by Cynthia Eden
“And he used my face when he put a cop in the hospital,” Tanner added.
Bastion’s head shook. “A punishment angel wouldn’t ever use another angel’s face—”
“He almost killed my brother just hours ago.” Tanner’s hands clenched as he remembered the cold fear that had coursed through him. And this guy was trying to play innocent? Not lying, but still twisting the truth. “You fucking know. You were there when we were fighting to keep him alive.”
Bastion’s eyelashes flickered in the faintest of moves.
Tanner advanced toward him. “You were downstairs, waiting to take his soul, so don’t pretend otherwise. I’ve got your scent. I know.” He was so in the mood to keep kicking ass. “What I want to know—right now—is did you come after that bastard left, or were you there when that angel attacked Cody and left him to die in that alley?”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Were you, Bastion?” Marna pressed. “Did you see the punishment angel who attacked him? Were you there?” Because if Bastion knew who was playing a deadly game with her life, and he didn’t tell her . . .
Maybe she’d let Tanner keep up that ass-kicking. Or maybe she’d try a little ass-kicking herself.
“He wasn’t on my list.” The words were spoken quietly as Bastion’s powerful wings folded behind his body.
“What damn list?” Tanner wanted to know.
But Marna already understood. “The death list.” Because there really was a list of names, a list of those who would soon have their souls taken.
“Cody wasn’t on the list. I had no warning about him, I just—” Bastion exhaled. “There was no foretelling for his case. When I got to him, he was already on the ground, with half of his stomach cut out.”
Marna flinched.
Tanner didn’t move. “And his killer?”
“There was no sign of another angel there.” Bastion was adamant.
“No scent?” Tanner pressed. “No fucking flutter of wings? Nothing?”
“Just your brother and the blood. There were humans a few streets over, I could hear them, but nothing else.” Bastion turned away from them and headed back to the window. “The guy isn’t an angel. You need to look closer to home for this killer.” Then he leapt through the open window, wings soaring and breaking glass in the top windowpane as he flew high up into the dark sky.
Marna stared after him. Her old life had never been so far away. As if to remind her of what she’d lost, the scars on her back seemed to burn. Burning, itching—why wouldn’t they just stop bothering her? Reminding me of what’s gone.
She put her back to the window. “There’s one person who can tell us what he saw.” A guy who’d gotten a very up-close look at the killer.
And Cody was recovered enough now to tell them everything.
Tanner nodded. Marna pushed past him, ready to find Cody and—
He stopped her. “Do you still miss . . .” Tanner began, but then his words died away.
She knew what he’d been about to say. “Heaven? Sometimes.” How could she not? “But I’m finding there are things here that I like very, very much.”
His gaze lifted to meet hers.
She offered him a smile. “Now let’s go find out who this guy is and let’s stop him.” Because she was ready to move on with her life. Humans knew joy—she’d seen it on their faces. Maybe, just maybe, she could know it, too.
A home. A family. Tanner . . . and a child? Perhaps all of that could be hers.
But not with the killer waiting out there. Not with him playing his games.
Finish him. Then she could really start living.
Only . . . as soon as they opened the bedroom door, Tanner swore. He rushed past her and barreled down the stairs. Marna heard the faint sound then, too. A car’s motor, speeding away.
Tanner yanked open the front door. Marna was steps behind him, and she saw the glow of fading taillights.
“Cody,” she whispered.
The sagging front porch creaked as Riley stepped from the shadows. “The demon said he had hunting to do.”
“Sonofabitch.” Tanner stared after those red lights with his body tight.
“The guy was muttering about owing you, and making things right.” Riley stopped at Marna’s side, but his eyes were on Tanner.
Tanner threw a hard glance over his shoulder. “And you just let him drive away?”
“Why would I stop him?” Riley wanted to know. “I paid my debt.” He gave a little salute to Marna. “I don’t owe anyone now.” He started walking back into the house.
Marna caught his arm. “We were even before this. Now I’m the one who owes you.”
He sent her a quick smile, one that showed the edges of his fangs. “I like having an angel in my debt.”
Why did everyone seem to keep forgetting? “I’m not an angel anymore.”
His grin widened. “Even better.”
A snarl came from Tanner.
But Riley just laughed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. “There’s a motorcycle hidden about a hundred yards to the east, under an oak. Take it. Join the hunt.” He tossed the keys to Tanner and gave him a little salute. “And now, that means you’re in my debt, too.”
Whistling, he headed into the cabin.
“Bastard,” Tanner muttered.
Yes, but he was a bastard who’d helped them. She caught Tanner’s hand. Laced her fingers with his. “Come on.” If they hurried, they’d be able to catch Cody. Dawn would come soon, and this battle would best be fought under the cover of darkness.
It was easier to hide the truth from humans in the dark.
They raced through the brush, heading east quickly through the night. Marna had to double-time it in order to keep up with Tanner. Her shifter was so fast.
Then they were at the motorcycle. Tanner climbed on, and she jumped behind him, holding tight. The engine burst to life with a growl as great as Tanner’s panther, and they leapt forward.
Her heart slammed into her ribs as they gave chase.
She couldn’t see any sign of Cody’s vehicle now, but he had to be close still. The motorcycle leapt off the old path and onto the twisting two-lane highway with a jarring thud that had her holding even tighter to Tanner. Faster, faster. Her hair whipped behind her as they drove.
Another corner.
Another tight turn.
Her thighs squeezed around his as the vibration from the bike shook her legs. When had she grown so used to the adrenaline rush of danger? When had it started to turn her on?
Not such an angel.
Maybe it was time for everyone to realize that.
Another turn. Her body was plastered against his. Another—
A siren screamed and a police cruiser seemed to leap right out of the darkness. Blue and red lights flashed in a blinding whir.
The cops had found them. Had tracked them.
Tanner didn’t slow. Faster, faster . . .
Another turn. Another tight corner, another—
A car was blocking the road. No, not a car. An SUV. Riley’s vehicle—the one Cody had taken. Tanner tried to stop the motorcycle. Brakes squealed and sparks flew into the air—
But there wasn’t enough time to stop. They were going too fast. The SUV was too close. The motorcycle slammed into the side of the vehicle. Marna tried to hold on to Tanner, but she was ripped away from him. She flew through the air—not like when I had wings. This flight was terrifying, short, and her body slammed back into the pavement after only moments.
Her skin ripped away at the impact. Pain burned through her side and her arms.
Metal crunched and groaned. Those sirens were squealing, hurting her ears. Marna tried to rise—
“It’s okay,” a familiar voice told her, “I’ve got you.” Then arms wrapped around her body. Too tight. Too hard. And she was flying again. Rising higher and higher into the sky. She tried to fight the hold on her but couldn’t break free. When Marna glanced down, she saw the wreckage
below. Tanner and Cody were both there, running toward her. Tanner was screaming her name.
But she couldn’t break free and get back to him.
“No! Marna!” Tanner stared up, body shaking with fury, as the angel took Marna away from him. Fucking Bastion. He wasn’t taking her. He—
“He flew right at me.” Cody’s words tumbled out. Blood dripped from the gash in his forehead. “I was trying to get back to town—and my windshield shattered. I couldn’t even see him, not at first.” Cody’s breath shuddered out. “He forced me to stop.”
And he’d taken Marna. Tanner had caught a glimpse of the angel’s black wings. He’d moved too fast for Tanner to see his face, but he knew just which angel had come calling.
A door slammed behind him. Footsteps raced toward them. And those sirens kept screaming.
“Tanner!”
He couldn’t see Marna anymore. But he would find her. The angel wouldn’t take her.
“Tanner!” Hard hands slammed into him, and Tanner jerked his gaze away from the dark sky and found himself staring at his partner’s tense face. Wait, what the hell was Jonathan doing there?
“Man, we are in one big-ass shit storm,” Jonathan told him. The guy was sweating and shaking. “I’ve been searching this swamp for you all night.”
Tanner shook his head. “I have to—”
“What? Go after the girl? Not right now. Right now, you have to avoid the damn manhunt that is coming your way. They found the captain’s body, and now, they are looking for you.”
Did everything really have to go to hell at the same exact time? He glanced around. The motorcycle was smashed and twisted into a heavy mass of undriveable metal. The SUV was totaled. Only one way out. “Then take me into custody.” He headed for the patrol car. The same patrol car that he’d raced past moments before.
Jonathan grabbed his arm in a surprisingly strong grip. Huh. Maybe the human wasn’t so weak after all. “Are you insane?” Jonathan demanded with narrowed eyes. “Why do you think I was hauling ass to find you first? I’m trying to keep you out of custody.”
Tanner jerked free and kept marching toward the car. The guy wasn’t that strong. “Maybe I wasn’t clear enough.” He didn’t climb in the back of the car. He slid behind the wheel. “I’m taking this car.” More sirens were screaming. Coming ever closer
“Shit.” Jonathan jumped in beside him. “You’re not leaving without me. I’ll be damned if I have to keep chasing your ass.”
“You’re not goin’ without me!” Cody, weaving a bit, stood in front of the vehicle. “I won’t let you face him alone!”
Jonathan stared through the windshield at the bleeding demon. Then he shook his head. “I think it’s time you brought me up to speed, partner.”
Tanner’s hands clenched around the wheel. Being in the car was the perfect camouflage for him. While the other cops were out beating the streets in their search for a fugitive, a cop killer—time for me to kiss that badge good-bye—he’d be safely behind the wheel. Tracking an angel who was bent on hell.
You aren’t walking away after this. He’d make sure Bastion didn’t have a second chance to go after Marna. He’d seen the lust so clearly in the angel’s eyes. He should have expected—
“Tell me,” Jonathan insisted as he slammed his fist against the dash, making the radio shake.
Cody ran around to the back of the car. He climbed in, sending blood drops raining against the cage that kept suspects in check.
“Drive,” Cody told him.
Like he needed to be told. Tanner kept the windows down. He pulled in the scents around them and got locked on the one that mattered most.
Sin and sweetness. Rich, lush woman. A lost angel.
And he followed her. He shoved the gas pedal to the floor, weaved around the wreckage, and asked his partner, “You know Marna’s an angel of death . . .” She had been. “Well, one of those other death assholes just took her away.” The patrol car raced through the darkness. “And we’re getting her back.”
They landed on a rooftop. The sun was rising, just cracking open the sky with streaks of red and gold. The instant Marna’s feet touched down, Bastion let her go.
Marna whirled on him and drove her fist up into his jaw. He didn’t flinch. He’s getting used to pain.
His gaze, steady and intense, just held hers. “I don’t care if I make you angry.”
When had he gone crazy? How had she missed it? “What were you thinking? You can’t just abduct—”
He gave a tight shake of his head. “I’m keeping you safe.”
“No, you’re marking yourself for death, that’s what you’re doing.” She spun away from him and hurried to the edge of the roof. They were back in the Quarter. She knew these streets. Tanner would be searching for her. How long would it take before he turned his attention back to the city?
Doesn’t matter. She wasn’t going to wait around for Tanner to find her. She’d go back and find him.
Strong fingers closed around her arms. “If you go back to the shifter, you’ll be the one dying.”
Shocked, she turned and her gaze lifted to his. “Tanner would never hurt me.” She believed that with complete certainty.
“It’s not him I’m worried about.”
Her heart raced faster in her chest. “You did see who was in that alley with Cody.”
He shook his head. “You know angels can’t lie.”
She struggled to remember his exact words. Then—dammit ! “Just tell me! Tell me so I can keep Tanner safe. I have to know—”
His hands tightened on her arms. “I don’t know! If I knew, I would have killed him already.”
His words shocked her into silence.
“All I know . . .” His voice dropped, and he exhaled on a long sigh. “. . . is that my list has changed.”
The death list.
He swallowed, and Marna saw the flash of pain in his eyes. “And now, you’re on the list.”
“Death angels.” Jonathan gave a slow nod that Tanner saw from the corner of his eye. “Okay, so there are different types of angels? I thought—I thought they were all the same.”
“Hell, no. They’re like anyone else—some good, some evil. The most dangerous ones… they have to be stopped.” Which was what he’d do to Bastion once he caught the guy. Bastion had flown so fast, it was hard to trace the scent. As soon as he’d reached the Quarter, Tanner had lost that elusive smell. Now he circled around, gaze darting from the left to the right. Where are you?
“How can angels . . . be bad?” Now Jonathan sounded confused. Who could blame the guy? Humans were at a serious disadvantage in the paranormal game. The guy had already been jerked around once. No telling what bull the captain had fed him.
“The world is full of good and evil.” This came from Cody. Had the guy stopped bleeding yet? “Even angels can sin.”
Right. Tanner said, “And they can get their lily white asses tossed from heaven.” Like Sammael. Like Az. Soon . . . like Bastion?
“Is that—is that what happened with your angel?” Jonathan asked as his fingers drummed against the dashboard. He’d dented it with his fist earlier. “Did your Marna get cast out?”
“No,” he snapped. He needed to shift. The panther would be able to pick up Marna’s scent so much better. But dawn was coming, and there were already too many humans out in the streets. There wasn’t enough space to hide the beast in the daylight.
“Marna was different,” Cody said softly as he leaned forward, and his fingers curled around the cage. “Our brother Brandt cut her wings away.”
Jonathan gave a low whistle. “That’s one sick family you have there,” he muttered. “I hope you gave that bastard exactly what he deserved.”
I didn’t. But someone else sure did. “He’s in hell.”
Jonathan grunted. “Sounds like he’s just where he needs to be.”
“You’re saying that I’m going to . . . die?” But she didn’t want to die yet. She had just really started to
live. She wanted to stay there, with Tanner, to have a child—
Bastion shook his head. “It’s not going to happen. I won’t let it. I’ll keep you safe. You don’t have to worry.”
Then she realized what he was doing, and it broke her heart. “You can’t . . . you can’t change what’s meant to be.” An angel was supposed to follow orders. To take the souls in their care.
She knew of another angel who’d refused to take a soul. The angel had been right here, just blocks away in New Orleans. One dark night, the angel called Keenan had refused to take the soul of a human woman. He’d thought that Nicole St. James should have the chance to live.
For his sin, he’d been punished. He’d fallen.
A tear slipped down her cheek. Why did things have to be this way? Why did everything have to be so twisted? “You can’t fall because of me.”
His hand lifted. His fingers trembled as he brushed the tear away. “I’m not going to stand back and watch you suffer.” His jaw clenched. “I’ll do what I must in order to keep you safe. Others have changed fate. I can do it, too.” A pause. “I’ve done it once already, and I didn’t fall. I’m still here.”
What? “You know you can’t get away with that. It’s only a matter of time until—until—” Until his crimes caught up with him. She shook her head. “I won’t let you be punished for me!”
His hand was still against her cheek. “You never should have been a death angel. I know. I saw how much taking each soul hurt you.”
She shouldn’t have felt pain. He shouldn’t be feeling pain now. They’d always been taught—
Angels don’t feel.
It looked like they’d all been taught wrong. Was that why so many were falling? Because they couldn’t hold the emotions in check any longer?
“I’m going to hunt the one who is after you. I will kill him.” A vow from Bastion.
No. She couldn’t let him sacrifice so much for her.
Marna drew in a deep breath. She didn’t want to hurt Bastion, but sometimes, there wasn’t a choice. Sometimes you had to hurt the ones you loved.