Home > Grace and Glory (The Harbinger #3)(49)

Grace and Glory (The Harbinger #3)(49)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

   Oh.

   Wow.

   My heart skipped a beat. Not at the cold promise in his voice that assured he planned to do exactly that or at the violence he wanted to reap, but because he would face Gabriel again. We both would face the archangel, and what if something happened to him? Again? My insides turned cold and panic started to take root. Could I convince Zayne to take a vacay? To sit this out—?

   I stopped myself right there as I stared up into his eyes. Every day carried the risk of one of us meeting an untimely demise. That hadn’t changed. If anything, now Zayne would be less easy to kill. That was good news, something I needed to remember, but Zayne hadn’t asked me to sit this out.

   Inherently, I knew he wouldn’t.

   I also knew I needed Zayne at my side when I faced off with Gabriel, even if Roth and Layla were successful in recruiting Lucifer. And it wasn’t like Zayne would listen to such a request. He hadn’t when I asked him to before, and maybe him charging in when he did, drawn by the pain the bond was feeding him, had played a role that had ultimately led to his death.

   I couldn’t ask that Zayne not let guilt get in the way of us living. And I couldn’t let fear do the same.

   I wouldn’t.

   I took a small breath. “That was also the right thing to say.”

   Zayne raised one eyebrow.

   I shrugged. “I mean, probably not to most, but I have absolutely no problem with you doing exactly that.”

   A faint grin appeared. “I shouldn’t be surprised that you’d say that. You’ve always been bloodthirsty.”

   “True,” I said, stepping into the elevator. Though I had to admit that I wouldn’t have thought the Zayne from before would’ve said all of that. Yeah, he would’ve wanted to hurt and kill Gabriel, but the whole stripping the skin and tearing out organs thing? That was different.

   As the elevator took us up, I stared at him. With the better lighting, I could see he looked the same.

   But not.

   “You know, your features are sharper to me, more defined. Like a picture coming into focus in high-res,” I explained. “It’s been like that since you came back.”

   He started to respond when I felt the awareness swirl along the nape of my neck. His gaze swung toward the elevator doors as he stepped forward, somewhat blocking me. “There’s a demon near.”

   “It’s probably Cayman. He was going to hang out here until he heard from me,” I told him. “You’re bright.”

   “What?” Zayne glanced at me as the elevator slowed to a halt.

   “Your skin is brighter.” I poked his arm. “It’s like there’s a faint light under your skin, and I think that’s why I can see you better than before.”

   His brows rose. “I look like a walking light bulb?”

   I grinned. “I don’t think it’s all that noticeable. I mean, if I can see it, I’m sure others can, but I don’t think they’ll be able to put their finger on what it is. They’ll probably think you have a nice, healthy glow.”

   He opened his mouth as he turned back to the front of the elevator, his attention focused on the inside of the room as the door opened. Whatever he was about to say was forgotten as the dark-haired demon shimmied into our line of sight. Cayman’s back was to us as his head bopped and his hips swayed. In one hand was a bag of chips and in the other was a can of soda. Music thumped from his earphones in a familiar beat.

   Was that... Hey Mama?

   Suddenly Cayman bent at the waist. His ass went up in the air and he shook that thing like...like he was getting paid. Good money, too.

   My lips parted.

   “This was not what I expected,” Zayne murmured.

   “I don’t think anyone would expect this.”

   Cayman whipped upright, the movement smooth and sinuous, popping a chip into his mouth.

   The demon could dance.

   I stepped out of the elevator, unsure if we should interrupt him or not. He seemed to be having so much fun as he danced backward—

   He spun toward us. A high-pitched shriek erupted from him, causing me to jump. The bag of chips slipped from his fingers and slices of deep-fried potatoes scattered across the floor.

   “I wish we’d had the foresight to record this,” Zayne commented.

   I smirked.

   “Oh, man.” Cayman reached into his pocket and the sound of music ceased. Slowly, he tugged his earbuds out as he stared at Zayne. “Should I be running for my life right now?”

   “Instead of dancing for your life?” I asked.

   “This is not the time for jokes,” the demon replied.

   “But I’ve got jokes for days.”

   Cayman ignored me and lowered his voice as if Zayne couldn’t hear him. “I really do not want to have a repeat of Saturday night.”

   “Yeah, I’m sorry about that,” Zayne offered. “I wasn’t quite myself.”

   “No shit,” Cayman whispered. “You don’t feel the uncontrollable urge to hunt me down and make me scream like a small child?”

   Zayne bent down, picking up the fallen chips. “I don’t feel like doing that or hearing you scream again.” Glancing at the kitchen, he did a double take as he got a load of the mess. “On second thought...”

   I bit down on the inside of my cheek.

   “I’ll clean it all up.” Cayman lifted his hands. “Even the mess Trinity left out.”

   My eyes narrowed on the demon.

   He winked at me before turning his attention back to Zayne. “Damn, angel boy, look at how far you’ve fallen. Literally.” He sounded like he’d just paid Zayne one of the biggest compliments. “Glad you’re back.”

   “Thanks,” Zayne replied. “I think.”

   “I was afraid I was going to have to move in with Trinity if this didn’t work out. You know, keep her sane.” He paused. “Sedated.”

   My eyes narrowed. “Do you want to scream like a small child again?”

   “Maybe later. I’ll let you know.” Cayman took a drink of his soda.

   Zayne tossed the bag of chips onto the counter. “Do I look like a walking light bulb to you?”

   Rolling my eyes, I turned to him. “I said you didn’t look like that.”

   “Just making sure.” He shot me a grin that shouldn’t have caused my heart to do a pitter-patter, but did.

   Cayman shook his head. “No, but you do have a luminous...undertone now that you mention it.”

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