Chapter Twenty-Four

 

THEA

 

Thea had sensed Cam’s presence on the edge of her awareness.

Her body seemed to hum and everything seemed lighter, as if the burden of fighting the demon had been lifted. He inspired hope when all she’d felt before was exhaustion and adrenaline combined to keep her wired and alert. Him being there made her feel confident and powerful.

The fight was pretty much over; Leo was panting and hardly able to stand on his feet. His body was bleeding and broken, his energy sapped each time he sent out a pathetic ball of energy in her direction. But Thea wanted him to suffer before he died. She had never felt anything like the rage she directed toward the demon. She was angry not only for the way he’d treated Amber, but also for the casual way in which he had enslaved her family and targeted her before she had even matured.

She darted back as Leo swiped another smaller dagger at her, but she wasn’t quick enough. It sliced along the side of her torso and she yelled in anger and pain. Cam roared from the kitchen. She levitated into the air and brought her fingertips together, forming one giant ball of energy that expanded and rippled outward. She had never tried it before but needed to follow her instincts. The ball surrounding her hands was twice as big as the ones she usually produced and so bright with energy that it was almost blinding. She lifted her hands above her head and threw the ball straight into the demon’s skull. He stumbled and fell backward, and Thea repeated it once more. The demon collapsed, and then he dissolved into thick, ember-colored ash.

She lowered to the ground and braced herself with her hands on her knees, finally able to catch her breath. She caught Cam’s eye and held it, her heart expanding with joy that he had come. He looked fierce and beautiful, a golden warrior, and the smile on his face was almost blinding. As she straightened, she noticed he stared at her like she was the only thing that existed in the world, adoration and pride on his face… Her stomach fluttered. He was proud of her. She suddenly realized he had purposefully not joined in the fight. He was trying to show her he had faith in her capabilities.

She smiled back at him and made her way to the kitchen, but just as she reached him and Amber, a noise at the door drew her attention.

Spectras poured into the apartment; at least ten of the monsters entered. Thea put her back to Amber, blocking their way to her.

“Cam,” said Thea calmly. She held no fear at that point, only resolve, but she knew he was waiting for her to ask. “I could really use your help now.”

Her magnificent warrior angel jumped into action, grabbing two of the Spectras and crushing their skulls together. For a moment, Thea could only marvel at him—his accuracy, ferociousness, and skill. His body rippled and undulated beautifully, clearly designed specifically to fight. Even his wings whipped and slashed alongside him, attacking demons from all sides. He was the most lethal thing she had ever seen.

She switched her attention as a demon approached, shooting a spike through his neck. She rose up in the air and began to fire from above, knocking the Spectras down one by one so that Cam could finish them off from the ground with his dagger. When only one remained, Thea descended on him, twisting his head sharply and shooting a spike through his neck. The demon hit the ground with a thump and Cam and Thea were still for a moment, looking around at the quickly dissolving bodies. Thea’s eyes rose up and met Cam’s. The urge to go to him rose again.

She remembered Amber on the kitchen floor and ran to her. She lifted Amber’s head up and settled her gently in her lap. Thea patted Amber’s cheek lightly, running her hand across her forehead to feel that her friend’s skin was clammy and warm. She froze for an instant before she was able to think of what to do.

“Can you get me a cloth?” she asked, looking up at Cam, who was standing over her and studying Amber. He searched the kitchen for one and found it quickly, wetting it in the sink with cool water before handing it to Thea. Thea pressed the cloth to Amber’s forehead and to her cheeks, gently cooling her skin.

“Will she be all right?”

“Yes. She’s lost a lot of energy but she will survive. She just needs time and space to recover in a relaxing environment.”

Thea kept pressing the cool cloth on Amber’s face, calling her name until, eventually, her eyelids fluttered open and focused on Thea.

“Thea…” She reached up to touch Thea’s face.

Thea took her friend’s hand and squeezed it, pressing it against her cheek. “You’re okay. You’re going to be fine.”

“Thank you,” said Amber, before drifting back off.

“Thea,” Cam said.

Thea drew her eyes from Amber to look at Cam, who leaned in and kissed her softly.

“Well done, my mate,” he whispered.