Blonde & Blue (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #4)(88)

I toyed with the idea of turning back before it was too late. Once I stepped foot through that door, I wouldn’t be able to change my mind. I couldn’t shake the feeling that what I was about to encounter inside was going to strip away the last of my remaining illusions regarding the world I lived in.

Kale was calm, his walk confident. This wasn’t new to him. He cast one last look my way before reaching for the handle of one of the large, double wooden doors. A brief shadow of uncertainty flickered in his eyes, and then it was gone. I got the distinct feeling that he would have preferred me not to be there. It did nothing to ease my concern.

The inside of the church was smaller than it looked from the outside, almost cozy. It was dark, the only light provided by the glow of the moon beyond the stained glass windows and one lonely light over the altar.

I followed Kale’s lead, slipping into the darkness at the back of the church near the door. He was deathly still. I stood close, leaning into him more than I meant to. I might have been a bad-ass with the vampires and werewolves, but when my gaze took in those at the front near the altar, I was scared.

Shya loomed over a human man who knelt before him. Dressed in a simple dark suit, Shya didn’t so much as glance our way though I knew without a doubt that he was keenly aware of our arrival. He was intent on the man at his feet. What really stole my breath were the massive black wings extended behind him. I had to tear my gaze away.

Even from where I stood I could see that the man on the floor was trembling. He was also clearly a man of the cloth, a man of God. The stench of fear emanated from him, strong and inviting. I took shallow breaths, refusing to react to the taunting scent.

Aside from Shya, one other demon was present. He had no visible wings, but the dark power rolling off him gave his nature away. He stood off to the side, hands clasped, just watching the scene before him. Another human man stood next to him, his face revealing no emotion or thought. He had a poker face like nothing I’d ever seen. He was also dressed like a man of the cloth. The way he watched the man on the floor whimper without reaction made me go cold inside. What the hell was going on here?

“We don’t have to kill you, Jon. In fact, I’d honestly prefer not to.” Shya’s smooth, low voice was sinister. The air seemed to grow cold as he spoke. “But, I need to know where you found out about my little arrangement with your friend Evan here, because I think we have a traitor. And, I’m sure you understand that’s something I just can’t allow. Don’t you, Jon?”

Nodding his head, Jon stared at Shya’s feet, as if he couldn’t bring himself to look the demon in the face. I had no idea what was going on, but I couldn’t help but feel bad for the guy. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to be in his place.

“I can’t,” Jon stammered, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I can’t. They’ll kill me.”

Shya stared at him, red eyes glinting with malice. “So will I. Make your choice.”

This was hard to watch. My palms were sweaty, and I fought the urge to fidget nervously. Kale stood stiffly next to me, watching with disinterest. I couldn’t help but wonder how many times he’d witnessed something like this.

I watched with uncertainty. Jon’s lips moved but no sound came out, a silent prayer. Then he looked up at Shya with venom in his eyes and spat, “Do what you will, demon. I don’t serve you.”

It was so quiet I could have heard a pin drop. I was tense, my focus on staying calm, hoping my shaky breaths didn’t sound as loud to everyone else as they did to me.

In a sudden swell of dark fury, Shya freely exuded the power of his anger. Despite how hard I was working to shield myself, the demon’s energy cut through me. I choked on a gasp as I tried not to react. It was unlike anything I’d ever been slapped with by a vampire. This hurt. Bad.

I was aware of how small of a wave I’d been hit with, and that nobody else seemed affected by it but me. If I hadn’t been afraid of Shya already, I would have been then.

Kale barely moved from his rigid stance, but with the slightest of movement, he slowly slipped his fingers between mine. I stiffened at first. Then almost instantly, the searing sensation left by Shya’s power dissipated as Kale added his strength to mine. It felt nice, strong, but it was missing that sense of true unity that I shared only with Arys, that sense of being one.

For a long, strained moment, Shya stared down the man who dared to defy him. It lasted only seconds though. Shya gave the barest nod, and an unseen figure stepped out from the darkness beyond the altar light. It startled me. I hadn’t seen nor sensed him. The dim glow of the light fell upon him, and I was stunned.

The angel moved swiftly, an upraised sword clutched in both hands, a blur of motion. The immense silvery grey wings cloaking his tall, darkly clad frame distinguished him from the demons. The faintest iridescent shimmer was visible in his wings as he brought the sword down with enough force to make the blade sing as it cut through the air. It sliced clean through Jon’s neck, taking his head off before I could look away.

This had to be a dream, a really ugly dream. The angel glanced at the remains with cold indifference etched in his fine features.

Shya turned away, directing an order to the other demon present. “Get this cleaned up.”

It all happened too fast to process. Before I could take it all in, Shya was heading our way, his face grim. Kale dropped my hand, and I faced Shya with a confidence I didn’t entirely feel.