Page 34 of Give a Devil his Due
It’s not like I don’t get it.
As soon as I saw her leap on it over Beelzebub’s shoulder while crammed in the claustrophobic closet, my mind followed without any doubts creeping in as to whether it was a smart idea or not. From day one, Helena was a spur-of-the-moment decision maker, and most of the time, I’m all for it. Not always though.
“What do you think we are going to find?” Not looking at me, she changes the subject and ignores my comment.
I shrug. “Does it matter?”
“Of course, it matters. We’ve been cleaning up the city, but eventually, we need to set up some boundaries and rules to be followed. Everyone mingles and gets along for the time being because they are all still freaked out about the skies and the ground opening up to free creatures of their imagination to roam their world. And they accept them … for now.” Blowing a breath through pursed lips, she shakes her head. “How long do you think that’s going to last?”
“Okay.” I drag the word out, not understanding where she’s going with it.
“Whatever we find may have an impact on that?” Waving a hand in front of her in annoyance, she glances at me from the corner of her eye. “Look at us. We are bloody and beaten just trying to find it and see what it is. If they went to so much trouble to hide it, maybe it’s not meant to be discovered.”
My feet plant on the ground, and I pull her to a stop with me. Turning to face me, she cocks an eyebrow at my sudden reluctance to keep going.
“Let me get this straight. You think it’s better to leave something that might be important so you can turn around and pretend it’s not here? InyourAtlanta, as you love reminding all of us.”
“Why is it so hard for you to believe that I’m not that big of an idiot?” Tugging her hand from mine, she whirls around so she can walk away from me.
I don’t think so.
“Because if there is the slightest possibility this is a danger to the humans, you are all over it. No matter how much it pains me, you’ll never turn your back on them. On anyone, really. So, what’s going on?” Nipping at her heels, I feel really confused. This is not my mate.
She doesn’t just walk away.
Helena may cause realms to collide, and she may jump headfirst into the open mouth of a monster without thinking twice about how any of us feel about it—as long as the useless humans are safe in their miserable lives—but I’m missing something major here. I can taste it.
The others are preoccupied checking everything around us so we don’t have any more surprises of the almost-dead variety and pay us no mind. Raphael is lost in his own thoughts, shuffling his feet behind us, although he might still be woozy from his ordeal. That’s why they all tense and snap to attention when she rounds on me with a strangled shout.
“Because I can’t do this anymore, Eric.” There is a wild glint in her wide eyes, and her fists are clenched. “We have been through so much just to be able to stand here alive and breathing.Ihave been through so much. Excuse me if I don’t want to watch any of you die on the off chance that all of it will work out somehow. What if I can’t do anything to stop it next time?”
Ah, it’s still about the Archangel.
I do want to turn around and punch his mug.
“We will deal with everything as it comes, Hel.” After a few protests, she allows me to pull her to my chest and wrap her in my arms. “One thing at a time. You and I, if that’s how it’ll be. I will not let you down, and you have my word on that.”
“I know”—Her voice is muffled in my chest, but she does hug me back—“you’ll just growl about it as usual. I keep telling you it scares the shit out of people.”
My chuckle makes her sigh, and she sags in my arms. I wish I can wrap her in a bubble and hide her somewhere where no one and nothing can find her. Staying on our toes and dodging death left and right is all good and well, but when is enough, enough? Helena is not just physically stretched thin. Her mental wellbeing has been pushed way beyond its limit for a while now. One fight after another takes a toll on anyone.
I tell her as much.
“No, I’m fine.” I can tell she doesn’t believe it. “I mean, do I like it? Maybe the stabby parts, but no, I don’t enjoy going from one clusterfuck to another. Oh well, it is what it is. I’ll deal.”
“You two will have todealsooner rather than later,” Satanael grumbles, and we both turn his way, startled.
We’ve been walking for almost half an hour after the train fiasco with nothing to show for it. My skin is too tight having Helena here longer than necessary. I’m all for getting it done as fast as we can so I can whisk her away.
“It’s the strongest here.” With his hands on his hips, Satanael spins in a slow circle, his brow pinched.
The human hunter points the flashlight he’s been using at the walls to break the darkness. A circle of yellow light zigzags side to side and up and down, searching for an entrance. My twin and Beelzebub straddle the low railing and start running their hands over the concrete when no door can be seen anywhere.
“How sure are you?” Colt grumbles, grimacing and adjusting himself so his balls don’t get pinched by the thin railing. “Maybe further down because there is nothing here.”
“I am certain we are on top of it.” Satanael doesn’t like being told he doesn’t know what he is doing. My brother should know that.
“Human,” Raphael pipes in absentmindedly, “check the ceiling.”
