I blink and smell the reek of his demon breath against my cheek. “Looks like you need a time out.”
And then the world turns black.
Chapter 22
Dylan
The apartment smells of the final stage of sickness that soon will cross over into death. Hildi sits on the edge of the bed, holding her lover’s hand. The Valkyrie doesn’t look much better, but her heartbeat is strong, even if her emotions are weak.
“Do you know? Can you tell?” I ask, trying not to be insensitive.
“She’s got a little time. The goddess hasn’t asked me to bring her home. Not yet.”
It’s an odd position to be placed in—working between life and fate. Before Morgan knew her true destiny, I felt torn between the two; preserving her innocence while championing her future. From the look of Andi’s translucent skin and gray lips, I don’t see much of a future here.
“How’s Morgan?” Hildi asks, obviously wanting to change the subject.
“She’s struggling,” I admit. “Probably more than I understand. She’s carrying a lot of guilt and anger.”
I don’t reveal the details of our intimacy but there’s no doubt what transpired between us earlier was an act caught somewhere between hunger and control. I’m attuned to Morgan’s needs and I will comply with my duties as her guardian and mate, regardless of her motives, but I’m worried.
“She’s impatient,” Hildi says. “But she hasn’t had centuries to understand that although today is a crisis, it’s just one of many days to come.”
I smile at the Valkyrie. Behind the beauty and brawn, she’s wise.
“She cares for you a great deal, and Andi’s illness is weighing on her. What can we do to help you?”
“I think there may be one thing,” she replies. Her fingers tug at the hem of her shirt. “But it may be asking too much.”
“There’s no such thing. Tell me, and we’ll make it happen.”
*
With Davis’ help, we move Andi from the apartment to The Nead. What Hildi needed was assistance. With the looming battle and hospitals being out of the question, she’s afraid she will be called into service with no one left to take care of her partner.
Davis arrived in a windowless black van, often used by Clinton for his instruments. The unconscious woman is light as a feather and we gently carry her into the back. The neighbors watch, surely wondering if we’re loading up a dead body.
Not yet, but it’s a reasonable conclusion.
Sue waits at The Nead, directing us to a small suite on the main floor. The bed has fresh linens. The shades are drawn. Andi can rest here peacefully and Hildi can have the support she needs while remaining on the front lines of the war.
“Are you sure Morgan will be okay with this? That it won’t just be another reminder of what’s happening?”
I look across the room at the dying woman. Sue is fussing with her blankets. “Trust me, I think she’ll be pleased.”
“Maybe you guys can toss some of that healing energy down here.”
I raise an eyebrow in question.
“Gods, don’t even pretend like the whole place doesn’t shudder when you two go at it. Even I get a little bit of a high.”
“I don’t think the healing powers are transferable.”
She stares at me blankly and it takes a second for it to click that she’s telling a joke.
“Oh, you were kidding. Well, right.” I look down the hall. “I’m surprised she hasn’t come up here yet. She went downstairs to relieve Marcus for a few hours.”
“I’ll go, if you want. I can explain why I’m here but give you all the credit for being kind