Mercy for the Fallen (36 page)

“No!” I yelled, sliding across the debris strewn floor in an effort to get to Michael’s side before it was too late.  Burning embers sizzled against my leg as I knelt beside him, but I ignored them, focusing my Grace on healing the damage before I lost another angel.  Michael’s sightless eyes bulged wide with fear, the cut was deep… so deep.  I did my best to ignore the gore and cupped my hands over the wound, pushing the Grace as quickly as I dared. 

Lucifer could’ve ended us both as we sat there defenseless.  Instead, he brushed off his suit and took a sweeping look around the kitchen.  His head cocked to one side and he stepped into the living room.  Ignoring him for the moment, I held tight to Michael, whose body was strung as tight as a drum as his body repaired the damage quick enough to hurt from the look on his face. 

Only once I was sure he was out of danger did I stop the flow of Grace, following after Lucifer into the next room.  He was up to something, and it set goosebumps all along my arms for fear of what he’d do next.  I caught the tail end of an incantation, in the same demonic language I’d heard from Dahlia. 

Suddenly the house was ablaze with light.  I don’t mean there was a bright light, I mean every single crevice was illuminated, as if the light came from everywhere at once.  Stripped of the shadows, Nelo and Eve were revealed, huddled close behind the TV.  Another swipe of Lucifer’s hand sent the TV careening out of the way, but before he could advance I burst in between them, my sword in hand. 

Lucifer shook his head in disappointment.  “Remember what we discussed.  If you stand in my way now, I will simply go back to your friends and finish what I started.  Or should I try a different target?”  A flame sprang to life on the palm of his hand, my mother’s face clearly visible inside.  Cold dread settled in the pit of my stomach, but I did my best not to show it.  I had only had one option left to keep Eve safe.

“No, I get it. I know you’re the man.”  I let go of my sword, my hands coming up in a supplicating gesture.  “But I want to renegotiate.”

Lucifer raised a single brow.  “And what do you imagine you bring to the table?”

I moistened my lips, drawing in a steadying breath.  “Have you ever kissed an angel before?”

I could tell that was the last thing he’d expected me to say, but he was interested.  His brow dropped, twitching closer to the other one.  “Perhaps,” he said warily.

“Then you know what it’s like,” I continued, taking a step closer to him.  “When your Grace touches another’s.  It can be very, very intimate…”

“Ah, I can’t say that I do.” 
Very interested.
 

I made my voice soft and seductive, drawing from years of experience watching those shows on the CW.  “Well, it doesn’t come from the accidental brushing of lips.  It comes from wanting… and accepting…”  I closed the distance between us, my gaze holding his hostage.  I’d been counting on the angelic allure that worked like catnip on everything with two legs, and I took a gamble that Lucifer wasn’t immune.  From the way his eyes dropped to my lips I could tell I’d at least captured his attention.  “Would you like me to show you what I can offer if you take me with you?”

“Very much.”

I wasn’t sure I could do it, not with a man I’d rather squash like a grape than kiss, but I had to take the chance.  It helped that he was gorgeous to look at and smelled like dark, spicy secrets, and when I tipped my lips up to his, they were soft and full, surprisingly gentle.  I felt it the instant his Grace took notice of mine, the tingle of awareness prickling over my skin as it mingled.  Lucifer felt it too, as a shudder of delight swept through him and he pulled me closer. 

“Jesus, I go away for one day and all hell breaks loose.”  Adam’s voice held a wry twist to it as he stepped into the house.   

Shit!
  I closed my eyes at the interruption, tamping back the urge to scream in frustration as Lucifer tore his lips from mine.  Why did he have to pick that moment to show up? 

Lucifer’s body became hard and rigid (not in a good way), gripping my arms tightly.  “This wasn’t a ploy to delay until Adamiel came to save the day, was it?  And here I thought you’d finally come to your senses.”

“No, it really wasn’t.” I let out a frustrated breath, eyeing daggers in Adam’s direction.  “Adam is the last person I want to see right now.”

“Why do I find that hard to believe?”

“Why would I want him to show his face after I kicked his ass out?  On top of the fact that he’s let me down whenever I trusted him, he’s rude and obnoxious, and he only cares about himself.”

“Ouch,” Adam scowled, trying to figure me out.  “I am standing right here you know.”

I whirled on him, needing to sell it for all of our sakes.  “Oh, I know.  Like I told you last night, you can’t protect us.  You might as well leave now and spare us all the aggravation.”

“Am I to believe there’s trouble in paradise?”  Lucifer’s tone was mild, not quite sure what to believe.

“Please, he’s nowhere near as sexy as he thinks he is.” 

“Yes I am.”  Adam looked offended, but I ignored him, turning my focus back to Lucifer, my hands sliding up his arms. 

“I have to do what’s best for me and for Eve.  I told you this morning, I know I can’t beat you, so why try?  If you’re going to take her away anyway, why shouldn’t I get something out of it?” 

“Don’t do this, Mercy,” Adam glowered.  “Think of what you’re giving up.”

“Adam, you’re too little, too late, as usual.”  I turned my back on the sight of Eve huddled in the corner with Nelo. I couldn’t look at her, I had to be strong.  “You felt it, didn’t you?  That bond between us?” I asked, sending out a subtle wave of soothing Grace to Lucifer.

“I felt… something.”  He looked as hesitant as I’d ever seen him and I turned it up a notch, using all of my powers of persuasion to ensnare him. 

“Let me show you, let me prove myself to you.”

“Very well, if you insist.”  Lucifer tossed an insufferably smug look in Adam’s direction before capturing my mouth with his. I opened up to him, giving him everything until I felt his Grace surge against mine. 

Only this time, I didn’t let go. 

Trusting the same sensation I’d felt when my body stole Adam’s Grace, I focused entirely on drawing Lucifer’s Grace into me, devouring it, making it a part of me.  I didn’t just sap him of his energy, I went directly to the source, stealing his power. 

He didn’t notice at first, too caught up in the heady sensation of my Grace enveloping him.  By the time he realized what was going on, Lucifer was too weak to pull away.  I clung to him, forcing him to be still, while I drank myself dizzy on his power. 

Finally, I let him go, watching in satisfaction as he fell to his knees, his face a mask of shock and exhaustion.  “What did you do to me?” he gasped, sucking in a ragged breath.

“You know that torture machine they built in
The Princess Bride
?  It’s sort of like that,” I replied, giddy as my body got used to the added Grace.  “Are you okay, Evie?”  She flashed me the thumbs up sign, but remained silent in the corner with Nelo.  We’d have to have a long talk later.  Ah, who was I kidding?  She’d probably end up in therapy for years over what she’d been through so far in life.   

“Do you want to clue me in on what just happened here?” Adam said, a deep furrow etched into his forehead. 

“I think I can clear things up,” I said, hunkering down to meet Lucifer at eye level.  “I
’ve stolen a piece of you, a piece you can never get back.  If you come after Eve again, I will take you apart bit by bit if I have to, until there’s nothing left of you but glowing ash.  Do you get me?”

There was no trace of his usual cockiness in the way he recoiled from the menace in my voice.  With a great effort, Lucifer pushed himself up to his feet, tugging at the sleeves of his suit coat.  “I agree,” he said stiffly.  “I will leave her be until she is old enough to choose for herself.”

“Swear it,” Michael said, his voice raspy.  I’d almost forgotten he was there.  His eyes were swollen shut, the skin burned and puffy.  “Swear it upon the Almighty.”

Lucifer’s jaw tightened with anger, but he tamped it down, his voice mild as he spoke again.  “I swear it upon Almighty God, I will leave the Child of Light in peace until she is of age.”

“Great,” I beamed.  “We understand each other.  Now go away before I decide I want another taste.” 

Instead of the witty quip I expected, Lucifer ignored me completely, giving one last longing look to Eve.  “Until we meet again,” he said with a trace of sadness, and then he vanished with an audible popping sound.

“Momma!” Eve cried out, lunging for me the instant he was gone.  I caught her up in a bear hug.  “Not so tight!” she squeaked, and I loosened my grip with a whispered apology. 

“Are you okay, sweetie?” She nodded against me, and I sagged in relief.  Not that I had any illusions to Lucifer keeping his word, but hopefully he’d think twice before he came after us again. 

“It is forbidden to steal another’s Grace.”  Michael’s voice seemed rougher, scratchy, and I looked up to see him peering at me through swollen eyelids. 

“It seemed like a good idea at the time, and it got him to back off, didn’t it?  Besides, nobody gave me an instruction booklet with it.” I shrugged.  It was the least of my problems.

“Pleading ignorance, huh?  I like it.”  Adam still looked wary, like he wasn’t sure how much of that exchange had been real, and how much for Lucifer’s benefit. 

“I’m sorry. I had to sell it, you know?”

“I get it.  That’s been the story of my life since I met you though, too little, too late.”

“It’s alright, I had it under control.”

“So I see.”

“Do your eyes hurt?” Eve came out from under my arm to ask Michael.

“They will heal soon enough,” he said, feeling his way along the wall until he reached the couch.  I hadn’t realized how bad off his eyes were.  Apart from the puffiness, it didn’t look like he could see much.

“I can fix you,” Eve volunteered, letting me go, her arms outstretched.

“That is not necessary…” Michael edged away, almost as if he was afraid of her.

“I can…” I started to interrupt, but Adam held me back.

“No, let her do it.  It’s better for her to learn how to control it.”  As we watched, Michael stopped squirming, and Eve’s hands began to glow with healing light.  Michael sucked in a breath as it hit him, his face turning pink and then smoothing out to his normal, pale radiance as she worked her magic. 

“There, all better,” she beamed, looking to us for praise.

“Good job, kiddo,” Adam called out, giving her a broad wink and I added my smile of approval before remembering Adam had some explaining to do. 

“What happened to you?  Why did the spell fail?  Did you go to see Dahlia?”

“I think you’d better sit down before we get too deep into it,” Adam replied, scratching at the back of his neck.

Oriana stepped in from the kitchen, picking her way through the carnage of my living room.  “She didn’t kill you at all,” she said with a sunny smile.

Chapter Thirty-Five

“Oriana?  What are you doing here?”

“Oh… you’re dazzling…” Oriana ignored my question, blinking at my supposed brilliance.  “Who did you eat this time?”

“I didn’t eat anyone, exactly,” I frowned, not liking the way that sounded, even if it was true in a way. 

“And our sweet Bunny… how she shines!  My, how big you’ve grown.”  Oriana clapped her hands together in delight before holding out her arms for a hug.  Eve would have gone to her, but Michael kept her back. 

“Be gone, witch.  I will not let you pollute this child’s soul with your dark arts.”

Oriana’s face clouded.  “She’s not yours to command yet,” she said solemnly.

“She’s a good witch, Michael,” Eve said, wriggling free of his grasp.  “Look at her pretty colors.”  She went right to Oriana’s waiting arms with a trusting hug. 

It was time to get some answers out of Adam without small ears around.  “Oriana, why don’t you take Evie upstairs and help her find some clothes for the day.  Nelo, you go on with them, or you can go to bed if you want to.”

“I want to stay with Bunny if she’s going somewhere,” Nelo said, eyeing Michael with suspicion.

“She’s not going anywhere, not without us.  Go on now, it’ll be fine.”

“If you’ve no need of me, I will take my leave as well,” Michael said, standing tall.  His face was as beautiful as always, no trace of a scar from the burning embers. 

“Thanks for coming so quickly, you totally saved my bacon,” I smiled.  He looked a tad confused, but said nothing.  Eve left Oriana’s arms, slipping her hand into Michael’s for a brief squeeze.  The two of them looked at each other, neither one of them saying a word.  Michael let go of her hand to chuck under her chin, smiling when she giggled reflexively.  Taking two steps for the open picture window, he was gone in a flash of snowy feathers. 

“So,” I said once Oriana disappeared with Eve and Nelo in tow, “Are you going to tell me where you slipped off to and why that spell was broken?”

“I told you I was going to go see Oriana.”

I just waited for Adam to continue.   

“And I did, I went to see her.  Only this time, she figured out how to fix it so that you didn’t have to sacrifice your health to keep Bunny safe.”

My eyes widened in surprise.  “She did?  So you went to talk to Dahlia?”

“I wouldn’t say talk, no,” he hedged.

“Adam, you didn’t…”  I remembered the look in her eyes when she’s last seen Adam.  Had he bargained himself away instead?