Avenging Angel (25 page)

Tanner’s heart began to beat faster. He didn’t like this, and the punch in his gut told him that dislike was about to get one hell of a lot worse. “Told me what?”

Silence. Cody swallowed and his gaze kept holding Tanner’s. When had those lines appeared on Cody’s face? When had he stopped being the kid that Tanner protected and turned into the demon who stood before him?

Then Cody spoke. “One day, you were gone—off training with Brandt—and our father came at me.” His hand lifted to his chest. “He drove his claws into my heart, and he left me to die.”

“What?”
And his brother had neglected to tell him this damn important fact?
“You almost died?”

“But . . .” A rasp of breath, then, “Your mother was there. Katherine found me.” Cody swallowed and still held Tanner’s stare. “Her hands were glowing, and she put them right on my chest. My whole body seemed to pulse with power when she touched me, and Katherine kept telling me, ‘It’s gonna be all right.’ ”

Tanner could barely remember his mother. Only glimpses. Flashes. The impression of someone
good.

She loved me.
He’d held tight to that one truth. Always.

“But helping me made her weak.” Cody’s voice broke. “Just like helping me today made you weak.”

“I don’t feel weak.” He felt stronger than ever before.

Cody shook his head. “That’s only because your angel gave you blood. Without her, you’d still be in a coma.”

He stiffened.

“There wasn’t an angel around to help your mother. There was only our father. He found us. Saw what she’d done, and when he attacked, Katherine was too weak to fight back.” Pain whispered beneath his words. “And I was too scared. I stood there, and I watched her die.” A stark confession.

Tanner felt as if his own heart had been clawed out then. He remembered coming back in and seeing the shifters carrying his mother’s body away. He’d screamed and punched at them.

But she’d already been gone.

“If Marna hadn’t given you blood today, you would’ve been too damn weak to protect yourself. You have to understand what’s going on.” Now Cody’s words came faster. “I know you think this new power is some kind of gift. That it makes you better because it came from
her
.” Cody shook his head. “But it doesn’t. It makes you weak. Vulnerable. Just like it made Katherine weak. And you’ve got to promise never to use it again.”

“Did she . . .” Tanner stopped, cleared his throat. His mother had been gone so long. So why did he hurt so much? “Did my mother say anything . . . ?” Hell, why was he even asking?

The floor creaked behind him. Tanner looked over and found Marna standing in the doorway. She’d been there, of course, the whole time. Her scent had come to him like a soothing touch the minute she’d stepped into the doorway.

“She said your name.” Cody brushed past him. “It was the last thing she said.”

Cody was beside Marna now. He stood near her, but didn’t touch her. “I’m sorry.” Shame lurked in his words. “If I’d been stronger . . .”

Then his mother wouldn’t have died? “He never kept his women around too long.” Forever hadn’t been a concept their father understood. Since he hadn’t been the sharing sort, he viewed death as the only option for getting rid of his unwanted mates.

The bastard really had been born without a soul. And to think, most supernaturals believed shifters had
two
souls. Those of beasts and men.

Maybe he only got the soul of the beast.
Maybe that was why his father had only known fury and violence.

Shoulders hunched and steps slow, Cody crept from the room. After a moment, Marna came inside and quietly closed the door. “You scared me,” she said.

He didn’t move toward her. Tanner felt raw inside. Dangerous.

“Do you blame him, for her death?”

Tanner shook his head.
She was always trying to save the pack.
“She died when I was seven. He was only four then.” Just four, and he’d taken claws to the heart. “Saving others . . . that’s who she was.”

She’d never walked away from anyone in pain.

Marna studied him a moment, then said, “I think you’re a lot like her.”

No, I’m like him.
Marna was close enough to touch now. Why did he feel that touching her would make her dirty?
She deserves better.
“You weren’t supposed to give me your blood again.”

“And you weren’t supposed to start seizing right in front of me.” She gave a little shrug. “I guess fate had other plans for us.”

Fate could be a cruel bitch. He’d known that since his second birthday. “Did Kali see you?”

A nod. “Who do you think ran the transfusion?”

Shit. “Then I’ll make sure she doesn’t talk. She won’t—”

“How are you going to make sure?” Her hand touched his arm. Her fingers were so light against his skin. “She’s already gone. With you and Cody out of danger, she slipped away.”

Fuck. His muscles tightened. “Then she could be selling you out right now. Telling everyone where to find angel blood.” They had to find her. They had to—

Marna gave a slow nod. “She could be, or she could have just been going out to help someone else. That’s what she does, you know. She helps. And she drinks her blood from a bag, not a live source.”

Ah . . . that was his Marna, being too trusting again. “Is that the story she gave you? Baby, how many times do I have to tell you? A lie from a supernatural sounds like the sweet truth from an—”

“Angel?” she finished with raised brows.

He turned away from her. Headed to the window. Someone had opened it, letting in a spill of light from the stars and moon.

A rustle of sound teased his ears. Like wings . . .

A shadow moved closer to the cabin. “Your blood,” he said slowly, staring out at that shadow, “makes me see things I shouldn’t see.”

The floor creaked beneath her feet. “Like what?”

Tanner glanced over his shoulder at her. So beautiful. “Like the shadows of wings that were cut from your back.”

Her lips parted in surprise. Tanner stepped away from the window and headed closer to her. Moving to protect. “And like that asshole angel who’s coming toward us right now.”

“Someone’s coming? But—”

But he was already there.

Tanner saw the angel fly right through the window opening, twisting his body easily, fluidly, and then landing on his feet. The angel’s eyes were only on Marna. For a being that was supposed to be stone-cold when it came to emotions, that golden stare was sure burning hot.

Tanner stepped a foot to the left and blocked his view. “Hello, again, asshole.”

Bastion’s gaze snapped to his face. A muscle flexed in the angel’s jaw. “Can you do nothing but take from her?”

Tanner’s shoulders stretched. He hadn’t intended to take her blood again. Not like that detail had been written down in his game plan. “Can you do nothing but be a pr ick?”

Bastion lunged forward. Because he’d wanted to attack since he’d first watched Bastion stare at Marna with lust in his eyes, Tanner swiped out with his fist. The punch slammed right into the side of the angel’s face—

Even as Bastion shoved his hand against Tanner’s chest.

“No!”
Marna’s scream.

The touch burned him, as if he’d been branded, cutting into skin and stealing his breath. In that burning instant, Tanner realized that the bastard had just given him the Death Touch.

Except he wasn’t dying. Tanner glanced down at the hand that still rested against his chest, and when he looked up once more, he knew his smile held an evil edge. “My turn.” Then he lifted his claws.

Fear flashed over Bastion’s face. He stumbled back, his eyes wild as he looked for an escape. Fool. Didn’t he know just how much the beast liked to hunt? Tanner stalked forward. His claws were now ripping from both hands. “This is gonna—”

“Tanner!”
Marna’s voice froze him. Then she was there, putting her body between him and the angel. “Don’t.” Her gaze dropped to his claws, and she shuddered. “
Don’t.
Don’t make him like me.”

It pissed him off that she even said the words. But, with care—
because it was her
—he lifted his hand and caught her chin. “Baby, I won’t touch his wings.”

She blinked and a faint furrow appeared between her brows.

“But I am gonna kick his ass. That angel needs to stop lusting after you, and I’ll make sure he does.”
Time for Bastion to realize that she’s mine.
He wasn’t giving her up to anyone or anything.

Even an angel who
might
be better for her.

Because he did believe in forever.

“I’m not afraid of you, shifter,” Bastion shouted. “You think because you’re high on angel blood that you’re some kind of threat?” A sneer twisted his face. “You’re nothing, you’re—”

Marna stepped to the side. “A
little
ass beating.” Her gaze turned to Bastion. “Because no one calls Tanner ‘nothing’.”

Fuck but he could love her.
Could?

The angel tried to fight. Tanner slammed his fist into Bastion’s stomach. When the guy doubled over, Tanner kicked out. Punched. Tanner didn’t use his claws though because, well, he didn’t want to get any angel blood on Marna.

Bastion caught Tanner’s fist in one hand. Froze the blow.
Ah, so he was gonna fight back.

“I’m not as weak as you think,” Bastion muttered. Then he hurtled Tanner across the room.

When he smashed into the wall, Tanner laughed at the impact. Now, things could get interesting. He leapt back to his feet and charged across the room. His right shoulder plowed into Bastion’s stomach, and he took that angel down old-school, football-tackle style. He might have even heard a bone or two crunch. Sweet music.

Tanner rose easily and stared down at the groaning angel. “I think you’re starting to—”

Bastion’s legs swept out. Nice move, but predictable. Tanner dodged easily. Grunting, panting, Bastion climbed to his feet. Aw, was the angel’s nose bleeding? Too bad.

“Okay.” Marna grabbed Tanner’s arm. “Enough fun.”

Not really, but for her, he’d stop. He’d proved his point.
I can kick your ass, angel.
Any day of the week, and if the angel wanted, twice on Sunday.

Bastion swiped the blood away. “You’re . . .” He grabbed his nose, cracked it, and put the bones back in place. “Messing with fate.”

Tanner shrugged. “Then fate shouldn’t mess with me.”

Bastion’s teeth ground together. His gaze, bright with anger, lit on Marna. “You’ve given a shifter resistance to the Touch. What do you think will—”

“Times are changing.” While Bastion’s voice had been heavy with emotion, Marna’s was cold. Quiet. “Angel blood is being traded on the streets here in New Orleans, and I’m betting in other places, too.
We’re
starting to be the ones who are hunted.”

His eyes widened. “Wh-what?”

“Tanner isn’t the only one that you’ll find hard to kill. The secret’s out,” she said, her shoulders rising and falling in a sad shrug, “so that means angels are on hit lists.” Her lips pressed into a tense line, and after a moment, she said, “So make sure you spread the word. We all need to stay on guard. It’s not just about us taking them anymore.”

It was about angels being the prey.

And angels being killers. Tanner’s gaze swept the angry angel once more. “One of your kind is killing in New Orleans,” Tanner said.

But Bastion’s smile mocked him. “Death angels kill every day. That’s not—”

“No.” Marna’s voice. With more heat. “We take souls. We follow the orders we’re given. We take those who are meant to die.” Her gaze held Bastion’s. “This is different. We think—we think it’s a punishment angel, and he’s taking the forms of other people to kill.”

Bastion’s smile faded away.

“He took my form,” Marna said, “and killed two shifters.”

“And he used my face when he put a cop in the hospital,” Tanner added.

Bastion’s head shook. “A punishment angel wouldn’t ever use another angel’s face—”

“He almost killed my brother just hours ago.” Tanner’s hands clenched as he remembered the cold fear that had coursed through him. And this guy was trying to play innocent?
Not lying, but still twisting the truth.
“You fucking know. You were there when we were fighting to keep him alive.”

Bastion’s eyelashes flickered in the faintest of moves.

Tanner advanced toward him. “You were downstairs, waiting to take his soul, so don’t pretend otherwise. I’ve got your scent.
I know.
” He was so in the mood to keep kicking ass. “What I want to know—
right now—
is did you come after that bastard left, or were you there when that angel attacked Cody and left him to die in that alley?”

“W
ere you, Bastion?” Marna pressed. “Did you see the punishment angel who attacked him?
Were you there?”
Because if Bastion knew who was playing a deadly game with her life, and he didn’t tell her . . .

Maybe she’d let Tanner keep up that ass-kicking. Or maybe she’d try a little ass-kicking herself.

“He wasn’t on my list.” The words were spoken quietly as Bastion’s powerful wings folded behind his body.

“What damn list?” Tanner wanted to know.

But Marna already understood. “The death list.” Because there really was a list of names, a list of those who would soon have their souls taken.

“Cody wasn’t on the list. I had no warning about him, I just—” Bastion exhaled. “There was no foretelling for his case. When I got to him, he was already on the ground, with half of his stomach cut out.”

Marna flinched.

Tanner didn’t move. “And his killer?”

“There was
no
sign of another angel there.” Bastion was adamant.

“No scent?” Tanner pressed. “No fucking flutter of wings?
Nothing?
”

“Just your brother and the blood. There were humans a few streets over, I could hear them, but nothing else.” Bastion turned away from them and headed back to the window. “The guy isn’t an angel. You need to look closer to home for this killer.” Then he leapt through the open window, wings soaring and breaking glass in the top windowpane as he flew high up into the dark sky.

Marna stared after him. Her old life had never been so far away. As if to remind her of what she’d lost, the scars on her back seemed to burn. Burning, itching—why wouldn’t they just stop bothering her?
Reminding me of what’s gone.

She put her back to the window. “There’s one person who can tell us what he saw.” A guy who’d gotten a very up-close look at the killer.

And Cody was recovered enough now to tell them everything.

Tanner nodded. Marna pushed past him, ready to find Cody and—

He stopped her. “Do you still miss . . .” Tanner began, but then his words died away.

She knew what he’d been about to say. “Heaven? Sometimes.” How could she not? “But I’m finding there are things here that I like very, very much.”

His gaze lifted to meet hers.

She offered him a smile. “Now let’s go find out who this guy is and let’s stop him.” Because she was ready to move on with her life. Humans knew joy—she’d seen it on their faces. Maybe, just maybe, she could know it, too.

A home. A family. Tanner . . . and a child? Perhaps all of that could be hers.

But not with the killer waiting out there. Not with him playing his games.

Finish him.
Then she could really start living.

Only . . . as soon as they opened the bedroom door, Tanner swore. He rushed past her and barreled down the stairs. Marna heard the faint sound then, too. A car’s motor, speeding away.

Tanner yanked open the front door. Marna was steps behind him, and she saw the glow of fading taillights.

“Cody,” she whispered.

The sagging front porch creaked as Riley stepped from the shadows. “The demon said he had hunting to do.”

“Sonofabitch.”
Tanner stared after those red lights with his body tight.

“The guy was muttering about owing you, and making things right.” Riley stopped at Marna’s side, but his eyes were on Tanner.

Tanner threw a hard glance over his shoulder. “And you just let him drive away?”

“Why would I stop him?” Riley wanted to know. “I paid my debt.” He gave a little salute to Marna. “I don’t owe anyone now.” He started walking back into the house.

Marna caught his arm. “We were even before this. Now I’m the one who owes you.”

He sent her a quick smile, one that showed the edges of his fangs. “I like having an angel in my debt.”

Why did everyone seem to keep forgetting? “I’m not an angel anymore.”

His grin widened. “Even better.”

A snarl came from Tanner.

But Riley just laughed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. “There’s a motorcycle hidden about a hundred yards to the east, under an oak. Take it. Join the hunt.” He tossed the keys to Tanner and gave him a little salute. “And now, that means you’re in my debt, too.”

Whistling, he headed into the cabin.

“Bastard,” Tanner muttered.

Yes, but he was a bastard who’d helped them. She caught Tanner’s hand. Laced her fingers with his. “Come on.” If they hurried, they’d be able to catch Cody. Dawn would come soon, and this battle would best be fought under the cover of darkness.

It was easier to hide the truth from humans in the dark.

They raced through the brush, heading east quickly through the night. Marna had to double-time it in order to keep up with Tanner. Her shifter was so fast.

Then they were at the motorcycle. Tanner climbed on, and she jumped behind him, holding tight. The engine burst to life with a growl as great as Tanner’s panther, and they leapt forward.

Her heart slammed into her ribs as they gave chase.

She couldn’t see any sign of Cody’s vehicle now, but he had to be close still. The motorcycle leapt off the old path and onto the twisting two-lane highway with a jarring thud that had her holding even tighter to Tanner. Faster, faster. Her hair whipped behind her as they drove.

Another corner.

Another tight turn.

Her thighs squeezed around his as the vibration from the bike shook her legs. When had she grown so used to the adrenaline rush of danger? When had it started to turn her on?

Maybe it was time for everyone to realize that.

Another turn. Her body was plastered against his. Another—

A siren screamed and a police cruiser seemed to leap right out of the darkness. Blue and red lights flashed in a blinding whir.

The cops had found them. Had tracked them.

Tanner didn’t slow. Faster, faster . . .

Another turn. Another tight corner, another—

A car was blocking the road. No, not a car. An SUV. Riley’s vehicle—the one Cody had taken. Tanner tried to stop the motorcycle. Brakes squealed and sparks flew into the air—

But there wasn’t enough time to stop. They were going too fast. The SUV was too close. The motorcycle slammed into the side of the vehicle. Marna tried to hold on to Tanner, but she was ripped away from him. She flew through the air—
not like when I had wings.
This flight was terrifying, short, and her body slammed back into the pavement after only moments.

Her skin ripped away at the impact. Pain burned through her side and her arms.

Metal crunched and groaned. Those sirens were squealing, hurting her ears. Marna tried to rise—

“It’s okay,” a familiar voice told her, “I’ve got you.” Then arms wrapped around her body. Too tight. Too hard. And she was flying again. Rising higher and higher into the sky. She tried to fight the hold on her but couldn’t break free. When Marna glanced down, she saw the wreckage below. Tanner and Cody were both there, running toward her. Tanner was screaming her name.

But she couldn’t break free and get back to him.

 

“No!
Marna!
” Tanner stared up, body shaking with fury, as the angel took Marna away from him. Fucking Bastion. He wasn’t taking her. He—

“He flew right at me.” Cody’s words tumbled out. Blood dripped from the gash in his forehead. “I was trying to get back to town—and my windshield shattered. I couldn’t even see him, not at first.” Cody’s breath shuddered out. “He forced me to stop.”

And he’d taken Marna. Tanner had caught a glimpse of the angel’s black wings. He’d moved too fast for Tanner to see his face, but he knew just which angel had come calling.

A door slammed behind him. Footsteps raced toward them. And those sirens kept screaming.

He couldn’t see Marna anymore. But he would find her. The angel wouldn’t take her.

“Tanner!”
Hard hands slammed into him, and Tanner jerked his gaze away from the dark sky and found himself staring at his partner’s tense face. Wait, what the hell was Jonathan doing there?

“Man, we are in one big-ass shit storm,” Jonathan told him. The guy was sweating and shaking. “I’ve been searching this swamp for you all night.”

Tanner shook his head. “I have to—”

“What? Go after the girl? Not right now. Right now, you have to avoid the damn manhunt that is coming your way. They found the captain’s body, and now, they are looking for
you.
”

Did everything really have to go to hell at the same exact time? He glanced around. The motorcycle was smashed and twisted into a heavy mass of undriveable metal. The SUV was totaled. Only one way out. “Then take me into custody.” He headed for the patrol car. The same patrol car that he’d raced past moments before.

Jonathan grabbed his arm in a surprisingly strong grip. Huh. Maybe the human wasn’t so weak after all. “Are you insane?” Jonathan demanded with narrowed eyes. “Why do you think I was hauling ass to find you first? I’m trying to keep you
out
of custody.”

Tanner jerked free and kept marching toward the car. The guy wasn’t
that
strong. “Maybe I wasn’t clear enough.” He didn’t climb in the back of the car. He slid behind the wheel. “I’m taking this car.” More sirens were screaming. Coming ever closer

“Shit.” Jonathan jumped in beside him. “You’re not leaving without me. I’ll be damned if I have to keep chasing your ass.”

“You’re not goin’ without me!” Cody, weaving a bit, stood in front of the vehicle. “I won’t let you face him alone!”

Jonathan stared through the windshield at the bleeding demon. Then he shook his head. “I think it’s time you brought me up to speed,
partner.
”

Tanner’s hands clenched around the wheel. Being in the car was the perfect camouflage for him. While the other cops were out beating the streets in their search for a fugitive, a cop killer—
time for me to kiss that badge good-bye—
he’d be safely behind the wheel. Tracking an angel who was bent on hell.

You aren’t walking away after this.
He’d make sure Bastion didn’t have a second chance to go after Marna. He’d seen the lust so clearly in the angel’s eyes. He should have expected—

“Tell me,”
Jonathan insisted as he slammed his fist against the dash, making the radio shake.

Cody ran around to the back of the car. He climbed in, sending blood drops raining against the cage that kept suspects in check.

“Drive,” Cody told him.

Like he needed to be told. Tanner kept the windows down. He pulled in the scents around them and got locked on the one that mattered most.

Sin and sweetness. Rich, lush woman. A lost angel.

And he followed her. He shoved the gas pedal to the floor, weaved around the wreckage, and asked his partner, “You know Marna’s an angel of death . . .” She
had
been. “Well, one of those other death assholes just took her away.” The patrol car raced through the darkness. “And we’re getting her back.”

 

They landed on a rooftop. The sun was rising, just cracking open the sky with streaks of red and gold. The instant Marna’s feet touched down, Bastion let her go.

Marna whirled on him and drove her fist up into his jaw. He didn’t flinch.
He’s getting used to pain.

His gaze, steady and intense, just held hers. “I don’t care if I make you angry.”

When had he gone crazy? How had she missed it? “What were you thinking? You can’t just abduct—”

He gave a tight shake of his head. “I’m keeping you safe.”

“No, you’re marking yourself for death, that’s what you’re doing.” She spun away from him and hurried to the edge of the roof. They were back in the Quarter. She knew these streets. Tanner would be searching for her. How long would it take before he turned his attention back to the city?

Doesn’t matter.
She wasn’t going to wait around for Tanner to find her. She’d go back and find him.

Strong fingers closed around her arms. “If you go back to the shifter, you’ll be the one dying.”

Shocked, she turned and her gaze lifted to his. “Tanner would never hurt me.” She believed that with complete certainty.

“It’s not him I’m worried about.”

Her heart raced faster in her chest. “You
did
see who was in that alley with Cody.”

He shook his head. “You know angels can’t lie.”

She struggled to remember his exact words. Then—
dammit !
“Just tell me! Tell me so I can keep Tanner safe. I have to know—”

His hands tightened on her arms. “I
don’t
know! If I knew, I would have killed him already.”

His words shocked her into silence.

“All I know . . .” His voice dropped, and he exhaled on a long sigh. “. . . is that my list has changed.”

The death list.

He swallowed, and Marna saw the flash of pain in his eyes. “And now, you’re on the list.”