My jaw dropped. A small cry slipped out. “Shya killed Christina?”
“It was his way of punishing me for refusing to join him.”
Tears pricked the back of my eyes. I hadn’t thought it was possible to loathe Shya more than I already did. Willow was the kindest soul I knew. Of all of us, he was the last person who deserved to suffer.
“I’m so sorry,” I choked out, blinking back blood tears that blurred my vision. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“It wasn’t the right time.”
Shaz cleared his throat, drawing both of our gazes his way. “Sorry to interrupt, but did you just say Alexa was born to stop Shya?”
“I did.” Willow nodded and gestured to the drink clutched between my fingers. “You might need that now.”
Without hesitation I slammed the shot. It went down a tad easier than the first had. “I don’t suppose you know exactly how I’m supposed to stop him.”
“I don’t. Those details are not known by many. Others have a role to play in the outcome though. We need to be ready.”
“Shya said he was desperate, last night, in my bedroom.” I recounted the details of Shya’s visit, careful not to leave anything out, even the parts I’d rather forget. “He said the power is killing me. It’s too much. I think he’s afraid I’ll die before he gets his chance to use me.”
Shaz scowled and poured himself another drink. He never said a word, but he didn’t have to. The look on his face was just another reminder that he didn’t belong here, plotting against demons in a vampire bar. Fighting with other wolves at Doghead, that’s where Shaz belonged.
“Shya’s running on limited time,” Willow said. “It doesn’t surprise me that he’s getting desperate. There’s no telling what he might do now. If you die before he can use you as a sacrifice, he’s screwed.”
Since I’d come close to death more than once recently, I could see why Shya was feeling limited. All I had to do was call more power than I could handle, and it was all over for me. “Are you sure about that? Every time I think I know what role either I or the scroll plays, the story changes just enough to make me second guess what I already know. I’m starting to get the feeling what I know so far isn’t entirely accurate. Does Shya really know what the hell the scroll is for and what to do with it? Does anyone?” My shrill tone gave away my desperate panic.
“Honestly, I don’t even know if what I know is the truth. It’s a demon relic. Demons aren’t exactly known for the truth. But here’s the kicker. If what I know is true, then this can only be done with you. Because of your twin flame connection.”
“Are you saying this is because Lilah is part of a twin flame union too?” I stared in surprise at Willow, my mind reeling. It made sense since Shya needed this scroll to take over Lilah’s throne and the unholy power that went with it.
“It’s got to have something to do with the twin flame connection. Someone knows what that is. But it isn’t me. I wasn’t told how the scroll came to be, just that I had to find it. Too much information can be a bad thing. Since Shya’s limited by time, he’s going to greater lengths to find it. I know he’s been summoning other demons for help. I don’t think it’s working out so well for him yet.” Willow appeared thoughtful. Then he said something I didn’t want to hear. “He’s gotten Kale involved in the search. You should talk to him about that.”
“Kale?” I scoffed. That name left a sour taste in my mouth. Or maybe that was the tequila. “He’s helping Shya? I can’t believe him!”
Willow held up a hand to silence my rant before I could really get rolling. “No, it isn’t like that. Shya’s got him running around, checking out places of worship that the demons can’t get into, in case the church is holding it. He’s not doing it for Shya. He’s doing it for you.”
My gaze met Shaz’s. He tried to keep a neutral expression. It didn’t work. Kale was a sensitive subject. “Why would a demon relic be hidden in a church?” I carefully tried to avoid the topic by focusing on the details.
“To keep the demons from reclaiming it,” Willow answered with a shrug, like it should be self-explanatory. “I don’t know who hid it or if it even is in a church. But Shya seems to think so. Like I said, talk to Kale.”
“Kale and I aren’t on the best of terms right now,” I said, unable to hide my bitterness.
Willow shoved the liquor bottle back my way. “Might I suggest you get over it? He’s your second, Alexa. You need him.”
“My second?”
“Talk to him, Alexa.”
One more shot, and I was ready to claw my own tongue. “You said Shya’s been searching churches. I suppose that’s as good a place as any to start.”
“I’m coming with you. I can help identify the places demons can’t enter.” Willow drank back a large swallow straight out of the bottle. He shoved the almost empty bottle aside and rose. “I was your guardian once. I’ll be by your side through this.”
I was at a loss for words. With a strangled sob, I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him close. “I’m so sorry Shya took her from you,” I whispered, blinking furiously. “I promise I will make him pay for that. Somehow.”
Willow’s embrace was tight and affectionate, a friendly squeeze that allowed me a glimpse into the lonely creature that he was. He was a victim of love and circumstance. He didn’t deserve to suffer like this.
Shya wouldn’t get away with what he’d done to Willow. I didn’t know how I’d make good on that promise, but I would find a way.
Chapter Six
“Son of a bitch.” I swore softly while scrolling through a web page listing every church in the city. “It’s going to take days to check them all out. Maybe weeks. We don’t have that kind of time.”
The three of us sat in my car, mapping out a game plan. With so many possibilities, it was a tad discouraging.
“It won’t be so bad,” Willow answered, leaning across from the passenger seat to get a look at the list on my phone. “What we want to find are the churches that I can’t enter. Those will be our best bet. Start with the catholic churches.”
“Right. There’s only fifty listed right here. That’s not even all of them.” I wanted to get this first search over with before Arys got home.
Willow pointed to an address on the map. “Let’s start there.”
I found myself staring at him again in solemn silence. The urge to fuss over him was strong. I wished there was something I could do to ease his pain. Insulting him with pity was not my intent so I bit back the sympathetic tirade and started the car.
“We need more manpower,” Shaz suggested. He sat in the back seat, hands folded behind his head. “If we had more people we could split up, cover more ground.”
Jez and Kale immediately came to mind. I didn’t have a lot of people I could trust with this. Unfortunately, my sister and the FPA were not among the few. Too bad. They definitely had manpower.
“We have to be careful. If Shya finds out we’re doing this, he’s going to be pissed.” I called Jez again and once again got her voicemail. After leaving yet another message, I hung up and turned to the guys. “I guess it’s just us for tonight.”
Neither of them questioned me about Kale, and I was thankful for that. My impending death and predicament with Shya had to be my priority. My scorned lover would have to be patient. He would get his turn to put me through the ringer.
We started with the address Willow had suggested. I didn’t know what I was looking for, didn’t have a clue where to start. When the fallen angel was able to cross the threshold, he declared it to be a dud.
“So what’s with that anyway?” Shaz asked when we were back in the car on our way to the next address. “Why are you able to walk into some churches and not others?”
Willow turned in his seat to face Shaz. “The churches I can’t enter are those with an angel standing guard. The pure divine presence of the angel guardian prevents the fallen from entering.”
I nodded in understanding. That made sense. “Am I correct in assuming that a church in need of a guardian must have something worth protecting?”
“You certainly are. It could be anything. A person, a holy object, Lilah’s scroll. Where there is an angelic guard there is something in need of guarding.” Willow took on a wistful tone. It made my heart hurt for him.
“Shya’s got to be doing the same thing,” Shaz mused. “Or maybe he already has. Would he be using humans to access the places his demons can’t go?”
“It’s possible,” Willow said, inclining his head in a half nod. “Demons are manipulative liars. They’re very good at what they do. It wouldn’t take much to convince the weak of faith to do his bidding.”
As I drove, I listened to the two of them discuss the situation. It was overwhelming, to say the least. Shya could have any number of people out there hunting for this thing. I had very few. I really did need to touch base with Kale, at least to find out where he’d already looked.
The next few places also proved to be a waste of time. Then, we pulled up in front of a building I recognized. I had been here not so long ago. The church was massive. Huge white pillars bordered the entrance. We ascended the white stairs leading up to the double doors and an uneasy sensation took hold in my gut.
Willow reached for the door and froze mid-action. “I can’t go inside. Which means you have to.”
“The priest here has the same dragon as me,” I whispered, suddenly afraid. “He said Shya was trying to force him to help find the scroll.”
Shaz raised a brow in curiosity.
A light filled Willow’s eyes, and he seemed almost relieved. “Then I’d say we’re on the right track by being here.” He gave me a gentle shove toward the door. “Go on. I’ll wait right here.”
Exchanging a look of uncertainty with Shaz, I reached for the door and pushed it open. I was surprised to find it unlocked after dark.
It blew my mind to think that there was an angel here with us, unseen yet very much present. Somehow, it was also reassuring, despite my unease, which grew with every step.
I paused in the entryway, letting my gaze sweep over the impressive ceiling. It was like a giant dome, covered with paintings. Candles burned on the altar at the front. I saw no one, but I felt the human presence within.
“Hello?” I called out. My voice echoed in the silence. “Father Andrew?”
A moment later he emerged from a back room. He wore an expression of disbelief. “Welcome,” he said, spreading his hands in an open gesture that matched his greeting. “It’s wonderful to see you again, Alexa. What can I do for you?”
“Honestly, Father, I don’t have a clue.” I made my way down the aisle between the pews with Shaz at my side. “I’m looking for the scroll. The one Shya seeks. I need to find it first.”
With his grey hair brushed neatly into place and brown eyes shining with an inner joy I couldn’t fathom, Father Andrew reached to shake each of our hands in turn. I couldn’t help but look for the dragon he bore despite it being hidden by the long sleeves of his shirt.
“You certainly do, my dear,” he agreed. “I wish I could point you in the right direction. I do not know where the scroll is nor do I wish to. But I will help you in any way I can.”
Shaz gazed around the vast interior, and I could almost see what he was thinking. If the scroll wasn’t here, then what was the church’s angel protecting?
“Shya’s running out of time to find it,” I explained. “He’s resorted to desperate attempts. I’m afraid of what he might do.”
“It’s been several months since he’s paid me a visit. Not that I mind of course. I long for the day his reign of terror is over.” Father Andrew began to put out the candles using an elaborately decorated candlesnuffer. “I can make some calls, reach out to my fellow brethren, those I know are still trustworthy.”
The scent of candles tickled my nose. I held back a sneeze. “That means a lot to me. Thank you.”
“I wish there was more I could do.” Father Andrew paused, then added as if it were an afterthought, “Your vampire friend came by not so long ago. He said he was the one you took the demon mark for. I can’t imagine what would make a Hound of God willing to pay the price for a vampire, but whatever it is, it must be special.”
Awkward. I suddenly couldn’t bring myself to meet Shaz’s gaze. I cleared my throat and managed to squeak out, “Nobody deserves to be marked by Shya.”
Before I could change the subject, there was a loud bang, as if something had hit the front door. Hard. The sound of angry muffled voices was audible.
I was off and running through the church to throw open the door. Willow was on the front step, and he wasn’t alone. Brook stood there smirking, his black wings flared wide. So one of Shya’s demons had found us already. Fantastic.
Brook’s black gaze landed on me and a devilish smile crossed his face. He watched me emerge from the church with open satisfaction.
“Well isn’t this interesting?” He taunted. “Shya is going to be thrilled to hear I found you here.”
“So you were looking for me?” I challenged, striding right up to face him head on.
The demon stared down at me, trying to intimidate me with his size and wings. It didn’t work. Nobody could be more intimidating than Shya. At least, nobody I had met so far.
“Aren’t there other places you should be?” Brook sneered. “Like your bordello of blood, for instance.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s my God given right to attend church any time I damn well please,” I hissed, emphasizing God so that the demon flinched. “Care to join me?” I waited for a snide remark but received only a deathly glare. “Where’s Falon? He’s much more entertaining while being a major pain in my ass.”
“It would be wise of you to remember that we can watch you unseen, wolf. Even if you get your hands on the scroll, we’ll be watching. Be warned.” Brook followed his threat with a flap of wings and a burst of power that threw me off my feet.
The impact of my ass against the ground rattled my teeth, but I was otherwise unhurt. Still, it didn’t stop Willow from launching himself at the demon. There was a boom of sound, like thunder, and the two of them tumbled down the steps to the sidewalk below.
This wasn’t the first time Willow had gotten violent with Brook. I wasn’t sure if they had personal history or if the demon was just an easy target for Willow’s inner pain and rage. Shaz pulled me up, and we watched the two immortals trade blows. They didn’t hold back, unleashing assaults on one another that would have destroyed any one of us mortals.