“Once the train started moving, the Blade knew. The tone changed. It was happy. Excited. Every hour or so, I’d feel this little tug on my heart. Always east.”
He digs his knuckle into a hard knot of tension between my neck and shoulder. The pressure is too much and not enough at the same time. I let out a tiny moan.
“And now?”
I don’t want to tell him. Saying the words makes them real. But Gabriel hasn’t left my side since he rescued me from the cathedral, and after yesterday…what I feel for him is so strong—so much more than I ever thought possible—I won’t hide from him.
“The Blade is scared. And Gabriel?” I tip my head back to meet his gaze. “So am I.”
The next fewhours are some of the longest of my life. Gabriel tries to distract me, telling me about the celestial realm, about some of the pranks he and Lucifer used to play on the other archangels before the devil was banished to Hell, and about his travels across the world these past few weeks.
“I visited towns that were dying, and others so prosperous, the buildings were adorned with gold. Everywhere, I found men talked the most, but it was the women who had the most to say. I think the men enjoyed the sound of their own voices too much.”
I lie in his arms under a pile of blankets, but I’m still shivering. He hasn’t stopped touching me for even a minute. I wish he’d strip me naked and ravage me, but with the Blade’s fear a constant, bitter taste in my mouth, sex probably isn’t the best idea.
“You’re tense,” I say, wriggling until I can get a hand free to touch his cheek. His beard is getting softer. With his long, wavy hair, he’d look like Tarzan—if it weren’t for how precisely he dresses. He seems to favor button down shirts and khakis, and I wonder. What would he look like in jeans and a t-shirt? A sweater vest. Or…naked. In my bed back in San Francisco.
His sigh isn’t reassuring. He stares out the window at the snow-covered trees. “I wish we had more time.”
I close my eyes so he can’t see how close I am to crying—again. “I’ve lived more in the past two days than I have in years.”
“So have I, love.I am not ready to give this newlifeof mine up.”
Craning my neck so I can meet his gaze, I put the pieces together. “Are—shit—are you being like…summoned or something?”
He shakes his head with a soft chuckle. “No. Not yet. Though I expect it will happen soon.“
My stomach twists itself into a pretzel. “What if we haven’t found the Blade by then? I can’t do this without you, Gabriel.” My hands start to go numb as my heart races and I fight to get my breathing under control. “I don’t…I can’t…shit…”
“Shhh, love.” He pulls me close, his fingers threading through my hair, and seals his lips to mine. Kissing Gabriel is a religious experience—and not just because he’s an angel. The man has the most talented mouth I’ve ever seen. Or felt. In many different ways. But this is the kiss I want to remember at the end. Because in this moment, I fall in love with him.
Gabriel
The air crackles with electricity, and I wrap my arms around Willow, putting my body between her and the window a split second before Azrael appears in the center of the room, his black wings on full display.
“Gabriel. It’s time.”
“Wh-what’s…happening?” Willow sways on her feet. If I had been any slower, Azrael’s appearance could have caused her serious harm.
“Willow? Do not be alarmed.” I steady her with my arm around her waist. “Azrael does not understand how hispresencecan affect humans. When he visits this realm, it is usually to carry a soul to the afterlife. The dead do not care if their eardrums burst.”
“The…oh, God. TheAngel of Death?Is…are you here for me?” Her voice is little more than a squeak, and I kick myself for not thinking how my words would sound to her.
“No,deliciae.Azrael is hoping I see reason and allow him to take me back to the celestial realm.”
Azrael snorts. “See reason? You wouldn’t know reason if it punched you in the face, Gabriel. And you don’t have a choice. You’re coming home with me. Now.”
“Fuck you.”
I ease Willow down to the couch and take her hands in mine. “I gave you my word that I would not leave until we destroyed the Blade. Azrael will honor my promise. But the discussion we need to have first…it will not be pleasant.”
She huffs out a breath. One corner of her mouth twitches into what might be a weak smile. “Is that angel-speak for ‘you’re going to knock him on his ass’?”
“Yes.Perhaps more than once.Stay here and keep the door locked. We will not be long.” I press my lips to her forehead and inhale her scent, then drop my voice to a whisper. “When I get back, I will strip you naked and worship your body until you cannot remember your own name.”
She shivers, then casts a quick glance over my shoulder at Azrael. “He looks pretty pissed. Be careful.”
“Always. Cover your ears and turn toward the window. I am taking him somewhere…private.”
