Page 94 of Under a Wicked Moon
Wheels screeched as a minivan came to a halt. More reinforcements?
Someone, who looked a hell of a lot like Shane, shot out of the still-running car, shooting and screaming. Gun replaced in its holster, Ky removed two knives. His momentum carried him forward. With a roar, he tore through all still standing near him.No one will hurt those I love any more.
He paused at the last human who fell to the ground, rosary beads in his hand, praying. Gut instinct told him this one deserved life. He wasn’t like the others.
Possibly-Shane came to stand next to him, also pausing in indecision.
When he remained frozen above him, bloody blade hovering, the man looked up. “May God forgive me. I’m sorry.”
“Run,” Ky whispered. “Leave us. Leave this evil group, which is unworthy of you.”
No more humans targeted them. The only one not dead ran for a van.
As if someone yanked out his power cord, Ky collapsed, depleted. Likely bleeding.
He felt his new companion approach, felt an arm thread behind his back and lift him to a seated position. The man pulled his sunglasses off his face.
Electric-blue eyes. Only one person he knew had those.
Thank you, God. I knew he lived.
Shane, oh God,Shanelifted and helped him to the door. “Don’t die, not after that show.”
“How’d you know to come?”
“You’re a mess. So many holes. And, oh my Gawd, what happened to Roman…and Flynn?”
Once inside, Shane put him down on the floor. He tried to press over the too many bleeding entry and exit points. “Don’t die. Hold on, Ky. I’ll figure out something to stop the bleeding. Really could use an angel here.”
This was it. The big end. He rolled to look for Vivi only to find her passed out, but breathing, on the other side of the room. As his eyelids drifted closed, he thought of his father, whom he missed, the original generous soul who taught them to value life. Taught him to put faith in integrity. Vivi’s face came into his head, her smiling and being free in her element outdoors. Knowing some small part of her remembered him… That was the memory he’d cling to. She would never forget.
“You’re safe,” he whispered as if she could hear him.If I can watch over you as a ghost, I will.
Light. Maybe this was the end. Perhaps he did get a heaven or hell or something after death.
No, this was real light. Someone literally glowing sat next tohim, and it wasn’t Shane.
“This will hurt.” The heavily accented words came out almost melodic in a deep and rich tone from the glowing entity.
Ky forced his eyes open to stare into… All thought exited his brain. “You…you’re…you’re real?”
“You think only Roman gets help from one of us? I heard you.” Notorious for speaking little, the angel grinned a wide expanse of white teeth. His smooth, dark skin and long dark hair seemed too beautiful to be real. His features mixed all ethnicities to make him human neutral. There was no doubt this was the archangel Michael. He emitted a blue light that shone as if coming straight from his pale blue eyes. His gaze, both resolved and absolute, radiated confidence, as if he never made wrong decisions.
Ky had studied everything he could find written about Michael. His physical appearance could be different depending on the part of the world, but this was one of the most powerful angels. One of Michael’s large, warm hands touched Ky’s chest. His heart felt as if it would beat right out of it, thrashing his ribs until it hurt.
He gasped as the sensation of someone ripping apart his body blindsided him. Unconsciousness loomed. His brain sought the relief of nothingness as a way out of the pain.
Stay awake. I will not waste my one moment of meeting my saint.
“It’s okay to pass out. Most would,” Michael said.
“Not right now. I’ve missed enough by being forced into unconsciousness.” A few shaky breaths later, the pain lessened. He realized Roman was being tended by Zadkiel. Two angels in one place? Unheard of.
“Thank you,” Ky whispered.
Michael bowed his head. “You made wise choices today.”
“We made the only choices.”
