Page 21 of When Monsters Rise
“Yes,”Shemsaid bluntly. “Iwould be a fool not to consider it.”
“Avalid concern.Thedevolution seems to have sped up.”Heretreated into the shadows and emerged a moment later carrying a familiar oblong object bundled in thick fabric.
Michael’ssword.
Chapter11
MICHAEL
Ican feel the presence of my sword even beforeIopen the door to letShemin.Hehas it wrapped in thick brown fabric because it’s the only way he can carry it.
Itcalls to me, butItemper my eagerness to take it from him.
“Shem?”Iglance at the wrapped object and frown, as ifI’munsure what it is.
“Ithink you should have this back.”Shemholds it out to me like an offering.
Mybreath stalls asIreach for it, afraid that this is a trick.Thathe’ll snatch it away at any moment.
Hedoesn’t, and in the next moment, my sword is in my hand.
Mineonce more. “Thankyou.”
“Thankyou for savingRue’slife.Forbringing her back to us.Youmade the right choice,Michael, and we’re glad to have you on our side.”
Iignore the prickle of guilt that skates over my skin.Shemis too astute, and ifIallow myself to acknowledge it, he’ll see it.Andif he asks about it,Iwon’t be able to lie without him knowing.
Ihold the sword, still wrapped in the fabric, loosely at my side, acting as if it isn’t the most important thing that’s happened to me in weeks.Actingas if this isn’t a pinnacle moment. “Didyou speak toKabiel?”
I’msurprised how normalIsound even though my pulse is thudding hard in my throat.
“Yes.He’llfind us when he has a vision.”
“Howlong will that be?”
Shemsighs and shrugs. “Idon’t know.Thevisions find him.Itcould be hours.Itcould be days.Weekseven.”
HoursIcan manage.Maybea day or two, but any longer than that andI’mafraidIwon’t have enough celestial light in me to use the word and summon theDominion’stroops.
DamnShemand his guardedness.Hekept my sword from me, and he still hasn’t revealed the location of the two relic pieces in his possession.Askingagain, now thatIhave the sword, might raise suspicions, and in honesty, the relics won’t matter when the only person that can make them whole again is dead.
* * *
RUE
IfoundBeeface down on her bed, fully clothed and snoring loudly.Atleast she’d kicked off her boots before passing out.
Iset a cup of coffee on her bedside table, and she rolled over with a snort and wiped drool from her cheek.
“Wheresit?”Shesnorted again before her eyes popped open. “Fuck, what time issit?”
Ibit back a smile. “Lateone?”
Shemade a face, wiping at the wrinkles on her cheek left by the crumpled bedsheet. “Tryingto catch the ghost.”
“Itwas inShem’sroom sometime after midnight.”
“Fucker.”Shesat up and rubbed her face to wake herself up. “Itwas in the storeroom again too.Butit got away.Wehad runes up and everything.”
