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Since Misty couldn’t wait until tomorrow, and had already planned to meet with Mom, Zach made the drive to Emmettsville alone, parking down the street from the old house that stood in front of one of the main entrances to the underground haven.
He’d called Alex to give her a heads up, and she waited for him in the backyard, next to the open sewer, her dark blue eyes lighting up when she saw him.
“Zach!” She ran over and stood on tiptoe to wrap her arms around his neck. He noticed she was hardly limping at all, and she looked happy. After a noisy kiss on his cheek she leaned back. “What’s up?”
“Can we talk down below? I want Sam’s input on my question for you.”
“Sure.” Her smile faded, and she let him go. “This isn’t a random ‘how are you’ visit, is it?”
“Afraid not.”
He followed her down the ladder and into Hyattown. It looked as eerie as he remembered, the gaslights flickering over newly renovated and rebuilt wood buildings. Alex led him to the office, and he braced himself for an unwelcome welcome.
Sam surprised him by standing when they walked in and holding out his hand. “Hey, fallen.”
Zach smiled and shook his hand. “Fenris.”
A woman behind Sam stepped forward, wearing glasses, and enough tattoos to make their local pub owner, Billie, jealous.
“This is Louise, my head of security.”
“A pleasure.” Her soft French accent surprised Zach. “You are Misty’s golden boy. I understand the reference.” She studied Zach from head to toe, lingering on his windblown, golden brown hair. It took all his control not to fidget under her scrutiny. “He has been cleared?”
“Completely,” Alex said, before Sam could open his mouth. “I trust him with my life, Louise, so you can back off now.”
A wry smile flashed across her face, like they’d had this conversation before. “Backing off, Alex. I am here if you need my assistance.”
Alex practically dragged him out of the office. “Sorry about that. I’ll convey anything you tell me to Sam. Despite how friendly he seemed, he’s been on edge lately.”
Dread poked at him. “Why?”
“We’ve had demons showing up all week, with stories that make me nervous. Similar stories, about—”
“Being recruited?”
Her eyes widened. “Exactly. This is why you wanted to meet, isn’t it?”
“Afraid so.” He told her about his conversation with Simon. She whistled at the number of demons he mentioned. “How many have you had?”
“Ten, in just the last three days. Sam’s worried we might run out of new arrival quarters. Let’s head over—maybe they’ll talk to you.”
They walked down the main street, the twisting configuration hiding the buildings at the opposite end. A high-pitched voice bounced off the low ceiling, warning them.
“Alex!” The young demon Hern sprinted into sight, headed right for her. She stopped and braced herself, catching him when he launched himself into her arms. “I missed you.”
“I can feel it, Hern.” So could Zach—it was like a punch in the chest. A joyful punch. “Dial it down a little, so you don’t blast someone else.”
He stared at Zach, his eyes wide. “Did I—so sorry. I’m still learning to control the outbursts.” He let go of Alex and turned to Zach, wringing his clawed hands. “I didn’t hurt you?”
“Not a bit.” Zach kept his hand away from his aching chest.
“You’re here about the demons, aren’t you? There’s one you have to meet.” He tugged on Alex’s hand. “Hurry, before she sleeps again. She’s a burrow demon, so she can sleep for days.”
Zach followed Hern and Alex up onto the wooden sidewalk, and into one of the tidy houses. The smell of demon smacked into him, and he halted, giving himself a chance to adjust. He’d never been so sensitive to it before—
“Zach.” Alex moved to him, looking down at his arm. “Your tattoo is glowing. Is everything okay?”
He swallowed. A lie wouldn’t work with her. “I’ll tell you after we talk to the demon.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
Hern waited for them at one of the bedroom doors. The scent was strong here, so strong Zach started breathing through his mouth. He forgot the smell when he saw the demon inside.
She looked almost human—except for her eyes, which were solid black. She huddled on a narrow bed, the green blood of her kind staining the numerous bandages that covered too much of her skin. Those bottomless eyes studied Alex as she approached, not afraid, just wary.
“Hi, Liese. I’m Alex—do you remember me? I helped you when you first arrived.”
“I do.” Her graveled voice was surprisingly feminine, and more pleasant than most demons. “You have come to ask about my injuries.” She looked directly at Zach when she spoke.
He stepped forward, careful to keep at arm’s distance. “I’m—”
“Zachariah. Yes, I know of you, fallen. You are the one he seeks.”
He grabbed the closest chair and sat, afraid his legs would give out. His tattoo throbbed, like it knew what this demon was about to say.
“Who?” he whispered. “Who is looking for me?”
“He wears a human male, but I could see his true face. One I never thought to see again, after I was freed.”
Alex took over when Zach’s throat tightened. “Freed from where, Liese?”
“Zachariah knows, though he may deny that knowledge. I was one of the souls condemned to linger Between. But I was forgiven and sent back to live out my existence as what I became.”
Zach stared at her, the memories Elias had awakened crowding into his mind.
There had been souls in Between, who had been evil enough in life not to be able to make their way to heaven, but not evil enough to be cast down, and not repentant enough to ever find their way out.
Their existence had tortured Zach, since he had seen his endless future in their dead eyes. If he had not met Claire, he would be there still, an angel who would never be forgiven for his desire to be mortal.
“Who is he?” Alex asked the question he couldn’t voice.
Liese looked at her, then at Zach, compassion in her bottomless eyes.
“Bartholomew.” Zach closed his eyes, fear and dread squeezing his heart. “He believes you can send him home.”
“Zach?” Alex’s hand was warm on his shoulder.
He pushed up from the chair and stumbled outside, needing air, needing space. Needing to be free of that black gaze. He got as far as the sidewalk before his knees buckled.
Strong arms caught him, eased him down. In the shadow of the building he could see his tattoo, like a white beacon.
Alex’s quiet voice scraped over his skin. “Talk to me, Zach.”
He lifted his head, sweat sliding down his face, and met her eyes.
“Bartholomew was an angel.” His voice was raw. “An angel like me—condemned to an eternity in Purgatory for torturing the mortals he was sent to help.” Her low gasp drove into him, every inch of skin raw from the emotions he couldn’t fight off. “He was the last one I saw before I fell.”
***
Simon walked with Diana through the haven, her hand in his like a balm on his soul. He’d never found such peace, even in his first life. That he found it with a woman who had fought her own demons and won made it more special, more cherished.
His phone beeped, and he dug it out of his pocket, stopping when he saw it was from Zach.
“Hey, Zach. What did you learn?”
“Simon—I—” Zach shaky voice told him it wasn’t good. He kissed Diana’s forehead and moved away from her.
“Start from the beginning, son.”
Zach took in an unsteady breath and did. By the time he finished Simon needed a place to sit. Elias roared into his mind at the mention of Bartholomew.
“He has always wanted nothing more than to find his way back to our Father.”
The absolute hatred in Elias’ voice left Simon with a throbbing headache.
Enough. Let me find out everything—then you can tell me how to stop him.
“It will be my pleasure.”
“Zach. I want you to go to Claire, tell her what you know. She will be the focus of his search once he learns the grace is hers.”
“God—I’m going.” He ended the call before Simon could say anything else.
Simon lowered his head—and jerked at Diana’s quiet voice.
“Simon? Are you all right?”
He looked up as she was reaching for him. “No.” She flinched, pain flaring in her eyes. “Damn it—I’m sorry. Contact hurts when Elias is on the rampage.”
“No need for apologies. May I?” She reached her hand out, and he nodded. His head couldn’t throb any worse. “Please tell me if I hurt you.”
Her fingers gently pressed into his temples and he jerked, pain radiating from her touch. A cool relief quickly followed. He caught her wrists when she started to pull away.
“No,” he whispered. “It’s working.”
She nodded, and started a slow massage, her fingers moving in small circles. Simon closed his eyes, the easing pain leaving him lightheaded.
“Whoa—let’s sit you down.” She guided him to the ground, so he leaned against the side of the dining hall. Voices filtered out of the nearby window, along with the clatter of plates and silverware. Usually by now, he’d be running in the opposite direction, looking for a place to hide until he could calm Elias, and let his throbbing headache fade. “Tell me what I can do for you, Simon.”
“Just keep rubbing my head.”
She knelt next to him and laid her fingers on his temples again. This time the relief was immediate, and he felt himself leaning into her touch, the possibility of not living through another debilitating headache so close.
His eyes closed, and his mind emptied for the first time in months, leaving only blissful silence, and Diana’s gentle, continuous touch. He took a deep breath, and looked at her.
“Thank you.”
“I will be happy to show you how. One of the medics at the Hyattown haven taught me the technique, to help calm myself when I was feeling out of control. Elias is quite a force, isn’t he?”
“We’re still working out the kinks. He’s been fairly quiet until now.”
“Did you want to tell me about your phone call?”
With a sigh, Simon took her hands. “Thank you, sweetheart, but I don’t want you involved.”
“Too late.” She leaned in and kissed him. “I already am.”
He smiled, studying her face. She was so lovely, so young, but not the innocent she should have been at her age.
“Let’s get something to eat,” he said. “And I’ll catch you up.”
***
Zach’s fingers shook as he tapped in the store’s land line.
Alex sat with him, her arm around his shoulders, a warm, welcome presence.
“Thanks for calling The Wiche’s Broom. How can I help?”
“Annie?” He clutched the phone. “Is Mom there?”
“Hey, Zach. No—she’s at home, meeting with Misty. Something about an impending wedding?” He almost smiled at the mischief in her voice. “Way to go, bud.”
“Thanks.” He was relieved—mostly. If Mom was at home, Marcus was probably with her, and that little house was more protected than any building he’d ever been in. “I’ll call her there.”
“What’s up, Zach?”
Leave it to Annie to hear the fear he fought so hard to hide.
“I need to warn her.”
“Talk, Zachariah. Now.”
He did, letting it all flood out, knowing Annie would make sense of his blathering. She started cursing halfway through his garbled explanation.
“Save the rest, bud. I’m calling Claire now. Are you in a safe place?
“Yeah.”
“Stay put until we have a plan. Got it? Who’s with you?”
“Alex.”
“Hand her the phone.”
He did, watching Alex as she listened to Annie’s sharp, no nonsense instructions.
“I got it. Yes, we’re in Hyattown. I’ll keep him until we hear from you. Yeah, I’ll come with him. I miss seeing all of you, too. Bye, Annie.” She ended the call and handed the phone back to him. “She’s going to call Claire, and close the store if she needs to. Marcus is out of town today, so Claire’s alone, waiting for Misty.”
“Alone—” He started to stand, and Alex pushed him down.
“Not for long. Annie is going to call Eric. He’s at home, and Lizzie is on a play date, so he can head right over there.”
“Okay.” Exhaustion smacked him, so hard he fought to keep his eyes open.
“Zach. Let’s get you something to eat, and a place to crash. No,” she held up her hand when he opened his mouth to argue. “You are so beyond fried, I don’t have a word for your condition. Claire’s going to need you at full strength, so let’s get you there.”
He could only nod, and let the force that was Alex Finch take over. Before he knew it, he had a tray of food, and a small room in the permanent living quarters. As soon as Alex left him, he called Misty. She picked up on the first ring.
“Hey, good looking. I’m on my way to your mom’s house as we speak.”
“Misty—” He stumbled over her name.
“Talk, Zach. Full sentences if possible.”
He did, more coherent than he was with Annie. “Misty, I want you to—”
“If that ends with not going to your mom’s, you can stop right there. I’ve spent the last year hanging out with monster hunters, so I can take care of myself. And I’m not leaving Claire alone, not now. I love you, golden boy. Now get some sleep—I’ll keep the homestead safe.”
“Misty.” He sighed. She was another force, one he couldn’t argue over, or push aside. “I love you. Be careful, and watch your back. I don’t know if Bartholomew knows about you yet, but you’d be a prime target if he does.”
“I’m already in ninja mode. I’ll call you when I get there. Now get some sleep.”
She ended the call, and he knew she’d do exactly what she said—protect Mom, and fight off anyone who dared come near them. No wonder he was crazy about her.