A glorious smile that seemed to have appeared from nowhere.
The water lapped at our feet. I need to go back, Allie said. You can take him from here.
Yes, I said. And I carried him into the healing, terrifying water, deeper and deeper, until it closed over our heads and I breathed it in.
I stripped his bloody jerkin off him beneath the salt water, and watched his savage wounds begin to close. I kissed his mouth, breathing him in, and let him wrap my legs around him, holding tight. He pushed up into the air, and his black wings unfurled, carrying us higher, over the sand, and I clung to him, afraid of nothing. Not the deep ocean, not flying through the misty sky, not loving a hard man. Not the demon who still hid inside me, who could help save the man she loved. She would be a secret. I had thought she was gone, hated her; but she was a part of me, a part of the being who loved Azazel, and I welcomed her.
We set down on the sand near the house, and he released me, but I held him against me, protecting him as he protected me. We looked up as Raziel stood before the army of angels, a cold glint in his eye.
Your champion is defeated, he called out, and Uriel has broken the laws of the Supreme Being. You have no place here. Go, and never return.
He got no argument. They began to retreat, when one of them stopped. May we take the body?
Allie had managed to turn Metatrons huge body over, and he lay on his back in the sand, covered in blood, his eyes closed. But then I saw he was still breathing, and I joined her, kneeling in the sand and unfastening the heavy metal armor.
It is Azazels choice, as champion, Raziel said.
Azazel was staring at his vanquished opponent. He lives, he said shortly. Ask him.
To my astonishment, Metatrons eyes opened beneath the heavy mat of blood and sand, and they focused on me for a moment, then past me to Azazel. I tried, he said in a bare whisper. Im dying.
Yes, Azazel said, glancing at me for an uncomfortable moment before turning back. Do you wish to be returned to your army?
Metatron met his gaze, and he slowly shook his head. Bury me here. I have no wish to return to the darkness.
There was nothing more to say. They began to retreat, the legion of soldier angels come to wipe us out, and a few minutes later his army was gone.
Allie made a gesture. We need four strong men to carry him into the water. Carefully, now. His wounds are very bad.
Azazel broke away from me, coming forward with three others. They lifted Metatrons bloody and broken body gently and carried him toward the sea. I followed, because I didnt want Azazel too far away. I had almost lost him, and right now I refused to let him out of my sight.
You drown your enemies? I heard Metatron say in the voice of delirium. As good a way as any. It is a fitting resting place for a soldier.
A moment later he was underwater, and the four men were chanting something beneath their breaths, something strange and musical, as we all waited.
And waited. I was knee-deep in the surf, watching them, and Allie came up beside me. What a lucky wind that was, she murmured, casting an oblique glance my way.
Yes, it was, I said, concentrating on the water where Metatron had disappeared. Is he going to live?
I dont know. Sometimes the wounds are too grievous. She smiled at me, a knowing smile. Its nice to have secret weapons against an oversized enemy.
I looked at her with all the innocence I could muster. I dont know what youre talking about.
My skills at prevarication were rusty, but even if Id been an expert she wouldnt have believed me. Neither do I, she said cheerfully, turning her gaze to the water.
A minute later Metatron shot up. Bloody fucking hell! he sputtered. And then he looked around, at the Fallen who surrounded him, at the people waiting on the shoreline, at me, and then at Azazel. He flexed his shoulder, the scar showing the line that had almost cleaved him in half, and then he grinned. I like your burials at sea, he said.
I LAY SPRAWLED ON TOP of Azazel, sweaty, happy, replete, his hands still stroking my back. My eyes were closed as I took in the taste and the smell of him, the wonder of having him. There was nothing else I needed.
Yes, he said.
Did I ever tell you that your one-word sentences annoy me? I said sleepily, kissing his neck.
Yes, he said again.
I bit him lightly. Yes, what?
Yes, Rachel.
I laughed. You know what I meant. You said yes . What did you mean?
You know what I meant, he said in a grouchy voice. You need to let me sleep, woman. Ive beaten the greatest warrior who has ever lived, with only a little unfair help, and Ive pleasured you almost as much as
youve pleasured me. I need to rest.
I froze. What unfair help did you have? I said uneasily. I probably should have just ignored it.
The wind, he said calmly. It was extremely kind of providence to provide it at just that moment, or I would be dead.
Providence, I said happily.
Well call it that for now, he said. My lovely, delectably wanton demon.
Thats really not a term of affection. You hate demons, I pointed out.