Broken every rule.
Well, almost every rule. One more to go.
He had nothing to lose. He dragged the unconscious angel across the floor to where Faith lay unmoving in the flickering firelight. He would have prayed, but he didn’t think God would be in a mood to answer his prayers right now.
He lifted Raphael’s arm, pushed back the sleeve of his shirt, and held the blade of his knife against the wrist. A hiss came from behind him and he raised his head. Lucifer stood in the archway. Ash ignored him and sliced the blade over Raphael’s wrist.
Blood welled from the wound.
Archangel’s blood. The elixir of life.
He stroked Faith’s mouth parting her lips, then let the drops of blood fall from the angel’s open vein and onto her tongue.
His shoulders itched, and all the while he expected Lucifer to stop him, to call a halt, but he remained silent watching from the entrance.
Ash waited for some sign that this had worked. He wasn’t sure what to expect. Archangels’ blood could make a mortal live forever. But could it cure her?
He didn’t know.
Maybe he had saved her life but consigned her to an eternity of unconsciousness. But it would give him time.
Hope.
A chance.
She didn’t awaken, but slowly the color stole into her cheeks. The wound was closing and he squeezed a few last drops into her mouth, and shoved Raphael away. Holding his breath, he pressed his palm to her chest. Her heartbeat was a slow steady thrum, gaining strength with each second that passed. But her lashes remained closed.
He sat back and stared at her willing her to awaken. Nothing.
“Were you telling the truth about him breaking the Accords?” Luc’s question dragged him from his contemplation.
“As far as I know.”
Luc shook his head. “Get the hell out of here.”
“You’ll let me go?”
“Why not?” Luc stepped into the room. He pushed Raphael with his booted toe. “Pity we can’t finish him off. But I think that would cause even more issues.”
“They’ll make you give me up.”
“They can’t make me. And if they do then you’ll have to ignore me.”
“A little hard to do,” Ash said rubbing his arm where the sigil marked his flesh.
“I liked having you in my power, but I suppose all good things must come to an end. Now piss off. I’ll dump this piece of shit somewhere. Maybe you’ll get lucky and he’ll be too embarrassed to mention it.”
Ash’s skin prickled as he felt the sigil dissolve and he was free. He didn’t wait for Luc to change his mind, just lifted Faith into his arms and headed out.
When he landed in the courtyard, they were all waiting for him. Tara ran up. She glanced at Faith, still unconscious in his arms and pity filled her eyes. Her mother’s eyes.
“I knew you wouldn’t do it.”
“I came so close.”
“Is she…?” Ryan stepped up close. His eyes narrowed. “She looks better.”
“She’s alive.”
“What did you do?” Christian was eyeing her up, his brows drawing together as though he could sense the change.
“I persuaded Raphael to donate a little blood.”
“Shit.”
“Exactly. So chances are things are going to get a little hot around here. You might want to find somewhere else to stay.”
“We’ll stick around,” Christian said. “In case you need us.”
Warmth stole through him at the words. Christian had once been his greatest enemy; now Ash knew the vampire would stand beside him, fight with him.
“What does that mean?” Ryan asked. “Donated blood—how did that help?”
“Not just any blood, but Archangel blood. The elixir of life.” Christian gave a short laugh. “I wish I’d been there. The bastard was responsible for Tara being taken. You should have drained him dry.”
“I was tempted.”
“But why?” Ryan asked. “Why take Tara.”
“At a guess to sabotage the committee. They don’t want the new alliances.”
“Will she be all right?” Tara asked nodding at where Faith still lay in his arms unmoving.
“I don’t know. She’s alive, but the damage is already done to her brain. I’m hoping she’ll come around.”
“Roz will help her,” Tara said.
Christian nodded. “As soon as Piers makes contact we’ll get him to bring her back here.”
“Thank you.”
He wanted away. He needed to be alone with her. “I’ll…” He shrugged but no one seemed to expect more from him, so he flexed his wings and flew to his rooms in the tower.
He stripped back the furs and laid her on the soft sheets. She appeared well now. But he shook her shoulder and got no response. Finally, he stretched out beside her and pulled her against him. She felt warm and alive and unmoving.
He’d broken the laws of heaven. Stolen the elixir of life.
And he didn’t give a toss.
If she would wake up and give him the chance to tell her he loved her, then he would take anything they could throw his way.
Chapter Twenty-five