Yes, she did. But Keenan hadn’t exactly been the chatting type with her upstairs. “I thought she must have broken her neck. Maybe due to the angle she attacked?—”
“She didn’t break her neck.”
Nicole stopped walking.
“You didn’t think it through, did you? But then, I’m guessing you’re still so thirsty for blood that you can’t think very much at all right now, can you?”
She was thinking he was an ass. How was that for thinking?
Nicole took another step toward the door and freedom.
He was there, of course. Instantly blocking her path.
“How do you do that?” she asked, rubbing a tired hand over her neck. “Nobody is supposed to move like that.”
“Different angels have different strengths.” His gaze drifted down her body. “And different weaknesses.” He caught her right wrist. She expected pain, a rough touch, but his hold was light. Almost gentle.
“The chains bit into you here.” His thumb slid over the dark red line that still marked her wrist. He caught her other hand and traced the similar mark. “And here.”
Nicole swallowed. “Yes.”
“He had you chained in one of those crypts. The juicy steak to bait the trap.”
At least someone seemed to understand what Carlos had planned. “Keenan won’t listen to me. He’s the one in danger right now, and?—”
“And here,” he kept talking, seeming to roll right over her words. “This is where you made the first break in your wrist when you realized you had to get out in order to save Keenan.”
She inclined her head toward him. “The first break is always the hardest, right?” Nicole tried to sound flippant.
His lips hitched up. “Bet you damn near shattered your bones to break loose. That’s why that college kid was sleeping near Laveau’s vault, eh? You needed a drink.” He still had her hands and didn’t seem to be showing signs of letting go. “I’m guessing you still need a drink. It takes a lot to overcome fire and broken bones.”
Yes, it did. “I’ll find a snack.”
“You sound so tough, but the words don’t really suit you, schoolteacher.”
What? He thought schoolteachers weren’t tough? Had Sam ever been in a school?
“Maybe after you have your bite, you’ll be able to think better. Then you’ll realize what’s really going on here.”
Jerk. “Why don’t you just tell me what’s happening? If you know why Keenan’s suddenly pushing me away, then just explain it to me.”
“Fine. He thinks he’s keeping you safe.”
“Bullshit.” She’d call it just as she saw it. “I think it’s more likely he decided to feed me to the wolves.” Or to the coyotes.
Sam shook his head. “Think about the dead girl. How did she die?”
“I don’t know! She came at Keenan. They hit. His forearm shoved between her teeth, and she fell over.” Dead.
“One touch,” Sam murmured.
Her heart beat faster. “You’re not saying?—”
“He told you how it was for death angels, right? To take the soul, you just have to touch.”
“He’s touched me.” Plenty of times and in plenty of ways. Sam was lying to her. He had to be lying.
“There’s something else you should know.” He paused. “Angels, even fallen angels, can’t lie. So when I tell you something, trust me.”