“Oh, Jesus.” Katie scrambled away from the convulsing sorcerer.
The elf’s rib cage cracked through his skin, spilling fluids like a burst dam. Veins slung from his arms, dangling and flipping as free as swings on a playground. A fissure appeared at his temple, zigzagged his nose, crossed his cheek, and then cracked his skull. Dravyn teetered and fell over. Dead, as ordered.
Katie was alive. Alive and breathing and…
Cain’s body chose that moment to imitate a pretzel. His busted leg went left and his neck went right. The muscles along his torso stretched, pulling away from bone. The Act of Contrition kicked his ass like the penance planned to make up lost time. This wasn’t pain. This shit was far worse.
A shadow passed over his cloudy vision, but Cain sensed whom the large shape belonged to. Time had truly run out, leaving him at the mercy of his twin.
Cain struggled to lift his upper body off the floor. Before he could drag his arms close to bear his weight, Katie ran to him, slipped to her knees, and cushioned his head in her lap. Her proximity calmed his fears a fraction. She was alive. He balled his hands when her fingers reached for them. The violent tremors racking his body made control impossible. He didn’t want to risk crushing her.
Abel’s booted feet dragged on the marble tile, coming closer. Cain tried to focus on his brother’s face. His vision swam in and out of focus.
“That’s got to hurt.” Abel tipped his head as if observing a bug under a microscope. “All The Bound suffer this because of Heaven’s binding?”
Cain swore under his raspy breath.
“We have to get him to a hospital,” Katie said. “Help me move him.”
The desperation in her voice stabbed at Cain. His jaw locked, the muscles no longer obeying him. Breathing in through one open nostril, he exhaled through clenched teeth, his cheeks puffed out like a blowfish. He fucking hated this helpless crap. He sent a command to his body to get the hell up and deal. Not a damn thing happened.
Abel crouched next to him, a slow descent that hinted at his injuries. He whistled. “Foaming at the mouth. You don’t look so hot, brother.”
Please, shut the fuck up. If his twin’s insidious plans meant talking him to death, Cain would rather choose an ice pick to the brain.
“F-f-finish…it.” He shoved the demand through his teeth.
“No!” Katie’s trembling fingers gently stroked his sweat-damp hair. “Abel, please don’t. You can’t kill him now.”
Cain wished he could explain to her why her assumption was wrong. Yes, Abel sided with him to blow through Dravyn’s sorcery, but he suspected that was a one-time deal. A last connection shared between twins.
The Act flowed like magma through his veins, signaling his end was near. His Grace was spent. No Nephilim could survive Heaven’s punishment with a shattered soul. Still, he’d choose how he passed from this life. He would give his brother peace.
“Abel…end…me.” His breathing hitched. His life was all he had to offer.
Swelling impaired his vision, but Cain heard Katie crying through his blood-clogged ears. His message delivered, all he could do was wait.
“You’re not a real challenge, brother. Not with that shit wrapped around your Grace.” Abel’s deep voice seemed to rumble through a tunnel. His brother sighed. An energy wave settled over Cain’s mind, heavy without his resistance. “No pain.”
“Free…her.” A painless end meant squat to him if Katie’s death followed. The webbing over his mind intensified despite the Act of Contrition’s painfest.
“Shut the fuck up,” Abel growled. His power pushed deeper. “No pain.”
Slowly, the six-alarm fire that had ravaged his internal organs dimmed. His breathing calmed. Cain’s mouth snapped open as he finally realized what his brother attempted. None of The Bound could stop the Act, but they’d never tried to cheat. He no longer felt like he’d survived a belly flop from a skyscraper without a parachute.
“What are you…can you fix him?” The awe in Katie’s tone matched his thoughts.
God of All, was it possible? Cain opened his shiners as wide as they’d go and locked gazes with Abel. The worst of the pain had disappeared, but he remained a train wreck on the floor. He wiggled his fingers, shifted his good leg, and unlocked his jaw. “How?”
Abel narrowed his eyes. “Figure it out.”
One weak pulse, and the Act of Contrition concluded. Cain stared at his brother and a hundred questions trampled his tongue. Was it possible because they were twins? Could he use his power the same way to help his team? A chill passed over him.
“What now?” He raised his chin.
A slow grin crept onto Abel’s face. “We were interrupted.”
The fight. Of course. Cain dragged his head off Katie’s lap and scooted over until his body blocked hers.
“When the binding on your Grace is removed, I’ll return.”
A pigeon feather could have knocked Cain over. The Act of Contrition. Removed? “What the hell are you talking about?”
Abel stood on shaky legs. They shared a long stare, emotions passing between them. Then his brother limped down the penthouse corridor and out the front door.
…
Katie expelled a relieved breath. Thank God the doppelgänger from hell was gone. She scooted closer to where Cain slouched and touched his stiff back. She rubbed with slow sweeps of her palm, taking comfort from the feel of his muscles against her fingers. Inside, her composure was a thread away from unraveling. She glanced at the pulpy heap that was Dravyn and nodded. The elf got exactly what he deserved. Maybe a little messier than expected, but she wasn’t shedding a tear for that dick.
The penthouse was obliterated. Not a lick of furniture had survived the MMA bout between Cain and Abel. The walls were streaked red in places. The cracked windows wouldn’t make it through a stiff gust of wind. Her gaze returned to Cain and happiness bubbled through her.
Cain had survived. Careful of his wounds, Katie wrapped her arms around him. Her head rested on his broad back, the shreds of his T-shirt exposing his skin, warming her cheek. She felt his heart beating, steady and strong.
“I don’t understand what just happened, but we’re going to the hospital,” she mumbled against his muscles.
Cain turned in her arms and hugged her tight. She melted against him, earning a low groan. “Damn, I hurt you.” Katie pulled away, but she didn’t get far.
“Screw that,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “Are you okay? When that fucker hit you—”
She placed her finger on his lips. “I’m fine. One punch was nothing. Look what happened to you.”
Cain chuckled, then winced. “How about we forget that part?”
She leaned back, studying his expression. Though a smile curved his mouth, sadness dimmed his eyes. She bit her lip. “Do you want to talk about Abel?”
Cain’s smile faded. “He could have killed me. He should have killed me.”
Katie closed her eyes. She recalled every strike, every crushing blow delivered by his twin. More than once, her body died a little as she’d watched the brothers beat each other with pure determination fueling them.
“Abel’s messed up inside,” she said.
Cain nodded. “I know.”
Katie cupped his face. She wished she had answers. Just when Abel was leading her list of Most Evil Assholes, he turned around and saved his brother.
“That thing he did.” She wrinkled her nose. “The Grace mind trick. Is that normal? Can you do it?”
“Not sure.” He danced his fingers across hers. “No Nephilim has avoided penance. I never thought to try reducing the effects with my power.”
“So, you might be able to help your other brothers?”
The smile returned. “Looks like it.”
“He still killed those politicians.” Katie hated to bring that up. “The cops think you’re a suspect.”
Cain straightened and tried to stand. She slung her arms under his, providing leverage. He sucked in a sharp breath when hi
s broken leg moved. “I need to get back to the Stronghold.”
She shook her head. “Hell no. You’re going to the hospital.”
“No, I’m not.”
Katie reached down and tapped his bad leg. Cain hissed.
“Uh-huh. That’s broken, genius.” She raised an eyebrow. “Feel like dancing?” A pause. “I didn’t think so.”
He laughed, a deep vibration that sent shivers through her. God, she thought she’d never hear that sound again.
“I can set this blindfolded.” Cain thumbed her bottom lip. “But today I’ve learned not to piss you off. The way you wield a bat?” He released a low-pitched whistle.
Katie scanned the path to the front door. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. How the hell would she get Cain out of the penthouse without hurting him? “Can you even walk?”
He gave his patented smile. “With you as a beautiful crutch? Piece of cake.”
Forty-five minutes later, they’d made it down the hall, into the elevator, and to the SUV. She worried her lip, expecting to be stopped at any moment. Luxury apartments either had amazing soundproofing, or Abel’s neighbors thought the man was too scary to interfere. Katie’s clothes were soaked with sweat and blood, mostly from Cain’s exertion.
The drive to the hospital was blessedly short. He scoffed at the wheelchair she’d “borrowed” from the entryway. Katie explained its coincidental appearance as burglar’s luck. Cain grunted as he settled into the chair, dragging his busted leg to rest on the footpad. They entered the ER and bam—half the Detroit Police Department, dressed in black uniforms, was holding a conference in the hallway. A sudden hush descended as every head turned their way.
“Uh-oh,” she whispered. Dread gnawed the nape of her neck.
“Son of a bitch,” said a cop with shiny rectangles on his pocket. He must be the boss.
“Cain?” came a familiar voice in the crowd.
“Jarrid?” He sat up straight. “Where’s Tanis?”
“He’s out of surgery and being moved to the ICU,” Jarrid, whose gaze slid over Cain, said, “What the fuck happened to you?”
“Family squabble,” Cain replied, looking past him at the approaching cop.
Up close, Katie read the nameplate. Crap. “Can we help you, Officer Thompson?”
“It’s Commander Thompson. Who are you?”
She leaned back to get a good look at the hulking leader. Thick muscles corded his hairy, brown neck. “Katie Logan.”
Thompson’s eyebrows connected. “Logan? You related to—”
She waved. “I’m the nonfirefighting one.”
The burly commander rested his large hands on his waist. Good Lord, bear shifters were huge.
“I need to take this man into custody.”
Cain shifted in the wheelchair. Jarrid faced Thompson.
“Look at him,” he said. “Cain’s in no condition to deal with your shit right now.”
Katie knew her mouth hung open. She snapped it shut. After all the crap they’d been through, handing Cain over to the cops was not happening. She slipped in front of him and eyed the cop like he was a used car salesman.
“I know what this is about.” She poked Thompson’s chest with her finger. “You have the wrong guy, buddy.”
“Do I?” He straightened, eclipsing her in shadow.
“Yeah. I saw Ray Washington murdered.” Katie rested her hand on Cain’s shoulder, ignoring the gasps and tittering conversation springing up around her. “The killer wasn’t Cain. It was his twin brother, Abel. Ask the hospital staff from the nurse’s station. They all saw him.”
Jarrid folded his arms and leveled a glare at Thompson. Katie gave the commander credit. A weaker man would have withered under an assassin’s scrutiny.
“I went to The Bound Ones a few days ago and told them my story.”
“Why didn’t you go to the police?” The commander didn’t bother hide his suspicious tone. “We had you at the motel. Then you ran off with him.”
Katie glared into his face. “I don’t trust cops. My brother heard The Bound were honorable and would keep me safe. That’s exactly what Cain’s been doing. I owe him my life.”
Cain’s shoulders relaxed under her palm. She wanted to lean down and kiss his neck. He’d kept his promise, and she’d never let him forget how much that meant. Katie intended to start as soon as Cain was in better shape for a sexy cardio workout.
The commander appeared to mull over her comments, which shouldn’t have made her skin itch. Telling the truth was a crapshoot, and her luck with authority figures was always dicey.
“You don’t look like you’re a flight risk,” Thompson said, staring at Cain. “I’ll post a detail on you in the hospital. When you’re released, I’ll expect to see you at police headquarters for questioning.”
Katie blinked. Was she dreaming?
Cain patted her hand. “I’ll look forward to clearing my name, Commander.”
“And I’ll take him to the precinct myself.” Jarrid grinned at his brother.
Thompson nodded. “Works for me. Miss Logan, if you’ll come with me. I have questions you’ll need to answer.”
She leaned down and placed a kiss on Cain’s swollen cheek. “I’ll be back soon. Stay out of trouble. Okay?”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hospitals sucked.
Cain lay on a torture device the nurses had insisted was a bed. The flat mattress provided about as much softness as toilet paper found at the Dollar Store. The damn thing was too short for a grown man, especially one as tall as him. He stared in disgust at the three air-thin blankets draped over his legs. His toes poked out at the end.
“Perfect.” He banged his head onto the pillow.
The only reason he was lying there was to keep Katie happy. After Jarrid ran through the aftermath of the motel siege, Cain had popped out of the wheelchair, demanding to see Tanis. He’d pitched forward, thanks to his jacked-up equilibrium. Without Jarrid’s quick reflexes, he’d have kissed the hospital floor. Assurances he was all right didn’t do shit, leading to the overnight stay for observation.
True to his word, Commander Thompson had posted two cops outside his room. Cain knew he could take them out, but he had enough trouble to deal with. He stared at the tubes running from him to the monitoring equipment tracking his vitals. He felt stronger, but a little modern medicine would give his Grace time to slowly recharge.
God of All, Tanis had been rushed into surgery, barely alive. When Jarrid hit him with the details, Cain had almost swallowed his tongue. His father/mentor/friend meant too much to The Bound Ones—to him—to lose over a misunderstanding.
“Son of a bitch,” he yelled, punching the mattress.
“Watch your fucking mouth.” Tanis entered the room with Nesty pushing his wheelchair.
Cain blinked twice just to be sure he wasn’t imagining the angel’s broad grin. Nesty stopped the chair next to the bed and smiled.
“Good to see you, bro.” Cain sat up then cursed the cast protecting his broken left leg.
“Stay put,” Tanis said. “Jarrid and Katie told me in what condition I would find you.”
That Katie had gone to see his father warmed his soul. “Where is she?”
“Visiting her brother. Jon is recovering well.” Tanis said. “Those Logans are strong.”
Pride swelled Cain’s chest. He straightened his back and nodded. Tanis had no idea just how resilient Katie truly was.
“So, I noticed you weren’t bulletproof.” He drew his eyebrows together. “What the hell were you thinking, getting yourself shot multiple times?” A pure-blooded angel healed faster than a Nephilim, but too much blood lost was still lethal. Cain reached for his father’s hand and gripped it tight.
“Your death would’ve killed me,” he choked out.
Tanis squeezed his hand. “As would yours.”
Cain smothered his reply. He glanced at Nesty and caught the barest nod. Their family was forged through destruction, loneliness, and the
prejudice of angels. What they had was mutual trust, unwavering loyalty, and eternal love. He pitied Abel’s life among the enemy.
“I won’t ask how you ended up beat to hell,” Tanis said. “I can guess. But I do want to know why you are still among the living.”
Cain dragged his free hand over his head. Abel’s actions had never left his thoughts. In the growing silence, the humming machines provided steady background noise.
“He spared my life.” He rubbed the sudden ache in his chest.
Nesty sat on the edge of the bed, his arms folded. “To fight another day?”
“Something like that,” Cain replied. “Abel said he’d return once the binding was removed.” He gazed at Tanis. “What do you think he meant?”
The angel shifted in the wheelchair and rubbed his chin. “Could be nothing,” he said. “Or the Renegades have plans that involve breaking Heaven’s punishment.”
Nesty and Cain gasped. They stared at each other and then at Tanis. No one uttered a syllable for several minutes.
“You’ve been searching for a way to break the binding for centuries,” he said to Tanis. “Could those assholes have actually found a way to do it?”
“And for what purpose?” Nesty tossed in.
Tanis steepled his fingers under his chin. “Wish I knew, but whatever they are planning will only benefit the Renegades.”
…
For two weeks, Cain had dragged his ass downtown to Central Precinct. Getting grilled by detectives about his missing twin brother was a test in patience. Only after The Bound Ones produced ample evidence of Abel’s existence and crimes did the D.A.’s office order all pending charges against Cain dropped. About fucking time. He’d been one repetitious question away from decking a cop. He was absolved, but The Bound’s reputation suffered a blow. The team wasn’t responsible for the loss of those politicians or firefighters, but they were Nephilim, same as Abel. One evil half-breed was enough for some to cut ties.
Cain checked his reflection in the mirror. The worst of his injuries had healed without scarring. He smoothed his hand over his smoke-gray dress shirt. Katie dug the color because it brought out his eyes or some shit. He shrugged and adjusted a leather shoulder holster. After adding his Desert Eagles, he draped on a suit jacket and turned off the light.
Angel Kin Page 19
