Page 88 of Destined for Dreams
She found that debatable, considering it was clearly not safe for Bartol out there, either. “So what is the plan for tracking and killing the damn thing?”
“That’s complicated.”
Cori didn’t miss the hesitation in his voice at answering her. “How so?”
“Remiel believes I must take part in the slaying.”
She clutched her cell phone. “Why you? And how are you supposed to do that when you can’t even get close?”
“The archangel has a plan for that, though it won’t be an easy one.” He went on to describe how they’d use sensors to nullify the Gregorian stones in the first phase.
“Even if they manage it…” Cori thought it over. “I don’t think sensors could pull it off without a lot of protection since the only ones you could use will be mortal, assuming you find enough volunteers. And if—by some miracle—that works, why do they think you could take out the demon?”
“I’ve recently learned it’s in my blood…and that I’d have help from someone else,” he replied, once more hesitating.
Cori took a deep breath, trying to be patient though she really didn’t like this plan already, and she didn’t even know all the details yet. “Who?”
“My father.”
Stunned, she dropped the phone in her lap and had to scramble to pick it back up. “Your father? But I thought he’d be fallen or something.”
“I did as well until today.” Bartol cleared his throat. “But according to Remiel, they did not send him to Hell because they couldn’t afford to lose him.”
“What makes him so special?”
“I asked the same question.” He let out an ironic laugh. “Raguel—my father—used to be the head of a legion of angels who fought demons during the battles with Hell. Apparently, when he got in trouble for siring me, they decided they couldn’t lose him and put him in stasis instead. Remiel says I’ve inherited the ability to slay demons from my sire.”
Cori took a moment to process the news. “Doyouthink you can?”
“I have once before…long ago, but there was a price.”
Why hadn’t he told her this before he left on his trip? It would have made her feel a little better about sending him if she’d known what he could do, and it explained why Remiel supported his going on the trip. “What’s the price?”
“Killing a demon sends me into a berserker rage. I absorb a certain amount of their power when I kill them, which makes me lose my mind. Anyone nearby—especially mortals—are vulnerable.” He paused, sucking in a breath. “The first and only time I killed a demon, more than a dozen humans died in the aftermath. Caius couldn’t stop me, so he had to convince a fae to put me into a deep sleep. It took six months before I could regain control over myself again.”
Cori sat there frozen. “Why didn’t you tell me about this before?”
“I was ashamed,” Bartol admitted.
“Even after you found out what I’d done to Griff?” she asked. It wasn’t like she didn’t have any blood on her hands either, and her excuse wasn’t nearly as good.
He expelled a breath. “You can’t compare the two of us. What happened with me occurred long ago, and it was hardly worth bringing up until now.”
They’d have to argue that point later, but for now, she’d let it be, considering they had more important things to discuss. “So if killing a demon turns you into a berserker, what does it do to your father?”
“Remiel says my sire has more control, and he might be able to help me.”
That was encouraging. “So between the two of you, you should be able to take this demon down without losing your minds?”
“That is the theory, though I don’t feel as confident as Remiel.”
“Why not?” she asked.
“Because I remember the killing rage I felt as I absorbed some of the demon’s essence—and he wasn’t even as powerful as the one I will face soon. I don’t think the little time I’ll have with my father before the battle will be enough to prepare me.” He was silent for a moment. “There is a reason I’ve avoided fighting for all these years and chose other activities instead. I never wanted to risk hurting anyone again should I lose control.”
Cori was beginning to see why he stayed away from conflict. She’d thought it was part of his personality, but now she understood Bartol’s battle with the last demon influenced him in ways she hadn’t known about before. He was afraid of hurting people, which she could respect.
If only the fate of the world wasn’t in her mate’s hands.
