Grace and Glory

by Armentrout, Jennifer L.

  “That’s one way to look at it.” Roth leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “But infections can be beat, right? At least most of them, with medicine. God could take the stance that this infection can be beat by faith.”

  I rolled my eyes. “That’s stupid.”

  “I don’t make the rules,” Roth replied.

  “Thank God for that,” Zayne murmured.

  Roth winked at him. “All I’m saying is I wouldn’t rely on God, and I’m not saying that because I’m a demon. I’m just relying on statistical, historical evidence.”

  I exhaled a heavy breath as I tipped my head back against Zayne’s arm. “Either way, it doesn’t matter. We have to risk the nuclear-level Gabriel fallout. We don’t have a choice.”

  * * *

  It was a little after one when Zayne and I made it back to the apartment. As he hopped in the shower, I plugged my phone in to charge and headed for the dryer to retrieve clean clothing. We were going to head out in a little bit, hoping we could draw more of Gabriel’s cohorts out. I’d stepped out of the small hall when I thought I saw movement to my right. Turning sharply, I caught sight of Peanut by the TV.

  “Peanut!”

  He squeaked, flickering out for a moment.

  “Don’t you dare disappear!” I charged across the room. “You and I need to chat.”

  He reappeared a few feet from the TV. “How dare you scare me like that. You almost gave me a heart attack.”

  “You’re dead, Peanut. You can’t have a heart attack.” I folded my arms. “You have a whole lot of explaining to do.”

  “I was only watching you sleep the other night to make sure you were breathing.” He floated through the coffee table. “It wasn’t even that long.”

  I blinked. “Okay. That’s not what I was planning to talk to you about, so we’re going to have to get back to that.”

  “Oh. My bad.” Half of his legs were obscured by the table. “You can always just forget about that.”

  “Yeah, that’s not going to happen,” I told him.

  He looked toward the hallway. “I hear the shower running.”

  “Don’t you dare,” I warned him.

  “Is that Zayne? Did you bring Zayne back?”

  “I did. You would know that if you’d been around.”

  Peanut started bopping up and down, clapping his hands. I supposed he was jumping, but I couldn’t see his lower body. “Yay! You did it!” He stopped bouncing. “He’s not, like, evil fallen angel anymore, is he?”

  “No, he’s hot, supernice fallen angel now, and stop distracting me.”

  “How am I distracting you?” He sank halfway through the coffee table.

  I arched a brow. “You’ve been lying to me.”

  “About watching you sleep?”

  “No. Not about that. About Gena.”

  His eyes widened in his nearly transparent head. “What do you mean?”

  “There’s no one who lives here named Gena or any variation of that name. I had the apartment records checked.”

  He rose from the coffee table. “Have you been checking on me?”

  “Yes.”

  “I feel attacked.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “I feel—”

  “Why have you been lying to me, Peanut?” I interrupted before he could go drama spiral. “And what have you really been doing?”

  “I haven’t been lying. Not really, Trinnie.” He drifted toward me. “I swear. You see, I just didn’t clarify some things.”

  “I cannot wait to hear what these things are.”

  “Well, for starters, Gena is...she’s not alive. That’s why you wouldn’t find her listed on anything. I think she died, like, a couple of decades ago.”

  I wasn’t sure if he was telling the truth. “You said that there were some things going on with her parents.”

  “Not her, like, birth parents. There’s this couple I guess she followed home one day and they’re having problems.” He shrugged. “Or something like that. I honestly think someone’s been stepping out. You know, visiting someone else’s bed. Dipping their ink—”

  “I get what you’re saying.” I studied him, still unsure if he was being truthful. Why would he lie now? Then again, why would he have lied before? I heard the shower turn off. “Why didn’t you just tell me that? You didn’t have to make a story.”

  He shrugged again. “She’s weirded out about the idea of someone seeing her. No one has been able to, and when I told her about you, she freaked out. Thinks you’re like a witch or something.”

  “What?”

  He nodded solemnly. “She comes from, like, old puritan times.”

  “Puritan times? Peanut, that is more than a few decades old.”

  “How am I supposed to know that?” he fired back. “I’m dead.”

  “Peanut,” I sighed.

  “I’m sorry, Trinnie. I didn’t mean to upset you—”

  “Trin?” Zayne called out. “Who are you talking to?”

  “Oh, gee whiz, he’s coming in here,” Peanut exclaimed. “I cannot be seen like this.”

  “Seen like this?”

  “He’s an angel with his grace. Fallen or not, he’ll be able to see me now!”

  “What? Why are you freaking out?” Confused, I watched him spin in a circle. “I thought you wanted people to be able to see you? And I clearly remember you complaining when Zayne couldn’t.”

  “But I’m not ready for that kind of commitment,” Peanut cried as he threw himself onto the couch.

  And then through it.

  My brows flew up. “Peanut?” When there was no answer, I walked to the other side of the couch. He wasn’t there. I groaned. “God, you’re such a mess.”

  “Trin?”

  I turned, and for a moment, I totally forgot about the bizarreness that was Peanut. Zayne stood in the hallway with just a towel wrapped around his waist. Water dripped from the ends of his hair, forming beads that coursed down his chest and over the tightly coiled muscles of his lower stomach.

  I felt like throwing myself on the couch.

  “You were just talking to someone, weren’t you?”

  “Yeah.” I found my tongue and made it work. “It was Peanut. Did you know you’d be able to see him now?”

  His brows lifted as he looked around. “I don’t see him.”

  “He freaked out and fell through the couch and I guess the floor and whatever else.”

  Zayne looked at me. “All right, then. And no, I didn’t know I would be able to see him.”

  “He said it’s because you’re an angel,” I explained. “And that does make sense. Angels can see ghosts and spirits.”

  “At least I’ll now know when he’s creeping on me.”

  “I’m not sure that’s something you’re going to appreciate when he randomly walks through a wall.”

  “Good point.”

  I cracked a grin, thoroughly proud of myself for holding a conversation while he was so utterly distracting in the most marvelous way. “I did get to ask him about the whole Gena thing.”

  “Tell me what he said while I find some clothes.” He skimmed a hand through his wet hair, dragging the strands back from his face.

  “He claims that Gena is real, but she’s a dead girl.” I followed him back to the bedroom. “Possibly from the puritan era.”

  “For real?” He looked over his shoulder at me.

  “Knowing Peanut and his remarkable ability to overreact when it comes to everything, it’s anyone’s guess on that.” I made my way over to the bed while he disappeared into the closet. “He said he didn’t tell me the truth because the girl is freaked out by the idea of someone being able to see her.”

  “Do you believe him?”

  “Honestly? I can’t imagine why he’d lie now.” I picked up my phone
and tapped the screen. I saw I had a missed call and text from Dez. “And I don’t know. Maybe it’s a good thing he’s hanging out with other ghosts. When he saw Sam, he about had a meltdown.”

  “Why do I find it so funny that your ghost is in need of socialization?” he asked, and a moment later, I felt his lips press against my cheek.

  I turned my head toward his, and his mouth met mine. He kissed me softly, sending a shiver dancing down my spine.

  When he pulled back, I saw he’d pulled on a pair of blue jeans. A plain gray shirt dangled from one hand as he sat down next to me.

  “I got a text,” I said. “From Dez. He asked if we could swing by as soon as possible.”

  “We can.” He pulled the shirt on over his head, and I didn’t know if I should be disappointed or grateful. “Did he say what for?”

  I shook my head. “I hope it’s just Nicolai wanting an update on Lucifer in person so he can lecture us. The last time Dez was this vague, it required a trip to the high school and the chief of police shooting Gabriel.”

  Zayne stared at me.

  I leaned over, giving him a quick kiss. “I just need a few minutes to get ready.”

  Once I changed clothing, we were back in the Impala. We made a pit stop at a drugstore to pick up a pair of sunglasses for me. The only pair dark enough looked like someone hot-glued rhinestones on the arms, but they’d get the job done.

  The trip to the Warden compound wasn’t nearly as exciting as the last car ride, but it was quick, and when I hopped out of the car, I managed not to trip like I did nearly every time I came here.

  Zayne joined me as we walked up the steps. Dez met us at the door. “Glad you guys could make it on such short notice.”

  “Let me guess, Nicolai wants an update on Lucifer and to yell at us in person?” I said as I followed him through the empty foyer.

  “We found him,” Zayne tacked on. “Just want to get that out of the way. He’s at Roth’s place right now, watching Supernatural.”

  “That has to be the strangest thing I’ve ever heard,” Dez said, and I couldn’t see his face, but I could hear the bewilderment in his tone.

  “He’s a fan of TV,” I said. “And apparently, Highlander.”

  “I don’t even know what to say.”

  “Welcome to our world,” Zayne replied.

  “Yeah, well, you’re a part of that world,” Dez shot back, and I smirked as Zayne snagged the back of my shirt, tugging me out of the path of a potted plant. “Nicolai does want an update, but that’s not why you’re here. I figured you’d want your phone and wallet back.”

  “It’s been kind of nice without that thing ringing,” Zayne replied. “But yeah, I need it.”

  “And the angel blades.”

  “Well, that’s one of the reasons why I called you.”

  Having a really bad feeling about this, I frowned as he stepped around me and opened the door. “What about them?”

  “First, there’s someone here who wants to see you,” he answered, opening the door to Nicolai’s office.

  All I saw was Nicolai’s desk and the empty space behind it, and then someone in a vivid orange tank top stepped in front of it, into the line of my vision.

  I skidded to a stop, not believing what I was seeing. Female Wardens didn’t travel anywhere alone, especially hours away from their community. I hadn’t even seen Danika out by herself. But it had to be her. No one pulled off bright orange like she did. “Jada?” I whispered.

  Giving me a half wave, she glanced at where Zayne stood behind me. “Hi.”

  “What are you...?” I stepped forward into the room, realizing she wasn’t alone. Her boyfriend, Ty, stood in the corner. He gave me a wave, too. I scanned the rest of the room, expecting to find Thierry or Matthew stowed away in another corner, but no one else was in the room. Even though Ty was with her, it still didn’t make sense that either of them were here alone, but at that moment, I didn’t care. Jada was here.

  I sprang forward, throwing my arms around her. Warden strong, she still stumbled back a good foot.

  Jada laughed as she hugged me back, and the sound of bangles jangling was one I hadn’t even realized I missed.

  “I can’t believe you’re here.”

  “We can’t, either,” Jada said. “But when I heard that Zayne had...well, that he wasn’t with us any longer, there was no way I was letting you go through that by yourself.” She paused. “But I see he’s superalive.”

  “He is. It’s a long story.”

  “Dez filled us in,” Ty chimed in. “We’re still a little confused but I think that’s just gonna stay that way.”

  “Why didn’t you text and tell me you were coming?”

  “I was afraid you wouldn’t answer or tell me not to.”

  I pulled back, stomach churning with guilt. “I’m sorry. I’ve been a shitty friend and—”

  “Girl, it sucked. I wanted to be there for you when everything happened with Misha. I wanted you to be there for me, but you were closer to him than I was. I don’t know how I would’ve reacted.” She clasped my cheeks. “Also, I know how your brain works. You internalize everything and basically shut down. I just wasn’t going to let you do that this time.”

  “You’re the best.” I hugged her again. “But I am sorry. It wasn’t just me who was grieving.”

  “I accept your apology.” Jada’s voice was thick and muffled. “I already accepted your apology. That’s what friends do.”

  Jada was right. As always. I still felt terrible, but that was the thing about real friends. You could misstep. You could go MIA, but you’d still be there. Both of you would be.

  Pulling myself together, I leaned back. “Is Thierry or Matthew here? With Nicolai or something?”

  “They’re not here.”

  My mouth dropped open. “Your father let you guys come here?”

  “I wouldn’t say he let us,” Ty said, pushing away from the wall. He came over, tall and broad as any Warden. He gave me a quick hug. “We sort of told him what we were doing after we got here.”

  Now my eyes were wide.

  “And that was after we borrowed a car,” Jada said, fighting a grin while Ty looked like he was seconds away from vomiting. “He’s not that happy, but I told him I needed to see you. Plus, Ty may end up getting assigned here.”

  “What?” I blinked. “Really?”

  Ty nodded. “Yeah, that’s the plan. Or was the plan. Thierry may murder me.”

  “He’s not going to kill you.” Jada sighed. “A lot.”

  I laughed as Ty blanched. “So, he’s on his way here now, I guess?”

  “God, I hope not,” muttered Ty.

  “I don’t know. He’s on the phone with Nicolai right now. I told him that he didn’t need to come here. We’re with the Wardens and both of us know how to defend ourselves.”

  They did, but Ty hadn’t gone through the Accolade and Jada...well, there were obvious reasons why her father would be losing his mind right now.

  Jada glanced to where Zayne lingered just inside the room. “I’m happy to see that you’re still here.” Her features pinched. “Did that sound as awkward as it felt saying it?”

  Zayne laughed. “It sounded just right.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said, glancing at me. “We’re still processing the whole fallen angel thing.”

  “So am I,” Zayne said with a grin. “I’m glad you guys are here, though. Trin’s missed you all.”

  “I know.” Jada smiled at me. “That’s why we’re here.”

  “I’d hug you again, but I think that’ll just make it awkward.” My gaze swept over her. “Your hair is growing.”

  She placed her fingers to the side of her head. Normally she kept her hair cropped close to the skull. “I’m thinking about letting it grow. Haven’t made up my mind yet.”

&
nbsp; I had so many questions—so many things I wanted to talk about—but Dez rejoined us. “I hate to interrupt, but I’ve got to head out soon.”

  “The angel blades,” I recalled, turning back to him. “What about them?”

  “Angel blades?” repeated Ty.

  “Basically angelic weapons that can kill literally anything,” I explained.

  “They’re missing,” Dez stated, tone hard.

  Zayne turned to Dez. “Come again?”

  “They’re gone.” Dez shook his head in disbelief. “Gideon went to grab them from where he had them locked up in the basement, and they were gone.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “I’m sure they didn’t sprout little angel wings and fly their way out of here.”

  “I don’t understand. Gideon has surveillance cameras everywhere.”

  “Yeah, but there are blind spots in the basement. You know that, and with everyone going in and out using the training facilities, anyone could’ve slipped into a blind spot and broke into the safe.”

  “But why would a Warden steal the angel blades?” I demanded.

  “A Warden wouldn’t,” Dez said.

  Zayne nodded. “I have to agree with that.”

  “Then we’re back to the blades sprouting wings?” I demanded.

  “I know I haven’t been around,” Jada said. “But I’m going to assume the sprouting wings thing is impossible.”

  “He has wings.” I pointed at Zayne. “They’re hidden right now.”

  “What?” Ty turned to Zayne. “I thought Fallen didn’t have wings?”

  “He’s superspecial,” I said.

  Zayne winked at me. “That I am.”

  “I know you all always want to believe the best in Wardens, but one of them has to have taken them,” I reasoned.

  “We’re questioning everyone nonetheless,” Dez said, unfolding his arms. “If they’re still here, we’ll find them.” He glanced over at Ty. “I’m going to be heading out in about twenty minutes, if you want to tag along.”

  Ty nodded.

  “Hell, I almost forgot.” Dez grabbed something from a nearby shelf, handing it to Zayne. “Here’s your phone and wallet.”

  “Thanks, man.”