Page 60 of Peacemaker

Chapter Nineteen

Because I Am Afraid

“That would be me,” Angus said, sitting down. “Nadine was very specific in her instructions.”

“Then let Nadine donate the flesh.” I scowled at him. “Was she listening in as Jin told us about the hie potion?”

He lifted a quizzical eyebrow. “Hie potion?”

I shrugged. “Jin says the threat alone will make the demon “hie back to hell.”

Angus laughed. “Hie potion it is, then. It’s as good a name as any. I don’t know if Nadine listened while you spoke to Jin. I just know she was murmuring shit into my ear that sounded crazy until it didn’t.” He shrugged. “Repeating things from Himself, instructing me on which of us would give what. And the flesh will come from me.”

“Angus…”

“It’s a few ounces, Trin. I won’t even notice. The demon, like the rifters, is doing us an unintentional favor. Our time is now, and we’re not going to hesitate to grab the opportunity.”

He was right. The feeling of a new beginning hung in the air, like the crisp, fresh excitement of autumn. It was the time of the supernatural. We would continue to protect the humans, but still. It was the time of the supernatural.

I nodded. “All right. Most of the things will be easy to get. My blood, for instance. But where the hell are we going to get the Foam of Aphrodite? And the ashes from a burned human?”

Shane snorted. “I’d be more worried about finding an aged virgin.”

I glanced at Rhys. That wouldn’t be a problem, but I wasn’t telling the rest of them that.

“I’ll take care of that one,” Rhys said.

“And I have the foam.” Clayton didn’t smile, but there was a bright spark in his eyes. “When the sick incubus possessed me, he also gave up some of his secrets. I found his stash.”

“That’s right,” I said. “I remember. In the cabin…”

I remembered more than Clayton finding the stash of foam. I remembered his body on mine, his intensity, his need. And I remembered Miriam calling him out afterward, out into dozens of infecteds. I remembered his captivity.

I remembered Miriam.

So did he.

Our eyes met for a lingering few seconds, and finally, I got up and went to him. I stood behind his chair, leaned over, and wrapped my arms around him. I buried my nose at the side of his cake-scented throat, and I held him.

Soon, Miriam wouldn’t be a problem. I had to believe that.

“Amias will get the chunk of heart,” Angus continued.

“I could do that just as well,” Shane told him.

“No, you’ll get the ashes.”

Shane gave a nod. “Will do.”

“We’re all set, then,” Rhys said. “Retrieving the items won’t be that difficult, after all.”

“Says the man who gets to keep all his flesh,” Angus growled, but he was smiling.

“Before we’re finished with them,” I said, “the humans are going to love us.”

“They’re going to rely on us to keep them safe. We’ll guide their fear toward something else, and they will begin to see us as…” Clayton narrowed his eyes, trying to find the right word.

“Angels,” Leo said.