MySoultoSave (26 page)

“Maybe it does. But, Logan…he’s a demon.”

“Not anymore.”

Tex shook his head. “Only a prophet would try to help a
demon.”

“Damn it, Tex. If you’re going to be this obstinate, you
might as well pull over here and let me walk home.” It was a real effort not to
scream. “And yes. I want to help him, if I can. I’m going to look for him—with
or without your approval.”

“All right.” He slumped in the seat. “Will you listen to me,
just for a minute?”

“If you’ll stop being an asshole.”

His fingers clenched on the steering wheel, and then
relaxed. “Okay. I’m done.”

“Thank you.”

He nodded once. “I have to ask you something, and I want you
to think before you answer. I’m not trying to rub it in or imply anything.”
After a pause, he said, “Have you seen any Tempters since Jaeryth left?”

She managed to resist snapping at him. “No, I haven’t. But
that doesn’t mean he was leading them to me.”

“I know. That’s why I said I’m not implying anything.” Tex
grimaced. “It probably wasn’t intentional. But it’d be much easier for the
Tempters to find him than it is to find you—and I think that’s why he hasn’t
come back. Being with him makes you an open target.”

“Oh God,” she whispered. “That means they’re after him now.”

“Maybe. I really don’t know.” He sent her a strange look,
and said, “You love him, don’t you?”

She considered lying for all of two seconds. “Yes.”

“Well. That complicates things.” He drummed an anxious
tattoo on the wheel. “Right now, it’s just too risky for you to be around him.
Wait, hear me out,” he said when she started to interrupt. “But once you
manifest, the Tempters won’t bother with you. Then you can find him and do
whatever you want with him.”

“Great. So all I have to do is perform a miracle.”

He smiled. “I’m pretty sure you’ll do that tomorrow night.
Transforming the souls of eight thousand people at once has to count.”

A lump formed in her throat. “You really think that’s going
to happen?”

“I know it will.”

Part of her wanted to insist on looking for him now anyway.
But Tex was right about at least one thing—she couldn’t afford to draw the
attention of the Tempters. She’d never find Jaeryth if she was dead.

She’d wait until after the concert. And not a minute longer.

* * * * *

Jaeryth crouched with the shivering girl in the narrow space
behind a Dumpster. His heart pounded in his ears and every breath drew a
painful stitch in his sides. But the thugs had run past their hiding place five
minutes ago, after he’d led her through every twist, turn and shortcut he could
recall, and he thought they might have lost them for good.

He waited another five to be sure. By then, breathing was no
longer agony and he’d heard nothing to indicate danger. “All right,” he said.
“It’s safe now.”

She slithered out and he emerged after her into the dimly
lit alley. He stiffened as a group of people passed in front of the corridor,
but it wasn’t the men who’d chased them.

The girl drew a sharp breath and faced him. She drew her
quivering lips into a smile. “They’re gone.”

“Yes.”

With a soft cry, she threw her arms around him. “Thank you,”
she said. “I thought I was a goner.”

He patted her back awkwardly. “You’re welcome.”

“I can’t believe we ditched them.” She drew away, twisted
and peered through the entrance to the alley. The lines of her body went rigid
and sorrow washed over her when she turned back. “Well. Guess I’d better go.
It’s late.”

“I’ll walk you home,” he said. “In case they turn up again.”

“Um. Nah, it’s cool. I…uh, I’m staying with a friend. She
might not be home yet, though, so I’ll probably just hang…somewhere else.”

Her hesitation and distinct discomfort told him she was
lying, and somehow he understood that she had nowhere to go. Perhaps he could
help her one last time. If he recalled correctly, her parents’ apartment was
close by. “Go home, Elizabeth,” he said gently. “Your mother and father miss
you. They’ll welcome you back.”

The girl’s mouth fell open. A single, fat tear ran down her
cheek. “How…”

“Go home,” he repeated. “You’ll be all right.”

“I never told you my name.” Amazement colored her words.
“Are you an angel?”

Harsh laughter escaped him before he could stop it. “No,” he
said. “Just someone who wants to help you.”

She gave him a radiant smile. “You’re an angel to me,” she
said. “And I’m going home.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear that.”

He walked out of the alley with her and watched to make sure
she headed in the right direction. When she turned the corner that would take
her home, he withdrew and leaned against the wall with his eyes closed. How
many more of these people did he know by name, and how many lives had he
destroyed?

“Hey, look. It’s the thief.”

The voice of the lead thug somehow failed to surprise him.
At least the girl had gotten away. He opened his eyes and found the four of
them blocking the mouth of the alley, an impenetrable wall.

Then his perception shifted without much effort—and the four
became six. Two Tempters hovered behind the thugs, whispering their poison. As
if these men needed persuading. If he’d still been in charge and caught them
here, he would have punished them for wasting time.

“Nothing to say, huh?” The leader grinned at him. “Well, you
said we should find a new toy. I think you’ll do.”

Hands grabbed his shirt and propelled him deeper into the
alley. His back slammed against the Dumpster. The grip loosened and a fist
drove into his stomach. He doubled over.

“So far, you ain’t much fun.” The leader grabbed his
shoulder and banged him into the metal surface, then landed a blow in the same
spot.

Jaeryth dropped to his knees as pain surged through him.
Perhaps this would be his end. Though he didn’t relish the idea of being beaten
to death, he would accept it.

But instead of striking again, the leader backed away with a
sneer. “Get up, hero,” he said. “I wanna see you fight back. It’s no fun if you
don’t.” He folded his arms and added, “I was lookin’ forward to banging that
chick. Maybe I’ll bang you instead.”

“What in Hell’s name are you doing?”

The distorted words weren’t meant for mortal ears. Jaeryth
looked beyond the thugs and found the alley a bit more crowded as the Tempters
cowered before a great winged demon, who was turned away just enough so he
couldn’t see the face. “
Lazy creatures!
” the demon thundered. “
Go and
find some real work to do. Corrupt a nun. These humans are already blacker than
you.
”

One of the Tempters vanished instantly. The other glanced at
Jaeryth and his gaze narrowed in recognition before he faded to join his
companion. If Ronwe didn’t know he was here before, he would now.

Or perhaps this demon was Ronwe, ridding himself of
witnesses in order to bend the rules.

“I said get up.” The lead thug launched a kick that
connected hard with his ribs.

Jaeryth curled over with a gasp. He had to stand, if only to
see what the demon was doing. Grabbing at the Dumpster for support, he hauled
his body upright as his limbs trembled with exertion.

The demon had assumed a mortal body and stood a short
distance behind the thugs, looking more furious than his demon form had
sounded. Jaeryth managed a smirk. “Hello, Kobol,” he said. “You handled that
well.”

“The hell you . . .?” The leader turned to follow Jaeryth’s
gaze. “Oh, you have a friend,” he said. “Just one? You’re gonna have to do
better than that.”

He nearly collapsed again. They could see Kobol—he must have
shifted fully into the mortal plane. And Jaeryth had no idea whether he’d done
it to help or to harm.

“My friend and I have business to deal with.” Kobol stepped
toward the nearest thug, who shrank back in fear. “I strongly suggest that you
leave us to it.”

The leader snorted. “Somebody waste this asshole.”

One of the thugs pulled a knife and lunged.

Kobol moved too quickly to follow. In less than a minute,
all four thugs collapsed with grunts and groans. “Leave us, while you still
can,” Kobol snarled.

They cleared out with no further comments.

Once they were alone, Jaeryth watched his old friend with
dull anticipation. Kobol was still a demon—and he’d interfered directly with
humans. What he’d done was not quite forbidden, but it was severely frowned
upon. Jaeryth could only assume that he’d acted with Ronwe’s blessing, that he
had been sent to collect on Samael’s due. He couldn’t blame Kobol. It was his
job.

The only thing he couldn’t figure out was why Kobol had
stopped the humans. If anything, he should have encouraged them to continue.

Kobol made a disappointed sound. “I see you didn’t listen to
me,” he said.

“No.” Jaeryth shrugged, and winced at the pain movement caused.
“What can I say? You were right, Kobol. I never had a chance.” A shudder ripped
through him. “Do what you must. I’ll understand.”

“Jaeryth.” A kind of horror washed over Kobol’s face. “You
truly believe I’ve come here to destroy you?”

“You must have. You’ve broken the rules.”

“Yes I have, my foolish young friend.” Kobol started toward
him. “Of my own accord. To save you.”

“Save…”

At once, Jaeryth’s legs decided to stop supporting him. He
slid toward the ground—but Kobol grabbed him before he fell. “Come along, you
poor, pathetic mortal,” he said in teasing tones, supporting him easily with an
arm around his waist. “There is more danger here than what I sent away, and I
didn’t risk damnation to watch you die in some filthy alley.”

Jaeryth moved along with him as best he could. “How did you
find me?”

“Ah, yes. I meant to mention that.” Kobol’s brows drew
together. “I was minding my own business, taking care of paperwork, when a
Shepherd appeared in my office.”

“Daan,” he blurted.

“So you do know the cheeky little thing.”

“Unfortunately.”

Kobol chuckled. “Anyway, this Shepherd babbled on about
someone I knew that needed intervention, and how it had failed as a guardian
and would throw itself on my mercy, if only I would enter the dark place and
retrieve you.” A smirk lifted his lips. “I promised your little friend that I
would torture it later. I won’t, of course, but its reaction was amusing.”

“Daan is not my friend.” Some of the strength had returned
to his body and he eased away to stand on his own. It took Kobol a moment to
realize he’d stopped walking. “I appreciate your efforts,” Jaeryth said.
“However, I intend to stay in Crystaltown.”

“Really, Jaeryth. You can’t—”

“I’m staying.” He drew a trembling breath. “As I mentioned,
you were right. I do love Logan. I’ve already sealed my fate…Kobol, I saved her
life. Now I’m only waiting for Samael to claim me and carry out my sentence.”

Kobol stared at him. “Your sentence,” he echoed.

“Yes. I’m to spend eternity in Tartarus for failing to kill
Logan. She is safe—I’ve ensured it would be so—and she could manifest at any
moment. When she does, I will be collected.”

“So you’ve damned yourself for this mortal woman,” Kobol
spat. “Does she realize this?”

“No. I had to reveal the truth to protect her, but I didn’t
explain the terms of my failure. She threw me out, and rightly so.” A sudden
realization wrenched his heart. “I never told her that I loved her,” he
whispered.

Kobol grunted. “Well, do that,” he said. “At least it would
get you out of this place.”

“I can’t. If I went back to her, she wouldn’t be safe.”
Jaeryth lifted his gaze. “Kobol, would you…”

“Hell’s flames, Jaeryth. I’m in no mood to act as your
messenger.” His mouth drew down in a scowl. “I’ve got work to do tonight.
However, I’ll pay her a visit tomorrow, under one condition.”

“And that is?”

“You will leave this wretched place. Just until I’m
finished. And then you can get back to needlessly punishing yourself.”

“Very well. Thank you, Kobol.” Jaeryth let out a breath.
“You should return to work. I promise to go elsewhere.”

“Oh, no. The moment I leave, you’ll decide that it doesn’t
matter if you stay here, since you’re doomed anyway. You’re coming with me,
right now. And you’ll stay with your eager young Shepherd until I return.”

He groaned. “You drive a hard bargain, old friend.”

“Well, I am a demon.”

Despite himself, Jaeryth laughed and followed Kobol, his
spirits lifted slightly with the idea that Logan would know he’d loved her. It
was a small consolation—but like a flame in the dark, it would sustain him for
a time.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Logan managed to sleep in until almost eleven. But she woke
with a stomach full of butterflies, generated by the promises of the day. First
the concert. And then, Jaeryth. She refused to think about how hard it would be
to find him. She would, and that was that.

Despite her worries, she couldn’t help feeling excited. She
was going to perform for thousands tonight. How many people actually got to
live their dreams? Even if the band went no further after the concert, she’d
always have this experience. And it would be big enough to satisfy her for the
rest of her life.

She showered and dressed, and was headed for the kitchen to
start coffee when someone knocked at the door.

Mild concern rippled through her. Blue was picking her up at
five so they’d have time to prepare for the show at seven, and Tex was supposed
to be tied up at the venue all day. Of course, it wouldn’t be Jaeryth. Maybe it
was a door-to-door salesman, though she hadn’t seen one of those in years.

She crossed the living room, twitched the curtain aside and
peeked out. A tall, stern man in a long black coat stood on the porch, glaring
at the door like it had insulted him. It wasn’t anyone she knew. But he looked
official, and there were no Tempters hanging around. She should probably see
what he wanted, at least.