He turned to look at the fighting. They were close. He cradled Naomi to his chest, fearful that at any moment they would get her. The rain washed away the blood that covered her face and darkened her hair. He covered her body, attempting to shield her from the rain and the swarm of fallen angels ready to take her away from him. “Please, don’t let them take her. Whatever mistake I made, I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please, don’t make her pay for my mistakes. Do what you want with me. I’ll do whatever you ask.”
He was wrong. Why was it only now, when he held the most precious thing in his life, that he realized how wrong he’d been. When had he lost faith in what he was supposed to do? Where had Naomi found the faith she needed to trust him? And now that she had, all he had to offer her was death. He kissed her cheek gently and whispered, “Forgive me.”
Lash placed his head against Naomi’s chest and focused on the slow beat of her heart and the warmth of her skin. He imagined that they were back at Welita’s house sitting around the dinner table. He remembered how she’d throw her head back when she laughed. He remembered Naomi and Chuy’s relentless bantering, and how when they included him in their teasing he felt like part of the family. He thought of Welita’s trusting eyes as she told him to have faith in himself. He even imagined Bear and the way that her little leg would lift and shake whenever he scratched the right spot behind her ear. He wanted those moments again.
“Lash.” Naomi’s voice was faint. “Where are we?”
He lifted his head and saw dark bruises form under her eyes, a startling contrast to her pale face. It was an expression he’d seen many times before. She was dying. “Shh, don’t talk. We’re on the top of Shiprock.”
“Bear?” she wheezed.
“Is fine. She’s being taken back home.”
She nodded and glanced down. Her fingers traced the red welts on his stomach. “You’re hurt.”
“It looks worse than it feels.”
She covered her mouth as she gave a deep wet cough. When she stopped, she looked down at her hand and her face turned whiter. Quickly, she clutched her hand into a fist.
“What is it?” He reached for her clutched hand.
“Nothing.” She coughed again and pressed a hand to her chest. Before she could wipe her mouth, Lash saw the blood lining her lips and he tenderly brushed it away with his fingers. Gently, he flipped over her hand and peeled her fingers open.
He groaned. “You’re coughing up blood.” He looked in the direction of the fighting angels and spotted Raphael. “Raphael, please, help her.” If there was anyone who could save her, it was Raphael.
He clutched the side of his head as a stab of pain swept through it. Then he heard Luke’s voice as if it were speaking from inside his head. “I can save her. All you have to do is ask.”
He looked over the edge, down at the foot of the mountain. Luke gave Lash a sweet smile and acted like he was taking a stroll in the rain.
“Let me help you,” the voice echoed in his head. “Don’t repeat the mistakes of your past.”
A vision went through his mind. This time, he was standing by the hazel-eyed woman’s side. She had an arm around him as he watched Jeremy hand a gold ring to an older man. Behind the man, Naomi was gazing sadly at Lash.
“She wasn’t yours to begin with,” Luke said. “She can be now.”
Lash dropped his head to his chest when he realized the meaning of the vision. The man was Naomi’s father, accepting Jeremy’s offer to be betrothed to her.
He gazed down at Naomi. Her eyes searched his questioningly. “What’s wrong?” She coughed again, spitting up more blood.
He tore off the end of her shirt and wiped away the blood from her chin. His eyes locked with hers, and he felt his heart surge. Rain mixed with his tears as they slid down his face. He couldn’t do it. No matter how much he loved her, he couldn’t damn her soul.
“No,” he whispered.
“You fool!” Luke spat. He extended his black wings to their full length and flew high above them. “Then I shall take what is rightfully mine.”
“Not this time!” Raphael shouted as he rushed past Lash.
Raphael kicked his foot against Luke’s chest, sending him flying back. “Jeremiel, the time is now!” he yelled.
Jeremy landed a few feet away from them. His blond hair, darkened by the rain, lay plastered against his head. His wings were fully extended, as if he was anticipating a fight.
“What’s … Jeremy … doing here?” Naomi wheezed.
Lash felt his stomach plummet. Naomi could see Jeremy.
He held on to her tighter, and he growled at Jeremy. “Stay away from her. I’m warning you.”
Lightning streaked across the sky behind Jeremy. His lips turned into a thin line as he looked at Naomi and then back to Jeremy. “You’ve done your duty, Lash. Let me do mine.”
Lash tensed and his nostrils flared. Raphael and Jeremy had betrayed him, and somehow they were able to wipe his memories of the event. Whatever it was, he was not letting them take her away from him. He gently lifted Naomi and placed her on the ground.
“Lash,” she whimpered.
“I won’t let him hurt you. I promise.” He pressed his lips against her cold cheek, then drew back and gazed intently into her eyes. “I love you.”