Page 94 of Bad Moon Rising
Roman hissed when it felt like acid burning his skin.
In his low rumble, Zadkiel said, “Give it a few minutes. The sting will go away.”
“What was that?” he gritted through clenched teeth.
“Something you can only get in the upper world.”
“What happened? How’d it die?”
The angel ducked his head and looked sideways. “Turns out you’re not the only one who can wield that blade. I had a hunch Nova would be useful, which is why I invited her. Well, part of the reason.”
“Invited her? She was dead. What’d you do?” He felt his grip on consciousness sliding.
“I pulled a few strings. Made a call for you. You know, things friends do when a friend is going to die unless something changes?”
“Thank you. I don’t think I can ever repay you.” He gripped the angel’s hand tight. “Where is she?”
“I’m here.”
He couldn’t see her, but he felt her small hand take his and squeeze. He focused on the warmth of her touch rather than the sizzling going on where the demon bit him.
She said, “Stay still for him to…you’re bleeding all over the place. I didn’t make it back to life only to have you exit it. Hang on.”
“This is going to hurt more than the powder.” The angel’s hands began to glow. When the glow touched his body, it felt as if someone lit him on fire.
He tried not to cry out, but the raw scream crawled its way up his throat until he passed out again.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Roman knelt in the front row of the Catholic church, which wasn’t an old building but a newer construction in the heart of Brussels. The early light of dawn cast a rainbow through the stained-glass windows. The room was drafty and smelled of wood cleanser. A few humans moved behind him, each wrapped in their own purposes. No one made eye contact.
He’d completed several rosaries, not that it helped answer his questions or focus his mind. His body might be entirely healed, which was a miracle, but his head was a mess. Nova remained in a side room with Flynn, waiting. Actually, he’d ordered Flynn not to let her bolt. As in he’d lay down some serious pain if she left.
Before he departed Brussels, he needed to thank the deity that sent him help and brought her back. And see if he could find some answers within himself. Maybe at least figure out how to convince Nova to stay. He didn’t think he could handle her gone again. Yet, her staying meant he had to get a grip on how to let her fight while figuring out how to keep her hidden.
Too bad he couldn’t consult the angel, but he was long gone.
How did he proceed, knowing the woman he loved was alive, but couldn’t be with him for legit reasons? Like being ordered to kill her again or being used as leverage by an enemy or the king. How did he continue chasing supernatural threats when he’d prefer to chase her?
“I could use a little guidance,” he whispered.
A man knelt next to him. Too close. He glared.
And fell to his side away from him. “Zadkiel?”
“You still look rough. The unshaved thing mixed with pseudo-alcoholism isn’t a good look on you. At least you’re not green.”
The archangel dressed in everyday human jeans, heavy overcoat, and short cut blond hair this time raised his eyebrows. A small smirk twisted his lips.
“Flynn did not tell you about that, did he?”
Zadkiel compressed his lips against smiling. “You know better than to buy something off the black market and use it.”
“I’ll get him back for this,” he muttered. Louder, he said, “I thought you left. You did your thing. That means you poof out, and I don’t see you until you need help again, or you decide to help me. Although, I’m not sure you needed any help to begin with.” He righted himself and whispered, “Thanks for putting me back together and fixing my outfit. I like this jacket.” Roman resumed his kneel next to the angel and smoothed out his jacket.
“Tonight wasn’t about the demon. You guys would’ve gotten to that. This was about you. Turns out I haven’t done mythingyet.”
“What do you mean?” Roman didn’t know where the angel was going with this.
