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Percy hadn’t bothered to change his bloody clothes, and his long hair was out of its usual ponytail, hanging around his face in a tangle. He took a deep breath and mumbled, “Well, that was fun.Not. Let’s do that again never, shall we?”
“Yeah, no, I agree. I mean, the ball was ten out of ten. Would recommend. The rest, not so much.” Kevin laughed, and he hated how borderline hysterical it sounded. He was crashing from the adrenaline rush and while it appeared that Percy would make a full recovery, the reality of what had just happened was overwhelming.
Three men, including one that was half-demon, had tried to kill them.
Kevin had been in plenty of fights, brawls at the bar mostly, but he’d never been in a position where he’d been afraid for his life—or the life of someone he cared about. The gravity of the danger of being followed was finally sinking in, and he felt sick. He’d never been hunted before.
At least, not that he remembered.
His discomfort must have been obvious because Percy put his hand on Kevin’s thigh as he soothed, “Hey, we’re all right now. We’re safe. From what I saw, you fucked up Sebastian’s little cronies. They’re human and not likely to recover any ol’ time soon. That should slow them down some.” He sighed. “I don’t understand how they found us so quickly. Even with our stops, they should not have been able to catch up this fast.”
“Yeah. This does not feel right at all.” Kevin dropped his hand over Percy’s, hanging on tight. “I don’t get it. None of their tracking crap should have worked, right?”
“Maybe I didn’t drink enough coffee.”
“Ha, I’ll pump coffee right into your fuckin’ veins if that’s what it takes.”
Percy snorted. “Oh. Yes. Right away.” He paused. “Unless…”
“Unless what?”
Percy was quiet for a few more moments. “Unless we have to start an IV for you, peaches. It’s very possible they were able to deduce you were an angel from whatever essence you left behind at that little football bar.”
Kevin grimaced.
He didn’t think he could feel any worse, and yet, here it was. Possibly being responsible for Percy’s injured state caused his stomach to slosh harder. He should have been drinking coffee right along with Percy just to be safe. He should have been taking steps to cover his essence or whatever, or perhaps he should have never gotten Percy involved.
“We can stop at the next town,” Kevin said. “Extra large double espresso whatever for both of us.”
“Yes, and then we need to keep going. We can drive in shifts, and I would suggest that we don’t give in to the temptation of any other roadside attractions.” Percy grunted, and Kevin looked over to see him rubbing his throat.
“No more stops,” Kevin agreed, feeling particularly guilty for all the detours they’d already made. If they hadn’t stopped for the stupid ball—
Percy gasped. “That little shit…!”
“What’s wrong?”
“That little shit, Sebastian, poisoned me. That ridiculous sword of his has been dipped in the ground ashes of some saint. I’m healed, but I won’t be at my full strength for a few more days. Until we get your wings, we’re a tad more vulnerable than I would like.”
“Poisoned?” Kevin echoed, his frown deepening. “What the hell do we do? Is there a demon 911?”
“I’m retired, remember? I no longer have access to the precious amenities of hell like demonic healthcare. They weren’t very happy with me finding that little loophole, so they cut me off. I’m on my own, and there’s nowhere to go. Well…” Percy sighed. “No, don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine.”
“No, hey, I’m very worried about it.” Kevin squeezed Percy’s hand. “Just tell me where to go.”
“There’s only one haven for demons, retired or otherwise, and that’s Las Vegas. Big surprise, I know.” Percy huffed. “I’m too weak right now to teleport myself there and depending on the direction of your warm little fuzzies, such a detour could add literal days to our trip if we drive. You still have no idea where on the west coast we need to go. Getting your wings back is more important, peaches.”
“My wings will be there.” Kevin shook his head. There was a sign that said ten miles to the next town, and he sped up. “Literal days are worth it if it saves your fucking life.”
“Kevin, please listen to me,” Percy said firmly. “We stand a much better chance against Sebastian if you’ve got your wings. A fully restored angel would be a welcome advantage against that halfling prick. Angels tend to trump demons in the rock paper scissors of celestial beings. And I’m going to be fine. I’ll be healed up by the time we get to wherever the hell it is we’re going.”
Kevin wanted to believe him, but his stomach still clenched with dread. He tried not to think about all the blood, aiming for levity as he teased, “If this is all just some crazy plan to marry me in Vegas…”
Percy laughed. “Oh, peaches. Trust that I have means of seduction much more pleasant and less bloody than almost having my head cut off to employ in procuring your hand in marriage.”
Kevin cracked a little smile. “Fine, we won’t go to Vegas right now. We do need to get you cleaned up though if you can’t poof it away right now.”
“I will absolutely poof it once I’ve had a moment to catch my breath,” Percy insisted grumpily. “If anyone asks, I’m a method actor and I’m expecting a role inThe Walking Dead.”
