Pretty Dark Sacrifice (27 page)

Reese and Marcus lay curled against each other on her bed, her head on his chest, his arm draped across her shoulder. If only they could stay that way forever, peaceful and safe in each other’s arms.

There will be no peace for them if the box is opened, and if you fail, all of humanity will be consumed by darkness.
Azrael spoke to her through their link so as not to wake her sleeping friends.

You don’t need to remind me what’s at stake.

I still do not think this is the best course of action. We do not know for sure if this sacrifice is the boy or if it is you. So many things could go wrong. It’s not too late to change your mind.

His concerns echoed her own. They had been arguing over the same thing all night, but she wouldn’t let him see her waver, feel her doubt. Today, she would succeed or die trying.

Are you willing to take that chance, Azrael? If I hide in Arcadia and the box is opened anyway, there is nothing either of us can do. In the Underworld, we at least have a chance. I see no other choice.

There is always another choice.

Hiding like a coward while everything I love is destroyed is not an option. Our plan will work. I will pretend to be your prisoner. You deliver me as you delivered the box. Tell her I was going to run to The Light, and you stopped me, whatever you want. Once she’s convinced, do what you do best—stab her in the back.

Azrael stopped at the foot of Quinn’s bed. His shoulders sagged while his wings rose and fell with each breath
. Your death is a great possibility. Theirs too.
He nodded at Reese and Marcus.
Even the full force of the heavenly host will not be able to defeat the evil that will pour from that box and into this reality if your plan does not work.

As if sensing she was being watched, Reese rolled over, and Marcus snuggled in, spooning her, smiling in his sleep. They fit perfectly together, like two puzzle pieces. The deep aching wound that had been there since losing Aaron oozed open, and Quinn bit back a sob. In a different life, that might have been the two of them in bed, content and safe, but the world was not a safe place, not with the demons bent on enslaving and feeding off the negative energy of humans. Lilith had to be stopped, and maybe Quinn could get her life back, get Aaron’s life back, too, if everything went to plan. Of course, when did anything ever go to plan?

You worry about getting the host to the portal, and I’ll do the rest. I have to try,
she answered.

Yes, Master. Whatever you say, Master,
Azrael hissed at her
.

You are not my slave.

Then give me back my blade so I can protect you with it.

Kaemon’s blade.
Quinn narrowed her eyes at Azrael.

Have I not shown you my intentions are true? Have I not given everything I know to succeed today?

Resentment and concern twisted together in Azrael’s essence, and she sensed his desire to break free from her control, to take back what he saw as his, but he could not touch it without her permission, and this needled him, putting him even more on edge. He took two steps to the windowsill, hand hovering above the Qeres blade. His jaw worked, frustration and annoyance pulsing from his essence. Yes, he would die to protect her, but he did not like having his choice, his freedom to do so, taken away from him.

Quinn slid the blade from the windowsill away from him and balanced the flat of the curved metal on the palms of her hand. A dull hum of electric current ran up both arms and through her body.

Reveal the deep things of darkness and bring shadows into the light.
As she read, the runes on the sword glowed brighter and then dimmed. Quinn caught Azrael’s expectant glare and offered the blade back to him. He looked at her, and she pushed the handle into his hand and closed his fist around it.

You are free. But if you cross me, you will regret it.

Azrael bowed low. She felt joy and relief wash over him. Proud though he was, he could not hide his gratefulness from her. He would not fail in protecting her.

And you can return the blade to its rightful owner once this mess is over.

Azrael swallowed his defiant thoughts and nodded.

I will scout Jeff’s house one more time before we leave. The eclipse will be upon us in a little over an hour. Timing is everything.

Quinn nodded.
Thank you, Azrael.

He squared his shoulders, stepped onto the windowsill, and walked straight through the glass, his onyx wings absorbing the sunrise as he flew across the horizon.

“Hey, Blondie, I made you some coffee.” Quinn turned and took a large cup from Caleb.

“Thanks, Meathead,” she said. “And thanks for helping with this mess.” With Caleb, she didn’t have to explain anything; he understood in a way Reese and Marcus never could.

“You’re welcome.” He picked up her favorite fuzzy blanket off the floor and draped it around her shoulders, his hands lingering a little longer than they should. “I always wondered why I had this weird ability. Now I know. Everything I’ve seen has been to prepare me for this moment. Our meeting wasn’t by chance. I feel it with every fiber of my being.”

“Aaron said the same thing. Look what happened to him.” She watched the curling steam rise from her mug.

“Aaron didn’t know what I know.” Quinn felt Caleb’s desire, a side effect of boosting his ability and becoming so familiar with his essence. She tried to deflect his emotions, but it wasn’t so easy. Caleb was an open book. Either he didn’t know how to hide, or he didn’t want to. Conflict churned within him. Part of him wondered if he would have a chance at something more than friendship if Aaron didn’t make it back while another part hated himself for daring to wish such a thing.

He fought the urge to run his fingers through her hair and kiss her in case everything went horribly wrong and he never had another chance. Quinn couldn’t blame him. His embrace would be a comfort to her, too, but that’s all it would ever be—a comfort and nothing more. She remembered what happened the last time she had turned to easy solace.

“I care about you, Caleb.” Quinn shivered and pulled the blanket tighter around her. “But I can’t.”

“I know. Strictly friend zone.” Caleb patted her shoulder and settled in her rocking chair. “We’ll get him back, Blondie.” The wooden rockers creaked against the floor. “But if you see any hot, single girls trapped down there in Bar Underworld, bring one back for me, okay?”

“Just call me your Underworld wingman.” Quinn smiled, glad the tension between them settled back to normal.

“You sure you don’t want to grab a cat nap?” Caleb rubbed the stubble on his chin. “I can keep watch.”

Quinn shook her head. “I couldn’t sleep even if I wanted to.”

“What time is it?” Reese yawned and pulled the covers off Marcus and onto herself, leaving his torso bare.

Quinn looked at the clock. “Seven thirty.”

Reese groaned. “I feel like I’ve been punched in the head by a gorilla.”

Marcus let out a loud snore, and Reese elbowed him in the chest. “Wake up, sleeping beauty.”

Marcus snorted and bolted upright. “Demons? Where? I’m ready.”

“No demons.” Not yet anyway. Quinn watched as shadows danced beneath the canopy of the big oak outside. She counted at least half a dozen.

“Good, I don’t think I can face them without a cup of coffee,” Reese said, unaware of the gathering darkness.

“I made a fresh pot.” As if sensing her unease, Caleb joined Quinn at the window. His right arm twitched against his side, and he grabbed the Qeres dagger from the nightstand and handed it to Quinn.

“You are a god, Caleb. I think we’ll keep you around,” Reese said.

“Oh! And don’t forget the doughnuts,” Marcus added.

“Is food the only thing you think about?” Reese stretched and pulled back her long, black hair and secured it with an elastic band she kept around her wrist.

“Not the only thing.” Marcus arched his eyebrow and winked at Reese. “Want to join me for a shower?”

“Maybe another time.”

“Your loss.”

“Towels are kept in the hallway closet,” Quinn said.

“What about your mom?” Marcus asked.

“I don’t think she’ll want to shower with you either,” Quinn said.

“No, I mean won’t she wonder why there’s a strange man in your shower?”

“She left for work about an hour ago.” Quinn wondered if she should have said goodbye, just in case.

“And she didn’t even make you pancakes?” Marcus shook his head.

Not pancakes, but waffles with fresh strawberries, and not her mom, but her dad. Before he’d left and everything had changed. Quinn shrugged. “Welcome to my life. It’s no big deal, really.”

“Well I think it’s a big deal. Reese will make you pancakes, won’t you?”

“My mom always said a man’s place is in the kitchen.” Reese crossed her arms over her chest.

“I make a wicked omelet,” Caleb offered. “I’m sure I saw some eggs in the fridge.”

“Now that’s what I’m talking about! If my girlfriend wasn’t in the room, I would kiss you.” Marcus winked.

“Maybe later.” Caleb puckered his lips and made kissing noises. They both laughed.

“Man, it’s good to have another guy to joke around with.” Marcus clapped Caleb on the back. “You’re all right with me, Caleb, and when we get Aaron back, we will finally outnumber team estrogen.” Marcus grabbed a towel and sang his way out the doorway and into the shower.

“Four omelets and coffee coming right up.” Caleb followed Marcus out of the room.

“You better not be joining my boyfriend in the shower!” Reese called, a grin as wide as the Grand Canyon on her face.

Quinn wanted to remember this moment—Marcus joking, Caleb’s grin, Reese full of giggles. It might be the last time they would be together, and she didn’t want her last thoughts of her best friends to be gloom and doom.

“Are you sure this plan will work?” Reese pulled her green hoodie over a white tank top and folded her legs under her.

“Absolutely!” Quinn hoped she sounded more confident than she felt. “I’ll open the door to the Underworld, and Azrael will take me through it. I’ll pretend to be his prisoner. I’ll distract Lilith, and Azrael will free Aaron. Then I kill Lilith, and we all come home.” Quinn snapped her fingers. “No blood, no screams, no opening the box. Simple.”

Guilt pinched at her gut. She shouldn’t drag either of them into this, but Azrael insisted they would be safe as long as they stayed within the protective runes. Besides, Caleb would be there to keep watch, Qeres dagger at hand. Azrael made sure to stress how important their role was, their love for Quinn would tether her to the human realm and help her find her way back. Besides, it’s not like they could follow her into the Underworld. They needed to stay in the house, inside the protective runes, and wait. She would be through the portal, and they would wait for her to come back through, safe in the human realm.

“I wish we could do more. Where is Azrael anyway?”

At the sound of his name, Azrael shimmered before them.

“Good morning, Az.” Reese threw a pillow at him, and he drew his golden blade, cutting it in half, feathers flying everywhere.

“Hey, that was my favorite one.” Quinn shook her head.

“We have had this discussion before. My name is Azrael, not Angel Boy, or Az, or anything other than my full name. Please tell your friends to stop calling me by that stupid nickname.”

“Okay, as long as you try to be nice.”

The light burning beneath Azrael’s skin dimmed, and he furrowed his brow. “As you wish.” He bowed deeply. “You are awfully cheery for a girl who is about to travel into the Underworld and risk the whole of humanity as well as her life and those of her friends.”

“The plan will work.” Fake it ’til you make it. That’s what Marcus had said, and that’s what she did.

“I can get you in and back out again alive, but you have to trust me. Have you practiced blocking? Lilith is powerful. One slip, and she will see the ruse.”

“Ruse?” Reese laughed.

“Please tell your friend if she spent less time listening to that horrible screeching you call music and more time reading a book, she wouldn’t think ‘ruse’ to be such a strange word.”

“I can hear you now, ya know,” Reese said.

Azrael narrowed his eyes. “You promised,” he said to Quinn.

Quinn shrugged. “Whatever I did to change their essences made you visible to them all the time now. Nothing I can do about it.”

“I don’t like it,” Azrael said.

“You don’t like anything,” Quinn replied.

“What did I miss?” Marcus ran a towel over his head and dumped it on the floor.

Quinn cleared her throat and pointed to the laundry basket in the corner.

“Women,” he grumbled, wadded the towel, and tossed it like a basketball. “Two points for Marcsexy.”

“Does he really have to come with us?” Azrael asked.

“Where she goes, we go, so get used to it,” Reese said.

Azrael ignored Reese and turned to Quinn. “I have patrolled the neighborhood around the house. If you go down the back alleyway, you can hop the fence and into the backyard.”

“Is it locked? How do we get in?”

“Immortals don’t use doors.”

“That’s comforting,” Marcus said.

“Did you get everything we need?” Azrael asked Marcus. “Candles, mirror, salt, permanent marker.”

“Yeah, yeah, Caleb and I put it all in the Jeep last night. Speaking of Caleb, where’s my omelet?”

Quinn pursed her lips and shivered when the sun disappeared behind the blackest cloud she’d ever seen and turned morning into dusk.

“We’ve got company, Blondie,” Caleb called up the stairs

Quinn ran to the window. Shadows slithered from the trees and pushed through the grass at the edge of the drive like corpse hands.

“Why now?” Quinn grasped her dagger a little tighter and turned to Azrael.

“A pre-emptive strike to show her strength.”

“Hey, what’s your mom doing home so early?” Reese asked.

“Crap, what day is today?” Quinn’s mother’s Mercedes pulled into the circle drive.

“Thursday, the seventh. Why?”

Quinn pinched the bridge of her nose. A car door slammed, and her father stepped from the passenger side and into the middle of a nest of demons.