As if in response, something that sounded like it could peck my eyes out and eat them for dessert screamed in the distance. Kobal rested his hand on my waist. “If they wanted to catch up, they would have already. They’re most likely trying to flee what escaped Hell, but we can’t allow them to keep following us until we know what they’re up to.”
“It might be Wren and company,” Shax said.
“Who?” Kobal inquired.
“Wren’s group were the humans who tried to ambush us on our way to the gateway. We left them tied up in the woods,” Shax replied.
Kobal’s face darkened, and anger grew within me. I’d never met them, but I knew they’d shot Kobal. Immortal or not, no one was going to hurt him while I was around.
“Why would they be following us?” Kobal grated through his teeth.
Shax held his hands up and took a step back. “Wren arrived at the gateway with some of her friends while you were in Hell. They helped us, and they fought with us, but I haven’t seen her since River closed the gateway. I assumed she fled when she saw you. They’re not a threat.”
I recalled the blonde woman I’d seen by the gateway. I hadn’t known who she was, or seen her before, but I suspected it may have been Wren, or one of her friends.
“If they’re not a threat, then why are they following us instead of making their presence known?” Kobal demanded.
“She probably still wants to help, but is concerned about what you’ll do to her,” Shax replied.
“With good reason.”
“She’s a fighter, Kobal, and so is the rest of her group. They lasted in the wilds when most humans died. They may have hated us before, but when we left them alive they realized that not all demons are out to slaughter everything in their paths. With their knowledge of the wilds and survival skills, we could use their help in what is to come.”
Kobal looked to the road again. “Shax, Raphael, and Magnus, take a group of demons and a small number of humans with you to investigate the group following us. If it is Wren and company, and you feel you can trust them, bring them to the wall. If it’s stragglers, see what they’re doing and make a decision about their fate. If you feel they could become a problem, kill them.”
“Kobal,” I whispered.
“There are far too many threats right now, Mah Kush-la. We must eradicate as many of them as we can, whether they’re human, demon, or angel.”
“Ghosts and humans who possibly hate us. Plan to add any more fun things living with us at the wall?” Corson inquired.
“Ghosts are coming to the wall?” Bale asked.
“River invited them to join us,” Corson said. “She thinks they could be helpful in keeping the wall lit.”
“Joy,” Bale muttered.
“Theywillbe helpful,” I insisted as a drakón roared in the distance.
“The three of you should leave now,” Kobal said. “If you don’t catch up with us again, we’ll see you at the wall.”
Magnus and Shax broke away, but Raphael remained. “What is it?” Kobal demanded of him.
“I am not one of your followers to order about,” Raphael stated.
Kobal set me behind his back and released me before I could blink. He stepped so close to Raphael that their noses nearly touched as he gazed down at the angel. “You will either do as I say, leave, or I’ll kill you. Those are your options. I doubt you’ll survive long on your own. There aren’t many who are fans of the angels here, not even the golden ones.”
My breath caught when Raphael’s hand fell to the hilt of his sword. Golden-white sparks danced across the tips of my fingers when I rested them on Kobal’s back and drew on his life force. I couldn’t pack the punch Raphael could, but I would unleash everything I had on him if he attacked Kobal.
Everyone around us stopped what they were doing to watch the unfolding scene. Behind me, I heard the clatter of Lix’s foot hitting the truck bed. Corson and Bale had walked away, but they stopped where they were and edged back toward Kobal.
“You won’t get that sword out before your head is in my hand,” Kobal promised Raphael.
Raphael’s jaw clenched, Kobal’s muscles tensed, and I could sense Phenex and Crux stirring within him. Kobal could kill Raphael, but it wouldn’t be an easy fight, and itwasan unnecessary one.
“We are all on the same side here,” I said, but neither of them looked at me.
Caim landed next to them and shifted into angel form. Stepping forward, he rested a hand against Raphael’s chest and another on Kobal’s. “Easy, fellas, fighting each other solves nothing. You’re both giant dicks, that’s been established. No reason to go at each other again. Besides”—Caim looked pointedly at Raphael—“You were losing to the varcolac when I intervened before. Youwilllose now.”
