I pulled out the little yellow energy boost I took everywhere and handed it to him.
He placed the crystal in the center of Lucifer’s hand, cupped his palm, and helped him squeeze. A burst of light flared between their knuckles, and color rushed back into Lucifer’s face. The bags under his eyes lightened, and he already looked healthier. But he didn’t wake.
“You better get going.”
But Ronen didn’t move from his crouch beside me.
“What are you waiting for? His death?” I joked, though it lacked any humor. Beneath my chaotic emotions, a sliver of worry crept in.
Ronen gave me a long, irritated look. “I can only carry one person while flying.”
“So?”
He had to leave. I needed a moment to gather the pieces slipping through my fingers, to build up a more substantial wall for the rest of the day. I couldn’t do that while he was still here.
His expression darkened.
“I’ll be fine. We killed them all.”
He didn’t look convinced. I saw the indecision warring in his face, pulsing in his jaw.
“He’s the King of Hell. His life is more important than mine. Plus, I have Miss Soul-Consumer over here.” I hooked a thumb at Rune.
Her shadow tail curled with speed, knowing I was talking about her. She stared into the foggy forest ahead, watching for threats and refusing to acknowledge us any more than that.
“If I were anyone else, you’d already be gone.”
“But you’re not anyone else,” he growled.
I blinked, too emotionally spent to interpret it.
“He tasked me to keep you safe.”
“Exactly. You answer to him. So you need to save him.”
What was he waiting for? Sam’s crystal only lasted so long.
Ronen stood, rolling his tongue across his teeth as he glared down at us.
“I answer to no one, Hellion.”
“Last I checked, there was only one King of Hell—one ruler. Unless I missed something, you’re a general. A large step below a king.”
Maybe his big ego was talking. But I didn’t care. I just wanted him gone.
He refrained from commenting, breathing deeply like he was gathering patience.
“What if there are more infected souls?” he asked.
“Then Rune will eat them, and I’ll sit back and plug my ears while she does,” I replied. “You should already be in the air.Leave.”
His shadows tore out of him, sliding chaotically around his body and infusing his irises. He unstrapped one of his swords from his back and threw it at me. I caught it before it could smack my nose and held it like it might unsheathe itself and slice my head off.
“Stay on Rune,” he said, his voice sharp. “And only use my sword if you absolutely need to.”
I frowned, glancing at the beastie as she lowered to all fours. “Stay on Rune?”
Ronen swooped down and picked me up before my mind caught up, then quickly placed me on Rune’s back.
