Page 99 of Destined for Shadows
The sensor sighed. “What now?”
“I think you know.” Remiel headed toward Cori, moving with surprising grace despite the state of his clothing. Why he didn’t just repair it with magic was anyone’s guess, but maybe he wanted to prove a point that he was untouchable.
Bartol stepped before the archangel. “If you wish to blame someone, blame me.”
“No.” Cori moved around him. “I got myself into this mess, and my friends were just trying to save me. I deserve whatever punishment you want to give.”
Melena raced to the front of the line and put her hands out toward Remiel. “Don’t listen to them. I’m the one who gave her blood even though I knew I wasn’t supposed to do it.”
Cori moved next to the sensor. “You know I’m the guiltiest one here.”
The archangel sighed and flicked a look up at the heavens. “Since when are they volunteering for punishment?”
“Melena and Bartol have suffered enough,” Cori insisted. “I’m the one who deserves it.”
Remiel met her gaze. “You are still mortal—mostly. You do not fall under my jurisdiction for punishment.”
She clenched her fists. “I don’t care. You can’t hold them responsible for my actions.”
“What do you want?” Lucas growled. “Just spit it out already.”
The archangel pasted a blank expression on his face. “I’m not here to punish anyone.”
“You’re not?” Melena gave him a doubtful look. “I thought you liked that sort of thing.”
“No,” he answered, keeping his attention on Cori. “This is one of the few humans you could have gotten away with giving your blood.”
Rumbles of surprise went through the group.
“Is it because I have a sensor gene?” Cori asked, relieved no one was going down for her.
“That is part of the reason,” the archangel replied. “Though Melena must not do it again.”
The sensor glared at him. “What if Cori is dying?”
Remiel turned his attention to Bartol. “Then someone else can save her.”
“What are you trying to say?” Cori squinted at the archangel, finding it very hard to look at him for more than a few seconds at a time. “Can Bartol do it?”
“We heard his confession to Melena recently, and we’ve heard the truth about his previous crimes,” the archangel said, gaze still on the nephilim in question.
The truth about what?Cori wondered, glancing at the sensor.
“I’ll explain later,” Melena mouthed.
Remiel continued, “In light of the fact he did not seduce the former angel, Clarissa, and in recompense for a punishment severer than his actions, we will not interfere in his dealings with his mate, Cori.”
Bartol crossed his arms. “Are you saying I could make her immortal the way Lucas did with Melena?”
The archangel nodded. “If that is your wish, though you should gain your mate’s permission first and allow her time to adjust before giving her a final dose.”
“Wait a second,” Cori interjected. “As great as all this sounds, I’m not exactly chomping at the bit to be turned immortal. I just resigned myself to death not half an hour ago.”
Remiel lifted an imperious brow. “Your lifespan has already been doubled since then, assuming you are not mortally wounded. Are you saying you wish to die?”
“No, I mean I want to livenow, but I like the idea that I can still check out someday.” Especially after finding out about how Bartol’s torture went and enduring what she did over the last couple of days. Cori wasn’t sure she could stand to live forever. “So, um, this is as far as it goes. A few extra years is more than enough for me.”
“If that is your wish, but the choice is yours,” Remiel replied, then produced a carved wooden box in his hand and held it out to one of the werewolves, who’d thankfully put on some clothes. “Retrieve the Gregorian stone and put it in here. Bring it back to me after you’re done.”
