The sound of an alarm rang just on cue, and I knew it was time.I’d set it for the moonrise, knowing the wolves would be out to prowl.They wouldn’t stay long, and I was sure they’d leave some guards on the property, probably changing out shifts.
Which is what I was counting on.
“Endor what did you see?”Valory asked, her accusatory tone now diminished.
It’s like she thought me some damsel in distress, in need of saving, and that feeling conflicted me.
I cast her a glare as I got to my feet, but I was not steady.My headachedand I felt exhausted.
Because that’s what Mercy feels,I realized.
“California plates,” I said as I walked to the counter where our bottled waters sat.
“I don’t think she’s from Arkansas.I think she was traveling there for some reason.She was with someone.”
I drained my bottle in one go.I hadn’t realized how thirsty I’d been.
Valory’s eyes widened.
“So that means...”
I took a deep breath as I looked out the window, at the full moon in the sky, and I hated the feeling in my bones.Because I knew the answer, the truth would only complicate things.
For all of us.
“Either he’s alive, or he’s lost, too.”
CHAPTER13
Valory
I knew firsthandhow much of a toll Mercy’s visions took, but seeing Endor pale and sweaty made me realize just how out of our leagues we were.
We were no match for the wolves.
Hell, we were no match for ourselves on a good day.
But we couldn’t give up, and I knew neither of us would.Not with Mercy’s life at stake.
For better or for worse, Endor seemed to legitimatelycareabout Mercy.
Growing up, I’d always been taught that demons were careless, that they had no regard for the sanctity of human life.That they existed only to draw us into temptation, away from God, away from our beliefs, away from the things that don’t serve us.
But as I watched Endor attempt to shake off his exhaustion, readying himself for a fight—even in the state he was in—I wondered about the truths I’d been told, that I’d been led to believe.
The lines between us, between Heaven and Hell were starting to blur, and I wasn’t sure on what side of the celestial equation either of us fell.
“Come on,” he grumbled as he headed for the door.He opened it, pausing in its arch as he looked back at me.The moon lit him up, casting a silver glow on his dark features that made my blood rush and my stomach twist into knots.
“Let’s go get our girl back,” he said, and with that, I shed my strange and unnerving thoughts, focusing on the task at hand.
Mercy was our first priority, and I needed to remember that.
No matter how tempting or intriguing the demon in my midst was, I needed to remember that we were on a mission.A mission to bring Mercy to her body, but also a mission to keep the peace between Heaven and Hell.
Though I suspect Hell may have something to say when Mercy commits her soul to Heaven.
I followed Endor across the parking lot, toward the woods where only hours ago this morning we’d watched the damn furry assholes take our Mercy.
