No. Never.
And theres the reason I implied there was a mission.
Koldo banged his fist into the table, earning several whats-up-with-the-angry-beast glances from nearby patrons.
His gaze swung to Bjorn, who sat on Thanes right. Is he always this tricky?
Are you always this curious? was the irritating reply.
Bjorn had dark hair and tanned skin veined with the same gold that wove through his wings. His eyes were a rainbow of colors, from the lightest of blues to the darkest of greens, with shades of pink and purple thrown into the mix.
His name was Scandinavian for bear. Again, another perfect fit.
Jaw locked, Koldo looked to Xerxes.
Xerxes, Persian for monarch. The male had long white hair pulled back in a jeweled torque. His skin was the color of milk and lined with scar after crisscrossing scar, each in jagged patterns of three. Arresting, yes, but it was his eyes that truly held a persons attention. They were a bright ruby-red, and glowed with an endless rage matched by few.
Im one of the few.
Are they always this cryptic? Koldo asked him.
Are you always this annoying?
All three males chuckled at their own ridiculous wit.
Koldo refused to envy their friendship, or their complete ease with each other. Hed heard theyd met inside a demon fortress, each a prisonereach tortured. Hed had no one during his own years of anguish, and perhaps that was why he preferred his solitary life. The fewer people privy to his secrets, the less likely he was to face betrayal.
Ive introduced you to many beautiful females, hoping one of them would entertain youand free me of the burden of you, Thane said, tossing back another vodka. Youve refused them all. Why?
I have no interest.
Have you ever been with a woman? Bjorn asked.
No. Hed had no desire. He still didnt. Except...every day since hed come here, Zacharel had granted Koldo an hour-long break from Thane. Hed spent the first half of that hour with his mother, resisting the urge to hurt her, and the second half with Nicola, watching, hidden from view.
He would ensure no demons were following her. He would wonder what shed look like if she laughed with all of her heart, carefree, and his blood would heat in the strangest way. A tingling heat. Almost...electrifying. He would begin to step into the natural realm, catch himself and back off. What if his presence caused her heart undue stimulation? What if he hurt her? He had the hands of a killer, after all.
So, he would remain in the spirit realm. But the tension within him had gotten worse. The hum of anticipation had gotten stronger.
He had no idea what to do, what to think.
Even still, he was eager to speak with her, to at last discover what conclusion shed drawn about him. How was he to kick things off, though?
Your sister is going to die, but I can help you save yourself.
Im a Sent One. Heed my words.
Im a cold, hard man. Ive done terrible things. But have no fear, I wont harm you.
A virgin, Xerxes said with a tinge of...envy? Surely not. He motioned to a female. We must change that.
Smacking bubble gum, a blonde Harpy approached the table. She wore a sequined bra and spandex shorts, her hair braided at the sides in two perfect ropes. Whats up, guys?
We want you to give our friend a lap dance, the scarred warrior said. Then, to Koldo, I bet you cant resist that.
Her gaze slid to Koldo. She was a pretty little thing, with wide green eyes and freckles scattered across her nose. He wasnt into freckles. You want me to cozy up to this guy? she asked, hitching her thumb in his direction.
Yes, Xerxes replied, deadpan.
He looks like a cold-blooded killer.
In Koldos case, looks were not deceiving. You dont have to
So of course Ill give him a lap dance!
Wait. What? No, thank you. I dont want
Whoohoo, this is gonna be fun. She fist-pumped the air. Are you prepared to soar?
Were already in the skies, sweet, Thane said, clearly fighting a wave of amusement.
She rolled her eyes. Whatevs. He knew what I meant. Didnt you, Killer?
I would rather you not Koldo began, only to be cut off again.
Move the table, the girl said, rubbing her hands together. I want to get this party train out of the station the right way. And thats my way, in case anyone missed my meaning.
Koldo pinched the bridge of his nose as Bjorn and Xerxes stood to obey the Harpy. Before the warriors could get started, he stiffened.
Not because of their intentions, and not because of the Harpy. Deep inside, where instinct sizzled and crackled, he experienced a sudden knowing.
Nicola was in trouble.
I have to go. He jumped to his feet, accidentally sending the table toppling the floor.
Well, thats one way to do it, the girl muttered.
Zacharels orders stated that Koldo was to remain with Thane twenty-three hours a day. If he disobeyed, he risked punishment. Hed already used up his hour away today. And you get to come with me, he told the warrior, pointing at him to show there would be consequences if he was ignored.
Wait. Youre leaving right now? The Harpys pink, glittery lips fell into a seductive pout. But I havent even started yet, and Ive got some wicked-cool moves. Did I mention Im very bendy?
Thanes gaze narrowed on Koldo. Were not leaving. We do, and Ill never get you back here.
The warrior had just as much to lose as he did, Koldo realizedand that gave Koldo all the bargaining power he needed. Well return. You have my word. Until then, you had better follow. He informed Thane of where to go and flashed to the hospital, but...Nicola wasnt there. He flashed to her office. She wasnt there, either. He did, however, spot a Sent One, as well as a girl he didnt recognize but thought he should.
There was no time to question either female. He flashed to Nicolas house, but his redhead wasnt there, either. Her second job...nope. Back to the hospital, where he materialized at an empty nurses station and used the computer. A good decision. Laila had been moved to a new room.
Thane landed just in front of him. He tucked his wings at his sides as he looked around. What are we doing here?
Youre waiting for me to conclude my business, and Im in the process of concluding my business.
Without another word, he flashed to Lailas new room. And thats when he found Nicola, sobbing over her sisters body.
CHAPTER SIX
KOLDO ASSESSED THE SITUATION quickly. Lailas heart monitor was racing. There was a sharp odor in the airthe scent of impending death. There was a wheeze to her breathing, even with the machines doing all of the workthe sound of impending death. Though she wasnt dead, her spirit was already halfway out of her body, about to ascend or descend whatever path shed chosen for herself.
She wouldnt last much longer. Once the spirit was all the way out, the body couldnt survive.
Nicolas forehead rested on the bed, her delicate shoulders shaking as she cried with the intense force of her despair. Despair...a mix of both fear and tension, strengthening both of the toxins. Soon, every demon in the hospital would be hungry to feed off her.
Nicola, he said, stepping into the natural realm and becoming visible. His first word to her in all these many days. He shouldnt have waited until tragedy struck, he realized.
Her attention whipped up to him, and red, swollen eyes landed on his face. She gasped, Koldo, with a big dose of surprise. Her nose was stuffed, her voice no longer smoke and dreams but scratchy. Strands of hair clung to splotchy cheeks. What are you doing here? How did you find me?
How could he explain that hed felt her pain, when he wasnt sure how or why hed done so? Ignoring the question, he forced his gaze to move to Laila. Shes dying.
A pause. A trembling, Yes. I shouldnt be crying. I knew this was coming. Nicola covered her face with her hands, wiping away the tears, perhaps even trying to rub away the tension. She needs me to be calm. I need me to be calm.
So do I.
But...
You hurt, he said.
Yes. Sighing, she fell against the back of the chair. She released a breath, drew in another, and her nose wrinkled adorably. Last time you smelled wonderful. This time you smell like a brothel.
He wasnt embarrassed by the insult. Nothing had ever or would ever embarrass him. He was...overheated. Yes. Thats why his cheeks suddenly felt as though they were on fire. And how do you know what a brothel smells like?
Fine. You smell like what I assume a brothel smells like. Cigarettes and alcohol and conflicting perfumes.
My apologies. The first part of what shed said at last penetrated. Before, shed thought hed smelled wonderful.
His body tensed, just as before. But there was no urge to inflict pain...he wanted only to touch her, to offer comfort andhe wasnt sure.
The beeping from the monitor sped up.
Nicola traced her fingers over her sisters hand, then stopped, just stopped, as if the action were too much for her.
How much strength had she lost since his last visit?
No matter the amount, the answer was the same. Too much.
What are you, anyway? she asked almost absently.
You havent figured it out on your own?
No. How could I?
There are many ways.
Name one.
Easy. A sensitive spirit.
She expelled a weary breath. All I know is you arent human.
Correct.
So why dont you just tell me?
Would you believe me? If he admitted he was a Sent One, she would, perhaps, have no idea what that was. If he used the word angel, she might have certain expectations he would be unable to meet. We can discuss it later. Right now, why dont I help your sister?
Immediately he wished he could snatch the words back, but did he? No. Hed said them. He would deal with the fallout.
Eyes as wild and turbulent as a winter storm widened. How?
I...can buy her a little time. Shell strengthen and shell awaken, but I dont think shell live more than a few weeks, he rushed to add. She had to be swimming with toxins. Not only that, she would still have no internal or external barriers against the demons. Barriers she would have to learn how to erect. Barriers she might not have time to learn how to erect.
A few weeks, Nicola parroted.
Not long, I know, but
Ill take it! she shouted, as though she feared he would change his mind.
So eager for so little. But you havent yet heard my terms.
Her beautiful mouth edged into a frown. You want something from me?
Many things. Ill buy your sister a few weeks, and in exchange youll do what I tell you, when I tell you, until the day I release you from my charge. He had no idea how long it would take him to rid her of the toxins and teach her enough to survive on her own.
That sounds like something Ive heard on the late-night news. Are you expecting me to become your sex slave? Her tone wasnt scandalized, but curious.
No, he replied with a frown of his own. I dont want you in that way. He didnt, did he? He hadnt lied to Thane and the others. He was a virgin. Desire wasnt something he was familiar with, and he wasnt sure he would recognize it.
He knew he admired Nicolas loyalty to her sister. He knew he wished he had someone who loved him half as much. But seeing her naked was...intriguing, he realized, the blood heating in his veins, becoming molten, scorching him. A heat that had nothing to do with rage. It bubbled up, washing away the cold man he knew himself to be.
Perhaps he did want her in that way.
The very idea nearly sent him stumbling backward. His mind reeled. But...but...but she was so dainty, so fragile. He dwarfed her. Could crush her. Why her? Why now? Desire for her was implausible. Impractical.
No, he croaked. He couldnt.
Oh, she said, her shoulders slumping. So, you want me to obey you when you tell me to...what?
Stay calm. Embrace peace. Sow joy.
Sow?
There is an irrefutable spiritual law that states a person reaps what they sow. Therefore, if you sow joy into others, you will reap joy for yourself. Right now, you need joy.
Calm, peace, joy, she echoed hollowly. As if he were insane.
Maybe he was. Yes.
Why do you want me to feel those things?
If you dont, the toxins will build up, and eventually youll die, just like your sister. They werent exactly calming, peaceful, joyous words, so he remained quiet.
Wouldnt you rather have me, I dont know, grow a beard, get taller and play the part of Koldo in a little production called What Youre Asking Is Impossible? Because that I think I can do.
Silly human. For the first time in his life, he wanted to smile. No.
Desperate, she said, How about the number of the coffee shop girl? I could give you that, and we could call it even.
Coffee shop girl? Remember when I told you I could help you heal?
As if I could ever forget.
This is the way.
A moment passed. A moment she spent blinking at him. Calm, peace, joy, she repeated. Tell me my sister will live longer than a few weeks, and its done.
As if he was in control of how long her sister survived. But she didnt know that, and she was trying to buy more time. Im sorry I wasnt clear. I gave you my top offer. Theres nothing more I can do on your sisters behalf. Therefore, there will be no negotiating of my terms.