She blinked away the tears. She didnt want Connor to see her falling apart. Ever since their return to the cabin, he had paced about like a caged animal. A few times, she glanced his way and discovered him looking at her. He always turned away, but not quickly enough that she didnt catch the glint of pain in his eyes. His pacing continued until he retrieved his claymore from the closet and went outside.
After a while, she wandered over to the window to look outside. The nearly full moon shone down on the clearing in front of the cabin. Connor had erected make-believe enemies out of logs and bales of hay, and he was practicing with his sword.
No, he was more than practicing. He was slaughtering his pretend enemies. The force of his blows was frightening. The rage in his shouts pierced her heart.
Connor, she whispered, pressing a hand against the window. I dont belong here. Im sorry.
As soon as the women arrived, he teleported away.
He looks so sad, Marta murmured as she brought Marielle a plate of food.
Of course hes sad. Brynley grabbed a beer from the refrigerator and popped the can open. He got dumped.
Brynley told us about the pink fingernails. Vanda sat on the couch close to Marielle and gave her a worried look. I hear he was really pissed.
Yes. Marielle set her plate of food on the coffee table.
But it wasnt so much the polish. It was the way I rejected him and his word. The tears she had held back for hours escaped and ran down her cheeks. I didnt want to hurt him.
He hurt himself when he fell for you. Brynley walked over to the kitchen table.
Shh, Vanda hushed her. Hes not the only one hurting.
Dont make me out to be the bad guy, Brynley grumbled as she sprawled onto a kitchen chair. We all know she had to dump him. Im sorry that it hurt, Marielle, but it would have hurt a lot worse if you had gotten more involved with him.
Marielle sighed. I suppose youre right.
Marta handed her a box of tissues, then sat across from her in the rocking chair. Youre not eating. You need to keep your strength up.
Im not hungry.
Are you in love with him? Vanda asked quietly.
Yes. She wiped her face with a tissue. A part of me wonders how it could have happened so quickly. But then I see him, and my heart feels like it will burst, and I think how could I possibly not love him?
Vandas eyes narrowed. How much do you love him? Whats it worth to you?
She set the tissue box on the coffee table. All love that comes from the Father is deemed worthy.
This is Earth, Vanda said. Everything we do here has a price. Even love.
I would never seek love for financial or personal benefit.
Im not talking about money. Vanda gave her a stern look.
How much are you willing to sacrifice for your love?
Marielle swallowed hard as she finally understood Vandas question. How much did she love Connor?
To Marielles dismay, Connor continued to remain cold and distant on their fourth night together. He set up the clock, then yelled different times from the front porch. Three oclock. Seven oclock. She was supposed to react by knocking down only the log that corresponded to his order. Sometimes she succeeded, sometimes not. With a frown, he announced she wasnt ready yet.
A small voice inside her celebrated, and it occurred to her that if she was slow with her training, she would have more time with Connor. But then she chastised herself for being selfish. The Malcontents were feeding and killing every night. They needed to be stopped.
When she sensed a number of deaths in Colorado, Connor linked minds with her for a few seconds to go there. The last reported location of the Malcontents had been in Kansas, so it was close enough that he wanted to check it out.
But the deaths were the result of a collapsed mine shaft, and the area was swarming with media. Connor didnt want them to be noticed, so he quickly teleported them back to the cabin.
Was it just her imagination or did he hold her longer than necessary when they arrived? She stood very still, hoping the few seconds could stretch into an eternity, but he eventually let go.
On their fifth night of training, she worked hard to improve, and with a sad, hollow voice he claimed she was ready. She didnt feel like celebrating, either.
She sensed multiple deaths coupled with fear and horror in a mountainous area in Arkansas, so they teleported a short distance away from the incident.
They landed beside a two-lane road that wound through the mountains. Gravel shifted under her feet, and Connor grabbed her arm to steady her as she bumped against a metal guardrail.
Careful. Theres a precipice there. He motioned to the other side of the flimsy metal railing.
They were standing on a narrow shoulder beside the road. Marielle winced at how close theyd come to missing the road altogether. It was dark, the only illumination caused by the nearly full moon and stars. All she could see was the black-topped road, a steep tree-covered incline on one side and the rocky precipice on the other.
This way. Connor started down the road, staying on the narrow shoulder. I can hear the cries.
She walked behind him as the road made a big curve around the mountainside. Then she heard the cries, too. She stepped onto the pavement, so she could see around Connor. Down the road, where it twisted in a dangerous horseshoe curve, a car had crashed through the guardrail and careened down the precipice.
Two are dead. But three are still alive. She tugged on Connors arm, pulling him onto the road. Come on! We have to help them.
Ye canna touch them.
You can. You have super strength and speed.
Verra well. He reached into his sporran. Ill give you my phone, so
Lights suddenly brightened the road. Marielle spun around to see a huge eighteen-wheeler truck zooming around the bend and hurtling straight for them.
A horn blared. Brakes screeched.
Connor shoved her out of the way, and she fell onto the next lane.
No! she screamed. Connor was still in danger of being hit.
No! She scrambled to her feet, then realized why Connor was still standing in the trucks path.
He was frozen.
The truck was frozen.
Time had come to an abrupt halt.
No sound. No horns or screeching brakes or cries from the car accident down the road.
No movement. Silhouetted against the nearly full moon, a bird was frozen in mid-flight. The expression on Connors face was frozen, his eyes blank and not seeing. His arms were still extended from tossing her out of the way.
A chill skittered down her spine, and she pivoted, searching for the one who had manipulated time. As far as she knew, only a few beings could accomplish such a tremendous feat. The Heavenly Father and a few of His most trusted Archangels.
Or a very powerful demon.
Chapter Seventeen
Marielle stiffened when she heard footsteps on the pavement. She whirled around to face the end of the truck. A tall, dark form stepped into the moonlight. A long black coat. Black shirt and tie. Black leather pants. Black wings that folded with a snap and disappeared.
Darafer.
She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. Keep your wits about you. He cant take you to hell unless you agree. But of course he would try all manner of trickery to make her agree.
He strolled toward her, his expensive leather boots tapping on the black asphalt. Moonlight gleamed off his raven-black hair and luminous pale skin. A corner of his wide mouth curled up in a humorless smile.
She glanced at Connor. He couldnt help her. He was, in fact, in danger of being mowed over by the eighteen-wheeler whenever Darafer decided to release time.
The demon circled her, studying her intently with his emerald-green eyes. Why have they dressed you so shabbily? Dont they realize what a beauty you are? He stepped forward and hooked a finger under her chin.
She eased back.
He smiled, a genuine smile that actually made him appear handsome. I would treat you like a rare princess. You would wear the finest silks and jewels.
She started to tell him, Begone, but snapped her mouth shut. If he left, time would unfreeze. The truck was so close to Connor. He would have only a few seconds to react. He could teleport or jump out of the way at vampire speed, but what if he was disoriented for a second? Would he have enough time to escape, or would he be crushed by a massive truck?
Darafer frowned when she glanced nervously toward Connor.
Still hanging out with the parasite, I see. He walked toward Connor and studied him with a disdainful look.
Not much of a protector, is he? Darafer snapped his fingers in front of Connors face. I dont know what you see in him. He flicked a finger against Connors nose.
Dont. Marielle stepped forward, then halted when Darafers eyes gleamed. She winced inwardly. Shed revealed a weakness.