Movement in her peripheral vision caught her attention. Turning, she saw the huge man toss a smoky gray comforter to the foot of the bed then pull a matching sheet to cover the naked form lying on the bed.
Reynner!
Eve lurched to her feet and stumbled across the room to the giant-sized bed.
Reynner’s discarded clothes were in a heap on the dull, granite floor. He lay on his front, his face turned away. A gasp of horror escaped her when she saw the wounds across his back, like someone had used a blowtorch. Black, charred skin surrounded the open lesions, and they oozed bright red over darkened, drying blood.
“That looks awful... He won’t, he won’t—” She found she couldn’t say the worddie.
Michael glanced up.
Eve gaped. Finally, she understood why he wore shades. His deep blue eyes appeared like splintered glass. An eerie silvery glow escaped from the cracks…
Otherworldly, the thought seeped into her mind.
Uneasiness stirred at his piercing stare, like he could see into her soul or something.
“Don’t worry, he won’t die,” he muttered, straightening the sheets over Reynner. “He’s too damn stubborn for that. How long have you known him?”
“Not long—yesterday…actually, I’m not sure.” Eve looked out the window and at the bright afternoon sun. It had to be the following day, she decided, unable to make sense of time. “I met him on Friday night…” She explained about the mixed-up cell phones. “He offered me a ride home before those, er, things with red eyes attacked.”
Michael looked at her for a long second, probably making sure she wasn’t some nutcase spurting garbage then nodded. He crossed to a door at the far end of the room and disappeared inside, only to reappear a few minutes later with a container of water, a small glass jar, and towels.
“What where those things that hurt him?” Eve asked, her gaze on Reynner’s ruined back.
“Demoniis.” Michael set the items on the bedside table.
“Demon eyes?”
“Yes.Theyare what demons turn into when they first steal a human soul.”
Shocked, Eve pressed a hand to her roiling stomach. “Why?”
“To experience the light of a mortal soul.” He picked up a thick towel and tore it in half. “Once they steal a soul, the demon’s own dark spirit dies. To survive, they constantly need new ones because human souls were never meant for them. It fades, and the cycle starts all over again. That’s why we—Reynner and I and others like us—exist. We hunt and destroy them.”
God. Eve dragged both hands through her hair. This all sounded so unreal, like she’d wandered into an alternate world. But if she’d suddenly developed abilities after the accident, like being drawn into people’s thoughts when she touched them, then demons existing shouldn’t have surprised her.
I’m such an idiot. As ifIcould protect Reynner from those things.
“You need to be careful,” Michael said, folding the ripped terrycloth into an even smaller square. “Not only humans walk this realm. Others do, as well. And evil is one of them. In the future, don’t put yourself in dangerous situations.”
At least he didn’t yell at her like Reynner had. “What Others?”
“I’m sure Reynner will fill you in.”
Nodding, she watched as Michael laid a hand over the gaping wound on Reynner’s back. A silvery glow pulsed out from his palm. Fascinated, Eve leaned in closer. “What are you doing?”
“Aiding his recovery.”
“You’re like a healer?” She saw the slight smile tugging at his lips. It rearranged his hard features into a stunning visage.
“I’ve been called many things, but never a healer.” Michael dampened the square and started to clean the messy wound.
“Let me.” She hurried around the bed and joined him.
“No—” Reynner turned to them. Michael’s healing had awakened him. Sweat poured down his face and pain darkened his eyes to dull blue stones. Worry took over when she met his feverish gaze. “No, not her. Get Izzeri,” he rasped.
“Don’t be silly, I’m right here.”
