Page 11 of Reaper Unhinged
“You saved me,” he said. “You have nothing to be sorry about.”
“I stabbed you. Twice.”
His chuckle ended in a cough. “Worth it.”
I couldn’t help but smile. His attention dropped to my mouth before flicking away quickly. There was something in that gaze, something new, and it made my pulse pick up.
I covered my fluster by clearing my throat. “Let’s hope someone hasn’t called the police.”
“In this part of Necro? Unlikely.”
I’d forgotten how well he knew the city, and how much he loved parts of it, but there was no forgetting the fact that he’d been possessed.
“Uriel, we need to figure out why the malignant was able to possess you.”
He gripped me tighter and rested his chin on my head. “I know. I know.”
Cassius, buddy, I’m going to be paying you a visit. Soon.
* * *
Grayson pickedus up at the station, bringing the van and Petra with him. Thank goodness for the mobile phone Dean had picked up for me a day ago. By the time we got back to the house, Uriel was unconscious, and Dean and Bastian had to carry him into the house. Keon stepped out of the lift with Cora as Grayson and I entered the lobby.
“What happened?” Cora asked.
I flopped down on the sofa. “So much shit.” I filled them in on the trip, the archive, and how I’d been ejected without knowing how.
“Poor Uriel,” Cora said. “He hasn’t had the best luck, has he?”
“But he lives,” Keon said. “Thanks to your quick thinking.”
Quick thinking that involved stabbing him with my scythe.
“I guess not just any Dominus can navigate Purgatory freely,” Cora said with a grimace.
“The scythe chooses its wielder, and each scythe comes with a domain,” Keon said.
“Malachi was chosen specifically for his resilience to that accursed place. However, you were able to siphon a malignant, even though it isn’t your calling. That takes great force of will. The fact the malignant inside Uriel didn’t kill you means the celestial was fighting it, which also takes immense force of will.”
There was respect in Keon’s eyes as he looked down on the celestial. “The mander root the shaman is using will speed up his healing. He will be back to normal in the morning.”
Petra tutted. “And what do you know of herbs, boy?”
Keon blinked at her. “I could teach you a thing or two, old lady.” He smirked. “If you ask nicely, I may even bring you some medicinal roots from the Underealm.”
She sucked in her cheeks. “Could you now? In that case, maybe I’ll brew you some sincture tea.” She shrugged. “To be nice, of course.”
Keon looked confused.
It was Petra’s turn to smirk. “A little concoction that will mask your true appearance to the human eye, at least for a few hours.”
Keon’s eyes narrowed to slits, and I wasn’t sure if he was offended or considering her offer.
“There’s nothing wrong with his appearance.”
Cora stared at me.
Wait, had I said that?
