Part 9 (1/2)
”I don't want you to.”
He ran one hand over his hair. ”What changed, Claire?”
”Everything. He is not what I thought, Simon. But what he wants-I can do that for him. I am sorry I couldn't get word to you sooner, before you had to risk yourself, but I was-unavailable.”
He stalked to the far side of the room, felt her right behind him. He wanted the freedom to curse-or talk about his ability to see power if he needed to. ”What the h.e.l.l does that mean? What's going on, Claire? I expected you to be happy to see me. Instead I get the feeling you're annoyed that I'm here.”
”No, Simon-and I am sorry if I made you feel that way.” She pushed hair off her face, looking exhausted and fragile. ”Recent information has-d.a.m.n it. I hope you're ready for this. He's an angel.”
”You already told me, in the note-a guardian-”
”Not one of the guardians-who are human souls working toward redemption. He is an angel, Simon. Banished and sent Between.”
”Purgatory.”
”I thought the Church didn't-”
”That's the civilian talking.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting for patience. ”You expect me to believe this.”
”Honestly? No. But I had to tell you-because the banis.h.i.+ng spell you brought with you will not work on him.”
”How do you-”
”I know.” She sighed. ”And I think you should leave, before he discovers you're here. I've managed to subdue him for the moment, but your presence breaks the promise I made to him.”
”Claire-”
”Please, Simon.” She touched his arm-and he saw it. The new edge to her power, raw, almost blinding. He never had been able to see hers without contact. ”You trusted me before. Trust me now, and let me get you out of here. Zach won't be as accommodating a second time.”
”I don't want to leave you here with-whatever it is.”
”Don't worry, I can handle him.” She touched the bandage on his hand. ”The fence?”
”I took part of it with me. Eric yanked the splinters out. He's got finesse, for a vet.” He caught her arm before she could move past him. ”What aren't you telling me?”
”Nothing.”
”You are a rotten liar.”
A smile tugged at her mouth. ”Thank you for pointing that out again. There are things about myself I'm not ready to tell you, Simon.” She eased out of his grasp. ”Please go. This is one time you can't help.”
”We need to talk about those things, Claire.”
Panic skated across her face. She managed to control it, but for just a second, she looked terrified. And it made him wonder just how dark her secret really was. ”When this is over, we will sit down, and I will tell you what you want to know. Then you can decide if you want to have anything to do with me again. But now you have to leave.”
”Fine.”
She looked startled by his easy acceptance, but she nodded. ”I'll escort you.”
He moved toward the door, making a detour to the bed. ”Hey, Annie.”
”My hero.” He smiled, his medic's eye scanning the damage. ”Nothing fatal, so you can tell Eric he won't get out of marrying me today.”
”He'll be-relieved?”
”He better be.”
This time he laughed. If her humor was still sharp, she was as close to all right as she could be, under the circ.u.mstances. ”This'll be over soon-”
”Hey.” She gripped his wrist. ”Don't do anything stupid. You have no idea what Claire's up against.”
”She told me-”
”And you don't believe her.” Annie's voice was flat. ”Don't, if it makes this easier. But do as she says. Get out. You can't help this time, Simon.”
”Starting to get that.” Leaning in, he brushed his fingers across her cheek, relieved when her skin wasn't feverish. ”We'll get you out.”
”Don't count me out yet, mister.”
”I never do.” Winking, he straightened. ”Be safe. I'll come back for you.” His glance included Regina and Hillary. ”All of you.” He joined Claire at the door.
”Thank you,” she said. ”You didn't have to rea.s.sure-”
”I did. And I meant it.”
She paled. ”Simon-”
”I'll go. But I'm not going far. Not until all of you are out of here and safe.”
”I never expected anything else.” She led the way down the hall, back toward the bas.e.m.e.nt door. ”If you could help, believe me, I would be asking for it. But Zach-” She froze, grabbing his wrist. ”G.o.d above-move!”
They ran, skidding to a halt at the bas.e.m.e.nt door. Claire yanked it open, all but pus.h.i.+ng Simon through. He felt the slap of power just before she met his eyes, and nodded. The door closed between them-and a second later, an angry male voice overshouted her. The door heated so fast Simon had to back away from it.
”Where is he? I felt him, Claire. You managed to distract me with your pretty words, then you sneak in someone to banish me-”
”He came on his own, Zach. And I meant those pretty words. You have to start trusting me, or what you want will not happen. Trust is the only way this will work. Do you understand me?”
The power retreated, the wood cooling even as he touched it.
Simon stepped back, found a place to sit. He'd made his promise. He left the house. But he was d.a.m.ned if he would leave them alone.
”You want me to trust.” Zach stalked forward, trapping Claire against the wall. Right next to the bas.e.m.e.nt door. She surprised herself by throwing up a diversion spell almost by instinct, and having it work. Power had been leaking through, despite her efforts to sh.o.r.e up the cracks in the wall. Now she was grateful for what she could grab on to, as it protected Simon. ”Give me a reason.”
”What do you want?”
”Prove to me you can do what you say.”