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An almighty crack thunders above us, followed by another flash of lightning, and in a split second, something explodes beside me. It isn’t until I’m on the ground, staring at the demon angel’s head split in half, that I realize what’s happened.
He’s been cast down.
My vision wavers as I scramble for purchase, fingers digging into the earth as I try to summon the energy to look up. To find Azrael.
The Penitent has sacrificed himself in your stead, Elizabeth whispers. You are free now, Willow. You are free.
Tears blur my eyes, and I shake my head frantically, trying desperately to reach him as I crawl through the mud.
“No, no, no, no.” The words come from my lips unbidden, fear like I’ve never known coursing through my veins.
Every ounce of energy I harnessed from Elizabeth has fled, and now only an aching heaviness remains.
“Azrael,” I call out. “Azrael!”
I crawl through the scattered bodies, the men in cassocks strewn about with red fractal patterns split down their faces. Those patterns can only mean one thing. They’ve been struck down by lightning.
A fresh wave of terror moves through me as I consider the path of the ground current. I survived unscathed, but what about Azrael? He was right beside them.
“Azrael,” I call out again. “Azrael, please—”
I halt when I see Caleb lying there, eyes closed, eerily still. For a second, one split second, I think he is dead. But the pulse in his neck still beats and his lungs still draw breath.
Though unconscious, he’s not gone.
Goosebumps break out along my skin as I consider ending him, here and now, once and for all. But I can’t. I have to get to my husband.
“Azrael.” My voice is hoarse when I finally reach him, and I’m so weak I can do no more than collapse against his chest.
A sob rips from my throat when I settle my palm over the crimson staining his shirt.
“Please,” I beg. “You can’t leave me. You can’t do this. We have so much life left to live.”
“Who said I was going anywhere, Little Witch?” he croaks, startling me from my agony.
My eyes snap up to his, and he forces a smile as he watches me in awe.
“Did you think you’d be rid of me so easily?”
“Azrael,” I cry out, clinging to his body as he grunts. “I thought… I thought…”
“I know.” His voice fractures. “I know what you thought. But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
I kiss him, tears streaking down my face as relief pulses through me. I want to relish this moment so badly, but I know if his words are to have any meaning, we need to get him to a hospital.
“Azrael!” Emmanuel calls out, his silhouette sprinting through the yard at a fast clip, Raven following behind him.
“He’s over here,” I tell them. “Please, come quick. We need an ambulance.”
“No.” Azrael’s voice gathers strength as he forces himself upright against my protests. “Emmanuel, call the vet for Benedict, and get more guards here.”
“But you’re bleeding,” I argue.
“It’s just a flesh wound,” Azrael tells us. “Caleb was a poor shot.”
“Benedict,” Emmanuel calls out for the dog, and a moment later, he limps over to us. His paw is wounded, but he wags his tail when he sees Azrael.
“That’s a good boy.” Azrael pets him, and Benedict licks his face.
“Is he okay?” I ask, checking him over.
“His paw is injured, but I think he’ll be alright,” Azrael assures me. “We need to get you to a doctor too.” His eyes darken as he takes in the blood on my hand. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I’m fine. I just need you to be okay.”
“I am,” he promises, something strange flickering in his gaze. “Thanks to you.”
Emmanuel seems to sense what his brother isn’t saying as he and Raven take in the scene around us. “What happened to these guys?”
“Lightning,” Azrael murmurs.
Emmanuel studies them in disbelief. “And you were both spared?”
Neither of us answers as we stare at each other, the silent truth lingering between us. As much as I’d like to take credit, I don’t harness that kind of magic. This was all Elizabeth, and we both know it.
“Azrael.” I cling to him as he rises, taking me with him. “Do you think this means…”
I can’t say the words, too afraid it might not be real.
He glances up at the clearing sky, the storm seemingly vanished, and he looks so different at that moment. It’s as if a thousand-pound weight has been lifted from his shoulders.
“Yes, Little Witch.” He leans down and kisses my forehead. “The curse has been broken. We are finally free.”
I smile up at him, teary-eyed, before something occurs to me.
“Almost,” I tell him.
He pulls back to look at me, worry in his eyes. “What do you mean.”
With a sigh, I glance at Caleb. “There is still one matter we have to deal with.”
