Page 62 of Judge of Saints and Sinners

“How did you get here?”

I didn’t need him to answer me as he moved back around, his hands on my shoulders as the long, black claws began to rub small circles in the muscle that’d been held in that unnatural pose.

His voice was more human when he spoke again. “Can you stand? We have to keep moving.”

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere you will be safe,” he answered simply, pulling on my arms and assisting me to my feet.

I weaved a little, my heart rushing with weakness as my muscles shook in resistance to my request to hurry.

“I'm sorry,” I whispered as my face pressed against this bare chest. His hands smoothed over my back, both holding me up and holding me against him as I tried to regain my footing. “I’m so weak.”

“You, little thief,” Nephesh said, “are never weak. Only those who saw it necessary to bind you in such a way are to blame for this moment.”

I glanced up into his face, seeing the man there, even with the fangs, the dark swirl of his horns.

“And I will make them pay.”

I didn't say anything. I just pressed myself against him, my body seeming to grow stronger by the moment, as every stroke of his hands on my back made my mind clearer, my muscles stronger. He was doing something to me, the familiar feel of his magic seeping into my skin as we stood together.

I jutted my chin as I stepped back enough I could look him in the face once again. “What did you do?”

“A small healing, just enough to keep you on your feet.”

“You didn’t ask this time.”

“I’m sorry. Would you like me to take it back?” His brows rose, and again I was stuck by the simple beauty of him in all forms.

“No,'' I said coolly. “I just want to get out of here.”

“My pleasure.” Nephesh held out his arm.

I blinked at him. “What are you doing?”

“We are not walking out of here. We will be flying.”

“How did you get in here?”

Nephesh slowly pointed one black claw, and I stared up. The ceiling, which was already shrouded in darkness beyond the dangling fluorescent lights, seemed to shift and move, shadows moving to the side and revealing a very large, very demon-shaped hole right there in the top.

“Oh.”

“Oh, is right.” Nephesh moved closer then held out his arm again. I cleared my throat, trying to appear unconcerned as I moved towards him, letting him sweep his arm around my hips as he picked me up. “Are you ready?”

I attempted to look at ease, even as my stomach twisted with nerves. “As I’ll ever be.”

Nephesh grinned, showing of a mouthful of sharp teeth. “Such a disbeliever you are, little thief.”

He bent his knees, spreading his snowy white wings wide as the tension in the room racketed up. I could feel something deep in my chest swirl to life, and I moved my hands to press against the place I always felt him.

Trust. Belief. Understanding. Something deep inside glowed with pleasure.

“I believe you,'' I whispered just before his wings flexed, driving the air around us down as his legs unfurled, those claws spreading wide against the cement as we were thrust into the air. One breath, two, and then we passed the lights, the shadows slipping over us as I tilted back my head and stared up at the sweet sky and clouds that awaited us. Nephesh’s hands shifted, lifting me higher, and I moved with him, a smile creeping across my face as we reached the hole in the ceiling,

But then there was a shriek, something darker and more terrifying than any other sound I’d heard in my life. For a moment, I looked down at the people who had filtered into my little jail below us.

Then back up at Nephesh as I tried to locate the sound of that cry.