Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(102)

Was it that simple to unlock a ward with those three simple words?

“Rafe? It’s just that, what?”

“I’ll do anything for Lucy,” he said, raising his chin and standing tall. His voice boomed, despite the turmoil raging inside him. “I love her.”

But did she love him? Yes there was attraction, but she was a sex demoness. What’s not to say it wasn’t her succubus urges that drew her to him. Hope turned to dread. Was he setting himself up for another disaster?

At this point, he didn’t care. He only cared about Lucy. He needed her now more than ever. His internal naysayer would just have to stubble it. It was about time.

His initial dread evaporated, replaced with pure adrenaline and energy. He was through doubting himself. He was Rafael Deleon. He was a Paladin, and, damn it, he was in love. Right now, that was all that mattered.

“Rafael?” Kalli’s concerned voice broke him from his thoughts.

“Yeah?”

“You okay?”

Rafael nodded. He was more than okay. He’d kick Belial back to the underworld. “I’m fine.”

“From the spark in your eyes, my friend, you’re more than fine.” Smiling, Dominic slapped Rafael on the back. “You’re ready, aren’t you?”

“More than ready.”

“That’s what I like to hear. Let’s do this.” He turned to Kalli. “Well?”

Kalli smacked her forehead and rolled her eyes. “I’m waiting for you two!”

“Good.” Rafael needed to teleport. Now. “So how do we do it?”

“I’m still reading.” Kalli returned to the tome, scanning each page. “Nothing too difficult, it seems.”

He’d gladly spin on his head while riding a unicycle if it brought him closer to Lucy.

“Here it is!” Kalli narrowed her gaze. “It says to break the ward, you must state that which your heart desires most. Hmm, already did that.” She flipped a page. “Then you join hands with those close to you and close your eyes. Then one of the archangels will crack the ward.” A frustrated sigh escaped her lips, her brow furrowing. “Bloody hell. More angels?”

“If it means saving Lucy, I’d deal with an entire host of angels.”

Kalli nodded. “Fair enough. Dominic?”

Dominic glanced up. “This will bring us that much closer to Coby. I’m in.”

“Okay!” Kalli hopped from the car hood. “We are so going to kick some Infernati ass.”

She flung open the car door and heaved the book inside. Engaging the lock, she stuffed the keys into her pocket. “Sorry, we can’t bring the book along.”

“Fine by me,” Dominic said. “Now get over here. We haven’t much time.”

That was the understatement of the century. Rafael reached into his coat pocket and grabbed his BlackBerry. He hated electronics, but since he’d relinquished his broken timepiece to Kalli, it was all he had. Glancing down at the digital display, he grumbled.

Eleven-fifty. Only ten minutes left.

In one fluid motion, he reached out and clasped Dominic’s hand. He extended the other toward Kalli. “Here. Now.”

“Sure, big guy,” she replied with a shrug. With quick, lithe steps, she stood arm to arm with him and laced her fingers with his. “It’s now or never.”

With that, they all closed their eyes. Gusts of winds swirled and spun in a subzero vortex that sent him reeling. Arctic blasts of snow pelted his face and shards of ice nicked his face. Icicles dangled from his hair and his face iced over. He wouldn’t have been able to open his eyes if he tried. If the Paladin’s portals were cold, this was a bloody glacier. And he didn’t care. He’d let them freeze off all his appendages if it meant saving Lucy.

“Now, now. How would Lucia like that?” an ethereal voice boomed. A voice he recognized well. The one who’d sealed him to the fate of Paladin. The angel who blessed him.

An archangel? He’d been blessed by an archangel. His mind reeled and his heart stopped. What the bloody hell was going on?

“In time, Deleon. All shall be revealed soon.”

To hell with soon. He wanted answers now. “Who are you?”

The angel blew out a long breath of air. “Always the impatient one, Deleon.” He paused. “Very well. You may open your eyes.”

Rafael flicked open his lids. Opening his mouth to speak, he promptly shut it. Shock and surprise swirled within. The angel smiled, long pale golden hair sweeping across his pristine white wings. Bedecked in a golden breastplate and flowing red robes, he stepped forward, the gold of the matching greaves adorning his shins glinting in the snow. Even without the sword and shield, there was no mistaking who stood before them.

Michael. The warrior. The one who sent Satan to hell. And, apparently, the angel—no, make that archangel—who blessed him.

Dominic and Kalli opened their eyes and gaped, just as shocked as him.

“Shocking, isn’t it?” Michael smiled, handing Rafael a shiny crossbow and silver gilt quiver and arrows.

Rafael went down on one knee and lowered his head.

Dominic coughed and Kalli snickered. What the bloody hell now?

After a brief lapse of awkward silence, Michael spoke.

“Stand, Rafael Deleon. There’s no need to bow. You’re the one we’ve been waiting for.”