“Don’t you dare put those soul-sucking laser beam eyes anywhere near me,” Devin said.
“So Airech told you about that too, huh?”
Devin seemed calmer, but Bren could feel him trembling, his muscles rigid under Bren’s hand. His breathing was shallow, his face still deathly pale. With his heightened perception, Bren could sense Devin’s gradual weakening as his life essence slowly dissipated. They didn’t have much longer.
“You know what would improve this situation?” Bren flashed a grin. “Some toe-curling make-up sex. Trust me, everything will make more sense after that. And if it doesn’t, we can talk some more.”
Devin rewarded him with another ghost of a smile. A jolt of surprise and joy leapt through Bren as Devin’s arms reached around to pull him close in a bone-cracking embrace. But before he could respond, Devin released him and retreated backwards. Standing just out of reach, he regarded Bren warily.
“Maybe one day. I need to think about all this.”
Bren stretched out and took hold of Devin’s arm gently as he made for the door. “I know you do. But we don’t have much time—”
Restraining him with a look, Devin shook his head. “Don’t push it, Bren. We’ll talk again, I promise. But I can’t do this right now. I have to go. They’re waiting for me.”
If Devin wouldn’t stay, there was nothing he could do about it. Releasing his hold, Bren stepped aside to let him pass. Telling him the whole truth wouldn’t change it anyway. Tomorrow, as the day died, so would Devin. And Bren with him.
Hesitating on the doorstep, Devin glanced back one last time. Their eyes met, and this time Bren let down his careful guard, allowing their souls to search out each other. He felt them crash together, and the familiar aching feeling of yearning swept through him. There was no consolation for Bren in knowing Devin was feeling it too. It wouldn’t be enough to make him stay.
“What was it?” Devin asked abruptly. “The thing you did, that made you human?”
After a long pause, Bren answered him.
“I couldn’t let you die.”
Devin’s frown deepened. “So you’re, what? My guardian angel?”
“It’s… complicated.”
Devin gave him one last typical Devin look and walked out into the night. Bren stood motionless, paralysed by his thoughts until the sound of the van starting up and driving away startled him into action.
Moving to the coffee table, he shuffled through the scattered piles of clutter, swearing under his breath. After several anxious minutes, he found what he was looking for. A crumpled ball of paper. He flattened it out with shaking fingers, smoothing down the wrinkles.
“Well, here goes nothing,” he said.
Chapter 29
Airech
The morning light glimmered on the jade water, throwing dapples on Bren’s haggard face as he sat hunched in the shade of a large rock. Pulling on his jeans, Airech sat down beside him, shaking off any last stray drops from his trip out of the caves.
“Thanks for agreeing to see me,” Bren said. “I knew Devin wouldn’t come, so you were my only hope.”
“When I’m someone’s last resort, you know it’s time to start panicking.” Airech allowed himself a cautious smile.
“You’re also the only god who owns a mobile phone. It’s not as if I had a lot of options.”
Airech leaned back casually, his arms taking his weight. It was important to come across as his usual cocky self, undisputed holder of the upper hand. Even if it was all an act. An impressive act, as full of flair as everything else he did, but still an illusion.
This was the first time he’d seen Bren since remembering their medieval era tryst and outing him as an angel of death to Devin, who hadn’t exactly taken it well. Airech fully expected Bren to be harbouring a tiny bit of animosity towards him. Maybe even some rage.
And he cared. He was surprised by how much he cared. As baffling as it was, he couldn’t deny it—he didn’t want Bren to hate him. Devin had started him down this slippery slope of genuine affection and respect. He had a lot to answer for.
“All the same, thank you for your faith in me,” Airech said. “And for not trying to hurt me.”
Bren shrugged. “That would be a waste of energy. You’re immortal. Completely lacking any tact or discretion, but immortal.” He shifted on the limestone. “But I didn’t come here to insult you. I wanted to warn you.” His eyes combed the surrounding landscape. “Where’s Devin?”
“He’s gone off somewhere with Cap. Why?”
“What I’m about to say to you… he has to know, but right now it’s probably better if he doesn’t hear it from me. You’ll have to figure out the best way to tell him.”
“You can count on me.” Airech tried not to be offended when Bren answered him with raised eyebrows. Considering recent events, he could hardly blame him for the lack of confidence. And what he was about to do might erode it even further. Glancing around nervously, he held up a hand.
“Before we continue, there’s one thing—”
With a rush of wind, a hawk swept down from the cloudless sky. Disturbing the air around him, Fintan rippled back into human form.
“I’m sorry. It’s not that I don’t trust you.” Airech grimaced in apology.
“But, you don’t trust me.”
“It’s not a precautionary measure,” Fintan said. “I wanted to hear what you have to say. Anything that concerns Devin, concerns us all.”
Bren nodded, looking up into Fintan’s earnest face. “Fair enough. Though this goes well beyond concern. Devin’s in serious danger. As in, mortal danger.” He paused, hesitating.
“Go on,” Fintan urged him.
“Not long before sunset tonight, the window to his soul will open, and every soul taker in the realms will be hunting him. Including the entire horde of Sluagh.”
Airech looked at Bren quizzically, his impatience rising. There was no need for Bren to look so worried. He was an angel of death, or at least he had been—he knew the score.
“He’s under our protection, so he won’t come to any harm,” Airech said dismissively. “They can’t claim his soul unless he’s dying or dead.”
Bren let out a quivering sigh. It had never occurred to Airech that the weight of the world had a sound until he heard it.
“Devin is dead,” Bren said quietly. “He’s been dead for a long time.”
Airech exchanged looks with Fintan. His serene face was impassive, only the slight crease of his forehead hinting at his consternation. Following his lead, Airech tried to keep his face and his thoughts neutral.
“He does a very good impression of someone who’s breathing,” he said.
“At the moment, he’s immortal,” Bren explained. “That’s why he was able to summon you. Isn’t it true, that usually only another immortal can do that?”
Airech’s mind reeled. It wasn’t possible. Devin was human. Every time he held him he could feel his fragility, his impermanence. It thrilled and terrified him in equal measure.
The lines on Fintan’s face deepened. “We thought it might be because he carries the blood of Sadhbh.”
Bren shook his head. “If that’s true, it’s not enough to make a difference. No, it’s because he’s an immortal. And also unique. As far as I’m aware, he’s the only one of his kind.”
“How do you know?” Airech asked.
“Because,” Bren said, “I created him.”
Heart hammering, Airech fought for calm, finding refuge in the facts. There was no need for alarm. Bren knew as well as he did that mortal souls were the only legal currency for soul takers. Taking an immortal soul was not only forbidden. It was impossible.
“I can guess what you’re thinking.” Bren’s expression was guarded; unfathomable. “But his soul is fair game. Dev is only… temporarily immortal.”
“That’s like saying someone’s temporarily dead,” Airech countered.
“Actually, that’s the opposite.”
It did
n’t take a god-like intellect to see why Devin often described Bren as a smart arse. Though Airech had his suspicions that Devin found Bren’s habit of correcting him more endearing than annoying.
“I think it would be easier if you told us the whole story.” Fintan settled himself in his wise sage pose, cross-legged on the rocks. Airech shifted closer to Bren, who eyed him warily.
“It’s a long one.”
“We’re listening.” Airech smiled grimly. “Just don’t take all day. This rock isn’t very comfortable.”
“We haven’t got a day,” Bren replied flatly. He took a deep breath. “Seven years back, I found an open window to a mortal soul that was weakening fast. A drowning in Irish waters. I expected some competition from your realm, from the selkies. You know they have a claim on anyone lost at sea, this side of the ocean.
When I got there, I saw Devin’s mother, alive but under some evil enchantment. She wasn’t mine to take. Dev, on the other hand… he was dying.
As I expected, there was a selkie closing in, but it retreated when it saw me make my claim. You know how it works. I absorbed Devin’s knowledge and harvested his memories, letting him keep only the happiest ones. And then he… he… died. So I took his…” He trailed to a stop.
Airech couldn’t speak, his throat swelling with sudden sorrow. Fintan was the one to break the silence, his voice soothing.
“You took his soul. Because that’s what you were there to do. There’s no need to punish yourself. Go on, Rael. I mean, Bren.”
Bren gave a ragged cough before beginning again. “As I flew away, I was overwhelmed by these strange, disturbing sensations. With feelings. Desolation. Regret. My head was hijacked by a voice, screaming at me. I couldn’t make any sense of any of it.
And then the Sluagh descended. Chasing me, hounding me for Devin’s soul. Even though it was forbidden because I’d already harvested it. All those demons swarming to the mortal realm for one insignificant human soul. I’d never seen them want anything so badly.”
“Was Zaz leading them?” Airech wondered.
“No. I already told you, I didn’t even know he was with the Sluagh. I doubt I would have escaped if he had been there. You know how relentless he is.”
The look Bren gave Airech was so heavy with unspoken meaning the god hoped Fintan, with all his wisdom, didn’t catch it.
“I acted on instinct. To this day, I can’t explain what happened next. Have you ever done something you know you shouldn’t, almost as if you couldn’t help yourself?”
Airech gave a twisted smile. “Welcome to my world.”
“I flew back to Devin’s body and brought it to the shore. I returned his missing memories to him, all except the ones with me in them. I was always paranoid I’d overlooked one. The results weren’t perfect, because I had to work fast—it was a long time before he could make sense of many of them. Even now, he finds certain things difficult. Reading. Sleeping.” Bren’s voice was constricted, tight with pain.
“I replaced his soul, reversing his death, just as the window closed again. The Sluagh retreated. And finally, the screaming stopped. But not before I heard the words clearly, for the first and last time. ‘Ró-luath.’”
“Too soon,” Airech echoed softly.
“The strange thing was… the voice. I could have sworn it was mine.”
Bren’s shaky smile put Airech into a tail-spin. Despite their natural rivalry and chequered history, he felt curiously connected to Bren in a way that went beyond their one night together. It wasn’t something he wanted to think about too deeply.
“One question.” Fintan’s tawny eyes were troubled. “How did you revive him? Angels of death don’t have the power to grant immortality.”
With a jolt, Airech realised the same thought should have occurred to him. That was the problem with misplaced sympathies towards renegade angels. They were distracting, and therefore, dangerous.
“Fintan’s right. It’s the literal opposite of your job description.”
Bren hesitated, his eyes dropping, intent on the chalky rock. “I gave him some of my angel essence. The same essence that was used to create me.”
The shock of Bren’s revelation slammed Airech sideways. He’d always had a healthy contempt for supernatural red tape, but this was different.
“So, you played God.”
“You do it all the time.”
“Because I am a god.”
Airech glowered at Bren, willing him to look up, and eventually, he did. His eyes reminded Airech of deep water, crushing and cold. Something about the stubborn set of Bren’s jaw ignited sparks in his mind, a sudden realisation making him gasp.
“It’s not the first time you’ve broken the rules, is it?” Airech measured each word with deliberate care. “The ability to see through our magic. Your knowledge of our ways. You took it from souls you harvested, but you didn’t disperse it. You kept it for yourself.” Biting disappointment in his fellow soul taker gouged his insides. “You stole from the dead.”
“I’m a collector. The same as you,” Bren said coolly. “Except, the people I took from couldn’t feel pain.”
Airech ignored the jibe. “That knowledge was meant for all of humankind. So the old magic wouldn’t be forgotten!”
Bren squared his shoulders. “You should be thanking me. Imagine if everyone could see right through you.”
Bristling, Airech felt Fintan’s placating hand land on his shoulder.
“I think the time to debate the rights and wrongs of Bren’s actions has long passed,” Fintan said. “Please, continue. What happened after you revived Devin?”
Bren turned to him. “Gabriel arrived to see exactly what sort of shit storm I’d created. He was furious, of course. You can imagine the ramifications of someone who was supposed to die, who did die, walking on earth. All the potential for unexpected chaos. So he birthed me as a mortal Devin’s age and took my wings. In that order.”
Fintan winced. “That must have been painful.”
“Amputations generally are,” Bren said. “But he had no choice. Taking my essence away before making me human would have wiped me out of existence. So, he created Bren, whose task was to shadow Devin until the next window opened up. Then I would return to my angel form, and his soul could be taken, as it was meant to be.”
“And the next window is tonight.” Airech was surprised by how calm he sounded, almost as if fear wasn’t scouring his heart like sandpaper.
“Yes. The angel essence that’s been sustaining him all this time is nearly gone, and while I’m mortal, I don’t have a way to get more of it. He’s weakening by the hour. And because he’s already effectively dead, he doesn’t need to die again. Once the window to his soul opens, any soul taker can claim him, dead or alive. Me, you. The Sluagh.” Bren gave a small, bitter laugh. “When you first came, that’s why I assumed you were gathering. To compete with me for his soul.”
“Well, your fears have been realised.” Airech fought the impulse to recoil from the man beside him. Bren’s sole purpose was to end Devin’s existence, and even though Airech was very partial to his own immortality, he’d rather die than let that happen.
“So, what now?” he said roughly.
“We have to protect him from the Sluagh. That’s the first priority.”
“I’m not worried about the Sluagh. I’m worried about you.”
“You have good reason to be,” Bren said bluntly. “Until yesterday, my plan was to take him from here, forcibly if I had to. But I can’t do it. I can’t take his soul. If that was still my plan, I wouldn’t be sharing any of this with you.”
“And why the sudden change of heart?”
“I realised something.”
Airech snorted. “That you love him? Hardly a revelation. Even Cap can see that.”
“No. But I figured, if Rael wasn’t able to take Devin’s soul, there’s no way in hell Bren is going to let it happen.”
Searching Bren’s downcast face, sensing his genuine remor
se, it was all too easy for Airech to believe he was a soft-hearted mortal. But Bren’s earlier bone-chilling stare was only a glimpse of what he was capable of in his true form. Airech was sharing a rock with the most dangerous rival he’d ever known. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to move away.
So, what is your plan?” Airech asked shortly.
“To bring him with me to the angel realm. Gabriel has agreed to that. All I need to do is to convince Devin, and I was hoping you’d help me.”
Even if he didn’t have very personal objections to Bren’s proposal, it was obvious to Airech there was a more straightforward solution. One that didn’t involve Devin being torn away from them and forced into the company of pretentious winged creatures for eternity.
“If we take him to Tech Duinn, I can make sure he keeps his immortality. Permanently, this time.”
“It’s too risky. You won’t make it,” Bren insisted. “I’ll have a complete host of angels, the whole of heaven on my side. You’re outcasts. If he goes with you, they’ll only be the three of you to protect him.”
Bren’s pleading look brought Airech back to a pile of straw in a mud hut, a very long time ago. He could taste the smoky fire and remember the stickiness of the damp wall on his fingertips. Stronger than all those sensations was Rael’s scent, like warm gingerbread. And the touch of his skin, which looked like stone but felt like velvet. Harnessing the long-forgotten power of that moment, he gazed at Bren, willing him to feel it too. Maybe, just maybe, their night together had been more than an impulsive mistake.
“Actually, they’ll be four of us,” Airech said quietly. “If you help us get him there. Devin belongs with us, Rael. We haven’t quite made sense of it, but we know our band needs him. That’s his destiny. It might even be why you saved him.”
In the silence that followed, Bren laid a tentative hand next to Airech’s where it rested on the rock. Side by side, they looked remarkably similar, with the same long, refined fingers.
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