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Sometimes his arrogance frightened me. Yes, he was powerful, but twenty against one was terrible odds. Where was our team? They should have left the chaos by now.
The demon in the middle leaped at Zander.
I’d expected Zander to leave me unprotected. Instead, he pulled his blade from his feathers and blocked the strikes that rained down on us, never leaving my side. Blades clashed on all sides as he carved through demon flesh. Then he wrapped me in the protection of his wings against his ripped chest. Too close for comfort in the best way.
In complete darkness, a whooshing rent the air like a volley of arrows. I peeked between his plumes. Zander’s feathers had shot out from his wings. Sharp as knives and swift, slicing fifteen necks simultaneously.
My God. Zander was powerful beyond imagining. All the remaining soldiers, who had not died from his sword collapsed, blood oozing and soaking the dirt like spilled ink.
The only other angel who could match this power was a half-breed named Michael, who had unique heart-shaped wings. I came across the half-breed when he had saved me from being ambushed in the forest by the vampires about a year ago.
Snow had taken a liking to Michael and occasionally would wonder where he was or what he was doing. She’d never admit it, but she had a crush on him.
Snow and I had been the only survivors of a team of eight. Then Zander entered my life and told me he was sent to work with me.
When I faced Zander, his features contorted in pain and his shoulders slumped. Losing fifteen feathers at once weakened him.
“Zander—” His name left my mouth in a whisper as I grabbed his arms.
He swallowed me in his wings before I could finish. The heat between us blazed from his warm chest and in our locked gazes.
He pressed his forehead to mine. “I’ll be fine. I wasn’t about to lose you after I just got you back. We should go. I told the team not to wait for us and to go on ahead to our new home.”
A sharp breeze ruffled my hair. Dawn and Snow landed in front of us, and Zander and I broke apart. Tank and Otis flapped their white wings for a softer landing. Apparently, they didn’t listen to Zander’s instructions. I couldn’t stifle my cry of glee.
My team looked like humans: the guys dressed in plain tunics and breeches, and Dawn and Snow in long dresses. The four of them glanced at the dead bodies as we gathered in a circle—a formation to keep an eye on each other’s back.
“It’s good to see you.” Snow’s voice was soft and melodic and her wide, silver eyes were framed by a soft double lid. She blinked and gave a slow smile, her light-coral lips against her pale skin.
Her name fit her appearance, but I’d chosen it for her because she was as gentle and lovely as freshly fallen snow.
Snow dropped to one knee with her head dipped, a fist to her chest in salute, and her silver wings covering her like a draped blanket.
Zander and I had asked our team to address us like comrades. But I understood Snow’s gesture. She had been afraid for me and felt thankful for my safe return.
Snow had been my second-in-command through many battles together and we’d known each other the longest. She had become like a sister to me.
Dawn, Otis, and Tank knelt as well. My heart warmed and I appreciated their care and concern.
I grabbed Snow’s arm and pulled her up to stand, then gestured to everyone else. “Zander and I are your leaders, but we’re also friends. Equals. You do not need to bow to me.”
To my surprise, Tank wrapped his thick arms around me and swayed me from side to side.
“Tank,” I said with a strangled voice. “Tank. You’re squishing me.”
“Sorry.” He let go and shrugged with his head tilted. He looked like a mischievous little boy, his short, jet-black hair sticking out at odd angles. “I just missed you.”
We all shared a laugh.
“Thank you for risking your lives and coming to my rescue.” I dipped my head in a curt bow. “I’m here now, and all is well.”
“Thank the skies.” Tank jerked a chin to Zander and narrowed his deeply hooded eyes. “He was, how shall I say it, uncontrollable. Now that you’re safe, he’s calm as a deer.”
Zander furrowed his brow. “You’re comparing me to a deer?”
“It’s a figure of speech, Zander.” Tank threw up his hands. “Don’t get testy with me, you big beast.” He chuckled.
“Do not compare me to a beast either.” Zander narrowed his hazel eyes, clearly not understanding the human humor Tank had picked up. “I’m above such creatures.” Then his gaze landed on me, heated and commanding, giving me all kinds of shivers.
