Page 18 of Gargoyle Reaper

He sucked in a sharp breath. The concept of fate was beginning to carry the ring of truth.

The frustration that had been simmering within him bubbled over and before he could form another thought, a light emanated from his palms, soft and warm, like the first rays of dawn. It wrapped around the wound, seeping into the torn flesh. His breath hitched, the world going silent save for the thrumming in his ears.

Cassiel's eyes widened, her jaw-dropping. “Holy shitballs, Archer. Your hands...”

“Are freaking glowing. This can’t be.”

Cassiel grinned wide. “Oh yes, it can, dude. About time you let your Nephilim freak fly.”

The light intensified, pulsing with the beat of his racing heart as the edges of the wound knit together right before their eyes. The room was awash with an otherworldly radiance, and for a brief, suspended moment, Archer felt connected to something grander—a force beyond the confines of his own skepticism. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the glowing light receded, leaving behind nothing but healed skin and his shattered doubt.

Archer couldn’t speak, barely able to process the magic that had flowed from his fingertips. He gaped at his hands as if they belonged to someone else, someone decidedly more mystical.

“Wow,” said Cassiel. “Looks like Ezekiel got his wish.”

Archer blinked several times, then jerked up his head as her words sunk in. “Huh? What wish?”

“He’s been bitching to Michael that he needs help. Never shuts up about it.” She prodded at her now healed side as she rose. “Not to mention feeling as if he was getting the short end of the stick in the fated mate department.”

Archer tensed. Was that a dig? “What’s that supposed to mean?”

She gave him a belly smack with the back of her hand. “Ease up, Mr. Delicate Sensibilities. I don’t know how much you’ve been filled in on from Ezekiel. But we have a minimum kill quota to meet before the Divine Spark gives us our mates. Zeke was complaining that because he’s the only available healer, he’s unable to go out and kick evil gargoyle ass.”

Archer didn’t know what to make of Cassiel’s words, but a pained moan yanked him back to reality.

“Shit,” he mumbled, rushing to the Slayer’s side.

“Anything I can do to help, slick?” asked Cassiel.

Archer let out a heavy sigh as he peeled back the remains of the Slayer’s shredded shirt. A series of deep cuts crisscrossed the gargoyle’s torso. A distinct warmth built in his core, slowly traveling up his frame and into his arms before beginning to glow at the tips of his fingers.

“I think I’ve got this.” He glanced as he leaned over the hurt Slayer. “But can you do me a favor? Tell Ezekiel I couldreallyuse him in here once he’s finished with Darius.”

She patted him on the shoulder with a smile. “No problem.”

Battling his nerves as he worked on the gargoyle, he silently willed Ezekiel to his side. He had no idea if he’d ever be capable of doing whatever it was the Slayers did to communicate, but he gave it a try anyway - because he sure as hell had no idea what he was doing.

"Is this going to be a regular thing? Because I'm not sure my heart can take the surprise," Archer said, half-joking, trying to steady the tremor in his voice with a dash of levity. Inside, his mind scrambled to catch up with reality—or whatever version of reality now included impromptu light shows and instant healing.

* * * *

“Is this a bad time, or did I just walk into the grand finale of a magic show?” Ezekiel couldn’t hold back a smile as he entered the infirmary, admiration filling him over how well his mate had done.

Archer glanced up, his wrinkled brow and the worry in his eyes tugging at Ezekiel’s heart.

"I—uh, yeah. You could say that,” he said with a shaky voice. “Why didn’t you warn me this could happen?”

Ezekiel rested his hand on Archer’s shoulder as he leaned over to examine Baron, the Slayer he believed couldn’t be saved when they arrived at the lair. He’d sense the life force rapidlydraining from him and determined that Darius was the next priority.

“You have a remarkable gift, dearest.” His chest swelled with the pride he felt for Archer. “I didn’t know whether you’d manifest healing powers at all. I’ve never met a Nephilim who had that ability.”

Archer frowned. “Seriously? Do you think that’s why we were brought together so quickly?”

Ezekiel tilted his head in confusion. “Did Cassiel say something to you?”

Archer shrugged as he pulled a blanket over the sleeping Baron. “Yeah, but I grilled her.” He snorted. “I was shocked as fuck when the light burst out of my hands.”

“I’m sorry, my angel. That must’ve been startling. I promise I would’ve said something had I known.”

---