Revelation (14 page)

Her mouth dried. He was magnificent. Even in this room full of beautiful monsters, Luniel was breathtaking.

She realized they were all looking at her. “Huh? Sorry, what?”

Luniel smiled, knowing. “I was just saying about your Patient Zero? How you can help us find the plague demon?”

“Right. Sure. Yeah. At least, I think so.” She explained what she’d told Luniel on the subway, feeling like a complete loon. Teaching science to the angels.

But Dash and Trill just nodded, interested. Jadzia shrugged, from where she leaned against the kitchen bench, elegant ankles crossed. “Sounds fair. Nice work, Morgan. What about the rest of us, Dash?”

“Trillium, my good son.” Dashiel poked him. “Your chance to work the crowd.”

Trillium raised his hands, fielding invisible adulation. “Thank you, thank you, it was nothing. In his wisdom, our fearless leader here asked me to look into this blood-in-the-ocean business. As you know, I have friends in low places, and when I asked nicely—”

“Ripped out a few fingernails, you mean,” Jadzia murmured.

“Hey, sweetie, I’m with whatever gets results, okay? These mutie gangbangers aren’t exactly Mensa members. The world won’t miss a few dozen. Anyway. One kindly told me about a big-ass demon soiree going on tonight downtown.” He paused dramatically. “The kind where you bathe your ass in blood and pledge your soul to hell? Barrels of blood? Human sacrifices? A big old hell-filthy orgy with one ugly, soul-thirsty fucker of a demon prince in charge. The Prince of Blood, they call him. Sound like anyone we’re looking for?”

“The demon who spilled vial number two,” confirmed Jadzia. “Wow, Trill, I take back everything bad I said about you.”

“Really?” He beamed.

“No, of course not really.” Jadzia flicked shining blond hair back. “But you did good, for a greasy gluttonous sinner.”

“Wow, thanks. Remind me not to buy you any more drinks, okay?”

Dashiel jumped up. “Can it, kids, and let’s get on with it. Japheth’s already down there checking it out. It looks bad.”

“How bad?” Trill asked.

“Think Peru, 1524.”

“That bad, huh.”

“Yeah. We’ll need all the fighter power we can muster. Trill, you’re with me and Jae. Lune, talk to the good doctor here and figure out where the plague prince’s most likely hide is. Then I want you to leave her here, take Jaz and check it out. Questions? Good. Let’s do it.”

No way.
Morgan’s stomach twisted.
I have to go, too. See Manhattan virus for myself.
But Luniel would dump her first chance he got.
Shit. Should never have let him touch me.
She opened her mouth to protest, knowing it would do no good.

But Luniel cut in. “No. Sorry. Morgan’s coming with me.”

Morgan’s jaw dropped.

Dashiel cocked an eyebrow. “You serious? No offence, Dr. Sterling, but you’re hardly equipped to defend yourself.”

“Imps attacked us on the way here.” Luniel’s voice whetted harshly. “They probably know where I live. She can’t stay here, and I won’t leave her at her place by herself. Or anywhere else, for that matter.”

“Lune—”

“We’ve a better chance of finding Quuzaat if Morgan’s there on the ground. She comes with me. Don’t argue with me on this one,” he added, seeing Dashiel start to speak.

Dashiel lifted his hands, wings curling back. “Okay. Fine. But Jadzia goes with you—”

“I’d rather come with you, if it’s all the same,” Jadzia cut in coolly. “I can handle myself against demons, Dash.” Her expression brooked no argument. Still, a desperate edge to her voice made Morgan wonder if Jadzia wasn’t trying to convince herself, as well as Dashiel.

“I know you can, Jaz. But…” Dash sighed. “Okay, kids. Whatever. I can’t make you. At least give the good doctor a memory spell.”

Jadzia shrugged, and whipped out the knife strapped to her left thigh. The blade shone silvery in the moonlight. She murmured a few words, and it glowed, pure white. She sparred an invisible opponent, whirling and slashing, doing stabbing moves, cutting moves, backhanded slides, flipping it like it weighed nothing. The blade hummed, glowing hotter as it danced. Finally, she tossed it spinning into the air, caught it and flung it hard at the wall. It thunked into a wooden beam and stuck there, vibrating, perfectly in the center.

Morgan goggled. Jadzia had impressive skills. Assistant medical examiner and office Sudoku champion couldn’t compete with that.

Jadzia stretched out a hand, and the knife ripped itself from the wall and thudded back into her palm, the glow fading. She flipped it and handed it grip first to Morgan. “There. Now you have a knife that can fight. Try it.”

Tentatively, Morgan took the weapon. Surprisingly light, and the grip felt cool. But her skin prickled. She’d never fought with a knife. Never cut anything, except ER patients and dead people,
and they didn’t usually move or fight back. How was she supposed to…?

Jadzia lunged suddenly for her, and quick as static the knife leapt alive in Morgan’s hand and slashed, dragging her hand with it.

Jadzia dodged, and smiled. “Like I said, it can fight. Just remember that you can’t.” She jerked her elegant chin towards Luniel. “Stay behind that big-ass lunkhead, for what it’s worth.”

“I will.” Morgan accepted the knife’s sheath, and slipped the knife away. It glowed faintly, like a memory. “Thanks.”

Trillium swooped up and mussed his orange hair, making it stick up. “Okay. Let’s get on with it. It’s been my pleasure, Dr. Sterling. When you get sick of Lune’s shit—like, you know, five minutes from now? You know where to find me.” And with a dazzling grin, he vanished.

Morgan blinked. Another trick she hadn’t seen before.

Luniel glided up, moonlight dancing over silvery armor and big lean muscles. God, his every movement was mesmerizing. “Think you can handle that knife?” he said gruffly.

She licked dry lips. They still tasted of his kiss.
Awkward much?
“Um. Sure. I’ll give it a go.”

“Don’t.” His tone sharpened. “That’s what I’m for. Don’t be a fucking hero. Just stay close to me and do as I say. Okay?”

She swallowed, stinging. It hurt that he didn’t think she could defend herself. Then again, she hadn’t done a bang-up job so far. “Don’t think you’re the only one who can take care of themselves, okay? I grew up in a crappy neighborhood. Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I’m useless.”

“You’re not just a woman.” A flush stained his cheeks. “You’re a
human
. Humans and demons don’t mix. What part of that don’t you get?”

“How about the part where you drag me into this”—she waved her arms, frustrated—“this
game
of yours, and then tell me I can’t play!”

“You saw those creatures that attacked us, right? Think you’ve seen it all? Not by a long shot. Demons have a hierarchy, and those hellshits were right at the bottom. Hell has countless unimaginable horrors waiting for you, Morgan. This is no game.”

“Oh, really? Didn’t seem like that ten minutes ago when
you…” Her fists clenched, and she slammed them into her thighs, furious.
When you sucked my nipples into your mouth and made me come.
“Never mind. Forget it, Luniel. Whatever you say.”

He just glowered at her, blue eyes burning.

“Excuse me?” Dashiel poked his head between them with a polite cough. “Lune, can I have a word?”

Luniel’s stare didn’t falter. But his black wings twitched, and he spun away.

Aargh!
Morgan felt like screaming. The big bastard really got under her skin, with his rough gallantry and careless assumptions. And now there they were, Luniel and Dashiel, talking in low voices she couldn’t hear. Bitching about her, no doubt. Her scalp itched in frustration, and she yanked her hair free and scratched it ragged.

A touch spun her around, the magic knife jerking in its sheath. Jadzia smiled coolly. “Are you ready? Do you want to change?”

“You have no idea,” Morgan muttered. Damn him.

“I’d recommend against tramping around mutie land in those shoes. I can take you back to your place, if you want, so you can slip into something more comfortable.”

Morgan’s curiosity tingled again. “You mean I get to fly?”

“No. We can flash there. It’ll only take a moment. Where did you say you lived, again?”

Lune spun away, itching. Curse that woman. She sent him stupid with her beauty, drove him witless with her snarky tongue and made him want to strangle her and kiss her and hold her down and fuck her into breathless pleasure, all at the same time. And now she was defying him, just when he most needed her to listen.

Kissing her was a bad idea. Touching her was worse. Wanting to protect her…well, that ranked up there with lime cola and
Survivor: East Harlem
on the all-time scale of truly shitful ideas. He flared angry feathers. “What is it, Dash? We don’t have much time.”

Dashiel stared him down, unmovable. “You sure you know what you’re doing, kid?”

Inwardly, Lune groaned. One of
those
conversations. Dash had an irritating talent for seeing through people. “I can handle it.”

“Obviously. Jesus, I can smell her on you. What happened to your famous rule?”

“What happened to you keeping the fuck out of my face? You’re not exactly renowned for leaving your dick in your pants.” He spied her, vanishing in Jadzia’s glowing aura, and resisted the urge to snap his teeth and growl. Awesome. They could swap how-Lune-pissed-me-off stories.

“This is different.” Dashiel didn’t drop his stare. “I know you, Lune. You can’t hide. What is she to you?”

“Nothing,” Lune forced between clenched teeth. “She’s nothing. I only just met her tonight. She was there when I found Ithiel and I couldn’t get rid of her. She’s an AME, it’s her fucking morgue.”

“That doesn’t mean you…” Dash paused, and arched an eyebrow. “Your girlfriend’s got a morgue? Sweet. You crush on some classy chicks.”

Dash looked genuinely impressed, and laughter cracked before Lune could swallow it. “Yeah, I guess so. But she’s not my girlfriend. Nothing happened. I’m not interested.”

“Will you check the look on your face? For a low-down dirty sinner, you’re the worst fucking liar I ever saw.”

“Screw you, okay? It’s not like that. She doesn’t even believe in angels.”

Dash grinned, and elbowed him. “Bet she does now, eh?”

“It’s not like that.” Lune set his jaw, stubborn.

Dash sighed, ruffling his feathers. “Look, I get it, okay? She’s a total babe. Color me gobsmacked; she’s the sexiest doctor I ever saw this side of HBO. And hey, if you’re looking to climb back on the horse after Eleanor, it’s about fucking time.” He gripped Lune’s shoulder, his eyes dark. “But not now, Lune. Not tonight. We’re at five minutes to shitstorm on the doomsday clock. I need you, man. Don’t freak out on me.”

Lune lifted his arms wide. “Do you see me freaking out?”

“Not yet. But you will, if you take her down there and the hellshits get her. You know that.”

“They won’t,” Lune said stiffly. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“Will you?” Dash’s gaze speared him, digging deep. “Can you?”

Fiercely, Lune squeezed his eyes shut, but treacherous memories flashed. Twelve thirteen, the beginnings of the bloody Fifth Crusade, the dank stone prison below a Provençal lord’s keep. His beautiful Eleanor, the lord’s eldest daughter, writhing in the foul demons’ grip, her dress smeared with their dirt and her modestly braided hair ripping loose.

Three of them, the prince and two minions, slobbering over her like beasts. The minions had wild hair and red eyes, their sharp teeth gnawing at her limbs, clawed fingers with too many
knuckles poking and scratching, cutting her creamy skin, twisting her nipples until they bled. One raped her, his long barbed shaft hurting her deep inside. And the prince…

Lune gritted his teeth. Vorvian, prince of envy and false solace, one of hell’s vile aristocracy, chosen by the Demon King himself. Handsome devil, pale and slender, his long white hair smooth, his narrow face ethereal. He whispered soft temptation in Eleanor’s ear, words of comfort and enlightenment, caressing her hair, his cool ruby lips brushing her cheek—while at the same time his minions tortured her.

Lune had screamed with rage and agony, thrashing against his chains. But the demon-spelled iron held him fast. They’d made him watch what happened next.

Say yes,
Vorvian whispered, slicking his red tongue over her earlobe.
Just say yes, and I’ll make them stop. Your angel won’t help you now. He doesn’t care for you. He’s taken everything you have. Your virtue, your dignity, your pride. Everything you have to give in this world. How will you advance your family now, when no decent man will have you?

Eleanor groaned and thrashed, angry tears spilling. Vorvian smiled, smoky.
When he’d finished ruining you, your angel left you alone, didn’t he? Abandoned you and let me in. He doesn’t love you. God doesn’t love you, Eleanor. Say yes, and you’ll be free of them both. You’ll make a good marriage. Bear children. Make your father happy. Come with me, and nothing will ever hurt you again.

She’d leaned over, exhausted and bleeding, and whispered something in Vorvian’s ear.

Red lightning crashed, and fire ignited in her eyes. And then she’d stripped naked, her pale body gleaming golden in the torchlight, and worshipped her new demon prince right in front of Lune. Atop him, her back arched wantonly, loose blond hair slapping her buttocks as they fucked, the filthiest, most sadistic words pouring from her bleeding mouth. The demon groaned and thrust brutally, torturing her breasts with clawed hands, and when he roared and spent his evil seed inside her, she howled in abandoned lust and fell to sucking him, ravenous, licking the bloody fluid from his glistening white skin.

All three of them used her body, then, in every way imaginable. Ravaged her. Covered her in their filth. And all the while,
she’d cast her beautiful glance at Luniel, filled with triumph and malice and rabid hatred.

His lovely Eleanor, a good woman and a dutiful daughter, her only misfortune to fall in love with an angel. Eleanor, who’d never even kissed a man before she met him. Whom he’d made love to so sweetly, her virgin body opening to him like the most delicate flower. She became a demon’s willing disciple, and he’d been powerless to stop it.