Page 109 of Death Trap

Eli’s expression suddenly turned grave. “Why would you even ask such a question?”

“It’s possible, isn’t it? I want to know.”

He sighed, closing his eyes briefly. “Then you can’t get full control of your abilities. Maybe even your memories. I can’t say for sure, but you certainly won’t be prepared to fight the demons.”

No pressure.

“But there’ll be other Archangels and Guardians, right? They’ll be able to pick up the slack.”

“You’re the one meant to lead them into battle,” he said. “Your power far surpasses theirs. If you fail, I can’t see how we could win at all.”

No pressure at all.

My throat suddenly felt as dry as a desert, and I swallowed repeatedly to try and moisten it.

“But I have time,” I said, my voice shaking. “You said I had time.”

I was holding on to the fact that I could have maybe a few weeks between now and then to gather myself and prepare. I wasn’t sure how to exactly do that, but I knew I needed some kind of break from everything that had happened. Between doing everything to save Kay’s life, to fighting Xaver, to being trapped in Hell, and taking on Azrael, I was spent. Drained.

I needed a vacation.

“Yes,” Eli reassured me. “Although I don’t suggest we take too long. Michael will want to see you as soon as possible.”

“I need a couple of weeks. I deserve it.”

He didn’t seem to like that number, but he nodded anyway. “You do.”

Damn skippy.

“Tell me again. From the bit with the stool.” Hands planted on the bar top, Wyatt leaned over, grinning his yellow-toothed grin.

“Leave the girl alone, Wy,” Lisa said as she continued to put the dry glasses back on the shelf behind him. “She’s only told you three times already.”

“Yeah, but I like to imagine the shock on that bastard’s face when he expected to jump into a getaway door and ended up on his ass. It must have been pure gold.” Wyatt switched his drying rag to his opposite shoulder. “Go on, Jade. Tell it again.”

I glanced at Eli, who sat to my left, and then Marla, who was on my right. “Do either of you want to give it a try?”

Lisa was right. I’d gone through the tale of our fight with Azrael at least three times since first coming to Arrogant Bastard after the ordeal.

Marla shook her head and sipped her fruity pink drink with an orange slice and teeny-tiny umbrella. “You tell it best.”

I was no William Shakespeare or Mother Goose by any means. I glanced at Eli again for some backup. He only waved me to go on, and I sighed. So much for being ateam.

“Fine.” I cleared my throat dramatically, pretending I was about to address an audience of hundreds instead of just my friends. Then, I retold the events of the night we faced off with Azrael, including the parts about the Void, the mysterious hobo, Hank, and my third chance.

When I finished, Wyatt whistled, seeming impressed. “Always gives me goose bumps when you tackle him and fling yourselves out the window. I don’t know if I would have had the balls to do such a thing.”

Pressing my lips together, I tried to keep my embarrassment off my face. I didn’t want what I did to be seen as heroic or anything—even though Eli, Marla, and Simon kept telling me it was. I just did what I thought was best at the time.

And I’m sure there was probably a much better, more practical way to handle taking down Azrael then throwing us both out the window.

I couldn’t think of anything else at the time, or even now. I had acted on impulse, which was my thing, and ultimately got myself killed. That didn’t sound heroic to me. It sounded idiotic.

“I didn’t know you could die again after already dying. Seems like overkill, doesn’t it, Lisa?” Wyatt said, looking at her over his shoulder.

“Sure does.” She smiled at him, her expression so full of love it made my chest warm. And pinch with jealousy. Watching their interaction sprang Cole into my thoughts, and I hastily shoved him aside.

I forced myself to look at Eli. He was watching Wyatt and Lisa’s exchange with wishful eyes, too, and my heart ached.

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