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Claire sat next to Zach’s bed, watching Misty as she slept. It wasn’t restful.
“How is she?” Eric walked in, holding a tall glass of tea and a sandwich. He handed both to Claire, then leaned over and checked Misty’s vitals. “Not feverish, but she’s not sleeping as deeply as I wanted.”
“It’s the memories,” Claire whispered. He looked over at her, eyebrows raised. “When a human is possessed, they can acquire the memories of the demon. Ariel wasn’t in Misty long enough to transfer much, but what they shared would be enough to unsettle her.”
“I’m going to wake her, and give her something to eat so she can take a sedative. Will it help?” Claire nodded, and he straightened. “I’ll be right back.”
“Claire?” Misty’s raw voice brought them both to the bed. “Are you—okay?”
“I should be asking you, sweetheart.” Misty flinched, staring at Claire’s throat. “This wasn’t you. Ariel used your body, and he is strong. You wouldn’t have been able to control your actions, even if you had known how.”
“I’m still sorry. I should have—” She swallowed, and turned white. “I don’t feel—”
Eric stepped around Claire, hauling Misty off her feet and into the bathroom. Claire joined them in time to hold her long blonde hair back as she knelt in front of the toilet and threw up.
It was a common reaction to possession, and Claire had been expecting it. When Misty slumped against the toilet, pale and sweating, Claire flushed it and filled the water glass for her.
“Drink, sweetheart. Slowly, your stomach is going to take time to settle.”
“I feel like I’ve been punched. Everywhere.” Misty took a sip, flinching as she swallowed. She looked up at Claire, then at Eric. “I don’t know if this was a dream or not, but Ariel wants your grace, and he’s desperate, like he doesn’t have much time.”
“He doesn’t.” Claire rubbed her face, exhaustion working in past the adrenaline that had kept her going this long. “Ariel snuck out of Hell, and my brother Azazel does not take kindly to his subjects leaving without permission.”
Misty stared at her. “Whoa. I keep forgetting you’re—you know, one of the fallen.”
“You seem so calm about it.”
Misty flashed her a weak smile. “I’ve been around the block. Is Zach here?”
“He’s on his way.”
With a sigh, Misty leaned against Eric. “He’s probably blaming himself for all of this.”
“You would be correct.”
“I really love him, Claire.”
“I know you do, sweet girl.” Claire cradled her cheek, not happy to feel the hot skin under her hand. “Now let’s get you back to bed. Eric wants to feed you, and give you something to help you sleep. No argument—you need rest, and your experience can bring on vivid dreams.”
“Up we go.” Eric pulled Misty to her feet and wrapped one arm around her waist. “I’ve been where you are, and sleep is going to be elusive for a while. Helping you get there is the best thing I can do for you.”
“Okay.” She looked at Eric, her blue eyes clouded. “I was so scared, feeling out of control like that. And his soul, inside me, so much darkness, but so much light. I almost feel sorry for him.”
Claire watched them leave the bathroom, then sagged against the wall, her throat on fire. That sweet girl had no idea, but she had just described Claire. Darkness, light, and the struggle to keep either of them from overpowering her.
“Claire!” Marcus’ voice echoed through the bedroom. Before she could push herself up, he was there, his arms around her, his touch so welcome, so needed. “I am taking you to bed, love.”
“I may—disappoint you,” she whispered.
He snorted, and picked her up, cradling her against his chest. “Jokes, when you were nearly killed.” He laid his forehead against hers, and she felt it then. The sheer panic that must have been his constant companion all the way home. “You have been talking, with your throat injured.”
“Necessary.”
“Not anymore. Now hush, let me heal you, then we will discuss your latest enemy.”
She laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, well aware that the discussion would be him shouting. As she always did, she would let him get the anger out of his system, then tell him what she wanted to do. What she needed to do.
No matter what, Ariel was not getting near her son.
***
“Absolutely not.” Marcus stood over Claire, arms crossed, his jade green eyes still laced with the gold of his healing. He was furious, but his temper paled in comparison to Annie.
She stomped across the bedroom and loomed over Claire. “You do remember what happened the last time you ran off to fight demons alone, right?” Claire flinched. “I thought so. Now you have a family to answer to, Claire Wiche, and you are not going to sacrifice yourself. Nod if you understand.”
Claire nodded, then opened her mouth to object. Marcus cut her off.
“I will stand beside Annie and block the door. I will tie you to the bed if necessary, Claire. You will not go after this Ariel on your own.”
“None of you can even hope to stand up to him.”
“And you can?” Annie got in her face, brown eyes flashing. “You nearly died last spring, and I know damn well you haven’t recovered from that, not completely. I’m not blind, or stupid. I know the signs, Claire. I’ve been your friend too long not to know when you’re hiding something.”
With a sigh, Claire sank into the pillow. “Ariel was the most stubborn among us, next to Lucifer. He will not give up.”
“Then we send him back to Hell,” Annie said. Claire stared at her. “What? There has to be some banishing spell, or incantation—like an exorcism.”
“There is.” Simon stood in the doorway, looking so alive, so strong. It still shocked Claire every time she met him. She had watched him die, stabbed by a power-hungry maniac.
A familiar young woman stood next to him. Diana—she had been the one helping Zach last spring, the woman who could see death. She looked at Simon with an emotion so powerful, Claire could almost feel it. She was in love with him. Claire wondered if Simon knew.
His voice brought her back to the moment. “I know several versions, and I’ll look up what I have, choose the most powerful version. How are you?”
“Better.”
“At least you don’t sound like you swallowed a frog.”
She smiled, and held her hand out to him. He crossed the bedroom, nodding to Marcus, then kissing Annie on the cheek before he took Claire’s hand and studied her.
“He may be too powerful to banish, Simon.”
Simon shook his head. “He’s a demon, tied to Hell. That’s all I need to send him straight back. I’m assuming he didn’t get a hall pass from Azazel.”
Annie smiled, draping her arm over his shoulders. “I missed you, priest.”
“I missed you. Occasionally.”
Laughter burst out of her. “Damn. Death didn’t blunt your sarcasm at all.”
“Just gave me a different viewpoint. Sarcasm is still intact.”
“This reunion is delightful,” Marcus said, his deep voice edged with impatience. “But we need a plan to protect Claire, and Zachariah, who happens to be the one carrying the grace this demon so desperately wants.”
Claire stared at him, surprised that he included Zach. Whatever had happened when they were in England last spring, fighting to keep her alive, had definitely changed their relationship.
She cleared her throat, relieved that it no longer hurt as desperately. There was a residual ache, but she knew that would heal on its own. Marcus had already given her enough of his strength.
“I don’t need protecting, and neither does Zach. What we need is a trap. In case you have all forgotten, Ariel isn’t the only demon after my grace.”
“She’s right.” Zach made his own appearance. Claire sat, worried by the dark circles under his eyes, the anguish that darkened their usually clear blue depths. “According to Alex and Sam—who would know—you don’t run from desperate demons. That only makes them more desperate.”
“Then what, boy?” Marcus glared at him, and Claire opened her mouth to warn Marcus not to call her son that when Zach stalked across the bedroom and faced Marcus, eye to eye. He had grown—again—and matched Marcus for height. “What do you suggest we do?”
“Send them straight back to Hell.”
***
Zach left the adults to deal with how they were going to send two powerful demons back where they belonged, and walked to his old room, his steps slower the closer he got.
His future was in that bedroom, and he could lose it, lose her, because of who he was, what he had been.
When he finally gathered the courage to peek in, Misty was asleep, her long legs tangled in the sheet. He pulled up his desk chair, sat next to her, and gently brushed sweat-dark hair off her cheek. She murmured in her sleep, then settled, her breathing less ragged. Her hair fell away from her throat—and his heart skipped when he saw the pale imprint of Mom’s triquetra. It would disappear completely, he knew that. But the fact that Mom had to use it on her at all—
He took her hand and lowered his head, tears stinging his eyes.
“Zach?” Her sleepy voice had him leaning over her. “Hey.”
“Hey,” he whispered. “Are you okay?”
“Come down here and kiss me, then I’ll tell you.”
Shock warred with relief. “Misty—”
“If you’re even thinking that I blame you, shut your brain up. Now kiss me, golden boy.”
He did, hesitant, careful, afraid she might still be hurting. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in. When she finally let him go they were both breathless.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered.
“So am I.” She raised her eyebrows when he gaped at her. “I attacked your mom. I tried to kill her.”
“Not you, Misty.”
“Yeah, possessed, blah blah.” She surprised a laugh out of him. “I saw everything the demon did, Zach. I tried to stop it, but it was too damn powerful.”
“I was afraid you’d been hurt. Emotionally.”
“I’m supremely pissed. Does that count?” Her smile faded and she met his eyes. “I’ll have nightmares for a while, and look over my shoulder. A lot. But Claire promised to give me a pendant that will keep it from happening again.”
His fingers hovered over the triquetra mark. “Does it hurt?”
“No—and before you work up the nerve to ask, it didn’t hurt me when she used it. All I felt was the cool silver on my skin. The demon was a whole other story.”
Relief won out, finally. “I’ve been scared since Mom called. I wasn’t sure you’d even want to see me.”
“It’ll be kind of hard to get married if I’m not in the same room with you. Now come here.” She tugged at him, and he stretched out on the bed next to her. “Can you hold me, Zach?” For the first time, he heard the fear he had expected. “It’ll be easier, knowing you’re here while I’m sleeping.”
“I’ll always be here.”
She kissed him, a sob escaping. Zach rubbed her back, lowered her head to his shoulder while she finally let go and cried. By the time she let up, with a combination of sniffles and hiccups he found himself smiling over, she was pressed up against him, and the front of his t-shirt was damp.
“Sorry.” She plucked at his shirt. “I didn’t see that coming.”
“I did.” His voice came out husky, and he swallowed. Having her in his arms set off feelings he’d never experienced before. Oh, he understood what they were, after centuries of watching mortals fall in love, but he had no idea they would be so intense. He tried to ease away so she wouldn’t be subjected to his uncontrollable reaction to her. Instead, she snuggled closer and he wanted to groan. “Misty—”
“You feel good, golden boy. I said I wanted to wait until we were married, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy holding each other. I’m beyond flattered that you can’t control yourself around me.”
“I don’t think—”
“I do. You’re a gentleman, Zach Wiche, and if my close proximity is too much, just let me know.”
It already was, but he didn’t want to let her go, no matter how uncomfortable he became.
“Okay.”
“Let’s spoon. I sleep better on my side.” She turned over, and Zach stretched his left arm out for her to rest her head on. She pressed herself against him, and just when he had gotten over the shock of her body curved into his, she grabbed his hand and pulled at it until his arm wrapped around her waist. She let out a sigh. “You feel so good, all warm and lean. I love you, Zach, so much I feel like I might burst from it.”
His heart pounded as he leaned in and brushed his lips across her temple. “I love you more, Misty. If I ever lost you—”
“You won’t, so don’t even go there.” She looked up at him, the pain almost gone from her eyes. “We’ll work this out, together. You have a whole house filled with people who adore you, and won’t let the inhuman bastards anywhere near you.”
He kissed her, the need to taste her overwhelming. She turned in his arms, her response just as enthusiastic. They came up for air, breathing hard and sweaty.
“Misty—I can’t—not without wanting—more.”
“Me, too. Can you sit with me, until I fall asleep?”
“Sure.” He scrambled off the bed, disappointed and relieved. Love was so much more complicated than he expected. By the time he pulled the chair up, she was under the sheet, on her side and facing him. “Did you want some water? Something to eat?”
“Later. I’m exhausted all of a sudden.”
Zach took her hand and she smiled at him, her eyes fluttering closed. In less than five minutes, she was sound asleep, her muscles relaxing. He spread her hand on his knee, her long fingers so strong, but so fragile.
He traced each finger, over and over, swearing with each pass that he would protect her. Even if it cost him everything.
***
Arms crossed, her body aching, Claire watched the people she loved most in the world argue over the latest version of a plan she knew wouldn’t work.
“Zach can’t be part of it.” Her quiet voice halted the argument, all of them looking at her. “If they discover he carries my grace, they will tear him apart. I refuse to put him in that kind of danger.”
Annie stomped over to her. “And we refuse to let you go after them alone. Again. That didn’t work out so well the last time.”
Claire managed not to flinch, but Annie was right. Facing a demon alone had cost the life of an innocent. The price was too high, especially when this time the innocent was her son’s beautiful fiancée.
“I won’t have him part of it.”
“You don’t get that option, Mom.”
She spun, found Zach standing at the end of the hall leading to the bedrooms, so angry his blue eyes nearly glowed.
“Zach. I didn’t want you to—”
“What? Worry myself over the grown-up talk? Let you make decisions about my future, like I’m twelve?” He strode to Claire, and surprised her by resting both hands on her shoulders and kissing her forehead. “I love you, Mom, but I’m not the freshly made mortal you led off the hill. I can take care of myself, and I will be part of this.”
She laid her hand over his. “I have never been more proud of you, sweetheart. But with you carrying my grace, I can’t have you involved. The demons will sense it.” The guilt that flared in his eyes told her he already knew. “You will stay back on this one, Zach. I am going to play the mom card and order it. I want to watch you marry that beautiful girl.”
“Mom—”
“You may live on your own, but you’re my son, and I won’t lose you to them.” The tears she fought broke through, and Zach squeezed her shoulders. “Don’t force me to lock you in your room.”
He burst out laughing, and the tension in the room eased. “I don’t think that will be an issue. I do want Misty out of this. She’s been hurt enough.”
“I agree, sweetheart. Eric is going to take her home as soon as she wakes. I’d prefer it if you went with her, but I’m not holding out much hope.”
“I’d like to take her home, but I’m coming back, even just to give my input. I won’t be directly involved, Mom. I know I’m like catnip to the demons, and there’s no point in teasing them.” He kissed the top of her head, and the warmth that spread through her almost alleviated the exhaustion. “I’m going to listen in, between checks on Misty. Anyone want to catch me up?”
***
Zach walked Misty to her front door, awed again by the size of her home.
Mansion would be a better description for the huge wood and glass building that loomed over him, screaming wealth. She couldn’t have been more different from his image of a spoiled rich girl.
“Thanks for escorting me, Zach.” She leaned in and kissed him. “Now go home and help them trap the demon bastard. I know you’re itching to get back to it.”
“I want everyone I love safe.”
“You are the sweetest. I love that you can say things like that out loud, and mean them.”
He frowned, not sure if he’d fumbled again. “Wasn’t I supposed to?”
“Don’t you dare question anything about your gorgeous self. You’re not jaded, Zach, or trained by years of social conformity. It’s refreshing, makes you a rare discovery—and all mine.” She smiled, twisted him inside out, and all he wanted to do was stay with her. Her smile widened, like she knew exactly what she was doing to him, and brushed a soft kiss over his lips. “Go straight home, and call me when you get there. Leave a message if I don’t pick up. I’m going to take a nap. Being a demon’s play toy is hard on the body.”
Fear jumped through him. “Misty—”
“Okay, golden boy. Eric warned me I’d be tired for a few days. Since I don’t have to worry about school, I’m going to play lazy post graduate. Now go home.” She tried to stifle a yawn. “I love you.”
He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her silky hair. “I love you, Misty. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“That goes double for me.” After a last squeeze, she let him go and unlocked the massive front door. “Stop staring, Zach. It’s just a house. My dad likes big things—cars, houses, dealerships.” She winked at him. “I don’t share his obsession.”
Zach stared at the door for a long time after she went inside. Finally, he snapped himself out of his stupor and walked down her long driveway to his car. Only father-approved cars were allowed to park on the pristine brick pavers. Zach had a feeling his sports car would never be on the approved list.
“Young man—oh, young man.” The trembling voice turned him around. An old woman hobbled toward him, waving the hand not clutching a cane. “I seem to have gotten myself turned around. Can you tell me the name of the street we’re on?”
“Um, sure. It’s Outlook Drive.”
“Thank you, my dear.”
She let out an ugly snarl and swung the cane at him.
Startled, he stumbled out of range—and ran when he got a glimpse at her face.
It was a demon.
A heavy weight slammed into his back and he hit the sidewalk hard enough to knock the breath out of his lungs. Before he could even try to escape, her fingers clawed at his right arm.
“I will have it first—”
He didn’t want to hurt the poor woman being possessed—but he couldn’t let the demon near his tattoo. With more effort than it should have taken, he pushed up off the sidewalk and threw her off his back.
She scrabbled toward him like a beetle. Zach recoiled, throwing up his left arm to block her attack. Long nails punctured his forearm. He bit back a scream and tried to jerk free. All he had to do was get to the car and he could get away—
Her hand dug into the knife scar on his right side, like she knew it was there. Hot pain shot through him.
“Give me what I want, boy, and I will not harm you.”
“Too—late,” he gasped.
“You think this is pain? I will show you real pain, mortal.”
Fingers that should not have been that strong tore through his t-shirt and gouged into his side.
Zach acted on instinct and pressed his tattoo against the wrinkled cheek.
The demon shrieked like it had been skewered with iron and flew out of the woman. The relief was immediate—and followed just as immediately by pain that doubled him.
Shaky hands closed over his left arm.
“Are you all right, my dear? That was quite the ride.”
“What?” He forced his head up, met the woman’s watery blue eyes.
“I let my guard down, and the bastard took hold before I could stop him. You’re Claire’s boy, aren’t you?” He nodded, staring at her. “I spend a good portion of my pension in your mother’s delightful shop. She has true power, where mine is weakened, by age and time.”
“You’re—one of Mom’s students.” She nodded, concern in her eyes as she studied him, her hand hovering over the bloody wounds on his forearm. “How did you locate me?”
“Your tattoo.” They both looked down at his wrist. The flaming sword and spread wings glowed white-hot, and hurt almost as much as his bleeding side. “He wants whatever you have, my dear boy, and badly. Don’t be caught out alone again. Now, I think I need a nap.”
“Can I help?”
“No, my sweet boy.” She patted his cheek. “I live just down the street. These old legs will get me there. Go home, Zach, let that handsome stepfather take care of you.” Amusement danced in her eyes. “Don’t tell him I know who he is. What he is.”
Zach watched her carefully push to her feet, using the cane he was grateful she dropped at the beginning of their battle. God, he hurt, but he had to get home, warn Mom that the demon now knew that he had her grace.
***
Marcus waited for him at home, next to the steps leading to the back door. Zach found the strength to pull himself out of the car, and would have collapsed in a heap of pain if Marcus hadn’t caught him.
“Where?” His deep voice was brusque but not angry. “I see the wounds on your left arm. I want to heal as much as I can before your mother gets her first look at you.”
“Right side,” Zach whispered. “Over my scar.”
Marcus cursed under his breath, then laid his hand over the scorching wound and lowered his head. Sand blew up out of nowhere and surrounded them, his healing power manifesting itself. Zach bit his lip as the healing energy worked its way through him, repairing torn skin, damaged muscle, still new scar tissue.
By the time Marcus lifted his head, the whirlwind of sand disappeared. Gold laced his green eyes, always a dead giveaway that he’d used his power.
“Come.” He wrapped his arm around Zach’s waist and headed for the store. It was only a few minutes from home, and the smartest place to hold a meeting. Zach was sure Mom had already started without him. There was no way she’d let him be part of this now that the demon knew about him. “Do you know which it was?”
“Since I know Bartholomew, and it wasn’t him, I’ll guess Ariel. I hope there isn’t another demon running around, wanting to take Mom’s grace.”
A smile tugged at Marcus’ mouth. “Not that we’ve heard. Your mother already knows you were injured, but there is no need to tell her the extent. She is already worried enough for you.”
“Yeah. I’m good with that.”
Marcus let go of him when they reached the back door leading into the small storeroom. Zach could hear the raised voices filtering through the open door leading into the main store.
“Ah, the discussion has begun.” Marcus waved toward the doorway. “Shall we?”
Zach wanted nothing less than to face Mom, but he took a deep breath and walked in, heading for the voices.
They died when Mom caught sight of him and strode past Annie and Eric.
“Zach—oh, heavens.” She cradled his cheek, studying every inch of him. “How bad?” Zach knew she wasn’t asking him.
Marcus leaned against the counter. “It could have been much worse. He handled himself admirably.”
She curled her hand around Zach’s wrist, looking at his tattoo. It still glowed, pulsing in time with his heartbeat.
“I can feel it,” she whispered. “I never thought I would know that again.”
Her fingers hovered above the tattoo, shaking, then closed over it.
Power sang through him. Familiar power, as rich as wine, as light as the sun on morning dew. He sank to his knees, Mom going down with him. She met his eyes, her skin luminous, her eyes pure blue. Nothing of the demon inside her showed—even as powerful as she was, her grace was the pure power of Heaven.
Zach clutched her hand, his eyes wide as he watched her, more beautiful than any mortal, more terrifying than any devil. The scars on his back burned, where his wings had once been.
Mom lifted her head—and his eyes widened when the outline of wings appeared behind her shoulders. White, tipped with gold, like those of the highest rank. He had known for a good part of his short life as a mortal who she had been, but nothing could prepare him for the sight of it, of her, wrapped in her grace.
With a harsh gasp she let go, and the glow blinked out, leaving him empty and cold.
“God above,” she whispered, her voice raw. “There is so much more than I thought.” Her hands framed his face, and Zach wasn’t sure who shook more. “You should have burned through it when you fell. No matter what it takes, we have to keep you from Ariel.”
Marcus knelt next to her, his hand on her back. “He will be protected, love.”
“Can you call Simon again, Annie? He was taking Diana home and should have been back by now. I want everyone here, in one place.”
Eric moved past them. “I’m bringing Lizzie—”
“You’re taking her out of here.” Annie clutched his hand, her brown eyes dark with fear. “As far as you can get, Eric.”
“Blondie—”
“Annie is right,” Mom said. Marcus helped her stand, and she moved to the display case that held the more expensive jewelry, unlocking it. “Take these.” She pulled out a rope of lapis, and a small bracelet of the same stone. One small enough to fit a little girl’s wrist. “I have some amulets, for all of you.” She gave two gold circles to Eric, and passed around the rest. “Now take your beautiful daughter, and keep her safe.”
“Claire—”
“This isn’t your fight, Eric. You have stood with me, even when I didn’t deserve it. Now it’s my turn to stand for you, and for Lizzie.”
“I want Annie to come with us.”
Annie moved to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “And I want that more than anything, handsome. But Claire needs my help.”
“Lizzie needs her mother.”
Pain flared in Annie’s eyes. “Please don’t. I can’t make a choice like that, out of guilt. I’ve seen what a demon can do, how it can destroy the innocent. I can help, maybe keep it from hurting someone. Take Lizzie. I’ll call you when it’s safe.”
Eric kissed her, like he’d never see her again. “I knew there would be scenarios like this, when I married a witch. I just didn’t think I’d be walking away from her.”
“Protecting our daughter isn’t walking away. And I know you’d stand by my side until the end, Eric Malone. I love you.”
“I love you back, Mrs. Malone. Don’t do anything stupid.”
She let out a watery laugh. “No promises, but Claire will help keep me from the incredibly stupid. Now, get out of here.”
After a last kiss, so passionate Zach stared at the far wall to give them some privacy, Eric headed for the back door. Annie watched him leave—then clutched the counter, shaking.
“Annie.” Mom hugged her, so short she only came to Annie’s shoulder. But they held on to each other, Mom rocking her like she used to do with Zach after a nightmare. “You didn’t have to stay.”
“Yes, I did, and you know it.” She wiped her eyes and pulled out of Mom’s arms. “I’m the wild card.”
“Truer words,” Marcus muttered.
“Bite me, Jinn.”
“Mom?”
She moved to Zach and brushed hair off his forehead. “How are you doing, sweetheart?”
“I’ve been better.” He forced a smile, even though he wanted to take a nice long nap. The floor looked really inviting about now. “I’m going to call Misty, tell her to head down to the haven until this is over.”
“All right. I know you would want her with you, Zach, but—”
“She’s safer away from me.”
“For now. Don’t push her away because of this. She’s a strong, brave girl, and she can handle a life with someone different.” He never knew how she could read him like that, but she’d been doing it since the day he came home. “The love between you is rare, and precious. Remember that.”
“Okay.” He shuffled over to the display shelf, staring at the crystals while he figured out just what he was going to say. Run far and fast was his first instinct, but he knew Misty would verbally slap him for even suggesting it. He called her, and was secretly relieved when he got her voicemail. “Hey, Misty. Things are about to get a little crazy. If you can head to the haven, I’d feel better. Yeah, it’s all about me this time. Just humor me, and go hang out with Alex. I’ll talk to you soon. I love you.”
He leaned against the closest wall and sank to the floor, exhaustion smacking him.
It was going to be a long night.
Mom came to the rescue, standing in front of him with a familiar brown bag in one hand, and a family size bag of chips in the other.
“Special delivery, courtesy of Lily.”
“You’re the best.” He tore into the bag, finding two roast beef sandwiches. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Go ahead and eat. I’m going to put this amulet on you, and a surprise I was holding until your birthday.” She opened her hand. The dark purple amethyst point he’d been drawn to since it arrived at the store rested in her palm, strung on a heavy silver chain. “To replace the one you gave to Simon.”
“Mom...” He touched the amethyst. It hummed under his finger, the energy coming off it strong, soothing, right. He’d been right. It was meant to be his. “Thank you.”
“I’ll add the amulet.” She slipped the gold pendant on the chain, then leaned forward to slide the chain over his head. “It’s long enough for you to tuck it under your shirt during one of your hunts.”
He felt calmer right away, the instant connection to the amethyst not surprising, since he had been an angel in his former life.
“I love it.” He hugged her, hard, tears burning his eyes.
“I love you, my beautiful son.” She eased back and smiled at him. “Now eat.” The sound of the back door had her standing. “There’s Simon now.”
“It can’t be.” Annie stared at Mom. “I just called him.”
Zach pushed to his feet—right before a handful of possessed humans burst out of the back room.
Mom shoved him toward the front door. “Run!”
He did, turning in time to see her standing in the middle of the store, her arms raised, and bright, white-gold power shooting out of her hands. He always forgot she was a witch, and a powerful one. Annie stood next to her, the rich blue light of her power pouring out of her garnet and sapphire wedding ring.
The front door was locked. Zach fumbled with the deadbolt and got it open. He was halfway out the door when a figure stepped out of the shadow of the trees. Powerful hands closed over his arm and dragged him out to the sidewalk.
“Zach!”
Mom’s scream barely registered beyond the pain that roared through him. The demon kept moving, across the empty street and into a dark alley on the other side. It was barely contained in the tall man it possessed, the contorted face flashing from human to horror with every other breath.
“It is past time I returned home, to my father. What you carry, guardian, will take me there.”
“Over my—dead body.”
The laughter chilled him. “I imagine so.”
He threw Zach over his shoulder, and the pain shoved him into the waiting darkness.