Page 71 of When Monsters Rise
Erelimtore the staff free of me a moment later.
Beesat up with a gasp. “Fuck!Fuck, fuck, fuck.”Shestared at me wide-eyed. “Iwas in your head.”
Acrazy, breathless laugh escaped my lips, andIthrew my arms around her neck, hugging her tight.
“Howdid you do that?”Erelimasked me.
Mybody tingled, hairs quivering with residual power. “Idon’t know.Idon’t know, andIdon’t care.”
“She’sa channel,”Gabrielsaid. “Ibelieve she acted on instinct, and on this occasion, it worked, but you cannot take such risks in the future.”Histone had a bite that killed the warm fuzzy feeling in my chest.
Istared at him in disbelief. “Iwas saving my best friend.”
“Yourbest friend is not more important than this world,”Gabrielsnapped.
“He’sright,”Shemsaid. “Weneed you alive,Rue.”
Theystood side by side, both glaring at me reproachfully.
Iglared right back. “What’sthe point of a world where everyone you love is gone,hmmm?”
Theanger inGabriel’seyes dimmed, andShemshook his head and walked away, clearly exasperated.Yes, they had a valid point.Iknew how importantIwas, butIwouldn’t apologize for savingBee.
“They’reright,Rue,”Beesaid softly. “Youcan’t put your life at risk.Noteven for me.Butthank you.Truly.”
“What’sdone is done,”Shemsaid. “Everyoneget some rest.Wemove at dawn.”
IhelpedBeeto her feet. “Howdo you feel?Isthe connection withMichaelgone?”
“Ifeel a little woozy, but yeah, that weird feeling in my chest is gone.Theconnection is—”
Thedoor to the barn flew open, andZaqstood panting in the frame while the dark silhouette of watchers ran back and forth across the moonlit yard behind him.
“They’recoming,” he said. “Thecelestials are coming.”
Chapter33
Silencereigned for a moment, and the distant sounds of a fight filtered into the barn.Mystomach trembled.Thiscouldn’t be happening.Itshouldn’t be, but it was.We’dacted too late.
Michaelwas here.
“Michaelis leading them,”Zaqconfirmed. “Andhe’s…Theyhave him fueled up.”
Whatdid that mean?Ilooked over atShem, and even in the gloom his face had drained of color. “Shem?Whatdoes that mean?”
Hegrabbed me by the shoulders. “Itmeans you need to hide.Youfucking hide,Rue.Donot letMichaelsee you, and if it looks like they’re winning, you run.”Heturned toZaqandTumiel. “Ineed you to stay with her.Keepher safe.Gether to the church.Savethe humans if you can, butRuemust come first, do you understand?”
Igrabbed his arm. “Wait.Wecan take them.Wehave reapers andGabrieland—”
“Dammit,Rue, just do asIsay,” he snapped.Iflinched, and his expression softened. “Pleasedo asIsay.”
Mygut was in knots asIswallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. “Okay.”
Hislips thinned. “No.Iknow that tone.Youpromiseme.Giveme your word right now.”
Fuck. “Fine.Ipromise.”
Hegripped my chin. “No.Ineed a watcher’s promise.Nodeception.Nolies.Onlytruth.”
