Angel in Chains (14 page)
Don’t be dead, baby. Please . . .
He needed her too much.
A moan had his head snapping to the left. The witch still lay near the moss-filled cypress tree. Blood had turned the ground red beneath her. She stared up—up at the woman who stood above her. A woman with long blond hair and black wings.
The woman wasn’t even glancing his way. She had to know he was there, but the winged woman just stared down at Heather. As he watched, she slowly lifted a hand to touch the bleeding witch.
I know what you are.
Just like Azrael. Rage broke through him as Brandt rushed for the blonde. His claws swiped out and tore right through her wings.
Just like Azrael. Rage broke through him as Brandt rushed for the blonde. His claws swiped out and tore right through her wings.
She screamed, the sound high and keening, and the woman turned toward him in shock. Tears swam in her blue eyes.
He smiled at her.
“Hello, angel.”
He’d seen wings like hers before. Long, long ago.
“Hello, angel.”
He’d seen wings like hers before. Long, long ago.
She stumbled back, slipped over Heather’s prone body, and fell.
“You’re about to get those wings clipped.”
Her head shook frantically. “You can’t—you can’t see me!”
He sliced her arm open. “Oh, I see you just fine.” He pulled back and aimed to take another swipe at her.
She flew by him, a wild rush that tossed his hair and brushed across his skin. But his claws were out when she tried to race past, and he knew he caught her.
Her blood rained down on him even as the little angel tried desperately to make her way back to heaven.
But it would be hard to fly with broken wings.
A rasp rattled from Heather’s chest. Slowly, his gaze dropped back to her. Despite the gaping wound in her neck, she still lived.
Because the angel hadn’t touched her.
Son of a bitch,
all of those fucking stories had been true.
Son of a bitch,
all of those fucking stories had been true.
When his packmates had first come back to him with intel they’d gathered in New Orleans, he hadn’t really believed their news. Jade’s new watchdog was an angel? Bull.
But . . . but one of his panthers had bribed a demon who worked at a club called Sunrise. That demon had been ready to spill secrets, for a price.
According to the story, Azrael was a Fallen Angel who’d gotten his ass kicked out of heaven. And angels, well, they were hard SOBs to kill. In fact, no mortal weapon could kill them.
He glanced at his hands and the claws that still burst from his fingertips. Good thing he didn’t have to use any mortal weapon when he attacked.
Since this wasn’t his first time to meet an angel, he’d already known Azrael’s weakness, and he’d attacked with a vengeance.
Heather’s breath rattled in her chest once more. A death rattle. The sound should have meant she was seconds from dying. If he hadn’t just sent her Death Angel fleeing, the witch
would
be dying.
would
be dying.
Now you . . . you aren’t.
He knelt beside Heather. Her eyes were open and tears trickled down her cheek. “Easy,” he whispered and smiled at her. “I’m going to take care of you.” He’d see to it that she lived, because Heather would be useful to him. “And you’re going to help me find what you fucking nearly
took
from me.”
took
from me.”
She tried to crawl away. He laughed. “Don’t worry, once I have Jade back, I’ll let death take you.” After he’d had his fun.
After.
But first . . .
Jade, be alive.
Because if she wasn’t, he’d rip his way through hell to get her back.
Because if she wasn’t, he’d rip his way through hell to get her back.
C
HAPTER
N
INE
HAPTER
N
INE
“S
he’s dying.” The pronouncement came from Tanner as she threw a fast glance into the backseat. “This shit wasn’t supposed to happen, and
she’s dying
.”
he’s dying.” The pronouncement came from Tanner as she threw a fast glance into the backseat. “This shit wasn’t supposed to happen, and
she’s dying
.”
Jade’s blood stained Az’s fingertips. No matter how many times he tried to stroke her flesh and share his warmth with her, Jade’s skin remained ice cold. Colder than death. He knew that touch too well.
“Death isn’t here yet.” Because he’d left Marna behind. Scared the angel. Angels weren’t supposed to feel fear. But Marna had always been weak. Too curious about humans. Too slow to take the dying.
If there was one angel he could push around, it was her.
So if she came back, he’d make certain he pushed again. “We just have to get the bleeding stopped,” Az said and his gaze locked on Jade’s still face.
Tanner muttered, “I think we have to do more than that.”
“Just get her to a doctor.” If she’d been
Other,
she could have already been healing instead of growing colder with each moment that passed.
Other,
she could have already been healing instead of growing colder with each moment that passed.
“The city’s at least forty-five minutes away.”
Because they’d driven deep into the swamps of Louisiana to find a prey that was stronger than Az had ever anticipated.
My touch should have killed him.
My touch should have killed him.
Had Jade known what he was up against? He’d find out, once she
lived.
“I don’t think she’s got forty-five minutes,” Tanner said as he jerked the car and it flew to the left with a screech of its tires. “But I know a doctor who’s closer. He’s got a clinic in the bayou—”
lived.
“I don’t think she’s got forty-five minutes,” Tanner said as he jerked the car and it flew to the left with a screech of its tires. “But I know a doctor who’s closer. He’s got a clinic in the bayou—”
“Get us to him.”
The car was jumping and hurtling down the dirt road. “I will, but, fuck, man, don’t expect a miracle.”
Why not? Others had gotten them. Why couldn’t he?
“She could die any—”
“I won’t let her die.” Az was adamant. Her death wasn’t an option for him. “Just take us to the doctor. Get us there, and I’ll take care of Death.”
On his watch, no angel would get to her. And if an angel couldn’t claim Jade’s soul . . .
Then she couldn’t die.
Az held her tighter as the car whipped along the old, dirt road through the twisting trees. Jade’s eyes weren’t open. Blood soaked her chest, but her heart still beat. His hand was over her heart, so he felt those precious, struggling beats.
“Stay with me,” he whispered to her.
No one had ever come between him and death before. No one had ever sacrificed for him.
Until now.
The car screeched to a jarring stop moments later. Tanner flew from the front seat. The cop yanked open the back door and tried to take Jade. Az just held her tighter. If an angel came, he had to be close to her.
With her still in his arms, Az carefully climbed from the car. Her head sagged back against his shoulder. Dark shadows lined her closed eyes.
Tanner ran toward the shack that rested near the woods. His fist pounded onto the door. “Cody! Dammit, Cody, open the door!” But then he didn’t give Cody a chance to answer his summons. With not even a second’s hesitation, Tanner kicked the door open.
And he was immediately shoved back through the air. “What the hell are you thinking, Tanner?” a hard voice snarled. “You don’t bring your arrogant panther ass down here and ram in my door.”
Tanner shoved to his feet. “We need your help.” He pointed toward Az and Jade. “She’s hurt.”
Cody’s dark head turned and his eyes—dark eyes, demon eyes—locked on Jade. “She’s dead.”
Az thought about incinerating him. But, no, they needed the guy. For now. “Demon, are you a doctor?”
Cody stiffened. “I’m no demon.”
Az strode toward him. “Tell that to someone who can’t see you for what you really are.” He knew demon eyes when he stared into them. No magic glamour could fool him.
Cody’s hands lifted as if to ward him off. “Don’t bring a dead girl to my door. There’s nothing I can do for her.”
“She’s
not
dead.” But the doctor could be, very soon.
not
dead.” But the doctor could be, very soon.
“Brandt attacked her.” Tanner ran a shaking hand through his hair. “Those were his claws that tore open her chest.”
“Fuck.” Cody rocked back on his heels. “Our psycho of a brother won’t ever stop, will he?”
“That’s
Jade
.” Intensity fueled Tanner’s voice.
Jade
.” Intensity fueled Tanner’s voice.
Cody’s brows climbed and his arms dropped. “Brandt’s Jade?”
Hell, no. “
My
Jade.” Az stepped toe-to-toe with the demon. “And if you want to keep living, then you’ll make sure she does, too. You have to stitch her up. Close those wounds.
Help her
.” An order when it should probably have been a plea. But he’d never had to plea for anything before. Even when he’d been cast out of heaven, he hadn’t begged. He’d raged. Cursed. Fought.
My
Jade.” Az stepped toe-to-toe with the demon. “And if you want to keep living, then you’ll make sure she does, too. You have to stitch her up. Close those wounds.
Help her
.” An order when it should probably have been a plea. But he’d never had to plea for anything before. Even when he’d been cast out of heaven, he hadn’t begged. He’d raged. Cursed. Fought.
Cody swallowed and nodded. “I-I’ll do what I can.”
Not good enough. “You’ll do everything.” He strode through the entrance and was surprised to see that the place was actually much bigger inside than he’d realized. It snaked back, dipping low and twisting around.
Cody hurried around him. “This way. I have a small clinic set up for—”
“For emergencies like these,” Tanner finished quietly.
The demon doctor shoved open another door. The room inside was small, but packed with medical equipment.
“Put her on the table.” He grabbed a pair of gloves. “We need to cut off that shirt so I can see what kind of damage we’re dealing with.”
Az lowered her onto the thin table. Her head rolled to the right. Carefully, he pulled away her shirt, ripping it when it stuck to the drying blood because he didn’t want to jar her. The slashes were deep into her chest. Thick, gaping. He ached when he saw them.
And he wanted to tear Brandt apart.
Death will make you scream.
Death will make you scream.
“Sadistic bastard.” Rage thickened Cody’s voice. “I thought she was supposed to be the one that he loved.”
Tanner shook his head. “You know he can’t really love anything. He can only destroy. He can—”
“He meant to kill me.” Az brushed back her hair. “She . . . got in his way.”
“You mean she took the attack for you.” Tanner was by his side. “Brandt has killed too many people that Jade loved. I wasn’t there back then, but I know the stories. She wasn’t just going to let you die, too.”
Az frowned down at her. “Jade doesn’t love me.” She needed him. She . . . wanted him.
But
love
?
love
?
The cop didn’t respond.
The one called Cody stared down at Jade’s savaged body. “I can close the wounds . . .” He licked his lips. “But I’ll tell you now, she’s lost too much blood to survive.”
Tanner’s head snapped up. Az saw the shifter’s nostril’s flare. “Flowers,” Tanner mumbled. “That scent, I smelled it before . . .”
Found us.
Az spun away from the table. “Close her wounds and get her ready for a transfusion—”
Az spun away from the table. “Close her wounds and get her ready for a transfusion—”
“I don’t have any blood here.” Cody cut through his words instantly. “I can’t—”
“Get her ready!”
He yelled back at him. Az followed that floral scent out of the house. If he hadn’t been so intent on Jade, if the smell of her blood hadn’t filled his nostrils, then he would have already
known.
He yelled back at him. Az followed that floral scent out of the house. If he hadn’t been so intent on Jade, if the smell of her blood hadn’t filled his nostrils, then he would have already
known.
Death stalked them.
Time for him to send Death running.
He shoved through the broken door and stood on the slanting porch with his legs braced apart and his arms loose at his sides. “Marna, I told you what would happen if I saw you again!”
An angel appeared in front of him. The angel’s long, black wings stretched toward the sky. But this wasn’t the delicate Marna. This . . . This was Bastion, an ancient Death Angel. An angel who’d been second only to Az.
“Where is she?” Bastion demanded as his wings lowered. His eyes, golden as the streets of heaven, penned Az.
Az didn’t move. “You’re not getting to her.”
Bastion’s eyes narrowed. Interesting. The angel had never shown any emotion before. Or . . . perhaps Az just hadn’t noticed the signs when he’d been in heaven. Maybe he hadn’t wanted to see them.
Because that would have meant that we were all weak.
“Your human should have left this world already,” Bastion said flatly. “Her name is in the book.”
The damn book. It had once belonged only to Azrael. Immense, magical, it contained the names of all the dying. Once a name appeared in the precious book, the soul would be collected within forty days.
There’d only been one soul to ever escape the collection. Only one. A vampiress.
But if one could escape, then the rules could be broken. “Jade is not going with you.”
Bastion shook his head. “You don’t want to fight with me.”
“Yes, I do.” And he tossed a ball of fire right at Bastion’s chest. Unprepared, the angel took the blast and flew back through the air.
Fire couldn’t kill an angel. The angels could control that element too well, but it could take them by surprise.
Bastion rose to his feet in an instant. “You would war with me?”
That wasn’t the option he’d prefer, but, yes. “It’s one soul.” There were thousands more to take. Millions. “You can stand to lose her, just this once.”
“You know that’s not how it works.” The flames lingering on Bastion’s skin vanished with a wave of his hand. “And you can’t stop me. You’re not an angel any longer. You’re not the one in charge upstairs. You can’t—”
“I’m Fallen.” Az jumped off the porch and reached in his back pocket for the bullet that he’d dug out of his own skin. He’d taken Jade’s gun earlier and tucked it into the back of his jeans. As he strode toward Bastion, Az loaded that single bullet into the weapon. “Being Fallen means I don’t have to play by the
good
rules any longer.”
good
rules any longer.”
Bastion smirked at the weapon.
Smirked?
The angel was playing with all kinds of emotions. Did he realize how dangerous that was? Did he even care?
Smirked?
The angel was playing with all kinds of emotions. Did he realize how dangerous that was? Did he even care?
“Bullets won’t hurt me. Have you lived with the humans too long? No weapon of man can kill an angel.” Bastion shook his head. “And your death touch won’t work on your own kind.”
Footsteps thudded behind him. “Az!” Tanner’s shout. “We need that blood, now! She’s—she’s—”
Bastion inhaled a deep breath. “Her heart is stopping. The doctor can’t help her.”
“Now!”
Tanner yelled.
Tanner yelled.
Tanner wouldn’t see the angel. Only those with angel’s blood in them could ever see the angels. Those with the blood . . . or those near death. When it came time for Death to take you, the dying could always see the angels at their sides.
“I can help her.” Az lifted the gun. His finger curled around the trigger. “Get out of here, Bastion. You’re not taking her tonight.”
“Uh . . . Az?” Tanner’s confused voice. Bastion didn’t move. “And you’re not in charge anymore.”
“No, but I’m the man holding the bullet made of brimstone—and I’m the one who’ll shoot you with it if you don’t fly your ass out of here.”
Bastion blinked. “B-brimstone?”
Az knew fear when he heard it.
“It’s not a weapon of man. More a weapon of the devil.” The gun didn’t waver. “I can personally attest, these bullets
burn.
And when they’re fired into an angel’s heart, I’m laying odds that they will kill.” He lifted a brow. “Shall we find out?”
burn.
And when they’re fired into an angel’s heart, I’m laying odds that they will kill.” He lifted a brow. “Shall we find out?”
Bastion backed up a step. “I want Marna.”
“Then go and find her. Just stay away from Jade. She’s not dying for me.”
Bastion’s wings unfurled. He stared hard at Az, then glanced up at the sky. One moment passed, two . . .
“Az . . .”
Tanner grabbed his shoulder. “Stop talking to your damn self and—”
Tanner grabbed his shoulder. “Stop talking to your damn self and—”
“She’s not the innocent you think.” Bastion took another step back.
Retreating.
“You think you’re saving a weak human, but she’s not what you believe her to be.”
Retreating.
“You think you’re saving a weak human, but she’s not what you believe her to be.”
“She’s exactly what I believe her to be.”
“A killer?”
Az didn’t let his surprise show.
“Because she has killed, and not just once.” Bastion raised his arms before him. “Would you really battle with your own kind in order to protect the soul of a killer?”
She took the blow meant for me.
“You don’t want to test me right now, Bastion.”
“You don’t want to test me right now, Bastion.”
But the angel wasn’t backing down. “You’ve already failed every test. That’s why your wings burned to ash.”
Bastard. “And it’s why you’re about to have a heart full of brimstone.”
“I hope to God you’re really talking to someone,”
Tanner snapped. “Because I just can’t deal with another crazy asshole right now.”
Tanner snapped. “Because I just can’t deal with another crazy asshole right now.”
Bastion’s eyes narrowed.
“She dies now!”
“She dies now!”
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