Page 36 of Camael
"Show-off," Pema muttered at Luke's dramatic display.
"Hey, if you've got it, flaunt it," he fired back with a grin.
The scent of sage and sweetgrass filled the space as Jace stepped through. The Native American sorcerer's long blackhair was pulled back in a tight braid that hung down the middle of his back. His dark eyes took in the scene. They landed first on Amelia, then moved to Camael's protective stance beside her.
"What did you do this time?" he asked as he moved toward them. "And why is there an archangel hovering like you're about to break?"
"Long story," Amelia managed. "My citywide spell to cleanse the corrupted ley lines didn’t go off as planned. Lucifer fought back"
"Jesus Christ on a cracker." Jace shook his head. "You couldn't start with something simple? Maybe a nice protection ward or two?"
"You know me," she tried for a smile. "Go big or go home."
"Going home in a body bag isn't the goal here." He pressed his hands to her temples. "This is going to hurt at first. Try not to punch me."
"You don’t have to worry about me,” she replied. “I make no promises about him, though." She jerked her thumb to Camael who had his hands fisted at his sides.
Jace shared a knowing look with her archangel. "Just let me work." Healing energy flowed from his palms. His warmth seeped into her battered system. She sucked in a breath when her discomfort tripled. "Holy shit, woman. The ley lines didn't just rough you up. They tried to turn you inside out."
Camael's wings popped out of his back, and his weapon appeared in his hand. "Can you fix it?"
"Can I fix it, he asks," Jace muttered. "Like I haven't been patching up supernatural warriors for centuries. Yes, I can fix it. But she needs to learn the word 'restraint' before she tries something like this again."
"I'll work on that," Amelia promised as strength began returning to her limbs.
"Sure, you will. Right after Hell freezes over and demons start doing community service." When Jace finally stepped back, satisfaction glinted in his eyes. "That should do it. Try not to let the ley lines use you as a chew toy next time. And you-" he pointed at Camael, "keep a better eye on your witch. She's got more power than sense."
"Thank you," Camael said. Amelia did a double take when she heard the genuine gratitude in his voice.
"That’s what I’m here for. In fact, I’m going to stick around until this is resolved. Zander and a few others, including my mate, will be joining us later at Les Auger,” Jace replied.
"Are Mom and Dad bringing Cian? What about Liam? They won’t be safe here,” Izzy interjected as she got up and crossed to Jace. She stuck to the far wall, well away from the sun shining through the window.
Jace placed a hand on her shoulder. “No, Cian and Liam are both staying with Breslin and Rhett. Your mom and Aunt Cailyn will go back and forth. The boys tend to push the boundaries when their mothers aren’t around.”
"Our kids are giving Bhric and Alex a run for their money. Your parents will be lucky if Zeum is still standing when they get back.” Isis gestured to their tactical display where red lines pulsed like infected veins. “Now that we’re sure the kids are as safe as possible and the medical drama is over, Lucifer’s power is trying to find new paths. It's targeting places where the veil between worlds is thinnest."
"Shit," Amelia cursed and walked over to the table. She cocked her head and studied what was happening. “The Cities of the Dead. He's going after the ancestral power stored in the tombs.”
“Of course he is,” Suvi muttered as she adjusted one of their tracking crystals. “Trying to corrupt the living wasn't enough of a challenge.”
Amelia made her way to her grandmother's trunk. Camael had dropped it in the corner of the room when they’d returned from her house with it days ago. The artifacts they'd retrieved hummed with recognition as she approached. The crystal that had awakened her powers sang to her blood while the ancient book's pages rustled without wind.
"What are you thinking?" Suvi asked as she joined her by the trunk. The youngest Rowan sister's designer heels clicked against the marble as she moved. Amelia didn’t understand how she walked in those death traps.
"These were with the Key," Amelia replied as she lifted the crystal. Its surface was warm against her palm, and it felt like it had been waiting for her. "They're important to understanding how the original power worked. How it was meant to work."
The crystal warmed in her grip as the same images flooded her mind of how light and shadow had danced together before the separation. She shut out the chatter around her and listened to what she needed to do. All she was getting was that it wasn't about forcing them to merge. It was about letting them remember their natural harmony. Like lovers reuniting after a long absence. They needed only to recognize each other again.
A crash outside made the mansion's windows rattle. Something that sounded distinctly like moaning followed. Before anyone could investigate, Rami burst through the doors, his phone in hand and his wings half-spread with tension. "We've got major activity all over the city," he reported, his voice tight. "Dark Warriors are tracking multiple supernatural signatures converging on St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Az and Jo just called in. Lafayette Cemetery and St. Louis No. 2 are being hit simultaneously."
"Why hit one ancient burial ground when you can go forthe whole set?" Malachi said as he materialized in the doorway. Demon blood still smoked on his blade. "The dead are walking. And they ain't looking for brunch."
Camael's massive frame radiated tension as another crash echoed from outside. His white wings manifested and filled the space with deadly grace. "Report from the ground teams."
"Dark Warriors have eyes on all three locations," Rami confirmed as he checked messages on his phone. "Aison's pack is running interference at Lafayette while our aerial units maintain surveillance."
Amelia's hands shook as she reached for the crystal again. "He's corrupting the dead. Their spirits are pure power. They’re neither light nor shadow. If he turns them..."
