On the Hunt

  Everything began to grow darker, dimmer, and Jamie knew he was dying. Instead of struggling, he let his thoughts go to Sunny. Pictured her bright, lovely eyes, the warmth and care he'd seen reflected there. Her purity. Her sweetness.

  That was what heaven would be like. Death would be like Sunny Renfroe.

  Maybe he was dead already. The darkness suddenly grew golden and bright as a sun, the penumbra overshadowing Thrastikas. Jamie couldn't even see the demon in the blaze of glorious light. Heaven. He was already there, the transition far easier than he'd always imagined.

  And Sunny was there with him! She stood in the center of the glowing energy, beaming down at him, pure love in her eyes. He smiled back, trying to reach toward her, but he remained prone and his body wouldn't obey. Of course not, he was only a spirit now, no longer a physical being . . . although it seemed he should be able to walk and move in heaven. Just as it seemed that his throat shouldn't hurt and burn so harshly and the gash on his forehead shouldn't throb still. The afterlife was a lot more painful than he'd expected.

  Sunny knelt beside him, gently touching his throat, and the sharp pain dissolved. Then, with a light brushing of her fingertips against his forehead, that pain vanished as well.

  "Sunny?" He gasped the word, sounding gritty like sandpaper. Lifting both hands to his throat, he tried to loosen the chain, but it was no longer around his throat.

  "Be still and don't try to talk," she soothed, stroking his hair.

  He peered up at her, not understanding what he'd just experienced. He'd have sworn he was in heaven when she appeared in that halo of light. "Am I . . . dead?"

  She pressed a tender kiss to his forehead, caressing his cheek. "No, my love. You're going to be fine. You're safe."

  He might be safe, at least for now, but Sunny wasn't! There were demons all around; Thrastikas might hurt her. In alarm, he tried to sit up. "You gotta get out of here," he warned hoarsely, but she pushed him back down easily. He caught sight of Thrastikas's crumpled form only a few yards away; his wings and body had been scorched, the chains melted. His once-beady red eyes stared lifelessly, all the hell fire gone from their depths. Sunny had done that; Sunny had used her angelic power to turn his enemy to an ashen heap.

  "Sunshine," he whispered hoarsely. "Thank you. I'm sorry . . . so sorry about . . ."

  "Shh, just rest, Jamie. Rest." She kissed him softly on the lips, and it was warm, strange.

  Different from any other time they'd shared a kiss. So much so that whatever she did caused him to fall fast asleep immediately.

  Sunny watched Mason and Evan hoist Jamie's still form into the backseat of Mace's pickup truck.

  She'd given him a holy kiss, placing him in a deep, healing trance. Although she'd instantly mended his wounds, the emotional and spiritual trauma of coming so near to death needed to be healed as well, and that took time.

  Once Jamie was laid out on the seat, looking peaceful—and so fast asleep that he began snoring loudly—Mace turned to her. "I don't get it." He shook his head. "We were knee-deep in battle with some truly wicked demons, and then . . . they went ghost on us. And where did you come from?" He pointed at Sunny. "You were suddenly here and then all the demons were gone.

  And Thrastikas was toast back there. He was scorched against the ground. What's up with that?"

  Sunny gave him an evasive smile. "Well, I was worried about Jamie." She turned and peeked at him one more time, wanting to reassure herself that he truly was all right.

  "So you came out into the thick of a demon battle? Really, now," Mace continued, popping her on the arm. "I don't believe you. There's got to be more to it than that."

  Shay started pushing Mason toward the driver's side. "Leave Sunny be. Isn't it bad enough that she's got to contend with Jamie? She doesn't need you, too."

  He stopped in his tracks. "Contend? From where I'm standing, sissy, there's a lot more than that going on between those two."

  Shay gave her brother another shove. "Just drive. There's no big conspiracy here."

  He was still muttering about vaporized demons and supernatural forces when Shay closed his truck door, giving Sunny a brief and conspiratorial grin. "Thanks, sweetie," Shay said. "I know we allowe you our lives. Or at the very least we owe you Jamie's life. That you cared enough to come out here . . ."

  Sunny lifted her finger to her lips dramatically, and whispered, "Shhhh. If he hears, it might go right to his head."

  Shay burst out laughing. "Oh, my gosh, you so totally have my brother's number already."

  I so totally love your brother already, Sunny nearly blurted in reply, but turned back to her car instead. Her work tonight had only just begun.

  Chapter Ten

  How long am I supposed to wait? I need to see you, Sunny. Give a guy a break, why don't you? You're killing me here....

  Sunny smiled, reading Jamie's latest message on her iPhone. He'd texted her repeatedly during the past three days, and every time Sunny had indicated that it wasn't time yet, but that she definitely wanted to see him. That she had some big news. Something that would give him hope, but she needed time.

  She'd been reading and delving into every book on angelic guardians, messengers, and hosts that Shay could shuttle over to Sunny's apartment. And the more she read, the more convinced she became that because of her love for Jamie, she truly could exercise her own free will. That she wouldn't turn dark as a result, not if guided by her faith—and no matter how hard she prayed, she always received the same answer: that she was meant to be with Jamie. Even though it seemed to fly in the face of everything she'd been called to do—and even though it contradicted Kiel's initial chastisement—she knew it was her destiny.

  But she'd needed time enough to prove that to herself before telling Jamie such big news.

  And he'd just about gone bonkers with the waiting. Patience, she was learning, wasn't high on James Angel's list of virtues.

  Still smiling, she texted back, I've been working on something for you. . . . Patience, big guy.

  Almost immediately he fired another volley:

  Are you saying we can be together? Are you implying you figured out a way? I can't take much more of this. . . .

  When she didn't text back right away, her phone began to ring, and she beamed. It was kind of silly, but it felt good to be pursued—and felt more than wonderful for Jamie to be the one doing that pursuing.

  She answered the phone and he plunged right in. "I'm all out of patience," he blurted. "Are you home? I'm walking out to my truck right now.... I'm coming to see you."

  "Really?" she said demurely. "Right now?"

  He was silent for a moment, as if he'd expected her to object or dodge. "You . . . It's okay if I do?" He sounded entirely disbelieving, stunned even.

  "Do you like lasagna?"

  Another pause, then, "Hell, yeah. Wait, you want to cook for me?"

  "James Dixon, you sound so shocked. I'd reckon you were used to dinner invitations from single women." She opened her pantry and began retrieving spices and spaghetti sauce and pasta. "I mean, aren't you supposed to be God's gift to every girl in Savannah?"

  "Not anymore. There's only one girl I want, and you know it," he answered very quietly, and then she heard him suck in a breath. As if he were bracing for her rejection, for words she would never say again, the dreaded, We can't be together.

  But she wouldn't give him her news over the phone. It had to be done in person, when she could kiss him and hold him for hours afterward.

  "Well, good, then," she said lightly, "I'll even have fresh bread for you. See you in a little while."

  And with that she hung up the phone before he could cajole her for more information. It was thirty minutes from Isle of Hope to her apartment. She had a lot to accomplish in that very short amount of time.

  Jamie took the steps to Sunny's apartment two at a time. He'd driven here at breakneck speed, lucky as hell that he'd not been stopped for a ticket, but he couldn't have slowed down if he'd tried.
>
  She had good news; she had to. Something he wanted to hear. And she knew that there was only one thing that he would count as a happy announcement right now: that they had a future together.

  He paced around on her stoop and ran a hand over his hair, trying to neaten it up. He'd been so hell-bent on storming her gates that he'd not even bothered to shave or change into nicer clothes.

  He was wearing faded jeans and a frayed green polo, but he didn't even care. He just wanted to be with Sunny, was desperate to hear her say that she'd found a way for them to be a couple.

  Before he could ring the bell, Sunny opened the door. She leaned against the doorjamb smiling up at him with a sexy expression in her eyes. "Well," she drawled, "you must've broken the sound barrier with that drive over here, James Angel."

  He was speechless. Unlike him, she'd made herself absolutely gorgeous, wearing a sleek pair of black jeans with a black cashmere turtleneck. Her hair was pulled back with a brightly colored silk scarf patterned in purple and red and black. He wanted to take that fabric between his teeth and untie it so he could run his hands all through her light brown curls.

  "I . . ." He blushed, staring down at his scuffed boots, feeling stupidly shy now that he was here. "I couldn't get here fast enough, sweetheart. But you already know that."

  "What's with gabbing on my front stoop, then? Come here." She grabbed hold of his arm, pulling him inside the apartment.

  The moment the door was closed, Sunny was wrapping her arms about his neck, tugging him down for a kiss. Unlike all their previous kisses, this time she was bold, not hesitating for even a heartbeat as she backed him up against her front door. It turned him flat on, Sunny being so direct and aggressive.

  It also caused his heart to slam inside his chest. Sunny wouldn't be so eager if . . .

  He broke the kiss they'd begun. "Sunny, baby." He gasped. "Are you telling me . . . Can we . . . Is this allowed?" He didn't quite dare hope, even as he'd spent the past days desperately praying and dreaming of this very moment.

  She beamed up at him, her almond-shaped eyes alight with fire and passion and . . . love.

  Cupping his face between both palms, she blessed him with a radiant smile, one that was lit with just a touch of her supernatural glow. "Yes, Jamie," she whispered, bobbing her head.

  "Allowed to be together? To fall in love? To be lovers?" he rushed to ask, clinging to her hips.

  "Please tell me I'm understanding this right."

  She nodded again, her smile widening. "Yes, my love, I believe we can be all those things."

  His vision instantly blurred and he sagged against the door behind him, a heavy, crushing weight instantly lifted off his body and soul. "H-how?" he stammered, bunching her sweater in both hands. It was almost as if he feared she might still fly away, that he might lose her, so he had to hold her tight.

  She leaned her cheek against his chest, sighing contentedly. "I finally understood what could be done after Kiel came to me again. That night of the demon fight . . . when I was driving out to stop you."

  "You shouldn't have put yourself in danger like that," he admonished. "Not for me."

  "Of course for you! I love you; why wouldn't I?"

  He sucked in a sharp breath, desire and hope spiraling like crazy inside his heart. Had she really just confessed her love for him?

  "You love me?" he murmured, cradling her even closer against his chest.

  She pulled back and stared up into his eyes. "I've chosen to fall so I can be with you. I think some angels might consider that love."

  "Sunny, no, no," he argued, panicking. "You can't do that. Fallen angels turn into demons. They become evil and dark.... No way, sweetheart. Not for me."

  "You don't know as much as you think you do, hunter," came the answer from behind her, a rumbling noise like the sound of thunderclaps and music combined.

  A bright beam of light filled Sunny's living room, and he tried to avert his eyes this time, but thankfully the gigantic angel toned down his glory somehow. Kiel stood in the center of the room, appearing mostly human, although his golden-tan eyes were unlike any Jamie had ever seen in a mortal.

  "Young ones, it was a difficult test," the entity sang, a broad smile filling his face. "As Sunera now knows, God ordained and allowed your new love to endure a trial. For a purpose . . . that you would know the strength of your feelings for each other. Know the importance of being destined to love and fight together."

  "Fight together?" Sunny asked in surprise, but Jamie noticed that the rest of the mighty angel's announcement didn't seem to shock her at all.

  "James Angel, you have a new battle partner in Sunera. You will pair with her as you fight demons and darkness. And, Sunera? You are now reassigned to James."

  "What will that entail? I'm not sure I understand."

  Kiel's eyes gleamed like diamonds. "Your role will be different from when you were with Kate—and she will be given a new guardian. You and James Angel will fight as one, true battle partners.

  Angelic strength matched with his hunter's skills. You're meant to complete and balance his power. Your faith, dear one, had to find this way . . . and it did."

  Sunny turned to face Jamie. "I read the lore," she admitted sheepishly, and only then did he notice the small stack of leather-bound books on her coffee table. "Shay kept bringing me books, volume after volume. No matter how much I kept thinking I should give up . . . I couldn't give up on you, Jamie. On us."

  Kiel beamed. "But you did not learn everything, Sunera. As of this moment, you are now this human's partner, his mate . . . and his wife."

  "His wife?" they blurted simultaneously. They hadn't gotten married; they'd barely even kissed before tonight.

  "It is declared so by heaven itself. No earthly ceremony is necessary." The angel's eyes sparkled. "Unless you want one, that is."

  Jamie gaped. He'd spent years terrified of settling down, of making a commitment to any woman—much less marrying one. But as he gazed back at Kiel, the messenger's words seeping into his brain, he felt lighter and more alive than he had in years—and was shocked to realize he wasn't afraid at all.

  "So we're already married, and she'll still be an angel of sorts?" Jamie clarified. "My own personal guardian angel?"

  "I don't have to fall?" Sunny chimed in, her dark eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

  Kiel stepped much closer, seeming larger and taller the nearer he came. "It is a kind of fall, to become human in this life and mate with a mortal," he answered Sunny, the words vibrating so strongly that the potted plants rocked where they sat on the windowsill. "Your will ingness to fall in order to experience love has set you on an uncharted course. And what happens after that, Sunera? It will be as unknown to you as it is to all humans.... Your future in heaven remains a mystery. That is what it means for you to fall. That you live out your years as a human . . . although one with certain special angelic abilities. But you will not be given answers about the afterlife or future missions."

  Jamie looked into Sunny's eyes, needing to know that she was comfortable with the arrangement, but all he saw reflected in her gaze was joy and genuine love. No doubt glimmered in her warm brown eyes, not even the slightest hesitation.

  When he turned back to thank Kiel, the angel had already vanished, leaving a radiant glow in the center of the living room.

  "This means," he said, spinning Sunny back into his arms, "that tonight's our honeymoon night, sweetheart."

  "This can't be the way you imagined things happening between us," she whispered apologetically.

  "Everyone always said I'd have a shotgun wedding one day. I just never imagined an Angel would wind up with an angel." He laughed, untying the scarf from her hair. "I like it loose, so I can run my hands all through your curls." He twined a particularly tight ringlet around his pinkie, loving how soft it felt.

  Sunny stared up at him through half-lowered lashes. "Jamie Angel, you have a fixation with my hair."

  "Because it's sexy as ever-living . .
." He coughed, seeming to catch himself. "Uh, heaven."

  "But be serious for a minute," she argued as he angled for a full-mouthed kiss. "I know this is totally sudden."

  He slid both hands low about her, cupping her perfectly rounded ass in both palms. He gave a rolling squeeze, tightening his hold until she gasped in pleasure.

  "Sudden?" he murmured against her lips. "This past week's been one long, slow-motion hell for me. Wanting you, needing you . . . tasting the bitterness of denial. And before that? Years of loneliness and emptiness right up until the moment I found you. No, this isn't sudden, Sunshine. This is my destiny. You are my destiny."

  With a graceful motion, he bent down and scooped her up into his arms. "And this is you, my darling, about to be carried over the threshold to the start of our happily-ever-after. Where I'm going to make you fully and truly my wife . . . in every way."

  Chapter Eleven

  Jamie carried her over the threshold of her bedroom with a flourish, pausing to glance around.

  "More flowers." He stood cradling her against his chest, taking in the African violets and orchids and amaryllis blooms, an awed expression on his handsome face.

  "I'll plant some for you, if you'd like," Sunny suggested, flushing as she realized that she'd soon be living with him as his wife. And wasn't that just the sort of thing wives did? Plant flowers, cook food, provide a loving home? "Maybe . . . in the kitchen. I mean, if Shay won't mind."

  "Shay? She'll never stop gloating about anything you want to do for me. And thanking you for shattering my confirmed bachelorhood." He nuzzled her cheek playfully. "Besides, I have a feeling you and Shay will be making over my family home . . . I mean, your new home," he corrected with a huge grin. "Good thing I have a big-ass bedroom so we can share it comfortably."

  "For a man who's been notoriously unable to settle down, you're handling our 'shotgun marriage' with shocking ease." She glanced up into his eyes, some small part of her still worried that Kiel's mandate might overwhelm him, scare him away.