Darkness Unbound (Dark Angels 1)

Huh. Helpful—not. “And yet you heard me when I was on the gray fields.”

“Because I am a reaper, and the gray fields are our domain.”

I frowned, splashed some more water over my face and neck, then turned off the tap and sat down on the edge of the bath. “Were you able to get a sense of the soul stealer’s creator before you destroyed it?”

“Unfortunately, no. I thought it more important this time to rescue you. As I have said, your death would be inconvenient right now.”

Meaning that in the future, my death might not be so inconvenient? Irritation flared brighter, but I wasn’t entirely sure why. I really didn’t expect anything else from a reaper.

“Well, I sensed her—she’s evil, through and through. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get much more than that.”

Or had I?

I frowned, thinking back over the impressions that had swamped me a heartbeat before I’d fled my flesh. The soul stealer had been at the base of the stairs when I arrived, looking up but not moving …

“But you would know her if you saw her?”

I jumped at Azriel’s question, then nodded and rubbed my arms. The stain of her still lingered in the dark recesses of my mind.

“Good,” he said. “That is at least a starting point.”

“We may have more than that.” I pulled out my phone and said, “Ilianna.” When her somewhat exasperated-looking features appeared on-screen, I added quickly, “I know, I know, we’ll hurry. I just need to ask a question.”

“Ask. Then you and Tao better get your asses into gear and get over here. The roast is spoiling.”

And given she was a vegetarian and only cooking the roast for Tao, she’d be totally pissed off for the next several days if that actually happened. “We’ll be there in twenty-five minutes. Tell me, those wards you set up—just how strong were they?”

“Strong enough to hold up for several minutes against a concerted attack. Why?”

“So enough time for Stane to escape, but not enough to completely stop a major magical attack?”

“Yes.” She frowned. “I didn’t have enough time to create those sorts of wards. You know that.”

I knew, but I needed to check. “Thanks. I’ll see you soon.”

“But why—”

I cut the connection and looked at Azriel. “The stealer wasn’t actually trying to kill Stane.”

“This is the name of one you came here to rescue?”

“Yeah.” I carefully stood up. My stomach behaved itself, but it felt like there were a hundred tiny drummers going mad inside my head.

“Why would you believe the oni wasn’t sent here to kill?” He turned around and opened the door, stepping back so I could precede him.

“Because Ilianna’s wards weren’t strong enough to physically stop it, yet when I arrived, it was simply hovering at the bottom of the stairs.” I hesitated, glancing at Azriel as I walked past. “Why does Stane see you as a man-mountain?”

“I merely present a form he feels inclined to trust.”

“Most male wolves would feel threatened by someone fairly sizable.”

“But your friend was once rescued by a man similar to the form he sees.”

I paused. “And how would you know that?”

“Because I may be a Mijai, but I am still a reaper. We can reach into the minds of humanity and see their desires and fears.”

Fuck, I hoped he wasn’t seeing my desires and fears. That might get a tad embarrassing! “Then why do both Ilianna and I see your true form?”