“I suggest you find whoever is doing this before I do,” Samael said silkily. I eyed him. Was he trying to distract me from the pain? Cute. Unfortunately, the retribution in his eyes made it clear the demon was officially out of patience.
“Don’t do anything stupid, Samael. I mean it.”
He merely glanced at Bael, who nodded.
I let out a low growl. Unfortunately, Eldan had just moved my wrist and it came out like a whine.
“Samael? I’m serious.Iwas hurt, which meansIget to go after the bad guys. That’s the rule.”
He snorted. “I’m a demon. I was born to break the rules.” His tone was wry and I gaped at him. Did he just make a… joke?
I needed to take another approach. Otherwise, ash would still be blowing in the wind when I woke up from my little nap.
I shot Eldan a look. “Do whatever you can to get me back on my feet as soon as you can, okay?”
He frowned, but whatever he saw when he looked into my eyes must’ve convinced him because he shot a look at Samael and then nodded. Good. Now I just had to deal with the demon.
“Don’t leave me,” I grabbed Samael’s hand with my good one and squeezed. “Please.”
He narrowed his eyes, obviously confused, and I pulled out the big guns. I let my lower lip make the tiniest tremble as I gave him a mournful expression. “I don’t want to be alone.”
Samael stared at me. I sniffed and glanced over his shoulder. The look on Vas’s face told me clearly that he knew I was full of shit. He shoved a hand over his mouth and walked away, his shoulders shaking.
I regarded Samael. His brow creased, a lock of dark hair fell over his forehead, and it made him appear almost boyish. “You want me to… stay with you?”
I would feel bad about my little ‘woe is me’ act, except that I was likely saving hundreds of lives.
“Yes.” I blinked quickly, as if holding back tears, and he gave a slow nod.
“I will stay.”
Excellent. You’re welcome, good— and not-so-good— people of Durham.
My eyelids were already heavy and I cursed. On the bright side, thanks to the fae healer, I was likely to wake up in a much better physical condition than I was in right now. But I didn’t have time to nap. I needed to find the coward who’d exploded my car and hurt them. When I woke up, I was going hunting.
24
Samael
Danica’s eyes fluttered open and immediately caught on mine. A glimpse of relief flashed through them before she rubbed at them with her fists.
“How long was I out for?”
“One hour. You will still be bruised and sore. I advised the healer that you would not wish to sleep through the day.”
And I had fought against all of my instincts to do so.
Surprise flashed across her face. “Thank you.” Then she scowled. “You didn’t go hunting without me, did you?”
“I gave you my word.” I was well aware that her insistence that I stayed with her was pure manipulation. But I’d found myself unable to deny Danica. I’dneededto watch her sleeping safely in my bed, after seeing how close she had come to true death.
My little witch was only half demon, and she healed like a human.Anyonecould kill her. Even hate-filled humans.
A cold sweat broke out on the back of my neck.
“Samael?”
I forced myself to regain my control. Her eyes saw too much, and she narrowed them on my face.
