Archangel's Fire Page 11

  He sank down on the bench, gently pushing my hands away as he spoke. “Senna, you’re much too important to this mission. And Cadriel…” His eyes flicked to Cade. “You should have left me.”

  Cade and I voiced our dissent at the same time.

  “No.”

  “No way.”

  Our eyes locked for a moment before his lips curled into a slow smile. My stomach fluttered as pools of blue gazed at me steadily. There was something different about the way he was looking at me. The connection to him was even stronger, as if we were of the same mind.

  I felt a pull coming from behind me. It was so intense it was as if some force was turning my head against my will. Slowly, I turned and faced Lukas’s disapproving gray eyes.

  “Jahoel, I would never leave you or any other in harm’s way,” Cade said.

  “You have a mission, Cadriel. It is your duty to do whatever it takes to lift the curse. If we were both lost, then who would get Senna to the tower? Who would read the ancient book with her?” Big John winced slightly as he shifted his weight.

  “We don’t have to worry about that,” I said, reaching over to lift the robe off his injured leg. “We made it and we’re—oh my god!”

  The entire top half of his pant leg was stained with blood. The gash where the arrow had been was oozing blood. Quickly, I ripped his pants wider to get a better look and gasped. Thin lines of purple streaked up and down his entire leg.

  “What did they do to you?” I breathed.

  Angels healed quickly, which was good for Big John who in addition to teaching us history also taught us how to use swords, knives, and bows. I couldn’t count all the times that Big John had accidentally been cut. When hunting, I’d even mistaken him for a deer once and shot him in the stomach. I could tell that it hurt, even though he insisted it didn’t. When he had jerked the arrow out, the wound healed right before my eyes in a matter of seconds.

  “The wound hasn’t healed?” Cade’s eyes widened when he looked down at his leg.

  From behind me, I heard Lukas mutter, “Nevada. It can’t be.”

  “What did you say?” I asked.

  “It’s magic used to kill angels. It’s the same stuff I have,” Lukas said, lifting a purple-tipped arrow. “They must’ve gotten the paste from Neva—a witch in the city.”

  “Wait a minute. I thought you said they killed all the witches in the city,” I said.

  “Not all. The demon lord managed to turn some of the witches to his side and use them. There might be some who are held against their will.” He looked off into the distance deep in thought, frowning with worry.

  “Use them for what?”

  He blinked, suddenly aware of my curious gaze. “Uh, I’m not sure.”

  Avoiding my question, he quickly reached for his bag. “I have some bandages in here somewhere.”

  He was hiding something. Again! I was beginning to wonder if we were even friends anymore. I was getting tired of his secrets.

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” Big John said as he struggled to stand. “You two get some rest. Cade and I will keep on the lookout.”

  “You just sit right back down. No one is going anywhere,” I said, placing both my hands on his shoulder to keep him seated. It was like trying to stop a boulder from rolling down a hill. “Let Lukas take care of you. It may take some time, but you’ll heal. Cade’s shoulder is fine now. Right, Cade? Cade?”

  Cade was still staring down at Big John’s marred leg with worry. “Uh, yes. It’s still a little sore. But it’s good as new.”

  “Promise me, Cadriel. If I’m unable to continue, you’ll—”

  “You’ll be fine, Big John,” Lukas said as he wound a bandage around his thigh. “The arrow wasn’t in there long enough.”

  “Thanks to Cade,” I said.

  “Yeah, thanks to Cade,” Lukas muttered.

  As we settled in, we moved the tables outside of the shelter so we could rest in the shade. Even though I was exhausted, I couldn’t sleep. The sunlight glared through my closed eyelids. It was like they weren’t even closed.

  I tossed and turned, tugging my hood low to block out the light, then pulling it off because it was so hot. I couldn’t get comfortable enough to relax.

  The guys had no problem whatsoever falling asleep. Soft snores echoed around me the minute they rested their heads on the hard slab.

  Grumbling, I sat up and took off my hooded robe, sighing with relief as the air hit against my skin, making me feel a little cooler.

  I brushed back damp bangs, thankful for once I’d kept my hair short. Not that I didn’t wish I had the gorgeous long hair Hannah had. But no matter how hard I tried to wash it with Hannah’s special herb mixture, my hair was a limp noodle. I had better things to do than to mess with wimpy hair so I just chopped it off.

  There was a low mumble. With a pounding heart, I darted my gaze around. Were there more hunters? Did they see us? Were they planning an attack? I didn’t see anything.

  Cade groaned and turned over, facing me. I gazed at him, mesmerized by how angelic he looked in his sleep. Dark lashes lay like crescent moons on high cheekbones. His muscular chest moved up and down as he breathed in a slow rhythm. His hair was plastered against his sweaty forehead. Perfectly shaped lips moved as he mumbled in his sleep.

  I told myself I was just checking to make sure he was okay. His cheeks looked a little too pink. Maybe he was ill. Never mind that angels didn’t get sick. It wasn’t logic that lured me to his side.

  I quickly looked to Lukas and Big John, making sure they were sleeping before I quietly moved closer to Cade.

  I watched his lips pucker as they formed words. I’d like to think I was trying to figure out what he was saying when I hovered over him. Or that I had to dip my head down, my lips only a breath away from his, to hear what he was saying just in case he was in a feverish stupor and was asking for help.

  But when every cell in my body came alive as his lips brushed ever so slightly against mine, I knew I was lying to myself. I wanted him. I wanted to kiss Cade. Just one more inch and I’d know what it was like to kiss an archangel.

  I was about to do just that when, without warning, images slammed into my head. I jolted back at their intensity. It was happening again. But it was different this time. I wasn’t numb like before, and the visions were clearer. I think it was because I knew what they were now.

  Eager to know Cade’s dreams and what he was yearned for, I focused on the one image that flashed over and over until I was able to slow it down. It finally became clear.

  It was a beautiful angel with rich mahogany hair and bright blue eyes. Her voice was soft as she spoke to someone hidden in the shadows.

  “Please, Cadriel, say you will do this for me,” the angel pleaded.

  I gasped when Cade appeared from the shadows to face the beautiful angel. He drifted to her, his handsome face lit up with an archangel’s fire that consumed the room. He loved her. Pain seared through my chest as my heart broke piece by piece.

  “You know I would do anything you ask of me,” he said as he cupped the beautiful angel’s cheek.

  “My dearest Cadriel. You will always have my heart, no matter what happens.”

  “And I yours. I’ll go to Archangel Michael and tell him I will be at his service. I’ll find the witch and break the curse.”

  “And when he asks you to destroy the demon lord?”

  “I’ll tell him I will do so.” He reached for her hands, lifting them slowly to his lips and kissing them. “But you have my word, I’ll do my best to see that no harm comes to Rahab.”

  19

  Cade wouldn’t stop staring at me. As we rode through the desert, I kept my hood low over my face. All I could see were Pepper’s hooves walking in step with Mika’s. Whenever Cade tried to start up a conversation with me, I mumbled an excuse and sped up to catch up with Lukas. But a few minutes later, Cade was riding beside me again. I could feel his eyes watching me.

  What kin
d of hold did this archangel have on me? The moment I saw him basically promise to save the demon lord, what did I do? Did I wake up Lukas? Did I grab my crossbow with the magic-tipped arrows and wake him to demand he tell us the truth?

  Nope. Instead, I went back to my spot, debating with myself as to what to do next until they woke up. Even as we packed up our things and got ready for another long day of riding under the scorching sun, I said nothing. I just forced a smile on my face as I got Mika ready and stayed as far away from Cade as I could.

  I tilted my head up slightly to see where Lukas and Big John were. They weren’t too far up ahead. Big John had his map open and pointing out something to Lukas. I clicked my tongue, urging Mika to pick up the pace.

  I should tell them. They had to know what Cade was planning to do. So why couldn’t I do it? What was stopping me?

  I hated that Lukas was right about Cade. Hated I was such an idiot and had actually believed Cade. He seemed so sincere when we were on Flathead Mountain and he told me he wanted to correct the mistake the angels had made in trusting Rahab. Was that part of his deception too?

  And the way he looked at the angel in his dream. I couldn’t shake it out of my head. The throbbing in my chest wouldn’t stop.

  I massaged my chest, hoping the ache would disappear. If ever I needed a hold on my magic, now would be a great time. A spell to cure heartache and stupidity would be awesome.

  I pressed harder.

  Nope. Still there. And there were Pepper’s hooves again.

  “There’s another town up ahead where the hunters are known to take shelter,” Lukas said when I neared. “Big John and I are going to ride up ahead and check it out.”

  No! I didn’t want to stay alone with Cade. “I’ll go with you.”

  “Stay with, Cadriel,” Big John said. “We don’t want to take any more chances losing either of you.”

  Part of me screamed to tell them about Cade’s plans. The other part sat frozen in silence as a sand cloud billowed out as they rode away.

  “You’ve been really quiet,” Cade said when Big John and Lukas disappeared from the horizon. “Are you okay, Senna?”

  My breath caught as a pang shot through my chest at the sound of my name. Why did he have to sound like he actually cared about me?

  “Yeah. I’m fine.” I kept my eyes straight ahead, afraid to even look at him.

  It was silent for a moment. The only sound was the swooshing of the sand as Pepper and Mika trotted forward.

  “You haven’t said a word to me since we left the rest area. What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Something’s wrong. I cinched the saddle on Pepper too tight and rode her like that for at least five miles. Poor girl.” He smoothed his hand over Pepper’s mane. “You didn’t even chew me out.”

  “Yeah, well, you managed to fix it without me telling you.”

  “Ah, but it’s not the same without hearing your nasally voice yapping at me.”

  I turned to face him. “My voice is not—”

  That face. That traitorous handsome face was grinning at me. Damn him. He knew exactly how to get to me. And that was the problem.

  I forced myself to look away, vowing to tell Lukas about him the moment he returned. I couldn’t be trusted, not with the way Cade made my rational mind turn into a heaping pile of goo whenever I looked at him. “You didn’t need my help.”

  “Please, look at me.” Cade’s voice was soft, melodic. It pissed me off that his mere voice could make the dull ache even stronger.

  “I’m looking out for hunters. You should, too,” I snapped.

  “Something happened. Tell me.”

  “I told you there’s nothing—stop it, Cade. Don’t touch me!” The heat of Cade’s hand seared my skin even through the long sleeves of my hooded robe.

  “There is too something wrong.” His voice was stern as he jerked his hand off my arm. “Look, Senna, we have to trust each other if we want to get through this alive.”

  I snorted when the word “trust” came out of his mouth. He was the last person I could trust. The throbbing in my chest turned to a simmering anger, and I felt immediate relief. This I could handle.

  “Why are you even here?” I snapped, yanking my hood off as looked him in the eye. I wanted to see the expression on his face when I caught him at the lie he was bound to tell.

  His brow furrowed in confusion. “I volunteered to help end the curse. You know that.”

  “Yeah, that’s what you said. But there’s more you’re not telling me.” He was quiet as if lost in thought for a moment.

  I knew it! He was trying to worm his way out of his lie.

  “I’m waiting.” I pressed him impatiently.

  He turned to me, blinking nervously beneath the shadow of his hood.

  There. It was just like I thought. He wasn’t here to lift the curse. He was a spy for the demon lord. He was probably here to make sure the book was destroyed so the curse could never be lifted. I was about to tell him this when he let out of slow breath and shocked the hell out of me.

  “You’re right.”

  Well, damn. He was actually admitting it. I stopped Mika and gazed at him, stunned.

  “I am?”

  “I meant what I said before. We have to trust each other. So, if we’re going to make this work, I need to trust you and tell you everything.”

  I was flabbergasted. My jaw dropped. It was still hanging open like a fool as he reached into his bag for one of the water bottles Lukas had given him. He took his time drinking, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he swallowed. He was stalling.

  “Well…”

  He offered the bottle to me. I shook my head. “Just tell me, Cade.”

  I tapped my fingers on the saddle horn as he slowly placed the cap on the bottle. He wiped the residue off his top lip with his hand. Then he pushed his hood off, letting it drop onto his back before he let me have it. “Rahab is my brother.

  “Ah, ha! I knew it! I knew you—wait, what did you say?”

  He closed his eyes as if he could hide from his words. “The demon lord, Rahab, is my brother.”

  “He’s your brother.” This was not what I was expecting. It was worse! He was definitely here to make sure that we didn’t break the curse. I scanned the distance, looking for Big John and Lukas, wondering what Cade would do if I tried to make a break for it.

  As his eyes remained close, I carefully reached back and touched my crossbow. It was ready and loaded with Lukas’s angel-killer arrows.

  Inching the crossbow forward, I grinded my teeth, fighting against the sobbing voice that couldn’t bear to see Cade die. I had one shot to take him down. The sound of my heart beat against my ears, ticking off the last minute of the archangel’s life.

  Cade’s face fell as he appeared to struggle with the torment. Ignoring the remorse clearly written on his handsome face, I willed myself to do what had to be done.

  It’s a trick. Don’t fall for it.

  As if sensing my thoughts, his eyes flicked open. “What Rahab did to your mother was unforgivable. There are no words I can say to you that would ever make up for what he did. I’m sorry.”

  How did he do that? How could he look so innocent, so truthful, when he lied like that? He was lying, wasn’t he? He had to be. I saw it in his dreams. I knew what he promised the angel. So why did my hands release the crossbow and drop to my side?

  “I volunteered because I had to make right what my brother did wrong. Before I left, my mother begged me to save him. I didn’t have the heart to tell her no.” Pools of blue gazed deep into mine, pleading for understanding. “She thinks Rahab will return to us when the curse is broken. I don’t know if he can.”

  “Your mother?” The beautiful angel was his mother. I looked at him carefully, this time seeing the resemblance. The thick wavy hair and bright eyes. My heart lifted. “She’s the one I saw with you.”

  “You saw her? When?”

  “In my vision while you
were sleeping.”

  “I dreamed about her?”

  I nodded. “At the rest stop. You were mumbling in your sleep.”

  “What did you see?”

  “You promised to save the demon lord.”

  “Is that why you were…wait, you thought I was a spy didn’t you? And you didn’t tell Lukas or Big John. Why?”

  “I…uh…” I could feel my face heating up, which was something considering how hot it already was. What was I going to say? Despite my better judgment, I’m falling for you and I was jealous of your mother?

  “We need to go before Lukas and Big John get worried about us. Let’s go, Mika.”

  “Wait a minute, Senna.” Cade clicked his tongue. Pepper’s hooves slapped faster against the ground, slowing down when they reached us. Cade studied me for a moment with an amused expression on his face. “I guess I was wrong. You do trust me.”

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “Or maybe there’s something you’re not telling me.”

  I groaned silently. Please go away now.

  “Why is your face all red?”

  “It’s called a sunburn, duh.”

  “Oh, really? I don’t think—” Pepper let out whinny. She stepped back, tossing her head.

  “Whoa, Pepper!” Cade tried to gain control of her.

  Mika quickly followed. She snorted and tossed her head furiously. She stomped her hoof and whinnied again, refusing to take another step with me on her. I scanned the horizon for hunters as I tried to calm her. There was no one in sight. Suddenly, she kicked and bucked me off, sending me sailing through the air.

  20

  The sand billowed up in a cloud when I landed on my back with a thump. The fierce glare of the sun blinded me for a moment. Between the cloud of sand and black dot swimming over my eyes, I could barely see. Mika nickered frantically. Her ears flicked back and forth as if sensing danger.

  “Mika! What’s wrong?”