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Nathan smiled at him, but no mirth existed in the expression. “There is more going on here than you would understand. You’re a mid-level nothing that her demon is temporarily interested in indulging. Go live your own life, but do it away from her.”
“You don’t know the first thing about how we work. You never will.” She spit at him. “Go back to your life and leave us alone. She doesn’t require your help. Aren’t you supposed to be so holy? Doesn’t he deserve your so-called saving too? Or do you reserve your salvation for women you want to fuck?”
Nathan shook his head. “You aren’t going to be around much longer to talk out of her mouth. You thought you were clever, taking her before she understood anything. But now we have you.”
“I’ll give her to hunters before I let you have her.” My demon was furious, my spine straight with her anger.
I never floated into the sky before. If someone asked me before that moment if Icouldfloat, I probably would’ve laughed. But one second, I stood on the ground, the next I lay flat on my back in the sky, hovering over the ground. Danvers smiled, watching me. I had the sense he could float, too, if he wanted, but the idea didn’t bring me comfort. I tore at my clothes, tugging them away from my body as if they abraded my skin.
The cognitive dissonance in my brain became a scream. We were in the middle of the tent city, and I was about to be naked.
Nathan made a sound—something that came out a little bit like a harumph. He wasn’t impressed with the display, clearly.
He should be. I am powerful. Evil.I knew no one could stop me or mess with my plans. He onlythoughthe had any sense of any of it.
Then I started laughing.
Even though, in my own head, it was just the sound of my own voice screaming, it reverberated through my ears, a wail like a siren.
I honestly was notsure what happened next. My next conscious thought was waking up with my head against the glass of the front seat of Cruise’s car. I blinked, trying to make sense of things, remember falling asleep, figure out why I was in his car and how and when I got there—anything.
Cruise wasn’t alone, I noticed, scanning the area. Ryker and Nathan sat in the backseat.
“It can’t continue like this. She has to be told.” Nathan looked out the window, so he hadn’t noticed I was awake. “Before it’s too late. That was end-level stuff, there. She may be further along than we realized.”
Ryker shook his head. “How can it be that bad? I mean, I’m new to this, but look at her. She still looks like Addalee.”
“I buried a woman today who died from her possession. They found her on the ground. She never looked sick. Don’t go by your eyes; use your gut. How does shefeelright now?”
I couldn’t see what Ryker did, though it seemed to be some gesture with his hands, but he made a sad sound. “Like she’s hurting. I just want to bring her home.”
“I’m bringing her home.” Cruise took my hand. “And she’s awake, aren’t you, Addalee?”
I nodded. “I think so. Something is off.”
“She’s sleeping. Your demon. She’s out cold for a bit,” Nathan explained. “It won’t last, but Cruise knows a couple of interesting tricks. Coupled with my knowledge of her, we were able to knock her out for a bit.”
I rubbed my eyes. “What happened to Danvers?”
“I left him in your tent.” Nathan shook his head. “I’d help him if I could, but I think he’s too far gone. We’re going to start to get you better tonight. It’s early, but she’s leaving us no choice.”
Dizziness wafted through me, and I closed my eyes. “Early for what? I’m possessed. Death is possible at any time. We all know that.” I opened my eyes when my tears started. “This is like bringing someone back after death to say goodbye. At least, that’s what this feels like. I mean…I’ve known Ryker my whole life.” I tried to turn to look at him. “Might be better if you hadn’t done this to him.”
Nathan grabbed my arm and squeezed. “You’renotdying. You’re screaming in pain, and I’m so sorry you’re hurting.”
What did he know of it? “What are you?”
“I’m a human guy with a couple extra talents.” He stepped back, hiding his face in shadows whether by intention or coincidence. “Some time, centuries ago, someone in my family got busy with an angel. Due to that happy accident, I inherited some extra abilities that make me immune to demons and their shit. I can also help, at least a little bit, people who are possessed.”
Angels?When I would have turned around completely, Cruise put a hand on my knee. “Easy. Stay where you are. Seatbelt. We’re dealing with demons and angels, but you could still die if I skid out of control on ice.”
“Try not to?” Ryker looked out the window. “Neither she nor I were raised with any religious background. Would she have been safe if we’d been baptized or something?”
Cruise answered with a shrug. “Doesn’t seem to do much of anything. Plenty of deeply religious folks are possessed. Nathan’s an atheist.” He looked in the rearview mirror at the man with the angel DNA.
“Yep,” Nathan agreed then shrugged. “It’s complicated, but this isn’t about me. We’re almost there.”
None of it made any sense. “Where are we going?” I asked.
