Page 47 of The Nephilim's Touch
“Who is Shoren?” Pike growls as he jumps over the counter.
“Don’t touch me.” Van tries to see what Domhnall threw at him, but can’t.
“Salt,” I shout.
“Fuck,” Van says. “Shoren’s issued a challenge. I can’t not accept.”
“Youcanreject him,” I say as Lark hands me a shaker of salt. I pour over the disk until the flames go out and it drops off him.
“No, he can’t.” Pike picks up the disk. “What did you do in the Hellrealm, Van?”
“What I had to, to survive.” Van snarls and snatches the disk. He snaps it in two, sparking a flame in the air. “I accept your challenge. Meet me in the cornfield between here and the farmhouse. One hour.” The flame glows red and snuffs out.
“What have you done?” Pike asks again.
“I’m keeping everyone safe. When I take him out, he won’t bother anyone ever again.”
“Please, don’t,” I beg him. “I don’t want to—can’tlose you.”
“You won’t. I’ve never lost a fight yet.”
“Van. Walk away. Please.” Say no.
“I have to prepare.”
I don’t chase after him when he leaves, but Wick and Wren disappear. Hopefully to talk sense into him. My legs threaten to buckle. “He doesn’t need to do this. He doesn’t.” I shake my head.
18
VAN
My gut tellsme this isn’t a smart move. But I’m me, and I always take up the challenge. Always.
Shoren’s a behemoth with about two brain cells. This should be a quick and easy fight like last time, but my stomach twists. Bad idea. Bad idea. Maybe it’s because Gabe begged me not to fight. Maybe it’s instinct.
Shoren stands opposite me. His gray skin is streaked with deep mustard yellow scars where I’d fought him before. Black horns thicker than my forearms grace his head. Fangs mash as he tries to look intimidating, but I find it hilarious.
A crowd’s gathered in the cornfield. Word gets around Hex fast. Even Poe showed up. He doesn’t say anything to me, but I know he’s disappointed. Why wouldn’t he be? I’m fighting.Again.
A witch sets a perimeter spell to protect Hex. Smart.
Shoren slams his beefy hands together and roars. My heart pounds and I push back the bile that threatens to come up. This is a bad idea. Bad. Bad. Bad. But I agreed and I’ll follow through.
Wick appears, bringing Gabe with him. My angel rushes toward me, but the perimeter spell stops him.
“I love you, Van,” he shouts for all of Hex to hear him. He presses a hand to the perimeter spell.
Fuck. What am I doing? Am I truly so selfish to put this sweet angel’s heart on the line? Put everyone in Hex in harm’s way? “I love you, Gabe.” I turn to Shoren. “I can’t. I forfeit. You win! Tell them you?—”
I choke as my chest tightens. Something’s wrong. The countdown device burns through my shirt and I drop to my knees as it falls away. My wings spring from my back as I grin at Poe, who tips his head and disappears. I guess my punishment is over. But I still have a massive demon staring me down.
Shoren rages and storms my way.
Gabe screams like a banshee and races towards me. Before I know what’s happening, he’s clutching me, massive black wings wrapped around me. Protectingme.
But he’s not my tiny angel, no, Gabe is taller by several feet and keeping me safe from Shoren. His wings are like steal, not letting Shoren’s blows through.
The demon screeches and rips out feather after feather as Gabe trembles around me. My beloved’s cries tear at my heart and I turn in his embrace. “Let me go, Gabe. We can send him back to the Hellrealm together.”
