Like vampires, I whispered.
Allie suddenly had an odd expression. I guess you could say so. But bottom line, no one can bother you here.
I thought of Azazel. Was he still in the Dark City, enjoying the fruits of his betrayal? Or had my rescuers killed him during the attempt to free me? Come to think of it, how did they know I would need freeing? Hell, they were angels, albeit fallen ones; they could probably know anything they damned well wanted to.
I was getting tired, and I pulled my hand free, resting it on my stomach. Big mistake. I moaned in pain, snatching my hand back. My entire stomach felt like someone had carved their initials
I had a flash of exactly what the Truth Breakers had done to me, with their blades and their hands and their fingernails, and my stomach twisted in horror. I need to sleep, I croaked.
Allie nodded. I understand. You dont need visitors right now.
Visitors? Who would be visiting me? I didnt know anyone here. I closed my eyes, shutting her out, the calm voice, the soothing touch, the healing presence. I wanted nothing and no one. Just sleep.
AZAZEL HAD LOST TRACK OF time. He sat by the water in the darkness, silent, knowing he could do nothing to help her. He simply had to wait, and waiting was torture.
Torture, he mocked
himself. He remembered torture, remembered his time at the hands of the Truth Breakers, centuries ago. He had survived, but just barely, and he had strength and endurance far greater than mere mortals. And no matter what Rachel was, the body she inhabited was human, and therefore vulnerable.
What hed gone through long ago would have killed a human three times over. He didnt know how Rachel had managed to survive, but it had been a close thing. Another five minutes and she would have been gone. And he didnt know how he could have borne it.
He felt her approach. The Source, Allie, the woman who had taken Sarahs place. The woman who had been Sarahs friend, even for such a short time, and had Sarahs blessing. Sarah hadnt had an angry, resentful bone in her body. She would be ashamed of him.
He started to rise, for the first time showing her that courtesy, but Allie gestured to him to sit and took the seat next to him, staring out at the sea. He held his breath. She had come to tell him that she had done her best, but that Rachel had died. Died in pain, hating him.
Shes going to be fine, she said softly. Shes sleeping now, but she was awake for a while, and even able to talk a bit.
Azazel started out of his chair, but she put her hand on his arm, her gentle touch staying him. Shes not ready for visitors, she said. And before you see her, we need to talk.
His old animosity reared up. What about?
You need to understand what kind of shape shes in. What she remembers and what she doesnt.
Her skin felt like ice, and he turned his face away to look at the dark, churning water. Tell me.
She remembers everything. In bits and pieces, but Im not sure how clear she is.
Everything?
She knows shes Lilith. She remembers her curse, and what she had to do to work through her penance. Unlike the Fallen, it doesnt appear that her curse is eternal, and someone has finally released her. At least, it seems like it.
It couldnt be Uriel. He still wanted to destroy her.
Uriel wants to destroy anyone who has ever sinned, and that includes most of creation. After he wipes out humans, hell probably find a way to discover sin in animals. Theres nothing to stop him.
Nothing but us, he said in a low voice. What else does she remember?
She remembers her curse in fragments, and it sounds as if its not quite what the scrolls have led us to believe. Which isnt a surprisethe scrolls were written by a bunch of misogynistic old men who used any excuse to denigrate women. She made a dismissive gesture. And dont start giving me shit about the problem with bringing humans into Sheol and that Ive got a bug up my ass about womens rights. The Judeo-Christian tradition is pretty lousy toward women, and anyone with a brain knows it.
Are you accusing me of not having a brain? he said in a mild voice. I do know it.
Oh, Allie said, deflated. And in the darkness, Azazel found he could feel amusement. I imagine shell tell you what she remembers, and the truth about her curse. Eventually.
Eventually?
Her memory of the last few years is as spotty as her memory of her ancient history. But she remembers you. She remembers that you staked her out for the Nephilim, but for some reason changed your mind. She remembers that you had sex with her, and then immediately handed her over to the creatures who almost killed her. But she doesnt remember that once again you were the one to save her. Why is that?
I have no idea why she doesnt remember. Its of little importance.
Dont try to dodge me. You gave her to those butchers. Why did you save her? In the past Allie had given him a wide berth, but the last few years had strengthened her inner power, and she was no longer afraid of him. Not afraid to challenge him, to ask the hard questions, to take him to task if need be. Things had definitely changed.