. “We’ll go together.”
“Ishamel is going to take me. Part of his lawyer act. It might look weird if you came along.”
“Why?”
“Uh. . .“ Eve glanced aside at him and winced. “I kinda told them that we broke up.”
Alec was grateful his step didn’t falter, since he felt like he’d been punched in the gut. He exhaled harshly. “That was quick.”
“Cut me some slack. Things are flying at me from all sides. I said what I needed to say at the time.”
He didn’t have a firm foundation to stand on, since he was the one who’d pushed her away. But that didn’t make things easier. “As long as you weren’t serious.”
She squeezed his hand back. “One thing at a time.”
His hand was on the knob to the infirmary when he heard Eve’s name being called. He looked around and saw Mariel approaching with an unusually brisk stride.
“Evangeline’ the handler called out. “Can you spare a minute of your time?”
Alec released the knob. “What do you need, Mariel?”
“Just Hollis.” Her smile was so slight it was more of a grimace. “Girl stuff, Cain. You know?”
“No, I don’t.” He glanced at Eve. “Come in as soon as you’re done.”
She nodded. “Of course.”
Feeling like something precious was slipping through his fingers, Alec left her in the hallway.
Eve didn’t need the ability to read minds to know that the mal‘akh was terribly upset. The fact that Alec didn’t fully pick up on his handler’s agitation was further proof that he was still seriously out of whack. Mariel knew it, too. Her gaze remained on the door until it closed with a firm click.
“He’s not well,” Eve said softly. “I’m guessing you feel it through the connection between handler and firm leader.”
“I’m hoping he adjusts soon, but right now, his inability to read us is a blessing in disguise.” Mariel turned her attention to Eve. “We have a serious problem. I fear for his safety and Abel’s. You’re the only one I can trust to find a solution that keeps them both alive.”
“What’s going on?”
> “Something isn’t right with Abel. He’s not himself. You’re not going to believe it when I tell you.”
Not himself..
Gripping Mariel’s elbow, Eve pulled her a short distance down the hall. “Tell me everything. . .
CHAPTER 17
I don’t remember much of anything,” Sydney said with a turned-down mouth and averted gaze. “I was eyeing some movement under the bleachers when Montevista tackled me. I must have been knocked out by the impact. The next thing I knew, you were waking me up, Cain.”
Alec turned his attention to Montevista, who looked as miserable as Sydney.
“I’ve got nothing,” the Mark said. “I don’t even remember that much. I was standing along the fence, mad dogging some Infernals. Then I was here in the tower.”
Both guards sat at a metal table dressed in pale blue hospital scrubs. Alec sat across from them, hyperaware of the pendant heating the skin between his pectorals. Something had to give, and fast. Lack of sleep was taking its toll, but he needed to be available to help Eve during the day and he had inquiries to make about his condition when she was sleeping at night.
He glanced at the witch doctor who ran the infirmary. The woman was short, no more than three feet tall, with cropped blonde curls, and a child’s features. “Any idea what happened to those two?”
“They both check out,” she said. “In Sydney’s case, I think she lost consciousness on impact, as she suggested. In Montevista’s . . . I’m not sure. I’m inclined to think he jumped in the way of a direct hit. Maybe an energy blast aimed at her. An impact to the back of the head would have knocked him out and caused him to crash into her. Something like that would explain the memory loss, especially if Azazel was the one attacking.”
“What are the aftereffects? Are there any?”
“Fatigue. Otherwise, no.”
“I’d like to get back to duty,” Montevista said.
“Me, too,” Sydney concurred.
“Are you sure you don’t want some time off?” Alec asked, probing their minds for any traces of trauma.
The search was difficult, mostly because of the suppression of the voices inside his head. Their absence left an odd quiet within him; not a departure, more an anticipation. He knew something wasn’t right. He was just waiting for the explosion to prove it.
Montevista nodded and spoke for both of them. “We’re sure.”
A brief knock came at the door, then it opened and Eve stepped in. She moved straight to the two guards with arms open. They stood, hugging her in return. It was her way. She was so open, so willing to connect to others. Eve let people in from the get-go and hoped they would turn out to be worthy friends. So opposite from him, who had learned to keep people at arm’s length until they proved they deserved otherwise.
She asked about their health and how they were feeling. When they requested to resume guarding her, she accepted readily. No recriminations, no guilt trips. The two Marks were clearly relieved.
Looking over her shoulder at Alec, she said, “Is that okay?”
For a second he tensed, expecting the compulsion to say something unkind. He’d begun to feel the way he imagined Tourette’s syndrome patients felt, spewing out words before his brain registered them. When the voices remained silent, he grinned.
“Whoa,” Sydney murmured.
“Yeah, sucker punches me, too,” Eve muttered.
As long as he could still get to her, all wasn’t lost.
“I have no objections, if you’re all okay with it,” he said. “But I want to keep you two out of the field for a couple days, at least.”
“Works for me,” Eve agreed. “After I hit the police station, I’m going home and staying there. How about they head over there with you now? They can rest in my place while you catch up on some downtime with your folks.”
“My folks?” He rose to his feet.
The knowing look in her eyes answered his unspoken question.
Alec looked at the Marks. “Get dressed. I’ll be back in a few.”
“We’ll be ready,” Montevista said gruffly.
Heading toward the door, Alec gestured with a jerk of his chin for Eve to come along. He caught her elbow at the threshold and urged her out ahead of him.
They passed neat rows of hospital beds, most of which were empty, and exited back out to the smoky hallway.
“You met my parents.”
“Yep. Your mom and dad came over last night.”
His jaw clenched. He’d known Ima wouldn’t let it go until she’d met Eve face to face. His mother wasn’t the type to wait until he was nearby to alleviate her curiosity. “Did you like them?”
He saw the right corner of her mouth lift in a slight smile. “Love them. They’re both very charming. I think they might like me, too. They seemed as if they did. It was hard to read your dad. But you’ve met mine, he’s really reserved, too. I didn’t take it personally.”
She stopped beside the alcove he’d caught her in before, and faced him. He loved her like this, all prim and proper in her business attire. He couldn’t help but note the changes the years had wrought in her, turning her into a formidable woman. Freed momentarily from his personal demons, his chest swelled with affection and pride.
“Forgetting you and me for the moment,” she began, knocking his ass back into the present, “you need to decide how badly you want this archangel gig.”
She pressed her fingers to his lips when he started to speak. “Think about it. Running with the theory that seven archangels is the limit—what’s going to happen when we get Gadara back? Are you going to take him on? Step aside? Take out one of the others? How will you feel if God decides he likes things the way they were and knocks you back down to Mark?”
The determined glint in her dark eyes told him that he’d better keep his silence for now and pretend that he was still undecided. He’d learned long ago that women wanted men to overthink things like they did.
“And,” she continued, backing up, “I don’t mean to heap added pressure on your decision, but I won’t invest myself in a relationship with someone who can’t love me.”
“Angel—”
“Hey.” Her voice was husky. “No hard feelings, if it works out that way. I haven’t forgotten that we were always going to be temporary.”
As Alec started toward her, a familiar figure rounded the corner behind her. Alec’s fists clenched.
“Eve.”
She turned around at the sound of Abel’s greeting. To Alec’s surprise, her fists clenched, too. “What?”
Abel’s eyes narrowed at her tone. “You ready to go home?”
“I have to go to the police station and give a report.”
“Okay.” Abel’s gaze lifted to Alec’s, but he continued to speak to Eve. “I’ll give you a lift.”
“That’s not necessary. I’m riding with Ishamel.”
“Why?”
So.. . Abel couldn’t read her either. She was like a radio station with static. A problem they’d have to look into.
The tempo of her walk changed, the click of her heels betraying agitation.
Go home, she told Alec sternly. Park Montevista and Sidney in front of my Wii and don’t let your parents out of your sight for even a minute until I get there.
And here I thought I was running the show After I get back, you can go do whatever you want, she offered.
Whatever I want, huh?
But jf you take that necklace off, I’ll kick your ass.
What do I get if I keep it on?
She stalked right past Abel. Keep the necklace on, keep a lid on your parents, and it’ll keep you on my good side.
After yesterday, he couldn’t ask for more. But she didn’t know about that. . . yet.
I’ve got shit to do, angel.
After your personality transplant yesterday, I still trust you, she argued. You owe me a little trust in return.
I trust you.
Good. Then do as I say. I’ll see you later.
> He wasn’t used to following orders from anyone but Jehovah. But she was right, he owed her. And he was exhausted. He hadn’t slept in almost two days. That was too long even for an archangel. He’d take a nap, then track down Sabrael when Eve returned.
Abel pivoted and followed her around the corner. Alec had no idea what his brother had done to piss her off, but he was glad they were both on the outs with her.
He tried to tell her that he’d have dinner waiting, but the connection was static again.
They’d really have to talk about that when she got back.
“Let me guess,” Reed drawled. “You’re mad at me.” Eve reached the elevators and stabbed the call button with her finger. “I don’t have time to play games with you now.”
He moved in front of her, forcing her to look at him. As with Alec, the sight of him made her a bit weak in the knees, despite what an asshole he could be. “How many times do I have to tell you, Eve? I’m not playing with you.”
Her lips pursed. “You know ‘The Gift of the Magi’?” Not the biblical story; the one by O. Henry.”
“Who doesn’t?” His dark eyes narrowed.
“You and I are working at cross purposes now, Reed. I know what I’m doing, you don’t. Take my advice and take a trip somewhere. Come back in a few days.”
“Eve.” He caught her hand. “What are you talking about?”
He had a great game face, but she knew him well enough to sense that his guard was up. Guilty as charged, apparently. But she believed he was trying to do the right thing—to get Gadara and the priest back, and save her from the Nix. However, she didn’t doubt for a minute that Reed was willing to let Alec be collateral damage. Fratricide was ingrained in them, but damned if she’d he the cause of either of their deaths.
She felt him trying to probe her mind. She pulled away, breaking the physical contact between them. “I have to run. Think about that story. Tack an unhappy ending onto it and that’s what you’ll get if you don’t back off.”
