Darkness Hunts (Dark Angels 4)

No surprise there, given his reaction—or lack of it—when he’d first seen them. “So you have seen pillars like this before?”

“Not exactly like these, no. But the writing on them is a variation of old cuneiform, and they were once used to summon Aedh.”

I blinked. “Really? Why?”

“To bless crops or hunts, to garner favors, and in some cases, to offer one of their own to gain the blessing of the gods.”

“But Aedh aren’t gods.” I could understand them being mistaken for angels, but gods?

“We know that, but the prehistoric world was a much simpler place.”

I guess. “But these pillars aren’t summoning devices. They appear to be some mode of transport.”

He nodded. “They are.”

“Can we use them?”

He half smiled. “No, we cannot.” He picked up the Razan’s wrist and pushed up his sleeves. On the inside of his arm was a small tat that was a mix of cuneiform and scrollwork. “The magic within this allows the wearer to pass through such gates. But even if we could pass through them, I wouldn’t let you.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re still bleeding.” He cupped a hand under my elbow and carefully helped me to my feet. “If you bleed to death before Riley can give you a piece of her mind, there’ll be hell to pay.”

I snorted softly. Right now, him being chewed out by my aunt was the least of my worries. “What about Jak? And our captive?”

“I will give both appropriate memories. You start back through the tunnel.”

I hesitated, then did as he bid. It wasn’t very long before I heard them behind me, Jak cursing like a trooper as he once again scraped his way through the tunnel. Quinn had left rope dangling into the pit earlier, so even with my various aches and pains, it was fairly easy to climb out.

I’d barely crawled through the gap in the roller door when Azriel took my hands in his and gently pulled me upright.

He didn’t immediately say anything, just kept hold of my hands as his gaze swept me. His expression gave little away, but his anger and concern raged through my inner being, the sheer force of it rocking me back on my heels. Maybe Quinn hadn’t been overstating when he’d said Azriel had been frantic. And while that thought warmed me, the snarky voice deep within couldn’t help but note that if anything happened to me, his mission would fail. And in the end, his mission was everything.

“You cannot keep going like this,” he said eventually. “It will be the death of you.”

“Yeah, well, tell that to the bad guys who keep attacking us.” I pulled my hands from his, even though all I really wanted to do was step fully into his embrace and let the heat and warm strength of him melt into my bones and make me feel safe.

And I didn’t care if that feeling of safety was as temporary as the man himself.

“Ris—” He stopped.

I shifted briefly into Aedh form to stop the bleeding, then crossed my arms and regarded him steadily. “I’m glad you didn’t bother denying the temporary situation, Azriel, because really, how can you ever be anything else? Especially when you don’t want anything else?”

“You have no idea what I do and don’t want.” It was vehemently said.

“No,” I agreed. “But to be honest, I don’t really think you do, either.”

I resolutely turned away, suddenly too tired to get into a fight with him again. It didn’t help. Awareness of him whispered through me: the flex of his fingers, the slow release of breath, the close shimmer of heat as he reached for—but didn’t quite touch—me.

I know what I want, Risa. His thoughts ran through my mind like whiskey on a cold night—warm, and yet with an edge that bit. And for both our sakes, you had better hope I never decide to take it.

That sounds like a threat, reaper.

It is nothing more than honesty.

And as usual, you being honest doesn’t actually tell me a whole lot, does it? I shook my head slightly. One of these days, Azriel, you might just regret your reticence.

I do every day I’m in your presence. His words stabbed deep, but he continued relentlessly. But it cannot alter my actions. It will not.